Chapter 17 Let’s Have a Family Meeting with the Evil Dragon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The whole family gathered in the living room, sitting around the table. Tonight’s agenda: what to do with our uninvited guest, the Water Serpent Princess Mizuki.
The one rule was clear—nobody outside could learn that the Evil Dragon’s seal had been broken. Killing her to keep it quiet was the simplest option, but… not exactly great parenting material for Sakuya. Best case, we made it so Mizuki had “never existed” to the outside world. Worst case, we went with permanent confinement.
”Then we’ll manage Water Princess Mizuki by exorcism,” Yaten said.
”Temporary,” I added. “She’ll be a shikigami only until your plan is complete.”
Yaten groaned. “It’s troublesome… but fine.”
Her eyes cut to me in a sharp half-glare. She hated the idea of someone else inside the Underground Temple, but for Sakuya’s sake she swallowed her instincts. Deep down she wanted Mizuki erased, plain and simple. But she also wanted her daughter to grow up among humans, not in the shadow of her mother’s cruelty. That alone was enough for her to suppress her Innate Nature.
Sakuya noticed, of course. But she didn’t call her out. Watching her mom restrain herself—choosing family over instinct—filled her with respect. And honestly, I felt the same. If Yaten could keep growing as a mother, then I had to step up as a father.
”So… Mizuki will serve as Sakuya’s shikigami?” I asked.
It sounded harsh, but in truth, I wanted her to be a kind of… pet. A shikigami was safe: bound, unable to rebel, incapable of harming their master. Perfect for teaching responsibility. Because absolute obedience meant absolute accountability—Sakuya would learn that having power over life meant carrying full responsibility for it. With her Evil Dragon blood, it was the best kind of training.
Besides, there was no way we could let Mizuki go free. If the Shiryuin Clan caught wind that the Evil Dragon was unsealed, they’d move heaven and earth to re-seal Yaten. And Sakuya, our daughter, would be erased along with her. Until our plan succeeded, Mizuki had to remain bound.
”Yes,” Sakuya said firmly. “Leave it to me. I’ll oversee Water Princess Mizuki.”
”Good,” Yaten said. “Then I will teach you how to handle a shikigami.”
”No, I’d like Father to teach me,” Sakuya replied.
Yaten froze. “…What? You mean my instruction is not enough?”
Her daughter fidgeted, looking guilty. “Mother’s shikigami methods are… well… too extreme for modern standards.”
The room went silent. Yaten’s mouth fell open, her eyes wide. A beat later, her face crumpled like she was about to cry. Even an Evil Dragon could be wounded when her own child doubted her.
She turned toward me, desperate. I stepped in.
”Both of us will teach her,” I said. “From her mother, the wisdom of the Evil Dragon. From her father, the knowledge of the Shiryuin Clan. That way she learns balance.”
Yaten’s eyes shimmered. “Husband… you’re too kind. Then, Sakuya, will you hear my teachings as well?”
”Yes!” Sakuya said brightly. “From Mother, the Evil Dragon’s wisdom. From Father, the human clan’s knowledge. I’ll learn both.”
It was a perfect recovery—better than I could’ve hoped for. At only two months old, Sakuya already had the tact to rescue her mom’s pride without making her lose face. Yaten straightened her back, folding her arms and legs with all the poise of a queen.
”Very well. Ask what you wish, daughter. I shall grant you the Evil Dragon’s wisdom.”
Sakuya beamed. “Yes, Mother! Please teach me.”
It was touching, really. I’d seen Yaten just moments ago looking to me for help like a lost child, but Sakuya chose to honor her instead. That kindness alone was enough to make my eyes sting. She was already a filial daughter through and through.
From here on, when it came to shikigami handling, I’d let Yaten take the lead.
Sakuya’s moral compass was already strong. She wouldn’t hurt others needlessly; she’d learned to balance her Evil Dragon nature with compassion. But she wasn’t naive either. Once, she’d declared with chilling resolve:
> “If anyone threatens my family, I will kill without mercy. If they harm Father… I’ll erase even their soul.”
Hearing that side of her was shocking, but I didn’t correct her. It was necessary. Great power always drew parasites—humans, yokai, all of them. If she wasn’t able to cut away malice without hesitation, she’d be devoured to the bone.
And if anyone tried to exploit her power, the first target would be me.
Sakuya was smart enough to know that. That’s why she was preparing herself already—for the day she might have to fight for us.
Sakuya had said flat-out she’d never forgive anyone who harmed her family. Overprotective, maybe, but understandable. Especially for a papa’s girl like her. And I was the softest target, the one most likely to be struck if anyone tried to use the Evil Dragon’s power against us.
”Mm? Father, what’s wrong?”
I couldn’t help it. I stood up and ruffled her hair.
She blinked, a little confused, but her eyes lit up with joy as I stroked her head. I avoided the curved horns—her Reverse Scale, dangerous even to me—and ran my fingers through her jet-black hair, dark enough to swallow light. Her small, soft cheek under my hand made me pause.
From a tiny spark of life to this—my daughter, dressed in a pale cherry kimono, smiling up at me. Even the twisted dragon horns jutting from her head only made her cuteness stand out more.
And then, unbidden, I remembered something Yaten had once told me in the bath. Someday Sakuya would find someone she loved. The thought left a dull ache in my chest.
”You look pained,” she said softly. “Does your heart hurt?”
”It’s nothing,” I lied, shaking my head. “Not as serious as it looks.”
She frowned, not convinced. She always noticed the smallest shifts in me, always trying to share the burden. Sweet girl. Too sweet—I hated to worry her.
Yaten chuckled from the side. “Husband, you’re jealous of Sakuya finding a future mate, aren’t you?”
”Hey, that’s not it!” I blurted. “It’s just… a father’s loneliness, thinking about his child leaving the nest.”
I caught Sakuya’s eyes and froze. She was staring at me like she’d been struck by lightning, lips parted.
”Father… are you jealous of whoever my future partner will be?”
”Wait, no—that’s not what I meant!” My hands flailed. “I just… don’t want to feel lonely, that’s all—”
Before I could finish, she stood and wrapped her arms around me. Her small head pressed into my chest, her voice firm.
”Don’t worry, Father. I’ll never make you feel that kind of loneliness.”
Her eyes shimmered with tears as she looked up, hugging me tighter. She was trying to comfort me, but it felt almost like a vow.
And then, in a language not meant for humans, words slipped out of her mouth:
“The only one who can ever be my lover is ■■■.”
”Sakuya…? What did you just—”
She blinked, then quickly smiled. “Nothing. It’s nothing at all. Besides, Father, isn’t this conversation too early for me?”
”Exactly so,” Yaten chimed in, smirking. “Mate talk is too soon for a child of two months.”
Dragon-tongue. That’s what it had been. I hadn’t understood it, but I felt the weight of it. Still, Yaten’s scolding was right—I was the fool here, dragging Mate-talk into a child’s ears.
Sakuya seemed to sense it too. She turned, all cheer again, and ran toward the sliding doors. At the threshold, she looked back with a bright smile.
”Father, Mother! You promised to teach me how to handle a shikigami, remember?”
”Of course,” I said, forcing a grin. “Shall we go?”
Yaten laughed softly. “So impatient. Don’t rush, little one.”
Her energy reset the mood, and I let it. Better that than making her worry about me. Together, we followed her out.
”Husband,” Yaten said slyly at my side, “life will only get harder as our family grows…”
”For now, raising Sakuya and Uigetsu will be challenge enough,” I said.
”It won’t stop at that,” she teased. “But perhaps… no, perhaps you are just right as you are.”
”Hm? Yeah… you’re right. Overthinking would only hurt the plan.”
Her smile curved into something mischievous, the kind of grin that might mean a prank… or a surprise. I didn’t worry. She’d promised to share anything serious with me.
So I let her scheme, trusting her completely. After all, a little unpredictability kept family life interesting.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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