Everyone is family; there is no high or low, no superior or inferior. People listen to you because they agree with you—because you are right—not because of someone's status.
Though the numbers were small, this kind of Great Harmony [Datong - a Chinese utopian vision] had already been realized in Daigu's little faction... largely because the numbers were so small.
Sū ěr was gratified, satisfied, and even a little moved.
He was willing to encourage and praise such egalitarian relationships. But even so, Sū ěr knew that the reason he was alive and had become the One True God—the reason he could stand here looking at Daigu—was precisely because humans were not equal. The value of lives was not equal either.
It started when he instinctively chose to face Asano Hakushu alone, thinking he was a dead man, only to be saved because Leni, Boer, and the others risked their lives to lure the Orcs away... and the heroes who had voluntarily given their lives for his plan...
"Good, Daigu. You've done well—you couldn't have done better," Sū ěr said, nodding repeatedly and clapping his hands in approval.
This was something he once craved but could never achieve, and something he could no longer preach—at the very least, Sū ěr felt that if even he sang the praises of equality now, wouldn't it be an insult to the resolve of those who had died believing in him, the ones who had allowed him to survive this long?
"It was nothing, really. I'm just doing what I can. Isn't that what you taught me, Lord?" Though happy to be praised, Daigu lowered his head in frustration. "It's just that even now, I don't know what the right thing to do is."
"I don't know when it started, but Izumo City changed. Spring came, but no one went to the fields. Even the fishermen going out to sea became rare. Everyone just spends all day wandering in and out of the city, hunting Yōkai..." Daigu squatted down, pressing his hands against his face as he spoke.
"That's not right, is it, Lord?" Though it sounded like a question, it was a statement; Daigu already had his answer. "Only a few people felt the same way, but soon, we were all pushed together."
"Were you pelted with stones? Cursed at? Or did someone hit you?" Think asked, appearing beside Sū ěr with a raised eyebrow.
To Lady Think, Daigu was a familiar human. At the very least, in that apartment, he had eaten all her failed cakes without wasting a crumb.
A useful person—that was Think categorization of Daigu.
But Daigu didn't answer. He had some idea of the personality of this Yōkai who accompanied the Lord day and night, so he just gave an awkward, sheepish laugh.
Think understood.
"Actually, when you suddenly vanished at first, I was sad for a long time. I thought you were like the other Yōkai... being..." Daigu trailed off. "Anyway, later Sister Eirin told me you were fine. Well, as long as you're okay!"
Clearly, the simple boy thought Sū ěr had been 'taken out' by the gods or Oni of Izumo when he vanished into thin air.
"...I'm fine. Don't worry, they aren't capable of that," Sū ěr said, somewhat amused.
"Mhm, Sister Eirin said the same thing," Daigu nodded vigorously.
In a sense, this child had developed views far ahead of his time partly because of Sū ěr idle babbling, and partly because Sū ěr disappearance had spurred him into becoming the leader of the 'Peace Faction' (as Sū ěr tentatively called it).
"Daigu really trusts you, doesn't he?" Eirin remarked suddenly, watching the two.
"What makes you say that?" Sū ěr was confused.
"In truth, this child has always been very strong in front of me... or rather, he tries to appear tougher. But in front of you, he acts more like his actual age."
"Sister Eirin..."
As Eirin praised him with a smile while exposing his embarrassing side, Daigu became even more flustered.
Though Sū ěr really wanted to point out that, based on actual birth age, Eirin was probably younger than Daigu. He'd wanted to mention it since she first called herself "Sister."
Of course, on the surface, Sū ěr kept a look of gratification. He didn't need Eirin to tell him; perhaps in this box-like prehistoric era, Daigu ranked number one among those who trusted him unconditionally.
If anyone missed him the most, it was probably... Daigu?
Wait, what about the Zashiki-warashi?
"So you and Tsukuyomi chose Daigu and his companions because of their character?" Sū ěr rubbed his chin. "But they're just ordinary humans, right? They don't have any supernatural abilities. Do you really need their help?"
"It is Lady Tsukuyomi and myself," Eirin corrected his phrasing first—she was truly meticulous. "And you are correct. What attracted Lady Tsukuyomi was precisely Daigu's character—this kind of innocence and goodness. As for what they can do, it doesn't matter. As long as they are willing to work hard, with Lady Tsukuyomi's and my help, they will grow strong."
That was the truth. Sū ěr had no objection.
"So, what do you think, Lord Sū ěr?" Seeing Sū ěr nodding but not speaking, Eirin pressed him.
"Me?" Sū ěr was surprised. "That's up to Daigu and the others, isn't it? I'm not exactly joining you guys."
"That may be... but since you are here, Daigu undoubtedly wants to hear your opinion, right?" As she spoke, Eirin clapped her hands, drawing the attention of the squatted Daigu.
"Since that is the case, right here in front of Lord Sū ěr, I, Eirin, representing Lady Tsukuyomi, extend this invitation to you once more," Eirin said, her hands folded gracefully over her stomach, her voice soft and calm. "Daigu, are you willing to lead all those like you—those tired of the mutual hatred, hostility, and slaughter of the mortal world—to join Lady Tsukuyomi's banner?"
"To leave behind the filth, the meaningless harm caused by the ignorant and the unwise, and the Yōkai born of desire and ambition."
"...And in return, there is only one condition: you must remain loyal to Lady Tsukuyomi for all eternity, and you must never again be stained by the filth of mortals and Yōkai."
"You shall become—the Lunarians."