"I heard you have a very important mission. Is it because of the red moon phenomenon?" Akira went to find Anton as soon as she received the notification that he was leaving tonight for an emergency.
Anton looked up and nodded. Having received a direct mission from his father, he had no choice but to attend immediately as it was an emergency. "It seems that something big is happening in South Korea. This was a request from my dad, so it must be something challenging for ordinary people to handle."
"Did he take you to the airport?" Akira did this out of kindness, but she knew that Anton had enough staff to assist him.
Anton shook his head and instead extended his hand. "Don't worry, you should sleep since it's very late... Take this, carry it with you always, and you'll be safe from any danger you can't see."
"This is..." Akira held a silver cross without symbols. She wasn't a devout believer, but now more than ever, she thought it wouldn't hurt to know a little more about religions.
"A cross, though its origin is well known, has great power against evil spirits. You won't be harmed as long as you carry it with you." Anton said it as if he were handing a black flower to someone very special.
"This is the first time I've received a cross as a gift. I'll cherish it." Akira accepted the object and respectfully wrapped it in her hand before putting it to use.
Having packed with the few things he had brought, Anton walked with Akira to the elevator, and they descended to the first floor, where his transport awaited. "If you have any problems, don't forget to ask for my help, and about the last thing I told you, keep it in mind."
"Don't worry, there is no need to mention it because if I didn't like you, I would have kicked you out of the hotel when you arrived." Akira looked at Anton in the eyes, being sincere with her words. She had little consideration for people she didn't like, and even someone like Anton wouldn't be a problem for her to get rid of.
"That's what I thought..." Anton felt a little uncomfortable, but personally, it was a good encounter as far as possible, so he felt at ease.
Akira accompanied Anton to the exit; many eyes turned to them because they knew the hotel's concierge, and seeing her accompany a guest was always good to stay informed about what happened in this kind of world.
"Have a safe trip, Mr. ShadowBane. I must say I have a good impression of you." Akira took Anton's hand and bid him a formal farewell.
Anton nodded. Looking at the vehicles waiting for him, he said, "If I disappear, it's because I was defeated on one of my missions, but you won't know that because no ShadowBane is killed; they only silently retire from work."
"I'll keep that in mind..." Akira nodded, and as she watched Anton leave, she sighed with a bit of nervousness. She didn't know why it was challenging for her to maintain her strict composure, and it would be when she was with him.
At the moment she was about to turn around, Akira looked at her father and said, "I never expected you to give me those kinds of scares."
"It seems you are content with marrying him. Just make sure a male child carries our last name; the Shimazu family must never end."
Akira looked at her father and asked, "Do you think I've agreed to marry him?"
"You have already accepted, or am I wrong?"
"He is very open; I feel he will end up dying in battle if he continues as he is now." Akira quickly changed the subject.
"All men live between battles, but in the end, a good woman ends up keeping them away from danger. Surely, you will take care of it."
Akira didn't refute her father's words; she simply followed him in silence because they needed to clarify the recent death of a dark entity at the High Table.
...
At the airport, Anton boarded a private plane, where he encountered a familiar face.
"Yoshio, I didn't expect you to be my escort for the mission in South Korea... What are you doing here?" Anton sat in one of the numerous seats and asked curiously when he saw the familiar face.
"Well, the truth is, I want to learn from you and become a skilled exorcist. Do you think you could teach me?"
Hearing this, Anton smiled. Yoshio was a young guy who should be around his age, so it would be very strange for him to be the one teaching, so he could only think about it. "Do you really think I can teach you?"
"Of course, you received special training."
"What makes you think that?" Anton, at the same time as he spoke, turned on a screen to see information about the mission.
Yoshio became nervous and thought twice before answering, "Well, that's what everyone says."
"Well, do you know anything about what happened in South Korea?" Anton read a legend about a demon that tried to open the gates of hell but theoretically should remain sealed.
"There is a big problem with South Korea and any country in general."
Anton raised his gaze and asked, "What is it?"
"Well, it turns out..."