After handing the leads off to Fuji, I’m back behind the wheel.
The British pain-in-the-ass with the porcelain face bailed earlier, said she couldn’t bear to stay in dirty clothes. “I envy you. Martial artists can make even shabby clothes look good.”
At this point, I’d be well within my rights to punch that smug little grin of hers.
“Meow, meow.”
Clack clack clack clack—jingle.
Clack clack clack clack clack clack—ding.
At a red light, the typewriter in the passenger seat goes wild.
[Was it really okay to hand those clues over? Are we sure he’s trustworthy?]
“I got a photo of his ID. The burnt phone’s useless as I couldn’t pull any data. Keeping it would’ve just been dead weight.”
[So you gave it away and bet on a maybe? That’s our Ikaku! Always two steps ahead!]
“I had my reasons, naturally. Though I won’t deny that part of it was just a gut feeling.”
If he screws me, that’s on me for having shitty instincts.
[Speaking of which, Ikaku...]
“What is it, Milady?”
[I’ve been meaning to ask… You and Lady Ophelia seemed awfully cozy.]
“Uh, what exactly gave you that impression?”
[Everything. I don’t know why, but it made me really mad. Look, my tail’s all puffed up.]
“It is pretty fluffy.”
I reach over and stroke it with one hand. Velvet-soft. Five stars.
[You’re a Coral Terminator. A sword of the Akai and my knight. You can’t go swooning over some pretty Brit just because she’s got legs and cheekbones. This is serious.]
“When exactly was I swooning?”
[You were all pressed up against her. Her face—don’t lie, I saw it. That was a flutter. A real flutter.]
“I have no clue what you’re on about.”
[Girls flutter. It’s what we do. One flutter leads to another. It’s an endless flutter spiral!]
“I see… And?”
[So you need to hold me properly too. For fairness.]
I cradle her with one hand as I drive. She starts purring like an idling engine.
Guess she just wanted some affection.
Eventually, she’s satisfied and hops back to the passenger seat.
[Answer me honestly.]
“Yes.”
[This is important.]
“Yes.”
Cat eyes can’t be fooled.
“Yes.”
[Are you listening?]
“Of course.”
[Then I’ll ask.]
“Go on.”
Lady Ayano’s paws hover over the typewriter.
After a long pause, she types.
[Getting all lovey-dovey like that… Do you like that British woman?]
“Milady, I hate to say this… but are those adorable little eyes of yours completely blind?”
[Mew! That’s so mean! That hurts, you know!]
She jumps into my lap and starts kneading my pecs in protest.
Honestly, it’s just a free massage.
“That was tactless. I apologize. I’m driving. Please stop.”
[You think just saying sorry is enough? My heart’s still broken! Hmph!]
She turns away with a dramatic huff.
I pat her head. Purr-purr-purr-purr.
Her eyes go half-lidded. Mood restored.
I pet the ridiculously easy-to-please kitty cat while sliding into a parallel park.
We’ve arrived at one of the Akai family’s vacation homes.
Not historic or anything, just an oversized mansion with two kitchens, three baths, five beds, five toilets, a wine cellar, a basement—the works.
Ballpark, billion yen.
[This was the base Mother used whenever she fought with Father. I’ve been here lots.]
“We’ll gratefully make good use of it.”
I take a look around the estate.
“Mew-mew-mew~♪”
Lady Ayano leads the way, tail swishing happily.
Thanks to her, I get the full tour—hidden rooms included.
[Looks like it’s been maintained. Housekeepers must be coming by. Still, be careful. No barrier spells on this one. It’s not as secure as Coral Eldarian.]
While I’m watching her tiny paws clack-clack across the typewriter keys, the doorbell rings.
At the front door stands Sumire Akashi, Exorcist of the Akachi family.
Parked out front is a beast of an SUV.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Akamuro?” she suddenly says.
“Huh? Wrong what?”
“That outfit of yours…”
“Oh, this. Got caught in a self-destruct blast. I was too close to dodge fast enough.”
Coat and shirt are charred to hell. Half my tie’s missing. Face still tinged red from the blast.
I must look like a wreck.
“I’ll explain inside.”
I let her in.
“Nice place.”
“Thanks. You’re earlier than I thought. Was gonna change before you got here.”
“You’re the one who said to hurry.”
“Fair. Appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Last night, when I was invited to the Akachi family home, Lady Kimiyo told me, “If you need anything, just ask.”
Sumire’s my contact. The Akachi’s official handler for one Ikaku Akamuro.
“Here you go,” she says. “Two hundred kilos of E-rank purification salt, as requested.”
She drops a heavy black bag on the table.
I crack it open and find the good stuff.
“This helps a bunch.”
“Easy favor.”
Salt’s inorganic. Doesn’t burn like the rest. Still usable Soulgear.
That’s why I had her recover it from the charred remains of Coral Eldarian’s West Wing.
While I line up the bags, Sumire disappears and comes back carrying more.
And more.
“…Isn’t this overkill?”
“Ten liters of 1D concentration holy water. A P90 and a Five-seveN. 5.7mm mercury bullets. Armor-piercing and standard. All standard Akai-issue. For your hunt.”
“All this from the ruins?”
“Not a chance. Lady Kimiyo called it a ‘token of appreciation.’ Said leaving this job entirely to you would keep her up at night.”
“Thank you. I’ll get it done.”
“Meow~!”
Lady Ayano launches into Sumire’s arms.
The ball of fluff cracks her pro facade instantly.
“Aaahhh! My brain—my brain is melting! Milady Mikaela, your paws! Stop kneading me so much! Ahhh, she’s even licking me! Thank you for rewarding this humble servant! Thank you, Milady Mikaela…!”
“Meow-meow♪”
Sumire flees toward the entrance clutching her chest.
They do say excessive cuteness intake can lead to cardiac arrest. Lady Ayano’s reward seems to have been a bit too powerful.
“Please tell Lady Kimiyo both Ikaku Akamuro and Milady Mikaela are grateful.”
“I will. Well then, enjoy the hunt, Mr. Akamuro.”
I’ll make them understand that Exorcists are the ones who corner the prey.
Their arrogance? Their ignorance?
We’ll settle that in blood.
I watch her drive off.
Then it’s time for us to set up a barrier field.
I can’t use formal spells, so I fall back on practical arcana—specifically, the salt-barrier kind.
Technically a branch of magic, practical arcana are more science than spellwork. Even non-mages can use them.
Salt repels Demons. Simple enough.
This house is built with grooves in the floor, designed for exactly this. I fill them.
The barrier forms like it’s drawn with invisible ink. Nothing gets in now.
After that, I hit the bath. Scrubbed off the soot.
Found some spare Coral Terminator uniforms in a closet—white shirts, black jackets, ties, slacks. Put myself back together.
Unlike that smug British tart, I represent the Akai family. Can’t afford to look like roadkill.
“Milady, shall I give you a bath?”
“Meow!?”
“What’s the matter?”
“Mew~!! Hiss!”
“Ow. Milady?”
She launches herself at the typewriter like a missile.
[Insensitive!]
Guess I pissed her off…
But she’s a cat. It shouldn’t matter.
“My apologies, Milady.”
“Mew-mew.”
She turns away.
Only one way to fix this.
I press a soft brush to her back and groom her fur.
Purr-purr-purr-purr~♡
“There, there.”
Talk about being easy to please.
* * *
Some Time Later
* * *
6 PM.
After sorting the gear and prepping the base, I’m on the road again.
Lady Ayano was dozing, so I left her behind.
I park in a two-car lot and push open the door marked Sakura District Akai Gun Shop. The place is quiet, Western-style, frozen in the Meiji era.
Sturdy glass cases line the walls, filled with firearms from ancient to modern.
At the back counter stands a Western man in his fifties, a refined gentleman with a monocle.
He sizes me up with practiced eyes. “You are Mr. Ikaku Akamuro?”
“That’s me.”
“The Red Guild notified us. Payment on account is fine.”
“I need a gun. Something stronger than this.”
I set a black resin hard case on the counter.
He pops it open, inspects the contents. Then peers at me without lifting his head.
“P90. Five-seveN Mk3. 5.7mm mercury rounds. Impressive firepower. And you want more than this?”
“That’s right.”
“I see. Very well.”
“And please take care of this too. Fix it if it’s showing wear.”
I place a double-barrel shotgun beside the case. Master’s memento.
“Well now. This one’s seen some use.”
He picks it up with care, checks the chamber. Then frowns, studying the metal.
“Something wrong?”
“This gun... it appears to have changed. It’s not just a weapon anymore.”
He murmurs it with a calm voice, but there’s a tremble in it.
Something deeper.