"Simply put, the Oni Clan is a standard group of battle maniacs. Once they find a target, they will destroy it without any regard. But the only good news is that the number of 'Oni' is not large, and their reproductive ability is low, so they haven't caused large-scale destruction. And perhaps because they feel that other races are too weak, they haven't actively attacked humans or other Youkai for some time."
He paused here, because the reality was not as simple as he described. Another crucial reason was that 'Oni' really liked to drink, and the Onmyōryō provided large amounts of sake to the Oni Clan every year, and of course, plenty of meat as well.
Perhaps for the Oni Clan, being able to drink sake and eat meat at home without having to go out was a good choice, right?
After all, this way they could focus more energy on 'sparring' among their own kind.
"However, some strange things have been happening recently. The samurai who went to the Oni Clan settlement to transport supplies last time reported that the atmosphere there seemed tense recently, and some people did hear from some drunk 'Oni' that some 'Oni' intended to leave the settlement. Most of our people are gathered near the Oni Clan's settlement now. Although they haven't made any moves yet, being on constant alert every day... Sigh~"
If there was anything more terrifying in this world than death, it was probably the process of waiting for death, right?
And he really had no way to help the other party with the problem the funashiyaku mentioned.
But just as the two were drinking in silence ——————
"Whoosh"
A sound of flapping wings suddenly came from overhead, and Lancer instinctively reached for 'Zero', which was placed aside. Then he looked up and saw a strong man whose monk's robe was almost bursting, standing in mid-air.
"Boy! You were really hard for me to find!"
The other party was not normal!
This was Lancer first reaction. After all, a strong man like an iron tower standing in the air in the middle of the night did not look like a normal person no matter how you looked at it. Coupled with the other party's words, which did not convey any goodwill, Lancer instinctively wanted to throw the Gáe Bolg, but at this moment, a hand blocked his path.
"Lord Zenkibō! May I ask why you came to find Sir Lancer? Is it because of those few Tengu before?"
The funashiyaku showed none of his previous fatigue at this moment, and his entire demeanor returned to his usual state, but the strong man raised an eyebrow.
"Oh~ Boy, you know me?"
"I was fortunate enough to have seen your appearance when Lord Zenkibō visited the Onmyōryō before."
"Onmyōryō? Oh! That time! But it seems your identity is not low either~"
"Lord Zenkibō is too kind. At that time, I was merely a Shō-Yu (Junior Judicial Officer)."
Ōmine Zenkibō also let out a hearty laugh after hearing the funashiyaku's words.
"Considering your age, you are doing well, and you don't need to worry. Since I said I would not interfere with those 'Tengu' matters, I will not interfere no matter what happened. I only came this time because I wanted to see who was the fellow who dealt with those little brats, but... it seems the rumors are unreliable~"
There was no doubt that Ōmine Zenkibō had also heard that the person who killed the Tengu was an 'Oni' before, and he even specifically went to the temple that had been sealed off to take a look.
The blood-splattered Buddha statue and the descriptions of the mutilated bodies by the villagers even made him doubt whether it was really the work of an 'Oni', because in his opinion, ordinary people would not make such a mess even if they killed a Tengu.
However, when he followed the tracks (tire marks) and found Lancer, what he saw was a somewhat strong human.
Ōmine Zenkibō's task was to take care of the aftermath and ensure that only 'humans' took action this time. Undoubtedly, the Onmyōryō perfectly completed this task.
But just as he was about to leave, he suddenly twitched his nose.
"Sake?!"
Ōmine Zenkibō's gulping sound was incredibly piercing. Lancer, who was originally a little nervous, had an even stranger expression.
"Would you... like a cup?"
——————
"Hmm... A kind of sake I haven't had before. What a fine sake~"
Looking at the strong man, whom the funashiyaku called 'Lord Zenkibō', with a slightly red face, Lancer expression couldn't help but be strange.
Because this bottle of sake was actually just leftovers from dinner that Tiger brought. The alcohol content was not high, only a few degrees higher than sake. For Lancer, it was practically no different from a beverage, probably feeling like 'juice with a little alcohol'.
'This guy actually can't hold his liquor, can he?'
And just as Lancer was muttering inwardly, the strong man suddenly leaned in front of Lancer.
"Boy! Do you have any more of this sake? If so, give me some more!"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something and touched his chin.
"Oh, I almost forgot what 'that guy' said. I'm not robbing you~ I can trade something with you. How about it?"
Although Lancer didn't know that the 'that guy' the other party mentioned was actually En no Gyōja, he couldn't help but be surprised. After all, this seemingly crude fellow was actually so easy to talk to? He even proactively suggested a trade?
Lancer was the typical type who responded well to gentleness but poorly to aggression. If the other party dared to forcibly take his things, he would definitely not let it go, but seeing the other party being so 'sensible', Lancer was also very straightforward.
"This sake was brought by my friend, and this is all that's left..."
The strong man's face clearly showed some disappointment, but that was all, but Lancer words were not finished.
"Although I don't have this sake anymore, I have other sake. It's just a bit stronger. Do you want it?"
Hearing Lancer say 'a bit stronger', the strong man's eyes immediately lit up.
"That would be excellent! No matter how strong it is, I can drink it!"
"Oh..."
Lancer, who originally planned to take out a bottle of ordinary baijiu (white spirit), suddenly stopped. One must know that even ordinary baijiu is 30% ABV, and normal baijiu is 50% ABV, but he had a better option.
"Pa~"
A leather pouch was directly 'taken out' by Lancer.
"This is 'Dwarf Strong Ale'. I obtained it by chance during a trip. Although it's a pity I haven't tasted 'Thunder Ale', this sake is also very strong. Would you like to try it?"
Ōmine Zenkibō looked at Lancer strange smile and was hesitant for a moment, but thinking of the sake he just drank, his throat couldn't help but move.
As the current 'Great Tengu' and former 'Zenkibō', how could he fear the challenge of alcohol!
"Of course!"