They stepped out into the mansion's vast yard, where a group of guards and servants had already gathered, all of them staring upward, their faces pale with shock.
Maya followed their gaze and froze.
There, hovering above the Yotsuba mansion, defying the laws of both magic and nature, was a man. He stood suspended in mid-air, his posture relaxed as he gazed down at them with a calm, almost casual, demeanor. His eyes met Maya's, and for a brief moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
'This is impossible,' Maya thought, her mind racing.
The Yotsuba Clan, with all its resources and knowledge, had long been baffled by the mysteries of flight magic.
A complete, sustained levitation spell was one of the greatest unsolved puzzles in their world.
And yet, here was this man—this stranger—doing it effortlessly, as though it were the simplest thing in the world.
"Is that…?" Hayama's voice trailed off, his disbelief mirroring that of everyone else present.
"Yes," Mrs. Shirakawa murmured, her voice filled with a rare note of awe. "Its Him"
Maya's eyes narrowed as she studied Him. His presence here, now, was no coincidence. Was it a statement, an invitation or perhaps, a challenge??.
But what troubled her most was not the display of Power—it was the way he looked at her. There was no arrogance, nor malice in his gaze. Instead, there was something far more unsettling.
Affection.
He descended slowly, gracefully, until his feet touched the ground. The crowd parted instinctively, a mixture of fear and curiosity in their eyes as they made way for him.
"Lady Yotsuba," he began, his voice calm and measured. "You look more beautiful in person than my memory serves."
There was a subtle warmth in his tone, a familiarity that set her on edge.
"It seems I've attracted quite the crowd, eh?" he added with a smile, his eyes flicking to the servants and guards around them.
The air seemed to thicken as his words sank in. The gathered servants gasped, shock and fear rippling through them.
How dare he speak so casually to their Mistress, the one known as the 'Demon King of the Far East.'
But Maya was not like her servants. She understood the dual meaning behind his words, the way his gaze lingered briefly behind her.
'He knows', she realized with a start.
The question wasn't directed to just the crowd in the yard—it was about the powerful figures she had summoned, the ones waiting in the living room to discuss the very man who now stood before her.
Grey's smile widened a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Well," he continued, his voice lowering slightly,
"it would be rude of me not to introduce myself to your other guests as well."
Maya's mind raced, but her face remained a mask of icy control. This anomaly had just changed the plan entirely.
He wasn't here to beg for help or negotiate from a place of weakness. He was here to show them exactly who they were dealing with.
But Maya did not flinch. "Very well," she said, her voice cold and commanding, masking the turmoil within.
"Let's not keep them waiting."
Grey nodded, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Then I suppose you won't mind if my new friends join the discussion."
Before Maya could respond, Grey snapped his fingers. A magic circle appeared, glowing with an intense light.
In the blink of an eye, three figures materialized: a man in a skull mask dressed in a formal suit, and two familiar faces—Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba.
The gathered servants and guards gasped, their shock palpable. Maya's composure slipped for just a fraction of a second.
Gravity control magic was one thing, but to perform perfect teleportation—flawlessly and with such ease—was an entirely different level of power.
It was a demonstration of High level of control over the Fabric of Space which is impossible till date.
The first figure, a man with a skull mask dressed in a formal suit, clutched his stomach and muttered,
"Fuck... it feels weird, Boss. It's like playing hardcore dodgeball... but the ball is me."
Grey glanced at him, his tone almost apologetic. "Sorry, Simon. That's the best we can do with a Tier 2 spell."
Tatsuya, standing beside his sister Miyuki, who appeared slightly disoriented, gave Grey a nod of acknowledgment as he held Miyuki close, comforting her with a protective arm around her shoulders.
Grey's voice cut through her thoughts. "So, shall we proceed, Lady Maya?"
Maya hesitated, her mind calculating the risks, but Grey's steady gaze held her in place.
"But they—" she started, but he quickly interjected.
"I insist," he said softly, yet there was no mistaking the finality in his tone. He was giving her no choice, it was not a request.
For the first time in a long while, Maya felt the ground beneath her shift in a way she hadn't anticipated.
The situation was spiraling out of her control, and she was faced with a choice: to resist and risk confrontation with an unknown power or to accept and play the hand she'd been dealt.
After a brief pause, she straightened her icy facade firmly in place. "Very well," she replied, her tone regaining its authority. "Let's not keep them waiting."
With that, she turned and led the way back into the mansion, her mind already racing with strategies to regain control of the situation.
Behind her, Simon, and the Shibas followed.
As they walked, Maya could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her.
The plan she had thought was slipping from her grasp, and the man who walked beside her—calm and confident—was the one pulling the strings.
As they approached the living room, Maya knew one thing for certain: she was dealing with someone who was not only powerful but also unpredictable, and that made him far more dangerous than she had anticipated.
In the grand living room,
I sat on a couch, facing Maya Yotsuba. Her cold gaze met mine, though there was a hint of tension and intrigue beneath her calm exterior.
To my left, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba sat together on another couch, while Simon Riley stood behind me, arms crossed, his presence solid and reassuring.
But it was the guests to my right who drew my attention. Despite their calm exteriors, there was a palpable tension in the air.
Kazama Harunobu, the technically the Colonel of the 101 Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion though his promotion is currently withheld, sat with a slightly stiff posture.
He looked every bit the battle-hardened soldier, his rugged face betraying no emotion, though I could sense his irritation.
Being here, in the heart of the Yotsuba's power, wasn't where he wanted to be, especially given his distaste for the Ten Master Clans and their modern magic.
Next to him was the Buddhist priest and political mastermind, Toudou Aoba. His eyes were closed, as if in deep meditation, but I knew better than to underestimate him.
Aoba was a man whose reputation preceded him—a master of the unseen, with connections that spanned the globe.
Even with his eyes closed it felt as though he could see into the very soul of anyone in the room.
As we all settled into an uncomfortable silence, Hayama entered the room, carrying a tray with traditional green tea.
His movements were precise and respectful as he served each of us. The tea he brewed was an ancient recipe, something rare in their world as the era of Immortals and Devils is nothing but Long-forgotten myths.
When he handed me the cup, I nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Hayama-san."
"You're welcome, Master Grey," he replied, bowing slightly before retreating to stand behind Maya.
I took a moment to inhale the aroma, recognizing the depth of tradition behind it. "This is an excellent tea, Hayama-san."
Hayama's stoic expression softened slightly. "It was taught to me by my grandfather. He believed this was the way the gods themselves made tea."
"Your grandfather was a wise man," I said with a slight smile. "A man of tradition indeed."
Kazama gave a slight nod, acknowledging the comment without engaging further. He wasn't one for small talk, and I could see him itching to get to the point of this meeting.
His eyes flicked toward Tatsuya for a brief moment before returning to me.
Toudou Aoba finally opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and penetrating.
"Tradition is the foundation upon which we build,"
he said quietly, his voice calm but laden with authority. "But it's the future we can shape."
"True, true," I responded with a smile, sipping my tea.
Kazama's patience was wearing thin. He leaned forward slightly, his irritation evident in his voice.
"Can we get this over with? Why are we here, and who is this guy?" He asked about me as he shot a glance at Tatsuya, who remained stoic as always, clearly out of the loop compared to Aoba, who had his vast network of connections and insights.
I smirked. "Of course, Kazama-san, but I believe we're waiting for one more guest."
Kazama's brow furrowed in confusion, and even Miyuki and Tatsuya exchanged a quick glance, their curiosity piqued.
"I'm talking about that guy," I said, pointing toward a seemingly empty wall. "Mr. Ninja, I don't know what you're trying to accomplish, but I can see you."
A moment later, the illusion dissipated, revealing a man in monk's robes, though his playful grin and mischievous eyes immediately gave away his true nature.
This was no ordinary monk, but Kokonoe Yakumo, the current master of the 'Temple' and the most skilled Ninjutsu user of this era.
"Hehe, sorry about that. Thought I could surprise you," Yakumo said with a chuckle as he walked over to join us.
"His Excellency, Priest Aoba," he greeted Toudou with a respectful nod, which was met with a calm acknowledgment.
"And my good disciples," he added, waving casually to Tatsuya, Miyuki, and Kazama, who simply grunted in response.
Yakumo settled himself next to Kazama, his carefree demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the room.
Yet, despite his light-hearted attitude, there was no mistaking the power and cunning behind those playful eyes.
"So, what's going on?" Yakumo asked, looking around with curiosity.
Maya leaned forward slightly, her cold eyes assessing the room. "Now that everyone is here, let's get started."
I began slowly, "Well, before we began let me introduce myself. I am Grey and I came to this world for specific reasons"
"I went to see Tatsuya recently," I said, glancing at him before continuing. "We managed to create the weapon I had envisioned." I could see the curiosity in their eyes as I signaled to Simon.
Simon stepped forward and demonstrated the weapon's power, a perfect blend of magic and technology. The room was silent as they watched, their interest piqued by the potential of what they were seeing.
"Impressive, isn't it?" I said, gauging their reactions. "But here's the thing—I want the cooperation of the Yotsuba family.
Specifically, I need FLT Labs to mass manufacture this weapon without a single fault. And I trust only them to handle such a delicate task."
Kazama's eyes widened in shock.
"The Yotsuba family... working for you?" His voice was laced with disbelief and concern. The implications were massive.
If the Yotsuba, already one of the most powerful clans among the Ten Families, got their hands on a weapon like this, it could tip the scales in Japan—maybe even the world.
This wasn't just a bold request; it was a Threat to the other Families.
Kazama could already see the worst-case scenario playing out in his mind. All the efforts, he and others had made to keep the Yotsuba clan's power in check would be rendered useless.
The balance of power would shift dramatically, and any hope of subduing the Yotsuba's influence would be lost.
Kazama's gaze hardened as he processed the gravity of the situation.
His hands clenched tightly, knuckles turning white.
I could see the tension building, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
He clearly wanted to protest, but he was holding himself back—whether out of Fear of me or fear of offending Maya, maybe both, It was unclear.
"I have a few conditions or expectations if you must say," I continued, keeping my tone firm.
"There should be no interruptions, no delays. The task must proceed smoothly. Tatsuya, Maya, and I will personally supervise the entire process." I let my gaze sweep across the room before adding,
"That means no external disturbances will be entertained."
Toudou raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the audacity of my request. Yakumo's playful smile faded, his expression becoming more serious.
But it was Kazama who couldn't hold back any longer. He struck the bench with the flat of his palm, the sound sharp in the tense silence.
"Is that a threat?!" he demanded, his voice edged with anger.
I calmly took a sip of my tea, letting the moment linger before responding.
"No, it's a warning," I said quietly, my tone measured.
"I don't threaten people... I warn them. And if they persist...well" I let the sentence hang in the air, my eyes gleaming with a brief flash of darkness.
"Anyways, The reason I'm telling all of you this—even though some of you aren't part of the Yotsuba family—is because Maya considers you all to be in the loop.
As she called you here to discuss about me."
Toudou's gaze sharpened as he finally spoke, "Those are Bold claims, young man"
His tone was measured, but there was an edge to it.
"Besides, who's to say we can trust you? we don't know you-I don't know who you are... I'm still the sponsor of the Yotsuba Family, and for all we know, you could be another Parasite—just more dangerous and different than any we've encountered."
I smiled, a calm expression on my face. "Fair enough, Toudou-san.
You are gifted with good eyes. So, open them and see...
I'll show you who I am."
I stood up, as I unleashed my Aura and released my Qi.
"Oh? Fine, I'll see wha-?!...you!!"
Toudou squinted, trying to see what I meant. But then, his eyes widened, panic flickering in them.
"..Impossible... This can't be...Shura—no, an Immortal.... Immortal Emperor!!" His voice trembled as the overwhelming presence of ancient power consumed him.
Blood began to flow out of his eyes, the strain of seeing such a raw, unfiltered power proving too much for his Spirit Eyes.
The eyes, that can see the deepest truths, saw more than they were ever meant to.
He stumbled back, clutching his head,
*bang* *bang* *bang*
He began to kowtow, banging his head against the floor.
"This lowly One...Greets the Immortal Emperor!!..." he murmured, his voice choked with reverence and fear.
The air grew thick, suffocating, as if we had all been plunged into the deepest depths of the ocean.
It wasn't magic—not in the sense they were used to. This was something raw, ancient, and far more potent than any manipulation of Psions, can or will achieve.
Kazama, who had been on the verge of protesting earlier, was frozen in place. His face, usually composed and controlled, was contorted with a mix of fear and confusion.
He couldn't see what Toudou saw, but the oppressive pressure in the room was more than enough.
he grabbed his chest as he struggled to breathe.
He glanced at Toudou, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the elder, who had always been a pillar of strength, now reduced to such a state.
Yakumo was unnaturally still, his usual mischievous smile wiped clean from his face, replaced by a rare look of deep concern.
Even he, with all his tricks and abilities, could sense the weight of the ancient power pressing down on them.
Miyuki, pale and trembling, clung desperately to her brother's arm, her eyes wide with terror. She sought reassurance in Tatsuya, the only solid ground in the midst of this choking, oppressive atmosphere.
He held her protectively, his own stance tense as he struggled to process the sheer intensity of what they were experiencing.
My gaze shifted to Maya. Despite her usual stoic demeanor, I could see her discomfort as she tried to hold her ground, her fingers twitching slightly.
Seeing her, I withdrew my Aura immediately. And Everyone gasped in relief.
Hayama was leaning against the wall for support, his composure wavering under the pressure.
"Well, that should make it clear that I am not one of those weak and pathetic Parasites you thought I might be," I said, my eyes now on Toudou, who was still kneeling at my feet, blood staining his face.
Toudou's voice trembled as he replied,
"...no... No, my Lord, I don't dare…" His reverence and fear were evident as everyone else watched, frozen in place.
"Good. Now that we're on the same page, and everyone knows what's expected of them," I continued, my tone calm but commanding,
"let's proceed."
I glanced around the room, taking in their reactions before finishing,
"And regarding the 'Parasite' issue—I'll handle it personally. So fear not, pop a drink and chill out."
After a While, everyone dispersed, not without chugging some cold water.