I wondered if Momotaro had felt like this when he decided to go on an oni-slaying mission. Lost in these pointless thoughts, I sat on the train, swaying back and forth.
Perhaps it was because I took the first train, or maybe it was because of summer vacation, but there were hardly any other passengers.
Last night, after discussing it with Lisha and deciding to go and fight the oni, I followed the guidance of the Youkai Sword and left the training camp early in the morning.
The president and the others were probably still groggy from last night's drinking, and I had left all the explanations to Kanami. She would handle it well.
Summarizing the information about the Youkai Sword, it seemed that his little brother, who had become the oni, was nesting in Nagano Prefecture. Apparently, that area had been sealed by an onmyoji. (T/N: It uses Oni instead Demon (mazoku))
Unfortunately, too much time had passed, so the youkai sword had no knowledge of the area, but the Youkai Sword had a vague sense of the oni's location. Whether it was because they were twins or some other magical connection, I couldn't say, but it was certainly convenient.
Still, it would take almost four hours with train transfers to get from here to Nagano. We should arrive around noon.
I just hoped that things wouldn't change significantly before then.
'However, it's such a strange feeling. After all this time, I'm going back to that place.'
A voice echoed from the cloth bundle in my hand.
Maybe because I had somewhat given my consent, or perhaps because I had subdued it once with magic power, I could now hear its voice even without drawing the blade.
It didn't really matter, but I was grateful that Kuroi-san had bought a bag for carrying it. It was close to being tied up before we even got there.
"So, how's the magic power around the oni right now?"
'It's starting to move. In response, my brother's magic power is also increasing. We can't afford to go too slowly.'
"I understand."
The Anti-Demon Special Force should be moving as well. I thought they would probably get closer to the high noon sun as a reference point, but I didn't know for sure.
As I looked out of the train window at the passing scenery, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration.
The travel time was unbearably long. Maybe I should have called a taxi at night. No, considering the distance and the time, getting stuck in traffic would have been disastrous.
I took a deep breath and calmed my nerves.
"Oh, there's something I need to tell you."
'What is it?'
"I'm a magician. But please understand that I won't be using magic in this battle."
'Why? Why would you do such a thing?'
"There are circumstances."
It was clearly strange for the Silver Knight to leave Lisha and go to assist the Anti-Demon Special force. If it became known that I was absent during this time, it would raise suspicions about the connection between me and the knight.
That was something I absolutely wanted to avoid.
"Anyway, there are circumstances on my side, and besides, isn't defeating the oni your lifelong wish? I'm just here to help with that."
'True, if you put it that way...'
It was a sophistry. Even saying it made me want to gag.
In essence, the scenario was like this:
I had been possessed by the Youkai Sword during the training camp, and I was going to defeat the oni. By chance, the Anti-Demon Special Force happened to be there, and we ended up cooperating.
Yes, if revealing my identity was the problem, I would simply fight openly. As long as I attributed all of my combat abilities to being controlled by the Youkai Sword, there shouldn't be a problem. They may feel some discomfort, but the important thing is not to connect the line between me and the silver knight.
Still, in the worst-case scenario, I might have to fight even if my identity was revealed. I had to be prepared for that.
"I can use body enhancement too, but primarily, your magic will be the mainstay of our battle. What kind of magic do you use?"
'...'
The question left the Youkai Sword silent for a while.
'If we're relying on my magic, I'm afraid it won't be of much use in battle.'
"But your brother is so powerful?"
'That's because the demon (mazoku)'s blood was strong in him. My magic involves infusing my consciousness into an object and moving it for a short time. It's only suitable for small objects.'
"I see... But it sounds like a convenient magic."
'Still, I can only move very small objects, and I can't move them quickly. It won't be useful in a fight.'
I couldn't argue with what he said. Indeed, based on what I had heard, it didn't seem suitable for combat at all.
Looking at magic as just a one-dimensional tool won't make you strong for a lifetime.
"Then, what do you think is the essence of magic?"
'The essence of magic?'
No matter how impatient I got, right now, I had to go with the flow. As I gradually felt the outside scenery become warmer, memories of the past resurfaced.
The Youkai Sword answered,
'It's probably knowledge and skill. Knowing how to use it, becoming stronger and faster with it.'
"Yeah, I used to think that too."
And actually, that wasn't wrong. But where do you obtain that knowledge? Magic is different for every individual. Using body enhancement by channeling magic power is something any magician can do, but it's a side effect of magic.
If there are no two people who use the same magic, there's no way to learn.
And my question led to my mentor's casual response.
"The essence of magic is 'dialogue with oneself.'"
'Dialogue?'
"Each person's magic is different because no two people in this world are exactly the same. So, to understand that magic, you have to understand yourself. That's 'dialogue with oneself.'"
According to my mentor, gaining insights through dialogue with oneself was essential for the evolution of magic. Without consciously doing this, one wouldn't succeed as a magician.
Magic circuits, spells, and incantations are all just forms that knowledge gained through dialogue with oneself takes.
"Even if your magic is just manipulating objects a little, how do you explain the current situation?"
Spending hundreds of years possessing inside a sword was far from ordinary. Clearly, the person's understanding and the power of magic were disconnected.
'Indeed, when you put it that way...'
"My magic is based on enhancing my understanding through self-dialogue and activating it through emotional stimulation. That's the fundamental and secret of magic that I was taught. So, there's a possibility that your magic can also develop."
'I see...'
After that, the Youkai Sword fell silent as if deep in thought.
I couldn't argue with his point. Indeed, it wasn't easy to determine what kind of dialogue with oneself meant. It was all borrowed knowledge from my mentor.
Nevertheless, this time I had no choice but to rely on the power of the Youkai Sword.
As I surrendered myself to the growing tension, I closed my eyes slightly to rest my body.
We arrived at the station well past noon. It had taken quite some time because I had transferred trains based on the Youkai Sword's sense, but the location had been narrowed down.
'See that mountain summit over there? Do you recognize it?'
"Yeah, it looks like it."
By this point, I could sense it without the need for the Youkai Sword's guidance. A small, elevated mountain visible from the station. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but the area near the summit was covered in a faint layer of magic power.
Was that a barrier?
It was too blurry to make out the whole picture from here. If Tsukiko and the others were there, that's probably where they were.
If they could set up a barrier, it might be more dangerous than I had imagined.
"Hurry."
'Got it.'
While subtly channeling magic power to enhance my body without attracting attention from the people around me, I dashed towards the mountain.
Please, let them be safe.
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