Book 8: Chapter 18: Mother Fox’s Chastisement


    Kikyou, are you acquainted with Dragon God-sama?


    Rather than an acquaintance


    Kikyou drew closer to my ear and exined their circumstances in a whisper that only I could hear.


    This one had been the weakest colored dragon in the past. He was always bullied, so he ran away, escaping into the Sacred Mountain, which was this concubines abode.


    Kikyou took pity on the crying red dragon, so she looked after him for several hundreds of years, until he became powerful enough that no one could no longer treat him as a fool.


    In short, Kikyou became a mother figure to Dragon God-sama.


    By the way, he said that he is now a deity. It would be a pity if his believers were to learn this fact about him, so can you please keep it a secret?


    Y-yup. Got it.


    Thank you very much. Besides, he is a deity. He is surely having a hard time dealing with his anger, since he must have felt betrayed by the person who received power from him.


    Ryuka was kneeling on the floor. Kikyou said that while ncing at the girl.


    Dragon God-sama wanted to retract the role of being the Dragons Shrine Maiden from Ryuka, because she didnt stop me when I attacked him.


    As for me, I nned to ept it even if she stopped being the Dragon Shrines Maiden, if that meant that she wouldnt be hurt.


    Ryukas Resurrection spell that could restore objects was very handy, but I didnt marry her to obtain that skill, after all.


    Even if she wasnt the Dragons Shrine Maiden, Ryuka was still Ryuka.


    If she was willing to be with me, then I wanted to protect her from hereon  that was what I thought.


    Sekiryuu said that he will take away that girls Divine Role, but I can see how strong that girls faith towards the Sekiryuu is. It will be a waste if such a faithful heart is lost. Thats why, please let this concubine handle this matter and calm the situation.


    Kikyou was the one who raised Dragon God-sama, so I also want to leave it to her if shes willing to do something about this.


    Can I request it?


    Please leave it to me, Halt-sama.


    Kikyou left me with a bewitching smile on her face.


    She drew closer to Ryuka, who was still bowing with her head on the floor, and squatted before her.


    Ryuka, is it?


    Y-yes.


    Please raise your head.


    ..Yes.


    Kikyou gazed into Ryukas eyes.


    Ryuka was captivated, and she couldnt tear her eyes off the woman.


    I took a peek at the flow of mana, and it seemed that Kikyou was reading Ryukas mind.


    Hm. You hold such deep faith towards the Sekiryuu. Despite that, you werent able to stop Halt earlier, but that was only because you were so shocked that you couldnt move your body, am I right?


    Yes, thats right.


    In that case, you are not to be med.


    B-but, its a fact that I didnt move to save Dragon God-sama!!


    Indeed. Its not your fault, but nevertheless, your heart is weak. Even if you carry such deep faith to the deity, you do not possess enough force of will to be able to stop a person from injuring the deity, so you must still be punished.


    Kikyou suddenly raised her arm, then she hit Ryukas head with a balled fist.


    Urk!?


    Ryuka clutched her head; it looked really painful.


    Forge your emotional strength, and obtain the power necessary to protect the people that you must protect.


    I-I understand.


    And, the problem lies with you.


    Kikyou turned towards Hakua.


    Hiiii!


    Bloodlust flowed out of Kikyou, totally different from when she was dealing with Ryuka.


    I already read your mind arbitrarily. You are the reason for this mess, are you not?


    T-thats right.


    Hakua was trembling all over as she bowed her head.


    Raise your head.


    .Yes.


    Itll be more painful than Ryuka, okay?


    Higyuu!!


    Hakua screamed louder than when Ryuka was hit as Kikyou brought her fist down with a greater force.


    I understand how joyous it is for a beloved person to desperately do everything in order to protect us. I sympathize with you a little when I read your thoughts. However


    !?


    Kikyou pinched both of Hakuas cheeks.


    Apologize and be deeply remorseful for what you have done to the Master that taught you how to fight.


    D-dor-dorey


    Hakua spoke while big drops of tears fell on her cheeks, but its hard to understand what shes saying while Kikyou pinched her cheeks.


    She was probably saying S-sorry, I guess.


    However, Kikyou seemed satisfied with Hakuas apology because she released her cheeks.


    Nine-tailed foxes were a race that was well-attuned to the thoughts of other people.


    She smiled and stroked Hakuas cheeks before standing up.


    She then addressed the Dragon God who was still kneeling on the floor.


    Just as you have seen, both are reflecting on their actions deeply. This concubine has punished them. You will now forgive them, will you not?


    Eh, no, but


    What is it? These tender young maidens are already crying rivers of tears while begging for your forgiveness, and yet you wont do so?


    B-but because of those two I was


    So you want to continue holding on to your grudges just because these two young girls didnt save you? Since when have you be such a coward? Are you really a deity in that state?


    Ugh


    The Dragon God could raise his voice for a bit; he couldnt even retort to Kikyou.


    Moreover, your divine flesh had been rendered immobile after being thoroughly beaten by just a mere human all on his ownHow pathetic.


    Thats because Halt is abnormal!! Hes a Bakemono* that can even interfere with the Divine Characters, so theres no way hes just a mere human!!!


    Well, that is indeed true.


    Kikyou whispered really softly.


    The Dragon God probably didnt hear it.


    Anyway, hush. Lets beat that cowardly attitude out of your system.


    Kikyou stretched her hand towards the Dragon God.


    N-no way, youre not going to do <em>that </em>to me, right!?


    It seemed that he had an inkling as to what she was about to do.


    The Dragon God hurriedly stood up and tried to escape.


    But


    Kikyous hand was faster. She touched the Dragon Gods head.


    The Dragon Gods body was frozen, still posed to runaway after standing up, as if time had stopped for him.


    K-Kikyou? W-what on earth did you do to Dragon God-sama?


    Oh, its not something significant. This concubine merely confined him inside a Mind Space, a ce where he had to fight an opponent that is as powerful as he is. Well, its not really Sekiryuus fault, so I will let him out after ten minutes have passed.


    O, oh


    Even if it was just ten minutes, constantly battling it out with someone as powerful as you sounded like its hard.


    A day in the Mind Space is equivalent to a minute of this world, though.


    Hm? Did you say something?


    Kikyou mumbled, but I didnt catch what she said.


    Fufufu, its nothing, Halt-sama.


    T/N: Hi guys! Sorry for thete chapter. Wasnt in the mood to tl. Although I knew I had to, I just couldnt muster the will to trante on Friday, then got busy on the weekend. Will tl another chap within the day topensate for the missed chap, thank you! ?


    And yeah, poor, poor, poor Sekiryuu, bullied from childhood to divinehood T.T


    E/N: Poor poor Sekiryuu. Lemme give you a hug boi T^T