Looking at Fujiwara no Mokou face, which was somewhat flushed due to happiness, Lancer was also very happy. However, even the most brilliant fireworks must eventually have an end. As the smell of gunpowder in the air gradually dissipated, Lancer also hugged both of Fujiwara no Mokou legs and, amidst her exclamation, placed her on his shoulder.
"Let the second round of the wine party begin!!"
"Ohhhh!!"
As Lancer voice fell, the Yokai nearby also couldn't help but let out a burst of cheers. For them, although the fireworks were incomparably brilliant, drinking wine and eating meat was indeed more delightful.
The group of people immediately, under Lancer leadership, charged back to Youkai Mountain in a grand manner.
The White Wolf Tengu responsible for guarding the gate were almost numb, but they had to check one by one according to the rules. Especially seeing that Lancer had both a young girl and a b... onee-san by his side, they all felt somewhat mentally unbalanced. Someone even complained in their heart.
'Look at how arrogant this Akagaki is; doing it like this, he will die in bed sooner or later.'
However, they only dared to complain in their hearts. Akagaki's strength and prestige were no longer what they used to be; those Yokai who were subjugated were the best evidence. No one dared to say such things to Lancer face.
But in reality, even if they said it out loud, Lancer would probably just laugh, right? After all, from a certain perspective, this could be considered one of a man's ultimate dreams, right?
——————
When the sky turned completely pitch black, the Yokai in the tavern were also lying all over the place. After sending Ibuki Suika, Hoshiguma Yuugi, and Ibaraki Kasen—three people with sensitive identities—back to Onigashima, Lancer let the others sleep in the tavern.
Lancer glanced at Fujiwara no Mokou, who was wearing a magnificent kimono but had her head nodding off. There was no doubt tonight was a bit too stimulating; even a child full of vitality could not hold out for too long.
"Are you tired? But don't sleep yet, I'll take you to meet one more person..."
"Lord Lancer?"
A somewhat drowsy Fujiwara no Mokou seemed to not quite understand Lancer thought, but she still lifted her head and looked at Lancer blankly.
Looking at her dazed expression, Lancer also laughed and picked her up.
"Yukari, I need you to do me a favor."
As Lancer voice fell, a strange opening opened beside him again. Yakumo Yukari, who also appeared somewhat languid due to drinking, appeared in front of him. But seeing Fujiwara no Mokou being held in Lancer arms, she held her fan in front of her mouth while revealing a disdainful gaze.
"Have you finally decided to make a move on this child?"
Hearing Yakumo Yukari words, Lancer just rolled his eyes and said no more. He knew she was doing this on purpose; after all, this Yokai Sage's eyesight was extraordinary—she must have long seen that his concern for Fujiwara no Mokou was not simply the concern between a man and a woman.
Lancer reaction also made Yakumo Yukari curl her lip; of course, this expression was hidden by the fan.
"Boring man~ Speak, where do you want me to send you?"
In fact, initially, after Yakumo Yukari was forced by Lancer to sign the contract, she was terrified for a long time. Sometimes she worried he would pull her over in the middle of the night to sleep with him, or make her go as cannon fodder, or even possibly use her as a bargaining chip. But who knew that basically every time he called her, it was to have her help "open the door."
Did this guy misunderstand something? She is a "Yokai Sage," not an "Anywhere Door"!
"Help send me to 'Bamboo Mountain'."
"Bamboo Mountain? Lancer, I must remind you, that place..."
"In fact, someone is hiding in the shadows, right? I know."
Before Yakumo Yukari could finish her words, she was interrupted by Lancer. Although he had never seen that person, he could always feel that someone was monitoring him and Kaguya-hime. However, the other party had no intention of appearing. Even after several trials by Lancer, Kaguya Houraisan was equally unaware of the other party's existence. Therefore, besides maintaining necessary vigilance, Lancer also stopped bothering with the other party.
Seeing Lancer reaction, Yakumo Yukari also stopped saying more and directly opened a gap.
"Thanks~"
After saying that, Lancer held Fujiwara no Mokou and stepped into the gap. Yakumo Yukari, however, was still covering her mouth with the fan, looking at Lancer back thoughtfully.
"To actually thank me. Not only strange, but also a stupid man..."
In Yakumo Yukari view, in this world, no one can be trusted except oneself.
As the only "Gap Yokai" in this world, her origins have always been a mystery. No one even knows when she truly appeared in a meaningful sense. But she herself is extremely clear.
Once, when she was weak, she relied on her abilities to hide everywhere. Both humans and Yokai were full of threats to her. There were even humans who tried to capture her because of her appearance. At that time, she was not a Yokai Sage, but a truly 17-year-old girl. Fortunately, she relied on her abilities to hide away. Later, she simply stayed in the deep mountains to constantly strengthen herself, because she was extremely clear on the meaning of power.
The weak are bullied, plundered, and devoured!
This is the truth she understood!
But this stupid man, because of his personal likes and dislikes, went to protect those weak existences who are not even qualified to sit with him. This kind of behavior was completely unbelievable and even incomprehensible to her.
'Could it be because he is a person from another world?'
Yakumo Yukari didn't know, but she never thought of asking the other party, because she knew the other party was unlikely to answer such a question.
But whenever she thought of those weak Yokai laughing and playing wantonly in the wine party just now, she couldn't help but feel a bit envious. If she had met this man earlier, could she also have...
No!
She shook her head to shake such "thoughts that shouldn't exist" out of her mind. She is a Yokai Sage; she should not have such cowardly thoughts.
Her reason told her that this kind of thought had no meaning at all. The other party might be an idiot, and a very strong idiot at that, but an idiot like him—there probably won't be a second one in this world. Even who can guarantee that this idiot will have the same thoughts in the future as he does now?
'One's own future must be held in one's own hands.'
After reaffirming her thoughts, she also stepped into the gap.
She is not one of those weak Yokai who need this man's protection. She is a "Yokai Sage"; even being captured cannot change that. She has experienced many things that Yokai and humans simply cannot imagine. She might be lost, but in the end, she will still walk on with extreme determination, because she is————the Yokai Sage!
——————
Lancer, holding Fujiwara no Mokou and walking toward the other end, did not notice why Yakumo Yukari behind him was two seconds later than usual. He stepped out of the gap and, looking at the familiar bamboo forest, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
'I wonder if that Kaguya-hime will be surprised when she sees me coming?'
With this thought, holding Fujiwara no Mokou, he jumped in through the window...