Chapter of the week: 1/2
Translator: Reizenchuu
Editor: Kenny Stryker

While Yato was slaying the a.s.saulting ogres, Ouka was doing her best at fortifying the seal of the evil apparition. Ouka and the sealing rock, both had a pentagon-shaped magic circle formed around them while a talisman was floating in the air. What Ouka was doing was nothing but the preliminary step of the sealing. The real part was still about to come when the time of Souki's resurrection comes.

Come whenever you want. Controlling her never-ceasing nervousness and impatience, she waited for that time to come. And finally…

** ANGRY EVIL APPARITION NOISES **

A wrathful howl came from within the giant rock. The noise reverberated everywhere inside the barrier and reached the deepest part in Ouka's head. Unlike the time of the resurrection sign, no earthquake resulted from the howl. Moreover, the howling voice was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with strong hatred and loathing.

Time has finally come…

Ouka prepared herself for the next step of the sealing that was approaching. What was about to come was a question of patience. All that she had to do was to restrain the evil apparition from escaping the seal. If she fails at doing it, the evil apparition will resurrect; a very simple, yet dangerous challenge, and Ouka had already made her plans for it to win.

The magic of the evil apparition would be limited while it's still within the seal. That is why Ouka should have a good chance to fortify the seal with her vast amount of magic. If Yato accomplishes his mission properly in defending the barrier, then fortifying the seal shouldn't be so difficult.

I entrust the safety of this barrier to you, Yato-sama…

While praying for Yato to accomplish his part of the plan, Ouka focused all her concentration on the sealing. With her eyes closed, she moved both of her hands slowly to place them on top of her chest. She took a stance with her hands joined together and took a deep breath. Immediately, a faint light covered the giant rock.

** SOME MORE ANGRY EVIL APPARITION NOISES **

The evil apparition howled with a terrifying voice as if it were resisting the light. The giant rock started trembling as if something below it were trying to push its way to the surface. Fortunately, with that much resistance, the chance for the evil apparition to break the seal was almost none. Ouka released more magic and strength while still completely concentrating on the seal, then she let out a faint breath. Her hair started standing up vertically and the more magic she pumped in the sealing, the higher light covering the giant rock increased its radiance.

Everything was going well until that point. Ouka was relieved for managing to continue fortifying the seal until now without making a single miss, but suddenly, she sensed a magic reaction coming from outside the barrier.

So, they are finally here…

Souki, the evil apparition, has the ability to bring ogres into life and manipulate them however it desires. In a haste, Ouka pumped more magic on the seal while being wary of her surroundings. She didn't have a clue on the actual strength of an ogre, nevertheless, she relied on Yato to take care of them. Yato's mission is to stop the ogres from reaching the barrier. If so, Ouka, as well, needs to accomplish her part of the plan. Before she lost concentration, she focused back on sealing the evil apparition, when suddenly, the magic reaction she sensed just now disappeared.

What? Did it disappear?

She couldn't believe that the ogre that showed up only a few seconds ago had disappeared as if it were not there to begin with. The only explanation she could come up with was that the ogre was defeated and the only person who should be able to do that is none other than Yato. Ouka was surprised by Yato's speed in defeating the ogre, but she didn't know yet that what happened just now was nothing but the start.

A short while later, she sensed another reaction. This time it appeared from the other side of the barrier, which would naturally require time for Yato who is on the other side to defeat it. But that wasn't a big problem for Ouka as she was already prepared to fight against a few ogres in case they were able to get inside of the barrier. Though luckily, all her fears and considerations ended up feeling unnecessary.

Huh? Again? It disappeared?

Only a few seconds after the ogre appeared, it's presence disappeared again. She doubted that the ogres have a stealth skill, but soon denied it for being absurd. The only possible reason for their abrupt disappearance is their death. In other words, they got defeated. It was at that time when Ouka remembered that Yato could teleport wherever he wants and thus came to agree with the outcome while being impressed.

I forgot that Yato-sama has some strange abilities.

She didn't know what were those abilities exactly, but she was happy to have such a reliable human as her ally. From that point on, the battle outside the barrier got more intense. Not only a few seconds lapse before a group of ogres showing up somewhere around the barrier gets defeated by Yato. No matter how much of them a.s.sault together or the spot they choose to invade, Yato still finishes them without delay. Ouka became excited from realizing the overwhelming strength of her ally.

We can do it at this rate…

Even the evil apparition's resistance to the seal abated as it was concentrating on manipulating the ogres outside the barrier. If the situation could keep being in her favor, then her victory is certain. Those were the thoughts that crossed Ouka's mind as she poured more magic in the seal.

How come!?

Though suddenly, she sensed a tremendous amount of magic reaction around the entire barrier. Way over 10 or 20, the countless amount of ogres surrounded the barrier, not leaving a single empty spot. It looks like the evil apparition understood that it can't win against Yato in term of strength, that is why it moved to a.s.sault with a large number of ogres simultaneously.

W-what should I do…?

Ouka started contemplating a solution with a grim face. Yato was able to defeat every ogre without much difficulty, but the situation is different with all of them a.s.saulting at once. One side could make it inside the barrier while Yato is dealing with the other side. Ouka could manage to defeat a few of them, however, if they come attacking in hundreds, then she won't have a chance.

This is bad…

Impatience started conquering Ouka's heart as sweat ran down her forehead while the ogres continued to draw near the barrier. She can't suspend the sealing process because it would result in the instant resurrection of Souki. Her thoughts were disordered by her impatience and perplexity and she was unable to think properly anymore. To her surprise, all her fears came out to be meaningless.

A shaft of dazzling light made its way to the sky.

Eh?

Ouka raised her head to look at that s.h.i.+ning light which soon split into countless secondary lights and fell down like shooting stars. Ouka was almost captured by the splendid scenery above her head, but she soon came to realize that those lights were not actually shooting stars.

This is!?

The moments those countless light streamed down to the ground, the magic reactions of the ogres began to disappear around the entire barrier at a fast pace. Ouka couldn't help but almost drop her jaw from the shock.

"Amazing…"

She unintentionally let that single word leave her mouth while being overtaken by the constantly disappearing ogres. She wondered for a moment about what happened, but instantly attained the evident answer.

"As expected from Yato-sama…"

The magic reaction of an ogre disappears only when it's defeated. She was startled but with Yato's unforeseen abilities, a smile of victory reached her face. She realized that she asked for the help of a person way over her level. She was glad that she has an overpowered ally on her side, Ouka concentrated back on the seal with a smile on her face. At this pace, she can definitely fortify the seal. Ouka poured more magic and strength to guarantee the victory before her eyes.

** EVEN MORE ANGRY EVIL APPARITION NOISES **

Apparently, the evil apparition wasn't expecting his attack to get blocked by Yato and started to desperately resist the seal. Luckily, that its resistance was meaningless since the seal was about to be terminated. Ouka gradually walked near the giant rock while pouring all her power in the seal and because of that, she couldn't notice the approaching attack of the third party.

"Kyaa!"

Only one step before completing the seal, pain ran down her back. Something came flying and b.u.mped against her back with an audible noise. Ouka's expression got distorted from the pain.

W-What was that…?

Just because of that one blow, Ouka lost her concentration. Although she immediately realized what she did and wanted to continue the sealing, but it was already late. There was no possible way that Souki would let such a chance slip by, after all.

** CONTINUOUS ANGRY EVIL APPARITION NOISES **

The faint light disappeared and the giant rock started to gradually crack until it split into two along with an explosion. Ouka closed her eyes due to the blast caused by the explosion. The next time she opened them again, she fell in awe from the sight she had in front of her. Something with the shape of a human wearing a kimono was standing near the giant rock. It had a tough build, a pitch black skin and two horns growing from his forehead. The glare that his s.h.i.+ning crimson pupils released indicated that he was lifeless. Without a doubt, the Youkai standing there was someone Ouka knew very well.

"Souki…"

An expression of despair reached Ouka's face when she witnessed the resurrected evil apparition, Souki, standing before her eyes. The situation had turned into the worst possible outcome. For a moment, Ouka started trembling with fear, however, she immediately gathered her courage and glared back at Souki.

Very well, you have left me no choice.

Switching back to her serious mindset, she promptly stood up and directed one hand towards Souki. At that moment, the sound of something snapping around her body dominated the quiet area and eventually, lightning emerged from her hand. Souki got attracted to that noise and turned to Ouka.

Now!