Chapter 22: In Romance Stories Set in Fantasy Worlds, Things Can Quite Easily Take a Violent or Dangerous Turn

[Battle Sequence]

In the romance genre—whether set in the modern day or a fantasy world—it’s quite common to see the protagonist and their love interest pitted against some enemies, may it be supernatural foes, mages, monsters, or spirits. 

A particularly popular trope involves the protagonist and their love interest engaging in a "lethal romance"—a battle-heavy dynamic where they fight one another.

The depth of the battle mechanics varies wildly from one work to another; some feature incredibly intricate, well-thought-out systems, while others include just enough to give the impression of a battle-focused story.

There are even works that seem to have tacked on romance or "beautiful girl" elements purely for marketing, only to hit you with such a dense, elaborate combat system that you can’t help but wonder if that was what they actually wanted to focus on all along.

Many people have likely encountered stories that lean into romance or "beautiful girl" appeal, yet deliver such compelling combat that one has to ask: "Are you sure this is the right genre?"

I’ve often felt this way while playing Eroge or Galge.

Sometimes, the romance fades into the background, and I find myself completely captivated by cool incantations—to the point where I even start coming up with my own. I suspect many others have had this experience, too.

Ultimately, when handled well, battle sequences can be highly effective even in romance-centric stories. They offer a thrill that a "slice-of-life" setting simply cannot provide, and the experience of facing life-or-death situations together adds a layer of genuine, persuasive depth to the bond between the protagonist and their love interest.

To sum it all up: why is it so incredibly moving when a character—whose powers come at a heavy personal cost—pushes their body beyond its limits to protect the one they love?

If that character happens to be a "beautiful girl"—especially one with a "sickly" trait—then she’s practically guaranteed to become my favorite character in the story.

And if she’s a white-haired girl with a tragic destiny?

Well.... that’s just perfect, isn't it?!!

★★★

A grotesque, armored warrior charges through a forest so dense that it blots out the very sunlight. It is a treacherous path—one where an ordinary human would surely stumble over roots or get snagged by branches, making it all but impossible to run.

Yet, this armored warrior Anomaly defies such conventional limitations; its very frame sweeps aside vegetation as it pursues Onjōji Chitose.

“Ghuuaa!”

With a single swing of its arm, the earth trembles and the air itself groans. The entity is the very embodiment of a violent gale. Trees stand no chance against it; as the warrior swings its blade, they are—quite literally—uprooted and mowed down. It is a black tempest that destroys everything it touches.

There are three main reasons why Onjōji Chitose—who possesses the "Lunar" attribute and is by no means physically gifted—has managed to keep this chase going against such a monster, even on this treacherous terrain.

The first is the presence of [Enju], a shikigami crafted by her older brother, Onjōji Moritsugu. Designed to react to attacks from those with malicious intent, this shikigami acts as a decoy, taking the blow in its holder’s stead. It was made from the wood of the Enju—a material highly prized for its protective, warding properties.

The second is the existence of the [Kasha], a shikigami that her father, Onjōji Kiyotsugu, lent her. Originally a yōkai that stole corpses, it was vanquished by Kiyotsugu in his youth and has remained until now. It is a huge cat pulling a fiery chariot through the air, leaving tracks in the sky, meaning it can fly, and due to its mobility, it was always given to Onjōji Chitose as a shikigami for emergency evacuation when she went out.

The shield of the Enju, the legs of the Kasha, these two shikigami represent the love of a parent and older sibling. However, these two alone are not enough to bridge the gap between the Anomaly and Onjōji Chitose, a girl who can barely run.

The third and greatest factor that bridges the gap and makes this escape possible is none other than Onjōji Chitose herself. Because, as a being of the Yin, a Lunar, she is the natural enemy of the Yang Anomaly.

Anomalies are merely phenomena that seek the opposing energy they have lost, the remnants of someone from the past. 

In a world where possessing both Yin and Yang energy is natural, monsters that have deviated from this principle can neither die nor live.

Anomalies are fundamentally immortal and cannot die.

If they are bound by Yang energy, even if they suffer a life-threatening injury, their wounds heal instantly.

If they are bound by Yin energy, it is virtually impossible to inflict any harm on them.

So, are anomalies simply an insurmountable disaster?

That's not true.

There are indeed ways to counter these monsters.

It involves striking them with an opposing energy equal to the immense energy they possess, drawing them back into the principles of Yin and Yang. The only way to stop those who have deviated from the principles of Yin and Yang and become immortal is to return them to beings capable of death.

Conversely, it's safe to say that supernatural beings are almost invincible as long as they don't approach their opposing energies.

Yet, these monsters cannot help but seek them.

The fundamental principle of this world: Yin and Yang are intertwined; where there is Yin, there is Yang, and where there is Yang, there is Yin.

Is it an instinctual desire as living beings that drives them to seek it, even if it deviates from the principles of Yin and Yang? Or is it a pride as living beings that desires its end?

Only the Anomalies themselves know.

Whatever the case may be, they overcome any obstacle, wandering in search of their opposing energies.

Now, this Anomaly pursuing Onjōji Chitose—Kikoku—is no exception. Knowing that it could destroy him, the black-armored warrior still approaches the white-clad girl.

In contrast, the girl who could be her natural enemy weaves words.

Yin and Yang energy are crucial elements that constitute this world, and interfering with them is tantamount to interfering with the world itself.

The words themselves are not important; what is necessary is whether one can clearly imagine what can be achieved, what one desires.

Skilled Onmyōji can perform various spells without chanting, and this is why the wording differs depending on the school or family, even for similar effects. Words and actions are merely means to transform oneself into a state in which one can activate a spell.

As an Onmyōji, Onjōji Chitose is extremely inexperienced.

That is precisely why she weaves words, she weaves the words her father taught her.

It is the very basics, a spell that simply releases the energy one possesses towards the enemy.

Even if an Onmyōji of the same skill level as the girl were to use it, it would not have much effect.

That's it, if the user were just an ordinary human....

["Small, Light, Short, Deep, Thin, Narrow, Slow...."]

With every word spoken, sound, light, heat—everything—vanishes from around the white girl. Plants wither, soil turns to sand, and the darkness grows ever deeper.

The Yin—the energy of shadow—is a negative force, a symbol of death, stagnation, lethargy, and restraint.

["In the name of the Yin; Be as you are."]

What the girl—an embodiment of the Yin principle—bears upon her back is beyond all comparison to that of an ordinary mortal.

Now, she hones this power, imbuing it with hostility and driving it to ever-greater heights.

["Now! Follow the Law of This World!"]

She unleashed it toward the supernatural entity.

The Yin energy emanating from the girl invaded and corrupted the armored warrior's body.

At that moment, the armored warrior's speed visibly decreased, and the Yang energy that had been surging from his body subtly but undeniably diminished.

"Young Miss! Are you really alright after using it so many times?!"

"Cough... I'm still alright. More importantly, Hii-san, let's put some distance between us while we still can."

"I know this is a strange time to say this, but... could you please stop calling me Hii-san, Young Miss? It's so unnerving. I'm just a Kasha that used to scavenge on the corpses of you humans, you know? I'm not someone you should be so familiar with."

"Well, I'll say it again then: Hii-san is nothing more than a yōkai that I've played with since childhood. The past is the past. I'm sure there are people who resent Hii-san, and I understand that, but that doesn't give me any reason to feel that way."

"Young Miss..."

"And do you really dislike the name 'Hii-san' that much? Hii-san looks like a cute cat on wheels, so I think it suits you. Besides, you're a Kasha, so I think it's a pretty good name."

"..... Young Miss... How many more of those can you shoot?"

"That kind of reaction hurts the most! ...Well, I'd like to say as many as I can, but... How about you, Hii-san? I think you're a little weaker after I injected you with my Yin energy, but is it still impossible for you to ascend to the sky?"

"As I said earlier, it's reckless to try and slip through here with branches and leaves covering the sky. That monster is not going to let me through while I'm slowly dodging. Even if I manage to escape through a gap created by him knocking down a tree, he'll jump up faster than I can reach a height he can't reach and cut me down, and that's the end for both of us.

It's infuriating, but running at a height where we won't get caught in the roots is the safest option right now. Unless, of course, that wooden dummy that Moritsugu-sama gave can withstand one of his sword strikes and protect the Young Miss and me, then that's a different story."

"Yeah, I don't think so. It just cracked from a graze a moment ago. If it hits directly, I'll be up in the sky with Hii-san."

"It's terrifying! I can't even think of putting a single scratch on the Young Miss. If that happens, Master might really banish me from this world this time. I mean, where's Master?! That idiot father, he always dotes on you so much, but he's completely useless at a time like this!"

"It can't be helped. I sent a shikigami for communication, but it's bound to take some time to arrive. And it'll take even longer for him to catch up. Besides, with the energy of the Anomaly and mine mixed together, it'll be difficult for him to track my energy. Luckily, the Anomaly is causing quite a ruckus, so that should serve as a landmark."

"It looks like it's going to take a while."

"Don't worry. Otou-sama.... and Onii-sama will be here soon. Until then, we need to get the Anomaly away from the village as much as possible... cough...!"

"Young Miss!"

The shield of the Enju, the legs of the Kasha, and above all, the existence of a Lunar, which could be called a counter to the Anomaly. These elements make this escape, which should have ended in an instant, possible.

However, this does not mean that this escape will continue indefinitely.

Because the biggest factor making this escape possible, Onjōji Chitose, is approaching her limit.

Certainly, a girl who has survived this far bearing the chronic illness of a Lunar would have a body that is far more resistant to Yin energy than others.

Considering the philosophy of this world that the three powers—soul, energy, and body—mutate each other, this is an undeniable fact.

However, this does not mean that she is invincible against her own Yin energy.

Normally, even with the help of those around her, it is a miracle that she is able to live a normal life.

If Yin energy is increased in such a body, her heartbeat will slow, blood will not circulate, metabolism will decrease, and all her senses will become sluggish. 

The rest is simple.

Just as a towering pile of building blocks collapses instantly if its foundation is removed, this body self-destructs.

"Gah... Huff...!"

"Young Miss!"

Onjōji Chitose collapses to her knees, spitting up blood. The lack of blood circulation has clogged and ruptured her thin blood vessels.

Fortunately, the Yin energy has even dulled her pain receptors, so she probably feels almost no pain.

Without blood circulation, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach the brain.

If the brain stops functioning, the body becomes useless.

This is why beings known as the Lunar and Solar are not recognized in this world as effective against Anomaly.

Even setting aside the fact that they cannot survive properly, their bodies are not even capable of fighting in the first place.

If they use their energy, their bodies, lacking the corresponding energy to harmonize it, immediately malfunction. It all ends so quickly.

If the interference caused by Onjōji Chitose's Yin energy were to cease, the Anomaly would soon catch up to the fiery carriage carrying the girl.

It's impossible to say exactly when, but it would certainly be before the girl's parents arrive.

Thus, the life of the girl who sacrificed herself for the sake of others ends in this forest.

Help will not arrive in time.

["Small, Light, Short...."]

"Young Miss! You can't do it anymore!"

"No, I still can.... I still can do it....! Deep.... Thin..... cough...!"

The girl's own attempts to resist were drowned out by the sound of water spilling from her mouth.

And so, one girl's life ended.

A helping hand was beyond reach

Or so it supposed to be....

"—tose!"

The voice she wanted to hear echoed in the girl's ears, which were probably only vaguely audible now.

At that moment, something blew the side of the Anomaly away.

The thing that landed in front of the girl turned to face the bewildered girl and, holding something that the girl also recognized, shouted again.

"Chitose!!"

Just as the Anomaly sensed the girl, the Solar, he too sensed her.

Thus, the boy, her counterpart, now reached the girl, and just as she had responded to his cry that day, this time the boy took her hand.

(I let my hemoptysis first time slip away in front of Chiharu-kun...!!! I was planning to use my first hemoptysis in a much more dramatic way!)

...Yin and Yang are intertwined.

Where there is Yin, there is Yang, and where there is Yang, there is Yin.

If that is the principle of this world, then the boy, the Solar, and the girl, the Lunar, will surely, surely never be separated.

(Ah! But this development is amazing, it has high heroine points, and high artistic points too! I feel like I'm going to cum! Well, blood is still flowing right now though!!)

..... These joined hands will never be separated.

They won't let go.