Chapter 94

On December 30, 2021, at 03:18, I made a slight revision to the content of Chapter 90.

"Enemies escaped due to the removal of the giant barrier" → "Enemies escaped despite the giant barrier not being removed"

The content has changed accordingly. That's all!

---

"Bringing two cute girls home the day after bringing a new family member, Kou-kun has really grown up, hasn't he?"

"Mother! More importantly, this seems to be a barrier technique! The texture is close to glass, but it's very sturdy."

"Amazing hardness. It seems even harder than a rock wall. Where did I put the pickaxe I used during my active days? I'll go look for it."

"I'll go too. I should find the short sword made from animal bones that a friendly tribe made for me."

Ignoring my parents, who were plotting something sinister outside the room, I urged Juna and Mei to sit on the cushions I had prepared.

After the battle in the forest, we decided to hold a strategy meeting at my place because my parents' house was closer than the temple that was helping the Mizukami family.

However, my parents' curiosity exploded due to the situation of bringing two beautiful girls home, so I immediately locked myself in my room and set up a barrier outside the door.

Thanks to that, my parents' curiosity shifted to the barrier, so it should be fine for a while.

"Very... unique parents, aren't they?"

"You don't have to force a compliment."

I responded to Mei's words.

Actually, the word "unique" in this situation isn't a compliment.

"Sorry, I really lost my cool earlier. I couldn't calm down and caused trouble for everyone. I'm really sorry."

Juna, who had calmed down after waking up, apologized. I had already explained the situation after she was knocked out.

"It's okay. Everyone is fine. But, can you tell me why you were so angry?"

"Yeah, I want you to hear about the demon, 'Millennium Shogi.'"

Juna began to speak, as if answering my question.

Ten years ago, a powerful demon that had been sealed 400 years ago in the mountains of the Tohoku region was targeted for extermination.

The target of that operation was the demon we fought this time, 'Millennium Shogi.'

"Millennium Shogi is a great demon that has lived for over a thousand years, resembling shogi pieces. It is composed of 20 demons modeled after the 8 types of shogi pieces, with the 'King' at the center, which is like its heart."

I remember the two we fought called each other 'Kei' and 'Kaori.'

If those names correspond to the kanji for 'Keima' and 'Kaku,' then the two we fought were demons modeled after 'Keima' and 'Kaku.'

Those two were quite strong, but the thought of there being 18 more like them is terrifying.

"Each demon modeled after a shogi piece is already quite powerful, but the most troublesome aspect is Millennium Shogi's ability."

"Millennium Shogi's ability?"

"Yeah. They can use the demons they defeat as their pieces."

"!!??"

"I see, so that was the ability of Millennium Shogi I had heard about..."

The ability to use defeated demons as pieces.

More precisely, they can use the demons they kill in a fully functional state, like puppets.

Juna, Mei, and I, along with Shiro and the others, were surprised by Juna's explanation, but Kuro seemed to understand.

"I didn't sense any self-awareness from the demon I killed, Enenro. It felt like the body was being forced to move. That's why I thought I needed to mourn it quickly..."

Enenro, a demon made of smoke, was troublesome, but I didn't feel it was strong.

The scene of Kuro instantly killing such an opponent with full force seemed questionable, but there was a reason for it.

Also, Kuro already knew about the existence of Millennium Shogi. He didn't participate in the battle 10 years ago to protect Sapporo, but he knew what had happened.

"As the cat god said, demons turned into pieces of Millennium Shogi have no self-awareness. They are controlled by the ability without a soul."

"I had heard about Millennium Shogi from Ryu-kai, but I didn't expect the demon we just fought to be one of them... It's a troublesome ability indeed."

"Yes, it is a very troublesome ability. Even if you defeat the demons in a way that scatters them, they are restored to a complete state and used. You must avoid defeating them altogether."

Kuro's words were answered by Juna.

During the battle 10 years ago, attempts to save the possessed pieces were made multiple times, but all failed.

Juna also said that once someone dies, they cannot be brought back to life by any means.

"Cannot be brought back to life... huh."

While hearing my parents' voices, who were trying to break the barrier, I felt relieved that I could come back to life.

I quietly resolved to live to the fullest until my lifespan ends.

"Regarding the battle 10 years ago, not only the demons but also many of the mages who participated in the battle were casualties. The next head of the Hinoyama family at the time, the head of the Kinmori family, one of the five major yin-yang families, and the head of the Tsuchimikado family. And my mother, who was also the head of the Kikara family."

The demon that killed her mother.

That was the reason Juna lost control and tried to defeat the demon.

The explanation of the battle 10 years ago and Millennium Shogi continued in a heavy atmosphere.

---

A little earlier, while Kousuke and his group were battling the pieces of Millennium Shogi.

Ryu-kai Mizukami was reading a report sent from the investigation team in his office.

The report detailed the results of the investigation into a demon sealed in the mountains of the Tohoku region, which Ryu-kai had commissioned due to the frequent disappearances of demons.

"Sure enough, pieces have been escaping since the 20th of the month..."

Ryu-kai, reading the report, felt a sense of urgency as his worst fears were confirmed.

One of the strongest sealing techniques in Japan, '20th of the Month,' is a powerful technique that can seal even demons with immense spiritual power, rendering them immobile.

However, the 20th of the month, as the name suggests, is the only day when the sealed entity can move freely, a significant limitation of the technique.

"Millennium Shogi cannot move at all except on that day. Therefore, it's certain that the date of the escape from the seal is December 20th... However, on that day, barrier and sealing specialists from all over the country are gathered to suppress Millennium Shogi. It should be impossible for it to escape..."

Ryu-kai muttered while flipping through the pages of the report.

The pages contained detailed analyses by multiple detection specialists of the '20th of the Month,' which cannot be visually confirmed.

"Three pieces' spiritual energy has disappeared from inside the 20th of the Month... The pieces whose spiritual energy has disappeared are one Kaku, one Keima, and one Hisha. It's certain that these three have escaped from the seal and are hunting demons."

Ten years ago, Ryu-kai, as the head of the Mizukami family, fought on the front lines and knew the terror of Millennium Shogi better than anyone.

The ability to use defeated demons as pieces.

The more intense the battle, the more the battlefield expands, the stronger Millennium Shogi becomes.

If that demon crosses the sea and starts using overseas demons, it could become a threat to the world.

"The phenomenon of a large number of malevolent demons overflowing from a place of negative emotions, 'Hyakki Yako.' I had also received reports of its premonition, but it's possible that it was intentionally triggered by Millennium Shogi... It seems we've already been outmaneuvered."

Ryu-kai, after muttering and organizing his thoughts, decided on his next actions.

"First, I need to recall the mages who went to investigate the missing demons. The investigation team is made up of capable individuals, but it's still dangerous to face the pieces of Millennium Shogi."

Assuming the pieces escaped from the seal on December 20th of last year, they have been active for over half a year, evading the eyes of mages across the country.

Therefore, the probability of the escaped pieces encountering the mages sent to investigate is low, but considering the worst-case scenario, Ryu-kai decided to recall all the mages on duty.

"Runa and Owl are accompanied by two senior mages, but they should be recalled. Juna is with Inai-san, Yuki-kun, and the cat gods... I think they are safe, but it would be wise to recall them as a precaution."

Despite the overwhelming difference in power between Juna's team and the other teams, Ryu-kai, with a wry smile, instructed his subordinate waiting outside the room to recall the mages on duty.

"The search and extermination will begin once the mages are gathered. Next, we need to investigate how Millennium Shogi escaped from the seal, but we will need the cooperation of the government for that."

Millennium Shogi has the potential to cause a national crisis, so the management of the seal is primarily handled by the government.

Of course, personnel from the five major yin-yang families are also dispatched, but the detailed information about the seal is stored by the government, making their cooperation essential for the investigation.

"I think the investigation has already begun, but it will be difficult to resolve quickly. Moreover, the interference from opposing forces will be significant."

The national agencies involved with mages are not monolithic.

There are those who consider the existence of naturally occurring demons as part of the natural order and argue that the resulting damage should be accepted.

"To proceed swiftly, it's necessary to suppress such groups... Ah? They've arrived."

Sensing the presence of visitors, Ryu-kai took out documents he had prepared in advance.

"Preparation is indeed important."

Although he was already at a disadvantage, Ryu-kai had taken action to prepare for any eventuality as soon as he learned about the missing demons.

"Mr. Ryu-kai, the guests have arrived."

"Ah, let them in."

As Ryu-kai gave permission, two men and women in gray sweat suits entered the room.

Their hands were cuffed.

"I didn't expect to be brought from the detention center to a temple."

"Is this a temple-style prison? Japan is strange."

The two criminals, Toujou and Nikera, entered Ryu-kai's office with a nonchalant attitude, cracking jokes.

However, they were also on high alert.

It would be impossible for a mere temple priest to invite detained criminals to a temple.

But the fact that it was possible made them understand that the priest in front of them possessed far more power than his appearance and position suggested.

"This is not a prison but a regular temple. First, let's introduce ourselves. My name is Ryu-kai Mizukami, and I am the head priest of this temple."

"Hmm, a head priest. Should I bow?"

"Shouldn't you greet the head priest with an offering?"

Toujou and Nikera continued to crack jokes but were on high alert.

It would be impossible for a mere head priest to invite detained criminals to a temple.

But the fact that it was possible made them understand that the priest in front of them possessed far more power than his appearance and position suggested.

"Right away, I need you to find the weaknesses of the people on this list. I will provide all the necessary expenses and tools. Can you do it?"

As Ryu-kai handed them a document with multiple names and photos, the two read through it and tilted their heads slightly.

"Aiming for the prime minister... It doesn't seem like it. Not only important figures in politics but also those who have retired from politics..."

"I'm not good at such scheming. What's your purpose?"

In response to Toujou's question, laced with hostility, Ryu-kai continued without any reaction.

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you until you accept the request. But if you accept the job, I promise to not only tell you the purpose but also pay a suitable reward."

Toujou and Nikera felt a slight fear at Ryu-kai's smiling proposal.

Despite his appearance, they sensed a formidable presence from Ryu-kai.

"A suitable reward. Can you provide the reward we seek? Just so you know, we don't need money."

"Shortening our sentence is unnecessary. I was planning to live off free meals in prison until I decide on my next goal."

Despite the criminals' provocative remarks, Ryu-kai's expression did not change.

Toujou and Nikera were trying to gauge Ryu-kai's reaction by making provocative statements, but they were slightly dissatisfied that they couldn't elicit any response.

"Of course, I intend to provide the reward you seek. For example... how to use this."

A blue owl suddenly appeared in front of them.

From their experience working with Jasper, a top-notch magician, they instantly understood that this was not a trick or a gimmick.

"Seriously...?"

The world's information and technology that they sought as a reward.

This was a significant decision that would change their lives, but there was no hesitation in their response.

"Thanks, boss."

"Thank you."

Toujao and Nikera, having heard the content and purpose of the request, took the technology provided as an advance and left the room to start their work.

"This should suppress the opposing forces. I have already contacted the other five major yin-yang families. This is the best I can do for now."

While explaining the request to Toujou and Nikera, Ryu