Previously, Lancer was a bit curious as to why there was only one Great Demon when it arrived. Shouldn't normal big shots bring a group of subordinates?
But after killing the opponent, Lancer saw an arrow like a thunderbolt through the opponent's 'memory fragments.' It seemed that its subordinates were all intercepted by the person using the arrow.
'Could it be Kaguya-hime guard? It's possible. I've tested it; Kaguya-hime physical constitution is only slightly stronger than an ordinary girl. It's very unsafe on the surface. How could a real 'Celestial Maiden' be left completely unattended?'
However, what Lancer found strange was that according to the memory fragments of this creature, the archery expert should be stronger than it, so why would it be allowed to trespass here? Shouldn't that guard have directly dealt with it?
He considered confirming it with Kaguya-hime but eventually gave up. After all, sometimes pretending to be ignorant is safer. Maybe the other party will tell him when the affection level is high enough?
And just as he was contemplating, a shout startled him awake.
"Mr. Lancer?"
Since leaving the area covered by the ice fog, Fujiwara no Fuhito had gradually returned to normal and unconsciously walked closer to Lancer. However, seeing the other party's serious expression, he didn't disturb him. After all, he also understood the priority of matters. That gigantic demon before had made him fearful for a long time.
But since Lancer wasn't speaking, he didn't feel comfortable starting a conversation. Having nothing else to do, he just observed Lancer.
Speaking of which, there's a reason why Fujiwara no Fuhito, despite being an uncle, is still seen as a dream lover by countless Courtiers' daughters. His profound family education coupled with his own hard work cultivated an elegant demeanor. At the same time, his height was far above the average for Japanese people; he was even no shorter than an average military commander.
But even so, he was still almost a head shorter than Lancer. Fortunately, his hairstyle bought him some 'face,' making him look at least not too much shorter than Lancer.
At this moment, the more he looked at Lancer, the more satisfied he became.
High strength indicates that the other party has the ability to protect the Fujiwara family. This can be seen from the previous battle, and perhaps he can also help train a group of excellent subordinates. Being disinterested in officialdom indicates that the other party will not usurp the master's position. After he dies, the other party can also become a helper for his successor rather than an obstruction. And what made him even more satisfied was that his daughter seemed interested in the other party.
One must know that in this era, Courtiers' daughters were almost equivalent to tools for political marriage. The simplest way to connect with the upper class or gather subordinates was through marriage. Fujiwara no Fuhito was naturally no exception, but wouldn't it be double the happiness if he could recruit a master and his daughter was satisfied?
At this moment, Fujiwara no Fuhito had already started considering how to talk to the other party about introducing his daughter, but what he didn't expect was that just as he finally finished thinking about what to say, the other party suddenly had a look of realization.
"Lord Fujiwara, you intend to ask about that demon earlier, right? Speaking of which, there is indeed some trouble that requires your help..."
Lancer words made Fujiwara no Fuhito speechless for a moment, but in the end, he swallowed the complaint in his heart. No matter what, the main business was important. This man wouldn't run away anyway.
However, when Lancer directly stated that the monster's ability was to create disease, his expression instantly became extremely grim. At the same time, the messy thoughts in his mind were temporarily thrown aside. As an administrator, he was very clear about what would happen if a disease outbreak occurred.
He didn't consider whether Lancer was intentionally exaggerating the problem, but this was the type of matter where it was better to be safe than sorry. Whether it was true still needed the people from the Onmyōji Bureau to confirm later, but now, the area Lancer spoke of needed to be isolated first.
However, Lancer shook his head.
"There is no need for that. In fact, I will be stationed there for a period of time. You only need to arrange for people to spread the word in the nearby villages and warn them not to approach that area."
"So, if someone still goes..."
Facing Fujiwara no Fuhito question, Lancer showed a rare cold expression.
"Even immortals can't save the suicidal. I will protect the innocent, but... hehe."
Although he didn't continue speaking, Lancer attitude was very clear. He would protect those who needed protection, but just as Astolfo once told him, he would never push away anyone who extended a hand asking for help, just as his own hand, once extended for help, was grasped by others.
But if one doesn't cherish their own life, who can save them?
He always said that he is not a hero because he doesn't have the heart to save the world. He is merely a Lancer who follows his own heart.
——————
The news of the death of the Great Demon - Tsuchigumo caused quite a stir in the demon world of Japan. After all, there are only a few known Great Demons within the three major clans, and most other demon races do not have Great Demons. Excluding the Great Demons of the three major clans, there are only about ten beings that can be called 'Great Demons.'
In the past thousand years, many talented demons have died prematurely, but the number of those who were truly killed after becoming a Great Demon is very few. After all, the present is no longer the era of gods manifesting and heroes emerging, as it was centuries ago.
Therefore, the death of a Great Demon can be said to have caused a massive uproar, and the waves first reached the ears of a group of people who were quite involved in this matter, rather than the demons who had a good relationship with the 'Tsuchigumo.'
"Oh? When did a young man like this appear in our Oni clan?"
A 'young woman' with blonde hair and a single horn, at this moment, was leaning on a rough stone chair, holding a sake dish larger than an ordinary person's head, looking at the report from her subordinate with a strange expression.
And the person reporting appeared somewhat timid. Although he was four or five times larger than the other party in volume, the fact that an Oni, usually known for its roughness and boldness, showed such a demeanor was enough to illustrate the terrifying nature of that woman.
"Well, although the outside world refers to the other party as the 'Red Demon,' no demon has ever seen it and survived, so we cannot confirm whether the other party is an Oni..."
Unable to confirm the identity? It doesn't matter. Whether the other party is an 'Oni' or not is irrelevant. What's important is that the other party was actually able to kill the Great Demon - Tsuchigumo.
In her opinion, that Tsuchigumo was a coward. The last time she found its lair, the guy didn't resist but ran away directly. However, since it was called a Great Demon, it had basic strength.
'Since he can defeat Tsuchigumo, and is also called the Red Demon, then no matter what kind of demon that guy is, his strength must be good. It just so happens that my hands are a little itchy lately...'
The sake dish was set down for the time being, and the large Oni immediately trembled. The only possibility for this ancestor, who was addicted to alcohol, to put down her sake dish was the appearance of something that interested her. And what interested her?
Fighting!
"Hey! Tell those guys in the Onmyōji Bureau not to bother me anymore. Tell them that I am interested in that 'Red Demon' and ask them to help me find him!"
"Yes!"
Hearing the command, the massive Oni quickly scurried out of the cave...