I Was Reincarnated as a Nameless Combatant in a Japanese-style Fantasy Depressive Erotic Game, but the Women Around Me Are All Dangerous, and I Have a Bad Feeling about It

decessors.
Unfortunately, I myself am not yet in perfect condition and it is quite a struggle to do the work,” said Yuusei, showing off his withered-looking, thin arms and smiling.
The statement was quite natural, but to Shizu, who was standing by his side, it sounded as if he was harassing her master.
Words rich in diplomatic and impressionable expressions in the language of the Fuso country, and particularly those from the Northern region.

　”…!”

　Shizu involuntarily gritted her back teeth.
She trembles with rage inside.

　To think that she had to cover the butts of those selfish brats and rally them together, especially to direct that towards her master! The statement of the head of the house, which was tantamount to shame and disgrace…
How could he say such a shameless thing.
It was her master who had punished the most evil spirits in the four directions just the other day.
In contrast, wasn't the eldest daughter the sort of person who left without permission even when on duty!?

　”I appreciate your efforts.
Please take good care of yourself.
And as an Onitsuki auxiliary representative, I will do my best.”

　Compared to Shizu's stormy inner feelings, her lord'sShukun statement was calm and moderate.
His words were not at all agitated, and he spun them out smoothly.
The head of the family nodded in response to Shisui's words.
They both sipped from their teacups.
Another moment of silence enveloped the space…

　Next, it was Sumire who broke the silence.
Or to be more precise, she was standing next to her husband and directed a slight aura of killing intent towards the garden, scattering it.
After a moment's delay, the remaining people's gazes turned to the garden at the same time, and the intruder appeared.

　A shikigami in the form of a crow, used as a secret messenger, flew down towards Shisui

　”…I beg your pardon.”

　Stopping on his outstretched arm, Shisui extracted the letter wrapped around its leg, before announcing one word to the head of the family.
Then he opened it, furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

　”This is…”

　”What happened, head of the servant group?”

　At Shisui's reaction, Sumire inquired.
Wordlessly, Shisui reads the letter once and twice, and shows it to Shizu, who is standing behind him.
After reverently bowing to the head of the family, he showed the letter to him as well.
Upon understanding its contents, he was a little surprised.

　”My lordO tōshu-sama, the ones we sent out have apparently encountered some problems…
It seems there's no avoiding it.
We should think about how to deal with it as soon as possible,” Shisui said anxiously, wringing his hands.

　Then, he presented the letter in his hand to the head of the family.

* * *

　After a night of heavy snow in Hieda County, the blizzard subsided and the dazzling light of the sun pierced through the snowy mountain range, creating a blanket of white.

　Outside the hut nestled in the rugged Northern region, I gazed out at the grand and pure white expanse.

　”…Well, it's not gonna be that easy to find, huh?” I sighed, contemplating the landscape before me.

　Although Hieda County was a remote and uncultivated area, sparsely populated and underdeveloped in the eyes of the imperial court, it was overwhelming for an individual.

　Two days ago, I had set off from the county capital, after my proposal to search for the Namahage was accepted by the people.
Now, as I said myself, it was going to be quite a challenge to find the wandering monster in this vast land.

　”Hmm, alright, alright.
Are you hungry? Don't get too excited.
I'll give you a proper meal.” I addressed the horses in the stable, which had been whinnying and wriggling in anticipation.
Inside the stables are two horses.
One is a chestnut and the other a dark blue, both with empty stomachs.
The dark blue was particularly restless, constantly sniffling and nudging me.
I handed them some hay, which they hungrily devoured.

　Then I put it in a tub under their feet and let them eat it on their own.
This was not a sightseeing trip, and we couldn't keep looking after the horses.

　”We'll resume the search after we've eaten, too…
Hey Iruka, anything unusual?” I asked the half-wolf who had been listening to the snowfall in silence since a while.

　Then she twitched her wolf ears and answers.

　”No.
As far as I can tell, the best I can perceive is the sound of footsteps.
It doesn't seem like any particularly strange scents are mixed in.”

　Iruka's words were an insurance.
The opponent was capable of concealing their presence to a degree that is enough to evade the tracking of Shikigami.
If so, it cannot be denied that it is impossible for the sharp senses of a half-yokai to be deceived.
In fact, in the original scenario, the Hidden Group's skillful members were caught unawares and attacked from the back.
Even if not, snow absorbs sound.
Now, how much can a half-yokai's hearing make up for…

　”Tomobe-san…
breakfast is ready!”