Chapter Twenty: The Fundamental Difference Between Demons and Humans

“Ah? Hey!” Because Autumn Hojo fit perfectly into this era, Govi was initially stunned before she exclaimed in surprise. If she hadn’t just been drinking porridge, from Akechi Mitsuhide’s perspective, Govi might have even spat out her porridge in shock.

“Well, um!” Grasping the bowl, Govi’s face flushed red in embarrassment, looking completely at a loss.

“Is there a problem?” Autumn Hojo asked, feigning ignorance but clearly curious.

“At your age, you should have been married long ago. Is it because of the responsibility of the Shikon Jewel that you haven’t found a suitable partner all this time?”

“So, don’t worry about the Shikon Jewel issue; leave it to us, the Hojo army.”

“Yes, what the lord says is right,” Akechi Mitsuhide chimed in from the side.

“In this world, a young lady your age still unmarried will only become an old maid if delayed any longer.”

“Even if you’re a priestess cultivating spiritual power, unless you plan to dedicate your entire life, you won’t be able to marry if you wait a few more years. Outstanding suitors won’t take notice.”

“Old maid? I… um…” Govi was utterly bewildered by their well-meaning words. She’d heard about parents pushing marriage in the future world, but at her age, it was impossible to encounter such pressure so early! After all, she was still a vibrant and beautiful schoolgirl.

Yet, staring into their sincere eyes, Govi opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything else. After all, as Akechi Mitsuhide said, it seemed women in this era of Japan did marry quite early.

“Is there someone you have your eye on?” While Govi’s head was still spinning, Autumn Hojo leaned closer.

“If you have someone in mind, tell me. As head of the Hojo family, I can help arrange a match.”

“No, that’s not necessary. I appreciate your kindness,” Govi said, nearly hiding her small face in the bowl, avoiding Autumn Hojo’s gaze.

Because when Autumn Hojo asked if she had a favorite, inexplicably, Govi’s heart conjured the image of Autumn Hojo himself!

Heavens! The young girl scolded herself inwardly—how could she think of someone she just met? Especially since he was a feudal lord from the Warring States period!

“What’s there to be shy about?” Unaware of Govi’s thoughts, Autumn Hojo’s eyes shone with amusement as he shifted the topic.

“You can like any good young man, but if it’s the half-demon Inuyasha, I hope you’ll be realistic.”

“There’s a difference between demons and humans.”

“Hm?” Govi lowered the bowl from her face, blinking. She didn’t quite understand why Autumn Hojo said this.

From her interactions with Inuyasha, although that dog was unpleasant, arrogant, irritable, and stubborn…

Counting carefully, Govi realized Inuyasha had many flaws.

Only after overcoming these faults could he be considered a good demon!

“The lord is right,” Akechi Mitsuhide nodded and explained further.

“There is a vast difference between demons and humans. Not only do demons kill and eat people and commit unspeakable evils, but consider their lifespans. When your youthful beauty fades, a demon’s life may just be beginning.”

“Countless legends tell us that after the sweet happiness shared with a demon lover, when one grows old and faces a demon who remains unchanged, how many can keep their true heart?”

“And how many demons can maintain their original love for a human in their twilight years?”

“We do not deny that genuine love crossing species exists, but such love is like gold sifted through waves.”

“But beneath the gold, who can count the grains of sand?”

“Not to mention the fundamental differences in nature—imagine being with dogs, wolves, spiders…”

The art of speaking lies in saying just enough and letting the listener’s imagination fill the rest. Akechi Mitsuhide was perfect in this.

Some words are most effective when left unfinished.

“Uh.” Govi clearly sensed the deeper meaning behind Mitsuhide’s words.

Stripped of love’s sacred veil, the thought of essentially loving such creatures made her stomach churn and brought an acidic sensation to her throat.

With immense restraint, she avoided losing composure in front of Autumn Hojo and Akechi Mitsuhide.

Waving her hand, Govi signaled them to stop. She was truly afraid they would say something even harder to face.

Fortunately, just then, Kaede and Inuyasha arrived, having stayed up all night in the village waiting for dawn.

A messenger came to inform Autumn Hojo’s group that Kaede and Inuyasha were waiting outside the camp gate for an audience.

This well-intentioned but difficult conversation ended there.

“Inuyasha, when you meet Lord Autumn Hojo, don’t say anything foolish,” Kaede, standing at the camp entrance with reddened eyes, carefully warned the half-demon.

“I know, you’re so annoying, old lady,” Inuyasha replied impatiently, always defiant.

Like Kaede, he had also not slept all night, worried about the Shikon Jewel’s affairs.

But when the moment came, he stubbornly refused to show his true feelings.

“You two, Lord Autumn Hojo is ready to receive you,” a messenger appeared, interrupting Kaede’s reminders and informing them they could enter.

“Hey, be sure to pay attention,” Kaede said, pushing down her worries as she adjusted the priestess robes she had just changed into, offering one last tip.

“Got it, got it,” Inuyasha said, folding his hands behind his head as he followed the messenger closely.

Soon, the man and demon arrived at the command platform in the camp center.

Looking at Autumn Hojo seated on a folding stool, then glancing at the fierce-looking Hojo warriors around and Akechi Mitsuhide, who had the closest ties, Inuyasha took a deep breath.

Confirming Govi showed no unusual signs except for a slight blush, Kaede bowed deeply in respect.

While bowing, she tugged slightly on Inuyasha.

He paid no mind, standing carelessly and staring at Autumn Hojo with wide eyes.

Perhaps it was because Autumn Hojo’s face bore a handsome flowerbud.

“Kaede, humble servant of the Maple Village, greets Lord Autumn Hojo.”

“Wishing the lord unification of the realm and flourishing fortune in battle.”

Unable to control Inuyasha, Kaede could only hope for the best.

“Rise, Priestess Kaede,” Autumn Hojo said.

“What brings you rushing here so early?”

“Is it about the female demon spying on the Shikon Jewel?”

Raising his hand to signal her to stand, Autumn Hojo’s words surprised Kaede.

Before coming, Kaede had hoped to divert the matter of a female demon’s attack onto the Hojo army, trying her best to keep the Shikon Jewel issue hidden.

But Autumn Hojo’s words disrupted her plan.

“My lord!” Kaede barely stood before quickly kneeling again.

“The matter of the Shikon Jewel is just a baseless rumor. In truth, the jewel’s power is not as great as legend says.”

“Otherwise, how could my elder sister have died from Inuyasha’s attack all those years ago?”

With no other option, Kaede was forced to bring up Kikyo.

“Hey, old lady, what are you saying?” Inuyasha couldn’t sit still upon hearing this.

Before Autumn Hojo and the others could respond, he stamped his foot and shouted.

“It was that woman Kikyo who attacked me!”