The market of Youkai Mountain was destined not to be peaceful tonight. Lancer, in casual clothes, walked at the very front of the team, and the several people following him were Great Yokai belonging to different factions. There were those from the Kappa tribe and Great Yokai from the Oni tribe, as well as "wild Great Yokai" like Yakumo Yukari.
The strength of the Yokai following behind varied, but at this moment, they each held their heads high. After all, even if Lancer never thought of using them as his assistants, in their own eyes, they were Lancer subordinates. However, because Lancer had unbelievably high requirements for recruiting people, it didn't cause any strange people to pop up in this team—like cute things walking with an arrogant gait.
And surrounded by a group of Great Yokai, the girl was also extremely conspicuous. At this time, she was no longer cowering like when she first entered Youkai Mountain. Although she still hid behind Lancer, when she encountered something of interest, she would also tug at Lancer sleeve to remind him.
Unfortunately, Lancer actually wasn't as knowledgeable about Yokai as Fujiwara no Mokou imagined. He was even asked some questions that made him scratch his head. Instead, it was Yakumo Yukari—who had been crossing one arm and holding a fan with the other to cover her face—who helped relieve much of Lancer embarrassment.
Lancer felt the other party was a bit strange. Perhaps it was because of Fujiwara no Mokou "older sister" earlier that made her relatively happy?
The end result was that after strolling down one street, Lancer hands also held many more strange things.
An Oni mask, wild vegetable tempura, water balloons...
However, no matter how strange the things were, they weren't as strange as the food in front of the two at the stall now. A middle-aged man with wings and a bird head had clearly appeared a bit cowering before seeing Lancer, but when he brought the food up, he appeared very proud—even though this food he was proud of scared Fujiwara no Mokou into hiding behind Lancer.
But she couldn't be blamed. After all, even Yakumo Yukari was frowning at the weird food placed there, because this thing was simply too ugly. It was probably only the three drunkards like Hoshiguma Yuugi who could stuff this thing into their mouths without any qualms, right?
Ordinary people didn't know what this was, but Lancer felt it looked familiar. When he went to Heilongjiang for a trip before, he had the fortune of eating it once. Because of its eerie shape, he always had a deep impression of it.
"It's okay. If I'm not mistaken, Boss, this should be lamprey, right?"
When Lancer called out the name, the boss was also stunned, seemingly not expecting Lancer to be able to recognize it.
"I didn't expect Lord Akagaki to have such good taste! That's right, it's lamprey. These are things I brought back from Hokkaido with great effort. I only brought them out because it was Lord Akagaki who ordered!"
Thinking of how he had just shouted "bring the most expensive dish" as soon as he entered the shop, he couldn't help but want to laugh, but he still stroked Fujiwara no Mokou hair.
The original long straight hair was now tied into a single ponytail because of the hair tie Lancer sent, but the feel of the top of her head was the same as always.
Perhaps because the technique Lancer practiced on A-Ru and the others had taken effect, Lancer stroking made Fujiwara no Mokou calm down, but she still looked at the food placed there with some trepidation...
Lancer didn't waste any more words and directly grabbed a bamboo skewer and took a bite.
Ignoring that strange oral cavity, the skin was grilled until crispy and fragrant, but the meat was very tender. Plus, with the fishy smell removed through unknown seasonings and wine, Lancer eyes couldn't help but light up.
"Tiger, you try it."
Extending the bamboo skewer in front of Tiger, who was lying on his knee, the other party took a bite without hesitation, and his originally languid eyes suddenly snapped open.
"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~"
Although to others it sounded like meaningless cat meows, Lancer kept nodding after hearing it.
Undoubtedly, Tiger was very satisfied with this grilled lamprey and even wanted to communicate with the boss. However, because he couldn't speak Japanese, he asked Lancer to translate. Lancer naturally wouldn't refuse the request of his good friend.
And Fujiwara no Mokou, who had felt a bit nauseous looking at the lamprey on the plate earlier, also became hesitant seeing Tiger meowing happily.
Previously in the tavern, Lancer had introduced everyone he invited to Fujiwara no Mokou, among which the three felines were emphasized. At the same time, Fujiwara no Mokou learned that many of the dishes eaten tonight were made by this feline and was very surprised. Seeing that the other party seemed very satisfied now, she also began to hesitate.
But finally, under Lancer encouraging gaze and Tiger's thumbs up, she also closed her eyes.
"A-woo~"
Accompanied by a cute onomatopoeia, Fujiwara no Mokou opened her mouth and bit off a part of the fish meat, then——————
"Mmm~ delicious~"
"Hoho~ of course~ although this fish looks a bit strange, after my grandfather tasted it, he was struck by how amazing it was. Subsequently, my grandfather, my father, and I have all been constantly researching the cooking techniques for this fish. As long as my descendants are alive, they will also continue to research!"
The words of the bird-man uncle with wings made the people who heard them unable to help but retort in their hearts, 'Uncle, just how obsessed are you with this fish', but more so it was admiration. Although it's just cooking, being able to remain obsessed for over a hundred years is not a simple matter...
Seeing Mokou going from being fearful at the start to now having her face covered in oil from eating, Lancer also couldn't help but smile.
"Mokou, remember this~ Just like the fish, one doesn't have the right to evaluate anything without personally coming into contact with it. This fish looks very strange, but it tastes quite good~"
Looking at Fujiwara no Mokou, Lancer was like looking at his own younger sister. The other party's innocent smile and her heartfelt admiration for him made Lancer unconsciously feel happy, and he couldn't help but start "preaching" now. Mokou, after being stunned for two seconds, looked at Lancer with a face full of curiosity.
"Then is that true for you too, Lord Lancer?"
"Of course~ everyone has two sides. This world is not black and white. Perhaps you won't understand these words now, but you will in the future. Just remember them for now."
Lancer didn't know how much effect the words he said today could have, but he sincerely hoped the other party could avoid some detours.
And Fujiwara no Mokou was but a 13-year-old little girl, and moreover a canary who stayed in a grand mansion all year round. She was somewhat ignorant of Lancer words, but in the end, she still nodded. Undoubtedly, just as Lancer said, although she didn't understand the meaning of these words, she still kept them in her heart.
"Ding~ Ding~"
And just at this time, the phone in Lancer bosom suddenly rang. After glancing at the time, Lancer also stood up.
"Mokou, next is the second gift I'm giving you~ let's go see it together~"
"Mhm~"
Placing the money on the table, Lancer also looked up toward that bird-man uncle.
"Uncle, the lamprey is very good~ I will come to eat it again if I have the chance in the future~"