[Part 4/4]
I nodded and took another look at Gonzo's appearance. He seed to have been lost for quite so ti. The archaic-style crossbow he held was probably a leaked governnt-issued item. It was said that the reign of Emperor Gyokuro, who was renowned as a wise ruler, was also a ti of battling corruption and deceit.
"According to past investigation records, there have been similar cases. Although seeing it firsthand surprised ..."
Although they had reached this room, it seed they couldn't proceed any further.
"More people are coming in, huh...? Hey, you guys. Are these people genuine?"
Gonzo observed my appearance, then looked at the young boys behind who were observing the situation from behind. He directed his question to the servant leader from the Sakuama family.
"I recognize Yun-shoku (允職) and the newcors there. They respond to questions accurately without any oddities. It's unlikely that youkais are just disguising themselves," the servant leader responded.
"Is that so? These monsters can take on all sorts of disguises, right? Can you guarantee that these guys are truly human, even on the inside?"
"...By the way you're talking, have you encountered soone who has taken on human form?"
I sought confirmation from Gonzo, but the servant leader of the Sakuama family was the one who answer.
"These people... I think the bandit and the laborers have seen it before..."
"..."
Gonzo, whom I looked at once again, fell into silence. He seed reluctant to speak, unwilling to share information. Perhaps he held suspicions about .
"Yeah, we've seen them."
"It was a woman. When our companion approached her seeking help, she devoured him whole...!!"
Instead of the bandit, it was the laborers who spoke desperately, their faces trembling. They explained in trembling voices. It seed these two had originally been a group of three laborers. They had been foolishly deceived by a disguised servant and had beco a al. While one of them was being devoured, the other two managed to escape.
From then on, the survivors and I engaged in a dialogue, exchanging information and sharing our findings.
"I see... So you understand that this place is a kind of safe zone. The reason you all attacked us was probably because you mistook us for youkai, is that correct?"
"Given the circumstances so far..."
The servant leader from the Sakuama family spoke as a representative, apologizing for my confirmation.
"No, we understand too. We've been through several rooms ourselves. It's only natural to have mistrust and caution."
If anything, if they hadn't been vigilant to so extent, they would have died long ago. That's fine. The problem is...
"Depending on the person, it seems so have stayed behind here for a while."
"Yeah, based on our experience, it seems youkai don't infiltrate this place. There have been a few suggestions for escape, but..."
The next room could lead anywhere, contain various traps, and they had no idea how long they would wander before finding an exit. While it was possible to use this place as a base, waiting for their comrades and reinforcents to gather, it would only result in becoming paralyzed with fear and unable to leave the room—a literal path to destruction.
"However, we can't stay here indefinitely. Isn't that right?"
At my remark, at least the servant leader from the Sakuama family and the Hidden Group from the Naio family nodded. This mission to exterminate the creatures would undoubtedly be carried out to the end. It wouldn't be surprising if it were implented in the next mont. Lingering here idly only ant inviting ruin.
"We understand. We do understand. However..."
The servant leader from the Sakuama family hesitated with the rest of the words. They must have had so terrible experiences during this short period. The sa applied to the others. They hesitated to move forward. But that was precisely what the 'Mayoiga' wanted.
Because...
"Follow ."
"What?"
My words made everyone in the room turn their gaze towards . Curiosity, suspicion, interest, resistance—various and mixed emotions were directed at . For a mont, I felt overwheld, but I suppressed it. I knew that no one alone among them could lead or unite everyone with this opinion.
That's why I declared.
"Everyone, follow . Let's quickly bid farewell to this damn mansion, shall we?"
With all my might, I made a show of force to seize control of the situation...
* * *
"Mmm, delicious."
In a Japanese-style room sowhere within the vast and infinite labyrinth, a figure humd. Sitting on a cushion laid out on the tatami floor, they savored the stead rice dumplings presented before them, along with the steaming green tea.
"I think... you know, among all the tea snacks in the world, dumplings just go best with hot green tea, don't you agree? Especially when they're generously filled with sweet bean paste!"
They exclaid as they took a bite of the dumpling and sipped the green tea. It was an utterly inconsequential reflection for the listener, a declaration of personal preference.
'I couldn't care less about your trivial chatter... But more importantly, is there truly no problem? Can they not kill ?'
The master of the room, the ruler of the space, questioned the guest. Their words were laced with suspicion, and they cautiously spoke. They questioned the doubts.
"At the very least, it should buy you so ti. Actually, you could have been blown to bits by now if things had gone wrong! So, you should consider yourself fortunate, shouldn't you?"
'But isn't that useless?!'
They shouted at the guest, who was both a visitor and an emissary.
'Right now, just a little longer! I am delving deeper and deeper into the main spiritual vein! So... why? Why did they co to now?! Why?!'
Internally, the master of the room mocked themselves. In a way, their guest participation felt orchestrated, but there was no need to express it aloud. Knowing wouldn't bring any benefit; it would only complicate things further.
Ignorance is bliss, and it's the fault of those who allow themselves to be deceived. Fortunately, these types of vegetal beings live in isolation, making them easy to deceive in that sense.
"Reflecting on the past is not productive, is it? Let's focus on the future, on our contract, our promise."
'I know! I'll hold them off. But you provide assistance!'
"Just rember to deliver the requested prey to beforehand, won't you?"
'...Of course. But will they really co? Will there be help?'
"That's why I'm making the arrangents, aren't I? And I'm here as a guarantee. I don't think a calamity youkai is sothing to be taken lightly, do you?"
As the guest pointed out while chuckling, the 'Mayoiga' fell silent. It seed they had partially accepted the opinion but still hadn't fully trusted them.
(Well, it doesn't really matter. ...But openly showing such attitude is unacceptable, isn't it?)
Unfortunately, with this attitude, they were unsuitable to join their group. ...Although, even if they displayed wisdom, the conclusion wouldn't change.
"Well, well. Let's patiently wait for help without being too uptight, shall we? ...By the way, how about another serving of dumplings?"
Leaning on their hand and playing with the finished skewer, the emissary from the salvation youkai shalessly made the request to the ruler of this space.
The weasel with a sickle, Yuka, made the declaration in a rather frivolous manner...
Fan art:
Title: the bear character offering an obscene fruit to its master from the previous chapter
URL: here
Additionally, there is a piece featuring a masked warrior, Miss Murasaki-sama (Vocaloid Hatsune Miku), performing a song by garnet-san. The Japanese-style rider aesthetic suits her quite well... (Note: Comrcial evaluation)
Links: Pixiv and Nico nico douga
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