Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 103

　On the 10th day of Kisaragi (February) in the 14th year of the reign of the Emperor Seiri, The Onitsuki Family, granted permission by the Imperial Court, embarked on a mission to the forbidden third-class territory, 'Mount Hōraku,' alongside the Sakuama family, the Igarashi family, and six other Northern region exorcist families. Their objective was, of course, to eradicate the 'Mayoiga of Mount Hōraku.'

　The extermination operation, carried out by multiple exorcist families, consisted of three stages. First, the vanguard team secured the path to Mount Hōraku, ensuring the safety of the route to the target 'Mayoiga' by eliminating the hordes of miscellaneous youkai roaming within the forbidden territory.

　The second stage involved isolating and monitoring the surroundings of 'Mayoiga.' Find the boundaries in all directions and prepare to deploy a boundary using the spiritual energy sucked from the branches of the spiritual veins as fuel. This was done to gather the dependent youkai that would likely be expelled once 'Mayoiga' was destroyed and exterminate them in one fell swoop.

　Finally, the third and final stage arrived. This is where the main group arrives. It is unnecessary to attract more youkai by densely clustering individuals with immense spiritual power. Hence, they were held in reserve until preparations were complete. Along with the vanguard team, they unleashed their most powerful techniques, striking relentlessly and showering the enemy. They focused their firepower, tearing through the outer shell and destroying the core in one swift motion. The remaining youkais hiding within the Mayoiga would be expelled to some extent, and the boundaries would ensure their thorough eradication. With that, it would be finished.

　By the way, this time, the Onitsuki family's head, Lady Onitsuki Sumire, and her daughter, Gorilla-sama, as well as the master-disciple duo Murasaki and Tamaki, are scheduled to accompany the main force. Most likely, Suzune and Iruka will also come as their escorts. With this lineup, there should be no risk of encountering danger, or so I would like to believe.

　"...That's the method to exterminate the 'Mayoiga' that even a monkey can understand. Well, as always, it's up to the exorcists to take the lead, while we handle the miscellaneous tasks. I certainly don't expect much from rookie youngsters like you. You can focus on keeping an eye on the surroundings."

　As I rode on horseback, I arrogantly declared to the nearby group walking beside me.

　"...Although, with this many people, the surveillance might become strict."

　"You're making too much noise, you damn brats!"

　When I questioned the exhausted and sweaty kids, barely making their way through the mountain, they immediately responded with high-pitched insults. Hmm, it seems they still have some energy left. Oh, I envy the young ones. But...

　"Don't get emotional and start shouting. It's like telling those youkai exactly where you are. If you want to live longer, you need to control your emotions and be aware of your surroundings... You wouldn't want to end up as a feast for those monsters, would you?"

　"Tch!"

　As I offered advice as their senior, the leader of the brats clicked his tongue with vigor. The rest of them either glared at me or looked around anxiously, each displaying their own reactions.

　"...Yun-shoku, don't scare them too much. The brats will just shrink away."

　Kashiwagi, appointed as the team leader and instructor for the kids, turned his elderly face towards me. He stroked the head of one of the frightened youngsters and shrugged his shoulders, sighing.

　Being a long-serving member of the servant groups, Kashiwagi had been capably fulfilling the role of team leader for the past two years. He was already accustomed to dealing with younger individuals. That's why he was chosen for this position. And it seemed like the decision was not wrong, judging by the kids' unwilling but unresisting attitude.