Because they left the gap, Fujiwara no Mokou was also put down. However, looking at the strange "Yokai" all around, she unconsciously held Lancer hand with both of hers.
But she soon discovered that those strange Yokai had no intention of attacking them. So she gradually changed from holding Lancer hand with both hands and hiding her head near his palm to grabbing his hand with one hand and carefully looking around.
Watching Fujiwara no Mokou eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry, Lancer couldn't help but reveal a slight smile.
It seemed his choice was indeed correct.
"After your birthday party is over, I'll take you for a good stroll. At least until the time you wake up tomorrow morning, there's no need to go back."
Fujiwara no Mokou didn't know why Lancer said this, but she still nodded happily. For her, this short few-minute journey could be said to have allowed her to see sights she had never seen before.
Because Fujiwara no Mokou was not the child of Fujiwara no Fuhito legal wife, she didn't need to stay behind a bamboo curtain every day like the other daughters, not even being allowed to see people at will. When she was lucky, she would be taken outside by Fujiwara no Fuhito to gain experience, but that was all. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for her to ever see such a bustling shopping street in her life.
After all, normally, her future would be either becoming a concubine of a court noble and staying in a house all day, or becoming the wife of a promising young samurai and likewise staying in a room all day.
A place somewhat chaotic and noisy like this was somewhere that should have been a parallel line to her, but this time she saw it with her own eyes—and even more exaggeratedly, a shopping street entirely run by Yokai...
Countless strange shapes, beings that should have been in horror storybooks, were now shouting like ordinary people to attract customers to their shops.
What she didn't know, however, was that those "terrifying Yokai" had no thoughts of disrespect toward her at this moment.
As Yokai, they naturally identified the identities of Lancer and Fujiwara no Mokou at a glance. Both were humans. However, their views were completely opposite. Everyone knew that "Akagaki" liked to disguise himself as a human. The reason they felt the other party was human was not that he wasn't a Yokai, but that their strength was too weak to see through him. As for that little girl, she did attract everyone's attention.
No one knew Fujiwara no Mokou identity, but looking at that "unfamiliar 17-year-old girl" beside Lancer and then at the petite Fujiwara no Mokou, the rumor from a couple of days ago about "Akagaki planning to make a move on the Emperor's 7-year-old princess" immediately popped into many people's minds. Estimating the age difference now, everyone thought of one answer.
'So today Lord Akagaki is out playing with his daughter and wife; definitely don't touch his bad side at a time like this.'
This thought appeared in everyone's minds almost simultaneously. Suddenly, the entire street became even more "harmonious." After all, everyone still had fresh memories of the strange noises and strange rumors coming from inside the Tengu base two days ago.
Lancer himself didn't realize his reputation in the Yokai world had reached a point similar to something that could stop a child's nighttime crying. Seeing the prosperous street, he couldn't help but sigh.
'The public security in the Tengu territory is really not bad~'
Just like that, he held Fujiwara no Mokou hand while Yakumo Yukari stood by his side. The party of three, amidst Fujiwara no Mokou glances left and right, arrived at a place with a sign saying "Youkai Mountain Izakaya."
The moment the sliding door was pulled open, a burst of noisy sounds was heard. The chaotic noise even made Fujiwara no Mokou unconsciously frown.
Lancer let go of Mokou hand and very decisively clapped his hands.
"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment!"
Lancer voice wasn't considered piercing, but as his voice fell, starting from the shop door, the entire izakaya gradually quieted down. Everyone turned their gaze toward the door.
Being stared at by all sorts of bizarre Yokai at once, Fujiwara no Mokou couldn't help but shrink back a bit and hide behind Lancer. But at that moment, a hand pressed against her back.
"It's okay. The people here today are all my friends. No one will hurt you."
Lifting her head to look at Lancer rare gentle smile, Fujiwara no Mokou also nodded. But at this moment, a shadow covered her head, and then Fujiwara no Mokou saw a tall woman wearing a pink kimono with a red single horn, currently resting a hand on Lancer shoulder.
"Akagaki, this little brat is the protagonist of today's banquet? But she can't drink~"
"What wine banquet? I clearly just said it's a party, okay?"
Smelling the heavy scent of alcohol on Hoshiguma Yuugi, he knew that during the time he was out, the other party must have drunk quite a bit. But what he didn't expect was for Fujiwara no Mokou to interrupt him.
"Although I can't drink now, after tonight... I will be 13. I can drink."
Fujiwara no Mokou words made Lancer feel somewhat confused, but Hoshiguma Yuugi, after a moment's pause, nodded. At the same time, she very heroically rubbed Fujiwara no Mokou hair with her hand.
"That's doable then, but that will have to wait until midnight~"
"Yuugi, what are you guys talking about?"
Obviously, Lancer didn't quite understand what the two were saying. He knew it was Fujiwara no Mokou birthday today, but was there something special about a 13th birthday?
Hoshiguma Yuugi, whose head was usually full of drinking and fighting and was always roasted by Lancer, for once looked at Lancer with eyes as if looking at an "idiot."
"You don't know what kind of day this is? Then why did you invite everyone to drink?"
"I said I'm just inviting everyone to get together. Besides, since it's Mokou birthday, is there anything strange about holding a party?"
Lancer had a matter-of-fact expression, but Hoshiguma Yuugi waved her hand with a look as if she had seen a ghost.
"An ordinary person's birthday wouldn't be made this grand. I didn't expect you really didn't know. A 13th birthday is very special~ For children, passing 13 represents that they are already an adult. I thought you held the wine banquet because you knew~"
13 years old = adult?
In Lancer impression, 13 years old should be the age of just graduating from elementary school and becoming a middle school student. In this era, it already represents adulthood?
But then he lowered his head with a bitter smile.
"Sorry, Mokou. I didn't know. If I had known, I wouldn't have been so casual..."
"It's okay, Lord Lancer. And being able to have you help me celebrate my birthday, I am already... very happy."
This time, Fujiwara no Mokou saying these words wasn't out of politeness, but because she really had an indescribable feeling—even a feeling like she wanted to cry. But at that moment, she felt both sides of her cheeks being pinched by hands. Looking up, she saw the already squatting Lancer smiling at her.
When their gazes met, Lancer smiled and released both hands, while at the same time opening his arms very exaggeratedly.
"If you're happy, then laugh out loud! This is Youkai Mountain, a place unreachable by humans! Here you can laugh to your heart's content without needing to worry about those boring rules at home. So, if you're happy————laugh~"
Lancer exaggerated and awkward acting made Hoshiguma Yuugi be the first to be unable to hold back a laugh. After all, she was closest to Lancer. Starting from there, others in the izakaya also began to laugh one after another.
This unrestrained atmosphere also made Fujiwara no Mokou unable to help but cover her mouth with her hand, but that crisp sound of laughter entered everyone's ears...