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

"As for why Lord Daimyo is so fixated on the rising sun, I have some understanding of it. But if you intend to approach me from my perspective, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

"Even if I agree to call Chaoyang back, I don't know where to start. I have no idea where they are now."

"Tamura Samurai, you!"

A furious voice came from the daimyo's throat as he clenched his teeth, staring at the fearless Tamura Samurai.

Damn it, that bastard not only humiliated him in front of so many ministers, but also shut him down completely, leaving him speechless!

He absolutely refused to believe that Tamura would not know the whereabouts of Shimizu Asahi and Shimizu Reiko. Even if he really didn't know, Shimizu Asahi would definitely come back to see him!

This old guy never intended to bring Shimizu Asahi back from the very beginning!

The daimyo wanted to issue an order for Tamura Samurai to find Shimizu Asahi at all costs, or else he would have to pay with his head. However, he couldn't. If he issued such an order, even if Shimizu Asahi returned, he might not be able to be controlled by the imperial family again.

Furthermore, the next priest of Izumo Taisha Shrine is also supporting the Tamura family, so he absolutely cannot issue such an order.

But... no order was given...

Clenching his fists, Daimyo closed his eyes. After calming himself down, he waved his hand and said, "I understand. Since the general says so, I won't force you."

"Men, escort the general back!"

"Then, my lord, I shall take my leave now!"

After bidding farewell, Tamura left with the soldiers outside the palace gates.

However, after Tamura left, the daimyo suddenly revealed a cold smile. He looked at the many dignitaries below and said in a devilish voice, "Gentlemen, you can do whatever you want. During this period, as long as you do not exceed the limit, I will pretend not to see what you do."

After saying that, he left without waiting for the reactions of the crowd below.

The nobles who watched him leave were all taken aback, and then involuntarily exchanged glances.

As expected, Daimyo knew that they were the ones who spread those rumors.

It seems... the daimyo intends to use the pressure of rumors to force Tamura Samurai to submit...

The nobles, who were not fools, immediately saw through the Daimyo's plan. However, if Shimizu Asahi really returned, wouldn't their current actions offend that Onmyoji?

The question of whether or not they should do it involuntarily surfaced in their minds.

However, all of this was irrelevant to Shimizu Asahi; at this moment, he had already returned with Reiko to the future Sea Kingdom, in the Suzuka Mountains. (Chapter 374)

The crimson morning light dispelled the chill of the night, and a gentle yet dazzling light shone from the sea. The soothing sea breeze and soft birdsong intertwined to create a peaceful scene. Qingshui Chaoyang stood on the mountainside, stretching lazily in the gentle breeze.

It's been almost a week since I returned to Suzuka Mountain. Although I don't have any close friends to confide in, the peaceful atmosphere that permeates the surroundings is very relaxing.

Moreover, his fiancée was also there.

This was a long-awaited time for him and his fiancée to be alone together.

Oh, no, he has more than one fiancée, Ye Zi too.

Recalling Ye Zi's voice, Shimizu Asahi raised a hand to rub her hair and chuckled softly, "Looks like I'll have to travel back and forth from now on..."

Having temporarily relieved himself of his heavy responsibilities, he felt a great sense of relief. Although he would be traveling between Yamashiro Province and Suzuka Mountain for some time to come, how could spending time with his wife be considered troublesome?

"Hmm... it's about time. I should go prepare breakfast for Reiko and Ōtakemaru."

Watching the sun gradually rise into the sky, Qingshui Chaoyang strolled down the mountainside.

However, as soon as he descended the mountainside, he saw Lingzi sitting by the fire in front of the house.

She was already up, and was grilling fresh fish.

As if sensing something, she looked up before Qingshui Chaoyang even arrived.

"You're back?" The mermaid princess smiled gently. "I've prepared breakfast. Go and wake Ōtakemaru up."

"Yes, I'm back."

The boy responded with a sound of agreement, then asked with a curious smile, "Why are you up so early today? Didn't you want to sleep a little longer?"

“I’ve been sleeping enough these past few days. If I keep sleeping like this every day, I’m afraid I’ll get into a habit. Besides, it’s nice to get up early once in a while to make you breakfast, isn’t it?”

The girl's direct words made the boy pause for a moment, and after a while, he smiled and nodded: "Indeed, personally speaking, I am quite happy."

Having honestly expressed his feelings, Shimizu Asahi arrived at another wooden house. He knocked on the tightly closed door and called out, "Ootakemaru, get up and have breakfast. Today we have your favorite grilled fish."

About ten seconds after the shout ended, a tired and weak voice came from inside the house: "Ugh... let me sleep a little longer... I'll get up in a bit..."

"If you get up late, there won't be any breakfast left."

After habitually leaving those words behind, Shimizu Asahi shook his head with a hint of indulgence, then returned to Reiko's side.

Looking at her returning fiancé, Reiko sighed softly and said, "Although you always say that, you never actually do it. Shimizu, aren't you spoiling that little guy a bit too much?"

"Ootakemaru is still a child, it's normal for him to sleep in, don't worry about it. Besides, that child is our younger brother, as older siblings, it's normal to spoil him, right?"

During the seven days back at Suzuka Mountain, Shimizu Asahi healed and took in Ōtakemaru. Although Ōtakemaru never called them older brothers or sisters, and did not even acknowledge them as his older brothers or sisters, he never refused to educate and care for them.

Well... to put it simply, he's a tsundere (a person who says one thing but does another), a typical tsundere type.

Incidentally, like Reiko, Ōtakemaru, who has been alone since childhood, does not have his own name. When Shimizu Asahi asked him about his name, he replied that he did not have a name. After learning about this, Shimizu Asahi took the opportunity to give him the name Ōtakemaru.

When he received his name, Ōtakemaru was overjoyed for several days. Although he said it was nothing special, he responded faster than anyone else when they called his name.

"Even so, you've spoiled her a bit too much... But even if I tell you this, you won't listen, will you?"

Reiko withdrew her gaze, handed him the grilled fish that had already been cooked, and asked, "I won't talk about Ōtakemaru for now. What are you planning to do next?"

"Although life in Suzuka Mountain is peaceful, it can get boring after a while, so... is there anything you want to do?"

"What I want to do... um... would it count as helping you turn this island into a paradise for all sirens?"

Taking a small bite of the fish, the boy looked meaningfully at the white-haired princess, his black eyes curving into crescents.

The princess's body stiffened slightly. She looked at her fiancé beside her in disbelief. "Shimizu, how could you...?"

"How would I know about this? You never told me, did you?"

"Hehe... Of course I would know, after all you told me from the beginning."

"At the beginning?" Reiko blinked. Had she... really told Asahi about this?

Seeing his somewhat confused fiancée, Shimizu Asahi smiled even more broadly. He held up a finger and reminded her once again, "Right, at the beginning."

"...From the beginning?...I said it from the beginning...Wait, could it be!?"

She seemed to murmur twice before quickly realizing what she had said. She immediately looked at her fiancé, wanting an answer from him, and her fiancé smiled and nodded, confirming her guess.

"I see... I did tell you from the beginning, Shimizu."

The girl shook her head with a wry smile.

Five years ago, on the day her adoptive father, Tamura Samurai, led Yoko and Shimizu Asahi to conquer the island, she met Shimizu Asahi. His actions sparked her curiosity about human emotions, and she told him that she needed this power to lead the sirens...

Yes, who still remembers that she went to the human world to better command the sirens?

Even she herself had somewhat forgotten her original purpose.

I never expected that Shimizu Asahi would remember it all this time.

“I’m glad you remember that, but Shimizu, building this island is not a simple matter. It may take ten, more than ten years, or even several decades. Compared to spending so much time on this island, I think it’s better to put it aside for now.”

"Ten years? You're overthinking it, Reiko. It's true that it will take ten years, or even longer, for the name of Siren Paradise to spread throughout the entire ocean and be recognized by all the sirens. However, it won't take that long just to build this island."

"Moreover, this is our future home, so it's worth every bit of time spent building it. From the moment I arrived here, I've been thinking about what to do."

"Now, it's time to build our home, Reiko!" Chapter 375: The Origin of Mount Suzuka

Reiko was deeply moved by Shimizu Asahi's words.

That's right, this is their home, the home where they will live together in the future. Since it's their home, they should build this island from the very beginning.

Following her heartbeat, Reiko nodded heavily.

"Yes, it's time to build our home!"

However, although she had decided to build this island, she had absolutely no idea how to do it, so...

"Shimizu, what should we do next?"

The fiancée, who was used to relying on the clear water and the rising sun, handed this problem over to her fiancé.

However, just as she finished speaking, a creaking sound and a yawn suddenly came from behind her.

Rubbing his head, still a little sleepy, Ōtakemaru came out of the house. He looked at the two of them, somewhat confused, and said, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Good morning, Ootakemaru. Go wash up first. I've saved breakfast for you."

"Oh......"

Habitually obeying Qingshui Chaoyang's words, he drowsily uttered an "oh," and then staggered off to wash his face and brush his teeth.

Stimulated by the slightly cool water, he gradually regained consciousness. After quickly washing up, he sat down opposite the two men.

Without being too polite, the little guy sat down, grabbed a grilled fish, and happily started eating it.

However, after taking a couple of bites of the grilled fish, he remembered that Shimizu Asahi and Reiko seemed to be saying something, so he asked again, "What were you talking about just now?"

“We’re talking about building this island. After all, we’ll be living here in the future, so of course we need to improve the island’s environment. Also, your sister plans to lead the sea monsters to make this island a paradise at sea, so we need to build this island even more.”

"You should come and help too, Ootakemaru."

Shimizu Asahi told Ōtakemaru about the island, and Ōtakemaru looked astonished upon hearing this. However, his astonishment wasn't about building the island; it was about...

"You actually know how to build things?"

"...Wait, Ootengu, what do you mean? Can't I understand these things?"

The girl's lips twitched. Although she didn't really understand these things, was it necessary to say it so directly?

"You don't seem like someone who knows anything about these things. I'll probably end up having Shimizu help you."

"..."

Even though what he said was right, why do I still have this urge to hit him?

Forget it, he's still just a child, let's not bother with him.

Reiko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After suppressing her urge to scold the little guy, she looked at Shimizu Asahi and said, "Although we have decided to build this island, there is a problem we need to solve now."

"What should this island be called?"