Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan

Chapter 26: Your most humble servant

With the day of the duel getting closer, everyone also started to get busy.

As this fight would decide the commander of the Shikoku Youkai, naturally, everything couldn't be shabby.

As most of them were tanuki, they all wanted this event to be the grandest event of the year or even in the history of the Shikoku Youkai.

The battle would be held on Awashima Island, near Matsuyama Castle, a castle that his father failed to conquer in the past. However, it was different now since this castle was owned by Tamazuki.

By now, it wouldn't be weird if Tamazuki had conquered the entire Shikoku. Whether they were human or youkai, they could only bow at him, showing their reverence.

Yet, even so, the name of Inugamigyoubu Danuki wasn't something that one could scoff at. As a leader of the Shikoku Youkai, his father had held his position for so long, and his prestige wasn't something that one could shake off easily.

This should be the case since among all of his children, even the oldest one was nothing but a disappointment.

Yet, Tamazuki was different, and Danuki saw hope in him.

With that said, how could he let him hold the position of the commander so easily?

'Now, let me see your growth, Tamazuki.'

While Danuki trained before his battle, Tamazuki and Yosuzume went to visit his house, which was located near Cape Ashizuri.

Cape Ashizuri is a headland at the southernmost tip of the Japanese island of Shikoku, in the city of Tosashimizu, Kochi Prefecture. The promontory extends into the Pacific Ocean and is situated within Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Above the cape is Cape Ashizuri Lighthouse, which started operating in 1914, and two observatories, while a short distance inland stands Kongoufuku-ji, the thirty-eighth temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and a bronze statue of Nakahama Manjirou, which was born nearby. Due to coastal erosion, there are a number of caves around the cape, including Hakusan Cave, said to be the largest granite cave in the country, and a Prefectural Natural Monument.

He had too much money, and it was wasteful if he didn't use it, so he used them for various things, including the number of houses in many parts of the world, including near Cape Ashizuri.

Still, the reason why he came here was to meet someone.

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The venue where his battle would start was in the north area of Shikoku Island, and his meeting would be held in the south area.

He didn't exactly try to hide who he was going to meet, but he knew this meeting would give him a new power. He knew most of the plot, and he also knew the history since he had read all the records, everything which related to the Nura Clan, Hagoromo Gitsune, Abe no Seimei, and even the Tono Youkai.

The Nura Clan had a lot of enemies, and they were all-powerful, including him, Hagoromo Gitsune, and lastly...

"It's our first meeting, the young lord of Shikoku Island. As expected, I can see how heroic your figure is. The seat of the commander of Shikoku Island must be in your hands soon!"

"Thank you for the praise, but anything can happen on the battlefield. It's too soon to say that I can become the commander.

"Oh, how humble you are! I am sure that all of your followers will be happy to serve a master like you."

The two talked pleasantries as Yosuzume prepared tea and cookies.

"Since Yosuzume has said that it is her acquaintance, I have prepared the tea, which is often bought by the royal family in England, and several sweets from the favorite shop of the old money and noble family in Paris."

"..."

The guest was quite flabbergasted since it was his first time seeing a youkai who was interested in the West. Honestly, he didn't show much of an interest in the Western since he died during the time when this country was isolated, so his interaction with the foreigner was rather low, or even null, yet the introduction of tea, which was often bought by the royal family in England and several sweets from the favorite shop of the old money and noble family in Paris, intrigued him and he even thought that he was welcomed with the utmost respect, which made him, please.

While he was curious and wanted to test them, he still showed his respect to Tamazuki.

"I am sorry for troubling you. It must be hard for you to collect all of them."

"Not really. When you have money and authority, everything is simple. We, Youkai, have more advantages over humans, especially in our longevity. It is just that most of the youkai are too stupid to use their advantage."

"You are right."

This time, he agreed with Tamazuki's words, then he smiled and praised him once again. "With how bright and smart you are, then it is only a time before you rule this country, Tamazuki-sama." As for what he was truly thinking, no one knew.

Yet, he had to say Tamazuki knew how to enjoy his life well. Even during his life, he didn't have such a grand mansion as this. He was quite rich, if not the richest man in the country before in his life, but compared to Tamazuki; he felt poor somehow.

Somehow, he felt a bit jealous of Tamazuki and also wanted to be reincarnated to the world as soon as possible since this era was one the best. In his era, the Shogun was number one, and as a merchant, his status was the lowest. He could only curry the favor of the officials, nobles, and many others, so he could have a nice life, but did he really want to? No.

However, in this era, the world was ruled by money, and this was what he loved the most. Instead of currying favor, everyone would try to please him like they were the most obedient dog.

With Yosuzume by his side, Tamazuki smiled and didn't answer the youkai's praise. Instead, he asked, "Are you interested in this mansion?"

"Ah, I am sorry for being rude." He apologized since he knew that he had been looking around. "But this place is so beautiful that I can't help but take a second glance."

"Right? I built this villa based on the Palace of Versailles."

"Palace of Versailles? What is that?" He was curious.

"It's a palace built by King Louis XIV. The last king of France before the revolution."

"Oh... you are so knowledgeable..." Tamazuki was so knowledgeable about the world, which made him speechless, yet he had to admit whether Tamazuki or that king had good taste.

The garden was covered with various flowers, such as tulips, roses, lilies, and many others. Moreover, the park, built and embellished by several generations of architects, sculptors, painters, ornamentals, and landscape artists, represented Europe for more than a century, the perfect model of a royal residence.

The architectural planning and the majestic composition of the landscape form a close symbiosis, serving as a setting for the magnificence of the interior decorations.

The building was so grand and intricately built to show the utmost beauty of the design.

Even the majestic castle of the Shogun was lost to Tamazuki's one of the villas, which made this youkai lament. Yet, this also made his desire to reincarnate grow stronger.

"So, is there a reason why you are here?"

"No, no, I just want to know you, Tamazuki-sama. Thank you for basking me in your presence. This Mitsume Yazura is happy to meet you."

Mitsume Yazura.

He was a large-built youkai with three eyes. He was also the leader of the Three-Eyed Party, and more importantly, he was a member of the Nura Clan.

"You should thank Yosuzume. If not, I won't meet you."

"Ah, yes, thank you."

Yosuzume and Mitsume were quite surprised by Tamazuki's words, but Mitsume quickly echoed.

"Hmm... but it surprises me to know that the member of the Nura Clan is coming to meet me. Don't you think that I am your enemy?" Tamazuki asked curiously.

"No, no, how can I think so! I am not your enemy! I don't dare to become your enemy! On the contrary, I am here to show my allegiance to you."

"You want to leave the Nura Clan?"

"Yes." Mitsume nodded with a sigh. "I can't see the future with the Nura Clan, and this clan will fall sooner or later for being led by a fourth-bred youkai brat." He didn't hide his hate toward Nura Rikuo, showing utmost disrespect toward the grandson of the Nura Clan.

Tamazuki only chuckled. "Don't say that Nurarihyon isn't weak, and he still has a lot of friends."

"But Nurarihyon and those friends are nothing in front of you, Tamazuki-sama, so if possible, I hope you can accept this gift."

"Oh, you don't need to do something so troublesome. If you want to join, then you can join. As long as you are youkai, I will accept you no matter what your background is."

"Ah... how magnanimous, benevolent, and generous you are, Tamazuki-sama."

Mitsume seemed to be on the verge of crying since he was accepted by Tamazuki and moved by Tamazuki's generosity.

"....." Yosuzume.

"This Mitsume Yazura is happy that I am able to serve under you, Tamazuki-sama, but please accept this gift since under my hands, I can only waste the potential of this weapon, but in your hands, I can tell that this gift will shine at its utmost radiance."

"Oh-ho?"

"Please accept this."

Showing his allegiance, Mitsume presented the sword to Tamazuki with his utmost respect.

Watching this sword, Tamazuki could tell what kind of sword it was.

"Maou's Hammer, huh?"