Kikyo and Kamamara stepped into the deserted inner bailey of the castle.
She turned back toward Kaede, who had remained at the entrance, and raised a hand in a small wave, silently telling her not to worry.
Although Kikyo was confident in her ability to exorcise the yōkai, she still had Kaede stay in the safer outer area just in case.
Outside the inner bailey, the retainers and soldiers kept their distance, their expressions tense.
Kikyo glanced at them, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Kamamara beside her, confusion in her voice.
“Why did you accept the money pouch so quickly just now?
I don’t actually need that much payment.” “Accepting the advance payment was to put the lord at ease.” Kamamara was studying the damaged surroundings.
Hearing her question, he turned and explained seriously, “He hasn’t truly witnessed your strength.
He only invited you here because of rumors.
“If you even refused the advance payment, he would only think you weren’t confident about defeating the yōkai.
Accepting it cleanly makes him feel reassured.
“Nobles are never short on money.
To them, paying to escape disaster is far better than losing their lives.
“The more decisively you accept it and the more confident you appear, the more relieved they’ll feel, and the more they’ll trust you.” “I see…” Kikyo froze slightly, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.
She really had not considered that.
Looking at her like this, Kamamara’s lips curved into a faint smile.
At that moment, Kikyo showed a bit of the innocence of a seventeen-year-old girl who had not yet fully understood the ways of the world.
He paused, then added, “Besides, you’re helping them exorcise a yōkai.
Taking payment is only natural.
In fact, if you refuse payment, other monks or priestesses may have trouble receiving proper compensation in the future.” After hearing that, Kikyo nodded seriously to show that she understood.
Then she walked toward the main hall at the center of the inner bailey.
“Let’s search for traces of the yōkai first.
Although the lord said it only appears at twilight, we should still examine the situation here before then.” The two slowly inspected the inner bailey, and everywhere they looked, the place was badly damaged.
The surrounding watchtowers and the central main hall had all been wrecked beyond recognition.
Judging from the marks, it had clearly been done by a massive yōkai.
Broken weapons were scattered across the ground, proving that a fierce battle had once taken place here.
However, not even half a corpse could be seen.
Kamamara guessed that the bodies had either been eaten by the yōkai, or the castle soldiers had carried them away while the yōkai had disappeared.
“Kikyo, did you find anything?” After walking around once and discovering nothing unusual, Kamamara looked at Kikyo and asked.
“No.
The yōkai may be sealed inside some object or hidden in an inconspicuous corner.
We may have no choice but to wait until twilight and let it appear on its own.” Kikyo shook her head and spoke softly.
With no other option, the two found an open area and sat down to wait for dusk.
Fortunately, it was already afternoon, so they would not have to wait too long.
No wonder the lord had not rushed to have them exorcise the yōkai immediately and had instead hosted them for a meal first.
Clearly, before Kikyo and the others arrived, the lord had already invited many monks and priestesses to deal with it.
After experiencing this situation several times, he knew that even if they came early, the yōkai would not appear.
Bored while waiting, Kamamara took a round object from the bundle behind him and continued his Rasengan training.
The thing in his hand had been created from demonic power by a type of yōkai called Azukiarai.
It looked like a giant bean and was also used as one of their attacking weapons.
When thrown at an enemy, it would explode on impact and blast the target away.
But before being detonated by demonic power, it was extremely tough, making it very suitable for the second stage of Rasengan training.
Kikyo had recommended it after hearing his requirements.
Kamamara had spent some effort finding that kind of yōkai and tested the object after obtaining it.
It turned out to be very suitable.
“Kamamara, after you finish forging your weapon… where do you plan to go?” Just as Kamamara was focused on the second stage of Rasengan training, Kikyo, who had been quietly watching him from the side, suddenly asked.
Kamamara stopped and thought about it seriously.
To be honest, he really did not have any specific plans.
But when he saw Kikyo’s cool eyes, now carrying a faint trace of softness, he suddenly made up his mind.
He looked at Kikyo seriously and said, “I plan to find a yōkai named Urasue.” “Urasue?” Kikyo froze slightly, then asked curiously, “What is special about that yōkai?
Why are you looking for her?” “Her sorcery is very unusual.
I want to see if she can teach me.” Kamamara spoke in a relaxed tone.
“What kind of ability is it?
Why go out of your way to learn it?” Kikyo grew even more puzzled.
“I’ll keep that secret for now.
You’ll know someday.” Kamamara stared at her, the corner of his mouth lifting into a mysterious smile.
Kikyo looked at him like that and frowned slightly, just about to ask more.
But Kamamara suddenly interrupted her.
“Something seems to be coming out.” At that moment, the sun had already set.
The sky still held the last glow of dusk, and night had not yet fully arrived.
It was the twilight hour spoken of in old legends.
Kikyo also instantly sensed a thick demonic aura rising from the direction of the main hall, gathering rapidly in midair.
She immediately focused her mind, took the longbow from her back, nocked an arrow, and stood on guard.
In the blink of an eye, the sky was stained black by demonic aura.
The next moment, two enormous scarlet eyes pierced through the darkness, locking firmly onto Kikyo and Kamamara below.
“Roar!” A deafening howl rang out.
Immediately after, a massive spider yōkai abruptly appeared in the air.
Its body was covered in spike-like bristles, and its face was a crimson oni mask filled with fangs.
Most unsettling of all, the ends of its eight legs did not have claws, but huge palms like human hands.
The sharp nails on its five fingers flashed with a cold light, carrying a deadly aura.
“That thing’s design is way too bizarre.
It’s ugly enough to be offensive.” Looking at the strange Tsuchigumo, Kamamara could not help complaining.
“Whoosh!” Kikyo had long since grown used to grotesque yōkai of all shapes and sizes.
Her fingers loosened, and a sacred arrow turned into a streak of silver light, rushing straight toward the Tsuchigumo’s head.
Facing the incoming sacred arrow, the Tsuchigumo’s fang-filled mouth suddenly spat out a mass of white spider silk, blocking the arrow’s path.
The spider silk was instantly purified by the spiritual power of the sacred arrow, but the arrow’s speed also slowed sharply.
In the end, the arrow slammed into the Tsuchigumo’s head and burst into a dazzling glow of spiritual power, blowing its head apart.
However, that injury was not fatal to the Tsuchigumo.
The flesh around the wound rapidly wriggled.
Nourished by dense demonic power, a new head grew back at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The Tsuchigumo let out a furious roar.
Its enormous body, carrying crushing pressure, rushed down toward Kikyo.