Chapter 144.3


    [Part 3/4]


    "Princess?"


    "No, yes. You''re right. It''s the same as my ipetentborers..."


    The young princess hesitates slightly, but then nods in agreement. Alright, one more push.


    "Her skills are not bad. She can''tpare to the Princess, but we can expect something from her. If she''s alive, she will work harder than anyone to apologize for her rudeness."


    "What are you trying to say? Say it clearly."


    "...Spare her life."


    I turn around to Aoi''s question that strikes at the heart. And clearly, without any pretense, I earnestly make my request. The guarantee of my junior''s life. My experience from ying the original work told me that it would be a bad move to deceive here. The second Princess hates lies and deception.


    "I understand your anger, Princess. But please, in this situation..."


    "You want me to spare your face?"


    "I understand that I don''t have a face that can be spared. But..."


    Even so, I plead for mercy. If I don''t, Hisame''s head will be chopped off with a hand chop when the poison ispletely drained. It was a story that could easily happen if it were a short-tempered Princess. Or rather, the original work is kind of like that. It is limited to making a promise while in an absolutely advantageous position. Fortunately, even without a curse, Aoi will fulfill the promise.


    (Princess who has high pride should not break her promise so openly).


    She is moody, selfish, and self-centered, but precisely because of that, I know that she is the type of person who does not disregard promises once made. Even if there is nopensation, even if it is convenient, it is a betrayal and hurtful act to go against one''s past words. That is impossible. That part can be trusted.


    "..."


    "..."


    We observe each other for a while. However, it doesn''tst long. The Princess is quick-witted and dislikes wasting time.


    "...I understand. I won''t harm her."


    "Even if it means using shikigami or servants?"


    "I won''t stoop to such despicable tricks. Neither directly nor indirectly, not even an ambush after some time has passed. However, only this time. If I am threatened in a different matter, I will take appropriate measures... Is that eptable?"


    The conditions she presents are reasonable, even considering our social status. There were even exceptional conditions. I honestly thought that she would agree, but with slightly stricter conditions.


    "What''s wrong? You have such a surprised look on your face. It''s unexpected."


    "No... I can only express my gratitude for the Princess''s generosity."


    These were sincere words. Especially considering the level of cruelty in the original work.


    "Saying something you don''t mean... Are you really saying it seriously!? It''s irritating... Anyway, is it just wishful thinking? Do you really have a chance to neutralize that assassin with your current state?"


    "That is..."


    Surprised by my sincere words, Aoi sharply interjects. It was a painful remark that hit a sore spot.


    "...She disappeared twice when confronted. Not just visually, but to the point where her presence couldn''t be felt. Is it the effect of a curse tool or something?"


    When ites to disappearing from the opponent''s field of view, the first thing thates to mind is a copy of one of the three sacred treasures that also appear in the game, Magatama. Or perhaps it is a Coat that inhibits recognition? However, if that were the case, there would be no need to disappear only for a moment. It could just stay disappeared.


    "I haven''t seen any curse tools like that when she retreated. Well, if they have money and time, they cane up with various appearances... But it''s strange that even my eyes can''t recognize it."


    Aoi tilted her head in genuine puzzlement. Even though her senses were dulled by medicine, her observational skills were still sharp enough to perceive the subtle emotions of others. It''s truly unbelievable that she couldn''t perceive any difference at all.


    "In that case, the mechanism is..."


    It''s not just about super speed. The priority is not how she disappears. What''s important is its essence, probably...


    "...!? Be quiet!"


    There was no need for me to utter a warning. Aoi had already sensed it. We hide in the hollow tree and surveil as it passes by.


    An annoying fluttering sound echoes through the deep forest. The presence of spiritual power. Shikigami. A simplified version. It would be about the size of a bird or a rodent, resembling a ho. It flew through the gaps between the trees. Even though there were no flowers around.


    "...Is it a scout?"


    Fortunately, the ho didn''te all the way here, and after seeing it off, I whispered an exnation. A reconnaissance... Is Hisame approaching?


    (If that''s the case, it''s a bad move...)


    Many exorcists use simplified versions modeled after birds or rodents due to bargain.


    Certainly, when ites to infiltration and reconnaissance, something modeled after insects would be the most suitable form based on size and ecology. However, that is just an ideal form.


    ording to the setting, it is difficult to create a symbol resembling an insect due to the limitations of symbol processing technology, and its operation is also difficult to perform intuitively. Even if it is forcibly used, the resulting body is obviouslyrger and stands out, and its movements are so awkward that it attracts attention.


    And actually, the suzumebachi ho was not a bee in terms of size, but rather the size of a sparrow. Moreover, its already noisy wing sound was even more annoying, exposing its presence to the surroundings. Is it a simple reuse of an assassination tool based on its design? If so, it meant that their equipment was not perfect.


    ...Of course, that doesn''t mean that our situation will dramatically improve.


    (Yes, we can''t hide for much longer...)


    If things continue like this, we will end up shing again... At least, if Aoi''s poison wears off, it shouldn''t be easy to capture her alive. If it strictly follow the original story, it will take another day and a half for her to return as the unstoppable demon rakshasa''s warrior gori. It may be a rtively quick recovery for an ordinary person, but it has been too long at this point.


    However, even if I try to resolve it on my own... considering the seriousness of the previous battle, the situation is slightly unfavorable, right? There is a significant difference in equipment. We are injured, while they don''t seem to have any major injuries. I don''t intend to lose with my refined martial arts skills... but even if I do well, it will be a close match.


    "I need a n..."


    And a decisive one. A clever strategy is needed. It''s a pathetic story. But I have no choice but to rely on a n that is not guaranteed to be effective... I wish I were stronger.


    "...Hey, about that, what do you thin——!?"


    As Aoi stared at me, about to say something, her words were interrupted midway. She was speechless. I instinctively turned my gaze to where she was looking.


    I understood it immediately. It was a trap.


    It was a story that could have been anticipated if I had thought about it. How could I say that the inside of this boundary had not been thoroughly investigated in advance? How could I say that the only controlled shikigami were the noisy ho? How could I think that Hisame, who has excellent detection abilities, would overlook us?


    And now, this shikigami was clinging to the entrance of the hollow tree, near the ceiling. A mayfly. It was there.


    Its lifelesspound eyes had been surveilling us all along.


    "...!!?"


    As I pulled out my throwing kunai, I immediately became vignt inside the hollow tree, and then swung the kunai to kill the shikigami in one blow. At the same time, I twisted my body and turned around to face behind me. I reached out my hand.


    "Princess!!"


    "Huh? Ahh!!?"


    As I shouted and grabbed her wrist, pulling her out, Aoi was momentarily surprised. She quickly understood and had a look ofprehension. Slightly dyed, a de flew out from the wall deep inside the hollow tree. Fresh blood sttered. It was an ambush from an assassin who had secretly sneaked in from the opposite side of the hollow tree.


    Even the mayfly shikigami was just a decoy. The real ambush was a de that had pierced through the trunk while my attention was focused on the other...


    * * *


    "There was some resistance..."


    She murmured to herself as she pulled out a deless dagger from the tree trunk, swaying like water. She was emotionless, but a hint of frustration could be seen in her expression.


    Yes, there was indeed some resistance. However, the blow was not fatal, and Hisame knew that. The instant she felt the de, the blood sticking to it, she knew that it was far from a deep wound. After all, she had cut through countless "flesh" with just a light sh on the surface.


    "..."


    She thought to herself that he is truly a perceptive servant. It was as if he could see the future, half-jokingly. However, that was all there was to it.


    Most of it went ording to n. She had anticipated that they would hide here. No, she had led them here.


    It was crucial that they were driven into the hollow tree. After all, it wouldn''t have worked on rocky terrain. Besides, the dagger she had thrust was not just an ordinary dagger. It was a curse tool.


    ''Toumigi Lake''... Its characteristic was the ability to pass through nts and substances derived from them without causing any damage. Whether it was the original purpose of passing through wooden walls and floors, or dense thickets, or even thick and sturdy tree trunks, it could reach beyond them as if they didn''t exist. It was one of the many curse tools owned by the Onitsuki family.


    One of the secret curse tools for assassination, stored deep in the warehouse...


    (Still, he made a best choice. A surprise move...)


    In the first equation, let them guard down, and the main equation serves as both internal surveince and a decoy. If they don''t notice, that''s fine. Even if they do, their attention will be focused on the entrance of the hollow tree. And this reduces the possibility of being noticed from behind... Unfortunately, it was not a sess.


    (What should I do...?)


    The situation is at a standstill. The prey has not yete out of the hollow tree. There is no counterattack either. However, they are probably not dead.


    The equipment on the other side is probably only as good as a kunai, and it won''te through the trunk. Should she keep trying this over and over again? No, that would be pointless. The length of the weapon is not enough.


    ''Toumigi Lake'' is only capable of passing through vegetation itself. Regardless of the handle, it cannot pass through the arms of the wielder. If they stay in the center of the hollow tree, the de will only scrape the surface. The previous attack only worked because it was the first time.


    (Should I go around to the front...?)