Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 162

 'Repeat after me. Immediately drop your weapons and surrender. If not, I will execute all of you right here and now. If you want to live a little longer, it's best to obey without hesitation. ...Aka-bouchou, you too need to understand your position well and make the best choice.'

 In a calm, cold, and serious tone, the representative of the Tengu armed group declares. The surrounding troops respond to this declaration with even more hostility. They point various weapons such as the shakujo (Buddhist staff), bows, swords, spears, hammers, ropes, and conch shells... the youkai birds roar and threaten.

 "This is... going to be bad."

 The female Tengu whispered, trying to sound tough. Sweat dripped from her forehead, and her mouth was twisted. Her beauty was distorted by anguish.

 "We've been set up. I thought with all that raging, they were just a hot-headed brute... but they're cunning like a snake."

 Tsuchigumo was like that too. Despite being a youkai fallen to the dark side and acting foolishly, she strangely never let her guard down. Well, maybe it's because sh heas fallen into that youkai state?

 "It's quite surprising, isn't it? After all the beating we took, I never thought they'd see us as much of a threat. ...Well, it was certainly a ruthless move. I never expected them to aim for our complete surrender at this moment. It might serve as a good example, though."

 "...Are they going to break the curse-contract?"

 Inaba-hime, who had somehow ended up next to me, had a skeptical expression as she made her guess.

 Curse Art-like contract is an absolute rule that never allows for any changes. Depending on its nature, a sworn agreement can sometimes force certain actions, interfere with someone's fate, or even take their life. The consequences of breaking an agreement are incredibly heavy, and it requires the same level of commitment as risking your life... It's common knowledge for anyone from an exorcist family. From Inaba-hime's perspective, Tengu's actions are just unbelievable.

 "...Surely, it was the Bouchou group who made the blood contract."

 I touch my chest to feel the sensation. Most likely, just like us, the leaders who ordered this siege have the same contract on their chests.

 "So, does this mean that only the leaders have the contract, and not the others?"

 Aka-bouchou nods with a bitter expression in response to my question. The commander over there is not Bouchou, but the next in line. And everyone who swore the contract is a Bouchou. And the call to the female Tengu... they made up their minds for the sake of the village and the "mother."

 (This was unexpected. They are not afraid to sacrifice their lives.)

 Just like humans, or maybe even more selfish, youkai are willing to sacrifice themselves. There may be some insect-type youkai who sacrifice themselves for the greater good, but for a bird-type youkai with at least average intelligence to pledge such loyalty to the queen, it's unexpected.

 "..."

 "...What's with that look?"

 "It's nothing. What do you plan to do?"

 Aka-bouchou is a tough and rebellious leader, with a hint of tsundere attitude. With the queen's command at stake and the remaining executives ready to sacrifice, it was hard to predict what choice Aka-bouchou would make. There was no bright outcome in sight. Right now, the chances of us being caught and surrendering, Inaba-hime and I, are fifty-fifty or more. Are we in trouble?

 "By the way, what will you do if I meet your expectations, monkey?"

 Aka-bouchou glanced at me with a side-eye. She observed me closely, as if probing for weaknesses, never averting her gaze, not even blinking, just keeping her eyes on me.