Chapter 234

The Ako family is a family line built upon firm loyalty to the throne and the protection of the kingdom. Since the time of the first head, the Sword Saint who was appointed as the very first Taima Nana-shi

1 (Seven Demon-Sealing Warriors), that commitment has never changed. To strike down without hesitation the Oni, Rasetsu, Mōryō, and Demon Gods—those beings that exist outside the bounds of human reason—who hold hatred for the royal court, and thereby to ensure the peace of the people, is their noble mission and their very reason for existence.

Ako Murasaki, the youngest daughter of the current head family, has lived her life with these family rules carved into her very core.

She has never once forgotten the blood-soaked responsibilities passed down by her ancestors. For the sake of that duty, she had prepared herself since childhood for the possibility that her own limbs might be eaten by monsters, leaving her nothing more than a pitiful lump of flesh. Even if her body were to be left rotting in the wilderness, she would never permit the shame of being unable to face her ancestral spirits. This matter was not about the "individual"; it was a matter of the "family."

That is right. Not the individual. It is the family's burden. It is not merely a problem of the servants. It is an insult and a failure against the very name of Ako.

And so….

"To think… that I would be the one to soil the name of my house."

In the center of the room, sitting with her back perfectly straight in Seiza

2, the eldest daughter of the Ako main line, the youngest daughter, Ako Murasaki, whispered to herself. In a room so quiet it felt cold, only her voice echoed.

The room in the Saiguu dorms was very simple. The pillars and walls were bare wood, lacking even a coat of plaster. All that remained were a small desk, a cushion, and a single Shokudai

3. The spirit-firestone embedded in the Shokudai cast a dull, pale-blue light throughout the room. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but the light felt strangely dark. The room, which rejected all sunlight, had no windows, and Murasaki could sense the presence of guards beyond the door—the only point of contact with the outside world. She was well aware that this was not just security; it was watching. It was clear that this was not a room meant to welcome guests.

In essence, this was house arrest in a prison cell. No, it was imprisonment. One of those whom her family had taken into their service had committed a violent crime. And since it had happened here, of all places, in the sacred Old Capital's Saiguu dorms, such treatment was only natural. Lack of oversight is the responsibility of the employer. Also, from the perspective of the Saiguu dorms and the shrine, they had every reason to hold the master of the person who did it, fearing the worst. This matter might not be the act of a single individual. She understood the logic. She understood it well.

…How shameful. Truly shameful. It was layer upon layer of shame. She had stained the honor of her house, the honor of her master, the trust of the royal court, and the duty of loyalty. And, as a mentor, she had failed as well.

(I am truly ashamed. In such a state, I cannot even show my face to my older cousin lady's family… to my aunt, or to the head of the Onitsuki house.)

Accompanying them as a follower, which included the task of looking after her younger apprentice, had been a serious mistake. There was no need to mention it to her own family, but it was a source of deep shame before the Onitsuki house. How could she ever act like a mentor to her apprentice again? She had lectured the girl so thoroughly, yet she had failed to see what was happening right under her own feet. To think she could not even control a single servant….

"However, why on earth would he do such a thing…"

…After a brief silence, Murasaki furrowed her brow into a pained expression, bowed her head once more, and whispered as if the words were seeping out of her.

She knew this was nothing more than making excuses for herself. She could not complain if she were accused of making excuses. A person's heart is even more impossible to understand than the belly of a youkai (spirit), and the tragedy that had occurred was the only reality that mattered. Even so, the Princess of Ako could not keep it from passing her lips. Her mind was simply overflowing with questions and doubts.

(Why? Even if he was of lowly status… he should not have been reckless or foolish enough to commit such a violent act. If anything, he was supposed to be a coward, was he not?)

She remembered him as an obedient, timid, and faint-hearted man. He was the type to crouch behind the household member—who was now dead—following in their footsteps, and yet he was not a person suited for any kind of violence. She also recognized that he was devoted to his sister. Considering his sister's position, it was even less likely that he would cause such a situation… She had explained the rules of manners regarding the Old Capital and the Saiguu dorms to him until she was blue in the face. It was not as if he were unable to understand. Was it impulsive? A sudden bout of madness? But still….

(He did not even appear to be holding any hidden anger. At the very least, he should not have been treated with unfair harshness on a daily basis…)

That was certain. Yona was well-connected, a lover of gossip who enjoyed talking, and while she had the weakness of a loose tongue, she was for that very reason sensitive to the fine details of such things. If there were any seeds of trouble among the household staff, she would surely have informed her.

"That is right. Yona…"

As her thoughts turned in that direction, Murasaki felt an even greater sense of impatience, her expression twisting with bitter pain. It was worry. It was anxiety. The other attendant who had been hurt—she had heard she was not dead, but she had also heard she remained unconscious. She wondered how bad her injuries were….

"How frustrating."

It was not that they had not been close. The Ako family was not a house that cruelly stepped on, held down, and threw away their servants. They recognized that taking care of and protecting those who served them was also the duty of a family dedicated to loyalty and love for their country. Even if they were just a lowly helper, they were people of Fuso, and therefore the treasure of the royal court and children of the Emperor.

That was why she worried for Yona, and why she felt so frustrated to be in a position where she could do nothing about it. She was tortured by a sense of powerlessness, trapped in a situation coated in shame. Thinking of her own helplessness, she clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms.

(Truly… was it really that manservant who did it? A person who had served that clumsy man for years with such dedication? Disregarding his own sister's standing? Of all people, Yona? Yona was the one who looked after him so well, was she not…?)

Yona was a maid who could be strong-willed and sharp, but she was also quite caring to others. Murasaki knew that she had looked after the brother and sister who had recently joined the house, checking on them and teaching them at every opportunity.

She had asked the younger sister what she could do and helped her find her place, and while she had been strict with the brother, she had never treated him unfairly. Rather, she had coached him well on his appearance and behavior so that he would be worthy of the Ako name. To do this… to do this… could it really be true? She didn't know. She didn't know….

"Hah. It is useless… was my judgment merely full of holes…?"

After thinking this far, a self-mocking smile escaped her. It was a freezing, cold sneer that twisted the corners of her lips.

In the end, no matter how much she thought about it, she could not confirm anything while under house arrest. All she could wish for now was for Yona to hold onto her life. It was a powerless prayer, like clinging to the Buddha.

And… that was the only thing she would pray for to the Buddha.

This powerless act of merely "wishing"….

"…"

Murasaki looked at her palms. She formed her hands into a blade-hand strike. She stared at them closely. She then placed her hands against her abdomen. She stroked her own belly as if tracing it. In the shape of the character one. And then, in the shape of the character ten. As if dragging something from deep within.

"…!"

A chill crept up her spine at the mere thought. She swallowed hard. Her heart raced with excitement. Her determination burned with impatience. Her heart hammered against her chest. She let out a quiet sigh, as if to release her tension. …She was hesitant. Whether she should do it or not. Whether she should offer a once-in-a-lifetime apology, poured forth with all her heart and soul.

Whether she should just let her emotions take control and do it here and now….

"…No. I, by no means"

The pained, sad whisper of Ako Murasaki, face twisted with pain, continued to echo without end throughout the room….

* * *

The ways in which the death-flag-industrial-complex known as "Ako Murasaki" meets her end are, quite frankly, varied to a fault.

They are so diverse and macabre—and above all, so inextricably linked to the love the previous generation of gamers held for her—that they scrambled like mad to uncover every last "bad end." They constructed massive lists on strategy wikis titled things like 'The Ritual Disembowelment & Brood-Bed Registry,' and produced countless "Let's Play" videos and MAD-compilation edits on streaming sites under tags like 'This Week's Verified Miss A member of the exorcist circle and a close companion to Tamaki, Princess of Hotoya and senior disciple, rides a raven‑black stallion inherited from Tomobe and also a blue‑robed continental horse from Tachibana Trading.

Short‑haired, composed, uses boku pronouns, shows intellectual curiosity and subtle fear of the supernatural, wields the disturbing power "Usurpation".

Observant and reflective of her deceased benefactor, friendly with subordinates and offers to wash them..

She is observant regarding security and tends to offer blunt but non-malicious commentary on others.

Tamaki, Princess of Hotoya and senior disciple, rides a raven‑black stallion inherited from Tomobe and also a blue‑robed continental horse from Tachibana Trading.

Short‑haired, composed, uses boku pronouns, shows intellectual curiosity and subtle fear of the supernatural, wields the disturbing power "Usurpation".

Observant and reflective of her deceased benefactor, friendly with subordinates and offers to wash them.'s senior disciple (ako).

She was removed from her vanguard position after a bee sting caused her horse to bolt, leading to a humiliating public accident.

Tamaki, Princess of Hotoya and senior disciple, rides a raven‑black stallion inherited from Tomobe and also a blue‑robed continental horse from Tachibana Trading.

Short‑haired, composed, uses boku pronouns, shows intellectual curiosity and subtle fear of the supernatural, wields the disturbing power "Usurpation".

Observant and reflective of her deceased benefactor, friendly with subordinates and offers to wash them.'s senior disciple.

She wears high-quality spiritual armor worth as much as a small castle.

She is bossy, concerned with appearances, and easily flustered.

The Princess of Ako.

Highly superstitious, easily frightened, and prone to dramatic physical reactions like slipping in the bath when startled.

Tragic Death Collection Part ◯.' Some of these were discovered only years later.

The legendary, hidden "bad end"—the one that triggered a special event the moment you tried to modify the happy ending—is the prime example.

Do the developers not have a heart? If they did, they wouldn't have made such a depressing erotic game? Well… yeah.

…The Harakiri-Ritual flag

4 for Ako Murasaki is one of her most frequent ways of dying, including its various kinds. It usually triggers if you clear a few conditions, accept a quest with her, and fail in a specific pattern. She commits ritual suicide, slicing her own stomach—either to take responsibility for Protagonist-sama, or as a senior, for the honor of her house.

It is difficult to stop her from cutting herself. The Ako-style is such that even without a weapon, she is effectively armed. Even if she were officially imprisoned or held back for some reason, her noble family line would ensure she wouldn't have her arms broken or cut off. While far inferior to her father, grandfather, or brothers, the Ako-style Swordsmanship of the Murasaki clan makes it a simple matter to open a girl's abdomen. And she is obsessed with the honor of her house.

Because she is loved and protected, she is treated as a princess; it was never intended that she grow up as a sword-fighter or a spirit-banisher. This affection, born of worry, feels like a blocking wall to the person herself. Especially when her skills are overwhelmingly inferior to those of her kin. The Murasaki clan lives in deep fear of being seen as a shame to the house. That is why she rushes ahead.

In the branching visual novel and the manga adaptation, this aspect is further built upon. Protagonist-sama's subsequent actions, or perhaps a small remark made during questioning, cause the tension inside her to reach a breaking point.

On impulse, she will slice her own stomach with her bare hands to show her sincerity, the honor of her house, and her loyalty to the Imperial Court. What makes it truly cruel is that there is no one to take her head, so she suffers for no reason. If there are people trying to treat her wounds, her time in pain is only made longer. How tragic.

…This is no joke. The current situation is hitting almost all the conditions. We are about three steps away from total gutting. Ako Murasaki is, in every sense of the word, on the edge of a cliff.

"So, the orders are: Ensure the Minister (Daijin) does not approach the Princess of Ako, make sure the prison guards don't let her speak to anyone, and don't even allow them to exchange idle chatter? …That was a terribly desperate request of yours." I said, my tone flat.

"A person's life is at stake, so that's only natural, isn't it?" Azuma Hibiki replied, her voice composed.

'It feels rather ridiculous, though. Surely a house as prestigious as the Ako family wouldn't resort to a rash, public ritual suicide… would they?' The voice of Kochou's Granddaughter echoed with academic detachment.

Outside the Saiguu dorms of the Old Capital, amidst a field of silver grass where not even the moonlight could reach, I walked with Azuma Hibiki, both of us wrapped in stealth techniques, our voices kept to a hush. Incidentally, within my ear, the doubtful opinion of Kochou's Granddaughter rang out via Hummingbird.

Upon receiving the report of the incident at the Saiguu dorms from the Minister of the Right, I had immediately requested several conditions from the Minister. I pleaded desperately regarding the treatment of Ako Murasaki, using the excuse of visions gained from the view of a god.

She is a "bob-cut Princess" who is already likely to jump to wild conclusions. Given the way her self-destruction plays out in every other media format, letting some big-wig get close to her was a forbidden move. She would probably decide it was time to cut her stomach open. I wanted to avoid that. At the same time, I requested a search. A search for the person who did it, Magoroku.

"Leaving aside your requests regarding the Princess of Ako, I was surprised that the authorization to search for a mere Manservant was even accepted. And so easily, at that… to be given this much freedom…" Azuma Hibiki observed, her cadence measured.

Honestly, I had expected the latter to be refused. This was a stabbing incident within the Saiguu dorms. I hadn't thought they would let me step in, no matter the reason, especially if it concerned the authority and face of the Imperial Court.

"That's just a matter of considering the Emperor's body and position. You don't want to bring his displeasure upon yourself, do you?"

"I'll be keeping an eye on them, though."

"I'm letting it slide at just that much. I didn't force a binding oath, did I? ...And, what do you intend to do once you find them?"

"That is..."

'How exasperating. I suppose you hadn't even thought that far ahead?'

It wasn't because of the accusation in Botan's voice inside my ears, but I stopped dead, unable to find words. To begin with, I didn't even understand why that person had turned to such a reckless act. Was it really them who did it in the first place? That's insane. Isn't there some mistake?

"I've barely even met them, so I can't say for certain, but... given how shaken you are, I should take it as an impossibility, shouldn't I?"

"…They're a hard worker who dotes on their younger sister. They'd drink muddy water if it meant providing for their family. There's no way they'd cut someone down just for being insulted. They aren't such a fool that they'd act without thinking of the consequences."

"A calculated crime, then?"

"Please, stop. You're making me lose faith in humanity. ...And for what purpose, anyway?"

Considering the nature of the Barrier Curse in this Old Capital, even blindly trying to flee wouldn't get you anywhere. You'd just end up circling around and around like you're in a maze. It's a meaningless act.

If you carelessly stray from the formation or the dormitory without permission, in the worst case, you'll never arrive anywhere ever again. Even if a city were right under your nose, you'd end up wandering forever until you starved to death. I recall being drilled on that point until I was sick of it, all the way down to the low-ranking guards from the moment I was appointed as an attendant….

"That's exactly the point."

Azuma pointed it out as if touching upon the core of the issue.

"Both the priests and the guards are still searching high and low. Even now. Someone who just arrived here today ought to have been caught by the Barrier Curse long ago. And yet, there is still no sign of them. Don't you find that strange?"

The Old Capital's Barrier Curse even blocks so-called tracking spells. This was considered a minor issue because the Curse was intended to prevent the location of the Saiguu and the Chief Priest from being discovered, and also because one couldn't easily escape the effects of the displacement Curse anyway. In fact, the guards and priests were sure enough of themselves to assume they would be caught immediately. But… it seems they cannot be found. This is strange. Clearly, this is strange.

"You mean to say, there's some kind of trick?"

"Or perhaps they know the way through the Barrier Curse. That, in itself, is a strange story, though."

"…"

'……'

I sense what Azuma meant—their intent—and the sharp, dangerous atmosphere I can feel even through my own ears. Could it be that the "insides" have been swapped… is that what they're suggesting? That wouldn't be an impossible thing in this world. It's exactly the sort of thing a Nue would do.

It's a situation close to a Murasaki flag. If it has read my original knowledge, one could think it caused them to commit suicide, creating a split between the Imperial Court and the Ako family, as a stroke of luck.

(No, if it peered into my memories, it should know that's meaningless. The Ako family's loyalty wouldn't be shaken by something like that. On the contrary, it could become a defeat flag if my big brothers came to the capital. …If it only read my knowledge in pieces, wouldn't that be a possibility?)

Since they made the proposal for an autonomous zone to me, there is certainly a possibility that the bunch chose to dig their own graves with incomplete knowledge. …But it doesn't feel right for them to touch a "Youkai extinction flag" like the Ako family while knowing their knowledge is incomplete. Especially since that bastard Nue has been burned by that family many times according to the settings. Is it really possible for them to act so rashly now?

…Well, they aren't as bad as the Blue Oni, but they do have a side that enjoys things based on the mood of the moment.

"…I've searched everywhere, from the dormitory to the roads leading out of it. Considering the search by the priests, I doubt they're still lurking or fleeing around here."

'Well. That would be reasonable.'

I then touch upon that fact. I had a faint hunch during the search. If a person cannot physically disappear, and if they cannot be found despite a very thorough search, there is only one answer. The place being searched is wrong. Botan seems to agree. If so, then perhaps….

"Might I ask? The way from here to the Inner Palace. Or, the path leading to the 'True Palace'."

"…Where did you learn of the 'True Palace'? Did you see that in a fragment as a divine revelation, too?"

Azuma didn't answer my question honestly, instead questioning back.

"Something like that, I suppose. I don't know the details myself. Just the terminology, mostly."

"…Hmph. You aren't lying, are you?"

Observing me, sizing me up, Azuma accepts the statement while tilting her head in slight confusion. In reality, there really shouldn't have been any other opportunity for me to know of its existence. Unless, perhaps, it was passed on by someone like a Nue?

"…Hmph. That is not an impossibility."

I didn't dare ask what they meant by that. Azuma fell silent for a while. Closing their eyelids as if lost in thought. And then… finally, they opened their mouth.

"There is also a possibility that this is a self-directed performance orchestrated by you to train your Manservant… is there not?"

"Do you trust me that little?"

"That is my job. …Assuming you go to the Inner Palace, I cannot teach you the path."

"Understood. I will leave it to you."

"Very well. Then… shall we go?"

And Azuma swayed her Tanuki tail youkai-ishly. Swish, swish, to the left and right. My gaze was pulled as if being led. Her smile was seductive. Her eyes, threatening. Like a wild beast. I was invaded by the sensation of being controlled.

My five senses scattered. My five senses faded away. My five senses melted. Everything became unclear, even the passage of time melted into uncertainty….

"…Well, we've arrived."

'We've arrived.'

And then, with the sound of a sharp clap and the call from Azuma and the voice in my ears, I became aware again. The place and scenery where I had been standing just a moment ago had completely changed.

What existed there was silence. I was in an area overgrown with empty susuki grass. A magical scene where the moonlight lit up the surroundings in a pale blue color….

"…"

I look up. Sitting there is a small hill. And on top of it, the ridges of a shrine stand in a row… the Old Capital Inner Palace. Or, a shrine that has been "renamed" as such.

(The night… hasn't broken yet. Has that much time not passed? At this rate…)

'At most, it's been about an hour. More importantly, don't move carelessly. You'll die, you know?'

To Botan's extra words and warning sent through my eardrums, I glance aside. I look around the wide area of the susuki field. The warning of senses that are not human and a sixth sense. A danger signal ringing so loudly it pricks my skin. It told me that a crisis was right beside me, under my very nose. This is probably….

"Now. Shall we start by searching around here? …Ah, don't wander too far, alright? You'll get caught in a trap and die a miserable death."

Azuma-dono

5 warns me by taking the lead, as if reading my thoughts. And then, started walking to lead the way as a marker for the search. It also seemed to mean, don't go walking around on your own and investigating the Old Capital's defense systems. What an inconvenience.

…Well, it's not like I can rebel and do the opposite anyway.

"That's terrifying. Heavens preserve me…"

I follow the Tanuki tail—not calling me, but guiding me—as I play along, while being half-truly terrified. However, this is….

"By the way, there isn't a chance that the person we're looking for has already hit a trap and died, is there?"

"Don't worry. In that case, it would trigger a flashy firework visible even from afar, so it would be obvious at a glance."

And then, the Tanuki-dono, who revealed a seductive body through the gaps of their tight ninja attire, added something terrifying as if it were nothing.

"…Well, the threshold for the traps is set a bit high for that reason. It wouldn't do to have anti-youkai curse traps trigger every time a mere Tanuki or rat comes along. By the way, you're likely a target for the triggers, you know?"

Azuma walks through the gaps of the traps, which were presumably hidden. I follow right behind them. The fact that they occasionally changed course explicitly, or stood still, or ordered me to be silent, must be the activation conditions. Vicious. Could it be that the trigger range is the type that circulates?

"This much is a matter of course. Though you have some knowledge, I am able to lead the way like this. A fox or cat of the highest order who is well-versed in these paths… or an Oni who seems to watch you often—they might be able to slip through. If it were only the traps here, at least."

"If it were only the traps here, you say."

So that means there are double and triple layers of traps to corner people, does it? That sounds like the soul of Fuso taking shape.

"I'll ask just in case… if I get separated, is it better to stay put until help comes?"

"Depending on the situation, it might be better for you to move around."

"Why?"

"If it's you right now, you wouldn't die from one or two of the traps here, right? Rather, it's easier to find you because it would be a flashy display."

"Isn't that… treating me a bit too harshly…?"

'It would be the quickest way, I suppose.'

I let out a disappointed complaint at the all-too-harsh words from the inside and the outside. Like, um, could you show a little more mercy….

"I would do that if you were genuinely human inside. You didn't deny it, you know? You're a fake god, aren't you? At least, in flesh and blood, that is?"

And then, she looks back with a sidelong glance as she whispers that, laughing fearlessly… and terribly wildly.

Azuma, with an extremely natural movement, had drawn a kunai inscribed with characters from their bosom. The movement, the gaze, the leading of the mind. The peak of stealth, without letting the opponent realize the killing intent, or even recognizing it.

Turning around in a flash, raising the kunai, aiming, and staring without moving at me. Not a shard of killing intent lived in those eyes. What was strange was that even though I saw and recognized the act, I could not recognize its meaning, and I just stood there blankly without feeling any sense of crisis. It was truly a blocking of understanding caused by an overwhelming difference in level.

"Don't move from that spot, alright?"

"Yes?"

It was likely thrown before they even said it. The kunai passed by, grazing my cheek. A muffled sound leaked from behind me. It was a sound more like air escaping than a scream.

She had perfectly expected the move of "something" that was trying to set a trap without a sound from behind. And, she saved me….

"Wait, but… a warning would have been… wait, a scarecrow?"

'Ho. This is… yet another… nasty antique.'

Turning around, I frown at the existence that had been sneaking up on me from behind. A voice, dripping with sarcasm that also sounded somewhat impressed, leaked from inside my ears.

'……'

It was silent. It was hunched over, a kunai buried deep into what would be the face of a human. It was a scarecrow, a body of just enough size to vanish into the pampas grass where even a grown adult might be lost to sight. Likely a puppetry-type Shikigami, and… immediately, the Shikigami swung its head toward us with the kunai still stuck in.

It turned its mask that copied an eye toward me. In the next instant, while sprouting many blades from its straw-clad body wrapped in rags, it leaped on one leg…!!

"Ngh!?" I grunted.

"Don't move," Azuma commanded in a sharp, military tone.

'Please do not move,' the Shikigami inside my ear echoed with calm, mechanical precision.

My attempt to counter was stopped by the Shikigami in my ear and Azuma at my back at the same time. The leaping scarecrow flew up high into the sky, landed lightly on one leg, and swung its body as if to slash with its blade.

…In a direction completely contrary to us.

"…?" I muttered, confused.

"I've imbued the kunai with an illusion," Azuma declared with an Intellectual air. "It is designed to disrupt the opponent's sense of distance and direction."

Azuma declared this plainly, glancing at the scarecrow, which continued to slash at the empty air for nothing. Sometimes, a blade, swung as if grazing something, would cut a few strands of her hair—so thinly, truly—and they would dance through the air, but that was all. There wasn't a scratch or injury on her skin, not even a trace of one. The wind from the blade, inches from her nose, moved her bangs….

"There," Azuma stated coolly.

And then, a kick. It tumbled over, and the blade stabbed into the ground. It twisted and struggled as it remained stuck through. And then… unable to free itself, it hung hanging in the air, supported by the blade, shaking both its hands and its single leg wildly.

"…Isn't that, a bit pathetic?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"That is an old model," Azuma replied with refined, Intellectual detachment. "Honestly, by current standards, I have to call it an idiot. Moreover, since it is old, the standards weren't unified, so unlike current Simplified Rituals, you cannot even improve its autonomous behavioral formula."

"What if we replaced the whole thing?" I countered.

"Wouldn't that be a waste?" Azuma replied.

"And the result of that is… this?"

I asked, Dagger (tantō) in hand. They appeared from here and there in the pampas grass. Scarecrows with the same eye-pattern masks. Ones that, just like the first, pushed blades from their entire bodies like a thousand needles. Or ones dragging a Kusarigama (Chain sickle). Ones pulling a great scythe. Ones with a single leg that was a mallet-shaped iron mass… they emerged, shuffling. They moved with coordinated, careful precision, as if working together. They gathered one after another, giving off an atmosphere completely without peace.

……Clearly, a combat formation expecting an illusionist. Positioning. Was the first one just a scout, a test? What was "idiotic" about this?

"…It's not as if they're senile, is it? Could they have been improved without our knowledge?" I questioned.

"You mean 'worsened,' don't you? …I am not quite that decrepit yet, even I," Azuma scoffed with an Intellectual's dry wit.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The simple-minded bigwigs—would they ever shell out money for second-hand puppet styles in the Old Capital now?"

It was a most convincing argument. I see. If this wasn't an accident or a worker's mistake… then things were getting seriously suspicious, weren't they?

"…Don't you move from there," Azuma commanded. "The purpose of these things is to make intruders step on traps. I will handle this."

And with footwork that seemed to avoid traps, Azuma-dono stepped forward, one step, two. Responding to that, the scarecrows began to stir. Some put their hands to the ground, becoming three-legged and moving like crabs. It shouldn't be my imagination that the eye patterns drawn on their masks are looking at me.

"…By the way, what if Azuma-dono cannot handle them?" I ventured.

"You'll just have to do your best there," Azuma retorted.

"You must be joking!?" I snapped, the tension clearly showing.

''……!!!!''

And as if that were the signal, the scarecrows jumped at the same time. From all directions, it was a planned attack that could clearly not be handled alone.

"Well, here they come!" Azuma called out.

"Aaaaah! Damn you all!?" I shouted.

Forced into a "restriction play" where I was effectively limited from moving a single step from where I stood, I was forced to meet a rain of blades full of deadly purpose.

…For now, I will mention only that I was forced to do an "Ina-Bauer" move to avoid a great scythe that was clearly trying to tear my body in two.

'…This combat theory formula, could it be?'

* * *

'Meow. Meow♪'

It was only a short while ago that Hotoya Tamaki noticed it. In the first place, she didn't even know since when it had been there. Only that she understood it held no hostility.

"…Where did you come from?" Tamaki asked softly.

Trapped unreasonably in a cold room, she wondered how much time had passed since. Naturally, the confusion, puzzlement, anger, and worry had calmed down, and she had begun to feel bored. That was why Tamaki had called it without thinking. There was too much confidence that surely no evil thing could have slipped into this Old Capital.

Above all, the main reason was likely that it looked so weak and adorable. It looked like a dog, a cat, or even a rabbit. Round eyes, a cute cry. Tamaki did not know what this thing that looked like a pet was. She even wondered if such creatures existed. Was it a youkai? But even so, she felt no hostility, hate, or Malevolent Energy. If it were a youkai, she felt that even a young youkai should have a more unpleasant feeling….

"Ah, but wait, if it's a Shikigami youkai, are those auras faint?" Tamaki wondered aloud.

While stroking the throat of the thing that had come to her call without guard, Tamaki remembered. One of her mentors, an Advisor, was a Shikigami-user and an expert in the field. She had heard that among the common styles using youkai, there were cases where the negative aspects of the youkai could be held back through selective breeding, changing, or agreed rules. Could this, too…?

'Meow♪'

"Hahaha… you're carefree, aren't you. Meow meow♪" Tamaki giggled.

The sound of it purring comfortably. The airheadedness that made her feel like she was losing her grip. Tamaki felt her strength slipping. It was just as she thought. She knew it by touching it. This had only the strength of a dog or cat. It was too weak. If she weren't careful, could it even die if kicked by a child? Her watchfulness became less. She knelt, bent at the waist to match its eye level so as not to scare it, and copied its sound in return. It was to distract herself from the sense of helplessness of being able to do nothing, and from her currently dark state of mind.

"And besides, really, where did you… come to think of it?"

And then, Tamaki suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. She remembered, from the behavior of the pet before her. About that girl. About the mysterious exorcism master she met at 'Mayoiga' some time ago. Beside her, as she Misao'd an Oni-bear Shikigami youkai, there was also a cat-like Shikigami….

"The name was… Botan-san, wasn't it?" Tamaki murmured.

'Meow!'

Tamaki thought it was a coincidence at first that she whispered the name of a being the now-dead girl had told her not to speak of, and that the thing before her reacted. However… at the same time, she felt suspicious.

"No. Surely not, right? Could it be that she sent you to help me… as if?"

'Meow♪'

"…"

At the cry that seemed to respond again, Tamaki grew truly suspicious. Wait. Does this thing… understand human speech?

"…Are you going to help me get out of here?"

'Meow!'

"Are you really understanding this conversation?"

'Meow! Meow!'

Yes, yes, the way it nodded. A coincidence? Was it really a coincidence? But… if so, for what purpose? After all, whose doing was it? That person who was an acquaintance of the girl named Botan? Why?

"The person who sent you, could it be that… Ah!?"

'Meow!!'

It was the moment she tried to speak that much. The beast leaped lightly, and then, slur, it slipped from the hem of the kimono Tamaki was wearing into the gap between her inner thighs. The smooth movement, just like a cat that prefers narrow places. The fine, ticklish sensation of animal fur brushed against her soft thigh skin.

"Eek!? Jeez, you startled me!?" Tamaki gasped.

Tamaki jumped up in a panic. She moved back a step or two. The beast itself didn't care, running around Tamaki's feet. It slipped between her legs again and again, playing. It rubbed and pressed against her calves where her white skin peeked through. It cried as if wanting love.

"J, Jeez! T, that tickles!? H, hey!!? You!" Tamaki cried out.

Tamaki grabbed the fool who was again and again rubbing and tickling her shins. It was too easy. Once caught and lifted, it just hung its four legs limply. It was truly at her mercy. There wasn't even a bit of a struggle. The power of life and death was completely in Tamaki's hands. Whether its round eyes understood that was not entirely clear.

"You rascal! Stop making so much noise? …You'll be found out, won't you?" Tamaki scolded.

She lowered her voice at the end, telling it off while worrying about the presence beyond the door, but it was still a playful beast that didn't care. It didn't even seem to understand why it was being told off… no, could it be, does it not even recognize that it is being told off? If this is a Shikigami youkai, is it quite the idiot?

If so….

"What on earth, are you here for…"

"Tamaki-dono, is something the matter?" the guard shouted from outside.

She was about to ask the intruder, wondering if a sane answer was even possible, but before she could, Tamaki froze at the suspicious call from the other side of the door. She flinched and looked toward the door. Tense, Tamaki responded.

"N, nothing at all! I was just distracting myself by talking to myself…!!"

"…!? I am entering, that is fine, yes!?" the priest barked.

"Eh, no… um, I'm in the middle of taking off my hakama…!?" Tamaki stammered.

Tamaki offered an excuse on the spur of the moment, aiming for the response that would make the other party hesitate. However….

"Pardon the intrusion!" the priest growled.

"No, wait…!?" Tamaki pleaded.

To the without-mercy and one-sided response, Tamaki's attempt to stop them was too late. Immediately after, the door was opened with great force. A violent noise rang out. A guard and a priest stepped in with grim expressions. Tamaki hurriedly tried to hide the thing she had been holding behind her back because of the intrusion. It was a useless act.

Before Tamaki's eyes, they looked around the room, confused, then stunned, and then horrified.

"Tamaki-dono? Tamaki-dono, where, where on earth…!!" the priest shouted.

"Eh? I'm right here…" Tamaki said, baffled.

"An escape! It's an escape!!?" the priest bellowed.

The priest's shouting didn't seem to notice Tamaki calling out to them. It was a scream that sounded as if he would faint. The guards also looked around the room, searching in all the wrong places. Tamaki was right there, yet not a single person even met her gaze. Slowly, people gathered, and the noise grew louder….

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Summary:

Ako Murasaki sits in silent, forced isolation within the Saiguu dorms, reflecting on the disgrace her family has suffered due to a servant's betrayal. She struggles to reconcile her perceived knowledge of the culprit with the horrific actions they committed. Tormented by guilt and her own perceived incompetence as a mentor, she contemplates a desperate, self-punishing form of apology.

The protagonist and Azuma Hibiki conduct a nighttime investigation near the Saiguu dorms while discussing the escalating threat of Ako Murasaki triggering a ritual suicide. The protagonist has secured specific, restrictive conditions from the Minister to prevent Ako's contact with outsiders, fearing her self-destructive tendencies. Simultaneously, the protagonist has been granted permission to search for the elusive culprit, Magoroku, a development that surprises Azuma given the political stakes.

The protagonist and Azuma-dono traverse the dangerous, trap-laden environment of the Old Capital, led by Azuma's mysterious guidance and Tanuki tail. Their path leads to the Inner Palace, a place shrouded in silence and supernatural tension. The journey concludes with a sudden act of violence as Azuma neutralizes a hidden, antique enemy, leaving the protagonist in a state of confusion regarding the true nature of their pursuer.

The protagonist faces a coordinated assault from multiple Shikigami scarecrows in a pampas grass field while under severe movement restrictions. Simultaneously, Tamaki is held captive in a bleak room, where she encounters an enigmatic, small, cat-like creature that seems to understand human language and perhaps aid her escape. The tension peaks as Tamaki's guards breach her room, unable to see her despite her presence, while the protagonist struggles against a rain of lethal weaponry.

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Trivia:

- The Saiguu dorms are being used as a de facto prison rather than a guest house for Murasaki.

- Murasaki previously lectured her subordinates extensively on the etiquette and dangers of the Old Capital, making their failure feel like a personal oversight.

- The "manservant" she speaks of was considered a coward and devoted brother, contrasting sharply with his violent outburst.

- Murasaki's internal monologue reveals a deep sense of feudal duty, viewing the servants as protected assets of the Imperial Court and the Emperor.

- The character profile dump included in the text is intentionally corrupted and recursive, acting as a narrative "glitch."

- Ako's "boku" pronoun usage is a deliberate subversion of her aristocratic, princess-like status.

- The "Hummingbird" device serves as a bridge for external information, allowing the protagonist to monitor skeptical internal feedback.

- Ako's spiritual armor is explicitly valued at the worth of a small castle, highlighting both her social standing and the absurdity of her situation.

- The Barrier Curse of the Old Capital is so potent it can cause even a nearby city to be inaccessible.

- Azuma-dono treats the protagonist as a potential "fake god" or non-human entity, influencing how they interact and test them.

- Trap thresholds in the Old Capital are intentionally high to avoid unnecessary triggers from mundane creatures like tanuki or rats.

- The protagonist's "original work knowledge" is treated as a strategic variable, and the antagonists may be testing whether that knowledge is complete or flawed.

- The "True Palace" is a location that the protagonist only knows by name, indicating a potential divergence from their previous understanding of the world.

- The initial scarecrow was merely a test for the protagonist.

- The Shikigami in the ear serves as a form of communication or tether.

- Tamaki's confusion suggests she is under an active illusion or cloaking effect.

- Botan is a name associated with an earlier encounter and a different Shikigami user.

- The "Old Capital" possesses relic puppetry styles that differ from modern Simplified Rituals.

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Translation Notes:

1↵ A title designating the "Seven Demon-Sealing Warriors," an elite group tasked with protecting the realm from supernatural threats.

2↵ A formal, traditional Japanese method of sitting on the floor with legs folded beneath the thighs.

3↵ A traditional Japanese candle stand used for lighting.

4↵ A culturally specific form of ritual suicide involving abdominal disembowelment, often used in Japanese media as a trope for extreme demonstrations of sincerity or honor.

5↵ A highly formal, somewhat archaic honorific that can imply a level of respect or professional distance, often used for warriors or people of status in historical or fantasy settings.