The Old Capital

As I took in the sights of the Old Capital, I couldn't help but notice that despite its name, it didn't appear particularly old.

The buildings were reminiscent of traditional Japanese houses, exuding a timeless charm. The streets were adorned with fiery hanging lanterns, casting a warm and inviting glow

It was a picturesque scene that seemed to blend the old and the new seamlessly.

Though the city was built underground, I learned from Lady Satori that it still received snowfall.

The capital was primarily inhabited by oni, who had moved underground long ago in a mutually beneficial agreement with the yamas. In exchange for keeping the vengeful spirits in check, the oni was granted permission to reside in the Old Capital.

I had also heard that a small oni who occasionally visited the capital. It must be Suika.

"Hm? Good timing." Lady Satori walked up to a girl wearing a black and brown dress.

"Yamame."

"Hm? Lady Satori! What are you doing here?" Yamame looked surprised and then noticed Rin and me. "Oh, Rin and...?"

"I'm Shun."

"Shun? Have I heard that name before?"

Satori chimed in. "He's the butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion."

"Ohh!~ I see! Nice to meet you, Shun! My name is Yamame Kurodani." She bowed politely.

"Anyway, Lady Satori... Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Satori looked at me and then turned to Yamame. "Please guide us to the nearest and finest food stall."

"Eh? Nearest and finest? Well... I can take you there, but..."

"But?"

"Miss Yuugi is currently occupying it."

"Hm? Miss Yuugi?"

Satori looked back at me. "Yuugi Hoshiguma, an oni currently living in the Ancient City. She was once one of the Big Four of the Mountain."

So she's THAT strong?

Satori nodded.

"Oh, she's reading my mind again..." I muttered to myself.

"Anyway, Yamame, lead us to Yuugi."

"Eh?! Are you sure!?" Yamame looked surprised and slightly nervous.

"Yes, we'd like to meet Yuugi. Please lead the way."

Yamame hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I... see. Follow me, please."

As we followed Yamame through the streets of the Ancient City, we were immersed in a lively atmosphere. The bustling food stall area was filled with the enticing aroma of various delicacies, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air.

But as we walked by, we heard a loud laughter that caught our attention. "Gahaha! You tell some great stories, Suika! A human working for that vampire? He sure has a death wish!" The boisterous voice belonged to none other than Yuugi.

Yamame timidly walked behind me, trembling slightly. "T-There she is..."

"That's Yuugi, huh... She's really big," I whispered to myself, taking in her imposing presence. Yuugi had long, straight blonde hair, red eyes, and a single red horn protruding from her forehead.

Yuugi noticed our presence and turned her attention toward us. "Well, well, what do we have here? Satori and her companions... And who is that guy?"

Suika, standing by Yuugi's side, looked at me with wide eyes. "Oh! It's the butler!"

"Hm? You mean THAT guy?" Yuugi replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Yeah!~

Suika nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Yeah!~ He's the butler from the Scarlet Devil Mansion!"

I took a step forward, offering a respectful bow to Yuugi. "It's an honor to meet you, Yuugi. I've heard many tales about your incredible strength and lively personality."

Yuugi laughed heartily, her voice reverberating through the air. "Well, it's always nice to meet someone who appreciates our stories and our way of life. Don't worry, I won't crush you like a bug," she teased, flashing a playful grin. "Though, I am quite curious about you."

Yuugi stands up. "about your strength."

Eh? Are we going to...

Satori looked at me and nodded. "That's why I'm also curious about how you fight, and this is also the reason why I led you to Yuugi."

"So this is all planned all along..." I murmured to myself.

Yuugi grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Well then, let's not keep each other waiting. Show me what you've got, Shun!"

A realization dawned on me as I observed the crows forming a circular arena around us. This was no ordinary encounter; it was a challenge, a test of strength.

I reached for the red crystal in my pocket and pricked my finger with its sharp tip. The crystal greedily absorbed my blood, transforming into a magnificent sword infused with a deep crimson hue.

"A magic item? Interesting." Yuugi murmured to herself.

The stage was set, and the time for battle had arrived.

"Let us begin."

Yuugi's eyes gleamed with excitement, and her competitive spirit ignited. "Indeed, Shun. Show me what you're capable of!"