"Old man, you've seen it too; this guy is clearly provoking a fight on purpose." Although Naraku's voice was quiet, he deliberately made sure every word was crystal clearានដOnigumo's face twisted with fury.
Without hesitation, he drew his blade, the cold steel flashing as he pointed it directly at Naraku, snarling: "If you don't give me a convincing reason today, there'll be no end to this!"
"A one-time deal is indeed low risk," Naraku replied slowly, a faint, mocking smile curling at his lips. "But if we don't understand Sebastian well enough, we're likely to spend our money buying our own graves."
He spoke unhurriedly, unconcerned by the knife aimed at him. "If you rush in recklessly without considering retreat, only a fool would do that."
"Y–you!" Driven to fury by Naraku's sarcasm, Onigumo was just about to strike when a cold shout cut through the tension: "Onigumo, put the blade down!"
Rasetsu stepped forward. After listening to Naraku's reasoning, he nodded in agreement, then turned sharply to scold Onigumo, forcibly ending the confrontation that was teetering on the edge of violence.
With years of experience behind him, Rasetsu naturally sided with Naraku's cautious approach. Even if the mission only needed to be completed once, it was better to anticipate ten thousand contingencies than to ignore even one. If they truly encountered Sebastian, they'd need a plan to escape alive. Maintaining constant vigilance was the key to their survival through countless hunts.
"Speaking of Sebastian," Rasetsu continued, "I uncovered quite a bit of information about him in that room."
He patted Naraku's shoulder approvingly, then strode over to a bloodstained wooden box near the doorway. Lifting the lid, he pulled out a thick stack of papers, many bearing portraits of different individuals.
"Kikyō…" Naraku flipped through the documents and suddenly froze on a particular page. It showed Kikyō, standing tall as she drew an arrow from her bow, aimed toward a terrifying monster.
"What a stunning woman…" As he gazed at her portrait, a fierce possessiveness flickered in Naraku's eyes. He slowly stuck out his tongue and greedily licked his lips.
"You mean that the legendary place is called Hōrai Island?" Inside a pavilion within Sebastian's mansion, several exquisite oil-paper lanterns cast a soft, warm glow. A charcoal stove gently heated a kettle of water, and Sebastian lifted his teacup, taking a slow, contemplative sip.
A few months earlier, several fishing villages along the coast had jointly commissioned the extermination of a demon surge. Sebastian had dispatched Miyatsu and Miroku to investigate.
Yet, to his surprise, the two, normally swift and efficient, had not returned for a long time. If it weren't for occasional letters arriving, Sebastian might have already suspected something terrible had happened. Still, after reading their detailed reports, he roughly grasped the truth.
Sebastian was no stranger to Hōrai Island. Rumors said it appeared once every fifty years, an island from ancient times. But Sebastian himself paid little mind to such legends. He well knew that by now, the island should be occupied by the Four War Gods.
"Has Sensei also heard of this legend?" Miyatsu asked as he refilled Sebastian's tea, curiosity evident in his voice. They had searched for clues for months without success, hoping Sebastian's knowledge might reveal the truth. This demon hunt had troubled them far too long, and they desperately sought an answer.
Sebastian pondered briefly before speaking. "It's said there's a small island inhabited by both yōkai and humans. Every fifty years, the barrier around it lifts, and the island re-emerges from the sea."
"So the island is real?!" Miyatsu exclaimed, taking a sip of wine. Sebastian's words stirred long-buried memories and scattered clues within his mind.
Though they hadn't uncovered definitive proof this time, they hadn't returned empty-handed. He exchanged a glance with Miroku, both seeing a flicker of astonishment in the other's eyes.
"Who knows?" Sebastian said calmly. "Perhaps it's only a legend. Or perhaps… It's real."
He looked at the two men lost in thought, a faint smile curling his lips. Over time, he had come to respect their abilities and had personally mentored them. Under his guidance, both had mastered several unique magical skills. They learned to deduce techniques by analogy and apply those principles to other spells. As a result, their strength had soared. Compared to their former selves, already formidable among mortals, they had ascended to an entirely higher level.
"Whether the legend is true or false, Sensei, please give us one more chance. This time, we will definitely uncover the monsters who abducted the children." Miyatsu bowed solemnly, his tone resolute.
Since accepting the mission, they were committed to seeing it through. Over the years, they had surpassed the traditional Demon Hunting Village and become the undisputed leaders in demon extermination. Their record was impeccable: not a single mission failed.
Not only Kikyō and Tsubaki, but many other disciples under Sebastian, had earned the right to accept commissions and wield formidable powers once they passed his trials.
Thanks to this flawless record, the world had come to recognize the strength of the G.D.I., drawing countless people from distant lands seeking their demon-extermination services. Merchants, nobles, and renowned exorcists gathered here, making it the safest haven in the human world. The honor of their perfect success could never be compromised.
"Rest for a few days," Sebastian finally said, studying their unwavering resolve. "Then we move."
Hōrai Island, in truth, was a vast resource hub in Sebastian's eyes. Yet, he was in no rush. The resources under his control already were remarkable.