The Unmanned Forest.
Looking down from a high altitude, one could see that a section of the area was utterly destroyed, with towering trees toppled and broken over a vast expanse.
And in the center of this area of fallen trees…
The demon monkey's corpse lay on the ground, its body covered in countless knife wounds, with a broken blade still lodged in its chest. Its eyes, staring wide in death, were filled with a terrifying madness, resentment, and killing intent, making one feel weak in the knees.
"…It's over."
Baal exhaled softly, then shook the blood-stained broken blade in her hand before re-sheathing it.
"No, this is actually just the beginning."
Kikyo's figure quietly appeared, taking light steps to Baal's side, her voice calm and gently whispered.
"Baal, look into his eyes… what do you see?"
"..."
Unconsciously, Baal looked at the demon monkey's unseeing eyes. The hatred and curses contained within his dying gaze seemed to materialize, sending a shiver of dread through her body.
"Ah… don't worry, even with hatred and curses, I won't feel shaken or lost. I won't be a disgrace with a half-hearted attitude."
She turned her head and smiled gently at Kikyo. Not everyone in this world feels pleasure after personally slaying an enemy.
On the contrary, they might even break down from the hatred and curses of the slaughter.
"That… is truly wonderful."
A slight smile appeared on Kikyo's pretty face. She had been worried that Baal's mindset might change due to the killing.
Many unnecessary confusions might arise.
However, Baal's inner self was unexpectedly strong, and her mental fortitude had already been built by herself.
And she didn't need to worry too much or guide her.
"Actually, to be honest, both my mind and body are quite tired."
A sly and playful expression appeared on Baal's delicate and pretty face, as she clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
"If Kikyo could give me a lap pillow, then no matter how tired my body or mind is, I could recover very quickly."
"Let's go back quickly, it's getting late."
Kikyo glanced at the smiling girl and directly turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, she stopped again.
"If that can help you recover your spirit and strength, then, it's not impossible…"
With that, she continued to walk forward.
Baal blinked in surprise, then her delicate and pretty face suddenly flushed crimson. She had only habitually tried to liven up the atmosphere.
However, who would have thought… Kikyo actually agreed.
"Eh… Kikyo, when's the lap pillow?!"
She quickened her steps to catch up with Kikyo, and their figures quickly drew close together. Their reflected shadows, as they walked further, gradually overlapped and intertwined, as if an invisible force was at work.
No, perhaps… there really was some kind of attractive force.
*
*
Some time later.
A rift suddenly opened in the void, exuding chaotic and ominous darkness. Scarlet and bizarre eyeballs blinked irregularly within the gap.
Unexpectedly, there was a playful feeling to it.
"…Ran, what do you think?"
Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari's voice came from the rift, revealing a lazy drowsiness, as if she had only recently woken up.
"It's clear that her swordsmanship… is very poor," a gentle and respectful female voice replied, "However, it's clear that the sword style is extremely profound, and it also perfectly suits her unique characteristics. In the future, when it's fully utilized, it will definitely not be underestimated."
"…It's becoming more and more intriguing."
Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari's soft laughter emanated, and then the gap slowly closed. If anyone could observe through the gap at that moment,
They would find two beautiful women with graceful figures soaking in a misty, steaming hot spring, leisurely chatting while holding sake.
The fellow saw it.
On the other side.
Outside a poor village.
A war was about to break out.
Yes, a genuine war.
Moreover, it wasn't a human world war. It was a war belonging to youkai, who stood above humans and possessed terrifying power.
The number was roughly estimated to be… nearly a thousand.
"You… have crossed the line!"
A large rat, standing upright, was taller than a human. He held a thick spiked club and roared with a ferocious expression.
"This is our Rat Clan's territory. If you know what's good for you, get out of here, or else… our Rat Clan will make you experience fear!"
He pointed to a group of rat youkai behind him, all of them extraordinarily robust and exuding an astonishing oppressive force.
In the Youkai Realm, it wasn't only through establishing a Hyakki Yagyō that one could gather youkai. Powerful forces could also be built based on bloodlines and races.
More accurately, forces built from bloodlines and races were actually more stable and superior than a Hyakki Yagyō.
Forces such as the Oni Clan, Tengu, Yuki-onna, and Dog Youkai, among others, have endured for astonishing lengths of time.
And with so many rat youkai, they naturally formed a clan.
"Don't be nervous, we… are just here to talk!"
The Deer-head Monster stepped out from among the youkai. He calmly fanned himself, slowly speaking under the wary gazes of the rat youkai.
"Our Lord wants to conquer the world and become the Lord of Youkai for all the Chimi Monster. Would you… like to join our 'Inazuma'?"
In fact, he didn't know if Lord Baal had ambitions to conquer the world, but when bragging… there was no harm in exaggerating.
Anyway, shouting slogans cost nothing. As long as it conveyed momentum and intimidated others, the goal would already be achieved.
In short, the organization's future prospects must first be painted brightly for people.
It is essential for youkai… to maintain a sense of anticipation for the future.
"Hmph… that sounds truly ambitious."
The leading rat youkai looked at the Deer-head Monster's confident expression, and his own momentum couldn't help but weaken a bit. Then, realizing something was amiss, he retaliated.
"Then state the name of your Lord!"
"…You are not worthy to know the name of our Lord." The Deer-head Monster sneered, his eyes revealing deep disdain. "You only need to know that the name of our Hyakki Yagyō is 'Inazuma'."
"Hahahahaha, you don't even dare to reveal his name!" The rat youkai burst into laughter, resting his spiked club on his shoulder. "Could it be that your Lord is actually afraid of others knowing his name, so they'll come and kill him?"
Perhaps, that was truly the case.
The Deer-head Monster maintained his disdainful sneer, but inwardly, he unexpectedly agreed with that answer. However, he couldn't possibly openly agree with the rat youkai's words.
"Ignorant rat, our Lord… is of what noble status!"
He waved his feather fan, about to retort.
But.
"Hey… you horned fellow, I'm warning you!" The rat youkai suddenly spoke with a fierce expression. "If you dare to call us 'rats' again, there will be no room for discussion between us!"
"…Ah… huh?"
The Deer-head Monster was slightly bewildered for a moment. He glanced at the rat youkai in front of him and was about to say, "Aren't you all rats?"
However, fortunately, he reacted very quickly.
"Ah, my apologies… my wording was problematic."
"Hmm, continue."
The rat youkai leader nodded with satisfaction. He hated being called a 'rat' the most, feeling that the word carried deep discrimination against their Rat Clan.
If anyone dared to say that in front of him, he would probably teach them a lesson directly.
However, it seemed the opponent had a powerful backer now.
"You should know Kikyo, right!" The Deer-head Monster slightly raised his head, pointing his feather fan towards Maple Village. "Our Lord is the deity Kikyo serves!"
"Ha… isn't that woman Kikyo not served by any deity?"
The rat youkai let out a puzzled sound. He naturally knew the miko Kikyo, as she was a very famous and formidable individual in the vicinity.
Countless youkai had been killed by Kikyo.
However, precisely because Kikyo was a formidable person, things about her spread widely.
And the fact that Kikyo was a miko without a deity to serve was a widely known fact.
"If you don't believe me, you can go investigate yourselves!"
The Deer-head Monster sneered, raising his head high, revealing an extremely arrogant expression.
"And do you know Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari?!"
"This… of course we know her!"
The rat youkai leader showed an annoyed expression. How could they not know such a famous existence as Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari?
In fact, the great name of the Youkai Sage was widely known even in the human world. After all, no matter what, she was the formidable individual who organized the youkai to attack the moon.
Such an incredibly powerful person… there's no way no one would know about her.
"Let me tell you then!"
The Deer-head Monster revealed a mysterious smile, speaking in a very loud voice with a whispering expression.
"Our Lord is actually closely related to Yakumo Yukari!"
"..."
The rat youkai were somewhat shocked.
If this was true, then it seemed there truly was an extremely powerful being behind the Hyakki Yagyō named 'Inazuma'.
Just listening to the description… it already felt so powerful and mysterious.