Chapter 37: Rainy Day

The clouds changed from a deep black color to light gray hues, this was not only due to the decrease in the strength of the rain, but also due to the change from thunder to wind and night to day. 

The wind was now the protagonist of the morning pushing, dragging and blowing the light raindrops everywhere. On the other hand, in one of the multiple interior rooms of the castle a rather strange scene was taking place. 

"You threw me off the futon?"

"It was unnecessary to get to that point. You just jumped out in the middle of the night."

Talking to the lady with flowing dark hair lying on the futon with her back straight and her legs under the blanket. The blonde haired young man lets a dark smile grace his face, then grabs one of her tails and starts slapping her as he speaks to her. 

"I've been betrayed! Was it because I traded them for the futon? Talk to me!"

"You know they're not real. right?"

Hearing the priestess' words, he removes the hand that was keeping the poor tail imprisoned and slowly turns around before speaking.

"No, no, they're not real?"

"Pure demons don't differ much from normal humans, except for having pointed ears and superhuman beauty. Your current physical form is more akin to a Half-demon by keeping those ears and tails, though anyone who can sense the energy you naturally emanate will be able to tell what a pure demon you are."

Even with all the words that could be positive to other demons, Asahiko still has a darkened face as he strokes one of his tails and mutters under his breath. Perhaps noticing the disturbance in the mood, from Cloudy Fang appears Saya before asking what has happened. 

"I understand, but maybe you're both wrong. Those tails are probably real, but these right here are not... To make it simple, your real form must have those tails and the ones we see right here are just a reflection of that created from pure energy"

"I see, then they can be considered real... Wait! You knew this and that's why you want to use one to make a sword, yet you let me suffer for a few moments!"

Switching from a look of understanding to one that promises pain and suffering, Asahiko slowly approaches Saya, though before he can reach him, Saya escapes again towards Clouded Fang.

Christopher pov. 

"As agreed we have exchanged a portion of your bounty for two finely trained horses and provisions for your journey. Still I would like to remind you that you may stay as long as it takes for your companion to recover and you as well."

Forming a polite smile on my face and nodding in the direction of the feudal lord who is on the other side of the desk, I snap my fingers causing him to enter a trance state easily by activating my charm, then reply. 

"Well done, now I need you to follow some simple orders."

Uttering a few lip congratulations, as despite being in a trance, this one may be weakened depending on my behaviors with his person. Putting that matter out of my head, I start giving her some simple and direct orders. 

"I understand... Everyone will know your name and what you have done here."

Concluding that my charm has done the job, I calmly get up from the chair and head towards the door before giving him a few parting words. Leaving the feudal lord's room, I walk down the halls until I reach my room and enter it. 

"You look good. Better than this morning you have to admit."

Looking at Kikyo who can now stand and also walk slowly, I nod towards her confirming something before speaking while picking up a few personal things. 

"It's only superficial... I'm currently completely unable to fight."

Finishing grabbing my few belongings, such as Clouded Fang, talismans and two changes of Onmyōji clothes that those guards had hidden. I turn around to see Kikyo finishing tying her hair before picking up her bow and moving towards the door. 

"Shall we go?"

"Sure."

Finishing talking amongst ourselves and opening the door to the aisles, we get moving towards the stable where the newly obtained horses await. 

Some time later. 

"Luckily I ordered these paper umbrellas as an extra. I wouldn't want us to be wet again as soon as we leave the castle."

Watching as the sky again begins to release rain and the peal of drops on the umbrella, I begin to spin this beauty belonging to antiquity. 

"You've gotten a lot of extra stuff."

"What can I tell you, he was a very charitable man. Getting off that subject that no one cares about, the fake demon didn't have the shard."

Avoiding Kikyo's piercing eyes that show clear doubt about how charitable the feudal lord was to me, I move the umbrella to the side covering her field of vision from me, then quickly change the topic of conversation. 

"I got it."

"Heh?"

Dropping my head to the side and giving Kikyo a look of pure doubt. She seems to notice my hesitation so she slowly begins to speak. 

"The demon you fought, he was already dead for quite some time and this shard rested in his remains under the castle."

"Then what did I fight?"

"The shard came too late to bring this demon back to life, but that only applies to his flesh and blood form. Most likely what you fought against there was its soul revived by the shard, that's why it could only manifest every few months, then every few weeks and finally every day."

It was a pretty detailed explanation to my mind,although it's also the first time he's spoken so much and that might make me feel like he's said too much... YES, better not to get tangled up in these little things. 

"Good! All said and done.Now where to?"

Accepting her explanation and getting this topic out of my thoughts, I changed the angle of my umbrella so I could look up at the gray sky before talking to Kikyo about our next destination. 

"Umm... That way."

Considering it for a few moments, Kikyo's left arm comes out from under the umbrella's protection and points towards a particular direction that will become our next destination. 

"Well, without further ado, let the journey continue!"