Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 1 (section)

=== Part 2 ===

Opening the door of her beloved GT-R car, Kirika looked at the cloudless sky.

The sun was shining brilliantly, burning distinct shadows on the earth. 

The wind was fluttering refreshing, the birds singing a pleasant tune -

There was no trouble in the world - contrary to those words appropriate for the morning scenery, on Kirika's beautiful face there was a haggard look impossible to conceal.

The black circles below her eyes clearly indicated the extent of her fatigue. The cleaning up of the troubles that happened one after another last night was so difficult that even Kirika thought half seriously of skipping out.

Getting out of the car, she faced the entrance as if limping. An employee was already there, waiting for her arrival.

"This way - "

Following after the servant who informed laconically, Kirika entered the residence. She walked and walked and walked the exclusively long corridor. She stopped.

It seems they arrived at the place of destination. The servant knelt in front of the futsuma and announced Kirika's arrival.

"Please"

"...............yes"

Although showing a slight hesitation, Kirika stepped forward on the other side of the futsuma the servant opened. The members inside were generally as Kirika expected.

[[File:Kaze no Stigma vol 05 017.jpg|thumb|]]

Except for one.

"Genma-dono ——？"

Involuntarily Kirika called out the name of that person.

Kannagi Genma. The father of both Kazuma and Ren and the most powerful active Jutsushi of the family. Although the Suzerain - Juugo was the best, that ability that overwhelms Ayano yielding Enraiha reached the limits of myth, crossing over legend.

''"That person, why - "''

Glancing at Kirika stiff with fright, Genma informed in a low voice.

"Yesterday my son received favor from you."

"Your son - ?"

At Kirika's instant reply, Genma looked at Ren sitting next to him. 

"Both."

".......No, it wasn't that much........"

Bewildered by the interaction, Kirika became evasive using a ambiguous tone. But from the start it seemed Genma didn't cared about Kirika's answer.

"Really, I thought he grew up a little but his spoiled nature doesn't change.........perhaps he was careless with his job, being too busy with women."

''".........unexpectedly, a person who likes to complain?"''

Using a downcast look in front of the grumbling Genma, Kirika attempted a rebuttal while observing the surroundings on her field of vision.

"I don't think he was particularly careless with his job."

"It's the same thing if your acts don't yield fruit.", Genma declared harshly. 

But immediately following he asked without changing his tone. 

"So, did you get in touch with Kazuma?"

" - Wha - ?"

With round eyes Kirika stared at Genma.

Why is Genma here. And why he spoke as if showing contempt towards Kazuma, she finally understood.

Averting her gaze in a casual manner, she examined the surroundings. Ayano and Ren didn't notice and only Juugo seemed to have reached the same conclusion. As if resisting a smile, the corners of his lips twitched.

''"He - he's an unexpectedly indulgent papa, huh?"''

While guessing she made the same expression as Juugo, Kirika desperately feigned calmness. She answered shortly, with brevity.

"No. Not really. No."

"I see."

The one who spoke wasn't Genma but Juugo, silent until now. Unseen by Genma, for one moment, he smiled to Kirika like an accomplice and then continued.

"Well, he's not the kind of man who will die when being swallowed by a crumbling building."

"I agree."

Saying it out loud it seemed as a cruel expression but Kirika agreed from the bottom of her heart.

There was no reason for doubt. To begin with, Kazuma was the one who rescued the three of them from the crumbling building.

He was loosing himself in anger but apparently one composed portion still remained.

Just before they were crushed by the downpour of debris, Kazuma spread a wind barrier and set the trio free.

Perfectly controlling the barrier until they landed, he delivered them on the above ground without any scratch. Especially smart, he raised an optical camouflage to remain invisible, denoting perfect composure.

About the safety of Kazuma's own body, Kirika didn't have any kind of apprehension. Rather, right now her body was in much more danger.

But the pure boy thinking of his older brother, seemed to be worried still. Frowning with worry, Ren said.

"But even for Onii-sama something unlikely can happen. Besides if he's fine he would have called at least."

"He doesn't want to be looked after right now. Or he doesn't want us to get in the way."

"What do you mean?"

Finding fault with Kirika's words, Ayano retorted sharply. Kirika's eyebrows frowned instantly cursing her verbal slip and tried to dodge the question with a forced smile.

"Don't worry about it."

"I am worrying about it!"

Understanding she couldn't deceive her, Kirika looked at Ayano with a pensive expression.

"Listen to me, Ayano-chan."

"What?"

"If you knew one of Kazuma's secret, one he doesn't want other people knowing, would you tell?"

"........."

As expected, she blocked it. Even Ayano, who she recognized was daring beyond recklessness, hesitated making Kazuma truly angry.

At that chance, Kirika smoothly turned the conversation around.

"That's why, don't ask today. It's not something that has a direct impact on us anyway - beside I'm sure you'll know soon enough."

" -？"

Ayano didn't seem to consent yet but Kirika completely ignored it.

"So, let's get down to business."

Speaking so, she took out a videotape from her bag. Looking inside the room and discovering a video deck close to the wall, she silently asked Juugo for permission.

Juugo nodded in silence.

"First, please look at this."

Together with Kirika's words, the shape of Tokyo's Government Office appeared on the screen.

The tallest in Shinjuku but more than that the characteristic twin towers. That gallant figure that already disappeared from reality and only existed in memories or records.

"If it's about the collapse, we already saw it on the news."

"Just look."

Rejecting Ayano's complaint without even turning around, Kirika gazed at the screen. Reluctantly, Ayano imitated her.

What was reflected on the screen was the first central government office. For a while nothing happened. But suddenly an unusual phenomenon appeared.

From the space between the two raised towers, a pillar of light soared facing the sky. 

The film played over and over after last night's news would have scared everyone if seen for the first time. There was nothing to be surprised about now, though.

Ayano looked at the video with an indifferent expression. The pillar of light striking the heavens. It was the work of that girl called Lapis. 

The goddess-like gigantic phantom clutching the phantom sword.

From the outside only a part of the sword was visible but that shape couldn't be mistaken. That more than sharp double edged sword, if that aberrant length were excluded, only Lapis hold the crystal weapon remained.

''" - huh?"''

Ayano remembered a slightly uncomfortable feeling. 

When she saw the news did the pillar of light resembled a sword so clearly or did it looked like a stick.

Although bewildered, the video went on.

The pillar of light inclined.

The phantom sword was swung downward.

And then, as it tore the barrier, Pandemonium appeared.

" - Oh?"

At the same time it appeared, the huge blade swung downward beheaded Pandemonium. The rooftop tore, the walls were cut and although Pandemonium was split in two halves, the blade had yet to stop. 

Really stretching close to two hundred meters, its tip moved until it faced directly below. The walls of the Tokyo Government Office were shredded in a vertical straight line like a joke.

Of course, the damage didn't stop at the outer layer of walls. The blade of that gigantic sword was pretty much perfectly buried in the building, only its tip protruding from the other side of the wall over-enthusiastically.

If they were to regard the architectural structure like a human body, this blow clearly cut through the marrow. Needless to say, it would be a fatal wound.

Although practically split in half, the building tried to maintain its balance by propping up the towers one against the other.

But the tall building reaching two hundred forty three meters couldn't bear the weight on half its body. As if flattened by a huge hand from right overhead it crumbled while raising a large quantity of dust.

The screen was covered by that dust. And then the video paused switching over to a sandstorm.

"This is the original footage."

Kirika stopped the video. 

"What circulates on the news was altered to appear like a regular terrorism explosion. We thoroughly erased everything suspicious or changed it."

As expected, the fact that <<Tokyo Government Office was split in half by a long light saber and destroyed>> can't be allowed to spread on the Internet. 

Ayano was completely supportive of that matter. But -

"So, what are your impressions?"

"The worst.........", murmured Ayano feebly.

It was clear that the destruction of the Government Office was caused by Pandemonium.

But she believed Lapis' attack was nothing but the start. That is, she only broke the balance and the building collapsed after, on its own. 

No way half the building was removed in a single stroke.

"Are you trying to say we have to fight that monster?"

"I have high hopes for you, Ayano-chan.", Kirika carefully declared to the disheartened Ayano.

"It doesn't seem I can count on Kazuma for being that girl's opponent."

"................aah, so it seems."

Kazuma's expression when he met Lapis - Ayano couldn't imagine that man could be in turmoil to such a degree.

And then, the name he murmured - Tsoi Rin.

She didn't know who it was but undoubtedly she had a great significance for Kazuma. Enough to attack her without hesitation for the sake of protecting a girl who resembled her.

".........Whatever."

Shaking off that memory that made her uncomfortable, Ayano asked:

"So, what are we going to do from now on? As Pandemonium is destroyed for the time being we must think how to search for them, right?"

"Aah - about that........"

Averting her eyes somewhat uncomfortable, Kirika showed a bitter smile.

"Pandemonium still exists."

" - Eeh? Aah, on the Internet, you mean?"

"No, not just that - also in reality."

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

Including an incomplete understanding, Ayano stared at Kirika with half opened eyes.

No matter how she thought about it, Kirika's attitude was suspicious. 

How did she obtain evidence of it in just one night? Why did she have such a shitty attitude, far from being proud for such a great accomplishment?

"What is this?"

Raising her voice, Ayano cross-examined Kirika. 

"I want you to tell me everything you know. This is not the place to hide your hand, right? If you keep secrets I don't care if Tokyo Tower goes next."

"Aah - yeah - "

Kirika fleetingly looked at Ayano with upturned eyes and broke the eyes with a roundabout expression.

"Can you listen calmly, without getting angry?"

"Just say it already!"

As Ayano urged, raising her voice, Kirika began talking nervously.

"You see, last night Utsumi Kousuke escaped from his cell."

The moment she heard those words, Ayano completely ignored Kirika's request.

That is, she got angry.

"You incompetent! And you're still calling yourself a professional!?"

"That's why I said to calm down and - "

"Do you think I can calm down!?", shouted Ayano without listening to Kirika's restraint.

"What the heck were you doing? Didn't you said to leave it to you!?"

"N- No, listen - "

"You idiot! Why do you make it so difficult so late in the game !?"

"Leave it at that."

This time, Juugo forced his way through.

Because he pitied the condemned Kirika or maybe because he became irritated by the conversation's lack of progress, that heavy, vibrant voice controlled the scene with an authority no one could oppose.

Struck by the rebuke of the father she loved and respected, Ayano immediately regained her composure.  While instantly realizing this was not the place to shout pointlessly.

The person that released Utsumi would aim at the foremost is -

"Nanase - did she already begin the lessons?"

"It's all right. Nanase-san is fine."

As if soothing Ayano who took out her telephone in a hurry, Kirika informed her with a composed voice.

With a totally disbelieving gaze and tone, Ayano asked:

"How do you know?"

"Even we are not that incompetent. Because we noticed Utsumi's disappearance immediately after, we appointed protection to Nanase-san. At present there's no abnormality. She went to school without incident. I received a call approximately thirty minutes ago. Are you worried?"

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

But even so, Ayano didn't change her distrustful attitude.

"I understood the ''at present'' part. But after all, you weren't able to restrain Utsumi, no? How will that escort be helpful when she is practically attacked?"

Including a bitter smile, Kirika agreed.

"Please give us that much credit. The Jutsushi from Special Investigation Unit are not weak enough to lose to an amateur. Because even if Utsumi escaped, that wasn't his doing."

" - ? Did someone guide him?"

Replacing the answer, Kirika took out one photograph. Innocently picking it up, Ayano quickly caught her breath.

"This........."

It was the photograph of a white wall. A plain white wall. And then, painted on the surface of it, sickening red letters.

Sent to Utsumi's cell, a ''mail'' from Pandemonium.

"What is it?"

In silence Ayano held out the picture to Juugo. Frowning unpleasantly, Juugo gave it to Genma. And he to Ren.

"On the wall of the room where Utsumi was held captive, this appeared unnoticed."

Confirming that the picture reached all, Kirika began speaking.

"It happened between eleven P.M. and midnight. Because the surveillance camera was stopped, the accurate moment of the act is uncertain."

"Eleven P.M..........."

Tokyo Government Office was destroyed at eight P.M. Of course, at that time Pandemonium was supposed to be annihilated.

But the red letters etched on the cell's wall, the hand print that sealed the contract undermined that fact.

Below the hand written contract, the blurred, almost gone '''Yes'''. Perhaps Utsumi pressed it giving his agreement while it was only half dry.

"Incidentally the palm print of the contract matches Utsumi's."

Kirika backed up that guess with good timing. Ayano continued asking:

"The method of escape?"

"We don't know."

Kirika clearly shook her head. 

"I said so before but the surveillance camera was interrupted and the guard put to sleep. We noticed something was wrong when they had to change shifts."

"What about clues?"

"Right. While there is no physical evidence, it doesn't seem like he just walked away."

"Space transfer?"

"A '''door''' was opened in the anti-magical barrier the detention cell was under, yes."

"Bullshit......."

At Kirika's words, casually shrugging her shoulders, Ayano was made to realize once again the enemy's lack of common sense.

"So, that's why, far from being destroyed, Pandemonium moves with increasing vigor. This is unconfirmed information but from last night to the early dawn of this morning four or five of those people with abilities underwent a class change in one stroke."

"Is that a lot?"

"Of course!"

Kirika responded at Ayano's words that held no sense of urgency as if she could barely endure her headache.

"It's not like we caught all of them but there's no mistake there are more than ten people who had a class change. If that number suddenly increases by five - "

"Hmmm."

Ayano made a thoroughly indifferent sound.

Whether their level goes up, whether they class change, those kind of people who obtained power by accident cannot possibly be considered her opponents. 

"Maybe they plot raising all levels."

Kirika stared unpleasantly at Ayano who announced the serious deduction.

"You mean, the second stage ones who had one class change will become the norm and perhaps a third stage of chosen ones will start to appear?"

"Yes, but I cannot back it up."

"But, if they were to release so much power, won't they lose their human awareness?"

"What of it?"

Ayano cut through Kirika's objection with a brief comment.

The power given by Pandemonium is the power of a Youma parasitic to the human body.

To say it frankly it wasn't given per say. 

In the process of absorbing and assimilating the possessing Youma, the time necessary to manipulate the Youma's power doesn't take more than an hour.

While their power grows, the Youma is eating into that person's soul. If they were to do another class change, it would be impossible to maintain a human heart for those people with such a weak will.

However -

"Who cares about such things?"

Those granted power, those seeking it, none will hesitate. They heartlessly didn't reflect on their former lives before the change so they won't consider the consequences after.

"..........that may be so."

Reluctantly, Kirika agreed with Ayano's opinion. She didn't like it but it was very likely. Not a conjecture she could ignore.

"The question is what is the other party thinking?", continued Ayano dispassionate.

"Why are they doing such a thing? We don't know why they went so far as picking a fight with the police and rescued Utsumi."

Just by looking at the visible phenomena manipulated by the man calling himself Vesalius, it was clear he has a mighty ability.

But what he did in proportion with that power was childish or playful, something without a clear sense of purpose. 

"That's the issue. Though at first I thought it was '''Kodogu'''."

Kodogu is one form of magic carried out using poisonous worms and such. 

Cramming in a vase-like container a large quantity of poisonous worms and let then eat each other and then use the last remaining one as the core of a curse.

By making those with special abilities granted by Pandemonium fight each other, how will they use the last one standing, the most powerful among them - they pretty much agreed with that. But - 

"You said ''I thought''. Is that wrong?" asked Ayano, accurately judging Kirika's aim who used the past tense.

Kirika agreed mater-of-fact. 

"Kazuma said so. He said ''The Youma possessing those children is all the same''."

"All the same, you mean the same type?"

"No, the same Youma."

" - ?"

Not understanding that meaning Ayano tilted her head to the side in confusion. 

Expecting that, Kirika continued the explanation without pause.

"Pandemonium is reducing Youma to digital data and letting them possess through the Internet. So Kazuma said that if a Youma can be turned to data, isn't it possible to make more copies of it?"

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

Ayano was silently petrified. If that was true, the number of enemies won't be limited. It means they can mass produce those annoying people with abilities without limit.

"B -But if it's like that, would the ability differ from one person to another?"

Pulling herself together Ayano pointed out what seemed at first an inconsistency in that theory. But the answer was quick.

"I think it was set up to match the aptitude of the people possessed. There's also the data volume issue, probably taking for the first time a seedbed related shape and sending them out like a seed or an egg."

" - I see."

"Well, you understand from my ''I think'' and ''probably'' that this is just a guess or maybe nothing more than speculation."

Contrary to her words her tone was full of confidence. The reason is but obvious.

"You mean that Kazuma reached the same conclusion so it's reliable intelligence. What's the problem?"

Even without saying so, Ayano had nothing to object. When it comes to the precision of their perception ability, Kazuma was ahead of her by a two digit number.

"Well, because of that the Kodoku theory doesn't stand."

"............It seems so."

The quintessence of Kodoku is the creation of a high density curse source by condensing multiple fragments of malice in one body. 

Killing and absorbing oneself and turning what was whole into the very same thing, that's like returning to the origin. It won't develop into hatred.

"Then, after all, we don't know the enemy's objective?"

"Well, it's like that."

"He said it was an experiment."

A clear boy-soprano interrupted Kirika's careless answer. All eyes gathered on the new speaker.

"Ren, what did you...?"

"Like I said, it's an experiment. That man told me so. So, he can't stop it mid-way."

In a daze for a short while, Ayano suddenly clapped her hands as if remembering. 

"Come to think of it, you met that masked bastard much earlier than us."

"........did you forget?"

Ignoring the amazed Kirika, daring such a retort, Ayano faced Ren.

"So, what's the experiment?"

"Eerr, he didn't say more."

"I see."

That's yet again, the same as not knowing anything. All the progress they made was that they had proof the incident was not yet over. 

"Well, he didn't seem like a guy who would easily spill the beans - Aah, on that subject."

While complaining she looked at Ren as if finally realizing something. She asked the boy, looking slightly doubtful.

"Kazuma called that man ''Bernhardt'' but what does it mean?"

"Aah, that - "

After a brief contemplation, Ren spoke carefully.

"Vesalius was his alias or something and it seems his real name is Bernhardt Rhodes. He seemed to know Nii-sama - that man didn't clearly confirm it but he didn't deny it also."

"Bernhardt Rhodes you said - "

Ayano exchanged a dark glance with Kirika, using only one word to make sure.

"Him?"

"No, I'm not sure."

Ren shook his head without wanting to reply.

Bernhardt Rhodes - for those being a part of the magic society, the meaning that name held was exceedingly great.

There is a magic society called <<Almagest>>. Its activity is centered in Western Europe, a powerful organization praised as the highest authority in modern day magic. 

Its name is derived from the astronomy work Ptolemaios published, Almagestum. Just like the name suggests it was at first a guild of astrologers. 

But by collecting all kind of Jutsu and Jutsushi or the consequence of accepting the unprincipled ones, at present it developed to the point of being called the headquarters of Psychic Research.

The name of their leader was Erwin Leszal. Known as the personal pupil of the great magician Agrippa or as the Comte de Saint Germain, an enigmatic character that even in this circle was covered in insane legends.

More than being the leader for more than three hundred years he wasn't a public person and there were quite a few people who didn't believe in his existence.

It was the opinion of most that such a name was some kind of title the leader received for generations, the symbol of becoming the boss.

The management of such a substantial organization was carried out by the so called <<Council>> - the association of high rank Majutsushi.

And the Chairman of those Majutsushi was Bernhardt Rhodes. 

To sum it up, Bernhardt was Majutsushi with so much fame no one would complain when calling him the world's best.

That celebrity seemed unlikely to go as far as concealing his face when he is doing criminal activities. But -

''"A coincidence? I don't think so."''

Ayano rejected the convenient explanation floating in her mind. 

It can't be a coincidence. He was too good at deception. All that left is -

"I have no doubt."

The answer came from an unexpected direction. Everyone's gaze converged to Kirika.

Without faltering under those looks that felt like a physical pressure, Kirika continued.

"If he has a grudge against Kazuma, even more if he had something to do with that girl called Tsoi Rin, there's no mistake about it. The master of Pandemonium, Vesalius, is Bernhardt Rhodes of <<Almagest>>."

"Wh - wait."

"Well, if you think about it, there are no idiots who would dare impersonate Bernhardt Rhodes."

"True but more than that - "

Striking the table, Ayano interrupted Kirika's talking.

"Do you know that woman, Tsoi Rin?"

"Hhmm, sort of."

At that moment all sort of expression disappeared from Ayano's face. 

Grabbing Kirika by the collar so she won't escape, she said in a subdued voice.

"Spill it."

"A - Ayano-chan, calm down?"

"I am calm, spill it.", repeated Ayano indifferent.

If she would have screamed there could have been a method to deal with her yet.

"Well, listen, I told you before right? When it comes to Kazuma's privacy, I can't really - "

Ayano was silent. But the force with which she grabbed Kirika didn't dwindle and clearly she didn't agree.

Kirika's eyes requested Juugo's help. The master of the mansion mostly silent so far looked at the two of them with an unreadable expression and spoke solemnly.

"Detective Tachibana."

"Y - yes?"

"Guessing from the conversation so far, it seems that the existence of this Tsoi Rin girl certainly holds a great significance within this incident. Although I praise your conviction of respecting someone's privacy, can't you overlook it and tell us?"

"Uuu......"

Kirika groaned. No way is the Head of the Kannagi Clan going to ''ask'' her. And then - she stole a glance at Ayano. 

Clashing with that straightforward glance that seemed to never blink, she averted her eyes in a hurry.

Even when Juugo was speaking, this glance wasn't disconnected even for a second looking hard this way. 

That steady look that said '''If you don't speak I'll take you and eat you''', frankly, had no trace of being alive.

Searching for a ray of hope, she looked at the remaining two.

".............................pfff."

Genma replied to Kirika's eyes, requesting salvation, with a tiny laugh. Come to think of it, it would be impossible for this man who showed he cared for the well-being of Kazuma not to take an interest in his past.

And then, Ren.

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

The moment he noticed Kirika's gaze, the boy looked away uncomfortably. 

To sum it up, it seemed he found Kirika's distress unfortunate but didn't have the nerve to hold Ayano back.

Adding one thing to another, Ren himself seemed to have a special interest in the girl Tsoi Rin.

" - I give up."

Finally beaten down by the opponent's persistence, Kirika opened her mouth.

It was a helpless situation. 

But most of all, the fact that the coercion given off by Ayano was reaching lethal levels made Kirika prepare herself for the worst.

"Just to tell you in advance, this is a hearsay story, I don't know how true it is."

With that introduction, she began speaking. 

"It starts four years ago when Kazuma crossed over to Hong Kong running away from Kannagi and met a girl - "