[Part 2/5]
In front of me, the face of a deeply troubled man was up close. He made a hesitant request with a fearful expression. I looked around in astonishment.
Moving here and there were soldiers, warriors, exorcists, laborers, and officials. The sound seemed to remind me of something. It was a noisy and bustling atmosphere.
Preparing to depart on the mountain path, the procession of people...
"I can't join the formation like this..."
"Oh, I see. Okay. Shall we get down?"
In response, I realized that I had been riding on a cart pulled by oxen, and so I got off.
At the same time, I recalled my recent memory. The imperial personnel were inefficient, struggling to organize the formation. Therefore, I had no choice but to wait, patiently enduring the confusion while sitting on the cart, and eventually falling asleep due to lack of rest...
"..."
My clothes are soaked with sweat, and my breathing is still heavy. My heart is beating violently.
"...Is it a dream?"
There is no one to answer. Only the noise echoes around me.
"It's a dream, right...?"
I muttered, clinging desperately to the chaos, while being amazed by the stark contrast with the peaceful surroundings.
I held back a deep sob, desperately trying not to let it escape.
To gather myself, I need some more time. Therefore, this chaos was a source of joy for me, no matter how far it extended...
"Let's depart!!"
After half an hour of preparation, the formation began to move along the mountain path with a shout. At the front, a flag is raised high, followed by armed warriors, soldiers of the army, and members of the exorcist family. Laborers and cart drivers lead the ox carts from the inside. And the area around the most esteemed representatives' cart is guarded by security personnel. The slow pace due to the number of people, combined with the number itself, gives an intimidating impression to onlookers.
And I was walking beside a fancy cart, among many others in the procession...
"Well, let's see what happens... Hoho, interesting!"
"Oh? It looks like I've been defeated!"
"I probably shouldn't say this, but I've been really into Kabuki theater lately. I even secretly go to watch it... with the support of the Tachibana family."
Maybe it's because of the Youkai era. Among the many footsteps and the sounds of the carts, I could hear bits of conversation coming from the gaps in the carts. They were playing a board game, talking about the palace, discussing hobbies, and sometimes singing happily...
"..."
But I stayed silent and continued to protect them. It was my duty and responsibility.
...And I pushed aside thoughts of the five ayu sweetfish for now.
(At least, that's what the warning was supposed to mean...)
The hostage's life was important, and Tamaki would definitely do everything to keep Yukine safe. Even the Onitsuki family wouldn't just stand by and do nothing. It was all part of the basics. After all, even though I might not receive any special treatment, it was impossible for me to be completely unaffected, considering my position. Because I am one of Tamaki's associates.
So, this is like a warning. It should be quick, like a punch in boxing. So...
(I hope Magoroku and the others are okay...?)
I'm thinking about the two I left in the back tent. I don't think I can bring them along, though...either way, I can't take them with me.
Shirowakamaru is also left behind, supposedly better at supporting from the back than being on the front lines. As a disciple of an advisor, I think they'll at least handle the problems that won't become a weakness for the family... but anyway, worries never end.
"...If only I had power."
That whispered thought suddenly slipped out. However, it was drowned out by the countless footsteps and the noise of marching. Surprisingly, it was filled with a desperate and intense sadness, and it felt urgent, somehow trapped in a sense of déjà vu.
This world is unfair. This world is ridiculous. Maybe things didn't go as planned in the previous life, but beyond that, this world is much crueler. It's full of death, injustice, and corruption. It's something you see every day.
This world is harsh towards the weak. It is cruel to those without power. Weakness is considered a sin, and strength is seen as right. To protect something, one needs strength. It doesn't matter what form or manner it takes. To impose one's will, 'strength' is necessary.
"So, then..."
In my mind, I recalled the image of a princess with peach-colored hair. A pitiful girl drenched in the rain. Soaked to the bone, her voluptuous figure appeared alluring. With a tragic smile on her face, she clung to my feet and whispered words in a way that seemed submissive, like a foolish little girl...
"..."
My heart is filled with a murky emotion. I am aware of it and feel disgusted. It makes me sick. However, it is something that is necessary for me now. I already have it in my possession, and if necessary, I would reach out for my desires...
Surely, I should be able to use it selfishly whenever I want...
"...How foolish."
Even the actions I am planning right now are punishable, let alone anything more... it is not something that can be forgiven. Then, wouldn't I be just like them? I despise my own thoughts even more, pressing my hand against my mouth. I suppress intense nausea.
"...What's the matter, Tomobe-dono? You've seemed down for quite some time now."
Perhaps noticing my discomfort, an exorcist from a certain family who also attended the Ox cart approached me. If I remember correctly...
"No... it was Kakitsugi-dono, right?"
I remembered the name of the exorcist family, the guardians who came from the eastern region to visit the capital.
The Kakitsugi family, emerging exorcists from the eastern region. If I'm not mistaken, they have been around for about three generations, which is approximately a hundred years... They are a relatively new family among the officially recognized exorcism clans in Fusou. Without a doubt, they are the most recent members among the families entrusted with the task of protecting the capital.
"...I did something unfamiliar the other day. I acted recklessly without considering my own abilities, and it seems like I still haven't recovered."
I replied with self-deprecation. Well, in reality, about a third of it is true. If I reflect on it, there are still lingering effects from last night's intense youkai extermination that are affecting me.
"Haha, no good. Don't push too hard, okay? It's a rare chance for a better job, so it's okay to work hard and pay off what you owe, but also take care of yourself. It's not good to work so hard and leave nothing behind, just to waste all the effort."
This man in the middle of his life who says he's the head of the Kakitsugi family, laughs happily and gives advice. He talks like someone from a family that's just starting out.
Well, the Onitsuki family is well-known, but the memories of the tough times when they started the family are still fresh for families with a short history. For a small family, losing even one family member is a big and painful loss in order to continue the family and pass down the family line. Maybe that's where the advice comes from...
Well, I don't really plan to climb up and start a family.
"...Thanks for the advice."
I try to end the conversation there just to be polite. But the other person still seems interested and keeps talking.
"But I have to say, I was surprised... No, I'm not criticizing. But to go from being a servant to a Household Member Coordinator. I haven't heard of that in decades. It's really rare."
The head of the Kakitsugi family looks at me with real interest. No, observation might be a better word. The new household members, most of them are treated as household members from the start. They are the ones who have been found in the wild with excellent spiritual power and appointed as such.
The total amount of spiritual power does grow and increase with training. But it is not a sudden thing. By the time one reaches their early teens, one can guess their future growth and their limit. The same goes for abilities, the strong ones that are innate must activate by the early teens or they will not occur naturally. There are some who can build their own abilities later, but they are very rare. Therefore, it was very unusual for someone who was treated as a servant or a hidden group equivalent to become an exorcist.
...Especially if they were appointed by the prestigious Onitsuki family, that would make them even more interesting. Or maybe they are not wary of snakes or conspiracies, which shows that they are still a new family with little experience in family turmoil or power struggles.
"...Everything is a present from the Onitsuki family, a way of showing their appreciation."
I say lines that I don't really believe in, just like everyone else. It's true that I owe a small amount of gratitude to the Onitsuki family. But that gratitude is not for that crazy father, and definitely not for my current position.
"That's right... But I have to repay the debt of gratitude from the past. It's not the kind of gratitude that can be repaid in just one generation."
"Definitely."
From an outsider's perspective.
"Yes... But being in a position like this means that tomorrow could bring my downfall. I can't underestimate the responsibility to repay gratitude or the duty to protect the family. Oh dear, what a troublesome matter."
The head of the Kakitsugi family lets out a dry smile that somehow contains laughter. And I'm left with a strange feeling. What is this conversation? What is he trying to say?
"Tomobe-dono, be careful too. If you push yourself too hard and become unable to function, it will all be in vain, even if you've experienced bitterness and hardship. As a Household Member Coordinator, your position is still unstable, isn't it?"
"Well, yes..."
I don't know when I'll be treated unfairly, after all.
"Even though you're treated as a household member, you must help the main household when the time comes. But you're only one person. If you face any problems from this task, your position might be in danger. In the worst case, you could lose your hard-earned status. ...Tomobe-dono, do you have any kids?"
...This old man. Why is he suddenly asking such a rude question?
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