The Ox Yokai was there with many other Yokais. None was a Champion. Most were Elite. A few were Awaken.

When Carter landed near the party, the Ox looked up. It was still holding a large piece of meat in one hand and a large golden cup in the other.

"Who dares interrupting Lord Gogyu?" An Elite Yokai stood up and shouted.

The Ox grabbed that Yokai and slapped it. "Don’t you dare disrespect our guest."

"But he isn’t our guest, Lord Gogyu." The Elite Yokai trembled in fear.

"All Champions are my guest." The Ox said.

As soon as that sentence was heard, all the Yokais gasped. They stood up and slowly backed away from the table. Only the Ox Yokai sat still.

"Sit, stranger. And tell me why are you here?" Gogyu pointed at an empty chair.

Carter smiled. This Yokai was rather interesting. He didn’t think he would meet a Yokai this understanding.

He sat down at that chair.

"You must be Dairei Gogyu?" Carter said.

"Not Dairei. Just Gogyu. Those other Yokais wanted us to have the same last name so that we appear more connected in front of the human. I have never liked that idea." The Ox Yokai continued to eat.

"I see. Allow me to introduce myself as well. My name is Zeneros Blackburn. A swordsman."

Gogyu nodded. "What do you want?"

In the midst of their conversation, the Doll was divining and learned everything about Gogyu.

’This one was rather interesting...’ The Doll said. It told Carter about everything it saw about Gogyu.

Carter smiled faintly. He looked around. Gogyu had created quite a good place in Suiryu Forest. An actual city for the Yokai.

It was different from Mouko. Instead of trying to copy the human, Gogyu wanted Yokai to have their own society and culture.

"You built quite a good place for yourself out here, Gogyu." Carter said.

"Thank you. Are you here to ruin it?" Gogyu said. For a moment, the politeness disappeared and only bloodlust remained.

The black swordsman didn’t faze. Instead, his eyes clashed with Gogyu’s gaze.

"Originally, yes. But that was before I learned about you." Carter said.

"What did you learn about me?" Gogyu squinted his eyes.

"Many things. Like how you want the Yokai to have a place of their own and not rely on human society. I know that you want that because your father, a weak Awaken Yokai was a servant for the Arashi Empire. You don’t hate the human because of this. But you hate your father for being weak and for worshiping the Arashi Empire like it was some sort of religion."

Carter said calmly and slowly. The more he said, the more Gogyu widened his eyes.

The man in front of Gogyu seemed ordinary, if it wasn’t for his keen sense, Gogyu wouldn’t even know that he was a Champion.

And now, that same swordsman could tell him things he didn’t even tell his most intimated lovers.

Gogyu inhaled sharply. "What exactly are you, Zeneros Blackburn?"

"I am... just an Eldritch Knight. This Kingdom will change soon, Gogyu. Ryuja will fall. When that happens, the new Kingdom would sweep all of the Yokais out of their territory. But I can make sure that this place, the Suiryu Forest, become an official city for the Yokais. There will be less bloodshed and less killing."

"What is the catch?"

"The catch is, Gogyu, the new Suiryu City will be under control of the new Kingdom. Yokais will be the same as human, same rights, same laws. That means that no human slaughtering anymore. Otherwise, you will have to take care of them like an actual official of the court."

"And if I am the one that breaks the rule?" Gogyu said.

"Then there will be people that come for you."

"What you’re offering is the same as my father."

"It’s different. Your father was treated less than a human. But I offer you an equal position. Of course, if you disagree, I will have to follow my original plan of action.

That is to kill every Yokai here."

As soon as Carter said that, an illusion appeared behind him. A large projection of a four-winged Dark Angel that pierced the sky. The illusion alone made Gogyu’s fur to stand up.

’I will die.’ Gogyu felt at his core.

"Or maybe. You can become my weapon like him."

Carter flicked his wrist. Mouko flew out of his bracer and knelt before him.

"Master Blackburn." Mouko knelt and bowed deeply.

"Sheesh, Mouko! Where is all your courage?" Gogyu held in his laugh.

Mouko sighed. "You would be the same as me if you saw the giant gap in Giyaku."

"What gap?"

"The gap that Master Blackburn left. It was one single strike and it stretches across the entire city. It is still there now." Mouko said.

Gogyu gasped again. He knew Mouko. This bastard would never lie even if there was a dagger aiming at his throat.

"You really aren’t giving me a choice, are you?" Gogyu smiled bitterly.

"Come to the Shrine in Giyaku, Gogyu. Kitsune is there. A new Dragon Champion is there. They can give you more perspective about your choice."

Carter stood up. His raven wings spread wide. "You can tell Shinto Mikoto at the Giyaku Shrine about your choice. I need to meet with the final Yokai Champion."

Mouko transformed into pure energy and returned to the bracer. The black swordsman then shot up to the sky and flew away.

Gogyu looked after him for quite a while. He couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was Zeneros. He would soon find out that Zeneros was no man. But a god.

The last one was a Monkey Yokai. Carter had to fly an entire afternoon to reach there.

The Monkey Yokai lived among its kind, other ordinary monkeys and monkey Yokais. When Carter landed at the island, he was surprised at how joyful the monkey seemed to be.

A monkey approached Carter and asked, "Are you the Unnamed, sir?"

In Giyaku, the Doll smiled.

’This Yokai can use Divination like a Shrine Maiden. It knows that you are coming.’

Carter smiled at the monkey. "I am. Can you lead me to Gyoja?"

"Yes, sir. Elder has been telling us to wait for you. The Elder is inside the waterfall."

The young monkey led Carter into a secret cave behind a waterfall. There, an old monkey with gray fur was waiting for him.

The Monkey Yokai was smoking from a pipe when he entered.

"You finally come, Master Blackburn."