[Part 1/4]
Drowning. Drowning. Drowning. A water mass with intent forces its way into Tamaki's open mouth. It goes down her throat, fills up her breathing passage, and heads for her lungs.
"Ugh...!? Nghh, cough...!!?"
She's struggling to breathe. Coughing. Moving around frantically. But fighting didn't help. Fear started to take over. Her awareness was fading. Her consciousness was slipping away. Her vision grew dimmer...
"So annoying...!! 'Mushiage (Steam Up)'!!"
"Gahh!!?"
In an instant, in the blink of an eye, blinding flashes filled her vision. At the same time, the intense cold that had surrounded her started to disappear. It was as if the coldness had turned into heat and vanished into thin air. The wetness that had covered her body now lay motionless on the floor. Tamaki, who had fallen to the ground, held onto her throat and coughed.
"Pardon me...!!"
"Ngghhh!!?"
Immediately, Murasaki inserted two fingers into Tamaki's throat. She then twisted and pushed a pill down. A strong bitterness engulfed her entire body, not just her tongue. She felt something stirring within. As Tamaki reflexively tried to vomit, Murasaki closed her mouth.
"Ngghh!! Ngghh!!?"
"Please wait, just a little longer. Just a little... now!!"
Murasaki released her grip on Tamaki's jaw. At the same time, Tamaki threw up a lot of water and stomach contents. This was a kind of cleansing, not for bugs, but for youkai. Depending on the kind, if it's a youkai that's in the body in the early stages, using this method can help get rid of it for sure.
"Cough, cough, cough!? Bitter... so bitter!!"
With teary eyes, Tamaki repeatedly spat out saliva. It was truly a terrible taste. Worse than anything she had ever eaten. Her tongue was numb beyond belief.
"I don't apologize. If I hadn't intervened, that creature would've filled your lungs and suffocated you. You brought this upon yourself."
Murasaki scolded Tamaki sternly as she observed the unresponsive mess on the floor. Bred Suiko had significantly changed its nature from the original species. The massive size and increased aggression were just a part of it.
From a foolish and clumsy primitive form that could temporarily liquefy itself, envelop opponents, immobilize them, and cause them to drown in its body, to the now significantly transformed and extremely vicious and malignant that became a challenge beyond comparison. It wasn't something third-rate exorcists could control. CAnd so, out of embarrassment for such incompetence, numerous cases of illegal disposal without even euthanasia had been reported. It was only natural that it was strictly forbidden to breed them as a forbidden technique.
"While your decapitation was impressive, it's a shame that you were careless."
"Haah... haah... Cough!?"
While still coughing up remnants of the medicine, Tamaki struggled to catch her breath. Seeing her in that state, Murasaki retorted. Even as she did so, she thought back to the incident a while ago and felt a slight suspicion in her heart.
(Still, that swordmanship...)
That sword strike was indeed magnificent. Incredibly skillful. And yet, it felt out of place. The kind of movement you wouldn't expect. Could it be compared to 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'? Murasaki, who had practiced with her younger disciple, recognized that. That strike was obviously different from the abilities of the exorcist known as Hotoya Tamaki...
(Why am I thinking such foolish things... Besides, that's something I can consider later!)
It was probably her own fault for being careless! Cursing herself internally, Murasaki hastily pushed aside the low-priority doubt. In this emergency, there were countless things that needed consideration.
"It seems... this is the end of the attack."
Regaining her composure, Murasaki surveyed her surroundings cautiously. Upon looking, none of the moving monsters were left. About sixty, no, maybe seventy? All the 'Akaname' had returned to corpses. None had escaped. All had perished.
"Cough... Yes, yes, it seems so. ...Haa, haa. Thank you, Miss Murasaki."
"...You're a smooth talker, huh?"
Coolly dismissing Tamaki's words of gratitude, which were her first words now that she was able to speak, Murasaki couldn't help but harbor a faint doubt in her heart. Even as she expressed that doubt, she brushed aside her thoughts about the incident from earlier. In this pressing situation, numerous matters demanded priority.
Inexperienced and overly naive, undeniably recklessness is a big flaw as an exorcist. Yet, Murasaki is a human being too. As a decent person, she can't criticize or condemn that act. How could anyone be proud of abandoning a child being attacked in front of them?
(What's more, if I acknowledged that, I wouldn't be here.)
It was some years ago. Murasaki recalls an incident in the city's underground tunnel and internally makes an excuse. If she had abandoned things due to fear of danger, where would she be now? ...If she were to thoroughly criticize Tamaki, it would be a denial of that servant and of herself. It's impossible.
"Hmph. At most, you need to think carefully before acting next time. Thinking you can always get away with things is a big mistake."
Saying this, Murasaki scolds with caution, yet simultaneously, she realizes that until this younger disciple has enough strength to uphold her pride, it's inevitable to offer support within her reach. The present Hotoya Tamaki, as an exorcist, is still in a transitional period of growth.
In other words, they are connected, but whether Murasaki herself is aware of it remains unclear.
"...The city guards are coming. It's better to leave this place quickly."
"Huff, huff, huh? Why...?"
Meanwhile, without any sentiment, Shirowakamaru, who had been cautious of the surroundings, clicked her tongue at the distant commotion. In response, Tamaki, who was out of breath, asks. She furrows her brows, wondering. To Tamaki, who was on the brink of suffocation, it would have been nice to rest a bit longer. The odd choice of words made her curious, as if they were fleeing.
"Do you want unnecessary suspicion on us? If we stay here carelessly, we'll be detained for questioning, you know?"
It was Murasaki who answered Tamaki's question. Common guards wouldn't understand the distinction between Curse Art or youkai. For now, they would probably apprehend those who seem suspicious. Those with uncertain status would likely be interrogated. Since they are recognized as exorcists, it might not go that far... but they wouldn't avoid being detained until the experts in that field prove their innocence.
"But...?"
"Rest assured. Shirowakamaru-san and I will defend against the suspicion of your escape. Furthermore, the watchmen have the duty to make such judgments during situations like this."
Directing her words to Tamaki, who is still flustered, Murasaki clarifies the responsibility. She also looks toward the other watchman. Shirowakamaru explains with a slightly annoyed expression.
"This attack clearly targeted us. And think, why were we attacked at this moment?"
"...!!"
Momentarily puzzled by the point, Tamaki quickly arrives at the possibility. What were they doing right before the attack?
"The whereabouts of Princess Tamamo...?"
"With that many, they couldn't have been sent without prior preparation. We were attacked the instant we set eyes on this place. It can't be just a coincidence, right?"
Tamaki might not fully understand the meaning, but she understands. Perhaps this attack is related to Princess Tamamo...?
"In any case, we must protect Princess Tamamo as soon as possible. Also, I can't guarantee the safety of your maid."
"...!!?"
At Murasaki's mention, Tamaki becomes anxious all at once. The situation has already escalated to a bloody one. It couldn't be dismissed as a joke.
"Let's go...!!"
"Huh!?"
Tamaki stands up with a stern expression. She raises her voice in urgency. At the same time, she looks at the nearby cry that leaked out... and it unsettles her to the point of stumbling back. It couldn't be helped. The child she had helped looked up at her with frightened eyes.
"S-Sorry... I-I scared you, didn't I?"
Tamaki speaks gently to the child, making a conscious effort. There was no response. The child huddled and trembled uneasily, just like a small animal fearing a predator. Quietly and deeply, the child's appearance wounded Tamaki's heart.
On the other hand, for Murasaki and Shirowakamaru, it wasn't a big deal. Spiritual power holders or exorcists, are different from ordinary people. Whether it's lower-ranking or not, their physical abilities are far beyond ordinary strength. If they become strong, their unruliness is close to that of a thousand warriors. In a sense, exorcists themselves are monsters when fighting monsters, and both of them know that all too well. Moreover, they have received such gazes countless times and have grown accustomed to them.
In a way, it was merely a common rite of passage for exorcists. The problem was that it had come precisely at a time when they had only a couple of hours left...
"Boy... where... are you!? Answer..."
A voice called out from the back of a public bath. The child reacted by shifting their gaze. It seems that their parent is safe. That fact erased Murasaki's final concern.
"Miss Tamaki, let's go quickly. There's no time to dawdle."
"I'll go ahead. If there are guards, I can confuse them with words, but it won't last long."
The two announced, as if tapping Tamaki's back. They declared to go ahead.
"Wait...!!?"
Tamaki couldn't afford to procrastinate any longer after being treated like that. She shook off the feeling of being pulled back and tried to follow the two.
"Uh, wait...!!"
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