Lancer was very familiar with Amayuki's complex gaze. Mado Kureo had looked similar when mentioning Mado Akira's mother, as had Amon Koutarou when mentioning the girlfriend he lost to a Ghoul. But unlike those two, Amayuki's expression held more helplessness and... a hint of admiration?
Lancer inner gossip-monger immediately woke up.
"Is that 'Youkai Sage' very beautiful?"
"Yes, very beautiful. She's the most beautiful person I've seen in my life..."
Halfway through, he noticed Lancer curious gaze and waved it off with a helpless look.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I saw her, but back then I wasn't even a Great Youkai. I was just a guard for an Elder. She probably didn't even know I existed... sigh."
Hearing his sigh, Lancer grew curious. What kind of person could make Amayuki remain so infatuated after hundreds of years? It was clearly an unspoken one-sided crush. He was likely only saying it now because he was drunk; if asked tomorrow, he probably wouldn't admit it.
'How much charm does that "Youkai Sage" have?'
Thinking this, Lancer gaze drifted to the small cucumber in "Zero's" hand, then to the pickled cucumbers on the appetizer plate in front of him. He froze for a moment, then gave a strange smile.
Why was he thinking so much? According to Amayuki, he had turned from a youth into a greasy middle-aged man over centuries; who knew if that "Youkai Sage" had turned into an old hag?
Thinking this, Lancer stopped worrying about her looks and happily took a sip of his sake.
Though he wasn't sure if it was his imagination, he felt a bit of a chill despite the drink.
'It's probably just the heavy humidity here, right?'
Perhaps because of Amayuki's admiration for the "Youkai Sage," Lancer took his words with a grain of salt. For instance, according to Amayuki, she was able to single-handedly defeat the Oni King of that era hundreds of years ago and force them to migrate to the current "Onigashima." Also, she had once dueled the Tengu's "Tenma." No one knew the outcome, but based on how frequently the Tengu clan interacted with the Sage, it was clear she hadn't lost.
If all of that was true, just how terrifying was her strength?
But why was she not well-known among ordinary youkai?
And why did she seem to be deliberately suppressing information about herself?
Amayuki didn't know, and Lancer couldn't guess. But one thing was certain—she had definitely lived a long time. Not everyone had a system like him to train in different worlds. The only way for youkai in this world to grow stronger was through time and growth—even the taboo of eating human livers had only appeared in the last few centuries. According to Amayuki, that method didn't exist before, as humans were scarce and not a staple for vicious youkai.
After many drinks, Amayuki leaned against a pillar, looking despondent.
"The 'Youkai Sage' has always been mysterious. To this day, no one has found her unless she chose to reveal herself. It's as if she lives in another dimension. After becoming a Great Youkai, I tried to find her dwelling, but found nothing. Indeed, if you want to find her, the Tengu's 'Tenma' might be the only one with specific intel. This time she only appeared briefly to the Kappa to notify us that 'the age of youkai is declining' before vanishing again. Sigh..."
With a sigh, the Kappa fell sound asleep. Lancer shook his head helplessly.
But just as he pulled open the sliding door to let the servants in to attend to Amayuki, an "accident" happened.
[Side Quest: Kaguya-hime Troubles ③]
[Quest Description: Tired of the incessant proposals from her suitors, Kaguya-hime is starting to find it bothersome. Think of a way to solve this for her.]
[Quest Reward: Kaguya-hime Favor +15]
[Current Favor: 45]
The sudden quest notification stunned Lancer. He didn't expect the side quest to trigger now. After all, he wasn't at Bamboo Mountain; why did it trigger?
He had planned to wait for Amayuki to wake up before leaving, but it seemed he had to leave without saying goodbye. This first "Chain Quest" he had encountered had not only piqued his curiosity, but he had already put in significant effort. If he failed, wouldn't all that effort be wasted?
And most importantly, this quest seemed incredibly simple to him!
It was right there in the story of "Kaguya-hime" he knew!
He took out paper and pen and wrote that he had urgent business and had to leave immediately. He also explained how to contact him and apologized, inviting Amayuki for another drink next time.
After giving the letter to the servants, he prepared to leave, but then he felt his pant leg being tugged.
Lancer looked down and saw "Zero," holding half a chewed cucumber, looking at him silently.
He wasn't sure if it was because she was his item and there was an invisible connection, or if Lancer had just made a lucky guess.
"Sorry, could you prepare a box of small cucumbers for me?"
Looking at the waist-high Kappa servant, Lancer made a bizarre request with a helpless face.
The Kappa was clearly stunned, but quickly reacted and ran off. Soon, he returned with a jar of pickled cucumbers and a wooden box full of fresh small cucumbers with the stems still attached...
Finally, Lancer set off, leaving Amayuki's home with "Zero," who looked very happy holding her cucumber. He then had Zero return to her weapon form and tucked her into the suitcase. Clearly, up to this point, Lancer still viewed "Zero" only as a somewhat special weapon.
He then pulled out his staff and tapped the ground. A man-sized portal formed instantly, and Lancer stepped through.
With just one step, the scenery changed completely. Lancer was now in a world of ice and snow. Undoubtedly, this was where he had planted that modified cherry blossom tree; it was very close to Bamboo Mountain.