Lancer hadn't realized how notorious the name 'Akagaki' had become.
Ruthless toward Youkai, and supposedly kidnapping young girls everywhere (misunderstanding). Most critically, his movements were erratic; no one knew where he would appear next or who the next 'victim' would be—since "girls kidnapped by Akagaki" were supposedly all over the country.
Lancer mouth twitched. He knew someone was likely using his name. The Onmyoryo had investigated these incidents and found most were runaway couples or bandits using his name.
Lancer chose to ignore the runaway couples. As for the bandits using his name?
Heh, were Onmyoji who dealt with Youkai daily "kind" people?
Lancer combat power had been fully displayed during the Oni incident. Although the Onmyoryo was wary of his origins, they spared no effort to win him over. Any bandit bold enough to impersonate Lancer was impaled with a bamboo pole from below and displayed outside the village they raided.
Lancer had suggested this punishment himself; he had no mercy for such people.
To deter bandits, the Onmyoryo also sent out a message: If Akagaki is found committing a crime, the Onmyoryo will pursue him with full force. If a criminal is found using the name, they will be killed on the spot.
Being caught by officials might lead to survival, but being caught by Onmyoji, who were demonized or deified by the populace, meant certain death. Eventually, no criminals dared use the name.
Still, Lancer ruthless slaughter of Youkai made his reputation both large and strange. When he saw the Yuki-onna's reaction, he immediately realized————she had heard of 'Akagaki.'
The situation became awkward. He wanted to tell her he didn't eat Youkai or kidnap girls, but it felt like a Big Bad Wolf tricking a lamb, so he stayed silent.
However, Lancer reputation also crushed any thought of resistance she had.
'Akagaki' was most famous for his strange behavior and fierce strength; resistance was suicide. She wasn't afraid to die, but her daughter was too young...
The only thing she could do was satisfy Lancer request, like the question he just asked————
With a sigh, she told Lancer a 'common' story.
She had been no different from other Yuki-onna, living lonely in the snowy mountains, until a rugged woodcutter appeared.
During a storm like this one, she 'saved' or rather 'captured' him. She used all her charms to lure him, expecting him to strike her like the men she had turned into ice sculptures before, giving her a reason to kill him. Instead, he grabbed her collar, pulled it closed, and stated he would never lay a hand on her.
She was left confused; it was the first time she had encountered this.
She didn't know if he was a true gentleman or if he suspected her identity and was afraid to act. Regardless, he 'luckily' survived, and she let him go.
It should have ended there, but one day there was a knock on her door.
The same rugged face, an embarrassed expression, and a warm snack taken from his chest.
The two met by accident but naturally became husband and wife, having a daughter named 'Yukiri.'
The story that should have been a perfect fairy tale didn't have a happy ending. The woodcutter was in his thirties, and living in the freezing snow year-round took its toll. He eventually became bedridden and died...
"Since that day, I have never killed another ordinary person."
Telling this story, buried for over a decade, to a stranger like 'Akagaki' made her feel complicated.
Lancer sat with his head in one hand, silent, until————
"I need to leave for a bit. I'll come back tomorrow. Wait for me here. I think you know the consequences of running."
Lancer left her stunned.
Undoubtedly, Lancer didn't take her word at face value. He left Youkai spirits to monitor her. If she attacked them, he would return and show no mercy.
Why did he leave?
Simple: he was going to verify her story nearby.
When Lancer returned the next day, the Yuki-onna was still there. Lancer expression toward her became complex.
She wasn't lying. According to news from a nearby village, eleven years ago, a 30-year-old woodcutter did marry a beautiful white-haired woman, and they had a daughter. After he died of illness, his wife and child disappeared. Critically, Lancer had seen this report before.
The Onmyoji in charge here had noted that the Yuki-onna in the snow might be that same white-haired woman.
"Sign a contract with me. As long as you promise not to attack ordinary people, then I... and even the Onmyoryo, will not interfere with your life or your daughter."
Lancer words shocked her. She never expected 'Akagaki' to say this.
Her shock turned into relief and excitement. No one wants to die, and she didn't want her daughter to have no future.
She signed a 'Magecraft Contract' with Lancer.
The vow had only one function: if she broke it, Lancer would be notified and would personally come to execute her. That was the punishment for oath-breakers. But if she kept it, he would ensure she lived in peace.
Even if he left later, he could ask his 'Oni' friends or the Onmyoryo for help. The Oni wouldn't refuse such a request, and the Onmyoryo didn't want a cooperative Youkai forced into becoming an enemy. There were precedents for this.
Starting with this incident, Lancer became more rigorous in handling Youkai. If he found one that wasn't purely evil, he would investigate. Such Youkai were few, but within a month, he found several. They all signed 'Magecraft Contracts' and tried to blend into human society or live quietly in the shadows.
Gradually, the Youkai community learned of this. Many Youkai longing for peace sought Lancer 'contract.' This became the famous 'Crimson Vow' among Youkai...