[Part 5/10]
"Very well, very well. These items go in the storage room... take that bottle to my laboratory."
Having lost interest in the disappearing demon, the old man instructed the bat and mosquito youkai that had come closer to carefully transfer the collected demon's bodily fluids into small vials. He also ordered them to take care of the cleanup.
"Now that all the ingredients are gathered, let's go, Genbu... but before that, dispose of that snake."
'Grrr!'
'Gyah?! Stop it! Please!'
Just before being forcibly returned within the forbidden book, the snake's tail, which had been separated and hidden, desperately tried to escape but was quickly caught by the onikuma.
'Hey! You piece of... sto—'
'Grrr!'
The bear slammed the snake onto the floor, stretching it out, and then bit into its head while it lay unconscious. With crackling sounds, it tore and ripped the flesh like a carnivorous animal, consuming it within its belly.
'Grrrrrr!'
The demon bear licked its arm and patted its belly happily. Despite being weakened and having its tail severed, the demon, once a god-like being, seemed to taste delicious.
"...Hmm, finished eating already? Then you'd better come quickly."
The old exorcist muttered with a hint of annoyance at the bear's childlike behavior. He continued to advance into the depths of the library...
There it was, at the back of the library. He opened the door and set his gaze upon her.
He found his granddaughter lying in bed, her face pale and filled with fear.
'Meow?'
"Hmm, may I disturb you for a moment?"
'Meow.'
The old man asked the cat yokai that had come to his feet. The cat yokai either understood the words spoken or simply ignored them, purring nonchalantly before leaving the room.
"...Grandfather, is it? What brings you here?"
The old man turned to face his granddaughter, her familiar yet weakened voice capturing his attention as he watched the departing cat yokai.
"Ohohoho, well, I just came to check on my bedridden granddaughter's condition. How are you feeling?"
"It's terrible... Ugh!? You should know that."
She groaned in pain for a moment, as if something sharp had pierced her chest. However, the old man's granddaughter, Botan, cursed in frustration.
The "Sanshi (Three Corpses)" is said to be a type of parasite that eats a person's organs according to legends. The despicable man had developed an artificial yokai based on that legend, reflecting its effects. No, it was even worser.
According to the legends, the Sanshi should be about two inches long, but the one devouring Botan's insides was much smaller. It was probably the size of a parasite.
It was likely breeding in large numbers within her body, feasting on her spiritual energy. However, to prevent killing the host immediately, it didn't consume the flesh. But since it was a foreign entity, its presence in large numbers placed a significant burden on her body, causing intense pain due to the wriggling inside her flesh.
Furthermore, the weakened stomach and intestines due to the parasitic infestation made eating a daily struggle. She had to chew slowly, or she would vomit immediately.
"The insect repellents didn't work, so you had to use anesthesia and pills that stop the parasites from becoming active..."
The old man glanced at a small bottle placed on the corner of the room's desk. There were no more of those white tablets that lasted for about a month. Now, Botan had to cut one into smaller pieces and take them to increase the dosage and relieve the symptoms. But even if she wanted to regain her strength, she couldn't eat well. It felt like a slow, unavoidable death...
"As expected of the first head of the Omnyouji Bureau. Even though I investigated it myself, I couldn't grasp the ingredients for the tablets."
Botan and the old man had spent years trying to identify the ingredients, but they could only estimate about half of the over fifty materials. Moreover, some of those materials were difficult to obtain.
"One lucky thing is that it can only survive inside your body.."
After all, whether it touched the outside air or entered another person's body, the parasite would immediately struggle and die, decomposing rapidly. It had fully adapted to Botan's body and become dependent on it.
It was difficult to retrieve the test subject due to the need for technical confidentiality, and even then, the subject could only be observed in the experimental tube, and no dissection or experiment could be done. Strangely, this prevented the infection from spreading, but it also meant that the old man couldn't get rid of his granddaughter, whom he had recently found hidden away.
"...Why are you stating the obvious now? Don't you see that I'm suffering too?"
Botan glared at her grandfather with sharp eyes and an irritated tone. Since she conveyed the message the other day, she had been irritable, and her attitude towards her grandfather was somewhat resentful.
"...I think it's about time you prepared yourself."
"What nonsense."
Botan replied immediately with a tone of disgust to her grandfather's words. And she continued, saying.
"I know you've been trying your best to extend my life. It's easier for me to read and experiment with forbidden books here than at my parents' house or the Omnyouji Bureau library."
As a result, her grandfather had used her as a helpful assistant. It was not because they were family, but rather a mutually beneficial relationship. However, despite their desperate efforts, Botan's time was running out.
"I did anticipate that method for a long time. However, it's out of the question. It's impossible."
She knew. She knew about the approaching footsteps of her impending doom. She knew that it was already closing in on her. But still, she didn't want use that...!!
"However, if you continue like this, you won't even be able to seek revenge and your life will come to an end. Are you okay with that? Desperate times call for desperate measures, you know?"
"Are you saying that...!!"
Botan directed a gaze filled with even murderous intent towards her own grandfather. The old man stood silently, gazing at his granddaughter.
In the tense atmosphere, the two stared at each other. Genbu, who was standing behind her grandfather, shrinks uncomfortably..
"...Guh!? Sorry, but... I don't have time to talk right now. I want to rest for a while, if you don't mind...?"
It was Botan who had to make a sound first. She collapsed on the spot, her forehead covered in sweat, her face pale. While slumping, she glared at her grandfather and requested to leave.
"...I understand. It's not the right time to talk to you now. Let's step back for now."
Her grandfather readily accepted her request and left the room calmly. Genbu followed nervously, looking back and forth between his master and Botan. Botan looked down at her hands. The door closed, blocking her grandfather's and Genbu's figures.
"Guh... Phew."
Botan endured the intense recurring pain in her internal organs for a while. She took anesthesia medication. As the anesthesia began to take effect, the pain eased slightly, and she adjusted her posture and regulated her breathing. She loosened the sweaty pajamas around her neck, letting the cool air soothe her damp, overheated skin.
She then fell onto her side, as if completely exhausted. Suddenly, she found herself staring at the ceiling. She breathed. She felt her uneasy heart rise and fall. She was alive. At least for now... She deeply inhaled, truly feeling that fact.
"...What a ridiculous thing to say."
And she murmured about the earlier conversation. She was grateful to her grandfather for protecting her and providing some assistance, even though she resented it. But there was no justification for him or that man to say such things to her.
That was unacceptable. Even if it was for the sake of her survival...
"..."
She almost uttered a curse, but her strength was already at its limit. By the time she realized it, her consciousness was faintly drifting away. Drowsiness approached. The sleepiness crept closer.
(Yes, that's right. Such, such a thing...)
As Botan thought about the results of her decision, she wanted to scold herself silently, but it was already too late when she briefly hesitated. Eventually, before she could scold herself, she fell asleep.
And in that instant, the image that flashed through her mind was not of her grandfather or that detestable mentor, but...
Botan Mid-Summer Greeting Illustration => Here
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