Kaze no Stigma:Volume2 Chapter 4
墜落 –力量的代價- Fall –The price for power- [or instead of Fall,Defilement/Degeneration/Deterioration/Debasement or something]
1
(Caught you……)
With absolute confidence in himself, Kazuma believes firmly that he has already won.
He has complete grasp over the scent of the enemy. And to add onto that, the enemy has not realized this yet.
Certain victory------ No, a sure kill situation. Because the only difficult part of this job is merely “how to find the enemy”.
From the way he gathers energy, the act of sucking the vigor of humans can be considered the last resort. Despite how efficient this method may be, the risk is great in comparison.
Killing this many people, it is impossible to keep the operation hidden, and the number of people investigating this will naturally increase. If it is a clever jutsushi, he will probably try to avoid having meaningless conflicts with these people, and in turn use a safer method.
This enemy conducts such a large scale operation, from that it is easily seen how crude his technique is. It is just like a normal human being who by some chance obtained power, and making trouble from his arrogance.
(Even though it is possible that this is just a farce------ Who cares, it shouldn’t matter once I found him. Besides, I already prepared a “safety precaution” here.)
Ayano will definitely chase after him. Regarding this, Kazuma has no doubts at all. As long as she follows the route signs I left------ situated at every junction, the guiding winds that points in the right direction, she should be able to reach me in the shortest distance.
“So, let’s just go at it!”
Kazuma murmurs, and then he steps out from “there”. Below him, there is nothing in contact with his legs or body, and at the same time he felt the chains of gravity pulling him mercilessly.
From the rooftop of a sixty stories tall building------ SUNSHINE60, Kazuma drops down as if committing suicide.
Raging strong winds constantly trample upon Kazuma’s body, yet Kazuma still carries a fearless smile on his face.
He controls the speed and direction of his fall, and flies to the side of Ikebukuro central park. He lowers his speed, adjusting it to approximately the speed of a fall from the second storey and lands gradually.
Right before the “enemy”.
“…… Kazuma-san……?”
The girl sitting on the bench looks dumbly at Kazuma who came from the skies.
“…………”
Kazuma tilts his head downwards to look at her with a shocked expression. After a long stare, he gives a deep sigh.
“…… I had considered that it might be you…… But I never expected you to go to such an extent.”
The girl did not reply, and only continues to smile.
This girl seems to be the only one in the park. There is no kekkai set up here, merely just that an average person would not be able to bear the youki she releases.
Even without spiritual eyes, normal instincts of living things will automatically reject abnormal presences. The youki that lingers in the park is that dense.
At the girl’s feet, a smooth clear substance wriggles continuously. Despite her feet being tangled by goo that Kazuma has gotten so familiar with these few days------ A youma that can consume human vigor, her expression still does not show any sign of being in pain.
This is unquestionably an obvious proof. She is the “enemy” that Kazuma has been seeking.
Kazuma looks at the girl with painful eyes, and says bitterly:
“To go to such an extent, you really want to kill me that much------ Misao?”
“Of course.”
Ogami Misao------ A girl who is supposed to manipulate the purifying flames, yet at this moment even though youki is being released from all parts of her body, she is using an innocent smile to nod in reply.
“I never dreamt that you would find this place, the searching capabilities of a Fuu-jutsushi is really impressive.”
As if chatting casually, Misao smiles at Kazuma. Maybe because she is at ease in her heart, causing her to seem as though she has no intentions of getting up from that bench. Or maybe she already saw that Kazuma has no intentions of fighting!
In fact, it is very rare to see Kazuma being unable to decide what actions to take like now.
He must not kill her. Yet, he must not let her escape.
Misao is walking onto a wrong path. If left unattended, she would fall into a deep abyss, and perhaps destroy herself in the end! Kazuma cannot watch this happen idly.
(But, what should I do?)
Frankly speaking, he is out of ideas now. He has absolutely no idea how to stop Misao without killing her.
There is nothing left to be said between the two, and so the two stares at each other silently------ Alas, the still tension in the area was broken immediately.
“Is this the place!?”
A loud and clear voice sounded off in the area, together with a crimson red divine aura announced the arrival of a divine descendent of flames. An astonishing power like the sun swept away all the youki in the park.
Kazuma turns his head slightly, and uses one corner of his eye to look at her valiant appearance. She------ Ayano Kannagi seems more courageous than usual, it makes one want to clap to praise her.
“…… She came.”
But at this moment in time, she is but a pesky little girl. Kazuma can’t help but licks his lips lightly, mainly displeased with his own miscalculations.
(Darn------ I forgot to take back all the route signs.)
It is probably due to his wavering heart, to commit such a dumb mistake. He knew that members of the Kannagi must not see Misao now, yet he led the way for them------
“Ka……”
Ayano swallowed her words back as she tried to call out to Kazuma. That is because she has noticed Misao’s presence, and her eyes of shock reflected the image of someone who “was” in her clan, so much so that it made her forget to blink.
“……Misao……?”
“Yes------ Is anything the matter?”
Misao answers calmly, and then stands up.
An image of her wearing silk kimono and standing there quietly and vacantly entered her view. From the outside, this can be said to be more like Misao compared to a few days back!
However------
Ayano saw a change at a much deeper level instantly.
That is but of course.
That is because as a Jutsushi, they exist to destroy “That thing”.
Her entire family has been training hard to improve their technique for the past thousand years just for that purpose.
“How…… How can this……”
Ayano’s eyes stares hard at Misao as she shakes her head weakly.
To her, this is perhaps the worst situation, much worse than any nightmare. As a member of a clan that exorcises as an occupation, an En-jutsushi that manipulates the purifying flames, Misao ironically became the youma that they must defeat.
On the other hand, Misao no longer takes note of this newly arrived character after a few seconds. She let Ayano who has yet to recover from the shock to become part of the background, and focuses on Kazuma.
A never-changing smile. Looking clear and pure, a simple smile that bears only one emotion.
That is like pure water that contains no impurities, impossible to exist naturally, normal people will definitely not be able to give off such a smile.
Bearing an obvious expression of detest, Misao declares:
“Yagami Kazuma------ The hateful man that killed my brother. I have sworn, no matter the price or sacrifice, I will defeat you.”
“…………”
This sentence sounds highly unreasonable. The one who killed Takeya is Ryuya, and Hyoue who was manipulating Ryuya amidst the shadows. Kazuma was just being made the scapegoat.
To be killed because of Kazuma------ This is probably the explanation of only those who hate Kazuma would have.
But, Kazuma ignores the irony within, and asks calmly:
“Do you think that you can defeat me?”
“Definitely.”
Misao answers confidently:
”No matter how powerful you may be, you are still only a human. As long as I continue taking in the vigor of hundreds or thousands of people, my power will definitely surpass yours.”
“……Doesn’t matter, as long as you can control it.”
“I can. I only need to take in enough to defeat you. After this is over, it doesn’t matter what I become.”
This is not the encouraging tone that one would have when making a declaration. Even though she challenged a Jutsushi powerful as Kazuma, Misao does not seem agitated at all.
But, can this really be considered a clear and still state of mind? After draining the life of others to obtain power, can she really laugh it out?
Even if she has fallen down the demonic path, her heart still retained that innocent smile. A pure smile that is stained with blood all over.
.------ People call that “Madness”.
“Hey------ Is that all you want to say?”
The suppressed voice finally bursts out at one go. Ayano takes a step forward, Enraiha in her hand since long ago.
“Ayano-san, this has nothing to do with you.”
“Move to one side.”
“Shut up!”
Ayano refutes the request made by both parties.
“If you want to kill Kazuma, I will not stop you. But, I will never forgive you for degenerating into a youma, and the act of harming innocent civilians. No matter the reason, things that are not meant to be done are not to be done. This is something you should know very well. Misao!”
“------ So?”
Faced with Ayano’s reprimanding, that cold smile shows no indication of wavering. Hearing Misao’s reply, Ayano declares coldly:
“I have nothing else to say------ Begone, Misao!”
The glow of Enraiha becomes more glaring. Before that powerful golden power, Misao’s powers have no way of resisting.
If she really swung that blade down that is.
“Stop, Ayano!”
“What are you talking about!”
Ayano refuses the request for her to stop without even turning her head around.
“This is the duty of the Kannagi main family, don’t interfere.”
She ignores Kazuma, and raises Enraiha high up, but she just could not swing it down.
Because before she can strike off a plasma shot strong enough to vaporize Misao in one shot, Kazuma’s hands held Ayano back.
“I told you to stop.”
“…………”
Ayano did not say a word. She maintains that posture with Enraiha high up, and she lowers her head down.
In terms of physical techniques, the difference in strength between the two is also as great as heaven and Earth. Ayano is unable to escape Kazuma’s binds based on physical techniques alone.
Indeed, based on physical techniques alone.
Kazuma’s mistake, lies in him underestimating Ayano’s fury.
Seeing that Kazuma only cares for Misao, and completely ignores her, Ayano’s fury has slowly raised to the level filled with killing intents.
This kind of emotion, she has not realized it at all. And because of that, she cannot control herself, plus, Ayano’s greatest strong point lies at how straightforward she is, she will not hesitate at anything.
“……Let……go……”
“------ What did you say?”
Kazuma who did not catch her words lean towards Ayano.
“Let go of me!!”
Kaboom!
Flames burst out from Ayano’s entire body.
“Woah!?”
Even though he was not burnt by it, but Kazuma in his shock released Ayano’s hands slightly.
Grabbing this chance, Ayano leaps at Misao.
It is said that an expert in Jigen-Ryu can travel a distance of about nine meters in every step. And Ayano’s strength is not below this standard.
In the blink of an eye, Ayano has already closed in before Misao.
“Chuck------“
Kazuma manipulates the wind instantly, intending to blow Ayano away. Yet at this point in time, it is perhaps a little too much to handle with his power.
(Will I make it in time------?)
Kazuma is very anxious, yet the movement of a shadow is even swifter than Kazuma.
It is a shadow indeed.
Misao’s shadow begins to extend, and inflates into a three-dimensional state. A huge pitch black face lies right before Misao.
“……Huh?”
That gigantic face opens its mouth wide, and Ayano raises the Enraiha at the same moment. There is no way to stop them now.
As if she jumped into it herself, Ayano gets swallowed by the mouth of that gigantic face.
“……………………………………Ah……”
Kazuma does not know how to express his feelings now. He exaggeratedly swallows his saliva, and looks at the big face that swallowed Ayano up.
Because it was too spectacular, he was unable to say anything at all. This kamikaze attack style is just like Ayano. Maybe he should worry about her, but things having become the way it is now, it is very comical------ In fact, he can only laugh.
But, laughing will not solve all the problems at hand. Kazuma gives a dry laugh for a while, and then leisurely begins to summon the wind.
“Gee------ What a troublemaker------“
As he is about to release wind blades, Misao halts Kazuma softly.
“It is best you do not do that.”
“------Ah ah?”
“If you kill it, Ayano-san will forever be lost amidst the gaps in time.”
Kazuma maintains that posture with his right hand raised up and stopped his actions.
Misao reaches out to cover her mouth, and finally broke into laughter.
“Despite how heartless you sound, you still treasure Ayano-san. Won’t it be better to just say so frankly in her face?”
“What will telling her do? She will only get overboard. By the way, what do you intend to do with Ayano?”
Misao laughs even more happily.
“Don’t worry, I only intend to send her away slightly. Even though I can use her as a hostage, but you probably will not use your life to trade for hers right?”
“Of course.”
Kazuma says without hesitation:
“Even if she is the daughter of Soushu, I have no reason to go to such an extent.”
“The daughter of Soushu? Is that the only reason?”
Misao laughs with some deep meaning. To that, Kazuma answers clearly:
“What other reason can there be?”
“…… So be it, this is of no relevance to the two of us.”
“Indeed. So, what do you plan to do next?”
“I will be going off soon, because my power is insufficient to defeat you now.”
As she says this, Misao’s shadow becomes a cone shape and surrounds her. As Ayano is now her hostage, Kazuma is unable to attack that thing.
“Take care.”
Before Kazuma who is unable to do anything, Misao disappears as if swallowed up by the shadow, leaving no trace behind. Up against this kind of movement that travels beyond space, even Kazuma cannot ask the wind to follow them.
“……Gee.”
Kazuma grumbles in a tired voice, and sat down at a bench nearby.
At the same time, Ayano’s scent suddenly appeared. The distance is a little far------ But, Kazuma has no intentions of traveling specially to welcome her.
(Anyway she will definitely be angry again.)
If possible, he does not intend to meet her until she is no longer angry. Even if he knows that that would be impossible.
He takes out a cigarette from his bosom and nibbles on it. After drawing in the smoke to fill his entire lung area and letting his mood settle down, Kazuma takes a relaxed position as he waits for the return of the girl.
.------ After about ten minutes.
Ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta!!
Sounds of bold footsteps as if planning to break the ground surface appeared, Kazuma who is leisurely sitting on the bench turns his head around
Biting the cigarette, praising the return of Ayano.
The place Ayano was thrown off, is on the other side of the station. Even though the direct distance is not even three kilometers, but with confusing paths and many traffic lights, it is not that easy to pass through.
Yet Ayano reached here in less than ten minutes. From this it is easily seen that, be it the question about her physical fitness or traffic morals, she have tossed them at the far ends of her mind.
Seeing Ayano who is panting continuously, Kazuma says in his regular tone:
“Not bad. You wanna participate in mid-distance Olympics?”
“Where is Misao!?”
Cutting short Kazuma’s joke, Ayano questions with a scary look on her face.
“Escaped.”
“Escaped------!? Why!?”
“How should I say this……”
Kazuma hesitates on how to explain, and thinking back on what happened a few minutes ago.
(So, how should I explain this……)
Thinking and thinking about it, he just could not find a suitable way of phrasing it, and so in the end he decides to choose a way of expression that sounds very superficial.
“Basically, a lot has happened.”
This is the excuse he tried his best to come up with. But before that, he could have perhaps considered the way he looks as he spits out smoke rings, he does not seem convincing at all.
“Oh------? “A lot has happened”? Just what happened?”
This reason naturally is unable to make Ayano submit. Ayano stares at Kazuma with eyes of high suspicion, as if saying “don’t tell me you were seduced by her”.
Kazuma just gives a bitter smile, and does not rebut in any way.
Indeed, he can hardly say he tried his best. Other than ensuring Ayano’s safety, he must nab Misao at the same time------ This is not impossible to him.
But------
(I am still too naïve……)
He sighs out as if mocking himself. What point is there to be bothered by something that the person concerned has long forgotten now……
Under Ayano’s blaming eyes, Kazuma stands up.
“------Where are you going?”
“Home. She will probably not come out again today?”
Against the back of that man leaving as if nothing happened, Ayano uses a nervous voice to declare:
“Let me remind you, I will report everything today as it is. The Kannagi will go full force at eliminating Misao. If you dare to obstruct us------“
“Who are you talking to, girl?”
A cold voice interrupted Ayano’s words. Kazuma turns around, and the cold smile on his face sent a chill down her spine.
“If you want to stop me, then don’t just talk, tell me with your strength! If you are mentally prepared------ I will take you on anytime.”
Ayano almost forgot to breathe, and just watched Kazuma who stepped out once more. When the shadow disappeared down the stairs, she fell to her knees.
Her entire body could not stop trembling. Once again she has experienced first-hand, that she must never be come the enemy of this man, Kazuma.
Even so, she still must eliminate Misao. If she don’t, then the Kannagi will lose the meaning of existence.
“Just what do you expect me to do……”
She can’t help but begin to complain.
