Hagoromo-Gitsune's stronghold was Kyoto. She had operated in Kyoto for over a thousand years, suppressing the local forces so thoroughly that they could not raise their heads and could only live at her mercy.
It was not that no one had tried to eliminate Hagoromo-Gitsune.
They simply could not defeat her.
Nurarihyon had managed to defeat her once several hundred years ago, but what had been the result? Hagoromo-Gitsune was still Hagoromo-Gitsune, while he was no longer the high-spirited man he had once been.
There was no helping it. Hagoromo-Gitsune's faction was simply too powerful. Even after losing once, they could make a comeback within a short time.
They might even return stronger than before.
Over time, everyone simply accepted Hagoromo-Gitsune's existence.
But now, Hagoromo-Gitsune actually wanted to take over Tokyo in one stroke and stage a Night Parade of a Hundred Demons there. She was clearly treating Tokyo as part of her own territory as well.
Without question, this was practically a provocation against the current social order and the Japanese government.
One had to understand that this era was no longer the Sengoku period, when yokai roamed freely.
Humanity had long since risen. If a full-scale clash broke out between humans and yokai, whether the yokai could defeat humanity was still unknown.
Many weaker yokai had even been driven from their homes by humans and forced to seek the protection of other great yokai.
So Nurarihyon could not understand why Hagoromo-Gitsune wanted to take control of Tokyo.
Humanity's leaders might permit Hagoromo-Gitsune to occupy Kyoto, because Kyoto was no longer the capital of the country.
But they would absolutely never allow Hagoromo-Gitsune to establish herself in Tokyo and flaunt her power there.
Once Hagoromo-Gitsune did so, it would inevitably trigger retaliation from every direction.
Nurarihyon did not believe Hagoromo-Gitsune was a fool. If he could understand something this simple, then Hagoromo-Gitsune certainly could as well.
Yet she had still chosen to do it.
That was what made it strange.
Why was Hagoromo-Gitsune doing this? What gave her the confidence to do it? Was she not afraid of being completely suppressed by humanity?
Nurarihyon's gaze flickered. No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand.
Nyanko-sensei could not understand it either. However, he was broad-minded by nature and would not trouble himself over things he could not figure out. He soon threw the minor question to the back of his mind and slapped the table, demanding alcohol from Nurarihyon.
"Alcohol! Alcohol! Alcohol! Hurry and bring out the good stuff, Nurarihyon."
Hearing this, Nurarihyon shook his head.
"As expected of you. Fine. Kejoro, please bring over one bottle of alcohol."
Kejoro nodded and stood up to leave.
Nyanko-sensei said, "How could one bottle possibly be enough? Bring ten bottles. A hundred bottles."
Nurarihyon sneered.
"No."
That was the fine alcohol he had treasured. How could he let this fellow take advantage of him for nothing?
Nyanko-sensei said, "Stingy. Nurarihyon, you're far too stingy."
Nurarihyon said nothing and merely sneered.
While the two traded verbal blows, far away in the countryside,
the massive Tsuchigumo crouched before a small yokai and looked down at it from above.
"Tell me. Where did the human named Natsume, who carries the Book of Friends, go?"
The small yokai trembled in fear before Tsuchigumo and hurriedly said, "I-I heard the one carrying the Book of Friends went to Tokyo."
"Tokyo?"
Tsuchigumo suddenly understood. No wonder he had searched the countryside several times without finding any trace of Natsume. So the coward had fled.
But what had he gone to Tokyo for? Could it be…
After thinking of a possibility, a smile split across Tsuchigumo's face.
"Nurarihyon, huh…"
He knew that several hundred years ago, when Nurarihyon had subjugated Hagoromo-Gitsune, the great yokai Madara had also been one of those who participated. Aside from Madara, several other yokai had also placed their bets on Nurarihyon.
Without the assistance of those great yokai, Nurarihyon could not have defeated Hagoromo-Gitsune so smoothly.
Now that Hagoromo-Gitsune had revived, if Madara wanted to help Natsume protect the Book of Friends, he would naturally seek Nurarihyon's aid.
"Interesting. Far too interesting."
Tsuchigumo laughed excitedly. He had no other hobbies. He only enjoyed fighting powerful yokai.
Present-day Tokyo contained not only Madara, but also Nurarihyon.
It was simply too tempting.
Charge over there.
Go right now.
Tsuchigumo did not hesitate at all. After kicking away the small yokai obstructing him, he sped toward Tokyo.
With his speed, he could arrive in Tokyo by daybreak the next morning.
…
The next morning,
after getting up, Rowan called Nakiri Erina and asked her to prepare several breakfasts, with larger portions.
He had called Serie over yesterday, so naturally, he had to properly entertain Serie today.
"No problem, Lord Rowan."
Nakiri Erina readily agreed. After hanging up, she called over her secretary, Hisako Arato, and began working.
About an hour later, Nakiri Erina called Rowan and told him that breakfast was ready.
Rowan gave a hum and opened an air door. On the other side of the air door was Nakiri Erina.
"Come in."
Rowan beckoned to Nakiri Erina. While she delivered the food, he woke Nero, Medea, and Serie.
Before long, everyone sat in the dining chairs and began eating heartily.
"It tastes good."
Serie tasted the apple pie in front of her. Her eyes lit up, and she softly praised it.
Nakiri Erina's face became rosy. Flattered, she said, "You praise me too highly."
Although she did not know who Serie was, judging from Rowan's attitude toward Serie, she could tell that this elf-like woman was very likely an important figure from another world.
As for why she knew Serie came from another world, naturally it was because the clothes the other party wore looked completely out of place in modern society.
"So, you two spent all night researching. Did you discover anything?"
While enjoying the food, Rowan questioned Medea and Serie.
Serie bit into her apple pie and calmly said, "It was only one night. You're too impatient."
Rowan said with a smile, "I'm not impatient. I simply have confidence in the two of you."
"Then I truly thank you."
Serie calmly said, "But even I cannot research anything useful in only one night. I require more samples."
"In other words, more yokai, right?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Rowan turned his head toward Nakiri Erina.
"Have Hagoromo-Gitsune's people caused your family any more trouble?"
Nakiri Erina hurriedly shook her head.
"No. Ever since that incident, Hagoromo-Gitsune's subordinates have never appeared again."
Rowan said, "If they do appear, remember to tell me. You heard her. We're still missing several samples here."
Nakiri Erina nodded and agreed.
Medea said, "They do not necessarily have to be Hagoromo-Gitsune's subordinates. There are plenty of yokai in Tokyo."
"That's true. In that case, after I finish breakfast, I'll go capture a few yokai and bring them back."
Neither Medea nor Serie had any objections.
Nero raised her hand and said, "Umu. I shall go with you, Praetor."
Rowan did not refuse. Nero would only be idle if she remained home anyway, so she might as well go outside with him.
As for Nakiri Erina, she had even fewer objections.
Before long, breakfast ended.
After Rowan sent Nakiri Erina back to Totsuki Academy, he summoned two shikigami from his shadow. One was an Okuchi-no-Makami, and the other was a Kato. They were canine shikigami Rowan had modified.
"Go. Find a few yokai that harm people."
The Okuchi-no-Makami and Kato nodded, then shot away with a whoosh and disappeared.
Rowan and Nero followed unhurriedly behind the two shikigami.
Although the two shikigami ran far ahead, they remained within Rowan's sensory range. After all, they were his shikigami.
Before long, the two shikigami stopped in front of an abandoned building.
After Rowan arrived at the building, he swept his gaze over it and indeed found a yokai inside.
The yokai occupied a room on the top floor of the building and had transformed the entire room into its nest.
Its whole body emitted a powerful bloody aura and resentment. Judging from this, it had killed more than one person.
Several human skins were still hanging inside the room, but the flesh and internal organs had already been eaten clean by the yokai.
With a glance, Rowan recognized this yokai as a Jorōgumo.
This kind of yokai had appeared in many anime.
According to records in collections of yokai tales, it was called a spider woman—a spider that took human form and seduced men. Once a man fell for its temptation, it would remove his head and eat it at midnight three days later. It was an extremely dangerous yokai.
Legend had it that during Japan's Kamakura period, a seductive woman had an affair while serving a certain lord. After the lord discovered it, she was executed by being thrown into a box filled with venomous spiders.
After death, her vengeful spirit took human form and often appeared in forests to seduce young men before taking their lives. It was said to fear fire.
Of course, no one knew whether the Jorōgumo's origins were really like this.
But regardless of whether that was true, since she had killed people, Rowan would not show mercy.
"Go. Capture her and bring her down."
Rowan issued the order to Kato.
Kato barked once, and its body shot toward the top floor like an arrow leaving the bowstring.
Before long, a fire broke out on the top floor, and flames burned fiercely.
This was Kato, a shikigami capable of controlling flames.
To a Jorōgumo, it was a natural enemy.
About five minutes later, the flames died down. Kato dragged the half-dead Jorōgumo downstairs and threw her in front of Rowan.
Rowan crouched down and approvingly patted Kato's head.
"Nicely done."
Kato barked excitedly without stopping, its tail wagging like a propeller.
The Okuchi-no-Makami at the side watched enviously.
Suddenly, its nose caught some kind of scent. After barking once at Rowan, it turned and rushed away.
It appeared to have found new prey.
Kato smelled it as well and chased after it, unwilling to fall behind.
Rowan smiled and stood up. He threw the half-dead Jorōgumo into his shadow, then brought Nero along and followed the Okuchi-no-Makami and Kato at an unhurried pace.
Then they found a yokai wearing a Hannya mask and possessing four arms, stepping on an injured yokai and preparing to deliver the killing blow.