Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 99

　"When it comes to him, I find it impossible to feel optimistic about the conclusion of this mission. It is imperative that we acquire insurance, don't you agree?"

　Onitsuki's second princess, sitting with her elbows on the armrest of her lavish room, declared while fanning herself with a folding fan. She sneered with composure, arrogance, and a proud expression.

　"Nevertheless, I don't have many options to choose from. There's also the method of splitting apart my soul like the last time... but well, he doesn't seem to like such means very much."

　Then, the second princess let out a sigh. Even though Aoi kept it hidden that it would shorten her own life, she remembered that he wasn't happy about the weight it put on her.

　It was a big problem. Aoi believed that everything related to him should be the most important. She didn't mind sacrificing her own lifespan, but she couldn't do anything that would upset him while he was aware. In other words, she couldn't use that method in front of him anymore...

　"Well, this kind of selfishness is rather cute. ...But more importantly, the crucial issue is how to help him without making him uncomfortable. That's the problem."

　Unfortunately, even though she possessed three main shiki, they were neither invincible nor all-powerful compared to the countless other divine beings.

　Soten (the dragon one), originally a sacred beast with divine status, didn't hold such a high position. It was only capable of fighting a fallen divine spider on equal terms. Furthermore, that idiot had previously tried to harm him, so she couldn't trust it.

　Chouei (the invisible one), although smarter than Soten, excelled in espionage rather than direct combat. Its combat abilities were probably among the lower ranks among the great youkai. It would be best to assume that it would be defeated if it couldn't eliminate its enemy in the initial surprise attack.

　As for the last shiki she controlled... Unfortunately, it was not suitable for the current task. She couldn't use it. It was a dead end.

　In that case, she should support her beloved person from a different perspective. Fortunately, she had the tools and trust necessary for that... barely.

　"Hehehe, there's no helping it this time. He's probably planning to handle everything by himself once again. Even though it's ignorant and selfish... but as a good wife, it's my duty to dutifully respond to my husband's requests. I don't mind at all."

　Releasing her hand from the armrest, she leaned forward, straightened her posture, and gave a wry smile. Then, she took it out. Specifically, she made a gesture as if pulling it closer with the folding fan in her hand. Simultaneously, a small cabinet flew into the room from the back, and she easily undid the padlock securing the coiled chain by simply covering it with her hand, creating a clicking sound.

　By the way, this padlock doesn't have a key to begin with. This talisman, disguised as a regular padlock, can only be unlocked by Aoi's spiritual power. In reality, the moment something is inserted into the keyhole, malicious spirits and demons sealed within the lock are released and attack, turning it into a dangerous trap.

　"Hehehehe..."

　While all this was happening, she raised the folding fan with a cold sneer, causing the lid of the small cabinet to pop open. Inside the silk cloth, another sealed talisman floated in the air, gracefully drifting towards Aoi and gently landing in her outstretched palm with a soft thud. She unwrapped the silk cloth, revealing a brilliant green glow that resembled young grass.

　It was an emerald (jade block), emitting an enormous amount of spiritual energy and a youkai aura. It was about the size of her head and now revealed before her.