What is misfortune?
It's something subjectively perceived by humans as undesirable, as harmful.
And deception clearly falls within that category.
From simple phone scams to complex financial fraud and information disparity scams - these are all deceptions capable of bringing severe consequences, manifestations of misfortune~.
To distil this manifestation and bestow it upon someone is to make them an emissary of misfortune.
One who brings calamity.
Under Luo Shu's restraint, with Senhime Rin Getsu and two Gundams joining the assault, Sesshōmaru - wielding Tessaiga while grievously wounded - was defeated in less than three minutes.
Luo Shu exhaled softly as he looked at Sesshōmaru lying in a pool of blood, dispelling the heat in his body from the intense exertion.
"It's over."
He patted Senhime Rin Getsu, who had contributed the most, signalling her to approach Sesshōmaru.
As for why Luo Shu didn't go himself? Naturally, he was wary of Sesshōmaru's potential last-ditch counterattack. While it was unlikely to harm him, Luo Shu wasn't a masochist—why invite unnecessary suffering?
Bearing misfortune might not come with physical pain, but the mental strain was taxing enough.
Seeing Senhime Rin Getsu, now in human form, walking towards Sesshōmaru with vacant eyes, Jaken—who had been hiding earlier—immediately rushed forward, blocking her path:
"If you think you can harm Lord Sesshōmaru, you'll have to get through me first!"
Luo Shu, who had just picked up Tessaiga, paused in surprise before chuckling:
"When did I say I was going to kill him?"
Jaken faltered, glancing at Senhime Rin Getsu before his expression suddenly shifted in realisation:
"Don't tell me... You plan to control Lord Sesshōmaru the same way you did with Lady Rin Getsu?!"
"How despicable!!"
Hearing this, Chisato Nishikigi glanced between Luo Shu and Sesshōmaru before letting out an intrigued "Oh?"
"What's with that 'oh'? You know exactly how Demon Heart works." Luo Shu shot her an exasperated look. This woman's mind was too twisted.
"I didn't say anything." Chisato covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Meanwhile, Takina Inoue calmly observed Jaken and suggested:
"To prevent complications, we should detain this Small Yokai as well."
Luo Shu didn't object, merely casting an illusion over Jaken with a glance. Watching the yokai soon flailing at thin air, Chisato sucked in a breath:
"No matter how many times I see it, your ability is terrifying, Luo Shu. To bestow the experience of hallucinations onto others, making them fall victim without a sound... it's really—"
Takina cut in flatly:
"Perverted."
"Right, exactly—perverted!" Chisato clapped her hands together, only to meet Luo Shu's deadpan stare.
She gave an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of her head:
"Takina said it first, not me."
Ignoring the remark, Takina surveyed Senhime Rin Getsu and Sesshōmaru before scanning the Cloudtop Castle around them:
"If Myōga's intel is correct, this fortress belongs to the Dog Tribe under Senhime Rin Getsu's direct command. By controlling her, we can effectively control this place."
Luo Shu didn't oppose the idea, adding:
"Takina, don't forget the Dog Tribe's accumulated resources. Whether it's knowledge, technology, or rare materials, a clan that produced a Great Yokai like Tōga must have substantial reserves."
"Be it talent or knowledge..."
His eyes narrowed meaningfully.
"These assets are precisely what the SDS needs right now."
Chisato frowned sceptically:
"After everything we've done, would they even join us?"
Between hypnotising Senhime Rin Getsu and desecrating Tōga's grave—if even Sesshōmaru could tolerate this, they'd be fools to trust them.
"No, recruitment is still possible." Takina Inoue offered her opinion: "After all, there haven't been any casualties yet, right?"
Hearing this, Chisato Nishikigi's expression turned peculiar.
Despite the life-and-death battle earlier, it was true that neither side had suffered any losses.
At this thought, Chisato couldn't help but glance at Luo Shu.
Her intuition told her this situation seemed to have been orchestrated by Luo Shu.
Noticing her gaze, Luo Shu didn't avoid it but glared directly at her:
"What are you looking at? You're the troublemaker here!"
"Hurry down the steps and call Inuyasha up. Oh, I'll cast an illusion on you later – pretend to be Senhime Rin Getsu's maid and ask the guards about the distance to Musashi Province, along with the locations of the library and treasury."
"If anyone questions you, just say it's because Inuyasha has returned and Senhime plans to groom him as an excuse."
"As for Takina, stay here and help me suppress Senhime Rin Getsu and Sesshōmaru. For Great Yokai, the Demon Heart's hypnosis isn't completely reliable. Given time, they might break free."
Hearing Luo Shu's rapid-fire instructions, Chisato couldn't help but blurt out:
"I get the feeling you're very experienced at this whole 'cuckoo laying eggs in another's nest' business."
Luo Shu didn't know how to respond.
Should he say he'd used this exact strategy at the SDS, having been personally taught how to execute it by Supreme Chairwoman Lacus Clyne?
With these complicated thoughts, Luo Shu urged Chisato to carry out her mission.
...
Outside Musashi Province's capital.
Having returned to the human world, Kuesu Jingūji smiled at Shirayuki Hotogi:
"Shirayuki, looks like you've made this trip for nothing."
Shirayuki frowned at these words: "You're the one who caused all this trouble, and now you're mocking me? Even someone as patient as me would get angry."
Because of Kuesu's reckless actions, the original deal with Senhime Rin Getsu had clearly fallen through. Not only had they failed to obtain the crucial Demon Power control technology, but their employer had been whisked away by Luo Shu. No wonder Shirayuki was frustrated.
Seeing this, Kuesu chuckled and patted Shirayuki's shoulder: "Come now, we've grown up together since childhood. When have I ever truly let you down?"
Shirayuki couldn't refute this. Although Kuesu constantly acted recklessly, the number of times she'd actually caused harm to Shirayuki could be counted on one hand.
This witch seemed to possess an innate talent for cleaning up the messes she created.
At this moment, Kuesu said with a smile:
"I've captured the creator of Tessaiga."
Hearing this, not only Shirayuki but even Yomi Isayama, who'd been pretending to be a silent observer, was shocked.
The creator of Tessaiga?!
This was far more valuable than just the sword itself or even the Demon Power control technology.
After all, the difference between a single meal and continuous feasts was obvious to anyone.
"Where is the swordsmith?" Yomi couldn't help asking.
Kuesu glanced at her and replied:
"You don't think this is a charity, do you?"
Hearing this, Yomi fell silent before asking: "What do you want me to do?"
Kuesu smiled faintly:
"I've heard there's a contemporary shrine maiden in Musashi Province who's considered the strongest..."