Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 3 (section)

=== Part 1 ===



After the present objective had been established, Ayano informed the boy.

"You can come to my house but first of all put that spear back. If you walk with it like that the police will start questioning us right away."

"............"

The boy reluctantly frowned and took out from his breast pocket an over-seized handkerchief like cloth. 

Was it because the cloth was thin or because it was specially folded but it spread out in a bizarrely large way. 

The boy enveloped Kokusen in it. 

"What are you doing?"

"Hiding Kokusen, right?"

"Only that - I'm asking why aren't you storing it inside your body?"

"............"

The boy doesn't answer. He continued to envelop Kokusen in indifferent silence. 

".........The Wind's sacred treasure, can't be put away just like Enraiha?" whispered Ayano in a small voice into Kazuma's ear. 

"If it's so then it's so. There's no need for you to make such an unhappy face," answered Kazuma immediately. 

It was just like that. 

If you think about it more, the owner of the Water's sacred treasure also stored it inside his body. Then, it seems natural it would be the same for the Wind's also. 

In other words, something the real owner could do this boy couldn't. That was ---

"No way, you're not the official successor!?"

"Wrong!"

The boy replied immediately, decisively. 

"Wrong! It's true that I'm not the official successor yet. But as a legitimate blood relative I have the qualification for succession! Don't put me together with a thief!"

At that time, Ayano remembered. This boy called that Chijutsushi Gaia ''"his father's enemy"''.

It's likely that his father was urged to give the sacred treasure to those guys and when he refused he was killed. 

And then, judging from the boy who was still very young but became the possessor of Kokusen without the due ritual of inheritance, it looked like all the family members older than him were killed. 

"Aah---- I'm sorry. I was pretty insensible."

Ayano frankly apologized. But, there was still one remaining problem. 

"Then, how did you bring it here? You didn't pass through the airport's custom, right?"

"......I came by boat."

"No, that's still the same."

Whether it's by ship or by airplane, if one crosses the border by the regular routes, he will definitely meet the customs. 

And, in Japan individuals weren't allowed to bring their own weapons. 

Thinking that far, Ayano noticed the correct answer. 

Holding weapons, she couldn't have come by a regular route. Then ---

"You, you're an illegal immigrant right?"

"..........There was no other way."

With a dissatisfied expression, the boy assented Ayano's question. 

"I had to come to Japan at any cost. Because they're trying to gather all four sacred weapons."

The only one remaining one - the sacred treasure of Fire, Enraiha - was so famous there wasn't anyone in this business who didn't know it's name. 

Together with the name of the family who owned it. 

At a not very distant future, it was certain those two would contact Ayano. 

In that situation, in order to make Ayano into his ally, the boy took the initiative and crossed the ocean without a moment's delay. 

"---------And then, you picked a fight with me?" Replied Ayano in an amazed voice, hearing the boy's explanation. 

Even though there was a need to make sure of her ability, the method was confused. 

If the timing were a bit different and he would have arrived after Chris and Gaia's, rather than friend there was a high possibility he would have ended like an enemy. 

But, the boy declared triumphantly. 

"That's how the situation was. If one were to think about it calmly it can be understood the very best thing to do is a joint struggle."

"That so? Certainly I think it would be very advantageous for you to become our ally but ---- the reverse?"

"............."

Without answering, the boy bit his lips in regret. 

That's right, from Kazuma and Ayano's standpoint, there's no advantage in becoming the boy's ally. 

If they were simply trying to increase the war potential, it would more efficient to extort Kokusen from the boy and have Kazuma use it. 

What's even more convenient, the boy challenged them on his accord. When it comes to the unwritten law of their world, having him beaten at his own game would be a splendid legitimate self defense. 

"Do you understand? That you cannot complain if you were to be killed right here?"

".............."

"-------- How troublesome."

Looking at the boy who put himself on guard with unconcealed wariness, obstinately shutting his mouth, Ayano took a long breath. 

She thought the boy's circumstance pitiful. 

But, even though he was unfortunate, that does not mean he can bother other people and she has no reason to permit that happening here. 

She doesn't have it but ----

"Anyway."

Letting out another sigh, Ayano dodged the issue. Looking towards the boy over her shoulder, she informed him shortly. 

"First, let's return to the house. I'll hear the detailed account after."

"-------Is it alright?"

Perceiving that criticism disappeared from Ayano's eyes, the boy turned his face to her puzzled. 

"I don't like finishing off people who are cornered. But this guy does it without batting an eyelid ---"

And then, fleetingly looking at Kazuma, Ayano asked. 

"Do you want that spear?"

"Don't want it," retorted Kazuma extremely concisely. 

".............."

The boy made a complicated face. Despite feeling relived at not having Kokusen snatched away, his dissatisfaction at having it cast away as if it was something worthless was insuppressible. 

Ayano too, thought it was strange so she asked him again. 

"But, why? Isn't it natural to want that if you're a Fujutsushi?"

"I could use it but it would come together with various troubles. It probably has the grudge of the Fuan family."

"-----Well, that may be so."

"............"

Looking at Ayano immediately nodding, the boy made a complicated face once more.

"Besides, when it comes to this kind of items, it would be very hard to sell it since it's so famous."

''''"You'd sell it!?"''''

Perfectly synchronized, Ayano and the boy retorted at the same time. 

Kazuma shrugged his shoulders superficially. 

"Well, leaving jokes aside."

"Liar. You were definitely serious."

"I said leaving jokes aside."

In a manner as if he couldn't hear the voice of objection, he forcefully changed the subject. 

"We should quickly go. It's pointless staying and talking here."

"..................................................................I agree"

Even though she had a lot - a great lot she wanted to say, Ayano agreed at once.