Chapter 47

After finishing our tour of the museum, we are now on the bus heading to our next destination.

"Next is Asahiyama Zoo, right?"

"It's going to be fun!"

The club president immediately responds to my casual remark. The president seems to be in quite high spirits.

"My sister loves animals. When it's time for animal shows, she changes the channel without any hesitation."

"I see."

Runa tells me this in a whisper, mixed with a bit of complaint. Since I'm acting with my juniors, Runa and Owl are also sitting in the seat in front of me.

"The bus will stop at the East Gate, so the standard route is to head to the Small Animal House and then to the Monkey House... But since everyone will likely take that route, it might be better to go to the Owl House first, then see the Ezo Deer Forest and the Wolf Forest to avoid the crowds and move smoothly."

The club president, sitting next to me, is carefully planning while looking at a map of Asahiyama Zoo that she printed out herself. She must have been looking forward to this; her eyes are completely different.

"Do we have to have lunch inside the zoo?"

"It says so on the schedule. There's supposed to be a deer meat patty!"

"That takes a bit of courage."

On the seat across the aisle, Takagawa, Aihara, and Ishida are discussing their lunch plans. Since the zoo tour includes lunch, each group has to finish their meal inside the zoo.

"Ah, I can see it!"

At Owl's words, I look outside and see the entrance to the zoo.

"So, this is Asahiyama Zoo."

It seems we've arrived at our destination.

◇

"Ah, I can see it!"

Hearing Rin's words, Shiro looks down from Kuro's back at the scenery below. While there are artificial structures like roads and bridges, the vast mountains and the beautiful trees growing on them, as well as the powerful river flowing through them, spread out beneath Kuro and the others.

"We've arrived. This is the land where my old friend rests, Kamikochi."

"Wow!"

"Caw!"

As Rin and Shiro are amazed by the scene, a large number of crows suddenly take off from a corner of the forest.

"Hmm?"

Kuro immediately notices something odd about the crows. Despite the barrier he has set up, the crows are heading straight for them, aware of their presence.

"Are they Shiro's friends?"

"Caw."

Shiro shakes his head, indicating that they are unknown crows. As the approaching crows become clearer, Kuro and Shiro's expressions become distorted.

"They smell awful."

Not only are some missing eyes and legs, but some are exposing bones and organs. They are clearly corpses, emitting a putrid smell as they approach Kuro and the others.

"Hmm, it seems we are under attack."

"Caw."

Shiro agrees with Kuro's words.

"Let's see their reaction first. Rin, can you cut them down?"

"I can!"

Nodding at Kuro's words, Rin reaches for the pure white wakizashi she carries. Immediately, the wakizashi, swung at supersonic speed, returns to its sheath with a bell-like sound, and the crows that were cut down fall back to the ground as lifeless corpses. The range of the slash was limited to the flock of crows, causing no damage to the forest behind them.

"Phew! If we had been hit by that, we would have been in big trouble!"

"Idiot, don't make a sound."

Kuro and Shiro did not miss the voice that came from within the flock of crows after Rin's attack.

"Shiro, can you draw out those hiding within the flock?"

"Caw caw."

Shiro replies, "Of course," and releases a sound wave toward the flock of crows and the forest behind them.

"Caw caw, caw caw."

"There is one giant man and one large crow within the flock, and one girl in the forest behind," Shiro says as he flies into the flock of corpse crows.

"Rin, once Shiro draws them out, I will stop the movement of the corpse crows. Can you destroy them in that time?"

"I can!"

"Then I'll leave it to you."

As soon as Kuro gives the order, a large black crow and a one-eyed giant appear from within the flock of corpse crows. Shiro follows them out of the flock.

"What's with that white crow! It blew us away the moment it got close!"

"It must be a shockwave ability using spiritual energy. It's troublesome that even my transparency can't block it."

The one-eyed giant analyzes Shiro's ability while the large black crow complains.

"It seems they were successfully drawn out. Now, I will put the corpse crows to sleep. 'Pseudo-Restraint'!"

"Fly—slash!"

The flock of corpse crows, immobilized by Kuro's 'Restraint,' is shredded by Rin's slash and falls into the forest. In the air, Kuro with Rin on his back and Shiro hovering above, along with the large black crow and the one-eyed giant, remain.

"Sei's corpse crows were useless, weren't they!"

"Koro, stop. Don't insult the forest's comrades who helped us even in death."

The one-eyed giant reprimands the black crow called Koro.

"Now, who are you? Why are you targeting us?"

"Hah! That's my line! You're invading the territory of the lady, emitting a huge presence. Who are you!"

Ignoring Kuro's words, the black crow changes each of its feathers into a black sword.

"Hmm, the lady...?"

Kuro, feeling something off about the black crow's words, thinks for a moment before speaking.

"I will handle them. Shiro and Rin, please don't interfere."

"Caw."

"Okay, got it."

And so, the battle between Kuro and the mysterious attackers began.

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I have posted character explanations with illustrations of Kousuke and the others before Chapter 1.

The illustrations were drawn by Yuki Nigiri, who is responsible for the book's illustrations!

I would be happy if you could take a look.