"Mr. Lancer, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Mokou."
Although that trademark smile was on her face, her unconscious clutching of her skirt hem revealed her inner nervousness. On the other side, although Lancer had been protecting her closely, there was a difference from the perspective of a bystander. Seeing Mokou growth, he couldn't help but smile.
This was probably similar to the joy an old farmer feels when welcoming a harvest in autumn.
Seeing the heartfelt smile on Lancer face, Fujiwara no Mokou also unconsciously clenched her fist silently.
'Excellent!'
The most despairing thing in this world is never failure, but when effort yields no reward. That blow to morale far exceeds failure.
With Mokou arrival, the other banquet participants were mostly present. Most youkai initially didn't know why Lancer was suddenly holding a banquet, but they didn't care much. After all, it was perfectly normal for an "Oni" to hold a banquet. Some youkai even joked privately, "Is the Red Oni planning to marry the captured Princess Kaguya?" Hearing this, Lancer mouth merely twitched; he even wondered if he lacked too much dignity.
Fortunately, following Lancer explanation, the youkai knew the banquet's purpose was to lure out "Tsukuyomi." Thus, everyone cherished the beginning of the banquet, because only at the start would Lancer mingle with others; a while later, he would return to the main table. After all, the goal of this farewell banquet was not to cause trouble for everyone.
Even though they were notified of Lancer departure before the banquet, when Lancer announced his imminent departure in the middle of the feast, the expressions of many youkai became extremely complex. After all, in just one short year, Lancer had changed many of their lives almost single-handedly.
Because of his protection, the youkai didn't have to hide everywhere. After paying a sufficient price, they could live like ordinary people without worrying about a group of people suddenly appearing to "enforce justice on behalf of heaven."
Lancer had already made preparations, contacting the Oni, the Kappas, and even the Tengu (with whom he had an average relationship). He simply hoped someone would look after them after he left.
Perhaps having long been used to the law of the jungle among youkai, facing such a generous protector as Lancer, everyone felt a heartfelt reluctance to see him go.
But they also knew that once Lancer made this decision and announced it publicly, he wouldn't easily change it. Thus, no one spoiled the mood by trying to persuade him; instead, they mostly gave him blessings, wishing him a safe journey ahead. After all, the reason Lancer gave was "he wanted to go out and see."
After rounds of drinking and dining, Lancer, sitting at the main table, had a subtle expression. The time for his departure drew closer, but Tsukuyomi seemed to have no reaction at all. Lancer even wondered if the other party wasn't coming.
Reasonably, Lancer actions were equivalent to forcibly snatching the man's daughter and then parading her in front of her father. Normally, anyone with any spirit would directly kill that bastard (Lancer), right? Regardless of whether he liked her or not, the matter of "face" (honor) was definitely required.
Yet, bizarrely, there was truly no reaction.
Lancer really wanted to ask Kaguya Houraisan, "You aren't really from a bamboo stalk, are you?"
But considering the lonely expression Kaguya had shown before, he forced himself to hold back that remark.
"Kaguya, do you have any way to contact... up there?"
As Lancer spoke, he pointed toward the moon, which had begun its gradual descent from the zenith. However, Kaguya Houraisan shook her head somewhat dejectedly.
Leaving aside whether she had a way, Lancer had already very "arrogantly" mentioned this when visiting Tsukuyomi's shrine. In principle, it was impossible for the other party not to know, yet there was truly no reaction.
Seeing Kaguya disappointed expression, Lancer felt quite helpless. It seemed Mission ④ couldn't be done, though he wondered if he'd have a chance to return and continue it in the future.
But it was just a thought; after all, missions were no longer important.
Seeing the time drawing near, Lancer put down his cup and let out a long breath.
Tsukuyomi didn't know the exact time of Lancer departure. Remaining absent until now meant the other party had perhaps truly given up. In that case, let him use his final time to be "crazy" for once!
"Everyone!"
Seeing Lancer suddenly stand up and raise his sake dish, the youkai who were drinking and chatting around unconsciously turned their gazes over.
"Although I am leaving, before I go, accompany me for one last stroll!"
After speaking, Lancer drained the wine in his dish in one gulp.
——————
The Asuka period is an era worth digging into deeply among Japan (Japanese) youkai scholars. In that era of a chaotic youkai world, an "eccentric youkai" appeared. Using Fujiwara-kyo as a base, it conquered all of Japan, defeating the three great Oni Kings of that time, convincing a Kappa elder, and even having connections with the Tengu clan. More incredibly, unlike most youkai who gathered within their own species or at most enslaved weaker ones, it protected weak youkai while exterminating other savage ones. Even more incredible was that these weak youkai, gathered under its command, erupted with a cohesion unimaginable to ordinary youkai.
Hundreds of youkai from different species followed behind the Red Oni, wandering grandly near Fujiwara-kyo. This was the first recorded "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons" (Hyakki Yagyou) in Japan history. Many Great Youkai of later generations tried to emulate him, holding "Night Parades" in the capital of Japan to announce their presence...
——————
Lancer himself was not a person with a strong desire to show off, but he used this opportunity to thoroughly demonstrate his relationship with the other youkai. Even if he left, his residual prestige would at least protect them for a while. At the same time, Mokou appeared truly before the youkai for the first time; presumably, she would be safer.
However, as the "Night Parade" ended and the terrifying demonic aura gradually dispersed, Lancer put down "Zero" who was sitting on his shoulder and looked at Kaguya Houraisan standing beside him.
"Is there something?"
Lancer gaze made Kaguya Houraisan feel a bit strange, so she asked directly.
"Can you... smile for me?"
Undoubtedly, Lancer wanted to try one last time while he had the chance. But hearing Lancer words, Kaguya face turned red with a "poof," especially seeing the other youkai casting strange glances from time to time; she felt quite shy.
"This request of yours is very strange..."
Her voice grew smaller, but when she saw the almost fleeting disappointment on Lancer face, she summoned her courage again.
"Is this very important to you?"
"I... suppose so?"
Lancer answer made Kaguya sigh. She then took a deep breath before trying hard to reveal a smile. But when she saw the seriousness on Lancer lowered face, her originally "perfect" smile began to warp.
She thought of their first meeting; this strange man following behind those annoying guys, his unbridled expression making her curious for the first time.
Later, this guy appeared in her room several times as if they were old friends. Being bored, she simply chatted with him. Through chatting, the two had become friends at some point.
During this time, the other party also seemed to push open the door to a new world for her, letting her realize that interesting things like "games" existed. At that time, she simply considered him a good playmate.
A few months ago, this idiot fought her Master without discerning right from wrong. But later, when she learned his purpose was merely to protect her from being taken back to the moon for punishment, her mood became complex, not knowing whether to be angry or happy.
The matter regarding Mokou showed her the careful and gentle side of this wild and uninhibited man; that sharp contrast made her heart beat seemingly uncontrollably.
And today, this man who suddenly barged into her life was going to bid her farewell, and his final wish was merely for her to show a smile...
This guy is an idiot~
For a moment, she forgot her mother, forgot the Lunar Capital, and forgot her identity.
She was not the Princess of the Lunar Capital, the daughter of Tsukuyomi.
She was not the Yamato Nadeshiko pursued by countless court nobles, Princess Kaguya.
Right now, she was just Kaguya Houraisan, nothing more.
The brilliant smile gradually morphed until it disappeared, finally turning into a smile so slight it was almost imperceptible; if Lancer hadn't been staring at her, he might have missed it.
Side Mission: Princess Kaguya Troubles ④————Complete
Mission Reward: Stone Bowl of Buddha, Hourai Jeweled Branch, Robe of the Fire Rat, Dragon's Neck Jewel, Cowrie of the Swallow.
Current Favorability: ???
The sudden system prompt woke Lancer from her smile. Whether it was to escape or for some other reason, he forced his attention away from her face and onto the system rewards.
Stone Bowl of Buddha
Category: Curio
Effect: Can calm the mind when struck.
Hourai Jeweled Branch
Category: Curio
Effect: Increases luck with money.
Robe of the Fire Rat
Category: Curio
Effect: Reduces fire damage by 5%.
Dragon's Neck Jewel
Category: Curio
Effect: Increases dignity/prestige.
Cowrie of the Swallow
Category: Curio
Effect: Safe childbirth for mother and child.
Although Lancer himself hadn't expected these so-called "treasures" to have any game-breaking effects, his expression became a bit strange when he saw the descriptions. After all, these five things were useless to him. The only somewhat useful item, the "Robe of the Fire Rat," had a cumbersome design; if Lancer wore it, he wouldn't even be able to move well, making it useless for him.
Simply put, they were things that looked very impressive but had little meaning.
Kaguya Houraisan didn't know what Lancer was thinking; she only noticed his diverted gaze and the strange expression on his face.
Her originally good mood suddenly turned a bit angry. What did Lancer mean by this?
But at that moment, she saw Lancer open his hands toward her and then took out a strange "Stone Bowl" and handed it to her. But that wasn't the end: a jeweled jade branch, a magnificent robe in a transparent box, a giant pearl, and a strange seashell...
The items weren't large; Lancer could barely hold them with two hands. But for Kaguya Houraisan, it was quite a hassle. Just then, Lancer had already started walking toward the others.
Almost everyone received a farewell gift from Lancer; even Eirin Yagokoro was clutching a bottle of "Recovery Medicine G" gifted by Lancer out of friendship.
When the gift-giving was over, Lancer began to notice the abnormality on his body; he knew the time for his departure had arrived.
Lancer didn't like weeping and wailing, so he revealed his confident smile as usual.
"Everyone! Until we meet again..."
As the final echo fell, Lancer figure completely vanished from before everyone.
At that moment, Kaguya Houraisan, clutching the gifts from Lancer, was still in a daze. But when Eirin Yagokoro walked up to her, she suddenly discovered that Kaguya seemingly calm face was already covered in tear tracks at some point.
Noticing Eirin Yagokoro's gaze, she slightly opened her mouth——————
"Master, I... might not be able to go back."
Seeing her disciple's "calm, tearful face," Eirin Yagokoro sighed helplessly and pulled her into an embrace. Feeling the twitching body against her chest and her clothes gradually becoming damp, Eirin felt more and more pity for her disciple in her heart. Of course, growing alongside it was a violent killing intent.
'That bastard!!'
Although Eirin Yagokoro wanted to skin that bastard Lancer alive right now, she knew the meaning behind Kaguya words. She couldn't go back; even if her person went back, her heart remained here.
"Then we won't go back. I, your Shishō, will wait with you..."
Compared to the weeping Kaguya and the Eirin holding her, although the others had various expressions, they were far behind them. Even Fujiwara no Mokou, while touching the ribbon on her head, silently clenched her other hand.
Mokou knew she wasn't enough yet, so from the start, she didn't hope to "capture" Lancer. But she was already a "Hourai Person" now; she believed Lancer would definitely return. By then, after she had "grown," he certainly wouldn't be the same as he was now!
As for Yukari Yakumo, she looked at the letter in her hand with a complex expression. Lancer had told her before leaving that everything was in the letter, but she didn't know what exactly was written inside.
Glancing at the three drunks drinking away their sorrows nearby, and then at the weeping Kaguya and the determined Mokou, she unconsciously sighed.
'That bastard...'