Kaze no Stigma Vol 2 Chapter 6

Chapter Six - Finale - The Brave and Selfless Rescuer Part 1

“He” who observed all from the sky, had done so from the very beginning.

For humans, the area directly above them has always been a blind spot. The presence of "he" who lurked among dimensional intervals was undetectable even by the greatest Fuu-Jutsushi.

“He” was content. Everything was proceeding as planned, everyone moving as “he” had expected them to. They were completely unaware that they were p.a.w.ns, believing that they were acting according to their own will.

Looking down like a G.o.d, "he" drank in this feeling of superiority.

(How lucky of me to have picked up such a useful tool.)

Oogami Misao - the first p.a.w.n “he” obtained. Blind with hatred, a p.a.w.n that bore a special meaning to that man.

"He" thanked the stars - "they" worshipped neither G.o.ds nor devils, after all - for guiding such a convenient p.a.w.n into his grasp.

From the start, it had never been much more than an amusing game. a.s.sisting that silly child's naive plans for revenge------ and at such little cost. Such charitable actions were a favorite hobby of "his". After "he" named his price - a small one, really - an amusing expression that "he" could never get bored of appeared on her face.

Nonetheless, these were all but pointless amus.e.m.e.nts, because now Misao had already become a sharp blade capable of killing that man.

(Yagami Kazuma------ I must eliminate that unforgivable sinner with my own hands. Just what can be more glorious than that……)

Having such a prestigious record, “he” may be bestowed with an extremely high position. Receiving continuous praises, envies and admirations------ A future filled with glory.

That is neither a fantasy or a dream, that “tomorrow” that will definitely come about is right before his very eyes.

Of course, the power he has now is not enough, there is no way he can beat that monster head-on. But, he is very confident in his victory.

Even though he is powerful enough to do so, Kazuma can’t bring himself to kill Misao. Furthermore, Misao has yet to reach the stage of completion.

(Come on, Misao------ Just a little more.)

“He” reveals a smile filled with gentle love at the girl who is walking down the road of destruction.

“……Finally……”

Those red lips give off an agitated voice of happiness.

“This moment has finally arrived……”

“I don’t know which moment it is you are referring to, but it is indeed time to settle things.”

Kazuma nods, saying this meaningful line.

“I don’t really care------ But must you kill “that person”?”

“Ahh, you mean “this person”?”

Misao lowers her head to look at her father’s head that she is hugging.

“It is only right for the father to avenge his son right? But, not only did otou-san not agree to help me, he even intended to kill his very own daughter, me. So, I decided to just borrow his powers------ like this.”

Something similar to a powerful current flowered into Misao’s hand from Masayuki’s head. The skin of the head dries up rapidly, the hair that turned white begins falling off.

In a matter of seconds, the chopped off head became a dried mummy.

“Foolish otou-san.”

Misao grapples hard at her father’s head. At the same time as it is giving off irritating squeaking sounds, Masayuki’s head was crushed into pieces. The pieces were all disintegrated and blown off by the wind before reaching the floor.

“Come on, otou-san------ Become one with me, and let’s take revenge for onii-san together?”

Absorbing her father------ The life of the head of the Ogami, Misao’s youki shows an explosive increase.

“Woah!”

“Mmm……”

The remaining Jutsushis moans. Even Ayano stretches her arms before her, taking on a defensive stance.

An abnormally strong youki. Its strength is so, its quality is very ominous as well. This is the power she obtained from draining the lives of over a hundred, countless grudges from the souls are mixed within, it can be considered reasonable in some way.

“The few of you can just get back now!”

Ayano hurriedly warns the Jutsushis. Having evolved to such an immense youki, the powers of the branch family cannot handle it at all.

“B…… But……”

“Get back!”

Ayano shouts at those hesitant Jutsushis. The Jutsushis look towards each other.

“------Got it, we will obey Ayano-sama’s order.”

They discreetly stated that they are obeying orders, and then rushed off the scene.

Following that, Misao’s youki began to gather into a bundle. Basked in the youki that seemed as though one would be able to hear the voices of hatred from the victims, the fire spirits manifested in the form of pitch black flames.

(Oh…… That is rather quick……)

Looking at the black fireball created above Misao’s head, Ayano is secretly impressed.

Misao stretches her right hand out swiftly, pointing at Kazuma alone. Following that action, the fireball whistles off and closes in at Kazuma.

“…………”

Kazuma does not move an inch, staring silently at the fireball that is coming straight at him. Following that------ The sound of an explosion can be heard, Kazuma’s body is surrounded by pitch black flames.

Misao shows a hearty smile. But, seeing Kazuma covered in flames, there is no change on Ayano and Ren’s faces.

The flames disperses slowly. Appearing within is------

“------!”

Even though it may be unsuitable to say this, but it is naturally Kazuma, without a scratch.

“------ And then?”

“Grr------”

As if being pushed back by his presence, Mis...o...b..tes hard at her teeth as she moves backwards, but after that she began gathering youki once more.

“Then------ How about this!?”

A black fireball is created above Misao’s head once more. Not just one. Two, three------ fireb.a.l.l.s kept on appearing, each of the fireb.a.l.l.s is twice as hot as one just now.

“Wow……” Ren exclaims. “Misao is really talented.”

“Yeah. If anyone would still dare to say her personality is not suitable for training now, that would be a joke. If she acc.u.mulates experience properly, she would probably have been the strongest Jutsushi among the branch families by now.”

Ayano praises Misao’s talent without any conservation. Yet, that calm expression is just opposite to what she has just said, she does not see Misao’s powers as a threat at all.

Up to ten fireb.a.l.l.s came to Kazuma’s side one by one. The group of fireb.a.l.l.s that has their heat and kinetic energy completely under control, surrounds Kazuma in a hemispherical manner and explodes.

Misao adjusts the direction of the explosion, causing all the energy to be focused within the hemisphere. Being scorched by the great heat, with the merciless pressure from explosion waves from all directions, a normal Jutsushi will probably be completely destroyed, leaving not a single piece of meat behind.

(That is really something. But……)

Needless to say, Kazuma is of course, not a normal Jutsushi. He stands in the interior of the explosion that is gradually dispersing, blocking off the black flames’ attack without a sweat.

“How can that be……”

“I say------”

Ayano informs Misao who is dumbstruck there with an impatient tone.

“If Kazuma would die under flames of that level, he would have been killed by me long ago.”

“Nee-san…… That is a little……”

“The way you handle your attacks is very flexible, but just looking at power alone it is way weaker than Ren. To use that kind of warm flames to kill Kazuma, it will not even be considered a joke to others.”

“How can that be…… This kind of thing should not happen!”

Faced with those heartless comments, Misao with a great change in her expression tries hard to rebut:

“I have become even stronger than Kazuma-san! I can definitely beat him now, Angel-sama guaranteed that!”

“Angel-sama?”

Ayano stares straight and hard at Misao.

These words sound a little mad, but she does not seem to be joking either.

(It seems something is helping her from behind the scenes------ and it is the kind that is not too decent.)

Ayano grumbles in her heart.

“Angel”------ What a shameful name. That should not be a real angel, but no matter whether it is a name he gave himself or by others, the moment that person accepts that name readily, he is not decent already.

“Just what kind of pervert is that?”

“It is insulting to call me a pervert.”

This answer that bears laughter within came from the sky suddenly.

“....!!”

Ayano raises her head abruptly to look up into the sky. About five meters in the air------ There he is.

Ayano stares closely at the youth that is gradually descending from the sky.

“So that’s it…… An “Angel”……”

His age appears to be around ten. Golden curly hair, round emerald eyes, and a smile filled with benevolence.

That appearance with gentle light coming out from all over his body, it is just like the angel that is drawn on the pictures of religions. If there is background music and songs of praises now, then this would certainly be filled with a solemn atmosphere.

“Angel-sama!”

Misao runs to the youth’s side, looking very touched. She does not seem to mind if her kimono is dirtied, she kneels right by his feet entirely.

“Angel-sama, please guide me on what to do, please bestow upon me the way to successfully take revenge.”

Like a lost child yearning for his mother, Misao relies on the youth whole-heartedly.

The youth reveals a gentle smile, caressing Misao’s head gently, and says:

“There is no such method.”

Misao slowly blinks her eyes.

“…… Huh?”

“For you to defeat Kazuma Yagami, that is an impossible task.”

The youth said every word out very clearly. Everyone else besides Mis...o...b..gins to notice, that that seemingly loving smile, is actually a joyful expression of torment.

“B…… But…… Angel-sama told me that I have already obtained enough power for revenge------”

“Oh, you mean that.”

The youth nods seriously, then lowers his head to look at Misao. Misao still seem as though she can’t believe that the youth betrayed her, her eyes shine with uneasiness.

“That is a lie.”

Misao is so shocked she is at a loss for words, and simply widens her eyes. The youth looks at the expression happily, and then uses an exaggerated tone to ask:

“Why do you seem so surprised? Didn’t you not even trust me from the very beginning?”

------For our mutual benefit, let us work together from now on-------

Misao suddenly remembers this line. It was undoubtedly spoken from her very lips. In less than a week’s time, she has completely forgotten all about it------

“That’s right, we were just using each other, that was the relationship between us. But now you believe in me unconditionally, just what made you that way?”

“T……That is……”

Misao tries hard to recollect her memories, but------

“…………”

“It seems you noticed, nothing. But you trust me, why?”

The youth’s smile is very gentle all along, the name “Angel” suits it very well.

“You…… What did you…… do to me……”

“Nothing special, just a little hypnosis. Don’t worry, it is dispelled now. And------ You have something with me, I shall return it to you as well!”

“------ Ahhh!”

Misao uses a very exaggerated motion to dodge the fingers that the youth stretched out at her, as though there is lethal poison at his fingertips.

The youth uses gentle eyes to look at Misao who collapsed to the floor and is unable to get up, moving her hips to try to get away, yet at the same time he raises his stretched out hand up towards the sky.

“Actually there is no need for direct contact.”

Snap, the youth’s fingers gave off a sound.

“Come, recall. All your actions before today.”

“Huh……?”

(All my actions……)

In order to take revenge for my brothers, I killed over a hundred innocent civilians to obtain their vigor------

(But, that was for revenge, it was for a justified cause, so……)

Just as she thought so naturally, her brain seems to have received an impact suddenly.

“So” what?

Because it is for a justified cause, so all those people who were killed would forgive her? And to willingly give their lives up?

That is impossible.

No matter the reason, taking away the lives of others is an undeniable sin, it is an unacceptable action------

------ I don’t recall hiring dead people------

“No……”

------ As long as I continue taking in the vigor of hundreds, thousands of people like this------

“No way……”

------ Foolish otou-san------

“No…… No way……”

“Angel” made a merciless declaration at Misao who is trying to run away from reality.

“That is right, they were all killed by you.”

“Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!”

Misao screams out.

“No way! No way! No way! It’s not me! I didn’t want to do that kind of thing!!”

“But you still did. In order to obtain power, so you manipulated youma and took away the lives of hundreds, and you won’t even spare your very own father.”

“------!”

Misao eyes expands to their limit. She raises her head to look at that gentle smile directed at her with extreme fear.

“Ah…… Ahh…… Ahhhh……”

She thought she was very cautious, and to use him instead. The result from such reckless actions------ Is this.

To not realize at all that she is the one being manipulated instead, and killed over a hundred innocent people, and even killing her own father in the end.

Originally intending to take revenge for her family, yet she killed her very family in the process. This can only be described as an extreme irony.

“You worked hard all this time, Misao. By the way------“

The youth asks Misao, who is at a loss thinking about her own sins, with a cheerful smile:

“Your father’s vigor, how did it taste?”

“----------------!!”

Her pupils shrink instantly, sweat coming out from her forehead. The mouth that opened subconsciously gave off a choking moan:

“…… Ah…… Ah……”

A great power that is way beyond her actual strength residing in her chest. The sound of that beating power became that of an attack, constantly blaming Misao.

The evidence of her sin is so obvious, there is no way she can escape the sound of those grudges coming from within her body.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Misao stretches her five fingers, stabbing them into the centre of her chest. As if trying to use her fingers to pierce through the ribs, digging that dreadful power out together with her heart.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Misao rolls around on the floor with red eyes as she continued screaming madly.

Part 2

“What did you do……”

Ayano’s eyes shift away from the frantic Misao, and in turn stares at the youth.

“What did you do to Misao!?”

“I can’t believe someone would complain about me doing that.”

Ignoring her fierce eyes, the youth smiles to say:

“Didn’t I say that earlier? I am just returning what I held onto back to her.”

“What you held onto------?”

“This girl, Misao, is way too soft-hearted, even for revenge, she is unwilling to harm anyone that is not related in any way.”

Hearing Ayano’s question, the youth cheerfully explains:

“So I took away some obstructing emotions from Misao’s heart. Like how to respect others, worries as not hoping to cause trouble for others------ Meaning what most would call conscience or ethics?”

“What……”

Such malicious methods left Ayano speechless.

Precisely because of that, Misao took the lives of others without hesitation, and used the reason “for revenge” to justify it.

And then, when Misao’s hands are tainted with blood, the emotions that were taken away earlier is put in once more. Converting her back to the kind and gentle Misao who would rather get injured than to hurt others.

All just to mock the way she crumples due to guilt.

“You actually……”

“It is really too interesting.”

The youth uses a smile to reply to those blaming eyes, then shifts his eyes slightly.

“So? Are you pleased?”

“……What is it that you want to do?”

Kazuma uses an emotionless tone to ask:

“To put in so much effort, and ruin a person just for fun?”

“That is one of my purposes as well, because I enjoy seeing how people get ruined. Even though very few people would make me put in this much effort, but------”

The youth’s smile becomes even more magnificent.

“Yagami Kazuma, to ruin someone that is special to you, won’t it be rude if I don’t put in more effort?”

The youth’s smile is very eerie. Ayano can’t help but retreat backwards, Ren on the other hand hides behind Kazuma.

There aren’t any changes in his tone and expression at all, but the hatred shown amidst his words, made the two who have no resistance against this kind of eccentric characters feel very scared.

Kazuma knits his brows slightly.

“……Have we met somewhere before?”

“This is the first time we met face to face. But I------ We did not forget you even for a second. You must understand, you standing here, alive, are in itself an unforgivable taboo.”

The youth voices out to scold him, yet he is unable to move Kazuma in any way.

“And here I was wondering what you wanted to say------”

Kazuma says with an obvious mockery:

“I offended way too many people, so I can’t really recall. Ahh, but you don’t need to explain any further, I won’t recall anyway.”

“You won’t recall? That is a good thing. The n.o.ble name of our master is not something that someone like you should remember, it is best that you have forgotten it.”

The youth fights back, taunting Kazuma.

“But as I am benevolent, I shall tell you my name!

My name is Mikaeru! Mikaeru Hari!! In the name of the stars and wisdom, I shall now eliminate our enemy Yagami Kazuma!”

“----------------!”

Kazuma’s expression vanished instantly. He bears that blank expression, as if wearing a mask, and stares at Mikaeru who announced his name with resolution.

------ In the name of the stars and wisdom------

Kazuma shut his eyes while facing the youth for a second.

In a certain way, this sentence made Kazuma who he is now. Four years ago------ That day, when he experienced for himself that the lack of power can sometimes be equivalent to a sin, “That man” melodiously declared that sentence before him.

------ I only seek the truth ------

In his hand, he holds the girl whom Kazuma wanted to protect, yet failed to do so, her heart.

When he opens his eyes once more, Kazuma’s usual arrogant smile is back. But------

“…………”

Ren who stuck behind Kazuma, suddenly let go of his hand that is grabbing the lower part of his jacket, and backs off. Ayano turns her body, switching it to an angle that can see both Kazuma and Mikaeru at the same time.

“Ahh------ So that’s it.”

Silently------ Kazuma smiles silently.

“I got it, so you wanted to follow in your master’s footsteps?”

At the next moment, Kazuma’s “ki” exploded.

“Ahhhh!”

“Wahhhh!”

Multiplied, expanded------ it is not such a simple phenomenon. Basked in the pressure of the “ki” that is equivalent to a shockwave, Ren’s body began to float.

“Wait……Wait a minite…… This is……”

Ayano’s expression is very tense. Power of such intensity, she has not seen anything like it even when Kazuma is fighting against Ryuya.

(Just what is this about------!?)

A “ki” that is responding towards his furious roar, the wind begins to spin fiercely. All the energy that is being collected in a bundle is compressed to a scary intensity------

“Fine then------ Let me help you. Pray to the demon lord, to bless you such that you would follow your master to h.e.l.l!”

The wind is released, a supersonic speed wind blade strikes towards Mikaeru rapidly.

“How naïve.”

The youth reveals a cold smile, and disappears the moment before he is cut by the wind blade.

“Che! Teleported?”

As if answering Kazuma, Mikaeru’s conscious echoed emptily.

“I did not run away, because there is no such need. Why did you think I appeared before you? That is because I am not afraid of you------ Because I have obtained enough power to kill you!”

As he makes his declaration loudly, countless goo pieces emerge from the ground surface.

“As you have seen just now, that is not Misao’s true power. She is unable to completely control that great power------The method to use that power as one pleases lies within my hands.”

“Misao------?”

Without realizing it, Misao’s screams had vanished. Ayano looks around, and finds Misao lying on the floor as if dead.

Her chest rises up slightly, but other than that there is no indication of life. The body with sand all over lies motionless, there is nothing reflected in those open, but empty eyes.

The goo pieces quietly crawls forward, pressing onto Misao’s body. In the blink of an eye, Misao is wrapped by a small semi-transparent mountain.

“Ah……”

First, the color changed.

The transparency disappeared, the surface began to bear the shine of a metallic surface. That wavering, seemingly soft appearance, with that ironic texture that can reflect light, makes one a.s.sociate with gigantic mercury.

Then, the shape changed.

The goo pieces that sat still like a bun grew four legs, and lifted its gigantic body, then a head, tail reached out, and its back even grew wings.

The shape-shifting continued to progress.

Its appearance that is rough like the clay product made by a child, slowly and continuously adjusts its shape, gradually possessing a clear outline.

Joints appeared in those legs that were originally but four sticks, and sharp claws grew out of them. The surface of the body is covered closely by scales, a set of skeleton appeared in the interior of the head, tail and wings, evolving into a structure that is very logical in biology.

These changes took no longer than thirty seconds. Within such a short period of time, the semi-transparent slime changed into a huge silvery white dragon.

Ayano grumbles unknowingly:

“…… Why does a slime become a dragon upon job changing?”

“You play too many games, idiot.”

Kazuma rebuts bluntly.

“That is just changing into a form suited for combat, it is not a real dragon.”

In the end it is just an imitation. The shape of a dragon does not possess much meaning. Compared to its appearance, the main point lies in that all the slimes combined into one.

A single slime is just like trash, but when a number of them gathered, they can form a magical circuit. And, by connecting the different circuits with each other, a more complicated, bigger system can be formed.

A system so big that it can control the ma.s.sive power that Misao has gathered.

“Hahahahahaha! How’s that, Yagami Kazuma! Can you defeat this “Vritra” that I created!?”

Mikaeru’s voice came from the gigantic dragon------ It seems its name is Vritra------ ’s back region. That puny body is more than half submerged into Vritra’s body.

“But then, by defeating it, Misao would die.”

After tossing this vicious sentence, the youth is completely merged with Vritra. The statue-like Vritra began to move.

“GRRRR……”

Vritra’s gigantic mouth gave off a low groan. Its wings spread out completely, the lowered head is raised upwards, looking at the sky proudly.

“WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR-----------------------------!”

As if challenging the skies, the gigantic dragon roars loudly.

The coa.r.s.e roar that is like a broken bell slowly becomes clear.

This may be proof that Mikaeru has began controlling Vritra. That clear sound that is like striking against crystal, reminds one of his high pitch voice.

To kill him before he takes action------ Normally Kazuma may just do so without hesitation, yet this is one of those rare exceptions. He looks up at the silvery white dragon. From the way he looks, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of him wanting to attack it.

“So, what to do……”

Ayano voices out to question Kazuma who is talking to himself:

“You still intend to save Misao?”

“Yes.”

Kazuma replies without any hesitation.

Ayano frowns and looks at Kazuma. After understanding all the truth behind it, she does not have any unpleasant emotions against Misao anymore, but------

“Listen, even though you may not want to heed what I say…… But, judging from Misao’s current situation, won’t she be happier if she dies?”

She has nothing now. Everything has been taken away by Hyoue, Mikaeru, and------ Kazuma.

Just remembering her scream then, Ayano’s chest felt as though it is being squeezed tightly.

Maybe it really is possible to save Misao from the clutches of Mikaeru. But, would that be the result that she would want?

Even if she survived, all that awaits her in the future, won’t it be only days tormented by guilt?

“…… Perhaps so!”

She had originally expected Kazuma to be angered, but he agreed unexpectedly.

“But, even so……”

There is soil in his mouth, as he raises his head to look up at that back.

That tiny body can’t stop trembling.

But the girl still spread her arms courageously, determined to stand before him.

------ Please stop! This is really too much! ------

The girl uses a tone that is close to bursting in tears to beg. Even if she is right------ No, Precisely because it is right, that is why it would not be accepted by others, this was such a sentence.

Even if she is stared at, even if she is blamed, the girl still did not back off.

Her entire body trembled, a tiny back.

Burned into his blurred eyes, the one single time ten years ago that------

“Even so, I still hope that she will live on……”

“…………”

“…………”

Hearing Kazuma murmur to himself as if praying, Ayano and Ren can’t help but wonder if they had heard right.

Especially Ren. He had even forgotten to hide his shocked expression, and stares at Kazuma dumbly with his mouth wide open.

Kazuma stares at his dumbfounded brother.

“What? Is there something strange?”

“Huh……? Ah, no, there is nothing strange at all.”

Ren shakes his head hurriedly. At the same time as his tiny head wavers, his eyes also stares straight at the silent Ayano who bears a complicated expression.

“------What?”

Sensing Ren’s stare, Ayano asks impolitely.

“N…… Nothing…… Nothing at all.”

Ayano turns her back against the stuttering Ren, looks at Kazuma and says calmly:

“There is nothing wrong with that. Let’s go save her! I will act according to your instructions.”

“Is that so.”

Kazuma acts almighty, and nods his head as if that is how things should be. Ayano did not feel angry towards his att.i.tude, but calmly listens to his plans.

“So then what should we do? If we do not know where Misao is, I cannot burn that thing up at one go. Should I start burning it slowly from the sides?”

“Why go to such trouble…… The purifying flames are used at times like this. If you just burn off all the youki, all that remains would be the living Misao. Simple right?”

“I can’t perform such a high level trick.”

“------------------------------------------ Ah?”

Kazuma stares straight at Ayano who replied instantly. He seems to be really shocked, his eyes shifted away from Vritra.

“What did you say?”

“I said, I do not know that kind of high level technique that can burn youki only.”

“……………………………”

After staring at Ayano blankly for some time, Kazuma looks towards Ren for a shred of hope. Ren shakes his head hurriedly in denial.

Kazuma sighs out deeply, grumbling in his mouth:

“……Good-for-nothing……”

“Sorry for that.”

Ayano humphs and flicks the hair that is stuck on her cheek towards the back.

“d.a.m.n! If my old man is here, this could be done so easily…… Why is it that he is not around at crucial times like this?”

“What do you mean by why------ You were the one to beat him up remember? He is still in the hospital now.”

“…… Nii-sama, that is really willful for you to say that.”

The two’s simultaneous rebuts were completely ignored by Kazuma.

“Oh well, There is no point in wishing for things that just isn’t there. It is better to have something than none, you can start burning from the side then!”

Just as those words left his mouth.

“Is your little discussion finally over?”

A laughter suddenly sounded off from above them. Raising their heads, they see the gigantic dragon using that big face that is of the size of a small lorry to look at them.

Those eyes are a bright emerald green------ Just like Mikaeru’s. That emerald l.u.s.ter that is reflected on that large silvery white body is undoubtedly the proof that the gigantic dragon’s body is under complete control of the dark mage.

“It should be about time that we begin.””

“It has begun long ago, you idiot.”

Faced with that will that can’t wait to start the fight, a mocking voice and a wind blade responded to it at the same time. The wind blade did not let Vritra have any time to react, and sliced off both its wings entirely.

The sliced off wings changed back into the transparent slimes upon leaving the dragon’s body. The slimes crawled forward on the ground surface, and then stuck onto the dragon’s legs, combining with the dragon directly from that spot.

After several seconds, wings sprouted from Vritra’s back once more.

“That was mean.”

With a meaning completely different from what he said, Mikaeru announces unhurriedly:

“And I was waiting so patiently for you guys. Yet to sneak attack without even shouting start, how despicable. You really have no sportsmanship.”

“Oh really, you flatter me.”

Kazuma acts humble, looking serious. The word “despicable” is but a praise to his ears.

“Next it shall be my turn!”

Vritra draws in one deep breathe. As if it really possesses lungs, its chest area begins to inflate.

After the crystal-like transparent teeth bite against each other, hot sparks were flared out in its mouth. All the air that filled the entire chest was blown out at the same time.

Dragon’s breath.

Pitch black flames stretched out in a straight line, pa.s.sing through where the three were just now.

“Dragons can breathe fire. This guy really faithfully acts as how a dragon should be.”

Kazuma murmurs as he flies backwards. Vritra turns its head in pursuit of Kazuma, the shining black flames burns the air, following closely behind Kazuma.

“How persistent!”

Kazuma waves his right hand horizontally, the wind generated by this action blows the flames that are closing in at him off. At the same time, an upward wind strikes at Vritra’s chin like an uppercut.

Kachunk, the dragon’s mouth is closed up, the dragon’s breathe naturally stops as well. Kazuma lands onto the ground unhurriedly.

“Did you expect something like that can defeat me? If so, you are really underestimating me too much!”

“We were just getting to the good part!”

Vritra roars as a strike from its front legs rushes at Kazuma.

The five hooked claws at its feet, each of them possesses a length and sharpness similar to a katana. There is perhaps no organism on earth that can get hit by such a strike and still possess a full corpse!

Faced with the attack coming in horizontally, Kazuma calmly calculates the distance and dodges it easily. Having its full-scale attack dodged by the opponent, Vritra’s body began wavering, having lost balance.

“You fell for it.”

With its back towards Kazuma, Vritra bears its teeth and smirks. With the centrifugal force that comes with making a semi-circular rotation, its tail was flung out with a devastating force.

Kazuma originally intended to use wind blades to cut the tail off, but at the last moment he decided not to.

That tail that is like a log, its size is enough to contain a person within, and he cannot be certain that Misao is not inside.

“-------Che!”

He jumps up to evade, but he was just a little too late. The tail swept past the tip of his feet, Kazuma who was in the air, his body began rotating vigorously.

“Nii-sama!”

Ren releases fire pellets at Vritra who intends to follow up on its attack. The golden flames. .h.i.t the neck portion of the gigantic dragon------but are reflected off by the silvery white scales.

“Huh!?”

“Quit meddling around!!”

Ren jumps backwards, attempting to dodge the backhand claws. However, pitch black fireb.a.l.l.s were released from the tip of Vritra’s claws.

“-------!!”

Ren who is in mid-air is unable to dodge at all. Seeing Ren who hurriedly intends to use his hands to defend, Kazuma who regained his posture shouts out loudly:

“Don’t block it! Get away!”

This is an impossible request, the black flames mercilessly wraps around Ren’s arms.

That filthy thing that bears youki can no longer be a.s.sociated with the word fire, it is just a boiling hot ma.s.s of filthy particles.

Having its properties changed to such an extent, the spirit’s blessings are unable to take effect. The black flames mercilessly erode the body that can originally resist against fire.

“Wahhh!”

“Ren!!”

Vritra uses its huge body to stand before Kazuma who is rushing to his brother’s side.

“Get lost------------!!”

“GRRRRYYYYYYYWWWWW!!”

The shockwave met the dragon’s breathe head-on. Though the wind sliced the black flames apart, the weakened shockwave is insufficient to send Vritra’s huge body off.

“Don’t block my way------”

Kazuma waves his hand out once more. However, Vritra takes in a huge breath as well, preparing to spit fire. Ignoring the opponent’s actions entirely, Kazuma acts on his own and begins to gather wind blades.

Yet, just before the conflict happens again, a plasma ball from the side sent Vritra flying. The huge body that has a weight greater than a blue whale, is now flying in the air like a stray cat being knocked down by a car.

“------ Ayano?”

“Leave this to me.”

Ayano uses a monotonous voice to say, and then began closing in onto Vritra. She does not even look at Kazuma, and waves Enraiha calmly.

“……?”

Though Kazuma is very puzzled by that cold behaviour, but right now Ren’s situation is more important. He leaves Vritra to Ayano, and runs to the side of Ren who is sitting on the floor.

“Are you still alive, Ren!?”

“Ah, yes…… I survived somehow. But, my flames actually bounced off……”

“Well, since it is using Misao as its core, so its fire resistance probably increased as well.”

In fact, it is too humble to say that it “probably increased as well”. Having taken that attack from Ayano earlier, there is not even a trace of burnt mark on those silvery white scales. Just looking at its fire resistance, Vritra is comparable to a member of the Kannagi main family.

(…… That is to say, I cannot expect much from the two of them, and that I must take care of this myself? And to add on to that, this is free service.)

Kazuma indulges in depressing thoughts as he checks Ren’s injuries.

He was burnt from the back of his hand to his elbow, but it will not place his life in danger. Ren seems to have used his own flames to nullify the attack.

“Hmm------ It looks fine. This should not leave a scar.”

Seeing that the injury is lighter than what he had expected, he relaxes and caresses Ren’s tiny head.

“You can back off now, just leave everything else to Ayano and me.”

“I still can fight!”

Ren shouts out instantly. He raises his head and uses determined eyes to look at the surprised Kazuma.

“I still can fight, I cannot back off just because of a small injury like this.”

“----------------”

Kazuma looks straight at his brother, who possesses a strong will to fight, for some time------ and then places his hand on Ren’s head once more.

“I want to save Misao, lend me your strength!”

“Yes!”

Ren nods with pride. At this moment------

“GRRRRLLLLYYYY------------!!”

Vritra’s roar shook the air. Ren looks towards that direction, and subconsciously widens his eyes.

A glowing magical formation suddenly appeared on the ground surface, and began to wrap by the side of the gigantic dragon that is giving off a silvery white glow.

The hexagonal formation that has two circles of different diameters at the center slowly begins to spin. As the volume of the roar increases, the glow becomes more glaring, lightning running at the surface.

The lightning that is rampaging on the ground surface created countless lightning b.a.l.l.s, floating around Vritra. The lightning b.a.l.l.s that are connected to each other by thin lightning, is just like an electric prison trapping a gigantic dragon.

“GYYYR!”

With its short cry as a signal, all the lightning b.a.l.l.s shot off at the same time. There were no fixed targets, just a bunch of lightning b.a.l.l.s being shot off in a wide area, following an unpredictable route to strike at Ayano.

“Onee-sama!”

Ren cries out loudly. At this moment, Ayano uses a speed faster than the speed of sound to sprint out.

Up against the lightning b.a.l.l.s that are falling down like rain, the tiny body speeds within their gaps at a G.o.dly speed.

An emergency stop that brings down her speed in an instant, a sharp directional change that goes against the law of inertia, and an amazing acceleration to speed up to her limit in an instant, Ayano ill.u.s.trates such a body motion that can be called a miracle. The countless lightning b.a.l.l.s are unable to touch their target at all, and begins to lose their energy like that.

After pa.s.sing through the torrent of lightning, Ayano buries herself into the chest of Vritra. She dodges the claws and tail that strike at her with ease, and jumps onto Vritra’s back at the same time, using the entire weight of her body to stab Enraiha downwards.

Kachun!

A solid sound sounded off, the tip of Enraiha pierced through the silvery white scale.

Damage of this level, is nothing but a needle p.r.i.c.k to Vritra. This is not Ayano’s real intention.

“------ Huuu!”

As she breathes out, fire spirits are injected into the gigantic dragon’s body from the tip of Enraiha. And then, ignited.

“GWYYYYYYYYYY!”

Even the st.u.r.dy scales seems fragile under the explosion from within the body. A gap big enough to contain a person within was made on the back of the dragon by the explosion.

“GRRRRWWWWWWWWWW!!”

Vritra gives off an angry roar as it twists its body. Ayano dodges the randomly waving claws and tail calmly, and pulls a distance from Vritra once more.

“------ Onee-sama is so powerful……”

After witnessing Ayano’s astonishing strength in battle, Ren gasps. Yet, Kazuma beside him seems to look displeased.

“That girl…… What the h.e.l.l is she thinking?”

Ren thought that he was commenting on Ayano, and speaks in her aid hurriedly:

“B……But! Misao is also a Jutsushi of the Kannagi, she will probably not be killed by that hit earlier------”

“I don’t mean that, that kind of fighting style is too reckless. She has completely given up on defense------ Does she want to die?”

Kazuma’s voice did not carry any joke or mockery. Ren shivers, and looks at Ayano who consistently performs kamikaze style attacks.

“Onee-sama……!”

Part 3

Ayano did not have anything else on her mind, focusing solely on waving the Enraiha.

Not thinking about anything at all, not hesitating, just focusing on fighting alone. She had had thoughts of showing some mercy, but she forgot about that instantly. Besides, if she goes easy against Vritra which possesses superb fire resistance, she won’t be able to do so much as to scratch it.

Wielding the divine blade that is shining with brilliance, Ayano became a weapon.

Perhaps due to this, her mental capabilities were raised to a level beyond any before. So much so that she can accurately predict the movement of those thunderb.a.l.l.s almost at the speed of light.

Ayano dodges the furious waves of attacks by her agile movements alone. She did not have any efforts to spare to defend, and instead transfers all her energy into Enraiha’s blade.

To run even further.

To move even faster.

Without any considerations at all regarding how to protect herself, just viciously and calmly attacking the enemy. The way she is now is no different from a fighting machine.

She dodged the claws and teeth by several millimeters, and thrusts the Enraiha at the root of Vritra’s tail. The fire spirits that entered through the sharp tip, materializes into its golden flame form.

“GRRRYYYYWWWWWWW!!”

Dragging its tail that has more than half of it blown off, the giant dragon roars loudly. Ayano attacks once more fearlessly, and slices off the tail that is as big as two people hugging together entirely.

The severed tail loses its silvery white shine, turning back into a semi transparent goo piece. But that was for just a moment------ The goo piece that attaches itself with Vritra, transforms back into the shape of a tail as if nothing has happened.

The gigantic dragon bares its crystal teeth to smirk. The body that has completed its regeneration shines with a silvery white glow, there is no trace of the damage done to it earlier.

“------------”

Ayano silently brings up her Enraiha. Even after witnessing the seemingly infinite regeneration capabilities, her will to fight has not wavered one bit.

That is of course. A machine does not fear, a weapon does not hesitate, nor think at all------

------ Why are you so concerned about Misao? Is it because…… You like her?

That kind of thing does not matter anymore. No matter who is in Kazuma’s heart, a machine would not be bothered by it at all.

------ Even so, I still hope that she will live on……

A fighting machine that will neither waver, nor feel at a loss, does not require a heart that would be disturbed by a mere sentence.

Ayano steps onto the ground with force, plunging at Vritra’s chest.

Vritra’s hooked claws strike at Ayano at the same time, sandwiching from both directions, left and right. For that ma.s.sive size, such an action may be considered very swift, but to Ayano now, it was as if it is still.

Ayano slices the middle and ring finger of the right hooked claw off, pa.s.sing through the gap that she has just created, and took a detour, getting to Vritra’s back.

Yet, this is a miscalculation that cannot be any more obvious. Because Ayano still does not know, that Vritra is a combination of magical beings, and that this dragon outer appearance is but a form it took up.

Something like a tentacle grew out from somewhere around dragon’s right elbow suddenly. The sharp tip did not have a moment of hesitation, as it flies straight towards Ayano.

Her accelerated senses can already feel this gradually stretching tentacle, its distance is less than one meter away.

(...It's unavoidable.)

Ayano calmly admits this fact.

Even though her senses are accelerated, her motion will not be accelerated along with it. In this air that is sticky and gluey like tar, Ayano’s movements are slower than that of the tentacle.

The tentacle aims directly and accurate at the dead centre of Ayano’s body, causing Ayano to be unable to dodge by merely twisting her body around. At this rate, the tentacle will clearly and surely pierce through Ayano, and dealing her a fatal injury.

Ayano closes her eyes gently, quietly accepting the unavoidable “death”.

“...Ugh!?”

Padong!

This is definitely not the feeling of a murderous weapon stabbing into the body. It felt just like someone’s body come crashing into her---

“Are ya still sleeping!? Wake up! You dumb girl!”

“Ahh!?”

The angry shout by her ear pulled Ayano back to reality. She opens her eyes, Kazuma’s angry expression appears ten centimeters before her eyes.

“Ka……Kazuma!?”

The negative feelings she had ten seconds ago vanished without a trace.

This is the shocking reality, her conscience was drawn in by the glow in those eyes before her, the throbbing in her heart cannot be suppressed.

(Was he the one who saved me……?)

On that expression that is tense with nervousness, he lost his usual smile. Seeing the sweat that is coming out from his forehead, Ayano showed a smile.

Looking at the smiling Ayano, Kazuma------

“Argh!?”

Pinches her nose.

“What are you staring blankly at? Didn’t I tell you to wake up?”

“Who…… Who said I was sleeping!”

Ayano flings that hand away, but did not let go of the hand that Kazuma is hugging tightly. Their bodies are flying several tens of meters in the air. In the sky that is even higher and further up than Vritra’s head.

(I don't have a choice.)

Ayano finds an excuse for herself, and then hugs Kazuma’s body even more tightly. She subconsciously look towards Kazuma’s back.

“...Behind you!”

Before Ayano shouted, Kazuma had already turned his body agilely in mid-air. Following that, he saw countless tentacles stretching towards the two of them from all over Vritra’s body.

“Che------”

Kazuma raises his right hand at the tentacles------ but his body tenses up suddenly for some unknown reason. The wind spirits that had originally gathered at his right hand disperses immediately after going out of control.

He summons the wind once more. Yet------ The tentacles was quicker.

(Doomed!)

Right before the eyes of Ayano who once again prepared herself death, golden flames burnt off the countless tentacles.

“Great job. Ren, you did us a great favor.”

Kazuma shows a bitter smile, his mouth not forgetting to praise Ren. Looking downwards, Ren is standing on the floor with his hands high up with a prideful smile.

Kazuma reduces the speed of descent, landing cautiously. But at the moment before the landing, he was unable to support Ayano’s body weight and lost balance.

“Yoshh------“

“What’s the matter?”

Witnessing Kazuma’s rare stumble, Ayano gives off a simplistic smile. However, at the moment when she landed, she accidentally felt that warm texture at her lateral abdomen, her expression changes entirely.

She raises her hand hurriedly. Just as she thought, her entire palm is stained red.

“Wait…… Wait a minute, you're injured……”

“I'm fine, this is nothing.”

Kazuma uses his hand to press against the wound, then says with a calm expression on his face.

But Ayano does not believe one bit of what he just said. If it is just a minor wound, it would be impossible that Kazuma failed to control the wind, and it would make even less sense that he is unable to even support Ayano's weight.

With his back facing Ayano who seems to still want to ask some questions, Kazuma confronts Vritra. Obviously, he shows no signs of backing off. His determined resolve to “definitely save Misao” can be seen from the shadow emitted by his back.

And thus, her tone became very unfriendly naturally.

“Why did you save me? You even got yourself injured for that.”

“You didn’t want me to save you?”

Needless to say, that is not the answer Ayano was hoping for. Ayano thought that he was trying to change the topic, so her att.i.tude became even more willful.

“No one asked for your help, I did not want someone like you to save me at all!”

Hearing such an ungrateful speech, even Kazuma can’t help but be a little enraged. Yet the still angry Ayano failed to notice Kazuma’s expression.

“You are the one who wanted to be a busybody, yet you still want to look as though you are the savior! You only have Misao in your mind, then don’t come bothering me, just think about how to save Misao!”

“Even if Misao is saved, it would be pointless if you died.”

“……Huh?”

Ayano ponders about what that sentence means------ No matter the conclusion, she flushes red completely.

“Wha……What! You want to be a two-timer!? I will absolutely not allow this kind of thing!”

(Chinese text used is “You want to step on two boats at the same time!?”)

“Ahh, two-timing, three-timing, they are all the same! Because I have enough power to protect them all!”

(Chinese text used is “Be it two boats, three boats, they are all the same!”)

“…………………….……………..Huh? Protect……………………………..?”

(Wait…… This means……)

Up to this point, Ayano finally realized that she has misunderstood completely. But Kazuma has yet to finish what he wants to say.

“It is not because I am chosen that I was given power! But to not lose again, to not let others take everything away------ I have already decided on that! I will not give up on anyone! I will save Misao! And I won't let you and Ren die either! I'm gonna kill that arrogant kid! Total perfection! That is the only result I will accept! You got a problem with that?!”

“Ah…… No…… Not at all.”

Faced with that imposing aura that doesn’t even allow the slightest of doubts, Ayano unknowingly replies politely. And as she was replying, she felt her expression loosen up gradually.

“Let’s forget about whether it has reached the level of love, but anyway you have created him to have a liking towards you. So there is still a chance!”

Ayano suddenly recalls what Nanase said then, her sixth sense has always been so accurate.

Kazuma sees her as “someone that he must protect”. Just this alone, all the negative feelings that has been stuck up in her heart disappeared.

She lifts her head to see Vritra who is fighting against Ren. Maybe it is just her imagination, but the opponent looks so much smaller as compared to just now. She does not even think that she would lose.

Placing her eyes back onto Kazuma, Ayano smiles and says:

“Come, let’s finish this quickly and then go home. Kazuma------ Kazuma!?”

Her voice raised by an entire scale. In the few seconds that her eyes left Kazuma, Kazuma------ That almighty Kazuma actually kneeled onto the floor entirely. She looks at the incredible sight with a pale look on her face.

“Kazuma! Ka------”

Ayano who panicked for a moment, finally recovers upon seeing that pool of blood at her feet.

There is no time to be shocked. This amount of blood loss------ Not good at all.

Even though he commands overwhelming power, he is still mortal. He will still die when faced with dying situations, a critical amount of blood loss cannot be compensated by mental strength.

Ayano doesn’t mind getting blood onto her clothes at all, and goes up to kneel by Kazuma’s side.

“Kazuma?”

“I'm fine.”

“What do you mean by fine------”

Ayano swallows the words that almost spilled out from her mouth.

Within those quiet eyes looking upwards, a strong and undying determination can be seen within. Those eyes beats any language or words, and stops any refutes.

(It won’t work……)

There is no need to even ask, Ayano understood in an instant. Just looking into those eyes, anyone would have had thought the same thing!

------Nothing can stop him.

“Move aside.”

Kazuma seems to feel impatient towards the motionless Ayano, and began to take action. He grabs Ayano by her shoulder, wanting to force her aside------ Yet that strength is pathetically weak.

Ayano breathes out lightly, and then gently removes the hand pressing against her shoulder. Instead she grabs Kazuma by his arm, who’s about to collapse, and pulls him to her side.

“You------”

“Stop your bleeding first!”

Ayano says to Kazuma who is staring at her with a fierce look.

“------Ahh?”

“I said “Stop your bleeding”! At the rate it is going, you would die within five seconds of the battle. At least cover that wound on the outside, then try to think of some way to recover your energy. Ren and I will support buy you the time to recover.”

“What the h.e.l.l are you talking about, how can I leave it to you two.”

Kazuma ignores Ayano’s kind suggestion, and tries to force his legs to stand up. At this moment------

“You idiot! That is enough!”

Ayano finally got angry. She grabs Kazuma’s collar, then pulls him back with force. Kazuma’s knee loses strength once more, and falls into the pool of blood.

“What can you achieve by dragging that dying body! To just say you did your best when you lost every ounce of energy, so as to satisfy yourself, and then die just like that? Don’t make me laugh!”

Ayano continues to grab his collar, shaking Kazuma continuously. This is way too vigorous for someone who is badly wounded, but Ayano in her anger is not in the mood to care about such things.

“You want to save Misao right? You want to protect me and Ren right? Since you dare say “to protect everything”, then do what you said you would! Don’t you dare use death to run away! I will definitely not let you get away so easily! We will both leaving you your share, so back off until you can move with ease!”

“…………”

For a while, Kazuma stares dumbfounded at Ayano who is so angry she is about to cry------

“Wai……Wait……What are you doing……!?”

And then hugs her tightly.

Ayano’s ears turn red completely, her body tenses up entirely. She opens her mouth wanting to say something, but due to the sudden shock, her thoughts cannot be conveyed into words.

“……Kazuma?”

While she was being hugged, Ayano notices that Kazuma’s body trembles from time to time. She originally thought that it was due to the pain from the wound, but it seems slightly different.

It would be quite a while later that she realizes that this was him laughing to himself.

“------Kazuma?”

Hearing that low and threatening questioning, Kazuma answers, still with a bit of that laughter left on his face:

“No, I was just thinking------ You might become a fine woman in the future.”

Hearing such sudden words of flattery, the temperature of Ayano’s face went even higher. But to be able to express her joy frankly, Ayano still lacks some experience.

“Might? A fine woman? What a joke! I will definitely become a top cla.s.s beauty! When that time comes, it would be too late for you to regret not having realized my potential!”

“That is hard to say, there are a lot of people who are younger than you that are already women. This has nothing to do with virgin or not, but as long as you keep thinking “someday”, you will never be a grown up.”

“……You sure are talkative for a dying man.”

Kazuma smiles against that weak reb.u.t.tal, and makes a declaration:

“Five minutes.”

“------Huh?”

“Five minutes, buy me some time.”

“Is five minutes enough? Ten minutes, or maybe twenty would be easier------”

“Five minutes.”

Kazuma holds his ground, repeating himself once more. This is not the minimum time required, but probably that the maximum amount of time he is willing to suppress his pride is five minutes?

“Fine, fine.”

Ayano replies simply, as if hoaxing a child, and then stands up. She walks straight at Vritra, but turns around again after a few steps.

She lowers her head to look at Kazuma who is placing “ki” into his palm and began healing his wound.

“------What?”

“I just wanted to ask you------ You have never thought about sacrificing yourself to save Misao, did you?”

As if trying to seek the true meaning to her words, Kazuma stares at Ayano, the side of his lips rises up suddenly.

“I------”

That originally frowning, serious look that doesn’t befit Kazuma is gone. He uses an arrogant, invincible and easy smile------ the one Ayano is most familiar with, the expression that suits Kazuma the most, to reply:

“------I don’t like dying.”

“Great!”

Ayano smiles happily, and runs off without turning her head.

Running towards the battlefield.

Part 4

“GRRYYWWWWWW!!”

Ren jumps to avoid Vritra’s dragon breathe. Without a care for his pride, he runs away everywhere, and timing it to release flames when the breathe pauses from time to time.

Perhaps to try to imitate Kazuma’s wind blade, the sharp and tiny golden flames he gathered, move into Vritra’s mouth in a manner leaving a laser-like trail behind.

In the blink of an eye, the golden brilliance explodes within Vritra’s mouth. Seeing the huge dragon that tries hard to shake its head in order to put out the flames, Ren begins to adjust his irregular breathing.

Seeing that, the impressed Ayano praises:

“My, you are quite good at fighting.”

Hearing the voice behind him, Ren turns his entire body vigorous to the back.

“Nee-sama!”

But that originally bright and delightful expression soon changed to worry. Seeing the blood stains at Ayano’s feet and clothes, Ren asked in a trembling voic