Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 5 (section)

=== Part 1 ===



By the time Ayano's group appeared, the fight already started. 

Flying about lightning, roaring explosions, echoing screams and shouts changed the place were Pandemonium primised to descend, the Shinjuku Central Park, to a hellish picture of agonizing cries. 

" - they're being really gaudy, huh? "

Kirika replied in an irresponsible tone to Ayano who murmured so in amazement.

"Yeah. After all, it seems like most of the members are participating. "

In the end, the two days passed without any kind of progress. 

Not finding Pandemonium or getting hold of where Kazuma was, Ayano's group arrived to this day when Pandemonium will descent. 

As the messenger of Pandemonium, the <<Grand Mage>> Utsumi Kousuke once announced all <<Seeds>>, the first one to reach Pandemonium after it showed itself, would be given an ultimate power. 

It this was nothing else but a simple battle royale, the number of people giving up would be pretty big. 

In front of the almost overwhelming power of the self-styled <<Fourth Class>> Utsumi, it seemed impossible to win even when forming a group.

But, the condition of winning this game was ''to reach Pandemonium first''. 

Of course, there are some advantages to a simple race but there still wasn't a direct connection between combat abilities and the outcome of the battle. 

Even if defeating the <<Grand Mage>> was impossible he can still be circumvented. 

All the <<Seeds>> smoothly thought so. And then, deliberately to acquire ''the ultimate power''. 

As a result, without missing one, they all gathered here. And they the fight began without waiting for Pandemonium to appear. 

For the sake of defeating at least one rival as fast as possible. 

"So, should we do something about it? "

"Does it look like you can do something about it? "

Looking at the number of <<Seeds>> decreasing by the hour, Ayano and Kirika talked together in indifferent tones. 

"Wasn't your lot enough to deal with this degree of power? "

"If they were by themselves"

Behind Kirika shrugging her shoulders, there are five subordinate Jutsushi. 

Comparing it to the <<Seeds>>, although in the process of rapid decrease, there were still dozens of them. 

No matter how much excellent the Jutsushi were when individually compared, it was still impossible to turn ten times fold enemies powerless without killing them. 

"If you let me speak frankly, the current situation is warmly welcomed. The opponents are crushing themselves on their own accord. "

"But I think the police exists only to protect the citizens"

"That depends on the situation. There's no need exhausting our war potential for the sake of protecting the human rights of some criminal", declared Kirika cool-headed.

She won't use her power to save those who can easily hurt another without ever looking back because the law cannot judge them, even if they are nothing more but Bernhardt's or Pandemonium's pieces. 

"If Genma-dono would have helped us out, he would have been able to purify all <<Seeds>> in one go. "

"Aah - , no, it's not going to happen"

Ayano carelessly waved her hand at Kirika who looked at her as if investigating.

"That highly esteemed Uncle of mine has no reason to help these idiots who act violently on power borrowed from Youma. If Ojii-sama were to be right here, he would turn to ashes all these idiots ''and'' Pandemonium ''and'' the park, you know"

"Aah, that sounds good"

As if anticipating the gruesome future Ayano talked about, Kirika agreed to it calmly. 

"But, why won't Genma-dono come? The enemy is Bernhardt Rhodes. Even if you are the Kannagi Clan, he's not an existence you should ignore. "

"Aah - yeah....."

With a vague a nod, Ayano and Ren exchanged a complicated glance. 

"Because Oji-sama is a Kannagi Jutsushi to the core, right......."

"- I don't understand"

"Well, I think it's because he believes in me and Ren so he entrusted this to us..."

Unable to say the truth, Ayano falsified a suitable answer. 






"I'm entrusting this matter to you"

The evening before the descent of Pandemonium, Genma told so to Ayano and Ren. 

Naturally the two asked back, unable to agree. 

"Can you tell us the reason? "

The opponent is the world's highest Majutsushi. No matter how much war potential one had, he is worrisome.

Since Tokyo's spiritual protection is the duty of Kannagi and Bernhardt's deed disturbed that, Genma's participation in the battle was inevitable, his obligation. 

It wasn't something that could be overlooked because of private matters. 

But, without alluding to that reason, Genma continued.

"Tomorrow, it seems Kazuma will also appear at Pandemonium."

"......it seems so"

"He already became an existence harmful to the Kannagi."

Genma's words were not incorrect. 

Beside the <<Seeds>>, Kazuma's violence reached even a Special Information Storage Room Jutsushi, largely deviating from the permissible bounds.

And, although without his intention, Kazuma was even now registered with the Kannagi family name. It wasn't something they could neglect. 

"We have no choice but to destroy him."

"--------!!"

That frozen declaration and the violent pressure accompanying it hit Ayano and Ren very hard. 

With a start, Ayano's body shook - Ren looked at his Father with eyes full of determination. 

"I will - We will persuade him!"

"Not necessary"

"But!"

"Not necessary"

Genma's voice was steady without any gaps. The accelerated growth of that power and heavy pressure that could crush a heart made Ayano curl herself up without ever raising her face.

But even so, the pressure wasn't lifted. 

Wondering about it, she examined Ren's situation with a sidelong glance - with his face still raised up he caught Genma's gaze head-on. 

The pressure increased again. It's purpose already migrated from coercing to opponent to downright crush him to death, the feeling of oppression was so high it made then think about the danger their lives were in.

"Won't you listen to what I say? "

"I.....won't..!"

With a hoarse but definite voice, Ren assessed his rebellion towards Genma. His forehead was full of sweat and although his grasped fists were shaking on top of his knees, the gaze he fixed on his father's eyes didn't waver for one moment.

''"Ren - when did you become so strong...?"''

In a daze that went beyond surprise, Ayano fixed her eyes on Ren's gallant figure. 

Even though until now he always followed her around, a pampered child, a scared cat - 

While Ayano wasn't quite present, the father and child exchanged arguments in a sharp tone.

"Beyond the fact he was born from the Head of the Kannagi Family, I cannot tolerate him to be swayed by emotions! Even if he's blood relative - no, exactly because he is, his error won't be tolerated!"

"If he dies.....if he dies he won't be able to atone! If he committed a sin, he should live all the more...isn't he supposed to redeem his faults!? "

While looking at those two, continuing to argue, Ayano suddenly felt doubt.

While insisting on Kazuma's conviction, the fact that he won't participate in the battle doesn't add up. 

Not even Genma would think of trying to make her and Ren kill Kazuma by themselves.

Then, why?

Thinking about it, Genma's attitude was dubious since the beginning. He was more oppressive than necessary, his opinion resembling stubbornness. 

As if he was stirring up animosity on purpose. 

Ayano suddenly remembered something Juugo said long ago. 

Genma disinherited Kazuma because the Kannagi Clan was a cage and if he couldn't escape from that cage by himself, he set Kazuma free. 

''"Then, this is - "''

If he were to intervene, he will definitely have to kill Kazuma according to the Kannagi mission. And, as he wasn't able to instruct them contrary to the mission, that's why -

At the same time Ayano reached that conclusion, Genma and Ren's argument was about to close.

"I won't give up on anything! I'll persuade Nii-sama, I'll kill Bernhardt and I'll destroy Pandemonium, I'll show you!"

"Just try and see if you can, brat!"

Several times the volume of Ren's shout, Genma roared in a very loud voice that was just like a lion's roar. 

But immediately following, he noticed Ayano's gaze staring at him in a daze.

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 05 199.jpg|thumb|]]

Guessing something from her eyes, Genma expressed a small wry smile and faced Ayano with a serene attitude that made his fury so far hard to believe.

"Ayano"

"Ye........yes..."

"Please take care of it"

".......!!"

Understanding her conjecture was right on the money, Ayano's face had a cramp.

''"Every last one of them - "''

It's not like she didn't understand his feelings but she couldn't help but think so.

''"Why are you trying to force it on me!? I'll do it myself, by myself!"''







".......I see"

Keeping a faint bitterness in her voice, Kirika bowed her head in assent. 

She couldn't possibly comprehend Ayano's words but it was also true nothing would come out of voicing her complaints.

It doesn't matter how it's said, what's not there it's not there. 

Quickly throwing away the pointless hope, there's no way but to effectively use the hand she was dealt. 

"If it's like that you must preserve your power. If Pandemonium and Kazuma will appear, the situation will change, right?"

"......yeah"

"Do you anticipate it?"

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

Ayano became silent and couldn't respond to Kirika's gaze without banter, loaded with serious expectations. 

Honestly, her heart wasn't decided yet.

About holding Kazuma back. About blocking that man's way.

Even understating it, it was reckless action. It was like bungee jumping without a rope. 

It wasn't something that could be solved by courage and effort. 

No matter how she would struggle, she would certainly die - if Kazuma were to become serious.

"Nee-sama"

As if holding on to the heart of his hesitating sister, Ren grabbed Ayano's hands. His eyes already lost all their indecision. 

"It will be fine. I'm sure."

"............well, ''you'' will be fine for sure", grumbled Ayano, past the time to give up. 

But the situation didn't give her spare time to waver. 

"It's coming", murmured Kirika giving up.

Several of the <<Seeds>> also noticed it and were running up to them with bloodshot eyes. They were aiming at getting on Pandemonium first but it wasn't unreasonable to think they will aim at them, standing still close to the park.

At this point expecting sense from them was a waste of time.

"I'll go"

Anticipating the party, Ren stepped forward. 

Certainly, having Ren face the sacrifices possessed by the devil manipulating purification flames that destroyed nothing but that nature was appropriate. But - 

"Wouldn't it be better for you to preserve your power? "

Using up his power before the crucial will come to nothing. 

Ren stared head-on at Ayano who thought so. 

"Then, are we going to let them die without helping? Because in front of something bigger a few sacrifices can't be helped? "

"That's - "

Overpowered by that earnest gaze, Ayano instinctively caught her breath.

"Even so, I'll do it. If I have a bigger power in comparison to humans, I want to protect everything with that power. I don't care if it's pride or self-righteousness. I decided to live that way. "

Declaring so without hesitation, Ren started running without waiting for a reply. 

Compared with the big frames assaulting him, his body was very small. 

But the brightness of that golden flame surging from his body utterly defeated the approaching <<Seeds>> in one blow. 

It had no connection with level, class and so forth. That overwhelming power at totally different level exorcised and burned the devilishness without leaving any trace, moreover by delicately adjusting the after-effect, it stunned the hosts. 

So, the bodies of the boys that lost consciousness were evacuated by Kirika's subordinates in the vicinity of the park. 

"This is so easy"

"Isn't it by relying on civilians, public servant? "

"It's the right person in the right place. Besides - "

Taking Ayano's criticism in one stride, Kirika bragged. But, suddenly revising her attitude, she looked at Ayano.

"So, how long will you stand still?"

"........."

Without reply Ayano feebly cast her eyes down. 

"Well, leaving that aside"

As if nothing happened, Kirika changed her line of sight from Ayano to the watch. 

"I think Ren-kun's determination is noble but won't you wait another minute?"

"One more minute?"

Ren too looked at his watch. The time right now is 11:59 P.M.

"What happens at midnight? "

"Pandemonium will emerge"

Ayano and Ren became speechless at that sleek announcement. 

"Wh- wait, when did you find such a specific moment? "

"I didn't know or anything but isn't that a general guess? There's not another more appropriate time for something belonging to the spirit world to appear in this one, no? "

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

"Midnight represents the threshold between yesterday and today. And the threshold between today and tomorrow. It is yesterday, today and tomorrow. The only moment when the time's absolute laws become ambiguous. Therefore the boundaries between the spirit world and this world also become ambiguous and various apparitions erode the reality - "

Finishing her song-like narration, Kirika completely changed and continued in a pragmatic tone. 

"Well, it can only be that time besides Majutsushi are endlessly fussing over about agreeing with that consistency. "

"I see, then we'll wait. It will be here before long anyway. "

Agreeing to Kirika's words, Ayano nodded. 

How will the situation change in response to Pandemonium's arrival - she was thinking it won't be late to start moving after seeing that.

And after ten more seconds passed, ''the time of threshold'' arrived. 

The time that is and isn't where anything can happen. 

Soundless, the space shook. 

After a pause of one moment, this time the ground shook, involved in a physical shock. That vibration, definitely not an earthquake, was as if a huge mass was suddenly dropped on the ground - 

''" - tch, aren't you doing whatever you like? "''

Cursing inside her chest, Ayano shifted her focus on the direction the abnormality seemed to originate from. 

''That'' was inside an enshrouding cloud of dust. As if it continued being there without chance for a hundred years, grave, firmly. 

Even though it was far, she understood it quickly - it was an antique looking shape. Declined like a dilapidated house and yet despite of that it had a decadent presence filled with dark hot air.

Just about everything was as before, the fact that it was destroyed together with the Tokyo Government Office was nothing but a dream, and Pandemonium was reigning there with its overwhelming presence.

"It's pretty far, huh? Exactly right in the center of the park? ", murmured Kirika, without showing any kind of surprise at the sudden state of urgency.

Even Ayano, similarly used to the lack of common sense, replied very calm.

"That's about right, but I won't know for sure before I get a little bit closer."

Perceiving that the power of <<Seeds>> was rapidly growing, Ayano strengthened her vigilance. Surveying the scene, the fray without rules or any kind of sense was completely interrupted. 

The <<Seeds>> stood rock still as if their souls had been unplugged. Contrary to that atmosphere, the power was rising continuously. 

Some worthless thing is about to happen again - Ayano believed so.

"Uuu.....uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu......"

Suddenly, one of the <<Seeds>> let out a moan. He hugged his body closely as if he was enduring something, and squat. 

"Uuguuuuu.....Uruuuuraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

A frail moan. But, that gradually changed to a scream. His face looking downward turned to the night sky, and the man shriek as if tearing his throat. 

And then, a rapid variation was produced. 

The man's flesh started to expand, his clothes torn off from the inside. The surface of his exposed body was covered in too much muscle than it was humanly possible, wrapping him up.

At last his head, accomplished a transformation from his skeletal structure that seemed to have ended for the present. 

From the gap of his largely split mouth, sharp fangs showed and the man - howled at the moon.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN--"

Knitting her brows Ayano watched how both his heart and body degenerated equally to that of a beast. 

"Lycantrophy ----?"

"It's not something that cute.", answered Kirika looking at the surroundings. 

Following that gaze, Ayano grimaced.

".........wah"

That grotesque transformation affected the majority of the <<Seeds>>. 

In one case, only one part of a man's body turned while the rest remained human, another completely deviated from the human form. 

In the end just like slimes of fog, they were reduced to beings unable to maintain a fixed shape. 

"Ugh, is this possibly - "

"They woke up maybe? "

The real seeds living as parasites in the bodies of <<Seeds>> were Youma in a dormant state. 

"In comparison with the same raw materials there is plenty of variation in their outward appearance - I think there's a discrepancy in the growth process and the host they fed on."

"This is not the place to leisurely express your reasoning, no? "

"Huh, there's nothing we can do except for this. "

Kirika replied without shyness to Ayano's retort. 

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

There is a wide difference in ability between the human who uses the Youma's power and the one that completely became a Youma. Even if it's a low class one, the Jutsushi with low combat abilities from the Special Information Storage Room will find it a heavy burden.

"Aah, they're moving"

As Ren called Ayano to attention, they shifted they focus on the Youma. 

The group of Youma that ate their hosts to exhaustion moved for the first time. Without exception, they headed for Pandemonium.

Those few <<Seeds>> that retained their awareness indomitably shuffled their feet. 

A violent race began.

It was like a group of ogres competing for food. Those being in the vanguard pulled and killed each other in a combined effort, those following stepped on them and changed them to rags and if two were at the same distance they skinned each other with they fangs, not allowing the others to move forward. 

Ayano's group stood rock still and silent faced with the battle several times more bloody that before. 

"Eeh......, this is...."

After several seconds - completely pulling herself together, Ayano muttered to herself.

"Are they being called? "

"Or  there's still a small portion of the host's consciousness - at any rate, we should stop them from reaching Pandemonium. Nothing good would come out of it."

"I agree"

Just as  they were about to run after exchanging a short agreement, at that time - 

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

The dry wind hurts the skin. 

That thoroughly, thoroughly overwhelming force and the air full of killing intent spread out over the entire park like a mantle. 

"What now -!?"

Bernhardt started something else - Ayano immediately thought so. 

But, Kirika looked at the sky with a serious face and groaned disgusted.

"You came, huh - Kazuma"

"Kazuma!? This!?"

"Who else it there? ", declared Kirika matter of fact to Ayano, who opened her eyes wide with unconcealed fright.

"A man who rules the atmosphere so overwhelmingly - there's no one else but him, right? "

"B- but........but........"

Pressuring her body - no, the entire surrounding airspace, that oppressive intent felt only ominous. 

The urge to attack was making her body feel on the edge, as if it was about to be cut down. 

Similar to the release of a pack of starving wolfs, that Kehai was showing its dazzling lust. 

Is this - is ''this'' - is this Kazuma's power?

"You're lying.........it cannot, be like this..........."

"I believe I told you to forget about the Kazuma you knew."

She remembered about two years before.

The avatar of a storm spreading death and destruction. 

Prepared to destroy the entire world for the sake of revenge, for the sake of killing one person, that man was equivalent with a living disaster.

"This is also Kazuma. No, maybe only this is Kazuma. "

"..........let's go", Ren asked the dazed Ayano in front of Kirika trembling in fear.

That voice was carrying a fear that couldn't be concealed but nevertheless the determination to move forward doesn't shake.

"Detective Tachibana - ?"

"I apologize. From here on, it's impossible for us", determined Kirika controlling Ren's words. 

"I'm sorry but beyond this point go just the two of you. We will fall back and spread a barrier around the park. Because of instinct or because they were ordered they're all heading to Pandemonium right now but if they were to meet ''him'' a few will probably run towards us."

"That's right. We're leaving it to you."

Ren agreed after thinking about it a little and urged Ayano once more.

"Let's go"

"Y- yeah...."

Maybe because she couldn't accept Kazuma's transformation yet, Ayano was hesitating with an indecisive attitude. 

Seeing that, Kirika placed her hand on Ayano's shoulder as if trying to encourage her and smiled a little.

"Listen to me, Ayano-chan, I think you may be successful without having to think too much about it"

If she were told something like this in normal circumstances, Ayano's face would flush red in anger.

But, there was pretty much no reaction now. Without looking at Kirika, she answered in a murmur.

"............I'll put in my best effort"

"....................go for it"

Understanding that she didn't manage to stir Ayano, eventually Kirika sent out the girl with a feeble smile.