The main hall was deathly silent.
Those attendants and monks all stared blankly at this scene.
Their master, Suda Shigenobu, who had been giving orders from the high platform just moments ago, had died just like that.
He died cleanly and decisively, without even a chance to struggle.
Kanbe Hikaru walked toward the entrance of the main hall.
Kikyo put away her longbow, and the white light that had shrouded the main hall dissipated along with it.
The suppressed monks felt as if they had been pardoned, and they collapsed to the ground one after another.
But no one dared to move, no one dared to stop him.
Kanbe Hikaru walked to the entrance and stood still.
He raised his hand.
Holding Suda Shigenobu's head high.
"Listen well."
His voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the entire Tenshukaku.
"My name is Kanbe Hikaru—"
"I am an Oni Samurai."
"I slew that Shimura Toad yokai who falsely claimed the name of a god, and I have also slain this man who oppressed the people."
"If anyone dares to bully the common people under their rule in the future, then this guy's fate will be the proof."
"I will pay a visit and kill again."
He announced his name.
From today on, this name would spread throughout this region.
As the murderer of Suda Shigenobu.
As a yokai who dared to strike against human nobility.
As an existence that... did not play by the rules.
This was deterrence.
Although there would surely be those who wouldn't believe it in the future, at least for now, within this city, those who witnessed it would absolutely not dare to act rashly for a short time.
Besides Suda Shigenobu, they were all officials responsible for managing the nearby areas.
This was to give everyone a chance to breathe.
But a chance to breathe was enough.
After all, if necessary, he would 'come' again in the future!
Nurarihyon leaned against the doorway, watching this scene.
His kiseru had been picked up, but he had forgotten to light it.
"Kanbe Hikaru..."
He muttered the name, his golden eyes sparkling: "Interesting."
"Interesting, too interesting."
He looked at Kikyo, who was still standing where she was.
Wearing white robes and red hakama, with her longbow in hand.
The monstrous spiritual power from just before had completely receded, and she looked just like an ordinary miko.
But Nurarihyon knew that was just an appearance.
This woman was a monster.
And that Oni Samurai named Kanbe Hikaru, who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her, was likewise not simple.
"This trip."
Nurarihyon grinned.
"It was worth it."
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Just a little more, and he would be able to unlock the second 'talent'.
Kanbe Hikaru looked at the prompt on the panel.
The things that needed to be done.
Yes.
This was indeed the thing that needed to be done.
He turned and walked back into the main hall.
He walked to the wall where the Hiraikotsu was hanging.
He reached out and took down that massive weapon.
It felt heavy in his hand.
The unique texture of yokai bone was transmitted to his palm, carrying a sense of heft.
This thing had been a decoration here for ten days.
And its true owner had died on the way to Kaede Village.
"It is time to return it to its rightful owner."
Kanbe Hikaru slung the Hiraikotsu over his back.
He then walked out of the Tenshukaku without looking back.
Kikyo followed behind him.
Nurarihyon trailed at the very back, puffing on his pipe and swaying leisurely.
The three of them walked out of the city in this swaggering manner.
No one dared to stop them, no one dared to pursue them, and the people in the city only dared to watch from afar.
Watching those three figures disappear beyond the city gates.
Watching Suda Shigenobu's head hanging from the flagpole at the city gate, yet no one dared to take it down.
Because the expression on that head still held the terror from the moment of death.
It was as if it were warning everyone—this is the end for those who oppress the common people.
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