No matter how many times it happened, Yukari always maintained that facade of submissiveness and profound respect. Yet Sū ěr never lowered his guard against her. Furthermore, now that he realized his own power had limits—limits that Yukari could bypass—his vigilance only increased.
Sū ěr had no intention of stepping into that black Gap filled with eyes, even though Yukari had no reason to move against him. As the saying goes: A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall. Aside from necessary paths, Sū ěr wanted no part of the interior of this female Yōkai's abilities.
So, as for the Gaps... forget it.
Too dangerous.
Yukari naturally saw through Sū ěr reservations. She showed no offense. After casually soothing a few Yōkai who had grown excited at her appearance in the city, she stepped back into her Gap and departed.
"How does it feel to be the Lord of Pandemonium?" Sū ěr asked curiously, taking a sip of the tea placed before him.
While that old fox Nurarihyon was also honored as the "Lord of Pandemonium" in modern society, Sū ěr—and even Nurarihyon himself—had admitted that the title was mostly a formality.
After the Great Yōkai vanished from the world and human technology and military might rose, the title "Lord of Pandemonium" became more of a respectful term for the leader who helped small, homeless Yōkai survive in modern society.
But Yukari title was one she had personally carved out through her own strength and massive slaughter in an era where demons vied for the world. Just looking at the various massive skulls lining the corridor before entering this palace made her prestige clear. Those were proud trophies she had collected after defeating her enemies.
If a faint-hearted Yōkai came to this palace to have an audience with the city's master, merely walking through that corridor might be enough to crush their will. After all, those bones still radiated the fierce and powerful Yōki of their original owners.
Even the most audacious Yōkai would quiet down after witnessing those remains, showing Yukari the respect she was due.
Among Yōkai, there is no talk of benevolence, kindness, or forgiveness. Strength, ferocity, and ruthlessness are what command followers in this era—the one jade-colored nine-tailed fox before her fall being the exception.
However, though Sū ěr use of "Lord of Pandemonium" was a rare exclamation devoid of sarcasm or perfunctory politeness, Yukari didn't quite understand the term.
"Pandemonium? [Chimimoryo]" Yukari repeated his pronunciation with confusion, not even knowing how to write the specific characters.
"It means the Lord of all Yōkai," Think interjected, filling the gap for Sū ěr.
"I see," Yukari realized, then shook her head with a smile. "To say it's boring would be too shameless, but ever since I founded this nation two years ago, I've lost that sense of longing and anticipation I had before."
"I miss it a bit... especially the night before the official founding. I was so excited I couldn't sleep peacefully," Yukari sighed nostalgically. "Now, I just feel weary."
"What is unattainable is always in a state of unrest," Sū ěr suddenly quoted a lyric, taking another sip of tea.
Incidentally, he treated her "weariness" as pure nonsense. Based on the details he observed, this female Yōkai was clearly relishing her role.
"Haha, Hahahaha!" Yukari was tickled by Sū ěr words and laughed heartily, showing a boldness quite unlike most female demons. "Only the unattainable causes unrest? Hahaha! And what about that which has already been attained?"
"What has been attained is held without fear of loss," Sū ěr added.
"Hahahaha!"
"True, true indeed," Yukari wiped a tear from her eye, laughing so hard she could barely stand straight. "Held without fear? How remarkably fitting."
"So, have the two of you completed what you set out to do on the moon?" After finally calming her emotions, Yukari partially covered her face and said with regret: "I had hoped to invite you both to witness the founding of this nation belonging only to Yōkai, but I could find no trace of you after that night."
"Mhm, the Zashiki-warashi already told us. In any case, congratulations on finally achieving your ideal," Sū ěr said, sounding casual. "I wanted to see what a unique nation like this would look like at its birth, but because of our health, we were delayed on the moon too long. We had no choice but to miss it... This is a gift."
Sū ěr waved his hand, placing an object on the table. it was an ornamental piece made of pink coral—it held no actual power, but it was beautiful to look at, a token of his intent.
"Thank you very much, I love it... Also, you mentioned your 'health'?" Yukari seemed to misunderstand. "Are you injured? If there is any way my power can be of use, please speak plainly. I will not refuse."
"It's nothing serious, just a few lingering side-effects, all taken care of now," Sū ěr sipped his tea easily and launched into the fabricated origin he and Think had prepared before arriving.
"...I never imagined the two of you had such a background. To have developed feelings for each other after such a long time? How wonderful..." Yukari wiped away a touched tear. Whether it was real or fake didn't matter; the emotion was there for the moment.
"It's all in the past, it doesn't mean much," Sū ěr shrugged, then stood up and walked toward the window. From here, he could see the Yōkai of all sizes below and the full panorama of the city. "By the way, I haven't asked—what do you call this city?"
"City of Ten Thousand Bones, Gathering Demon City... those are the names given by outside Yōkai or gods," Yukari said, standing beside him at the spot where she could overlook everything. This was the result of her hard work. "But I call it—Godfall [Inshin]."
Yukari gave a satisfied, mysterious smile. She loved overlooking everything from this angle; often, when she was alone, she would sit here for a long time, soaking in the feeling.
"Godfall City."
Sū ěr repeated it, the determination in his voice like steel, encapsulating the final vision Yukari wanted to see.
Godfall... indeed.