Mob Yandere

[Part 4/5]

 "Hehe, leave it to me..."

 With a strained reply, the fox reversed from the dream realm. The fox shadow that had been floating in the mist seemed to dissolve and disperse. Even the traces of someone who had been there, even their footprints, were completely lost. It was the power of the world's correction. A fragment of the youkai's world-scale authority that rules over dreams...

 The second-to-last guest's departure...

 "Well then, it's only you now, isn't it?"

 "Are you really going to do what you just said? And if they accept the proposal?"

 Nue asked in response to the call. Without any warning, Nue confirmed the presence of a short, four-legged creature standing by his side.

 "I have obtained permission. It's worth a try. Things have changed since then. It seems that the imperial court has been sending pioneer groups to the borders and causing conflicts... You must be aware of that, right?"

 The dream youkai thought it would be nice if they agreed. Isn't the dispatch of pioneer groups influenced by Daijin, a court official who serves near the emperor?

 "I'm ignoring it, but I'm not actively involved. Rather than greed... I should say it's more carefree. It seems that both merchants and landlords believe that if the official army intervenes, they can handle anything."

 "That's... foolish."

 Knowing the truth, the dream youkai was thoroughly disgusted. Nue shrugged his shoulders.

 "The prime land in the central region has been mostly developed a long time ago. The development of the surrounding lands is becoming increasingly difficult day by day. The population is increasing. It keeps growing. The progress of developing the cold villages is not going smoothly... In that case, it's only natural for people's attention to turn to untouched major spiritual veins."

 "Although it does not have the right to have seen painful experiences many times in the past. Does it forget the heat once it passes the throat? Human-like... However, it is convenient."

 Even in the previous great war, they sought cooperation from them. For that, they made significant concessions. However, their friendly hand was rejected, despite being treated unfairly by the court until now.

 "Since the great war, the tyranny of the court has become even stronger. There are also those among the younger generation who harbor doubts about their relationship with the court. It's worth a try."

 They were originally an unexpected force, and even if they fail, it's not a problem. If they succeed, it holds significant meaning.

 "...Honestly, I don't have any expectations."

 Recalling old memories, the former Omnyouji Bureau head warns. He couldn't possibly think that they, or rather it, would make a decision to oppose the court... Well, it doesn't matter. It's not oneself who will be at the forefront.

 Who will draw the short straw... This is an interesting turn of events. No matter how things may unfold, it doesn't matter. After all, it's because of being in the same boat.

 "Well then, I have some business to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

 With that, Nue lightly bow towards the dream youkai by his side. The last guest tries to exit the world of dreams. But when his shadow fades away...

 "...Ah, that's right. I forgot."

 Muttering as if remembering something, the acting head (dream youkai) turned to the departing comrades and spoke a word.

 "It's only right to clean up after playing with toys. ...Thanks to that, that weasel went through a painful experience. How about feeling a little guilt towards your comrades?"

 In the very end, the acting head drove a huge nail that only those who understood the meaning could comprehend. The grotesque creatures of the hundred faces momentarily wore a surprised expression.

 "Hahaha!"

 And in that fleeting moment of disappearing, Nue laughed at the warning with a refreshing smile.

 In his mind, the name of the person who came to mind was...

* * *

 The sound of a conch shell resounded through the city. A group of soldiers clad in armor, wielding matchlock guns and spears, marched through the city streets. They were reinforcements dispatched from neighboring counties to maintain public order.

 They were the forces of the government army sent to protect Shiromoku-kan city.

 "..."

 In the prime location of Kan City, the most luxurious inn in the city stood. Sitting by the open shoji paper door, I, who was treated as a household member and servant, quietly looked down at the streets of the city. In my line of sight, I could see countless heads, a crowd of people.

 The sight of a strong army marching through the streets of Kan City did not receive any criticism from those who had suffered from youkai attacks, saying it was too late to come now. Instead, they received applause and cheers from the majority of the people.

 Perhaps it was because they had hunted down several youkai that had fled from Kan City, impaling their remains on spears and carrying them along. Among the injured and grieving commoners, there were those who threw stones, kicked, cursed, and even performed actions beyond that to vent their frustrations on the exposed youkai remains.

 ...Two full days had passed since the series of disturbances in Kan City in the northern region.

 The emergency that shook the entire city was gradually coming to an end, although responsibility remained ambiguous. This was because the damage to the city was far smaller compared to the scale of the incident.

 The great youkai that appeared on three sides of the city were exorcised without causing much harm. Not to mention the countless small fry, they were thoroughly exterminated by the exorcists from the Northern region. So, the nobles were unscathed.

 Over a hundred buildings burned and collapsed, and there were casualties in the hundreds, both soldiers and civilians... But that was all.

 Individual tragedies were mere statistics on a national scale, insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Especially considering the insignificance of life in this world. It was nothing more than a small fire that couldn't even shake a county, let alone the country of Fusō. The damage inflicted on the city by the conspiracy itself was truly of such a degree.

 "...Well, I may not be able to say anything impressive, but..."

 Those who have lost their homes, become penniless, and lost their families and friends. Despite looking down on them from the upper floors of a luxury inn, I, who can eat, bathe, and sleep in a futon, would be ridiculous to complain.

 "...And even the maids are included."

 "...? Tomobe-sama?"

 He averted his gaze from the window. Looking down, he saw a girl who was looking up at him as if she were serving him.

 Mari, who had been playing the koto beside him, stopped her fingers. With her eyes closed, she anxiously looked up at him.

 "Did it bother you? That I didn't serve you?"

 "No, it's not like that. I just thought I was being arrogant."

 The servants of the exorcist family stationed in the city, as well as the foot soldiers, were deployed to maintain the peace of the city. I should have been sent there as well.

 Instead, I was ordered to wait, relaxing in a room at the inn, listening to the soothing music being played. It wasn't unpleasant, but I felt guilty.

 "Since you hold a position... and Tomobe-sama fulfilled his duty in the previous incident, there is no need to worry, right?"

 Mari responded hesitantly, fearing the consequences of not affirming her master's words but instead offering a rebuttal. However, what caught my attention was not her response. Rather...

 "Hold on. Fulfilled my duty? ...Where did you hear such a story?"

 I hadn't mentioned a word about my recent suicide mission against the rebel forces of the Evil God and Ezo, not even to Mari or those around her.

 "Eh!? That... was it from Madam?"

 Mari replied with confusion and a sense of apology. Of course, when she mentioned "Madam," she wasn't referring to my wife. I have no memory of such a person suddenly appearing or overflowing. It was clear that she was referring to the current wife of the Onitsuki family' head.

 "I see..."

 My voice, as I muttered those words, was lower than usual. I understood the meaning behind Mari's words.

 The fact that that woman had approached Mari and spoken to her was unpleasant in itself.

 "Ah, um...um, did I do something wrong?"

 "No, it's not that...it's nothing."

 I briefly denied Mari's hurried question. It wasn't a lie. My dissatisfaction and anger were not directed at Mari, at least. I have no thoughts about her.

 ...How she interprets my words is a separate issue.

 "R-Really!?"

 "Ugh!?"

 Both arms wrapped tightly around my legs. Due to her disability, this action naturally caused my weight to lean forward and cling to my legs.

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