Chapter 37 - Jōkyō 3 (1686), Part Eight

“A woman carrying a child in her belly is slow, so she should make easy prey. And the child in her womb will be tender and delicious. If it is an infant of the Tsuchimikado family, it may also possess hidden power. If I devour them both, my own power will grow greater still.”

As the creature chuckled with delight, Tomonobu somehow managed to raise his upper body using his elbows. Shreds of Kohiru’s torn clothing fluttered in the wind, brushing against his face and shoulders. He planted his trembling hands on the ground and raised his head. In the...