kscans

Chapter 253 - A New Power

The Chief Priest asked, "The demon-warding power? What about it do you find strange?"

"It’s said to ward off demons, meaning it nullifies things like magic," I explained. "But my own magic is an exception and isn’t erased. That got me thinking: could it be that my own imbued attributes also won’t be nullified, allowing them to exert their power?"

The Chief Priest pondered this. "Well, that’s right. It can nullify powers related to demons. If it nullified your own power, it would be meaningless. So, attributes, you say? Since that is also your own power, it shouldn’t be nullified… I think. Have you tried it?"

"No," I said. "This question only occurred to me last night. I came here thinking I should ask you first."

The Chief Priest thought for a moment. "Hmm. Let me ask you something. Why are you so fixated on that? The power to ward off demons is strong enough on its own, especially against those who rely on brute force. Why add to it now?"

To this question, I replied, "Because I tasted defeat in that world."

I told him about the war that had taken place in the other world. How I was on the brink of death in the battle against the leader, and how I would have died if a dragon hadn’t appeared. Beside me, Tina wore an indescribable expression.

The Chief Priest said, "You’re lucky to be alive. Even in my youth, I would have died. But a dragon… a fearsome being. You were fortunate not to be its enemy. Their very existence is a calamity. It’s best not to encounter one."

He was absolutely right. In recent manga and anime, there’s a growing idea that dragons aren’t that strong. But reality is different. Dragons have been treated as messengers of the gods, or as gods themselves.

They are beings that humans cannot defeat by any means.

"But for me, meeting one was a moving experience," I said, reminiscing. "The thrill of encountering a creature thought to be imaginary never fades, no matter how old you get. The same goes for Goblins and Ogres. I was so excited."

Since they were hostile, showing that excitement would have meant death. At the time, I admired them in my heart and hunted them with a sense of gratitude for the encounter.

"So, that’s why," I continued. "I felt that my own power was still lacking. Before trying anything, I wanted to confirm with you, thinking I might get some kind of hint."

"I don’t know if you can expect much," the Chief Priest replied, "but after you left last time, I did some research on the Brahmi script myself. I found characters that amplify the user’s power. I tried them on my granddaughter, and her power increased and increased, raising the accuracy of her fortunes. Now she’s a big hit with her Brahmi script fortune-telling." He gave me a smile that showed how much money he had made.

I looked at him, exasperated. "Don’t overdo it. One of these days, some strange experts might show up and start making a fuss."

Many people don’t believe in things like knowing the future. That’s because the future holds infinite possibilities and isn’t something that can be determined. That seems to be their line of thinking. Or rather, they just don’t like having the knowledge they’ve learned overturned, so they find fault with it. Even though they’re the ones always preaching that knowledge and information are constantly being updated and new discoveries are being made.

The Chief Priest chuckled. "Heh heh. No one like that will come. This place has become famous for its fortune-telling, but it’s all for trivial matters. As long as we don’t do anything on a large enough scale to attract their attention, we’re safe." He had a mischievous look on his face.

Well, I knew that unless he became famous enough to be known throughout Japan, no one would come. Those people always say they’re busy. At least, that’s the official story.

Tina interjected, "So? What about these amplifying Brahmi script characters?" Her face clearly said, ‘get on with it.’

The Chief Priest yelped, "Ooh! R-right, right. It’s not right to keep a beautiful lady like you waiting. Just a moment." He left the room.

The two of us were left alone.

Tina remarked, "He’s a hard person to get a read on, that Chief Priest. At first glance, he seems like a sociable old man, but… I get the feeling he’s the type to use whatever he can."

"That’s just common sense in this world," I said with a sigh. "Use and be used. Everyone learns that, like it or not, when they enter society. The only reason that Chief Priest isn’t sociable is probably that there’s no one around he can use."

What kind of life has that old man lived? I wondered. Just then, he returned.

"This is the book with the Brahmi script you’re looking for. I found it tucked away in the back of the storehouse, as if it were hidden."

It was an old book.

Hidden, huh? As if to prevent it from being misused. The fact that it wasn’t thrown away but kept suggests it was for dealing with a potential crisis. Any power can be used for good or evil, depending on the user. This was probably a countermeasure for when a truly evil person appeared.

"May I examine it?" I asked.

"Be my guest," the Chief Priest said. "I’m going to check on my granddaughter, so take your time." He left the reception room, seemingly to give us some space.

I immediately began to read. The content was slightly different from the previous book. It was more for advanced users.

Tina asked, "Can I use it too?"

"It would be difficult," I said. "With Brahmi script, it’s not enough to just pour magic into it. You have to understand its meaning for it to be effective. It doesn’t lend its power to those who don’t understand. Think of it that way."

Tina had a bitter expression. She must have felt frustrated at not being able to become stronger when she thought she could.

"Don’t worry," I said, trying to console her. "You are getting stronger, Tina. You’re using the Light Stone to its full potential, and you have finer control over magic than I do. Don’t let it get you down." I felt like I had to say something.

An hour passed.

I used ‘Matter Conversion’ to turn a leaf into an iron plate and wrote down the Brahmi script I had deciphered. I should have brought a notebook or something. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I made a mental note.

Just as I was taking a break, the Miko came in with tea, the Chief Priest behind her.

"It seems you’ve succeeded," he said. "The rest is up to your own ability. I’m afraid I can’t help you with the attributes you mentioned earlier."

"That’s fine," I said. "I only came here to ask about it anyway. I never expected to get my hands on new Brahmi script characters." I took a sip of tea.

The Chief Priest then asked, "By the way… have you reconsidered marrying my granddaughter?"

I sprayed my tea everywhere.

Tina froze. The Miko blushed slightly.

"I-I told you! I have no intention of doing that! I already have someone I’ve set my heart on!" I frantically refused.

Tina was blushing a little, but her expression was icy. I was definitely going to get an earful somewhere.

"Well, I thought I’d ask one last time," the Chief Priest said, looking a little lonely. "You probably won’t be coming here again."

He was right. My business here was finished. The only reason to come back would be for sightseeing. But I had no idea when that would be.

"I’m grateful for your cooperation," I said. "Normally, I’d want to give you something in return, but… my current position makes that a bit tricky…"

I couldn’t say any more. I was currently in the middle of a conflict with some shady people. Any further interaction could create a misunderstanding. In fact, it was possible we were being observed right here.

My ‘Detection’ skill only reacted to living things, not objects like cameras.

"I understand," the Chief Priest said. "It doesn’t seem like there’s anything we can do to help. You should come back when things have settled down. Around the time you have a baby would be good. I want to see if it’s a boy or a girl."

I choked again.

Tina froze again, a teacup halfway to her lips.

As I was coughing, the Chief Priest added, "I have no intention of giving up, you know."

I had no idea how serious he was.

After we left the shrine and had walked for a while, Tina suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me into an alley.

She pushed me against a wall. "So? What’s this about marriage?" Her expression was demonic.

I broke out in a cold sweat and desperately explained everything.

When I finished, Tina said, "Well… I know you’re not the type to two-time someone, but I had to ask to be sure."

She released me. It seemed her anger had subsided, and it wouldn’t affect our future actions. Or so I hoped.

We returned to the hospital in silence.

Two men in black suits were standing like gatekeepers in front of the isolation ward. Were they guards?

We passed them and entered the hospital room.

"You’ve returned rather late. Did you enjoy yourselves?"

Kuroda was sitting in a chair by the window.

"Kuroda-san, what are you doing here?" I asked, glancing at Bardos. He didn’t say anything, which meant Kuroda hadn’t done anything suspicious.

Kuroda smiled his usual smile. "Something came to light regarding yesterday’s incident. I thought it would be better to speak with you in person rather than over the phone."

"In person?" I said. "That doesn’t sound good. Did you find something out?"

"Yes," Kuroda said. "The syringe they were carrying contained pathogens. And not natural ones, but artificial."

"Artificial pathogens?" I said. "So, a full-blown biological weapon. To think such things are still being made. Treaties are useless, aren’t they?" My voice was laced with sarcasm.

Treaties completely banned biological weapons. The fact that they were still being made meant there were people in this world who didn’t abide by such promises.

"That’s just how the world works," Kuroda said. "Now, the reason they were going to use it… was to abduct Rumily-san."