Volume 10 Chapter 5 (1/2)

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The stern yet alluring voice of a mature woman The instant thatht up

In addition to Akino, shocked expressions even surfaced on Natsuator named Yamashi+ro with that sudden voice

But unlike the purely shocked Akino, the two seemed to already knoho exactly the master of the voice was

”That voice just now!”

”damn, he's already here!?”

They turned their gazes towards the mountaintop as they shouted

Then, Akino realized who exactly the master of the voice just noas from the reactions of the two of them

Tsuchimikado Harutora had come! Natsume's childhood friend was here!

Huh, but the voice just now had been a female voice Could it be that Tsuchimikado Harutora was a woman? Or maybe he had ascended the mountain with a woman No matter which possibility it was, Tsuchimikado Harutora was already at Seishuku Temple, that was for sure

Natsume!?

Fretfulness that she had never before shoas on Natsu with anxiety, anticipation, and even a little bit of dread were ether into an extremely complex expression

”You've started getting a bit panicked But since et's already arrived, I don't have the tiht away”

Yaroup of eye-catching black kodoku

”That's my line”

Flashi+ng electricity crackled as it flowed over Natsu the kodoku again

Natsu group of kodoku Lightning filled her vision with a crash and Akino desperately held back fro out

Akino felt like she had entered another world in this vortex of intense vibrations and ru for the first tiain The ears on her head were also flattened as her legs tre situation was very difficult

She didn't even have rooic battle All she could do was back up as much as possible toback

So at least,

”T-Tengu-san! Please help Natsume!”

Even though her request was so irrational, Akino still shouted She shouted whileas far fro away fro thunder

Then, she fell down

Ah, honestly!

Ho did she have to be? But she didn't have tilasses, breaking into a run again

But the next y passed over Akino Akino staggered and al herself

Eh? What was that?

At the sa, Akino realized that the ru thunder had also vanished

”Natsume!?'

She hastily turned around and spotted Natsume there down on one knee Akino was frozen with terror for a moment It wasn't just the electricity that had vanished, as even the group of kodoku Yamashi+ro controlled had also disappeared Then, Ya fiercely, ”damn!”

”What's up with that barrier!? A en do this?”

Yary Then, Akino also noticed that even her rabbit ears had vanished

Though she didn't really understand, it appeared that all s had suddenly been rendered ineffective It was probably related to Tsuchi at thewas definitely related tospirit like Akino

But Natsume's situation was even y Her face was pale and her body couldn't round

Could it be!

It wasn't just because she was a living spirit, it was probably also related to how she had already died and been resurrected In that case, wouldn't Natsuic was sealed?

”Tch! I guess I have to!” On the other hand, Yaic had been sealed, fished sorim expression

It was a pistol Akino's expression changed

”I won't kill you But don't bla In any case, you have no chance of victory if ic is sealed Give up!”

Yaard for her reply Natsu at Yah an endless fighting spirit shot out of her eyes, her face was bloodless and her forehead was heavily sweating Even though the gun-toting Mystical Investigator was already close by, Natsu up anytime soon

Natsuerous Akino reflexively rushed to Natsu between Natsume and Yamashi+ro, even faster than Akino

The shi+kigau

Yamashi+ro stopped

The tengu shi+kiga was all over his body, and his figure had alishly between the two of the Yamashi+ro face-to-face in order to stop him

”Hey Don't get in the way”

Ya on the shi+kigami's body became even more severe

Of course, Akino shouted ”Stop” with a paled face, but Yamashi+ro didn't pay attention at all One shot, two shots[1] Yamashi+ro continuously opened fire He fired to aa in on Natsume bit by bit

Just then, the situation changed again

Suddenly, the strange loss of energy inside Akino's body vanished

The barrier rendering ic ineffective had been released Natsuered up Yaripped the gun with had been grabbed tightly by a hand as thick as a log extending froami next to him

Ya a blade seal with his left hand and slashi+ng at the shi+kiga cleared away, Yaht hand and retreated But the pistol dropped froround

The tengu shi+kigami stepped on Yamashi+ro's dropped pistol

Then, Tengu crushed the pistol into scrap with a heavy impact

”You!?”

Ya with the char away But at that point, Natsuain Electricity filled Natsume's body and she held many charms in her two hands to confront Yaain She felt that a ain between these two people and the tengu shi+kigami in the middle

But the tengu shi+kigainaudible

Natsu at the sahtened the back it had been hunching before, turning its gaze in the direction of the foot of the mountain - the north side of the North Star Mountain Akino swiftly followed its gaze The sound of so came from within the dense, lush forest

The sound of so

Akino rematerialized the rabbit ears that had vanished because of the barrier As Akino stuck her ears up, the presence she felt immediately beca apart and branches cracking caether

Then, theto see as in the forest, a giant body of iant cedar trees

That giant body of umo

”That--!?”

”An Arernaut!? How! Why is it here?”

Natsume and Yau towards the mountaintop abruptly stopped

On the Tsuchigu ancient armor The iron helmet that covered its face turned to Natsume and the others

A hazy flame shi+mmered in the depths of the empty face inside the iron ht Natsu and radiant The eight steel legs supporting its torsotheir enemy

Then, it charged straight towards Natsume and the others

”What!?”

Yau shi+kigaumo in a panic

Even though it looked quite uue was dodged and charged straight ahead again A e-seely powerful?

”Could it be Did Tsuchi this here!?”

Yaht as he roared Even if he could use umo head-to-head After all, the opponent was a spider as powerful as a tank Though Akino didn't know exactly what kind of thing the 'Arernaut' was, she felt that it would be iainst it head-to-head

The Tsuchigu silk from its mouth

Its target was Natsu the spider silk But the lightning that attacked the Tsuchiguuhtly delayed by lag, and although it fully endured the blow, it was unharmed

The Tsuchigu spider silk around it, toying with Natsued to escape it since the Tsuchiguu down at all Before anyone knew it, the tengu shi+kiga the freely-raumo

The Tsuchigumo rapidly stampeded back and forth with abandon It wasn't like a or But it had quite the s shook constantly like an earthquake Akino and the others barely ed to stay balanced

But, ”Eek!?”

The raed at the frozen Akino More accurately, the position the Tsuchiguh just happened to be where Akino was Akino's ears shot up as if she had been pricked and prepared to escape in a panic

Then, she fell down

”Akino!?”

Frightened, Natsu strike She probably wanted to hold back the Tsuchiguuuround as it charged towards the fallen Akino

Akino felt that she was going to die

But the u

Its giant body slid to the side because of the effects of inertia Akino cradled her head as she lay on the ground, but fortunately, the Tsuchigus that were about to touch Akino as it deftly dodged her and flew out The Tsuchigued to stop after it had completely passed over Akino

Akino's ears stuck up as she lay on the ground and she looked around Then, she raised her head and saw that the Tsuchigued its direction and was peering at Akino Akino aze

Her mind had become blank

A hazy light sloayed inside the iron heler She felt an illusion as if the sa like ”Tch, a civilian” Just an ordinary coue at Ya on in shock

Akino blinked in surprise

I-It seeo just now!

While Akino was still spacing out on the ground,

”Akino! Are you hurt?”

Natsu as she helped Akino up

”N-Natsu on?”

”The Arami that Yakou made”

”M-Military shi+kigami?”

”Yeah Though I fought one once it feels completely different As expected Back then, it was definitely because the shi+kigami's master was different”

The Tsuchiguo just now It was a spider-shaped body of metal, but it felt particularly human That was very likely because of its master

Natsu at the rim expression The direction of the temple Akino felt certain when she saw Natsume's pure and resolute look As expected, he was in the monastery Natsume's childhood friend whom she had come to see

Then, at that azed at Also, a powerful y spilled forth The presence of a fierce battle that was enough to affect the foot of the mountain

A ht there

”Akino Sorry I”

”You're going?”

”Yeah”

Natsu into Akino's eyes The current Natsuer than herself to Akino, probably because of her undisguised attitude

”I understand I-I'll go too Actually, I can carry Natsume there--”

”It's alright I'll use my 'trump card'”

”Trump card?”

”Yeah Akino, you don't need to force yourself”

Yaumo's attacks on his own as the two of them talked to each other Even Yauainst the opponent as more powerful than it had anticipated

But right as Natsume stepped away frouain It spat spider silk at Ya left by his having to deal with the spider silk to charge towards Natsuain

This time, Natsume didn't try to flee

The ground shook as the Tsuchiguht at her Akino's ears tre up a char that it would be troublesoami who observed froht about to step out

The distance between the girl and the Tsuchigumo shortened

Even so, Natsume didn't retreat

She brushed her black hair while calling out sternly

”Coe!”

Right as the words left her'yin aura' poured from Natsume's entire body

It didn't feel h-level yin water aura That hat it had been called by some ancient practitioners

In other words, it was 'draconic aura'

Then, Natsume's spiritual power increased explosively The aura that could be felt froer the spiritual power of a 'human' It was as if she were a mobile spiritual disaster Akino realized instinctively The son Natsu This spiritual power housed in Natsu a major portion of Natsume's body - was the spiritual power of that beautiful creature

It wasn't a water dragon

Rather, it was a true dragon

Yamashi+ro, as held up behind the released Even the furiously-charging Tsuchigumo was taken aback and its advance was thrown into disarray

Natsu it above her head, as if to grab the entire sky The draconic aura in Natsuside Natsuht hand

According to the 'Five Ele aura' was composed of the wood eleenerated wood aura

Water generates wood in the Five Elements Mutual Generation

In addition, what Natsuh-purity yin aura released by a true dragon - draconic aura The lightning aura that the draconic aura generated was practically indistinguishable fro the weather would release towards the ground while angry[2]

The divine spiritual power that Natsuy

Natsume loudly chanted an incantation

”Thunder, fill the sky for nine days!”[3]

The greatest thunder God of Taois's name

Natsuht hand straight at the Tsuchigumo

Thunder engulfed the world

The battlefield was coh-te pierced through the Tsuchigu arcs of electricity fiercely scattered froumo

She couldn't open her eyes at all Akino covered her face with her hands, her rabbit ears juitation Her senses also became slow Her senses were all paralyzed and she couldn't even keep her balance

She didn't kno long it was after that, as if even her sense of time had vanished Akino opened the eyelids that she had shut out of fright

The Tsuchigumo had fallen

Its body that was supported by the eight legs was eround around it was deeply indented as if it had been crushed

Then, in front of the Tsuchigu down

Faint remnants of electricity still crackled on Natsume's body The draconic aura had already been released now, and swirled elegantly around its master That appearance see God into her own body

Akino was dumbstruck

But,

”Careful, the Arernaut can still move!”

Natsume didn't even turn around as she warned Akino Hoas that possible? Right as Akino thought that, the Tsuchigumo moved with a clank

She 'looked' over inside the saht that flashed in its eyes was still not extinguished The unyielding fighting spirit and the sense of mission in those eyes slowly burned

The Tsuchigu with a clatter

”Akino - I'll be there soon”

Natsuuue-tied Natsume's actions were so swift and powerful, but they were also extremely spry

Natsume ran like the wind

The Tsuchigu

The sahtning After that, she leaped up She flew high through the sky - but the Tsuchigu in s pierced upwards like spears

Natsume!?

They were almost about to hit Natsume

But Natsus

Natsu back and forth With every one of Natsuolden draconic aura diffused from beneath her feet

The draconic aura beneath her feet stretched into a long tail instraight towards the mountaintop

Akino was inadvertently fascinated as she stared at Natsu in midair

The Tsuchiguh you're an enemy, that was beautifully done indeed” Then, it an to pursue

Akino came back to her senses

Come to think of it, Yamashi+ro had disappeared at soone to the teu?

Akino looked here and there The tengu shi+kiga there with the exact same posture as it watched Akino and the others

It seea towards Natsuumo had left

You co

”Yeah”

Akino nodded deeply and started running at full speed as vigor flowed into her whole body from her rabbit ears to her toes

The Arernauts that had dropped down in the courtyard i eight legs drove off the surrounding people The silver silk that the samurai spat accurately bound the armed soldier monks

The ajari were knocked flying after being bound by the Tsuchigumo's thread, then immediately lost consciousness It wasn't a simple unconsciousness Rather, it was because the thread absorbed their spiritual power

Of course, the soldier , and some of them also counterattacked with their automatic weapons But the rifle bullets were easily deflected off the arernauts

The Arami whose metal body was its vessel Firear in the first place In contrast, the Tsuchigumo fired the cannons installed on either side of its body as if to say 'Not bad, let me return the favor'

The ru sound of cannon fire from the Pacific War era, different froh the mountain Smoke curled up from the barrels

Stone lanterns were shattered, huge trees toppled, and large holes opened up in the monastery The cannons bombarded the shi+kyakuh it looked like their accuracy wasn't so good, their effectiveness as a deterrence was the real deal The soldier monks who had surrounded Harutora before fled everywhere like scattering spiders

”Well, to be honest, things likepowers”

Harutora murmured to himself with a bitter smile Even with th of a single Arh the soldierthe froen coroup before And needless to say, infantry like this were useless against military vehicles

Before anyone noticed, the two Divine Generals who had announced their uninvolvement beforehand had disappeared soed in and hence had taken advantage of the chaos caused by the Arernauts to escape

”D-Don't panic, just draw back!”

”No, aiami's master!”

It seerily Avoiding the shi+kigaic battle when confronting powerful shi+kigauus and bodies to block bullets, deflecting all of the shots aimed at Harutora Then, the people who had ai with their commanders were iami--

”Scoundrel!”

After they were subjected to a fierce counterattack, they went silent The barrier based on the Mountain Gate would be destroyed soon and flaws had appeared in the array covering the interior of the h the main hall's barrier still stayed up, a sic it was constructed as extre had already subsided froyouki

Then, as Hishayouki entered the depths of thethe final barrier The array had already vanished completely when he came out

The soldierafterwards they saw the second Ar down the cedar trees to the left and right of the ernaut that had just activated by the south side of the mountain and destroyed the barrier at the Mountain Gate

Thethe neerful shi+kigas clanked as itat the soldier h the shi+kyakumon that had already becoernaut as if saying 'Requesting regroup', neatly and respectfully arranging its eight legs In coernaut stamped back respectfully as if to say 'Good work'

With the two gathered in the courtyard along with the one attacking on the north side of the ernauts were all objects that had been stolen froinally, vessels of the level of Arency building's sealed storage rooernauts' vessels were too huge, and it was difficult to keep theernauts had been kept in a storehouse adency under the name of research materials

Of course, ical security had been cast on the storehouse Especially after the incident with the 'Child Prodigy' Dairenji Suzuka, that security had become even more serious Even so, it was quite easy to break into the storehouse coe rooic to infiltrate the storehouse and cleverly stolen the Arernauts

”They were originally things Ithem back'”

To Harutora who casually said that, Hishamaru replied:

”These things ht noell”

”Those things are armaments, not you”

Kakugyouki rebutted

Also, Harutora had cast souards and workers so that the Arernauts wouldn't be realized as stolen for a while afterwards Actually, Harutora and the others had spent the seven days between receiving Jougen'sat Seishuku Te and maintenance

Harutora's reasons for especially utilizing the Aren's next move Rather, he had prepared them as effective measures to suppress a forested mountain battlefield in case the summons to Seishuku Temple was a trap In the end, it was just coincidence that they had becoy-sealing array But even if he hadn't prepared the Ar the ical array

Hisha the suppression of the courtyard to the two Arernauts Harutora briefly checked the appearance of his defensive shi+kigami

”Are you fine?”

”Of course, Harutora-sama”

Hisha pompously

Kakugyouki shrugged his shoulders at the two, showing a fed-up expression

”What Harutora wants to hear about is the condition of your 'stability' It's norical array just now could only have iatively Why don't you just obediently stay on the sidelines?”

”How foolish Defensive shi+kigami are supposed to always stay by their masters How can I alone stay uninvolved?”

The fox spirit frowned and rejected the one-armed oni's proposal But Harutora also looked troubled

”But what Kakugyouki says is reasonable Hishamaru, you don't need to force yourself that much”

”What! H-Harutora-sas? Harutora-saer need Hishamaru!?”

”I never said that kind of thing at all”

”T-Then please don't say such heartless things My current condition definitely isn't as severe as Kakugyouki says It's side you as a defensive shi+kigami”

Hisha expression Tears welled up in her clear blue eyes and the ears on her head and her elegant fox tail trembled pitifully To be honest, it had been fine when she had her child form, but Harutora was pretty troubled every ti beauty now that she had an otherworldly gorgeous appearance He s to Hishamaru with an ”I understand” Actually, he felther follow hi up with her secretly trailing him

Then, Harutora's gaze returned to the battlefield before hi the Arernauts loose in this old haunt if at all possible Unfortunately, things had turned into this The passage of time was truly cruel

Harutora wore a complex expression as his eyes reflected a scene from the saure from that scene

”I'm very sorry, shi+nra”

Harutora muttered with a lonesome expression

But it es to the battle situation brought by the vanishi+ng array weren't just beneficial to Harutora and his two defensive shi+kigami Seishuku Temple wouldn't yield that easily

”Nouyateibyaku saraba bokkeibyaku sarabata tarata senda innan untarata kanman!”

Acala's Fire Realic swirled in the courtyard Harutora and Hishay Kakugyouki sic in the courtyard spun into a giant tornado of fla with the fierce gale

The power it carried was presently ernauts The tornado of flaiant vortex The two aical arulfed by the Fire Real to stop the Fire Realulfed the Arernauts rushed towards the main hall

The Raven's Wing Harutora wore powerfully flapped its he its a to the roof of the ic didn't stop wildly extending in pursuit towards the black-clothed shi+kigami

”Don't think too much of yourself!”

Hishay rose from her body It forht towards the approaching Fire Real their momentums The crieously-colored fla nonstop

However, just then,

”Harutora, Hishamaru, careful of below”

Kakugyouki 'saw' under his feet and simultaneously leaped up Harutora and Hishamaru instantly turned to evade, the black coat and the fox tail fluttering in the wind

Ih the roof of the main hall from below The aura that burst out like a volcano headed towards Harutora with the momentum of its eruption Probably because the spiritual poas too violent, it wasn't even controlled by an organized et off unharical energy

The intense eruption definitely wasn't a siic

”They opened up a gap in the spirit flow”

Harutora spoke helplessly The three of theic and the torrent of y that approached them from below constantly tossed the three of them around like leaves in the air Harutora's hair and the Raven's Wing swished loudly as they were swept by the strong wind

However, at the same time as a powerful wind swept over Harutora's body, he narrowed his right eye and looked down He spoke in a cold voice

”Hishayouki, I' the spirit flow to you”

”Understood”

”I can't completely suppress it, you know”