Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 20
Chapter 20: After the Monster Hunt (Part 1)
――Kuon Clan Main House (Side Story)
"The Gyūki has been slain!? Are you certain!?"
"Y-Yes! Its demonic aura has completely vanished!"
The news of the Gyūki's defeat sent shockwaves through the Kuon Clan’s main estate, particularly among the exorcists who served the family.
The Kuon Clan, a prestigious exorcist bloodline, had given Kyori Kuon, one of the candidates for the next head, an impossible mission: the extermination of the Gyūki.
The Gyūki was a top-tier demon, one that had terrorized Japan since ancient times. Even if the most powerful exorcists of this era were to gather, sealing it away was the best they could hope for.
But when they received word that the Gyūki had broken free, along with its minions, the exorcists were deeply troubled.
The number of demons in general had declined over the years, and with many powerful families fading away, the strength of exorcists had dwindled compared to the time when the Gyūki was originally sealed.
Thus, the clan devised a cruel strategy:
They would offer someone with strong spiritual energy to the Gyūki as bait, slowing it down just enough for them to seal it again.
The unfortunate sacrifice chosen for this role was none other than Kyori Kuodu, the candidate with the least political influence and the weakest standing within the clan.
They lied to her, claiming lesser demons had escaped and placing the full responsibility of the situation on her.
Once she was already engaged in battle, they would then reveal the Gyūki’s presence and order her to defeat it—knowing full well she wouldn’t survive.
That had been the plan.
But now—
"So? How exactly did Kyori manage to slay the Gyūki?"
The current head of the Kuon Clan, Kuon Sogen, addressed the exorcist who had delivered the report.
"W-Well… According to Kyori-sama, it was actually her ally who defeated it…"
"Ally?"
"Yes, that is all the report states. However, we have just received images from the response team at the site, and—"
The young exorcist stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at the tablet screen.
"What is it?"
"I-I'm sorry… The image is just… far more shocking than I expected."
"…I see. Show it to me as well."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
The man placed his tablet on the desk.
Some who saw the image displayed on it felt nauseous, while others doubted whether it had been digitally altered.
That was how shocking the image was to them.
“This is… a Gyūki? But how in the world was such a creature, with its tough exterior, cleaved in half…?”
“Look at the smaller oni. Some were killed using magic, but most seem to have been thrown down from a high place.”
As the elders sat in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the images before them, a young man suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what we should be focusing on right now is not how these yokai were defeated! What truly matters is that Kuon Kyori has violated our absolute principle of secrecy! We must decide how to respond and how to punish her!”
“…Y-yes, indeed…”
The elders fell silent at the young man's words.
Secrecy—hiding their existence from the public. This was an unbreakable rule for exorcists.
“What did Kyori report about her collaborator?”
“Well… she only referred to them as a collaborator…”
“She didn’t write their name. That means she couldn’t write it down. It’s clear that Kuon Kyori has broken our law of secrecy! Grandfather, I believe we should swiftly execute her as punishment!”
“—Genji.”
The old man, Kuon Sogen, solemnly addressed the young man—Kuon Genji, the foremost candidate for the next family head.
“Indeed, rules must be upheld. But at times, we must also act with flexibility.”
“…What do you mean?”
“A person with such skill, yet who remains cooperative with us, is extremely rare. Even if we searched the world over, we would not find a second like them. What we must consider now is how to establish a friendly relationship with Kyori's collaborator.”
“…Are you suggesting we overlook Kyori's actions?”
“We shall monitor this so-called collaborator. That will serve as Kyori's punishment.”
After delivering his decision, Kuon Sogen, assisted by his shikigami, slowly stood up and left the room.
The assembled members rose to see him off, while Genji, filled with frustration, stormed out into the hallway.
(Damn it, damn it, damn it! That scheming old man and that damn woman!)
To Genji, Kyori was an infuriating girl.
A first-class exorcist in both appearance and bloodline—someone meant to belong to him, and no one else.
One year ago, Genji had given Kyori a command.
"Abandon your status as the next head candidate and become mine. If you do, I’ll cherish you however you wish."
But Kyori, unfazed, had coldly replied:
"My life is mine to decide. I have no intention of obeying your orders. Now, leave."
For the first time in his life, Genji, who had used his prestigious lineage to act as he pleased, experienced the sting of humiliation.
And in that moment, he swore to make her pay for the disgrace she had made him suffer.
The Gyūki incident had been the perfect opportunity to do so.
But instead, the outcome had only added to his rage.
Kyori had earned the highest possible achievement—defeating a Gyūki.
(Just wait, you wretched woman. I’ll make you taste the same humiliation…)
Consumed by fury, Genji strode down the long hallway—failing to notice that the shadow stretching behind him had begun to take on a sinister form.
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