"What is that look in your eyes, human!"
"Do you doubt my word? Are you worried I'll seize the chance to take revenge on the Genji Clan and Kyoto?"
"I'll settle my grudge with the Genji Clan, of course. But before that, I know full well what will happen if Yamata no Orochi returns to the world of the living!"
The young onmyoji's blank stare sent an inexplicable surge of anger rising within Shuten-doji.
So this was human nature after all. They claimed to have yokai friends and said that yokai, like humans, could be good or evil. Yet when confronted with genuine goodwill from a yokai, they still viewed it through the lens of prejudice!
"No, I don't."
"If you want to go, then go."
Arata answered softly. He had merely been considering whether to involve his entire clan in this affair and had momentarily forgotten the breathing demon king beside him.
"See? I knew it. However nice your words might sound, all humans are the same at heart."
"After all, you were the ones who said those not of your kind must have different loyalties. I'll simply go alone. Surely you wouldn't..."
"Huh?"
Receiving an answer unlike the one he had expected, the boy nevertheless wore an expression that said he had known it all along, his blurted words carrying a trace of mockery.
"You're not worried at all that I'm deceiving you and will vent my anger on all of Kyoto?"
Ruled by his anger, Shuten-doji had plainly continued speaking without listening to the reply. By the time he realized his mistake, the young onmyoji was already looking at him as though he were an idiot.
At that moment, Arata also belatedly remembered the girl still breathing beside him, and his expression turned somewhat awkward.
Excitement, restlessness,