Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 774

You'll go hungry!

It's not that Itsumade lacks the ability to hunt prey in the wild.

But those seemingly suitable hunting grounds in the wild are actually territories designated by powerful monsters.

If someone were to rashly step into the area and attempt to hunt, it would inevitably lead to conflict, and eventually, a fight would break out...

Over the years, Itsumade gradually won more than she lost, but in the end, she still didn't leave her mark on those victories.

Because of her identity, she was destined to be coveted by humans and even some monsters.

As she wandered here, she gradually discovered that the place was not only rich in spiritual energy, but also very protective of the rights of little monsters.

Therefore, the plan is to settle down here and see if it's possible to contact other members of the tribe.

Not only that, she also plans to save more money so that she can help the tribespeople who come here.

Her people, like her, scattered and hid from one feather after another.

“Uh…” The cat shopkeeper secretly glanced at Aori and, seeing that she looked natural, said to Itsumade, “The man is Kyosuke-sama, and he is a very good friend of Aori-nee.”

Very, very good friends?!

Itsumade, who was still diligently wiping the table, almost shouted out loud.

—She encountered the worst-case scenario!

"I'm doomed! I'm doomed! He's actually Boss Zhi's good friend! I really misunderstood him! I have to kneel down and beg for his forgiveness!"

But what if you don't forgive?

Thinking about how terrible things would turn out, Itsumade almost collapsed.

Wouldn't that mean losing your job and having to keep looking for work?

She doesn't want to look for a job anymore!

I'm so afraid to talk to other strangers. I don't know if anyone is as nice as Boss Azhi or Cat Shopkeeper.

What if I get scammed? There are still some bad monsters around here.

What if I do something wrong and get scolded? How should I apologize in that case to show my sincerity...?

With a lot on her mind, Itsumade didn't listen to what the cat shopkeeper said next.

Ah Zhi listened very attentively and even made a deliberate correction.

"They're just friends."

"Oh……"

The cat shopkeeper gave a small nod, wondering to himself, "Does this kind of thing really need to be emphasized?"

Naturally, she didn't dare to ask.

Just as the cat shopkeeper was about to say something, a loud commotion erupted outside—

"What? Are the humans finally going to attack? Go! Let's go help!"

"Brothers, grip your weapons and charge in!"

"We absolutely cannot let them get away! Just a few humans..."

The noise grew louder and louder, to the point that even the people inside the closed tavern could hear it clearly.

Aori's face turned pale, her heart pounded, and she reflexively wanted to call out to Kousaka Kyosuke.

She immediately realized that she didn't have Kousaka Kyosuke's contact information, so she quickly instructed the cat shopkeeper and Itsumade.

"Don't go out yet, I'll go take a look."

"Sister Zhi, I want to go too! I'm already very strong."

"Boss Azhi, let me go with you. I've been through many battles..."

"Sigh, you all come along."

Seeing the determined expressions on the faces of the cat shopkeeper and Itsumade, Azhi sighed and said.

They then headed to the entrance of the Yokai Market.

The place was bustling with activity, and monsters were constantly shouting "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Since Azhi couldn't see the situation clearly, she simply conjured white lines from her hands and brought the cat shopkeeper and Itsumade beside her to the top of the market plaque.

Although it's very impolite, there's no time to worry about that now!

Outside the boundary of the market area.

A group of humans and a group of monsters are facing off.

Ayanokouji and Hikigaya were among them, followed by a group of fire soldiers and fire captains, about a dozen people.

"Sir, could you please return to us the evil demon that has been wreaking havoc throughout Kyoto and killing noble ladies?"

"Don't believe their nonsense. I am just a weak fox. It was the nobles over there who wanted my fur, so they sent these people to capture me!"

A handsome young man with fox ears, dressed in fine clothes but bearing long, terrifying knife scars on his body, looked grief-stricken.

Her exquisitely beautiful features were distorted by sadness, yet her charm remained undiminished.

In contrast, the group of people confronting him were all expressionless and holding knives, which made all the monsters vaguely guess the truth of some things.

Even the one-eyed monster, Yama-warashi, wielding a giant stone hammer, was so enraged that he wanted to attack.

"You can try to argue your point, but everyone knows the truth. Sir, if you can't tell right from wrong, you can send a demon to Kyoto to investigate the veracity of the information. Then it will be easy to tell who is lying."

Hikigaya, who went to negotiate, spoke very calmly.

He then added casually, "If we don't want this market to become a refuge for some evil monsters in Kyoto, I think it's best to negotiate this matter properly."

Hachiman was furious.

Having already learned of all the evil deeds this fox demon had committed in secret, he wanted to behead the monster and display its head to the public!

He wasn't without temper; after discovering that other kingdoms outside of Kyoto also had similar evil deeds committed by this fox demon, he only wanted to kill it.

Of course, “killing” was very far removed from Hachiman long ago.

But that doesn't mean he won't adapt.

He had long since integrated into this world, so naturally he should do what he was supposed to do.

"I'm afraid you're trying to buy time so you can gather more Onmyoji from Kyoto and wipe this place out..." The fox spirit remained grief-stricken.

"You can judge for yourselves. We didn't pay attention to this market when it was established, not because we didn't want to, but because it never posed a threat to Kyoto. If it is deemed a threat, you will disappear along with this fox that has offended a big shot!"

He could vaguely sense that the sounds of fighting around him were growing fainter, and Hachiman's tone was more forceful than ever before.

At this point, showing weakness could easily lead the fox spirit to bewitch the monsters, making them believe that they were going to get reinforcements, and then kill them.

Why not just directly threaten the interests of these monsters?

"Lord Kyosuke said that the vast majority of the monsters here are wanderers who came from various provinces. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that they would cause trouble at the cost of 'losing their home'..."

In fact, it is true.

Hearing Hikigaya's powerful and penetrating words, the monsters looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Yes, foxes are very cunning animals. Don't let him trick you into going to your death."

"Damn it... It's as if the people of Kyoto gave us this opportunity to live here as a favor."

"Let's see how things go. This is a good place. If we disappear, we don't know where we'll end up."

The sounds of conversation continued.

Itsumade, who was watching from a high place, was very nervous.

Having finally found a place to stay, are we just going to lose it all like that?

"Who is lying?" The cat shopkeeper looked troubled.

Seeing that Hikigaya's attitude was dignified and calm, he didn't seem like a bad person, just that his tone was a bit harsh.

I also felt sorry for the fox spirit, seeing even tears streaming down its face...

It was difficult for her to make a judgment at that moment.

"Let's just watch and see." Azhi carefully observed that the monsters were slowly losing heart, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

In any case, this place is a haven for many weak monsters.

It would be a terrible waste to be destroyed because of something whose truth is unknown.

"Do you really believe these humans and not me, a monster? Cunning humans only know how to deceive us monsters with lies! Today it's me, tomorrow it'll be your turn!"

"Isn't the evidence good? What's the use of just talking about whether it's true or false? Are you feeling guilty?"

Hikigaya said something casually.

Knowing that the fox demon was struggling in its death throes, he remained completely calm.

The more panicked you are, the more mistakes you'll make.

"Wait." Another voice rang out after Hachiman spoke.

"Kyosuke-sama!"