Kaze no Stigma

By the time Ayano"s group appeared, the fight already started.

Flying about lightning, roaring explosions, echoing screams and shouts changed the place were Pandemonium primised to descend, the Shinjuku Central Park, to a h.e.l.lish picture of agonizing cries.

" - they"re being really gaudy, huh? "

Kirika replied in an irresponsible tone to Ayano who murmured so in amazement.

"Yeah. After all, it seems like most of the members are partic.i.p.ating. "

In the end, the two days pa.s.sed without any kind of progress.

Not finding Pandemonium or getting hold of where Kazuma was, Ayano"s group arrived to this day when Pandemonium will descent.

As the messenger of Pandemonium, the > Utsumi Kousuke once announced all >, the first one to reach Pandemonium after it showed itself, would be given an ultimate power.

It this was nothing else but a simple battle royale, the number of people giving up would be pretty big.

In front of the almost overwhelming power of the self-styled > Utsumi, it seemed impossible to win even when forming a group.

But, the condition of winning this game was to reach Pandemonium first.

Of course, there are some advantages to a simple race but there still wasn"t a direct connection between combat abilities and the outcome of the battle.

Even if defeating the > was impossible he can still be circ.u.mvented.

All the > smoothly thought so. And then, deliberately to acquire the ultimate power.

As a result, without missing one, they all gathered here. And they the fight began without waiting for Pandemonium to appear.

For the sake of defeating at least one rival as fast as possible.

"So, should we do something about it? "

"Does it look like you can do something about it? "

Looking at the number of > decreasing by the hour, Ayano and Kirika talked together in indifferent tones.

"Wasn"t your lot enough to deal with this degree of power? "

"If they were by themselves"

Behind Kirika shrugging her shoulders, there are five subordinate Jutsushi.

Comparing it to the >, although in the process of rapid decrease, there were still dozens of them.

No matter how much excellent the Jutsushi were when individually compared, it was still impossible to turn ten times fold enemies powerless without killing them.

"If you let me speak frankly, the current situation is warmly welcomed. The opponents are crushing themselves on their own accord. "

"But I think the police exists only to protect the citizens"

"That depends on the situation. There"s no need exhausting our war potential for the sake of protecting the human rights of some criminal", declared Kirika cool-headed.

She won"t use her power to save those who can easily hurt another without ever looking back because the law cannot judge them, even if they are nothing more but Bernhardt"s or Pandemonium"s pieces.

"If Genma-dono would have helped us out, he would have been able to purify all > in one go. "

"Aah - , no, it"s not going to happen"

Ayano carelessly waved her hand at Kirika who looked at her as if investigating.

"That highly esteemed Uncle of mine has no reason to help these idiots who act violently on power borrowed from Youma. If Ojii-sama were to be right here, he would turn to ashes all these idiots and Pandemonium and the park, you know"

"Aah, that sounds good"

As if antic.i.p.ating the gruesome future Ayano talked about, Kirika agreed to it calmly.

"But, why won"t Genma-dono come? The enemy is Bernhardt Rhodes. Even if you are the Kannagi Clan, he"s not an existence you should ignore. "

"Aah - yeah....."

With a vague a nod, Ayano and Ren exchanged a complicated glance.

"Because Oji-sama is a Kannagi Jutsushi to the core, right......."

"- I don"t understand"

"Well, I think it"s because he believes in me and Ren so he entrusted this to us..."

Unable to say the truth, Ayano falsified a suitable answer.

"I"m entrusting this matter to you"

The evening before the descent of Pandemonium, Genma told so to Ayano and Ren.

Naturally the two asked back, unable to agree.

"Can you tell us the reason? "

The opponent is the world"s highest Majutsushi. No matter how much war potential one had, he is worrisome.

Since Tokyo"s spiritual protection is the duty of Kannagi and Bernhardt"s deed disturbed that, Genma"s partic.i.p.ation in the battle was inevitable, his obligation.

It wasn"t something that could be overlooked because of private matters.

But, without alluding to that reason, Genma continued.

"Tomorrow, it seems Kazuma will also appear at Pandemonium."

"......it seems so"

"He already became an existence harmful to the Kannagi."

Genma"s words were not incorrect.

Beside the >, Kazuma"s violence reached even a Special Information Storage Room Jutsushi, largely deviating from the permissible bounds.

And, although without his intention, Kazuma was even now registered with the Kannagi family name. It wasn"t something they could neglect.

"We have no choice but to destroy him."

"--------!!"

That frozen declaration and the violent pressure accompanying it hit Ayano and Ren very hard.

With a start, Ayano"s body shook - Ren looked at his Father with eyes full of determination.

"I will - We will persuade him!"

"Not necessary"

"But!"

"Not necessary"

Genma"s voice was steady without any gaps. The accelerated growth of that power and heavy pressure that could crush a heart made Ayano curl herself up without ever raising her face.

But even so, the pressure wasn"t lifted.

Wondering about it, she examined Ren"s situation with a sidelong glance - with his face still raised up he caught Genma"s gaze head-on.

The pressure increased again. It"s purpose already migrated from coercing to opponent to downright crush him to death, the feeling of oppression was so high it made then think about the danger their lives were in.

"Won"t you listen to what I say? "

"I.....won"t..!"

With a hoa.r.s.e but definite voice, Ren a.s.sessed his rebellion towards Genma. His forehead was full of sweat and although his grasped fists were shaking on top of his knees, the gaze he fixed on his father"s eyes didn"t waver for one moment.

"Ren - when did you become so strong...?"

In a daze that went beyond surprise, Ayano fixed her eyes on Ren"s gallant figure.

Even though until now he always followed her around, a pampered child, a scared cat -

While Ayano wasn"t quite present, the father and child exchanged arguments in a sharp tone.

"Beyond the fact he was born from the Head of the Kannagi Family, I cannot tolerate him to be swayed by emotions! Even if he"s blood relative - no, exactly because he is, his error won"t be tolerated!"

"If he dies.....if he dies he won"t be able to atone! If he committed a sin, he should live all the more...isn"t he supposed to redeem his faults!? "

While looking at those two, continuing to argue, Ayano suddenly felt doubt.

While insisting on Kazuma"s conviction, the fact that he won"t partic.i.p.ate in the battle doesn"t add up.

Not even Genma would think of trying to make her and Ren kill Kazuma by themselves.

Then, why?

Thinking about it, Genma"s att.i.tude was dubious since the beginning. He was more oppressive than necessary, his opinion resembling stubbornness.

As if he was stirring up animosity on purpose.

Ayano suddenly remembered something Juugo said long ago.

Genma disinherited Kazuma because the Kannagi Clan was a cage and if he couldn"t escape from that cage by himself, he set Kazuma free.

"Then, this is - "

If he were to intervene, he will definitely have to kill Kazuma according to the Kannagi mission. And, as he wasn"t able to instruct them contrary to the mission, that"s why -

At the same time Ayano reached that conclusion, Genma and Ren"s argument was about to close.

"I won"t give up on anything! I"ll persuade Nii-sama, I"ll kill Bernhardt and I"ll destroy Pandemonium, I"ll show you!"

"Just try and see if you can, brat!"

Several times the volume of Ren"s shout, Genma roared in a very loud voice that was just like a lion"s roar.

But immediately following, he noticed Ayano"s gaze staring at him in a daze.

Guessing something from her eyes, Genma expressed a small wry smile and faced Ayano with a serene att.i.tude that made his fury so far hard to believe.

"Ayano"

"Ye........yes..."

"Please take care of it"

".......!!"

Understanding her conjecture was right on the money, Ayano"s face had a cramp.

"Every last one of them - "

It"s not like she didn"t understand his feelings but she couldn"t help but think so.

"Why are you trying to force it on me!? I"ll do it myself, by myself!"

".......I see"

Keeping a faint bitterness in her voice, Kirika bowed her head in a.s.sent.

She couldn"t possibly comprehend Ayano"s words but it was also true nothing would come out of voicing her complaints.

It doesn"t matter how it"s said, what"s not there it"s not there.

Quickly throwing away the pointless hope, there"s no way but to effectively use the hand she was dealt.

"If it"s like that you must preserve your power. If Pandemonium and Kazuma will appear, the situation will change, right?"

"......yeah"

"Do you antic.i.p.ate it?"

"..........."

Ayano became silent and couldn"t respond to Kirika"s gaze without banter, loaded with serious expectations.

Honestly, her heart wasn"t decided yet.

About holding Kazuma back. About blocking that man"s way.

Even understating it, it was reckless action. It was like bungee jumping without a rope.

It wasn"t something that could be solved by courage and effort.

No matter how she would struggle, she would certainly die - if Kazuma were to become serious.

"Nee-sama"

As if holding on to the heart of his hesitating sister, Ren grabbed Ayano"s hands. His eyes already lost all their indecision.

"It will be fine. I"m sure."

"............well, you will be fine for sure", grumbled Ayano, past the time to give up.

But the situation didn"t give her spare time to waver.

"It"s coming", murmured Kirika giving up.

Several of the > also noticed it and were running up to them with bloodshot eyes. They were aiming at getting on Pandemonium first but it wasn"t unreasonable to think they will aim at them, standing still close to the park.

At this point expecting sense from them was a waste of time.

"I"ll go"

Antic.i.p.ating the party, Ren stepped forward.

Certainly, having Ren face the sacrifices possessed by the devil manipulating purification flames that destroyed nothing but that nature was appropriate. But -

"Wouldn"t it be better for you to preserve your power? "

Using up his power before the crucial will come to nothing.

Ren stared head-on at Ayano who thought so.

"Then, are we going to let them die without helping? Because in front of something bigger a few sacrifices can"t be helped? "

"That"s - "

Overpowered by that earnest gaze, Ayano instinctively caught her breath.

"Even so, I"ll do it. If I have a bigger power in comparison to humans, I want to protect everything with that power. I don"t care if it"s pride or self-righteousness. I decided to live that way. "

Declaring so without hesitation, Ren started running without waiting for a reply.

Compared with the big frames a.s.saulting him, his body was very small.

But the brightness of that golden flame surging from his body utterly defeated the approaching > in one blow.

It had no connection with level, cla.s.s and so forth. That overwhelming power at totally different level exorcised and burned the devilishness without leaving any trace, moreover by delicately adjusting the after-effect, it stunned the hosts.

So, the bodies of the boys that lost consciousness were evacuated by Kirika"s subordinates in the vicinity of the park.

"This is so easy"

"Isn"t it by relying on civilians, public servant? "

"It"s the right person in the right place. Besides - "

Taking Ayano"s criticism in one stride, Kirika bragged. But, suddenly revising her att.i.tude, she looked at Ayano.

"So, how long will you stand still?"

"........."

Without reply Ayano feebly cast her eyes down.

"Well, leaving that aside"

As if nothing happened, Kirika changed her line of sight from Ayano to the watch.

"I think Ren-kun"s determination is n.o.ble but won"t you wait another minute?"

"One more minute?"

Ren too looked at his watch. The time right now is 11:59 P.M.

"What happens at midnight? "

"Pandemonium will emerge"

Ayano and Ren became speechless at that sleek announcement.

"Wh- wait, when did you find such a specific moment? "

"I didn"t know or anything but isn"t that a general guess? There"s not another more appropriate time for something belonging to the spirit world to appear in this one, no? "

"............"

"Midnight represents the threshold between yesterday and today. And the threshold between today and tomorrow. It is yesterday, today and tomorrow. The only moment when the time"s absolute laws become ambiguous. Therefore the boundaries between the spirit world and this world also become ambiguous and various apparitions erode the reality - "

Finishing her song-like narration, Kirika completely changed and continued in a pragmatic tone.

"Well, it can only be that time besides Majutsushi are endlessly fussing over about agreeing with that consistency. "

"I see, then we"ll wait. It will be here before long anyway. "

Agreeing to Kirika"s words, Ayano nodded.

How will the situation change in response to Pandemonium"s arrival - she was thinking it won"t be late to start moving after seeing that.

And after ten more seconds pa.s.sed, the time of threshold arrived.

The time that is and isn"t where anything can happen.

Soundless, the s.p.a.ce shook.

After a pause of one moment, this time the ground shook, involved in a physical shock. That vibration, definitely not an earthquake, was as if a huge ma.s.s was suddenly dropped on the ground -

" - tch, aren"t you doing whatever you like? "

Cursing inside her chest, Ayano shifted her focus on the direction the abnormality seemed to originate from.

That was inside an enshrouding cloud of dust. As if it continued being there without chance for a hundred years, grave, firmly.

Even though it was far, she understood it quickly - it was an antique looking shape. Declined like a dilapidated house and yet despite of that it had a decadent presence filled with dark hot air.

Just about everything was as before, the fact that it was destroyed together with the Tokyo Government Office was nothing but a dream, and Pandemonium was reigning there with its overwhelming presence.

"It"s pretty far, huh? Exactly right in the center of the park? ", murmured Kirika, without showing any kind of surprise at the sudden state of urgency.

Even Ayano, similarly used to the lack of common sense, replied very calm.

"That"s about right, but I won"t know for sure before I get a little bit closer."

Perceiving that the power of > was rapidly growing, Ayano strengthened her vigilance. Surveying the scene, the fray without rules or any kind of sense was completely interrupted.

The > stood rock still as if their souls had been unplugged. Contrary to that atmosphere, the power was rising continuously.

Some worthless thing is about to happen again - Ayano believed so.

"Uuu.....uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu......"

Suddenly, one of the > let out a moan. He hugged his body closely as if he was enduring something, and squat.

"Uuguuuuu.....Uruuuuraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

A frail moan. But, that gradually changed to a scream. His face looking downward turned to the night sky, and the man shriek as if tearing his throat.

And then, a rapid variation was produced.

The man"s flesh started to expand, his clothes torn off from the inside. The surface of his exposed body was covered in too much muscle than it was humanly possible, wrapping him up.

At last his head, accomplished a transformation from his skeletal structure that seemed to have ended for the present.

From the gap of his largely split mouth, sharp fangs showed and the man - howled at the moon.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN--"

Knitting her brows Ayano watched how both his heart and body degenerated equally to that of a beast.

"Lycantrophy ----?"

"It"s not something that cute.", answered Kirika looking at the surroundings.

Following that gaze, Ayano grimaced.

".........wah"

That grotesque transformation affected the majority of the >.

In one case, only one part of a man"s body turned while the rest remained human, another completely deviated from the human form.

In the end just like slimes of fog, they were reduced to beings unable to maintain a fixed shape.

"Ugh, is this possibly - "

"They woke up maybe? "

The real seeds living as parasites in the bodies of > were Youma in a dormant state.

"In comparison with the same raw materials there is plenty of variation in their outward appearance - I think there"s a discrepancy in the growth process and the host they fed on."

"This is not the place to leisurely express your reasoning, no? "

"Huh, there"s nothing we can do except for this. "

Kirika replied without shyness to Ayano"s retort.

".........that may be so"

There is a wide difference in ability between the human who uses the Youma"s power and the one that completely became a Youma. Even if it"s a low cla.s.s one, the Jutsushi with low combat abilities from the Special Information Storage Room will find it a heavy burden.

"Aah, they"re moving"

As Ren called Ayano to attention, they shifted they focus on the Youma.

The group of Youma that ate their hosts to exhaustion moved for the first time. Without exception, they headed for Pandemonium.

Those few > that retained their awareness indomitably shuffled their feet.

A violent race began.

It was like a group of ogres competing for food. Those being in the vanguard pulled and killed each other in a combined effort, those following stepped on them and changed them to rags and if two were at the same distance they skinned each other with they fangs, not allowing the others to move forward.

Ayano"s group stood rock still and silent faced with the battle several times more b.l.o.o.d.y that before.

"Eeh......, this is...."

After several seconds - completely pulling herself together, Ayano muttered to herself.

"Are they being called? "

"Or there"s still a small portion of the host"s consciousness - at any rate, we should stop them from reaching Pandemonium. Nothing good would come out of it."

"I agree"

Just as they were about to run after exchanging a short agreement, at that time -

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.

The dry wind hurts the skin.

That thoroughly, thoroughly overwhelming force and the air full of killing intent spread out over the entire park like a mantle.

"What now -!?"

Bernhardt started something else - Ayano immediately thought so.

But, Kirika looked at the sky with a serious face and groaned disgusted.

"You came, huh - Kazuma"

"Kazuma!? This!?"

"Who else it there? ", declared Kirika matter of fact to Ayano, who opened her eyes wide with unconcealed fright.

"A man who rules the atmosphere so overwhelmingly - there"s no one else but him, right? "

"B- but........but........"

Pressuring her body - no, the entire surrounding airs.p.a.ce, that oppressive intent felt only ominous.

The urge to attack was making her body feel on the edge, as if it was about to be cut down.

Similar to the release of a pack of starving wolfs, that Kehai was showing its dazzling l.u.s.t.

Is this - is this - is this Kazuma"s power?

"You"re lying.........it cannot, be like this..........."

"I believe I told you to forget about the Kazuma you knew."

She remembered about two years before.

The avatar of a storm spreading death and destruction.

Prepared to destroy the entire world for the sake of revenge, for the sake of killing one person, that man was equivalent with a living disaster.

"This is also Kazuma. No, maybe only this is Kazuma. "

"..........let"s go", Ren asked the dazed Ayano in front of Kirika trembling in fear.

That voice was carrying a fear that couldn"t be concealed but nevertheless the determination to move forward doesn"t shake.

"Detective Tachibana - ?"

"I apologize. From here on, it"s impossible for us", determined Kirika controlling Ren"s words.

"I"m sorry but beyond this point go just the two of you. We will fall back and spread a barrier around the park. Because of instinct or because they were ordered they"re all heading to Pandemonium right now but if they were to meet him a few will probably run towards us."

"That"s right. We"re leaving it to you."

Ren agreed after thinking about it a little and urged Ayano once more.

"Let"s go"

"Y- yeah...."

Maybe because she couldn"t accept Kazuma"s transformation yet, Ayano was hesitating with an indecisive att.i.tude.

Seeing that, Kirika placed her hand on Ayano"s shoulder as if trying to encourage her and smiled a little.

"Listen to me, Ayano-chan, I think you may be successful without having to think too much about it"

If she were told something like this in normal circ.u.mstances, Ayano"s face would flush red in anger.

But, there was pretty much no reaction now. Without looking at Kirika, she answered in a murmur.

"............I"ll put in my best effort"

"....................go for it"

Understanding that she didn"t manage to stir Ayano, eventually Kirika sent out the girl with a feeble smile.

"........it turned up, huh?"

Due to the collapse of the Tokyo Government Office, overlooking the Central Park from the highest floor of the partially destroyed National Diet Building, Kazuma murmured.

Close to the center of the park, an old western style house instantly made an appearance.

A large quant.i.ty of Youki gathered and was in the process of going there but for him right now that is inconsequential.

That"s right, everything else is not worth worrying about. There are just two important things.

To kill - that annoying Majutsushi.

To break - that disgusting doll imitating his beloved.

He won"t let anything get in the way. He won"t stop.

Because he took this power for the sake of revenge.

"Just wait, Bernhardt"

The moment he kicked the foothold and soared into the sky, Kazuma suddenly remembered.

That once, the same thing happened.

"Humph........"

Kazuma laughed at the repeating farce.

At that time, Kazuma challenged the Majutsushi for Tsoi Rin.

At that time, to rescue her. And this time, to kill.

The objective was reversed. But, the result will still be the same. Because right now, he has that much power.

Because right now, he has that much power enough to make the world obey his will, for the sake of fulfilling his objective.

"How regretful. How unsightly even if I say so myself"

But even so, he cannot help but think. Just like he thought thousands, tens of thousands before.

If he only had this power back then

"Stooooooooooop it!!"

Kazuma screamed at the top of his voice - or so he wanted but what came through his broken throat resembled a hoa.r.s.e stridor not recognizable words.

The man didn"t turn around.

He looked at him once at the beginning but then perfectly ignoring Kazuma"s existence he performed the ceremony - and the he carried it out.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Without asking for agreement, he showed Kazuma that sad sight. The whole story of stealing everything from the existence of the woman he loved.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

He couldn"t do anything. Not rescuing her, not even delaying the ceremony by at least a second.

Not allowed anything, not accomplishing anything, he lost his most precious thing.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

His hands and feet were completely broken, he couldn"t stand up. He could only let out hollow moans and shed tears from his eyes that were miraculously safe.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Abruptly the weight disappeared from his back. Handling Kazuma like a baby, the familiar that mercilessly trampled him down, wanted to put his legs out of the way.

The familiar quickly backed off and went down on his knees respectfully. Of course, not in front of Kazuma. In front of its master that stepped in front of Kazuma.

Pointing hie eyeb.a.l.l.s upward to the almost limit Kazuma looked up at the man. He no longer had the energy to move his neck.

"........Er...win......"

With a grazed voice he called the name of the enemy. The man - Erwin Leszaar looked down on Kazuma as if looking at a spot on the floor.

According to the legend, he was at the very least three hundred years old but no matter how you look at it those features were of a young man in his twenties.

Hid blond hair, blue eyes and white skin turned him to the very picture of a handsome man.

"I don"t really understand but - ", Erwin asked Kazuma bending his head slightly in wonder.

"After all, why did you came here? "

"........!!"

He didn"t make fun of him. That was a genuine question.

Understanding his do or die action was only recognized as a disturbance, Kazuma"s body burned in humiliation.

"Thinking about it, even your situation is a little unclear. You can use some Jutsu but not enough to call yourself a Jutsushi. Aah, your > is nicely mature and well-rounded. It"s a big deal considering how young you are! "

Without carrying about Kazuma"s thoughts Erwin continued talking one-sided.

"But that"s all. Are you a master of martial arts who can dabble just a little bit in Jutsu, are you some dropped out smatterer aiming to become a Jutsushi - at any rate, in front of a real Majutsushi that degree of power is mere child"s play.

You understand that much, right? "

"So what.........?"

Kazuma responded with a gaze loaded with an infinite number of curses.

"So, should I have abandoned her? Would it have been better to give up? "

".........Tsoi........Rin........"

He only said those two words. The name of the girl he wanted to protect but couldn"t.

"Tsoi Rin? Aah, the name of the miss who became a sacrifice. Then you came here to rescue her - without considering your chances? "

As if giving praise to Kazuma"s courage, a smile was etched into his lips. And then he completely changed -

"How foolish that was"

"......!!"

Kazuma"s body trembled in fury. But, that body, already couldn"t move even a finger.

If he could move for a second, only for a second, he will definitely bite that man"s windpipe -

"At the expense of that girl, I received life. She did very well, that girl. However, your death, because you couldn"t obstruct the ceremony, is really meaningless. A human should die in a more meaningful manner - don"t you agree? "

"Fu....f.u.c.k, you....."

That was the greatest fury he felt so far. As if he had already died, it wasn"t because his death would be in vain.

He self-consciously knew he was fatally wounded. Even a.s.suming they"ll leave him as it it without the final blow, he will die in a few hours anyway.

That was inconsequential. Because he had already lost the reason to stay alive.

"She did very well, huh? "

While stealing Tsoi Rin"s life, the shamelessness of talking about her death as meaningful - he could never allow such a thing.

Kazuma knew the meaning of becoming a sacrifice to the devil.

That wasn"t a mere corporeal death. It was the extinction of the soul, of the existence itself.

She will never be born again, the return to absolute nothingness.

The ultimate end.

Even when the last judgment will come, Tsoi Rin won"t be saved.

".........d.a.m.n...you......."

Spitting out a jeer weaker that a sigh, Kazuma glared at Erwin.

Why, did Tsoi Rin had to die?

For the selfish desire of this man.

Why. Why. Why.

"Well then"

Losing his interest towards Kazuma, Erwin left the room.

"Clean this up"

".......Wait.....b.a.s.t.a.r.d........."

He reached out feebly - when he wanted to reach out he convulsed - Kazuma"s right arm was crushed under the familiar"s foot. Another long bone was broken.

".......Gaaah....."

While spitting out blood froth together with that small shriek, Kazuma looked up at the familiar"s appearance.

With features of both demon and beast, a lower grade devil whose ugly exterior inspired revulsion in those who looked at him.

Will he be killed by something like this?

Kazuma was wrapped in a sense of helplessness. He lost the girl he had to protect, he couldn"t retaliate even once against the Majutsushi he should kill, and will die here without killing at least one of those p.a.w.ns?

The familiar"s mug changed to sneer. Those sharp claws that mangled Kazuma many times were pushed out for show.

".......Will I.....die......?"

If those claws were to stab him, he will die this time. It wasn"t a guess, he understood it was a definite fact.

He was supposed to have already lost his meaning to live. He was supposed not to mind even death.

But, even so - as expected, death is scary.

Without reason, he purely thought I don"t want to die. And then -

From Ren"s mouth, a moan of unbearable fear leaked out.

Pandemonium appeared in the center of the park, as if trying to crush the Niagara waterfall.

The water plaza that was there, before the waterfall, spread out like Pandemonium"s front garden.

And then - right there right now was looking like heaps of bodies and streams of blood.

Both humans and demons systemically torn to pieces evenly were lying down their contents scattered.

The head group of > and > aiming at Pandemonium encountered it just before reaching their goal.

Exhausting the nourishment of the host, the Youma achieved a complete manifestation of their devilishness.

The demon power - regardless of orientation - governed the seeds with a strong will.

You could say that every one of them was a match for a thousand, existences that could manipulate a mighty power.

But -

"Aah......"

There was already no way of telling how many had they been. Even the distinction between the corpses of humans and demons disappeared.

In just one instant.

Everything was exterminated in a moment. By just one raging, wild Fujutsushi.

"Nii........sama......."

Overawed by the overwhelming power, Ren could do nothing else but moan.

Ayano had already lost her voice.

At the center of that raging power, he was.

Stepping over the broken pieces of those corpses, his glare fixed on Pandemonium soaring before his eyes.

Yagami Kazuma - the avatar of death and destruction ruling the windstorm.

The surging wind, like an armor, like a blade, was circling around him.

Because of the tremendous frictional heat of the atmosphere vortex, electrical discharges were born everywhere in the sky and the wind tower stabbing at the sky was colored a dazzling white.

That was literally a thunder storm. The iron hammer of the atmosphere clad in lightning, that would burn and destroy everything it touches.

"Is this........is this Nii-sama"s true, power.........", murmured Ren to himself in a trembling voice.

But he realized the next moment that even that recognition was too naive.

That irrational power even under normal circ.u.mstances, was showed elevated even more.

The flickering white light was shining in the dark night, the endlessly amplificating ascending air current calling out thunder clouds overhead.

The vocal duet of rearing thunder both on heaven and earth resembled the howl of a demon beast.

"Ni......Nii-sama!"

Without seeming to have heard Ren"s voice Kazuma was looking straight at Pandemonium.

Probably not taking the time to especially search for Bernhardt, he was planning to blow away the whole Pandemonium.

Certainly, in front of this kind of abuse of power, no matter how huge or solid the mansion is, it was the same as a shack.

Without withstanding it for even a second, it will definitely vanish without leaving behind even ash.

But, Ren didn"t want to see his brother like that. The Kazuma he admired would never do such a thing. And above all -

"Nii-sama, please stop! Even if you do that Tsoi Rin-san won"t be pleased. "

As expected, unable to ignore Tsoi Rin"s name, Kazuma showed a small but immediate reaction.

Securing that effect, Ren raised his voice even more.

"Please collect yourself! Even if you get your revenge, the dead won"t come back! If Tsoi Rin-san could see Nii-sama right now, I"m sure she would be sad! That"s why, that"s why - "

"What the f.u.c.k are you saying? "

Turning around, Kazuma looked at Ren quizzical. That face was unexpectedly calm but didn"t appear like he forgot about his anger.

"How can the dead be sad? "

"Eeh, b- but......"

"Didn"t I tell you before. Death is the end."

Kazuma informed Ren, perplexed by the unexpected reaction, in a matter of fact.

"Those harboring dreams, those mad with hatred, those that loved others, when they die everything turns to nothing. Therefore, no matter what I do, the dead won"t be delighted. They won"t be sad. They don"t feel - anything. "

"......nii,sama........"

"If you thought I want to kill Bernhardt because of Tsoi Rin, that"s your mistake. I"ll kill him because I want to kill him for myself. I"ll kill those that want to get in my way. I"ll kill those that get in my way. It"s that simple. "

"But, Nii-sama - "

"Ren"

Kazuma interrupted coldly the appeal of his little brother, already without arguments but still wanting to stop him.

"Shut up already. Your words won"t stop me"

"nii,sama......"

" - Will you get in my way, Ren? "

If you get in my way - with words very clear to understand without listening to the second part, Kazuma gave him a warning.

Ren had no words to defeat that.

"this is something - right?"

With a mood that it was someone else"s problem, Ayano is watching attentively the back and forth argument between the two.

If she were to judge it objectively, she thought that Ren"s defeat was a reasonable consequence.

To begin with, rather than an argument, it was closer to trying to get the other party agree with what you have to say.

The person who agreed on it"s response from the beginning, the person with a solid resolution that will go forward to the very last even if he"s wrong, for those kind of people the words of others have no meaning.

It"s obvious that those words are spent in vain.

But even so.

Right now Ayano felt an uncommon discomfort towards Kazuma.

If Kazuma is that kind of man, if he can understand reason, in spite of agreeing with his feelings when she placed the figure of that man in her field of vision, she"s unable to suppress a discomforting something.

Of course, that does not mean she has a plan to stop Kazuma.

Rather, she believed that"s not something a human can achieve.

Looking up at the thunder cloud heavily covering the night sky, Ayano let out a long breath of admiration.

What was Kazuma controlling right now couldn"t be described by such a narrow phenomenon like wind. It was the atmosphere, the airflow and the weather itself.

Who on earth believed that such a behavior was possible for just one Jutsushi.

Right now Kazuma"s power was at a totally different level even by the Kannagi"s standards.

And yet, why, it wasn"t all that scary?

"Wrong, not like that. It"s scary - but because it"s scary, it"s not scary at all"

While murmuring inside her chest such contradictory words, Ayano started walking.

While she didn"t know herself what she wanted to do.

In front, of Kazuma.

"Ne- Nee-sama.........?"

Ignoring Ren"s appeal, as if protecting Pandemonium, she blocked Kazuma"s way.

"Kuuu.....uu......"

In the act of doing so, the torrent of killing intent rushed towards her.

Until now she she blocked his way once or twice but this was the first time this kind of bare thirst for blood was slapped into her.

The fear was about to crush her heart.

Confronting him directly she understood it clearly. The difference between herself, and that overwhelming power

- is this Nii-sama"s true power -

Ren"s words were resurrected in her ears.

They pierced her heart just like thorns, together with an indistinct sense of discomfort.

Looking at the sky, she thought.

This is Kazuma"s real power

- really?

Right away, words of doubt crossed her mind. It was definitely overwhelming.

There"s no mistake, from everything she saw until now this is the greatest power.

But, but even so -

" - Aah, so that"s the reason"

Abruptly Ayano realized the reason for her discomfort.

That instant, both fear and cowardice became of little importance, the kind of emotions she could ignore.

She looked hard at Kazuma straightforward. Including anger and irritation for the man who fell so low.

"I understand why detective Tachibana and Ren want to stop you. Right now you"re so ugly I cannot look at you. "

"Step aside. You"re in the way", declared Kazuma indifferently without showing any reaction even to Ayano"s words.

Ayano too, continued to ignore Kazuma.

"To be honest, I admired you. I thought that someday I"ll catch up with you and you"ll approve of me.

- Though in fact, there was no need to expressly tell you. "

"I won"t say it a third time. Step aside"

In a monotonous tone Kazuma gave her the final warning. It did not seem that Ayano"s words made an impression.

Even so, without hesitation, Ayano boldly declared.

"That"s why I can"t tolerate you the way you are now. I cannot accept that such an ugly thing was my landmark. I"ll open your eyes even by force! "

Together with that declaration, Ayano slapped her palms together.

That dry sound of clapping hands resounded thoroughly clear, pressing down the thunder and scattering the windstorm uneventfully.

Separating the joined hands, a line of red fire connected the s.p.a.ce between the palms.

Gripping that flame line with her right hand, and swinging in in a mowing down movement to pull it out.

The line of fire stretching for one meter, instantly materialized forming a brilliant red sword.

The vibrantly red blade, the double edged straight sword.

The blade was clad in golden flames, that appearance releasing a beautiful brilliance was so lovely it was fairy-tale like.

Pointing at him the secret treasure of the Kannagi family, the absolutely invincible conquering the devil divine sword, Enraiha, Ayano showed a fearless smile.

"The way you are right now, I can easily kill you - but don"t worry. I"ll go easy on you. I"ll teach you how does a Spirit Jutsushi fight!"

Kazuma was silent. Following his previous notice, he didn"t warn her a third time and fired a wind blade without hesitation.

Ayano swung Enraiha with all her strength at that blow filled with nothing but pure killing intent.

"Guu......uuh.........."

Unable to stop the fast wind blade mowing down, Ayano backed off several steps. Even so, enduring it without breaking her stance, she sharpened her reflexes preparing herself for the next attack.

A three stranded blow. One approaching from the front, and other two describing an arc and coming from left and right.

Ayano hit head-on the frontal attack and by purposefully letting herself be blown away she dodged those coming from the sides.

Curling up her body to let the shock loose while tumbling, she stood up by using that force.

While setting up Enraiha warily, she checked for damage.

"Ok, it"s fine. But even so, no way, I"m being over-matched - "

The fact that she was forced back by fighting from the front was unexpected.

The Enjutsushi who was supposed to be the strongest was underpowered in front of the Fuujutsushi who was supposed to be the weakest - if it"s a fight between two users beyond first-cla.s.s, that was a very improbable phenomenon.

But, the reason is simple. Kazuma strength easily breaks trough what is known as common sense. It was just that.

The strongest Fujutsushi, the one Ayano knew, Kazamaki Ryouya of the Fuuga Clan and the Youma possessing him - even if once she and Kazuma managed to bring him down somehow, Kazuma right now is surpa.s.sing even that.

"But - "

On top of that Kazuma yet again has the trump card - the power of the Contractor sealed inside him.

"You...!!"

A tremendously heavy blow that didn"t seem to be made of air, plus a freebie with a lightning supplement.

Every time they exchanged blows, escaping even Enraiha"s protection, a strong numbness was running through her whole body.

"But, but even so!"

Does Kazuma understand? That although he"s fighting her seriously he has yet to kill her, the meaning of it?

Rebuking her body becoming numb from the two layered attack - high impact and lightning strike, Ayano grasped Enraiha tightly.

"I won"t lose. I"ll never lose! Not, not when Kazuma became so weak!"

If the opponent was the real Kazuma, she would have been killed ten times already.

Because Ayano would never be able to perceive everything about those sharply honed wind blades.

Without knowing when and how she will be killed, she"s only notice her head dropping down - that was supposed to be the reasonable end.

If the opponent was the real Kazuma, Ayano would never fear him.

Because it would be so natural, it would be so grand, the capacity of feeling fear wouldn"t see it coming at all.

But, for Kazuma right now, she can see the upper limit.

He is certainly strong. Overwhelmingly strong. But, even so, right now she can reach him.

She has that self-confidence,

Kazuma"s wind was more sharp, more fast.

There"s nothing to fear from this rough, powerful attack.

So what if she"s stuck by lightning? That thing is nothing more but the useless byproduct of frictional heat.

For Kazuma"s real wind, there would be no need to add such extras.

It would be a high speed blow exceedingly purified, cold and sharply honed.

That was what Ayano admired, what was her objective,because it was Kazuma"s battle style.

"Everything you thought me - I"ll give it all back to you! "

She added a swelling power to the blade. Thoroughly finer and sharper, squeezing all that power in one point -

"Deyaaaaa!!"

Swinging down Enraiha together with a yell, the wind blade was skillfully beheaded.

"Wh.......at..........?"

"Don"t be surprised by such a thing! "

Aiming at Kazuma, whose eyes were wide with surprise, Ayano plunged into him in a straight line. Without giving him the time to use Jutsu, to reach him with her sword.

Kazuma smoothly handled his body and avoided the blow that could split a bamboo in two.

He dodged even the retaliating blade as close as a millimeter. Simultaneously he jumped.

The light jump using his legs only below the knees, moved him at a distance of a few meters by riding on the wind.

Quicker than Ayano who tried once more to reduce the distance, Kazuma fired countless wind blades.

The swarm of blades approaching from every direction, circled Ayano without gaps as if it was a cage forged of blades.

"Haaa! "

Ayano rotated fer body on the axis quickly making Enraiha do one revolution.

The point of the sword drew a perfect angle thoroughly burning to nothing all the wind.

As if facing the fragments of the falling, burning wind, the color of shock seemed to paint Kazuma"s face.

That only made Ayano"s irritation become worse.

"Why are you surprised by something like this? "

Doesn"t he understand yet? Doesn"t he realize it yet? Even though she doesn"t want to see him like that -

"Didn"t you teach me all this? The meaning of power! The way to use it! The way we should be! "

She couldn"t forgive him. She"ll never accept it. This is not Kazuma.

"This is not my Kazuma. "

I"ll definitely open your eyes. Fired up by that strong decision, Ayano seeks even more power.

The power that was boiling from inside her body, the power overflowing on the entire world.

Adding it up and polishing it, she poured it on the blade held in her hand.

"It"s not enough yet. More, more - "

According to Ayano"s will, the flame gushing out from Enraiha, rapidly increased its brilliance.

At the same time, the golden flame was gradually tinged red.

"Ne, Nee-sama!? "

staring at the scarlet flame as if doubting his eyes, Ren shouted.

But, nothing except the Kazuma in front of her reached Ayano"s consciousness.

Not Ren"s voice and, not even the meaning of the color her flame was releasing - And then, Ayano brandished Enraiha.

"What the heck is going on? "

Kazuma couldn"t really understand.

Why, does the likes of Ayano must give him so much trouble. No, on the contrary, right now he was completely pressured.

"Why". That word, was repeated over and over in Kazuma"s mind.

"Why", can"t he kill Ayano?

"Why", is Ayano so strong?

"Why", must he kill Ayano?

"------!?"

Suddenly the doubt that popped into his head stopped Kazuma"s thinking.

It was supposed to be something he shouldn"t even have to think about. Eliminating all obstacles, there was only that.

- Towards what purpose?

"Isn"t that obvious? To kill Bernhardt and to break Lapis. I am here, only for this reason"

"Didn"t you teach me all this!? "

In Kazuma"s ears, wondering to himself, Ayano"s voice full of anger jumped in.

Now that you mention it, he sometime may have said something like that while acting self-important.

For someone who desired power only for revenge it was an odd thing to say but right now, thinking back on that time, he may have admired himself for it.

For the sake of protecting - Then, what happens to those he couldn"t protect?

The power he obtained after losing everything - how the heck should he use it?

Even his revenge was already over.

Killing Bernhardt after this is something trivial. A simple cleaning after.

If so, maybe he wouldn"t mind being killed here by Ayano.

Desperately thinking, he looked at the girl burning with anger.

He opened his eyes wide. The brilliance of the dazzling red flame stole his heart.

He saw it only once during the fight with Ryouya, Ayano"s - Ayano only"s flame.

He couldn"t resist being fascinated. He couldn"t look away.

That girl he had no interest in except the fact that she was the Suzerain"s daughter, the brilliance of her soul.

He had no intention of telling anyone but Kazuma secretly named that flame "Kouen".

For this girl who gives off a brilliance like that of the sun, the name "Kouen" (trad: solar prominence) suits her.

Right now, Ayano"s body was clad in the same flame like that time.

It is by far more refined, a sharpened shape.

That right, just like she said, Kazuma taught her that.

The gathering and convergence of that power, with words and att.i.tude, he continued to teach her.

This is the result of it.

The fruition of both talent and great effort, that one extremity of Enjutsu.

He, on the other hand -

Kazuma looked at the wind he was manipulating. Entrusting his overflowing power to rage, indeed it was an ugly wind.

Because he thought nothing of harmony and such, he inflicted terrible damage to the surroundings.

Of course, it was pointlessly big.

"I can"t win with this"

In front of Kazuma, smiling bitterly, Ayano raised Enraiha overhead.

The golden flame emitted from all over her body, was focused on that blade.

And then, she swung it downwards without hesitation.

"Just wake up alreaaaaaaaaaaaaaady!"

Staring at the excellent gallant figure of the girl with all his heart, as always, Kazuma thought.

"No, if I were to receive this blow I would sleep eternally, normally - "

Immediately following - the surging red flame scattered the hard wind clad in lightning, defeating the mad Fujutsushi.

The wind died down, the thunder ceased, and the park regained his silence.

Dumbfounded, absolutely dumbfounded, Ren stared at the spectacle in front of his eyes.

Holding Enraiha, Ayano in a vigilant posture.

Forward from her, the collapsed Kazuma, his body sunk in the trunk of a tree.

None moved. No, rather that didn"t move, one side couldn"t move.

After several seconds - convinced Kazuma was out, Ayano raised her eyes to the night sky and let out a small sigh.

The feeling of tension that filled this place soundlessly came apart.

Just now, Ren came to his senses. He ran up to Ayano while shouting.

"Ne- Nee-sama! What a thing! "

Caption text

An obvious voice of reproach. But, without minding it, Ayano showed the victory sigh, smiling a smile of satisfaction.

"He he - my first victory"

"First victory, you say?.........what would have happened if you killed him!? "

The pressing question was even more reproachful, and finally noticing she was blamed Ayano spoke as if trying to justify herself.

"Aah, no, I don"t think he"s dead. If that were a direct hit, there would be no remaining body"

The attack had that kind of caloric value. A human body would never survive it.

The fact that Kazuma"s body retained it"s original form, means he had some kind of defense plan and at least avoided the direct hit.

"But even so, going so far - "

Ren wanted to argue even more but was suddenly interrupted by Ayano, who recovered her serious face.

Standing in the front and pushing Ren aside, Ayano set up Enraiha once more.

Ren Ren turned around quick-witted and agile and looked at the same thing as Ayano.

It was Yagami Kazuma"s figure, slowly standing up.

"Nii-sama! "

Ren raised his voice with great joy, while simultaneously realizing he shouldn"t be happy.

From here on, the battle with resume.

But right now, that tremendous sense of intimidation totally disappeared from Kazuma.

He couldn"t feel anything else but a weak Kehai, just like that of a normal person without special powers.

"Nee-sama......it"s fine"

Judging Kazuma didn"t have anymore battle strength, Ren wanted to ask for Ayano"s forgiveness. But, that moment -

"---------!? "

Ayano"s eyes opened wide.

In the gap of that one instant she was focused on Ren, Kazuma was before her eyes - he approached to a point-blank range enough for their bodies to touch.

"Wha------"

It was by no means a fast movement. Rather, his walking felt slack.

And yet, for some reason she couldn"t react at all.

That way of walking that slipped into the gap between her cognizance and her perception, it was unnatural because it was beyond spontaneous and didn"t inspire an out of place feeling to be worthy of her vigilance.

Brushing her feet while she couldn"t do nothing and while thinking she"s going to fall on her a.s.s, Enraiha"s pommel was kicked up.

As if part of a comedic duo, Ayano was thrown down face up, both her hands raised.

When looking up on her field of vision, the night sky and a blurred shoe sole were reflected.

The shoe sole area was rapidly magnified and filled all her field of vision.

"------------!!"

Unable to avoid or defend, Ayano strongly closed her eyes. But even so, mercilessly, Kazuma strikes down the shoe sole with all his strength.

- On the ground, a breath away from Ayano"s head lying down face up.

"Well, something like this?"

A voice missing tension reached the petrified Ayano"s ear. Next to her head, the foot that even sunk into the ground was drawn back.

Lumps of earth dug up together with his foot, fell on her face in chunks.

"Eeh, aah------"

"I always pay my debts"

Under the cleared up night sky, moonlight was shining upon that fearless smiling face.

Understanding it was Kazuma"s familiar tone Ren"s eyes sparked.

"Nii-sama"

"Hmm, what?"

Kazuma asked back unnaturally, in really the same manner as usual. Next, he changed his line of sight at his feet as if he saw something very curious.

"So, what are you doing there? Is snugging on the ground so comfortable? "

Quickly getting up, Ayano screamed.

"Didn"t you kick me and threw me down!? "

"I"m asking about the reason of you staying kicked and thrown down"

"I"m amazed by your lack of common sense! "

Shouting once more she started sweeping the dust from her hair and face.

And then she stabbed Kazuma with a dangerous gaze.

"Besides, why are you unhurt? "

"I warded it off skillfully.", declared Kazuma nonchalantly.

Those remarks were very simple but it wasn"t easy to imagine how much technique finesse was need to be able to say I warded it off skillfully about that calorific value.

The specific technique must be beyond imagination.

"So, it"s fine if I a.s.sume you returned to sanity?"

"Well, I don"t remember not being sane"

In response to Ayano"s continuing cross examination, Kazuma played dumb.

Naturally, that att.i.tude greatly stimulated Ayano"s imperial wrath.

"Ho hou, you"re spouting those kind of words this late in the game? "

Groaning in a subdued voice, she grabbed Kazuma by the collar, drew his face near and glared at him at point-blank rage, their noses touching.

With a smile Kazuma continued to gaze at the angry face of the still energetic girl.

Yes, once you noticed it, it was a very simple thing.

He decided to protect, just like he swore back them.

So that he won"t err again, the duty of those with power - whitewashing, it doesn"t really matter.

From that time he was charmed by that red brilliance, he decided.

To exist together, to look over her and to see everything with his own eyes.

The feelings he has for Tsoi Rin, they are still here even now, unchanged.

But, he can no longer use that pretext to cut down his present.

Because there isn"t just one precious thing.

From his side Kazuma brought his face closer to Ayano"s scowling at him very, very close.

"Wha - W- wait!"

Ayano forgot her anger and was panicking at the quick intimacy, dangerous from another point of view.

But, Kazuma didn"t stop.

The distance that was less that five centimeters became three, one and then - minus.

Bringing his lips close to the red ears of the girl that stiffened as if misunderstanding something, Kazuma whispered.

"Prepare yourself, you just reminded me. "

I"ll never part once again. He decided so once again.

I won"t gave up on anything. I"ll obtain everything I want.

"I"m willful and greedy"

Saying so, he kissed her lightly on the nape of the neck.

"Hyan!?"

The girl who screamed without seductiveness, still didn"t realized.

That she had been literally >.

That she was recognized as > by the most difficult man of this world.

- Did you think you can escape?

Whether it was unlucky that she failed to hear those whispered words or whether she was fortunate - surely not even the G.o.ds know that.