episode_0234

Taeyo Country is an island nation made up of 2 large main islands and several small annexed islands.

It is a closed-off place, so much so that to get to Jo, the nearest inland area from here, you have to travel the sea route for several days and nights to barely arrive.

As such, it is extremely rare for someone to come from outside, or for someone here to go outside and be active.

Because of this, the people living here…, no, the Yokai, were individuals who were familiar with each other, to the extent that most of them knew each other.

“Haaam….”

Adding to that, this place, which was full of fierce battles in the distant past, had been pacified by Yoma Tama-mo and had entered an era of peace for quite a long time, so preparations for ‘attacks from outside’ were not very thorough.

Even though I hid my presence, seeing a guard yawning and dozing off without noticing me approaching was truly a regrettable sight.

Thud!!

“Ugh!!”

Regrettable is regrettable, and approaching secretly is approaching secretly, so I lightly knocked out one guard and looked down below the watchtower.

As expected, I suppose. Below the city full of colorful lights, there were many houses in the style of old Japan.

And the appearance of a large, white castle located in the center of this kind of city.

No matter how you looked at it, you could tell at a glance that it was the White-Face Castle where Tama-mo was staying.

“The White Tiger and Vermilion Bird are captured somewhere in that place…. It looks terribly vast.”

Thinking about it, I’ve never been to Japan or China in reality, but ever since I came here, I’ve been on overseas trips that weren’t in my destiny, so I realize how unpredictable life can be.

“Well, enough of these stray thoughts…. Anyway, what I have to do here is not much different from when I dealt with the ‘Demon’.”

I’ll cause a commotion here and draw the attention of ‘Yoma Tama-mo’.

While I do that, the 5 of Baekryeon, Seollin, Reviya, Lucy, and Tamiel will find and rescue the White Tiger.

Once the rescue of the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird is confirmed, I will immediately subjugate Yoma Tama-mo.

Reviya’s abilities have increased enormously after experiencing the Holy Kingdom incident, and with Tamiel, who is additionally a fragment of the former Demon Lord, there won’t be any situation where we are in danger like last time. Even if such a situation arises, we should be able to cope sufficiently.

“Alright then, shall I go cause some trouble?”

I took out the pure white holy sword from my inventory.

Perhaps because it was evening time with a reddish sunset as the sun was setting, the pure white color of the holy sword also looked like a red sunset.

“Sword King Secret Technique.”

As I poured power into the holy sword, which was burning like the sunset, a strong energy resembling the shimmering golden light of dawn formed on the blade of the holy sword.

I lifted the holy sword as it was.

As I said before, it was evening time now, with an impressive red sunset.

Even Yokai need to eat, and it was around the time they would change places for shifts for such meals, so it was literally a good time for a sudden attack.

“Earth Cleaving.”

Ping!…

I swung the sword down.

A red flash that splits the world, following the tip of the holy sword I swung.

Creak!…

Kwagagagagagak!!!

The world, which hadn’t even realized it was being cut, belatedly made a bizarre sound and was cut with a great roar.

A man-made disaster, like a natural disaster, that occurred at an unexpected evening hour.

As the perfectly fine city was suddenly split in half, it was naturally thrown into chaos below.

Those who had not yet fully grasped the situation began to run out of their houses and flee.

Yokai who appeared to be soldiers managing this place were urgently contacting each other to understand the current situation.

After watching that scene for a moment, I released all the energy I had stored up until now.

“It’s, it’s an attacker!!”

“Over there!!!”

“You’re slow to notice, aren’t you.”

Yokai approaching, chasing the aura I was emitting.

Lest the waiting comrades get caught in unnecessary trouble, I immediately charged towards the Yokai army.

“I’m not interested in the cannon fodder!! Tell your commander to come out!!!”

“Respond!!!”

“Repel the attacker!!!”

Most of the attacking Yokai were carrying weapons in the typical Japanese sword shape, but some Yokai were unarmed, while others were holding strangely shaped spears. Still others were aiming at me with bows drawn from behind.

They seemed to have a decent combination of close and long range.

“Hiyah!!”

Ping ping ping ping!!!

Yokai power, shining with different colors, was imbued in their weapons.

At the same time, the bowstrings of those who were aiming arrows were released, and arrows imbued with Yokai power similarly flew towards me.

As if to pierce my body, the arrows that flew with tremendous force reached me one step ahead of the approaching Yokai.

Ting! Pabababat!!

I swung the holy sword once, spreading a wide sword energy.

The widely spread sword energy blocked the arrows like a barrier.

Of course, perhaps the Yokai had anticipated that I would block the arrows, as they didn’t lose momentum and thrust their weapons forward.

“Sword King Secret Technique – 改” (Kai / Modified)

Wooong

The holy sword, wrapped in strong energy, roared.

“Void Rending”

The sword energy that always cleanly split enemies was roughly torn, tearing space.

The Yokai who had charged forward were unable to withstand the unusual slash that tore a surface instead of drawing a line, and were sent flying.

“Ughh!”

“Wh-what kind of slash is that!….”

The Yokai were surprised by the surface slash, not a line slash, and gnashed their teeth.

Then, pulling out more of their strength, they ignited their fighting spirit towards me and re-gripped their weapons.

“Yeah, well. I didn’t think you’d give up at this point. Alright then….”

“Stop.”

At that moment, there was a woman’s voice echoing across the battlefield.

Riding something like a carriage flying in the sky, accompanied by her subordinates, she stopped in the middle of the battlefield which was intensifying amidst the chaotic situation.

Her appearance somehow gave the illusion of a celestial maiden descending from the sky.

Long, golden shining hair and protruding fox ears.

Eyes with pinkish vertical pupils and a neatly worn black kimono.

Perhaps looking at the atmosphere and situation….

“L-Lady Tama-mo!”

“Why is Lady Tama-mo here….”

“We apologize! Lady Tama-mo! We will deal with this attacker immediately!”

As expected, that woman is Tama-mo….

Was she a Yoma, one of the fragments of the Demon Lord?

‘…But something is a little strange.’

If she is a Yoma, she should clearly be an existence on the same level as the Heavenly Demon, the Demon, and the Witch Tamiel….

Of course, according to Tamiel’s explanation, the main body’s ability isn’t that great, but even so, this is….

“Fufufu. Are you the Hero?”

While I was frowning in doubt, Tama-mo looked down at me and said with a fox-like smile.

“I’ve heard quite a lot of stories about you from across the sea.”

“Oh? That’s an honor.”

“Fufu, you’re on edge.”

“Well, wouldn’t I be on edge?”

At my words, Tama-mo tilted her head, then shrugged her shoulders and said.

“The relationship between you and me is undeniably one where we must point our swords at each other and fight with our lives on the line. However, isn’t there a little room to have a small conversation before that?”

“…What?”

No, what kind of nonsense is this now?

Suddenly asking for a conversation?…. I can’t get a grasp of what she’s aiming for at all….

“Suddenly asking for a conversation? Do you think I’ll believe that outright?”

“Then that’s a shame. I’m not the type to immediately brandish a sword just because my eyes meet someone, like the Heavenly Demon.”

Tama-mo said with a light smile.

At that relaxed expression and the opponent’s behavior, which I had never experienced before, I involuntarily frowned.

‘…Now that I think about it, didn’t she say that the Yoma’s ability gets stronger the more subordinates she has?’

If so, Tama-mo’s goal must be one of two things.

Either she’s requesting a conversation to buy ‘time’ to turn the captured White Tiger and Vermilion Bird into her subordinates….

Or she’s trying to have a conversation to turn ‘me’ into her subordinate….

“Or perhaps both.”

Either way, I don’t know Tama-mo’s detailed abilities.

For example, she said her power gets stronger the more subordinates she has, but I don’t know how she determines this ‘subordinate’ status.

Whether it’s decided by me saying I will become Tama-mo’s subordinate, or whether it becomes so through some specific action, I don’t know at all, so having a conversation might not be a very good choice.

But….

‘This guy might suddenly use the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird as hostages during the battle.’

If we fight, I’m confident I can win.

But if she uses hostages, well….

First of all, I need to keep Tama-mo within my sight at the very least.

If they don’t simply become hostages but become her subordinates through her ability….

I have no choice but to kill her.

“…Alright. I’m tired from fighting continuously anyway. Let’s have a talk.”

“Alright! Everyone, lower your swords!”

Perhaps she had quite a bit of popularity, as they looked at me with displeasure but followed Tama-mo’s order, lowered their weapons, and took a step back.

“I’ll guide you to the castle. I’ll prepare a feast for pleasant conversation, so you should look forward to it.”

“…Okay. I look forward to it.”

* * *

Kwagagagagagak!!!

A tremendous roar echoed.

The peaceful city was split in an instant, and a situation of chaos unfolded instantly.

“Indeed, it’s always amazing whenever I see it….”

Seollin clicked her tongue, watching Leon’s slash that split the village with a single strike.

Baekryeon also nodded, watching the sight.

“It seems their attention has been clearly drawn to the Young Master. Let’s move as well.”

“Wait just a moment.”

“?”

Just as Baekryeon was about to move to find the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird, Tamiel stopped them.

“What is it?”

“It’s a little strange…. Anyway, she has personally arrived.”

“Who are you talking about?”

As Baekryeon tilted her head at Tamiel’s incomprehensible words, Reviya pointed with a short exclamation.

“Bae, Baekryeon Unnie. Th-there….”

Where Reviya pointed, a flying carriage had descended.

In that carriage, there was a beautiful woman shining with golden light.

Seeing her appearance, everyone realized.

That she was Tama-mo. The Yoma.

Everyone had judged that a battle would immediately ensue, but unexpectedly, a battle did not occur.

After seeming to exchange a short conversation, they put away their weapons.

“?”

“It seems they are having a ‘conversation’ for now?”

“A conversation? Leon?”

“Yes. Perhaps…, he’s trying to prevent her from pulling any tricks on the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird.”

“Ah!….”

At Tamiel’s words, Baekryeon let out a short exclamation.

“Th-then shouldn’t we hurry quickly! For the Young Master to help like that!….”

“Hmm…. Originally, it might have been a bit dangerous. But looking at the current situation, it probably doesn’t matter.”

“Current situation? Tamiel, what do you mean by that….”

In response to Lucy’s question, Tamiel lightly flicked her finger instead of answering.

Immediately, small magic circles unfolded and activated, and then moved everyone who was there.