Inside a huge stone house, one man and three women were lying together in a mess.
Although the man wasn't particularly handsome, his determined face paired with those steel-like muscles was full of male hormones. As for the other three disheveled women, they covered the three major attributes of Big Sister, Young Girl, and LOLI. The appearance and figures of the three were very consistent with their respective looks, such as that powerful Northern Hemisphere and a certain person's Type 45 steel plate.
But some things can be seen from afar but not played with. Seeing this picture, an ordinary person would let their imagination run wild. But truly walking into this room, as long as one's nose still functioned, one would basically be unable to help frowning, because the smell of sake inside was simply dizzying.
Right at this moment, Lancer, who had the highest alcohol tolerance or rather poison resistance, climbed up first. Glancing at the giant sake vat beside him and the wine bottles lying all over the floor, he first took out a bottle of Sobering Tea and took a sip, frowned, and then took out a bottle of Antidote. After drinking it, his furrowed brow smoothed out.
Recalling what happened last night, he couldn't help but rub his temples with some pain.
"Really crazy..."
Of course, it was absolutely not some enviable "clothing-free" party; it was purely drinking. However, because Lancer had already clearly stated that he intended to leave, the three of them toasted even more fiercely. Even if Lancer used the special ability of 'Akagaki's Gourd,' he would be besieged by the other two.
The final result was that Lancer spent nearly a hundred points in one night to buy sake. However, having paid such a 'tragic' price, he wasn't without gains, for example————Ibaraki Kasen's 'Hundred-Medicine Masu.'
He hadn't guessed wrong before; as long as he drank the sake from that drinking vessel, his 'Demonization·Fragment' could be strengthened. As for the reason, he still hadn't figured it out, but forget it, as long as it's a good thing, it doesn't matter.
「Demonization」
「Skill Description: A powerful hunter can rely on their own will to enter a state called 'Demon.' In this state, the hunters' strength is even enough to threaten powerful Elder Dragons.」
「Effect: Strength, Stamina, Weapon Sharpness, Attack Desire enhanced.」
「Phase 2 Release: Demon Dance」
「Cooldown: 24H」
The so-called 'Demonization,' compared to before, the biggest difference besides adding a 'Phase 2 Release' was that it wouldn't lower thinking ability. This was also what Lancer valued most; after all, he didn't want to find one day after using it that he had personally harmed someone he was supposed to protect.
Grabbing a jacket that someone had tossed aside and putting it on, Lancer couldn't help but look back once more.
For him, these two days of life could be said to have satisfied him greatly. Fighting with people who were both enemies and friends, and then banqueting, unrestrained.
But he retracted his gaze again, because he knew his future didn't belong here. Perhaps he could stay for a while, but he would surely leave.
"Lord Akagaki."
A purple-skinned Oni male waiting by the stone house called out very respectfully to Lancer when he saw him walk out.
Lancer expression became extremely subtle. He had told them more than once that his name was 'Lancer,' but almost all Oni had an expression of 'What kind of joke are you making?' which made Lancer too lazy to say more now.
——————
Following Lancer departure, the three who were still sleeping in the room also opened their eyes. They looked at each other and also showed embarrassed expressions.
When Lancer left, he not only pulled his hand out from Hoshiguma Yuugi's chest and took his clothes from under Ibaraki Kasen, but also moved Ibuki Suika, who was lying on his calf. It would be quite strange if they truly had no reaction.
However, because Lancer had already said before that he would leave early in the morning, and their personalities made them not very good at saying goodbye.
Anyway, everything that should be said was said last night, so they simply pretended to be asleep to avoid embarrassment.
However, the three didn't care too much. After all, Lancer had already promised them that he would return to compete with Hoshiguma Yuugi once the injuries on his body were healed. Since they could still continue drinking then, what else was there to care about?
Combat and fine wine, this was the life that belonged to them.
——————
The fact that Lancer was returning had excited the Onmyoryo members, who were waiting for news of Lancer, for a long time.
It wasn't that Lancer reputation in the Onmyoryo was so good that everyone was worried about him; the most critical reason was the news Lancer might bring back————the Oni race, and even the Youkai.
When the wine-smelling Lancer returned by small boat the next day, most of the people waiting on the shore were dumbfounded, except for the Boatswain, who slightly narrowed her eyes while covering her mouth with a fan.
Undoubtedly, he basically guessed what Lancer would be like when he came back. He even suspected whether Lancer would return with disheveled clothes; in a way, returning with clothes on was already somewhat beyond his expectations.
Should the leader be called 'battle-hardened'? What kind of situation had he not seen? He directly and selectively ignored Lancer strange state and walked up to him with a serious face.
"Mr. Lancer, if possible, then regarding the matters of the Oni race, please do tell me."
In terms of personal strength, with all his shikigami, he wasn't weaker than most Great Youkai. But he also knew when to adopt what posture. This time, the information Lancer brought back was of great importance, and he couldn't put on any airs. After all, being able to wait here wasn't just because he was a bit impatient.
Lancer was also too lazy to talk nonsense and directly told the other party what Hoshiguma Yuugi and the others said. Immediately, the other party's expression became very vivid.
In other words, everything now was because of an 'accident'?
But soon he shifted his attention from the Oni race matters to that 'Youkai Sage.'
Regarding what the 'Oni King' said, he couldn't make a judgment now. After all, it was just one side of the story. It was impossible to directly withdraw the Onmyoryo personnel stationed nearby, but it was indeed possible to transfer some people to other regions of the country.
Actually, because the Oni race had no substantial action and the incidents of Youkai causing trouble across the country were becoming more and more frequent, he had already started considering whether to redeploy personnel. The news brought by Lancer also gave him a reason to make a decision.
He continuously analyzed what Lancer said in his mind while making various decisions, but in fact, everyone only saw an old man lowering his head in silence for a while and then nodding.
"Thank you very much for your help this time, Mr. Lancer."
Undoubtedly, some matters concerned the internal affairs of the Onmyoryo, so he had no intention of explaining too much and instead bowed very sincerely to Lancer.
Since the other party was unwilling to speak, Lancer was too lazy to force it. Moreover, what was more critical was that looking at the other party's reaction, it seemed the Onmyoryo only knew some things, which should also be quite limited. Since there were already clues, he might as well investigate on his own.
But before that, he still needed to do one thing————heal his injuries.
After all, the Tengu settlement was not that simple.