Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle/Story/Prologue

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The following is the prologue of Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle, which can be found in story_le04.txt.

Demo Version[edit | edit source]

The trial version of the prologue was unique. Despite being demo content, this is still considered canon to the overall story.[1]

 春を迎えた、无現里(むげんり)。
この国には大小さまざまな勢力が存在するのだが、
その内のとある二つのおめでたい勢力は長年暢気ににらめっこをし続けていた。
しかし闡裡(せんり)神社の先代神主の独裁によって保たれていた均衡が崩れた今、
その二つの間に戦乱の兆しがあった。

Mugenri had welcomed the arrival of spring.
There are many factions in the land, both small and large,
but two particularly large factions among them have been engaged in a carefree staring contest for many years.
However, now that the balance maintained by the Senri Shrine's despotic former head priest has collapsed,
the two are showing signs of conflict.

 そんな情勢の中、とある噂が巷を騒がせていた。

At the same time, one particular rumor was making quite a stir.

  『大空の器に酒を注ぎ入れ、ちゃちな思想にプライドをブレンドした時、
天が鏡を割るだろう』

"When sake is poured into the vessel of the skies, and cheap ideas and pride are blended in,
Heaven shall surely split the mirror."

 誰が流したかも分からないこのヘンテコな噂だが、
「鏡割り」という言葉に少なくとも幾人かの面倒臭がり屋の飲兵衛は、
その怠惰の衣を脱ぎ捨てて、外に出かける気になったらしい。

It was a groundless rumor that nobody knew the source of,
but at least a few bothersome drunkards seemed to take an interest in the "mirror splitting" part.[a]
They cast off the garb of idleness and felt like going out all of a sudden.

飲兵衛どもと弾が飛び交う无現里の空。
酒と弾幕に興味がない者にとっては全くもって迷惑な日だ。

Both drunkards and bullets soared through Mugenri's skies.
For those with no interest in sake or danmaku, that day couldn't have gotten any more troublesome.

春の『陽気』とはヒトの頭を侵す『妖気』そのものだと、この時多くの者が悟ったという。

They say that around this time, many came to realize that the hazy air of spring had even cast a haze over people's minds.[b]

Full Version[edit | edit source]

~○---闡裡神社にて---○~

~---At the Senri Shrine---~

  玄鳥「・・・・っで、へっぽこ新皇は役立たずってわけか」

Tsubakura "...So the gist of it, from what I'm getting, is that our New Emperor over here is a total screw-up."

 ―――現実から遊離した世界『无現里(むげんり)』
 この世界を牛耳ると言われている『闡裡神社(せんりじんじゃ)』
 そこで新人神主をやっている『燕楽 玄鳥(えんらく つばくら)』は、
 もともとは外界からやって来た者だった。
 そんな玄鳥は、現在会話をしている相手にうんざりしている用だった。

---"Mugenri", a world separated from reality.
The "Senri Shrine", said to have this world completely under its thumb.
Tsubakura Enraku, having originally come from the world outside Mugenri,
works at the shrine as its new head priest.
They currently appeared to be quite fed up with the person they were talking to.

 伊代真「まったくもって、その通りなんです」

Iyozane: "Yes. Yes, that is entirely the case."

 凍てついていた大地も解け、まだ桜こそ咲かぬものの、
 寒の明けを実感し始めた闡裡神社の境内。
 そこに今、二人の来客があった。

The frozen land had thawed, and while the cherry blossoms still had yet to bloom,
the Senri Shrine grounds were beginning to feel the reality of winter's end.
Two visitors were currently standing there.

  文門「伊代真さぁ、そこはもう少し私の面子を立ててくれないかなぁ?」
 伊代真「元より無い面子をどうやって立てればいいんですか?」

Fumikado: "Iyozaneee, can't you try a bit harder to save my face?"
Iyozane: "Just how am I supposed to save face when you never had any?"

 『平 文門(たいらのふみかど)』『藤原 伊代真(ふじわらのいよざね)』
 この二人は以前に无現里にて異変を起こし、
 今では文門が新皇を、伊代真が関白をそれぞれ自称している。

Taira no Fumikado and Fujiwara no Iyozane.
These two had previously caused an incident in Mugenri.
At present, they were respectively declaring themselves to be the New Emperor and the chief adviser thereof.

  藪雨「じゃあその兵隊さん達は文門さんの言うことを聞いてくれないってこと?」

Yabusame: "So the soldiers out there aren't listening to what Fumikado-san is telling them?"

 ―――闡裡神社にはもう一人、『名誉神主』という肩書きの神主がいる。
 その肩書きを持つ『鳳聯 藪雨(ほうれん やぶさめ)』は神職というより、
 料理や掃除などの家事全般を担当しているみたいだ。

---The Senri Shrine also had another resident, bearing the title of "Honorary Priest".
This priest, Yabusame Houlen, apparently took care of all the housework such as
cooking and cleaning, rather than any actual religious duties.

 そんな新米神主と雑用神主の両名は、来客の面倒くさい相談にのっていたのだった。

And so it was that the novice priest and the household-chores priest were begrudgingly listening to their guests' concerns.

  文門「私の部下っという訳ではないからな」
  玄鳥「お前らの組織・・・? 組合? 連合? ・・・ってなんなの?」
 伊代真「特にコレと言って名前が決まってるわけじゃないんですが、
     一応他からは『妖怪連合』って呼ばれてるよ」
  文門「『連盟』って呼ばれることもあるけどな」
  玄鳥「すっげーいい加減な集まりだってことはよく分かった」

Fumikado: "They're not exactly my minions, after all."
Tsubakura: "What exactly is this... organization? Union? Coalition? Of yours."
Iyozane: "We don't exactly have a name pinned down for it,
but others call it the 'Youkai Coalition', for what it's worth."
Fumikado: "Sometimes it's called the 'Alliance' too, though."
Tsubakura: "Great, okay. The fact that it's a real shoddy organization has been noted."

 うんざり度が増した玄鳥は、すでに二人の相談事など心底どうでもよくなったようだ。

Tsubakura, now even more annoyed, seemed to already completely not care about Fumikado and Iyozane's concerns.

  文門「とにかく! 下手をすれば闡裡神社にも
     手を貸してもらうことになるかもしれない」
 伊代真「それだけ不穏な緊張状態にあるってことなんだよ」
  藪雨「へー」
  玄鳥「じゃあ気をつけないとなー、戸締りとか」
  文門「真面目に聞いてないだろ・・・?」
ジンベイ「それにしても・・・同じ連盟にありながら、
     正確な状況は何も分からないんですか?」

Fumikado: "Anyway! Worst-case scenario, we might even
have to ask for help from the Senri Shrine."
Iyozane: "That's how tense things are getting, is what we're saying."
Yabusame: "Huhhh."
Tsubakura: "Guess you'd better take care, then. Lock your doors nice and tight, an' all."
Fumikado: "You're not taking this seriously at all, are you...?"
Jinbei: "That said, though... You say you're part of the same league,
but you don't know anything about the exact situation?"

 ―――この闡裡神社には先祖代々の式神がいる。
 その式神はどんなに寒い冬の雪夜でも、どんなに熱い夏の真っ昼間でも、
 丈の短い袖無し羽織、甚兵衛羽織を着ていることから、
 回りからは『ジンベイ』と呼ばれているようだが、
 その本名は両神主とも知らないのであった。

---The Senri Shrine had also employed a shikigami for several generations.
No matter whether it was a cold, snowy winter night or a sweltering midsummer day,
this shikigami always wore a short, sleeveless, single-layer jinbei-haori,
so those around them called them "Jinbei".
Neither of the head priests knew their true name.

  文門「それが・・・・まぁ色々あってねぇ」
 伊代真「文門さん、なんか部隊の連中から避けられてるんですよね」
  玄鳥「・・・・・新皇なのに?」
  文門「ま、まぁ・・・恐れ多くて新皇を敬遠したくなるのも分からんでもないけどね」
  藪雨「いじめられてるんじゃないの・・・?」
  文門「うっ...」
 伊代真「キミは意外と言い難い事をズバッと言うんだね」
  藪雨「えへへ~♪」
  玄鳥「・・・褒められてるのかは微妙なところだな」

Fumikado: "You see, there's been... uh, stuff, I guess."
Iyozane: "All the troops do seem to avoid you recently, Fumikado-san."
Tsubakura: "...Even though you're the New Emperor?"
Fumikado: "W-Well... I'm sure they're just keeping their distance out of respect for their emperor! Very understandable."
Yabusame: "That just sounds like you're getting bullied...?"
Fumikado: "Urgh..."
Iyozane: "You know, you're unexpectedly frank when it comes to making difficult comments like that."
Yabusame: "Eheheh~! ♪"
Tsubakura: "...Somewhat unsure as to whether they're actually complementing you or not."

 闡裡神社での多くの会話はたとえ短い用件を伝えるだけのハズのものでも、
 要領を得ずに脱線してしまいがちにあるため、往々にして会話が長引いてしまう傾向にある。

Most conversations at the Senri Shrine, even ones meant to just convey a short and simple fact,
tended to veer far away from the main topic, and at times took much longer than they ought to have.

  文門「とにかくだ!」

Fumikado: "ANYWAY!"

 そして往々にして、このように誰かが強引に話を元の軌道に戻す様子がまま見られる。

And at times, one could be seen thus dragging the conversation back to its original purpose.

  文門「話はしといたからな! お前らも身の安全を望むなら、
     あまり外を出歩かないほうがいいぞ」
  玄鳥「言われなくても外になんか出たくないけどなー」
  藪雨「ねー♪」
 伊代真「・・・ここの神社、本当に大丈夫なのかな?」
  文門「それでは私たちは帰らせてもらう・・・外にカボチャを待たせてるんでな」
  玄鳥「お前はシンデレラか?」

Fumikado: "Don't say we didn't warn you! If you value your safety too,
you shouldn't dawdle around outside too much."
Tsubakura: "I mean, I'd hardly want to go outside anyway, but okay."
Yabusame: "Yeah~! ♪"
Iyozane: "...Is this shrine really going to be okay like this?"
Fumikado: "Well, we ought to get going... got the pumpkin waitin' outside and all."
Tsubakura: "What are you, Cinderella?"

 その後、二言三言ばかり別れ際にお互いに憎まれ口たたいてようやく、
 自称新皇と自称関白は神社を後にした。

After the two parties traded a handful of parting insults with each other,
the self-proclaimed emperor and chief adviser finally left the shrine.



 だが、それと入れ替わりにまた来客があった。

However, their departure was punctuated by yet another guest.

 黒巫鳥「どうした、浮かない顔をしてるじゃないか?」

Kuroji: "What's wrong? Pretty long faces you've got there."

 縁側に座っているその来客は、背が平均より低めな玄鳥よりさらに一回り小さな身長であったが、
 態度だけは他の誰よりも大きいことを玄鳥は知っているようだった。

This new visitor sitting out on the veranda was a whole size shorter than Tsubakura, who was already
shorter than average, but Tsubakura knew that they boasted a bigger attitude than anyone else.

  玄鳥「・・・・・」
  藪雨「玄鳥が浮かない顔なのはいつも通りだよー」
 黒巫鳥「だから聞いたのさ、何もトラブルがなくて退屈してるのか?」
ジンベイ「今日は来客が多いですね」
 黒巫鳥「なるほどな、先客がいたのか」

Tsubakura: "........"
Yabusame: "Tsubakura's always got a long face!"
Kuroji: "Yes, that's why I'm asking. You sitting around bored with no trouble or anything?"
Jinbei: "We've had quite a few guests today."
Kuroji: "Ah, I see. I'm not the first arrival, then."

 『鵐 黒巫鳥(しとど くろじ)』は藪雨と玄鳥の外界での知り合いで、
 二人が无現里に来たときに巻き込まれてこの世界に来た。
 今では无現里の人里に学び舎を開設するために資金を集めているらしい。
 これだけ聞くと立派な人物だが、その資金集めの方法が様々な方面で物議を醸しているようだ。

Kuroji Shitodo was an acquaintance that Yabusame and Tsubakura knew from the outside world,
and had been dragged along with the two of them when they came to Mugenri.
It seemed that Kuroji was saving up funds to open a school in Mugenri's human village.
Described as such, they may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their fundraising methods appeared to be rather controversial on several fronts.

  玄鳥「なぁ、こういうの諺でなんて言うと思う?」
ジンベイ「『雨後の筍』ですか?」
  藪雨「うごごご....」
 黒巫鳥「『相手変われど主変わらず』か?」
  玄鳥「『一難去ってまた一難』だ」
 黒巫鳥「手厳しいな、せっかく会いに来てやったってのに」
  玄鳥「お前が来る時は決まって何か厄介事を持ち込んでくるんだ」
 黒巫鳥「・・・・・厄介事かどうか分からんが、一つ頼みがあってね」
  玄鳥「あー、その後ろの奴が関係してるのか?」

Tsubakura: "This reminds me of that one saying. How'd it go again?"
Jinbei: "'Bamboo shoots after rain'?"
Yabusame: "Ugohgohgoh..."
Kuroji: "'The more things change, the more they stay the same'?"
Tsubakura: "'Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'"
Kuroji: "Harsh, aren't you? And after I came all this way to see you."
Tsubakura: "Whenever you come calling, you bring some nuisance or another with you."
Kuroji: "...Well, I'm not sure whether it'll be a nuisance, but I have something to ask of you."
Tsubakura: "Ah. Got anything to do with your charges over there?"

 玄鳥の視線の先には、赤い髪をして片腕を押さえながらにやけている人物と、
 それを心配そうな目で見ている緑髪で青いフードをかぶった人物がいた。

Tsubakura's line of sight pointed towards a smirking, red-haired figure holding one arm,
and a green-haired figure in a blue hood who was watching the other with concern.

 黒巫鳥「そうだ、頬赤がちょっと負傷してな、お前なら治せるだろ?
     どうせすでに研究施設を作ってあるんだろ?」
  頬赤「いやー、まいったね・・・ボロ負けしちゃったよ」
  蒿雀「もう少しで三人ともやられるところだったね・・・」

Kuroji: "Yeah. Hooaka got roughed up a bit. You can patch them up, right?
I mean, you're bound to have a research facility set up already."
Hooaka: "Ehh, yeah, I'm not doin' great... Took a real beating out there."
Aoji: "All three of us would've been taken out if we didn't get away when we did..."

 『鵐 頬赤(しとど ほおあか)』と『鵐 蒿雀(しとど あおじ)』は黒巫鳥と血縁関係にあり、
 見知らぬ地で自給自足が出来るほどの要領がない為、黒巫鳥が二人を養っていた。
 これだけ聞くと黒巫鳥は立派な人物だが、その養う為の資金集めの方法が様々な方面で物議を醸している。

Hooaka Shitodo and Aoji Shitodo were Kuroji's blood relatives.
Since they were in an unknown land without much means of self-sufficiency, Kuroji was taking care of the two of them.
Described as such, Kuroji may have seemed like an outstanding person, but their methods of earning living expenditures were rather controversial on several fronts.

 玄鳥は頬赤の怪我の度合いをチラリと見て、一瞬真剣な顔つきになったが、すぐに元の三白眼に戻った。

Tsubakura took a glance at Hooaka's injuries. Their expression turned serious for just an instant, but their usual bored look immediately returned.

  玄鳥「・・・・右腕、肘から先が失くなっただけか、その程度ならすぐ治るだろう、こっちについて来い」

Tsubakura: "...You're just missing your right arm from the elbow down? I can fix that in no time. C'mon over this way."

 痛みに慣れているのか、冷や汗を流してはいるものの表情は柔らかいままの頬赤は、
 玄鳥に案内されるがままに神社の中へとついて行った。

Perhaps having gotten used to the pain, Hooaka's expression was still soft despite their cold sweat.
They followed Tsubakura into the shrine.

 二人が神社内に入っていくのを見送りながら、藪雨は驚いた顔を残りの鵐二人に向けた。

While watching the two of them disappear into the shrine, Yabusame turned to the remaining two Shitodos with a look of astonishment.

  藪雨「頬赤がやられるなんて、すっごい強い奴だったんだね!?」
 黒巫鳥「ん・・・まぁ、そういうことだね 中々苦戦させられた」
  蒿雀「・・・・・」

Yabusame: "If Hooaka got hurt that bad, whoever it was must've been SUPER strong, right?!"
Kuroji: "Mm... well, let's leave it at that. It was a pretty hard fight we had."
Aoji: "......"

 黒巫鳥はあからさまに何かを隠しているが、『藪雨はバカ』なのでそんなことすら気がつかなかった。
 その後も近状報告がてらに世間話をしていると、すぐに玄鳥と頬赤は戻ってきた。

Kuroji was obviously hiding something, but "Yabusame was a moron," so they didn't even notice that fact.
As they continued talking, partly asking about each other's recent situations and partly just making small talk, Tsubakura and Hooaka quickly returned.

 黒巫鳥「相変わらず仕事が早いな」
  玄鳥「言っとくが、高くつくぞ?」
 黒巫鳥「ちゃんと治ったのならな」
  蒿雀「大丈夫? アカ?」

Kuroji: "You work as fast as ever."
Tsubakura: "Just so you know, this is gonna cost you a whole lot."
Kuroji: "If you healed them properly, yes."
Aoji: "Aka? Are you okay?"

 蒿雀が頬赤に容態を聞くと、ぎこちない動きをしながら頬赤は答えた。

As Aoji asked them about their condition, Hooaka answered while moving around awkwardly.

  頬赤「オレ、ホオアカ、モウダイジョウブ」
  藪雨「わぉ! 頬赤がロボットみたいになってる!」
 黒巫鳥「・・・・これ、サイボーグかクローン人間と取り替えただけだろ?」
  玄鳥「俺は腕を人工生成したものと交換してやっただけだ」
  頬赤「ダイジョウブ、ヘイキヘイキ」
 黒巫鳥「・・・じゃあコレは頬赤がふざけてるだけか?」
  玄鳥「そういうことだ・・・・お前らの家系、すっげぇ面倒くさい」
  頬赤「アリガトナ、ツバクラ」

Hooaka: "ME. HOOAKA. ME. ALL. BETTER. NOW."
Yabusame: "Woah! Hooaka's turned all robot-like!"
Kuroji: "...You just switched them with a cyborg or a clone or something, didn't you?"
Tsubakura: "I just exchanged their arm for one I grew artificially. That's all."
Hooaka: "DON'T. WORRY. EVERYTHING'S. A-OKAY."
Kuroji: "...So Hooaka's just messing around, then."
Tsubakura: "Yes. ...Your household is such a pain, honestly."
Hooaka: "MANY. THANKS. TSUBAKURA."

 この頬赤は本物なのか偽者なのか、玄鳥の場合どちらの可能性もありえる。
 ・・・などと黒巫鳥は考えているようだが、考えたところで答えは出そうにないことを悟ったようで、
 黒巫鳥は考えを早々に切り上げることにしたみたいだ。

'It's Tsubakura we're dealing with, so it's equally plausible that this Hooaka could be real or a fake.'
...So Kuroji thought, but they soon realized that thinking the matter over wouldn't get them an answer any time soon,
and thus they quickly gave up on speculating.

 黒巫鳥「まぁとりあえず礼を言っておこう、こいつが使えないと色々不便だからな」
  玄鳥「礼なんかより治療費なんだが・・・まぁ樽酒500ってとこだな」

Kuroji: "Well, I ought to at least thank you. It'd be pretty inconvenient for us if Hooaka wasn't of any use."
Tsubakura: "I'd appreciate you paying your bill more than thanks... Well, about 500 sake casks ought to do it."

 サラッととんでもないことを言う悪徳神主に対して、極悪党の黒巫鳥は特に驚きもせずに答えた。

The crooked priest flippantly said something absolutely absurd, but master scoundrel Kuroji responded with hardly any surprise.

 黒巫鳥「治療代の代わりに、それ相応の情報をやろう」
  玄鳥「あん? きちんとお代に見合う内容なんだろうな?」
 黒巫鳥「もちろん」

Kuroji: "In place of the medical fee, I'll give you some equivalent information."
Tsubakura: "Eh? It better be just as valuable as the actual payment, you got that?"
Kuroji: "Naturally."

 玄鳥は信じていないようだった。

Tsubakura hardly believed them.

 だが、この人間が素直に金を払うはずがないことも理解していたため、
 結局は情報を聞くこと選択したようだ。

However, they already understood that Kuroji would never honestly pay money,
so they chose to let it slide and hear about the info.

 『大空の器に酒を注ぎ入れ、ちゃちな思想にプライドをブレンドした時、天が鏡を割るだろう』

"When sake is poured into the vessel of the skies, and cheap ideas and pride are blended in, Heaven shall surely split the mirror."

  藪雨「なに、それ?」
 黒巫鳥「巷で仕入れた噂だ、酒好きのお前なら飛びつくネタだろ?」
  玄鳥「ふーん、鏡割りねぇ・・・確かに良さそうだが・・・」
  藪雨「どういうことなの?」
  玄鳥「酒に関する噂かもしれないってことだ」
  藪雨「えぇ!? じゃあ良いじゃん!」
 黒巫鳥「だろ?」
  玄鳥「しかし不思議だなぁ? 何故、お前自身が行かない? 大好物の儲け話じゃないか、これは?」
 黒巫鳥「妙な偏見で見られるのは心外だが、まぁそれは置いといてやろう」
  蒿雀「僕たちは少し別の用事があるから、噂の真偽を調べられそうにないんです」
  玄鳥「ほー、だからこの情報を治療代として役立てようってわけか、まるで廃物利用だな」
 黒巫鳥「せっかく得た情報だ、最大限に有効活用するのが得策だろ?」
  玄鳥「まぁいいか、わかったよ、今回はオマケにしといてやる」

Yabusame: "What the heck's that?"
Kuroji: "A rumor I heard down on the street. Sounds like a golden opportunity for an alcohol lover like you, right?"
Tsubakura: "Hmph. Kagami-wari, huh... That does sound good, I'll admit..."
Yabusame: "What do you mean?"
Tsubakura: "I mean it's a rumor that could be related to sake."
Yabusame: "Whaa?! Then that's great, right?!"
Kuroji: "Yeah, right?"
Tsubakura: "But isn't this a little strange, hm? Why aren't you going out there to investigate? Isn't this one of your beloved get-rich-quick schemes?"
Kuroji: "I can't say I appreciate your strange presumptions about me, but I suppose I'll let it slide."
Aoji: "We've got a bit of other business to take care of, so we don't have time to investigate whether the rumor's true."
Tsubakura: "Ahh, so you figured this info would come in handy to pay your medical bill? Nice way to repurpose unneeded waste."
Kuroji: "We did go to some lengths to get this information. It's only wise to make the best use of it we can, right?"
Tsubakura: "Well, whatever. I gotcha. This time's on the house."

 そんな交渉と呼べるのか分からない話を済ますと、
 黒巫鳥はふとジンベイの方を見た。

As they finished this negotiation-- though whether one could even call it that
was up in the air-- Kuroji glanced over at Jinbei.

 黒巫鳥「ところで、キミが闡裡神社の式神か・・・初見となるな」
ジンベイ「初めましてじゃないですよねー、柿泥棒さん」

Kuroji: "So, by the way, you're the Senri Shrine's shikigami...? First time we've met."
Jinbei: "Oh, this is most certainly not our first meeting, dear persimmon bandit."

 薄ら笑いを浮かべながらも、怒りの眼差しでこちらを見つめるジンベイから、
 流石の黒巫鳥も目をそらしていた。

A thin smile drifted across Jinbei's face, but their eyes showed absolute fury.
Even Kuroji found themselves having to glance away.

 黒巫鳥「・・・・何の話だか」
ジンベイ「別に気にしなくていいんですよ? きちんと数も記録してありますので、
     いずれなんらかの形で支払ってもらいますから、絶対」
 黒巫鳥「ここの式神は随分とケチなんだな、玄鳥」

Kuroji: "...What ever could you mean?"
Jinbei: "It's not that big of a deal, really? I've kept a very thorough count, you see,
so I'll just have you pay for them eventually, one way or another. FOR. SURE."
Kuroji: "This shikigami of yours is quite stingy, Tsubakura."

 話を逸らしたいのか、黒巫鳥は急に話題を玄鳥にふった。

Kuroji hurriedly passed the ball to Tsubakura, probably wanting to change the topic.

  玄鳥「ケチじゃなくて、超々ドレッドノート級のケチだ」
 黒巫鳥「そいつは苦労が多いだろうな、同情してやる」
ジンベイ「私に聞こえるように言うからには、覚悟があるってことですよね?」

Tsubakura: "They're not stingy. They're super hyper dreadnought-class stingy."
Kuroji: "Must be a lot of trouble, that. I can't help but sympathize."
Jinbei: "If you're saying that loud enough for me to hear it, I assume you're prepared for any consequences?"

 その言葉を軽く聞き流した黒巫鳥は、さてと、っと言って立ち上がった。

"Well then," Kuroji said as they stood up, paying little heed to Jinbei's words.

 黒巫鳥「それじゃあ、これ以上ここにいる理由もなさそうだし、そろそろ行くとする」
  玄鳥「もう来んなよ」
 黒巫鳥「ウチの奴らが怪我しなければな」

Kuroji: "I suppose there's not much reason for us to hang around any longer, so why don't we take our leave?"
Tsubakura: "An' don't come back!"
Kuroji: "Assuming none of us gets injured again, sure."

 そうそう、っと黒巫鳥はポケットから小銭を少しだけ取り出し、縁側に向かって放り投げた。

"Oh yes, that's right," Kuroji said as they took out some change from their pocket and tossed it toward the veranda.

 黒巫鳥「流石に全く払わないというのも寝起きが悪いからな、コレだけは払ってやる」
  玄鳥「お前にしちゃ珍しいな、っと一応言っておこう」

Kuroji: "I'd hardly be able to sleep soundly if I didn't pay anything, so help yourself to this much."
Tsubakura: "I'll just say 'that's rare coming from you' and leave it at that."

 団子1つも買えそうにないことは、直接見なくても、縁側で跳ねる小銭の音だけで判断できた。

Even without looking at the coins, one could tell from the sound of them clattering on the wood that they wouldn't buy even a single dango.

 黒巫鳥「これで貸し借りなしだな」
  玄鳥「んなわけねぇだろ」

Kuroji: "And with that, we'll call it even."
Tsubakura: "Pft, like hell."

 玄鳥の反論を無視して黒巫鳥は、それじゃあな、っと頬赤と蒿雀を連れて帰ってしまった。

Ignoring Tsubakura's retort, Kuroji turned with a brief "well, see you," and left with Hooaka and Aoji in tow.

 ―――異変に気がついたのは藪雨だった。

---Yabusame was the first to notice the anomaly.

  藪雨「ねーねー、ツバ~ これすっごいよー」

Yabusame: "Hey, hey, Tsuba~! Come look, this is so cool!"

 何かを発見した藪雨は玄鳥に話しかけた。
 玄鳥も藪雨の見ているほうを見ると、少しだけ驚いたようだった。
 そして何となくうんざりしているようにも見えた。

It seemed that Yabusame had discovered something.
As Tsubakura followed their gaze, they briefly showed a look of surprise.
...Then they just looked vaguely annoyed.

 先ほど黒巫鳥が放り投げた小銭・・・・・それら全てが裏も表も出さずに『立っていた』のだ。
 倒れることなく少しずつ転がっていく小銭を見ながら、玄鳥は

The change that Kuroji had tossed a second ago... every single coin was standing on its edge, not landing on either heads nor tails.
As they watched the coins slowly continue rolling without falling over, Tsubakura thought:

 あいつ、くだらねぇ隠し芸を身につけたなぁ・・・

Wow, they sure picked up some lame party trick...

 っと、消極的にだが黒巫鳥を賞賛した。

...half-heartedly praising Kuroji.

 ―――だが、その光景を誰よりも驚いて見ていたのはジンベイだった。

---However, the one who was most surprised by this sight was Jinbei.

 そしてジンベイが驚いている理由は、他の二人とは違っていた。

And Jinbei was surprised for a far different reason than the other two.

ジンベイ「そうですか・・・そろそろ頃合だとは思ってましたが・・・・」

Jinbei: "I see... I did think it'd be about time..."

 そう呟きながら、ジンベイは音も立てずに神社の中へ消えて言った。

As Jinbei muttered to themself, they disappeared into the depths of the shrine without a sound.



 ~●---闡裡神社、参道にて---●~

~---At the Senri Shrine Road---~

  闡裡神社からの帰り道、鵐一家はこれからのことについて話していた。

On their way back from the shrine, the Shitodo family discussed what to do next.

  頬赤「っで、これからどこに行く? 黒じぃ」
 黒巫鳥「もちろん噂の宝と思われるものを取りに行く、そして"黒じぃ"はやめろ」

Hooaka: "So, where are we goin' now? Kuro-jii."
Kuroji: "We're heading out to collect that rumored treasure, of course. And quit calling me 'Kuro-jii'."

 その言葉に、蒿雀は意外そうな顔をしていた。

Aoji seemed somewhat surprised at Kuroji's words.

  蒿雀「えっ? けど今日は危険だから遠出はしないんじゃなかったの?」
  頬赤「なんか戦争ごっこもおっぱじめてるみたいだしな」
 黒巫鳥「戦争ごっこはどうでもいいが、問題は他にある」
  蒿雀「やっぱり"あいつ"の狙いって・・・」

Aoji: "Huh? But I thought we weren't gonna go out very far because it's dangerous today?"
Hooaka: "Looks like some kind of mock war is startin' up around here, yeah."
Kuroji: "The war games are nothing to worry about. The real problem is elsewhere."
Aoji: "So they must be targeting..."

 蒿雀が"あいつ"っという人称代名詞を使ったとき、黒巫鳥、頬赤両名の顔が少し曇った。

Kuroji and Hooaka's expressions both clouded, for they knew exactly who Aoji was referring to.

 黒巫鳥「まぁ"奴"は玄鳥が動けばそっちに釣られるだろう」
  頬赤「だから玄鳥を嗾けたってわけね」
 黒巫鳥「"あいつ"の相手ができるのはあの二人ぐらいだろうからな」
  蒿雀「どうだろうねぇ・・・ 大丈夫かなぁ・・・?」

Kuroji: "Well, if Tsubakura makes any move, they'll be lured over that way."
Hooaka: "Which is why you went and goaded Tsubakura, right?"
Kuroji: "Those two are about the only ones who can stand up to them, after all."
Aoji: "Hrrm, I wonder... Are you sure it'll be okay...?"

 不安かつ心配する蒿雀をよそに、黒巫鳥は自分の話を進めた。

Kuroji continued their own line of conversation, regardless of Aoji's unease.

 黒巫鳥「どちらにせよ、奴と再び鉢合うようなことがないように警戒しつつ、宝をもらう」
  頬赤「つまりいつも通り、極悪人するってことだな」
  蒿雀「まだまだ罪を重ねていくんだね・・・」
 黒巫鳥「歴史と同じで、積み重ねていくことで価値を成すものなのだよ」

Kuroji: "Regardless, we'll just head out to get that treasure while making sure not to run into them again."
Hooaka: "So we'll be committing our usual villainy, then!"
Aoji: "Welp, time to pile on yet more crimes..."
Kuroji: "The true value of which is demonstrated through repetition, much the same as history."

 黒巫鳥の自己正当化が本気でないことは十分に理解しつつも、蒿雀は言わずにはいられなかった。

While they understood that Kuroji wasn't honestly trying to justify their actions, Aoji couldn't help but comment.

  蒿雀「絶対違う」

Aoji: "You've definitely got that wrong."



 ~●---再び闡裡神社、境内にて---●~

~---Back at the Senri Shrine grounds---~

  玄鳥「『立つ鳥跡を濁さず』って言うが・・・ありゃ絶対嘘だな」
  藪雨「濁しまくりだね~」
  玄鳥「ああいうのがいるから、最近このあたりが不穏なんじゃないか?」
  藪雨「黒巫鳥さんが原因なの!?」
  玄鳥「一枚噛んでる、ぐらいは考えていいかもしれないな」

Tsubakura: "They say 'no bird fouls a nest it soon leaves'... but that's totally bogus, right."
Yabusame: "They fouled this place right up~!"
Tsubakura: "Isn't it because of people like them that it's been so uneasy around here lately?"
Yabusame: "You mean it's all Kuroji-san's fault?!"
Tsubakura: "Might be good to assume they've got at least some hand in it, yeah."

 本気で言っているのか分からないが、玄鳥は相変わらずやる気のない顔をしていた。

While one couldn't tell if they were being serious, Tsubakura's expression was as bored as usual.

 シオン「シオンちゃんとうじょー!」
  玄鳥「おぅぶ!」

Shion: "SHION-CHAN APPEEEARS!"
Tsubakura: "Oof!"

 突然後頭部に重い物体が飛びかかってきて、危うく吹っ飛ばされそうになった玄鳥だったが、
 何とか縁側からは落ちずに踏ん張っていた。

Tsubakura was nearly sent flying as something heavy slammed into the back of their head,
but they just barely managed to keep their footing without falling off the porch.

  玄鳥「・・・・・なんでお前が神社の奥から出てきてるんだ?」
 シオン「ツバクラに会いに来たんだよ♪」
  藪雨「シオンちゃ~ん、どうやって出てきたの?」

Tsubakura: "...Why'd you come flying out from the back the shrine?"
Shion: "I came here to see you, Tsubakura! ♪"
Yabusame: "Shion-cha~n, how did you get out?"

 二人から『シオン』と呼ばれているこの子供は、以前起きた異変が原因で生まれた魂の融合体で、
 ヒトの魂をエサにして生きているため、廃人を量産しないために神社内部で管理されおり、
 普段は神社の奥でしか行動できないように封印されていて、縁側にもこれないはずだった。

The child that the two called "Shion" was a conglomerate of souls created in a previous incident.
They ate people's souls for food, so they were kept under control in the shrine to prevent an outbreak of victims.
Normally, they were sealed so that they couldn't move away from the depths of the shrine, and should've been unable to come to the veranda.

ジンベイ「私が封印を緩めました」
  玄鳥「・・・なしてそんな面倒くさいことを?」

Jinbei: "I loosened their seal."
Tsubakura: "...And why would you do something so troublesome?"

 玄鳥の帽子にしがみつくシオンの体重を首だけ支えながら、玄鳥は何とか体勢を元にもどした。

While using their head to support the entire weight of Shion, who was clinging to their hat, Tsubakura somehow managed to straighten back up.

ジンベイ「今回はできれば大勢で行ったほうがいいでしょう、ですのでシオンさんも是非」
  玄鳥「いつの間に俺たちが出かける話になったんデス?」
ジンベイ「玄鳥さんも健康の為に、たまには外に出て戦争でもしてくればいいんじゃないですか?」
 シオン「ツバクラの引きこもり~」
  玄鳥「軟禁されてるお前に言われたくない」

Jinbei: "Right now, it'd be best to travel in large groups if possible, so please take Shion-san along if you please."
Tsubakura: "And may I inquire as to when we said we'd be heading outside today?"
Jinbei: "Going outside and fighting in a war or something once in a while would be good for your health. Right, Tsubakura-san?"
Shion: "Tsubakura's a shut-iiin!"
Tsubakura: "I'd really rather not hear that from someone under house arrest."

 頭の上でシオンがゆらゆらと揺れる度にそれに追従して頭がゆらゆら揺らされている玄鳥が反論した。

Tsubakura argued back, waving their head back and forth in time with Shion floating overhead.

  藪雨「シオンちゃんは外に出たがってるもんね~?」
 シオン「そうだよ! ツバクラとは大違い!」 
  玄鳥「へーへー、そうですか」

Yabusame: "Shion-chan must want to go outside too, right~?"
Shion: "Yeah! Unlike Tsubakura over here!"
Tsubakura: "My, my, is that so."

 やさぐれている玄鳥を横目に、ジンベイは境内の空を見回しながらぼやいた

As they cast an aside glance at the sulking Tsubakura, Jinbei looked up at the sky over the grounds and murmured something.

ジンベイ「それと・・・どうやら厄介なことになってるみたいですので、それを何とかお願いします」
  玄鳥「はぁ? なんデス、厄介なことって?」
ジンベイ「まぁそこらへんを歩いてれば見つかるでしょう」

Jinbei: "In addition... it seems that something rather dangerous is going on, so I'd like you to do something about it."
Tsubakura: "Hmmm? And may I ask as to whatever this dangerous thing could be?"
Jinbei: "Well, if you walk around over there, you'll probably see it."

 なんていい加減な指示を出すんだこのガキは・・・・・
 っと、おそらく年上である式神に対して、玄鳥はそんな目をむけていた。

Ugh, god, can this kid's directions get any more vague...?
---So thought Tsubakura as they glowered at the shikigami (who was probably many years their senior).

  玄鳥「シオンも使うってことは、神社を空けるほど大げさなことってわけなのかデス?」
ジンベイ「少なくとも、舐めてかからない方がいいですよ、今回は」
  藪雨「楽しみだね~」
 シオン「久しぶりに散歩だね~」
  玄鳥「・・・・・俺は嫌な予感しかしない」

Tsubakura: "And may I be so bold as to presume that since Shion's coming with us, whatever's happening is important enough to justify leaving the shrine empty?"
Jinbei: "At the very least, you shouldn't let your guard down this time."
Yabusame: "I'm so excited~!"
Shion: "This is the first time we've gone for a walk in a while!"
Tsubakura: "...I've got nothing but bad feelings about this."

 闡裡神社神主、戦地に向かってようやくの出陣であった。

And so the priests of the Senri Shrine finally depart for the battlefield.



 ~●---闡裡神社、とある場所にて---●~

~---A particular spot at the Senri Shrine---~

  宿禰「しかし、どうやって仕返ししてやろうかにゃー、
     今日一日だけで奇襲はもう21回も失敗してるっちゅーに」
  セセ「正面から奇襲してもダメだってことだなー」

Sukune "But jusht how should we get back at them, nyah?
We've already failed at 21 surprise attacks just today."
Sese "Trying to ambush them from the front won't work, huh..."

 『片埜 宿禰(かたの すくね)』に『乞骸 セセ(きつがい せせ)』
 闡裡神社の神主達に仕返しを企てているこの妖怪たちは、神社のとある場所で影を潜めていた。

Sukune Katano and Sese Kitsugai. This pair of youkai was currently hiding somewhere
around the Senri Shrine, plotting revenge on the shrine's head priests.

  宿禰「背後だってダメだったじゃにゃいかー」
  セセ「そうじゃなくて、力比べじゃ勝ち目がないってことだー 今はまだな」

Sukune: "Yeah, but tryin' to ambush'em from the back didn't work either!"
Sese: "No, not that-- tryin' to beat them with sheer strength won't work. For now, at least."

 セセの発言に宿禰は首をひねった。

Sukune tilted their head at Sese's remark.

  宿禰「そんぎゃー料理対決でもするってのかぢぇ~? 腕にゃー自身があるんだぎゃのー」
  セセ「それより! あいつらより先にお宝を見つけちゃう・・・ってのはムカつくんじゃないか?」
  宿禰「なるほど! 流石セセにょ、頭蓋骨の中身がいいにょ」
  セセ「けどセセ達だけじゃ怖いんだぞー・・・・」
  宿禰「う~ん・・・そうだぎゃにゃ」

Sukune: "Ooh, then how's about we challenge 'em to a cook-off~? I'm real proud of my skills, gyah!"
Sese: "Or, even better! We could find the treasure before they do... that'd really make 'em mad, right?"
Sukune: "That's perfect! You've got a real good brain in that skull, Sese."
Sese: "But with just you and Sese, it'd be pretty scary out there..."
Sukune: "Mmm... that's true, nyah."

 解決策が見つからないまま、妖怪二人は身を隠しながらくすぶっているようだった。

The two youkai continued fuming in hiding, unable to find a solution for the time being.



 ~●---闡裡神社、縁側にて---●~

~---At the Senri Shrine veranda---~

 しばらくして・・・闡裡神社には再び、新しい来客があった。

Some time passed... and a new visitor again came to the shrine.

  天堺「ん~なんだ~? あの二人は留守かい?
     せっかく饅頭でもお裾分けされに来てやったってのに~ 薄皮がよかったなぁ」

Tenkai: "Mm~? What's this? Those two are out right now?
And here I was going to share some manju buns with them. They've got a nice thin skin and everything..."

 『瑞風 天堺(ずいふぉん てんかい)』は先代神主の『闡裡 鶴喰(せんり つるばみ)』の片腕であった。
 現在は結界屋に属している結界師で、藪雨・玄鳥の両神主とも面識はあった。
 天堺はその両神主に用があるようだったが、二人はすでにジンベイに追い出された後だった。

Tenkai Zuifeng was the right-hand man of the previous head priest, Tsurubami Senri.
They were a barrier builder currently working for a barrier-building company, and were acquainted with both Yabusame and Tsubakura.
Tenkai had some business with the two priests, but they had both been chased out by Jinbei already.

ジンベイ「・・・おや~、久しぶりですね天堺の糞ガキ、相変わらず結界の扱いが下手糞だと聞いてますよぉ」

Jinbei: "...Oh my, if it isn't that brat Tenkai! It's been a while. I hear that you've been handling the barriers as crappily as ever~."

 天堺を確認するなり、縁側に座っていたジンベイは悪っぽい顔でニヤけた。

Jinbei, sitting on the veranda, grinned mischievously as they registered Tenkai's presence.

  天堺「初手での毒舌、相変わらず惚れ惚れするねぇ、闡裡ってのはいつもこうだ」
ジンベイ「鶴喰様がいなくなった今、もうここには用がないんじゃなかったんですか?」
  天堺「最近そうでもないみたいでな」
ジンベイ「へぇ」
  天堺「二人に土産話があったんだがなぁ・・・留守なら仕方ない」
ジンベイ「・・・気に入りましたか? あの二人」
  天堺「別にそういうわけじゃ・・・って、ん?」

Tenkai: "Venom right off the bat! As charming as ever, I must say. That's Senri for you."
Jinbei: "I thought you wouldn't have any business here, now that Tsurubami-sama is no longer with us?"
Tenkai: "Well, it seems like that hasn't been the case as of late."
Jinbei: "Ah."
Tenkai: "I wanted to talk and share souvenirs with those two... but if they're out, oh well."
Jinbei: "...Have you, by any chance, taken an interest in the two of them?"
Tenkai: "It's not anything like that... wait, huh?"

 ―――天堺がここで言葉を途切らせたのは、視界の中に異変があったからだった。
 ジンベイが座っている縁側の下、丁度ジンベイの足元から
 四つの小さな光の点が蠢いていたからだ。

---Tenkai broke off their sentence, as they had noticed something strange in their field of view.
Beneath the veranda where Jinbei sat, right around Jinbei's feet,
there were four points of light wriggling in the darkness.

 その光と"目が合った"とき、その光が何者かの『目』であることがわかった。
 それと同時にジンベイの股の間から、二つの影が天堺目掛けて勢い良く飛び出してきた。 

They realized that those lights were somebody's eyes right as they made eye contact.
At that exact moment, two figures shot out from between Jinbei's legs and flew straight at Tenkai.

  セセ「天堺だー!!」
  宿禰「天堺にょー!!」

Sese: "IT'S TENKAAAI!!"
Sukune: "It's Tenkai, nyo!!"

 影の正体だった二人は、勢いを殺さぬまま天堺の両腕にそれぞれしがみ付いた。

The two of them clung to Tenkai's arms, not slowing down in the slightest.

  天堺「うぉっぷ!」

Tenkai: "WAUGH!"

 不意をつかれた結界師は、ニュートンの運動方程式に従って二人と一緒に後方に吹き飛んだ。
 急に体の重心を後ろに追いやられたせいで足を滑らせたが、
 地面に体を打ち付けることはなく、そのまま二人に両腕をしがみ付かれたまま引きずられる形で、
 縁側から・・・そして神社そのものから離されていった。

Obeying Newton's equation of motion, the surprised barrier builder flew backwards with the two youkai.
Thanks to their center of gravity being suddenly pulled backwards, they lost their footing,
but instead of slamming to the ground, they were dragged through the air by the two stragglers on their arms,
flying far away from the veranda... and eventually the shrine as a whole.

  天堺「ちょ、ちょっと、なぁんなんだぁぁぁあ!!?」

Tenkai: "Hey, HEY, WOAH, WHY ARE YOOOOU---?!?"

 天堺の疑問の叫び声に対する返答は「お前強い、手伝え」「手伝うにゃ」
 っといった要領の得ない答えだった。

Tenkai's desperately shouting was only answered with nonsensical cries
of "You're strong! Help us!" and "You're gonna help us, nyah!".

 ―――かくして、神社から引きずり出されていく天堺を遠方に見遣りながら、
 ジンベイは茶を一口啜り、ため息を吐いた。

---Thus did Jinbei watch from the shrine as Tenkai was dragged far away.
They had a sip of tea, and sighed.

 ふと、すぐ先の地面に目をやると、紙に包まれた箱が一つぽつんと落ちていた。
 どうやら天堺が持ってきていたお土産のようだった。
 おそらく中身は饅頭だろう、薄皮の。

They then glanced at the ground right in front of them, where a single paper-wrapped box was sitting.
It appeared to be the souvenir that Tenkai had brought over.
Most likely the manju buns they mentioned, with the thin skins.

 ジンベイはジトっとそれを見ながら口からこぼれるように

Jinbei stared at the box, and muttered:

 「いつからここは保育園になったんでしょーかね」

"Just when, exactly, did this shrine turn into a nursery school?"

 っと呟いた。

---under their breath.

 そしてジンベイは不敵な笑みを浮かべていた。
 その姿はまるで『保育園なら、きちんと教養してやらないとな・・・・』
 っとでも思っているかのように見えた。

Then they grinned, audaciously.
As if they were thinking,
"Well, if this is a nursery school, we'd better give them a proper education..."



 ここまでが、あの時の出来事のプロローグってとこかな

---So. I guess that about wraps up the prologue to all the stuff that happened then?

 "あいつ"は『今回も玄鳥様の活躍を記せるのね♪』

They said, "Looks like I've got another opportunity to record Tsubakura-sama's exploits! ♪"...

 な~んて言ってたけど、それも殺すときの楽しみを増やすためなんだろうね

...But I figure that's just to make it more fun when they get around to killing 'em.

 .....いい性格してるよ、ほんとに

...They have really got a stellar personality, don't they.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Kagami-wari (鏡割り, lit. 'mirror-splitting') refers to the ceremonial splitting open of a sake barrel.
  2. Originally a pun on 陽気 ("haze") and 妖気 ("mysterious air"), both pronounced youki.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Interview with JynX (2017): Development and Design Decisions, Question 101