The place we arrived at after days of running day and night beyond Tokyo's border was the port city of Yokohama. This place, with Western-style buildings erected here and there and gas lamps illuminating the night, exuded an exotic charm different from Tokyo's.
But the road to Kyoto was still long. Because ever since absorbing Lower Rank 6, the demonic essence inside my body has been swirling and raging as if going berserk.
A pain as if every blood vessel was on fire surged over me. Muzan's blood and the essence of the Twelve Kizuki were colliding with something inside me, trying to draw out new power. It was a critical point where it felt like something would burst out at any moment.
"Master, your complexion is too pale. You're even sweating cold sweat... It would be good to rest for a while."
At Kiyohime's worried voice as she supported me, I barely managed to nod. We wandered the mountainside on the outskirts of Yokohama, where people were scarce and only weeds grew thick, and found an abandoned temple.
Though it was a ruined temple where the paint had faded with time and a Buddha statue with a broken neck was left neglected, for us who needed to avoid pursuit, there was no better sanctuary.
Sitting on the temple's wooden porch, I gasped for breath. The essence of Lower Rank 6 was forcibly expanding and strengthening my Blood Demon Art.
"Now, I think I can call."
I stretched my trembling hand toward the center of the courtyard. As Kiyohime watched me with a tense expression, the shadow at my feet stretched abnormally long, forming a bizarre black puddle.
"Blood Demon Art, ."
A golden radiance, blinding to the eyes, spewed forth from the puddle. An energy opposite in nature to the cool blue flames when Kiyohime was summoned—dazzling yet bewitching, as if a fragment of the sun had been torn away—vibrated the atmosphere.
As the light gradually subsided, a woman stood there, wearing a gorgeous blue kimono, gently swaying fluffy golden fox ears and a bushy tail.
"Mirror, mirror, who is the most beautiful single woman (self-proclaimed) in this world? Yes, it's your eternal good wife and wise mother, Caster Tamamo-no-Mae! Making a dazzling appearance, piercing through Yokohama's night!"
She smiled bewitchingly. Her gaze was deep and affectionate, as if she had known me for a very long time. But that warm atmosphere was brief; the moment her sight reached Kiyohime, who stood beside her maintaining a cool dignity, the air rapidly froze.
"Oh my...? What is this damp, sticky snake smell? To have such an unpleasant intruder at this refreshing moment of reunion, my fortune really isn't good."
"Your words are excessive, evil spirit. I was the one protecting Master's side. How dare a fox of unknown origin covet this position?"
Kiyohime replied in a soft, measured voice, lightly adjusting her grip on her naginata. The usual madness was gone, replaced by a tone laced with the dignity of a high-born noble lady.
"Evil spirit, me! Despite appearances, I am the incarnation of the sun, you know? And Master and I are already bound by a soul contract. We're on a different level from an obsessive snake lady like you!"
"Level, you say... Fufu, someone with a history of sneaking into the palace with a lowly status and being expelled has a nasty mouth, I see. Master prefers a modest and well-mannered woman like me."
Instantly, sparks flew in the temple courtyard as cold blue flames and golden magical energy clashed.
Pressing my throbbing forehead, I staggered and stepped between the two. They seemed like they had been close friends, but at this moment, they were rivals aiming for each other's necks.
Is this a cat fight? Is this Tamamo the one who never met the extra protagonist? This is troublesome.
"Both of you, stop. Kiyohime, and Tamamo... you are both precious people to me. We don't have the luxury to fight now."
At my voice, Tamamo-no-Mae quickly changed her expression and clung tightly to my arm.
"Ahh, Master! How noble you are... But you've become a slightly dangerous appearance! This Tamamo doesn't care what form you take. Indeed, I must have been reborn to become your exclusive bride!"
"Y-You vixen, where are you putting your hands! Master, don't be fooled! The fact she has only one tail is proof that her inside and outside are that different!"
Kiyohime carefully, yet firmly, grabbed my other arm and pulled me toward her side.
"Master, keeping your distance from such an uncultured fox would be good for your health. After all, the position of the legal wife is already decided."
"Legal wife, you say! The one who understands Master's heart best is me, I tell you!"
After barely calming their childish yet fierce battle of nerves, I explained our situation to Tamamo. This world, and my fate of having become an oni.
Tamamo gazed at me quietly with eyes tinged with deep sorrow as she listened to my story. Her gaze held emotions beyond that of a mere summoned being.
"So you too, Master... have become a monster ostracized by the world against your will."
She softly murmured while touching a fragile, nameless flower blooming in a corner of the temple courtyard with her fingertips.
"I was like that too, you know. Originally, I just wanted to love someone and grow old normally as an ordinary human woman. But the moment it was revealed one day that I was not human but the incarnation of a nine-tailed fox, everything crumbled. Those I truly loved called me a monster and pointed their swords at me. I was chased by Seimei and human armies, and ultimately met a miserable death."
Her voice was thick with deep compassion and a sense of kinship transcending eras. Right, Tamamo is originally a manifestation of Amaterasu who reincarnated as a human out of curiosity about human life. One day, she awakened to the form of a nine-tailed fox and became very anxious, and even tried to use this opportunity to reach a high position by going to the court. As a result, she was found out and met her death.
"The pain of holding a human heart yet never being accepted as human... I know better than anyone. Don't worry, Master. From now on, this Tamamo will be your shield and your mirror. Even if our lot is to be monsters roaming the night, I will protect your soul with all my strength."
I felt genuine warmth from her tender touch. If Kiyohime's love was a hot, intense flame that swallowed everything, Tamamo-no-Mae's comfort was like the faint, gentle moonlight illuminating the chilly night.
"Thank you, Tamamo. With you two... I feel like I can truly dream of an ordinary life in this harsh world."
"Of course! For that, shall we first dust off this dirty temple? Cleanliness is the foundation of a good wife and wise mother! Creating a pleasant nest!"
"Master, regarding cleaning, I have already prepared perfectly. There's no need to even give Ms. Tamamo any work."
Watching the two's competitive cleaning commotion—or rather, their war for the legal wife position—I gave a wry smile. The night spent in the abandoned temple in Yokohama was the first night since becoming an oni that felt bustling and filled with a strange warmth.
But the peace was brief—perhaps because I manifested Tamamo. I was tormented by a vicious hunger so severe I felt I might lose consciousness. A hunger that twisted my stomach and seemed to paralyze my reason.
"Oh my, Master... Your complexion has worsened again. You're hungry, aren't you? Don't worry. I will procure some very fresh and nutritious ingredients on the spot from behind Yokohama port!"
Kiyohime elegantly stood up, adjusting her grip on her naginata. Then, Tamamo-no-Mae also played with her talismans and her eyes glinted bewitchingly.
"I'll help too. Serving Master the most delicious feast in the world is the first duty of a bride, after all! Well then, shall we go hunting, Ms. Kiyohime?"
So, are they both Evil-aligned, then? That they have no hesitation about me eating human flesh, about hunting humans. By the way, Tamamo is an incarnation of the sun, but it doesn't seem to affect me? Is it because she was summoned by a Blood Demon Art? Or is she just weak because she has one tail?
Anyway, her special abilities are excellent, but her martial prowess seems very low. Even in my current state, I should have martial prowess at least at the level of a Hand Demon or Swamp Demon. Strength D was enough power to easily crush a human's head, right? Then I'm at least Strength D.
Hah, to think I have the highest martial prowess among us. If Tamamo gives me enhancement magecraft, could I fight with Servant-level martial prowess? If I happen to meet a Twelve Kizuki member later, I should at least be able to handle up to a Lower Moon.