Chapter 27

As we exit the school I once again have a clear view on the gigantic city. I look at the giant tower.

“What’s that?”

Arita pats my head. “Oh, you poor, unknowing being… Let big sis educate you a bit!” Big sis? “So, that tower is the residence of Emperor Sakuramachi. That’s also why it is the tallest building in all of Tojiume: Because the Emperor stands above all and everything, just like that tower. Also, the second highest building-” She grabs my head, turns it a bit and points directly at the giant temple I noticed when first arriving in Tojiume. “-is the base of the military. That’s because the military is the second most important thing here. And also the second most powerful… At least in regards of politics.”
“What do you mean? Is there some kind of underworld that is even stronger and more influential than the military?”

Kida is the one to answer. “Nah, she meant it in reverse. If we are looking at actual strength and potential influence then the military is easily the strongest thing in this city… Probably in this country as well.”

“Uh… why’s that?”

“Have you heard of Phanes, the Hero?” Yikes. Sounds like someone you should now… But I don’t. Obviously, unfortunately.

“Uhm… no.”

“Hmmm… Okay, you know how some people are blessed by multiple Protogoni, right? That’s rare as hell. In our academy there’s only one.”

“Who?” I interrupt Arita but that did peak my interest.

“Nagano. That’s what his two eye colors stand for… Anyway: Phanes is similar and yet extraordinary. From those already rare hybrids of multiple blessings, Phanes is an even rarer case. To be precise: He is exceptional. In all of history there has never been a case like him and to be honest, there never will be again.

Phanes is blessed by 5 of the 6 Protogoni. The only one missing is Death.”

5 Protogoni.

5 Protogoni have blessed one and the same man.

I am not an expert in the boundaries of blessings and the like. Far from it. But even I understand just how ridiculous this sounds. And because I understand that I can’t believe it in the slightest.

Ah.

Yup, now I understand it.

“Good one. You almost got me.” This is obviously some kind of joke. I know nothing about anything here and they know it. Because of that they are just lying to me to make me look like a fool.

“Uhhh… no, that wasn’t a joke.” Muraoka looks at me.

“Suuuure, he is.” They won’t make a fool out of me that easily.

“He’s got many nicknames. The Hero, the Eternal Commander, the Lord of Blessings, the Nightmare of all Yokai… And he lives up to each and everyone of them.” Kida grins. “Also, he’s hot.”

I sigh.

“You don’t believe us at all, do you? Well, okay. I can understand it. It does sound really ridiculous after all… Luckily for you, you will be able to witness his power soon enough.”

“I will?”

“Yup, in 10 days there’ll be a small festival. New people join the military and there will be a small tournament which also features Phanes. The winner of said tournament gains the rank of the Leader of Yokai Annihilation. Phanes has been holding that title for as long as he has joined the military… and he will probably keep on holding it for as long as he is alive. Anyways, at that tournament you can witness just how strong he truly is.”

We walk through the streets of Tojiume. Just like I thought, the overall buildings are just as aesthetically pleasing as they were at home. I really do feel at home while walking through those streets.

Someone nearby furiously plays a shamisen. I smile softly as my memories drift off and I remember the times I have been celebrating festivals with the rest of my village. I feel at ease and cherish the memories I have once created… Thinking about them now, even though those events are more than 10 years old, I feel so glad to have been born as the person I was. Precisely because of me being born as myself could I experience such events, could I create memories of pure joy and love.

We stop in front of a small booth. There sits an old man behind the counter. His two children work behind him.

The four of us sit down in front of it.

“Mister Migazaki, please bring us some of your best ramen!”

Mister Migazaki and his children got to work soon enough.

“Sooo, Isuri… Come on, tell us a bit about yourself!” Kida snickers a bit and looks at me intensely. I can barely concentrate but I quickly regain my consciousness.

“Uhh… What do you want to know?” I won’t lie, I’m not even half as good at striking up new conversations as I would like to be. In terms of socializing my skills are close to that of a dead person, at least that’s how I feel most of the time.

“Like… Uhhh… Tell us about what food you like! Or what you like to do in your free time. Or even what kind of girls you like… do you even like girls???”

Thus I was questioned again and again. Once I have answered most of their questions, the next member of the Kida-Gang - which I was part of now apparently??? - attacked with the next barrage of questions.

It was exhausting on its own but to be quite honest… Talking about such everyday life things… Not caring about a thing and just relaxing while talking and eating some noodles… Is that not the most relaxing kind of life? It does avert my attention from absolutely everything I have previously thought about: The destruction of my village, the blessing I had received by Lady Death and even the terrible performance I put up today. I did not care for any of it: I lived in the moment and I loved that very moment.