Chapitre 29: The Night parade of One Hundred Demons (2)
The workers greeted Asahi at the front door of the North Star mansion. "Eh," he acknowledged their greetings and walked forward. As the cool breeze passed, his haori fluttered, signifying a closer look towards the auspicious omen.
'Is there something rotting in the house?'
Asahi questioned as he walked upstairs. Unlike the other times, Asahi had been called to the topmost floor where the association meetings were held. It seems that they had finally acknowledged that he was a proper dragon guardian.
At the top floor stood a heavy wooden door that had the head of an oni as its lock. He pressed and pushed it back, revealing the seated members. The room was dimly lit. Giving a smile that intentionally did not meet his eyes, he got seated in the fifth chair.
Unlike Asahi's shaken heart from the day before, his eyes were as sharp as his blade, and not a single flaw could be pointed out from him. In a dog-eat-dog world, the very first rule was to never reveal the true face. After all, standing proud and upfront was the best revenge, especially in front of all the men who scrutinize his every action.
The room had a big round table and was surrounded by the vermillion-red walls. There were two doors in the room, and the room was extremely narrow.
Suddenly the second door shook, and all the members of the association had their backs straightened and focused faces. Each of them wore a mask of their respective guardians, which covered half their faces and only showed their lips and chin. With the sudden change in the ambience, Asahi could only stay still as he did not have a mask.
"Good Morning"
Mr. Kobayashi entered the room wearing a mouse mask. All of a sudden, the rotting smell got heavier.
"Good Morning"
The men in the room answered in union. The master walked slowly, and despite the short duration of separation, the man had extremely deteriorated in terms of health.
"As you all may have known, this meeting was organized in a rush due to the changes in the schedule. So first, we have a huge problem. The night parade of the demons is to be at Okinawa. As you may know, I do not have good health, so I cannot accompany you all there. More than a third of you are the only ones available.
Thus, in such times, I would like to ask for your valuable suggestions."
Mr. Kobayashi spoke humbly and lowered his head. It made Asahi reevaluate his thoughts for a while. Should the highest-positioned man ever bow his head? Was it befitting of him? Was it even beneficial?
"How about we ask the free ones to go to Okinawa? In case of emergency, they can ask the guardian for the powers and take you there," Takahashi Kaito, who wore the rabbit mask, suggested, and the rest of the members nodded in approval.
"But then that would mean only Hayashi Tokoe and Ito Asahi would be at the parade." The one wearing the goat mask raised the question.
"Isn't the dragon guardian also an exorcist as well? I say they are a good pair to send since Hayashi is good at physical combat with the spirits as well." The one wearing the pig's mask stated.
"Um… It does seem like a good idea. Are you willing to take this mission, Hayashi and Ito?" Mr. Kobayashi coughed in between his words.
"Yes"
"No"
The contradictory answers made all the eyes of the people look at Asahi. It was the unspoken rule that anything Mr. Kobayashi asked was to be done. No one could go against it, and yet the teen foolishly answered no in such an important meeting.
"Why so, Ito San?"
Unlike the expectations of reprimanding the child, Mr. Kobayashi glinted in his eyes. Expecting Asahi to say no.
"As we know, the night parade is led by the Nurarihyon. How do you expect us to make amends with it? At most, we might survive, but it would be impossible to complete this mission without your presence." He presented his words.
This made all the members think of the situation more deeply. After all, they had forgotten that the presence of the master mattered the most, even though he never participated in the combat.
"Then how about you take my son with you?"
The master's words left everyone in the room stunned. Even the ones who never show emotions had a doubt and a slight surprise. How was it even possible? The next heir was how being showcased.
"But master! Young master is still very young!" they pleaded.
"A man can never be too young for his duties. Ito kun too started at the age of thirteen, similar to Hayashi. So, are you both alright with my decision?"
"Yes master" Both Asahi and Hayashi answered in union. While the rest could feel they had bitten the dust. Being in such a close environment with the next heir was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity since it meant being favored by the next master.
"Great. Then the meeting is dismissed. Except for two who will go to Okinawa tonight, the rest can leave. And you two follow me."
As the rest grumbled under their breath, Ito and Hayashi stood from their seats and followed the master by using the second door. It led to a spiral staircase with granite stairs.
"He is my son from my fourth wife, so he is quite young. Almost the same age as you, Ito san. You both might even make good friends." The old man slightly turned his head and gave a genuine smile.
While Hayashi was immaculately focused on his work, Asahi divulged deeper into the temperament of the room. Mr. Kobayashi's feet stopped before a door, and he knocked on it.
"Open the door, Sana."
Suddenly the knob turned and "click!" the door was unlocked yet not a single human sound was made.
"He is a bit shy of people."
Mr. Kobayashi entered the room, and the two followed him inside, but there they saw a man opposite the master.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone