Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 03: "Isn't the Air Kind of Ominous?"

Chapter 03: “Isn’t the Air Kind of Ominous?”

In a certain place in Mukaijima City, S Prefecture.

“―What tremendous magical power. Demons… no, has anyone from the demon race ever come to the human world with such power?”

In this regional city, far from the capital Tokyo, there have always been those who silently protected the people since ancient times. 

The Minazuki family, a prestigious lineage known for producing spirit users specialized in water manipulation, was on its thirty-third generation with the current head, Kaya Minazuki. Kaya was meditating in a room of her home, sitting formally with her eyes closed, when she sensed the unprecedented release of magical power and abruptly opened her eyes wide.

A powerful surge, like a shockwave of magical energy, had reached them from the central part of Mukaijima City. It was a superior force, imperceptible to those with lesser powers. As the head of the Minazuki family, Kaya possessed significant abilities and, therefore, had perceived it. 

“Someone,” 

“Hiragi is at your service”

When Kaya spoke, a sliding door quietly opened, and a woman in her thirties knelt on the veranda. 

She had long black hair tied back into a ponytail, with bangs hanging down, covering half of her face. Underneath her hair, she wore a black eyepatch and was dressed in a black suit. 

“Hiragi. Did you feel that magic power just now?”

“Yes. It was a terrifying force, enough to make one shiver.”

“Such immense power could only come from a demon, and likely a high-ranking one at that.” 

“…If I may say, while lower demons might come and go, those of the greater demons should not easily be able to leave the demon realm.”

“I know. Yet, many from the greater demons have come to the human world before. We, as spirit users, have managed to deal with them. But with the owner of this magical power, the question is not whether we can win, but rather…”

Kaya Minazuki, sweating coldly, received a silent response from Hiragi, who had no counterargument. 

The Minazuki family, among other spirit users, protected humans in secrecy. 

What they protected humans from were supernatural entities like evil spirits, yokai, monsters, and members of the demon race. 

If the spirit users were to be defeated, it meant a risk of harm from these otherworldly beings reaching humans. Ideally, the head of a distinguished family of spirit users like the Minazuki family should not, indeed cannot, show weakness.

But Kaya had shown her apprehension, indicating the presence of an extraordinary adversary in Mukaijima City. 

“Minimize the casualties as much as possible. But, you must find the source of this magical power.”

“Understood.”

The woman―Hiragi, quietly withdrew.

“Haah,” Kaya let out a heavy sigh.

There was no doubt something was in Mukaijima City, a presence beyond human capability to confront.

“…In the worst-case scenario, we might have to seek divine assistance.”

―Unbeknownst to Natsuki Yura, who had casually released his magical power, things had already started to move.