— — — — — —
At first, Matsuyoi had been planning to call up some yokai friends to help set up barriers and protective formations around the city.
Now, it looked like that wouldn't be necessary at all.
After all, Eirin Yagokoro herself was at Eientei — and if someone like her took charge of the setup later, the results would obviously be far better than anything these yokais could cobble together.
---
City Lord's Mansion — Main Hall
By the time Kira arrived, the moon rabbits had already finished restoring most of the place. A lively group of girls were gathered in the hall, chattering as they examined something together.
At the center of them stood a girl with blue hair and equally blue eyes. She wore a fluffy blue-and-white dress, and from its hem peeked long legs wrapped in deep purple knee-high boots with heels.
Yeah, no doubt about it. She was definitely a yokai.
Kira had learned enough about this weird world to know the difference. Ordinary humans or onmyoji dressed like they'd walked out of Japan's Heian period. But yokai? They wore anything. High heels, stockings, long skirts — you name it, someone was wearing it.
So over time, humans here had developed a simple rule: If you see someone in strange clothes — especially if they're really good-looking — don't think twice. They're a yokai. Walk the other way.
"You're the lord of this city, right?"
The blue-haired girl crossed her arms as she approached. Her tone wasn't arrogant, just cool and direct.
"I am Kira," he replied with a nod.
"Nitori Kawashiro," she introduced herself. "From the kappa clan of Lake Genbu. I'm leading the team in charge of repairing your city." Her expression turned wry. "To be honest? It'd probably be cheaper to tear this wreck down and build a new one from scratch."
[Nitori's Image]
Kira chuckled softly. "Can't argue with that. Calling this place a ruin is being generous — it's basically rubble. But still… it's what my parents left behind. I've never met them, but I can't just abandon what's theirs. It deserves to be rebuilt."
"That's your call," Nitori said easily. "What about the budget? And any special requirements? If not, we can start right away."
"Unlimited budget," Kira replied, thinking for a moment. "As for the layout — don't bother restoring it exactly as it was. Just keep the city lord's mansion as the center, and don't touch the bamboo forest. Everything else, rebuild however you like."
"Got it."
Nitori nodded, making a casual hand gesture. "I understand perfectly. We've done plenty of those jobs before. No problem."
"Now hand over the deposit, and we'll get started." Nitori didn't waste time.
Kira clapped his hands, and a group of moon rabbits carried in ten heavy chests of gold.
Nitori waved, and several other kappa immediately came over to inspect the payment.
"No issues," one of them reported.
"Alright then," Nitori declared, raising her arm. "Let's get to work!"
"Roger!"
With that, the kappa packed up the gold and marched out to start construction.
Would they run off with the money? Not a chance.
The kappa clan of Lake Genbu had a solid reputation — their trade connections spanned the entire world. Humans, yokai, and even stranger races all did business with them. Their credibility was unquestionable.
Watching her leave, Kira couldn't help but murmur to himself, "Nitori Kawashiro… that name sounds familiar. But whatever. Not worth overthinking — this world's chaotic enough already."
He put the thought aside. There was still training to do.
During the past five days, Kira's schedule had been packed to the second. His study and practice load was insane.
⌠⟦Orange • Master of All Martial Arts: Lv2⟧⌡
In just five days, his "Master of All Martial Arts" trait had jumped a full level — proof that Eirin hadn't been exaggerating. She'd really pushed his potential to its limit.
His progress in techniques was equally shocking — knowledge and skill flooding into him, rapidly filling out the "Master of All Martial Arts" ability.
It wasn't just physical techniques either. Kira had been learning a ton of magic too — so much that his head literally ached from mental strain.
...
By nightfall, he'd finished his afternoon training and was about to head back to study again when something caught his eye.
He froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"The kappa clan works this fast?"
"That wall's over fifty meters tall. Is that even structurally legal?"
"They built that in one afternoon?"
Kira stood there, stunned.
No wonder the kappa of Lake Genbu had such a good reputation — their efficiency was downright terrifying.
.
.
.