"You... you're letting me go?"
'No, you earned your own life. After all, there aren't many people left who can give me a good workout; most of them hate 'physical activity.'
Clearly, the tone was no different than before, yet Lancer seemed to sense a hint of helplessness in the other party's voice. He simply didn't know what to say. Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to intend to question Lancer further; it was merely a simple complaint.
After complaining, it lowered its head again to observe Lancer closely. Though Lancer felt it was very strange, he didn't dare move recklessly and could only try his best to maintain his composure.
'I am curious. What exactly drove you to seek me out at the cost of your own life? Was it your family? Or your lover?'
As a Phoenix, it knew the function of its crest feather better than anyone. Although it wasn't its core, it contained an enormous amount of power—or rather, "vitality."
Lancer didn't know why the other party was asking this, but he shook his head.
"Neither. If I had to say, it would be for my fans, I suppose?"
'Fans? A language from another world?'
The opponent exposed Lancer identity in a single breath, but Lancer wasn't surprised at all. Though he didn't know why his connection with Yukari Yakumo had been cut off in the end, it was likely the opponent's doing. Since even Yukari could find his anomalies, it wasn't strange that this existence—ten or even a hundred times stronger than her—could discover them as well.
"Not exactly. It's a Western term, referring to admirers."
The seemingly casual chat between Lancer and the entity left Kasen Ibaraki, standing to the side, completely stunned. Her ability allowed her to communicate with any existence—not just living things, but inanimate objects as well. Although the conversation was occurring inside Lancer mind, she could still hear it through her ability. And it was precisely because of this that she was even more shocked.
Language from another world?
What exactly was Lancer identity?
She desperately wanted to confirm this with Lancer, but looking at the Holy Beast within the flames, she didn't dare speak.
'You seem to have something to say?'
"Yes, Lord..."
'Just call me "Phoenix." That is my race, and also my name.'
"Then, Lord Phoenix, why did you spare me?"
Lancer asked the previous question again, but the opponent merely tilted its head slightly, almost as if it were acting cute.
'Didn't I say it before? You earned your own life.'
"But..."
'Do you wish to die?'
The counter-question made the corner of Lancer mouth twitch uncontrollably.
"Of course not."
'Then why do you care so much? Are you dissatisfied with surviving?'
Lancer didn't know if the other party was truly ignorant or just being sarcastic, but fortunately, the opponent didn't seem to intend to keep teasing him.
'Do you remember what I said before? Entertain me! This crest feather is your reward for entertaining me. Do you think I am one of those tyrannical monsters?'
The opponent's matter-of-fact tone left Lancer speechless. Perhaps because he was "human," he habitually viewed the other as a "terrifying existence," but in reality, the entity was completely reasonable. In fact, the wisdom accumulated over countless years was something Lancer couldn't even imagine.
To the entity, he was probably no different than a small child.
Although the opponent might not be able to hear Lancer literal voice, reading expressions was no problem.
'Little fellow, you are truly a surprise. I have seen countless people as strong and proud as you, but few who can so calmly recognize their own issues.'
"There's nothing to be proud of. After all, I've seen too many people I have to look up to..."
'Do not belittle yourself. Not many can complete my "trial." You are fully entitled to your pride. Since ancient times, those who pass my trials have all been heroes praised by their kin. So, show some confidence!'
Although the entity said he had "won," Lancer unfortunately felt no sense of reality about it. In the end, he could only nod with a complex heart.
'Interesting little fellow, the idle chat ends here. It is time for me to leave. Since I've woken up for once, I shall go chat with that fellow to the East.'
The fellow to the East? Lancer wasn't very familiar with the geography. His first reaction was the right side of the map, which was...
The Pacific Ocean? Beneath the Pacific... could it be...
Shaking his head, Lancer wondered if his brain was scrambled from the heat. On second thought, given the entity's status, it probably referred to the Divine Beast guarding the East.
Without giving Lancer more time to think, the opponent flapped its wings violently. Countless sparks fell from the sky, and the flames enveloping Lancer gradually dissipated...
The sudden eruption of Mount Fuji terrified countless people, especially the terrifying white lava that had never appeared before. Many mountain dwellers living nearby knelt on the ground and prayed loudly. However, to everyone's surprise, as the eruption stopped, a loud, clear cry rang out abruptly.
Almost every living creature within the vicinity of Mount Fuji heard this sound. Countless birds naturally took to the sky, chirping in unison, as if calling out to something...
This strange event caught many people's attention, but by the time they reached Mount Fuji, everything was over. Simultaneously, a rumor spread from the Youkai world into human society.
The fact that the "Red Oni" was searching for the Phoenix was no secret. Aside from the Youkai who helped him, most other Youkai and humans hadn't cared much. After all, the "Phoenix" hadn't appeared in Japan for a thousand years. But when the Phoenix's cry rang out, and it was learned that the Red Oni himself was at Mount Fuji, many realized one thing: he might have actually done it!
However, unlike the curious onlookers, a large portion of Youkai silently prayed that Lancer had been burned to ash. Although it wasn't a secret that Lancer protected some Youkai, those he protected were undoubtedly "outliers" in the Youkai community. Most Youkai maintained a neutral attitude; they neither wished to integrate into human society nor intentionally threatened humans, living their lives like parallel lines.
The city belonged to humans; the wilderness belonged to Youkai.
The day belonged to humans; the night belonged to Youkai.
Those Youkai who were hostile to humans or viewed them as prey naturally hoped this guy Lancer had been reduced to cinders. But to their disappointment, only a day later, Lancer reappeared. Only this time, his image was a bit... eerie.
He had a bald head similar to a monk's, and even his eyebrows had vanished completely.