Taikyoku Denki Drama CD Chapter 5

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Tsukiuta. Tale – Taikyoku Denki

Chapter 5 – Searching for Doutaku

 

[Gokuzoku running through the fields.]

 

Gokuzoku 1: Hyahahaha! This is just great! It’s an all-you-can-kill!

 

Haru: ...

 

Gokuzoku 1: DIE!

......Huh?

 

Haru: You’re the one who’ll be dying.

 

[Haru stabs him, killing him.]

 

Kai: Haru~? One of ‘em ran over there... Ah.

 

Haru: He knew nothing. He’s already returned to nature.

 

Kai: Looks like that’s the case.

Phew~! It’s pretty difficult finding Doutaku, eh? Don’t you think he’s fleeing from us?

 

Haru: That seems likely. He’s smart. I’m trying to track him down with my spells, but I suppose he’s moving around to avoid it.

I presume he’ll only come out when he’s confident that he’s accumulated enough strength to defeat us all for certain.

 

Kai: So, basically, even now, he’s gathering more power, is what you’re saying?

In short, the more time that passes, the worse things will get for us.

 

Haru: Yeah. ...Plus, the Yang energy of the world is gradually disappearing. With that in mind, Jinzoku are also at a disadvantage.

 

Shun: Hajime, are you all right?

 

Hajime: *sighs* ...Yeah. No problem.

 

Kai: Uh, no, there are problems everywhere. You’re clearly not in your usual state.

 

Haru: ...Hajime, you’re incredibly strong, and your strength will be necessary.

But wouldn’t it be better if you were to rest for the time being?

Since, compared to Gokuzoku... Er, how do I put it... ...Jinzoku are more fragile.

 

Kai, Shun: Ooh~?

 

Haru: Because I’ll find Doutaku, beyond the shadow of a doubt.

 

Kai, Shun: Ooh~

 

Haru: Shun. Kai. What in the world is going on with you two?

 

Kai: Nah, sorry. Just seeing you being concerned for someone else was just a rare sight. *chuckles*

 

Haru: Concerned...? It’s not like that. I just... feel a sense of responsibility for this situation happening, and I’m fascinated to know why he’s this strong despite being just a Jinzoku...

So, if he were to die on me before I learned the reason for that, I’d be... in a rough spot... I guess. Yes, that’s it.

 

Kai: Mmhmm! That sure is a thing~ I understand wholeheartedly~

 

Shun: Mmhmm! I think it’s quite nice. Haru, who used to be uninterested in everything and seemed to be bored even living, has encountered something which can sate his curiosity! That in itself is a fantastic thing~!

 

Kai, Shun: For sure~

 

Haru: ...You’re mocking me.

 

Kai, Shun: Nope~! Not at all!

 

Shun: Hey, Haru? Do you want to protect the Jinzoku that you’ve finally taken an interest in? To phrase it another way, do you want to play with the Jinzoku?

Of course you do!

For someone like you, I have something I’d like to recommend to you~!

 

Kai: Oho?

 

Shun: Basically, it’s a special bond that can be tied between Gokuzoku and Jinzoku! This product called a contract exists—

 

Haru: Enough about me. We’re focusing on Doutaku right now. Even if we were able to capture him, we’ll need to figure out a strategy to oppose that irritating technique that can absorb others’ powers. Otherwise, we’ll just end up getting our strength zapped from us.

 

Shun: Ehh~? You’re interested in that, of all things? In that case, things will probably... be all right. I have a plan in mind. It’s something that came to me in a flash after seeing the spells that you Jinzoku use. If I were to pair it with my own... Mm!

 

Kai: Ooh. Seems to me that the Demon Lord’s caught wind of something?

 

Shun: I have! Fufu~

It’s very amusing how putting together factors, which have been separate all this time, opens up a whole new world of possibilities!

 

Hajime: Shun.

 

Shun: Yes~?

 

Hajime: We can trust that plan of yours, can we?

 

Shun: Cross my heart and hope to die.

 

Hajime: ...Heh. To what extent am I supposed to believe in that?

 

Shun: Eh~? That means you can place your complete trust in me!

 

Hajime: *chuckles* All right, understood.

I, too, will place my heart on the line as I trust you.

 

Shun: Sounds good!

 

Haru: ...

 

Hajime: Haru.

 

Haru: What?

 

Hajime: I trust you, too.

 

Haru: Ah...! Mm... ...Thank you, Hajime.

 

[They begin walking.]

 

Shun: Hey, hey, Kai?

 

Kai: Yeah, what’s up?

 

Shun: Once everything’s over, want to contract with me?

 

Kai: Huh!? You, with me!? Not with Hajime?

 

Shun: I have no need for a contract with Hajime~

 

Kai: So that’s how it is... Since y’all are opposites or whatever?

 

Shun: Yep.

 

Kai: Gotcha. Then treasure ‘im. If you make him cry, I’ll get seriously pissed off.

 

Shun: I wouldn’t do such a thing. And what are you, a bride’s father?

In the first place, I’m not asking Hajime for a contract. I’m asking you, Kai. Kai~

 

Kai: Hmm. But why me?

Even among the Gokuzoku, you’re the suuuper strong Demon Lord, right?

 

Shun: Oh, have faith in yourself, why don’t you?

That same suuuper strong Demon Lord is offering you a contract because he wants to stay with you.

 

Kai: Okay, but why?

 

Shun: Because you’re just so genuine, faithful to your nature, even when faced with someone like me.

 

Kai: Genuine... Well, yeah, I guess I’m often told that I have a natural attitude with things...

 

Shun: Whether you deal with yourself, the others, or even the world, you stay true to your nature, being yourself. That’s the most lovable way to live, in my opinion.

However, as long as you’re alive, it’s quite a difficult thing to pursue.

 

Kai: Hmm?

 

Shun: Fufu! Anyhow, Kai, we can just say that the way you live is incredibly charming to me. It’s like the sparkling sun!

That natural vessel of yours houses infinite capacity. I’m sure you’ll be able to make a contract with me!

Hey, hey, how about it, Kai? I bet it’ll be tons of fun ♪

 

Kai: Hrm... I don’t doubt that it’d be fun, but it also sounds like it’ll be very taxing. My instincts are whispering that to me.

 

Shun: *whining* Ehh~? So is that a no?

 

Kai: Mm...

 

Shun: Is it... really a no?

 

Kai: Heh! Nope! I’ll gladly accept! Since, I get the sense that if I’m with you, being put through taxing situations would be fun, too.

 

Shun: Ahaha! Yay~!

 

-

 

Yoru: Here’s your tea.

 

Aoi: Good work getting through today.

 

Arata: For sure~ Who knew we could move around so much~? That was a lot of searching we did~

 

You: That damn Doutaku... He keeps moving locations from place to place, so we can’t get a good hold of where he really is.

 

Yoru: Thinking about it, he actually has no need to fight us himself. It’s also possible that he could keep fleeing until time’s up for us.

 

Arata, You: Wait, that’s true.

 

Aoi: The two of you are making expressions that tell us, “I didn’t consider that.”

 

Arata: Well, it’s ‘cuz Gokuzoku are, like, a species that thrives off of battle... Right?

 

You: For sure. He’s got no intention of picking a fight and then running away from it.

 

Arata: Yeah, yeah. But he’s right. That’s possible. He’s an oddity among Gokuzoku, so I guess just about anything’s possible.

 

You: Yoru, you’re...

 

Yoru: Eh?

 

You: When I thought you were getting all worried about what to do, acting weak-willed and shaken up, you suddenly shift to calmly analyzing the situation, huh...?

 

Yoru: Wheh!? Th-th—Do you really think so?

 

Aoi: Fufu... Yoru isn’t weak-willed at all. He’s kind, but he absolutely hates dishonest deals. When he’s set his mind on something, he’s unbelievably strong...

 

Yoru: A-Aoi...!

 

You: Ooh... Heh. ...So, he’s not just a coward.

 

Arata, Aoi: Heheh~

 

Arata: Ah. The pipsqueaks are back.

 

Kakeru: We’re back~!

 

Koi: *groaning* We’re... back... SLAM.

 

[Koi collapses onto the floor.]

 

Iku: We’ve... returned... Uugh...

 

Rui: ...

 

Yoru: Wah!? One of you is already wordlessly on the floor!

 

Arata: What’s up, boyos?

 

Iku: We... ran around... at least three mountains... looking... And depending on whether or not we ran into enemies... w-we repelled those guys...

 

Aoi: Whoa... Sounds like a rather intuition-dependent approach... or should I say, er, vigorous method of searching for the enemy, huh?

 

Koi: N-now that’s Gokuzoku for you... His stamina... was endless...

 

Kakeru: WHOOOO~! We couldn’t find Doutaku again, but that was some fun work beating up the demons that came attacking at us~! It was a real beating frenzy!

HAHHHHHHH! I feel so accomplished!

 

Aoi: *laughs wryly* And it looks like Kakeru achieved good things.

 

Yoru: Go rest in the private room over there, if you’d like. I’ll go bring over some peach buns later.

 

Koi, Rui, Iku: *wearily* Sure…

Kakeru: *energetically* Sure!

-

 

Koi: Ahh, I’m so frustrated. Fighting in the forests or mountains sure gets me all sorts of frustrated. I guess Gokuzoku really do have the advantages there.

You’re bouncing from place to place, leaping from tree to tree, then jumping right down... Seriously, it’s like the world’s at your fingertips.

 

Iku: We could barely keep track of you... You’re really reassuring to have on our side, but terrifying to have as an enemy.

So that’s why we need to learn bodily techniques that can allow us to fight on par with an opponent who’s so significantly advantaged compared to us.

 

Koi: Ah. Kai-san said to calm down and aim for the moment of impact.

 

Iku: Impact...? Ah! The instant they strike with an attack?

 

Koi: Yeah! Even if they’re jumping around like the world’s at their fingertips, the moment of impact is when they’ll definitely be in arm’s reach, right? We’re supposed to aim for that instant. It’s like a counter, huh?

 

Iku: Gotcha... We can’t let ourselves get led astray by an opponent who runs circles around us. Striking back... That’s how we can pierce right through?

 

Kakeru: Yikes, that’s scary. They’re steadily thinking up anti-Gokuzoku strategies...

 

Rui: Fufu.

 

Kakeru: ...Hey, you know? I feel like I’ve gotten way, way stronger.

 

Koi: Whuh?

 

Kakeru: I’m a Gokuzoku, so I guess I’ve been strong from the start, in one way of the word. Still, you could say that I had nowhere to use that strength, evident in how much I just wasn’t aware of my own strength. I never found it necessary.

But now... it’s different. I want to become stronger myself. I want to be stronger myself.

I’m sure it’s because I’ve found someone I want to fight alongside, and I’ve found something that I want to protect.

 

Koi: Kakeru...

 

Kakeru: That’s why... I’ll become stronger. Stronger and stronger... in my power and in my heart.

 

Rui: Kakeru... ...Yeah. You’re right. The way your face looks right now definitely looks stronger than it was before. You’re so cool.

 

Kakeru: Huh? Really?

 

Rui: Yep, really.

 

Iku: I’ll become stronger, too.

 

Kakeru: Oh?

 

Iku: Enough to protect everyone, including those I admire. I’ll become strong enough to protect each and every one of them!

 

Rui: Ooh~

 

Kakeru: Iku made his declaration~!

 

Iku: Ahaha! Yeah, I did. It’s my declaration. He doesn’t say it’s the case, and he won’t criticize me for it, but I myself can’t forget.

I’m also responsible for Kai-san’s injury this time, because I hesitated on what to do during that situation and couldn’t move in that instant. That’s why Kai-san got injured in place of me.

I don’t want to go through that sort of thing ever again!

 

Rui: Ikkun...

 

Koi: Me! Me too! I won’t lose!

 

Kakeru: Ooh? Koi’s also gonna make a declaration?

 

Koi: Yeah! This is my declaration!

Honestly, there are tons of things I still mess up on, and tons of things I still can’t do, but Hajime-san’s acknowledged my unyielding spirit. My unbreakable spirit! My spirit to always keep facing forward!

Even now, I have the strength that I’ve obtained! With that springing me forward... I’m sure I can become even stronger than before!

 

Rui: Ooh~ *clapping*

 

Kakeru: *giggles* This sorta thing’s great! Mmhmm! Let’s all become stronger together!

 

Kakeru, Koi, Rui, Iku: Yeah~!

 

Kai: Hey, sorry for coming in when you’re all pumped up about something. Looks like we’ve pinned out Doutaku’s location.

 

Kakeru: Eh?

 

Kai: All thanks to the uber-pissed off Haru and You’s tenacity. Apparently, it’s a high-level Gokuzoku technique.

They can track down an opponent they’ve seen before, or whatever. I don’t get the specifics, but regardless, we’ve figured out where Doutaku is.

 

Iku: Then...

 

Kai: It’s time for a strategy meeting! We’ll settle the score and recover our brilliant sun!

 

Kakeru, Koi, Rui, Iku: Yes!
Previous Chapter - Chapter 4「United Front」 Next Chapter - Chapter 6.1「Deciding Battle」