"You and that Tsukigahara Yomei have agreed to go to the Tsugaru Peninsula to investigate the old territory of the Tsukigahara family, is that right?"
Kazura parted her thin lips, gazing straight at him, and then said, "Or is this another one of your unauthorized actions?"
"This... is actually the conclusion after discussing it with the former head of the family, Mikado. That lord ordered me to cooperate with the operation, saying that what Miyuki-sama did was somewhat indebted to the Tsukigahara family."
Hyakusuke quickly explained.
He had to bring out Kurokami-yama Mikado, hoping that this former head of the family could become his shield.
'This family's relationships are really terrible...'
Hyakusuke didn't comment on this matter; he just remembered another matter and made a request to Kazura.
"Also, we are going to the territory occupied by the Night Cry God 'Kotan Koro Kamui', and Yomei-sama doesn't have enough manpower."
He said sincerely, "I hope Miss Kazura can provide some assistance. For example, the demon exterminators from the Battō-in haven't left yet. I hope..."
"That's not possible."
Kazura shook her head.
"They are not personnel of my faction, and even I can't mobilize these people at will."
"Then, what about Kyouji-sama of the Sakaki family?"
"The Sakaki clan has already returned to Kurokami-yama."
Kazura said indifferently, "That demon king-level evil god is going south, and the main fighting force of the clan will return. It won't be long before I leave Kasumi Castle and return to the clan to consolidate the defense line, prevent the spiritual veins from being taken away, and the territory and castles from being captured."
"This..."
Hyakusuke had a headache.
Even if the Night Cry God "Kotan Koro Kamui" goes south, it doesn't mean that the old territory is safer. He still hopes to bring a group of powerful demon exterminators, so that the safety of this trip can be guaranteed.
'This was originally a part of the fourth chapter of the game's plot, but I didn't expect it to be advanced.'
The main storyline in the middle of the sixth chapter is the battle between Yomei and the Night Cry God Kotan Koro Kamui.
In the past, on the day the castle fell, when she left the territory, she was told a secret by her father. She returned to the territory to find out about this matter and uncover the secret about her "missing" mother for many years.
This is also a relatively important plot in the game, a plot involving the protagonist's background.
According to Hyakusuke's speculation, Yomei can obtain a powerful item in this storyline as long as the conditions are met, which has a decisive advantage for the future conquest of the final chapter.
'However, this operation also has some risks. If we can increase manpower, the probability of success will be greater.'
At the same time, after hearing his request, Kazura also seemed to be lost in thought. She pondered for a moment and said slowly, "This young lady will transfer some manpower from the Ninja Group to you, oh... that's right, there are three people, I plan to hand them over to you, and you will be responsible for managing them."
"Three people?"
Hyakusuke was a little puzzled.
"The three leaders of the Snake Shell Group."
Kazura narrowed her eyes, and a shallow smile appeared on her lips: "It seems that old woman Miyuki sent them, but the three of them have now been captured and imprisoned in the castle's cage."
...
The three leaders of the Snake Shell Group, Jaku-an, Utsusemi, and Tessai, were confined in the castle's cage—these three were indeed powerful experts, but they were all bound by chains and torture instruments.
The room that served as a prison was also specially made, with thousands of paper charms pasted seamlessly from the walls to the ceiling. The charms were respectively given the effects of "body paralysis", "weakening curse", "ability weakening", "invalidating spells", and so on.
Including the old man Jaku-an, the black-clothed woman Utsusemi, and Tessai, their whole bodies were wrapped in chains that sealed off their extraordinary abilities, and their hands and feet were handcuffed with shackles that "sealed spiritual power", making it impossible for them to even move normally.
'How miserable... this should be the prison of Kasumi Castle, right?'
The old man Jaku-an only had half an hour of consciousness every day, and he quickly judged the situation of himself and others.
They encountered a powerful vampire, that vampire in the form of a young girl, at least an existence at the level of a True Ancestor. The other party easily defeated everyone and knocked all three leaders of the Snake Shell Group unconscious.
After that, the three were sent to this prison.
'There are no reinforcements either. Could it be that we are being used as abandoned pieces by Miyuki-sama?'
Jaku-an had a bad feeling in his heart.
Suddenly, at this moment, there was a sound of footsteps outside.
Then, the door of the room that served as a cage was opened.
"Very good, it's these three guys."
The girl's arrogant voice rang out.
"Jaku-an, Utsusemi, and Tessai, the three of you have committed a serious crime, which is originally a capital crime... However, this young lady can give you a chance to save your lives."
As soon as she finished speaking, the chains and shackles on Jaku-an and the other two made a few "clicks" and automatically unlocked.
"So it's Miss Kazura."
Jaku-an took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. The old man was finally able to move his body. His gaze moved to the chains and shackles that had fallen to the ground. They were covered with rust, like mold. The rust cracked, and these specially made torture instruments cracked and turned into fragments.
'A curse that can corrode iron and metal?'
The old man took a look and roughly guessed what Kazura had done. She should have generated some bacteria that corroded metal.
At the same time, as a mage, the old man Jaku-an also realized that Kazura had already scattered countless bacteria into the air when she entered this prison, and bacteria had stuck to their ears, noses, eyes, and mouths.
In other words, as long as she had the intention, she could kill them at any time.
"...What a powerful curse."
Jaku-an sighed: "But unfortunately, we of the Snake Shell Group only serve the head of the family, Miyuki-sama. We can only decline your kindness."
"Miyuki is no longer the head of the family."
Kazura smiled coldly: "My foolish mother has committed a great crime. The former head of the family, Mikado-sama, has discovered that she is secretly colluding with people sent by the Eight Blessings Society. This is really a great shame. She is also the chief representative of the Kurokami-yama family, and the current head of the family is actually doing such a thing."
She puffed out her chest arrogantly and said loudly: "The former head of the family, Mikado, has united the six major branch corners to strip her of her status as the head of the family. She is now overwhelmed, and she can't care about your little people's affairs."
Kazura said: "After Mikado-sama returns, she will temporarily take over the position of head of the family. If the Snake Shell Group dares to resist passively, the crime of 'intending to rebel against the clan' will be imposed on you, and you will all be purged.
However, as long as you are obedient, this young lady can also let bygones be bygones, and even say some good words for you. At least the order to purge all members of the Snake Shell Group can be revoked. You can consider how to choose..."
Jaku-an and the other two looked at each other, and in the end, they could only agree to Kazura's request.
...
Finally, two days later, a team intending to go to the Tsugaru Peninsula to investigate the old territory was organized.
The team was not large, and the person in charge of the "leader" position was Tsukigahara Yomei. Those who accompanied him were Ayaka and the old man Matsudaira.
Hyakusuke, Taizou, and ten people transferred from the Ninja Group were also traveling together.
Jaku-an, Utsusemi, and Tessai, these three were assigned by Kazura to serve as Hyakusuke's subordinates in order to atone for their sins.
"Don't worry about them looking for a chance to betray. I have planted special curse seals on these three leaders of the Snake Shell Group. If they have any improper intentions, they will be cursed to death immediately."
Kazura gave him a guarantee.
"You should drive these three guys well and order them around like oxen and horses," she raised the corners of her eyes and continued: "They have committed such a serious crime, and they can only repay this young lady's great kindness with their lives if they can survive."
"Yes."
He could only nod with a serious face.
"Also, there are a few troublesome guys who will also participate in this operation."
Kazura's face showed an unhappy look.
"This young lady really wants to refuse, but the other party's reasons are sufficient, and it is difficult for me to refuse..."
She added: These people will travel together to the old territory. This young lady can't stop this matter from her position, but you have to be careful, after all, there may be intentions of the Imperial Court hidden behind them.
...
On the day of leaving Kasumi Castle and meeting on the road outside the castle town, a group of unexpected visitors appeared in front of the carriage.
"We meet again, young man."
Renjou Senjuurou crossed his arms, slowly stepping through the snow, and beside him, in addition to the three girl dolls, was a girl wearing a cloak.
"Hello, Mr. Renjou..."
Hyakusuke looked in confusion at the girl wearing an Ichimegasa hat and a cherry-colored outer robe, dressed in a tsubo-shouzoku style.
"Excuse me, who exactly is this..."
"It's me, Hyakusuke-kakka."
From behind a layer of thin gauze outside the hat, came the voice of Hiiragi Hiruko.
