Riser Phenex isn't a villain

Chapter 81: Just go ahead

The name of the organization aside, Riser was quite curious about whether the East Youkai Faction had a problem or not.

"Natural enemy?"

As the night came after dinner, Riser and Nurarihyon talked to each other about whether the East Youkai Faction had a natural enemy.

If he gave an example, it was like the sensitive relationship between an angel, a devil, and a fallen angel. After all, the three races had been fighting since ancient times, so he wondered whether the East Youkai Faction had something similar.

"If I have to say, then it is the "Five Principal Clans." We might be at peace now since I have made an agreement with them, but as expected, they are human, and you know how greedy they are, right?"

Unlike the other races that had a long life, humans had a limited life, so they were eager to prove their existence that they were living in this world. Due to that problem, they often did irrational actions such as breaking their agreement with the East Youkai Faction.

"I don't really mind since the troubles they have caused are quite minor, but the younger generation can hardly accept them."

Frankly, Nurarihyon never took the "Five Principal Clans" seriously since he was stronger, but as he had taken a lot of followers, he also needed to think about them.

However, if possible, Nurarihyon also wanted the two of them to live in peace, but as expected, such a dream was quite luxurious.

Suddenly, Nurarihyon thought about how Riser dominated his entire faction, so he wondered whether he should do it the same way.

After all, he realized the peace that came from a negotiation wasn't real peace since they had always been in trouble in such a peace.

Instead, the peace that came from subjugation was the real one.

As long as Nurarihyon controlled the "Five Principles Clans," then the peace he sought could be gotten, right?

However, he knew that his power was far from enough, especially when the "Five Principles Clans" had the backing of Shinto Gods, so—

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Can you help me?"

"...."

Riser sighed. "Didn't I tell you the list of the humans that you have to control? You can use them to cause trouble for the "Five Principles Clans. When they have trouble, they won't have time to trouble you."

While it might be a momentary solution, it was good enough.

Frankly, if Nurarihyon didn't cause him trouble, Riser wouldn't bother to dominate the entire East Youkai Faction.

"Well, for now, that's good enough, but aren't you also interested in taking down the "Five Principles Clans"?"

"...I am afraid sooner or later, you are going to ask me to conquer this country, then the world."

"Hahaha..." Nurarihyon laughed. "That's so much fun~!" When he thought he would follow him to conquer the world, he couldn't help but feel excitement in his old bones.

Riser rolled his eyes as he lay on the wooden floor and stared at the starry skies, unlike the town, where one was hardly able to see the stars. The headquarters of the East Youkai Faction was located on the outskirts, and the development in this place was quite minimal, so the beautiful starry skies appeared mesmerizing.

What was so good about dominating the world?

Wasn't it better to lay on the bed while playing games?

Still, while he would be lying if he wasn't curious about the "Five Principle Clans," he realized that he hadn't checked his rewards. Frankly, it was his first time finishing three options given by the system, and as expected, the rewards were rich.

[Congratulations, you have received a "Psychic Resistance," a "Location," and an "Area Invisibility"]

Frankly, when he came to the human world, it felt so easy for him to get rewards compared to when he stayed in the Underworld.

Yet, he also understood that compared to the Underworld, the problem in the human world was much bigger.

Nevertheless, as he worked hard, it was time to enjoy his harvest.

His first reward was the "Psychic Resistance," and it was also the reason why he wasn't affected by Nurarihyon's hypnosis.

Still, if he didn't have this ability, would he be affected by Nurarihyon's ability?

Probably, yes, or probably not?

Riser wasn't sure, but it didn't matter since it wouldn't work now anyway.

Still, while he knew that he should explain his second reward first, he thought to explain his last reward first, which was "Area of Invisibility."

It was an ability that allowed him to create a flawless stealth camouflage that completely isolates a person's senses.

If, by using his fire manipulation, he could become invisible, then by using this ability, he could completely disappear from their senses.

Frankly, this ability was rather scary since it meant that no one would be able to find him unless they had an absolute sense that was capable of detecting him.

—or an ability to read his mind?

Still, he might hardly use this ability unless he was forced to run away.

If he was forced to run away, since his opponent was strong, then he would use this ability without hesitation.

Still, was this ability omnipotent?

Naturally not.

There were many ways to break this ability, such as an area of effect attack.

If he was attacked by a wide area of attack, then he might get hit.

Nevertheless, there was no doubt this was a good ability.

Still, his second ability was the one that he liked the most since "Location" gave him the ability to track a person wherever they go, regardless of whether their appearance is known or not.

As long as there was just limited information about such a person, no one could escape from him, and he would be able to find them.

This ability might not make him stronger, but it made him able to find his enemies even if they hid far away. When they thought they had hidden, they didn't expect he would find them and attack them secretly without them knowing with his "Area of Invisibility."

Suddenly, he looked at Nurarihyon.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Nurarihyon felt that Riser's gaze was weird.

"Well, I plan to go back now."

"Eh? Now?" Nurarihyon startled. "Are you going back to the Underworld? Leaving your two servants?"

"No, I am going to go back to Kuoh Town. Magari brought Ni and Li to the mountain. I don't want to spend a night with an old fart like you."

"..."

Nurarihyon was speechless, but then he smiled lewdly. "If you want a cute girl, then tell me. There are many female youkai who wish to have your seeds, you know?"

If it was other devils, the youkai might not be excited, but Riser was like Suzaku, Vermilion Bird, the firebird, Fenghuang, or Hou-ou, which made him appear more acceptable in the eyes of a youkai. Moreover, he was strong.

Being strong was the key for the supernatural being to become popular.

"No, I have a wife."

"...yet, you bring your two lovers here." Nurarihyon was speechless.

"Anyway, I will go back. Don't tell anyone that you are my subordinates; just tell everyone that we have a good relationship."

"Okay."

Nurarihyon knew that Riser didn't like trouble, and frankly, even if Riser was their leader, nothing really changed anyway, except that... their East Youkai Faction was richer.

Oh, and also stronger since Riser was their boss.

Frankly, this wasn't bad at all.

Riser knew that Nurarihyon had a lot of tricks, but in the end, a conspiracy was useless in front of overwhelming power. As long as he was powerful, no one would mess with him. Instead, they would do their best to curry favor with him.

Nevertheless, he didn't hesitate and left for Kuoh Town using the teleportation mark he had left secretly in a hidden place.

Yet, while it might be sneaky, he didn't intend to tell Sona he had returned.

Why?

"Um... is that you, Riser-sama?"

"....."

[There is no need for hesitation. Just go ahead.]

"..."