Banter aside, business was business. The most critical ingredient had been found. One could say that as long as the remaining herbs were collected, the problem wouldn't be big. Kaguya confident expression when talking about the "Hourai Elixir" was quite persuasive.
As expected, when Lancer went to the Onmyo Bureau to find the Head of the Bureau (Funazu), the man was startled by Lancer image.
"Lancer? Have you converted to Buddhism?!"
Though it wasn't strange to be teased given his current look, the smile on the man's face suggested he definitely knew something had happened. Even if the smile was hidden behind a folding fan, the amusement in his eyes couldn't be concealed. Lancer response was simple.
He silently raised his right fist and gave a "radiant" smile.
"Ahem~ Lancer, the herbs you asked the Bureau to find have been found. But before that, I want to ask you one thing———Are you serious?"
No one knew about the bloodline awakening in Fujiwara no Mokou body. After all, this hadn't happened many times in history. Even the well-traveled Kaguya only guessed it because of Lancer hints. But they had noticed the abnormality in Mokou.
The entire Youkai world and those associated with it knew Lancer was looking for the "Phoenix." But except for a few people, others only knew Lancer was making an "antidote" for Mokou. No one knew the details. Lancer hadn't even told the Bureau Head—not because he didn't trust him, but purely because Lancer didn't want the man to have trouble because of him.
Lancer was very calm about the so-called "immortality." He didn't fully believe Kaguya claims. In his view, the "Hourai Elixir" just gave the consumer immense vitality, which was enough for Mokou.
As for himself? If there was leftover, he wouldn't mind a taste. But even without it, he didn't care. He was still young, and in his travels across endless worlds, there were many things with similar powers. He would have plenty of chances.
But just because he could resist the temptation didn't mean others could. Lancer could almost imagine that if he publicly announced he had medicine for "immortality," the entirety of Japan would fall into utter chaos.
Some say true friends should trust each other completely, but that's purely idealistic. As long as one is human, one has their own thoughts. Friendships need to be maintained; even blood relations established at birth will fall apart if continuously damaged.
Lancer believed that even if the Bureau Head knew, he would understand. This thing appeared incredibly enticing but was extremely dangerous. Once entangled, one might be torn to shreds. Only a "stiff-headed" guy like Lancer would go forward without looking back.
Even without knowing how "broken" the Hourai Elixir was, the medicinal types already exposed were enough to make most people's scalps tingle. It was only because Lancer knew many Youkai—and powerful ones at that—otherwise, collecting them would be despair-inducing.
The Bureau Head's words had no subject, but the person he meant was naturally Fujiwara no Mokou.
Guessing the meaning, Lancer paused and then smiled while shaking his head.
"Of course I'm serious. After all, success is only a few steps away."
If he were a subordinate Onmyoji of the Bureau, he would unhesitatingly dissuade Lancer. Spending so much resource for a girl whose fate was unknown was madness no matter how you looked at it. But as Lancer friend, he didn't intend to stop him.
Sounds strange? Normally, shouldn't a friend stop someone from meaningless waste?
It was simple: the Bureau Head had become familiar with Lancer.
The man wasn't exactly reckless, but he hated being restrained. Dealing with him was like petting a cat; you had to go with the fur. So he knew simple "persuasion" was meaningless. The only good news was that Lancer wasn't "tsundere" like most cat masters; if given enough reason, he could be convinced. But the problem was, how could he convince him?
Explain the preciousness of the herbs?
Would someone who personally retrieved a Phoenix crest feather care about that?
Tell him there was no need for this?
What standing did he have to dissuade Lancer?
And for some reason, this guy had a strange charisma. This quality attracted countless people, including himself.
Weak Youkai received Lancer selfless protection. He took nothing, but precisely because of this, those who sought refuge trusted him more. Strong Youkai were gradually won over by Lancer in battle. Such behavior seemed "too stupid to understand" to most, but unfortunately, Lancer didn't seem to intend to change his path. After all, he didn't need anything from others.
To him, the only thing he needed was "sparring partners." Unfortunately, until now, few could fit that role.
A leader who doesn't exploit you and helps you naturally gains more support.
Just as the Bureau Head looked at Lancer serious attitude, he also believed that if anything happened to himself, the man before him would help.
Taking several boxes from a subordinate, the Bureau Head handed them to Lancer without even checking.
"When it's over, I'll find you for a proper celebration."
"Of course. Just don't forget me then."
The only thing he could do now was trust this man. Fortunately, this man had never let him down.
But perhaps because the expressions between the two were too serious during the exchange, the Bureau Head reflexively blurted out———
"Lancer, actually, you're a lolicon, aren't you?"
Instantly, Lancer noticed the surrounding members of the Onmyo Bureau looking at him with strange eyes. Lancer face, already somewhat comical without eyebrows and hair, turned dark.
"Fuck off!"
"Haha~~"
To the disbelief of the other Bureau members, the Head burst out laughing.
This was the man he was familiar with—a man who disregarded tradition, acted as he pleased, and was completely free.
'Perhaps the title "Red Oni" truly fits him.'
Without further talk, he waved his hand and turned to leave. He believed the other could handle it, so what he needed to do was speed up his own work so that when he was called for drinks, he would have time and wouldn't be in too much of a rush.
Even though success was still a distance away, the Bureau Head seemed to have already decided on the outcome. This was his trust in this man—reasonless, yet he couldn't help but believe in him.