Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 11: The Path to the Beyond

...So. Their base is out here?

Ah, I thought I told you!

You did not.

You ran out without a word, so we had no choice but to follow.

Sorry, sorry! It's just that I'd like to get this done before it gets dark...

The Artifact Spirits come out after sundown, you know.

And you are certain that the Nature's Beauty base is nearby?

Shuro was uncooperative. How do you know it's out here?

Remember this morning when I was examining the Artifact Spirit?

Do you see this carving on the umbrella's handle?

I've purposefully left special marks on old worn-out things and left them near the village's entrance.

So, I've been tracking the Artifact Spirits' movements. And they all seem to be drifting in this direction.

I see. That's very clever.

A truly inspired plan, as expected of the Hyakkaryouran President!

We are following broken umbrellas?

So to speak. I left this umbrella at the north entrance of the village.

And while the maps say that there is only a desolate snowfield out here...

...The villagers told me that there's an old mansion just a few hours away.

A mansion in the northern snowfield... You mean the Mansion of the Beyond.

...Mansion of the Beyond? How dramatic.

Indeed. According to records, it's where an aristocratic family lived long ago.

I've never been personally, so I cannot speak to its state.

I suppose it would be a good place for Nature's Beauty to settle.

Perhaps we will find the source of the Artifact Spirits there.

Strike while the iron's hot, right?

If we hesitate, they'll get away again. It's time for action!

Besides, we have the unbeatable Ayame back on our side!

Truly, her skills are beyond compare!

But the Artifact Spirits are immune to bullets?

Precisely. Our numbers and gusto are irrelevant.

The only way to defeat the spirits is with the Authority given by Kuzunoha...

Not to be harsh, but even the talented President Ayame won't be that much help without the Hundred Lotus.

Th-That's not true. Ayame is quite capable...

So what was your plan, Ayame? What if we didn't follow you? How would you have fought Nature's Beauty all on your own?

Well...

While I wouldn't be able to fight the Artifact Spirits, I figured that I could somehow target the tomes themselves.

Somehow...? That sounds a little reckless for you, Ayame.

You're right! Maybe this harsh weather has made me bolder!

But the truth is... I trusted Nagusa to follow. She's such a reliable friend.

...Me?

Last night, I saw you wielding the Hundred Lotus like a pro.

I think you're exactly what the Great Prophet Kuzunoha had in mind when she passed down the Authority.

You were a vision of a true Hyakkaryouran President.

Th-That's not true, Ayame. Compared to you, I'm not even...

You don't have to put yourself down like that, Nagusa.

You're my best friend.

You worked so hard to fulfill your role. You're stronger than me, and I'm so proud.

You know, Nagusa, I always thought you had the potential to bloom into a beautiful flower.

It's a shame I never found Kuzunoha...but that just means that she saw something in you that I do not possess.

I promised to always be by your side, didn't I?

So right now...please be at mine. Help me carry out this mission.

Of course.

Ah... Now that's inspiring!

...All right! Let's use this burning passion to sweep the floor with Nature's Beauty!

Oh, how fun! It's like something out of a manga!

See, Renge! We ARE embracing your youth, together!

Haha... I'm glad to see you all so impassioned.

Well, if Nagusa is fine with this, then I'll go along as well.

...But did we really need to bring the brat?

I'm not here with you losers by choice! You dragged me along on this lame hike!

Well, we couldn't leave a minor unattended. Who knows what trouble she'd get into?

And besides, the village is safer if she's with us. We don't want her using her tome on them.

You don't have to worry about that. We wrecked her Phantom Records last time.

...Wait a minute. How DID she summon those Artifact Spirits last night?

Could Nature's Beauty possess another tome?

...It's a possibility. If Nature's Beauty only had one tome, they wouldn't be so stupid as to trust it with this idiot.

Who are you calling an idiot?! Miss Kokuriko trusted me and I did a great job...

Renge, Yukari. Grab her arms.

Wh-What are you doing?!

We'll frisk her. Let's see if she's hiding some pocket-sized tome.

I will take the legs.

Wh-What are you doing?! If you think this is going to work, you're sorely mistaken...

Eek?! Ugh... Hahaha! Hahahaha! S-Stop it...!

Here? Or is it here...?

S-Stop... Someone! Help! These weird girls are robbing me!

Kikyou, I've recovered a notebook!

Good job, Yukari.

N-No... Not THAT book! Please!

Oh, this must be good! She's losing it!

Nagusa, open it up!

Very well. Let us see...

Hails of bullets, even bombs,

are useless against her power.

The rumors of the strongest, coolest bard ever spread across Hyakkiyako.

She, with beautiful eyes, as chilling as ice,

reaches into minds and unleashes their inner darkness.

All who oppose her shall pay the price with their BLOOD.

With a single point, a mere snap

her creations manifest and swarm

towards the pathetic, foolish beings that cross her.

Ah.

Ah...

Hah...

Yukari, keep searching. That drivel cannot possibly be valuable.

Oh, come on! That's all you have to say?

Did you...write this novel...?

That's a novel? It sounded like... Can you write fan fiction about yourself?

Ugh... Ughhh...!

How dare you! Searching through someone else's stuff without permission, then publicly reading their precious work aloud!

That's my intellectual property! Just imagine, what if someone heard that and they steal my idea and they make it a bestseller?

Do you have any idea what you've done?!

Ha. While I see why you used a pseudonym...

...I wouldn't worry about someone stealing your idea, Shuro.

I suppose... Besides, a book is more than an idea! They'd have to have the skills to execute my vision.

Ahem. So... What did everyone think? Did you...like it?

I gather that you're speechless from awe, but I encourage you to share your positive feedback.

How did you like my masterpiece?

Um, so... I feel that...

...Pardon me, Yukari. We must quicken our pace if we hope to arrive at the mansion before sundown.

Y-Yes, Nagusa! This is no time for peer review!

There was no tome. What a waste of time.

Well, at least she wasn't hurting anyone. Though I'm not thrilled with how she wrote us...

Ugh... Aughhh...

SHUT UP!