/
Great Sage 25 – Kingside Castling
June 1, 2022Zathael
“What are you after, Yuikuu”
I ask as we escort Maya-chan and Haruka towards the first floor,
“There’s been a number of suspicious events and disasters in this area, the head temple insisted that this was due to the [Eyes of Calamity] but that didn’t make sense to me. Thus I investigated on my own”
According to Yuikuu, the [Eyes of Calamity] are a technique used by those on the path to enlightenment to ward off disaster.
Then he discovered that the recent events showed signs of techniques from a system different to the Kashizu sect, Shimogami School, or the ayakashi of this country,
“I thought it might have been Europe’s [Turn Crusader(Shadow Unit of the Church)] or America’s [CUA(Central Unnatural Abilities Administration)] coming to Japan to make trouble but
..”
Yuikuu laughs,
“Something more interesting came out”
While listening to Yuikuu’s story, a case of vertigo assaults me.
“Are you okay”
Yuikuu supports me with a concerned look.
“I still haven’t fully adjusted to it but it shouldn’t pose a problem with dealing with the two on the third floor.”
“I see, that’s why you sent those ladies back”
I cant help but make a bitter smile at his keen intuition.
If my guess is correct, it’s a distortion caused by the parallel world transfer gate.
“I, no we
..”
I can trust Yuikuu but not the Kashizu sect.
If I speak carelessly Kanako-chan and Maya-chan could be put in danger, and I still don’t have confidence in my guess.
Unsure of how to explain, my words freeze,
“If it’s hard to say then just stay quiet, all people have a secret or two. To not ask such things is also the responsibility of a monk”
I’m moved by the depths of Yuikuu’s understanding.
“When things calm down I’ll properly explain”
“I’ll be waiting”
I almost stumble again when,
“Suppress the sorcery in your eyes, it should make it more bearable. If there’s a fate you wish to sever then show some guts ――It should be possible with your willpower”
Yuikuu holds onto my shoulders.
×　×　×　×　×
After arriving at the fire escape leading to the third floor, I contact Queen.
“What wrong, Darling”
Perhaps noticing the disorder in my mana, she replies with a troubled voice.
“I invoke the first clause of our oath. Should I begin to rampage, all restraints will be released in order to stop me”
Queen holds her breath,
“I understand, don’t push yourself”
She mutters in a soft voice before cutting the connection.
Yuikuu listens with an exasperated face,
“You’re a man who can’t be underestimated, so what’s the plan”
I almost laugh but
..
His words are a key that causes the chessboard in my head to move.
That’s right, I’m the king in the current situation. I need to move into a corner.1
The Shimogami and the one behind them are aiming for Kanako-chan and Chiyo-san, because of that I am a nuisance.
They took hostages to pretend to want to negotiate, but the reason they took the trouble to lure me here might be to take my life.
If you think that way, the foolish king(me) is nonchalantly walking into the enemy’s trap.
“It’s dangerous for the king to be in the centre”
Not to mention that the enemy general, who has yet to move, is capable of castling(substitution).
If it seems that their identity will be revealed they could make use of the parallel world transfer gate and swap with one of those four.
They purposefully called me out here so that level of preparation should be expected.
It also makes sense if the mana they’re flashily emitting is to hide the existence of the parallel world transfer gate.
If it seems that their life is in danger they can sacrifice that person in order to escape or buy time by making them look like the one behind the Shimogami while using that time to regroup.
Our forces are
. King(me) who is wounded, Queen waiting on the roof, and Yuikuu beside me.
――Then there’s a chance to win in this board state.
“I’ve got it”
I mumble,
“What do you mean?”
Yuikuu tilts his head.
“First when I open the door, I’ll rush towards [the presence]. While I do that, you look for Ashiya and begin to negotiate”
“Dividing our strength and making you, who’s in a bad state, take independent action should be a bad move but
.. it seems you have an idea”
I give him a nod and Yuikuu smiles,
“Then I’ll see what you’ve got. So what should I do for negotiating?”
“Raise both your arms and plead for your life”
We will create a situation where I lose to the presence and Yuikuu is driven into a corner, allowing me to hear the enemy’s intentions.
After explaining that far,
“That seems fairly interesting but don’t expect a much from my acting skills
.. I’m well aware I’m a ham actor”
Yuikuu raises his arms in an exaggerated manner.
“What a coincidence, I too do not have faith in my acting skills”
That reminds me that in kindergarten and primary, I was always given the important role of a tree in a forest or a stone on the roadside.
However I can at least pretend to be dead.
Probably
.. no, definitely.
As I worry,
“Well, let’s both do our best”
Yuikuu shakes his head as he pats me on the back.
Translator’s Notes:
1: The phrase ‘Can’t be underestimated’ literally translates as ‘Can’t be put into a corner’.