Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 80

　In the cities (街) built by Fusō-kuni throughout the country, stations and checkpoints manned by soldiers are established every few ri (3.93 kilometers or 2.44 miles) along the roads.

　In this world where demons and monsters run rampant, it's natural for people to be forced to live close together in areas with spiritual veins. They secure a safe zone by building boundaries and physical fortifications, and construct small and large settlements around them, connecting them with city (街) roads. The logistics network of each survival zone is a lifeline for the imperial court and Fusō-kuni's economy and defense, and their security and surveillance are strict.

　Therefore, anyone who travels on a wild path away from this city (街) road is inevitably someone who doesn't want to be seen by others for some reason.

　...And now, two horses were galloping deep into the forest, far from the city (街) road.

　One horse was a common chestnut-colored horse, while the other was a black-blue horse like ink, a horse from a foreign continent. On their backs were two cloaked figures. They occasionally looked back, urging their horses on as if fleeing from something, galloping through the forest.

　Suddenly, a noise is heard from above. The riders, who had been watching their surroundings, immediately looked up in the direction of the sound while urging their horses to run.

　Immediately afterwards, their vision spins. The last thing they saw before losing consciousness was the sight of a headless doll riding on a horse...

　...

　...

　...

　"......!?"

　"Did the decoy get caught? It was faster than I thought."

　I was climbing up the steep mountain trail with a load on my back, and clicked my tongue as the connection with the shikigami, with whom I shared my vision, was cut off in the next instant. Iruka, who hopped and bounced on top of the rocks, looked back and grimaced.

　In total, more than twenty decoys were released to avoid being captured by pursuers. Most of them were shikigami or wild animals that were only disguised by smearing blood on them or giving them belongings to hold, but the decoy shikigami that rode the horse used for escape was the real deal among them.

　It was a masterpiece that disguised the appearance with a coat and the decision on how to act was also elaborated very precisely. However, it was defeated without buying enough time. And now half of the decoys have already been destroyed. I mean, isn't it ruthless to come and take our heads off?

　"They should know that the curse only works up to the first stage. Are they trying to kill us?" I sighed looking up at the sky and muttered while glancing at the presence wrapped around my shoulders.

　It was a snake. A formless snake coiling itself around my shoulder and down my left arm. It extended its thin tongue and glanced at me with a gyorori gaze, while tilting its head strangely many times since earlier. Its appearance made me think of that death flag girl's youkai sword. And in a sense, this snake was no better than that youkai sword in terms of quality.