Touhou: I Became a Butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion

Flame of Hope (2)

A spark ignited in my blade as I took a stance, and a heated flame enveloped my grip, reminiscent of Lady Remilia's crimson flames.

Without a moment's hesitation, Reimu sent a torrent of Yin-Yang orbs hurtling toward me. They shimmered with ethereal energy, and their radiant colors painted a surreal tapestry against the canopy of trees.

My heart raced, and instinct took over as I danced through the oncoming orbs.

Each swing of my blade cleaved through the orbs, creating dazzling displays of sparks that illuminated the battleground.

Reimu vanished from my sight. Panic briefly surged within me as I scanned the surroundings, anticipating her next move.

Then, in the blink of an eye, she reappeared behind me.

But I know that move already!

I spun around just in time to clash my fiery blade with her divine gohei. The resounding impact sent shockwaves through the forest, and the clash of our weapons created an awe-inspiring spectacle of radiant sparks.

Uwah!? That's a strong gohei!? Is it really made out of wood!?

Summoning every ounce of strength, I pushed Reimu back however she quickly regained her composure.

"You're finally looking like a man now!"

"Haahh!" I swung my fiery blade toward her with each swing carrying a weight of my resolve.

but Reimu, with her grace and agility, effortlessly dodged my attacks. She leaped back gracefully, a smirk playing on her lips.

Just then, an unexpected interruption occurred. Suika, the oni with a penchant for revelry and love for sake, stumbled onto the scene, looking thoroughly drunk.

"Hm? What are you guys doing? Playing without me?" Suika slurred, her words barely coherent.

Reimu's patience wore thin as she stepped on Suika's face, using her as a foothold to gain some elevation. Suika let out a comical yelp as she staggered backward and tumbled down a flight of stairs.

"Brweh!"

She just used her face as a foothold!

Reimu's barrage of glowing orbs surged toward me, their ethereal glow painting a dazzling spectacle in the sky. I remained steadfast, my fiery blade gleaming with determination.

"Sword Sign: Lotus Posture Dance"

It was a dance of blades, a fluid and calculated movement that allowed me to strike with unparalleled accuracy.

As the orbs drew closer, I held my ground, waiting for the opportune moment. Then, with a swift and practiced motion, I began to slice through them one by one. Each slash was like a masterful stroke of artistry, and I felt the rush of satisfaction as the orbs shattered into glimmers of light, dissipating harmlessly into the air.

I could see surprise flicker in Reimu's eyes as her spell card was dismantled before her.

"Haha! I see!" Seven Yin-yang orbs materialized, their ethereal glow casting an otherworldly ambiance around Reimu. "I hope your blades can slice my bullets!"

"As you wish...!"

We nodded in unison, ready to release the full might of our respective spell cards.

"Fantasy Natu-"

"Destiny: Miserable Life and-"

But before our ultimate words could leave our lips, the very fabric of reality seemed to bend and twist. Yukari and Okina, two beings of immense power and control over boundaries, materialized before us.

Without hesitation, they acted swiftly, and with a mere gesture, we were flung forcefully back to the ground.

Our spells dissipated into nothingness, leaving us both stunned by the sudden and overwhelming interruption.

"You two... are you trying to kill each other?" Yukari's voice resonated with an air of disapproval.

Okina sighed, "Yeah, it was interesting at first, but deciding to use those cards was completely over the top."

"So you two were watching the whole time!?" Reimu exclaimed, a mix of surprise and annoyance in her voice.

"Yeah," Yukari replied with a mischievous smile, "It was interesting."

Reimu clicked her tongue, clearly irritated. "Tsk... Then I'll exterminate... both of you."

Meanwhile, I groaned and slowly sat up, feeling utterly drained. "I feel tired all of a sudden."

Yukari glanced at me with an amused smile. "Well, you did just engage in a rather intense battle. It's only natural to feel tired."

Okina nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's not every day we witness such spirited combat."

Reimu, still floating nearby, seemed exasperated. "Can we get back to training now? Or are you two going to stick around?"

"I'm afraid that won't happen since Shun here is tired and exhausted."

Reimu looked at me and then came down to my level. "A-Are you okay?! I didn't overdo it, did I?"

You overdid it...

"I'm fine, I think..."

Reimu sighed in relief. "Thank god... Alright then, let's end this training session."

Is this training to you!?

And so, we ended the training and went back inside the shrine...

Nighttime arrived, and Reimu seemed to be sleeping in her room. Meanwhile, I got back up on my futon and walked out of the shrine.

"I feel determined now, thanks to you, Reimu."

I walked back inside and wrote a letter.

"I'll be heading back to the mansion once again..."

After that, I walked out of the shrine and ran.

Back to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.