Chapter [69]
Kaito took his phone out of his pocket and opened the banking app. He saw an impressive balance of $1,000,000 in his account. His eyes widened in surprise. "The Gremorys are extremely wealthy," he murmured, still processing the amount he had just seen.
Kaito turned his attention to Kuroka, who was lying on the windowsill in her cat form. "Rias really doesn't spare any expense when she wants to help," he commented, impressed.
Suddenly, a holographic image of Rias appeared before Kaito again. "Kaito, I made the transfer. It's more than enough for you," she said, her voice full of concern and care.
"Rias, this is way more than I expected," Kaito responded, gratitude evident in his voice. "Thank you. This will help me a lot."
Rias smiled slightly. "Just take care of yourself and come back to us safely, Kaito."
"I will. Thank you, Rias," Kaito said as Rias' image faded away.
Kaito began packing, grabbing clothes and essential items. He checked to make sure he had everything he needed for the trip and placed the letter in a secure compartment of his backpack. After a few minutes, he was ready.
Kuroka, still in her cat form, jumped off the windowsill and transformed back into her human form. "Looks like you're ready, nya," she said with a mischievous smile.
Kaito nodded. "Yes, I am. Let's head to Nightshade."
Kuroka extended her hand to Kaito, a magical circle beginning to glow around them. "Hold on tight, Kaito. We're going to travel quickly and safely."
Kaito took Kuroka's hand, and in an instant, a magical circle enveloped them both. A bright light surrounded them, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the Hyoudou residence.
Forest
Kaito and Kuroka materialized in a dense, dark forest. The air was fresh, and the sound of birds filled the environment. The tall, imposing trees created a sense of isolation and tranquility.
"We're almost in Nightshade," Kuroka said as she surveyed the area around them. "The town is just beyond this forest."
"It's a beautiful place," Kaito commented, taking in the landscape and atmosphere around him.
"Yes, it is," Kuroka replied. "But now I have to go. I have Khaos Brigade matters to attend to." Kuroka turned to Kaito, her expression serious for a moment before softening with a mischievous smile.
Kaito nodded, understanding the importance of her matters. "Thank you for bringing me here, Kuroka. Be careful."
Kuroka stepped forward and placed her hand on Kaito's shoulder, her feline eyes shining with a mixture of seriousness and playfulness. "You too, Kaito. And remember, don't cause too much trouble without me, nya," she said, laughing lightly.
"I won't," Kaito replied with a slight smile. "See you soon."
With a final wave, Kuroka activated a magical circle beneath her feet. In an instant, she vanished in a flash of light, leaving Kaito alone in the forest.
Kaito took a deep breath, feeling the calm of the forest around him. He adjusted his backpack on his shoulders and began walking toward the town of Nightshade, following the narrow trail through the trees.
...
The town of Nightshade came into view after a peaceful walk through the forest. The streets were paved with ancient stones, and the houses and shops had a rustic, charming style, as if the town had been frozen in time.
Kaito entered the town, observing the people passing by. Everyone seemed busy with their own lives, but he noticed a slight air of curiosity in the looks he received. 'It must be rare to see a new face around here,' he thought as he walked through the streets.
As he walked, Kaito noticed a group of people chatting in front of a small convenience store. Determined to find a place to stay the night, he approached the group.
"Excuse me," Kaito said politely as he approached the locals.
A middle-aged man with a thick beard, wearing a heavy coat, turned to Kaito and sized him up for a moment before responding. "What can I do for you, young man?"
"I'm looking for a place to stay the night, maybe an inn or a Bed & Breakfast. Do you know of any around here?" Kaito asked, keeping a respectful tone.
The man scratched his beard thoughtfully before replying. "Yes, there's a Bed & Breakfast a few blocks from here. It's the best option in town. It's called Full Moon. Just keep going down this street, turn left at the second corner, and you'll see a sign hanging with the name."
"Thanks for the help," Kaito said, nodding in gratitude.
The man nodded back with a kind smile. "No problem. Take care, lad."
Kaito followed the directions, walking down the quiet street until he reached the second corner. As he turned, he spotted the sign gently swaying in the wind, with the name Full Moon engraved in elegant letters. The house's facade was welcoming, with flowers in the windows and a soft light emanating from inside, creating a sense of comfort.
As he approached the entrance, Kaito pushed open the door, which creaked slightly as it was pushed.
...
The interior of the Bed & Breakfast was as cozy as the exterior. A small bell on the door jingled to announce his arrival. The smell of burning wood mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air.
"Welcome to Full Moon," said a middle-aged woman who appeared from behind the reception counter with a warm smile. She had gray hair tied up in a bun and wore a simple apron. "How can I help you?"
Kaito returned the smile. "Yes, please. I'd like a room for the night."
"Of course," the woman replied, picking up a small notebook where the reservations were noted. "We have a few rooms available. How many days are you planning to stay?"
"Probably just one night," Kaito said as he pulled out his wallet to check the dollars he had.
"One night is perfect," the woman said, noting the information. "The room includes breakfast, and we have a fire going in the living room if you'd like to relax a bit. That will be... sixty dollars."
Kaito handed over the money and received the room key. "Thank you."
"Feel free to come down if you need anything," the woman said, pointing to the stairs leading to the rooms upstairs. "My name is Martha, if you need anything."
Kaito nodded, thanking her. "Thank you, Martha."
He climbed the stairs and found his room at the end of the corridor.
...
Upon entering, Kaito found a simple and cozy environment. The bed was made of solid wood, covered by a thick and comfortable duvet. There was a small table beside it, with a reading lamp and a leather armchair near the window, offering a view of the city illuminated by lanterns.
Kaito let out a sigh of relief, feeling the day's fatigue finally taking over his body. He placed his backpack on the floor, taking out Thalia's letter and placing it carefully on the table. His thoughts returned to the mission ahead and the challenge of entering New York, a territory now forbidden to him.
Sitting in the armchair, Kaito looked out the window, observing the quiet city enveloped in the darkness of the night.
KNOCK KNOCK!
Kaito immediately raised his head, his senses heightened as he detected something different. Kaito felt a slight pulse of mana on the other side of the door, indicating the presence of a supernatural being.
"The door is open, you can come in," Kaito said, keeping his voice calm but internally alert for any possible attack.
CLICK!
The doorknob slowly turned, and the door opened. A woman entered the room. She had short, curly blonde hair and wore a simple but elegant dress that made her appear like an ordinary person. However, Kaito sensed a magical presence emanating from her, something that confirmed his suspicions that she was not a mere mortal.
"Good evening," said the woman, her voice calm and controlled. "I hope I didn't startle you." She smiled softly, but her eyes observed Kaito with curiosity.
"No," Kaito replied, maintaining a relaxed posture but not letting his guard down. "Can I help you with something?"
The woman took a few steps into the room, closing the door behind her. She looked at Kaito, assessing him carefully. "My name is Emily Donovan," she said, introducing herself with a slight nod. "And I became curious when I sensed the presence of a Devil in this town. What is a being like you doing in Nightshade?"
"Tourism," Kaito said calmly, with a slight curve of his lips. He leaned back in the armchair, keeping a calm but attentive gaze. "I'm just enjoying the town's tranquility."
"Tourism?" Emily said, raising an eyebrow and a sarcastic smile appearing on her lips. "If you're a tourist, then I'm the Queen of England, creature of the night." Her voice was full of sarcasm, but the look in her eyes indicated that she wasn't joking around.
Kaito, realizing Emily's reaction, understood that his jokes were not being well received.
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