Kyoto.
I decided to rest a bit and feel the atmosphere of the ancient city again. And this time without visiting Nurarihyon's place.
The sun had already set, and life in the city was just beginning: beautifully decorated red lanterns lighting up the streets, the clatter of traditional wooden Japanese sandals on the cobblestone road, and, of course, yukata men and women having a cultural time.
Spurred on by the moment, I too changed into a black colored yukata with a pattern of white flowers on it and strolled around, breathing in the ancient Japanese city-soaked air, which was a nice change of scenery.
- It was a beautiful city. Like the smiles on the faces of the people here," I heard Grandpa's voice beside me, "In my time, they were covered in sand and dust, and the only sources of light were candles. The atmosphere was darker.
- I suppose there was rather little entertainment in your time, eh?
- Perhaps there was, but I didn't pay any more attention to it than necessary. What I did take up all the time available.
- Do you regret it?
- No," he said firmly, "It was my choice. I found my calling in it, and my personal needs took a back seat. Hashashin became my child who needed all my attention. The training of each candidate must be thorough and deliberate, and the enforcement of the code all the more so.
- Oh? There were those who didn't follow them?
- Of course there were. Eighteen generations, eighteen leaders. Some lost their way, some found more important recognition in their lives, and some just reveled in the opportunities that came their way. And I remember them all.
- Hmm... In addition to you as the founder, I know three other Hashashin heads. Can you tell me anything about the others?
- You already know the answer to your question, don't you, Master?
- It was worth a try. - I shrugged.
Grandpa is definitely cool, and I'm already guessing what he was doing before he did what he's doing now. If you remember Shiki Tohno from Tsukihime, the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception can bring its owner a decent amount of inconvenience and limitations. The boy was experiencing a severe headache, and one wrong move could cost a massacre around himself and those around him. Not the most pleasant of sensations.
- By the way, how did you set foot on this path? And what did you do before your current line of work? The voice of God?
- I don't even remember what I was before. But yes, one day I heard the voice of God. He chose me to decide the fate of murderers and sinners.
- Oya? So, we are brothers in a way, huh? - I said passionately.
- Brothers, Master? - he asked in a puzzled tone.
- Well, since I'm Solomon's Pseudo-Servant who was also chosen by the Almighty, we can be called that, can't we? Nah, it's better to stay "Grandpa." It's more comfortable.
- As you wish.
As I walked down another alleyway, the blonde head of a little girl with distinctive fox ears caught my eye. She was running from counter to counter as if she was hiding from someone, looking around from time to time. And apparently, I looked at her for a very long time.
- Do you know this girl, Master? You've been staring at her for a minute.
- Uh-huh. The daughter of the head of the Yokai who likes to run away from her guards. Do you think we should intervene?
- It's up to you.
- Then I will.
As I blended in with the crowd, I slowly made my way toward Yasaka's daughter. When she went into an alley, I followed her. Kunou stopped in the middle of the space and sighed in relief, apparently not sensing my presence. She was wearing the standard garb of a Japanese temple priestess, consisting of a white shirt and a bright red hakama.
- Running away from your guards is not the smartest thing to do, young lady. - I whispered to her with her back to me.
- Whoa-a-a!? - she shrieked and jumped away from me, turning to face me.
- Calm down, - I said in a soothing tone and raised my hands, showing that I was not dangerous - If I wanted to harm you, I would not have made my presence known.
- Who are you? What do you want from me? - She asked as cautiously as possible, searching with her eyes for an escape route.
- To take me to my parents, I suppose. Your mother's probably already turned the whole town upside down looking for you. You wouldn't want to worry her too much, would you?
- How do I know you're not lying, mister?
Hmm. Makes sense. I wouldn't trust the first person who offered to help me either.
- Wait a minute," I said, and looked for a similar energy signature to Kunou. And from the looks of it, she's headed to Nurarihyon right now, probably for help. Hmm? What kind of demonic aura is heading this way? - Young lady, do you happen to know where your guards have gone?
- They asked me to wait for them and went somewhere, why? - Still cautiously, she replied.
- I think I know what happened to them. - I said, and the next moment there was a rather violent explosion.
BOOM.
The area where Kunou and I were standing was covered in dust, and the nearby buildings turned into rubble. When the dust cleared, my magic circle, which had protected us from the explosion, was visible. When I looked up, I saw a man with brown hair in the sky, spreading ten demonic wings and looking straight at my circle.
- Weak for my blood, - said the demon Beelzebub - Although he clearly did not want to kill. What are you going to do, Romany?
Oh? So this is Shalba Beelzebub? Doesn't look like the straightest guy I've ever seen.
- Hey! Isn't introducing yourself before attacking the basics of a civilized third-rate villain, hmm? - I shouted at him.
- Who are you?" he asked, ignoring my complaint, "Why does an inferior person dare to meddle in my affairs?
- I apologize for not asking permission, Mr. Pedophile," I said, at which his face contorted in anger, "And you still haven't introduced yourself. Maybe I was wrong to think demons had any dignity.
- How dare you insult me, insect? But I'll introduce myself. Shalba Beelzebub, descendant of the Great Demon King, Lord of the Flies, Power--
- Yeah, yeah. You're cool and everything. Can you keep it short?
In response, he held out his hand in my direction with a magic circle appearing in it. And a beam of energy flew out of it, which of course was blocked. And Kunou, finding no other option, ran up to me and hid behind my back.
- You know what, why don't you come down to earth, dearie? I'm gonna teach you some etiquette.
My magic circle appeared in front of me, from which golden chains flew out, parodying Enkidu. With the speed of a bullet, they headed toward Shalba, trying to tie him up. He, of course, tried to dodge them and even fight them off, but it was all in vain. The chains wrapped around his body and with all speed and force slammed Shalba into the ground in front of my feet.
- Who are you?! How dare you bind me, you inferior creature! - he roared in my direction, gritting his teeth hard and glaring at me with angry eyes.
I silently created a Tora-shinai in my hand, which I had once managed to see in Archer's hands, and walked around him.
- What the hell are you doing!
- Young lady, let me demonstrate how to punish naughty children. - I pronounced with the kindest smile on my face and under Kuno's gaze, swung around and slapped Shalba's ass.
BAM
- Agh! - he screamed in pain - Why does it hurt so much?! I'm one of the strongest demons, dammit! So why does a wooden stick hurt so much!!!!
BAM
- Aah!
Is it worth mentioning the tenfold increase in pain I added to Tora-shinai? I guess not.
BAM
- Stop it!" he shouted, and Kunou covered her eyes and ears.
BAM
- I'm going to kill you! My flies will eat you alive!
BAM
- You-
BAM
- Not over-
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM
After a couple minutes of beating, he fell silent and his eyes glazed over. After stopping beating him, I smiled happily as I felt great. It felt like all the stress had dissolved into nothingness and all that was left was contentment.
Maybe I'm a sadist? Nope. Beating-- Oh. Raising bad guys isn't sadistic, right? Pure justice, I'd say.
- S-scary..." Kunou whispered in a shaky voice, looking up at me. Her fox ears were pressed against her head, and her legs were barely keeping her upright.
My eyebrow twitched.
I kind of saved your life, little girl! Maybe a word of thanks, hmm? No? Anything?
- You scared the child, Master," I heard Grandfather's voice in my head, "That's a sin, you know.
- I was about to object when I was interrupted by a woman's scream.
- Kunou!
Turning in the direction of the shout, I saw an extremely emotional Yasaka, accompanied by Nurarihyon and one Tengu woman, looking at her daughter. And transferring her gaze to me with Tora-shinai, raised her tails and took a fighting stance.
- Who are you?! What are you doing to my daughter?!
I'm a good guy, damn it! Why do you want to attack me when I saved your daughter?! The bad guy is lying in front of me, not standing!
- Answer me! - Yasaka shrieked, and golden flames flickered in her hands.
I want to go home. Definitely.
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