"So... if you go back now, it'll cause quite the commotion."
"Hm? What does it matter? I'm not the Head anymore."
Rikuo and Rihan strolled side by side down the street.
"Still--you had an interesting journey, didn't you?"
"Haha. If we'd lost, I might not have made it back at all."
"But you won in the end. And brought me back to life with you."
"Can't really claim a win. We just worked together to take down a troublesome opponent." Rikuo shook his head. "Honestly, my strength doesn't stand out among the other Servants."
Recalling the experience, he couldn't say with confidence that his average showing would've carried him to victory alone.
Saber--the Great Dog Demon--possessed overwhelming power. Assassin--Akame--only revealed her full strength at the end. Lancer--Cu Chulainn--boasted combat prowess and raw ability far beyond ordinary. Archer--Moroha--had her grandfather backing her. And Berserker--the Shikon no Tama--required unknown means and multiple kills before it finally stayed down.
As a Rider, the opponents he could handle were, frankly, limited.
In the end, Rin's "wish" had pulled him in deeper than he'd ever expected.
His father, Nura Rihan--who had died long ago--was revived.
"Originally, I was waiting in the Village of Half-Demons... but now that things are like this..."
"I need to bring Otome back personally."
Rihan turned to him, one eye open, the other closed. "You can handle Seimei, right?"
He'd missed his chance before. This time, he wouldn't let it slip away.
"Really dumping the hard work on me..."
"But it should be fine."
They continued chatting as they walked, eventually arriving at the front gate of their home.
"Yo, Kubinashi--still looking sharp."
Without a trace of unfamiliarity despite his long absence, Nura Rihan strolled through the entrance alongside Rikuo.
The moment he stepped inside, he spotted a familiar figure sweeping the yard and called out.
"Oh--Master Rikuo, and... the Second Head..."
Kubinashi glanced up at the returning pair--first with surprise, then reflex-driven response.
Then something clicked. The broom slipped from his grip and clattered to the ground.
Clatter.
"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Rihan tilted his head, a playful grin on his face.
"AHHHHH!!!"
Kubinashi's brain had completely short-circuited. He couldn't process the situation at all.
"What's going on?! Kubinashi!"
"You're screaming so loud..."
"You sick or something?"
Aotabo, Kurotabo, and Kejoro rushed over at the commotion--then froze the instant they saw Rikuo and Rihan.
"..."
"Oh, everyone looks the same as before."
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
Just like Kubinashi, they let out identical screams of shock.
"HEY! The Supreme Commander is resting! What's with all this shouting?!"
Karasu Tengu flew out of the corridor, irritated--then his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
"Karasu Tengu. Long time no see."
"OHHHHHHH!!!"
What a disgrace. He'd come to scold the others, only to fall into "strange screaming" himself.
How was he supposed to describe this?
"Master Rikuo--what on earth is going on?!!"
Karasu Tengu whirled toward Rikuo and flew over impatiently.
"Haha. Karasu Tengu--go spread the word."
"The Second Head..."
"...is back."
Knowing how much this would shock the household--even the old man probably couldn't sit still--Rikuo smiled as he spoke.
"Y-Yes sir!"
"Where's Wakana?"
Rihan glanced around the courtyard, then turned to the tengu.
"She's in the kitchen..."
"Then I'll find her first. The old man can wait."
"You're going to scare Mom."
"Mm... probably. She might think it's a dream. If her emotions run too high, she could faint."
"That would be troublesome."
Scratching his head, Rihan realized that even coming home had become a massive ordeal.
"Gyuuki. Hitotsume. You're not going to come out and greet me?"
Sensing two pairs of eyes on him, Rihan turned toward the entrance hall.
"Uh..."
"..."
Compared to Gyuuki's composure, Hitotsume looked thoroughly spooked, sweat beading on his forehead.
"What are you afraid of? It's the Second Head--just go pay your respects. No need to panic."
Gyuuki cast him a sidelong glance, then walked out from the main gate.
"Shut up! I'm just worried it might be some conspiracy or illusion!"
Wiping his brow, Hitotsume glared back indignantly.
The two yokai stepped out together.
......
The Nura Clan was abuzz that day--abnormally so. Not just the main house; yokai across the territory had learned the news.
Nura Rihan.
Had appeared.
How he'd revived, outsiders couldn't know.
But for those who knew him well, this was a momentous occasion--a cause for celebration.
And so a grand banquet was held at the main house.
"Then..."
"Welcome back, Second Head!"
"CHEERS!!"
Gazing at the familiar figure seated beside Wakana, the assembled yokai erupted with excitement.
"Good grief... if you live long enough, you really do see everything."
Nurarihyon studied his son, sighing softly.
Today had nearly scared him into thinking he was experiencing "terminal lucidity."
'No wonder my body's been recovering lately--it wasn't my imagination.'
He sipped his sake, reflecting on the situation.
His declining body and yokai power had been gradually returning to their peak.
At first he'd dismissed it as wishful thinking--but after Rikuo's explanation and Rihan's return, he roughly understood.
The "wish" must have affected him too.
'What an absurd thing... granting any desire?'
In all his years, he'd never witnessed anything so powerful. He was grateful Rikuo had returned safely despite being involved.
"Ohhh, drink up!"
"Today's a celebration!"
"YO YO!"
The festive atmosphere filled the hall--neighbors be damned.
"With the Second Head here, we'll definitely win the coming battles!"
"Yeah!"
"Nothing to fear anymore!"
When alcohol flowed, boastful fools were sure to follow.
Cough.
Sensing every eye on him, Nura Rihan set down his cup and cleared his throat.
"The one who leads you now is Rikuo--not I, who retired long ago."
"Let me make this clear: don't confuse the order of things."
"Otherwise, even I will get angry."
Though he released no Fear, everyone felt the weight of his seriousness.
"Besides--the current Rikuo is far stronger than me."
"Remember that."
"Right... Rikuo?"
For a moment, no one dared respond. But Rikuo, in his yokai form, smiled faintly.
Seated near the open gate, he didn't rise--simply summoned Nenekirimaru and swung a casual slash toward the night sky.
A pitch-black crescent moon formed in the air, swallowing the enemies lurking in the darkness.
"Don't be rude when people are happily celebrating at home..."
"Are you that afraid?"
Only then did the others realize enemies had arrived. They snapped to alert.
The shapes in the sky fled immediately.
"Ignore them. Two got away--probably Abe no Seimei's underlings."
Calmly sheathing his blade, Rikuo turned back to his companions.
'So amazing, Young Master!'
'Too cool!'
Tsurara sat below, watching the changed atmosphere with delight.
'Did he just... cut through space?'
'Without even using Matoi--he's grown this powerful?'
Even Gyuuki, the seasoned veteran, was stunned by what Rikuo had just displayed.
And if he recalled correctly, the Young Master's Nenekirimaru should've been sent to the Keikain house for reforging. Why did he still have it?
.........
"Damn it! What was that?!"
"Hey--I never heard Nura Rikuo had a technique that terrifying!"
"All of Orochi's shikigami died in that slash!"
They'd come to gather intelligence--maybe launch a raid if the Nura Clan let their guard down.
But the instant they harbored ill intent, Rikuo's casual strike had scared them witless.
Space itself tore open. Defensive barriers and onmyojutsu proved useless.
If they hadn't fled fast enough, they'd have been swallowed like those shikigami.
That void radiated the aura of death...
Once devoured--it was over.
"Report to Lord Seimei immediately!"
"The situation has changed!"
For these enemies, tonight would be sleepless.
They now faced the First Head, Nura Nurarihyon--gradually regaining his former strength.
They had to contend with the Second Head, Nura Rihan--returned at his prime.
And they'd have to confront the Third Head, Nura Rikuo--tempered by his recent trials.
The future had changed.