18 days, significantly faster than recently but I'd like it to be closer to two weeks per chapter. Sadly I still have a month and a bit left of school so I still can't make promises. With that out of the way, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Text
Our reappearance after the teleportation isn't smooth. Rather our arrival is the magical equivalent of walking into a door with the accompanying abrupt stop felt on a spiritual level.
I hadn't thought about how teleporting to the original teleportation destination would work. Now, it's obvious that teleporting to the original destination would not be possible if they had any security measures. Therefore, instead of landing inside our exact destination, we bounced off the defences of the location and landed outside.
The feeling is disorienting, to say the least.
As I glance at the others, it's clear I'm the only one having a hard time here. Their experience with teleporting means they were ready for the sensation.
Byakko is frowning with narrowed eyes as he checks out our surroundings, while Seiryuu and Suzaku are already drawing upon their magic.
As I shake myself off, I follow Byakko's example and look around.
We're no longer in Kyoto but at a property outside the city limits, upon which sits a large estate.
With the size of the estate and the large walls that wrap around it, a compound or fortress might be a better name.
The appearance of the compound isn't something I spend much thought on since soon it'll be inconsequential. It's the same western-gothic architecture the devils seem to favour in their construction.
Instead of spending much time thinking about that, I focus on the magical barrier around the property.
While it seems well made based on my knowledge of barrier magic, it's by no means any real obstacle for any of us. I have a few options for tearing it apart and I contemplate which I'd rather use.
Well, with Suzaku here I want to do something impressive so the choice is easy.
I start summoning my sword to slash through the barrier when Byakko clears his throat and jerks his head towards our companions.
"It isn't time for us to step up yet," He says simply and watches them with crossed arms.
Seiryuu and Suzaku have already begun working on both removing the barrier and casting one of their own to trap our targets here. Once again the two are working in unison to create a grand work of Onmyoudo and it is even more impressive than the last spell due to the magnitude of this one.
The winds whip into a frenzy, around us and the entire compound, as a magic circle appears in the sky and another on the ground. Suzaku's magic circle shines above, stretching over the entire estate and its defensive barrier. While Seiryuu's magic circle rotates slowly below emitting a blue glow.
The magic power of the Azure Dragon and the Vermillion Bird is pouring out of both inheritors' spell formations, dyeing the winds in Azure mana and the sky bright red.
From within the dense wall of wind that is forming, the shadow of the Azure Dragon can be seen as it coils around the estate. The draconic body, formed from the magical winds, emits a potent aura as it sits in a silent vigil around the estate.
At the same time, feathers of Phoenix fire begin to land upon the compound's barrier, burning away the demonic power supporting the spell.
"Not bad huh," Byakko says as he pats me on the shoulder. "Even if magic is pretty lame, it's useful for times like these."
The feathers from earlier prove to be a mere side effect of the spell as a lance of spiralling flame is summoned from the magic circle, drilling straight through the defensive barrier and tearing it to shreds.
I bite my lip as the defensive barrier begins to collapse under Suzaku's magic and send her a heated glance that she misses because of her focus.
A shame really.
I shake my head and turn back to Byakko, "You're able to call that 'lame'. Your comment is almost more awe-inspiring than their magic."
He shrugs unbothered, "You and I could both do the same with our fists. Why bother with all that studying if I can achieve the same result in the gym."
"You're a simple guy aren't you," I mutter incredulously.
"I enjoy what I enjoy." He replies then his voice dips into a low growl, "And what comes next, I'll enjoy a lot."
With the barrier around the estate destroyed, there are no more magical obstacles barring our entry, the only obstacles left are physical.
With that being said we aren't able to move on to breaking down the wall right away. The butler appears on top of it in a flash of demonic power before we can do so.
He bows elegantly toward our group and once he straightens back up shows a practised smile.
Yet I can feel the anxiety he's trying desperately to hide in an effort to appear unphased by our arrival. It's almost visible behind that facade he's wearing.
"Greetings honoured guests from the Principal Clans. Would you be so kind as to explain what your presence and actions mean?" His voice is filled with an appropriate amount of respect and false confusion.
Byakko barks back instantly, "Don't pretend you're ignorant of why we're here. It won't save you."
The butler sighs and adjusts his gloves, "Very well then. What would it take for you to let your grudges fade today?"
Byakko laughs derisively shaking his head, "You clearly know nothing of our clans if you can ask that. Do you think we've remained in power this long by 'letting things go' or backing down for meagre concessions?"
"No, my grudge will fade once I've satisfied my anger. There is no escaping your judgement today." He growls and I find myself smiling as I listen.
It would be hard for me to respect Byakko if he backed down here.
The butler's eyebrows climb upwards as he takes in that threat, "I don't believe you are aware of who you are threatening. I may be a mere butler of the Shax family but I have been appointed to serve the young lady of the house directly by her father, Marquis Shax."
"You may be able to kill me today, but can you handle offending my master?" The devil clearly believes the question is rhetorical given his smile so he flinches when Byakko responds.
Disdain at the butler's cowardly attitude and the 'status' of his master, drips from Byakko's scathing words, "Your master means nothing to me. Let him take offence."
The butler glances at the rest of us and finds we all agree.
"I see," He mutters then disappears again.
Byakko wrinkles his nose and spits on the ground, "Spineless worm."
"I would've threatened him more descriptively but not bad," I give Byakko a thumbs up and he laughs.
Following the grand displays of magical prowess the others showed off, I don't want to just sit and watch as they do all the work. Besides, I have some new techniques to test.
Rolling my shoulders I step up, "I guess it's time to knock."
I ignore Seiryuu sighing at my quip and square up across from the perimeter wall.
While I could crack a hole into the estate with ease, it wouldn't be very impressive. Even if I was alone I would want to do something better than that, and with Suzaku watching that desire is magnified.
With my Ki sense covering the estate, I'm able to tell where everyone is and their relative strength. There is a surprisingly small amount of servants here for the size of the estate, though given her prior actions, Yura-Ann probably uses her peerage for menial labour out of some perceived superiority. I'm getting off track.
Yura-Ann, the butler, and ten other devils are all underground in a basement level of some sort.
Knowing I won't accidentally kill our target makes my next move easy.
My Touki explodes outward over my entire body as I draw my arm backwards and make a fist at my waist.
I keep the movement slow and stable, taking a deep breath as I settle my stance. My Touki shines ever brighter as I ready myself.
Distantly, I hear a noise of surprise from Byakko but ignore it in favour of ensuring my technique is flawless. I've only learned how to do this today and I don't want to embarrass myself by failing to execute it.
My Touki collapses inward, quickly dimming as I exhale sharply and punch forward with my full strength.
In the time it takes to extend my arm, the Ki flow in my body reverses along with the change in my breathing, drawing all that power from my furthest extremities into that single fist.
The Touki around me and the Ki flowing through my meridians compress together in a way I've never managed before due to lacking knowledge and inferior technique.
"You idiot!" Seiryuu shouts in the background.
On contact with the wall, a brilliant white light shines and for an instant, the world falls silent.
The wall crumbles around my fist and even as I halt my fist's momentum, the massive amount of Ki gathered is released forward.
The burst of energy disintegrates everything in its path, turning the wall and that which it was meant to protect into dust instantly. It expands outwardly, in all directions except backwards, in a destructive flash.
The light clashes with the barrier Seiryuu created earlier and the dragon, hidden in the wind, shakes its scales as it absorbs the impact. The howl of the wind turns deafening as the azure light shines fiercely.
My body buzzes and I can feel my heart racing as I witness the raw power of the technique. It's almost equivalent to my sword if I have to make a comparison.
Thankfully, Seiryuu realized I was going overboard and reinforced the barrier. Otherwise, I might have accidentally opened an escape route for our targets.
As the light dies down, all that remains of the once-large estate is dust and scorched earth. The devils seem unharmed though, something I quickly confirm with a quick check with Ki sense.
"That was a lot stronger than I thought it would be," I say with a wide grin as I turn back to the group.
All three of them are staring at me like I'm some alien creature but each has different reactions beyond that.
Suzaku's shock is mixed with a flattering amount of awe. She is visibly impressed by my display, causing me to pump my fist mentally, knowing it was worth going all out there.
Seiryuu is feeling an amplified version of the tired disdain he did earlier in the warehouse. To the point where I'm almost offended.
Lastly, Byakko's reaction is an odd mix of respect, anger, and confusion. Though they all recognized the origin of the technique I used -how could they not?
After a moment of waiting, Byakko is the first to speak, "How did you learn to do that?"
"What do you mean, you're the one who taught me." I give him a look like he's an idiot even as Seiryuu starts laughing.
I won't comment on the fact his laugh sounds a bit unhinged.
Byakko grimaces, "That's impossible, I haven't even mastered that technique yet."
I roll my eyes, "You've learned the basics for it so it's easy to extrapolate advanced techniques."
Suzaku steps in between us, stopping this unproductive back and forth, and lays her hand on my cheek, "Ibaraki."
"Yeah?" I respond happily, knowing how hot that display must have looked for her.
"What the fuck was that?" She says instead of kissing me senseless -an outcome I honestly hadn't considered.
"You could've killed the target. The one we decided we weren't killing. Remember?" The look of mild disappointment is far away from the mild lust I had been anticipating.
Saying, 'they didn't die so it's fine' probably isn't the response she's looking for either.
"Not only that it would have been using a technique that anyone would recognize as belonging to the Shinra clan. And with Seiryuu's barrier destroyed, they would have fled with that probably cause in their back pocket. Are you trying to cause a diplomatic incident?" She finishes her chastisement with a look of disappointment.
That cuts through my haze of excitement.
Thinking more clearly now, I remember that not all of us are here to have fun and show off. Byakko is here for revenge and both Seiryuu and Suzaku are here to support him.
My personal stake in this is far less dire given I only want to; fight some devils, spend time with Suzaku, and make good on my promise to remove the Hell King Legion from Kyoto.
That doesn't mean I shouldn't take this seriously though I think and grimace, "You're right, this isn't the time to show off."
"Thank you for realizing that," Suzaku smiles and gives me a peck on the cheek.
"You were a little impressive though," She whispers and her eyes crinkle cutely as she grins impishly.
I grin back at her as Byakko clears his throat, "Can you explain how you're using my family's technique now?"
"As I said, you taught me earlier today when you tried to kill me. Remember?" I respond that way, specifically so he can't take a moral high ground.
He grumbles at the reminder and I continue, "It was either I improve my martial arts to subdue you or kill you. I doubt you would've enjoyed the second option so I chose the first."
He doesn't seem to like my response, "Do you think you can just use my family's inheritance?"
"Yes. In fact, I think the permission to do so is a minor price as compensation for your attempt on my life and for sparing you." Byakko growls and Seiryuu cuts in.
"This can be discussed in more detail later. For now, I believe we have something more important to deal with?" He gestures towards the remains of the estate.
There's an explosion of ash as a section of the ground bursts open. Debris is flung into the air as the devils come out from the basement level and push the rubble which had piled up on top of the exit.
The first to pop out from the basement is a werewolf of all things. Its red fur is familiar enough that I clue into it being the devil who guarded Yura-Ann earlier. The fact the werewolf has a cursed artefact acting as a collar around his neck helps as well.
The assembled group of devils are… underwhelming.
Sure, my ability to sense the strength of others is mostly based on their Ki -something that doesn't help with devils- I do trust my finely tuned sense of danger for moments like this.
The butler, the werewolf devil, and Yura-Ann herself are the only ones who feel powerful enough to even mildly entertain me.
The other nine devils that are with them are barely worthy of any notice.
There are two magicians- complete with robes and eccentric hats, a spearman, an assassin-looking type, and another five who look like generic mooks.
Without diving deeper with my examination I can't be certain they don't have a Sacred-Gear, a hidden heritage, or simply finely honed skills but, again, I don't feel danger.
From the visible disgust on Byakko's face, he doesn't think much of them either.
"This is who dared to kill my cousin?" He whispers furiously.
He growls lowly as his rage makes itself known in the form of a considerable wave of killing intent and the manifestation of his Touki.
While I can feel the edges of his rage, the devils take the full brunt of it, with the weaker ones paling from fear.
Byakko turns to me and grunts, "I'll overlook your use of my family's techniques on two conditions."
"What are they?" I respond intrigued.
"First, you allow me to alter the breathing and circulation techniques with you so it isn't obvious they originate from my family." I raise a brow and shrug, not having expected such a reasonable demand.
If anything that helps me because it will give me more insight into the creation of the techniques. That isn't something I need for my own martial arts right now but knowing how both parts of the technique work fully and how to modify them will always be helpful.
"Sure. Next?" He exhales slowly and the killing intent weighing down the devils increases.
The magicians in particular both look on the verge of passing out.
His eyes sharpen as his control continues to slip, "Stand down and let me take care of them all."
Glancing over at the devils, and secure in the knowledge that unless I fought them all alone I wouldn't have fun, my answer is easy.
"Deal." I barely get the word out before Byakko dashes at his enemies.
The devils may be weak but they aren't entirely stupid. They react to his approach with commendable speed, coming together in a combat formation.
The werewolf, who I suspect was reincarnated using a Rook piece, charges forward to intercept Byakko.
The spearman follows closely on the werewolf's flank and the assassin ghosts along inside the werewolf's shadow, using him to obscure Byakko's vision.
The Magicians or Bishops -as is more accurate- begin casting to support the Rook and Knights; each glowing for a moment as the support magic settles on their bodies.
The Pawns form a barrier between that frontline and the Bishops in the backline. Intricate magic circles appear as they prepare to cast ranged attacks; far more impressive-looking magic circles than Lillian displayed in our fight.
Lastly, their King watches with a focus she lacked when we met earlier and the butler protects her. It's faint from this distance but I can hear the whispers of them discussing the possibility of escape.
With tactics evidently having been trained into the peerage for encounters like these, and their King having slightly more intelligence than I had thought earlier, I almost have the thought they might be able to put up a fight.
Byakko crushes that impression during the first clash.
The werewolf howls as it reaches Byakko, using all his strength to grab at Byakko in a bear-hug motion.
It's a primitive method of attack but a potent option if it's successful. A proper hold potentially controls the opponent's movements and presents multiple opportunities to kill or incapacitate.
Especially since the werewolf is double Byakko's size, both in height and bulk. Though I doubt he's actually any stronger than Byakko despite any perceived physical advantage.
Byakko slips under the grab, tearing out a chunk of the werewolf's waist with his left hand as he passes by. He tosses away the pound of flesh in a smooth motion that leaves an arc of blood as it flies.
The spearman isn't idle and thrusts at Byakko's chest the moment the spacing is right.
The spear glows with Demonic Power in a form of Enhancement Magic if I had to guess. Or it could be a Curse, I suppose.
Byakko's right-hand catches the spear shaft, right behind the blade, halting the thrust. The spearman pours in Demonic Power and his muscles bulge with effort but the weapon remains static.
Byakko's left hand, now freed of the werewolf flesh, whips back around to chop through the spear shaft.
Whatever material it is made of isn't strong enough to handle Byakko's strength as it snaps with a loud shriek similar to shearing metal.
Byakko, still holding the blade section, throws it at the crowd of pawns.
The boom of the blade breaking the sound barrier is accompanied by an explosion of gore as it passes through the head of one of the pawns.
By now I'm smiling while watching Byakko tear the devils apart.
Sure it isn't a clash of two masters but this primal slaughter has its own charm.
The assassin appears behind Byakko as he continues towards the backline of the formation, stabbing at Byakko's spine. The dagger in the devil's hand fractures as it collides with Byakko's Touki, fully shattering when the defensive aura pulses outward.
Of course, the surprise attack wasn't a surprise. Byakko simply didn't see it as a threat and wanted the assassin to get within his reach.
He spins around and hits the assassin in the jaw with a back fist, launching him away with a satisfying crack.
The spearman uses the shaft of their destroyed spear as a staff, swinging it wide and cladding it in the same aura of Demonic Power as before.
He aims for Byakko's temple which is probably the only way he could do damage at this point.
The swing would have to connect for that though.
Byakko ducks the swing and rushes forward, palming the devil's face in his hand.
He picks the devil up off his feet, slamming him into the ground and pulping his head in one fluid movement.
There's a shriek of terror from one of the Pawns in the background as the spearman dies a brutal death.
The look in Byakko's eyes as he turns to them turns that shriek into a muffled whimper.
"He's losing his composure," Suzaku notes with a worried frown.
"They're weak though." I shoot back airily, wanting to reassure her he won't be harmed today, as Byakko stalks towards the midline of their formation.
"A tiger does not ignore or slight any small animal. The way he catches a mouse and catches and devours a cow are the same." Seiryuu cuts in as he adjusts his glasses.
He looks at the fight with a disdainful sneer, "The 'Lady' Shax is about to make her move."
The devil in question looks distinctly uncomfortable as she watches her forces lose in battle and manipulates a nearly transparent grey magic circle with both hands, in the centre sits a nearly invisible triangle.
As her spell activates, Byakko continues towards the Pawns even as the Rook charges from behind him.
The werewolf tries the same grab as last time, but this time Byakko doesn't even notice his presence until he's already been grabbed.
Byakko only starts struggling once he's in the hold and the werewolf's collar starts glowing with the same deep red hue as Lillian's had.
Even then, he doesn't seem to understand what is happening based on his lack of direct action towards removing himself from the hold.
The werewolf's muscles visibly bulge as the collar bites into his neck, though unlike Lillian's the collar doesn't turn into armour. Instead, Demonic Energy pours out of his body and forms a coating that looks similar to Touki.
Byakko coughs from within the hold of the werewolf and I sigh in annoyance.
My annoyance only grows as the Pawns start bombarding both the Rook and Byakko.
It's hardly fair that Byakko is losing because of an illusion essentially removing him from the fight. I would say he needs to train his instincts more if he can't break out of the illusion but from my own experience with the Shax Clan Trait. It is different from a normal illusion.
I did say I wouldn't interfere though.
"He's caught by her Clan Trait." I point this out to Suzaku who is frowning as she watches him struggle.
"The Shax Clan Trait, huh," She muses aloud and thinks about that for a moment.
"You can say you don't remember what it is." Seiryuu butts in playfully causing her to blush.
She glances at me and punches him in the shoulder, hissing, "Shut up, I do remember."
Suzaku clears her throat as her blush dies down, "It's titled Synesthesia, though the name is quite inaccurate. It's a complete manipulation of senses that also contains less tangible ideas and compound senses; the sense of pain, of worth, of self."
Once she has picked up some steam she continues more confidently, "Historically, wielders of the Clan Trait have been generals and tacticians, changing the battlefield in the favour of the devils by empowering their allies and tearing apart their enemies. Their strategic importance is one of the reasons their clan survived the Great War."
She tilts her head and glances at me, "Most aren't capable combatants though there are some who turned their Clan Trait inwards to enhance their fighting ability, like the current Marquis Shax."
I grin at that detail, already imagining what that fight would be like. Suzaku probably only brought that up to interest me.
She clears her throat and breaks me from my reverie While we were discussing the Shax Clan Trait, Byakko was still struggling in the hold of the werewolf.
Seiryuu is still using the majority of his energy to maintain the barrier keeping the devils from escaping so he can't help Byakko right now.
Suzaku on the other hand doesn't seem interested and is instead looking at me with false innocence.
"I don't know if he can break out by himself." She remarks casually, swaying with her hands behind her back.
"Do you think he'd mind me levelling the playing field?" I ask Suzaku and she flashes a warm smile.
"I think he'd be happy for the assistance. Thank you for offering." She gives me a kiss on the cheek as a reward.
With that reward and with Suzaku's affirmation, I summon my bow.
As I draw the string back, a single arrow gradually takes shape having the same ethereal white aura as normal, only coated in the blinding brightness of the White Tiger Touki.
I figure the affinity of the energy for the 'Judgment of Evil' will be effective against Demonic Power and Devils.
Taking aim towards Yura-Ann, I release the arrow.
Her butler notices the incoming attack and with speed and skill summons four layers of thick magic barriers around his charge.
The first two shatter instantly, the third after a short pause, and the final barrier falls after a few seconds of struggle with my arrow.
"No!" The butler yells reaching out to save her but it's an unnecessary action.
My arrow was never aimed to kill.
The arrow slices past her cheek leaving a bright red line of blood before exploding a few dozen feet past her.
What the shot does accomplish, besides showing them I can reach out and take their lives at any moment, is unravelling Yura-Ann's spell.
When Yura-Ann reaches a shaky hand in disbelief to check if the wound is real, she forgets to maintain the spell that is keeping her peerage from falling apart.
Byakko regains his senses the instant the spell falls and grabs onto the Rook's arms with Touki-enhanced claws. Digging into the devil's flesh and pulling, he tears the Rook's arms into ribbons.
He falls from the hold of the Rook and without even taking a moment to regain his breath, spins around and slashes his claws. His Touki shines and ethereal claws fly through the air.
Byakko doesn't even watch as the werewolf falls apart in pieces, only filling his lungs now that he can breathe freely.
With him taking a second to recover, I get to witness fear truly begin to overtake the peerage.
With their vanguard shattered, the midline has become a target something they can't withstand.
Worse, the backline knows that without anyone in front of them, they will be facing Byakko in close quarters soon after.
Their King's magic is no longer able to turn the tide in their favour and their escape has been blocked off.
Their only hope left is mercy and as they look upon Byakko they see only hatred.
Even when they glance at Seiryuu, Suzaku, and me, their chances are no better.
Seiryuu is watching this with cold indifference that borders on a smug superiority.
Suzaku is watching with clinical detachment, focusing more on me as she holds my hand, now free of my bow again.
And I'm visibly enjoying their slaughter and my proximity to Suzaku.
It takes a single strike each for the pawns to fall and Byakko makes each of their deaths bloody.
The Bishops try buffing the Pawns or bombarding Byakko with magic but the buffs simply aren't enough and the magic washes over his Touki without visible damage.
It has to be demoralizing to watch an unstoppable force tear them apart, and know they have no way out.
The Bishops die swiftly by decapitation, the only mercy they receive, and then their heads are tossed at the feet of their King as Byakko approaches.
The butler steps up to defend his master with his life, and he does so, being torn apart by Byakko's claws as almost an afterthought on his way forward.
By now Yura-Ann is shaking and we watch as he holds her chin in his blood-stained hands, "Was this what you saw as the result of your grand plan?"
"W-what?" She stutters out.
"I asked whether all this," He gestures to the scene of slaughter behind him, "was what you expected to happen when you killed my cousin."
Her eyes shake with fear as she looks around at what remains of her forces.
She blinks rapidly as she seems to come to a realization a dumb smile crossing her face, "Do you think this was my entire Peerage? The rest are acting on my orders to take my territory."
She stares at me, ignoring Byakko for a moment, "You! They're attacking your main club right now. If you protect me and help me escape I'll call them off!"
Byakko growls as I process that, his grip tightening on her chin enough that it creaks.
Meanwhile, I turn wide-eyed and look at Suzaku and Seiryuu.
Seiryuu is looking at me with caution, while Suzaku, on the other hand, is wearing an easygoing smile as she merely squeezes my hand once.
It was at this moment that it became too much to suppress my laughter.
Both Byakko and his captive watch dumbfounded as I clutch my stomach with my free hand, heaving with laughter.
It isn't my fault, what Yura-Ann suggested was just far too funny for me to handle.
"Ibaraki… really?" Suzaku mutters from beside me.
"I'm not joking!" Yura-Ann yells as I try in vain to stop laughing.
"I- 'pff', one- 'snrk', just give me- 'cough' one second." I finally get that out as I hold up a hand to indicate she shouldn't continue speaking.
If she did it would make it really hard for me to regain my composure.
"Stop laughing! What's so funny? your organisation is going to be destroyed if you don't help me!" She yells out, her anger overriding her fear of Byakko.
Byakko himself is too busy watching me dying of laughter in confusion.
I wipe a tear from my eye as I finally calm down and address Yura-Ann's offer.
"First off, why would I burn bridges with everyone here for something as meaningless as a gang?" I ask rhetorically, rolling my eyes for emphasis.
"Running it and conquering the criminal element of Kyoto is a hobby. If it fails, I'll get a new hobby, simple as that." Yura-Ann stutters as she processes that and I even catch Seiryuu groaning in the background.
"Second, why do you think my people would lose?" I shoot off my second point lazily because really it should be obvious that isn't a threat.
"I sent my Queen to handle things there, along with my other Rook, the remaining Pawns, and dozens of humans for support." She replies and I nearly start laughing again.
Oh god, she doesn't actually think that's a problem. Does she?
I manage to suppress the urge, however, and only let out a few giggles, "With how strong you and your peerage members were here, I'm not worried. Sure, there will be a decent amount of deaths on my side but your side will be all sent to God's embrace."
I'm sure as hell not pious but the wince she does when I mention God is amusing. It adds another level to the amusement of the scenario.
She looks crushed as she hears this. Another possible escape route, vanishing before her eyes.
Yura-Ann takes a glance over at Suzaku, maybe hoping to find some sympathy there since she's been the least supportive of this slaughter.
There's none to be found.
The daughter of the Shax family hangs her head low as she starts to feel the severity of the scenario she has found herself in.
"You can't kill me. My father-" I sigh and Seiryuu cuts her off.
"Your father would never know even if we did kill you." He follows that up with a more cheery tone, "You're in luck though. You aren't dying today."
Her head snaps up to see Seiryuu's cold smile, "You'll live long enough to be sent back to your family as a disappointment, a disgrace who ruined the reputation of the Marquis Shax and relations between the Devil Faction and the Principal Clans."
The potential fallout of this seems to hit Yura-Ann as her eyes go unfocused and tears well up in her eyes.
I don't know which Devil sub-faction her family is from but none of them would be happy with this result.
I cough in my fist, "Add the West Yokai Faction and the Shinto as well."
Seiryuu's smile grows, "Of course, how could I forget? Congratulations, Lady Shax, and welcome to our care for the foreseeable future."
Yura-Ann Shax whimpers.