Volume 8 Chapter 13 Kaya
Elk sat cross-legged, while Yato and Sophia sat elegantly in a formal kneeling position.
If it were just the Kushinada family, Elk would have also knelt, but with Takeru, the priest from Adrazione, present, that was a different story. It was already decided.
As soon as they sat down, Sophia ignored the formalities and took the lead.
"Yamato has teamed up with 'Devoted to the Goddess (Adrazione)'... is that right?"
"Yeah, that's about it."
The one who answered was a man in his mid-twenties, smiling widely.
He had silky black hair and was dressed in traditional clothing. His name was Byakuya. He was undeniably handsome, but while his mouth smiled, his eyes were narrow and twisted, almost mocking.
Byakuya looked at Yato and said,
"I don't even need to see the letter to know what it says. It's about the Fire Gem, right? Well... it's not here anymore. It's probably being kept at Adrazione's headquarters by now."
"Then why are we here?"
"Simple. I need to talk to my little sister."
Byakuya seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation with Sophia and turned his gaze directly to Yato.
"Sakuya... you're alive, huh?"
"...It's been a while, big brother."
"Yeah, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you."
"I'm not glad."
"Ahaha. Come on, let's get along as family again!"
"......"
Yato said nothing.
Byakuya shrugged.
"Still holding onto the past, huh?"
"......"
"I'm sorry for killing your mother. Right, Hinowa, Yuuhi?"
"Eh..."
Elk couldn't help but look at Yato. This was something he had never heard before.
Then, a beautiful woman in a kimono took out a fan and opened it.
"She died because she didn't know your place, okay? And you, being her child, also don't know your place... Well, I'll let it all go. Sakuya, from now on, serve as the third daughter of the Kushinada family and contribute to the development of Yamato."
Then, a girl about 15 years old, who looked like Yato with her short hair, stretched her legs straight and said,
"Ahahaha. Big sister, I'm so glad you're back! We can play together again!"
Elk understood. This sister, Hinowa, meant "play" in a way that wasn't fun at all.
She wore a smile that was filled with contempt and mockery.
Somehow... he understood Yato's upbringing. Elk had experienced similar looks and treatment in the Duke Kinesis family. Yato didn't talk about his past in detail because he didn't want anyone to figure it out.
Sophia also briefly glanced at Yato.
"...I would like to know why Yamato allied with Adrazione."
Sophia said this, her gaze directed at Takeru, who looked down at the exchange with boredom.
Byakuya nodded at Takeru.
"It's simple. Sir Takeru is a descendant of the Kusanagi family, the founders of Yamato."
"...Kusanagi family?"
"Ah, the Kushinada family was the loyal clan that supported the Kusanagi family. Since the Kusanagi family has fallen, they have simply taken over the governance of the country. If the rightful heir, Sir Kusanagi, Lord Takeru, returns, it's only natural for them to return to their role as advisors."
"...I never thought Yamato would side with Adrazione."
Sophia gritted her teeth.
Byakuya chuckled softly, as if mocking them.
"Well, that's the end of the discussion. Sakuya will go to the underground prison, and the other 2 will die here. Haha, you didn't think you'd make it out alive, did you?"
"...We've been underestimated. Elk."
"Wait."
Takeru, who had been silent, looked at Elk.
With a commanding voice, both Byakuya and Sophia fell silent.
"Elk, you're going to fight anyway, right? Then... fight me!!"
"......"
"What I want is a battle with a strong opponent. You survived against Balthazar, Rapucel, Lily, and Elena, so you should be able to entertain me. Sounds good? The 8th priest chosen by the goddess, the traitor 'Scarecrow' Elk!!"
"......Hah."
Elk scoffed.
It was truly a ridiculous smile.
"Why should I fight for your enjoyment? Yamato is the enemy, you want to kill us... so it doesn't matter. I'll rampage like a fool and crush this country."
"That's impossible."
"Huh?"
"You don't have the resolve to destroy the lives of those who live here. At most, you'll just kill everyone present. But... that won't be enough. If you're going to do it, do it thoroughly. Yamato is already under the protection of Adrazione. The residents are all followers of Adrazione."
"..."
"You have no choice but to fight. Right...?"
Then, several 'knights' appeared beside Takeru.
The 'Aerial Emperor Warrior' unit of Adrazione. Takeru's direct subordinates.
One of them looked familiar.
"...Rosho."
"Heh, heh. Long time no see... ah, yeah, big bro."
"You..."
Elk's younger brother, Rosho.
But something was off.
Veins were bulging on his cheeks and forehead, and his eyes were unfocused. Moreover, his right eye was bloodshot.
His left hand trembled, and his back twitched uncontrollably.
It was like he was on drugs.
"I-I've gotten stronger!! Hehe, hehe... I won't lose to you, big bro!!"
"......Rosho."
"Huh?"
"Rosho. Father thinks you and Sarissa are a disgrace. I've received many letters telling me to return to the Duke family. You're the same as me... you've been abandoned."
"I don't care!! I have no interest in that family anymore!!"
"......"
It was too pitiful.
It was clear he had been tainted by some unknown power. He had sacrificed everything to gain this strength.
Takeru said.
"It seems he gained a new skill with Piasola's 'cheat skill,' but he has been mentally corrupted and ended up like this. Hahaha, what a pathetic guy... right?"
"......"
"O-Oh, S-Sir Takeru, p-please grant me permission!!"
"Alright, let's do this."
"Oh, OOOOOOOO!!"
Suddenly, countless tentacles burst from Rosho's back.
His skin turned a deep green, swelling... he grew over 3 meters tall, and his face changed to look like a fish.
It was like a half-fish man with tentacles. Was this the power Rosho had wanted?
Elk stood up and took out a coat, boots, eye patch mask, and gauntlets from his item box.
He didn't put on the eye patch mask and looked straight at Rosho with his bare face.
'Big brooooooo!!'
"......"
Rosho's skill was 'Sword Saint.'
But... the current Rosho was a monster. He charged straight ahead without a weapon.
He was completely broken.
It was sad───... pitiful.
So, Elk pointed his hand straight at him.
'───...'
"Goodbye, Rosho... maybe there was a way for us to get along better."
'...Big bro.'
'Break Heart'
Rosho's heart was compressed and vanished by telekinesis.
Rosho collapsed and returned to his human form.
Elk picked up Rosho.
"Ah, big bro... s-sorry..."
"......Yeah."
"It was... fun."
"......Yeah."
"......Kuku."
Rosho died with his eyes open... smiling.
In his final moments, he entrusted everything to Elk.
Elk took out a camping blanket from his item box, wrapped Rosho's body, and stored it in the item box.
Then, Takeru clapped his hands.
"Good job with the show."
"......"
"Are you mad? Huh?"
"......"
"Is it still not enough?"
Then─── Takeru snapped his fingers, and the sliding door opened.
Carried by 2 assassins was someone.
"───Kaya!!"
"I'm so sorry... Lady... Yato."
Her hands were bound, and one assassin was behind her. It seemed she couldn't move with the 3 of them holding her.
Then, Byakuya spoke.
"Yato, huh. Speaking of which, Sakuya, you seemed to be hanging out with the Shikiba family."
"W-what, big brother, what are you saying?"
"The Shikiba family... Well, what happened to them? Hinowa, Yuuhi, explain it to her."
"Ahhahaha!! Well, they were just mercenaries, so it might have been an easy job."
"Going against the Kushinada family was the height of foolishness."
"Sister... Hinowa, you can't be serious."
"Why not go visit the Shikiba family? Hehe, their heads are on display~♪."
"───!!"
Yato trembled.
Sophia held her back.
And Elk clenched his fist.
Then───...Kaya.
"Lady Yato. Please, please... continue on your path."
"...Huh?"
"You are a wonderful person. I will... never forget the time I spent with you."
"Kaya...?"
"I'll light the fire now... Elk!!"
"Kaya, I'm coming to help!!"
As Elk raised his right hand, Byakuya nodded slightly.
"Please take care of Lady Yato───... this is the last request from a classmate."
Kaya smiled gently───... and an assassin's blade pierced her chest.
The hands that were holding Kaya released her... she fell to the tatami, creating a pool of blood.
"Kaya...Kaya!!"
"───Ms. Kaya"
"...Kaya."
Kaya opened her eyes... and died.
She smiled just a little.
Her lips moved slightly.
"───...Thank you."
* * *
Kaya is dead.
Byakuya clapped his hands together and said in his usual tone.
"Well, that's enough, right? Sakuya, come back. I'll take care of those who disturb your heart here."
And then, Takeru.
"Hehe, are you angry? Hey, Elk, get angry, free yourself. Just a little, entertain me, will you?"
Elk, still looking down, spoke to Sophia.
"Miss Sophia... is it okay now?"
"Yes. I allow it... I will also bet my life."
What Sophia took out from her weapon ring was a shining silver holy sword.
Yato, without wiping her flowing tears, pulled out 6 swords.
"I won't forgive you..."
"Oh, the treasured sword of the Kushinada family!! So it was my sister who had it~"
"Seriously, what a thieving cat."
Hinowa and Yuuhi didn't care about Yato's anger.
And Elk, wearing an eye patch mask, glared at Takeru and Byakuya.
He slowly spread his arms.
"Kaya, wait for me... I will fulfill your wish."
A toothless crow bares its fangs at the Yamato country.
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