Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

=Part 12=
The sudden appearance of Shiba was enough to change the aura of the place.
Toujou Basara felt that the ceremonial hall was now enveloped in an inevitable tension.
That was how strong a presence of this young man, Shiba Kyoichi.
At this tense aura that would make anyone hold their breath,
“…Why are you here”
Celis, obviously tense, asked Shiba,
“As per Kyouichi ‘s words, regarding hearing officer… This is the insurance we have to deter Basara’s group”
It wasn’t Shiba, but Atsuta who answered in his place. At those words,
“What kind of foolish words? More than anything, using this man… Even if you can control poison with poison, there has to be another way”
As Celis voiced to the elders,
“Poison, how cruel… Don’t you think so Basara?”
Shiba who shrugged his shoulders, asking for affirmation from him. But, “….”
Basara, without replying with anything, thought of one thing.
…As expected it’s Shiba-san
Just as one of the elders Kumano, had said to Celis’ criticism earlier. That they should be properly open regarding the Vatican’s concern that they are unable to deter Basara well enough. Due to the speed of the discussion, that matter was left where it was—but when he heard that proclamation, Basara had thought of the possibility that the elders would use Shiba as a trump card. However, even if he had prepared, for this confrontation once more, just letting one wander for a little bit would cause one to be crushed in an unfamiliar eerie pressure.
…For Shiba-san to appear this time…
Thinking of the meaning of that sent shivers down Basara’s spine. Having been read the secret letter by Takigawa, they had a reversal on the assertion of the Vatican as stated by Celis. However, with Shiba’s appearance it wasn’t possible to properly respond.
—Shiba should normally be shut up in prison. And then, the elders haven’t moved since the beginning of the meeting. They did not make any movements indicating for Shiba to appear. Of course, the possibility of them using a spiritual power to instruct Shiba to appear through a super-secret back door without anyone realizing wasn’t zero but,
…
It’s not that.
No matter how much Celis pressed the village, the elders didn’t seem trapped, like they still had some room somewhere. In that case, there’s most likely just one answer—Shiba was let out of prison in advance, in preparation for this meeting.
…That means.
The problem was, the timing for when they decided Shiba should appear. Was it at the point Basara’s group had decided to go home, or was it during the time the hearing officers came from the Vatican, or perhaps during Takigawa, the special envoy from the demon world—it’s important to know why this risky existence named Shiba being used as a trump card for anyone.
They had heard from Shuuya that the interference of the 《Vatican》 was putting the elders on edge. If that was to be believed, then there’s a high probability for this to be a measure against the 《Vatican’s》 internal affairs. However,
…Even so.
Toujou Basara couldn’t let his guard down. Previously even with Takashi’s group as a decoy, Shiba had appeared. And then as Celis said, the 《Village》 had failed to eliminate Mio even with ‘Byakko’. To begin with, the discussion that had called them to the 《Village》 was the perceived danger that came with their increasing strength. In this case, they have to think of Shiba as a card against them. If Shiba was their opponent, even a slight gap could lead to death. Even just the smallest carelessness could lead to death—So,
“—”
Basara looked on towards Shiba with the utmost concerm.
“Aw, I don’t like that face. It’s been such a long time since you came back to the 《Village》… Right, Basara?”
With a mocking smile, he moved his gaze from Basara to Celis.
“And… So how is it Celis-chan? Are you not satisfied with me being Basara’s deterrent?”
Asking with a plastered-on smiling face,
“Yes… It’s doubtful”
Even as she was pressured by Shiba, without yielding Celis,
“You are someone who had always been held in confinement… Regardless of how strong you might have been in the past, there’s no guarantee that this had not decreased”
With that subduing declaration,
“Mmm, even though you say that, I’m weak… In that case”
Shiba, who pointed to himself with his index finger disappeared in a split second to appear right in front of Basara.
“—!?”
Just as Basara and the others gulped down, Shiba was already wearing a vicious red-black aura,
“—If you hate, hate Celis-chan”
Before those words, his right hand had swung down on Basara.
What Shiba aimed for was Basara’s throat. Sharp penetrators sucked into Basara’s throat,
“—”
However, the fingertip of Shiba was stopped before it reached him.
—It wasn’t stopped by Shiba himself.
There were three girls that stopped him.
Nonaka Yuki unsheathed her spirit sword Sakuya and broke through Shiba’s hand before it reached Basara. Nonaka Kurumi used her spirit gauntlet and projected numerous magic circles. Celis Reinhardt unsheathed her sword and pointed it directly at Shiba’s nose, the aura of the situation surrounding those three was as tense as possible.
“—”
Basara watched on wordlessly, Shiba pulled back the penetrators with his right hand. “I didn’t think you would interfere… What were you three thinking?”
Exaggeratedly shrugging his shoulder at the girls who had stopped him, Shiba said that with a bitter smile, at that,
“Just stopping your violence… There should be no problem with that”
With a cold expression, Nonaka Yuki answered, her blade pointed at Shiba.
Before coming to the 《Village》 there was something Basara’s group had discussed and decided beforehand. Find a way to avoid conflicts with the 《Village》 as much as possible. Secondly, for Mio who could easily be the goal of attacks and Yuki and Kurumi who may be blamed, not to lead in the meeting with elders and try to talk as much as possible through Basara. And then thirdly—if there was a problem, for Yuki and Kurumi to respond to it.
They were called for problems in regard to Basara and Mio. So then to avoid showing opposition to the 《Village》, it was necessary for Basara’s group not to show an intension of wanting to fight.
—However, even if they had no willingness to fight, there was a possibility that attacks may come on to them.
When they discussed to prepare for such a situation, it was Yuki and Kurumi who offered up their names. If was Basara and Mio—especially Mio, the situation might turn into a serious confrontation right away, however if it was Yuki and Kurumi who are members of the Hero Clan, their act are answerable to the 《Village》.
However, it wasn’t to say they want all the blame to fall entirely on Yuki and Kurumi.
It was to the end, just that this was a preferable alternative to Basara and Mio. But—even so if the other side should do so, in that case Yuki and Kurumi would move to fulfill their duty, unyielding. If it was something they didn’t start, but was to the end a defensive move, there’s little chance that they would be blamed for it.
Since the discussion started—No, since the moment they left the Toujou household even if they didn’t show it they were prepared to fight.
So then now—Yuki and Kurumi definitely protected Basara from a sudden attack from Shiba.
…But.
To say it another way, the fact they were able to respond to Shiba’s attack was as their bodies and heart were prepared to begin with.—But that wasn’t the case for Celis. Despite having been shaken by the sudden appearance of Shiba, Celis was able to respond to Shiba’s action.
…On top of it, that sword.
Celis’ sword is a special kind, combining four magical blades of different colors. It’s likely that it wasn’t a sword she received with her post as hearing officer, but with another title.
…The 《Vatican’s》 Holy Knight, huh…
She was a childhood friend who had grown up far away overseas, and for sure now, she was in a position that only then chosen among all the world’s heroes could reach. While they vaguely held the feeling of that truth, now there’s no other way for Basara and the others to think about it.
The action just now—it was initiated by Shiba. Yuki and Kurumi aren’t to blame. …Essentially speaking anyway…
However, thought Basara—this was a place of high politics. As such, the justifications given may not follow justice. Basara’s worry, became true with Shiba’s smile.
“I’m only trying to show my strength. Regarding the appeal of the elders on whether I can deter Basara’s group, presenting to Celis-chan who was doubtful of how effective they could be
In short.
“My action was appropriately answering to the political will of both the 《Village》 and 《Vatican》. The two of you obstructed that… I wonder if you have any objections to that?”
To Shiba, who’s hunting them down with a deepening smile,
“No. It’s just that my older sister and I responded automatically to your killer intent, Shiba-san, we don’t hold any ill-will to interfere with the 《Village》 or 《Vatican》”
Said Kurumi after a bit. In the political arena, she demonstrated a political act. Kurumi’s remarks were meant to give legitimacy to their actions. In any case, there’s a possibility that Shiba’s incomprehensible power might be invoked without ceremony, such as that of setting a barrier. Shiba’s power is perhaps, higher than that of the “four gods”, the four godly weapons combined. Letting an attack like that pass, being careless, might mean Basara loses his life. As such, Yuki and Kurumi’s actions are implicitly, an appropriate defensive maneuver. And then,
“To begin with, in a ceremonial place like this an offensive attack can’t be used”
This too is convenient. If Shiba’s power blew away the barrier of the “Four Gods”, Kurumi could use her magic ability without restraint or if Shiba’s ability doesn’t affect it then Yuki’s “Sakuya”, even as if it’s restricted in its spirit power could be used as a normal sword.
…But.
Seeing the blade of Celis’ sword that’s derived from magic, the barrier against attacks in the ritual place might be gone. Of course, this was a weapon of a 《Vatican》 Holy Knight. It’s undeniable that with its power is likely equal to the four gods, there would be effects but,
…If the barrier was gone.
Then it didn’t disappear with Shiba’s attack or when he appeared in this hall. At the timing of these two, there was no visible changes to the space of the ceremony.
As such, with the elders having decided to use Shiba as a trump card, it’s possible that when Basara arrived the barrier was already gone. Thinking about it like this, the elders had decided to leave this place unguarded.—Of course, this was all theory. Even though there was a system here for a barrier to seal offensive powers, there was no way to confirm whether it was used. Wanting to avoid confrontation with the 《Village》, they couldn’t test out their own abilities and Shiba’s and Celis’ powers were also unknown to them.
The truth was hidden deep inside. However, their political defensive game wasn’t over.
“No ill-will huh… I see. But, this isn’t a place to allow for such things. If you don’t understand that, then you have no business being here—right, elders?”
“…Yes”
At Shiba’s words, Fuji nodded affirmatively after a short silence.
“Shuuya… Remove Yuki and Kurumi” “—Did Kyoichi not act first?”
The ordered Shuuya, appropriately questioned the instruction,
“I acted only as desired, there was no problem at all… As evidence of that, see”
Shiba, spreading out both arms,
“It’s apparent that corruption hasn’t happened in this place. It was acknowledged by the gods and spirits… My actions were legitimate”
Insisting on his being correct by having his power touch the barrier. Accepting that, “…”
Shuuya could only be silent. Shiba could appeal that his power had nothing to do with the barrier but, as this was the Shiba who was in corruption, the 《Village》 had neglected to prepare insurance they would be able to suppress Shiba in times of emergency and they were admitting to this in front of Celis, a hearing officer of the 《Vatican》. On top of the accusations that deterrence against Basara being insufficient, they must avoid getting further pressed with worry with the treatment of Shiba.
“…I understand. Yuki, Kurumi, both of you put down your weapons”
At Shuuya’s words,
“…Basara”
Yuki called out softly to him, asking what she should do. So,
“It’s alright… Thanks for saving me”
Basara said that to Yuki and Kurumi, before returning his gaze to Shiba. “Leave it to me from here”