One-way traffic

“It is clearly not enough for one person to conduct intelligence gathering. You are responsible for investigating the areas that I cannot reach, and I will be responsible for exploring the nearby areas that I can see.”

"Aren't you going to consider getting some rest? You just came back from the underworld."

"Stop talking nonsense and get back to work, understand?"

He spoke resolutely, as if rejecting the entire world.

The sage of the demons stood there, slowly watching the figure depart.

"…Master Zi."

Not long after, another figure arrived.

Two figures descended from the sky, one tall and the other petite.

"Wow...it really is the same human I saw back then!"

"I never expected him to actually make such a choice, Lord Zi. Please forgive my frankness... I really didn't think your consideration would succeed at first."

"Oh...? You actually doubt me, the host? You're getting more and more capable, Ran."

"No...that's not what I meant."

Seeing her master speaking to her in such a teasing tone, Yakumo Ran could only shake her head helplessly.

"I really didn't expect that someone like that would actually put aside their own personal matters for the sake of others."

"What do you mean? Is it because he looks fierce that you think he's a wicked person who can do all sorts of evil?"

"You taught me that one cannot judge a person solely by their appearance."

"If that's the case, why would you have such a thought?"

Yakumo Yukari's series of questions caused Yakumo Ran's expression to change slightly.

"I sensed an unprecedented aura of destruction emanating from him."

"…oh?"

Hearing this, Yukari Yakumo began to recall things.

That thing I saw before, in the underworld.

Black wings.

“A few days ago, I did sense a tremendous energy in a certain area of ​​Gensokyo, but it only lasted for a brief moment before dissipating. Neither I nor Cheng knew anything about it.”

"Now it seems that the true source of that power has been found completely, right?"

The immense power they were discussing belonged to the Blackwing of Accelerator.

This is far too powerful for Blackwing. Even for Accelerator, who is heavily armed, it is still considered a top-tier weapon of mass destruction.

White Wings are the sublime power evolved from the heart of protection.

Blackwing is a destructive force born from a heart filled with killing intent.

Although the power of the White Wings is an elevation of the Black Wings, the two wings represent completely different meanings and their nature of power is also vastly different.

When using Blackwing, Accelerator's already overwhelming aura instantly rises to an even more unimaginable level.

"He clearly possesses that destructive power, and even the Saigyou Ayakashi was easily suppressed... I never thought someone like that would do something for others."

"...I see."

Upon hearing her shikigami's words, Yakumo Yukari displayed a thoughtful expression.

She laughed.

"blue."

"Huh? Lord Zi... Waaah!"

"It seems I haven't taught you properly all these years; you're getting more and more backward."

That was the scene where the demon of the realm raised the parasol in its hand and mercilessly smashed it down on the head of the blonde fox demon girl.

The shikigami girl quickly covered her head and cried out in pain. Orange, who was standing nearby, was even startled by the scene and immediately hid behind a bush.

"Really, it's been so long, and you've actually forgotten the lesson I taught you in the first place."

"What...reasoning?"

"Don't you understand? Why do you think I'm able to stand in such a position as the Sage of Youkai in Gensokyo?"

Is it because Yukari Yakumo possesses superhuman intelligence?

Is it because Yukari Yakumo possesses superhuman abilities?

neither.

"Of course, it's because, while possessing such immense abilities and wisdom, I can control them with ease."

She looked at Lan, who was in a daze, and said, word by word.

"The strong are not affected by a single factor."

"Excessive strength can impair one's mind, and an excessively strong mind can affect the stability of one's strength. Neither of these is a mark of a true strongman."

"A true powerhouse is someone who can easily control any amount of power they possess."

“Ah… ow…”

"In other words, that white-haired human, although he seems to possess such terrifying, enormous, and uncontrollable destructive power, in reality, he can control that unimaginable power very easily and use it at will."

Yukari Yakumo silently gazed in the direction Accelerator had gone.

"This is the true symbol of strength."

"And those who are capable of making such a choice must be the strongest in a certain field."

This youkai of such a high level naturally knew nothing about the number one ranking in Academy City.

even so.

She still easily analyzed the social hierarchy belonging to one side, relying on her understanding of the other party.

Because she knew very well what a true strong person was.

Chapter 448 The Bloodstained Mansion Across the Lake

Thus, there is now another reason driving Accelerator's actions.

What started as a simple matter of leaving Gensokyo has completely transformed into a problem of Yoh cleaning up most of the mess he's left behind.

"Tsk, what an incredibly stupid job. Why did I even choose to do something that only an idiot would choose?"

For Accelerator, there was absolutely no need for him to save Gensokyo, nor was there any obligation for him to do so. Whatever happened there was none of his concern.

It doesn't matter whether the guy lurking here is DO Apis or not. Even if it is, it doesn't matter at all. This world has nothing to do with me. Even if everyone here disappears because of that guy's power, it doesn't matter.

That is indeed the case from a conventional perspective.

Unfortunately, Accelerator could never continue down this path.

"If that devilish bastard is really still alive, then my grudge against him will definitely come to an end."

Even during the period when he originally called himself a villain, Accelerator adhered to one principle.

He would never recklessly sacrifice other people's lives for his own purposes.

In his view, that was nothing more than the means that only the most low-level villains would choose, and he still thinks so even now.

Accelerator deeply despises people who are willing to sacrifice other people's lives without hesitation for their own purposes.

Including the past version of myself who was willing to sacrifice 20,000 lives in order to ascend from the strongest to invincible.

"...It brought back some unpleasant memories."

Forgetting all memories of the past, the first person twisted their neck with their hand, making a cracking sound.

Let's first confirm the current situation.

In order to find the traces of those black and red monsters, Accelerator must explore every corner of Gensokyo.

Therefore, he needs the help of that youkai sage, because Accelerator alone simply cannot understand the structure of Gensokyo.

Yukari Yakumo was responsible for exploring places he knew nothing about and could hardly reach, while he himself was to explore as much as possible the areas he could reach.

then.

The first person arrived directly at this area.

"It's a lake."

The end of the road is no longer an area that can be traversed by two legs.

Accelerator stopped and stared straight at the seemingly endless area in front of him.

That is a lake.

A vast lake, almost unimaginably large, with a hazy, misty surface.

However, this hazy feeling is not due to the accumulation of dirt in the lake water over the years.

The reason why it feels hazy is simple.

Because the area above this lake is completely shrouded in a thick fog that obscures everything.

Logically speaking, there shouldn't be a trace of mist in the surrounding forest, and this shouldn't be the case here either, but this is exactly what Accelerator sees.

A vast fog of unknown origin covered the lake before us.

This was nothing to Accelerator, who had been in Gensokyo for some time and was already used to things that defied the rules.

only.

On the other side of the lake, a slightly strange feeling arose in him.

"It doesn't look like a vector of a living person, nor does it look like... a vector of a dead person."

The feeling of being neither alive nor dead, this energy form spread directly from the opposite shore of the lake.

Accelerator has seen many energy life forms similar to this, such as zombies and demons, which are actually all in this form of existence.

However, these things will certainly not be seen in Gensokyo.

The only similar creatures he had seen here were those black and red monsters.

if it is like this.

"Interesting, they actually hid on the other side of such a large lake?"

If the other side's actions have already taken the form of 'hiding,' then it means that those black and red monsters have completely realized that Accelerator is currently searching for them.

This only fueled the desire of the first person to catch them all.

"I don't care whether you have anything to do with that devilish bastard or not. Now that I've found out, do you think you can escape unscathed?"

He never intended to let those guys go in the first place.

Accelerator gently pushed off the ground with his foot, and instantly, his body was lifted off the ground.

The white shadow shot forward like a rocket.

Speed ​​instantly surpassed all the gales; the first one casually put his hands in his pockets and charged forward in a straight line.

An unimaginable surge of waves was stirred up on the lake surface.

Accelerator's body shot straight towards the center of the lake, and then—

Suddenly, something blocked his way.

"what?"

Although the first person reacted instantly, they still bumped into the other person.

He was unharmed, as expected.

The shadow in front of him was instantly blasted away by his power, and due to the reflection, he himself flew even further.

"Waaaaaaahh ...

The shadow skipped across the water several times.

It's actually a living creature?

"What on earth would come out of the water...?"