Chapter 30: I Have More Hair Than I Know What To Do With
Natsuba Hanae and Kuchiki Mei had left.
Chikari Makoto knew she probably had another little sister now.
The other two were older sisters; finally, she wasn’t the youngest anymore.
A small smile appeared on her lips, and she shook her head slightly, a goofy expression on her face.
Wa-ka-ka, and she wasn’t the weakest anymore. In fact, thanks to the battle with the spider, she had reached the initial stage of B-rank.
She felt confident she could even hold her own against her older sisters now.
Moreover, reaching B-rank had granted her a new power from the Ijishin template:
[Golden Feather · Derivation]
Simply put, while she could previously only produce three Golden Feathers each month from a specific area on her body, each acting as a miniature wish-granting device…
Now, all her hair possessed a portion of the Golden Feather’s power.
However, the items created from her hair wouldn’t have supernatural effects.
Even so, this was a significant boost for Chikari Makoto.
Mom had told her that Natsuba Yosuke would arrive in about ten minutes.
She needed to prepare quickly.
Chikari Makoto plucked a few strands of her golden hair. With a thought, the hair transformed into streams of light, flowing into her damaged maid uniform and rapidly repairing it.
Soon, the uniform was as good as new.
So convenient!
Then, she removed her golden mask, which still held a portion of the Golden Feather’s power. She absorbed it to heal herself.
Gradually, she returned to peak condition.
She plucked a few more strands of hair, transforming them into a new golden mask and putting it on.
Mom had also told her not to conceal her aura; she needed to intimidate Natsuba Yosuke to a certain extent.
Then, she took out the wisp of crimson light Natsuba Hanae had given her before leaving.
She plucked a few more strands of hair, crafting a red feather brooch, and infused the crimson light into it. A vertical pupil appeared on the feather.
This would prove she was a subordinate of the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.
Once Chikari Makoto was ready, her enhanced senses, a result of reaching B-rank, picked up the sound of approaching footsteps and voices.
She pursed her lips, lightly tapped her foot against the ground, and silently leaped onto a tall tree.
She began to observe and strategize.
How could she make a more impactful entrance?
…
…
“Young Master, we’re close to the center of the aura.”
“If we encounter that A-rank being, we must be extremely cautious. A single misstep could lead to our deaths.”
Even as a B-rank supernatural user, Mikami Taku was considered strong in this world.
But before an A-rank, he was no different from an ant, easily crushed. His expression was grave, and he held his breath.
“Hmm…”
Natsuba Yosuke didn’t dare breathe loudly. Whether it was fear or the oppressive aura, he felt like every step was a struggle.
His earlier decision had been impulsive and reckless.
Now, he regretted it.
If that A-rank was unpredictable, he could very well die here for nothing.
Even if the Natsuba conglomerate demanded an explanation, what good would it do if he was already dead?
But since he was already here…
He had to see it through.
He no longer wanted to endure those looks of disdain within the Natsuba family!
He craved power and authority!
He would gamble everything!
A determined glint appeared in Natsuba Yosuke’s eyes. Living like air in the Natsuba family was no different from being dead. And once his older brothers took control…
He would likely be eliminated.
This decision…
If he succeeded, he would have the leverage he needed.
If he failed, he would simply die a few years earlier.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Taku, I’ve already—”
!!!!!
Suddenly, alarm bells rang in his mind. In a life-or-death moment, he instinctively turned his head.
Whoosh———!!
A golden spear, shimmering in the air, shot towards him like an arrow.
Aiming for his head.
Even though he turned, it was useless. The golden spear, as if remotely controlled, adjusted its trajectory, its target unwavering.
He was going to die!
When the spear was just inches away, he knew he couldn’t dodge.
A direct hit meant certain death.
Mikami Taku’s eyes widened, and his arm turned a crystalline diamond color as he swung it towards the spear!
“Bang!—”
The golden spear was deflected, embedding itself in the ground before dissolving into golden particles, leaving behind a single strand of hair.
Mikami Taku exhaled deeply.
He placed his slightly trembling diamond arm behind his back.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!”
As soon as he finished speaking…
A figure leaped down from a nearby tree.
It was a blonde girl in a maid uniform, wearing a golden bird mask.
She landed silently, demonstrating exceptional control over her power.
She spoke, her voice clear and bright, echoing with a pale golden aura,
“I am a servant of Ubume of Summer Harvest Mountain…”
“—The Bird Master.”
Chikari Makoto pursed her lips, her golden eyes shining brightly in the darkness.
“That was just a warning. If you come any closer, I’ll kill you.”
With a flick of her wrist, three strands of hair detached from her head, transforming into three golden spears behind her. She grabbed one and pointed it at Mikami Taku and Natsuba Yosuke.
If Natsuba Yosuke leaves under threat, then he’s not worth including in my plans.
That’s what Mom had told her.
Mikami Taku’s eyes widened in fear.
That spear had nearly shattered his right arm.
Cracks had appeared on his diamond arm, and blood flowed now that he had deactivated the ability.
However, to avoid showing weakness, he hid his injured arm behind his back, pretending the earlier clash had been a stalemate.
If that spear had hit him directly, even his diamond arm wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.
She looked no older than twenty, yet her offensive power was exceptional, even among B-ranks.
And her words and attire…
—A servant of Ubume of Summer Harvest Mountain.
Such a powerful B-rank, a future A-rank candidate, was merely a servant of the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.
A… maid?
What a waste of talent.
However, this confirmed that the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain was an incredibly powerful A-rank, and a ruthless one at that.
They couldn’t afford to get any closer.
Mikami Taku looked at the terrified Natsuba Yosuke, who was gasping for breath, and said,
“Young Master, let’s retreat.”
However, Natsuba Yosuke, with surprising willpower, quickly calmed himself down.
He looked at Chikari Makoto, lowered his head slightly, his eyes flickering, and gritted his teeth.
“I am Natsuba Yosuke, the third son of the Natsuba family.”
“I seek the cooperation… no, the mercy… of the Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.”
“Support me in becoming the head of the Natsuba family!”
