Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Could it be that the monsters have become weaker?

Ayanokouji quickly understood what was happening when he vaguely saw the phantom of a spider's claw on his body, its claws outstretched.

—It turns out that Kyosuke Kousaka was casting a spell on a group of people!

Half an hour later.

As night fell, Kyosuke Kosaka did indeed leave, taking all his men with him.

Not a single soldier was lost.

However, there were no plans to bring people back to the team immediately.

At this point, Ibaraki-dōji was probably still tracking Minamoto no Yorimitsu and his group; if they went over, they would only get beaten up.

"Your spider-cutting technique is quite impressive."

Having just found a temporary place to stay and set up a barrier, Fujiwara no Michitsuna sighed in amazement.

Kyosuke Kousaka smiled and said, "It's because my magic is powerful."

"Stop discouraging me. What are you planning to do now?"

"I plan to hold off for a while. Anyway, I don't believe they can make any major mistakes while they're stationed at the supply depot."

"Indeed..."

Fujiwara Michitsuna understood what Kousaka Kyosuke meant.

The location supplying the army with food and supplies was so important that it was obvious without even thinking that it would be heavily guarded.

Even if all the monsters of Mount Ooe attacked, they wouldn't achieve any immediate results.

"As for what to do now? I just want to get some sleep."

"That was an easy decision."

"Because I don't want to fight a second Demon King, it's too tiring."

"Haha."

Fujiwara no Michitsuna laughed, then turned and retreated to the side to rest alone.

He is also tired.

They also thought that Kyosuke Kosaka made a lot of sense.

Killing Shuten-dōji this time will be enough.

Although Ibaraki-doji was quite strong, his notoriety was not widespread.

There's not much profit to be made.

His plan this time is to use his merits as a pretext to obtain the official position he desires.

As for exorcising monsters and evil spirits? They've done a good enough job.

Meanwhile, the Fujiwara clan's reputation was effectively solidified by Kousaka Kyosuke's attack.

Although he couldn't compare to Genji, who personally killed Shuten-dōji.

Compared to the less prominent Kamo clan and other families, their military achievements can be described as outstanding!

then.

Kyosuke Kosaka and Michitsuna Fujiwara were in the same boat.

They have no intention of participating in any more battles.

Soon after, Kyosuke Kosaka hunted another wild boar outside the barrier and had Ayanokoji barbecue it.

After the roast pig was successfully cooked, Kyosuke Kosaka took three pig legs.

One for myself, one for Yoto Hime, and one for Fujiwara no Michitsuna.

The others split it equally.

"The meat smells so good..."

"It's good to be alive."

The remaining few dozen or so lowly people chatted in hushed tones.

Noticing that Kyosuke Kosaka, Michitsuna Fujiwara, and the others were ignoring them, they began to whisper among themselves.

Because of their social status, they didn't dare to speak too loudly.

Ayanokoji was with Hikigaya on the other side.

Their movements were almost like conjoined twins, leaving Hachiman speechless.

What is this for?

Ayanokouji seemed to know what Hikigaya was thinking and explained directly.

"I can only be with you, because it's not right to be with anyone else."

"……oh."

Hikigaya responded with a twitching at the corner of his mouth.

He sensed a hidden meaning in Ayanokouji's words, a reminder not to get involved.

In fact, he himself was also hesitant.

As Ayanokouji said.

If you come into contact with some classmates you weren't very familiar with before, or if you hear classmates say that you are from Earth, you will feel a sense of connection.

That makes it easy for people to start testing you and then figure out your bottom line.

It might even affect his younger sister...

"People will do anything to survive."

"Including you?" Hachiman was a little angry.

He couldn't understand.

Why does Ayanokouji always talk to him about random things?

It seems like they're trying to brainwash him!

"There are some things I wouldn't dare to do, but I know that people who have nothing dare to do anything."

Sensing Hikigaya's displeasure, Ayanokouji still spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Hachiman immediately fell silent.

He became timid when he heard Ayanokouji say, "People who have nothing dare to do anything."

What people fear most is comparison.

Among the group of classmates, he seemed to be the one who was doing relatively well... no, it should be said that he was doing very well.

Others might not be so happy.

Hachiman understands this better than anyone else.

Because he used to be one of those who were jealous of "real-life" people!

Let's get back to the main topic.

In this era, survival is a major problem for people of low social status.

He has now looked into these students.

Most of them were "illegal immigrants" who had escaped from government offices and manors.

They are beings despised even by the lowest of the low—non-humans.

The nobles called them "commoners" because they believed that all commoners who were not nobles were the same.

In reality, the so-called common people are divided into free people and lowly people.

There are further distinctions between free people and commoners.

All of these distinguish between high and low status.

Hachiman didn't have the mind to think about these things for the time being; he was just speechless at how these classmates had really brought this upon themselves.

If you have a legitimate status, you should at least gather information about your surroundings before deciding what to do!

Now they've suddenly become the lowest class, even worse than the lowest of the low.

Even though he wanted to help, he was actually in a difficult position.

Because every time someone comes into contact with them, they are met with strange looks if they are discovered.

It was as if I had done something disgusting...

"Let's have a chat," Ayanokouji suddenly said again.

Hikigaya was speechless for a moment.

To be honest, Ayanokouji is probably the person he hates the most right now.