Chapter 8

"Master Rikka, I have returned."

Inside a dilapidated building that stood alone in a deep forest, a man in his late twenties with silver hair cut in a bowl cut and wearing a white suit bowed to the main man. The man was sitting in the front row of the pews, dressed in a black suit with white hair and odd eyes.

"Have you returned, Ginka? I want to hear your report."

The white-haired man called Rikka remained in his position and spoke to Ginka, who was standing diagonally behind him.

"Yes, but before that, I must apologize for something."

"Apologize? What for?"

"Yes. It wasn't due to negligence in surveillance, but during the observation, a powerful barrier was deployed, making it impossible to discern the situation inside. I could only confirm the start of the battle and the second-stage enhancement of the Red-Faced Oni. After the barrier was lifted, I confirmed that the oni had disappeared."

He reported to his master, looking apologetic.

"... What did your nose catch?"

"I could sense the disappearance of the Red-Faced Oni and the spirit orb. From the residual spirit energy, it seems that the oni was successfully pushed to a higher level in a short time. However, the rapid change was too much for the body to handle, and it seems to have self-destructed."

"I see. That's your conclusion?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for only bringing back uncertain information."

Ginka bowed again, but Rikka showed no sign of concern.

"It's fine. After all, it was just an experiment. Not knowing the process is a bit of a problem, but I had anticipated this result. However, even as a high-level oni, it seems the oni's body couldn't withstand the rapid change."

"Probably. But if given enough time, it might have adapted."

"I see. Then let's continue the experiment for a while. You will stay with me for now."

"Understood."

"... By the way, Ginka, were there any survivors who faced the Red-Faced Oni?"

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Rikka asked.

"Yes. When I confirmed, the Water Wave clan's practitioners were unconscious, but all were unharmed. One was the son of the Water Wave clan's head, and the others were skilled, but they couldn't stand up to the Red-Faced Oni. There were also two other practitioners who confirmed the oni's end. One, with the quality of spirit energy and a fire spirit weapon, was likely the daughter of the Hino clan's main family."

"Hmm. The daughter of the Hino clan's main family. I see, so she could fight the enhanced Red-Faced Oni and buy some time. What about the other one?"

"The other was a boy around the same age as the Hino girl and the next head of the Water Wave clan. However, his spirit energy was extremely low, lower than an average exorcist. There was something different about the quality of his spirit energy, but I don't think he poses a threat to us."

Rikka pondered for a moment.

"What do you think? If it concerns you, I can take care of it."

"... No. Set it aside for now. Our goal is to eradicate the Kyougeki clan's bloodline. The other six families and exorcists can be ignored. Of course, if they interfere, we won't show mercy."

Rikka has no intention of choosing his methods for the goal, but he doesn't want to unnecessarily make enemies of all six families. Even he understands that facing all six families at once would make achieving his goal difficult.

"Even if the Kyougeki clan seeks help from the other six families, it's unlikely they would all join forces. The Kyougeki clan, in particular, boasts of being the best exorcist family and wouldn't seek help from the strongest Hoshigami clan. This also means they wouldn't seek help from the other six families."

Unless the Kyougeki clan is on the brink of destruction, it's unlikely they would ask for help, and there is a rivalry between the Kyougeki and Hoshigami clans.

The Kyougeki clan unilaterally views the Hoshigami clan as rivals, and the Kyougeki clan is known for its high-handed attitude, so the other six families are unlikely to offer help.

Therefore, he must be cautious about actions that could draw the Hoshigami or other six families into the conflict.

"The Red-Faced Oni incident might have been a bit hasty. The Water Wave clan and the Hino clan are now aware. While these incidents alone won't lead them to us, we must be careful."

They operate in the shadows and haven't declared war on the Kyougeki clan yet.

The oni they used was one that the Water Wave clan had sealed, but they also performed a cover-up, and the spirit orb has disappeared. The existence of someone else will be overlooked, but only to that extent.

"But the offensive against the Kyougeki clan is near. Based on this experiment, we will improve the spirit orb. The sacrifices are being captured smoothly by Yashiro."

"Can that man be trusted?"

"That man has a clear goal. As long as we don't betray him, he won't betray us until his goal is achieved. I have placed surveillance on him, so you don't need to worry."

"Yes, I apologize for my unnecessary questioning."

"It's fine. Your concerns are understandable, but there's no need to apologize. However, it's best to use all available resources. That's my philosophy. Let's move to the next phase. Once that's done, we will declare war on the Kyougeki clan and bring about their destruction with terror."

As Rikka spoke, the two figures vanished from the scene.

◆◆◆

"Ugh, what's with those guys! They didn't even properly apologize or thank us and just left! That's really rude, isn't it!"

After regaining consciousness, Riusaki and the others were informed that the Red-Faced Oni had self-destructed. They left immediately, as if they had no further use for them.

Riusaki checked the ground after the oni's disappearance and, upon hearing that the cause of death was self-destruction, left without much of a word, causing Akane to become furious.

"He did seem regretful. And he did say thank you, sort of."

"Sort of? 'Hmph, though it's distasteful, I'll thank you for the treatment.' Who does he think he is! Isn't that annoying, Makoto?"

Mimicking Riusaki, Akane raged, and Makoto could only smile wryly.

"Not really. Akane is angry enough for both of us. Besides, there was no need to mention that I healed them."

"Fine! If you can't say you fought well, at least tell them the truth. But if you tell them you were the one who almost defeated that oni, what kind of face would they make?"

"They wouldn't believe you."

"Then show them! They'll definitely regret it!"

It feels like it would just create more trouble and complications, so he'd rather avoid it for now.

After all, it had been four years since his return, and he was involved in an incident the day after he came back. He just wants to be left alone.

After that, they managed to find and defeat the original target, completing the mission. It took them nearly two hours to return, and Makoto was quite tired.

He just wants to go home, eat, take a bath, and go to bed. He's exhausted and really wants to sleep.

"So, let's talk about that later. I just want to relax for a while."

"Come on, why are you so apathetic? You weren't very proactive before, either."

"There's a lot going on. I just want to go home and relax. I want to sleep in my bed."

"No way. We made a promise to talk. I won't let you go until we do."

"Are you going to come to my room again?"

"Hehe, if you want to go home, talk quickly!"

Makoto sighed, and Akane smiled confidently.

"But you did look really cool today. And I felt more at ease, like being with my father."

"Are you treating me like an uncle?"

"No, it's just that you were amazing... and..."

"And?"

Akane started to say something but then stopped, quickly changing the subject.

"No, nothing! But since you worked so hard today, you deserve a reward. Since you didn't eat lunch, I'll treat you to dinner. Anything you want. What would you like?"

"Then how about some conveyor belt sushi?"

"Sorry, the non-rotating kind, please."

It seems she doesn't have much money. As an exorcist from an exorcist family, she does earn some, but her allowance is limited to prevent her from developing poor financial habits.

Her parents give her only a portion of the exorcist's reward and save the rest in her name.

"Sure, I can eat as much as I want at conveyor belt sushi. Any place is fine."

It's been four years since he last had sushi. He really wants to eat it now.

They left the station and headed to their destination. Since it was a Saturday night, the reservation app was likely full, so they would have to wait in person.

"Huh?"

Makoto heard a small voice. Turning his head, he saw a girl looking surprised.

"You...?"

"What's wrong, Makoto?"

Noticing Makoto's gaze, Akane also turned to look.

"Long time no see. Thank you very much for last night."

There, they met a girl they had seen the previous night—Kyougeki Nagisa.

◆◆◆

"Alright! ... That's the hundredth one."

"Ugh, ah..."

In a corner of a building, in a basement bar, several men lay bloodied and unconscious. They all looked like criminals.

Among them, the only one standing was a boy with purple hair—Yashiro Riko.

"Haha! Yashiro is the best! Yeah, yeah! Just a little more to meet the quota!"

On a fancy sofa, a young man, probably a college student, clapped his hands. He had golden hair, piercings in his ears, and a carefree smile.

"Shut up. And what are you doing, just standing there?"

"Huh? I'm your support, but Yashiro does everything. I just watch."

His carefree smile made him seem like a typical troublemaker.

(I really hate this guy. But if I let him loose, it would cause problems.)

Riko understood that this man was dangerous. He looked like a carefree troublemaker, but Riko knew it was just a facade.

"But, if we're going to take someone, why not a cute girl? It would be more glamorous, I think."

"Shut up. The place we're taking them to is like hell. How can you send a girl there?"

"Yashiro is such a gentleman. But in today's world, equality is important. If we're going to sacrifice someone, it should be equal. And, the faces and voices of girls when they're terrified and desperate are really exciting, don't you think? The way they beg and cry is thrilling."

"Shut up. If you say one more word, I'll beat you here and now."

"Hey, don't get so angry, Yashiro. How about we play with a girl together next time? I'm sure Yashiro will enjoy it..."

Bang!

The floor shattered from the impact of Riko's punch.

"I told you to shut up."

"Hmm? Well, I'll stop teasing Yashiro. But, Yashiro, do you realize that what you're doing is contradictory? It's okay to sacrifice the people lying here, but not girls? Even if they're illegal immigrants and criminals, there's no difference in hurting or killing someone."

He warned that they were in the same boat.

"... I know. But at least these are criminals, and we're in the same boat. They're getting what they deserve."

"So you don't feel guilty? Haha! Yashiro is the best! I'm the same! I don't feel guilty about hurting girls. I choose my targets carefully—girls who engage in compensated dating, runaways, dim-witted girls, and illegal immigrants. Sometimes I play with normal girls too!"

Riko wanted to yell at him to stop, but he knew he was doing the same thing, so he couldn't say anything.

Still, Riko couldn't stop. He clenched his fists and bit his lip until it bled.

(Sorry, Shino. I'm a terrible person. But no matter what, I'll save you, so please wait a little longer.)

No matter what the outcome, he would do it.

"Well, let's put aside Yashiro's dilemma. It's time for me to do my job."

"Are you going to kill someone again? Is it by the boss's order?"

"Sort of, and sort of not. I need to punish someone. You see, the Tsuchigumo I raised were cruelly killed. I had raised them, paired them, and they had even laid eggs. I was going to increase their numbers!"

He took a handkerchief from his pocket and pretended to bite it.

"And it seems the culprit was a girl from the Kyougeki clan. When I told the boss, he said I could do as I pleased as long as I was careful not to get caught."

"I see."

Riko looked as if he had bitten into a bitter bug. He knew the boss hated the Kyougeki clan, and Riko himself harbored a grudge against them. However, he hadn't thought about destroying them, but he was helping the boss, Rikka, to achieve his own goals.

Still, he felt sympathy for the girl who would fall into the hands of the man in front of him—Miroku Kyoushi.

This man was especially cruel to women. Therefore, Riko felt deeply disgusted with himself for knowing a Kyougeki girl would suffer a terrible fate and doing nothing about it.

"Hey, Yashiro, do you want to come with me? It'll be fun, I promise."

"... I'll pass. But is it okay? My surveillance. And you said we should wait before provoking the Kyougeki clan. Won't this cause suspicion?"

"Haha, Yashiro, you're funny. 'Crime isn't a crime if you don't get caught.' Do you think I'd make such a mistake? As long as it's not traced back to us, it's fine. We'll cover it up as usual. It's common for students to go missing, you know?"

"Not that often, idiot."

"Then it's a runaway! Disgusted by the exorcist's job or the Kyougeki family! It's common! And Yashiro's surveillance will continue, of course. My pet demon will support Yashiro."

"I refuse... and I take back my previous statement. I'll come with you this time."

He didn't want to be constantly monitored by a demon. He also needed to watch this man to prevent him from going too far. This man would do anything to achieve his goals and might involve innocent people.

"Really!? Yashiro, you're so nice! Maybe you want to play with the girl too? According to the information, she's cute. Yashiro will enjoy it!"

Ignoring Kyoushi's excited chatter, Riko looked at him with a cold eye.

(... If it gets too bad, I'll have to save her.)

If the treatment is too cruel, he'll intervene, and if necessary...

(... Well, we'll see.)

"Let's go, Yashiro! To catch the girl!"

"Idiot. We need to dispose of these guys first."

"Right! I'll leave it to my pet!"

And so, more victims were created.

Their evil hands were now directed towards Kyougeki Nagisa.

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