Mob Yandere

Chapter 167-1

[Part 1/4]

"Why... Why are you like this?"

The intense pain where her arm was cut off was unbearable, but the girl didn't care about it anymore. What hurt her more than anything was the expression on the young man's face before her.

His expression displayed not just confusion but also shock, despair, and fear. He held her arm tightly with wrinkled hands. On the ground lay writing tools, scrolls, and countless jet-black crow feathers...

As she thought about her actions, her intentions, and the outcome, she understood how serious the situation was. She raised her dirty face.

In the dark forest at night, unable to move, she gazed up at him...

"No, this is...! N-no, no!!"

"Don't speak! I won't allow you to use Kotodama (word technique)...!!"

"A chain or rope!! Bring more of those!! We can't stop this one with just this!!"

As soon as the exorcist girl opened her mouths to apologize, she was gagged. With strengthened wings, limbs, and spiritual power, they relentlessly sealed her with specially trained chains and custom-made ropes.

Even with one arm gone, the girl stayed alert, mercilessly dealing with any part of their enemies. Spending her life fighting clever monsters, she understood that any mistake could mean their end. Swiftly cutting off heads was seen as a kind act. At first, there were only two of them, but soon more allies arrived, overpowering her.

"Phew. That was close..."

"Leader!"

Someone emerged from the bushes. The girl, lying on the ground, pleaded for understanding, if not innocence. She sought defense from her.

"To think you'd resort to such deeds at this juncture... Truly, even half-transformed, monsters are still monsters. One must remain vigilant."

"Ugh!?"

But a cold, indifferent gaze looked down upon her. She couldn't help but shiver at the lack of warmth in those eyes, so devoid of humanity.

Why? How? Hadn't they endured hardships together, cooperated for his sake? How could this be happening?

"Leader, what should we do? Should we..."

"It's not our place to decide her fate. However... it's unlikely we can seek judgment now. Restrain her, take her away. It's not proper to expose her any further in front of our lord."

Following the leader's orders, her subordinates respectfully escorted her away. They all agreed with the urgency of the situation.

They didn't want to burden the young man they had chosen as their new leader any further. They had decided to look up to him for guidance.

"Yotachi!"

"It's dangerous!! Stay back!!"

As the girl was roughly dragged away, the young man tried to stop. In his hand was a blood-stained sword. He was the one who had cut off the girl twisted arm, the one they called the Sword of Vengeance (Harimoto sword).

"But she's...!!"

"Do you forget what she did just moments ago?! Such atrocities... cannot be forgiven!"

The emerged girl interrupted his defense with harsh words. She was not only his loyal companion since ancient times but also his faithful servant. She tried to calm him down, blocking his view of her, directing her infinite hostility towards her.

"Monsters will always be monsters. They've been waiting for this moment all along!! Deceiving you, our lord, deceiving us, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. How despicable...!!"

The face of Isuzu (the crow mother?), once their ally, now twisted with scornful words and hostility. It was difficult to imagine she was once their friend, leaving her shocked and unable to respond.

"Isuzu, cut it out with that attitude!!"

"My lord, please calm down! If I hadn't noticed...! Such a reaction is not like you, my lord!!"

"Ugh!!"

He tried to reprimand his comrade, who he had treated like a little sister, for her foul-mouthed behavior. But her sharp retort left him speechless. Yes, her usual self wouldn't have raised her voice like this. She wouldn't have been visibly shaken. Above all, she wouldn't have been so unclear in her words.

"I, I..."

"I understand the pain of being betrayed by comrades. But... please. It doesn't have to be right now. But please, soon... make a brave decision as you usually do, my Lord!"

Everyone has decided to follow the man... that's what Isuzu pleads. She begs with her eyes, clinging to him, imploring him.

"...Let me decide after I calm down a bit."

He couldn't help but feel pitiful at the words from his old friend. He leaned on them, maybe too much. Trying to calm himself, he turned on his heel, as if trying to escape from the situation. It was unlike him to be so indecisive. His confusion and agitation were evident to those around him.

"...I can't afford to die before making a decision. Stop the bleeding for me."

With a slight glance back, he commanded. But he didn't meet her eyes. It was his fear, his attempt to escape. He refused to face her any longer. It was the ultimate despair for her.

"My lord, I'll be by your side. I'll protect you."

"Yeah..."

He disappeared into the depths of the forest as if fleeing. And Isuzu followed him, three steps behind.

"...Filthy bird."

Just before disappearing into the forest, the girl looked down on the crow following with contempt in her eyes, and spat out.

"..."

And in the silence, the girl exchanged a nod with the exorcist. With sharp eyes and a faint smile, she responded with a click of her tongue... Without even looking back this time, the girl followed him, moving with light and nimble steps.

With a twisted grin on her lips, she moved with an agile pace, as if dancing.

This was about 1500 years ago. A very delicate moment indeed...

* * *

"Disappearrrr!!"

'Ki!?'

In the deep forbidden mountains, a samurai clad in armor like a lump of iron suddenly emerged from the bushes with a strange cry and charged forward recklessly. He swung his sword down. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say he smashed it down. Either way, it was a fierce blow.

'Kya...'

With a single stroke, or rather, a single split, the youkai lurking in the Mt. Anma perished without even understanding what had happened, unable to even scream.

"Phewww...!"

Taking a deep breath, Ukon M (the warrior that battle with protagonist in the beginning of this arc) remained on guard with his sword ready. After a moment of vigilance... and confirming that there was no immediate threat, he signaled to the others.

"You've done well, Ukon. It's time for a break!"

"I've already taken down eight of them. That should be enough!"

Despite the encouragement from the samurais who also emerged from the bushes, Ukon shook his head.

"I can still go on. I can't afford to be discouraged by this."

Especially considering the proposal from the princess of Onitsuki.

To think that she was casually advancing into the forbidden forest as a diversion, considering her patriotic duty!

Their intrusion, under the guise of retrieving the fallen bodies from the attack, was met with little resistance from the Tengu. With only a few scattered troops and a reasonable excuse, the Tengu seemed hesitant to stop them by force, and so far, they hadn't encountered any obstacles.

"We're probably under surveillance."

"I don't care. I'd rather have it that way."

Drawing attention and gathering the surveillance, they assisted the princess's infiltration. So much so that they needed to attract even more attention.

"You talk too much. Let your actions speak louder than words."

Ukon cautioned his companions. Silence is golden. And for them, the task at hand was not something to be taken lightly. Retrieving the bodies was a serious effort. They couldn't leave the youkai's bait untouched. Especially if it belonged to someone with spiritual power...

"It should be around here..."

Ukon and his group had advanced to the point of contact between the Tengu and the diplomatic mission. It was the deepest penetration among several diversionary teams. They had a specific task of finding the remains of certain individuals.

"Do you think they've all been devoured already? I can't imagine those monsters leaving anything behind."