66 – 66. I must find and kill the sorcerer.
A faint mist.
Layers of unfolding white walls.
If spread out over the vast ocean, it would have been an immense sea of clouds, so distant that one would surely lose their way, but the perspective swiftly broke through invisibility to reach a structure.
A divine palace contrasting with modern architecture.
Beyond the grand palace walls, there lay a vast land and lovely palace maidens beyond one’s imagination.
Guarding him were meticulous court officials.
Outside the divine palace, renowned exorcists protected the palace with strict vigilance.
After passing through several solemn layers of defense, the noble presence finally appeared.
Occasionally, descendants of the emperor who had been seen in the media, as well as royal family members never before revealed, existed.
─Well, you’ve worked hard.
They were surprisingly normal.
They acknowledged the efforts of the court officials protecting them and knew how to express gratitude.
Though it might be mere formality, a gentle smile appeared on their faces, slightly distorted by their high cheekbones.
─…Your words are too kind.
The official politely bowed to the prince before him and then continued on his way.
Some loyal individuals saluted him, while others displayed a friendly attitude.
The familiar official, passing through the palace gardens where maidens and royal family members wandered, and after passing through the grand hall where the nobles gathered, arrived at the depths of the palace, where only a few could reach.
Thump-thump—
It was the pulsating heart of the palace itself.
A massive body tissue, marked with black spots, clung to the palace and thrashed about.
Thump-thump—Inside the pulsating black heart of the divine palace, the official lowered his head.
In response, the lone emperor on the jade throne commanded his subjects with a solemn demeanor.
─The time has come. Loyal guardian, check the vessel’s condition.
The official bowed even lower.
─If necessary, you may destroy the vessel.
Though his gaze was fixed on the ground, the emperor’s authority was vividly felt.
The black mist that densely blanketed the entire space suffocated every life within it.
─Ignite the souls, Tohto Minami.
In Minami’s gradually fading memory, the voice of the emperor became a binding spell.
***
Whoosh—
Though the world was still tinged with ash, a sudden black flame blossomed in Minami’s heart.
It was a very small spark, yet the power of magic contained within it was not to be underestimated.
Even if left undisturbed, it held the power to destroy the Karakura High School area.
A spell of destructive force capable of demolishing at least one school building even if suppressed.
‘…Is it to maintain secrecy and enforce compulsory loyalty.’
Hm, there was no sign of brainwashing.
Perhaps it was a means of mutual annihilation with the opponent who subdued her.
If not for being forcibly suppressed, and if time had not stood still, she would have turned to ash in an instant.
Of course, it wasn’t me, it was Tokito Minami.
When the student council president suddenly burned to death during gym class, it felt like a solemn ceremony.
“Well, this is problematic.”
If the leader of the envoy sent as a messenger disappears, the palace will surely start to suspect.
Since I met him right before the explosion, I’ll likely be pointed at as a prime suspect.
If not careful, a chase and being chased extermination will begin.
I didn’t do anything, it was Minami alone who went boom! and exploded, which is truly unfair.
Of course, it hasn’t exploded yet.
I must resolve this before it becomes really troublesome.
Suppressing the fear in Minami’s heart, I rebuked him as if he had done nothing.
I don’t recall prying into his memories or secrets.
If everything gets resolved by rebuking like this, life would be so much easier, but life is never that simple.
Sizzle!
Facing the still burning fear of the abyss, I inevitably felt the need for further manipulation.
“Well, it was going to happen anyway.”
The target has just shifted from one to two.
Forming each seal, one aimed at the heart, the other at the head.
“───Gain one, forget ten. Close the book and forget. O river of oblivion, wash away the foolish thoughts and overlay false memories.”
The most crucial ritual for Ichimaru Shiki, whether in the past or future, is the soul lineage ritual.
For the sacrificial ritual, to ascertain if the rebirth of the dead is possible.
To prepare for sudden mental attacks that cannot be dealt with through time manipulation.
Or for the exploration and manipulation of information.
I have honed the soul lineage ritual countless times, and all that knowledge remains in my memory.
Thanks to that, I could fully read the memories held by the woman in front of me.
“Plunge even darker.”
Moreover, the manipulation of the situation became possible.
Distortion, soul manipulation.
A more sophisticated and secretive ritual entwined Tokito Minami’s heart and soul compared to before.
Forcedly binding memories that were tightly locked would soon burst like the convulsing flames.
The exposure of my master’s secret transformed the perception of the ritual that was raging.
“Well, that’s that.”
Well, if I’m caught despite going this far, there’s no helping it.
Then, it will come down to a fight.
With a snap of my fingers, Tokito Minami’s pupils, which had momentarily clouded, returned to normal.
“Huh…?”
As if waking from a dream for a moment, she stared at my face with a dazed expression, then absentmindedly turned her head to look around.
“…”
Minami frantically searched around as if trying to find the fragments of lost memories.
Given her naturally suspicious nature and the fact that manipulating minds was new to her, it seemed rather imperfect.
At times like this, a gentle push on the back might be necessary.
I tightly held the hand of Tōketo Minami with a broad smile on my face, shouting in an agitated tone,
“Ah! Miss Minami, I am truly grateful for trusting an outsider like me and inviting me to the palace!”
“…Inviting?”
“Yes! Didn’t you just say a while ago that all my verifications were completed?”
Tōketo Minami tilted her head as if puzzled, then her pupils clouded over.
“…Ah.”
With her head jerking like an unlubricated doll, she faintly smiled.
“Right, that’s how it was.”
“Hmm, I almost felt offended for a moment.”
“…Ah, that wouldn’t do. I will soon decide on the timing for your entrance and inform you.”
“hahahaha, thank you.”
Minami seemed relieved at the now quiet seed of her calm heart, where the dagger neatly stowed away and the suppressed stirrings of her intestines lay, oblivious to any abnormality.
She got out of the car with a less sinister expression than when she first saw me and spoke,
“If you need anything, please let me know.”
“Oh, are you offering help?”
“Yes, I will assist to the best of my abilities. Both I and the palace will support you, who are more important than anything else.”
“…hehehe.”
Was the brainwashing too effective?
It didn’t feel like empty words; it seemed like a genuine effort to help.
‘Most important partner, ally.’
In her memories, it was also referred to as a container.
It was clear that I was not a utensil, but it was quite awkward not being called by a proper name.
At a point where people were not addressed properly, it felt somewhat off.
I didn’t particularly want to be friends.
Contrary to my thoughts, Tōketo Minami seemed eager to be friends.
She continued with a sly smile,
“The boundary of the school’s jurisdiction, isn’t it set up to control something? If you need a helping hand, feel free-“
“No, it’s okay.”
It’s quite awkward. I also can’t spit on a smiling face.
It’s really difficult to refuse, but there are times when it must be done.
I spoke with a trembling face and tone, sensing everything outside the window,
“That’s my prey.”
I will never let it be taken from me.
‘Hello, little miss.’
Everyone thinks there is regret.
It’s natural to hide jealousy, envy, and resentment towards someone in one’s heart.
If given a chance to live the life of the envied one, I would gladly do so.
‘Do you want to be special?’
So, I made my choice.
I’ve never wanted an ordinary life like the one Tachibana Sawako has lived. I’ve always wanted to live as a remarkable person.
Beautiful, confident in everything, with a voice like a rolling gemstone, the woman everyone dreams of.
“…Sawako?”
I dreamt of such a life.
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For a moment, I forgot that dreams cannot come true.
Sawako, who had been choking on my neck, stood up with a faint smile.
…It’s the limit now.
Intuitively, the woman pushed aside the friends who tried to hold onto her and staggered away.
As she entered a deserted alley where no one’s gaze could reach her in her precarious state, she finally felt at ease.
Possession, soul’s liquor.
Soon, the contract was fulfilled.
As she stood still, one by one, blue tails rose behind her.
Her originally brown hair also turned closer to indigo due to the verdant magic.
“Hmm, faster than I thought.”
The one who was Tachibana Sawako tilted her head.
The seven blue tails of the fox spirit, Yoho, encircled her with a beautiful smile.
The barrier surrounding the Karakura area.
It probably won’t kill me if it touches me, but there will definitely be a commotion.
“Shall we wait until the moon rises?”
As the night deepens, the supernatural power strengthens, making it easy to break through the barrier.
It’s easy to go out like that, but the problem is absorbing the earth’s perilous energy freely.
After a moment of contemplation, the fox spirit quickly made a decision.
“I must find and kill the sorcerer who erected the barrier.”
That’s the decision she made.