[May I Ask, Have You Seen That Yokai?]

"Would a lofty god truly listen wholeheartedly to mortals' prayers?"

As Ichimokuren drove the Red Dragon away, Arata's first thought was not to stop him, but to ask this question instead.

Though it failed to move the former Fujin in the slightest, it instantly sent the Red Dragon beneath him into a violent frenzy.

"Roar!"

Its sudden roar carried intense hostility!

Its master had lost his right eye while answering those humans' prayers and stopping the flood disaster.

Yet the humans he had protected remembered their master's kindness only for the brief moment they received his blessing.

As time passed, that former kindness was directly buried in the dust of history.

Even so, his master had never complained. For years, decades, centuries, he continued to guard the increasingly dilapidated Fujin shrine alone.

But now, some arrogant brat had claimed that gods would not answer human prayers!

How could the resentment accumulated in its heart be so easily calmed?

"Dragon."

"Go back."

Yet Ichimokuren, still seated atop the Red Dragon, spoke calmly.

He clearly had no intention of arguing over such pointless matters.

After all, he had endured centuries of peace. What could still shake his heart?

"Stupid dragon, what are you growling for?"

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Is stopping floods part of Fujin's duties?"

"As his guardian beast, you allowed him to answer a prayer beyond his abilities."

"You really were negligent."

Arata replied coldly.

His words left the sentient Red Dragon speechless.

A trace of grievance even appeared in its enormous demonic eyes.

After all, he was completely right. Stopping a natural disaster like a flood was entirely beyond its master's abilities.

Otherwise, the gentle Fujin it followed would not have needed to sacrifice an eye to stop the raging flood.

Whenever it saw its master's right eye