The Yasakani no Magatama's level is as high as B-. One must know that the two highest-ranked weapons Lancer currently possesses, both reaching A-rank, are the long spear made by an unknown monster in the Land of Shadows and forged by the Land of Shadows itself (Lancer always suspected this spear had some hidden functions he hadn't discovered), and the other is 'Zero.'
Lancer has indeed noticed the special nature of 'Zero.' Of course, the reason it was rated A-rank is definitely not because it can transform into a young girl, absolutely not! In Lancer view, its greatest special characteristic should lie in 'devouring.'
The devouring ability, inherited from an SSS-ranked Ghoul, gained an 'evolution' after devouring the main body. Although Lancer doesn't know what it will become next, he can at least confirm that it hasn't reached its limit; it can still grow!
The effects ① and ② of this Yasakani no Magatama are only average, so the reason it was pushed directly to B- should be due to effect ③.
'This world genuinely has Kaguya-hime, so following the pattern of mythology, 'Amaterasu' should also genuinely exist. And as the entity at the pinnacle of this country's mythology, the flames she manipulates, no wonder it's classified as B-.'
Looking at the magatama in his hand, Lancer felt a little more confident about this 'operation.'
——————
'Onigashima' (Demon Island)
The settlement of the Oni Clan. Although it's called an island, it is actually not on the sea but an island in a large lake. At this moment, many Onmyōji wearing kariginu (a type of informal Japanese court clothing) with several samurai as guards are patrolling the periphery of 'Onigashima' to prevent anyone from destroying the spells carved on the ground.
Undoubtedly, the people of the Onmyōji Bureau hoped that Lancer recruitment could temporarily ease the pressing situation with the Oni Clan, but they also knew that even if Lancer came, it couldn't completely solve the problem. After all, even if the three leaders of the Oni Clan were female, Lancer couldn't make them 'neglect their duties for love' (cóngcǐ jūnwáng bù zǎo cháo).
So, just in case, they also laid out a large number of spells around Onigashima. If the Oni Clan were to show hostility, they would immediately take action. One must know that their own strength is more reassuring than 'marriage alliance.'
However, when they saw Lancer, who was wearing strange inner clothes with a samurai uniform over them, appear before them, the head of the Onmyōji Bureau immediately looked at the Boat Head Post standing next to Lancer.
If he hadn't seen the replica of the 'Yasakani no Magatama' hanging around Lancer neck, he would have suspected that the Boat Head Post hadn't told Lancer why he was summoned this time.
Their purpose this time was to hope Lancer could help them stall for time. Forcibly tying him up might instead increase the enemy's combat power. It can be said that this mission was entirely based on Lancer own willingness.
And the Boat Head Post could only return an expression of helplessness to the inquiring gaze of his immediate superior.
Speaking of this, he was also very frustrated. Originally, he had planned to suggest Lancer wear the armor rumored to have been left by a great general under Emperor Jinmu. Although that armor was a little small on Lancer, it was better than nothing, right?
But Lancer refused, citing, 'The Oni Clan is huge, and pure offense and defense don't offer an advantage, so I choose mobility and abandon defense.' Although the Boat Head Post felt that something was strange about this, he couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong.
Thinking carefully, although his strength was good, there was a huge gap between his weapons and Lancer. In the end, he could only choose to believe Lancer words.
On the other side, the head of the Onmyōji Bureau again asked Lancer if he was clear about the cause and effect of this matter. After receiving an affirmative answer, he dispatched a small boat to take Lancer towards 'Onigashima.'
Lancer, sitting on the small boat, turned to look behind him. As expected, those people all had expressions of profound sorrow, which gave Lancer goosebumps. They made it look like he was going to his death.
Leaving aside that Lancer strength was such that he wasn't necessarily going to his death, even if they were really sending him to his death, he would definitely find a chance to run away.
Although his fighting style is to charge forward relentlessly, it doesn't mean he is brainless and actively seeks death. He had made quite a few preparations for this action.
First, he didn't forget the words of the Great Tengu named 'Ōmine Zenkibō.' According to him, if one brought good wine to visit Oni, they would be welcomed. Secondly, the reason he didn't wear armor was also to show those Oni his 'human' side. As for the so-called 'Red Demon,' that was just nonsense.
Of course, what he said before was also the truth. Once he entered 'Onigashima,' he would undoubtedly be trapped in enemy territory. Compared to simple defense, mobility is more important. As for the lake separating Onigashima from the surroundings, that wasn't a problem; he could transform into a bird and fly over directly.
It can be said that Lancer was fully prepared for this operation. If he could find a window of opportunity, he could even directly take out his staff and teleport away. One must know that before this, he had confirmed with the head of the Onmyōji Bureau again whether there were any special spells within Onigashima.
The answer he received was, of course, 'No.'
Lancer felt that this round was totally stable.
He quietly clenched his fist.
——————
What is the life of an 'Oni' like?
It is actually very simple —————— drinking, sleeping, and fighting.
Stronger 'Oni' will leave Onigashima to challenge other demons. If they win, they naturally continue challenging until they return. As for losing? Then they definitely won't return. After all, the 'Oni's challenges don't involve sending a letter to set a time and place; they often just grab their weapons and charge towards the target.
But in the past few centuries, the life of the 'Oni' clan has quietly changed.
As for why this is the case?
It's simple: the powerful demons of other races are all avoiding these battle maniacs, because fighting the Oni Clan is simply meaningless.
Firstly, the 'Oni' clan members are all battle maniacs who will never admit defeat and strike with extreme malice. Naturally, their opponents also won't hold back, and defeated Oni basically just lose completely (GG).
Although because of the Oni Clan's customs, even if they are killed during these challenges, no one will seek revenge, there are also no rewards.
Winning earns nothing, and losing means either death or injury. Any other demon with a bit of sense or who isn't a battle maniac won't fight the Oni Clan members.
Coupled with the growth of 'humans,' their living space has been further compressed.
Since that's the case, shouldn't the Oni Clan be happy? Because now they have opponents to fight. But the reality is completely different.
After all, the reason humans can compress the living space of all demons is actually due to their numbers and their willingness to sacrifice without regard for loss. However, the Oni Clan longs to fight the strong, not just carry out simple massacres. As for the strong among humans?
'Those human guys are so boring. They use weak demons to attack us and hide behind them, muttering spells. Once you catch them, they are dead; it's completely uninteresting.'
A small Oni complained about this.