Youkai, demons, ghosts, and the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.
In truth...
These are distinct terms.
Youkai, demons, and ghosts represent various types of youkai, broadly categorized.
Generally...
All youkai fall into these four types.
The Night Parade, however, is different.
Ghost King?
What is a Ghost King?
First type!
Like Higanbana, once a great youkai, who, after signing a dependent contract, saw her position, origin, and life transform.
Thus, she naturally became a Ghost King.
This is achieving Ghost King level through strength.
Second type!
Completely different. These great youkai form their own Night Parade, using its collective power to become Ghost Kings, boosting their subordinates' strength and growth speed.
A two-way feedback.
As for Tamamo-no-Mae, Ootengu, and Shuten Douji...
These three, deemed the most powerful Ghost Kings, not only achieved that level themselves but command terrifying Night Parades, amplifying both.
Notably!
Though human, Kotoko Iwanaga, as God of Youkai, can form her own Night Parade, with even better effects.
"Hehehe~~~"
Alistair looked at the excited Kotoko, chuckling. "Kotoko, don't rush. Next, we'll indeed build your Night Parade. But! Not just that—gods and youkai dancing together will let you ascend to the Co-Lord of Ghosts and Gods throne."
"Mm!"
"Mm!"
Kotoko nodded eagerly, glancing at Higanbana and the white-haired great youkai before turning and hugging Alistair's arm.
Without a hint of shyness, she went straight for it. "Your Majesty, need someone to warm your bed? I can do all sorts of poses for you."
Good grief!
Good grief!
Albedo's eyebrow twitched. Are you really human? You've ascended to a divine throne! How are you more outrageous than me, a succubus? Your boldness is off the charts!
Albedo never imagined...
This petite, jade-like woman was so astonishing.
"..."
Higanbana and Suzuka Gozen silently observed Kotoko.
Just now...
They understood: this woman would be their superior. But looking at her, she seemed... unreliable?
Why was Suzuka Gozen released?
Simple.
Higanbana gave her a brief lesson, and she signed the dependent contract.
Alistair waved a hand, and crystal orbs floated toward Higanbana and Suzuka Gozen. "Higanbana, Suzuka Gozen, handle these urban legend youkai. Have them sign dependent contracts."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Higanbana and Suzuka Gozen bowed, taking the orbs and leaving.
Soon...
Immense youkai energy erupted in the distance. Alistair could feel his dependents growing in number.
Enma entered the villa, six orbs representing the Six Paths of Reincarnation floating around her. Spotting Kotoko, she smiled faintly.
"Kotoko, right?"
"You are..."
Kotoko looked at Enma, uncertain.
Having ascended to a divine throne, she sensed Enma's boundless divine power—like a star before a vast sun, incomparable.
Enma approached, leading Kotoko aside, saying, "Alistair, I've extracted Yamata no Orochi's destructive origin. Also..."
"Hmm~~~"
"Let Sister Persephone explain the rest."
"I'm taking Kotoko for some girl talk."
Enma left with Kotoko.
"..."
Alistair blinked.
Huh?
What happened?
What's going on?
Alistair didn't quite get it. Enma and Persephone were already calling each other sisters? And taking Kotoko away?
He didn't understand women's chats.
Whatever.
It wasn't important; he didn't need to join. The benefits were always his.
"Counting the time..."
Before Alistair finished, he sensed an erupting divine power.
He stepped out, leaving the villa.
In the Land of Yomi's sky, the blood cocoon radiated brilliant divine power, gradually blooming.
"It worked."
Alistair whispered, "The fusion of Destruction Goddess and World Mother, combining destruction and creation, already placed Izanami's position at the pinnacle. After signing the subordinate god contract, her position, origin, and life elevated again, truly reaching Absolute God level."
The cocoon bloomed into a blood-red lotus, with Izanami emerging from it.
Step!
Step!
Izanami walked down from the sky, the cocoon turning into blood-red light, merging into her raven-black hair. She approached Alistair, naturally wrapping her arms around his neck, resting on his shoulder, and taking a deep breath.
She murmured, "Alistair, I did it. I see the future path, it's... it's..."
"Alright."
"Alright."
Alistair patted the excited Izanami's back, smiling. "Don't get too excited. You'll go further. Trust me, take it slow."
"Also..."
"Your elevation didn't even reach God King level divine power?"
Izanami lifted her head, gently caressing Alistair's cheek, softly saying, "I'm not rushing. Slowly is fine. Divine power isn't everything. The will of gods, ultimate power—these are just transitions. I used this transformation to perfect my foundation."
Alistair raised an eyebrow.
Huh?
Something seemed off.
Izanami's look?
It wasn't a woman's adoring gaze but more like a mother's toward her son?
Hiss~~~
Good grief!
My subordinate god wants to be my mom?
Defying the natural order!
But...
Alistair had to admit Izanami's approach was correct. She didn't rush to boost her divine power but stabilized her foundation and position—the most crucial part.
The subordinate god contract's sublimation, granted by him, was a one-time chance. Wasting it would be embarrassing.
For Izanami, now a true Absolute God, future growth would be as easy as drinking water. With enough divine power, her progress would be astonishing.
"Also..."
Alistair's thoughts paused. "Izanami, you're now the Takamagahara pantheon's Absolute God, representing destruction and creation."
"Later, collect the complete Japanese mythology's divine canon for another sublimation."
"Or even..."
"In the [Saint Seiya] world, seize the Absolute God of Creation's position."
"Your future path will go further."
"Hmm~~~"
Alistair pondered: could Izanami go beyond Absolute God to a higher Super God level?
Honestly, he wasn't sure. That step seemed small but was like the gap between a universe and Earth—immense.
"Alistair, I'll follow your arrangements."
"After all..."
"Would you harm me?"
Izanami caressed Alistair's cheek, full of maternal warmth, as if saying, "Whatever you say, I'm fine with."
Alistair's eyebrow twitched again. Alright, you're really set on being my mom?
But...
Maybe?
Perhaps?
Cough cough cough~~~
Alistair quickly reined in his chaotic thoughts. Stop it, stop it.
At that moment...
Persephone, Enma, and Kotoko returned, bringing a special goddess.
Golden blonde hair, adorned with sun-like accessories, wearing a dazzling long dress that slightly revealed her shoulders. The dress's hem lifted, connected to a spiked disc containing a cosmos-like essence, showing her fair, slender legs, also barefoot.
Hmm!
Alistair didn't know what to say. These goddesses seemed averse to shoes.
At that moment...
This goddess, with golden eyes, looked at Alistair and Izanami. She recognized them, having signed a subordinate god contract.
Amaterasu!
As the head of Takamagahara's Three Noble Gods...
She had fallen, evident from Takamagahara's decline. But for Persephone, master of life and death, reviving her was no challenge.
After revival, Amaterasu signed the subordinate god contract, undergoing sublimation.
Normally...
Amaterasu held God King position, but Alistair lacked a sun, so she had no boost. She'd grow slowly.
Like Athena or Ares, Amaterasu held God King position. Whether she'd become one was another matter. Under Alistair, it was inevitable—just a matter of time.
"Your Majesty."
Amaterasu bowed elegantly, noble yet not arrogant.
Alistair nodded, looking at Amaterasu thoughtfully. "Speaking of which..."
"Forget it!"
He shook his head. "These matters can wait. After this world is handled, we'll discuss them back at the Dark World Tree."
Amaterasu remained calm, not questioning despite not understanding.
"Alistair!"
Kotoko sidled over, wrapping around Alistair's wrist.
Alistair glanced at her. Alright, in this short time, you've changed how you address me? I don't mind, but aren't you moving to "Alistair-chan" next?
"Hmm~~~"
Izanami looked at Kotoko, musing. "God of Youkai and Wisdom combined to become Co-Lord of Ghosts and Gods? A fine path. But your frame doesn't look suited for bearing children. Seems you won't have the luck to bear Alistair's."
"..."
Persephone, Enma, Kotoko, and Amaterasu fell silent.
Huh? Huh?
No!
They didn't know what to say. This motherly tone—what did it mean?
Especially...
Seeing Alistair's helplessness, they were at a loss.
Alistair shook his head, moving past the topic. "Alright, no more on this. But! Since Kotoko's here, let's handle her matters. This world needs wrapping up."
Alistair notified others via the divine group system.
Soon...
Albedo arrived with various figures.
These were youkai, demons, ghosts, and the Night Parade.
All had signed or were coerced into signing dependent contracts, brought to the Land of Yomi. Meanwhile, others were busy conquering this world, with more parallel worlds to follow.
Busy as ever.
Higanbana and Suzuka Gozen led urban legend youkai...
Aoandon, Yaotome, Kakitsume, Menreiki, Shiranui, Takiyasha-hime, Senhime, Inaba, Peacock King, Ryuyu.
Ten great youkai in total.
Additionally!
Kaguya-hime, Inari, Yume, Kinnara, Suzuhiko-hime, Kuki, Hozuki, Meng Po, Tsukuyomi.
These nine could be youkai or gods.
After all...
In Japanese mythology, the line between youkai and gods was thin.
Later...
Peach Blossom Youkai, Yuki-onna, Hone-onna, Oni Red Leaf, Puppeteer, Phoenix Fire, Vampire Princess, Kiyohime, Gugu Bird, Two-Mouthed Woman, White Wolf, Cherry Blossom Youkai, Jorougumo, Enenra, Emyo.
Goldfish Princess, Dove, Izumoten, Box Girl, Hundred-Eyed Ghost, Hiyoribo, Kaoru, Cat Shopkeeper, Okiku, Ichimokuren, Kai, Crab Princess, Paper Dance, Scorpion Woman, Powder Granny, Tenni.
Three-Tailed Fox, Zashiki-warashi, Carp Spirit, Nine-Lives Cat, Rain Woman, Ugly Hour Girl, Shodou, Mountain Rabbit, Firefly Grass, Butterfly Spirit, Jue, Beads, Yuzu Hand, Insect Master, Ceiling Dweller.
In short!
Nearly all youkai recorded in this world, suitable as dependents and deemed worthy by Alistair, were brought here.
Roughly two hundred in total.
With many Ghost Kings and great youkai among them.
If in the Heian era, they could sweep the world, unmatched unless bug-like gods intervened.
Now...
They were here.
Each bowed.
"Your Majesty!"
The female youkai spoke in unison.
Alistair waved, patting Kotoko's head. "Kotoko, go. This is your path. You must succeed, or it'll be embarrassing!"
"Alistair, don't underestimate me."
"I'll definitely succeed!"
Kotoko, with a confident smile, adjusted her beret, leaned on her cane, and walked toward the youkai and demons.
And...
As Kotoko stepped forward...
Even Inari, a high-ranking god, felt an innate oppressive force, as if from her very origin.
Of course...
Amaterasu felt nothing. As a Three Noble God, she was a true deity, not a youkai.
Regardless...
At that moment...
As Kotoko stood before them and raised her hand slightly...
In an instant!
All youkai felt something, involuntarily kneeling on one knee.
The atmosphere grew silent.
Alistair glanced at Izanami.
Izanami looked at him with doting affection.
Clearly!
Her earlier actions had aided Kotoko. Otherwise, with Kotoko's current state, suppressing so many Ghost Kings, great youkai, and gods with a mere gesture was impossible.
***
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