The leader of the nearly five hundred otherworldly races gathered outside the castle—the Cryptids—appeared to be the girl in the dark navy kimono, accompanied by a copper-skinned woman with grayish twin tails and horns protruding from her head.
One look at the aura she radiated and the way the ground around her was gradually freezing over was enough to tell exactly who she was.
She was a yuki-onna, one of Japan's yokai. Or perhaps "snow woman" would be a simpler term. As for the woman beside her, she looked like a demon...
As the snow woman stepped forward, Vertis descended from the air, landing sharply in front of her. "What business do you have in our city, otherworldly races?"
"Um, are you the master of this city?"
The snow woman tilted her head as she asked. Her voice was youthful and childlike, yet it carried a chill as piercing as a sheet of ice.
She stared intently at , as if trying to peer into my very soul. However, Drago intervened, pressing the edge of his blade against her throat in a silent warning.
"Woman, if you continue this rudeness, I shall take your head."
Drago's movents were the result of skills honed through countless blood-soaked battlefields; his technical proficiency was likely already at its peak.
His cold tone mirrored the atmosphere of our first encounter, laced with a palpable killing intent. Yet, what was truly surprising was that the snow woman didn't even blink, despite the blade at her throat.
I suppose that is the courage required to lead such a group. She had guts.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't point such a dangerous object at ."
Crack...
In that instant, without the snow woman making a single visible move, Drago's arm froze solid. He widened his eyes for a split second, but quickly regained his composure and shattered the ice with a simple flex of his strength.
Still, for Drago to have been caught off guard, she was clearly no ordinary opponent.
Moreover, despite her appearance, she seed to possess a considerable age.
"Um, talking out here is a bit tiring. Would you mind if we spoke inside? My companions and I are quite exhausted..."
At her request, I briefly scanned her subordinates. Most of them bore a striking resemblance to the yokai of Japan.
"Very well. I shall guide you."
As I nodded, Drago cautiously voiced his concern.
"Lord Vertis, are you sure this is wise?"
"It is no problem. If anything happens, I will handle it."
A mont later—Kuuooooo!
As I spoke, intense energy like jagged sparks surged through my body, and thunder crashed from the heavens. I looked down upon the snow woman and her companions in this state.
The Cryptids were visibly intimidated. Even the snow woman, facing the full brunt of my aura, widened her eyes in a daze before forcing an awkward laugh.
"U... ufufu... How impressive. I feel as though I'm falling for you."
"That is irrelevant. I will receive you as guests. Follow ."
I turned and opened the city gates, leading the way. The snow woman, the Cryptids, and the demon woman followed close behind.
The monsters within the city glared at the newcors, their eyes filled with open hostility and distrust.
"Those stares are quite piercing."
"Well, from our perspective, we cannot simply trust strangers."
Upon reaching the castle gates, I gestured to the snow woman.
"From here on, only you and that woman may enter. The rest of you, wait here."
"As you wish."
*
The four of us—myself, Drago, the snow woman, and the demon woman—entered the castle and headed to a reception room that had long been out of use. I had left it neglected, assuming I would never need it, but the interior remained well-maintained.
We sat on opposing sofas, the conversation beginning across the table.
"I will ask once more. What is your purpose here?"
"Please, do not be so intimidating. We did not co here to fight."
"Hmph. I don't know what your story is, but I suggest you choose your words carefully. Depending on your answer, neither you nor those waiting outside will leave here in one piece."
This was my final warning—my only rcy. If necessary, I would act without hesitation.
Should she or her subordinates show any sign of hostility, I would personally guide them to the underworld.
It was a task I could accomplish with minimal effort.
"..."
She swallowed hard, took a deep breath to steady herself, and slowly leaned back into the sofa.
"...I was joking. We simply wish to beco your subordinates."
"And why is that?"
At my question, the snow woman began to recount her history.
Originally, they had lived in a hidden village called Yomahyang. Weary of the endless wars between three races, the snow woman's ancestors had crossed over to this world, established a village, and lived in quiet seclusion.
Her forebears had always taught them, "Do not hate humans," firmly believing that one day, a leader would appear to guide them.
Then, without warning, human forces descended upon their ho, turning the village into a sea of flas in an instant.
"Grandfather... you can't die!!"
"...I am already gone. I leave a heavy burden upon your shoulders, but please... as the leader of the yokai... find the one who can lead us. Just as our ancestors did. *Cough!*"
"Kill them all!!"
With those final words, her grandfather collapsed. The humans, wielding so massive and incomprehensible power, crushed all resistance and seized the village by force.
Consequently, the snow woman was forced to lead the survivors at a young age, scraping by in the shadows, far from human eyes.
"Humans are still so cruel."
"My lady."
Her eyes were clouded with rage and hatred; the mory of their burning village remained vivid. They had endured years of hardship, clinging to the belief that a savior would eventually appear.
"Hmm..."
Without waiting for my reaction, the snow woman continued.
"We seek a land of peace and a being to lead us. In exchange, we offer our skills and our full military strength. You desire capable subordinates, and we can provide our power without reservation as paynt."
"So, you are suggesting our interests align. And what about the demon woman?"
"? Ahaha... I was summoned a long ti ago, but the person who summoned died, you see? So I wandered around until I t these guys and decided to tag along..."
"This demon harbors no ill will either. I believe this arrangent will be mutually beneficial."
Her expression was resolute. Just then, Drago contacted via thought transmission.
Lord Vertis, a word, if I may...
What is it?
Please, step this way...
Following Drago's lead, I stepped outside the room. I used mana to erect a soundproof barrier, ensuring our conversation remained private.
"Do you truly trust this yokai?"
"I cannot know her heart, but I can tell she isn't lying. That much is clear. As for the rest, we simply monitor her. Regardless of intent, surveillance is a necessity. As they say, the true enemy is often within. If those we protect begin indiscriminately slaughtering humans out of hatred, I cannot allow it."
"The only ones I deem worthy of elimination are those who intend to attack us or those who hold life in contempt. I don't know her inner thoughts, but as long as we are cautious, this is a favorable deal. Honestly, her past is pitiful, but that is behind her now. There is no need to dwell on it. Furthermore, the yokai she leads are quite an asset. Even if they are only five hundred, adding them to our ranks clearly increases our overall strength."
"If that is your will, Lord Vertis, then I have no further objections..."
Despite his words, a trace of reluctance remained on Drago's face.
I knew he was genuinely concerned for my future. I believed that listening to the counsel of a loyal retainer was the duty of a king.
I placed a hand on Drago's shoulder.
"When the ti cos, I shall rely on your strength."
Hearing that I depended on him, Drago instantly regained his vigor. Watching him, I began to understand why so find overly loyal subordinates to be a burden.
Having settled the matter, I returned to the sofa and took my seat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. The discussion is concluded."
"And the result?"
"I will accept you. I promise you a land to call your own, and in return, you shall serve my cause."
Upon hearing this, the snow woman smiled faintly and her form shifted. Her stature grew, and she transford into a girl with shimring white hair, transparent eyes, and pure white robes. She extended her hand to .
"It is a deal."
"Good. The negotiation is complete. Now, you require a na befitting your new status. 'Yumi.' From this mont on, you shall be called Yumi. And you, demon, shall take the na 'Baal.'"
I granted them their nas and took Yumi's hand. The mont we touched, it felt as if I had gripped a block of ice.
While there was no dramatic physical change, I could feel her energy surge as she evolved into a higher existence. Simultaneously, through the effect of Soul Reaper, the souls of Yumi, Baal, and Yumi's subordinates were registered within .
"I look forward to serving you, Demon Lord?"
With a playful tone, Yumi clung tightly to my arm.
"What is the aning of this?"
"My, my? Is it not only natural for a subordinate to cling to her master?"
As Yumi looked up at with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Drago's arm shot out, grabbing her and forcibly wrenching her away from .
"To think you would dare such a thing to Lord Vertis. I cannot overlook this, snow woman."
"Oh? Soone might misunderstand your protectiveness. I'm sorry, but I have no interest in anyone but my master."
Provoked by her words, Drago fully drew his weapon.
"Watch your tongue, Cryptid, or I shall deal with you right here."
"Bring it on! I'll show you the power of my rebirth!"
Yumi's deanor shifted instantly. It was as if she had snapped the chains of restraint she had carried for years, and she snapped into a combat stance.
"I'll make you regret challenging !!"
"Try it! I'll turn you into a magnificent ice statue!"
Their powers collided with a violent crash, and the resulting shockwave shattered the reception room to pieces.
Watching the chaos, Baal and I cast a barrier around the periter and stepped outside. It is usually better to let a fight run its course than to intervene. I decided to leave them to it until they were both satisfied. Ignoring the battle raging behind , I walked away to inform Yumi's subordinates of the agreent.
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