Volume 6 Chapter 18 A Welcome Scheme
As we walked and talked leisurely, I almost forgot that this was enemy territory, but when I saw it, I remembered what I came here to do.
It was a "castle" that suddenly appeared in the middle of the mountain.
It was not a white castle where a princess lived, but a Japanese-style castle with turrets.
However, the details and construction were different. Rather, it was...
"A Chinese-style...?"
Even under the sun, its presence was not inferior, and it shone brightly. The castle, which suited the word splendid very well, was also wrapped in a light that forbade anyone to step on it.
"That's right. This is one of the bases of the magician we're going to meet from now on, the "Kouya Castle"."
Yotsuji said without losing her smile. However, I could see her tension from the slight stiffness of her muscles.
What do you mean by castle? A castle is something that exists to protect something.
There was no security at all. The magic defense was only "hiding". This castle looked like that, but its essence was fundamentally different.
Like an arena or an execution ground. Either way, the lord of this castle is a perverted person.
I am going to meet that person with no gift.
Now, after the different world, it's a foreign magician. I should have studied world history a little more.
I put my hand on the huge castle gate and push it open.
* * *
The inside of the castle was deserted despite its size. For a castle of this scale, there should normally be a considerable number of people managing it, but there is not even a single servant or even the presence of a living being in this castle.
Yotsuji and I were heading towards the deepest part where the lord should be.
By the way, Tsuchimikado's request is,
'What I want you to do this time is defeat a certain person. He is currently interested in you and he requested me to bring you along. Normally, it would be impossible to know his whereabouts, but this time is different. If we can strike him down now, we can greatly reduce the fighting strength of the Try Order.'
Or something like that.
In other words, I just have to beat the person waiting for me here. It's important to keep things simple and easy to understand.
Even so, I thought there would be one or two traps, but I was let down. It can't be that they just invited me for tea.
While walking through the dimly lit corridor, I recall the information I heard. That carefree and light-hearted Tsuchimikado had a moment of hesitancy.
'The reason I called you here is that this guy, Shikin, whom I want you to defeat and whom he wants to meet you, is one of the Try Order's executives.'
Speaking the enemy's name alone brought a great pressure to him.
In Asteris, the concept of "name" holds significant importance. Naming your own magic is a given, but it also serves to clearly define one's existence, such as with the titles and positions of demons.
In a world where formless magic continues to advance, the "name" that materializes the abstract holds more meaning than just a symbol.
And of course, Tsuchimikado, who stands at the pinnacle of the First-rank, should also hold a special meaning in his name.
Therefore, he feared.
Although I have only communicated with Tsuchimikado through Yotsuji, I know that Tsuchimikado has considerable skill. As indicated by his rank, he is likely a more advanced magician than Tsukiko.
But now, a magician who even someone like Tsuchimikado fears, Shikin.
'I know very little about him. He is especially mysterious among the members of the Try Order. I know he is one of the executives, but aside from that, almost nothing is known. I don't even know what he does on a regular basis or what kind of magic he uses.'
Tsuchimikado carefully searches for words and piles them up, trying to convey his indefinite thoughts.
'In the long history of the Try Order, many opposing organizations have existed. Ideally, not everything would go smoothly for them. However, they silently disappear into darkness without anyone noticing. All that remains are rumors that they mysteriously vanished.'
He paused for a moment there and continued.
'Calm waters in the face of major changes. If these were not large-scale operations but instead performed by a single magician, it could be explained. The invisible monsters lurking in the shadows of the Try Order, that is Shikin.'
The more I hear about it, the more it sounds suspicious.
One begins to suspect that the organization is no longer an imposed idol for their convenience.
'I myself, until recently, thought it was just another boogeyman. But I never expected it to be the one making a request. This is both an opportunity and a risk. If Shikin is indeed the magician rumored to be, the hope becomes distant. On the other hand, if we can defeat it here, the overthrow of the Try Order will be within reach.'
Tsuchimikado concluded with these words.
Hmm, is this supposed to be like the "Lord" on the Earth's side? While listening to the conversation, I felt like a magician from Earth, but listening to Yotsuji's story, I start to feel like I'm misunderstanding something big.
And these unpleasant feelings of premonition often come true.
"Is it okay to continue like this?"
"Probably... Honestly, I don't know much about this place either. I don't even know what kind of magician Shikin is."
Then, wouldn't it have been okay for me to just wait at the gate?
Perhaps noticing my gaze, Yotsuji pouted cutely.
"Oh, you're making fun of me. Since I'm a magician on your side in Earth, you should rely on me in case something happens."
"Officially, you're a person from the Try Order, so I shouldn't rely on you..."
I wonder if it's really going to be alright.
As I think about that, I see a large door in front of me.
Is Shikin inside here? I don't sense any presence though.
But there's no point in hesitating, so I open the gate, and there, it has become a huge hall with wooden flooring. Lanterns are hanging on the walls, giving the room a faint glow.
The moment I step in, I feel a strange sensation. It's like being surrounded by unpleasant air as if ink has been spilled.
Rather than a barrier, there is something here. Strange, I don't feel any sign of life even now.
There is nothing in the hall that could block the view, not even a single piece of furniture. There is no shadow to be seen. Only an empty space stretches out.
If I can't see it in front of me.
"...What, is that?"
Yotsuji seems to have reached the same conclusion as me at the same time. We both look up and see that the ceiling that should be there is gone.
Instead, there is a thin cloud of black smoke.
What is that?
I suspected it was an attack by Shikin, but that's too leisurely. And I still don't feel any human presence. If it's a defensive spell engraved on the castle, it would be faster to cut it.
There's no point in waiting. It's not harmless in this air either.
"Yotsuji, back off and get ready."
As I say that, I circulate my magic power and try to activate my magic.
That's when it happened. Sparks ran across the surface of the thin cloud, and a low growl was heard.
"Hero!"
I had no time to answer the voice calling me. Mocking the fact that it was indoors, countless lightning bolts rained down from the clouds.
"'My True Name'".
I counter the many flashes of lightning with my silver flash. Tenfold and twentyfold slashes cut through the lightning, and the burst light scorches the floor.
While being careful not to cause any damage to Yotsuji, I raise both legs, stand firm, and continue swinging my sword.
Still, this is an unnatural concentrated lightning strike.
This is a much rougher welcome than I imagined.
After striking down all the lightning, a new disaster appeared before us.
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