Volume 8 Chapter 23 Sketchbook Of The Youkai Spirit
"Now, with the play dolls gone, it's your turn, I suppose."
After confirming the complete disappearance of the vampire, Tsuchimikado turned around and said.
Sakaki Tsuzuri stood still at the reception without moving at all. She didn't even look at Tsuchimikado and operated her smartphone.
'You're strong. Stronger than I thought.'
"It's an honor to receive your praise."
''Shikigami Sword Saint' - a magic that bestows the concept of arms on one's Shikigami and manifests it.'
"As expected of the Try Order. So, my information is leaking through, huh?"
Tsuchimikado nodded affirmatively, shaking his nodachi.
With a vacuum blade, he cuts down enemies using the "Kamaitachi." He summons a storm with the "Tengu Fan" and hones both in the "Keppuuhane Uchiwa (Bloodstorm Feather Fan)."
It is an armament using Tsuchimikado's Kamaitachi and the Great Tengu's Shikigami.
He understood that his information was grasped by the Try Order.
"On the contrary, I wanted to ask in return, who are you? It's a bit unfair that you know so much about me."
'There's no need to be fair. I am Sakaki Tsuzuri.'
Sakaki Tsuzuri. Tsuchimikado had heard that name before. A special magician even among grimoires, someone who shouldn't appear on the surface.
Why would she go so far as to come here?
"What a wonderful name. Is this Magic Domain also your magic?"
'Are you trying to buy time?'
"No, it was just a pure question. I've never heard of a magician who can do such a variety of things before."
It wasn't something he expected an answer to.
But contrary to his imagination, Sakaki answered.
'My magic is called 'Mekakure Grafitti (Sketchbook of the Youkai Spirit).' It's a magic that can pseudo-materialize the creatures, tools, and scenery that I draw.'
"Oh, I see. It's a convenient magic."
Tsuchimikado replied calmly, astonished by the straightforwardness of Sakaki revealing her magic and its content.
What is her purpose?
Without paying any attention to Tsuchimikado's reaction, Sakaki continued.
'So, I can create monsters, alternate dimensions, and magic tools. Although there are various limitations.'
"In that case, is this HP bar your preference?"
Tsuchimikado pointed upwards.
If she only release monsters, such a system wouldn't be necessary. It was strange that someone would go through the trouble of creating such a system.
'...'
Sakaki looked at Tsuchimikado for the first time. Her obsidian-like eyes shimmered.
'The gauge is the essence of my spiritual penetration art (shinrei)."
"Spiritual penetration art (shinrei), huh?"
Tsuchimikado narrows his eyes. He heard it from Yuusuke. The highest point reached by Asteris' magician.
So, Sakaki Tsuzuri has reached that point.
Since Kushina and Finn are working together, it's not surprising that Try Order has acquired Asteris' technology.
'It's impossible for me to achieve magic of this scale alone. When everyone sees this gauge, one thought comes to mind.'
"A thought?"
'You must have thought the same. It's like a game.'
"..."
Indeed, that was true. And it's not just Tsuchimikado. Most people who saw this HP bar must have thought the same.
"So, you made this HP bar specifically to make it seem like a game."
'Correct.'
Sakaki nodded.
'In a game, it wouldn't be strange for monsters to appear no matter how many.'
She said it as if it were obvious.
Tsuchimikado widened his eyes and processed the impact like a lightning strike.
'It's strange for there to be monsters in the real world. It takes a certain cost to realize something strange. But in the world of games? If everyone recognizes that they are inside a game, then it becomes normal for monsters to appear there.'
"So, you're distorting the recognition within this domain and causing monsters to appear at a low cost, right?"
'Yes. It's not just me maintaining this domain. The unconsciousness of the people inside this domain makes the domain stronger.'
She said it as if it were obvious, but it's absurd. She incorporated the unconsciousness of ordinary people who have nothing to do with magic into the essence of her magic. It's an outlandish and incredible technique.
"It's a victory of ideas."
'It's not that impressive. I'm just using the recognition of the virtual space that modern humans have created.'
"Is that so... But why did you go out of your way to tell me that?"
There shouldn't be any benefit for Sakaki to tell him about that. After all, he can't see her as someone who speaks out of jest or self-display.
While answering this, Sakaki operates her smartphone.
'Because it seems like you have some misunderstandings. We are in a game here. It operates under those rules.'
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're trying to say with just that."
'In the game, even if you die, you don't die in reality.'
"What?"
You don't die. In other words, even if this HP bar disappears, it means you're not dead in reality. If this is indeed a space that imitates the game, it makes sense.
"Then, why would you do something like this? I thought it was to weaken the Anti-Demon Officials' strength."
'Wow, you understand that much. Yes, master highly values all of you. Your justice and willingness to sacrifice yourselves. If left alone, it would hinder the plans that come after, so I decided to strike here.'
"Do you not die?"
'Only not dying. The sensation of being killed is engraved in the soul, while the body falls into a temporary state of suspended animation.'
In other words, it means to sleep until the completion of the Try Order plan.
If he believes Sakaki's words, then the Anti-Demon Officials who died in this lobby, as well as the ordinary people killed by monsters, should all be alive.
And from past experiences, he knew that Try Order was not a gathering of indiscriminate pleasure killers.
Feeling a slight relief, Tsuchimikado asked further.
"I understood the misunderstanding, but may I ask the reason behind correcting it?"
In response to Tsuchimikado's question, Sakaki tilted her head.
'Because you don't die, I want you to die here willingly.'
"...Are you serious about that?"
'Serious. If you continue to fight like this, you will die. It's better to stop doing useless things. You'll only feel more pain.'
Sakaki said kindly but in a way that stung. In reality, from her perspective, it might have been an act of kindness. Whatever she does, the outcome won't change, so she's suggesting it's better to choose the easier path.
"Thank you for your kindness. Your consideration is touching. However, I can't simply give up without fighting. Even so, I bear the title of Japan's strongest, you know."
'It's futile. Neither Yamamoto Yuusuke nor any other companions can come to your aid. You can't defeat me.'
"You won't know until you try. Besides, you're underestimating Yuusuke too much."
Yamamoto Yuusuke is the strongest magician as far as Tsuchimikado knows. Even with a grimoire, it's not easy to stop someone who can defeat Shikin head-on.
Sakaki should understand that much, at least.
'Indeed, Yamamoto Yuusuke is formidable. That's why I used this spell to stop him.'
"Are you trying to crush him with a large number of monsters? I don't think he would stop at that level."
'That's true. Even if Yamamoto Yuusuke hits the small fry, it's meaningless. But'
Sakaki said, putting down her smartphone.
And for the first time in her own voice, she spoke.
"The person who defeats Shikin. If I'm going to kill it, there's no point in doing it properly."
Is that really Sakaki's words?
Tsuchimikado felt something mutating in front of him. Magic power wrapped around Sakaki from the surrounding space and compressed at an unbelievable density.
The scenery warped, Sakaki's elegant body bent, twisted, and stretched.
That's when he realized. The person he had been talking to all this time wasn't Sakaki Tsuzuri.
Tsuchimikado rotated his magic power and mentally listed the cards he currently possessed.
"...I've been completely deceived."
"Here is a virtual world. Recognitions that do not exist in the modern world or shouldn't exist are being affirmed."
Amidst the fleeting voice, filled with noise, Sakaki Tsuzuri had completely lost her human form.
Distortions reach her limit, space cracks, and shatters.
Crushing the fragments of the descending scenery underfoot, it reveals itself.
Crawling up from the historical strata crushed by the advancement of science and technology, it rises to its feet.
Dripping from its entire body, the lobby is filled with an unimaginable 'divinity'.
"There is no God. In the modern world, God is not reality."
The three faces open their mouths.
"Irrationality, Absurdity"
"Arrogance, Injustice"
"Thus, in the virtual, in the realm of imagination, God is affirmed. In the rejection of ignorance, God's garden becomes here."
They, or rather, he, or perhaps even it spoke.
In place of Sakaki Tsuzuri, what appeared looked down on Tsuchimikado. A towering figure, reaching near the ceiling of the lobby, with a thick physique befitting its height. But above all, what stands out is its three-faced, six-armed body.
In other words, three faces and six arms.
There are limited beings that fit the characteristics of divinity. From the intricate attire and weapons it holds, Tsuchimikado discerns what it is. The strongest war god who battled Indra or Taishakuten.
The reversal of justice, the one who commits evil deeds through delusion, reaching one of the six realms.
It is the 'Asura.'
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