Chapter 431: A Curious Aoandon and Lucifer's Horrifying Memories
Yakumo Yukari's expression gave Yuuka Kazami pause. She had a distinct feeling that the cunning, trouble-making old youkai was already plotting some grand, outrageous scheme. If Ren hadn't already taught her a lesson or two, Yuuka felt he ought to give her a proper one now.
Still, Yuuka could largely guess the nature of Yukari's thoughts. It was only after Ren had mentioned those three specific names that this particular look had appeared on her face, so it was clearly tied to one of them. As a Sage of Gensokyo, one whose long life often led to periods of deep boredom, Yuuka didn't even need to guess which one it was; Yukari was undoubtedly intrigued by the idea of that youkai-run cafeteria.
However, Yuuka remained silent. Yukari's current expression showed she hadn't yet committed to connecting the worlds, which meant she was still weighing the consequences. As much as she clearly enjoyed the food here and held a favorable impression of Ren and his companions, she wouldn't make such a monumental decision on a whim.
Ren turned his attention to Aoandon, who was still perched on her floating lamp, looking completely uncertain of what to do next. He offered a gentle smile. "So, Miss Aoandon, would you like to rest here for a while? Or perhaps have something to eat?"
Aoandon's own smile was a delicate, ethereal thing. "Can I really eat here? Food from another world!"
Ren nodded. "As long as we have the ingredients, you can order anything you like."
"Ghost Fire Skewers!" she requested immediately.
"The skewers I can manage," Ren replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "The ghost fire, however, might be a problem."
Aoandon tilted her head, her long hair shifting like silk. She considered this for a moment. "In that case… I don't know what to eat. I have no idea what is even available here."
Ren thought for a moment. "Then, Miss Aoandon, what kind of flavors do you prefer? Meat or vegetarian?"
"Definitely not vegetarian," she said decisively. "Something with a slightly richer flavor, so that I can remember it more deeply!"
"Meat with a rich flavor, understood," Ren confirmed. "And for a drink?"
"Alcohol!"
At that, Yakumo Yukari's eyes lit up with a dangerous glint. My, what a fine youkai, she thought. Confirmed. Her tastes align perfectly with mine. This is solid proof—she is most certainly a good youkai.
Ren nodded, about to head to the kitchen, when Aoandon called out again. "Shopkeeper, Shopkeeper! I want a dish with a strong, otherworldly style!"
He paused, then a warm smile spread across his face. "No problem at all. But Miss Aoandon, would you mind coming down from the lamp? Does being called Aoandon mean you must always remain upon it?"
Aoandon immediately hopped down, her movements graceful and light. The paper lantern bobbed twice in the air beside her before settling. "Of course not," she said with a faint smile. "I am called Aoandon when I am with my lamp. If I couldn't come down, it would be terribly inconvenient. Besides," she added, gesturing to her feet, "I wouldn't wear shoes if I couldn't walk."
Ren nodded, his tone gentle. "Then please find a seat and make yourself comfortable. I'll go prepare your meal."
Was Aoandon easy to get along with? Yes and no. If you were willing to listen to her stories, tell her stories, and pique her boundless curiosity, she was a pleasant companion. Otherwise, one would do well to remember that her paper lamp held more than just one or two captured souls. The game of Hyakumonogatari was never a mere jest.
After Aoandon settled into a chair, she began to look around, her gaze filled with wonder. The tables and chairs were crafted in a style completely foreign to her world. Her eyes were drawn to the brightly glowing orb suspended from the ceiling. As a being intimately familiar with light and flame, she knew instantly that it was not candlelight. It was something else entirely—something she had no name for—brighter, warmer, and casting its light over a much wider area.
Watching the youkai, who possessed the air of a cold and elegant noblewoman yet was now observing her surroundings with the wide-eyed fascination of a child, Yakumo Yukari let a knowing smile touch her lips. "It seems you hail from a rather distant era, Aoandon. These things are quite common in the human world of this realm."
Aoandon nodded, a look of enlightenment dawning on her face. She then turned her curious gaze to the two women. "And the two of you are…?"
Yakumo Yukari gracefully snapped open her fan. "I am Yakumo Yukari, a Great Youkai of Boundaries."
"Boundaries?" Aoandon echoed, intrigued.
"It's just a very interesting concept, that's all," Yukari said dismissively, her fan hiding her smile. "In short, Aoandon, you need only know that I am very powerful."
Aoandon nodded slowly. Though her curiosity was immense, she understood that a being like Yakumo Yukari would not casually reveal the nature of her power as a topic of idle conversation.
Yuuka Kazami spoke softly, her voice as serene as a calm lake. "Yuuka Kazami. I am also a youkai."
Aoandon paused. My, she didn't even specify what kind of youkai she is.
Yakumo Yukari chuckled lightly. "Yuuka is exceedingly powerful. I can vouch for that."
Again, Aoandon nodded. She knew not to ask what shouldn't be asked. Among a fighting race like youkai, such discretion was a fundamental rule of survival. Her gaze then drifted to the other side of the room, landing on Pandemonica and Lucifer.
Lucifer offered a regal smile. "The two of us are not youkai."
Pandemonica added, her tone flat, "We are demons."
"Demons?" Aoandon's brow furrowed. She knew the word, but only as an insult. People would curse others, saying "you demon" or "you devil." Could it actually be a race? She knew of evil spirits, but not of demons. The thought, however, only made her more excited. Demons! The stories she could gather here would be truly fascinating.
"Yes," Lucifer confirmed, her smile widening. "You have likely never heard of us. But you need only know that I am the Queen of Hell."
"Mm-hmm… Huh?! The Queen of Hell?!"
Aoandon was stunned. She stared blankly for a moment before stammering, "But isn't the master of Hell… Lord Enma?"
Lucifer chuckled, a sound like fine crystal. "The masters of the underworld differ between mythologies. In the Greek pantheon, for example, the master of the underworld is Hades."
Aoandon tilted her head, her confusion evident. "Mythology?"
Lucifer was not stingy with such common knowledge, treating it as a casual conversation. Perhaps it was because Aoandon bore a slight resemblance to Kirari, but Lucifer found herself with a favorable impression of the storyteller youkai.
In the time that followed, Lucifer elaborated on the classifications of myths, the biblical mythology she belonged to, her own existence, and the affairs of her Hell. Yakumo Yukari would interject from time to time, adding her own cryptic but insightful comments.
Aoandon listened with the rapt attention of a top student absorbing a new, wondrous subject. And how could she not? Jörmungandr, the World Serpent whose coils encircled the entirety of Midgard; Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon who guarded the Tree of Life; the monstrous god Typhon, father of all monsters. These, along with the classic tales of Lucifer's own fall from grace, were all stories she had never heard.
These beings were grander, more unimaginable, and more wondrous than those in her own tales. While perhaps less overtly terrifying in the way she was accustomed to, they were undeniably new stories.
She felt a thrill run through her. With this, she could tell an entirely new set of one hundred tales. Aoandon let out a soft sigh of contentment. "What powerful beings they all are. But Lord Lucifer, are there any… bizarre or grotesque beings in your stories?"
Hearing this, a muscle in Lucifer's jaw twitched. Her mind, against her will, flashed with images of Sadako and the others. Just the thought of those creatures was enough to make the Queen of Hell's blood run cold.
Lucifer found she truly couldn't bring herself to speak of them, nor did she even want to recall the memories. She shook her head, her composure strained. "You should ask Ren about that. He's quite fond of such horror and grotesque works."
"Eh?! Who is this Lord Ren?!" Aoandon asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
Lucifer gestured vaguely toward the kitchen. "That would be Shopkeeper Ren."
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