Chapter 26- Mitsuyo!
"I've come to bargain..."
A very peculiar voice that contained no identifiable emotion resonated in the great hall where Kaori and Kei were brought without consent.
The voice came from a tall and broad figure whose face was covered with a wooden mask that didn't even show the shade of the wearer's eyes.
A dark robe around his body and the hilt of a long katana visibly protruding beside his waist was the evident thing to witness as the being walked with heavy steps toward the center.
The faces of Kaori and Minoru contoured inexplicably as they saw the man walking. Minoru had a much uglier expression since the plan, which was going incredibly well until now, was interrupted by the unexpected appearance.
If anyone else had disturbed him in such a delightful hour, Minoru indeed would have ended their existence, and this applies to his father too. But this entity...
Kaori instinctively moved toward Kei before expanding her arms to shield him from any threat possible.
The black-robed man halted his feet for a second to look at the woman, much to the latter's fret.
Kaori, despite being powerless, didn't seem to be pale to this extent, until now. The chills she felt down her spine when that depthless gaze looked down upon her made her tremble, yet she held her ground.
It wasn't like the anomaly was releasing any intent or aura which made Kaori like this. Instead, his identity made her even more regrettable of this day.
The shrouded man turned his head and continued walking forward before the guards on either side of the hall immediately dashed forward and pointed their spears around the man.
"No, you idiots!!"
Minoru shouted to warn his guards, but it was already too.
**SLING**
Like a sharp blade swung in empty space, a slinging sound erupted from the place where several figures stood.
**THUD**
As the man sheathed his katana, which was never seen to be taken out, the head of every guard started dropping one after another, followed by their lifeless body.
In mere three seconds, all the eighteen guards, unaware of the unexpected appearance's identity, fell into eternal slumber.
Minoru's eyes widened slightly, as he saw the sight, which might have been shocking beyond belief if not for the person who performed it.
The robed man again started walking to the front before he saw two female warriors dropping from the shadows and taking either side of the nobleman.
"Stay behind us, Young master. We will protect you with our lives."
One of the short-haired women spoke as she pointed her blade to the front, although her grip shook slightly in anguish.
The other elite guard also had the same expression, but just like her sister, she wasn't going to back away from her duty.
"Nina... Anna... No, you guys stay behind my back. This person isn't someone we can dare to offend."
Minoru patted the two girls, who happened to be his friends as well as his personal bodyguard, before he walked forward.
The two wanted to stop him, but it was already late. Minoru jumped down the stage before his left knee landed on the ground, and his head bowed in utmost respect.
Minoru had great pride but what he worshiped most was his life which could be terminated at any fraction of a second under the watch of this singularity.
"Minoru Kamazaki pays respect to the infamous hunter of the Underworld. Can this lowly one dare to ask, what bargain do I honor to receive from the Bounty Hunter?"
Kaori's gaze went round as she blinked at the scene, which was unfolding in a way she didn't expect. But even so, seeing Minoru on the ground made her feel delighted.
The two female warriors also dashed from their spot and knelt beside their young master without uttering a single word.
"Greetings. My name is Mitsuyo. I am the soul of the sword which master possesses. From here on, I will be talking in my master's stead."
Unlike the response all the others were expecting, a feminine voice resonated as, out of nowhere, a remarkable Japanese woman with long midnight hair flowing down to her waist and a black kimono on her proportioned body appeared beside Black Bounty.
The woman, by looks, could surpass any beauty Minoru or even the two guards beside him have ever seen. She's the perfect example of Yamato Nadeshiko.
Minoru didn't dare to look at the woman again for fear of causing his emotions to waver. She was a unique beauty, but no one could take the place of Kaori in his heart.
"The Runic Stone you are using to restrict the mana of that human girl behind...master desire that thing along with the information related to the dealer."
Minoru's eyes widened in surprise as he never thought the hunter would come here for such a thing. But what made him puzzled was the usage of stone.
"But lady Mitsuyo...that stone can be used once only. What will the Hunter benefit from it?"
"That's something you shouldn't care about, no? Now fulfill your part of the bargain Kamazaki Minoru."
The voice this time contained a slight heaviness which made the two beside Minoru shudder in fret but not the man who instantly followed with his careless words.
"And about Hunter's part of the bargain...."
Minoru knew once he let go of the blue stone, Kaori would be left unrestrained, and he couldn't afford that.
If he gets a weapon or artifact, on par or slightly less than the sword whose soul was talking for some moments, he would undoubtedly capture Kaori in his cage.
But little did the Kamazaki heir expect; his words would backfire in such a way.
**CRACK**
With the ground around Mitsuyo turning into a crater, a heavyweight that felt like a mountain boulder weighed down the three kneeling figures, as the beautiful woman warned in a threatening tone.
"Know your place, Human! You can breathe in the presence of my master is a hefty sum of compensation already! Now, without any delay, hand over the things my master desires before I turn this place into a living hell!"
***KWHAK**
The two female guards instantly dropped to the ground as their consciousness left their side as soon the intent poured down. Minoru was somehow able to keep still himself intact.
Spitting out the blood, he realized his mistake as in a trembling voice; a reply uttered out his mouth.
"I-I wi-will br-bring it, ri-right at this i-i-instance.."
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A/N: - Drop a comment, if you're liking the story~