The Spider Princess and Nurikabe finally clashed, and the outcome was as predictable as sunrise.
Just as Nurikabe had feared, completely outmatched in both demonic power and race, he stood no chance. The Spider Princess wasn't an ordinary Jorōgumo. Nurikabe might be somewhat unusual among his kind, but Spider Princess was far more exceptional.
Yet, even as she delighted Ryuhime with her display, Spider Princess's actions were... strategic, to put it mildly. Though she claimed she wouldn't hold back, it was all for show. As for why Nurikabe was still screaming and howling despite her restraint—it was purely for sympathy points.
The sparring lasted only a few minutes before Nurikabe lay defeated on the ground, refusing to rise. He had endured enough punishment; even a body of stone couldn't survive that brutal onslaught.
Seeing him sprawled like a lifeless toy, Ryuhime's face immediately twisted in disgust.
"Little Tu is useless! He was bragging about being a powerful monster," she declared.
The little girl's attention quickly shifted from Nurikabe to the now-transformed-back Spider Princess. With a decisive bounce, she ran straight to the Spider Princess.
"Spider Princess, you're amazing! Now that you're home, no one will dare bother me or Mommy!"
Spider Princess smiled knowingly, a faint glint of ruthlessness appearing in her eyes.
"Since someone dares to bully Miss Liu Ji and the Mistress," she said, her voice low and commanding, "Miss Liu Ji, tell me who they are! I will tear them to pieces!"
Ryuhime's eyes sparkled at Spider Princess's words. Nurikabe's earlier boasts had been all talk, but Spider Princess's decisive strength gave the little girl real confidence. She hurriedly began her complaint.
"The one who bullies me and Mommy is a scruffy old man who comes to our house every day. He wears a black suit, always has a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and looks really, really… tired?" Ryuhime struggled to find the right words, her little cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Spider Princess immediately recognized who Ryuhime meant: Kamishiro Isshin, the man Yuto had encountered before. The words she had previously sworn to use for vengeance were stuck in her throat. Worse, this same man was about to become Yuto's teammate. So revenge would have to wait…
Seeing Spider Princess go silent, Ryuhime's face fell.
"Spider Princess is lying! She said she'd avenge me and Mommy. Or is it that even the bad guy can't beat her?"
Whenever Kamishiro Isshin came around, Tenjouin Masami's mood soured, giving Ryuhime a negative impression of him. Now, seeing even the mighty Spider Princess hesitate, her disappointment was obvious.
Spider Princess clenched her teeth, her mind working rapidly. Anyone who dared to harm Lord Yuto's family would answer for it. She could deal with him secretly first, kill him if necessary, and then apologize to Yuto afterward—even if he scolded her, she would accept it.
Kamishiro Isshin, in her eyes, was courting death.
Spider Princess had little regard for ordinary human life. Yuto had warned her not to kill indiscriminately, but this… this was a special case. Anyone who harmed Lord Yuto's family deserved punishment.
Just as Spider Princess had made up her mind and was about to give Ryuhime a firm promise, Yuto walked into the backyard.
"Spider Princess, if you keep spoiling her like this, she's only going to get more and more spoiled."
Seeing her expression a moment ago, Yuto immediately knew what had happened. Spider Princess had likely agreed to Ryuhime's request to "teach" Kamishiro Isshin a lesson.
The little girl, in her innocence, had no idea of the consequences. She only wanted justice for her mother, imagining Spider Princess would beat the man into submission like she did with Nurikabe. Spider Princess, on the other hand, interpreted the request as literal vengeance.
The two were on completely different wavelengths.
Spider Princess's rare blush appeared as she realized her misunderstanding. Quickly, she reassured Ryuhime that she would "teach" Isshin a lesson the next time she saw him—but without killing him. Now, her hesitation melted away, and she repeated her promises for the expectant little girl, leaving Yuto speechless.
"Spider Princess, don't take Ryuhime's words too seriously. She's just been spoiled by us. Now that Mr. Kamishiro is your partner, he won't dare be rude anymore."
Yuto had just spent a long time persuading Tenjouin Masami to tacitly approve joining the 'Unnatural Countermeasures Team.' Now, seeing his mother talking so casually to Spider Princess, his expression twisted in confusion. Only hours ago, she had scolded him violently with a broom.
In terms of etiquette, nothing could be ruder, he thought.
Yet he didn't argue. Spider Princess hadn't taken Masami's words to heart. Her B-rank demonic power and formidable abilities were enough that Yuto could only silently mourn for Kamishiro Isshin. Being the target of a high-level demon was never a good thing. He could only hope Isshin would survive whatever "lesson" Spider Princess had in store.