Of all the people who could have shown up, it had to be the worst possible opponent. With my strength in its current state, outrunning him was out of the question, and my options for escaping this lightning cage were slim to none.
What should I do? I asked myself, though I already knew the answer. No matter how hard I tried, picking a fight with someone like him was a losing move.
"…Ouma, you aren't going to let me go, are you?"
"Actually, I just want to hear your side of the story. It’ll depend on that."
"…Seriously?"
"Yeah. I was hired as a guard, but that Burning Blade ceremony felt wrong to me. I was planning to ask Yamato-san about it later, but then this happened. So, what exactly are you doing?"
Realizing he wasn't an enemy for the time being, the tension left my body all at once. I didn’t exactly collapse, but I felt the strength drain out of me as I let out a long, heavy sigh.
The lightning cage deactivated. Since it seemed like he was willing to talk, I explained everything Tsubaki had told me just moments ago.
"Hey, Burning Blade. Does Yamato-san know about this?" Ouma asked.
"Master knows," Tsubaki answered. "He was the one who would put that thing down on a regular basis."
"…I can't imagine that man just giving up. Well, fine. So, what are you going to do, Reima?"
Ouma’s blue eyes pierced through me, his words heavy with the weight of my own resolve.
There were still too many mysteries, and I had no idea what I could actually accomplish right now. I couldn't keep running forever, and if Japan really would be destroyed unless the Calamity Tsubaki mentioned was defeated, then I had no choice but to kill it.
Besides, there was no way in hell I was going to let her be sacrificed just to take down some monster.
"I’ll kill it, no matter what. That’s the only option, right?"
"…I figured. That sounds like something you’d say. Personally, I’d like to help you out, but you’re basically a wanted man right now. What’s the plan?"
"That… I’m not sure."
"That Tsuchimikado brat is fuming. He was saying something about dealing out the punishment himself."
"…Running away and then charging straight back at a dangerous guy like that… Is that a bad idea?"
He was that angry? Hearing about the current state of the Kanna family from Ouma—specifically about that man named Haruka—made a cold sweat break out across my skin. Apparently, I was being treated like a high-priority criminal. It was fine for now since I looked like a child, but things would get ugly the second my true identity was exposed.
"…I wouldn't recommend it. I don’t want to be the one to catch you, so I’d rather let you slip away, but…"
"I am truly sorry, Reima-dono," Tsubaki said.
"Don't worry about it. I’m the one who chose to run."
Still, it was clear that staying in this limbo was a recipe for disaster.
Evading pursuit in modern-day Japan was difficult enough, but in a modern age with magic, the difficulty skyrocketed. Considering the influence and financial reach of the Kanna family, it was almost impossible.
"That reminds me. There is a duel passed down through my family and the Tsuchimikado family—one that cannot be refused."
As if suddenly remembering, Tsubaki began to explain the details.
In the Kanna and Tsuchimikado families, there exists a [Contract Duel] used when family members must decide on matters of grave importance. It was a last resort, but if we used it, we could force them to accept our demands. The binding was similar to the Magic Tool [Geas Roll], and it apparently possessed significant coercive power.
"Hmm. And if we use that, what will you demand?"
"I was thinking of making them stop their pursuit of Reima-dono for the time being."
"I think making them annul your engagement would be a better use of it," I countered.
"No. Reima-dono comes first."
I wanted to tell her to prioritize herself, but it was true that I was in the most precarious position right now. We didn't have much of a choice.
There were so many things to do and so much to think about.
But first, I had to face the opponent. Thus, I agreed to let Ouma "capture" me.
Tsubaki and I were placed atop a lightning bull created by Ouma's [Authority], and we were ferried back to the mansion we had just escaped from.
"Did you catch him?"
Back at the mansion, I was presented to Haruka Tsuchimikado, bound by Ouma's magic for the sake of appearances.
Haruka's mana was roiling, so intense that it manifested in the shape of beasts. I had seen things like this back in the Wakuni of Mythologia—these were likely an Onmyoji’s Shikigami.
"So, why did you do such a thing? Depending on your answer, I might kill you gently."
"Because I find you repulsive."
"…Heh. You must not value your life very much."
I felt a sharp spike of murderous intent. Flames coalesced into the shape of a blade—he clearly intended to execute me with his own hands.
Just then, Tsubaki spoke up.
"Haruka-dono, may I say one thing?"
"What is it? You're the victim who was kidnapped, aren't you? Could you please stay quiet for a moment?"
"I refuse. I have decided that I do not wish to marry you after all. Therefore, I challenge you to a [Contract Duel]."
"—Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am quite serious. I have two demands: that you let this child go, and that you annul the engagement. In exchange, I offer my everything. How about it?"
Tsubaki said it so casually, her tone natural, as if she weren't gambling her entire life.
The [Contract Duel]—it was my fault for not thinking deeply enough about what those words meant. If it was a contract with that much power, an equivalent price was mandatory.
Before I could interject, the man accepted.
"Very well. I’ll take that bet. However, you’ll have to accept my condition as well. The one who will fight is this child—even I wouldn't want to hurt my future bride, after all!"
"…I see. Is that acceptable?"
Tsubaki’s gaze turned toward me, seeking confirmation.
There was no time to hesitate, and even less time to worry. I nodded immediately, and the [Contract Duel] was established. In that instant, an abnormal surge of mana swirled through the room; a white magatama was engraved onto my right arm, and a black one appeared on Haruka's left.
"Then let's have the duel in two days. The brat will need some time to prepare, won't he?"