Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V4 Chapter 18

Chapter 18: “Madoka’s Reason?” ②

Natsuki raised the Blade of Eternal Darkness, ready to strike.

“…Well, that’s fine. You seem to understand things pretty well, so I thought about inviting you to Kyoto for some oni hunting, but I guess that’s off the table now, huh?”

“I’d love to hunt oni, but since you’ve found out about Tono’s yokai theme park, I’ll have to silence you first.”

“…Even if you kill me, there are others who know the general location.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep.”

“…Oh well!”

Natsuki shrugged, quickly shifting his mindset.

Coming up with reasons to fight wasn’t his style.

They were enemies—that was enough.

There was no need to overthink it or dwell on it later.

“Alright. Next, I’ll kill you.”

“Go ahead and try.”

Before Madoka could finish speaking, Natsuki closed the distance in an instant and drove the demonic sword into his chest.

To ensure the kill, Natsuki dragged the blade straight down.

Blood and organs should have spilled onto the ground, painting it red—but once again, Madoka remained unharmed.

“Huh?”

“You’re seriously terrifying.”

“You’re using something, aren’t you?”

“Do you think I’d tell you?”

“Normally, no.”

“Exactly. Someone spilling the secrets of how they’re protecting their own life would basically be suicidal.”

“True enough.”

Natsuki felt a little disappointed.

He didn’t really dislike Madoka all that much.

While he couldn’t stand the way Madoka used and discarded yokai as tools, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity with the way Madoka relentlessly went after his enemies.

On top of that, Madoka wasn’t like the otherworlders Natsuki despised. Talking to him didn’t leave a bad taste.

And if Madoka’s actions stemmed from losing a friend, it was something Natsuki could understand. Like the saying “hate the priest, hate even his robes,” if yokai had killed his friend, it made sense for Madoka to hate all yokai.

After all, Natsuki hated all otherworlders.

“Well then, I’ll just keep killing you until you’re dead.”

“Give it your best shot—but wait. Before that, let me ask your name.”

“Huh? I didn’t tell you already?”

“You did, but there’s no way James N.Y. Kappa is your real name.”

“…That’s my soul’s true name!”

“Give me the name of your physical body.”

“…Natsuki Yura.”

“What did you say?”

When Natsuki gave his name, Madoka’s demeanor shifted.

He glared at Natsuki, biting his own nails.

“…Natsuki. Yura, you said?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“…Of all the names… Why are you using the name of my beloved best friend?!”

“Huh?”

Even Natsuki was shocked into silence.

Who could have guessed that the name of Madoka’s deceased friend would be the same as his own?

“I didn’t really dislike you before, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“…Meanwhile, I’ve lost all motivation.”

“I’ll crush you to pieces.”

Madoka pulled out a charm, biting his lip to smear it with blood.
Not just Natsuki, but even Nurarihyon, Senju, and Yusuke tensed up at the overwhelming, ominous presence that spread around them.
Gripping his holy sword, Natsuki prepared to strike Madoka down along with the charm he held.

But before Natsuki could act, a sharp clap echoed through the air.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

The sound carried spiritual energy, and its effect was immediate—it calmed everyone who heard it.

“That’s not okay, Madoka. And, uh, sorry to the yokai too.”

A lighthearted voice broke the tension, and a white-haired young man dressed in a black suit appeared, his tone casual and unconcerned.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

There are about two more chapters before the Abe arc comes to an “official” close.
The resolution and such will be saved for another time. This is just the setup.

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