Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 118

　The lingering 'remnant' of Shishimai Asami's soul awoke when Tamaki was trapped by vines.

　"..."

　Her thoughts were vague, her body heavy but strangely light. A quick glance at her lower body revealed the reason. Despite the severe and fatal wounds, she felt no pain, which made her realize she was no longer alive. She couldn't help but sneer...

　"...Don't mess with me."

　She muttered quietly, but her feelings were intense. With no interference in her mind, she felt a surge of hatred, anger, frustration, regret, and... sadness.

　"...Is this how it ends? I won't let it...!!"

　She gritted her teeth, trembling with humiliation, and her thirst for revenge became her guide. And so, she crawled out.

　Slowly but surely, she weakened her presence and dragged her body with both hands, accepting her miserable state, heading toward the hibachi. It served as a perfect distraction since the hibachi was engrossed with the servant.

　Carefully, so carefully, the servant launched something with a catapult. The hibachi was hit directly, exploding, shattering, and the ashes scattered. Though not a fatal blow, she found the pulsating entity within the white ashes. It was clad in flames like a will-o'-the-wisp.

　"Ha, this works perfectly...!!"

　Her lips curled upwards. She advanced, closing in, crawling. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed the burning core, not caring about the burns on her hands.

　"Ah..."

　"Hmm?"

　Muttering overlapped. Someone's hand stopped above Shishimai's hand holding the core. She shifted her gaze along the arm, which was swollen and painful from the burns. In her sight, she found the well-mannered sheltered girl who looked at her in astonishment.

　"Um, um, Shishimai-san?"

　"...No, be more cautious. Fool."

　Facing the bewildered girl, Shishimai declared with a wry smile. Dealing with a traitor like her, she was far too defenseless. The girl's future genuinely worried her.

　"Yes, um... no, not that, um...!?"

　Without thinking, Tamaki responded, but the servant's scream immediately afterward makes her turn around involuntarily. Her face turned pale. Shishimai stopped her from screaming and focused on the dagger in her hand.

　"You have a good weapon there. More reliable than my nails. Can you lend me a hand?"

　In response to Shishimai's request, the girl in front of her nodded immediately, which once again left Shishimai exasperated...

　...

　...

　And so, the flames screamed, shouted, and roared from the depths of the monster, collapsing, rampaging. It was the dying scream of the entity controlling the flames.

　"Di... did it...!?"

　Tamaki couldn't help but mutter, clinging to hope. It happened right after that.

　"!? This is bad...!!"

　The space trembled. The world shook like an earthquake. It convulsed like a living being. And the scenery, the walls, began to crack.

　"Eh...!?"

　'Kihh!! Kuhuhuhuhu!! It's over now!! There's no way you can escape anymore!!'

　Tamaki was frightened and disturbed by the situation. The one outside 'Mayoiga' was laughing maniacally with flames speaking on its behalf. The flames mocked while crushing themselves. They screamed and declared.