Curse User

"What happened after that? How did Yoshihide Hasaba die?" Suguru Geto's face betrayed no emotion, but the village chief felt as though he did not have long to live. He barely dared to breathe and hurried on with his account.

"Yoshihide Hasaba and that strange exorcist seemed to know each other... He said he'd lure Yoshihide Hasaba away, and all I had to do was catch the two girls... My mother is sick... I really needed that money, sir...! Please spare me...! I really didn't know Yoshihide Hasaba would die...!"

After explaining how things had ended, the village chief began sobbing, tears and snot streaming down his face. He dropped to his knees and desperately kowtowed to Suguru Geto, trying to save his own life. His mother crawled over as well and joined him in begging Suguru Geto for mercy.

But the villagers were already furious. Their cries came without pause as they hurled abuse at the mother and son kneeling on the ground.

Suguru Geto frowned slightly. His original deductions had not accounted for a Curse User...

There was actually a Curse User involved?! He never came to complete the deal... Was he injured in his fight with Yoshihide Hasaba? The details of this mission were vague in Niji's story...

Suguru Geto activated Cursed Spirit Manipulation and selected a low-level cursed spirit he had deliberately kept during a recent mission, sending it into the house to notify Sakurada Niji.

With a soft creak, the wooden door opened from within. Sakurada Niji emerged with the two girls. The villagers, who had been cursing nonstop, hurriedly knelt and bowed when they saw the two "divine children" come out, pleading over and over for forgiveness.

Sakurada Niji had never experienced anything like this and could not help feeling nervous. Fortunately, the two little girls tugged nervously at his clothes, reminding him that he was the one standing between these children and the crowd. With that resolve to steady him, Sakurada Niji kept his expression under control, maintaining his cold facade.

From behind Sakurada Niji, Nanako took Mimiko's hand and kept comforting her in a low voice. Once she had reassured her, Nanako stepped forward of her own accord to stand beside Suguru Geto.

Perhaps encouraged by Nanako, Mimiko also stepped in front of Sakurada Niji. The two "divine children" now stood before their "God Servants." The inexplicable pressure from Rainbow Dragon, together with the two "divine children's" confident, composed demeanor, convinced the villagers completely of their divine status. Their expressions grew more solemn as they bowed, their movements more earnest.

Heh... So human nature really was as... simple as the books said. Suguru Geto's expression did not change, but his mere presence exerted an inexplicable pressure. It felt as though one look from him would lay bare every thought in their hearts.

Just then, Komaiwa's mother struggled over, dragging her unconscious son with her. Supporting him, she bowed to the two "divine children," hoping to beg their forgiveness.

Nanako recognized Komaiwa's mother, but she did not dare make the decision herself. She could only tug at Suguru Geto's sleeve to signal that she had something to say.

"Yes, I understand..." Suguru Geto bent down, bringing his ear close to Nanako's mouth, and listened carefully.

"The divine child has forgiven your son. Go to the other God Servant," Suguru Geto said to the mother and son as he straightened.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, divine child...!" Much relieved, Komaiwa's mother hurriedly supported him over to Sakurada Niji.

"Sorry for the trouble... honored God Servant..." Komaiwa's mother stopped before Sakurada Niji and struggled to hold her unconscious son upright.

"Yes, that's fine. There's no need to bow." Sakurada Niji's conscience would not let him accept someone older than himself kneeling before him. He placed his hand on Komaiwa, whose shoulder had nearly been torn apart, and began healing him with Reverse Cursed Technique. Within a minute, the injury had healed.

"All right, take him away to rest. He'll wake up shortly." Sakurada Niji failed to hold his tongue and instinctively voiced his concern again, though he at least maintained his cold tone.

"Thank you... sir... thank you..." Komaiwa's mother hurriedly dragged her son aside.

The villagers did not dare rise. They merely lowered their heads even further.

"Divine child... I caused your father's death... I no longer hope to save my own life... Please spare my mother..." By now, the village chief's voice was hoarse from crying. Trembling, he pleaded with Nanako, who stood behind Suguru Geto.

Nanako and Mimiko both froze at his words... The light left their eyes. Instinctively, they tried to hold back their tears, but the tears spilled from their eyes all the same...

Forcing her increasingly unresponsive body to obey, Nanako gently tugged at Suguru Geto's sleeve, asking him for help.

"Big brother... please help me... Please decide for me..." Nanako, who had stayed so strong all this time, could no longer hold on. She left everything to Suguru Geto...

I'm sorry... This is the last time, I promise... Sakurada Niji felt too guilty to look at Mimiko. To ask a little girl to maintain the bearing of a "divine child" at a time like this...

Sakurada Niji shifted slightly to shield Mimiko from view and used his cursed technique to support her as she nearly fainted.

Suguru Geto stood where he was, looking down at the tears Nanako had left beside his feet. He felt something in his heart begin to waver...

"Geto..." Sakurada Niji looked at him nervously. Now he was truly afraid Geto would lose control and kill the village chief outright... Although Sakurada Niji would help cover his tracks... if that happened, Geto's mindset would change completely, beyond any hope of recovery.

Everyone fell silent at that moment: the villagers who sensed his killing intent, Nanako and Mimiko, who could no longer control their bodies, Sakurada Niji, who watched Suguru Geto with a tense expression, and the village chief and his mother, whom Suguru Geto had already frightened half to death...

"...You'll spend the rest of your life in prison." After a long silence, Suguru Geto finally decided the village chief's fate.

"I'm sorry... Nanako. The real murderer is the one who deserves to die most... I'll kill him..." Suguru Geto's expression had become utterly savage, but as he slowly crouched down, it gradually returned to normal. With the utmost seriousness, he made Nanako that promise.