The speeding SUVs pull up to a massive foreign-owned warehouse downtown.
Police cruisers already line the perimeter, yellow tape stretched across the entrance.
The Red Guild Exorcists flash their licenses through the windows and roll on through.
I park on the street outside.
So they’re checking papers? This just got messy.
“Demons showing up before noon? How rare. Or maybe it’s the Exorcists. Either way, bold move.”
Ninety-five percent of Demon activity happens after sundown.
They hate the sun. It won’t kill them, but it limits their range.
Ophelia says, “What are you waiting for? Get inside.”
“Well, if they start fighting in there, the car might get totaled.”
“You’re worried about that?”
“Yeah. Pretty much.”
I can’t exactly tell her I’m dodging the license check.
“You really are a little man.”
“I’m six-three.”
“I’m talking about what’s inside. Don’t dodge the point.”
“I told you, this isn’t my car.”
“Then we’ll walk. If members of the Hidden Flame are involved, we need to make sure civilians don’t get caught in the crossfire.”
Ophelia calmly organizes the paper documents, then slides them back into the file.
She’s been reading them since I started driving. Lady Ayano’s been following along, too, looking serious. I assume she’s up to speed.
No more stalling. I get out.
Lady Ayano leaps onto my shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Leave Mikaela behind.”
“What would you like to do, Milady?”
“Meow!”
Lady Ayano glares at Ophelia, sharp and unyielding.
Pretty clear that means, Of course I’m coming!
“So she says.”
“Good grief. Fine, come along. Mikaela, stay close. I’m not convinced that man can protect you properly. A noble’s duty includes saving cats.”
She probably just likes cats.
“Meow! Mee-ow!”
She’s probably saying something like, Ikaku is trustworthy! How dare you insult him! Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.
We head toward the tape blocking off the warehouse.
“Sorry, we’re restricting access. There’s been a confirmed demon inside,” says a young officer.
Damn.
I let Ophelia go ahead. An older officer steps in, shoves the younger one aside, and lifts the tape.
I follow close behind. They let me pass without a word.
This is what nobility gets you.
“Idiot. Can’t you tell she’s a noble? Why’d you even try to stop them?”
“Sorry. I thought we had to check IDs…”
The kid gets chewed out behind us.
Keep your chin up, bud. You weren’t wrong. Guys like me slip through.
The two Red Guild SUVs are parked near the loading dock. Their Exorcists are clustered nearby.
From our vantage, we watch quietly—until they notice us.
Then they start moving.
“Hey, hey. This is our case. What’re you doing here?”
They walk over, annoyed.
Leading them is that scar-faced veteran who stayed out of the fight earlier at the Red Guild office building.
He sizes up Ophelia, then glares at me. “Didn’t anyone teach you not to steal another man’s job, kid?”
“Cut the paranoia. We’re just standing here. Got a problem with that?”
“I’ve seen guys pull that exact move. ‘Just watching.’ Never works out that way.”
“So, you gonna kick us out?” I tilt my head.
He snorts. “Don’t interfere. We’ve got the manpower. We don’t need backup.”
“Great, ‘cause I really won’t help.”
“That’s the point, dumbass.”
“Then quit wasting time. Keep dawdling and the Demons might escape.”
“Tch. Don’t need you to tell me, brat. Acting high and mighty like you’re not just some Akai dog.”
“Actually, wait up. This lady here has something to say.” I gesture to Ophelia.
The Exorcists tense.
“If there are any Demon worshippers, capture them alive. I’ll be observing as part of my inspection. That’s all.”
“Understood, Inspector. Please, observe to your heart’s content. But we’ll handle the Demons.”
He gives a deep, mocking bow, then leads the others back toward the SUVs.
They start prepping their gear.
Ophelia remarks, “How carefree.”
“Meow.”
She toys with Lady Ayano’s tail, looking bored.
“This city’s not one where you hunt Demons for profit anymore. And still…”
I agree. “It’s hard to understand reality until you’ve seen hell.”
“You’ve seen hell?” She turns to me. Blue eyes cool and clear.
“I have.”
“My condolences. When this is over, I want a full report on the Akai family.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t speak for them. I’m not authorized.”
“How surprisingly principled of you.”
“People like to say I’m a hidden talent.”
“I never asked. Hmm. They’re moving. Are you armed?”
I draw my pistol.
She continues, “Watch your own back. I won’t be watching it for you.”
“That’s the plan. But I’ll be watching yours.”
She blinks. Then lets out a quiet laugh.
We trail behind the Exorcists into the warehouse. It’s massive, but plain. The employees have all evacuated.
The Red Guild moves in confidently—they’ve clearly got solid intel.
“Body found. Matches the report.”
Between two towering shelves, a corpse lies sprawled in a spreading pool of blood. A hole gapes in its chest.
The Exorcists check the body. The rest scan the area, weapons ready.
The veteran squad leader calls out instructions—precise, efficient.
They’re more competent than I expected.
I say, “This should raise the evaluation of Japanese Exorcists.”
“They’re probably ex-military. Hardly noteworthy.”
“That’s a harsh assessment. It’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“You know why ex-military Exorcists usually don’t last?”
“No clue. Why?”
“Because they’re trained to fight people.”
“…So they’re useless?”
“Not useless. Just not as good as they think. Or look. Exorcists need instincts. Mana.”
Then—something shifts.
Barely a flicker. But I feel it. A presence up high.
I turn.
There—perched on top of a shelf, blending into the shadows. Perfectly still, like part of the building.
A figure in coveralls with a mouth shaped like a trumpet.
Above!
Before I can shout, the trumpet mouth sucks in air.
Its chest instantly inflates—then collapses with a soft, anticlimactic pop.
A high-velocity shot slams through one Exorcist’s skull.
His head bursts like a melon.