On a cliff in Monster Mountain, Na Zhiwuliu was sitting cross-legged.

He must have been thinking about something--that's what anyone who sees Nachi at this moment thinks. That calm but seemingly heavy expression is really not something that a dazed person would have.

So, with this gesture of a contemplative person, what is the Yaksha Raven thinking?

There's just one thing. In the last few days, it has been haunting his mind, interfering with his affairs as a martial artist.

All the monsters make a pact to fight together on the moon. It is conceivable that in the end, whether it is defeat or victory, the result must be tragic.

And this war ...... It's going to start tomorrow.

An army of millions of monsters has gathered near Monster Mountain. Tomorrow, when the moonlight shines again, it will be the time for the army to set out.

「……」

Looking at the bright moon overhead, Na Zhiwuliu finally noticed it.

I'm scared. Scared of the battle.

Do you call yourself a coward? Asking himself, Na Zhiwuliu found that he really couldn't say that he saw death as home. However, he must not be said to be a coward. Because he has the courage to face death, if necessary, he will also face death with a calm attitude. So, what is he afraid of?

Even he himself didn't know very well.

This is really amazing, and it is rare for Zhiwu to not be able to see his own heart clearly. Because it's as ridiculous as a swordsman who has allowed his sword to be dusted.

Even so, though. He should also know that this is unreasonable, and as a martial artist, he should rejoice in the arrival of the battle.

That's right, he loves to fight...... He likes the feeling of boiling blood and making his soul beat, and every time the sword rushes, he feels inexplicable joy. Because every wandering between life and death gave him a new evolution, and he could clearly feel that he had advanced another square in the ranking called the biological chain.

However, he does not like the battlefield.

This may indeed be a contradiction. But that's just the way it is.

To be precise, what he likes is to be able to fight with good opponents of equal strength, which is the best way to allow him to enter the realm of the whole body and the whole spirit, and obtain the ultimate sublimation. But if it was on the battlefield, then what Zhiwuliu did was basically just the act of repeating the killing.

The competition on the battlefield is not about who is stronger, but who is more capable of killing -- these two seemingly identical concepts are actually fundamentally different...... Unfortunately, there aren't many people like Nachi who recognize this.

To use an analogy, the battle was as refreshing as a breeze to Nachimuliu, but fighting on the battlefield was more disgusting to him than rolling in the mud.

However, this is not enough reason for him to be afraid of this emotion.

Just as Nachi was about to examine his mind further, his keen sense of hearing caught a sound that was by no means natural.

…… It was the sound of footsteps that could only be seen when walking in the grass.

Someone approached, and Nachimuliu, who realized this, immediately stood up and headed in the direction from which the voice came.

And then...... There are ghosts with ruddy faces from consuming too much alcohol.

"Yo, Nachi, you're here."

"Who should I be, it's you, Cuixiang."

Na Zhiwu Liu greeted him in a cheerful tone that was the same as usual.

But for some reason, Suika, who had made a happy voice when she saw Nachi, frowned explicitly.

"Hey, what kind of bad look you have, if that's the case, the rare wine will be bad."

It seemed that she had noticed that Nazhi was in a completely different state of mind. It's worthy of being an immortal.,Even if it's a little girl on the outside, it has eyesight that matches her age.。

But I didn't expect her to see through her disguise...... Does she also have a sensitive heart under her laid-back and bold appearance? That Zhiwuliu thought with a little surprise in his heart.

"Tsk, my expression is sluggish...... What a strange description of that. I think the tone and expression are perfect, how can you see it?"

"Your tone and expression are indeed the same as usual...... But your eyes don't look as cheerful as they used to be."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in Suika's words.

"So your expression seems to me to be fake."

"Is that so...... Hahahaha, it's worthy of a ghost, even if the appearance is no different from a little girl, but the heart is still different."

Without denying Suika's words, Nachi slowly approached Suika. Now he is no different from usual...... At least Cuixiang can't see it, and the words full of ridicule are also very familiar.

"Tomorrow the war is about to begin, and I can have a happy banquet...... Should you say that you are free or stupid? It's hard to describe."

However, this is also an enviable trait--he said again.

This is not an irony, because some of the envy is not missed by Cuixiang.

That Zhiwu Liu knew that thinking too much would only dull his soul, just like he was now. A life as bold as a ghost may be the happiest.

"If you're envious, you can join in—I was going to say that, but now I'm curious...... What's wrong with you?"

Suika, who was originally planning to invite Nachi-Take-ryu to the banquet, has now changed her attention. There are more important things for her to figure out at the moment than drinking.

"Are you scared?"

"Scared? What are you afraid of?"

For Nazhi's knowingly question, Cuixiang couldn't help but snort.

"Needless to say...... You're afraid of war."

The glance that came towards Nazhi with a little puzzlement was so dazzling to him. However, as long as he denied the word "no", which could be easily said by opening his mouth, Na Zhi couldn't say anything.

「――――」

「…… Are you serious? Nachi, if that's the case, I'm really mistaken about you...... The Yasha Raven, who was famous all over the world, has also become a coward."

Seeing that Zhiwuliu had nothing to say, Cuixiang's eyes clearly began to show disappointment, however......

"Well said!!"

Na Zhi Chong Cuixiang roared sharply. This behavior made him look particularly terrifying.

Undeterred, however, Suzuka discovers that what burns in the Tengu's eyes is not a flame called anger, but an equally strong but clearer will.

…… Compared with just now, the current Zhiwuliu has obviously figured out his heart.

"I'm scared! I'm afraid of this war!"

"Why? It's not like you......

Na Zhiwuliu's attitude made Suuka incomprehensible. She knew Na Zhiwuliu...... True, he did not like war. However, he is also a martial artist in the end, even if he doesn't like it, he will devote himself to the battlefield and forget about death in order to obtain martial arts. He's such a guy.

However, he will not be afraid of the battlefield no matter what, and as a youkai who has fought alongside him, Suika knows this...... At the very least, she thought she knew.

"Why? So I ask you...... What the hell am we fighting for......

"Do you need to ask? For the future of youkai."

"It's really a righteous and awe-inspiring statement."

For Cuixiang's answer, Na Zhiwuliu sneered from the bottom of his heart.

"You can defend yourself with this, but it doesn't change the fact that we are aggressors, and it doesn't change the fact that we are wicked this time."

Speaking...... Nachi closed his eyes in pain.

"I swore that I would never swing my sword at the innocent...... It was this war that I didn't know what I had to say that made me break my vow."

「…… I'm sorry."

Suika still remembers that she was not persuaded by Purple until the end that day, and she always opposed the attack on the big monster on the moon, and Na Zhiwu Ryu was one of them.

"But...... For the sake of the future of youkai, reputation and the like can still be discarded in comparison...... Of course, I'm not sarcastic, but I think most youkai will go out of their way to survive."

"Is there righteousness...... I see, but Cuixiang, have you really exhausted all methods?"

"What did you say?"

The ghost was stunned.

"Indeed, the earth is no longer accepting youkai, so I headed for the moon...... I don't want to say that's wrong, but is there just one option, war? Even if it's only a 1 in 10,000 chance, don't we talk to the inhabitants of the moon?"

"This ......"

This time, it was the turn of the dumbfounded Cuixiang.

No matter what you think, the inhabitants of the moon who have settled on the moon since ancient times will not welcome a group of uninvited guests to live on the moon suddenly, and the only way for the youkai is to resort to force and defeat the natives. But, that being said...... It was also their mistake to think directly of the big monsters who went to war without trying to communicate. Choosing the bloody path without even the slightest attempt is really not virtuous.

"Of course...... I also know what the final exchange will be, and I don't want to condemn anyone. I just want to say、What I'm really afraid of is...... What if we fail. I can't accept the fact that they have become wicked people and still don't get anything in the end."

"Do you mean we're going to lose? That's impossible."

Unexpectedly, when she heard Na Zhiwuliu's concern, Cui Xiang smiled and gave a firm answer.

The bright smile was very commensurate with her, and it made Nazhi lose his mind for a moment. But soon he reacted.

"I'd love to believe you, but it sounds unfounded. Where does your confidence in victory come from?"

"Because Ibuki Suka is here, that's why the inhabitants of the moon will be defeated."

As if announcing an unshakable fact, Suika slapped her chest and said something that was unacceptable to Zhiwuliu.

"There's often a fine line between self-confidence and conceit, and I have to say, you're crossing that line."

Nachi, who said these philosophical words, was surprised to find that Suika did not show the slightest waver, and still looked at him with a smile.

No, it's better to say that her smile is getting more and more attractive.

"Of course, the main reason is that there is Nazhi you, so I can believe that we will win."

Suika patted his arm affectionately, revealing the kind of smile that couldn't make Na Chi Wu Ryu refuse.

"Ha, you think too highly of me."

Unable to say no, Nachi chuckled and agreed.

"Your expression has changed a lot now...... Let's go! Come with me for a drink."

Indeed, compared to the calm just now, the Zhiwu Ryu that Suika could feel now was the one she was familiar with.

"Can a person's expression be described as a boom? Hey, don't pull my sleeve!"

"What's the matter, we're good friends, aren't we? Don't worry about this little thing."

They were still chattering and arguing with each other.

That's it...... The two figures, one short and one tall, gradually disappeared from the cliff.

PS: That Zhiwuliu is actually a character with a very protagonist temperament.