"If it was found or snatched by those soldiers on the road, they would definitely present it to their master."
Kikyo finally understood.
"So when you said earlier you wanted to protect this village and deal with that castle lord..."
"It wasn't just for these villagers, but also to retrieve the Hiraikotsu."
"Killing two birds with one stone—or even three."
Kanbe Hikaru admitted it bluntly.
"Killing that toad is the first matter."
"Dealing with the castle lord who oppresses the people is the second."
"Taking back the Hiraikotsu along the way is the third."
"Three matters, settled in one trip."
He spoke nonchalantly.
Kikyo watched him quietly.
The lamplight flickered beside her, illuminating her cool, beautiful face with clarity.
"You are very bold,"
she said.
It sounded like a statement of fact, yet also like a sigh of sorts.
"I wasn't this bold before,"
Kanbe Hikaru answered honestly.
He really hadn't been this bold before, daring to directly assault a human settlement—setting aside the fact that there were no lack of strong individuals among humans, while their average individual was weak, when combined, the strength of hundreds or thousands was something ordinary demons wouldn't dare provoke.
"Then why do you dare now?"
The question was very direct.
Kanbe Hikaru simply stared at her.
The dim lamplight shone on Kikyo's exquisite face, making her pitch-black eyes bright.
The collar of her white robe was slightly open, revealing a section of her fair neckline.
Her black hair was draped over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to the side of her neck, trembling slightly with her breath.
He suddenly smiled.
"Because you're here."
He said it as if it were a matter of course, as simple as saying one plus one equals two. "The strongest priestess of the Sengoku Period, who can slay powerful high-level demons with a single arrow."
"That Kamaitachi from before was blown to bits by your arrow."
"Tonight, if your arrow hadn't pinned that toad's leg, my blade might not have landed."
"With you backing me up, what do I have to fear?"
He had a look of complete entitlement.
"Even if that castle lord has hundreds of men, as long as you're there, I'll dare to charge."
"At worst, you shoot from the back, and I'll slash in the front."
"We coordinate so well, just like last night."
Kikyo's expression froze.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But looking at Kanbe Hikaru's self-righteous face, she suddenly didn't know how to respond.
This person... this demon...
How could he say such things so... so...
As if he were complimenting her?
Or as if he were treating her as some kind of all-purpose tool?
Silence lasted for several breaths.
Kikyo finally squeezed out two words.
"Nonsense."
[shikon no tama: naohi: Affection +1]
[Current Affection: 47 (Trust)]
[It conveys a message to you:'She didn't deny it; she's just shy.']
Watching the prompt on the panel, the curve of Kanbe Hikaru's lips widened.
As expected.
This fellow naohi is quite accurate at reading people.
"How is it nonsense?"
he pressed.
"I am not the'strongest' priestess."
Kikyo lowered her head, adjusting the bowstring on her lap, avoiding his gaze.
"Who says?"
"I do."
Her voice was very soft.
"This world is vast, and there are many powerful people."
"The great Onmyoji in Kyoto, the Exorcists in various regions... those stronger than me are everywhere."
"I am only... doing what I ought to do."
Kanbe Hikaru looked at her.
The candlelight flickered beside her, casting the figure in white robes and red hakama into light and shadow.
Her lowered eyelashes cast faint shadows on her cheeks.
Her fingers were still stroking the bowstring in a mechanical motion, as if she were thinking of something else.
Beautiful.
And stubborn.
"Who cares who is the strongest."
Kanbe Hikaru said, "In my eyes, anyway, you are the strongest."
"That's enough."
Kikyo looked up.
There were unreadable emotions in those pitch-black eyes.
It wasn't anger, nor was it shyness.
It was more like... helplessness?
"That mouth of yours,"
she said.
"What about it?"
"It's very silver-tongued."
Was that a compliment?
Kanbe Hikaru felt it probably was.
Even if it didn't quite sound like one.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"