Chapter 96

"It's a bad morning with bad weather and bad air."

It was still early in the morning, just as the sun was starting to rise. Everyone except for the parents had already woken up, sensing the unusual atmosphere.

"Wow, it's so dark. And I'm still sleepy."

"Dark... sleepy..."

Uru and Rin still seemed sleepy, rubbing their eyes to wake up.

"Still, the atmosphere is really unpleasant."

The sky was overcast and dim, and the air felt heavy. I had never felt such an abnormality when I lived here before.

"Isn't Takigawa City usually not like this?"

"Of course not. Besides, the forecast for today was supposed to be clear."

While responding to Ruka, I used my 'Enhancement' ability to sharpen my senses. I felt as if there was more spiritual energy in the air than usual.

"Is the heaviness of the air caused by spiritual energy?"

"Probably. I once investigated a place where spiritual energy accumulated, and it felt the same."

Ruka, running her fingers through her hair, explained. The unusual atmosphere and unexpected weather changes seemed to be caused by high concentrations of spiritual energy. Incidentally, even though she had only casually fixed her hair, Ruka's beauty aura was impressive. It's no wonder she has a fan club.

"Sorry to interrupt your eye candy, but I've finished setting up the barrier at your parents' house."

"Y-Yes! Thank you!"

Mae reported with a grin. She had been asked to set up a barrier to ensure the safety of the house.

"Eye candy?"

"N-Nothing."

Ruka didn't seem to notice my lecherous gaze. I was relieved.

"...I've found it. There's an unusual presence of spiritual energy to the southeast from here. It seems to be the source of this unusual atmosphere."

While we were chatting, Kuro used 'Pseudo-Perception' to pinpoint the source of the anomaly. Kuro had immediately started investigating the cause of this abnormal situation.

"Kuro-san, here's a map of the area."

"Thank you, Nia. The location is here, right?"

Nia, in smartphone mode, opened a map app and pointed out the location Kuro indicated. This place is...

"...the Centennial Tower?"

"Centennial Tower?"

"It's a tower built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Takigawa City. It's about 60 meters tall and has an observation room, but it closed a long time ago and no one can enter anymore. I don't know much about it since it was before I was born."

"So it's a symbolic building of the city, but it's now a ruin?"

"Something like that."

When I told Ruka this, her expression changed to a serious one, and she started thinking. Mae also had a similar expression. What happened?

"Sorry, I didn't explain and just started thinking. Actually, places like ruins where people's thoughts tend to gather often become places where spiritual energy accumulates."

Ruins attract people's attention, and the rumors that arise from them attract even more people's thoughts, leading to the accumulation of spiritual energy.

"Schools and hospitals are often places where local people's memories linger, and they can easily become objects of interest when they become ruins, leading to significant accumulations of spiritual energy. Evil spirits also flock to such places, and I used to vomit a lot when I saw ruins as a child."

Mae explained, recalling her painful past. I haven't seen a ruin up close yet, but if I do, I'll be careful not to vomit.

"Considering this, a symbolic building of the city that hasn't been used for a long time would be the perfect condition for the accumulation of spiritual energy. I think a tremendous amount of spiritual energy has accumulated there."

"Is it bad if it accumulates?"

"It's not a problem just to accumulate, but it would be bad if it were misused. However, it shouldn't be that easy to use such a large amount of spiritual energy."

Mae's 'Spiritual Energy Supplement Barrier' also requires careful handling of natural spiritual energy. She explained that a vast amount of spiritual energy would require an extraordinary level of concentration and appropriate rituals.

"It's difficult to do something with the accumulated spiritual energy, but if something is done, it would be quite serious."

"That's right. But since the timing is right after yesterday's events, it's definitely related to the Millennium Chess. That's why both Ruka and I are thinking about what they might be trying to do."

The abnormal situation occurred just after yesterday's events. During the battle, the pawn mentioned something, so the culprit is definitely one of the pieces from the Millennium Chess we fought yesterday. Everyone seems to be certain of this.

"Since it's a place where spiritual energy accumulates, it might be that they are trying to intentionally create and control a powerful demon... but it seems too risky."

According to Ruka, the risk of interference is too high if they try to create a powerful demon while the enemy is still in the city.

"In other words, the enemy must have a purpose that they are willing to be defeated by us to achieve..."

"I can't imagine what the purpose is, but it's definitely not a good one."

"It's a race against time. We should hurry."

After discussing with Mae and Ruka, we decided to head to the Centennial Tower without waiting for reinforcements from the Mizukami family. Incidentally, Ruka had already contacted Ryu-kai, but it would take at least two hours for reinforcements to arrive. We were also instructed not to move until the reinforcements arrived, but we felt it would be safer to go ahead.

"It's early in the morning, so the roads should be clear. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes by car. Are you ready?"

"I'm fine."

"No problem."

"Kakakaka."

"Fine."

"I'm ready."

"I'm good."

Mae asked, and we all responded one after another. Then...

"Ruka, are you ready?"

Mae's question to Ruka was different from the others. It not only asked if she was prepared but also checked if she could remain calm in front of her mother's enemy.

"To be honest, I don't think I can remain calm in front of the Millennium Chess. The main reason I've worked hard as an onmyoji for the past 10 years is to avenge my mother."

Ruka spoke, slightly lowering her head. She talked about how much she admired her mother as an onmyoji, how much she respected her as a person, and how much she loved her as a family member.

"The resentment and hatred I've carried for the past 10 years won't disappear until I defeat the Millennium Chess. But after talking to Kousuke's parents last night, I realized that just as I loved my mother, she must have loved me too..."

Kousuke, a classmate and the school's idol, and a top-tier onmyoji, was the topic of conversation at dinner last night. My parents were excited about Ruka, but most of the conversation was about my school life. They asked if I was getting along with my friends and if I was causing any trouble. I felt how much my parents cared about me. It was... embarrassing.

"Of course, not all parents are ideal, but my mother undoubtedly still cares about me and Rina. My father also wishes for our safety. I realized this again."

Ruka raised her head and looked at us with a strong gaze.

"So, I won't take any reckless actions. I'm fine!"

She wasn't completely over it. It's not something that can be easily overcome. Still, her eyes were not clouded by revenge or hatred. She really seemed fine.

"Alright, let's go!"

Since our parents were still sleeping, we left a note not to leave the house and set off. The house was protected by Mae's barrier, and we had put 'Substitute Talismans' on our sleeping parents to ensure their safety. We also gave a large number of talismans to Ruka and Mae.

"By the way, I was going to ask you yesterday, but are those Substitute Talismans... not stolen?"

"No, no! I made them myself!"

"Y-You made them...!?"

"Made...!?"

Mae's question while driving surprised not only Mae but also Ruka.

"Kousuke, do you know how valuable Substitute Talismans are?"

"I think I do... I remember the explanation from the Shinto match."

"Hehe, that's right. I explained it then."

During the Shinto match, Ruka explained the Substitute Talismans. It feels nostalgic, even though it's only been about three months.

"Then, let me explain again. Substitute Talismans are really valuable. They are so valuable that storage facilities are attacked, and plans are made to kidnap the heads of the five major onmyoji families to obtain the production techniques... So, it's best not to say that you can make them."

Ruka warned me with a serious expression. A tool that can negate a fatal injury once. Indeed, if it were known that someone could make such a thing, it would be too dangerous. It's a technology that could be targeted worldwide. I thought I knew, but I was completely ignorant.

"Uh, I've already given some to people..."

"Maybe to Shizukanae and the others?"

"Ah, yeah. I gave them through Soji, but how did you know?"

"Actually..."

During the battle with the onmyoji who hosted the heart of an evil god, Ruka had already cooperated with Shizukanae and the others before I arrived. Later, Ryu-kai invited Shizukanae and the others to the house, and Ruka, Rina, and Owl learned about the existence of the supernaturals and their situation.

"Shizukanae and Kousuke are good friends, and Kousuke was admired by Kousuke, so I thought they might know about other things besides the supernaturals."

"I see, so you thought they were given for safety. That's correct."

"Yay, correct... but I think it's okay with Shizukanae and the others, just to be safe, it's best to tell them not to spread it."

"Got it. I'll be more careful in the future."

While receiving a valuable lecture from Ruka, I also got a cute reaction from her. I really need to be careful with the Substitute Talismans.

"By the way, I also gave Substitute Talismans to Rina and Owl... Did they say anything?"

I remembered giving Substitute Talismans to Rina and Owl during the battle with the onmyoji who hosted the heart of an evil god.

"I haven't heard anything... I think they both kept it secret because they knew it would be dangerous to spread it. They probably didn't tell their father because he would take some action if he knew."

That's right. Unlike me, they understood the danger of possessing Substitute Talismans. I'll thank them properly when I see them next.

"Then, who else knows...?"

"I was focused on driving and didn't hear anything. I think I was given a human-shaped talisman yesterday, but I don't know what it was... No, I won't tell anyone, really?"

Indeed, if someone said, "There's an onmyoji who can make Substitute Talismans!" they would probably be captured and questioned first.

"I believe you. And I'm sorry for inadvertently involving you in a dangerous situation