"I was just talking nonsense back then, why do you remember it so clearly?" Retsu's cheeks flushed red as he defended himself somewhat awkwardly.
He recalled a fox demon he had encountered while exorcising with Kikyo. Back then, he was full of anticipation, thinking he would get to see the legendary beautiful fox spirit with animal ears.
But when they actually found that demon, they discovered it was a gigantic fox with a massive frame, blood-red beast-like eyes, a mouth full of fangs, and a dense evil energy emanating from its body.
Not to mention the pungent, stinky fox odor, which made both him and Kikyo dare not get close. In the end, Kikyo purified it with a single arrow.
Afterwards, he had indeed lamented with regret, wondering why it wasn't a cute animal-eared girl with fox ears and a tail. He never expected Kikyo would remember those words until now.
"What if this time, it really is a genuine animal-eared girl?" Kikyo completely ignored his defense and continued teasing.
"Forget about animal-eared girls!" Retsu, tired of her holding onto this embarrassing past, simply spoke his mind, "I think... a shrine maiden is quite nice."
"..." Hearing his words, Kikyo's footsteps noticeably faltered for a moment. However, she quickly returned to normal and continued walking forward as if nothing had happened, only suddenly falling silent and no longer speaking.
But Retsu had no intention of letting her off the hook so easily. He moved closer to her and continued, "I suddenly feel now that shrine maidens are much more attractive than animal-eared girls. Compared to animal-eared girls, I prefer shrine maidens more. What do you think?"
"...According to the villagers, a group of defeated, fleeing soldiers used to live in these mountains."
Just as Retsu stared at Kikyo, waiting to see how she would respond, the silent Kikyo suddenly changed the subject. In a calm tone, she began speaking about information regarding the demon, as if deliberately trying to divert attention.
"At the time, there was also a princess in the group, but the soldiers protecting her all died in battle. Not long after, that princess also passed away. Ever since then, demons began appearing in the mountains, most likely formed from the princess's lingering resentment."
Watching Kikyo's serious attempt to change the topic, Retsu couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curve upward slightly, finding it somewhat amusing. However, he didn't press the issue further and went along with her words, "So you mean this demon is that princess who died with resentment?"
"Mhm." Hearing him drop the previous topic, Kikyo secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and nodded gently, "Judging by its habit of only capturing men, it's highly likely."
"Why would a princess who died with resentment specifically only capture men?" Retsu rubbed his chin somewhat speechlessly, "Could it be this princess had androphobia when she was alive?"
"Androphobia? What's that?" Hearing this unfamiliar term, Kikyo stopped walking, turned her head, and looked at him curiously, her eyes filled with confusion.
"It refers to a psychological state where a woman feels disgust, rejection, or even fear upon seeing men," Retsu explained simply and clearly.
"Mmm... perhaps." After listening to his explanation, Kikyo lowered her head and thought about it. From the demon's behavior of only targeting men, it did seem somewhat similar to the "androphobia" Retsu described, so she replied uncertainly.
"Of course, it's also possible this princess is a demon with a queenly personality, capturing a bunch of young men to be her harem," Retsu suddenly shifted his tone, joking with a hint of teasing, "Look, all those missing from the Village are strong, young men, aren't they?"
"..." Kikyo turned her head and glared at him fiercely. What kind of nonsense was this?
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