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Yomi Isayama's eyebrow twitched. Her polite smile froze. 'Did she just kiss him right in front of me?' A sharp sting of jealousy hit her, unusual for someone who usually kept her cool.
'Is this what jealousy feels like?' she thought, her chest tightening with a sour ache. Seeing Nero's bold move, Yomi's calm broke. Her fists clenched without her noticing.
Behind her, Mitejima Subaru caught it all. The blonde woman's eyes narrowed, a playful smile tugging at her lips. She could tell what was up.
Fresh from Nero's healing, Mitejima could walk again. She stepped forward in silver heels, offering Yuto her hand with a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you, Yuto. I'm Mitejima Subaru, Benio's teacher."
Her hand felt soft, almost fragile. Mitejima was beautiful, elegant, curvy, and naturally charming. Her bright, friendly energy could pull anyone in.
Yuto's strength and good looks caught her attention too. Her eyes softened, a light blush on her cheeks.
"Please take care of Benio for me, okay?" she said, her fingers brushing his for a moment before letting go.
Yuto smiled. "Of course. I'll look after her."
Then, with an easy grin, he added, "And if you're ever free, Miss Mitejima, drop by my place. It's big enough for a visit."
She laughed, charmed by his relaxed confidence. 'He's so honest and kind,' she thought. 'How could anyone call him a "Tyrant"?' She didn't know Yuto had already taken out her fellow Divine Generals.
'I'd love to see her reaction when she finds out,' Yuto thought, smirking as she walked away.
...…..
Night came, the sky darkening like spilled ink. After a dinner made by Yukino Mifuyu and the Silver Maid,Yuto didn't rest long. He led an eager Nero to the bedroom.
"This room, this bed, they've seen some battles. UMU!" Nero teased, sitting on the huge bed Yuto had custom-ordered for obvious reasons.
She'd traded her red-and-white armor for lingerie he'd given her, showing off her small but curvy frame.
"What's the holdup, my player?" she said, leaning back with a daring smile. "A tough warrior like you isn't scared, right?"
Before he could reply, she pressed against his back, her warmth and softness hard to miss. Her low voice murmured in his ear, her breath warm on his skin.
Yuto turned and showed her she was wrong, very convincingly.
......
After a night too good to describe, morning arrived fast. Yuto woke up wrapped in Nero's arms, but before he could get up, his phone buzzed. It was Iwanaga Kotoko, her voice unusually quiet.
"You're sure? The Nura Clan was wiped out overnight?" Yuto sat up, frowning.
"I didn't want to believe it either, but it's real," Kotoko said, sounding weighed down.
"I'll be there soon," Yuto replied, already moving.
"Thanks," she said softly, relieved.
......…
Yuto left quickly, bringing Nero and Yukino Mifuyu along. They rode Pegasus to Kotoko's spot in no time.
Today, Kotoko skipped her usual frilly Lolita clothes. She wore a plain black dress and thin black tights that hugged her legs.
"You're here," she said, hurrying over and resting her head on his chest, worn out.
"Princess, be careful," Yukino said, stepping out of her cursed ring, her face tight with worry.
As a Yokai herself, the news shook her. The Nura Clan was the biggest Yokai group in the east, with thousands of members under Nurarihyon. If they could fall so fast, no one was safe.
Kotoko, the Demon Princess, had to act. She'd arrived early to settle the panicked yokais
"I'll go with you," Yuto said, taking her hand. "No one's touching you with me around."
Her stress faded at his touch. She looked up, her heart lifting.
...…
They climbed the mountain to the hidden Yokai meeting spot. Green trees lined the path, mist drifting through the air. A clear stream flowed nearby, and a waterfall rumbled in the distance.
At the top was a massive shrine, but it was strange, no gods were honored here. The courtyard held Yokai statues, each one fierce and real-looking. It felt like entering a Yokai world.
Inside, Yokais argued loudly.
"We should run! Whoever did this is too strong. The Nura Clan had thousands and Nurarihyon himself. If they're gone, what chance do we have?" a rough voice said, thick with fear.
"Coward! Run if you want." a sharp female voice snapped. "The Princess isn't fleeing"
"Watch it, Hashihime! You're just a river-drowner. You're no better!"
Their shouting grew, and a blue light flared as Hashihime readied an attack.
"Enough! You're centuries old, act like it," a firm voice broke in. A red flash stopped the two Yoakis cold.
"I'm younger than both of you, and I'm not losing it," the voice added, annoyed.
"Please don't fight. Tsurara doesn't want that," a softer voice said.
'Tsurara?' Yuto thought. 'That name rings a bell.'
He followed Kotoko inside and saw her, a girl in a white kimono with a blue scarf, her hair fading from light to dark blue. It was Oikawa Tsurara, the second-generation snow woman from Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan.
She tugged at the Yokais' clothes, her pale face tired but still pretty.
"Princess! And… who's this?" The Yokais bowed to Kotoko, then glanced at Yuto.
"Tsurara, sit and take a breath," Kotoko said, looking around. The Yokai hushed, respecting her.
Yuto's eyes moved to a woman by the window—Setsura, the first-generation snow woman. Her red eyes were steady, her figure elegant, her curly hair framing a mature, striking face. Her plain white kimono only made her stand out more.
Ice and snow set the two snow women apart. Unlike her daughter Tsurara, Setsura had a mature, refined look, with curly hair and a calm face. She leaned by the window, her pale wrist under her chin, staring out at the mountains, lost in thought.
Kotoko took control, and the Yokais sat down. The room was huge, built for giants like the Nodera-bo and Takajo, who loomed over everyone. Smaller Yokais like Satori and Tanuki took their seats, chatting lightly.
But when they saw Yuto, a human, had no chair, some grinned. Yokais didn't usually like humans, especially with their homes shrinking. They wanted to see him squirm.
Yuto didn't care. He walked to Kotoko's seat, pulled her onto his lap, and took the main spot.
The room erupted. Some Yokais glared, furious, while others, mostly the women giggled, curious about his bold move.
"Who does he think he is, holding the Princess like that?" a Yokai growled.
"Let her go, kid!"
"Wow, the Princess brought a boyfriend? He's kinda cute," a female Yokai whispered, blushing.
Yuto ignored them, enjoying their reactions.
In the crowd, Kiryuin Kaede, an oni witch in red-and-white shrine maiden robes watched with interest. Her small horns poked through her hair, and her eyes gleamed.
"Interesting guy," she murmured.
"Yukino, is this your master? Does he treat you well?" Kaede teased Yukino.
"Of course," Yukino said, her cheeks pink. "He's strong, kind, and… amazing in every way."
Kaede pouted. "Lucky you. I'm still alone."
As an oni witch, she'd never dated, tied to her duties until lately. Seeing her friend happy made her a little jealous.
"I could introduce you," Yukino said. "If you're up for it."
Kaede glanced at Yuto, shy but intrigued. 'He's my type, but would he like an oni like me?'
........
At the main seat, Kotoko fidgeted in Yuto's lap, her face red. His arms around her waist felt too warm.
"Yuto, this isn't… right," she whispered.
"Your Yokais didn't give me a seat, so I took one," he said, blowing lightly on her ear. He liked watching them fuss.
Kotoko jumped off, clearing her throat. "Okay, let's get serious. Tsurara, tell me about the attack. I need everything to figure this out."
The room quieted. All eyes turned to Tsurara.
She shook, her blue hair hiding her face. Her hands gripped her scarf, trembling as memories rushed back.
"They're all dead. The General, Karasu Tengu, Kubinashi, Aotabo… everyone," she said, her voice breaking as tears fell.
The Nura Clan had been her home, a place where Yokais and humans lived together under Nurarihyon. It was warm and alive. But that night, it all burned down.
The strongest Yokai group in the country was gone in hours. Nurarihyon was ambushed and killed. Trusted leaders like Gyuki and Mezuki turned traitor, guiding strange attackers to wipe out their own.
Karasu Tengu and his kids died. The cat leader, Natto, fell. The advisor, Mokugyo Daruma, was lost. Even the tough Sho'ei couldn't make it.
The survivors split—some ran, some gave up, some died. Only the third-generation heir, Rikuo Nura, disappeared.
When the news hit, no one believed it. The Nura Clan's legacy was built over generations by three great leaders. But it was real.
Tsurara, still young, broke down. She'd tried to end it, but Setsura saved her. They came north to Kotoko, hoping to find the attackers and get revenge.
Night after night, Tsurara dreamed of fire, screams, and death. She'd wake up crying, unable to eat or sleep.
The Yokais listened, their faces dark. Fear grew. If the Nura Clan could fall, who was next?
"Miss Tsurara, did the attackers have anything special about them? Anything they left behind?" Yuto asked.
Then his foresight triggered, showing him a vision: a white-haired youth with red eyes, red Killing Stones in his body, fighting Yuto in ruins.
'That's Rikuo Nura,' Yuto thought. 'Part human, part Yokai. Why's he against me?'
"I remember… their leader was a blue-haired boy," Tsurara said, holding back tears. "They used weird red stones to control people. Aotabo got one and killed Kubinashi."
'A blue-haired boy who turns into butterflies? That's Kazuhiro Santouga from Ga-Rei,' Yuto thought. 'He's part of this.'
He remembered Gyuki, controlled by a Killing Stone. And Ishiguro's dying word—"Ashiya." It fit: Ashiya Douman and Kazuhiro were behind it, using the stones to make a Yokai army.
Yuto pulled a purified Killing Stone from his inventory. "Is this like those stones?"
Tsurara stared at the white crystal. "Yes, but without the dark feeling. I'll never forget that power."
Yuto's stone was clean, its energy pure.
"Sir, what's happening?" Tsurara asked, a spark of hope in her eyes.
"I think I know who attacked your clan," Yuto said, holding the stone tight.
Right then, his system beeped.
[Limited-Time Dungeon: Singularity F - Burning Yokai City now open…]
[Rewards: 60 Saint Quartz, World Key Fragment x1, Arash Spirit Fragments x5]
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