Chapter 4 - The way an avenger ought to be

Part 1

In one of the private rooms of a Chinese restaurant located close to the Metropolitan Police Department, Kazuma was explaining the details of the story to Tachibana Kirika.

".........what did you say? ", asked Kirika dumbfounded, staring at him in wonder, but without replying Kazuma gulped down his mapo doufu.

He eliminated the pointless time of surprised cross-examinations, understanding she actually heard what he said but couldn't comprehend it.

Besides when Chinese food becomes cool it becomes unappetizing.

"----Kazuma, wait"

Quickly regaining her serenity, Kirika glared at Kazuma with a blank stare.

"Right now, we're talking about something unthinkably important. Can't you be a little more honest? "

"Not really, no matter what attitude I take the situation won't change. "

But even so, Kazuma didn't rest his chopsticks. On the contrary, he asked Kirika.

"You're not eating? "

".......I lost my appetite", groaned Kirika in a dejected tone.

But, she couldn't do that.

If Kazuma's words were true --- and she absolutely couldn't believe this man would lie at such a time --- the battle that will start before long might bring damage at a disaster scale to Tokyo.

"But even so, I've never even heard rumors regarding the existence of sacred treasures from Water and earth."

"Right. Even I didn't know. The Suzerain didn't either. "

"Isn't that weird? "

Kirika knitted her eyebrows in doubt.

"I don't know when and how this world came to be but if something like that were to exist in reality, do you think it's likely not even a bit on information would leak out? "

"Who knows"

That was a justified question but Kazuma's response had no enthusiasm.

"It doesn't really matter. I have no interest in stories of the past. "

"Not like that ---"

With an earnest facial expression that doesn't allow a negligent attitude, Kirika pressed for a answer.

"What I'm trying to say is, weren't the sacred treasures of Water and Earth just bestowed by the Spirit Lord? "

In other words, that Chris and Gaia were the same with the Founder of Kannagi and the same with Kazuma.

"I wonder..."

Remembering those two's ability, Kazuma murmured in a contradictory voice.

They were certainly first-class Jutsushi.

Chris was an excellent Suijutsushi, even Gaia, if Kazuma wouldn't have used Kokusen, he wouldn't have been able to repel him so simply.

But.

That was true and yet ---

"I don't think they were such significant masters. "

Even if Kazuma were empty-handed, he did not think he'd loose to Gaia.

It would be a close fight. He would maybe even suffer wounds.

But even so, the empty-handed himself will without fail win in the end against Gaia owning a sacred treasure. He could assert that.

"Huh, if you say it by your standard......"

Retorting with a stunned expression to Kazuma who declared so without hesitation, Kirika noticed her own misunderstanding.

"I see.......that's right. It must be by your standard"

If the sacred weapons were newly acquired, it meant signing a contract with the Spirit Lord.

Then, if the person cannot stand in the same arena with Kazuma, who is a <<Contractor>>, it means it doesn't have that qualification.

But, if so, they were an even more suspicious lot.

"As for Suijutsushi families, I never heard of a Roengram. And then Gaia --- the Earth? the Chijutsushi who doesn't give his surname, even more, the fact that he's using an flagrant alias, that seems very questionable. "

The Spirit Jutsushi, almost without exception stressed their family name.

Because they are a class where inborn ability is more important than anything else, that could be called the natural current.

Even for the <<first generation>> that acquired power unrelated to lineage, the trend is constant.

Rather, for the sake of making a reputation, there are many who emphasize the surname even more.

To sum it up, a Spirit Jutsushi who doesn't name himself is someone who was either banished from the family or someone who has done a serious crime, anyway, someone for whom giving his name would produce inconvenience, nothing but a dishonest Jutsushi.

For those kind of people, it's impossible that they are the due successors of secret treasures.

"It's not only that"

To perform a magic ceremony by gathering the sacred treasure of the four elements, that's fine so far. But ---

"At the time of the Fuan Family they used force because the negotiations failed and yet when it comes to Ayano-chan they attacked suddenly, right? Just what were they thinking? "

"At first, they began in a negotiation-like fashion, though "

"Don't make fun of this. You understand, right? "

Kirika didn't respond to Kazuma's joke but coldly replied.

What Kazuma meant by negotiations was what Chris said: "If you obediently hand over Enraiha I won't hurt you".

Even if they tried negotiating with the Fuan family one way or another, the change in attitude was too big.

Or perhaps, because there was no way to consider those negotiations it looked like some kind of proclamation of war.

"They wanted to turn the Fuan into their allies but when it comes to Kannagi they planned to be hostile since the beginning? If it were me I would try my best not to make enemies of the Kannagi only --- do you think they have some kind of grudge? "

"Who knows? While you're searching for them, if you feel so inclined, investigate it. "

At Kazuma trying to push something even more troublesome on her, Kirika turned to him a glare full of blame.

"Hey, it's not like I have that much spare time. Even if you request an investigation from me, we still don't have a prospect"

"This and that are different. This is for the Special Information Storage Room and it's an issue of maximum priority. "

It was a fair argument. This man, when it's advantageous for him, won't hesitate to do some whitewashing.

"Besides, it's not like there isn't any compensation. If you find their whereabouts before they start to move, the Kannagi will owe you big time. That's sweet. "

"-----That's if we can find them. "

"Well, anyhow, do your best"

"You too. "

At that reply, Kazuma, who said so over his shoulder like it was someone else's problem, frowned involuntarily.

"Why do I have to be involved in such a troublesome thing no matter what? I was supposed to have a little income by exorcising ghosts with one hand and spend my life in tranquility and peace "

"You're such a.....", sighed Kirika astonished at Kazuma's lower middle class-like ambition, excessively unconscious of his own position.

"You can state that as much as you want but it's impossible. No matter how you think about it, you were born under the star of upheaval. "

"What a thing to say. How rude. "

Asking so with a tone of forced resentment, Kazuma left his seat.

"In any case, I count on you. More that the fact that the Suzerain requested it, you don't have the choice to stay out of it. "

While concealing his the feelings on facial expression by casting his eyes down, his lips raised as if smiling.

From those lips, a voice so flat it could give one shudders came out.

"Because right now it's not the time to do that. "

"............."

While Kirika didn't say anything, Kazuma left the room.

Left alone, she continued to stare at the door Kazuma left through for a very long time with a pained gaze.

Suddenly her eyes dropped on the table.

With more than half left, vapor frequently rose from the cooking.

But, no matter how vibrant the colors looked, how delicious the smell was, the appetite that was totally eradicated could not be revived.

"Speaking like you're not caught up in this is forced, you know...."

She remembered. That one moment his mask failed and his honest face peaking from underneath.

So empty it made her shudder, so ghastly and sorrowful beyond comparison ---- that kind of face.

"I really.......entrust this to you, Ayano-chan"

Part 2

Dream

That was, a dream.

"Otou-sama, Okaa-sama, I was able to do Senga Kyuren (trad. Nine Verse Pierce Fang) !"

The time when she was an innocent girl, when she didn't know anything and not knowing was permitted.

"Ooh, well done << >>! You have maybe more talent than my sons, no? "

The strong, gentle father.

"You did your best << >>. But you are a girl so you must learn to be more couteous, right? "

The beautiful mother.

And then, although competing with each other for the Successor position, the brothers with a close relationship.

A happy, perfect world.

Satisfied in just about everything, with nothing to complain about, the passing of day after day, all peaceful ---

But, that was a dream.

The memory of very, very distant paradise she was parted with----

"Haaah! "

As if trying to shake off the past, Xiaolei earnestly swung Kokusen in the uninhabited dojo.

She had no time to yearn for memories, all that was left to her was her body, Kokusen entrusted to her by her father and ---

"Without exception, I will take revenge! "

Only that thought, in was similar with obsession.

She needed power. Above all else. --- No matter what she must sacrifice to get it.

Juugo said to rather overcome weakness rather than simply discard it. But, she does not have time enough to do that.

No matter how you gloss it over, women are <<weak>> things. When it comes to their motion ability, they are inferior to men.

She could not recognize that weakness, accept it and then overcome it.

She just lost everything.

Without even that scrap of power she has, she would be degraded to a powerless girl.

Right now she wanted a more reliable strength than that idealistic thought. She didn't care about anything else.

She understood what Juugo was trying to say.

The blade that was pointlessly chipped off, instead of obtaining the utmost firmness and sharpness, will loose its tenacity and become brittle.

But she was fine with that.

Foe example, if she were smashed in just one swing, if she could cut the enemy's life at the same time , she'll count it as a win.

"I'll definitely kill --- to make my father's, my mother's, my brothers' regret disappear, with this hand! "

Thinking only such heartbreaking thoughts, Xiaolei continued to wield the spear.

More faster, more sharper, she honed her body and heart to the utmost limit ---

"You work hard, huh"

"-------!! "

At the sudden voice Xiaolei turned in one motion. At the same time she turned to confront the instant enemy, she set up Kokuzen including a frozen, frank intent to kill.

But the girl the spear was trusted at, didn't show any reaction towards it.

At the entrance of the dojo, her shoulder touching the gate that remained opened, lightly leaning against it, she looked at Xiaolei with folded arms.

"What do you want---"

"It's not good to train too much ---- Or is this a diversion? "

Smoothly averting the unfriendly question, the girl --- Ayano, continued talking.

As if poked in a painful spot, Xiaolei shut her mouth.

Even she didn't expect this kind of practice full of idle thought ho have results, rather she understood it could be harmful.

But, even so ---

"Well, I think I understand the feeling of not being able to motionlessly stay in one place but don't destroy the dojo, okay?"

For Ayano that was nothing more but a silly joke.

But for Xiaolei agonizing over her own weakness, she could only hear those words full of severe sarcasm.

".....is that, sarcasm? "

"----Ha? "

"Is it an insinuation that I cannot perfectly control Kokusen!? "

The girl screamed with a violent emotion.

She understood deep in her heart that she was venting her anger but even so she did not stop.

The reality she was unable to change, the sense of helplessness she could do nothing about, she pushed all that onto Ayano and scowled at her with the intent to kill.

"..................."

In silence, Ayano accepted that glint in the eye --- unexpectedly, her gaze spontaneously slipped away, with a smooth motion.

Without showing vigilance to the girl who was about to spring at her at any moment, she calmly took off her her stockings, entered the dojo and walked to the wall.

And then, she took a six feet wood cane hanging on the wall and threw it at Xiaolei.

She took a wooden sword for herself and nimbly swung it to ascertain its weight.

"For now, I think there's a more meaningful way to use your time instead of worrying by yourself endlessly and become unable to control your urge to destroy, no?"

The point of the wooden sword was exactly aiming at Xiaolei's eye.

The distance between was roughly three meters. For a sword that was rather far but for a cane that was already within reach.

"You, do you think you can be my opponent? ", declared Xiaolei with unconcealed contempt to Ayano who suggested they become sparring partners.

In spite of doing nothing but run away from her attacks during yesterday's fight.

What's more, even if Ayano were to say "Let's stop then", right now she didn't felt like stopping.

She wouldn't pardon her even if Ayano turned her back on.

--- This is what <. Opening a dimensional hole and swallowing everything that was about to harm himself and expelling it in another dimension.

"Hooo"

Surprised by defending against his attack, Chris let out a frank voice of admiration.

"I see, no matter the puniness, there still exists a state's organization to repel demons. They employ such unique people. "

"Eeh, no, that's--- "

Daiki hesitated, mumbling. He heard this power was rare but he absolutely couldn't control it.

If Chris were to amuse himself and attack a second time, this time there was a high possibility he would be turn into a bee hive.

But luckily where Daiki was concerned, Chris turned his attention somewhere else.

"So, will you too show me your ability? "

"Eeeh? "

Following Chris's line of sight, Daiki looked over his shoulder. Doing so, he saw Yuuto that was supposed to have run a long time ago in a cold sweat unable to move.

"Senpai --- why? "

As expected, he tilted his head to the side puzzled, not thinking the answer will be I came to save you.

But, the question was immediately cleared. Piercing through the asphalt, ivy-like cords coiled around Yuuto's ankles preventing him from running away.

"I don't like those who run leaving a comrade behind. If you want to kill him, do it."

With naked contempt, the Chijutsushi said so, over his shoulder. Chris also didn't seem to have a different opinion.

"All right. Well then, first of all..."

Together with a bland answer, water spirits were summoned once more. This time there weren't a countless number of water droplets but one water sphere materialized and then adjusted its shape to a long, sharp one.

Compared to the attack on Daiki, this was much more careless. Griping that transparent spear in his hand, the beautiful Suijutsushi took a pitching posture.

"No, wait! Wait! Wait! "

Because his legs were bound, Yuuto couldn't run. So he shook his hands and head panicking, trying to stop Chris.

"My power is plain. It would be troubling if you expect a show unique in the whole world. "

"Leaving the boring things aside, show it to me first"

But without caring about it, Chris threw the water spear at him without hesitation.

He easily pierced him.

His chest easily perforated in the middle, Yuuto's eyes opened wide. And then, his body was thrown backwards, and slowly, as if in slow-motion, it fell to the ground.

The body lying down sprawling, didn't even twitch.

"Oh? ", murmured Chris in a tone half surprise and half disappointment.

For a short while he looked at Yuuto but it didn't do anything interesting, only blood was gushing out the whole in his chest.

After several seconds passed again, Chris finally accepted Yuuto died. This time he let out a sight full of disappointment. And then he slowly shook his head.

"How boring. It seems his ability wasn't intended for battle, huh? "

He regretted it, but after all, that was everything he had to say. In a tone of killing people like he was playing, he didn't seem to sincerely reflect upon it.

"Well then, please don't forget the message. "

Those words made Daiki's features, who was staring at Yuuto with a pale face, to jump and look at Chris.

"..........."

In a calm tone, Chris emphasized those words to Daiki, who didn't say anything.

"Do you hear me? "

"............Aaah"

That broad reply made Daiki cast down his eyes in shame.

".....Isn't this enough? Let me go"

"Yes, of course. I said from the beginning I will only kill one. "

Generously, with an elegant bow, Chris took his leave letting Daiki live.

And then, Gaia followed too after looking at him full of disgust as if saying You coward.

".......Waaaaaaaahh....."

When those two disappeared, Daiki threw himself on the ground in relief and breathed a long sigh.

"I thought I was going to die, really....."

He fleetingly look at the place where his senpai was lying down but quickly changed and looked up at the sky, murmuring.

"You reap what you sow, senpai"

Because of Daiki's character, those words seemed positively cold. But, the reason for them became clear in a few seconds.

"Humph"

Yuuto who seemed to have died, suddenly got up. And then, with a good complexion, as if he didn't lost a drop of blood, he laughed.

"Playing dead after a certain-kill. Even if I say so myself, it was splendid. "

"Isn't it weird for a human to live after that? The question of pretense is not the problem.", returned Daiki amazed.

That expression was hateful as usual but there wasn't much to be surprised about.

Meaning that for them, this wasn't an unusual situation.

"Geez, isn't senpai's constitution much more unreasonable than mine? "

"The fact that your's is flashy is the reality. But the fault of this technique is that my clothes get torn every time. Do you think this expense is covered? "

"Who knows? Why don't you ask the chief? "

"Kirika-chan would never forgive something like that! "

"Not my problem even if you tell me! "

It was at the time Daiki replied so at Yuuto, pouting his lips in spite of his age.

A boy holding a spear --- or maybe a girl --- came rushing.

Finally arriving at the place the Water and Earth spirits had been activated, Xiaolei noticed the figures of two men.

But they were not the ones she was searching for. Xiaolei was disappointed at their escape but she immediately discovered the huge red blood stain on one man's chest.

Looking around the surroundings, she discovered a great number of marks.

There were water puddles everywhere and soil rising through the asphalt.

Matching it to the man's wounds, the state of affairs became clear. Without a doubt, there was a fight here.

Perhaps, between these men and them.

Xiaolei looked at those two including killing intent.

"You two --- who did you fought with? "

"---- you are? "

The child-faced man asked cautious. That gaze was going back and forth between Xiaolei's girl-like but dangerous expression and the spear she was gripping in her hand.

That was the first time Xiaolei realized Kokusen was bare. Surely, before she ran here it was wrapped in its pouch but because of her killing intent the spear reacted and the power that leaked out tore it off.

"Are you perhaps, the Fuan Ojou-sama? ", interjected the blood-stained man.

Unbelievable from the quantity of blood-loss that would make one loose consciousness at best, he seemed unnaturally healthy for some reason.

"......who are you people? "

Replying with a question at a question. She had no intention of revealing any information before she knew who they were.

But, in spite of the impenetrable attitude, th blood-stained man accosted her much too familiar.

"There's no need for that way of talking, no? We did our best and worked for Ojou-sama's sake. "

"What.......what is this? "

"Aah, we are from the Special Investigation Unit and we were searching for Christian Roengram and Gaia at your --- or rather, the Kannagi Clan's request. "

Because she understood the child-faced man's explanation, Xiaolei slightly softened her killing intent.

"Come to think of it, Ayano said something like that"

"That's right, we're not the enemy so please don't make such a scary face. Aaah, my name is Shimon Yuuto. Nice meeting you. "

"I am Isurughi Daiki. Nice meeting you"

The two men introduced themselves with a smile but Xiaolei response was blunt.

"I don't really care about your names. Rather than that, did you find them? "

"Yes just now. They nearly killed us. ", nodded the child-faced one-- Daiki.

The girl drew near with a bloodcurdling expression.

"Where? Where did they go? "

"I, I don't know that. Even we, we only managed to survive this. "

While he was being grabbed by the collar and shook, Daiki explained frantically.

Xiaolei looked at him with a plain what a useless guy and roughly thrust him away.

"Shit, but, if they're still close...."

Hanging her hopes on a thread, she searched for their presence in the surroundings.

The blood-stained man-- Yuuto's voice reached the concentrating girl's ear.

"Aaah, by the way, there's a message from them"

"What----? "

Xiaolei pressed Yuuto with a changed expression.

"Say it! What did they say? "

"Hmmm, what to do---"

But, while lazily evading the girl's spirit, Yuuto smiled somewhat mischievous, or rather lewd.

"We did our best and put our life on the line but there wasn't a single word of thanks. In this situation, without a kiss of appreciation, I don't think I can remember the message...."

Without even letting him finish his sentence, Xiaolei made Kokusen flash and the silver edge was next to the man's neck.

"Wow, a kiss of appreciation, huh? "

Together with that subdued murmur, the last millimeter that separated the blade and the neck was filled.

At the slightly cold feel on his carotid artery, Yuuto's smiling face froze.

"Should I give you a very hot one with this? "

"Aaah, no, that's.......I'm sorry"

Yuuto apologized without shame or honor. Daiki gazed at that stiff face amazed and spit the words out together with a sigh.

".......Senpai, does your range include even such children? "

"No, I'm already imaging the five years older version so I'm just trying to call dibs....no, that's a lie, for someone like me even touching your shadow would be too awesome. "

Daiki didn't understand but it seemed like the blade was lightly pressed into the carotid artery.

With a sidelong glance at Yuuto, unfolding a disorganized but insincere explanation, he frankly gave her the message.

"Tomorrow at noon, you are supposed to go at Shinjuku Central Park. You and Ayano-san, together with Yagami-san. "

"............"

"Tomorrow, huh......? Are they setting traps......then, maybe right now......!"

She scowled at Daiki as if shooting through him. And then, grabbing him by the collar, she pressed closer.

"Hey! Where is this Shinjuku Central Park? "

"Eeh....it's this way. There are a lot of signs, so if you follow them, I don't think you can get lost......but, why...?"

There was no answer. By the time he noticed, Xiaolei was running, already ten meters away and faded away, accelerating.

"No, I don't think they'll be there now......."

Of course, that murmur didn't reach the girl's ears. He looked at Yuuto, as if saying what's the deal with her but he was looking after the running girl, his face breaking into a smile.

"Well, she was a fine aggressive girl. It seems like I found a new preference "

"........Senpai, I'm saying this just to be sure but that's a crime. "

As a human being, as a policeman, Yuuto didn't seem to care.