Yasaka quietly sat in the Office of the Ludex, her brilliant golden eyes gliding across the lavishly decorated room. The wealth and power in this space represented a level of influence that Yasaka wished she could have.
The influence of Neuvillette, the Chief Ludex of the Fatui, one of the most influential men in the world. A man who even the Biblical God didn't dare cross all those years ago during the Great War.
However, this man with such power had been absent for two decades, not making any appearances since announcing a personal retreat, and the consequences of his absence were clearly felt, especially for the Yokai.
The Devils grew more arrogant, they willfully did whatever they want, and were rarely punished by the Court of Fatui.
There was so much politics with the Devils that even Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Lucifer couldn't willfully punish people belonging to specific factions.
This meant that the most influential Devils, from the most influential families, slowly lost more and more respect towards the Court of Fatui without Neuvillette present, and stopped responding to their summons.
This put the Yokai in a bad spot after all of the incidents occurring, since they weren't powerful enough on their own to wage war with the Devils, and needed the help of the Official Supernatural Court to back them.
Next to Yasaka, Nurarihyon sat, his expression equally somber. They both waited in tense silence, but for Yasaka, the quiet allowed her mind to wander, memories resurfaced.
Memories of the nekomata, and their variants, the nekoshou, who had once thrived alongside her in the supernatural world.
Those days were long gone.
The massacre had nearly annihilated the nekomata race, and the thought of it still stung like an open wound.
Yasaka had tried everything within her power to bring justice to those responsible, but without the Chief Ludex's presence, all her efforts had been thwarted.
The devils responsible for the brutal slaughter remained unpunished, shielded by the political intricacies of the underworld.
To put it simply, the most influential families in the underworld could protect their kin, and the Satans couldn't exactly force punishment on them too much.
This, combined with the simple fact that the Court of Fatui had lost much of its bite without Neuvillette, lead to Yasaka's issues.
Beside her, Nurarihyon, the famed commander of the East Yokai Faction and her trusted ally, broke the silence, "I don't expect much from this meeting, Yasaka," he murmured, his voice tinged with a bitterness that mirrored her own, "Without Neuvillette, the devils will never answer for their crimes. This court used to be the most feared institution in the supernatural world, but now…"
Yasaka turned to him, her own voice low and filled with restrained fury, "I know, but we cannot give up. I refuse to let their deaths mean nothing. If the Fatui will not act, then I will find another way."
Nurarihyon met her gaze, his eyes dark with understanding. "We both know what that path would mean. War. And you know as well as I do that a war between the yokai and devils would destroy us faster than it would destroy them."
She opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden sound drew their attention, a soft, mechanical click, followed by the low creak of the grand doors opening.
Yasaka looked back, turning towards the entrance ready to discuss with Alfred, but she froze, her breath caught in her throat as she spotted who was actually entering the room.
For a brief moment, Yasaka thought her mind was playing tricks on her, that perhaps the years of tension and sorrow had finally taken its toll. But after having seen Nurarihyon with the same expression, she knew it was as real as can be.
There, standing tall in his magnificent robe, was Neuvillette.
The Chief Ludex, Ordainer of Inexorable Judgment!
Yasaka's pulse quickened as she took in the sight. It had been over 20 years since she had seen him in person, and his looks and aura had not changed even one bit.
His towering frame, draped in elegant blue and silver, radiated a calm, elegant but authoritative aura that she could never forget. Her instincts also screamed out, a predator had arrived, his immense power, even when not used, was overflowing.
"Neuvillette…" she whispered, barely able to believe what she was seeing, he was finally back.
Nurarihyon had already risen to his feet, bowing respectfully, "Chief Ludex," he greeted, though his voice also carried the disbelief Yasaka felt. "You've returned."
Neuvillette looked around his office, it was exactly as he had remembered. His expression was calm, but his piercing gaze inevitably fell onto Yasaka, and he saw a flicker of something in her eyes, a flicker of the pain and vengeance she had harbored
"I have indeed," he replied, his voice smooth and deep, carrying the weight of his authority effortlessly. He stepped into the room with the grace of someone who had never truly been gone, as though his twenty-year absence was but a fleeting moment to him, "It seems much has happened in my absence."
Yasaka's breath hitched once she heard what he said, and she bowed her head in reverence.
Regardless of the fact she was the leader of her own faction, when in front of Monsieur Neuvillette, her influence was nothing, and her power was insignificant in comparison.
Yasaka's throat tightened, and she stood, bowing her head in reverence. "It has, Chief Ludex. And I feared you would never return to see it."
Neuvillette inclined his head ever so slightly, his eyes never leaving hers, "And yet here I am."
Neuvillette walked across the room as the Yokai duo in front of him remained silent, their heads bowed as Neuvillette walked past them towards his desk, elegantly taking a seat in his throne like chair and looking towards Yasaka and Nurarihyon, signaling to them to sit down.
The duo nodded and sat before him, and a heavy silence descended on the room before Yasaka finally spoke. Her voice was trembling, emotional as she finally saw a light in the dark, a chance to get her revenge, "The nekomata and nekoshou… they have been all but wiped out, very few remain. We begged for justice, but without you… without your presence, our pleas went unheard."
She paused, struggling to contain her rising fury. "I have waited, hoping… hoping you would return to right this wrong."
Neuvillette listened intently, his expression remaining calm, though Yasaka could feel the shift in the atmosphere around him. His cosmic awareness seemed to hum with a quiet, potent energy.
"Alfred has made me aware of both incidents regarding the nekomata, and I've already sent a Court Summons to the Devils with my personal stamp." Neuvillette spoke, leading Yasaka and Nurarihyon to brighten their expressions, hope filling their eyes.
"T~thank you Chief Ludex, I don't know how we can repay you." Nurarihyon said, eagerly nodding his head. Although Neuvillette knew Nurarihyon can be quite mischievous and playful at times, he was incredibly serious when handling business.
"I assure you, those responsible will not escape the Court's judgment. The devils may have ignored their summons in my absence, but now that I have returned, they will remember why the Court of Fatui is feared." Neuvillette said softly, yet his voice carried a sense of impending justice,
Yasaka's heart lifted at his words, a small spark of hope igniting in her chest. She met his gaze, her own eyes shining with gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Neuvillette."
Neuvillette turned slightly, standing up and moving to the window of his room, calling Yasaka and Nurarihyon to join him. Looking out the window, they can see the expanse of the Palais Mermonia, various people walking around and working hard.
There was a constant stream of persons from all races, Devils, Yokai and Humans entering the Court of Fatui, to file complaints and many more.
"I will convene the Grand Court. The devils will be summoned, and this time, there will be no escape from their crimes. If they resist, the full weight of the law will crush them."
As he spoke, Yasaka felt the weight of the last two decades lift from her shoulders. Finally, the justice she had long sought was within reach. And with Neuvillette at the helm once more, the supernatural world would remember the power of the Court of the Fatui.
Neuvillette's voice broke the silence once more, this time softer, as he addressed her directly. "Prepare yourself, Yasaka. The time for justice has come."