Tokyo Ravens - Volume 10 - Chapter 3.2

Part 2 
Clouds still hadn't appeared by dawn, but by noon clouds had already covered the sky above them. 
In the end, no one was paying attention to the weather even if the clouds enveloped Seishuku Temple. That was because clouds even denser than the ones in the sky were swirling inside the monastery. 
Tsuchimikado Harutora was coming. 
At first, that information had been banned from being discussed among Jougen's group of ajari. But by the time breakfast had finished cooking, that matter was being quietly discussed among the 'disciples'. Then, it spread to every corner of the monastery like piled-up dominoes collapsing. 
The rumor that the boy was Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation had reached the isolated Seishuku Temple from the world. The person who had brought forth commotion in the magic community since last year. That person's appearance wasn't something that could simply be called an 'incident', as anyone in the monastery could realize. 
Then, at noon. The first clash finally exploded in the monastery. 
The location was the main hall's courtyard. In front of an audience gathered inside the courtyard, Rian asked Jougen for the truth of the situation. 
Was Tsuchimikado Harutora coming? 
"I heard he was already here." Jougen replied uncharacteristically. 
"He's a criminal wanted by the Onmyou Agency." Rian shouted and ran towards him from inside the courtyard. 
Jougen listened to Rian's reply, his voice clearly very unsettled. 
"Fortunately, there are Divine Generals in the monastery right now. It's a divine blessing. We'll use all our power to capture him and give him to the Onmyou Agency." 
"Ridiculous!" Jougen faced Rian, speaking with an ice-cold tone from the very beginning. 
"This monastery does not refuse anyone, no matter who they are. Also, even those Divine Generals must comply with the monastery rules when they are here." 
"Don't be ridiculous! You can't even be flexible in this kind of situation?" 
"No matter what the circumstances are, 'this place' is truly different from the outside. In the first place, if we follow the rules of outsiders, there will be no newcomers to the mountain. There are quite a few criminals here already. The first people we ought to hand over to the Onmyou Agency are our own people." 
"That's just sophistry! The Onmyou Agency accepted us, and didn't they make us a proposal? But Tsuchimikado Harutora wasn't in it. We're the comrades of the Onmyou Agency, but he's an enemy! We should do our best to capture him to gain the Onmyou Agency's favor!" 
"Enemies and comrades make no sense from your ajari mouth. We never refuse anyone who comes to this monastery. Even for the Onmyou Agency and Tsuchimikado Harutora, this monastery will treat them equally no matter how they fight with each other." 
"Enough is enough! Alright? Isn't this a good opportunity? Supposing we're able to restrain him here, it would be a great favor for the Onmyou Agency. It could be a huge benefit for our future." 
"As an ajari, you shouldn't keep making trouble by complaining. Rian, you're extremely disappointing." 
"Priest Jougen!?" 
"That's enough!" 
Jougen snorted in contempt at Rian's attempt to persuade him. His half-narrowed eyes looked at Rian, their gaze as intense as fire. Even if his old bones were wrapped in robes, he made the younger Rian feel as if he were being pressed down on by quite a bit of strength. Rian clicked his tongue and Jougen suddenly raised his eyebrows, his eyes full of killing intent. 
All of the monks and 'disciples' watching this held their breath as they looked at the dispute between the two. 
Then, 
"......Excuse us." 
The atmosphere in the area changed. 
The three from the Twelve Divine Generals had appeared. They had probably heard the clamor. 
Miyoshi stood in the front with his two hands behind his back, looking as hard to figure out what he was thinking as always. Yuge and Yamashiro waited by his sides, and both had bitter, solemn expressions. 
The emergence of the Divine Generals threw the people in the monastery off balance. 
But some of the ajaris' expression stiffened as their bodies swelled with magical energy. They took stances in preparations for a clash. 
Their faces showed that they were resolved to not hesitate once something happened, even if it spurred on a magic battle. 
Moreover, the Divine Generals also had their resolve. 
...At the same time, the Divine Generals and the ajaris' inconsistent opinions were clearly laid out on a pedestal. 
As if things would explode at the slightest touch. 
However, Jougen still looked at Miyoshi with a proud attitude in the tension-filled air. 
"Another disturbance again. I'm extremely sorry for all of this." 
Jougen bowed his head as he said this, his robes swaying. 
In the end, although he bowed his head in apology, the other side didn't feel a deferring attitude at all. Without missing a beat, Jougen supported his apparent strength with 'etiquette'. A decisive attitude he took up because his opponents were inferior to himself. 
"Please don't be concerned." Then, Miyoshi replied extremely politely. 
"Rather, the source of this commotion is the matter that you received prior notice of Tsuchimikado Harutora's arrival, right? Is that the case?" 
"Indeed." 
"Is that true?" 
"Well. This insignificant monk [38] doesn't really......" 
"Are you sure, Priest?" 
"Hoh. I have no idea why you believe that. ......This insignificant monk just wants to maintain the status quo." 
"Do you know the goal of the other side?" 
"It wasn't mentioned in the message." 
"When did he say he would come?" 
"The message wrote 'today'." 
"He is coming quite quickly." 
"It's as you say." 
Miyoshi and Jougen concisely confirmed with each other. 
Neither side showed an attitude of facing an ally. But from the point of view of a third party, the brief conversation indeed supplanted the awkward atmosphere. But the tense atmosphere present wasn't alleviated at all, and the tension in the atmosphere increased instead. 
"......Tch!? Miyoshi-san! Please speak for us. This concerns both the Onmyou Agency and Seishuku Temple." The restless Rian, no longer able to express arrogance, approached Miyoshi. 
Miyoshi's expression didn't change as his gaze shot towards Rian. 
Then, Jougen opened his mouth this time. 
"People of the Onmyou Agency. I understand your position, but even if you are in esteemed positions right now, you are still visitors. You need not speak about the matters of this monastery." Jougen announced resolutely in a calm tone. 
"......" 
Yuge turned her wrist, forming a hand seal, and Yamashiro rapidly surveyed the surroundings. He moved his body slightly, making preparations to act at any moment. The exorcist and the Mystical Investigator entered a state of battle together. 
But, 
"That's true." Miyoshi slowly opened his mouth to speak. 
"We were dispatched as envoys, or actually 'emissaries'. Though we are civil workers belonging to the Onmyou Agency, the circumstances right now are slightly different. Right now, we shall follow your customs." 
"What!?" Rian groaned. 
"You flatter me." Jougen smiled slightly. 
A serious declaration. 
The tense atmosphere alleviated a bit. But Yuge hadn’t relaxed. Even if she released her hand seal, she sighed deeply. 
On the other hand, the others were the same as being unable to relax from just that. Jougen and Rian confronted each other, the sound of their teeth gnashing practically audible. Then, Miyoshi stared at Jougen. After that, Miyoshi averted his gaze and finally faced Yamashiro. 
Needless to say, Yamashiro and Rian had been unable to respond to this occasion. He had been seen as immature by the Divine Generals again. Yamashiro's calm expression never changed. 
But the moment he heard Miyoshi's words, 
"...Tch." He clicked his tongue quietly. 
But everyone present knew that this definitely wasn't over. That was because Tsuchimikado Harutora still hadn't appeared. 
The clouds filling the sky hadn't dissipated because of this first clash. Rather, their density slowly and steadily increased. 

As expected of that day, even the monastery chores were far from routine. 
Though Jougen's faction - in short, the conservative ajari - kept up their normal actions, they couldn't hide how much they were shaken even by reproaching those below them. The fact that lunch preparations were completed smoothly seemed like a miracle. Most of the 'disciples' stopped working and training afterwards. 
Of course, Akino was also restless. 
She hadn't thought that 'that' terrorist would come to their monastery...... 
To be honest, she was truly terrified. Though there were many people in the monastery with powerful magic, they couldn't be careless. If a magic battle broke out in the monastery, she wasn't sure how much damage would come of it. 
People might get hurt - or maybe even killed - because of that. She felt extremely terrified just from imagining it. 
Even so, the factor that made Akino the most anxious was Hokuto. 
Hokuto had clearly been strange since she had learned that Tsuchimikado Harutora was going to visit the monastery. Though she hadn't done much yet, she seemed absent-minded. 
After noontime, Akino and the newcomer Hokuto, who were at the bottom of the food chain, quickly cleaned up lunch amidst the seniors. During this time, they heard about the dispute that occurred in the courtyard between Jougen and Rian. Hokuto finally became restless when she heard of the fight. Also, even when Hokuto silently looked at Akino like before, Akino felt chills from her ice-cold gaze. It was like when she had confronted Jougen in the morning. A solemn attitude as if she were ready for war. 
Then, in the end, 
"Sorry, Akino. I'm going to go see." 
Apologizing, she abandoned her chores while walking to see the situation in the courtyard. Akino had also been with her at the time with a worried look. 
... 'I came here with a goal'. 
Hokuto had said that this morning. If her goal was related to Tsuchimikado Harutora, then she had only said that because Tsuchimikado Harutora would appear at the monastery. 
After parting with Hokuto, Akino slowly finished cleaning up alone. Then, she moved to the courtyard as if escaping from the noisy atmosphere inside the temple. 
She headed towards the place she always went. In the direction of the dilapidated temple. On the third step of the stairs attached to the temple floor was Sen, smoking a pipe. Akino's steps faltered as she approached, but Sen still noticed her. 
"Oh, Akino, are your chores done?" His voice stopped. 
Even in this kind of time, Sen was the same as always. Akino herself was also shocked at how Sen was able to be this at ease. 
"Yeah." The voice she replied with gained a bit of vigor. 
"Sen-jiichan, here, water." 
"It's almost out, huh." 
"Tobacco is really precious, it'll be gone if you keep smoking it." 
"Ah, well, it's just once in a while." Sen replied in an extremely rare instance of embarrassment, his beard concealing his moving mouth. 
He let go of the pipe he was smoking and blew out thin smoke. He looked different from usual because the monastery was so clamorous. 
Akino moved next to him and Sen made room. Akino also slowly sat down on the step the old man sat cross-legged on. 
Though they were inside the monastery, there was no difference between their surroundings and the outside mountain. Old cedar trees were lined up, growing on the empty exposed ground. In the first place, it was a place that sunlight wouldn't even reach during the day, and it was even darker because of the clouds. The cry of a mountain bird came from somewhere, echoing deep within the mountains. 
"Hah~" Akino sighed. 
"......Sen-jiichan, have you heard? Tsuchimikado Harutora will be visiting today." 
"Oh, I knew since yesterday that we would have a guest since everyone's in such an uproar." 
"Is it alright?" 
"What do you mean?" 
"After all, isn't that person a bad man? I wonder what will happen if that kind of person comes." 
"......" 
Akino spoke anxiously. In contrast, Sen smiled cheerfully. 
"Akino, didn't you know? There are all sorts of 'evil people' in this monastery. You're also 'evil' in some sense." Sen leisurely smoked as he spoke. 
"......Me and Sen-jiichan too?" 
"Of course. This old man is able to eat every day thanks to his 'evil' companions in the monastery. So this old man is also the same." 
Sen's words suddenly made Akino confused. 
"But......" The topic continued. 
"'Good' and 'evil' are words relative to the time, place, and position. For example, Akino. Have you thought of whether killing animals is 'evil'?" 
"Eh, but, of course......" 
"Then what if that animal is a poisonous snake? What about a bee that attacks people or a wild beast that destroys fields? If we didn't have clear rules about hunting, killing would be 'evil', right? But should we reproach people eradicating things harmful to them as 'evil'?" 
"That's because people are being hurt, right? They were wrong." 
"Is that so? That's all spoken from the position of humans. From the position of those animals, aren't the humans that kill them 'evil'? Hunting too, we actually kill the livestock we eat as well. Standards of good and evil are different depending on various circumstances and reasons." 
"I guess." 
Sen smiled upon seeing Akino who didn't know how to react. 
The so-called 'good' and 'evil' are also affected by circumstances, reasons, and factors. Things like murder are 'good' during wartime and are common during wars. Similarly, the 'evil' outside and the 'evil' inside the monastery naturally change depending on the circumstances. The ways we express our reasons are different too. 
Akino frowned at Sen's words. She hadn't heard such words, and she felt a bit happy as a result. 
"......Anyway, Sen-jiichan, so you could say that Tsuchimikado Harutora isn't a bad person?" 
"Depending on what you judge to be 'evil'." 
"......I don't know." 
"Haha..." Sen laughed again, continuing to smoke the pipe in his mouth. 
She was being teased. Akino stared at Sen, pouting her cheeks. Her mood had become quite a bit happier. 
It was a question that Akino didn't know the answer to in the first place. No, it wasn't just Akino. The others in the monastery were also feeling restless because they didn't know. If they had never known, thinking and worrying were inevitable things. Of course, there was almost nothing that she could do. 
But Akino, who had regained her cheerful expression, immediately became gloomy again after hearing Sen's next words. 
"Come to think of it, how's the newcomer today? Is she still with you?" 
Akino's shoulder suddenly slumped. Her ears seemed to almost touch the ground. 
"Woah!" Sen put on a shocked expression. 
"What's wrong? Did you fight?" 
"......No, but......" 
Hokuto had come here with a 'goal', and that secret was something that was only between the two of them. She couldn't tell Sen. 
Akino stopped herself from revealing the secret that she was a dragon living spirit - even if the person in question didn't care. 
So, 
"......How should I put it? Hokuto became extremely concerned when she heard the news about Tsuchimikado Harutora. She's by herself watching the movements in the surroundings right now." 
"I see, she left you behind and went out by herself." 
"T-That's not it." 
Akino instantly denied it. But maybe it could be expressed that way. That kind of irritation felt too superficial compared to Hokuto, Tsuchimikado Harutora, and the groundless news that might seriously trouble the temple's future. 
Akino's face reddened. 
Then, 
"That's great." Sen said this upon seeing the flushed Akino. 
"Eh? W-What?" 
"You only met the day before, but she knows your secret and she's deliberately avoiding you. That's probably because she thinks of you as a 'friend'." 
Akino frowned while blinking as this was said of her. 
...Yeah. 
Indeed, the anxiety that the current Akino felt was something she had never felt before. This was anxiety that she only had because she was a friend. 
Hokuto had left her pain. She had managed to become happy. That was the main reason she felt anxious at Tsuchimikado Harutora's arrival. 
Hokuto had managed to put her pain behind and become friends with Akino. Because they were friends, she was still unable to get over those feelings. 
"Alright, alright, since Akino doesn't have experience, let me teach you a way to make friends." 
"Eh, what is it......!?" 
"Well. It isn't anything too hard. Alright? Take all the hateful things, the tough things, the painful things and troubles, and properly convey your thoughts to the other person without enduring them on your own. Make your feelings clear." 
"......Feelings......?" 
"Yeah. Convey happy, joyful things to the other person at the same time. All you need to do is properly convey your feelings of treasuring her. Don't be shy and don't feel bothersome." 
"......" 
An obvious, ordinary suggestion without any sentiment behind it at all. But at the same time, maybe she recognized it again as those words pointed out. 
I heard that Hokuto wanted to become friends with Akino no matter what you did. 
Why had Akino run out without saying anything at all, and why had she entrusted her with such things. She didn't have any idea what Hokuto was thinking of. That made Akino feel even more agonized. 
Then, she would convey those feelings of hers and definitely hear Hokuto's reply. Maybe Hokuto wouldn't even be able to respond, but even so, she would know what her friend thought. 
Akino went speechless. 
Her depressed self slowly regained its vigor. Her eyes sparkled. 
"Sen-jiichan, thanks, I'll go find Hokuto." 
After saying that, Akino sprinted out without even waiting for a reply. 
The soles of her shoes struck the ground hard and she accelerated in a flash. She sprinted like the wind as if to take off. Her figure instantly vanished in the forest. Sen chuckled, tenderly watching Akino's departing back. 
He inhaled smoke. 
"......Hokuto......" 
"That's also fate, I guess." Sen said suggestively. 

Yamashiro was a Mystical Investigators. Even if the practitioners in Seishuku Temple were rather peculiar, it was impossible for him not to see that Tsuchimikado Harutora was going to visit in this kind of commotion. Originally, one of the goals Yamashiro and the others had for coming to this dark temple was to gather information regarding Tsuchimikado Harutora. 
However, 
"......So, in the end we haven't accomplished either 'gathering information' or 'arresting'." 
They immediately questioned him after returning to their quarters. It couldn't be inferred what Miyoshi was thinking from his reply. 
It wasn't just Yamashiro, Yuge was also stunned. She shook her head, unable to take it. 
"Hold on, Officer Miyoshi. Aren't you being a bit too unreasonable? Tsuchimikado Harutora is a magic criminal wanted by the Mystical Investigators. If he appears in Seishuku Temple, we couldn't possible pretend that we didn't see him." 
"Then Yuge, what do you say we should do? Do you think you can capture him?" 
Yuge became upset when this question was returned to her. 
It was very possible that Tsuchimikado Harutora was Yakou's reincarnation, which was the reason the Onmyou Agency viewed him as dangerous. Moreover, it wasn't just that he was a magic criminal, it might have political implications as well. 
But judging from the several incidents this year, they could ascertain that Tsuchimikado was quite a powerful magic user. Even if it was unclear whether the two defensive shikigami he brought around were the true Hishamaru and Kakugyouki, it was certain that they were two very powerful shikigami. It was impossible to capture him easily. 
But, 
"......I don't plan on showing weakness. I don't plan on overstating my ability, but at the same time I don't plan on being excessively modest." 
Yuge was no exception among the Twelve Divine Generals. She was an Independent Exorcists who could easily purify a spiritual disaster. Moreover, Yuge had the name of 'Binding Princess' and was an absolutely first-rate barrier user. The job of 'capturing' suited her perfectly. 
The key point that Miyoshi had mentioned rested on Yuge's ability. 
"Yuge, this is Seishuku Temple, you know?" 
Jougen, who led Seishuku Temple, had openly declared his intentions of welcoming Tsuchimikado Harutora. With that, the probability that Seishuku Temple would try to stop them once Miyoshi and the other Onmyou Agency people expressed their intent of arresting Tsuchimikado Harutora was very high. 
They were outnumbered like this. Even if Yuge could defend, they couldn't win if Seishuku Temple's capable people surrounded them. Especially Jougen, who Miyoshi had hailed as 'a person far more powerful than us'. 
"Then." 
Yamashiro quickly interjected. 
"Let's let things move in Jougen's direction and pull Rian who spoke out before over to our side. If we have him become the leader and split Seishuku Temple in two, we might be able to limit them from getting involved in other things." 
"Priest Rian, huh? Is he that respected in the monastery?" 
Miyoshi spoke indifferently. He seemed to be uninterested, or perhaps Rian was just that shallow. Yamashiro smirked. 
"I'll express our support. If he has the Onmyou Agency backing him, there might be a good amount of people who choose our side instead of Jougen's. ...But, there's no time. This job ought to have been completed by the Mystical Investigators, and this time I'd like to request support from Officer Miyoshi and Independent Officer Yuge." 
Tsuchimikado Harutora's message had stated that he was going to come today. In the first place, they couldn't distinguish whether that message was true for false, but even if Tsuchimikado Harutora didn't come, this could develop into an opportunity for his work inside Seishuku Temple to progress. 
But Miyoshi didn't nod. 
"Yamashiro, it's good for young people to be motivated, but Chief Kurahashi will get angry if you go too far." 
Yamashiro's relaxed expression vanished. He couldn't distinguish what 'level' of a suggestion Miyoshi's remark was. 
Miyoshi was unconcerned about the young Mystical Investigator's reaction. 
"I said just now, the three of us are emissaries and will follow their customs. 'Arresting people' isn't an action that we here have to take." 
"......You knew?" 
"No, I didn't know. But I can imagine that that person has begun preparing very quickly already." 
Yamashiro smiled politely at the calmly-speaking Miyoshi. 
"What's going on?" Yuge questioned Yamashiro, unable to understand what the two were talking about. 
"I've reported everything regarding Tsuchimikado Harutora's visit to Chief Kurahashi. As Officer Miyoshi predicted, reinforcements should be heading here right now." 
"What?" 
"Why didn't you say that earlier." Yuge stared at Yamashiro in surprise. 
"Sorry, Independent Officer, it's because it was my Mystical Investigator work. But the reinforcements will arrive this evening at the earliest. So it's not guaranteed that they'll be here at the critical time. I mean to say that we should be of use if possible. I won't deny it even if you say that I'm getting carried away." 
Yamashiro spoke straightforwardly. He no longer had any intent of concealing it. Yuge wore a displeased expression. Even if he lowered his head, it didn't make her feel any better. All of that was within Yamashiro's calculations. 
"Anyway, if reinforcements are coming, then we can't descend the mountain first. Let's stay as we are." 
"Officer Miyoshi, to be honest, it might indeed be getting carried away, but we can't just wait and leave everything to the reinforcements, that's not wise. Since the three of us have the advantage of being onsite, we really ought to act when we can." 
"Rejected." 
"Why?" 
"That's obvious, it's because it's too dangerous." 
"What does that mean?" 
"Nothing but the literal meaning. The two of you might be fine, but what if something happens to me?" 
Yamashiro didn't really understand even after being told this. 
Yamashiro was a bit stunned. Yuge furrowed her brows, and on the other hand, Miyoshi was still as calm as always. In contrast to them, he spoke leisurely with a 'this is troublesome' tone. 
"This is troublesome. The two of you, listen up, especially you, Yuge. I hope you can realize the reason you were chosen for this mission." 
"Hah...... huh?" 
"Isn't it something you can realize with just a bit of thought? It was to protect me. No matter what, I'm a Special Senser, a human resource that never fails in jobs like detecting magic, right? I was chosen as an envoy, and at the same time, you were chosen as an envoy as a barrier-user for nothing other than protecting me with your life." 
"No, that......" 
"You were only dispatched to guarantee my safety. Otherwise, how would they have put an Independent Exorcist who was very busy in the first place on this kind of remote mountain?" 
"......" 
Those words - 'very busy Independent Exorcist' were indeed true, and she also had to admit that what Miyoshi said was probably the case. 
The Special Senser Miyoshi Tougo's abilities were the 'treasure' of the Onmyou Agency. It was a fragile treasure that was unable to fight and even lacked the ability to protect itself. It was a reasonable or even natural measure to place powerful 'shields' next to him. 
But she was powerless to refute it when the person in question said so magnanimously that 'Yamashiro and Yuge, I'm a greater, more valuable person than you, so I need you to protect me'. It was like an emperor proclaiming a command to his servant. 
"How unreliable. Come on, Yuge, really?" 
"......Alright......" 
"...Well, Yamashiro, Yuge and I have to refrain from foolish actions that provoke those around us. I won't force you to stop if you want to act no matter what, but if you're planning on pulling over Priest Rian without any hesitation like you said, I urge you to calmly wait instead." 
It was truly shameless, but Miyoshi lectured Yamashiro without any remorse. Yamashiro also thought seriously for a long time over whether he was being taken for an idiot. 
The conversation in the quarter was enveloped in silence. Only two of them were restless. 
Suddenly, the third person, 
"Ah." 
Clapped his hands as if seeming to think of something and slowly turned towards Yamashiro. 
"Come to think of it, I forgot it during yesterday's confusion, there's something I want to confirm." 
"What is it?" 
"The forbidden magic Tsuchimikado Harutora is suspected of using was indeed the Taizan Fukun Ritual, right?" 
"......Is that so?" 
He didn't understand Miyoshi's intent at all up to this point. But that said, he couldn't ignore it. Yamashiro replied seriously. 
Miyoshi heard Yamashiro's reply and thought quickly. 
"I see. That's unexpected, but of course I might have guessed wrong. It's very hard to determine the location." 
"......" 
"......Officer Miyoshi? Excuse me...... What do you mean......" 
Quite weary, Yamashiro's voice started becoming impatient as he questioned. This was an experience of being mistreated at the hands of an irritating boss, albeit the fact that he was a National First-Class Onmyouji. [39] Those hands also made his patience drop to its very bottom limits because of their pressure. 
Miyoshi's momentary daze ended in a posed proclamation. 
"Good timing, Yamashiro. I urged you to wait before. Let me give you some advice on why you ought to do so." 

"Why is it like this, Rian? Shouldn't the Onmyou Agency be backing us?" 
"Also, is the matter of welcoming Tsuchimikado Harutora really seen as decided in the monastery because of the dispute earlier!?" 
"The moderate ajari turned to Jougen and the others...... If we just recognize him as Yakou reborn, won't we have no time to make our case?" 
The reformist ajari gathered in Rian's quarters, criticizing their leader with paled faces one after another. Actually, Rian had completely lost the dispute in the courtyard before. Thanks to him, their plans had been completely disrupted. 
But, 
"There's nothing we can do anymore, right? We didn't predict that Tsuchimikado Harutora would come here at all. We definitely can't ignore that." 
"Even so, there's no meaning in making the situation of Jougen's side better! Also, what's with the stance that those Twelve Divine Generals had taken?" 
"That's because the Mystical Investigator Yamashiro fled! If that brat had a bit of courage before, the result would have been completely different. Damn, that guy could have just...... In the end, he's just an errand boy. I was truly foolish to hold expectations of him." 
Rian spat bitterly. 
In any case, Tsuchimikado Harutora's arrival and the acceptance of this in the courtyard meant that Rian and the other reformists had truly been caught in a dilemma. They had to regretfully admit that they hadn't gotten the best end of the bargain. 
But, 
"Let's end this. We have a message from Kurahashi Genji, the Onmyou Agency chief. The Onmyou Agency that he leads dominates the magic community - and always will in the future. Even Jougen and Yakou's reincarnation won’t be obstacles." 
Rian surveyed the faces of his comrades as he spoke devoted, enthusiastic words. 
Of course, even if Rian had ambitions and desires, he had considered playing it safe. 
But above that, Seishuku Temple ought to pick the correct choice, join with the Onmyou Agency, and open up the temple. 
The other ajari had no way of guaranteeing their lives other than that. Onmyou law was being changed, and the Onmyou Agency's power was currently spreading all the way over here. They were rightly aware of the current situation. 
In the first place, it couldn't be said that the people living at Seishuku Temple were truly 'living'. Compared to people on the outside, why was it that only they were practitioners, and why did they have to be forced into this kind of unfree 'life'? Even for their magic training, maybe they needed to learn the latest theoretical approaches of the Onmyou Agency rather than stubbornly using their stratified methods from before. 
The proposition of Jougen's conservative faction meant nothing at all. They were just purely afraid that change would happen. 
"The Divine Generals from before assented to Jougen's words. But that definitely wasn't their true feelings. Yamashiro probably thinks the same about that. It's understandable that they find it difficult to act. Then we need to do something to make it more convenient for them to move." 
Rian spoke to his companions - and also to himself. 
"If we're successful, we'll be able to grant the Onmyou Agency a 'favor'. ......Right, this is actually an opportunity. Right now, we have to muster our courage and act. Like that, we'll carve the names of us reformists in the long history of Seishuku Temple. It's perfect. Everyone, prepare yourselves." 
"......"