Chapter 77: My seeds are being targeted

In the traditional Japanese mansion, a short elderly man with a kimono calmly sipped his warm tea.

Nevertheless, the appearance of this elderly man was quite weird, especially when the back of his head seemed to be in an elongated shape, quite long, which was like a gourd for some reason.

Still, as he enjoyed his afternoon tea, a cat with eight tails suddenly walked elegantly toward him and asked, "Nurarihyon, the young master of the Phenex House, will come today, right?"

"Oh? Is it today?"

Nurarihyon, the Commander of the East Youkai Faction, seemed only to remember there was such a thing as he slapped his forehead, showing an embarrassment that he forgot.

"......."

Magari, the Tortoiseshell granny, the leader of all Nekomata, looked at her Commander speechlessly. "Shouldn't you send someone to pick him up?"

"It's okay. Serafall-chan should have given a map to this young master, right?"

"Even so... don't we need to show some hospitality? Especially when he comes so far away from the Underworld to us."

If it was another devil, Magari might not say so, but this was the young master of the Phenex House.

Unlike other devils, Phenex House could create the "Phenex Tears," a miracle elixir capable of healing most injuries.

Even though the world was peaceful, it didn't mean that they didn't fight each other. Moreover, sometimes, their members had heavy injuries or died due to the conflict with the other factions of Youkai or the Five Principal Clans.

Frankly, the other factions of Youkai aside, since they were weak and could dominate anytime, the Five Principal Clans were different.

If the East Youkai Faction continued to have a conflict with the Five Principal Clans, then the two of them might cease to exist, so they had made an agreement, but nevertheless, it was hard to believe in the words of humans as they often broke the agreement, causing several meaningless fights.

Naturally, due to those fights, a few of them died.

Yet, if they had the "Phenex Tears," this problem could be erased.

However, the price of the "Phenex Tears" was so high, and the supply was limited. Even if the East Youkai Faction wanted to buy it, they could hardly get it. Even if they could, with the price alone, they could only buy some since the price and supply were just insane.

Yet, such a problem wouldn't be a trouble if they had a relationship with the young master of the Phenex House.

While the youkai might be able to use "Youjutsu," a magic power unique to a youkai, to heal their comrades, there was still a limit, and it also took a lot of time.

So, Magari wished to have a good relationship with Riser, who came to visit.

Yet—

"It's okay."

Nurarihyon was quite relaxed and didn't take Riser seriously. "If we are too kind to them, then they will think of us as a pushover. Moreover, this is Japan. This place isn't the Underworld. He might have the "Phenex Tears," but I have heard that this young master has a snobby attitude. If we are too kind to him, he might lack respect for us."

"Is that so?"

Magari frowned, but then she shook her head since who wasn't snobbish?

Wasn't Nurarihyon also snobbish?

Yet, they could be snobbish due to their power.

As long as they had power, no matter what their personality was, everyone would flock around them.

It was like Issei, who would put his attention to a woman's breasts, all of them, yet still be loved by everyone.

If it was another person, they would be reported as creepy since their action was counted as sexual harassment already.

If Issei wasn't powerful, it was only time before he entered the prison.

"I won't get involved if there is a fight, okay?" Magari suddenly said.

"Ha? Are you scared of this guy or something?" Nurarihyon asked strangely.

"I am not, but I don't like a meaningless conflict, especially when this conflict is initiated by you. They have come to us for a good reason, and there is no doubt that they have a good attitude, especially when they contact Serafall Leviathan before they come. Frankly, even if they come uninvited, it will be alright, but you use a useless trick to tame them."

There was no way for Magari to be fooled by Nurarihyon. She knew this old guy was trying to gaslight, making Riser appear lower than he should be, so he would carry a favor and be docile in front of the East Youkai Faction.

It was Nurarihyon's trick to usually get his hands on various strong youkai to follow him as subordinates on his Hyakki Yakkou (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons).

When Nurarihyon wanted to get subordinates, he would lower them, making them feel their lives were worthless and boring, and did everything to make sure that they believed that they were wrong, but then, when they felt doubt, he gave them a guide, giving them a sweetness, letting them feel what it meant to have happiness.

Nurarihyon was good at grasping people's hearts, which was also why he became the Commander of the East Faction Youkai. Moreover, his natural ability also made him able to escape in case the situation wasn't favorable to him. After all, not everyone could succeed with this trick like Magari, who seemed to know about his usual trick.

However, there was no doubt that Nurarihyon had the ability and charisma that made Magari and the others follow him.

Moreover, as a cat, she was relatively lazy, so as long as she had a home and peace, she was satisfied. It was just the home she had chosen that happened to be Nurarihyon's place.

However, this was only limited to the youkai in this land.

If it were other creatures from different areas and myths, it might not be working, especially against a devil, who was a master at seduction.

However, that was only an adult devil, and Riser was a young devil.

Moreover, with Riser's snobbish attitude, Nurarihyon believed he could take down Riser. After all, like what Magari had said before, Riser was coming from the Phenex House. He knew about the "Phenex Tears" and the importance of it, so if he could get the supply without even paying, wouldn't that be great?

That's why he thought to trick Riser into joining him as part of his Hyakki Yakkou.

If Riser joined, then Nurarihyon would let him impregnate several youkai, having him as descendants, so it would make the East Faction Youkai even more powerful due to the "Phenex Tears."

Riser might be trash, according to the gossip, but there was no doubt his genes were wonderful.

Nurarihyon had already made his plan and was ready to execute it, especially with his youjutsu. He believed that he could do it, but—

"—?!"

Whether it was Nurarihyon, Magiri, or all the youkai in the area, they were shocked and felt like their heads were smashed with a hammer.

The rippling space could be seen, and the temperature in the area increased several times like they were in the middle of summer.

Then, suddenly—

"EXCUSE ME! I, RISER PHENEX OF THE PHENEX HOUSE, COME TO VISIT!"

"........"

Nurarihyon rubbed his temple as he endured Magiri's stare, but he knew the situation had become troublesome.