Chapter 128. Shuten Douji is confirming another youkai.
[You have awakened.]
[This is a heaven-sent joyous news for Minamoto no Raikou.]
Crash!
The tray, along with the medicine bowl on it, fell to the ground, shattering into black and white fragments interwoven like petals.
Minamoto no Raikou's eyes trembled.
She rubbed her eyes multiple times, slowly confirming the image before her.
Seeing this, Ian chuckled softly and calmly said:
"My lady, there is no need to doubt anymore."
"It is me."
"Danna-sama——!"
Minamoto no Raikou, with tears welling up in her eyes, rushed toward the man and embraced him tightly.
"You have finally awakened..."
"I have waited for this day for so long."
"I'm sorry, this is my fault."
Ian gently stroked Minamoto no Raikou's long, silky hair, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Their gazes met, and in each other's pupils, only the reflection of the other remained.
The surge of emotions inevitably turned into action.
Their lips met, forming a sealed, moist space.
Tongues intertwined, breaths mingled, and the air was filled with damp, lingering sounds.
Time passed for a long while.
The female samurai reluctantly released the Grand Onmyoji, softly pulling away a thin silver thread.
Yet, her eyes still shone with an attachment that could not be severed.
Ian naturally understood why Minamoto no Raikou harbored such emotions.
He smiled and said:
"My lady is as passionate as ever. I feel like my ribs were almost crushed by your embrace."
"Then does Danna-sama dislike me doing that?"
Minamoto no Raikou looked at him, her voice carrying a hint of worry.
"How could I dislike it?"
Ian gently stroked her long, soft purple hair, savoring its smoothness.
"On the contrary, my lady's current situation is all because of me."
"I should have awakened sooner."
"That's not true." Minamoto no Raikou shook her head, "This isn't something that Danna-sama could have decided."
"Being able to see you again like this is already far better than I ever imagined."
"...That's true."
Ian's gaze lingered on Minamoto no Raikou, who had diligently cared for him for more than two years, and a deep emotion welled up in his heart.
"My lady, then please tell me—what has happened over the past two years?"
"No problem."
[Minamoto no Raikou happily recounts to you the events that have transpired over the past two years.]
[You learn of major upheavals within the Seiwa Genji clan.]
[For example, the passing of Minamoto no Mitsunaka, as well as Minamoto no Raikou succeeding her father's position and advancing in the imperial court.]
[She has become a uniquely prominent figure in Heian.]
[You realize that she has endured an immense amount of pressure.]
[Yet, throughout that time, she never abandoned taking care of you.]
[You can sense the exhaustion in her eyes.]
[She truly has tried her best.]
"You've worked hard, my lady."
"You truly have grown much stronger."
Ian looked at her, offering his heartfelt praise without hesitation.
"But——"
"May I ask you one more question?"
"Danna-sama does not need to be so reserved." Minamoto no Raikou gently replied, "I am your wife. Answering you is only natural."
"Then——"
Ian gazed directly at Minamoto no Raikou before him.
"My lady, are there still many demons running rampant in Heian-kyo?"
This thought had not crossed his mind by chance.
The moment he returned from the brink of death, Ian could sense that the age of Night Parade of One Hundred Demons had not ended, despite Shuten Douji's demise.
On the contrary, the entirety of Heian-kyo seemed even more turbulent than before.
This was not a good sign.
Ian had a bad premonition,
And that premonition quickly became reality.
Minamoto no Raikou hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yes, Danna-sama."
"The spectacle of Night Parade of One Hundred Demons has not disappeared, and moreover..."
"Moreover, what?" Ian pressed further.
"My lady, there is no need to hide anything from me."
Minamoto no Raikou looked at the man before her, smiled, and nodded slightly.
"Umu, Danna-sama is right."
"I… feel that these new youkai have a very clear objective."
"A very clear objective?"
"That's right." Minamoto no Raikou nodded once more.
"They seem to have come to destroy Heian-kyo."
"This is an action even more drastic than last time."
"..."
Ian remained silent for a moment before continuing to ask:
"Then, my lady, during the time I was unconscious, was there any major incident in the capital?"
"Absolutely none."
Minamoto no Raikou smiled reassuringly.
"Tsuna and the others have worked very hard to help me shoulder the responsibility."
"Therefore, even though the youkai have been attacking fiercely, overall, the situation has remained stable."
"That is truly good to hear."
Just as the two were conversing, a voice rang out from outside.
"Raikou-sama, it's time to attend court."
Naturally, the servants outside had no way of knowing that Ian had woken up.
So——
This was a reminder to Minamoto no Raikou, ensuring that she would not forget the time due to worrying about Ian.
"..."
Hearing the call from outside, Minamoto no Raikou looked at Ian, her eyes full of reluctance.
But the man in front of her remained calm, reaching out to comfort her:
"My lady, official duties are more important."
"The Shogun is no more, and now, only you can uphold the Genji clan."
"If you delay your duties because of me, then I will become the sinner of Genji."
"..."
"…I understand, Danna-sama."
Minamoto no Raikou leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on Ian's cheek.
"Danna-sama, if anything happens, please have someone call me immediately."
"And also… I will spread the joyous news of your awakening to everyone."
"Umu, I understand."
[Only you remain in the room.]
[In truth, if possible, you would also like to stay with Minamoto no Raikou a little longer.]
[But you understand that compared to this sweet warmth, there are still more important matters to attend to.]
["Blessing of Shuten Douji" has activated: You release Shuten Douji, who has been sealed within your consciousness.]
[You have something to ask her.]
"Eh?"
Shuten Douji, just released, had yet to grasp the situation.
She reached up and patted her head a few times before suddenly realizing what had happened.
"I'm out?!"
"Oji-san~ you really are kind! You couldn't bear to see me locked inside your head anymore, huh?"
"Shuten Douji, it seems you've misunderstood something."
Ian looked at the small girl before him, his expression utterly serious.
"I didn't call you out because I'm kind."
"Rather——"
"I have something to ask you."
"..."
Shuten Douji turned her head to the side, looking displeased.
She muttered in a low voice:
"This way of talking is really annoying, I'm not your subordinate."
"First question."
"You're not even going to acknowledge what I just said?!"
"That's right."
"..."
Ian stared directly at Shuten Douji, who had been stripped of all her power.
"You should know that right now, you have no choice at all."
"Moreover——"
"If you want to understand exactly what I am, shouldn't you give your all to help me?"
"..."
Ian's words made Shuten Douji fall silent.
In the end, she still nodded.
"Fineeeeee, I get it."
"But let me make this clear——"
"I am only the Demon King of Ooeyama, not some omniscient deity."
"What you ask, I may not necessarily be able to answer!"
Ian nodded.
"I know."
"I never said you have to answer everything—but at the very least, you have to be honest."
"Hai hai~." Shuten Douji waved her hand dismissively. "No need for the long-winded talk."
"Hurry up and ask."
"Alright then."
Shuten Douji was no fool, and neither was Ian.
"After you died, demons continued to appear in Heian-kyo… Is this your subordinates seeking revenge?"
"Eh?"
Hearing Ian's words, Shuten Douji seemed surprised.
"Demons are still appearing?"
"Yes." Ian nodded. "Moreover, they're slightly stronger than before."
"I was wondering if this was the doing of your subordinates."
"This…"
Shuten Douji fell into deep thought.
She shook her head and replied:
"I find that hard to believe."
"Why?"
"Because——"
Shuten Douji scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Although I did order my subordinates to repeatedly storm Heian-kyo at the time…"
"But to say that they'd still dare to cause chaos after my death, I really don't think so."
"After all——"
Shuten Douji placed both hands on her hips.
"I am the Super Invincible Unparalleled Great Demon King of Ooeyama, Shuten Douji-sama."
"If an amazing Great Demon King like me was defeated, my subordinates wouldn't even have the guts to stir up trouble."
"Heh."
Ian suddenly found it amusing.
"You were clearly defeated, so why does it seem like you're proud of it?"
"A loss depends on the circumstances!"
Shuten Douji immediately retorted with dissatisfaction.
"If I were defeated by some nobody, of course, I'd have nothing to boast about."
"But——"
"Making that big-breasted woman unleash such power, and on top of that, I was ambushed—doesn't that at least prove I had some real ability?"
[You do not deny Shuten Douji's words.]
[Even though your memories are somewhat vague, you can still faintly recall Minamoto no Raikou's appearance at that time.]
[You are certain that was absolutely not a power she could normally wield.]
[However, you still have some doubts about Shuten Douji's statement.]
"Are you sure there isn't a single demon seeking revenge for you?"
Ian asked again.
"Don't tell me that aside from you, all of Ooeyama is useless?"
"..."
"Why do I feel like you're secretly mocking Ooeyama?"
Shuten Douji mumbled complaints but still gave it serious thought.
The angry horns on her head trembled slightly.
Not long after, she answered:
"Now that you mention it… there might be one demon capable of doing that."
"Who?"
"Ibaraki… Umu, for you people, I suppose it's better to call her Ibaraki Douji, right?"
Shuten Douji casually said:
"If anyone in all of Ooeyama had the ability to cause trouble after my death, it would be her."
"Then can you confirm that she's the one responsible?" Ian asked immediately.
"Oji-san, can you not make things difficult for me?!"
Shuten Douji was somewhat annoyed.
"I'm not a god, how could I just magically know such a thing?"
"If——"
Ian looked at the small oni girl before him.
"What if I bring you into the capital to examine the locations yourself?"
"..."
Shuten Douji wasn't slow-witted.
She quickly realized Ian's intent—he wanted to take her to the places where the demons had appeared.
That way, they could confirm their previous suspicions.
"Oji-san, you really treat me like a tool, don't you?"
"Stop with the nonsense, just answer—yes or no?"
"...Fine, let's give it a try."
"I'll do my best."
["Mountain and River Veil" activated: Under your influence, Shuten Douji is perceived as a mere maid in the mansion, and no one finds her presence suspicious.]
[Moreover, rather than questioning why there's a 'new person' by your side, the servants in the estate are far more curious about how you managed to wake up.]
[But right now, you have no time to explain such matters.]
[The only thing you care about is finding out who is threatening Heian-kyo.]
[You will never allow any demon to harm Minamoto no Raikou.]
[You lead Shuten Douji outside.]
"Eh?!"
Shuten Douji's eyes widened in shock as she saw the bottle of sake Ian had bought for her, her entire body frozen.
"You're giving this to me?"
"Umu." Ian nodded.
"Shuten Douji, I'm not the kind of Onmyoji who exploits you meaninglessly."
"As long as you work properly for me, I will never treat you unfairly."
"This is one of Heian-kyo's finest sake—I'm giving it to you as a token of my sincerity."
"....."
Shuten Douji clutched the sake bottle tightly.
"Remember, you said this yourself!"
"I don't like liars!"
["Grand Onmyoji++" activated: Even after being in a coma for over two years, you have not forgotten what a Grand Onmyoji is capable of.]
[You take Shuten Douji across Heian-kyo, visiting every location where demons have appeared.]
[You hope to directly identify the demon that caused the chaos after Shuten Douji's death.]
[But things are not as simple as you imagined.]
"This isn't right."
"None of this is right."
Shuten Douji clutched her sake bottle tightly, shaking her head repeatedly.
"Enough!"
"There's no need to take me around anymore!"
"Ibaraki definitely didn't do this—she wouldn't use this method!"
"..."
Ian did not doubt Shuten Douji's words.
Because, to her, lying about something like this would be completely meaningless.
But if that was the case, another problem arose before Ian.
If it wasn't Ibaraki Douji—
Then who else could have done this?
As if reading Ian's thoughts, Shuten Douji spoke again:
"Ma~ma~, oji-san!"
"Don't look so disappointed!"
"Even though I know it wasn't Ibaraki Douji, that doesn't mean I didn't discover anything~"
"..."
"Don't look at me like that!"
"I'm not joking."
Shuten Douji gazed at the locations once ravaged by demons, now rebuilt.
"I think…"
"There's something behind these demons—something that feels eerily similar to your big-breasted wife~"
"What do you mean?"