Why can't humans do it too?

Even Tamamo-no-Mae herself knew this, but her overly kind nature made it impossible for her to ignore the past.

"That's exactly right. All we need to do is seek righteous revenge!" Sensing Tamamo-no-Mae's wavering, Takeminagata's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "The Amaterasu lineage, which has committed such evil deeds, is no longer worthy to stand on this earth! Without a doubt!"

As he finished speaking, loud shouts erupted from the army of Izumo, a mixture of vicious curses and cheers. Even the mortals, freed from their fear, threw punches with fanatical expressions toward the location of the giant fox.

The yokai serving Tamamo-no-Mae naturally retaliated with curses, turning the originally serious battlefield into something resembling a bustling marketplace. This left Su'er bewildered yet surprisingly understandable... after all, this era was so primitive.

Tamamo-no-Mae and Takeminakata heard all the noise from both sides. Without any prior agreement, they knew the time had come.

"superior."

"Kill them!"

Different words, but the same command. As soon as the words fell, the demons rushed forward, their claws and hooves barely kicking up dust on the turned-up earth. Many more demons took to the air, their eerie blue-purple flames scorching their red fur, leaving only scorch marks.

The war has begun.

From underground to the surface, from the ground to the sky, they were locked in a fierce battle.

“After this war, many monsters will probably spawn here, right?” Xin Ke suddenly said, looking at the battlefield in the distance where the shouts of battle were deafening.

"Pretty much, right? After all, a lot of monsters will definitely die, and then they'll just sprout up like grass when the wind blows," Su'er said with a sigh. "From this perspective, the ecosystem of this world is really balanced, isn't it? You can kill and die at will, and then living beings will be born from the corpses... Huh?"

Suddenly stopping, Suer stared at the ground below, where a golden-haired figure in purple robes was waving at him. It was undoubtedly Yukari Yakumo, but how did she know they were here?

Suer was quite certain that he and Xinke were well hidden and would not be discovered by other monsters.

Leaving that question aside for the time being, Suer raised his hand and pulled Yakumo Yukari along. The blonde banshee did not resist the sudden power and quickly came to Suer's side.

"How did you know we were here?" Suer asked immediately, and Yakumo Yukari answered without hesitation.

“It was the yashiki-dō who told me.”

Very good, case solved.

Suer decided to spank the little guy when they got back later.

"Why did you run out? You should be fighting over there right now, shouldn't you? I just saw you behind Takeminakata," Su asked, puzzled.

"It's just too dangerous. That nine-tailed fox won't show any mercy to youkai, and I also have a small reputation among youkai. If she sees me, it'll be troublesome," Yukari Yakumo answered frankly.

"...You can't be a lord of demons if you're so afraid of death, can you?" Su'er said, somewhat speechless. "Generally speaking, this is the perfect opportunity to lead by example, win people's hearts, demonstrate your power, and expand your prestige, right? Isn't it a waste of a good opportunity for you to run away like this?"

"You said it yourself, that was just to win people's hearts... Youkai aren't human, you know. For youkai, the one who survives to the end is the winner... Besides, I'm still there, aren't I?" Yukari Yakumo smiled and tapped her finger lightly.

In the direction she pointed, Suer saw a purple figure flashing between claws, then shook his head.

“You know that a clone like yours can’t fool those powerful demons… Oh well, it has nothing to do with me anyway,” Suer sighed as he spoke. “Tamamo-no-Mae is about to die, you must be very happy, right?”

This blonde banshee had long considered the existence of the nine-tailed fox as the biggest obstacle to her unification of the demons, but that obstacle was about to disappear.

It's hard to describe my current feelings. I can't say I'm sad or happy, but I'm quite disappointed that the nine-tailed fox who was so kind to me and Xin Ke is about to die... especially since the cunning female demon is the one who ultimately benefits the most.

Suer glanced at Yakumo Yukari.

"If you're hoping to see me conquer demons with sheer power, you're in for a disappointment... I was never that kind of demon from the start, and my power is merely enough to play tricks," Yukari Yakumo said calmly, clearly aware of her own limitations.

"Ah, that's true," Su'er replied casually, adding, "Then I wish you success in advance."

"Grateful."

Although he offered his blessings, Suer secretly looked down on this kind of yokai who ran away when trouble came but still wanted to compete for the position of yokai master. He could only say that Yukari Yakumo was right. In the world of yokai, only those who survive are the winners, and those who know the truth... might be buried silently by this smiling guy.

Only what survives countless years later will be the truth.

"Are you here to wait for Takamagahara's reaction?" Since her previous trip to Yamato, Yukari Yakumo was naturally aware of Sue's curiosity about Takamagahara, but now her words seemed to have another meaning.

"What? Are those guys too?" Suer pointed in the direction of several other monsters who were also hiding and watching.

"Are you worried about Amaterasu's reaction after the Nine-Tailed Fox dies?" Xin Ke, who had been staring at the giant fox fighting in the distance since the beginning, suddenly interjected, "After all, that fox was born from the side of Amaterasu, and in mythology, Amaterasu is said to have hidden in the Heavenly Rock Cave because she was angry."

"Given this precedent, it's hard to guarantee that the one in Takamagahara won't get angry again and hide away because of the Nine-Tailed Fox's death. If that happens, Ashihara no Naka de will be plunged into a long period of darkness. And it's uncertain whether Amaterasu will be tricked out again this time. After all, we've been fooled once before," Xin Ke said slowly.

"If we consider things from this perspective, I'm afraid those ancient monsters who have lived for a very long time are also struggling with whether or not to intervene and rescue the nine-tailed fox from Izumo Kingdom," Xin Ke concluded.

“Yes, if the earth were to fall into prolonged darkness again… that would be troublesome.” Although she said it was troublesome, Yukari Yakumo didn’t seem to feel troubled at all. Instead, she said with a smile.

Chapter Forty-Nine: Primitive

Even though Su'er has long considered this era to be the mythical age because of a few familiar names, for the gods and monsters who are truly born and raised in this era, it is still an era that can be called myth and legend for them as well.

That was an era even more distant than when the nine-tailed fox descended to earth hundreds of years ago. The gods were unrestrained and unrestricted because his younger brother, Susanoo, refused to leave Takamagahara and did things like filling in irrigation ditches and throwing excrement all over Amaterasu's shrine, which were acts of revenge against society. However, the good-natured Amaterasu could not be strong enough to drive Susanoo away and could only hide in the Ame no Iwato in a fit of pique.

The nightmare of Ashihara no Naka de began. As the god representing the sun and also the god in charge of light, when Tomate chose to hide, the world was plunged into darkness. In the eternal night, apart from some fluorescent plants and insects, there was not a trace of light in the entire world.

Compared to that long, hopeless night, the brief seven-day darkness when the nine-tailed fox was born hundreds of years ago was not even worthy of being called a night watchman. Evil spirits swarmed, and demons surged like waves, their exact numbers impossible to count. Natural disasters followed, as if everything was about to be destroyed.

If it weren't for the eight million gods devising a way to trick Amaterasu out of the Heavenly Rock Cave, the endless darkness and suffering would likely have continued forever. That's why, for those old demons who experienced this upheaval, this was the last thing they wanted to see happen.

No one knows how Amaterasu will react when she sees the nine-tailed fox, who was born from her side, die. For those proud gods, this may be the greatest insult. Even a good-tempered god like Amaterasu cannot tolerate such an insult. Anger and hatred—what will she do?

During those seven dark nights hundreds of years ago, the most panicked were not even humans, but the gods and monsters who had lived for far too long.

In this era where the Milky Way is blocked and the gods cannot descend to the mortal realm, the most satisfying and punitive thing Amaterasu can do is perhaps to hide in the Heavenly Rock Cave once again. Having experienced being tricked and pulled out last time, she probably won't make the same mistake a second time.

By then, Ashihara Chugoku will be finished.

This is exactly what those demons, who are lurking on the edge of the battlefield, are worried about, wanting to protect the nine-tailed fox as she lies dying.

Given Yakumo Yukari's current status among youkai, Suer didn't believe that no youkai would have told her about the hidden dangers behind this. However, the blonde banshee didn't show any sign of worry. Was it because she knew that there would be a youkai to cover for her if things got worse? Or did she have other plans?

While pondering this, when Suer looked over, all she could see was Yakumo Yukari's gentle smile. On the other side, the deafening battle cries continued. This was perhaps the largest war between gods and yokai since the appearance of Ashihara no Chugoku, and such a title would continue to be passed down to future generations—although in Suer and Shinko's eyes, it still lacked something.

It's still too small-scale. With so many forces combined, they've only managed to dig up a thin layer of land and flatten the mountains on both sides of the valley. In the previous world, this would have been considered safe enough for an expedition to risk passing through the edge of a human settlement.

The large, jade-colored fox undoubtedly confronted Takeminakata head-on, and her strength was undeniably superior to Takeminakata's. Even Takeminakata himself knew this, so he chose to attack simultaneously with four helpers.

The gods and monsters of this world are terrifyingly simple. Even if they use drugs or steal the enemy's weapons, as long as they can successfully kill the enemy, it is a brave act worth praising... Suer doesn't know if this perception is a limitation of the era or a manifestation of the region, but neither side in the battle, including the nine-tailed fox herself, has ever uttered any despicable words. They even regard fighting with more people than others as normal.

Etiquette and honor certainly exist, yet they also seem not to.

Despite her enormous size, Tamamo-no-Mae was anything but clumsy. Her agility and cunning astonished even the gods and demons who opposed her. It was as if she had fallen into an ocean of shimmering white fur. She was right in front of her, yet she seemed not to be there. She was in front of her, and she was behind her. Despite fighting five against one, she displayed the momentum of a counter-encirclement, and even the five gods of Takeminakata were at a disadvantage.

When one of the huge, fluffy, soft tails that Xinke had once rolled around on lashed down like a whip, its tufted fur became the sharpest sword, wounding with a mere graze, even carrying the brilliance and heat of the sun. The place struck by it would shimmer with starlight, the skin charred and the flesh torn, and this charred mark would gradually erode into the body until the owner of the flesh agreed to have that piece of flesh removed.

A spirit of blazing white flame, a shrunken sun, rolled across the battlefield. Unhindered by Takeminakata and his four henchmen, Tamamo-no-Mae seemed to be leisurely strolling across the entire battlefield, her enormous fox eyes reflecting both friend and foe.

Sometimes she appears beside her subordinates, shielding them from potentially fatal attacks; other times she leaps behind the enemy, her massive tail merely pushing forward gently, like a mischievous girl, yet leading the enemy to their doom.

Compared to Tamamo-no-Mae's leisurely stroll, Takeminakata's massive physique became a complete burden at this moment, perfectly matching his image of a man whose fleshy frame couldn't be concealed even by his wide robes. He was eight feet tall and had an eight-foot waist, like a wild boar descending a mountain, charging around recklessly.

Takeminakata himself was quite helpless. If he shrank his divine body, he could indeed become more agile, but then he would also lose the threat to Tamamo-no-Mae. As a god born of force, his size meant the size of his power.

Even in this battlefield where the two sides are already locked in fierce combat, Takeminakata cannot even do something as simple as flipping a table. The ley lines that he severed with a demonstrative attack before the official start of the war have indeed been restored to flow by the power of nature. However, if he dares to replicate that attack again, he will be despised by all the gods and monsters of Izumo Province without Tamamo-no-Mae having to take action herself.

After all, when the time comes to kill a large number of Tamamo-no-Mae's subordinates, the overturned earth will also bury the army of Izumo.

Chapter Fifty: Siege

The real world isn't a game. In fact, friendly fire is all too common on a chaotic battlefield, and it's usually not investigated afterward... as long as you don't make it too obvious.

With a face full of anger at being tricked, Takemikazuchi strode across the battlefield, chasing after the jade-colored fox. His huge feet crushed countless lesser demons with each step. He could even see the mocking look in the fox's eyes as it turned its head during a leap, which only fueled his rage.

But it doesn't matter.

Perhaps the fox herself hadn't realized it, but in Takeminakata's eyes, she had unknowingly reached the northernmost edge of the battlefield... and in Tamamo-no-Mae's view, this change was even orchestrated by her.

'Enjoy your smugness a little longer...you stinky fox...' he muttered through gritted teeth. Takemikazuchi's anger did not diminish as his hidden plan went smoothly; on the contrary, it intensified.

He was going to skin this fox alive!

This beautiful fur could certainly be made into a fine garment... making the power of Izumo even more unapproachable.

A primal hunt ensued, with the prey unknowingly displaying its power. Many fearless gods and monsters who charged at her were ignited by the sun's flames, becoming inextinguishable torches, screaming and wailing until they burned out the last drop of oil and divine power in their bodies before finally dying, leaving not even black ashes behind on this battlefield.

From day to night, and from night to day, the war went on and on, lasting longer than any god or monster had anticipated. And whether it was day or night, there were always those lit torches, rolling around and crying for help. Their cries sent chills down Takeminakata's spine, filling him with unspeakable fear.

No god, and no monster, wanted to die such a painful death.

The jade-colored fox was like an invincible mountain, its body protected by the power of the sun. Neither evil curses nor desperate blows before death could penetrate the radiance on its surface. That thin layer of armor was harder than any rock that Takeminakata had ever seen.

He took in all the wails around him. This was a battle he had to win. Takeminakata charged toward Tamamo-no-Mae in vain and ridiculously, throwing a punch only to have it easily dodged.

The jade-colored fox was even deliberately toying with him. As it dodged the powerful but useless punch, it nimbly leaped over Takeminakata's shoulder, and its two front paws seemingly playfully stepped on his back. But it was only seemingly playful; the sharp claws sliced ​​through his flesh like hot knives cutting through butter, leaving deep wounds that reached the bone. Hot divine blood dripped down his spine and onto the soil.

This was the most fatal injury Takeminakata had suffered since the start of the war, but what made him even ecstatic, compared to the injury he had sustained, was the shadow that had grown out of the deep crater created by the attack under the cover of darkness.

She also sensed the danger coming from a place she couldn't see, but Tamamo-no-Mae was in the middle of leaping in the air after tearing off Takeminakata's flesh, her old strength gone and new strength yet to be generated. The terrifying shadow, like a demonic claw, had already touched her waist and abdomen!

It was a proliferating phantom, a nightmare with a physical form. Its human-shaped hand had sharp, long fingernails. The enormous humanoid figure, formed from thick darkness, brushed against Tamamo-no-Mae's abdomen with its broad hand. Such an attack should have been easily blocked by the light membrane covering the nine-tailed fox's body, just like all the attacks and curses it had blocked before. However, at this crucial moment, it disappeared.

Did it really disappear?

The demonic power emanating from other monsters, filled with resentment and curses, was still blocked by the faint light. Even at the edge tightly gripped by these claws, only this physical nightmare could pass through.

This was the first time she had been injured since the start of the war, and the first time she had let out a painful cry. The sharp claw had already pierced into Tamamo-no-Mae's body. The shadow was eroding and spreading. With the momentum of the claw, it swung out and violently flung Tamamo-no-Mae aside. The flesh that it had pierced was thus torn off, dripping with blood, just like the flesh that she had just torn off Takeminakata.

Even the blood dripping from her body shimmered with a golden light. Relying on her tail, she swept away the monsters that rushed at her excitedly upon seeing her wounded and bleeding. Ignoring her missing internal organs and the gushing blood, she endured the waves of pain and immediately searched for the enemy that had caused her such great harm.

The materialized shadow that had been hiding until now, finally choosing to strike, showed no intention of remaining in hiding any longer. It stood right where it had just successfully launched its sneak attack, shrouded in black mist. Not only Tamamo-no-Mae, but even Sull recognized who it was.

"...Firelight?" Su Er uttered the name in astonishment. He had not forgotten the demon he had seen in the city of Yamato. In his memory, the demon was still a person who had suffered a mental breakdown, lying on the ground, crying madly, and indifferent to everything.

Now, he has fully revealed his demonic form, simply draping a piece of burlap over his body to cover his sensitive areas. His bronze-colored muscles are sharply defined, like rocks in the mountains. The huge spiral horn on his forehead is even thicker than when he was first seen. In fact, at this moment, Hizo has enlarged his body just like Takeminakata.