Chapter 564 |
Defensive Battle of All Worlds ⑩ Each’s Defensive Battle Seventh
Rewinding the clock further.
Before battle broke out at the sea of trees. Around the time Hinata arrived at the “north hokora”.
Right now, a resplendent party was being held at a spacious rooftop of a high class hotel located at the coast of Tokyo.
The hotel was owned by Fujiwara Group.
It was a lovely place where one could take an unbroken view of the sea and also the beautiful neon of the metropolis, but the more than 200 participants of the party were all influential people who were like the monsters of various countries each with their own motive and objective. Few of the people there were enjoying the superb scenery.
It looked like the people all over were having pleasant chat and deepening their relationship, but in reality, it was probing each other’s intention and implicit dealings of dubious business that were flying about.
Of course it was.
The organizer of this party was the Fujiwara husband and wife. Right now the Fujiwara Group wasn’t just merely a super huge business group, they were also perceived as a clan with unfathomable value due to their special ability.
They periodically prepared a social gathering where information could be exchanged mutually, probing each other’s common ground as much as possible, and depending on the situation giving the other side souvenir or conversely giving them a warning.
Excessive secrecy could invite other party to take hard measure or reckless behaviour, so this kind of event could serve as a kind of letting off steam, or relationship control so to not create enemy. This party had that kind of objective.
Of course, there wasn’t only potential enemy attending this party. They also invited influential people who had associated for a long time with them, which also doubled as showing to those potential enemies that “We also have this kind of ally you know”, so by no means this was a party that they were completely unable to enjoy.
Even so work was work.
「Aa, I want to go fishing with Hidekazu-kun again already……」
「Fufu, you have become really close with them, dear.」
The wave of greeting was cut off just for a short time. The words that came out from his mouth sounded closely like a complain despite putting on the face of the party organizer who paid close attention to the satisfaction level of the guests.
For Taisei, the trip with the backbone of Endou family seemed to be a really fun event that put no burden on him.
「At first they were so timid it made me worried of how the trip would end up but……I’m glad that I was also able to get closer to Misato. How should I say it, those two are honest people who have no hidden side to them.」
「Yeah, it had been a long time since I was able to talk lightheartedly without any tension like that.」
Are you fine with that kind of son-in-law? Because, he’s a real life harem bastard you know? Isn’t there someone else more fitting for Hinata-chan? The Endou couple acted like that.
That matter made them completely ashamed and sorry even more than going to a super celeb trip with super celeb couple. Taisei chuckled when he remembered how those two acted.
To the two of them Kousuke must be nothing more than a son of them in the end.
He was a hero who was active worldwide, and from an objective point of view that wasn’t colored by personal value it was Hinata instead who was on the unstable position where it wasn’t a hundred percent chance that she would be chosen……that was the situation, but Kousuke’s parents apparently had no such awareness at all.
Though of course, they were very proud that their son had helped a lot of people and that a lot of people looked up at him.
In any case, they were the parents of a world-class hero so they should have a considerable amount of influence themselves but, despite managing to form a connection with Fujiwara family, a prominent billionaire family of Japan, it didn’t look like they felt any joy or any kind of feeling like that.
They were people with modest and solid personality in good meaning. The Fujiwara couple could see how Kousuke often called himself “ordinary” or “commoner” with parents like those.
「In any case, with this the fact that Fujiwara family is prioritizing interaction with Endou family will spread sooner or later. And so we need to be even more watchful so that it won’t cause trouble for them. It is for the success of our precious only daughter’s first love, isn’t that right?」
「U-umu……that, yes, well, yeah……」
Taisei papa acted evasive. About Kousuke, well, he recognized him. But, as expected the thought was in his mind.
Isn’t it too early? Our Hinata-chan is still in elementary school you know?? Something like love, or marriage……isn’t it fine to postpone that kind of thing for at least ten more years?
He was still unable to wipe away the strong feeling of refusal about his daughter getting into romantic relationship with someone. No way no way-, I want Hinata-chan to still say that she want to become papa’s wife in the future! That was the honest papa feeling (left unsaid).
A man who snatched away the heart of his beloved daughter who was still in elementary school, no matter what kind of man he was, his feeling could only be 「Hatred!」.
That was why, from here on too he would thoroughly treat Kousuke-kun harshly――
「By the way, it seems that you were secretly whispering to Hidekazu-san wasn’t it, about pressing Kousuke-kun for horse girl on and on……」
「Really what a good match they are! Hinata is one lucky girl! Hahaha-」
Sorry, Hinata. Even so papa can’t give up this dream-.
Taisei-san laughed cheerfully while looking at the distance from on top the deck. Chikage-san’s eyes narrowed sharply like wire.
There,
「Taisei-sama, Chikage-sama, can I borrow a bit of your time?」
A voice that sounded really boyish but with a dash of nervousness called out.
Looking there, an intellectual looking boy wearing glasses and a slightly dissatisfied looking girl whose black hair that was styled into ringlet curls oddly suited her, were walking toward them each with their parents in tow.
「Oh, aren’t these Ueshiro family and Himekouji family.」
「Hey, thank you for coming to our party.」
The sixth graders who were in the same school with Hinata, Ueshiro Eito-kun and Himekouji Rika bowed politely.
Taisei and Chikage were also old acquaintances with their parents, so their relationships were quite friendly. Especially the current head of Ueshiro family. He had been Taisei’s horse racing comrade for many years, so he greeted him without much formality.
Then, why was young Eito looked nervous, while young lady Rika looked displeased?
「Haha, sorry Taisei. My son said that he has something he really wanted to ask and won’t stop insisting.」
「Hou? I wonder what is it? Eito-kun. I hope I can give you a good answer to your question.」
There was no way he couldn’t guess what the boy wanted to ask. Even while smiling wryly, his friend’s gaze that said 「Sorry. Can you go along with this? Next time, I’ll make up some kind of business to bring you to the horse race in exchange」 made Taisei nodded.
But, it was young lady Rika who impatiently cut in instead.
「Before that, Taisei-sama, Chikage-sama! I also have something that I wish to ask!」
Wait Rika-san! Right now it’s my turn to――
Be quiet Eito-san!
Ah, don’t turn around so suddenly! Do you remember how many times I’ve told you how dangerous your ringlet curls are sometimes! That would be dangerous if not for my glasses!
The adults warmly watched over the boy and girl’s amusing youth. Everyone here was from distinguished family, but apparently they had no particular intention to meddle with their children’s romantic relationship and marriage prospect.
A part of it was because it wasn’t that kind of era anymore but, even more than that, in the first place they didn’t have that kind of personality. That was exactly why there was association between their families that was more than just business.
But, even such pleasant interaction――
「–!!?」
Ended when Taisei’s expression changed completely.
Suddenly, he turned toward where the heart of the metropolis was. His face stiffened grimly and his eyes were narrowed sharply.
A chill crept up his spine. His instinct as onmyouji told him of a severe danger.
「O-oi, Taisei?」
「Dear……?」
Eito’s father looked slightly overwhelmed. Chikage talked to him in pure surprise seeing him putting on his face as onmyouji. Eito and others were also freezing and holding their breath.
「This feeling……what? I’ve never felt it……how repulsive……」
The people around him were drawn by his gaze and also all looked toward the sky above the city, but they didn’t really see anything there.
No, they couldn’t see but……they felt something out of place.
「Tsu, t-the temperature is suddenly……a bit chilly?」
Young lady Rika who was wearing a dress with no sleeve hugged her exposed upper arms and rubbed her skin. Everyone in the party venue seemed to feel the same sensation and looked confused.
But, in reality the temperature itself hadn’t changed. The chill that they were feeling was psychological. They were feeling a primitive fear in the form of chill.
Taisei’s fingers unconsciously formed a hand seal. At the same time a ringtone rang.
He was taken aback and took out his smartphone from his pocket.
「Mu? Kousuke-kun?」
Eito and others were taken aback because the name that he was just about to ask before this came out. Their gazes returned to Taisei.
Taisei kept staring hard at the sky above the metropolis while picking up the call. Then he immediately asked.
「You’re calling about this severe sensation right?」
『! As expected. To put it succinctly, horrible enemies in the level of great youkai are appearing all over the world right now. Hiding in secondary. The priority is to deal with them.』
「Kh, the situation is that bad……」
『Hattori-san should be sending the data to your phone about the situation in detail. Please cooperate with him from here on.』
「Understood. What should be done right now?」
『I’ll take on the most dangerous. But we think that weaker enemies will also rapidly appear after this so we need manpower to deal with them. Please assemble Fujiwara’s casters. Also, someone should be there soon as pick up so evacuate Chikage-san――』
「That can’t do. Chikage needs to take command of the group. No matter how dangerous doing that will be. Don’t mind us here.」
Some kind of unavoidable situation was happening. Something dangerous.
Ueshiro family and Himekouji family caught that from the snippet and their expressions also turned grim. The other people around were the same. But even in such situation Taisei was putting no thought to his wife’s safety. Eito and Rika gulped and looked at Chikage, but Chikage was already on her phone calling someone and spared no attention to them.
As expected from a powerful woman who was in command of a super huge group. Surely she wouldn’t agree even if she was urged to evacuate with how she acted.
『……I understand. I think you’re in the middle of a party right now aren’t you? Please cancel it immediately and direct everyone there to run away toward the city outskirt as much as possible. Places where people are concentrated will be in most danger.』
「Got it.」
The information from Hattori and instruction about how they should cooperate must have arrived while they were talking. Taise had been browsing the info so from the middle he put the phone in speaker mode.
It was clear that the voice at the other side of the phone came from a young man. Eito and Rika realized that it belonged to the young man who they met just last week (though unbelievably his look had already become hazy in their memory).
That Taisei was obediently listening to the words of a young man who if they could be honest and without any sugarcoating looked pathetic to them. No, not only that Taisei was obeying his instruction……
What’s more Taisei was doing that with a firm trust.
That fact itself was the most unbelievable thing and the two kids felt confused seeing that.
『Also Hinata-chan is――fuh, a class 1 is it? A worthy enemy!! Let’s enjoy this dance under the night sky shall――』
*Prt* Taisei cut off the call. Not because it was unbearable to listen.
It was because he understood that it wasn’t the time to keep talking. The sky above the metropolis had grown darker all at once. The starry sky got covered by dark cloud in the blink of eye and wind started to blow violently.
There was something, inside the dark cloud……
Everyone vaguely sensed that and their hairs stood on end. Right after that, 「Ah」 someone let out their voice.
Something came out from the dark cloud. That, that looked like a giant eye. It was like a giant was lying inside the dark cloud while peering below from a hole. The absurd sight gave everyone there such image.
That eye slowly closed.
Shudder. Their instincts were loudly screaming at them of the danger. When that eye opened once again, in other word, when that monster blinked, some kind of outrageously sinister tragedy would occur.
「Everyone, get down!!」
Taisei pulled Chikage in his arms while getting down on the floor to cover her along with Eito and Rika too. It was unknown how many people were able to follow his direction.
――※※※※ッ＃＃＃ッッッ！！！？
An incomprehensible shriek rang out. Right after that, an unseen shockwave rushed through the rooftop. The guests screamed while falling over.
But, conversely speaking that was all. Taisei lifted up his face.
The monster’s eye was half opened. Something had stabbed the eye and it seemed to be in agony. Underneath it, countless black silhouettes could be seen.
They moved too fast that their appearances couldn’t be discerned. But, he knew.
「Fuh, as expected from him.」
The radio tower, the symbol of the capital that lied right underneath the monster’s eye was squashed. It looked like it was tilting down from the middle. But even that was halted by a black vortex that was pulling it up and keeping it there. The broken tower was slowly descending to the ground.
Most likely, there were also several black silhouettes――abyss lords on the ground.
If the lord didn’t stop it, and the attack of the “eye” was exerted fully, it was hard to imagine what kind of shape the capital’s centre would be in right now.
He felt cold sweat gushing out from imagining that, however, if he was there then there wouldn’t even be the slightest chance of that happening. Taisei stood up with such belief.
「W-what is, just what is going on……」
「What is that, what in the world is that-」
「A stage effect, it must be an effect from some kind of event! For it to wrought this kind of damage, I-I’ll sue-」
The guests left their daze and returned to reality. At the same time confusion and terror and anxiety assaulted them. They were just a step away from getting into a full blown panic.
No, it was even more than that. Even right at this moment the air that was carrying the chill was gnawing at the tranquil of their hearts. It was pushing human’s heart to fall into world of madness. That “eye” it was destroying the mind just by existing.
「Nyoi Zen Houben Iji Oushiko ()――」(TN: Some passages from Lotus Sutra, roughly means: The skilful means to fulfil wishes, to heal the children who have lost their minds, who are distraught and out of their minds, the Bodhisattva acts as their great right mindfulness, the Lotus Sutra)
Taisei pulled out a talisman from his pocket and held it between his fingers, then he chanted the prayer that protected people from madness. People felt atmosphere as though warm wind was blowing outward from Taisei and their hearts that were on the verge of panic started regained composure.
「Clan head! Intruders!!」
Bodyguards of Fujiwara clan had gathered at the surrounding before anyone knew it. One of them had a finger pressed on a headset while repeating the emergency call that was sent from his subordinate at the lower floor.
It seemed that other than monster, there was also human attackers coming.
「It seems they’re using strange technique!!」
「No need to overdo it. Just reduce their number as many as possible. Everyone in attendance!! This is announcement from Fujiwara Taisei!! Due to emergency situation, please allow me to put a closure to the party this day!! We shall escort everyone out in order, so for now please wait for a while――right, please wait for around thirty seconds.」
Even those who looked like they wanted to make some vehement argument had the wind taken out of their sails after being told a concrete number of thirty seconds and shut their mouth. A part of it was also thanks to the pressure from Taisei that brook no argument. That was only natural because his words just now was a type of words of power that were filled with willpower.
His self-assured figure that was sporting a smile to reassure the surrounding was befitting the head of Fujiwara clan, just as to be expected from the leader of that Fujiwara Group.
「Antari’on Sokumetsusoku Birariyabirari――」
Words with mysterious resonance spilled out from Taisei’s mouth. They reached the ears of Eito and others who were right nearby, but they were overwhelmed by his bearing as an onmyouji and couldn’t even ask.
Like that,
「Clan head! They’re here!!」
A third of this rooftop was indoor while the rest was outdoor. The inside and outside were divided by glass wall where elevator and escalator could be seen at the back of the lobby.
The figures of the attackers could be seen rushing from that escalator. Their number was more than ten. Their hands were holding weapons like pistol or submachine gun which easily proved that they were indeed attackers.
「Fujiwara Taisei! Follow us obediently!! If not, everyone here will――」
「――Sokuzetsu Un Zanzandari Zandarihan」
*PAANN* A clear clapping sound. Taisei had just clapped his hands in front of his chest as though in prayer.
The eyes of the attacker immediately rolled back and they fell on the spot like puppets with their strings severed.
It was magic that rendered people of Taoist kind unconscious.
It caused more than large males fainted without a single hand touching them. It was unknown what had been done to them, but they became like that because Taisei had done something.
Those who were in the know of the world’s hidden side had just witnessed a fragment of Fujiwara clan’s power, while those who weren’t in the know could only be dumbfounded watching such supernatural situation that was beyond their comprehension, but both groups were all looking toward Taisei with definite fear and respect in their eyes.
「Fumu. There’s a huge chance they want to use me as hostage against Hinata. They really underestimated me.」
「Dear, I have summoned the “Fujiwara”. I have also arranged for safe houses.」
「Are they dispersed?」
「Of course. Leave the rest to me――let’s put them all in our debts.」
At the end Chikage lowered her voice and whispered into Taisei’s ear while making it looked like she was just a wife leaning on his husband for support to the outsider.
She had been giving instructions to everyone related without being shaken up at all by what was going on around her. Not only that, apparently she was even planning to put all the influential people here under Fujiwara’s protection and became indebted to them.
Taisei nodded and opened his mouth to give the instruction for evacuation. But, those words got hurriedly changed.
*GOUU* It felt like wind blew, but it was actually from black smoke that suddenly started enveloping the rooftop. No, rather than calling it smoke……it could also be seen like a localized dark cloud. Lightning could be seen sparking at between.
「! On Abiraunken!!」
Taisei formed a sword hand seal and yelled mantra that was filled with fighting spirit. Right after the mantra that begged for the divine protection of Vairocana was yelled, lightning radiated from the dark cloud and scattered to all directions.
People who got indirectly grazed by the scattered electrical discharge screamed and fell, or perhaps fainted.
「Let the impurities be swallowed up with the grand prayer of the heavenly purification ritual of Takamanohara. Exorcise and purify!!」
With the highest ritual prayer of purification of Shinto, Taisei put up a kind of barrier with all his strength.
The dark cloud that was trying to swallow the rooftop stopped as though there was a boundary line, but, it couldn’t be completely purified and the whole rooftop was still completely surrounded. The worst thing was that the path of escape, the indoor had also been filled with dark cloud.
They couldn’t see the going on outside like this. They could only rely on light inside the dark space.
The people were terrified and crouched down, hid behind cover, while those with keen mind scurried trying to get as close as possible to Taisei’s side.
But, Taisei too had no leeway to take the mind of the guests into consideration.
It wasn’t at the level of that “eye”, but he also felt a great power from the being that summoned this dark cloud. Perhaps he wasn’t a match against this. At the very least he had to be honest that it would be hard to face this being while having to protect everyone here.
Even so, he swore that he would at least buy time until Kousuke arrived here. He took out four charms from his pocket even while getting cold sweat.
「East Akada West Shutakou South Satsuteiro North Sodamani」
He filled the charms with willpower and threw them to four directions. The flying charms each was shining and stopped midair at the four cardinal directions.
Almost at the same time lightning strike surged. He barely made it in time. He barely succeeded in blocking the lightning strike fired from the dark cloud with the secret ritual of lightning repellent.
But, it seemed he barely made it not only just in timing but also in durability.
「Guuh, it won’t last long with substitute charms-. No, it’s the opponent that’s just that dangerous……」
Originally, the lightning repellent technique just now should be executed with charms that had the incantation Taisei recited written in them. He substituted that with the general charms and words of power. In a sense, the lighting repellent barrier was made with improvisation, so the toughness wasn’t as great as how it originally should be.
But, surely the barrier wouldn’t last long even if it was at full strength.
He felt that much power from the cause of this dark cloud and lightning.
(Should I call a shikigami……no, the barrier won’t last if I take off my focus from it-. Right now I can only endure-)
The guards around him pulled out their guns and fired toward the dark cloud over and over. They could faintly see the lump of light moving inside it.
To the people around, these guards were nothing more than civilians who were working for Fujiwara family, and also this was Japan so it was shocking to seen gun fired, but the guns these guards had were specially made. They were magic guns that were similar with the one supplied to MCB.
It was Kousuke who asked Hajime to supply the guards of Fujiwara family in consideration of the world situation.
But, as expected, the gunfire seemed to slightly hold back the enemy but there was no sign that it caused any damage. Far from that it seemed to only instigate the being more and the lightning strike became even more intense.
The people drawing near to Taisei, the people of Ueshiro family and Himekouji family were also yelling things like 「What’s going on here! What is Taisei doing!?」, but Chikage looked like she was dealing with that somehow, but even the focus to be spared for being aware of that was gradually lessening.
(Kousuke-kun, how much longer-!!)
His decreasing willpower caused impatience to well up and it started to gnaw on his mind. Just when he was about to judge that he should accept some sacrifice had to be made and he ought to make an all or nothing bet with “shikigami summoning”, it was then.
The reinforcement that he had been eagerly waiting for arrived.
However, it wasn’t the usual loud laughter and chuuni behavior,
「――May the presiders over warriors be my vanguard!!」
A girl’s dignified voice flew in and became an impact that knocked down evil obstacle.
Its might was truly tremendous. The dark cloud was pushed away as though it was surging sea that washed away all impurity.
Taisei who had his hands full with just defending sported a wry smile.
What unbelievable power my daughter has. ……No, wait a second? Isn’t it too strong? No no, papa doesn’t know this you know? No matter what the attack just now is just impossible right!? The output is multiple times, or it might be even ten times of the usual!? He thought.
The dark cloud dispersed.
At both sides of the rooftop, there was an unbelievable sight unfolding at each.
First, was the grotesque figure that caused this disaster.
It looked like a spider made from red lightning clad in dark cloud. It had a bizarre form of head and legs like spider, with torso made of smoke that contained red flashes. The it was sparking constantly made it looked like the natural phenomenon of plasma was forcefully taking the form of spider.
But, rather than that fantastic figure and intense aversion and revulsion that it was indiscriminately radiating.
Everyone in this place had their eyes stolen away by the other being. Even that fantastic shaped being wasn’t an exception of that.
「God, dess…………?」
It was young lady Rika who muttered that. Young Eito beside her was similarly dumbfounded, staring with his eyes wide open in captivation.
First, there was a gigantic Chinese dragon.
It was covered with scales that looked like blue or green. It had magnificent horns like deer’s antler and claws like hawk, and clad in sublime radiance. It truly looked like the dragon god from legend. One of the four gods――Seiryuu.
But, what the people were watching was the girl on its head.
A girl wearing kariginu, sitting in cross legged position on the azure dragon’s head as though in meditation, with both her hands forming a hand seal――Fujiwara Hinata.
Her black hair fluttered. Her eyes slightly looked down as though in contemplation. Light enveloped her like the sunlight.
Is she really human like us? At that time, everyone there was having the same thought.
That was just how much otherworldly aura Hinata was radiating right now. It wasn’t just because she was riding on Seiryuu. She was truly giving the impression of a “god’s messenger”, no, it was like Hinata herself was already like a god herself.
Everyone there knew Hinata’s face, so rationally they could comprehend that she was Fujiwara Hinata.
But, anyone who didn’t know Hinata’s face would surely believe that a goddess had descended into this place without harbouring the slightest doubt.
Hinata’s eyes were shining. The sunlight enveloping her became even more radiant. She began to radiate an overwhelming presence that even caused everyone to feel physical pressure.
Her hands formed the symbol of nine. It was the so called hand sign of dharma wheel spinning.
「Even if the rope is loose it will never let you go, as long as your heart is unwavering.」
Instantly, even though the monster was like the embodiment of plasma, it spasmed like it got electrocuted while it stopped moving.
Hinata narrowed her eyes seeing that while changing her hand seal. She formed even more words.
「Hail Gouzanze Myouou of the east Hail Gundari Myouou of the south Hail Daiitoku Myouou of the west Hail Kongouyasha Myouou of the north Hail Fudou Myouou of the center――」
Even though her voice was calm, it was like the resonance came down from heaven and gently reached everybody’s ears.
The plasma monster sparked even more intensely. The electrical discharge was converging in a circle. Even though its movement was stopped, it apparently could still launch attack.
But, Hinata was unfaltering. Her hand seal and mantra reciting were also flowing smoothly.
「One’s body though made of dust be as great bedrock Sunlight and moonlight Atago Marishiten Please bestow your protection. On Kirikiri Unhatta」
The radiance of sunlight enveloping her body expanded and formed a sphere like a barrier. It contained Seiryuu along with Hinata.
At the same time a blinding flash was also unleashed from the monster. It was a plasma radiation that would vaporize any ordinary person.
But, that attack……
「……Haha, it looks like her trip to the fairy world is even more worthwhile than imagined.」
Taisei’s emotion had gone past through shock and back to exasperation.
Of course he would. The plasma attack stopped. It was blocked just before Hinata by the radiance of sunlight.
Self-defense and barrier based on the esoteric ritual of binding of great bodhisattva Fudou Myouou was perfectly blocking the attack of a class 3 “void god” with power that couldn’t be compared from before.
She used technique that originally should be done before casting the first “binding”, and even the hand sign and incantation had been greatly shortened. Even so, for the effect to be this pronounced……
Taisei could feel it. The presence of gods and Buddha beside Hinata. They weren’t lending their power because of a pleading, the gods and Buddha were assisting Hinata by their own will, and a strong will at that.
That was already a divine protection at the level that originally could only be obtained for the first time by someone with “god’s favour”. No, this divine protection was even more powerful than that.
「Aa, geez. Hinataa? Don’t worry me so much.」
The intercepted plasma seemed to be enveloped in golden light. Then it was dispersed in the blink of eye. At the same time, a sugary voice rang out.
A country toppling beauty showed herself at Hinata’s left side as though oozing out from thin air. Nine tails were swaying behind her……
「It should be enough practice trial already right? Look, others are starting to crawl out too. Let’s deal with them quickly.」
This time a voice that sounded excessively erotic, and yet with hint of danger in it was resonating. At the same time, the plasma embodiment monster was blasted away.
A giant fist made from dark red aura had just punched it with speed that naked eye couldn’t follow. Furthermore, it was like there was fists hitting it from both sides like playing table tennis.
There was no place to escape, or rather, the plasma monster couldn’t move in the first place from Hinata’s technique. And so it got beaten to death quickly.
Similarly like the country toppling beauty, oozing out from thin air at Hinata’s right side was an enchanting beauty with white hair and three horns. As expected her beauty was also at the level that might be able to topple a country.
――Nine-tailed fox Tamamo Mae
――Shuuten Douji Yaya no Hidzuki
Two of the great youkai who were considered as among the strongest in Japan’s youkai folklore.
Anyone wouldn’t be able to maintain their sanity if put in front of the heinous presences overflowing out from them. It was a different type from the revulsiveness brought about by “void god”, but the dread characteristic of youkai was also something that couldn’t help but drove human insane.
But, the people in that place didn’t fear or tremble.
Surpassing the great youkai’s tremendous ghostly aura, was the purifying and gentle divine majesty from the being who was attended――yes, everyone could naturally feel that she was being “attended”――by such great youkai at her left and right, Hinata. Her aura was more present than all those negativities and granted everyone sense of security.
「――Seiryuu, bring tranquility and spirit to the surrounding area.」
Seiryuu who governed over prosperity and blessing howled even while sending irritated look toward the apparitions at both sides.
In contrast to his appearance it wasn’t a howl that scared people. It was a howl that even felt like there was kindness somewhere in it.
Immediately, rain started to drizzle down lightly at the surrounding area. The rain was warm and really pleasant. It felt like their chilly bodies were warmed comfortably.
Looking closer, it seemed the warm rain was raining down over the whole metropolis. It couldn’t be seen from here but, surely it wasn’t just them. Everyone there could feel it, that the people who were touched by this rain must be similarly feeling the divine protection over them from someone.
A girl riding on a dragon god, attended by great youkai at both sides, and clad in sunlight and godly might……
It was just too unreal, however, it was a sight that nobody would ever be able to forget for their whole life. There were even some people who started to look at Hinata with worship in their eyes.
Amidst that,
「……Willpower is abundant, no stagnation in the link. Responsiveness, magic, all satisfactory. Sacrificial paper doll technique, domain inversion, expansion……no problem. It’s a success.」
The solemn expression that fostered her unworldliness crumbled completely to be replaced by an adorable smile. She looked even more adorable with how her cheeks reddened as though in happiness due to something, added with her also doing a small triumphant pose.
That gap became the finishing blow in a sense. The number of people whose hearts were shot through was many.
The power of Fujiwara family had to be obtained no matter what. If the girl called Hinata who ought to be regarded as the greatest treasure of this era fell into their hand, they would be able to reach higher toward an even more special status……
There was no distinction of age or gender of the influential people from various countries whose such “ambition” was transformed into “adoration” or perhaps “worship” at that moment.
「Otou-sama! Leave this place to me! Also please summon your shikigami! Right now you should be able to display their original strength sufficiently!」
「……I don’t understand the detailed situation but, got it. Godspeed, Hinata.」
「Yes, Otou-sama too.」
Hinata’s gaze also moved toward her mother Chikage. Chikage didn’t say anything. She simply smiled proudly and nodded strongly. Hinata also smiled and nodded back. That was enough.
Chikage started leading the evacuation. Taisei picked a call from Hattori that coincidentally arrived at that time while starting the preparation to summon his shikigami.
Hinata also urged Seiryuu and turned her back to head toward the city.
While people was following the instruction and evacuating,
「H-Hinata-san!!」
Young Eito reflexively called out at Hinata’s back.
Hinata turned around and he became at loss for words. He didn’t stop her because he wanted to say something. But, he stopped her just because he wanted to say anything.
He couldn’t stop his impulse and raised his voice, but his mouth only closed and open with no word coming out. Seeing young Eito like that, and seeing young lady Rika beside him also looking the same, Hinata smiled back at them.
「It’s fine. We will protect this country.」
She said that to reassure them. And then, she informed them.
In a sense it was to give them her final word. Or perhaps, it was to give them a gentle push on the back. Toward the two who were tied with strong connection that even made the divination of the strongest onmyouji to come out with the result of “destined pair”.
She talked exactly like a god’s oracle.
「Please hold each other’s hand firmly so you won’t lose sight of the other. After all Ueshiro Eito need Himekouji Rika, and conversely Himekouji Rika need Ueshiro Eito.」
「「Heh?」」
The two were bewildered. Hinata chuckled and turned her back on them.
「If you two still drag me into your lover quarrel even at the new school term――nobody can be blamed even if divine punishment visit you two okay? Fufu」
Hinata left behind the completely befuddled pair and quickly headed toward the battlefield.
The parents of the two families were calling at their children. It looked like they were talking with Hinata so the parents waited, but the evacuating was continuing to progress. They too were impatient to leave as soon as possible.
Amidst that, young Eito who returned to his senses faster took a deep breath.
And then, he yelled following the impulse that welled up inside his chest with his whole heart.
「By your willll!!」
「Byou!!?」
Young lady Rika, she went Byou!? and looked at him from the side.
There young Eito briskly pushed up his glasses and straightened his back. He looked truly bold. It was like he had taken off a veneer or something……
「Rika-san!」
「Y-yes-」
「It looks like I’ve been blinded by the radiance right before my eyes. Because of that I was unable to see the most precious jewel that is right at my side.」
「Eh, Eito-san……」
「Come, let’s go. I will protect you. Don’t let go of this hand!!」
「Eito-san!! Yes, I also won’t let go of your hand-」
「And then, let us offer a prayer together!!」
「Yes! Let’s pray toge――ther, eh?」
「To the god incarnate, Hinata-sama!!」
「Yes?」
Even while evacuating, young lady Rika’s cheeks that were reddening from deep emotion and romantic love until just a moment ago were convulsing uncontrollably right now. Next after her, the parents from both families were also getting twitching cheeks seeing the young Eito’s strange state.
「I’m ashamed of myself. To fall in love with a god, no, that has gone past being shameful and simply ridiculous!! No, wrong, I see. That wasn’t love! I was sensing it unconsciously! Of the god incarnate who I ought to be faithful toward! The feeling of reverence! To mistake piety as romantic love, that was truly childish of me!!」
「O-ou……」
A sound that young lady Rika had never even made before slipped out of her lips. Rika papa and mama looked like they wanted to tear off young Eito’s hand from hers.
It seemed that the flood of happenings that were just too outside the common sense and Hinata’s entrance and power that were too dramatic had made young Eito’s feeling to be twisted around toward a strange direction.
「I see-. Rika-san kept cutting in between the two of us that vehemently……it was you trying to warn me just how blasphemous I was!!」
「EH!?」
「But, Hinata-sama was hiding her true form. That was why, you couldn’t simply tell me that it was blasphemous and did your best to be roundabout……never giving up on me all those times……kuh, Rika-san, just how wise and kind of a person you can be!!」
「Aa~~, uu~~mm, thaat~~」
Of course that wasn’t it. It was completely different. He didn’t even scratch the surface.
But, young Eito’s eyes were certainly overflowing with respect and gratitude toward Rika.
And, these two were a pair that even Hinata judged to be destined for each other.
Furthermore, Rika-chan was a tenacious young lady who didn’t get disillusioned even after seeing her target of romantic feeling acting like this. She even judged that this was convenient.
「E-exactly! So you finally realize it!!」
「As I thought!!!」
Incidentally, the “!?” marks floated up above the heads of the parents of Himekouji family. Also, the parents of Ueshiro family looked like they were simply unable to keep listening to this conversation. They were making a face of contemplation how they should return their son to his sanity.
For now, young lady Rika thought.
(I thank you for this!! Fujiwara Hinata!! But, I won’t consider you as anything special! Don’t think that you can run away!! What is going on right now, and what are you actually are!! I’ll have you explain it all exactly without leaving out anything!!)
She swore inside her heart that she would hassle her right after the new school term began. It was also completely out of the question that she would let keep Eito being a faithful Hinata worshipper from now on. She thought that she had to correct him somehow.
(That’s why, come back safely no matter wha~~~at!!)
Right before she got into the arranged car after going out of the hotel, she turned her gaze toward the city.
There lightning surged, dark red aura burst, and howl reverberated.
A lot of people were looking with dread or perhaps awe in their eyes, however, the color residing in young lady Rika’s gaze was the same like usual.
Those were eyes a girl was directing toward her cheeky junior, or perhaps simply a friend.
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Going back in time and place, when Hinata was heading to meet the new class 3 that appeared in the sea of trees.
The “north hokora” up to now was located in an underground space that could be entered by going down the cave inside a hollow around two meters wide that was made up from rock and tree roots.
Rock wall covered with moss was exposed, an underground small creek was flowing as though to divide the front and the inside part of the underground space, there was also a small spring, at the deepest part there was an unrefined torii made from cut up rock wall……it was that kind of place.
It wasn’t assumed that people would enter this place, as could be seen from how there wasn’t any ventilation, so the air was also stagnant.
That place right now was being completely changed similarly like above ground.
First it was bright. Because there was panel type light source at the ceiling. The whole room was being processed into a tidy rectangular space, with dark grey square panels in a size of one meter covering the surface.
The place with a look that really symbolized “a shrine deep inside a hidden cavern” was now becoming completely like a lab from science fiction world.
The stream and spring were untouched, but there wasn’t any of the old atmosphere or anything left. The waterway and the spring were also covered with dark grey panels like bricks.
Everything was defensive wall of the greatest toughness made from a mixing of other world technologies. It went without saying that the place was also filled to the brim with weapons for repelling intruder.
Ventilation and even underground waterway using space magic, traps and automatic interception system……
Amakoyama’s “east hokora”, Furousan’s “west hokora”, Houraisan’s “south hokora”, and Izumo’s “Saten no Hokora” were also installed with similar defensive measure, but even if just one place detected an abnormality, all the hokora’s emergency defensive system would also be activated, and Hajime and others would be notified too. That was they system at work here.
Also, even if one location was destroyed naturally it would be restored in a blink of eye using regeneration magic. And with the interlocking mechanism even if one of the hokora was completely destroyed, as long as there was still one hokora existing there was also the function to perform the regeneration from distance.
In short, as long as all the hokora weren’t destroyed simultaneously, they were practically impossible to destroy.
The “north hokora” had been transformed into such fortress with such meticulousness that bordered to insanity. But there was just on point, a spot that still had something that could be called as tasteful remaining.
It was the stone altar. It was round with width around six tatami and pentagram carved onto it. Four pillars were standing at the four cardinal directions connected by rope that had talismans hanging on it.
And then, in front of it was the torii. Previously it was just a simple thing made from carving a rock wall, but right now it was detached from the rock wall, the wall was covered with white panels, and in front of it a splendid crimson torii had been newly made. At its left and right there were also statues in the shape of spirit fox.
So that the Heavenly Star Barrier wouldn’t be destroyed, and also to drastically increase the difficulty in destroying it, Hajime applied the reinforcements all under the supervision of Fujiwara clan and Tsuchimikado clan (though there was great debate about the design).
Passing through that torii,
「I humbly appeal toward the Ookuninushi no Mikoto. The great god of afterlife, I beseech your compassion and blessing. Saki-mitama and Kushi-mitama, I beseech your for protection and fortune――」
There was a girl sitting in meditation at the center of the pentagram on the altar.
Yes, it was none other than Fujiwara Hinata. That person who currently should be heading toward the new intruder in the sea of trees to subjugate it, as well as fighting all over Japan at the same time.
She was wearing kariginu with white and black colours. Her black hair had transformed to white hair with a fox tail and fox ears of the same colour growing on her body.
She was already in the “divine possession” state where the white divine god also known as the divine fox “Kotonoha” was residing in her body. But, the unbelievable amount of tremendous willpower flowing out from that body, no, it ought to be called as divine ki already. That torrent of purifying power was incomparable from Hinata’s power up to now.
「I offer my body and my heart, and so I beseech, for the cleansing of every calamity――」
Clad in sunlight, inside the rising pillar of willpower she was in a state of total focus. So much so that the words undivided attention perfectly described her state right now.
Sweat was trickling. Her hands that were forming hand seal were trembling. Not only that, finally even blood was trickling down slowly from her nose.
「U, guh……」
A newly obtained god’s divine protection assaulted Hinata’s immature body. If she wasn’t in the state of “divine possession” then she would have already vomited blood and fainted.
『……Hinata, you can’t overdo it.』
A whispering voice resounded. It came from the small silhouette sitting on Hinata’s shoulder, a chibi Yue.
『……You have already passed the scope of what human body can do. Just the divine possession itself is a heavy burden.』
「But-」
Chibi Yue’s hand wiped Hinata’s blood.
But, her voice was stern in contrast to her gentle hand movement. It wasn’t a voice that was considerate and wanting to stop Hinata.
Of course it was.
『……Calm down. Your talent is comparable to me. Then you surely can do it.』
「Y-yes, Yue-sama!」
This was a support in the form of instruction, teaching. The strongest magician, believing in the girl’s innate talent, was imparting her secret techniques, the depth of her magic to her personally.
『……You don’t need to take it all. Let the current flow as it wish. Without opposing it, make use of the required part as necessary. This is a technique for that.』
「……Let it flow……focus not on the power itself……rather, it’s the technique……」
『……Yes. Nobody leap into a river’s raging stream in order to scoop water. Instead they use facility, or perhaps tool to obtain it safely. This is the same.』
「……Yes, Yue-sama. ……Fuu~~~~~~」
Tension left Hinata’s shoulders.
Just by being told with words, she had gone beyond understanding and grasped the sensation. It was the reason why genius was called genius.
The vast energy that almost made her burst began to circulate neatly. Matching that, Hinata’s presence grew even more.
Chibi Yue unconsciously smiled seeing that. She taught her only one expecting her to learn ten, and not only the girl before her really learned ten, she went further to learn until eleven or even twelve. It made her felt the joy of teaching and wanted to praise her genuinely.
Growing more effective, quicker, more meticulous, with even higher output.
After she begged for teaching similar like Rana, for around this half a year she had taught her the basic of magic technique.
Even if magic and onmyoudou were different type of technique, the basic of “the way to control power” as caster should be the same so when she tried teaching Hinata, she absorbed the lesson exactly like sponge with water.
Yue herself did repeated training and trial and error while creating many support magic for the sake of handling pseudo-unlimited magic and chibi Yue, but to think that Hinata was able to understand the theory and sensation, and even started to reproduce her techniques even if only a fragment of it using her onmyoudou. As expected it struck her dumb witnessing that.
She had never met anyone like this before. Facing an immense talent before her eyes who could sufficiently share and empathize the same sensation like her, it made her wanted to hammer all her magic techniques into the girl in earnest.
「……Fifth, incoming.」
With a puff a paper that was shaped like human――a paper doll floated up in front of Hinata’s eyes.
The doll started shining after being bestowed the power of the gods and Buddha that Hinata was currently receiving. Its form was changing. Into the form of the black haired girl wearing kariginu, the form of the original Hinata.
The doll Hinata quietly opened her eyes. She stared at her own hands and moved them, formed the sword hand seal and pressed it on her lips, muttered 「On」 with small voice, then she looked at her original body and nodded.
「Touda, Tenkuu, please take care of me.」
Hinata sent her words to the other side of the torii before her with respect. Together with that, the fifth Hinata also flew toward the torii.
Yes, the fifth.
The Hinatas who were fighting all over Japan until now were all paper dolls. That was to say, clones.
Naturally Hinata couldn’t use anything like soul magic. She couldn’t make anything like autonomous clone the way the abyss lord made it.
These were “Shiki”. To the end they were paper dolls that Hinata herself had to control.
Although her ability to process things simultaneously was excellent, Hinata’s consciousness was just one. Even with parallel thought where she could have consciousness that worth two people, the difficulty of controlling another self of her at the same time was in different level.
It was even more so at battlefield. The moment conditions like how the clone possessed equal ability with the main body and being able to move perfectly were added, it became an impossible problem for normal human.
Therefore, the clone bodies this time were originally impossible to make, unless they were just mere fake, or perhaps a half-autonomous type that could follow simple order.
Then, how was she able to create five clones at the same time, and clones that were just like the clones of the abyss lord at that?
「With this the territory centered around Izumo area can expand even more……I can cover the whole Honshu area. Next, I need at least two more bodies……」
『……Nn. One for Hokkaido and Kyushu each. Can you do it?』
「There is no way I cannot. After all the greatest pioneer like Yue-sama has instructed me.」
『……And, because you are a wife of your beloved abyss lord?』
When chibi Yue asked that question with a chuckle, Hinata’s cheeks that were turning pale from losing blood due to the burden reddened back.
Kousuke was able to head to various battlefields at the same time. What should she do so she could stand at his side and keep up with him in the truest sense? The answer was simple, that was “to increase herself too”.
Normally anyone would judge it was impossible, however, Fujiwara Hinata easily thought up an answer due to her innate talent. Could I do it if I make myself into “Shikigami”?
But, even when she applied the technique she learned from Yue that ought to be called as multitasking strengthening magic into onmyoudou, as expected she couldn’t make something like Kousuke’s clone. Naturally. Even Yue judged that to be impossible and as the result she created the clones “chibi Yue” that only had limited function.
And yet, Hinata thought up a technique that could surpass even that obstacle.
If her ability was insufficient because of her flesh human body that was far from being god,
Wouldn’t it be fine if she just have the point of view of god?
Because, she knew of a fragment of that sensation. Her perception ability and information processing ability when she did divine possession were something that easily surpassed human territory after all.
In that case, wouldn’t it be fine if she just increase the number of gods residing in her body?
That meant, borrowing god’s perception ability which grew in proportion of the number of divine possession she did, increasing the number of her self-consciousness. It was the technique of multiple divine possession.
She named it, the Fujiwara Hinata original new technique――”Happou Shoshin Kourin no Gi (The Ceremony of Eight Directions Gods Descension)”.
The original new technique that made herself into shikigami created using this as the perquisite――”Shikijinki”.
In a sense, it was a really muscle-brained idea.
But, the result was as could be seen.
「Here I go……I humbly beseech Ninigi no Mikoto. Amatsuhitakahiko, please grant me your compassion and grace. Saki-mitama and Kushi-mitama, I beseech your for protection and fortune――」
The presence of a new god came down as though to say that they had been waiting for this. It was a descension that even felt a bit like cutting in the line.
It was little wonder. The gods of Japanese mythology that Hinata was beseeching for cooperation were in the end none other than gods in the fairy world. They had bestowed their divine protection to her during the trip. That was to say they were gods who took a liking to Hinata.
The sixth divine possession. If Kotonoha was counted then it was a total of seven gods. Hinata’s suffering increased even more by the additional burden……or that was how it looked like it should be, but this time was smoother than before instead.
(……Really, this child)
Chibi Yue was slightly exasperated just a little inside her heart. Because she had sensed that Hinata had gotten completely used to it. Even the assistance technique for magic power control that Yue taught had already been completely adapted as assistance technique for willpower that she was using skillfully.
The technique was at the level that ought to be called as secret art by a super first class practitioner even from where Yue stood. Although Hinata had worked out the conception beforehand, and had accumulated training of the techniques and skills that served as the perquisites while receiving Yue’s support, for her to successfully carry it out in actual practice without any rehearsal beforehand……
(……Perhaps, Oji-sama also felt like this?)
This chibi Yue was properly filled with the main body’s consciousness in order to support Hinata. She suddenly recalled when seeing her own expression that was reflected on Hinata’s eyes. Come to think of it when I was little, Dien-ojisama also made this kind of expression each time he taught me magic…….
While she was watching over Hinata with such nostalgic thought, it seemed that she had finished sending out the seventh clones.
『……The starting point is enough with this. Theoretically it should be feasible. How is it?』
「Yes……I think I can do it. No, I will definitely do it!!」
With a sweep of her sleeves, she straightened her posture once more. She took deep breath several times.
A total of eight gods worth of power was residing in that body. What was she planning to do right now even while controlling seven of her selves at the same moment?
Surely nobody could have ever expected it if they watched her.
She had created seven clones with capabilities that were exactly the same like the original body, and not only that she was in a state where her ability was unprecedentedly increased like she was using “Limit Break” and sublimation magic due to the divine protections of the gods inside her body. And yet,
Everything until now, was nothing more than the preparations for the true secret art.
『……You don’t need to worry about the willpower. I’ll also adjust the energy amount to some degree.』
Chibi Yue sat down on Hinata’s shoulder once more. Yue’s unlimited magic power was sent through chibi Yue and it also passed to the stone altar.
This altar itself was an artifact. It had the function to covert any kind of power to “willpower that Hinata could use right away”. Whether it was magic power, or even “natural willpower” that was overflowing in this place that was originally a “dragon’s vein”.
Without Hajime’s permission, nothing could infiltrate this hokora no matter what kind of being they were. But, there was just one exception. It was Fujiwara Hinata who inherited the bloodline of the creator of the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star, connected with the heavenly fox who supervised the barrier, and had comprehended the secrets of its formula until its essence.
Because when something happened, she was the only one who could manage the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star other than Hajime and co. Of course, in the unlikely case that someone other than Hinata infiltrated, they would be met with the morbidly overprepared interception devices.
In any case, the point was that this hokora was also a space for Fujiwara Hinata’s sake.
「Heaven is my father, and earth is my mother. Holy spirit resides within the six harmonies, this body has received the divine protections from the gods at all eight directions.」
Hinata put her words together solemnly.
She formed a hand seal with both hands, closed her eyes, and sunk deeper and deeper within her consciousness as her shining white hair fluttered. Her mind moved toward the spirit world through the hokora, and then toward the formula that formed the spirit world.
Toward the great barrier that covered the whole Kinki region, created by her distant ancestor, the legendary onmyouji. (TN: Kinki region (Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Mie and Shiga prefectures))
「At the east is Seiryuu, at the west is Byakko, at the south is Suzaku, at the north is Genbu. Heavenly gods at the right heaven, and the earthly gods at the left heaven, they provide support from both sides.」
She interfered with that formula, and expanded it. The barrier’s composition was unchanged as she displaced the starting points and enlarged it.
That starting points were none other than the Shikijinki that she was sending to all over Japan.
Actually other than Kotonoha who was the supervisor, there were five summits of the pentagram at the reverse side (spirit world) of the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star, and there were also starting points at the right and left heavens supporting the barrier. A part of “Twelve Heavenly Generals”, shikigami who were under that Abe no Seimei’s command were in charge of those points.
In other words.
If there were starting points that formed the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star, and there were the Twelve Heavenly Generals who managed those, and if there was apparition that could be sealed, that meant it was inside the Great Barrier of the Heavenly Star, as well inside the spirit world――couldn’t it be broadly interpreted like that?
「Come back, come back, oh heavenly star. The front is the back, and the back is the front. This world into the afterlife. The afterlife into this world.」
It expanded.
The Great Barrier of Heavenly Star that covered the whole Kinki region was growing to a scale that enveloped the whole Japan due to the new starting points.
It was turned inside out.
This world that thoroughly manifested the factors that composed the spirit world, became tinged with the same properties like the spirit world.
In other world without idea element, apparition couldn’t display a hundred percent of their strength. But, the spirit world of the Great Barrier of Heavenly Star had the function of limiting the supply toward the “dragon” by consuming the “willpower” of apparitions sealed inside.
In other words, apparition could be nourished by “willpower” if it was inside the spirit world. They could display their ability almost fully like in the fairy world. The whole Japan became a world for the appairitons.
「To be allowed to defense this nation from a thousand demons and ten thousand evils, I speak with great awe and reverence before the presence of Kamimusubi, Takamimusubi, Ikumusubi, Tarumusubi, Tamatsumemusubi, Oomiyanome, Miketsutsunokami, Kotoshironushi, and Oonaobinokami.」
But, Hinata’s ritual prayer still hadn’t stopped.
The worlds were connected, and beings from fairy world came to earth as reinforcement. And they came with their real body so they could display their true strength as much as possible.
At the same time, if they died they wouldn’t be able to revive for a while. And even if they revived one day, it would be difficult for them to return to the battlefront right away. And even if by chance they revived immediately, if they revived as a different being than their previous self then as expected there was a possibility that they wouldn’t come as reinforcement immediately.
That was why, she wouldn’t let them die. Even if they died she would call them back even from the land of the dead.
She granted a new property to the overturned and expanded Great Barrier of Heavenly Star.
「The ten treasures of auspiciousness, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. I shall shake them, sway, sway, shake them. With all my sincerity, I pray and beseech, may the lost souls be brought back to life.」
*PAANN* She clapped. Ripples of light spread out and expanded to the whole Japan through the torii.
Perhaps the phenomenon could be seen even from the shelter on the moon surface. The Japanese islands were like water surface that was struck by rain drops. They were covered with many overlapping ripples with the radiance of sunlight.
「My body no longer belongs to me with the divine protection of the gods upon me. My breath is the breath of the gods, and my voice is the voice of the gods. O earth under the starry sky, o thousand of demons and ten thousand of evils, descend before me! Manifest here right now by the power of these words of power!!」
Hinata’s eyes snapped wide open.
Dwelling inside those eyes wasn’t anything human anymore.
It was unmistakably god’s majestic appearance. Her words were truly holy words that commanded the world and rewrote the law――”Divine Words”.
「――”Houmajinryou Tensei Daikokukai(逢魔神領天晴大剋界)”」(TN: Grand Victory World of Clear Heaven Where Demons and Gods Rendezvous)
It wouldn’t activate if Fujiwara Hinata wasn’t here in this “north hokora”.
While it activated, Fujiwara Hinata was rooted to the “north hokora” and not allowed to do anything else.
It was activated with the condition that there was unlimited supply of “willpower”.
It could only possibly work when there were multitude of gods of the highest class who she was connected heart to heart with, and they were extremely cooperative with her.
It would take away Hinata’s life if she made a mistake with her control of the formula, or if the gods forsook her.
However if all the risks were accepted and the conditions were fulfilled, that secret art would grant Fujiwara Hinata unequalled strength.
Because the whole nation of Japan was changed into Fujiwara Hinata’s territory, she was able to learn the locations of “void gods” with her godly viewpoint that perceived the inside of her territory and sensed where there were blank spots in it.
Because the territory was equivalent to a spirit world, she was able to head to the location where she ought to be by meddling with time and space. With that she was also able to limit the absorption of natural energy the enemies were doing.
Eight gods of Japanese mythology, the twelve heavenly generals, and then the swarm of Hyakki Yakkou that was composed of only powerful apparitions. They were all granted sufficient power so they were as powerful here as in their homeland. They were even enabled to deny temporary death.
Even if she was unable to protect the whole world like her teacher, Fujiwara Hinata was able to protect a whole country it if it was limited to her homeland.
Just as she wished.
If the powerful enemy(class 1) that the man she loved had to fight was excluded, she was able to exorcise everything else that left. She was able to fight together with him.
It was one of the heights that the modern era’s strongest onmyouji arrived at under the teaching of the world strongest magician.
From this moment, the combat strength other than the abyss lord, Hinata, and the beings under her command became unnecessary for Japan’s defense. It became possible to dispatch them to other places.
Not only that, if there were “void gods” who couldn’t resist Laila’s forced teleportation, they could just be tossed away to Japan. Hinata and her force could deal with them.
『……Oo! Is that you Hinata-chan!? You can manage somehow even against class 2? As expected from you! That makes it easier for me to fight! My highest gratitude!!』
The “telepathy” that suddenly resounded came from that person she loved. Even though he should be in abyss lord mode, he sent her his praise and thanks with his normal tone. Though it was a bit mixed up at the end.
Chibi Yue looked at her with a kind gaze as though to say 『Isn’t that great?』.
Hinata who had to keep focusing couldn’t respond to either but……
There was a small smile on her lips. The godly air got mixed with the air of a proud girl just a little.
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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
I finally can write Hinata. Next chapter, I’ll write the rest of abyss members and then [Each’s Defensive Battle] will be over. We’ll return to the main character. Best regards.
※Meme introduction
– Monster’s image model
Plasma monster: Cthulhu Mythos’s Karakal’s minion.
– Twelve heavenly generals
There’s someone in the comment section who seems to be fellow fans of [Shounen Onmyouji] which is delightful. In this work I made their appearances to be in accordance with the legends, but Shounen Onmyouji’s twelve heavenly generals are really great. I especially love the interaction between the MC and “Mokkun”. Actually, I wrote Enti while slightly picturing “Taiyuu” of Shounen Onmyouji’s twelve heavenly generals. It’s teenage Taiyuu I guess. Maybe I hadn’t mentioned it in the meme introduction so I’m putting it here just in case.
– Houmajinryou Tensei Daikokukai(逢魔神領天晴大剋界)
The source is of course the domain expansion of [Jujutsu Kaisen]. Also, like usual I used all sorts of materials to be reference for the incantation and prayer, but I also added some arranging to them. Please be aware of that!
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