Chapter 134. Shuten Douji Wants to Reproduce???
[You have returned to Heian-kyo.]
[A month has passed since the day you and Shuten Douji set out.]
[Compared to when you departed, Ibaraki Douji and the golden cup taken from Ushi Gozen have become things you cannot avoid explaining.]
["Mountain and River Veil" has been activated: You have disguised Ibaraki Douji's identity as Shuten Douji's younger sister, and no one suspects a thing.]
[As for the golden cup, you explained it as a collectible you purchased along the way because you liked it.]
["Treasure of the Demon" has been activated: Shuten Douji has begun expelling demons from Heian-kyo for you upon her return.]
[This sight is truly strange.]
At Heian-kyo.
"Get out of here!"
Under the blazing red lanterns of the bustling streets, Shuten Douji ordered the weaker demons.
Before long—
Even before the Heian-kyo soldiers arrived, the street had already returned to its usual tranquility.
Taking advantage of the cover of night, Shuten Douji led Ibaraki Douji into the shadows.
"Phew~"
The small demoness wiped the sweat from her forehead, revealing a triumphant smile.
"Those foolish humans actually think they can find us?"
"They're overthinking it!"
"But—"
Ibaraki Douji, who was hiding alongside Shuten Douji, wore a puzzled expression.
"Shuten, there's something I don't understand."
"What is it?"
Shuten Douji turned back, happily looking at her close friend beside her.
"If there's something you don't get, just ask me!"
"It's just—"
Ibaraki Douji glanced toward the demons that had appeared earlier.
"Weren't those just demons like us?"
"Why did you drive them away? Wouldn't letting them cause chaos in Heian-kyo be a good thing?"
"..."
Shuten Douji's expression immediately became a bit awkward—this question from her subordinate and friend was truly sharp.
After a long pause, she finally thought of a way to escape this situation.
"Ibaraki, you just don't understand!"
"I did this to make sure no other demons would be able to compete with us for Heian-kyo in the future, so I drove them all away first!"
"So that's how it is?!"
Ibaraki Douji's golden eyes sparkled.
"Sasuga Shuten! No matter where you go, you always push forward the great revival of the demon race!"
"I-I suppose…"
Seeing Ibaraki Douji's face full of admiration, Shuten Douji felt even more embarrassed.
She couldn't tell her dear friend her real thoughts—that she was no longer interested in the so-called revival of the demon race.
All of this… was simply to ease the burdens of that onmyoji.
Shuten Douji felt that, like this, she was somewhat undeserving of the title "Demon King of Ooeyama."
But—
This feeling… wasn't bad.
[You have never forgotten your goal.]
[After returning from Onigashima, you started investigating Minamoto no Mitsunaka.]
[But this process was not as simple as you had imagined.]
[Because you couldn't rely on your four adopted sons for help and had to avoid Minamoto no Raikou at the same time.]
[This was absolutely not an easy task for you.]
[Fortunately, Shuten Douji and Ibaraki Douji were obedient enough, so progress did not completely stall.]
[Just like that, more than a month passed.]
Inside Ian's room.
Shuten Douji was secretly glancing at the Grand Onmyoji beside her.
Her throat moved slightly, and her heartbeat pounded in her chest.
She had spent an entire month preparing for something—just so she could give him a certain item today.
"Is something wrong?"
Busy examining the recorded information on bamboo slips, Ian didn't turn his head as he asked:
"Shuten, what do you need from me?"
"..."
Looking at the busy back of the Grand Onmyoji, Shuten Douji suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"Um… Oji-san, are you very busy?"
"If you're too busy, then never mind."
"..."
Hearing this, Ian, who had been focused on reading the documents, immediately stopped.
He turned his head to look at Shuten Douji, who was blushing in embarrassment, then adjusted his tone to be a little gentler:
"Shuten, if there's something, just say it."
"Acting so hesitant like this only makes me feel that something is wrong with you."
"I… I'm not acting strange at all!"
"If there's no issue, then just say it."
Ian looked straight at the little demoness in front of him.
"You wouldn't want me to get angry, would you?"
"Then—"
Shuten Douji took out what she had been hiding behind her back.
Blushing, she spoke shyly:
"Oji-san, you absolutely must taste the sake I made!"
[It was a bowl of crystal-clear sake.]
[You could smell the fragrance wafting from the bowl.]
[You realized this was a fine-quality sake.]
[But Shuten Douji's expression made you feel that there was something off about this sake.]
[However, you still decided to take a sip.]
"Oh… so it's just this?"
Ian nodded.
"Then give me the sake."
Shuten Douji's eyes lit up brightly, clearly overjoyed.
"Right away!"
The small demoness lifted the bowl of sake and stepped in front of Ian.
"For you."
Even though he felt there was something strange about this sake, Ian still accepted it and took a sip.
As expected.
The taste of the sake was exactly the same as its aroma—it was a high-quality brew.
Ian could feel its fragrance spreading throughout his mouth.
"Shuten, the flavor is excellent."
"How did you brew this sake?"
"…Oji-san, do you really want to know?" Shuten Douji blushed as she cautiously asked.
"Umu." Ian nodded.
"Then—"
"But if I tell you, you mustn't get mad."
"I'll try my best."
Hearing this, Shuten Douji raised her hand and pointed at her lips.
"This sake was made using the chewing method!"
"Cough cough." Ian choked.
"Shuten, you…"
"Don't misunderstand!" Shuten Douji looked at Ian, her face tense.
"It's just that I didn't have any other brewing tools, so I had no choice but to do it this way!"
"Oji-san, didn't you say that if we attract too much attention, it would cause trouble? I was only following your words!"
"..."
Ian looked at Shuten Douji in front of him, his initially shocked gaze gradually softening.
"I see. I understand now."
He downed the entire bowl of sake.
"Thank you, Shuten."
"…Umu!"
Shuten Douji was overjoyed, as if she were the one who had just drunk the sake.
[You continued your investigation in Heian-kyo.]
[Before long, you noticed a name that you had previously overlooked.]
[It was the onmyoji who had once bestowed the katana Hizamaru and Higekiri upon Minamoto no Mitsunaka.]
[That person bore the same surname as you.]
[Minamoto no Raikou seeking you out was closely related to him.]
[You realized that this could be the key to everything.]
[You decided to start with Minamoto no Raikou to uncover the truth.]
The moon rose high once again.
Only on nights like this could the Genji couple meet for a fleeting moment.
On the emerald tatami mat lay their discarded garments, still lingering with warmth.
Beneath the covers, the bodies of the Grand Onmyoji and the female samurai were tightly entwined.
As everything settled down, the deepest part of the female samurai was completely filled.
"Danna-sama, you were quite intense today…"
Minamoto no Raikou wrapped her arms around Ian's neck, her violet eyes filled with alluring affection.
She leaned gently against him, pressing her proud bosom against her husband's body.
"It seems danna-sama is still not tired of me."
"How could I ever tire of you?"
Beneath the covers, Ian's fingers gently glided over her skin—on Minamoto no Raikou's body, it was not just that place that was soft.
"Being able to be with you like this, that alone is the most wonderful thing."
"I think so too."
Minamoto no Raikou followed Ian's hand, pressing even closer against him.
The burning heat from her lower abdomen made her completely immersed in this intimacy.
"Danna-sama… do you want a little more motherly love?"
Her body shifted lightly, her graceful curves teasing him.
Minamoto no Raikou felt the warmth inside and out merging together, making her even happier.
"Ara ara~, danna-sama truly is such a good child."
...
As the lingering passion faded, the two returned to a rational discussion.
"Danna-sama, many things have been happening lately."
Minamoto no Raikou rested against Ian's hand, her eyes showing deep trust in this man.
"For example?"
"The court affairs are becoming more and more demanding… moreover, the Taira clan is vying for power against the Minamoto."
"Recently—"
Minamoto no Raikou turned to the man beside her.
"There's also another major incident."
"A major incident? What is it?"
"Umu… It's about the 'Ao no Onna' who was supposed to enter the imperial palace—she escaped, and now the Tenno has ordered a search for her throughout the capital." (Note: Tenno = Japan Emperor)
"What—"
Ian was momentarily surprised.
"Someone actually fled?"
The Tenno held the highest status in Heian-kyo.
If one could get close to him and receive his favor, then prestige and wealth in the capital would be endless.
Those willing to throw away such an opportunity were indeed rare.
"So, my lady, what does the Tenno plan to do next?"
"He seems intent on launching a large-scale hunt throughout Heian-kyo."
"Which means—"
Minamoto no Raikou turned to the Grand Onmyoji beside her.
"Danna-sama, it looks like you'll have to exert yourself for the Minamoto once again."
"My lady, saying it like that makes us sound distant."
Ian gazed at Minamoto no Raikou, gently brushing her long, flowing violet hair before planting a kiss on her forehead.
"I am already a part of the Minamoto clan—offering my service is only natural."
"…That's true."
Minamoto no Raikou nuzzled her head into Ian's chest.
"Right, danna-sama, what was it you wanted to ask me earlier?"
"Umu… Raikou, do you remember any onmyoji who shares my surname?"
"No."
Raikou shook her head.
"Danna-sama, you should know that my father never let me get involved in such matters… You were an exception, and also the first Onmyoji I ever came into contact with."
"I see… I understand now."
Ian's fingers traced along her skin, slowly making their way up.
"Then, my lady, the night is still young—I want to taste you once more."
"Umu… Danna-sama, do as you please."
Once again, soft moans filled the room.
...
At the same time.
On the other side of the sliding paper door.
Ibaraki Douji looked at Shuten Douji beside her with a puzzled expression.
"Shuten~"
"What, what is it?"
"Why exactly are we sitting here?"
"It's nice and cool here!"
"Cool? What are you talking about?" Ibaraki Douji glanced around. "Isn't this just a hallway? There's not even a single breeze."
"Besides—"
The blonde-haired demon girl listened to the sounds echoing from behind the sliding door.
"That servant is obviously doing something improper, isn't he?!"
"Idiot!"
Shuten Douji quickly covered Ibaraki Douji's mouth with her hand.
"Can you not say it out loud?!"
"Of course I know what they're doing in there! Isn't it that thing humans love the most? Reproduction?!"
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"
Ibaraki Douji let out muffled groans.
Shuten Douji hesitated for a moment, then finally released her hand.
"Don't be so loud… If you disturb them, it won't be good."
"Shuten…"
Ibaraki Douji looked at her friend in confusion.
"You're acting weird."
"Weird? Weird how?"
Shuten Douji glanced at the female demon beside her, an unnatural expression appearing on her face.
"They're clearly reproducing, so why are we just sitting outside listening?" Ibaraki Douji got straight to the point.
"This is only making us frustrated—what's the point?"
"Unless… you want to do something?"
"..."
Hearing those words, Shuten Douji's expression briefly dimmed.
She hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, her voice carrying a hint of grievance:
"Of course, I understand that, and I really do want to do something."
"But I'm a demon… Even if I wanted to, he wouldn't agree."
"So instead—"
"I'll just sit here and listen."
Shuten Douji forced a wry smile.
"This… isn't so bad, right?"
"..."
At that moment, Ibaraki Douji's eyes gleamed.
"Naruhodo… I see."
[You and Minamoto no Raikou have spent a sweet night together.]
[Your investigation continues.]
[However, information about an Onmyoji with the surname "Abe" in the past is painfully scarce.]
[You have searched tirelessly, but the only thing you've found is the statement that "he" and you are the same person—clearly, that is false.]
[Yet the Tenno's orders will not stop here.]
[As Minamoto no Raikou predicted, he has ordered a large-scale search throughout Heian-kyo.]
[And you have discovered that among those carrying out this search, there are even other Onmyoji.]
[Although you are not worried that Shuten Douji and Ibaraki Douji's identities will be exposed,]
[To ensure safety, you have decided to temporarily take Shuten Douji and Ibaraki Douji out of Heian-kyo.]
[Because, if something were truly discovered, even the Minamoto clan would be implicated.]
[You prepare to inform them of this.]
Hallway.
Ian spotted a figure—not too familiar, yet not entirely unfamiliar either.
It was Ibaraki Douji—Shuten Douji's best friend.
Although she stayed here for Shuten Douji's sake, she and Ian had never really interacted.
However, the Grand Onmyoji didn't mind.
After all, he simply wanted Shuten Douji to have someone to talk to besides himself.
"..."
"..."
"Is something the matter?" Ian broke the silence.
The Grand Onmyoji could never have imagined—
The moment he finished speaking, Ibaraki Douji suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud.
She bowed down in a full dogeza, speaking in a crystal-clear voice:
"Please, human!"
"Perform the act of reproduction that your kind loves so much—with my best friend, Shuten Douji!"
"??????"