When Yami finished speaking, Yuto's face went blank with shock.
"What?!" he blurted, immediately raising a protest.
But in front of Amanoin Yami, his objections were about as effective as a paper shield in a typhoon.
He shot a desperate look toward Hagoromo Gitsune—only to find that her expression had already shifted into one of eager anticipation. She was even muttering to herself under her breath.
"That's true… Even if I've studied child-rearing under Lady Yami, without practical experience it would be meaningless. Then, Lord Yuto… though this may be quite impolite… please forgive me."
Unable to resist the temptation of Yami's proposal, Hagoromo Gitsune stepped forward, clearly intending to take over Yami's position.
Naturally, Yuto refused. Without hesitation, he tried to bolt.
Unfortunately, before he could even push himself upright, his already weakened body betrayed him. Several fluffy tails extended from behind Hagoromo Gitsune and pinned all four of his limbs firmly to the floor.
After merging with Tamamo-no-Mae's soul and power, Hagoromo Gitsune's yokai aura had reached SS-minus rank. In raw strength, she far surpassed Yuto in his normal state—let alone now, when he was still suffering from the weakening effects of the Spider Princess's venom.
At present, he had absolutely no power to resist.
A rhythmic series of sounds began echoing through the room.
But don't misunderstand—this was not that kind of activity, nor was anyone engaged in anything life-threatening.
Hagoromo Gitsune's cheeks were flushed crimson. Aside from the tails restraining Yuto, her other tails swayed gently from side to side, betraying just how delighted their owner was.
As for the unfortunate oni being forcibly subdued, he lay on the ground with a face full of humiliation, enduring the sharp, stinging pain spreading across his backside and seriously questioning whether he'd ever have the dignity to face his subordinates again.
If this intense physical activity between him and Hagoromo Gitsune had been the sort that invited wild imagination, then as the woman in question was the more proactive one, he might have resigned himself to it.
But the reality was cruel.
Despite the suggestive optics, there wasn't even the slightest trace of sensuality involved.
Yuto was simply being held down and spanked.
And Hagoromo Gitsune was not an ordinary human like Amanoin Yami. She was an SS-minus rank yokai. The weight behind her palm was on an entirely different level.
Each strike felt like a thunderclap.
And somehow, they were even rotating players?!
To make matters worse, while Yuto endured his punishment, Yami calmly stood nearby, offering technical guidance to Hagoromo Gitsune—advising from which angle to strike in order to avoid leaving marks while maximizing pain efficiency.
After a while, something seemed to click inside Hagoromo Gitsune. As she gained experience, she grew increasingly… enthusiastic.
With one hand, she diligently recorded every word Yami said in a small notebook.
With the other—
Smack!
She struck again, eyes sparkling with academic curiosity.
"So this is the profound depth of child-rearing knowledge… Truly fascinating."
And so it went.
Yuto spent nearly the entire morning being disciplined. By the end of it, his rear was genuinely swollen.
With Yami—the head of the household—and Hagoromo Gitsune—the strongest combatant—working together, no one else dared even attempt to plead on his behalf.
After carrying out the Amanoin family's "house rules" on Yami's behalf, Hagoromo Gitsune's earlier excitement gradually faded… replaced by a strange emptiness.
She loved the feeling of being a mother.
She admired Yami deeply—admired the way she had Yuto and Ruri as her children.
Hagoromo Gitsune had once given birth to "Nue," yet that child had never regarded her as a mother. She herself had never truly experienced familial warmth.
Watching Yuto deliberately weaken himself so Yami wouldn't hurt her hand while disciplining him—watching him endure humiliation and pain without complaint—
It moved her deeply.
And that was precisely why it hurt even more.
Comparison was cruel.
The warmth and harmony of the Amanoin household only made her own past feel colder… more failed.
After learning about Hagoromo Gitsune's past, Yami stepped forward and embraced her without hesitation.
As a mother, she understood how difficult raising children could be.
What Yami considered herself fortunate for, however, was that both Yuto and Ruri had been unusually mature from a young age. She was proud of them.
Others might envy her for raising two geniuses.
But only Yami herself knew the truth—
More often than not, it had been the two children taking care of her.
"Otohime," Yami said gently, using the name Hagoromo Gitsune had once borne, "if you've chosen to let go of your past, then don't cling to it anymore."
"That so-called 'Nue' of yours is not someone worth grieving over."
"You've come to a new world. Yuto said you were reborn. That means it's time to start a new life."
"If you admire other mothers… why not have another child?"
"And if you want to experience motherhood sooner, you can treat Yuto and Ruri as your children as well. I certainly wouldn't mind."
Yami's maternal instincts overflowed at the sight of Hagoromo Gitsune's sorrow.
Unfortunately, Yuto and Ruri became collateral damage.
Wait—hadn't she just said they were her most precious treasures?
And now she was casually sharing them?
So mothers really do lie to their children.
Just like when she used to trick them out of their New Year's money.
"Truly?" Hagoromo Gitsune's eyes shone. "Lady Yami… may I really treat Lord Yuto and Lady Ruri as my own children?"
Ever since meeting Yami, she had regarded her as an absolute idol.
And if one wished to follow in an idol's footsteps, the first step was naturally to replicate the same configuration.
Yuto and Ruri were, without question, her ideal children.
"No way! I object!" Yuto clutched his throbbing backside. "Hagoromo Gitsune is one of my Hundred Demons! How can she suddenly become my mother? Even as a godmother, that's unacceptable!"
"And I'm sure Ruri wouldn't agree either—"
Good grief.
I want you as part of my Hundred Demons, and you want to be my mom?!
One Amanoin Yami—his natural predator—was more than enough. Adding another would be a disaster.
Besides, he wasn't Abe no Seimei. Why should he inherit that particular burden?
He shot a meaningful look toward his sister, confident she would support him.
And then—
His worldview shattered.
Ruri, the little traitor, completely ignored his signal. Instead, she skipped over and wrapped her arms around one of Hagoromo Gitsune's fluffy tails, rubbing her cheek against it with shameless delight.
"Godmother~" she chirped sweetly, her honeyed voice dripping sugar.
Hagoromo Gitsune's face melted instantly.
"Hey, hey," Ruri continued innocently, "if someone bullies me, will Godmother help me get revenge?"
"And if I want new toys… and clothes… and snacks… will Godmother buy them for me too?"
Dazed by the repeated "Godmother," Hagoromo Gitsune failed to notice the devilish intent lurking behind that angelic smile.
But everyone else in the room did.
From her earlier behavior and the stories of her past, it was obvious that Hagoromo Gitsune was the doting type—the dangerously indulgent kind of mother.
Ruri had absolutely no objection to acquiring such a godmother.
Yami constantly docked her allowance. She was practically a tyrant.
The Spider Princess and Snow Princess doted on her too, but they always deferred to her brother's authority—and they were busy most of the time.
Hagoromo Gitsune, however, was different.
In Ruri's mind, anyone her brother brought home was already family. She had long considered the Spider Princess and Snow Princess her older sisters.
Accepting Hagoromo Gitsune as a godmother posed zero psychological burden—and provided an additional target for strategic pampering.
A win-win.
"Very well," Yami concluded decisively. "Since Ruri has no objections, it's settled. Yuto's dissent is invalid."
"And as for the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons—I may not know much, but I don't recall any rule forbidding relatives."
Yuto stared in disbelief.
So his vote just… didn't count?
Ruri stuck her tongue out at him while still hugging the fluffy tail. "Brother has no sympathy at all~"
Internally, she was already drafting a wish list.
Her brother was broke. Yami was stingy. Her cute act didn't work on Yami.
Now, though?
She'd found her sponsor.
Before long, Ruri left with Hagoromo Gitsune—apparently heading out to shop.
For Hagoromo Gitsune, who had just gained a charming goddaughter, her happiness was obvious.
Whether the two of them had brought any money was highly questionable.
But Yuto was certain of one thing:
Some unfortunate wealthy individual was about to suffer.
As for Yuto himself, still under house arrest, he had no choice but to stay home.
With nothing better to do, he began tallying his recent gains.
Including the rewards from the "Challenge the Gods" mission, he now had close to twenty thousand reputation points.
And, on top of that—
A newly acquired trait skill.
『Godslayer』.