บท 618: -611- Do you want to gain power
Inside the cabin, in the main hall.
At this moment, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and Tsuchimikado Chizuru sat in a row, explaining everything to Natsume and Suzuka seated in front of them.
These explanations included the grudges between the Tsuchimikado family, Kurahashi family, and Soma family, as well as the truth behind Yakou's reincarnation. They even disclosed the internal affairs of the Onmyou Agency, laying out all the details without any concealment.
Naturally, this also included the revelation that Rozen wasn't a Tsuchimikado family descendant, but rather Harutora was the true heir, and he was the reincarnation of Yakou.
Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi conveyed these truths with a complex, heavy, bitter, and resilient tone, ensuring that Natsume and Suzuka knew all the facts.
The reactions of the two girls were completely different.
Natsume was left astonished and overwhelmed by the truths and the agency's internal workings that Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi revealed. She was so shocked that she couldn't regain her composure for some time, appearing extremely lost.
On the other hand, although Suzuka was surprised by some of the revelations, upon hearing about the Kurahashi and Soma family issues, she fell into silence instead of shock.
Observing Suzuka's reaction, regardless of the others, Natsume, her voice trembling slightly, asked disbelief laced in her tone, "Did you already know about all of this?"
Suzuka didn't respond directly; instead, after a moment of silence, she replied somewhat coldly, "After all, my father is from the Soma branch. Strictly speaking, I also have Soma blood. Although I didn't know these things initially, I found out about it during my confinement in the Onmyou Agency. I learned the truth from Soma Takiko, who claimed to be my relative, and later from Yashamaru, who had reincarnated into Yase-Doji."
Indeed.
During her confinement at the Onmyou Agency, Suzuka met Soma Takiko, who appeared very friendly, claiming to be her relative. She also met her father, who had reincarnated as Yase-Doji, which revealed certain truths to her.
Because of this, when Rozen led Suzuka out of the Onmyou Agency, Soma Takiko approached Suzuka as if they were very familiar. When Suzuka saw her, she showed an abnormal repulsion and even fear towards her.
After all, this father of hers had experimented on her like a specimen during his lifetime, applying various forbidden arts, and ultimately caused the death of her own brother.
For this father, Suzuka held a deep-rooted resentment and an even more profound fear.
So, Suzuka's behavior back then was due to these circumstances.
In other words...
"You all knew that someone was targeting Akikan and yet you didn't inform him about anything. You even let him become a substitute for Harutora... a dangerous pawn eyed by Yakou's followers and others?" Natsume's voice trembled due to this revelation.
In this situation, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and Tsuchimikado Chizuru remained silent, and even Suzuka stayed quiet, seemingly accepting the situation.
"How could you...?"
How could you do this?
This was what Natsume wanted to say, or rather, a scolding statement.
But now, at this point, what good would it do to say these things?
"It turns out, Akikan, like me, was an orphan picked up from the outside..."
Natsume bit her lip.
Even though she felt anger, even though she had complaints, and even a sense of injustice and anger towards Rozen's fate, Natsume knew that it was pointless to target these people in front of her.
Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi only wanted to protect his son, resorting to this plan when he felt helpless.
Tsuchimikado Takahiro and Tsuchimikado Chizuru knew all the truths but chose to silently support their main family, fulfilling their responsibilities as the branch family.
As for Suzuka, she knew a portion of the truth but had no idea about Soma family's intentions.
In this situation, how could Natsume blame them?
Moreover...
"In the end, I'm just too weak."
A wave of sadness washed over Natsume.
If she were strong enough, even facing all of this, she could have helped Rozen.
However, despite such significant events happening, with so many hidden truths and darkness, as Rozen's Shikigami, she didn't understand anything, and throughout, she couldn't be of any help to Rozen. She could only watch Rozen endure all the unfairness.
Therefore, fundamentally, Natsume had no right to blame others.
"...What about Akikan?" Natsume could only ask with difficulty, "Where is Akikan now?"
The one to answer this question was Tsuchimikado Takahiro, the former Jutsu-Sou official.
"I've gathered some information," Tsuchimikado Takahiro said to Natsume, "I heard that Akikan caused a commotion in the Onmyou Agency, defeating several national-level Onmyouji and severely injuring the Fire Demon. He has escaped the Onmyou Agency and his whereabouts are unknown."
"You are Akikan's Shikigami. You should be able to sense his presence, right?" Tsuchimikado Chizuru consoled Natsume, "If you want to find him, leaving the barrier here should allow you to sense his location, as long as Akikan isn't too far away."
The couple from the Tsuchimikado branch made these statements.
Even Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi spoke up again in a somewhat silent manner.
"Now, Harutora is no longer here, and he has probably awakened the memories of his previous life. Akikan's whereabouts are unknown. Our Tsuchimikado branch is now under complete scrutiny by the Onmyou Agency. We probably won't be able to return to the open."
Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi thus concluded his explanation.
This prompted Natsume to ask what she wanted to know.
"So, what do you plan to do next?"
This was what Natsume wanted to know.
And Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and Tsuchimikado Chizuru seemed to have prepared themselves for what lay ahead.
"Regardless, we don't intend to agree with the ideologies of the Kurahashi and Soma families."
Tsuchimikado Takahiro said so.
"In that case, we can only fight to the end."
Tsuchimikado Chizuru raised her arm, showing a determined expression.
"We will go look for Harutora and Akikan. With their unique abilities, the Onmyou Agency won't let them off easily," Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi focused on Natsume and Suzuka, saying, "If you want to find Akikan, we can assist you."
This was the collective decision of the Tsuchimikado family.
It had to be said, with assistance from the Tsuchimikado family, Natsume and Suzuka would undoubtedly have an easier time.
However...
"Even if we find him, what can we do?" Suzuka said mockingly, "With our strength, can we help him stand against the Onmyou Agency?"
Suzuka voiced the pain in Natsume's heart.
Yes.
Even if they found Rozen, did they have the ability to help him stand against the Onmyou Agency?
Not to mention Natsume, even Suzuka likely fell short in this regard.
Despite being among the "Twelve Divine Generals," Suzuka was at the bottom, more of a researcher and not skilled in actual combat.
Now, without Tsuchigumo, Suzuka would struggle against any of the "Twelve Divine Generals," or even a stronger Onmyouji. Let alone facing the entire Onmyou Agency, with Soma Takiko present.
If she opposed Soma Takiko, it meant she had to confront Yashamaru.
For Suzuka, this wasn't a challenge she could easily overcome.
And if Suzuka felt this way, Natsume's abilities were even less compared to Suzuka.
"This Shikigami role is really inadequate."
Suzuka self-mockingly commented, making Natsume's clenched lips tighten even more.
"Natsume..."
Tsuchimikado Chizuru sensed Natsume's pain and gently embraced her.
"Mom..."
Embraced by Tsuchimikado Chizuru, Natsume couldn't hold back her tears.
Even though she knew Rozen wasn't a true heir of the Tsuchimikado main family, or even a member of the Tsuchimikado family, logically speaking, Natsume no longer had a reason to be his Shikigami. Yet Natsume had never considered this possibility.
For Natsume, being Rozen's Shikigami represented not only the duty of a branch family member but also an emotion that had continued from childhood to the present.
In this situation, Natsume couldn't bear this kind of condition.
She couldn't endure feeling so powerless.
Seeing Natsume in such pain, Tsuchimikado Chizuru's eyes also welled up.
"All of this is because of us, Natsume. You can blame us without reservation."
Tsuchimikado Chizuru said in distress, eliciting a shaking of Natsume's head.
This prompted Tsuchimikado Takahiro, a father, to close his eyes.
After a while...
"Natsume." Tsuchimikado Takahiro opened his eyes and spoke, "Do you want to gain power?"
At these words, Natsume was taken aback.
"Dear...!?" Tsuchimikado Chizuru seemed to realize something and was horrified, "Could it be...!"
Not only Tsuchimikado Chizuru but even Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi seemed to guess something and furrowed his brow.
But Tsuchimikado Takahiro just looked at Natsume and said so.
"Natsume, you must know Kuzunoha, right?"
—"Kuzunoha."
How could Natsume not know this name?
For anyone related to the Tsuchimikado family and those devoted to the world of Yin and Yang, this was a name that was impossible not to know.
Legend has it that she was the famous onmyoji Abe no Seimei's mother, a white fox spirit capable of transforming into a beautiful woman. She bore this legendary onmyoji and then disappeared from his life a few years later, leaving without a trace.
It was said that Abe no Seimei inherited the bloodline of the fox spirit, giving him exceptional spiritual power and ultimately making him an unparalleled figure through the ages.
In other words, Kuzunoha was also one of the ancestors of the Tsuchimikado family. Despite the long gap in time, the people of the Tsuchimikado family still carried the bloodline of the fox spirit, and thus, talents emerged from generation to generation, ultimately establishing their position as masters of Onmyodou.
Now, Tsuchimikado Takahiro mentioned this figure.
And he revealed a secret.
"In our branch family, we've always been housing the spirit of the fox, believed to be our ancestor Kuzunoha."
Tsuchimikado Takahiro calmly announced.
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