The minor youkai truly looked as if he were on the verge of tears.
He didn't know Sū ěr, but he certainly knew Yuuka Kazami! In fact, was there a single youkai in all of Izumo who didn't recognize this mad flower demon? Most of those who hadn't respected her reputation were already lying six feet under; by next year, lush flowers would probably be blooming from their graves—or more likely, they were already blooming, sprouting the moment the bodies hit the dirt.
Could anyone who chatted so familiarly with such a terrifying demon be an ordinary character? He didn't even need his brain to figure that out. Moreover, the feat of conceptual transmutation occurring right before his eyes was beyond his shallow experience; he couldn't comprehend why his perfectly good necklace had suddenly become a translucent phantom—and this translucent soul standing there! Her eyes were terrifying!
"Hello? Hello? Are you there?" Sū ěr waved a hand in front of the trembling youkai's eyes, but when he got no reaction, he gave him a helpless shake.
"Ah, ah! No problem!" It was a decision made without a single second of thought. The minor youkai answered with startling finality: "It's a gift! It's yours!!"
Right now, he just wanted to pack up and run home.
"...That won't be necessary," Sū ěr said with a deadpan expression. "Anyway, I want this necklace plus that 'wild-looking' pendant from earlier. What do you want in return?"
There was no such thing as currency for exchange; this market was still governed by a very primitive yet reliable system of bartering. As long as both parties felt they hadn't lost out, the deal was done.
Do you crave power?
Before Sū ěr could utter that line in a tempting tone, the minor youkai burst into tears, pushed aside the other people and youkai in the market, and fled at his absolute maximum speed. He wailed as he ran, leaving behind everything else on his stall.
"..."
Sū ěr felt a profound urge to complain. The youkai's wailing was so loud it drew the attention of everyone nearby. Under those watching eyes, Sū ěr couldn't exactly bring himself to telekinetically drag the poor fellow back.
"Pfft... it's fine, don't mind him." Seeing Sū ěr in such an awkward spot significantly improved Yuuka Kazami's mood. She laughed softly and said, "I remember him. He's a regular who sets up in front of my shop. Leave his things with me; I'll return them later. For now, would you like to come inside and sit? It's not very convenient to do anything with so many eyes on you."
"...That would be appreciated." Sweeping his gaze over the eyes that were pretending to do business but were actually peeking at him, Sū ěr sighed and agreed.
It didn't take long to gather the items left by the cowardly youkai. Soon, Sū ěr and Think were sitting in Yuuka shop, surrounded by a sea of flowers, soaking in the scent of nature while sipping hot tea.
"So, the army has returned?" Sū ěr asked suddenly, narrowing his eyes as he inhaled the lingering fragrance. He was referring, of course, to the expeditionary force that had gone to Yamato.
He wondered if the army that had intended to wipe Yamato from the map had collapsed after losing its commander. He doubted it had reached that point, but he wasn't sure if they had actually achieved their goal.
"Ah, they're back," Yuuka replied, leaning back in her chair. She had clearly expected the question. "They practically crawled back in disgrace. Apparently, they planned to return from the West in a grand procession after erasing Yamato, showcasing their benevolence and power to attract the wild humans who worship native gods. But in the end, they only managed the first half of the plan."
There were indeed humans living outside the territories of Yamato and Izumo—quite many of them, in fact. These weren't exactly barbaric wastelands; it was just that these independent humans relied on the protection of indigenous gods or youkai. Normally, they were beneath notice.
If one looked into it, even the Tsuchigumo who worshipped Sū ěr would fall into this category.
"So, you're the one who killed Takeminakata?" Yuuka suddenly set down her teacup and asked point-blank.
"Yeah, that's right. I did it," Sū ěr admitted directly, with no intention of lying. "Why? Is there a problem? Izumo doesn't look like it's suffered any major upheaval. Life for youkai and humans seems unaffected."
"What problem could there be? He was just one god," Yuuka laughed contemptuously. "When the fleeing youkai started spreading rumors about a platinum-haired man who killed Takeminakata, I knew it was likely you. There are all sorts of versions; if you go out and ask around, you'll hear some very 'interesting' stories."
"For instance, that the platinum-haired man has sixteen massive heads—seven large, nine small—and can breathe poison, fire, and water... or rumors that you killed Takeminakata with a single roar... pfft, hahaha!"
Amidst Think boisterous laughter and Sū ěr increasingly darkened expression, Yuuka counted the rumors on her fingers. By the end, she was laughing out loud herself. Sū ěr face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
Where did the extra heads come from? And what's with the 'killed by a roar'? Is he Zhang Fei?
He had underestimated these youkai who lacked entertainment. Such a novel and "cool" event was something to be discussed endlessly among gods and youkai alike. Moreover, the survivors who had lost their commander naturally exaggerated Sū ěr power a hundredfold to cover their own incompetence. It was better if he sounded like a terrifying entity that even Amaterasu would have to bow to.
Only then would they avoid punishment from Okuninushi for letting their commander be assassinated in the middle of an army by someone whose face they didn't even see. It was the only way to mask their weakness.
Thus, through this deliberate game of "telephone," Sū ěr had evolved into a monster with the strength of the Orochi and an appearance uglier than it. Meanwhile, Takeminakata title of "War God" was solidified by this atmosphere, and he truly became a deity enshrined by Izumo.
Sū ěr clicked his tongue, not knowing how to react. Would it be going too far to track down his shrines and smash them?
...Should I go smash them?