Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 109

　"Well, this area looks suspicious. Shall I test it?... 'Tsuchiokoshi (Earth Raise).'"

　With a sweet voice, the lady muttered. She quickly shakes a burdock with a light gesture and boasts. Immediately, a thunderous sound resounded. Quite literally, the ground was violently overturned. Packed soil, rocks—everything was excavated. Floating. Blown away.

　From within the dust, countless "roots" attacked. They launched a counterattack, approaching Onitsuki Sumire.

　...However, half of those roots were shattered into tiny pieces before they could reach their target.

　"'Chigirikizetsu (Shredstorm)'...!!"

　The blade wielded by the purple-haired girl before Sumire tore apart the roots one after another with its sheer force of wind, even without directly slicing through them. Of course, even her processing ability was nearing saturation against the overwhelming quantity of tree roots. Despite avoiding the deadly sword techniques of Akō Murasaki, numerous roots continued to extend from all angles.

　And now, the black-haired household member is the one who blocked their path.

　"'Fushokudo Ka (Corrosive Touch)'"

　Unleashing the arm usually sealed by layer upon layer of bandages soaked in special chemicals, the servant leader's assistant revealed her corroded slender arm.

　Gracefully evading the onslaught of the approaching roots, she seized them from the side, instantly eroding, dissolving, and decaying them.

　It was an inherent ability. A combined water and earth spiritual technique in a constant active state. Anything her arm touched would decay and rot, even inorganic matter. This was Miyamizu Shizu's genetically mutated ability. While she had never tested it against calamity youkai, it could easily obliterate even great youkai within moments, making it truly a one-strike-kill technique.

　'...?!'

　Mayoiga twisted and severed the decaying roots that were deteriorating. This action was reminiscent of a lizard shedding its tail. Realizing that it was ineffective, Mayoiga promptly revealed its true form.

　The soil erupted and spewed forth, overflowing from underground. They were its familiars, creatures it kept within itself. It released a random assortment of miscellaneous youkai from various rooms. No, it was an army. A massive army of insect youkai!

　"...!?"

　While maintaining their combat stance, Shizu and Murasaki involuntarily felt a shiver run down their spines, their expressions contorting. Perhaps what unsettled them was the fact that the deployed force consisted mainly of insect youkai. Inferior insect youkai were commonplace. They had plenty of experience dealing with hordes of giant insects.

　However, the fundamental sense of disgust couldn't be erased. Particularly for Shizu, whose ability required physical contact, it was especially remarkable. Mayoiga must have considered that when deploying its familiars.

　"'Issenkuha (Celestial Slash)'"

　However, in the face of the atmospheric pressure shockwave that was immediately released, they were instantly crushed and disintegrated by the shockwave of released pressure.

　"Are you both alright?"

　""...!""

　Smiling, Sumire asked for confirmation, leaving Shizu and Murasaki dumbfounded. Without any warning or preparation, the sword technique was unleashed, obliterating even the three-digit numbers of youkai, regardless of their size or strength. It was expected. Moreover, the pit that 'Mayoiga' had dug collapsed, cutting off any escape route. With a single strike of the burdock, the roots of their retreat were eradicated.