Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 164

 For Onitsuki Hina, it was a routine action. To her, it was just another ordinary act.

 The people around her felt differently. With the help of madam black butterfly, the curse long rope that had been loosened once tightened around Hina again. This time, it was much tighter, leaving marks on her soft skin. The pressure was so intense it felt like her insides might get crushed. But for Hina, it wasn't a big deal.

 "How's the ritual? Was the intrusion successful?"

 Hina asked the former boy who stood at a distance. Looking into his eyes felt like touching something dirty, but in this situation, his skills were essential. So, she calmly spoke to him.

 "...Yeah. The number of guards on surveillance duty has decreased. They've also responded to the diversion and haven't noticed us."

 In plain words, they got back a report that was calm and duty-bound, without any feelings involved. Both Hinata and Shirowakamaru knew about it. They heard about it. The man managed to involve the Tengu through some strategy. Among the surveillance team, the skilled ones had already left. Following Hina's chosen plan, the envoy members deliberately made their way into the forbidden area to catch the Tengu's attention. The plan was designed to work by limiting its functions and hiding its actions completely... with all these factors combined, this plan was set up for success.

 "Now, let's do it, Kouyo."

 In response to the call, the dragon appeared from the skies. It was a majestic dragon wrapped in golden scales, as depicted in the imperial records and widely known scrolls—a divine dragon. Kouyo, who Hinata contracted with, was from the Onitsuki family, highly esteemed, and revered.

 '...'

 The dragon, usually allowed to roam freely, landed before its master's eyes and squinted as if observing her closely. It seemed puzzled, though it was natural considering its appearance.

 "Good of you to come. There's something I need you to do right away."

 Ignoring the dragon's puzzled expression, Hina confidently or perhaps indifferently explained. Dragons, known for their intelligence and rationality over long lives, typically understood human language easily, but this time seemed like an exception.

 '...? ? ?'

 Though the dragon didn't raise its voice, it was clearly confused by its master's incomprehensible words, visibly shaken by the meaninglessness of the situation. But for the master, it didn't matter.

 "Don't understand? Then let me say it again."

 And Hina repeated the explanation to her slow-witted servant, further exacerbating the dragon's confusion.

 "Tch, fine... Kouyo, I'm not asking for your understanding. Just follow orders. That's all. Don't think about unnecessary things, just fulfill your duty."

 Despite Hina's cruel request, the dragon still doesn't move. It just continues to stare at the one princess, growling low as if pleading for something.

 However, its efforts are in vain.

 "Big bro was there...!! Wait, this is! Big bro, be careful!!?"

 Shirowakamaru's voice, sharing visual with a shikigami, gained a joyful tone, but immediately a scream followed. Hina didn't even need to ask what it meant. There was no time for that.

 "Kouyo...!!"

 'GROOOAAAARRR!!!!'

 Hinata's urging, almost accusing, was sharp to the core. It was filled with murderous intent. A final warning. Followed immediately by a roar. And the breath of flame enveloped Hinata. The flames, even lethal to top-notch exorcists...!!