Seeker 325

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Chapter 325. Aftermath

"Alright then..."

With the divine spear, I walk towards Echigoya and the magistrate.

Kazane, indicating there's no need for further intervention, twirls her daggers and sheaths them at her waist.

It's Echigoya and the magistrate who now appear frightened and confused.

The magistrate, trembling, draws his sword and groans.

"Wh-what!? A Limit Break!? This is no joke! This is no joke at all! I am the magistrate! Do you think you can get away with this!?"

"...! Th-that's right! Y-you fools, this is a crime! You must face justice! No matter how skilled you are in violence, there are things you cannot do, you fools!"

Taking the magistrate's words as an opportunity, Echigoya speaks as if struck by a brilliant idea.

Yes, that’s it.

"Amazing, isn't he... To say so much while ignoring his own actions, it's impressive."

Yuzuki sighs in exasperation.

Right? Echigoya's deeds are undoubtedly criminal as well, so he has no right to criticize us.

But Echigoya, unfazed, sneers.

"Heh heh heh... If you think so, then surrender and face justice. You can plead your innocence at the court."

"And the one who passes judgment in that court is this magistrate here, right?"

"Indeed, and what of it? That is the legitimate judgment based on order! Wahahaha!"

Echigoya spouts his argument as he pleases.

But saying that here is a bad move, isn't it?

It's not like we'll meekly surrender upon hearing that.

Even the magistrate is glaring at Echigoya as if to say "You fool!", but he doesn't seem to notice.

Perhaps he's too flustered.

In any case, it's her turn now.

"Kushinosuke, please."

"Understood."

Responding to my call, the samurai disguised as a boy steps forward.

Kushinosuke draws the sword from her waist and unties her hair.

With a light shake of her head, her long black hair flows down her back.

In an instant, she transforms from a boy to a beautiful girl.

The magistrate and Echigoya stare in bewilderment.

Kushinosuke addresses the magistrate.

"Magistrate Ohara Tsugumasa. We have met at the castle. Do you not remember my face?"

"Met at the castle...? Which castle? A mere girl like you..."

The magistrate scrutinizes Kushinosuke in her true form with a suspicious look.

But then, a realization dawns on his face.

"N-no way...! Princess!? The Shogun's daughter, Princess Kushina!?"

"P-Princess!?"

The magistrate's eyes widen, and Echigoya, beside him, exclaims in surprise.

Kushinosuke nods gracefully.

"Indeed. I am Kushina, the only daughter of Shogun Tokuyama Nazuchi. Magistrate Ohara Tsugumasa, I am aware of all your misdeeds. I shall return to the castle and report to my father. Prepare to face judgment."

The Shogun's family—meaning the royal family of this country, and Kushina is their daughter.

This was Kushinosuke's true identity.

We had been informed of this beforehand.

Her presence made it possible to use the classic tactic of crushing corrupt authority with a higher power.

When Kushinosuke revealed this, she asked, somewhat anxiously, "Have you heard anything about me in this country?"

When we replied "Not really.", she seemed relieved.

Anyway.

With this, they are completely cornered.

Echigoya collapses to his knees, crestfallen.

But the magistrate was different.

"Heh, heh heh heh...! Hahahaha! This is a masterpiece! Hahaha!"

"...What's so funny?"

Kushinosuke questions the suddenly laughing magistrate.

He stops laughing and tells her.

"The real princess would never be in a place like this! The princess is the last 'priestess' offered to Orochi!"

Kushinosuke's back shudders at those words.

The magistrate charges at her with his sword.

"Imposter using the princess's name, prepare to die!"

"──!"

"Kushinosuke!"

I leap in front of Kushinosuke, who is ready to counter the magistrate, and block his downward slash with my shield.

I parry and counter with a strike from my divine spear.

"Ugh...!"

"Kushinosuke!"

"Y-yes! ──Justice!"

"Gwaaah...!"

I leap aside, and Kushinosuke, who had approached from behind me, delivers a diagonal slash.

The magistrate, struck down, wavers for a moment before collapsing on the spot.

"──Now, only one remains."

"N-no...!"

With the divine spear in hand, I walk towards Echigoya.

Echigoya, having fallen on his rear, shows a face twisted in terror.

He seems to have wet himself, with a stain spreading on his lower garments.

I aim the spear at his neck, stopping just short of piercing him.

"P-please, spare me..."

Echigoya foams at the mouth and collapses, eyes rolled back.

I withdraw the spear and rest it on my shoulder, sighing.

"Really, who benefits from a guy pissing himself?"

As I mutter, Kazane, who strides over, pinches my cheek sternly

"Hey, Daichi-kun! Don’t imply it’s better if a girl does it!"

"Ouch, ouch! N-no, that's not what I meant!"

"What did you mean then?"

"I, well... Sorry, I didn't mean it."

"Good grief."

Yuzuki joins us, looking exasperated.

"Senpai, you really have no tact. If it wasn't you, I'd be totally grossed out."

"So, since it's me, you're not grossed out?"

"If it was back during our part-time job days, I might have stopped looking up to you. But now, my fondness is maxed out, so it doesn't really matter."

"Yuzuki's feelings for me are on a fondness system?"

"Don't make me spell it out. It's embarrassing."

Yuzuki gives my rear a light kick, seemingly to hide her embarrassment.

But aren't my wives a bit too violent?

Nowadays, violent heroines aren't popular, you know?

Though I'd never dislike them for that, it's not an issue.

It’s mutual, I suppose.

Anyway, with this, all evil has been vanquished.

Kushinosuke's gloomy expression did concern me.

I would later learn what was troubling her.