Yasaka-san suddenly said something with words I didn't understand at all, and my brain just froze.
"Yasaka-sama, that phrasing doesn't convey anything to Ikki-sama," someone helpfully interjected.
"Hmm, I suppose not. Very well, let me explain step by step. Ikki-sama, you are Kunou's fiancé. In other words, while you're engaged, the marriage hasn't been formally sealed yet. Even before your engagement, several influential youkai families from the underground had proposed marriage or arranged meetings for Kunou."
That made sense. Yasaka-san is one of the Big Three youkai and rules over Kyoto. Whether it's power or influence, many would logically want to secure an alliance with her family. Assigning one of their own to Kunou, emotionally speaking aside, is a strategic move.
"Ha! I don't care about those people! I have no intention of being with anyone but Ikki! You can see right through their desires... One of them was even older than my mother, you know! How awful!"
Ahh, the classic trope, some decrepit old noble trying to marry a little girl. Yeah, I'd want to run away too.
"In the end, the only one Kunou accepted as her fiancé was you, Ikki-sama. And naturally, there were some who didn't like that, especially since you're human. I'm sure even if you were a youkai, they'd find some excuse to push their own candidates instead."
Yeah, people can always find ways to nitpick if they want to.
"Initially, we thought we could just ignore such foolishness. But some of the rejected suitors banded together, started scheming, and riled everyone up. 'A weak human as Kunou's fiancé? Can someone that powerless really stand above us?!'"
"How dare they call Ikki weak! Do they not know his true strength?!" Kunou burst out angrily.
Yasaka-san shook her head calmly.
"They truly don't know. The battle with the tsuchigumo looked like it was settled after our elite team charged in. And aside from that, Ikki-sama hasn't really fought in Kyoto. Even among the three major factions, only we know the full extent of his power, most others simply don't. And those small-minded schemers would never acknowledge someone's superiority just because we say so."
"How disgraceful! To question your judgment, Yasaka-sama, of all things! Once this matter is resolved, I shall see to it that the instigators receive due punishment!" the Tengu declared with righteous fury.
Oho, looks like he's ready to handle the clean-up. I'll gladly leave that part to him.
"So, Yasaka-san. What would you like me to do?"
You didn't summon me here just to chat, so I assume you have a plan in mind?
"Indeed. Since you're friendly with the devils at your academy, you must've heard this phrase before, 'The devil world is meritocratic.' The youkai world isn't quite as strict, but we're not far off. While not everyone values brute strength, there are notable exceptions, like luck-bringing zashiki-warashi."
A luck-based cheat character, huh? Kinda reminds me of someone from Chivalry of a Failed Knight. The guy who could kill people just by wishing it...
"In any case, the best way to cool down these heated tempers is to demonstrate your power. Yes, we could suppress them through authority, but if you continue to be underestimated, it'll only lead to more trouble down the road."
"So you want me to defeat all those marriage candidates in battle?"
Very... straightforward. Didn't Rias-senpai do something similar not too long ago?
"Yes, but that's not all. You see, the ones causing trouble aren't the reasonable types. Those people knew their daughters admired you, and they respected your strength, so they didn't bother with pointless proposals. The instigators are nobodies with loud mouths. So if we simply show the instigated crowd a fight between you and the candidates, it'll only look like a petty squabble."
Wow. Yasaka-san, that was harsh. Are you secretly mad? …Actually, that would make sense. If someone started a mess right under my nose, I'd be pissed too.
"So, I've decided: anyone who wants to join the fray is welcome to! Don't worry, we've ensured no elite agents slip in. Only those who were physically present at the time have been moved to a separate location. Ikki-sama, I want you to defeat them all."
Honestly, that's less stressful than trying to navigate political marriages and family pacts. But this really is a "might makes right" solution...
"Well... if that's all it takes, I'll accept."
I guess it suits a society of youkai and devils, where power gaps are significant.
Still, calling this a "Kunou Fan Club rampage" feels exaggerated. So far, it just seems like some greedy suitors are getting jealous…
"I'm grateful you've agreed. But one victory won't be enough. They're persistent. If possible, I want you to break their will. You'll have several days, please crush as many as you can during that time."
...So that's the plan. Eliminate future threats by beating them mentally and physically.
"We've prepared a special stage that only those with my permission can enter. Once the time is right, I'll teleport you there. In the meantime, I'll give you the data on the participants."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Even with my face twitching from the pressure, Yasaka-san gave me a pleased, mischievous smile.
We continued to read the character profiles provided by the tengu, then left that room and waited in the guest chamber. Although it was just a superficial set of answers, there were only about five schemers who had incited things, I didn't need to memorize much. But still…
"Oh man… That 'way‑too‑old guy' Kunou mentioned, that's the one, right? He's like a senile old tanuki-wannabe!"
Definitely a problem. The rest of the suitors were mostly around adulthood, but this one…
"Right? It's absurd! That old coot, he's rich from both Kyoto's public and underground trade and tried to force a proposal with money, even reaching my mother's ears."
Kunou, seated across from me, spoke disappointedly.
Money is power, I guess… He's pulling adult-level nonsense.
As I formulated a reply, Kunou suddenly stood and wrapped her arms around my neck from behind.
"I'm not worried, because Ikki will win! I have lessons now, so I can't stay, but I'll come support you later!"
Her innocent smile made me feel like I couldn't back out. Time to bring my A‑game.
To pass time, we chatted quietly, including about the recent summit meeting (though we skirted the topic of the gods' absence). Soon enough, the tengu arrived again:
"Ikki-sama, your time is approaching, the Princess has training now."
"I understand. I'll head there now."
Kunou looked disappointed but nodded:
"Mmm… understood."
I ruffled her head and left with a sense of determination. The engagement test awaited.
=====================
Later…
I was teleported to the special venue, a sprawling field of pampas grass. Under a gentle, golden moonlit sky… I'd love to soak in the view, if it weren't for the several hundred youkai staring at me with gleaming eyes. Was I expected to take all of them on? I hadn't asked how many I'd actually face.
And of course, killing them is out of the question. But controlling them without lethal force? That's going to be a real challenge.
Just then, the five main suitors stepped forward in front of the crowd:
Suitor 1: "Hmph! A mere human wasting my time?!"
Suitor 2: "Yes! I must prove I'm the most worthy match! Let's settle this fast!"
Suitor 3: "A mere weak human like him? Yasaka-sama must have lost her mind!"
Suitor 4: "Perhaps Yasaka concocted this to sort out who truly cares for Kunou?"
Suitor 5: "We older, battle-hardened souls need not be here. Let the minnows fight!"
They were all united in disdain, laughable in a weird, "mortally entitled" sort of way.
They stood confident, and I braced myself, no fancy intro, just a nod. But before I could make a move, the sidelines erupted.
"Wait! You said 'partner', does that mean you're planning to marry her?!"
"Yes! She deserves us all!"
"Her plush cheeks belong to us!"
"I want to stroke that fluffy tail more than anything!"
The crowd surged forward, chanting "KU-NOU!" KU‑NOU!! (meaning "bearing fruit", a chant for Kunou). Their yells gathered volume, forming a torrent of animosity.
The five suitors quickly vanished under that flood of youkai. Gone in a second.
Wait, what? I thought they were allies?! Or… did they get stomped into oblivion? I guess "rumor‑mongers" got run over in the mob metaphorically… or literally?
Anyway, mission #1 accomplished, but I guess the mook crowd is next.
Their weapons ranged from wooden swords to crude blades and makeshift clubs, lethal enough to break bone, so no matter what, I can't afford to hold back completely.
I unleashed a volley of ki blasts, but they just used their fallen comrades as stepping stones, pressing on. Some had fire or wind magic that caused my blasts to backfire in midair. After that, it came down to fists and footwork, mid-tier youkai strength, meaning if I fight with full force, I risk blowing them apart. But if I go too soft, they'll hurt me. This is… some crazy "limitation run," right?
I dodged a club, slipped inside the swing, and twisted the goon's ki before landing a palm strike, keeping them from closing the gap. Then the brawl erupted. I fought on and on.
After a long stretch, a drum sounded across the field. Then rain poured down, and I was immediately teleported.
=====================
I landed in a modest but cozy Japanese farmhouse in another space. Breathing hard, I looked around. Then Kunou emerged from inside and took my hand.
"Ikki! I was waiting. First, shower it off, there's a bath and clothes. Then we eat."
"Thanks… but where is this place? I was abruptly moved."
"Oh, this is a rest area linked to that field. Once the timer rang, you and the others were moved separately."
Alright, dragon sound = timer, the rain = magical "fox‑bride teleport." Makes sense.
I washed off the dust and sweat, changed into fresh clothes, and followed the scent of food. On the low table were two lunches, and Kunou sat opposite me.
"The rest period is ninety minutes. See that clock? It shows 12:20. So, seventy minutes left."
"But let's eat first, cold rice is a shame."
"Right, say 'Itadakimasu!'"
=============
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