Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 151

 Tengu. A group of youkai written and expressed as "天の狗 (Ten no Koma)." Among the numerous classified Mōryō demons, they are treated as a first-class threat in Fusō-kuni alongside "暴虐なる鬼 (Cruel Demon/Oni)," "狡猾なる妖狐 (Cunning Fox)," and "増殖せし河童 (Multiplying Kappa)." Simultaneously, in Fusō-kuni, this group of youkai receives exceptionally unusual treatment.

 More precisely, only a specific tribe of the many Tengu is excluded from active suppression in Fusō-kuni.

 Fusō-kuni Center region, Mt. Anma. A steep mountain range that seems to encompass an entire district and a deep forests. Even in the Center region, it is an area with exceptionally high-quality spiritual veins. The Tengu tribe based there, despite being in the Center region, continues to survive. Despite all the monsters that once infested the Center region being completely defeated....

 The records show that a few small expeditions were sent in the past, but they were all badly driven out and never returned. Fusō-kuni declared this sacred mountain as a forbidden area and put up fences around it, keeping watch over anyone who entered or tried to leave.

 ...Officially.

 "Because this place has been untouched for a long time. There are spiritual trees, spiritual iron, spiritual herbs, and many valuable things, so there are many sneaky thieves and hired merchants who try to get in."

 "The peasants are the same. The third and fourth sons who have nothing to eat think that there is such a fertile land spreading out. Why do they have to go to the cold villages in the northern region?"

 A fence made of hundreds of miles of spiritual trees was erected, and a squad of the army patrolled along it, chatting casually. Two veteran soldiers told stories to a new recruit who had just been conscripted.

 The forbidden territories are said to turn people into fodder for monsters with just one step. However, this Mt. Anma forbidden area is different. While there are some youkai inside, they are all of low rank, and even the strongest are only mid-level. With fences, attached talismans, and a boundary, they can be easily kept at bay. There's no need for direct confrontation. They pose no real threat.

 But, to overlook such a place, with minimal danger and abundant benefits, would be, in a way, an act of moral corruption. Despite the imperial decree, many reach out to this forbidden land. Surprisingly, the imperial court, despite issuing orders, seems to turn a blind eye to these matters, including wealthy merchants, exorcists' families, landlords, and even officials... The court doesn't punish or give advice to people sent by important people. When the higher-ups have this attitude, it affects those below them.

 The patrol of the forbidden territory is formal to the extreme, and it doesn't even fulfill half of its duties. Even if they find illegal harvesters in the forbidden territory, they never capture them. At most, they use interrogation as an excuse, confiscate a portion of the spoils, and then release them. In fact, due to the accumulation of established facts, several pioneer villages have been established just inside the boundary of the forbidden territory.

 In reality, where they patrol, several plumes of white smoke are rising. Considering the time, it's probably the morning meal being cooked. The smoke reaching here even makes one's stomach growl. It's was open cooking smoke from the illegal pioneer village...

 "I'm hungry..."

 This was the impression of a soldier in his sixth year of assignment, blatantly violating imperial orders against the smoke. The village existed before he was assigned here. He doesn't care about the fact that its existence is now considered illegal.

 "Should we have a meal at the next hut? The village is conveniently close. It would be nice if they shared some freshly cooked rice. Let's pool our money."