— — — — — —
Kira froze for a moment. He hadn't expected his aunt to ask something like that.
But thinking about it…
Without realizing it, he had been reborn in this world for eighteen whole years. Just half a month ago, he'd celebrated his eighteenth birthday.
He was officially an adult now.
Before adulthood, his life had already been pretty packed.
Meditating, steadying his mind. That was part of his daily routine.
And his aunt… over these eighteen years she had found him all kinds of teachers—fist styles, sword styles, staff styles, blade styles…
In short, if it could be learned, she made sure he learned it. Every style and school under the sun.
From white-grade, to green, to blue traits—he had activated more traits than he could even count.
Though, aside from Spirit Power and Yokai Power, he hadn't learned any purple-grade traits.
As for Onmyoji arts?
He hadn't studied those either. His aunt told him not to.
Why? She never said. And Kira didn't ask. It wasn't like his aunt would ever harm him.
And now, today…
His aunt suddenly asked what he thought about his future?
"Hmm…" Kira thought for a moment, then asked back, "Auntie, are you trying to tell me something?"
"Kira, you're eighteen now. You're an adult. You should start thinking about what comes next," Matsuyoi said gently.
"Huh?"
Kaguya Houraisan tilted her head, curious. "You only become an adult at eighteen? Most places considered adulthood at fifteen or sixteen. Some even at twelve or thirteen…"
"Kaguya." Matsuyoi explained patiently, "Kira himself said eighteen is best, and I agree. At eighteen, a child's body is finally fully developed."
"Ohh."
Kaguya made an 'oh' sound, but her big dark eyes were already spinning with some other thought.
Kira listened to the back-and-forth between aunt and "daughter," falling silent for a moment.
Honestly…
What was he supposed to do?
What did he even want to do?
"Hmm…"
He had thought about it, vaguely, over the past eighteen years. But every time, the thought got pushed aside.
Too exhausting.
All he focused on was getting stronger. In a world where strength ruled, power was everything. As for anything else? He hadn't really given it much thought.
"Kira, don't rush. Take your time. Your life will stretch on endlessly in the future."
"Even though…"
"Even though your talent and aptitude are poor, you yourself are… very special."
Matsuyoi's voice was soft, as if soothing him.
As for that "special" part?
Please. Don't underestimate a great yokai who might've lived for who-knows-how-long. Like hell she wouldn't see through it.
"I understand, Auntie," Kira nodded.
Kaguya grinned, her tone sweet and childish. "Father, I think it'd be good if you found something to do. But there's no need to rush at all. Everyone has their own pace. Slow and steady is fine."
"I get it." Kira nodded.
"Speaking of which." Kaguya's dark eyes turned, and she asked mischievously, "Father, since you inherited this ruined city, don't you want to try being a city lord?"
"City lord?"
Kira blinked.
Honestly, that had never crossed his mind.
He wasn't good at managing people. He wasn't the type to rule or lead. He'd simply grown up in this broken-down city.
Someday in the future, he'd leave anyway.
But his "daughter's" suggestion lingered in his mind.
After a moment, Kira shook his head. "Kaguya, I'm not good at governing. And besides, I'm not the kind of man who wants to save the world. In this age of yokai and nightmares, protecting ordinary people… that's not something I can do."
"Father, that's not what I meant at all."
"Then what?"
"In my opinion," Kaguya said brightly, "you just need to repair the city first. As for people, you can slowly pick a few."
"Just enough to keep you busy. Something to do. In the future, they could be a great help."
"I see…"
Her suggestion actually made Kira think.
That… didn't sound too bad.
Then Kaguya suddenly smirked and teased, "Father, I also know that human men have certain needs. Later, once the city is properly rebuilt, you could always turn it into your own 'private area' to keep beauties in."
"Hehe…"
Her words made Matsuyoi cover her mouth and laugh quietly.
She didn't find it improper at all.
Why would she? You can't judge long-lived beings with human morals. It doesn't work like that.
Besides, in such a chaotic age, wealthy lords and onmyoji didn't just keep beauties hidden away. The extreme ones even kept entire private islands full of caged songbirds overseas.
Rare, sure. But far from unheard of.
Every era makes its own rules. In this old one, treating women like objects wasn't shocking—it was the norm.
"..."
"Not gonna lie," Kira chuckled, "Kaguya, I won't deny it. I think every man has thought about that at least once, right?"
"Exactly."
"When the time comes, Father, gather a good batch. Great yokai, forgotten gods from the old era, rare races with amazing talents…"
"And once you've collected enough…"
"Then we can start a war."
Kaguya was already excited, swinging her little arms wildly as she spoke, her dark eyes sparkling brighter and brighter.
.
.
.