Chapter 211: Ryo Otake Felt Bitter

Incense crystals were also known as Land Spirit crystals.

This substance can only be created by Land Spirits. Previously, these crystals had been monopolized by the Land Spirit Alliance. They were partly the reason why the Alliance became one of the most powerful forces around the globe.

During the Dharma Ending Age, Land Spirit crystals had been called incense crystals because of the severe shortage of reiki during that time. Instead, they had used large amounts of incense to make incense crystals. However, when the era of recuperation of reiki came about, reiki had been plentiful in the world. The sheer abundance of reiki had aided the Land Spirits in the creation of Land Spirit crystals easily with small amounts of incense and large amounts of reiki.

On its own, Land Spirit crystals offered a wide range of uses. They helped to keep one's inner peace in check to prevent overly quick cultivation, which could lead to deviant practice. Furthermore, long term usage could enhance comprehension of practice during training. In contrast, simple absorption of essence from a crushed crystal could clear the mind and improve focus during research and deduction of spells. Back then, these Land Spirit crystals had been a contributor to his research in creating the Spirit Immobilizing Talisman as well.

In a way, it could be said that the many uses of Land Spirit crystals were simply endless.

The Land Spirit crystals were also the key to casting the 'Initial Desire Spell.'

After receiving confirmation, the Usui Spirit said with a sullen expression, "Master Kimura, I would if I could... but my only piece of incense crystal has already been taken."

Incense crystals created during the Dharma Ending Age were almost entirely made of incense and were extremely pure. A single piece of incense crystal itself would be considered an absolute treasure. On the other hand, Land Spirit crystals made during the recuperation of reiki were created with small amounts of incense, compensated with large amounts of reiki. In regards to the effects of the crystals, they were simply incomparable.

"Who?" Kimura Kazuki frowned.

"Hiroshi Takeda," the Usui Land Spirit huffed, "That fellow found me a year ago and demanded the incense crystal. Of course I was unwilling to do so, but then I got beaten up. After that, I had no choice but to hand it over to protect myself. He said that he wanted to gift the incense crystal to his heir..."

So it was him. Kimura Kazuki frowned. Yagyu Yasutake's obsessiveness had been to kill off the Sword Saint Takeda. When he had first walked through Mount Tobiuo in Yamagata City, he had found that Sword Saint Takeda had left to travel overseas. Disposing of him would have to wait until at least the end of the year then.

It seemed like they would have to wait until the end of the year to recover Kumoko's memories.

Of course, there were other Land Spirits in Japan other than the Usui Spirit. For example, there were the Rising Land Spirits in Kyoto, but these spirits belonged to the Deity Rising Palace. Naturally, he would not go looking for trouble with the Deity Rising Palace.

As to whether there were other existing Land Spirits currently in Japan, he had no idea. He only knew of the Usui Spirit, and that was only it had been the strongest Land Spirit in Japan during the recuperation of reiki. This fellow would have its own share of fate.

Moreover, the other Land Spirits would not necessarily have incense crystals with them either. This substance was a rare commodity during the Dharma Ending Age.

As he thought about this, Kimura Kazuki took a glance at the Usui Spirit and said directly, "If that's the case, I can take care of Kumoko for another half a year. Just wait until I get the incense crystal from Hiroshi Takeda, and I'll send it over after recovering Kumoko's memories."

The Usui Spirit gazed at Kumoko, reluctant to part with her, but he knew that there was no other way. Out of the blue, he suddenly remembered, "Master Kimura, you have to be careful. That Hiroshi Takeda is one to watch out for."

"How strong?" Kimura Kazuki was curious. If he could find out more about Hiroshi Takeda's capabilities, at least he could prepare accordingly at the end of the year.

The Usui Spirit scratched his head. In the end, he spouted dryly, "He's as unpredictable as you are." In any event, with their capabilities, either one of them could beat him up easily.

So it would seem that Hiroshi Takeda had not entered the Metamorphosis State yet. Kimura Kazuki smiled. It was just as he had predicted.

After that, Kimura Kazuki did not linger at Usui Shrine for long. He gave instructions to the Usui Spirit to give Mitsue Natsume's body a proper burial so that when Kumoko's memories were recovered, she could pay her respects to her father properly.

Naturally, the Usui Land Spirit agreed. He had long treated Kumoko as his own shrine maiden. Moreover, Kumoko was a good girl, which made him love her all the more. He was a lonely old Land Spirit, and if it had been possible, he would have loved to acknowledge Kumoko as his granddaughter.

However, with Kimura Kazuki here, he did not dare to mention any of this.

After leaving Usui Shrine, Kimura Kazuki brought Kumoko back to Weier Apartment. The place he had previously stayed in was just too small to accommodate two people. Whereas, his place at the Weier Apartment was way more spacious, luxurious, and comfortable as well. Moreover, the electronics equipped were complete, and most importantly, there was a medium-sized park at the Weier Apartment. There was enough greenery here that Kumoko could enjoy without worrying about the sun even during the daytime.

Plus, the people around the park were all respectable people since those who could afford to stay at Weier Apartment were probably somewhat cultured, unlike in public parks where all kinds of shady people were around.

Lost in his thoughts, Kimura Kazuki reached home soon enough. Laying Kumoko down onto the guest room bed and gazing at Kumoko's adorable face, he felt somewhat conflicted. He had no feelings whatsoever toward Kumoko and could already feel a headache building up from the thought of acting as her brother after this.

Fine, it's just for half a year anyway.

Walking out of the room, Kimura Kazuki checked the time. Just as he was about to head off to school, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Picking up his phone, he saw that it was a call from Ryo Otake.

"Hello?"

"Kimura-Kun..." Ryo Otake sounded bitter, "I might need a favor from you."

"What is it?" Kimura Kazuki raised his eyebrows.

"The Department of Mysteries isn't giving back the wraith that you handed over!" Ryo Otake briefly explained the issue to Kimura Kazuki.

Once Kimura Kazuki had left yesterday, Ryo Otake sat on a bench outside Weier Apartment and called the Department of Mysteries, briefly updating them on the recent events. After receiving the news, the Department of Mysteries sent three Extraordinary Individuals, two men, and one woman, to take Natsuna Yamanaka away.

At the same time, Ryo Otake had also relayed Kimura Kazuki's message. Although he had no idea what Kimura Kazuki still wanted to do with the wraith, but he would definitely not refuse him the request.

Ryo Otake had been relieved after the Department of Mysteries agreed to the request.

In the morning, his father had called him and praised him tremendously, which had put him in a happy mood. After finding out that the case had been filed, he immediately contacted the Department of Mysteries to ask about the wraith. Even though Kimura Kazuki had given him three days, it was better to settle the matter as soon as possible. As Deputy Chief Inspector, he knew that some things were better off done sooner rather than later and that putting things off would just prolong the process unnecessarily.

However, when he called them in the morning, the Department of Mysteries only gave him half-hearted replies at best. In the end, they did not even bother picking up his calls.

It was then that Ryo Otake realized that things were taking a turn for the worse. He hurriedly called Kimura Kazuki and described the situation to him. As an ordinary person, though he was a Deputy Chief Inspector and maybe he would even be promoted to Chief Inspector after this case, he still had no say in the Department of Mysteries.

"Kimura-Kun, it was my mistake. I failed to accomplish your request. I will make it up to you and amend the losses no matter what."

Ryo Otake felt bitter. Throughout the whole fiasco, he had already sacrificed so much. He was extremely dissatisfied with the Department of Mysteries.