Book 13 Prologue 凍雪夜 Trans-summary

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 鍋島/锅岛 Nabeshima; 佐賀/佐贺 Saga; 霞关Kasumigaseki; 縣立城北/县立城北 Kenritsu Jouhoku
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

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As dawn broke, snow began to fall by the lakeside.
There were no passing vehicles, just a silence as though the lakeside was frozen. On the opposite side of the deep green lake, an indistinct mountain range could be seen to be covered with a layer of white snow. The silence almost caused one's ears to ache.

A dock, the sound of the small waves could gradually be heard. Gazing at the surface of the lake that had not completely frozen, he stood on the front edge of the dock.
That was a man wearing a white sweater that was fairly contrasting, tall and standing upright, possessing all five of his senses. Even though he wore a warm feather-lined overcoat, as he did not have any gloves on, the exposed outer surface of his hands would soon freeze.

With a slight creaking sound, the door of the rest cabin opened.

"Perhaps it would be better to come inside?"

The words that reached the man's back, came from one who was older than him, a man wearing a hat and a thick woolen overcoat. The corners of his face were prominent, his nose was a little hooked, he was about more than 35 years of age. Despite being senior to the other man, the way of his speech and mannerisms seemed to indicate that he was the subordinate of that man.

"The wind outside could cause injury to the body, you have only just recovered from a serious indisposition, you should look after yourself."

"It's alright. I want to breathe some of the outside air."

"You must not push yourself. This is the most important period. Please come inside the room."

The man thought, 'He truly likes to worry', and smiled quietly. As a matter of fact, the condition of his body was not completely ideal yet. Even though his physical strength was in slow recovery, he still needed more time before he could move around normally.

"It's alright. This air temperature is just right for adjusting the spiritual bearing. I will not exert myself, do not worry."

"Adjusting the wavelength?"

The subordinate immediately exhibited a solemn expression.

"How is your condition? ...Did the synchronization go smoothly?"

"Mmm. Seems like the wavelength was identical in the first place. This is the most perfect one. So much that at times I would even forget that my own body is right here."

The man said with a deep smooth voice.

"Perhaps it has something to do with the land in this location. This place is capable of serving as a suitable antenna. The soul's condition is also at its optimum level. My sensory capacity is extremely high. You really found a good place for me."

'Hakkai'. The man who was the subordinate.

The subordinate shook his head frankly.

"No. It was not I who chose it for you... It was that lord."

"That's true."

The man lowered his gaze, his head slowly stooped down.

"How is their situation? Did anything interesting happen after that?"

"The events of Nabeshima have already been settled. The ringleader was exorcised, after forcing the group into submission, the new white-robed ladies were sent to Saga. They are currently engaged in battle with Nagano of Kanto."

"There's no mistaking him..."

The man uttered, smiling. He breathed the ice-cold air beside the lake into his windpipes, the man coughed slightly. At the same time he felt a small pain in his chest, his body cringed slightly.

"Are you alright?"

"Mmm. ...Don't mind me. Sorry to have worried you."

"I am only doing what I ought to do. I am your subordinate. To obey your orders, assist you, become your arms and legs, that is my task."

"Task..?"

The man smiled mockingly.

"Well said. I know one who used these words as an excuse, a man who has lived for 400 years."

"..."

"But even if he were to lose this excuse, he would definitely continue to live on. No matter how much he seeks death, he would definitely continue to live in order to save himself."

"..."

"--Because he still lives."

The ice-cold wind blew across the white birch forest. The subordinate Hakkai, calmly gazed at the back of the man who endured the blast of cold wind and stared at the lake.

"Regarding that matter, are you still confused over it?"

"..."

"What do you plan to do?"

The man's expression became pained, he quietly concealed the brown of his eyes.

"If you were in my shoes, would you be able to come to a decision immediately? Hakkai."

"I..."

The subordinate mumbled, for a moment he paused in his words, then promptly replied with determination.

"If it was the dying wish of that lord."

"You will follow it?"

Asked in this way all of a sudden with such a severe tone, Hakkai became silent. The man wrinkled his brows and inclined his head to listen to the sound of the waves by the lake. Countless white snowflakes disappeared into the dusky lake. From the apparent rift in the clouds, the snow glided down onto his shoulders, and melted away in a soundless, dismal way.

From the dock, while staring at the landscape of the boundless valleys in between the mountains and the vast lake, he recalled the few occasions when he had seen this lonesome scene, the appearance of that grieved and distressed figure of his back appeared before his eyes, the man muttered lowly.

"--Perhaps it can't be said for sure that he is feeling lonely."

The man calmly extended his hand into the air, receiving a snowflake that floated down. The arm that could only grasp the ice-cold air seemed to bend as though it wanted to embrace someone, the man clutched the snowflake in his trembling fist to his chest. After calmly closing his eyes, he murmured in a low voice.

The subordinate could not hear it.

The man hummed the words deeply, wrinkling his brow in pain, then once again gazed in the direction of the vast lake among the deep mountains.
The pure white snow screened his line of sight. The quiet, heavenly lake appeared willing to bear the longing of the people and melt it away. Only deeply, silently, existing in that place.

***

---

- character introduced: Shidehara
- location now switches to one corner of the Kasumigaseki building, the division responsible for the nation's public security known as the special ops department; this department is only set up during certain times of need, responsible for investigating unusual occurrences all over the place
- because the governing body would analyze each case and then nominate one who is most suited for the job hence it isn't permanent; all the investigations are carried out by the most fit experts so it doesn't matter if the one called is an official personnel or an ordinary person, all that matters is that he/she fits the appointment
- from the moment the investigation team is set up all the way until it's disbanded, the investigators have the permission to do anything that's necessary; the members can also resort to expedient methods to get the case solved
- the operations department was recently established due to happenings from a year ago; their goal is to reveal the reasons behind the abnormal occurrences at the 'Strange Area Designated #36'
- the head of this investigation is one of the best in the division, Sakaki Shuuichi
- this day Sakaki was called by the head of the nation's public security division, Shidehara, for a meeting in the committee room
- apparently the investigation has run into some difficulties - that every strange event in '#36' has been attributed to a curse laid by spirits; Sakaki has always believed that this was impossible in reality; Shidehara shares his thoughts
- they are currently investigating the strange things that had happened at Matsumoto, Sendai, Nikko, Hagi and Hiroshima, in particular the occurrences at Sendai and Nikko
- both of them refuse to accept that there's something supernatural going on despite the evidence, they adamantly believe there is some scientific explanation for it
- time to question witnesses; Shidehara has made an appointment with one member of parliament at Matsumoto, Ueshima; he asks Sakaki to join him
- Shidehara then shows Sakaki a picture of Takaya taken on a harbor, he has identified him as someone related to all the strange incidents; he knows his name, where he stays plus, the fact that he's a student of Kenritsu Jouhoku high school; there have been rumors of a young man who rode a dragon at Miyajima
- but Sakaki thinks the 'dragon' rumor is something that the media blew out of proportion; Shidehara intends to track him down to interview as a witness
- then there is a knock on the door, a lady around 30 years of age wearing a two-piece suit like an office lady, she's sexy looking, slender, well-proportioned woman wearing deep blue high-heels; Shidehara had been waiting for her
- she is Nikaidou Reiko, newly appointed as an investigator and will be joining the '#36' team; she has spiritual abilities; Shidehara introduces her to Sakaki
- they greet but Nikaidou detects come contempt in Sasaki's tone, glares at him
- Sakaki speaks like he is thankful for an assistant
- Nikaidou immediately has a task, which is may or may not have something to do with '#36', involving curses
- Nikaidou becomes serious; Shidehara lets her in on the details, including Sakaki

---

***

Numerous lightning-like rays of light crackled in the darkness of the night. At times, when his Goshinha was hit, a splintering sound would be issued followed by a discharge of sparks. But he was undaunted and continued to hunt down the runaway who was fleeing ahead of him.

"Nnhh...!"

Now, the tall cement walls towered over him. This was the end of the warehouse street. The runaway looked behind with a fearful expression. There was no way out.

"Looks like this is it for you, Nagano Narimori."

Hearing the voice, the runaway was startled.
Flickering in the darkness was a pair of tiger eyes.
Ougi Takaya recovered his breath and slowly closed in on the cornered runaway.

"Damn you... Uesugi...!"

"Stop with this senseless resistance, give it up already. You probably don't want to suffer anymore right?"

"Who is going to surrender to a person like you!"

The runaway, puttng up a struggle like he was about to die, shouted.

"This place won't be our 'end'! Before the hateful snow falls, no matter how many times I descend into Hell I will climb out once again!"

"Do you really want to go to Hell that much?"

Takaya's eyes twinkled in the darkness, he slowly accumulated his powers.

"...Your life, had already ended 400 years ago. If you want to return, why don't you wait for yourself to be reincarnated."

"I am Nagano Narimori! Nagano Narimori is not 'finished' yet!"

Narimori's eyes filled with streaks of blood as he shouted out in this way, gathering up his final strength.

"I will kill you and send you to Hell!"

"!"

Boom!
A thunderous sound, a force of gravity that appeared to want to gouge the asphalt road was stirring up from his feet. The unimaginable weight of this power took Takaya by surprise.

"Ahhhhhh---!"

Narimori's body released a golden luminosity, numerous brutal arrows of light were fired at Takaya.

"Nnhh!"

Takaya set up a Goshinha. The wave of arrows struck him like rain. When cornered, a person's final resistance would no doubt be a display of incredible strength.

"Why don't you go to Hell! Uesugi--!"

Narimori increased his power. Takaya, clenching his teeth and using all of his strength to resist with a Goshinha, unconsciously grew stern. From the depths of his own body arose the powers of exorcism...!

"This is it, Narimori...!"

Before the overwhelming energy of Takaya's power, Narimori's face stiffened in terror. But at that instant, Takaya's body shook violently, he widened his eyes in shock.

What...!

Takaya's instinct felt a danger, not of the enemy but rather, of himself. A feeling that something within himself had loosened and was flying about madly.

"Ah...ah!"

Takaya felt his powers swell up inside his body as though it wanted to push open the floodgates. He could sense that his powers no longer obeyed his commands.

No...!

It will explode out! Takaya wanted to stop himself thus exposed a moment of hesitation, giving Narimori a chance to take advantage of the situation.

"Too careless!"

Narimori faced Takaya and fired incantation arrows.

"Nnhh!"

Being unguarded allowed the enemy to grab that moment of opportunity, the spell mangled Takaya's clothes, slashed through his skin, causing him to feel countless pangs of agony as though his body was being sprayed with fire, Takaya had completely lost control of his incantations.

"Nnhh... Ahhhh--!"

Following that was a howl like a cry of grief, the incantations from Takaya's internal being dashed out. He wanted to suppress it, but it was too late.

"!"

An unexpected level of strength of incantations burst out ferociously as if it had broken down the embankment, wrecking the surrounding walls, tearing up the asphalt ground, giving birth to a blade of wind that swirled up in a storm and charged towards Narimori.

"Wahhh!"

Blood flew out, spattering onto the wall behind Narimori. Narimori's body was lacerated by that immense blade of wind, his torso was stained red in an instant.

"!"

Takaya widened his eyes. That was unacceptable, he could not stop his incantations!

"Nnnhhhh---...!"

Takaya wanted to restrain his spells with all urgency. Wanting to restore his control, he desperately forced himself to nullify the force that was continuously increasing in intensity within him, he wrapped his arms around his body wanting to suppress the spells that wanted to break out.

"Nnhh...!"

Takaya suddenly opened his eyes. It seemed as though he had finally arrested it! He could control it!

"!"

His incantations were his own again. At the same time, Takaya did not allow the soul of Narimori rising from the collapsed body to escape.

"--!"

Once he recovered, he dealt Narimori with an 'External Bind'. The weak, swaying soul was bound. Unable to budge. Takaya firmly knotted his fingers together into a mudra of Bishamonten.

"Noumakusamanda Bodanan Baishiramandaya Sowaka!"

White light concentrated in his mudra. The brilliant rays grew more intense, and finally changed into a beautiful, round sphere.

"Namotobatsu Bishamonten! To subjugate the demons, grant me thy power!"

Takaya declared powerfully, facing the void of the sky.

"Exorcise!"

!

The sphere of white light burst out in the next moment, fanning Takaya's hair.
The clean rays of light that struck out swallowed the surroundings in an instant. The soul that had been externally bound issued a soundless lament, and was drawn into the pure luminescence.
Engulfing the darkness, the radiance revolved in a dazzling manner.
The rays of light that Narimori had submerged into rotated silently, sending him to another world. Then, darkness returned to the surrounding area.


Takaya collapsed onto the ground on his knees. His heart was pounding with exceptional ferocity. He could not breathe normally. His heart had suffered a heavy burden as a result of his inability to completely control his incantations. Takaya's pale face pressed against his chest, unable to endure it he curled up.
He could hear the voice of someone calling him from a distance. Someone was calling him. That was... Chiaki's voice.
His cheeks felt the coldness of the asphalt ground, Takaya widened his eyes slightly.

Calling me...

His heart was aching to the point that it wanted to burst. He felt intermittent waves of pain from his wounds.
Takaya shut his eyes. His entire body was in pain, he wanted someone to come and hold him as soon as possible.

It hurts...

Hurry over here---...

His heart was in extreme agony. Takaya clenched his teeth desperately.
His fingers groped at the asphalt layer. His body was aching.

Hurry...

All of a sudden, at that moment.

Twinkling in the darkness was a white radiance. Feeling a cold tiny object fluttering above his hot cheeks, Takaya opened his eyes.
Appearing out of the night air, a small snowflake floated down.
The snowflake fell onto his body, Takaya was uncertain as to why it made him feel warm. It was as if someone's yearning had descended on his body, causing him to feel bundled, slightly alleviating the pain in his heart.

Hurry, come over here...
As if in answer, Takaya called out to the empty sky.
I am here--
It won't do if it isn't your arms.
Embrace me,
Hurry and remove this pain for me.


Your calling voice conveyed from a distance.
I can hear it.
Come quickly.
Quickly... come to this place.

Countless pure-white snow glided down from the barren sky.
The lonely figure of his back was curled up and called his name.
--Falling continuously.
As if wrapping around him.

--I will return to your side.
To your side...
In order to tightly embrace you.

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Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.