Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 101

　In the meeting room of the famous Onitsuki family, who are renowned exorcists in the North, all the clan members had come together. A serious and somber mood hung in the air.

　"What?! They want to extend this year's Joraku (visiting capital)... What is the court thinking?!" exclaimed Uemon, the person in charge of the Onitsuki family's financial. His voice echoed through the spacious hall as he angrily slammed his fan on the floor. The fan broke into pieces, showing just how furious he was.

　"They want to extend it for another year, until next summer... is that it?"

　"And they want us to increase our personnel? They're making unreasonable demands."

　When someone becomes enraged, those around them tend to calm down. Although not to the extent of Uemon, the attendees grumbled as they passed around the documents from the court and read them. They couldn't help but voice their complaints.

　The official exorcists were the ruling class in Fusō-kuni. As such, it was an annual tradition for the clan to spend not only the three days of the New Year but also a whole week visiting temples and shrines and performing ceremonies throughout various locations.

　However, just when they thought they had finally finished, an emissary arrived from the capital. As the representative of the emperor, it was only natural to sincerely welcome them. But upon reading the content of the message delivered by the arrogant messenger, their efforts to stay composed were severely tested.

　"I had heard some rumors beforehand from Oumi and the trading company... but I never expected such excessive demands," lamented Yajima, the head of a branch family of the Onitsuki clan.

　The responsibility of guarding the capital for six months every three years was no trivial matter. There was no need to go into detail about the expenses involved. Tax collection in their territory, approval for the production and sale of curse-tool within their domain, and rewards for dealing with youkai in various locations—Joraku swiftly consumed their substantial income. This was true even for a relatively prosperous family like the Onitsuki.

　Furthermore, when they were informed that their originally planned six-month stay in the capital would be extended, and there was a request for additional personnel... it was only natural for the people present to feel confused and unsure. Families who were already facing tighter financial limitations than the Onitsuki family were likely even more distressed by these developments.

　"Why would they make such a demand at this time?"

　"I heard that it was spearheaded by Minister of the Right."

　"Minister of the Right? Tch, isn't the Minister of the Left arguing against it?"

　"They had quite a lengthy debate, it seems. And yet... this is the result. How impudent."

　The elders whispered to each other, clicking their tongues. The reputation of the Minister of the Right could be heard throughout the Northern region, but when the crucial moment came... this happened!

　"...Calm yourselves, everyone. It is a request from the court, and we should not slander it so."

　A man sitting at the head of the table calmed the growing dissatisfaction in the assembly. It was Onitsuki Yuusei, the head of the Onitsuki family. Despite his tired and thin appearance, his words of caution quieted the entire room.

　...Although half of the silence was not due to his words, but rather the fear they had of him.

　"...Head of the Hidden Group. If we were to carry out Joraku according to the requested period and personnel by the court, how much would it cost us?" asked Yuusei, the clan head and his actual older brother.