Recruitment

In Choyo-machi, atop the Five-Story Pagoda on the lake island, Miketsu sat at the tower's peak, observing the three elders before her with interest. Their recent words had already revealed why they had invited Miketsu here today.

“You wish to... entrust Choyo-machi to my governance?” Miketsu didn't beat around the bush with Elder Sanzu, but spoke directly.

“Heh heh... Since Lord Owl is so straightforward, I won't mince words either. You are right; given the current circumstances, I can no longer serve as the master of Choyo-machi. Compared to me, you are the better candidate. Therefore, I now wish to join your ranks and cede the title of Choyo-machi's master to you...” Elder Sanzu continued, his attitude appearing very sincere. Miketsu paused slightly after hearing him, then spoke directly.

“Perhaps you can elaborate... on your considerations.”

“There's nothing much to consider; it's merely a matter of circumstances. Your influence within Heian-kyo's demon realm has reached a point where I must declare my stance. The world of Yokai reveres prestige and strength, and you far surpass me in both. So much so that many of my subordinates have already voluntarily left to follow you...” As he spoke, a hint of melancholy seemed to creep into Elder Sanzu's tone.

“Establishing a Ghost Market beneath the Onmyoryo's feet requires not only extreme caution but also a keen understanding of the situation. Owl's rise is an undeniable fact. An unprecedented Yokai Lord will emerge in Kinki, where the Onmyoryo resides. Your dominion over the entire Kinki demon realm is merely a matter of time... I may not have pledged allegiance at the optimal moment, but perhaps now is not too late...”

Elder Sanzu bowed slightly towards Miketsu as he spoke. Miketsu almost burst out laughing. Elder Sanzu's mastery of adapting to circumstances and protecting himself was slightly beyond her expectations.

“Indeed, it's not too late... To control the entire Kinki demon realm, one must first control its various Ghost Markets. I'm not entirely clear on the situation of each Ghost Market or how to manage them. In the future... I may need much assistance from you, Sanzu...”

“Ha... that is truly excellent! I thank Lord Owl here and now. From this moment on, this entire Choyo-machi shall be completely under Lord Owl's command...”

Miketsu responded calmly to Elder Sanzu, who, upon hearing her words, immediately expressed his joy vocally and bowed deeply to Miketsu.

Clearly, Elder Sanzu understood Miketsu's meaning. Owl was willing to accept his surrender and allow him to continue governing Choyo-machi to some extent, without completely seizing power—this was exactly what he desired.

Miketsu was also pleased to see Elder Sanzu join. After all, he had managed Choyo-machi quite well, so there was no need to replace him and take on a troublesome task. Moreover, Owl's power had rapidly expanded after the abolition of the Demon-Binding Jail; merely controlling Heian-kyo's demon realm could no longer contain this force. Expansion was inevitable, and Miketsu precisely needed an advisor familiar with the various Ghost Markets and Secret Realms.

Having taken over Choyo-machi peacefully, Miketsu was in good spirits. Just as she was about to enjoy another of Elder Sanzu's tunes, a familiar demonic aura rapidly approached from afar. Miketsu turned her head and saw a bright yellow figure flying from the sky to the top of the Five-Story Pagoda, landing on the floor—it was Makoto.

“Lord Owl... an envoy from the human court has come to request an audience and is currently waiting at the Izakaya...” Makoto conveyed the message directly and succinctly. Hearing Makoto's words, Miketsu was momentarily stunned.

“The human court? What are they doing here?” Miketsu wondered. Generally, if humans wanted to interact with Owl, a Yokai, shouldn't it be through the Onmyoryo? Why would the court itself appear? Although the high-ranking officials of the Onmyoryo and the court were essentially the same people, it was clearly more appropriate for the Onmyoryo to handle matters concerning Yokai.

Hearing Miketsu's question, Makoto's expression became slightly peculiar.

“According to them... they say it's for an imperial enfeoffment...”

“Imperial enfeoffment?”

In Choyo-machi, on the road in front of the Cat Izakaya, a large crowd of various Yokai had gathered. They formed a circle, curiously observing what was before them. In the center of this circle was a group of nobly dressed humans.

This group of humans consisted mainly of Onmyoji and samurai. They looked around intently, wary of the curious gazes from the surrounding Yokai. In the midst of these Onmyoji and samurai were several officials dressed in court robes. As ordinary people, they stared at the surrounding Yokai with terrified expressions, their faces pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably...

“What are these humans doing... running into the Ghost Market?”

“Although Lord Owl forbids killing humans... aren't these fellows a bit too arrogant?”

“They're Onmyoji... and quite a few of them. What are they doing here?”

The Yokai observing the humans continued to whisper, constantly speculating and discussing the purpose of this group of humans.

Just then, a demonic aura familiar to all Yokai emanated from behind them. Upon sensing this aura, the Yokai suddenly felt a chill down their spines. They all fell silent and turned their heads, seeing a dark figure slowly approaching.

In a brief moment of commotion, the observing Yokai quickly parted to both sides, instinctively clearing a path. Miketsu, under the gaze of many eyes, slowly walked to the front of the human contingent, standing there and silently observing them, especially the officials protected in the center.

Stared at by Miketsu's crimson single eye, the human officials seemed to feel immense pressure. After a moment of hesitation, the highest-ranking official among them took two steps forward, swallowed twice, and then spoke.

“You... are the Great Yokai... Owl?”

“Yes...” Miketsu replied simply, with interest. She wanted to see what kind of trick the human court in Heian-kyo was up to.

After confirming her identity, the representative official wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, adjusted his breathing, and then spoke in as normal a tone as possible.

“By imperial decree, the Great Yokai Owl is hereby recognized for her meritorious service in protecting the two realms of the capital and Kinki. She is specially enfeoffed as the Great General for Subduing Evil, granted the First Rank, to command all Yokai under heaven, to subjugate evil and exterminate demons, and to safeguard peace in both realms...”

After the official finished speaking, several other people behind him tremblingly came forward. On the trays in their hands, a set of luxurious general's armor was displayed separately.

Seeing the scene before her, Miketsu was slightly taken aback. A moment later, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

“Hahaha... You humans are truly amusing. To win me over without losing face or inviting gossip, you actually came up with such a method...”