Mob Yandere

[Part 8/10]

It truly was a remarkable thing, thought Kochou. Despite not being in the best physical condition, he readily accepted his nephew's actions... it was an incredibly strange story.

'Surely he's up to something. I can't let my guard down. ...I'm also displeased about my shikigami being killed. I need to examine 'his' body later.'

In the final stages of the turmoil, the sudden tearing of the shikigami designated to watch over him worsened Aoi's impression of Shisui, pushing it to a new low. Although a backup shikigami was immediately put in place nearby, it was still infuriating that she couldn't watch over him during his moment of danger, even if it was just for a short time.

Aoi had no intention of monitoring his life throughout the day, but considering that she was exposing him to danger, she believed it was her duty to stand by him to protect him, to accept the reality that harmed him. If anyone interfered with that, she would be angry. Or perhaps, there was a possibility that something had been done to his body...

'Calm down. As far as I can see, there is nothing unusual about him.'

'Are you sure? There's no chance you overlooked something?'

Despite Kochou's words, Aoi continued to bite back. Given the circumstances, it seemed that Aoi had no intention of compromising on this matter. Kochou's shikigami showed a slightly puzzled expression, unable to ignore Aoi's attitude.

'Curses are also within my jurisdiction. Trust your grandmother's eyes. ...Besides, Shisui isn't well-versed in advanced curses. He can't use complicated curses that I would overlook."

'Of course, if you're not satisfied, you can investigate as much as you want until you do. Just don't trouble him, alright?'

'...'

Silenced by the conciliatory yet warning words of the advisor's shikigami, the second princess fell silent. Though she seemed dissatisfied, she wasn't self-centered enough to completely ignore her grandmother's words. Aoi chewed on her frustration, even evident through the shikigami.

For a while, silence enveloped the room... until Kayo broke it.

"...By the way, princess, could you inform me of the date of Tomobe-san's return? I put in quite a lot of effort. Could you grant me that much?"

Seizing the opportunity, Kayo calmly requested her well-deserved reward this time. She had used money and influence. Sacrifices and expenses were within acceptable limits if it was for him, but she still wanted a reward. Merchants were greedy creatures. She would try to make contact with him on the way back, disguising it as a coincidence.

(Hehehe, fortunately, I have plenty of souvenirs for him wherever I go.)

Not only souvenirs, but I'll also arrange a feast. Let's dress up and, just to be prepared, let's have some special underwear ready. I should also prepare various outfits for the second and third rounds, just in case. It will surely make an impression. I like to show him the "Bunny Hostess Reception" before that older woman does so too. How will he look at it? How will he remove it? How will he dominate and overpower me? These were the thoughts racing through Kayo's mind.

"Hehe..."

...Imagining it alone made Kayo ho*ny. Once this story is over, she'll immediately use the "D*ldo" that she bought in secret. To be honest, about 80% of the reason she came all the way to this city was for that.

She heard that the nomads on the continent can make things as good as horses. It was quite impressive. The menacing design and the fact that it's painted all black deserve high marks. Just imagining pushing it in until the membrane tears is irresistible. During the main event, she'll show it to him and provoke him. Without knowing it, he will ruthlessly take away her purity, wounded by his pride...

'He is...'

Immersed in her wild delusions, Kayo, while keeping a poker face, was secretly fantasizing. However, Aoi, who could sense her reckless reaction even through the shikigami, showed a slightly awkward response.

"Princess?"

'...It might be a bit difficult for you to pretend to stumble upon him this time. It will take time to return.'

Kochou chimed in, as if trying to smooth things over. Kayo felt that she was hiding something and conveyed it through her gaze.

'...I'd rather you not look at me with such eyes, though?'

"Indeed, I have offered the best seat to the Princess of Onitsuki. I don't mind contributing money, honor, or anything else. I can even be scorned. However, if something happened to Tomobe-san and it was being hidden from me, that would be unpleasant."

Kayo declared honestly to the perplexed Shikigami. She couldn't tolerate being oblivious to his suffering. She couldn't forgive it. She couldn't compromise. As a merchant, it was also important to assert her own will at times.

'...It's not like something happened to him personally.'

Aoi was swayed by Kayo's expression of determination. After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.

He, the person whom everyone in this place loves more than anything else, and what he is doing right now... It's...

"It seems this is the place."

Several horses advanced through the snowy plain and came to a halt. As the leader, I compared the map with the scenery before me, confirming it two or three times before nodding. As I tried to dismount from the horse while enduring the pain in my entire body... I stumbled.

"Tsk, you fool!"

Iruka, who had rushed to my side, caught me as I was about to fall headfirst into the snow.

In a hurry, with the help of the two servants who had come here, I slowly stood up with the assistance of a spear with its tip hidden by a cloth, serving as a temporary cane.

"I... I'm sorry. I caused trouble."

With clenched teeth, I thanked my companions for putting up with my selfishness. I recognized that they had experienced inconvenience during our journey in the past few days.

"N-No, it's nothing at all..."

"That's right. You're all talk. Consider your surroundings."

"Iruka-san!?"

As Shiro rushed to deny it, Iruka interrupted with a sharp comeback. Shiro reprimanded Iruka for her behavior, but I calmed them down.

"No, it's fine. It's the truth."

I had left Tamaki and the others, and their bodyguard now weakened. But I desired to release my pent-up frustration, although I knew it was unjustifiable to lose my temper.

"You all, I'm sorry. You couldn't be there when it mattered, and yet I involve you in this..."

"No, we..."

"We are grateful for avenging Tokiwa and for Yun-shoku's help."

The two servants, who also served as escorts like Iruka, replied while expressing their gratitude. These two were from the same team as Tokiwa, who had died during this mission.

"Don't act so subservient. We've only completed half... no, a third. I'll take care of the rest as much as possible, so please bear with it a little longer."

Half-jokingly proclaiming such a thing, I started walking.

"You all, wait here. It won't take long."

"You're going alone?"

'( ≧∀≦)ノ Souvenir!'

When I ordered them, Iruka interjected, as if probing. And ignoring the strange thought coming from my pocket, I nodded.

"It's the job I received. I'll go alone."

"...Typical of you."

In response to my answer, Iruka muttered in utter disbelief. Shiro and the others gave me reproachful glances... I could only manage a wry smile.

And so, I resumed my steps, heading towards that gate.

To Hieda County, Mongai Village...

…

…

…

Like the villages I had visited before, Mongai Village was not a prosperous one. At best, one could say that it had relatively large grounds and a low population density.

With that in mind, entering the village head-on was relatively easy. Luckily, the gatekeeper was dozing off.

"Hey, do your job properly."

"Whoa!?"

At the entrance of the village, enclosed by a fence, I kicked the feet of a young gatekeeper who was drooling and sleeping in a hut there. He woke up startled and fell off his chair, but since it was a self-inflicted mishap, I didn't pay it any mind.

"What is he doing..."

I looked at the guard who was rubbing his sore bottom, sighed in frustration, and kept walking further into the village.

"Sorry to bother you. I have something I want to ask."

Considering the season and time of day, most people in the village were probably doing household chores or cooking. There were hardly any people working outside, and the villagers I found, apart from the guard, were a group of children playing outside. As I called out to these unfamiliar children dressed in black, they became wary and hid in the shadows of trees and bushes.

Well, well, these brats have been well educated. I can feel safe knowing they won't easily fall prey to kidnappers.

"I'm looking for someone. I have something to deliver. If you tell me, I'll give it to you."

With those words, I revealed a bag of gold-wrapped candies, part of the supplies I borrowed from the devastated station, thanks to those youkai.

"What's that?"

"It's a konpeito."

As I said that and popped one into my mouth, I showed them the remaining candies in the bag. The vivid colors caught their interest, and the children gradually became more curious, inching closer to me. Excitedly, they grabbed one and tasted it. Suddenly, their eyes grew wider, and they hurriedly gathered around, eager for more.

"Hold on, hold on. If you want it, I'll give it to you. But before that, answer my question."

I halted the starving kids who stared at me like wolves ready to pounce and asked them. The answers came immediately as they pointed at the destination at once.

"Alright... I'll tell you, but remember, you must keep this conversation a secret. If you tell anyone that you received food from a suspicious person, your parents will scold you, got it?"

After giving them the warning, I handed over the bag. The bag was quickly snatched away, and the hungry children ravaged its contents. The scene was like a flock of sparrows flocking to feed. I couldn't help but smile wryly.

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