(120 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 57: Nero's Aria and the Despairing Yokai
He had lost all contact with Hagoromo Gitsune.
Indeed, ever since he assisted Hagoromo Gitsune with her reincarnation and gave her his explanation, Abe no Seimei began to vanish from sight, not once granting her an audience for an entire century.
Even Hagoromo Gitsune herself was utterly unable to locate her own child.
Over the course of those one hundred years, Hagoromo Gitsune rallied her former subordinates and searched far and wide for any trace of Abe no Seimei. Yet, it was as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth, never showing himself even once.
But after a century had rolled by, Abe no Seimei abruptly resurfaced.
Upon his return this time, he aided Hagoromo Gitsune in seizing control of Kyoto, turning the entire ancient capital into her grand headquarters.
Immediately afterward, Abe no Seimei vanished yet again.
For a very long time following that event, Abe no Seimei would only appear once every few decades. Each arrival was rushed, and each departure was equally hurried. The longest period he ever spent accompanying Hagoromo Gitsune was a mere single month.
Once that month was up, Abe no Seimei dissolved into the shadows once more.
To put it simply, since the great battle several hundred years ago, the number of times Hagoromo Gitsune had actually met with Abe no Seimei could be counted on her fingers.
It didn't even exceed ten.
Because of this, Yumesaki strongly suspected that Abe no Seimei was recovering from a severe wound.
His most recent appearance had occurred just a few months ago. Abe no Seimei had suddenly approached Hagoromo Gitsune, expressing his desire to annihilate humanity once more and establish a world exclusive to yokai.
Though Hagoromo Gitsune was taken aback, she nonetheless consented and began making preparations to realize his vision.
This was solely because Seimei was her most cherished child.
Following that meeting, Abe no Seimei vanished.
Even Hagoromo Gitsune had no inkling of where the man had gone this time.
Yumesaki finished parsing through Hagoromo Gitsune's memories and knit his brows.
He had originally intended to use Hagoromo Gitsune's memories to pinpoint Abe no Seimei's location, but the reality was that even Hagoromo Gitsune had no idea where he was hiding. This was highly illogical.
That guy was simply too adept at concealing himself.
What should we do now? Nurarihyon, who had also finished observing Hagoromo Gitsune's memories, spoke up to inquire. He had initially believed that the fate of himself and Hagoromo Gitsune would be decided on this very night.
But looking at it now, he had been far too naive.
Even if they successfully executed Hagoromo Gitsune tonight, standing behind her was still Abe no Seimei, a monster who had lived for a thousand years.
Toward this legendary, grand Onmyoji, who was essentially the progenitor of Jujutsu Sorcerers, Nurarihyon was filled with immense wariness.
He had struggled immensely just to match a single Hagoromo Gitsune, let alone Abe no Seimei, whose prowess ranked far above hers.
If the opposing party made a move, he and the Nura Clan would most likely face utter annihilation.
There was absolutely no chance of survival.
Therefore, Nurarihyon staked all his hopes on Yumesaki. Perhaps this unpredictable human standing before him could assist him in confronting Abe no Seimei, as well as crushing Abe no Seimei's grand ambitions and schemes.
Yumesaki narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering continuously as his mind raced at high speeds.
Suddenly, he spoke up, questioning Nurarihyon, "Do you happen to know anything about the Star Religious Group?"
"The Star Religious Group? The same Star Religious Group that shares a connection with Abe no Seimei?" Reminded by Yumesaki's prompt, Nurarihyon abruptly recalled this particular cult lurking within the darkness.
Yumesaki nodded, then stated: "Actually, not too long ago, I obtained a rather fascinating memory from the brain of a certain member of the Star Religious Group named Suguru Geto."
"This individual named Suguru Geto was originally the leader of the Star Religious Group. However, one day, a mysterious figure suddenly arrived, effortlessly defeated Suguru Geto, and usurped the leadership of the Star Religious Group."
"As for Suguru Geto, he was forced to step down from leader to vice-leader."
Nurarihyon was no fool; he instantly grasped Yumesaki's underlying meaning. Anyone capable of leading the Star Religious Group was definitely no ordinary person and had to be a master in their own right.
And for a mysterious individual to defeat such a master with total ease...
"Do you suspect that this enigmatic leader of the Star Religious Group is actually Abe no Seimei?"
"I can't say for certain myself." Yumesaki refrained from speaking too definitively, "But my estimate is that the mysterious leader of the Star Religious Group is inextricably linked to Abe no Seimei. After all, Suguru Geto is a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer."
"More importantly, ever since this mysterious leader took control of the Star Religious Group, the organization shifted entirely from the light into the shadows, maintaining an unprecedentedly low profile that completely contradicts their past behavior."
Nurarihyon voiced his assent, then remarked: "I see. Upon my return, I will immediately dispatch personnel to investigate this Star Religious Group, specifically to ascertain where this mysterious leader is currently residing and whether or not he truly is Abe no Seimei."
Following that, he cast his gaze back toward Hagoromo Gitsune and asked: "How do you plan on dealing with this sly fox?"
"Take her back and turn her into an experimental subject," Yumesaki replied.
Hagoromo Gitsune was, regardless of her crimes, a rare nine-tailed fox yokai. It would be a waste to simply kill her; it was far better to hand her over as research material for Medea and Serie. Who knew what kind of unexpected results they might yield.
Even more crucial was the fact that he could use Hagoromo Gitsune as bait to lure out Abe no Seimei.
This would allow him to see whether the Abe no Seimei of this world genuinely cared for Hagoromo Gitsune or not.
If Abe no Seimei truly held affection for Hagoromo Gitsune, he could draw him out using her, then apprehend and eliminate him as well.
If Abe no Seimei didn't spare a single thought for her, then he would simply view her as an extra piece of experimental material.
Hearing that Yumesaki did not intend to put Hagoromo Gitsune to death, Nurarihyon felt a twinge of disappointment. However, upon hearing that she would become an experimental subject, he looked at Hagoromo Gitsune once more with a gaze brimming with pity.
An experimental subject was never a pleasant term.
It was usually synonymous with a laboratory rat.
What sort of treatment Hagoromo Gitsune would endure next could be deduced without much thought—it certainly wouldn't be anything pleasant.
For that reason, at this very moment, Nurarihyon felt a slight bit of pity for Hagoromo Gitsune. Perhaps being slain right here on the spot would have been a far kinder end for her.
Of course, pity was just pity; begging for her mercy was completely out of the question.
Not in a million years.
No matter what kind of end befell Hagoromo Gitsune, it was entirely the consequence of her own actions.
If anything, Nurarihyon felt a sense of vindication, so how could he possibly plead for Hagoromo Gitsune's sake.
"Listen up, everyone." Nurarihyon's voice resounded in the ears of all the Nura Clan yokai. "This battle marks our absolute victory. Next, we shall return to the Nura Clan estate to drink to our heart's content and celebrate this triumph."
"And we won't head home until we are utterly wasted!"
In an instant, all the yokai of the Nura Clan let loose a thunderous cheer that shook the heavens, their voices rising and falling in waves, echoing through the night sky.
Yumesaki manifested an Air Door, transporting everyone back to the Nura Clan mansion. Afterward, Nurarihyon did his utmost to hold Yumesaki back, eager to celebrate this glorious victory alongside him.
Yumesaki neither readily accepted nor outright rejected the offer, choosing instead to consult the others.
Cu Chulainn spoke up with absolute certainty: "Since it's a victory, it obviously has to be toasted with some fine liquor."
Even Heracles and Nero voiced their agreement with his statement.
To them, following a triumphant battle, it was only right to employ exceptional alcohol to commemorate their success.
Emiya and King Hassan raised no objections either.
As for Medea, Medusa, Serie, and the rest, they expressed neither agreement nor disapproval.
Ultimately, Yumesaki agreed to stay behind and celebrate with everyone.
However, he had overlooked one vital detail: Nero was someone who genuinely relished singing. Midway through the victory banquet, a thoroughly intoxicated Nero stood up, declaring her intention to perform a song to liven up the festive atmosphere.
Upon hearing those words, Yumesaki and the others were instantly struck with sheer horror. Cu Chulainn was terrified to the point of breaking into a cold sweat, snapping completely sober on the spot.
Medea, Medusa, and the rest turned pale from fright, immediately latching onto Yumesaki.
Their reasoning for doing so was incredibly simple—the moment Yumesaki made his escape using the Air Door, they could hitch a ride and flee right along with him.
Conversely, the assembly of Nura Clan yokai possessed absolutely no knowledge of the terror that was Nero, and they joined in cheering her on in droves.
"Wonderful, young lady! Come on, give us a song!"
"Exactly, sing a tune! Let us bask in the lovely voice of Miss Nero!"
In truth, they couldn't be blamed for this. This was primarily because Nero's speaking voice was far too deceptive.
When Nero wasn't singing, her voice was genuinely pleasant to the ears, clear and sweet, carrying the distinct charm of a young maiden.
A voice like that truly seemed like a celestial gift bestowed by the heavens.
Yet, who could have possibly anticipated that Nero was born entirely tone-deaf? Her voice was beautiful, but her singing was an absolute disaster.
"Umu! Since everyone is welcoming me so warmly, then I shall display my talents."
"Witness my genius! Hear the thunderous applause! Grasp the glory of the sovereign! Bloom like a flower! Behold! A Fascination Invited to the Golden Theater!!"
To prevent people from fleeing entirely when she was only halfway through her song, Nero unhesitatingly deployed her Noble Phantasm, dragging everyone into the grand expanse of her Domus Aurea.
"Oh oh oh! What on earth is this place?"
"Too extravagant, this is way too lavish! Everything is gleaming with a golden luster, it's all pure gold!"
"VIP seats! VIP seats!"
The members of the Nura Clan, completely oblivious to the horrific ordeal they were about to face, continued to cheer enthusiastically at the sight of the Domus Aurea.
Hearing their cheers, Yumesaki could only look upon the Nura Clan members with a face filled with profound pity.
At the scene, aside from Yumesaki's group, the sole individual to sense that something was amiss was Nurarihyon.
This was because he had noticed that ever since Nero expressed her desire to sing, the expressions on the faces of Yumesaki and his companions had turned incredibly bizarre.
Because of this, an abrupt sense of foreboding welled up within his heart.
Yet, as for where exactly this unease stemmed from, Nurarihyon wasn't entirely certain.
However, it did not take long at all for Nurarihyon to comprehend the source of this dread.
Because Nero began to sing.
A demonic voice pierced through his brain!
In an instant, those words, accompanied by Nero's singing, slammed violently into Nurarihyon's consciousness, tearing through all his defenses and dignity.
The tobacco pipe in his hand slipped, hitting the floor with a dull thud, while the corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably.
He had encountered tone-deaf individuals before, but he had never witnessed anyone so instantly catastrophic.
The phrase 'a voice that claims lives' was thoroughly embodied at this exact moment.
Nero's singing seemed to possess an almost demonic attribute, akin to a massive hand relentlessly churning Nurarihyon's brain.
His brain... His brain was literally trembling!
"Aaaagh! Stop singing! Please, stop singing!"
"I'm going to die! I'm actually going to die!"
At this juncture, it wasn't just Nurarihyon; the entire host of Nura Clan yokai fell into absolute chaos—chaos in the most literal sense.
Countless yokai clutched their ears while writhing and rolling on the ground, and some even went as far as continuously begging Nero for mercy.
Yet Nero, completely immersed in the melody of her own voice, remained entirely deaf to the screams and pleas of the yokai. The more she sang, the more ecstatic she became; the more she sang, the louder her voice grew.
As for the yokai, the more they listened, the deeper they sank into utter despair.
At this precise moment, they suddenly felt that perhaps perishing at the hands of Hagoromo Gitsune earlier would have been a rather splendid alternative.
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