Not even a full minute has passed,  and we’re already surrounded by spirits on all sides.

   As Isa-senpai has said, we can’t go crazy here since we might accidentally destroy one of the stones. I really hope Natsuho will keep her promise and not go wild. It’s not just her tendency to lose sight of her surroundings that worries me, her Regalia is also too dangerous to be used here.

   Her Regalia is a long pole with a small Japanese Drum at one end. The pole is based on and named after Raijin, a Japanese Deity of lightning and storm. As such, its user can control the weather with it if he or she is strong enough. And believe me, Natsuho is mighty strong when it comes to magic. Out of all the introduced characters in the original anime, she’s the only one who can cast three spells at the same time without the help of a Regalia or any other tools. Even Sakuya can only do two at once without her fan.

   Sadly, she used her Regalia for dangerous and disastrous things most of the time she’s on air in the original anime. There was a time when she caused a flood because she wanted an area that was suffering from drought to have some rain. In another, the whole neighbourhood was covered in snow that were few inches deep when she couldn’t take the heat in one particular summer. Due to her tendency to cause problems, she’s rarely allowed to use her Regalia.

   Right now, the situation is dire enough that the approval is given. Thankfully, instead of using lightning to blast any incoming spirits away, all she does is making the ground frozen so that they will slip and fall. I honestly don’t know how that can happen when spirits are not corporeal. But hey, I’m in a world where crazy things like ghosts and dragons exist, so what do I know?

   While Natsuho is doing that, the rest of us are doing our best to subdue the spirits without hurting them too much. It’s not like it’s their fault that they’re going berserk like this, so this is the least we can do. That said, it’s easier said than done. They can’t feel pain nor die for a second time, so they won’t back away in fear no matter how many times and how painful you beat them up, they’ll just keep on coming like some hungry beasts desperate for some human flesh. Also, we’ll get overwhelmed by their numbers if we’re not careful.

   I don’t know about the others, but I realized that I have a problem. Even though all these spirits are dead, they maintain their human form. As such, I can’t bring myself up to hurt them. I’ve kept on telling myself that they can’t feel pain, but my body still refuse to move properly. At best, I could hold my spear diagonally to stop their movements, but nothing more than that.

   ‘Two more minutes until Kiryuu-san is done!’ Isa-senpai shouts.

   Great. Two more minutes. I have wounds all over my body courtesy of the spirits. Thankfully, all of them are shallow ones and nothing serious. Even so, I still need them to be treated properly or I’ll be in a world of pain when I’m bathing. I sneak a glance at everyone else. Uchia and Konya are the only ones beside me who suffered injuries. Everyone else are completely unscathed.

   The second problem that I have is breathing difficulty. It’s much more difficult to breath the higher you hike a mountain since high places have less oxygen molecules. It was already bad for me when I was just hiking this mountain the last time I was here. Now that I have to move lots, the situation’s even worse.

   I really need to double or even triple down on my training when we get back.

   I slightly wince as a female spirit uses her long fingernails to scratch my right arm. Before she could do it again, I use the butt of my spear to push her away.

   Suddenly, I feel a huge tremor. I turn around and find Yui squatting down on the ground with her eye closed. She mutters some words that I can’t comprehend, and the mist that was surrounding the whole area immediately gets sucked into the ground where it came from. The whole process didn’t even take ten seconds.

   With the mist gone, the spirits no longer look and act aggressive. All of them just look confused. At the next moment, they disappeared without leaving a single trace. It’s like they never existed in the first place.

   I let out a small sigh of relief, then immediately head over to Yui so that I could check on her condition. Before I could ask anything, a green gas appear from her body and transformed itself into Tatsuya.

   ‘Are you okay, Yui?’ I ask her while kneeling down on one knee beside her.

   She looks at me and smiles.

   ‘I’m fine. Akira-kun. Tatsuya-kun didn’t possess me that long, after all.’

   I help her to get up from the ground. She uses this chance to cuddle up on me. Naturally, I don’t mind one bit.

   ‘So, now what?’ I ask.

   ‘For now, the Dragon Pulse has been sealed once more.’ Tatsuya answers. ‘I made sure to put in extra effort so that it will not be as easy for the leakage to happen again in the near future.’

   That reminds me. The soil around each of the stones are still not filled yet. We have to do something about it right now or this whole thing will just happen again. I saw some shovels stored inside the shed at the shrine, so I bring them there to get the tools so that we could get started with the filling.

   Naturally, the shrine’s completely deserted, since everyone who worked here was involved in the incident. That said, the place was only abandoned for a few days, so nothing much has changed. There are some thin layers of dusts covering the entire place and that’s about it. At Yui’s suggestions, we search around the place first, just in case there’s something hidden around here. There was none.

   ‘Honestly, I was expecting at least one of them to be cooperating with Zaimoto-san under some threat.’ Yui confesses. ‘Now I know that it’s not the case.’

   ‘Hey, maybe you’re right and that person just didn’t left anything for us.’ I comfort. ‘Let’s not jump to conclusion too quickly.’

   ‘Unfortunately, she may be right.’ Madoka intervenes. ‘All the priests used to work for Shimada in the past, and the two workers are under Zaimoto’s direct employment. They have all the reasons to join his cause.’

   ‘Well, it can’t be helped then. They chose their own paths, and they’re responsible for the consequences that their decisions brought them.’

   ‘By the way, did yer dad ever gave any thoughts on how to handle traitors?’ Natsuho asks Yui.

   ‘I’m afraid not. He’s a gentle person, so he always has better things to do then think up of new punishments.’

   She pauses.

   ‘Except when it comes to punishments for my boyfriend if he ever cheats on me.’

   Everyone’s eyes fall on me at once. I can’t even say anything since I’m technically cheating on all of my girlfriends.

   ‘There’s no need to worry, Akira-kun.’ Yui says hurriedly. ‘You’ve already got the approval of both my parents, remember?’

   ‘Yeah, I guess. Come on, Let’s go get the shovels.’

   There’s only five shovels, however, so only five of us can do it. Myself, Tomita-senpai, Konya, Uchida and Natsuho volunteered to do the job. Others promised to take over once we’re tired.

   After more than an hour and two shift changes later, all the rocks have finally been filled up. Unfortunately, we can’t even pat ourselves in the back for a job well done, since the job’s not over yet.

   ‘Well, let’s go to Gifu.’ I tell the rest.

   ‘Before that, your wounds should be treated.’ Ichika says while taking out a medical spray and a towel out of thin air.

   ‘Oh. Right. Thanks.’

   I take off my clothes so that disinfect and clean my wounds. I reach out my hand to take the spray and towel from Ichika, but she’s not budging at all.

   ‘Um, Ichika? I can’t treat my wound without those.’ I tell her.

   She face suddenly becomes a bit red. She mumbles something that I can’t hear properly.

   ‘Sorry, Ichika. I can’t hear you. Could you say that a bit louder?’ I request.

   She clears her throat and says it one more time, but louder this time.

   ‘Please allow me to assist you.’

   Normally, I would have refused her. I mean, all the wounds I suffered are at the from part of my body. I don’t need any assistance to take care of those. Then again, if she wants to do it, I don’t see why not.

   ‘Okay. Thanks for your help.’

   The two of us sit down on the floor to make things easier for her. While she’s being busy, I can’t help but notice that the rest of my girlfriends plus Natsuho is staring at me. Or more specifically, I keep feeling their eyes on my body. I can’t really see clearly, but I seem to me that they’re blushing.

   ‘Um, is something wrong?’ I ask them.

   All of them except Sakuya flinch at the same time and look away guiltily. Ichika is averting her eyes as well.

   Their reaction make me look downwards at my own body. I don’t see anything abnormal no matter how long I stare at it.

   ‘You have…gained more muscles.’ Ichika tells me slowly.

   ‘Hmm? I did?’

   ‘Yes. I would know, since we had been training together for almost everyday.’

   ‘...And you were staring at my body almost everyday?’

   Ichika’s face becomes bright red at once. I can also see some tears on the corner of her eyes. She looks mighty ashamed of herself.

   ‘I, I, um, that is…’

   ‘My my, Ichika-chan has become such a lewd girl~.’ Sakuya says.

   ‘I’m pretty sure she got influenced by you and Assaf-sensei, Sakuya-senpai.’

   ‘Nonsense. The two of us are more honest with our desires. I mean, I’m still staring at your well-developed body right now.’

   ‘Yeah, please keep that to yourself.’

   ‘You know, Ichika-chan definitely offered to dress your wounds because she wanted a front row view of your body.’

   I stare at Ichika. She’s trying her best to avoid my eyes.

   ‘You could be more honest, okay? Not overboard like Sakuya-senpai and Assaf-sensei, but in a more normal way. We’re going out with each other, after all.’

   Ichika nods shyly.

   I notice Natsuho looking dejected. Just as I was about to ask her what’s wrong, Sakuya who also noticed her sad expression, lean over and whispers something to her ear. After she’s done, Natsuho flinches and shakes her head vigorously. She then whispers back something which I manage to read as ‘No way, it’s too early fer dat. I’m not mentally prepared.’

   I turn my attention back to Ichika as I have a question for her.

   ‘Ichika.’

   ‘Yes?’

   ‘What kind of mentality did you had when you were facing the spirits just now? Were you treating them as if they were alive? Were you treating them as enemies?’

   ‘What you are really asking is how did myself and most of the others managed to fight them off without affecting our conscience, correct?’

   I nod.

   ‘I do not know about the others, but I for one have failed to do that.’

   ‘What are you talking about? I was watching you, you were doing just fine.’

   She shakes her head. ‘I was merely putting up a front. It It is true that they will not feel pain, but they were alive nonetheless. It truly pained me to even having the thought of fighting those innocent souls. But do it I must, for if I do not, Kiryuu would have been harmed, and the ritual to seal the Dragon Pulse will fail. That must not be allowed to happen at all cost. ’

   I ponder about what she said for a moment. She’s absolutely right. The fear of an individual is irrelevant when lives of tens of thousands or even millions of people is at stake. To make things worse, I was supposed to be protecting Yui, someone who’s very important to me. And I had second thoughts of harming those who wished her harm. Some boyfriend I am.

   While I’m having all these thoughts, Ichika continues.

   ‘There is no need for you to worry about it too much. To be honest, it is better that you have some conscience inside of you so that you will not hurt others, whether alive or dead, without a single remorse.’

   ‘In other words, I should have a switch inside me.’

   ‘That is one way to put it. Using your switch metaphor, you should be careful on how much to turn on your mercilessness and how much kindness you should retain.’

   ‘Got it. Thanks for the advice.’

   ‘I am glad to be of assistance.’

   Meanwhile, Konya and Uchida are having their wounds treated as well. After we’re done, Mashiro uses her wind magic once more so that we could descend the mountain.

   ‘How’s the view down there, Ichika?’ I ask.

   ‘All the spirits have completely disappeared.’ she reports. ‘Kiryuu and Tatsuya did an excellent job.’

   ‘Good job, you two.’ I tell them.

   Tatsuya shrugs. ‘It is nothing. I was merely performing my duty is all.’

   ‘Me too. I’m just doing my job.’ Yui says.

   That’s what she’s saying, but she’s slowly leaning towards me while slightly bending her neck. It’s obvious that she wants me to pat her head, so that’s what I did. Once again, she’s making some cute purring noises. I’m glad she likes it. I’ll do it as much as she wants, as long as it would mean that I don’t have to look downwards. Unfortunately, some people just want to see me suffer.

   ‘Look look Akira-kun! There’s a fluffy rabbit next to the tree over there! Isn’t it cute?’ Sakuya asks me while pulling my shirt.

   ‘Thank you for telling me that, Sakuya-senpai.’

   ‘Come on, you’re not looking. You have to see it to believe it, you know?’

   ‘You know very well why I’m trying my best to avoid looking down.’

   ‘Nope. I haven’t a clue.’

   ‘Of course you don’t.’ I agree sarcastically.

   ‘Say, Oomori. Doesn’t this height look perfect for a bungee jump?’ Natsuho asks Saya all of a sudden.

   ‘It sure does, Shishiaki-senpai! Why don’t we do it right now?’

   ‘Good idea!’

   Natsuho proceeds to take out a piece of rope with her teleportation magic. Saya, on the other hand, goes behind me and restrains my arm.

   ‘What are you doing, Saya?’

   ‘Oh nothing. We’re just giving you a free experience of bungee jump.’ she replies.

   ‘So don’t struggle. The rope needs ta be tied tight.’ Natsuho adds while begins to tie the rope at my waist.

   ‘Right. Please get away from me.’

   I shrug off Saya easily and untie the rope.

   ‘Hey, what gives?’ Natsuho demands.

   ‘I thank the two of you for the offer, but I’m not interested in any bungee jumping.’ I tell them politely.

   ‘Boo, you’re no fun.’ Saya pouts.

   ‘You can go ahead if you want.’ I offer while handing the rope to her.

   ‘No thanks. I prefer to see you suffer.’

   ‘Same here.’

   ‘Aww, and here your big sister thought she could see you cry your eyes out.’ Sakuya says in a disappointed tone while holding her phone in one hand.

   ‘Life is full of disappointment, Sakuya-senpai. Deal with it.’

   I turn to look at Mashiro. ‘Mashiro, can you fly a bit faster? I don’t think I can continue to hold them off like this.’

   ‘Got it.’ Mashiro replies in her usual small voice.

   Tatsuya flies beside me.

   ‘Are you perhaps afraid of high places?’ He asks me.

   ‘Yes. Yes I am.’

   ‘Why is that? You can use your magic to float should you fall, correct?’

   ‘Look, Tatsuya. Magic is convenient and all, but it still doesn’t mean it’s the fool-proof solution to everything. Having been assured that I won’t die by falling from high places won’t calm me down. At all. This is one of those things that won’t be cured unless I go through a through treatment.’

   ‘I see…’

   He doesn’t look convinced at all, but chooses to let it slide. I guess an immortal God who can’t feel pain nor die won’t understand fear either.

   Thanks to Mashiro’s fast flying, we reach the bottom of the mountain and next to the helicopter in no time. Yui gets in first so that she could tell the pilot our next destination. After she’s done, she joins us back at the passenger seat.

   ‘According to the pilot, we should arrive at Gifu in less than two hours.’ Yui reports.

   I nod. ‘Got it.’

   Two hours, huh? The sun’s starting to set. By the time we reach Gifu, it’ll be nighttime.