第４６５堀：動き出す毘沙門天と本命登場 (Part2)
"So, how do we handle Shuten-doji? Fortunately, it's just glaring at us and not making a move, but..."
"Indeed. Lord Terutora, what is your command?"
"Hmph. To address me by my given name... I could have you executed for that, you know. But very well, I have need of every hand I can get, so I shall overlook it. First, we strike down that man. It seems he is the one supplying power to Shuten-doji."
"I see. So even a fallen god is still a god, eh? Understood."
Then, for some reason, the four of them split up, surrounding the monster...
"Everyone, charge!!"
Are they not thinking at all!? Charging that monster head-on!?
*Clang!!*
A metallic sound rang out, and I leaped back.
"Tch. That flame is a nuisance."
"I couldn't get through either. The fire is acting like armor."
"Same here. However, we cannot afford to take too much time."
"Indeed. The power is flowing into that Ogre more and more. We have to find a way to break through."
What are we supposed to do!?
"Simple. We just need to strike the parts where its body is exposed."
What!? There's no way we can cut that monster!
"I see. So, it's a diversion, then?"
"If we do that, it will have to pull the flames back to defend itself. That makes sense."
"And in that opening, we strike down Nogosh."
"Well, we are one person short for the Great Ogre Extermination of Mt. Oe, but it's no use complaining about who isn't here!!"
W-wait, wait!? Are we really charging in!?
Before I could stop them, my body lunged forward at the monster, swinging my blade.
*Slash!!*
Huh? It cut! I actually cut it!
"Gah! I know that! But it was too shallow! ...What!?"
The monster's arm swung down, gouging the earth once more.
*Ouch!?* My shoulder hurts!
"Tch, to be grazed and sustain this much damage... as expected of Shuten-doji."
When I looked at my shoulder, a large chunk had been torn away, and blood was gushing out.
*H-hiiiiii!?* It, it hurts! I'm going to die, I'm going to die!
"Will you die from a mere scratch like that!! Be silent, girl!! You're distracting me!!"
T-that's easy for you to say... the blood, there's so much...
"What are you doing? Getting hit like that."
"The owner of this body is shrinking away in fear."
"Ah, that makes sense. She's never been in a real battle before, after all."
"I suppose the battlefield is too much for a young girl."
"Nah. I think it's just a matter of degree. Taizo, Arwin, I'll handle the healing, so you two take over."
"Leave it to me."
"Got it."
Healing? Is Taiki going to do it?
"Leave me be. With a wound like this, it's better not to use me. It's a waste of time to heal me; I won't be able to move immediately anyway. It's more important to increase the attackers. It's not as if I can't swing with one arm."
"Ah, don't worry, don't worry. We have magic in this world, and..."
*What!?* Since when could he use high-level recovery magic without an incantation!?
"Hm? How strange. The wound is gone?"
"Can you move?"
"Yes, no problem. It's mysterious. Does this land possess such methods of healing?"
"It does. I can do that another hundred times easily."
"Hoh. So you weren't just the most incompetent young pup after all."
"Well, compared to those three, I'm a bit lacking, sure."
"Then it is settled!! If it's just minor wounds, the lad will heal them!! Everyone!! Charge with all your might... *Guh!?*"
*Eh?* Why did he suddenly collapse? My head... it hurts! Is something sitting on the back of my head?
"Information gathering is done, so you're in the way."
That voice came from above.
"Y-you!! I don't know who you are, but this is our chance to attack!! Do not interfere!!"
"You're noisy. Now, all three of you, back off."
"Ugh. Understood."
"Got it."
"Er, I don't really get it, but... understood."
For some reason, the three of them obeyed more readily than they did with Terutora and retreated.
"What is the meaning of this nonsense!!"
"You're the one who makes no sense. I don't care if you're Uesugi Kenshin or Terutora. I've been in charge here from the start. Honestly, why does everyone keep poking their noses in? For now, all of you are going to sit in seiza and listen to me. Oh, and someone protect Shuten-doji."
"What!? You, protect Shuten-doji... wha-"
As he said that, the pressure on my head vanished. When I looked toward the monster, there was nothing there but a little girl with red hair, sobbing.
"Don't bully me... Mother, Mother..."
What in the world is going on?
Well then, that concludes the story of the day of the execution.
Bishamonten did his best, but he ended up getting stepped on. He was a good scapegoat.
As for the mystery of Shuten-doji turning into a little girl—if you can't wait for the answer the day after tomorrow, you might find the truth if you investigate the Shuten-doji case a bit more thoroughly.
Who are the parents? If you combine that with the story from the time of the 'Ya' character...
Well, it's a sort of fate, or perhaps a curse.
Maybe they just tried too hard when they were young...
Wait for the next installment.