[Part 2/4]
In silence, she caresses the tree once again. As her fingers connect with the trunk, which thrives well beyond its natural lifespan thanks to the benefits of the spiritual vein, the charred bark flakes away in dry fragments. Extending her hand, she beckons the fruits, brimming with pride, towards her. She runs her fingers over them, tears them apart, takes in their scent, savors their taste, and kisses them. The sweet fragrance and bittersweet taste envelop her senses...
In the quiet, she dozes in the past, and falls into silence...
"..."
She harbored no resentment. She felt no hatred, no regret. Not a trace lingered within her. There couldn't have been such things. It's not a lie. Those glorious days couldn't have been false.
If this is what lies in her heart, then perhaps that heart is...
"Be more polite...!!"
"You're so annoying. Just be quiet...!!"
...The noisy voices echoing in the silence seemed to come from high in the sky. Looking up, Tengu were flying, carrying people. Noisily making a commotion.
"...I've already told you to handle the guests more politely."
She talked while she watching the figures disappear towards the village storehouse. A voice that seemed to dissolve into the transparent air, with a refreshing feeling and a hint of clumsiness remaining.
"..."
The one-armed "girl," detached from the transient world, sighed softly as she bid farewell to one of her daughters.
Thinking about the fate of her fate...
The Tengu's storehouse was filled with more curse tools than expected. From lower-class items that could be found among the common folk to the highest-class items that even prestigious exorcist families rarely came across... The only difference is that I didn't know none of them. After all, most of them were unknown even in various original media.
According to the female Tengu, there seems to be a group among the Tengu that is similar to the curse-tool master. In other words, they are local specialty products that are not for sale. It's laughable that the quality is better than the common products in Fusou. I truly believe that antitrust laws are necessary.
...Well, it's probably also a matter of the quality of the raw materials.
"Just so you know, I won't lend you those exceptional items."
The Tengu pointed to the expensive-looking shakujo (buddhist staff) and the Naginata, a specialized tool.
"I understand. ...Either way, it doesn't matter, right?"
If it's not a single blow from a sacred artifact or divine energy, the splendid weapons on display are just like sticks made of cypress. It would have been risky to draw attention with something too high-class.
"You understand it well. ...That's right. For example, what you should carry is this wagesa."
The offered wagesa (Buddhist robe) was clearly not the usual kind, resembling more of a decoration on a scarf.
It had a calm shade of young grass color, with a hemp leaf pattern. Was the material silk? Perhaps its effect...
"It's a Mayoke (an item for warding evil)... Well, it's quite abstract. It has a weakening effect on spiritual power. Although it may be effective against small fry, as for its effectiveness against divine beings, well, you can probably guess."
Aka-bouchou hinted, implying that if it had been effective, the number of Tengu who would be eaten would have been a little less.
"I guess it's better than nothing. Anything else?"
"Oh, how about this?"
When I caught what was thrown at me, I heard the jingling of a beads. Judging by its design, it was a multi-prayer bead with the most number of angles.
"What's its effect?"
"It's more like a mental thing. It helps ward off unpleasant thoughts. Well, it's like a light brainwashing curse-tool."
"Sounds dangerous... whoa?"
I frowned, but in the next moment, I calmly received a spinning kick that was thrown at me. Despite receiving a fairly strong blow, I remained composed and efficiently intercepted it. My heart beat normally, and my thoughts were clear. When I looked at the female Tengu, she retreated and withdrew her leg without any hesitation.
"Look, you understand the effectiveness, right?"
"What a frustrating demonstration..."
As Tengu said nonchalantly, I deliberately furrowed my brows and spat out in an obvious manner. Ah, damn it. Even my anger is treated as a distraction.
"So, it's not like my emotions will surge like a muddy stream once I remove this equipment, right?"
"We're using it too, so there's no way we would have such a stupid trick, right? Well, but it might be interesting. A trap..."
"I shouldn't have said that."
Looking at Tengu seriously pondering, I regret giving her unnecessary ideas. In response, Tengu smirked and handed me several curse-tools.
"This one and this one... well, do you need this one too?"
The long rope is a curse-tool made from the hair of youkai, used to bind me and Hina. The one given to me was a shorter version of sixteen shaku (≈ 4.8m). It is originally a tool for mountain climbing rather than binding. And now, I replaced the handguards and legguards with the ones prepared by Tengu. Especially the handguards, which were made of iron threads using Tengu's technique, were completely superior to what I had before.
The most distinctive curse tool was a conch shell. It was a flute-like conch shell. It wasn't that big. However, it was the most distinctive curse tool borrowed from the Tengu this time, painted completely black with lacquer.
"Oh, wait a moment. It's a brand new item. First, let's resonate it."
"Resonate?"
Without wasting time, Aka-bouchou clashed her own conch shell against mine. A metallic sound echoed.
"Here. Put your ear to the hole."
She commanded while pushing it towards me. Following her instructions, when I put my ear to the conch shell, I could hear a casual voice saying, "Hello? Can you hear me?"
"Long-distance communication, huh?"
I confirmed, directing my gaze from the conch shell in my hand to the Tengu who put her mouth to her own conch shell like a megaphone.
"Technically, it's one of the functions. I'll explain each one to you. It's quite useful, you know, this."
And so, the explanation of the female Tengu about the functionality of the conch shell trumpet was indeed interesting. I nodded and thought about how to make use of it. This is... perhaps?
After being taught how to use the conch shell trumpet, I also received several other small props. Well, to be precise, they were lent to me. ...I wonder if I'll be okay if I break them?
"Do you think we're that stingy?"
"I'm saying it because I think so."
Considering the actions of the Tengu that have been passed down through legends, it's understandable. So, look at your own reflection in the mirror.
"You're quite thick-skinned. ...Well, in this case, that's why you were chosen, right?"
"That's a bad review."
If she has the energy to kidnap and threaten, and make sarcastic remarks while being treated as a disposable pawn, then indeed, she'll be highly regarded by the Tengu. Although even from my perspective, it's unbearable.
"Well then... That's probably about it. Haven't we turned out somewhat decent?"
While exchanging sarcasm, insults, and snide remarks, we continued to select and equip curse tools, and after finishing that, the Tengu spoke. In the corner of the storehouse, a black-clad figure with an unfamiliar outfit of a mountain monk adorned with unfamiliar tools stood still when looking at the standing mirror.
"I don't think this will solve everything, but it's much better than nothing."
"The survival rate should have gone up a bit. Be grateful. Now, it's time for practical training."
"Training, huh?"
This was a reflection on what Tengu had said in the tree house.
"That's right. Go get the long rope and come outside. We're going for a leisurely flight, okay?"
Despite the insistent request from the spirited Tengu, I had no way or reason to refuse.
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