[Part 1/5]
"...Shall we move forward and test out that unique ability's applications?"
"Yes!"
In a corner of the main Onitsuki family estate, in the training area for exorcists, the mentor and student were present. A gentle voice's call was met with a determined response that echoed like a clear chime from a young girl who still carried a hint of childhood.
"Based on the results from previous experiments, your ability seems to transform things. By infusing spiritual energy that mixes Water Manipulation and Earth Manipulation traits, you can corrode the target. Think of it as a form of erosion."
A slender, refined young man crouched down, explaining at the same level as his student. The girl, perhaps in her mid-teens, listened to her mentor with utmost seriousness. She held onto every word, as if ensuring not to miss a single detail.
For her, the mentor before her was the only person she could truly trust, and she believed that the explanations he offered were crucial for mastering her own power.
And with this power, her top priority was serving her mentor. As a result, her demeanor was sincere and devoted...
"Considering from that standpoint, your ability, in theory, doesn't just involve direct contact—Wait a moment, what's the issue?"
Interrupting his explanation halfway, the mentor stood up. Before even muttering a word, he turned around, directing the girl's gaze toward that direction.
Before her gaze stood someone who appeared to be in their mid-teens, perhaps? A figure dressed in black and wearing a mask. Members of the exorcists, controlled by exorcists. A servant, likely, this young boy held several scrolls in his arms as he stood in the background.
"I apologize. I've been entrusted with delivering documents handled by Yun-shoku. They're meant for the Assistant Head. I thought I should come and..."
The boy spoke after bowing respectfully. His action sparked discomfort in the girl.
The intrusion of an outsider into the precious space shared by her and her mentor without any consideration was hard to accept. Almost involuntarily, she lifted an eyebrow and glared at him. The lack of reaction from the other servant was even more bothersome. It felt as though her existence was being belittled, reigniting her irritation as she recalled similar instances from the past. Infuriating.
This was a complete emotional outburst. Even though she knew it, the girl couldn't help but despise the mere presence of the young boy before her.
"...Understood. You've had your share of trouble; just leave it there for now. I'll review the contents later."
"Yes."
After a few moments of silence, the mentor responded. He gave instructions. The servant complied, placing the scrolls where he was directed. Observing this scene, Shizu, whose thoughts were turbulent, suppressed a sigh. Unfortunately, her wish wouldn't come true in this case.
"...What's the matter?"
The Assistant Head finally moved away from that spot, still remaining close. As if waiting for this moment, the servant opened his mouth.
"Assistant Head... May I share my thoughts? Would that be acceptable?"
"What!? Know your place!! You're nothing more than a mere servant, without any significant role. How dare you express opinions...!!"
Shizu involuntarily raised her voice in response to the servant's audacity. She felt as though her mentor's status had been belittled. It was insulting, embarrassing. She wanted to reprimand the servant from the bottom of her heart. However, those words would never see the light of day.
"Shizu, do you recall giving permission for you to speak?"
"…!!?"
The mentor's words and Shizu's silence came almost simultaneously. Her palate remained unmoving. Her lips were firmly sealed. She immediately recognized it as a form of Kotodama-jutsu (word technique).
A type of linguistic curse, a form of spiritual art. Hypnosis that manipulated a part of the brain's nerves through vibrations in sound. A skilled practitioner could control others at will, not only through casual conversation but even commanding creatures that couldn't understand language, from beasts to insects, and even youkai. Witnessing her mentor's mastery of linguistic curse, Shizu was filled with awe, astonishment, and reverence.
...And once again, she glared at the servant before her, who had acted so discourteously.
"Sharing opinions, huh? Do you believe you have the right to speak within your position?"
"I'm well aware of my rudeness. Nevertheless, I humbly request..."
Upon the mentor's confirmation, the servant, kneeling in supplication, pleaded once more.
"...Would you like to hear the content, at least?"
"Go on."
Almost in a position similar to prostration, the servant spoke. Evidently, this individual was discontented with the recent assignment he had been chosen for.
"With all due respect, the second Princess is of noble origin, a direct descendant of the Onitsuki family. To ensure utmost safety, it's better for those less experienced to remain behind, considering that traveling together would be burdensome..."
"Oh, so you're concerned about the well-being of the Second Princess to that extent. Does that mean Yun-shoku's Assistant is in a special position to be particularly worried about her?"
"…!!?"
As the servant before them voiced his opinion, the mentor promptly pointed out the issue. Faced with such blatant unease, Shizu grew even more cautious.
Though Shizu didn't know the full story, she was aware that there were several promising candidates vying for the position of the next head of the Onitsuki clan. While it hadn't been officially decided yet and there was still opposition, she knew that her own mentor had once been one of those candidates...
"Is Yun-shoku-dono of the same opinion? Or is this your own judgment?"
"...It's my own judgment."
In response to the mentor's inquiry, the servant replied calmly after a brief silence. Shizu's wariness remained intact. She puzzled over the servant's intention. Was he genuinely aiming to reinforce the protection around the Second Princess, or was it the opposite? Perhaps the conversation itself was the goal. Who had instructed him? If it meant risking unnecessary tension with her mentor, Shizu was willing to do her best to dispel any sparks, even if she was still inexperienced.
"...It's an honorable nomination from the Lord and the elders to you. But this case is beyond my reach. If you have any objections, you should bring them up separately."
"Understood."
In response to the mentor's explanation, the servant pressed his forehead to the ground and replied. Then, with a humble demeanor, he exited.
"Master..."
With a murmured call, Shizu realized that the curse that had been placed on her had been lifted.
"...I kept you waiting. Shall we resume training?"
Looking down at his disciple like that, the mentor spoke as though nothing had happened, as if the servant's presence hadn't stirred any disturbance.
With those differently colored eyes, he maintained the same plastered smile...
"Hahaha, so you were nearly beheaded?"
"...It's not a laughing matter, you know?"
At the farthest corner of the venue, near a woodshed situated amidst the workshops of the curse-tool masters, I raised my voice against the man who was laughing heartily.
"What are you talking about? It's more like a story that can't help but be laughed at. You're lucky your head didn't roll on the spot."
An acquaintance from my time as a laborer. An older mischief-maker. A member of the curse-tool masters and the group's third-in-command, Kuga Sarujirou, declared in a tone that couldn't be further from seriousness while seated atop a pile of firewood. He grinned broadly, his posture reflecting nonchalant logic.
"...But aren't you a peculiar one? You get to accompany that Princess, you know? Shouldn't you be crying tears of joy? I hate to say it, but she's quite a beauty, isn't she?"
"But what about her personality?"
"Don't ask me. It's too daunting for someone like me to talk about."
And Sarujirou continued to grin with an almost mischievous smile. Sometimes, silence was golden, and the walls had ears—perhaps that was the principle he followed. He was skilled in navigating situations to protect his own standing.
"You're just clumsy, you fool. When you were a laborer, that was the case as well. You had a chance to serve beside the princess, and you wasted it all, ending up like this. What do you think? Does the sweat-soaked bread you've earned through hard work taste good?"
"I've grown to appreciate the taste of salty food."
Or more precisely, my sense of taste has returned. It's similar to when I used to do manual labor in the countryside. Since becoming a laborer's apprentice, the meals I had were all bland. I'd often surreptitiously add salt or soy sauce when dining with Hina, who complained that the food had no taste. I realized the return of my sense of taste. It was similar to when I used to do farm work. Once I got used to being a laborer, my taste buds adapted, and interestingly, when I first became a servant, the prepared meals were too spicy for me to handle. It's amazing how easily one's sense of taste can change. I got used to it quickly, though.
"I heard something interesting. While the Second Princess is officially a combat novice, her talents seem quite remarkable. Unofficially, it's said that she tore through multiple great youkai she encountered, throwing them around and having a blast. She's quite proud and perfectionistic, so even the lower ranks like you won't get much work from her. Honestly, I think it's much easier than the usual tasks we do..."
Sarujirou crossed his arms and tilted his head, offering me his advice. His words were likely true. It was a natural reaction for him to find it strange that I was desperately trying to avoid this particular task.
"I'm aware of that, still..."
I had already witnessed the sight of the great youkai being killed in an instant just a few days ago. Her skill was beyond doubt. However, that wasn't the issue. It wasn't about that. The problem was much more fundamental.
"Still, huh?"
"Yes."
"Would you tell me the reason?"
"Please spare me... There's meaning in keeping certain information hidden, you know?"
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