4-78: The Summit Meeting – Playfully Exposing (2/2)

4-78: The Summit Meeting – Playfully Exposing (2/2)

If youre going to go that far, then fine.

Yes, lets stop the jokes here.

Surprisingly, Mikoto and the Mask readily listened to their pleas, and the warrior and the dragon vanished.

Silence returned to the night as though they never existed in the first place.

But only Ryou and Tomoe were relieved.

Everyone else was still trembling in fear, unable to process what had transpired.

Sorry about that. I just said what came to mind Can I address you as Tsuchimikado-dono?

I apologize too for getting carried away. Yes, Im alright with that, Masquerade-dono Both our names end in do too, after all. (Note: Tsuchimikado and Masukareido)

Yes.

They came to terms like that and dropped the matter regarding the name.

But of course, they were never serious in the first place.

Or at least, Ryou and Tomoe suspected that that mythic battle was truly nothing more than a joke between them, a prank that utilized their excessive power, but they werent brave enough to ask.

Before we get to the main topic, please allow me to apologize for all this commotion. I invited you, but just kept making you wait,() and the youth of our clans also caused you so much trouble. Please accept my apology.

I wasnt particularly troubled, but if its an apology to my disciples, then Ill accept it.

Mikoto bowed low enough to form a right angle, and the Mask nodded.

The three girls behind were shocked to hear that, but Tomoe made them quiet.

Evidently, Mikoto and the Mask had agreed to make that the official story.

Thank you In that case Tsumori-kun! Ill be watching over these children for awhile, you dont mind, right?

Mikoto glanced at Michizane, who was convulsing with his eyes rolled over, and the black-clothed men, then she said those words to no one in particular.

No voice responded, but she nodded nonetheless, then clapped her hands and called for people.

Takuma-kun, take care of the rest!

Mikoto-sama, youve been working me so hard This is too harsh of a treatment for an old man.

From out of nowhere, behind her, suddenly appeared an old man with gray hair and a crooked back.

With a good-natured smile, he took out pieces of paper and carelessly scattered them.

In the next moment, those pieces of paper transformed into shikis that looked just like those stage assistants dressed in black in Kabuki plays, and they worked together to restrain and disarm the members of the Tsumori family.

Not only did he trespass into the Tsuchimikado Manor, he also damaged the place and harmed the guests and servants. On top of that, I have no idea how he caught wind of it, but he even stole the sealed demon sword If you include all his stupid mistakes until now, youthful indiscretion alone wont be enough of an excuse.

The old mans eyes turned from smiling to that of dismay and lamentation, and the black-clothed men must have known that they were in the wrong, for they didnt offer any resistance and instead obediently allowed themselves to be arrested.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

It was all too easy to imagine what Michizane would have done were he conscious, so they were just grateful that he wasnt.

Hmm, is that Grandpa Kusakabe? Hes still alive, huh, Ryou said.

Hey, Ryou, thats rude. Hes one of the few people in the clan with a conscience, you know. He is the advisor to Mikoto-sama, the de facto number two, and one of the most important figures in the clan.

The situation had come to an end, and the presence of an overly-reliable mentor and a relatively friendly person had helped them relax and regain some of their composure, but the Mask remained on guard and stood between them and Mikoto.

Masquerade-dono, I would appreciate it if you could hand over that child() as well, Mikoto said.

Only if you tell me her identity.

Despite that they continued to share a conversation only they understood.

But of course, Mikoto nodded, and the Mask casually extended his hand in which could be seen one of the black- clothed people.

He was firmly grabbing the black-clothed persons head.

The person seemed to be a girl based off the contours, but regardless, she was gagged with a photon rope, and her whole body was shackled.

Huh!?

It was like something straight out of an old spy movie.

Kiyoko Ooharus face was peeled off like a piece of paper, revealing a woman with green hair and purple eyes who looked nothing like a Japanese person.

She was also at least 10 years older than Kiyoko Ooharu, who was in the latter half of her teens.

Three-dimensional imaging technology had also been applied to hide her figure, but the Mask forcefully dispelled it.

Garestonian? Tomoe said.

Whats going on!? Ryou said.

In these times, you really cant rely on what you see. Be sure to use remember that and use your spiritual eyes too. Its because people cant do that they keep getting fooled. At least know the difference between the presence of an Earthling and a Garestonian.

Ryou and Tomoe followed the words of their Master that could be taken for either rebuke or instruction, then they looked around them and nodded.

There was indeed a difference aside from personal differences in the presence of the souls of the Garestonian and the rest of the people here.

The difference was so minute, however, that they couldnt really explain it clearly, but regardless, it was clear enough that they could tell the difference.

Ah, its true. It really is somewhat different, Ryou said.

Damn it! I messed up and judged her just from her appearance! Tomoe said.

But unlike Ryou, who was genuinely surprised and impressed by that, Tomoe felt dejected for failing to notice it on her own.

However, the Mask could only accomplish that because of his frequent contact with Earthlings and Garestonians at the academy.

The exorcists might have a pair of special eyes, but with the little contact that they had with the Garestonians, they wouldnt be able to easily tell them apart from the Earthlings even if they knew that there was a difference in their presence.

Because of that the three girls also faintly noticed the difference and were shocked.

Fu fu, thank you for the lesson. Masquerade-dono, what do you think of this girl?

The same as you. She should be a spy or an agent of sort. She could be here to gather information, remove someone, or seize something. She could be from a public institution or an illegal organization. At this point, its difficult to speculate on her affiliations and objectives, but regardless, she infiltrated your clan by pretending to be Kiyoko Ooharu, a descendant of the direct line. Evidently, this isnt a matter thats just limited to one or two people, and neither is it a matter that happened just recently Odds are that the people theyve touched are no longer in this world.

Right? The Mask casually confirmed with the spy.

An incomprehensible voice full of hate resounded through the gag.

The Mask didnt mean to respond, but her eyes looked like she was saying, Curse you, Masquerade! And he couldnt help but laugh.

Youre barking up the wrong tree if youre going to hate me. Even without me, your fake youth could have never beaten this old woman().

The Mask said, and Mikoto smiled.

No matter which way one looked at her, she looked like someone in her early twenties, yet the Mask was calling her an old woman.

Ufufu, please dont praise me so much.

But instead of getting angry or denying his accusations, Mikoto just took them for a compliment and acted flirtatiously.

No one would find her actions unfit her age, but

She might look like that, but shes at least past 100, you know?

Thats right! I, Mikoto Tsuchimikado, am a young peachy girl at the age of 117!

The way she said that with a huge grin and a faint blush was nothing short of coquettish.

Or at least that would have been the case if not for the age she mentioned.

MNNN!?!?

The spy needed time to come to terms with that.

She wanted to laugh, but considering the family, it was indeed possible.

But while the spy was losing her mind and screaming incomprehensibly, everyone else was just thinking

Looks like she didnt know because it was common knowledge in the clan.