Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 3===

With the Basara and the others on board, the car ran through a road surrounded by mountains. The large SUV had a spacious interior, and Kurumi sat next to the driver Shuuya — in the second row, Mio and Yuki sat side by side, and with Kurumi in the passenger seat, the three girls chatted among themselves, with Shuuya sometimes joining into their conversation. The topic of their conversation was answering Mio’s questions regarding the Village. That being said, the content of the conversation was generally things that had been covered before, and it was a means of breaking the ice with Shuuya. And then, behind them were three seats.

“Hmm… So that’s one of the dams. Even though deep in this mountain is the mysterious Hero’s Village, it is relatively close to tourist spots”

Takigawa spoke as he looked up information from his phone. At that, Basara nodded a yes to Takigawa.

“It seems like this area being a tourist spot was nothing recent.”

To have the elders approve of Takigawa coming along, surely they had given them a gist of the situation. They were told it was unrelated to Basara’s problem and was related to the Village itself. With that

“Well, if you think about the duties of the hero clan, while they can’t have regular people know of their identity, they have to be able to grasp the knowledge and situation regarding this world. They chose a way to not reject any sort of development while hiding themselves, it seems.”

Takigawa hit the bullseye. The hero clans’ duty to begin with was to protect the human world from the magic of the demon realm. And then throughout human history, technological innovation continued. If they kept to themselves from present society, it would make it close to impossible for them to do their duty. Currently, the Japanese hero clan took a form of the Village, a form present in other places such as Oceania or Africa. On the other hand, other districts of the clan might be located in places that was more intermingled with regular society.

“I don’t know the details but… If I’m not wrong in the US, they have this department for the Hero Clan in a secret information agency directly under the government?”

Takigawa’s casual words were new to Mio who was sitting in front of him. Even as she was engaged in talking to Yuki and the others.

“—”

Perhaps hearing the talk behind her, she turned her back a little towards them. —They only grazed lightly upon the hero clan overseas. Though even on that, the talks about the Japanese village had been limited to the scope needed so as to not casue any trouble. As Mio has demon blood in her, and Maria and Zest were demons themselves, if they were given deeper information, they may be perceived as dangerous by the hero clan. The political fuss that happened in the demon realm over Mio was finally sorted. There was no more risk of Mio being targeted, and as long as they understood there was no risk to this world, even if they couldn’t be released from under observation, there was no more risk of something as deeply dangerous as an extermination. However — Takigawa was not in the same position. As he was being deployed as a special envoy, Takigawa was a representative of both the moderate and current demon lord factions. For the village to approve of him, surely he must’ve had to demonstrate himself as suitable for this position. That being said

“You know quite a lot about the situation here…”

“Well, I have to know this much to do my job.”

At Basara saying that dumbfounded, Takigawa shrugged. Hence Basara sighed — his gaze then fell to the interior of the car, to his feet.

…Most likely.

Even though the elders agreed to have Takigawa go with them, they most likely have ordered Shuuya to ascertain if Takigawa is truly an envoy. In a moment, Basara’s gaze ran to the rear- view mirror and did not see a change in Shuuya’s expressions. While gripping on to the steering wheel, Shuuya occasionally joined in with the girls’ talk — even so, there was no doubt he was listening in to their conversation in the back too. How much relevant information one knew was a barometer in determining their standing. It was the same with human society, where management would know information the regular workers didn’t, while the top admin knew information the management didn’t. However, by saying all the information he knew like that, besides ensuring his position with the demon realm, he put a higher risk on Mio as she was hearing more of it. That was something Basara and the others wished to avoid. However, he did not think that Takigawa would purposely put them in a bad position. Hence Basara spoke with his voice lowered.

“You’re being so aggressive, what are you thinking?”

“I want to ask that too… It’s not like I particularly want to have to watch over you guys, or be sent as an envoy, you get that right?”

Takigawa said with an annoyed tone. —Presently Yuki and Kurumi, had made notes on Takigawa’s presence to the Village. That was in part due to various situations, problems regarding the period they know of Takigawa’s true form, how they had cooperated with Basara and other conditions. However, there were parts where they neglected to tell the Village as part of their duty, as if they were not careful with the information regarding their relationship, it might cause Yuki’s and Kurumi’s position to worsen. And then between Basara and Takigawa, they had secrets to keep, not just from Shuuya but from the girls too. As such they didn’t allude to any great depths, only letting their conversations reach the surface. Even so, with word play, Basara and Takigawa were able to come to a mutual understanding with each other. At Takigawa’s displeased words.

“So that thing about being a special envoy earlier, it isn’t just a means to go with us?”

 

“Obviously…it’s not that easy to come and go to the hero village?”

As Basara spoke like he knew of the real intent, Takigawa replied sounding displeased. Considering his personality, the statement was like a sort of self-introduction for Takigawa. Most likely, this was something he meant for Shuuya to hear. And then, the words also contained implications that this particular instance had much to do with the higher ups of the moderate faction as well as the current demon lord faction.

…In that case.

After the war that set itself as a landmark for the future of the demon realm — the day Basara and the others returned to the human world, the current demon lord Leohart arrived at the base of the moderate faction, Wildart. That was to negotiate the terms for post-war peace. It had been three months since — besides how Takigawa was to continue on watch over them and return to the human world, the details on the development of the peace conference was not passed on to them.

…But.

While it was not something admitted publicly, the theory for Ramsus with Wilbert, and how Basara was able to bring the truth out for so many people, the mood for Leohart coming in for the peace conference was more peaceful, and this was a bright component for the current Demon Lord faction and Moderate faction to achieve peace. The letter earlier had two seals on the envelope — that of both the current Demon Lord faction and the Moderate faction. Basara wanted to believe that it was a sign of peace between them. Hence,

“…”

The situation at the Village they’re heading to, the situation between the current Demon Lord and Moderate faction that they left in the Demon World. And then, thinking of his own position between the two, Basara considered the choices they must take from here. And then, at the same time, he shouldn’t forget for the time he — for Toujou Basara to do things by himself. Yes — all to protect the things he would never give up on. Basara slumped down into his seat. …Somehow, he ended up thinking of a lot. Regarding Basara, if it was about protecting the family he treasured, Mio and the rest, Takigawa Yahiro knew how cold he could be. For that sake, he would do everything no matter what. And then, one of those things was Takigawa himself. After the first time they fought – the time he realised Takigawa’s true form, they decided to secretly join up. It wasn’t a bad deal for Takigawa, and truth was he was interested in why a former hero clan member like Basara chose to protect the previous Demon Lord’s daughter. He had a feeling that being with Basara might put them in stalemate situation.

…But.

He wasn’t able to predict this situation. Basara had killed Zolgear and Belphegor, he was able to drive back the Demon God Chaos, he brought the current Demon Lord and Moderate Faction of the demon realm to an armistice. Of course, it wasn’t that Basara did it all alone. On Zolgear and Belphegor Takigawa had helped, and they had Leohart’s sister Riara help them as well in dealing with the Cardinals. The current state between Current Demon Lord faction and Moderate faction waas also due to Leohart’s and Ramsus’ charisma, and to begin with the path was carved by Wilbert, one lauded as the strongest Demon Lord.

…Even so.

All of those were separate points. Without a doubt, the one who tied that together, brought it to form into a solid shape was Basara. But that Basara sometimes gave off an ominous feeling. At the time when Riara had just finished dealing with the cardinals and Jin came to the same place, Takigawa did not step into the special observation room. Or rather, he could not have. It was not that he was scared. However, he had judged that if one went into it carelessly, there was a risk of losing their life. Most likely, Basara had felt the same thing.

…This guy here.

However Basara, went straight in without even dropping his speed. —Did the sense of fear from the overwhelming power of the Demon God Chaos numb him? No, that could not have been the case. Chaos at that time surpassed the force exerted by both Riara and Jin. And surely Basara had seen Takigawa stop in his tracks. But without minding that, Basara stepped forward, stepped above it — the line of certain death. That’s why Takigawa had decided. He would follow Basara for as far as he can — but if the time came, he would pull himself back.

…Well, up till now there had been a lot of times he wanted to pull back as it is.

That being said, being entrusted with a secret document from both Ramsus and Leohart was also a reason he must grit his teeth and not run. In particular, he didn’t want to play hide and seek with the murderous monster who said “Don’t shame Leohart, if not onee-chan will be mad”, betting his life on the stage of demon and human world both.

…Seriously.

Hence Takigawa gave an exasperated sigh, and he put his hands behind his head together. There was no use in thinking about everything so pessimistically. He should just do what he had to do. Basara too, in the same way, would do what he personally would had to do. And then as silence fell between Basara and Takigawa, and the conversation between the girls fell to a close, the inside of car descended into a quiet state – but the car itself kept moving. — And before long, they saw a traffic light. At the right was a tunnel, and there right in front of it, two guards stood. The tunnel couldn’t be used by cars without permission to do so on all days of the year, and the two of them were there to ensure that this was no ordinary car. Furthermore, as it was not in season, they should really walk from here. But, as Shuuya used the car blinker.

“—”

The two of them stepped aside so naturally, letting them push through.

“I see… So while there is a management company here for the regular visitors, as needed the Hero Clan would use shikigamis as gatekeepers.”

In a moment, they could see the guards are shikigamis. At that

“Indeed…. Well, as you can observe, leaving Shikigamis out normally is like saying there’s something here. The guards are usually just regular people.”

Shuuya said with a small smile. Takigawa did not just possess sharp eyes, saying “as needed”, he spoke with understanding regarding the concealment of the Village.

“—Then, let us keep going.”

Said Shuuya, as the car continued inside the tunnel — it went just like that for a while.

“—Ah.”

Around just the middle of the tunnel, Mio who spoke in the middle raised her voice softly. Takigawa too, raised his eyebrow with a twitch. Just now —they could feel the car they were in cross a dimensional barrier. And then, as they exited the tunnel

“I see…so this is the reason why it’s called a hidden village”

“Yeah”

At his muttering, Basara who stood by him answered. At the end of Takigawa’s sight — right outside the car window, a countryside view spread widely around them, which was a sharp contrast to what was actually supposed to be on the other side of the tunnel. If they had continued on to the other side of the tunnel, it should have taken them to a famous tourist spot, littered with hotels and restaurants. There was nothing of that sort here. There was no denying that this was the ‘Village’ of the Hero Clan in Japan. He could tell, even from within the car, that there was not a drop of demonic energy in this holy area. From what he could tell, the surrounding mountains were creating some sort of dimensional barrier to hide and cleanse the area. No wonder the Elders of the Village didn’t deny him entry to the village. With the barrier in place, Takigawa couldn’t even use half of his powers here. He also saw signs of water pipes, power lines and telephone poles, suggesting that the infrastructure was somehow connected to the outside world. Perhaps this very car they were in had some sort of ‘passport’ which allowed it to travel between dimensions. No, that wasn’t the case. It was the barrier itself.

“I see… So the barrier itself determines what goes through or not. So I guess, packages addressed to this “Village” won’t have any trouble passing the barrier?”

“You are quite the clever one.”

Shuuya had to praise Takigawa’s sharpness.

“Most people are unable to see the kinds of things we see. However, if for some reason they found their way here, the barrier induces a form of memory loss that makes the person forget the details and also makes him or her not want to talk about the place.”

“Well, that’s quite the precaution…”

Takigawa snickered and looked out the window, only to stare in shock at the sight before him.

 

It wasn’t a sight of beauty. No, far from that.

“What the hell is that…”