"..."
The girl's attention was somewhat diverted by the One-Eyed Monster's voice, and she immediately looked away. No matter how beautiful Yuki Onna was, if it meant losing her own will and self, it was better not to look.
Beauty was certainly admirable.
But not suitable for obsession.
Inside the mansion-like carriage.
"...Interesting."
Yuki Onna let out a charming chuckle, then lowered the curtain she had pulled open. She naturally saw the girl standing on the cliff face; after all, with the girl's beauty, it would be hard not to attract attention.
However, these were not what she found interesting.
That purple-haired girl was a Youkai, but her strength was pitifully weak. However, the interesting part lay in the girl's species.
A unique Youkai.
Indeed, most Youkai belong to tribes, but there are also some Youkai who do not have tribes; no classification fits them.
These are the unique Youkai.
The origins of these Youkai vary; some might be born suddenly, some might be special mutations within a tribe.
Or Youkai transformed from humans.
Regardless of their origin, the fate of these unique Youkai will not be ordinary; they are destined to be born with a great destiny.
If the vast majority of Youkai are destined to live ordinary lives.
Even with amazing talent, they often miss out on opportunities, leading to unfulfilled potential... and dying in obscurity.
But unique Youkai are not like that.
Unique and special Youkai often have a profound impact on the world, influencing the fate of countless people and the course of history.
If translated into the human world.
They would be world-renowned emperors or generals, or perhaps even artists whose names live on for generations, invincible strategists, scientists known to all, or... thinkers like Laozi.
In short, the future of unique and special Youkai is extraordinary.
"Go... invite that purple-haired girl to come for a chat," Yuki Onna instructed her attendant, "If she is willing to join me, I will give her a leader's position and cultivate her strength."
"...Yes."
A girl respectfully acknowledged, then stepped out of the carriage, easily spotting her target with a glance. Then, black wings spread from her back, and she flew rapidly towards the girl like an arrow released from a bowstring.
A moment later, she arrived before the girl, Baal, and extended an invitation.
"My Lord, would you like to join our Hyakki Yagyō? Yuki Onna has promised you a leader's position."
"..."
The girl was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why do you invite me? I shouldn't have... enough value, right?"
"I don't know, I'm just following orders."
The Crow Tengu Girl shook her head, then assessed Baal, making a very unreliable analysis.
"Perhaps it's because you're more beautiful; Yuki Onna intends to keep you as a decorative piece to admire."
"..."
It must be admitted, Baal was a little swayed now. Looking at the magnificent Hyakki Yagyō, if she could find her place among them, it would definitely be much better than going to a human town.
After all, going to a human town might lead to being killed by a passing mage.
So, it would be better to join a Youkai group.
Moreover, Yuki Onna's Hyakki Yagyō was very powerful in the Youkai world, almost like a top ten global company sending a senior executive invitation.
Such temptation... few people could refuse.
However.
"...No, you can't ~"
Suddenly, a charming and lazy voice came, and then a pair of fair hands reached out, embracing Baal's pale neck.
"She is my person... you'd better not try to snatch her."
"..."
Baal silently turned her head and found that the person holding her neck was the golden-haired female Youkai she had met not long ago.
So, this female Youkai had been following her all along?
"..."
The Crow Tengu Girl trembled all over in fright, the feathers on her wings puffed up, and she spoke somewhat stammeringly.
"Youkai Sage... Yakumo Yukari!!!"
"..."
Yakumo Yukari nodded lightly, acknowledging her identity, then smiled and whispered to the Crow Tengu Girl.
"Leave. She will not join anyone's Hyakki Yagyō."
"Yes, I apologize for the disturbance!"
The Crow Tengu Girl bowed, then quickly flapped her wings and flew away, her posture as if she were escaping.
Meanwhile.
The One-Eyed Monster watched this scene dumbfounded. He had thought the girl was just an ordinary, powerful Youkai, but now it seemed she might be a big shot, perhaps... even a Great Youkai.
Even if her strength wasn't great, her background was... incredibly strong.
"...When did I become your person?" Baal watched the Crow Tengu Girl leave, then turned to look at the smiling Yakumo Yukari, "We haven't even known each other for a day, have we?"
"You're not my person?" Yakumo Yukari released Baal's neck, took out her folding fan to cover her face, "But haven't you already taken my money?"
"...Then give me back my instant noodles," Baal said calmly, then sighed and asked, "What exactly do you want to do? You can just say it directly."
"Hmm, not yet."
Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari chuckled mysteriously, then her delicate body shrunk back into the gap, leaving a single sentence.
"Don't get too deeply involved with that Yuki Onna woman; you two are not from the same world."