Chapter 20. Hyakki Yagyō (Part 1)

"Sorry, my hand slipped," Suguru said, putting on a light smile.

"Let go of me!" Yuta snapped angrily before I could say anything, trying to shake Suguru's hand off his shoulder. "I don't even want to listen to someone who treats my friends like that!"

"Don't take it the wrong way," Suguru replied, removing his hand from the guy's shoulder. "I had no intention of upsetting you or humiliating anyone. But you, on the other hand, are a cunning character," Suguru stared at me. "Although, I shouldn't have expected anything less from Satoru's disciple."

"Let's end this circus," Satoru stepped forward. "What are you doing here, Suguru?"

"Don't misunderstand me. It's not like I came just to show off. I'm not you," Suguru shrugged, rolling his eyes. "Today, I'm here to declare war! Open your ears and hearts, and listen carefully! On the evening of December 24th, we will perform the 'Night Parade of a Hundred Demons'! The perfect places for a sacrificial altar - Shinjuku and the magic capital, Kyoto. A thousand Curses will be unleashed in these locations, and their command will be...' Kill everything and everyone.' If you don't want hell to come to Earth, try to stop me."

As a person, this guy might not have been great, much like his friend Satoru. However, as an orator, he was magnificent. With just a few phrases, he managed to create an atmosphere of deep seriousness and an imminent terrifying crisis. This was especially impressive considering that this place was filled with powerful Sorcerers.

"Ah! We're late, Geto-sama! The shop is about to close!" Nanako shattered the atmosphere with just one sentence.

"Is it that late already?" Suguru exclaimed. "Sorry, Satoru. I'd love to chat, but the girls said they came here just to eat pancakes at 'Takeshita,' so... I gotta go! Although, I still don't understand what's so special about a place full of monkeys."

"Do you think I'll let you go?" Satoru coldly addressed the 'monk.'

"Oh, come on," Suguru smiled flatteringly, and then a black sphere fell from his wide sleeve, instantly transforming into a one-eyed Curse resembling a sumo wrestler. "You understand me perfectly, right? My free time is only for my dear students. So, don't stink up the place; we'll meet soon on the battlefield."

At that moment, the Curse summoned by Suguru formed a seal with its hands, calling forth numerous black skeletons that instantly surrounded our group. I didn't bother with it and simply turned around, heading deeper into the school.

Suguru Geto is the focal point of the "Magic Battle" plot. Burn his body, and there will be no "Incident in Sibuya," no deaths, no shattered destinies. It doesn't seem like the worst outcome, right? But in the end, you find yourself in a well-furnished house, and life seems better as if stepping back would lead to something worse than a conscious mess—an unknown chaos.

So, the question is, what's better: allowing the plot to unfold naturally or wiping it out altogether? Although, such concerns haven't crossed my mind for a long time. Over a year ago, I made a decision, and a month ago, a path opened up before me, so why bother about what's already crystal clear?

I could burn Suguru Geto's body and anger Satoru Gojo, thus delaying the madness awaiting this world. However, I won't do that. Why? Simply put, I don't want to. It's beyond my intentions. Is it cruel? Of course. But the question is, am I willing to sacrifice the queen for victory? And I'm fully prepared for it!

"In the end, I still need Kenjaku with his 'Deadly Migration,'" I muttered, looking at the clear sky where a pelican had turned into a tiny dot. Sacrificing the minority for the majority—Kiritsugu would be proud.

◊◊◊

Suguru Geto is a Special-Grade Sorcerer who manipulates Curses. He can absorb and control Curses created naturally, not related to Sorcerers. Over the past couple of years, his traces have been found all over Japan, and coupled with rumors and unconfirmed information reaching the Sorcerer Council, the conclusion was drawn that he is creating his cult. A Special-Grade Sorcerer with an army of Curses and loyal believers at his back.

At the moment, his danger is comparable to a country with military potential without nuclear weapons. That's what the report on the case of Suguru Geto stated. I remember that this guy gathered around four or five thousand Curses... Even if most of them must be minor Curses of the second rank and below, it's still an astonishing power. He's like a one-man army.

Oh, yes, let's not forget that he also has Sorcerers on his side, much fewer than the Sorcerer Council, but still... It turns out to be quite a decent organization.

"Surprised that you decided to take a break," Satoru's voice sounded above me.

At that moment, I was lying, half-hidden under a kotatsu.

"Before an important battle, you shouldn't stress too much," I replied without opening my eyes. "It's bad for psychological health."

"It's one thing not to stress, and another thing to act as if nothing serious happened."

"But there's you," I opened my eyes, looking at the Sorcerer with bandages over his eyes.

"That's some logic there," Satoru frowned slightly.

"But it's precisely with that logic that you came to me," I had nothing else to do but shake my head.

Satoru didn't respond to me.

"You know, I understand Suguru Geto much more than I do you. The logic of fighting the disease rather than its symptoms is closer to me, although it doesn't mean I'm ready to kill everyone on the planet."

"But you're ready for some of it," Satoru spoke.

"But so are you..."

"I'm Satoru Gojo; a certain weight of responsibility rests on me, giving me the right to choose."

"And I'm just a nobody, so what?" I stared at the white-haired mage. "Although, let's approach it from another angle... I've always wondered: 'Are your ambitions too small for someone recognized as the Strongest, at least in the last few centuries?'"

"Personal egoism is determined by the individual," Satoru shrugged. "Besides, I don't think anyone has the right to assess the ambitions and desires of the "Strongest."

"I agree, but in that case, you'll have to take into account the fact that your students will always subconsciously think that Satoru Gojo is always there, always ready to help and sort everything out."

"If they think that way, then I'm a bad teacher."

"If they think that way, then the "Strongest" didn't leave them a choice. Sorcerers see your back, Satoru. Logically, they will hide behind it. So, I'm afraid to imagine what has to happen for your students to grow up and truly become strong."

"That's why I don't like having serious conversations with you," Satoru sighed. "Remind me why I came to you?"

"Probably to ask for something."

"Exactly. You understood what Suguru wants to do, right?" Satoru irritably scratched his head. "As a Sorcerer who manipulates Curses, he's accustomed to paying the price to gain something greater."

"The only thing that could push him into a war against three Special-Grade Sorcerers is Rika," I finished the thought for Satoru.

"Exactly. That's why I want you not to interfere in Yuta's battle."

"Maki is coming with me," I responded promptly.

"Someone still needs to keep an eye on Yuta," "The Strongest" shook his head.

"Don't deceive me, Satoru, don't even try," I shook my head in denial.

"You seemed okay with it yourself before when she was fighting a stronger opponent."

"But not with a Special-Rank Sorcerer, whose pride and worldview were shattered by the one Maki resembles so much.

"Weren't you the one saying that my students need to grow up?" Satoru skeptically asked.

"Leave Panda or Toge here," I stood my ground. "And don't dare to put Maki Yuta between us. Besides not achieving what you want, you'll also ruin our relationship."

"Seriously?" Satoru smirked. "Aren't the ambitions a bit too small for the second after me?"

"Personal selfishness is determined by the individual, isn't it?" I smirked in response.

Silence hung between us, and the director's voice shattered after a couple of seconds:

"Satoru, if you don't appear before me right now, I'll send you to hell!"

"And you have such lovely relationships," he remarked, provocatively raising his eyebrows.

"We are a true teacher and student," Satoru just shrugged. "You don't consider me as your teacher, do you?"

"Do you consider me your student then?"

"No," for some reason, a kind smile appeared on Satoru's face. "It's hard to see you as a student when in a year or two, we'll be equals."