KAZE NO STIGMA - Volume 1, 5 - Rescue

Volume 1, Chapter Five – Rescue

Part 1

Kazuma and Ayano sat on a wide seat within a side-room, quietly waiting for their arrival in Kyoto via the Shinkansen.

The air conditioning was very pleasant, and the environment was also quite cozy. However, most people preferred squeezing into the over-congested train chambers over sitting in the same room as these two.

The unpleasant atmosphere around them made it difficult to stay in that room.

This is infuriating.

This is so infuriating!

Ayano shot murderous stares straight at Kazuma, who was sitting diagonally across from her.

Even though it was impossible not to notice her, Kazuma did not even look at Ayano. He shook his leg comfortably as he skimmed through a magazine he bought from a stall.

Ayano shifted her view back towards the scenery outside once more.

She currently felt worse than she ever had in her entire life. Having to work together with Kazuma made her very unhappy. Not to mention that her father, Juugo, seemed to have more faith in Kazuma’s abilities rather than hers, which agitated her even more.

She stubbornly forced herself to face the window while glancing at Kazuma. From the looks of it, he was completely different from the way he was four years ago. He didn’t seem very different to the naked eye, but in her heart, he had already jumped up several levels.

She hated Kazuma very much – she could guarantee that with a fist hitting her chest. However, her eyes just couldn’t divert from him. Unknowingly, she had begun to go in pursuit of Kazuma, observing his every move. Ayano would not tolerate such actions.

(Speaking of which, this is totally unbelievable! How did he become so strong in just four years?)

The Kazuma four years ago was just like a stone by the roadside. Rather than bullying or looking down on him, this view was more like the natural action of removing him from sight.

It was the same even during the “Successor Ceremony”. Kazuma joined the ceremony only because Genma forced him to. The match between Kazuma, who could not even use Enjutsu, and Ayano, wasn’t even a fight. After all, everyone knew what the outcome would be even before the ceremony.

(But I heard that his fighting skills and other Jutsu were pretty good…… No! Why am I trying to spot his good points!?)

Ayano shook her head fiercely, removing all of her unpleasant thoughts. She organized her breathing and raised her head. At this moment, her eyes met Kazuma.

“……You seem very happy.”

Kazuma was not mocking her. He was simply surprised.

“Who…… Who would be happy!? Just being with you annoys me more than anything else!”

“Is that so?”

Kazuma replied lightly. He took out a cigarette from a hidden pocket in his jacket as though nothing had happened.

“Hey! Don’t smoke in this small room!”

(…Here we go again.)

As she shouted in complaint, Ayano began to have doubts about her uncontrollable emotions. As long as Kazuma was near her, she seemed to unconsciously turn aggressive.

Her emotions weren’t simply those of hate. After all, Ayano is the type of person who completely ignores those she dislikes. It wouldn’t be possible for her to even lift her head to talk to them.

(So this must mean I don’t just hate him, I hate him very very very much!)

She used farfetched logic to sooth the unpleasant feeling in her heart. But, just from looking at that detestable person chewing his cigarette and taking out a lighter, Ayano went on a rage once more.

“Are you deaf? I told you not to smoke!”

Kazuma filled his lungs with smoke and released it slowly. The air between them became thick with the smoke. After repeating the same actions once more, he met Ayano’s angry stare.

“……I heard you.”

The voice reached Ayano’s seat along with the smoke. Watching Ayano getting choked by smoke, Kazuma continued to pollute the air with secondhand smoke.

“…You imbecile!”

Ayano stared at Kazuma’s mouth. The spirits quickly responded to the will of the master of fire’s descendent.

Bang!

An explosion sounded off. The cigarette that Kazuma was chewing on was burned down instantly. If Kazuma had spat it out even a moment later, his own mouth would have been scorched.

“Heh heh!”

Ignoring Ayano, who seemed proud and pleased with herself, Kazuma took out another cigarette. This time he set up a kekkai around himself, sealing off any flame spirits that may try to get out of control.

Ayano furiously stared once more at Kazuma, who began to produce more smoke. Infuriatingly enough, the smoke went through the kekkai and began to taint her surroundings with its white fumes.

“Stop being stupid, we have to discuss our plans for the mission!”

Ayano fought hard to subdue her desire to burn down the entire train sector and instead proposed a plan for cooperation. It seemed that it was very shocking for her when her father scolded her and called her brainless. All of Ayano’s emotional growth could be said to have been developed by Juugo.

Kazuma said calmly,

“If it’s the two of us, there is no plan. You just fight Ryuuya, and I’ll stay away and cover you. Is there any other way?”

“……Why do I get the feeling my job is much more dangerous?”

Ayano also knew that this was the most efficient way, but she felt that something wasn’t right. Since she didn’t completely trust Kazuma, she always got the feeling that she was being set up by him.

“This is your family’s problem! Shouldn’t you work harder for it?”

“For someone who’s getting paid for this, you sure sound proud. Mercenaries should fight at the front line! You’re obligated to protect me.”

“You mean you’re that weak?”

Kazuma gave a snort of contempt and said,

“You cannot survive without someone to protect you?”

“You……”

Kazuma then said something even ruder to Ayano, who was so angry that she was at a loss for words.

“Listen well, and remember this. I have no energy to spare to protect you. Ryuuya is very strong. Stronger than me, and of course even stronger than you. We both have to use our powers to their limits, or there’s no way we’ll win. Even if you don’t trust me, at least try to do it for today! Otherwise, we’re both screwed.”

Kazuma said everything so frankly and calmly that Ayano was unable to rebut. She knew that she was losing her momentum. A strong ki was restraining her to the extent that she could not even move a finger.

“I…… I got it already……”

The only resistance she could put up was a tone that sounded as though she was fighting back, because she felt that if she didn’t make any attempt to resist, she would have been conquered both physically and mentally and would never be able to resist again.

“But it’s just for today…… If it weren’t for a time like this, I would never……”

She tried her best to rebut, but Kazuma did not reply. His presence earlier seemed to have vanished without a trace, as though it was just a dream. Kazuma relaxed his whole body and lazily fiddled with his cigarette. Ayano thought to herself, he’s just like a poisonous bug.

(……What a mean person.)

She scolded in her heart. Why am I so afraid of this self-degrading nicotine addict? What an embarrassment.

“I’m going to sleep.”

She left this line and shut her eyes. She suddenly opened them again to stare at Kazuma.

“If you try anything funny, I’ll burn you!”

“Don’t worry! I’m not interested in creatures that have yet to become a woman.”

“……………!”

After hearing such a rude reply, Ayano held up her fist and stood. However, Kazuma merely continued to read his magazine without paying any attention to her, clearly acting out what he had just said about not being interested.

In an instant, Ayano came to the verge of tears. She blinked her eyes, which became wet without a proper reason, and returned to her seat and closed her eyes.

Her uncertain feelings became a whirlpool in her heart. She was no longer sure if she was angry or sad anymore.

(Why should I even bother with that guy……?)

Unable to verify her own feelings, Ayano locked her confused thoughts into the depths of her consciousness. She then forced herself to concentrate on sleeping. Within a few seconds, Ayano forgot all about her unhappiness and gave off peaceful breathing sounds.

After confirming that Ayano was asleep, Kazuma purified the air in the room. The air that he had polluted became clean in a second.

Telling the wind spirits to purify the surrounding air indefinitely, Kazuma focused his mind on the surroundings. He let his senses become synchronized with the wind spirits.

His consciousness fused with the wind. His body, which became an empty shell, smiled lazily in a way that Ayano would have scorned.

(Gee, this girl can really sleep.)

Having thought about the possibility of being attacked while on the move, Kazuma found it hard to relax. Even though his search radius was a massive ten kilometers, when moving at three hundred kilometers per hour, it wasn’t very assuring especially considering that that monster could easily attack from more than twenty kilometers away.

Even though this was only to make himself feel more secure, Kazuma continued to keep his guard up. Even if he sensed an attack, he would only be able to block one hit. The enemy has no reason to focus on Kazuma, because simply destroying the whole cabin would allow him to meet his objective.

(After the first strike, I need to escape quickly before the second hit…… And on top of that, I even have to bring along a burden. Is it possible?)

Looking at the “burden” that was sleeping soundly, Kazuma mumbled to himself,

(I guess I have no choice but to just do it……)

No matter how bad the whole situation seemed, the only way out was to take action proactively. Passively waiting for a chance to come by would only result in death.

In the end, however, all of his precautions were too late. The Fuuga clan disappeared without a trace and was yet to be found. They were probably on their way to the sacred grounds. In fact, they might even have arrived already!

He did not intend to let the Fuuga clan’s ambitions to be fulfilled. Even though one reason was to save his cute brother, Kazuma had decided long ago that anyone who uses a human as a tribute must die.

……There might be people in the Fuuga clan who were against the revolt, so he needed some way to take care of those people……

Remembering the words of the clan chief, Kazuma showed an evil smile.

(Let me help you save some energy!)

Juugo wouldn’t have to decide what to do with the Fuuga clan. After all, Kazuma had already decided on the death penalty for everyone in the clan.

The journey after getting off the train required a car. After exiting the train station, the two headed to the car park as instructed.

Because of the possibility of having to go around the entire mountain, a four wheel Range Rover was prepared. Kazuma placed the key he obtained from Juugo into the ignition and switched on the GPS before starting the engine.

Ayano came in from the door at the other side and sat down. Apparently wary of Kazuma’s driving capabilities, she took up the seat belt immediately.

“Don’t put on the seat belt.”

Kazuma said as he looked at the GPS.

“Why?”

“Ryuuya is much scarier than a car accident. Be prepared to jump out of the vehicle at any time.”

“……Understood.”

“Then let’s go!”

Kazuma swiftly stepped on the pedal to accelerate.

The Range Rover did not meet much interference and went swiftly down the road. After leaving town, they took a scenic route and went around to the back of the mountain.

“Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you something.”

“What?”

“You mentioned earlier, Ryuuya’s wind is berserk, right? Won’t the spirits you control go berserk as well?”

“Well, if they’re just attacking, it should be fine. But I doubt they’ll stay that way if our fight drags on.”

“Are you sure it’s going to be okay?”

Ayano asked doubtfully.

“Believe me! Well, in that case, why don’t I just test it out- Incoming!”

Kazuma’s wind retaliated the black wind that came from above. A furious gale burst from the crashing winds, shaking even the heavyweight Range Rover.

“Jump out!”

As if pushed out by Kazuma’s voice, Ayano kicked the door down and jumped out. After jumping out, she realized that Kazuma had ordered her, and she became angry.

“Don’t boss me around-”

She glared at the driver seat, but there was no one there anymore.

Somehow, Kazuma had quietly jumped out of the car. Since the car’s door was closed, there was no way to imagine how he jumped out as, logically speaking, he should have gotten into action after Ayano.

“Wait……”

Once again speaking over Ayano, Kazuma raised his finger and pointed slightly upwards. Ayano’s eyes reflexively followed in that direction.

(Dammit……!)

Kazuma was in control, and she was being toyed around with. She felt like she was unable to move by her own will.

She was so angry she wanted to kill him, but apparently there was no time for that. A shadow came down from the skies where Kazuma was pointing at, and into the center of Ayano’s vision.

A corrupt youki, darker and duller than even his black suit. Thin lips, a straight nose, and a proper face that might have once been handsome if it weren’t paler than a mask.

“Ryuuya……? I didn’t notice at all……”

If it weren’t for Kazuma, she would have been killed without even seeing Ryuuya. A chill went down Ayano’s spine.

“Don’t take him to be same as the Fuuga clan. If a first rate Fuujutsushi hid himself, an Enjutsushi would never be able to find him. Once you get into a melee battle, don’t let him get away no matter what.”

Kazuma gave a fearless smile to Ayano, who was frozen from the tense situation.

“So…… Are you ready?”

“Don’t order me around. Just do your job and cover me!”

After throwing that sentence, Ayano dashed out. As she ran, she pulled out Enraiha, and shot a fireball to show her might.

“I told you, that won’t work!”

Kazuma grumbled in shock from Ayano’s stupidity.

Ryuuya quietly stood before the approaching fireball. The scorching flames crashed into Ryuuya, who did not do anything to defend himself.

Kaboom!!

“That’s not enough! Keep pressuring him!!”

Kazuma shouted, watching Ryuuya become surrounded in flames.

“I know! I told you not to boss me around!!”

Ayano waved her Enraiha as she replied. She did not expect such a low level flame to do much harm against that monster. It was good enough to simply divert his attention.

(However…… There is nothing that Enraiha cannot destroy!)

But……

Thang!

Her swing with utmost confidence was repelled with a clear sound.

“What……!”

Ryuuya cleared away the flames and closed in at Ayano. She could clearly see the pitch black claws, about thirty centimeters long, coming out of those pair of bending curves.

Did he use those to block Enraiha? Ayano did not even have time to think about it.

She used the red blade to repel the claws that sliced at her from the left and right. Just as she tried to retaliate, the opponent already vanished from sight.

(From behind……!?)

She instinctively swung her blade, somehow catching Ryuuya. The pitch black claws blocked Enraiha, with screeching sounds marking the impact.

Their weapons clashed, but in terms of size and power, Ayano was at a disadvantage. She forcefully pushed forward her blade, jumping back and using the force from Ryuuya’s push to create some distance between them.

“What the hell have you been covering, Kazuma!?”

Ayano did not look away from Ryuuya, but furiously scolded her partner who was doing nothing. However, she did not get a reply, no matter how long she waited.

“……Hey, Kazuma?”

With a very unpleasant premonition, she hesitantly called out to Kazuma again. This time, she finally got a reply…… in the form of a distant voice transmitted by Fuujutsu.

“I’ll be going first! You handle Ryuuya. Good luck!”

Hearing the playful words from the wind made Ayano stand dumbfounded for ten seconds.

“……………………”

Ayano stood with her head bowed down. Suddenly, golden flames burst out of her body. Maybe she was holding the hilt tightly, because the tip of Enraiha shivered slightly.

Ayano raised her head, and glared sharply past Ryuuya as if she could see the despicable person who had slipped away long ago.

Ayano shouted in a trembling and furious voice.

“You…… You damn traitor!! Watch it! After I beat this guy, you’re next……!!”

Her shout echoed throughout the empty mountains.

Part 2

At the same time, Kazuma was gliding thirty meters above the ground.

“That girl sure is energetic. Anyway, just don’t die, and try to buy me some time!”

As he muttered something that would infuriate Ayano if she had heard it, Kazuma began his search for the seal.

“Is that it……?”

There was no need to even search, as he found the target, the Samadhi Flame, instantly. With Kazuma’s spiritual eyes, finding such a bright, shining flame was as simple as looking for the sun.

Kazuma temporarily descended to the ground and called the wind for one final jump. This time, he jumped much higher than previously before and easily went above a hundred meters. It would be better described as flying!

He lost almost no altitude as he sailed to the area above the seal, observing the situation below him.

“Hmph…… Found my brother.”

From a bird’s eye view, the events going on at the sealing grounds could not be any more obvious. Perhaps in an attempt at concealment, the sealing altar was smaller than expected.

Hyoue and Ren were at one corner, with about twenty people surrounding them. Contrary to Juugo’s prediction, it seemed that the entire Fuuga clan participated in the revolt.

Kazuma stopped the wind, and, as if walking down stairs, descended from a hundred meters above the ground with ease. Once he was about ten meters from the surface, Hyoue raised his head……

“Too slow!!”

Kazuma placed a gush of wind between Ren and Hyoue. As he blew Hyoue away, he reached out for Ren.

“Ren……!!”

He seemed to be conscious. Ren reached out as far as he could, grabbing Kazuma’s hand.

Kazuma pulled the tiny body to his chest and hugged him tightly. With that, they glided horizontally somwhat before landing softly.

“Ren, are you okay?”

It was hard to believe that the gentle voice asking this question belonged to the beast who cruelly left Ayano.

“Ye…… Yes……”

“Very good…… Good boy.”

Kazuma let Ren down and looked peacefully at Hyoue.

Hyoue, who had finally managed to get up, stared back at Kazuma with hatred.

“You…… How did you…… So that’s what happened. You used Ayano as bait to infiltrate this place by yourself? What a despicable man you are, sacrificing a girl.”

“You have no right to say that about me, you damn old man who offered your son to the devil. What can you say about yourself? Ryuuya’s consciousness should be gone without a trace by now!”

“So what of it?”

Hyoue replied without a care, acting fearless. Obviously, he had never regretted it.

“Why don’t you think about this instead: If the flames of Kannagi are the Purifying Flames, then the winds of Fuuga are the Winds of Corruption! Our justice is to corrupt the world and fulfill our own desires! And for that justice, sacrificing one or two sons is nothing!”

Ayano would have thought that Hyoue was insane. However, Kazuma understood his thinking very well.

When failure was not allowed, only the strong can fight righteously. If someone with insufficient power hoped to win, he could only seek to give up the morals of a human.

Wanting to seek his personal desires, even if it meant being looked down upon or being blamed by the whole world… It was all too familiar to Kazuma. Even so, he did not intend to let Hyoue off.

“But everything is over now. Haven’t you played enough?”

“Not yet! It is not over yet!”

Hyoue laughed fearlessly. His bloodshot eyes still did not show any sign of despair.

“If you think you have won, you are so wrong.”

“Is that so? Feel free to give it your all!”

Kazuma spoke in a way that would enrages any opponent. Ren, who was hiding behind him, laughed as well. However, the normal Ren would never give off such an evil smile.

Ren pulled out a hidden dagger and slowly stabbed it into Kazuma’s waist.

Kazuma’s body shook lightly, and his eyes widened.

“Ho……hohahahahaha! Fool! You shall die in the hands of your own brother!”

Hyoue laughed loudly, but his eyes began to narrow with doubt soon after.

Ren had stopped moving along with Kazuma. Or rather, Ren was trying to pull the dagger out, but it would not budge.

“What are you doing, ‘Ren’! Kill him quickly!”

“I think that would be very difficult!”

Kazuma suddenly stretched his left hand forward, and in it was the dagger that was supposed to be in Ren’s hand.

“You…… How did you……”

“Ren” gave a moan. Kazuma threw the dagger away and turned to face him.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice such malevolent youki in his body?”

Kazuma widened his hands to grab “Ren”‘s face.

“Ren” struggled painfully. Kazuma easily overpowered him and began to gather ki.

“I don’t know what you put inside, but this is Ren’s body.”

After saying that, Kazuma released his ki.

“Go back to hell!”

His strong ki instantly vanquished the youma that was in Ren, giving no chance for it to escape. Holding Ren’s weak body, Kazuma waited for him to wake up.

“Argh…… Ah…… Nii-sama……?”

“Oh, you got up.”

Kazuma’s voice was as calm as if all the tragic events that had happened at the hotel were just a dream.

“Nii…… Nii…… Nii-sama!”

Ren remembered everything. Just as he was about to run up to hug his brother, Kazuma raised his hand to block him off.

“Nii…… Nii-sama?”

Ren had an unpleasant premonition from his brother’s smile, and hurriedly tried to retreat…… But it was too late. Kazuma’s hands grabbed Ren’s cheeks and pressed hard into them.

“It…… It hurts……”

Kazuma ignored Ren’s cries and, continuing to smile, stretched his cheeks to the sides.

“Why did you get caught so easily? You’re a guy! Do you think you have the right to play the damsel in distress? Why do I have to come all the way to Kyoto to rescue you, you rascal?”

“Aii…… Aii errm soo saoii, iisama (I…… I am so sorry, Nii-sama)!”

Ren waved his hands and legs nervously, shedding tears and begging for his brother’s forgiveness. Maybe after seeing this scene, he could no longer be angry, so Kazuma loosened his fingers.

“That…… That was so mean, Nii-sama……”

“You idiot, if you were someone else, I would have beaten the hell out of you.”

Pressing on his painful red cheeks, Ren raised his head up with watery eyes. His cute gesture could almost instantly knock out big sisters with strange interests. However, it didn’t work on Kazuma. He pushed Ren away coldly and faced Hyoue once more.

“We’ve fooled around enough, I guess. Shall I make my move now?”

“Hmmm……”

Hyoue groaned. Kazuma’s presence was completely out of his calculations. Not only did he possess great power, his techniques were also unbelievable.

Hyoue had never seen anything like the exorcism that Kazuma had just performed. He had made it look easy, but in reality, it might have been a very sophisticated and delicate technique. It was extraordinary for him to have been able to activate it in an instant.

“It seems like deciding to use you was the biggest mistake I made.”

“Yes, I think so too. If it weren’t for all these petty tricks, maybe the Kannagi clan would have perished by now!”

The reason why Kazuma agreed so readily was because he knew that this would deal another blow to Hyoue. Kazuma never held back on anything that could distress other people.

“But why!? Why do you try to stop me!? You should know very well the hatred of someone who was bullied! The humiliation of being forced to kneel before others! You should have experienced them, felt them too!

You hate the Kannagi too, right? You despise them, right? Aren’t we all the same? You should be on our side!!”

Ren lifted his head to look at his brother. As Hyoue had said, Kazuma had been through situations very similar to the Fuuga clan. Even though he had said that he no longer hated the Kannagi clan, wouldn’t Hyoue’s words remind him of his hatred once more?

“Yeah, that’s right. My feelings are like yours. I wouldn’t care less even if the Kannagi clan died out.”

“Nii-sama……!?”

Ren’s expression changed immediately as he grabbed Kazuma’s hand.

After seeing this scene, Hyoue smirked. If he could get Kazuma on his side, the battle situation would be turned around instantly. Even if Kazuma did not join him, as long as he no longer interfered……

“In that case, we have no reason to fight anymore, do we? I am not asking you to help, but to just stop interfering with us, as destroying the Kannagi clan is our wish.

These three hundred years, we were controlled by the Kannagi clan as slaves. Three hundred years! Our ancestors did commit a sin in the past. But just how long must we pay to redeem ourselves!? When will we ever be forgiven!?”

Kazuma silently watched Hyoue, who burst out with such passion and emotion. He took out a cigarette from a hidden pocket and lit it with a lighter.

“Besides, why must we pay for sins our ancestors committed? Why must we be used and humiliated like slaves? What crimes did we commit? No, no, no! I cannot accept this! I will never acknowledge the Kannagi’s arrogance! This is a justified revenge! I have every right to destroy the Kannagi clan!”

“……Are you done yet?”

Stepping on the cigarette ashes with his foot, Kazuma asked,

“So you have nothing else left to say?”

After understanding the true meaning of that sentence, Hyoue widened his eyes in shock.

“You…… Still want to go against me…… Why? Why do you try so hard to please the Kannagi clan? You have such magnificent powers, and yet, why!?”

“Because the clan chief offered 100 million yen to hire me.”

Kazuma said frankly. Hyoue became dumbfounded, unable to say anything.

“Nii-sama……?”

Ren raised his tone and asked suspiciously,

“So that means Nii-sama came here to work? Not to save me?”

“My belief is to take whatever you can. It’s just killing two birds with one stone!”

Ren’s doubts were not erased even after hearing Kazuma’s explanation. Kazuma faced his brother, who was looking at him with accusing eyes, and smiled bitterly.

“It’s not easy to stay alive. One day, you’ll come to understand that too…… Hey. Where do you think you’re going, old man?”

Kazuma spotted Hyoue, who tried to escape while the two were chatting. He halted at Kazuma’s words.

“So are you finished praying? What a coincidence that your God seems to be in the area too.”

Hehehehehe. Kazuma purposely sneered to mock his opponent.

“……Don’t think you have won just yet!”

Hyoue’s face grew red with anger. He gave a signal, and about ten people of both genders came out. Kazuma lazily looked at the daggers and clubs that they were holding.

“No matter how many Fuuga people come out…… Hey wait… Old man, what did you do to these people?”

These practitioners, who had unfocused pupils and staggering steps, were obviously not conscious.

“These people forgot the pride of the Fuuga clan! They are dumb fools who willingly wanted to be slaves of the Kannagi. They should think about who they are, to try to persuade and stop me. So I took away their consciousness, and they are now puppets. Hahahahaha……”

Hyoue’s laughter was earsplitting. The look of that stubborn old man was beyond ugly.

“So how about it, Kazuma? These people are loyal to the Kannagi! They are practitioners who are righteous and respectable! You, who is a follower of the Kannagi, should not be able to kill them! So tell me, what are you going to do……?”

“This.”

Kazuma stopped Hyoue’s speech and cut off their heads, all at the same time. As if it was just a joke, the ten heads flew up into the sky at the same time and landed on the ground one by one.

“You…… You bastard! Against innocent people who were merely being controlled…… Are you even human?”

“You stop talking about me. I’m not some hero of justice. I don’t care if they’re being controlled or blackmailed: Anyone who points a knife at me is my enemy. A little girl would be no exception.”

Hyoue was at a loss of words after hearing his cold-blooded declaration. At that moment……

“Da…… Damn you!”

A man broke from the lined up Fuuga clan, which was now half as large as it was before. Kazuma had killed his wife just now. Since his wife was unable to accept Hyoue’s ambitions, her consciousness had been taken away. However, if the Kannagi was destroyed, she would have been turned back to normal, and they could have lived in a happier place than before.

“Woahhhhhhh!!”

The man threw wind blades at Kazuma. However, compared to Kazuma’s wind, they were tiny and pitiful.

Kazuma seized control of those tiny wind blades and chopped off the caster’s head with them. The man’s head fell on the floor and rolled to a stop by his wife’s head.

No one dared to move. The image of a person wrapped in northern winds and bringing down heartless punishment was just like a shinigami descending upon the real world……

“Ah ah…… By the way, how many people are left?”

“Wa…… Wahhhhhhhh!”

Those lazy words were just like a signal. The Fuuga clan lost control of themselves and scattered away.

“Stay…… Stay there!”

No one listened to Hyoue’s orders. Even if it was just one step further, everyone fled from Kazuma as if their lives depended on it. A fear that surpassed the teachings of the Fuuga clan had taken control their hearts.

By now, the Fuuga clan was no more. But to Kazuma, the real problem began only now.

“Nii…… Nii-sama, you really overdid it! There was no need to kill those people who were controlled, was there!?”

Kazuma had to comfort Ren, who was tearfully interrogating Kazuma.

“Oh? Is…… Is that so?”

To Kazuma, he was already acting with Ren’s feelings in mind by trying to prevent unnecessary deaths……

“Let’s…… Let’s put this aside for now, and take care of that old man first!”

Kazuma used Hyoue as a shield to change the topic.

“Sorry to make you wait. Are you ready?”

“Damn…… Kid……”

Hyoue angrily spewed out infinite curses at Kazuma, who was never shy with his words. He was now alone after having been abandoned by his subordinates.

Of course, he himself had tried to escape several times. But each time, Kazuma had stopped him.

Even when Kazuma turned around or was busy trying to comfort Ren, his eyes never left Hyoue.

“However, it is not over yet. Nothing has ended yet…… Bastard! Did you think that without Ryuuya, I am just a useless old man?”

Kazuma stayed quiet. This sentence was not fit enough for him to even reply to.

“If that is what you think, then you are very wrong! Ryuuya was not the only one who obtained power from the contract!”

“Ryuuya obtained nothing.”

Kazuma corrected him coldly.

“That guy lost everything.”

“Hmph, that is but a small problem.”

Hyoue then said at the top of his voice,

“Watch closely! This is the Power that I have obtained!”

As he made his declaration, an abnormal youki began spreading everywhere. Space was sliced open, and, from an unknown, hidden world, it…… No, they…… appeared.

“Wahhhhhh!?”

Ren screamed loudly, and for good reason. The two of them were now surrounded by all kinds of youma, packed so tightly together that even water might not have been able to get through. They were probably over a hundred strong.

Hyoue laughed out loud from behind the horde of youma.

“So, how is that? Shocked? This is my power!”

“……and how is this ‘your’ power?”

Kazuma countered lazily. The power that Hyoue was so proud of was nothing more than low level youma borrowed from the one that possessed Ryuuya. Borrowing something that was borrowed. As his power was something that had been borrowed twice, Hyoue himself possessed no power.

“Small issue.”

But Hyoue did not seem to care.

“I will meet up with Ryuuya, so why don’t you stay and play with these guys!”

With that, Hyoue mingled into the large group of youma and disappeared.

The remaining two people were surrounded by the youma. It seemed like there was no way out of this. Ren became tense from fear.

“Nii…… Nii-sama…… I shall take care of the ones in the back……”

“Don’t move, I’ll take care of them all at once.”

As Kazuma had said, it was something that happened in the blink of an eye. A rapid wind from the skies became a metal hammer and came straight down, smashing into the surface. All of the youma were ripped and crushed by the tremendous force.

(How…… How powerful……)

Ren held his breath as he watched it happen. What a scary power. If it was power like that, it was not hard to understand how it had defeated Genma.

“What are you waiting for? Quickly, run after that old man!”

Kazuma grabbed Ren, who was still standing shocked, to fly off, but,

“……Ahhh?”

At this, Ren turned back and asked,

“What’s wrong?”

Kazuma hesitated slightly before asking back,

“……Ayano came here too. Can you feel her?”

“Huh……? No, nothing.”

Ren continued to try to detect a presence…… But he could feel nothing.

“But, Enjutsushi are not good at detecting presence in the first place……”

“Not to the extent that you are unable to detect an Enraiha in battle…… Looks like she lost.”

“How can that be?! Impossible!”

Ren declared instantly. He was absolutely certain.

This was a sign of absolute trust. It was impossible for the wielder of Enraiha to lose, just like it was impossible of heaven and earth turning around.

“If Nee-sama’s ki became quiet, then that means Nee-sama has already won. There can be no other possibility!”

“Let’s hope so. That would save a lot of effort.”

Kazuma played along with the confident Ren, and once again picked him up as if he was an item.

“Let’s meet up with Ayano first! It’ll be troublesome if she dies.”

“Is it okay to not chase after Hyoue?”

“We have plenty of chances to kill that old man…… Let’s go!”

Kazuma leaped up with that shout.

Part 3

The wind was very gentle, yet at the same time forcefully took them up to the skies. They overcame gravity easily, flying past tree branches to an even higher place……

“Wow…… This is great…… What a magnificent view!”

Perhaps since it was his second time flying at a high altitude, Ren began to enjoy the spectacular view from above. Even though Kazuma wanted to let him watch longer, he continued to increase their speed.

“Huh? Is it over already?”

Ren said sadly as he realized they were beginning to descend.

“When this is over, you can watch for as long as you want. Just bear with it for now!”

The two of them landed on a small, empty area.

“She’s here…… See? I was right after all.”

“Nee…… Nee-sama!?”

Ren doubted his eyes. Ayano was stained with blood all over and was coming towards them. She was dragging herself with staggering steps and seemed about to fall down at any time.

Enraiha was just barely dangling from her weakened, drooping right arm. The tip of the blade scraped the surface of the earth as she moved and produced an exceptionally earsplitting sound.

Ayano stopped before the two of them. Completely covered with wounds, she glared furiously at Kazuma with eyes that seemed as if they would shoot out fire.

“You lost completely!”

Kazuma did not seem to care about Ayano’s murderous intent. His cold words did not carry any guilt of leaving behind Ayano as bait.

“You asshole……”

Ayano squeezed out the last of her remaining strength and pointed her Enraiha at the despicable traitor before her. A beautiful, shining flame surrounded the crimson blade.

However, she no longer had any strength to swing the blade. Ayano dropped Enraiha, which stopped shining and rolled onto the floor, and collapsed into Kazuma’s arms from lack of strength.

The divine sword that fell to the ground began to disappear as if merging with the air.

“Idiot. Trying to swing a divine sword with a half-dead body? Of course she’d overexert herself and run out of strength.”

Kazuma’s heartless words never reached Ayano’s ears. She was completely unconscious. Her face was pale beyond pale – It was as white as a corpse.

“Nee-sama! Ayano nee-sama!”

“You’re so noisy, shut up.”

Without even turning his head, Kazuma ordered his screaming brother to be quiet and grabbed Ayano’s hair to lift up her face. He was apparently checking her body condition, but the way he went about it was so rough that he did not seem to be worried about Ayano.

After a long moment, Ren asked, flustered,

“Nii-sama, Ayano nee-sama is going to be fine… right……?”

“Nope, she’s dead meat.”

Kazuma mercilessly crushed Ren’s expectations.

“How…… How can that……”

“The wounds themselves aren’t much. The problem is the youki that entered her body through them. She’s just one step away from having her body be completely overrun by youki.”

He gave a diagnosis as if he was a doctor, but real doctors would most definitely had complained about his cold-blooded and straightforward words!

“But, what kind of youki could freeze a divine child of the flames, and Enraiha together with her? Just where did that old man Hyoue find such a youma?”

“Now is not the time to discuss that problem, right? If you don’t save Ayano nee-sama soon……”

“Ren, catch.”

Kazuma suddenly tossed Ayano’s body at Ren.

“Wah!”

Even though Ayano was slim and completely drained of strength, she was still far too heavy for a twelve year old youth to carry. The two of them fell onto the floor together.

“Wha…… What……”

Ren, who meant to make a fuss, suddenly realized how cold Ayano’s body was. Even though she was still breathing, she was no different from a corpse. When Kazuma had said “freeze”, it was not a metaphor – It was the truth, literally.

Ren, as an Enjutsushi, could clearly sense Ayano’s flame of life burning out with every second.

“Is…… Is there no way to save Nee-sama, Nii-sama!?”

“Hmm…… It’s not that it’s impossible, but……”

“But what!?”

“It would be a waste.”

An indescribable silence filled the scene. Like a puppet, Ren stared at Kazuma with a frozen expression.

Kazuma watched Ren silently as well.

“……What did you say?”

Ren broke the silence with an exceptionally dull voice.

“It would be a waste.”

Kazuma repeated it calmly once more. He spoke naturally as if stating an obvious fact.

“It’s a really valuable medicine, and I probably won’t get another one like it.”

He shrugged his shoulders, as though saying that it can’t be helped.

Ren could not believe that there existed someone who would say that a medicine was more important than a human life, and that the someone was his own brother. He expressed his shock in words.

“That is not the problem, is it? If this continues, Nee-sama will die, and saying that using medicine is too wasteful…… That cannot be true, right?”

“It’s not a big deal even if Ayano dies! It’s not like the main bloodline will die off completely. You can just inherit the Enraiha. Then our old man would also be very happy.”

This was the first time Ren had ever heard such inhumane words. The blood in his body grew hot as if boiling, and the flame spirits gave off a cheerful sound in anticipation of a battle.

“What’s wrong?”

Kazuma looked at his brother, who bowed down in silence, with caring eyes.

“Don’t……”

“’Don’t’……?”

“Don’t joke around with me……!!”

Ren’s roar struck Kazuma as a physical shock. Kazuma used his ki to perform the lowest level of defense, smirking while letting Ren hit him.

Only Kazuma could understand that this phenomenon was the result of the spirits responding to Ren’s rage.

(Yes, that’s the way to go.)

The characteristic of fire is “aggressive flames”. A strong rage is the key factor of synchronizing with flame spirits. They will never lend their full powers to a human who is usually calm and timid.

Only when one possesses great rage, and is able to control that rage, can one be a first rate Enjutsushi.

Filling the area with stifling heat that felt like a metal smelting furnace, the flame spirits responded to Ren’s rage and continued to gather.

“Give me the medicine.”

Ren ordered softly. He had no need to roar now, as he knew very well what he needed to do. If the opponent decided to resist, he would have to get the medicine even if he died in the process. Whether he succeeded or not was inconsequential – This was something he had to do.

“Okay…… I got it, don’t threaten me anymore.”

Kazuma raised his hands to surrender. He was unable to keep his smile. With a calm fighting spirit and the mental energy to control it, Ren had already began his journey to become a first class Jutsushi.

Kazuma walked past Ren and stopped by Ayano, who was now lying motionless on the floor. Looking down at her, he toyed with a bottle he took out from his hidden pocket.

To say that he did it without hesitation would most definitely be a lie. After all, it was an extremely rare and valuable medicine. But even so, as long as it was for Ren’s growth, he did not mind paying such a price, especially since it did not cost him a single cent in the first place.

He kneeled by Ayano’s side and considered tipping the contents of the bottle into Ayano’s pale lips, but gave up in the end. She did not seem to have the strength to even drink it, and spilling the medicine would really be a waste.

Kazuma stretched his hand under Ayano and lifted her upper body. He drank the medicine himself, then closed his lips onto Ayano’s as if throwing his entire body onto her.

“Wah!”

From the corner of his eyes, Kazuma could see Ren, who was at his side, flushing red yet staring, mesmerized, as Kazuma poured the medicine into Ayano’s lips by mouth-to-mouth.

(Hmmm…………)

Ayano first felt warmth. Something seemed to be quickly removing the youki that was invading her body. Heat, or rather, life, came back bit by bit.

She slowly began to detect the situation around her. She knew she was being surrounded by a powerful force, and that a warm, healing spiritual energy was coming in from her lips.

Ayano felt as if someone had just pulled her back from the gates of death gently, yet powerfully.

She opened her eyes slowly, and, at the close distance that her eyes instantly focused on, the one before her was……

“……!!!”

Ayano’s consciousness became awake in an instant and she used all of her strength to push Kazuma away.

Kazuma moved away lazily, as if he saw through Ayano’s cute reactions out of nervousness, and steadily stood up.

(I…… I was kissed……? Why……?)

Ayano pressed her lips with her left hand. Her right hand was tightly hugging her own body. Like a weak girl who had just been assaulted by a rapist, she closed her legs tightly and contracted her body.

(What’s going on……?)

It was impossible to understand the situation, as she did not know what was going on.

Maybe due to the youki that had invaded her, her memories did not seem to add up. Not just how she wanted to cut Kazuma with her sword – She could not even remember how they met up in the first place.

She lifted her head to look at Kazuma suspiciously, who stared back calmly as though he was observing some animal in an experiment. Actually, he was observing how effective the medicine was, but it was impossible for Ayano to know that.

Anger began to grow within her. After taking away a girl’s kiss, and her first kiss at that, the other party did not even seem to have a shred of guilt. She could not accept this at all.

“What the hell were you doing……!!!”

“Is that how you talk to your benefactor?”

“Huh……?”

The cold reply weakened Ayano’s attitude. Ren ran over with wet eyes and raised his head to look at Ayano, fighting back tears.

“Nee…… Nee-sama……”

It was hard to imagine that the now revived Ayano, who was brimming with energy, was about to die just now. Even her wounds and blood had disappeared.

“Nee-sama! Nee-sama! Nee-sama!”

Ren was happily hugging his beloved “sister” tightly as he began to cry. As if trying to confirm that this was not a dream, he continued to hug Ayano with all his might and continued to call her name.

Even though he was just a kid, a twelve year old still has some arm power. Though Ayano was uncomfortable, she still insisted on rubbing Ren’s head gently.

“Ren, calm down…… Everything’s fine. I will protect you, so don’t be afraid……”

“Idiot.”

Kazuma mercilessly shot down Ayano. Ignoring her murderous intent, he continued,

“Ren was worried about you. You were totally thrashed by Ryuuya earlier and almost died. By the way, the one who saved you is me, so be grateful.”

This speech, made by someone who claimed to be her benefactor, made Ayano’s temple entangle together. Ren stopped his tears and immediately froze once he felt the strong atmosphere that could silence a crying child.

Ayano suddenly lowered her head and looked at Ren. She grabbed him, who was subconsciously trying to run away, and pressed his shoulder, asking with a scary face,

“Is that true?”

“Huh…… Huh……”

Ren looked troubled, unsure of what she meant by the question. Ayano moved closer and repeated once more,

“That guy said he saved me. Is that true?”

Shivering, Ren answered in a soft and delicate voice,

“It…… It is true. Nii-sama, he took the medicine…… then…… mouth-to-mouth……”

“Forget this.”

Ayano stopped Ren’s reply softly. The hand that was pressing his shoulder became more forceful, as if she was looking at Ren from above. Seeing her fake smile, Ren was so scared that his legs went limp.

“You saw nothing, understand?”

Ren silently nodded.

“Oh yeah, what did you make me drink? It’s not something with weird side effects, right?”

Ayano asked suspiciously. She knew that she almost died just now, so she could not trust something that was able to completely cure her in just a few minutes.

“Elixir.”

Kazuma replied simply.

“Elixir? You don’t mean that, what’s it called, ‘Water of Life’!?”

“Ehhhhhhhhhh……!?”

Ayano, and in fact even Ren, who was on the verge of tears, gave off sounds of surprise. This was normal, since the so-called “Water of Life” is a miracle drug with amazing effects, made with the essence of alchemy. It is said to even be able to revive the dead. It is uncertain if such a miracle drug, or even its formula, exists at all.

“That kind of thing… Where did you get it……”

“Before that, don’t you have anything to say?”

Kazuma seemed very calm since the beginning, in contrast to Ayano, who was shocked. Realizing what Kazuma meant, Ayano reluctantly thanked him,

“……Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll just charge extra. Maybe another hundred million will do.”

“You…… You bastard! Can’t you ignore some losses to help someone!? Isn’t it too low for a human to measure everything in terms of money!?”

“You think this is something that can be bought with money!?”

“Argh…………”

Kazuma raised his voice imposingly, making Ayano speechless. This was the first time Kazuma became so emotional. Apparently, his precious medicine being used made him feel very unhappy.

Indeed, something like elixir cannot be bought with money. It is something that can even revive the dead. It’s not hard to believe that many people would want it even if it made them bankrupt, and selling it for just a hundred million was simply outrageous.

Even so, Kazuma managed to change his mood with just one sigh.

“Never mind. Let’s forget what happened in the past! Oh yeah, Ayano. So, why did you lose?”

“……Why are you asking such a thing?”

Ayano replied bitterly to the question that shattered her pride.

“Of course I have to ask. I always thought of your Enraiha as the ultimate weapon. If it’s useless, then I have to rethink the whole battle plan. Therefore, tell me, what’s going on? Don’t tell me Enraiha can’t burn Ryuuya even if it cuts into him?”

“Huh…… Errr…… That is……”

Kazuma’s gaze at Ayano became colder and colder, sapping her ability to speak. She was too scared to make eye contact, so she shifted her eyes about randomly.

“You mean, you didn’t even hit him once? All of your attacks were predicted?”

“Hmm…………”

“And you panicked, releasing Enjutsu that was completely repelled by his wind.”

“Errm… errr…………”

“After taking his onslaught of one-sided attacks, your injuries continued to increase.”

“…………………………”

“In the end, you somehow managed to escape. Since this is too embarrassing for you to bear, should I praise you on your ability to run away?”

“Wha…… What!? How can you say such a thing!?”

Ayano finally lost her temper from listening to Kazuma’s cruel and heartless comments.

“After telling me to trust you so proudly before, in the end you just ran off and left me behind with a few words! For someone who leaves the biggest problems to other people, what right do you have to say such a thing!?” n(/𝔬-/𝒱)-𝓮)(𝐥/-𝕓.-1-)n

“Oh, sorry.”

“……Huh?”

Ayano widened her eyes at this unexpected reply. She had expected him to retaliate by mocking her vigorously, so it was unimaginable that he would apologize so honestly.

As if he could not let it go, Kazuma continued,

“I never expected you to be that weak.”

Ba-doom!!

An explosive noise came from her heart. Crackling sounds began to surround Ayano. Ren quickly retreated away from Ayano as if bouncing off.

“I thought that before I rescued Ren, you could at least buy some more time. Too bad, I guess I was too hard on you after all. Sorry.”

Ayano gripped Enraiha’s hilt with all of her strength. Her fighting spirit spread throughout her body, and the fallen leaves by her feet started dancing in the air. In the night of autumn, the temperature quickly rose until it became hotter than a sunlit day. Ren tensely watched as he was roasted by the hot air.

“When you tried to cut me before…… Back then, I had thought that you were taking it easy on me, since I’m part of your family. I totally didn’t realize that you were serious, sorr……”

Ayano moved her hand to shut Kazuma up. With all of her concentration, she mercilessly and unhesitatingly swung the Enraiha.

“Oh oh!”

Kazuma easily shifted his body and avoided her initial swing. Following his movements, Ayano slashed diagonally upwards, but Kazuma escaped to the left.

(Don’t even think about escaping!)

Ayano twisted her hand and pulled Enraiha back. With the blade pointed at Kazuma, she stepped out forcefully, ready to lunge forward with a stab……

“Nee-sama!”

Since Ren rushed over and hugged Ayano’s waist tightly, Enraiha missed its target.

“What are you doing, Ren? Get away now!!”

“No! Now is not the time to be doing this, is it!?”

Ayano was speechless at being reprimanded by a boy four years younger.

“Nii-sama too! Why did you do something so detestable!?”

Ren directed the blame to Kazuma as well. The youth had finally gotten his responsibility up by now, realizing that nothing good would come out of leaving the two of them to do as they wish.

“I didn’t annoy her.”

“Then why did you say all of that?”

Ren continued to ask Kazuma, who was replying randomly. A distrustful aura surrounded him.

“Just relieving some stress. That’s all.”

“……………………………”

“The one who was supposed to be our final weapon turned out to be a little kitten. Anyone would want to complain, right?”

“Nee…… Nee-sama…… Calm down……”

Ren tried his best to comfort Ayano, who seemed ready to explode.

“……I know. I won’t get angry anymore, so you can let go now.”

Ayano, weakened by Ren’s face that was on the verge of tears, said that with some measure of calmness. She exhaled as if letting out all the air in her lungs, relaxing her rage in the process.

“By the way, did you take care of Hyoue?”

“Nope, he escaped.”

“……What?”

Ayano suddenly shouted back. No matter what she said, she had deep faith in Kazuma’s powers. If Kazuma was actually unable to finish off someone like Hyoue……

“……What happened?”

“That old man summoned over a hundred youma at once. I was busy taking care of that when he took the chance to run off.”

“Over a hundred?”

Seeing the doubtful Ayano, Ren confirmed Kazuma’s words.

“It is true, Nee-sama. Youma that blocked all vision! Nii-sama used one move to get rid of all of them! The reason why we failed to catch Hyoue was……”

(To save Nee-sama……)

Kazuma stopped Ren from completing that sentence. Kazuma pressed his fingertip onto Ren’s lips, awkwardly silencing him.

“What are you trying to hide?”

“Nothing important. Anyway, the biggest problem now is Ryuuya. If this happens again, we’ll die for sure.”

“……You still intend to fight?”

Hearing this, Kazuma proceeded to judge the cowering Ayano.

(I never expected her to be so weak mentally.)

But now was definitely not the time to let her continue being depressed. He planned to fight against that monster alone, but the suffering and efforts had to be shared by everyone. That is Kazuma’s belief.

“What, are you scared? Well, I won’t blame you, since you lost so miserably just now. The next time you’re caught, I promise not to laugh.”

After being completely humiliated in such a way, Ayano’s cheeks became so red she put on blushers.

“Even if I can’t win, at least I can commit seppuku before the enemy catches me! I won’t leave even a cell to those guys! I have that kind of determination, so don’t look down on me!”

She rebutted angrily. Her spirit was plenty, but the content was unacceptable.

Unsure of how to respond, Kazuma’s eyebrows creased together as Ayano continued,

“What I meant was that we should head back and reorganize our fighting force. Since Ren is already rescued, there shouldn’t be any risk of the seal breaking, so……”

“Rejected.”

Kazuma bluntly refused Ayano’s suggestion.

“It won’t work out if we’re attacked while moving. If the entire transport vehicle is destroyed, are you sure you can escape?”

“But they won’t be stupid enough to kill Ren, would they? If they do that, they can’t break the seal.”

“Hyoue’s goal is to destroy the Kannagi clan. From the looks of it, he hates the Kannagi clan to the core. Releasing the seal placed upon their god was probably just one of the ways he planned to do it.”

Even though he used the word “probably”, Kazuma was actually very certain. If Ayano saw that insane hatred with her own eyes, perhaps she would be able to understand!

To Hyoue, God or Devil is nothing but power. In his heart, he only thinks about how he can use them. Since he had Ryuuya, who could be used to destroy the Kannagi clan, he did not need to obsessed over breaking the seal of their god.

“Besides, they’d win if they kill us. My old man is now heavy with injuries……”

“That was your fault!”

“Don’t talk about that right now. No matter how powerful the clan chief may be, his body can’t fight. The branch family is completely useless. In other words, if we die, it means the end of the Kannagi clan. Got it?”

After hearing his logical analysis, Ayano had no way of rebutting. Even though she knew that Kazuma was right, her body naturally rejected the fact that she would have to fight against Ryuuya once more.

But before she could recollect herself, Kazuma raised his head to look into the sky.

“No time to think…… We’ve been found.”

“……? Didn’t you set up a kekkai?”

“Yeah, but after what the two of you did, I doubt it’ll last.”

“……I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay…… By the way, Ren.”

“Ah, yes?”

Ren, who was called suddenly, replied in a rising voice.

Kazuma then made a cruel declaration,

“Hyoue will definitely target you, because he’d still want the power of a God. But we’ll be struggling with just Ryuuya, so there’s no way we can protect you. Therefore, handle your own problems by yourself.”

This sentence seemed to imply “you might as well die if you’re a nuisance”, so Ren became tense upon hearing it. But he recovered in a while, and looked back at his brother with determined eyes.

“I…… I got it. I can handle someone like Hyoue by myself. If I lose, I shall commit seppuku before I get caught, so I won’t cause any trouble for Nii-sama. Will that do?”

Ren said, with a pale face.

Kazuma, unsure whether to laugh or cry, stared at Ren, and then turned his head to Ayano.

“Man, because you said such stupid things, now Ren has no clue what he’s fighting so hard for.”

“What stupid things? As the main family of the Kannagi clan, this kind of determination is only natural!”

Kazuma, rather than concerning himself with Ayano, turned to Ren instead. He grabbed the tiny head that stood before his chest.

“Wha…… What’s the matter, Nii-sama?”

“Ren, let me tell you the rules of this game. ‘The survivor always wins’. Simple enough?”

Ren was at a loss due to the sudden roughness, but Kazuma continued without caring.

“Someone without the will to live will lose for sure. This is a rule that will never change, so remember that.

Listen well. You’re just a kid – No one thinks you’re of much use, so just doing what you can will be enough.”

“Doing what I can……?”

“That’d be ‘to live’. Don’t try to beautify death with terms like ‘self-sacrifice’. Death is the end of everything. You’ll lose your past, present and future in an instant. There is no way to start over. It is the absolute end.”

Unable to lose nor sacrifice, Kazuma could not accept exchanging the future of a twelve year old for peace.

He did not want to lose anything important anymore.

“But as long as you’re still alive, there will be a chance to turn the tables around. So, even if your teeth are knocked out, you have to swallow them back along with your blood. No matter how pathetic or shameful it seems, never give up on surviving. Even if you must struggle to the very last moment, that is your battle. Can you do it?”

Kazuma looked at Ren closely, and Ren returned his gaze in the same way.

Never give up, never throw hope away – That is what is required to win. That is what Ren learned from Kazuma. His pale face regained its natural color, and the dread of being pushed to a dead-end faded from his eyes.

(I am not alone.

There are people who protect me, people who support me, so all I need to do is finish whatever I can. Because this is the best way to make the current me, who is still immature, useful.)

“Yes!”

Hearing such an energetic reply, Kazuma gave off a gentle smile. Ren was comfortable with having his head rubbed so roughly.

“So then…”

Kazuma pushed Ren backwards lightly and told Ayano, without shifting his eyes,

“……He’s here.”

Ayano raised her head to look into the sky. As if slicing open the blue sky, a black shadow darker than darkness itself emerged from a point in the sky. Following that, the shadow expanded quickly, clearly revealing its face.

“So he’s here……”

Ayano mumbled in a trembling voice after seeing a human shadow form.

The black shadow, who seemed to be able absorb all light just by opening its arms like wings, landed on the ground. Kazuma smiled evilly at the demonic opponent that stood there silently.

“Now, let round two begin……”