“Akegawa Castle is just ahead.” Kamamara looked at the castle whose outline was gradually becoming clearer in the distance and let out a long breath.
Then he turned to Kikyo, curiosity in his eyes.
“You said before that the castle lord invited you here to exorcise a yōkai.
Can I come with you and take a look?
To be honest, I’m curious what kind of yōkai would make him send for you from so far away.” “Aren’t you here to find a swordsmith to forge your weapon?” Kikyo asked, glancing at him strangely.
“The weapon can wait.
We can go after the yōkai is dealt with.” Kamamara shook his head.
For a castle lord to personally invite Kikyo from far away, this yōkai definitely was not ordinary cannon fodder.
Its strength should not be weak.
Maybe he could even gain some experience from it and raise his panel’s progress bar a little.
“Fine.
We’ll go straight to the castle and meet the lord.” Kikyo nodded in agreement.
After the three entered Akegawa Castle, they headed directly toward the lord’s residence.
Clearly, the people of the castle had been waiting for some time.
As soon as Kikyo arrived at the castle gate and explained her purpose, she was smoothly led inside by one of the lord’s retainers.
They did not even ask much about Kamamara, who was traveling with her.
Under the retainer’s guidance, they were brought into a room.
After they sat down, the retainer lightly clapped his hands.
A group of maids soon entered, carrying trays of lavish food.
“You must all be tired from the journey.
Please enjoy yourselves.” After all the food had been placed before them, the retainer knelt to the side and spoke respectfully.
Kikyo looked at the rich dishes in front of her, then at the retainer’s respectful attitude, and said softly, “Please tell us the details about the yōkai.” “Kikyo-san, after you finish your meal, Inagaki-sama will personally explain the situation.
Please, take your time.” The retainer answered just as respectfully.
Without waiting for Kikyo to ask further, he waved his hand and withdrew with the surrounding maids, leaving only Kikyo, Kaede, and Kamamara in the room.
“Looks like this yōkai won’t be easy to deal with.
Otherwise, a lord wouldn’t be this polite to a priestess.” Kamamara sighed with interest, picked up a piece of food, and took a bite.
His eyes lit up.
“Go ahead and eat.
As expected of a castle lord, the food is actually pretty good.
No matter what happens, we can’t fight on empty stomachs.” “Kikyo-nee…” Kaede looked at the table full of food, but her face was filled with worry as she looked toward Kikyo.
“Eat.
Once we finish, we’ll know what exactly happened here.” Kikyo smiled gently and comforted her.
After the three finished eating, the maids came in to clear away the bowls, plates, and leftovers.
Soon after, a richly dressed middle-aged man entered the room.
“My lord!” Seeing the newcomer, the retainer at the side immediately bowed respectfully.
With that, Kikyo and Kamamara learned his identity.
“I am Inagaki Masato, lord of Akegawa Castle.” The middle-aged man entered and sat down.
After introducing himself, his gaze fell on Kikyo, who was dressed in priestess robes.
“You must be Kikyo-san.
As expected, you are a beautiful and powerful priestess.” “Inagaki-sama, it is an honor.
I am only an ordinary priestess.
There is no need for such praise.” Kikyo bowed her head in greeting, then raised her eyes to the castle lord and asked solemnly, “My lord, can you tell me the details about the yōkai?” “As expected of a renowned priestess.
You are direct in all matters.” The lord of Akegawa Castle offered another polite remark, then his expression quickly turned serious.
“I will not hide anything.
I invited Kikyo-san here because a terrifying yōkai has appeared inside the castle.
After hearing of your strength, I specifically sent people to request your help in exorcising it.” “Do you know what kind of yōkai it is?
Have you invited other monks or priestesses to deal with it before?” Kikyo nodded and asked.
“No, we do not know…” Inagaki Masato’s expression turned ugly.
“This yōkai suddenly appeared inside the castle.
It even threatened me, demanding that I offer living humans as food every day.” At this point, fear flashed through his eyes.
He continued, “At first, I gathered soldiers and tried to eliminate it, but we were no match for the yōkai at all.
“Later, I also invited well-known monks from the surrounding area to exorcise it, but they were all defeated by the yōkai.
Several of them were even eaten.” “Since you sent soldiers against it and invited monks to exorcise it, you must have angered it.
Why didn’t the yōkai kill you?” Kamamara, who was sitting to the side, suddenly asked with curiosity.
Inagaki Masato glanced at Kamamara.
Seeing him seated beside Kikyo, he guessed that he was one of her companions and explained honestly, “At the time, the yōkai was indeed enraged.
Fortunately, my general risked his life to protect me, allowing me to barely escape.
“After that, we discovered that the yōkai seemed to be trapped within the inner bailey and could not leave.
It only appears during the twilight hour.
“So I have already moved my family out of the residence in the inner bailey.
We are now living in the outer bailey.” Kamamara’s heart stirred.
The general he mentioned, could it be the same General Minamoto no Okabe he had heard about earlier, the one who cut off an oni’s hand?
“Based on your description, my lord, this yōkai seems to have been sealed inside the inner bailey.
Can you tell me what it looks like?” Kikyo asked.
“It is a giant spider,” Inagaki Masato said without hesitation.
Kikyo frowned slightly when she heard that, as if she had already guessed the yōkai’s identity.
“A Tsuchigumo?” Kamamara also reacted immediately and asked for confirmation.
“Yes.
If it is a gigantic spider yōkai, then it is most likely that.” Kikyo nodded.
A yōkai capable of defeating a lord’s army and killing several monks had to be either a great yōkai or one of the famously powerful types, such as oni, Tsuchigumo, or dragons.
“In any case, I beg Kikyo-san to destroy this yōkai.” Inagaki Masato bowed deeply, his tone sincere.
“I will certainly provide a reward that satisfies you.” At that moment, the retainer carried over a tray and came to the lord’s side.
On the tray sat a bulging money pouch.
The lord took the tray and pushed it in front of Kikyo, speaking seriously.
“This is the advance payment.
Once the yōkai is destroyed, there will be another payment of the same amount.
Please accept it.” “This…” Seeing the money pouch in front of her, Kikyo froze and was just about to refuse.
But Kamamara, sitting beside her, had already reached out, lifted the pouch, and tossed it into Kaede’s arms.
“Don’t worry.
Leave it to us.
We’ll definitely deal with the yōkai in the castle.” “Wonderful.
I await your victorious return.” Seeing the advance payment accepted, the castle lord let out a breath of relief, and a smile appeared on his face.
“Elder retainer, take Kikyo-san and this… monk to the residence in the inner bailey.” The lord of Akegawa Castle rose and instructed the retainer beside him.
“Yes, my lord!” The retainer bowed, then walked over to Kikyo and Kamamara and spoke respectfully.
“Lady Priestess, honorable monk, please follow me.” After saying that, he turned and headed out of the room.
Kikyo looked at the money pouch in Kaede’s arms, then at Kamamara, who had already stood up.
She sighed helplessly, took Kaede’s hand, and followed the retainer leading the way.