"...I'm sorry." The young girl was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head. "I have no intention of forming a Hyakki Yagyō, at least not yet."
She knew why the One-Eyed Monster made this choice; it was nothing more than because of Yakumo Yukari's and Yuki Onna's recruitment.
This was like some people choosing to invest in officials' children, waiting for these officials' children to inherit their parents' resources and grow up.
Thereby being reciprocated, getting promoted and making a fortune.
However, even knowing the One-Eyed Monster's intentions, the young girl had no intention of taking him in. What if the One-Eyed Monster decided she had no potential after a while and, in a fit of rage, just killed her? Wouldn't that be an unjust death?
Therefore, she would not take the One-Eyed Monster as a subordinate.
"If you are unwilling to form a Hyakki Yagyō," the One-Eyed Monster maintained his dogeza posture, his voice loud and sincere, "then please allow this one to become your retainer."
He truly wanted to cling to the young girl's tender leg. If he didn't seize the opportunity to cling to such a promising, good-natured, and well-connected leg,
then he deserved to be a Youkai beneath Youkai for the rest of his life.
Anyway, even if he had to flatter the young girl until she broke, he had to get under her wing first; if it didn't work out, he could always find a chance to run away.
"…"
The young girl twitched her lips. Did this Youkai not understand human language? Was he trying to cling to her?
So, she could only say firmly,
"I'm sorry, I have no intention of taking you as my retainer. You will surely find a more suitable Lord in the future."
With that, she left without waiting for a reply.
Although the One-Eyed Monster was quite strong, his appearance truly didn't align with her former human aesthetic.
Moreover, if the One-Eyed Monster were to realize how weak she was,
and harbored ill intentions towards her… that would be trouble.
At that point, it might turn into a tragic scenario for the young girl.
So, it was better to refuse.
(Is that how it is…)
The One-Eyed Monster looked up at the departing purple-haired young girl, clenching his fists with some reluctance.
(Even if the opportunity is right in front of me, I don't have the strength to grasp it.)
He truly believed that the young girl would be extraordinary in the future and wanted to follow her before she had fully grown.
Even if he didn't become a high-ranking official in the future, he could still become a significant figure based on his seniority, but the young girl had no intention of taking him in.
This was, in fact, a natural outcome.
Ultimately, he was just a Youkai with an ordinary bloodline, seemingly without much potential.
Therefore, the possibility of being favored by a great person… and becoming a retainer was too low.
"Am I destined to stop here for the rest of my life?!"
The One-Eyed Monster angrily punched the ground, his face showing an expression of extreme unwillingness. Even if he had ambition… it was meaningless.
With his ordinary Youkai bloodline, his life.
would only be one of mediocrity.
Although he wanted to live a valuable life, the harsh reality could only make him accept his fate helplessly.
"Hey, One-Eye, do you want to become that esteemed one's retainer?"
Not far away, three Youkai emerged. They had human limbs and torsos, but their heads were those of animals: a sheep's head, a Tiger Head, and a deer's head.
"…"
The One-Eyed Monster glanced at the three Youkai and silently nodded to them. These three were his friends.
They occasionally gathered for meals, and their strengths were similar.
"Do you really think so highly of that esteemed one's future?"
The Tiger-head Demon asked curiously. He had only seen the One-Eyed Monster being rejected and didn't understand what was special about the purple-haired young girl.
However, he did know that the One-Eyed Monster had always wanted to achieve something great.
Unfortunately, his intermittent ambition had lasted for many years.
"That's right, that esteemed one will surely be extraordinary in the future!" The One-Eyed Monster said with certainty and dejection, his hands tightly clenched in frustration. "That esteemed one was favored by the Youkai Sage and Yuki Onna, which is enough to prove that her future is extraordinary."
"...If that's the case, she indeed has a lot of potential."
The Tiger-head Demon nodded in agreement. Being favored by great Youkai like Yuki Onna and Yakumo Yukari meant that the purple-haired young girl was not simple.
However, it was a pity that the One-Eyed Monster didn't seize the opportunity.
"…"
The One-Eyed Monster sighed unwillingly. The Youkai opportunity was right before him, but he lacked the ability to grasp it.
Perhaps, one day in the future, when that esteemed one achieves fame and success.
Then he would also suffer for missing the opportunity today.
"Actually, there's still a chance," Sheep-head Youkai said, suddenly confident. "Even if our potential isn't valued, we can still overcome quality with quantity."
"…You mean?"
The One-Eyed Monster asked with some hope.
"Heh heh, you guys don't get it, do you?" Sheep-head Youkai shook his head, looking like a scheming advisor. "Although our strength isn't great and our potential isn't either, if we bring enough Youkai to pledge allegiance, that Adult will look at us differently, and it will be natural for us to be taken under her wing."
"What you said… makes sense!"
The Youkai all nodded in agreement.
Indeed, if they, as small fries, went over, it would be natural for them not to be taken seriously.
But if enough of them gathered, they would be taken seriously, right?
"So, we'll just slightly borrow that Adult's reputation."
Sheep-head Youkai stroked the wisp of beard on his chin, exuding a calm demeanor as if everything was under his control, his eyes brimming with endless wisdom.
"The other Youkai should have noticed the Adult by now. They probably also know that Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari and Yuki Onna think highly of that Adult, so we'll use this point to recruit other Youkai."
"You're right!"
The One-Eyed Monster stood up, slapped his thigh, and loudly agreed.
The other Tiger-head Demon and Sheep-head Youkai also had expressions of agreement, clearly thinking that Sheep-head Youkai's plan was good.
"Then let's quickly go recruit other Youkai!" Sheep-head Youkai nodded lightly, confidently pointing his hand in all directions. "Before the other Youkai leave, try to recruit as many as possible."
And so.
The four Youkai nodded to each other and walked in different directions, hoping to recruit as many hands as possible before the other Youkai left.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"…Achoo."
The girl suddenly sneezed, rubbed her nose strangely, and looked back to find that the One-Eyed Monster hadn't followed her.
Then she continued walking lightly.