Obanai, learning the truth, was overwhelmed with sorrow, guilt, and complex emotions.
After a long silence, he looked up at Horitake: "Where… is my cousin now?"
"I incapacitated her. Didn't kill her, but with the sun up, she's likely turned to ash."
Sighing deeply, Obanai said mournfully: "It's for the best. She harmed so many, nearly caused chaos. Even as my cousin, her death is deserved. I bear unavoidable responsibility for her becoming a demon. I'll request a Pillars' trial from the Master."
Shinobu frowned, alarmed.
Horitake shook his head: "No, it's not your fault, Obanai. You're an Iguro, but the Iguro family is long gone. You cut ties with them. You and your cousin had no connection. Has she contacted you even once over the years? Never. Her transformation is her own doing, not yours. I trust the Master will judge fairly, and everyone will understand. A Pillars' trial is too much."
Obanai, after a pause, insisted: "Still, I feel guilty. I'll confess to the Master."
Horitake couldn't argue further.
This tale shows how troublesome a problematic relative can be!
By now, the sun was rising, ensuring absolute safety. Shinobu and Obanai's Hidden Corps members arrived, awaiting orders.
As the highest-ranking member, Horitake clapped sharply, gathering everyone: "Alright, everyone, time for business! The crisis is resolved—congratulations. But follow-up tasks remain. We need your help. Obanai, Shinobu-neesan, has the Master informed the government about Kusatsu?"
Obanai, snapping out of his gloom, answered seriously: "It's a major issue. The Master contacted officials. If the plague had spread, only the government could control it. We'd be powerless."
"Where are the government personnel now? In Kusatsu?"
Glancing at the sky, Obanai estimated: "They've likely reached Kusatsu, maintaining order."
Horitake nodded. To lift Obanai's spirits and give him space, he issued orders: "Obanai, I've eliminated all plague sources in Kusatsu, but for caution, we need thorough checks. Confirm no outbreaks or infections in the coming days to ensure the plague is gone. Whether Kusatsu needs quarantine is the government's call, not ours. I'm terrible with officials, so Obanai, take some Hidden members to Kusatsu. Coordinate with the government and handle cleanup."
Obanai nodded: "Understood. Anything else?"
Horitake, wary of officials' tendencies, whispered: "Obanai, the Corps is small, weak, and unrecognized by the government. Stay low-key, got it? Don't let officials use us as pawns. We're just assisting, not working for them. If they boss you around, ignore them and leave. They have no authority over us. Also, gauge the situation. If officials don't care about their people, don't overexert. Do the minimum cleanup. No need to be their scapegoat. Got it?"
Obanai, sweating, thought: Not good with officials? You're too good at this! But he noted Horitake's cunning advice. "Alright, Horitake. I won't let the Corps be taken advantage of."
Horitake, pleased, nodded: "Good. Go."
Obanai led Hidden members to Kusatsu for cleanup.
Horitake rallied the remaining Hidden members before the dilapidated demon hideout, issuing commands: "See this house? It's a demon lair, occupied for who knows how long. The basement holds sealed plague sources. Don't panic—the demons sealed them well. No leaks, even after I wrecked the second floor. Our top task? Eliminate the basement's plague. To prevent spread, we'll burn it. Fire's heat will destroy the plague—clean and effective. I considered burning the mountain but just the house will do. Your task: gather as much firewood as possible. Pile it in the house, then burn it until the basement's plague is incinerated. Second task: after gathering enough firewood, collect remains. See the reddish ground around us? It's stained with human blood, caused by those demons. Dig, and you'll find bones. These victims deserve burial. Your second task is to unearth their bones and lay them to rest. Reassembling and burying each individually is impossible. So, dig a large pit and bury them together. It's unfortunate, but there's no other way. That's it. Get to work!"
------------------------------
🌟 Hi everyone! 🌟
If you love my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ] 💖
By joining, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and some special perks that I have prepared just for you. Every support really means a lot and helps me strive every day! 🙏✨