How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

Asahi Shimizu, who was experiencing the power of the Demon King for the first time, revealed a stubborn smile.

The gap in strength is just too big!

But soon, the sigh in his heart disappeared. No matter how strong Ōtakemaru has become, he must stop him, not only to protect the port, but also to protect Ōtakemaru!

"It's just a little pain... It would be too embarrassing to be defeated like this!"

A resolute and tenacious will made Shimizu Asahi clench his fists, and as if in response to his will, a persistent power surged from his dilapidated body!

He stood up again!

However, before he could regain his composure, the scorching heat wave surged forth again, this time far more terrifying than before...

"call!"

Suddenly, a sound right next to him reached his ears. He instinctively looked away and then realized that his robes... were on fire!

That terrifying shockwave, powerful enough to incinerate everything, actually penetrated his spiritual power and began to burn his body!

He will die... He will definitely die... The burning crimson flames, like the raging fire of the underworld, mercilessly devoured everything. At this moment, he clearly felt the breath of death.

—If you don't defeat him, you'll be the one who dies!

"Working desperately... I haven't heard that phrase in ages..."

The black-haired boy took a deep breath, a hint of madness and excitement flashing in his black eyes. He took out a talisman, and blue spiritual power silently covered his entire body.

Then......

"Come on, little one!"

A life-or-death battle was about to break out. Tamura Yoko and Amane Kurako, who were watching the battle from the shore, couldn't help but stand up. Looking at the scene in the distance, panic and fear appeared on their faces.

Even with the naked eye, they could keenly sense that Shimizu Asahi... was in danger!

"Please make sure nothing happens to you, Chaoyang!"

"Please come back safely, sir..."

Unable to help, they could only pray, begging the gods to let Shimizu Asahi return alive.

Similarly, Tamura Samurai, standing beside them, also showed deep worry and tension. Although he didn't know why, he knew very well that the monster that was originally no match for Asahi had now become stronger than Asahi... That moment of fighting was filled with absolute crushing!

"This monster has suddenly become stronger."

"Reiko, Chaoyang... can you solve this?"

He looked worriedly at his daughter beside him, hoping to get a "no problem" or "trust him" from her, but Reiko's expression was more serious than anyone else's...

"...Tenjō Kurako, I'm entrusting Yoko and my father to your protection."

The girl did not answer her father's question directly, but her words indirectly provided the answer.

Tamura Samurai's expression changed involuntarily.

Meanwhile, the two people who were worried about Shimizu Asahi couldn't help but look at Reiko.

"Reiko? You...don't mean you want to help the master!?"

Kurako quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly grabbed her wrist. "No, Reiko! You can't help at all in your human form. You'll only be a hindrance to the master!"

“I didn’t say I was going to help him in a human form.”

"Not human...then...a monster...!? You!?"

Her calm yet earnest words caused Cangzi and Yezi's expressions to change drastically; almost instantly, they guessed what she was thinking.

"Sister, you can't!"

Ye Zi almost instinctively stepped in front of Lingzi, saying, "There are so many people here. If you do this, you can no longer stay here!"

"Yoko is right, is it okay to pay such a price to leave here!? Reiko!" Kurako hurriedly called out.

However, in response to their words, Reiko said softly, "If I don't go, he will die! Even so, is it alright?"

"!?"

For a moment, the two were speechless.

Looking at Kurako and Yoko in front of her, Reiko patted them on the shoulder, and then looked at her father.

"Father, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you anymore. But I will come back to see you when I have time."

"...I never expected that a simple extermination mission would lead to such an unexpected outcome."

Tamura clenched his fist tightly. He didn't want Shimizu Asahi to die, nor did he want Reiko to expose her identity in order to save Shimizu Asahi. His inner impulse and sense of responsibility made him want to find a way to have the best of both worlds.

But he couldn't do it; he was just an ordinary human soldier, and there was nothing he could do!

'hateful!'

Tamura Shige gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly.

After struggling internally for a while, he finally closed his eyes and resolutely whispered, "Go, Reiko. Don't worry about us. We'll take care of ourselves."

"Ah."

A soft whisper reached the three's ears, and then the mermaid princess vanished from the spot...

......

On the battlefield along the coast, Shimizu Asahi and Ōtakemaru were engaged in a one-sided battle. Although the human Onmyoji managed to hold the line with his tenacious will and quick wit, he was powerless to fight back.

Countless attacks were blocked by the heatwave, and countless prepared methods were destroyed by brute force. He used almost all the means at his disposal, but still could not harm Ōtakemaru in the slightest. If Ōtakemaru had not lost his self-awareness due to his berserk state and acted only on instinct, perhaps he would have died long ago.

Even so, he was almost defeated...

His brain raced, trying to find a way to turn the tide, but perhaps because he was too eager to make a breakthrough, his attention lapsed.

At that moment, Ōtakemaru suddenly unleashed a punch from afar. The brute force, accompanied by a raging gale, swept over him. Shimizu Asahi instinctively raised his arm to block, but the overwhelming power still sent him flying backward.

However, after flying a short distance, his body was forced to stop.

A warm, soft sensation came from my burning back.

Then, a voice so familiar it couldn't be more familiar echoed in my ears.

"Although interfering in your battle is disrespectful, you probably won't mind at this point. Of course, if you do mind, it doesn't matter, because I've already decided to intervene." Chapter 368, Section 371: Your Sister is Still Your Sister

Amidst the raging wind, the white-haired, white-tailed mermaid princess caught her fiancé. She gently set him down and said with a tender yet domineering air, "Leave the rest of the battle to me."

"I will make that little guy fully wake up."

"I'm sorry, Reiko, I still had to ask you to help..."

Looking at his fiancée's posture, Shimizu Asahi gave a wry smile.

From the moment he realized he was no match for Ōtakemaru, he guessed that Reiko would do anything to save him.

His tenacious fighting was largely motivated by a desire to protect his fiancée from being discovered.

However, he failed. The Demon King was too strong. In front of Ōtakemaru at this moment, he was like a child who had not yet grown up. He had already exhausted all his strength in defense alone. Even if he planned a counterattack, it would be useless...

“You don’t need to apologize; this was my own decision. Besides, in this situation, the one who should apologize is that little guy.”

Reiko walked up to Shimizu Asahi, her delicate and soft body shielding him behind her.

"I'll make that little guy apologize to you properly."

"Reiko, don't hit too hard, this was just an accident."

The boy clutched his chest and shouted, his tense body and nerves gradually relaxing.

He didn't consider whether Reiko was a match for Ōtakemaru. Having witnessed his fiancée's full power, he knew very well that Reiko was now the strongest sea monster in the ocean, and even Ōtakemaru in this state would never be her match.

Meanwhile, Ōtakemaru, standing a hundred meters away from them, also sensed the danger through his extraordinary instincts.

After going berserk, he made a snarling, menacing expression for the first time, and raised his arms as a warning and threat.

This monster before me... is completely different from the humans I encountered before!!

"Don't worry, I'll know what I'm doing."

She gave Shimizu Asahi a reassuring word, and then her pale yellow eyes looked at the runaway child.

It was just an ordinary gaze, yet Ōtakemaru felt an indescribable tremor of fear, and his expression changed drastically!

"Roar, roar!!"

A deep, beast-like growl escaped his throat as he bent over anxiously, as if warning her not to come any closer.

However, his warnings had no effect, and the true ruler of the sea took a step forward without a care.

"!?"

His crimson eyes widened instantly, revealing panic and rage in those malicious pupils, like a wild beast driven to the brink of destruction. He roared, "Roar!!!"

The scorching heatwave, accompanied by surging emotions, continued to expand, and a blazing fire wave appeared out of nowhere, centered on Ōtakemaru!

The fire continued to spread outwards, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake!

—Under that endless pressure, Ōtakemaru took the initiative to attack!

But......

Boom!!!

The next moment, the earth trembled, the air wailed, and a terrifying shockwave swept out like a raging storm, engulfing everything around the port, bay, and village. Everyone instinctively raised their arms to block it.

"W-What happened...? Why did this happen all of a sudden!?"

"Mr. Shimizu, how is Mr. Shimizu? Did he lose?"

Not only did the common people express such doubts and concerns, but the three members of Tamura Samurai on the coast also couldn't help but feel their hearts pounding.

How will this battle turn out?

Fortunately, the raging winds did not last long, and the shockwaves spread by the impact quickly subsided. The people who had lowered their arms once again craned their necks, trying to get a clear look at the battlefield.

The rising dust gradually settled, and the battlefield scene slowly came into everyone's view. However, when they saw the situation clearly, they were all stunned.

Those pairs of eyes widened involuntarily, as if they had seen something unbelievable; their faces and eyes were filled with disbelief.

Not only did they find it hard to believe, but even Shimizu Asahi felt it was a little unreal.

Right in the center of the raging wind, Ōtakemaru lay on the ground in astonishment, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with blankness and disbelief. Before him, the white-haired, spirited mermaid princess was coldly choking him.