Governor-General.

The black aura around Tobio disappeared, and he suddenly seemed tired, immediately sitting down. Due to the effort of having been exploding with anger, it seems that he burned through his stamina all at once.

From a short distance away, two sets of footsteps were ascending the escalator.

"Drako-kun, Ikuse-kun, Samejima-kun! Are you safe!?"

It was Minagawa Natsume and Lavinia. Given the uncleanliness of their clothes, it could be inferred that there was a fierce battle down below.

"You're late, birdbrain."

In response to Samejima's shocking statement, Natsume angrily scolded him.

"Who are you calling birdbrain!? You're the cause of this due to having plunged in here as you pleased, right?"

As those two started an argument somewhere else, Lavinia spoke while approaching Tobio.

"Toby, your desire reached that child, right."

The puppy, Jin, was wagging his tail beside him. Seeing that Tobio smiled.

"Aah, thanks to you."

Indeed, thanks to Lavinia's advice, Tobio had expressed strong thoughts, strong desires. Through that, Jin had gained power.

Smiling, Lavinia simply said, "That's excellent."

Natsume, who had finished arguing, let out a deep breath behind him saying:

"Well now, since all the members have now been gathered, it's time to once again meet with the 'Governor-General'. Last time he did not explain things in detail."

Kouki and Tobio looked at me.

"Even I don't know some things about the current affairs, you know. And how do you know that he is coming?"

I asked towards Lavinia.

"He contacted me." She smiled at me.

I see. I understand you, Azazel, I too would rather talk to beautiful girls than to an Ikemen more handsome than you. I understand and I get it.

......….

That same afternoon we arrived at a different apartment building than the one we used to live in. I don't know why Azazel has chosen this place to meet with us, but let's let the eccentric fallen angel do what he wants for the time being.

When we arrived, I felt something strange. I mean, I didn't feel anything.

I couldn't detect Azazel's presence inside the building, so I went on alert immediately.

When we entered the room, Lavinia pointed out to us, a speaker was placed in the centre of a table.

<<Hello, ladies and gentlemen, those who formerly were second-year students at Ryoukuu High School.>>

A male voice came out of the speaker, once with which I was quite familiar, sounded from the speaker.

<<It would appear, Drako, that you have diligently accomplished your goal>>

"It looks like it, doesn't it? I've delivered all three eggs, and all three Sacred Gears have woken up safely."

<<So it would seem>

Everyone in the room took a seat around the speaker.

<<First let me introduce myself. I am the leader of an organization that studies supernatural abilities like those of the Sacred Gears. The name of this organization is 'Grigori'. Beyond the study of Sacred Gears, we also do things like safeguarding the owners. That condominium where you all have been hiding that is one such hiding place for people with such powers.>>

Safeguarding the owners???

It's more like you wanted them to join you…

But, you know. I'm not the one who should criticize that.

Tobio turned to face in the direction of the speaker.

"There are numerous questions, and I would like to hear the answers to them."

<<Aah, even if I'm in a position of superiority, though I can get in contact at a moment's notice, I am not in a position to discuss confidential information...but, it's good that you all seem to have decided to take the next step any time now.>>

"We understand that we carry these things called Sacred Gears. This power which, by common sense, is unimaginable. Those guys, who are colleagues as part of a certain agency in this country, attacked the ship, and it was our power that was the goal of that mayhem."

<<That's about it, Ikuse Tobio. Before we speak about that agency, I want you guys to hear about those guys' plot. From the underside of this country, since ancient times, there have been numerous groups of people who had been waging war against evil spirits. That was the power of the man you all encountered. Onmyoudou, or possibly magic, such a method is used to call supernatural power to appear in one's hand. It is exceedingly similar to the witchcraft practised by Lavinia, but also extremely different.>>

And I know where Azazel's speech is coming…

<<From among these Inou Tsukai five families possess especially potent power, who are known by those in this country as "The Five Principal Clans".>>

"The Five Principal Clans?"

To Natsume's words, the 'Governor-General' explained further.

<<Doumon, Kushihashi, Shinra, Himejima, and lastly Nakiri. These are the "Five Principal Clans". Those descended from these were evil spirit eradication specialists who have protected this country from the shadows, possibly even giving their lives in the intimate fulfilment of their duties. Nevertheless, people on the fringes of each of these clans have been rampaging. This is the group is presently attacking you, and they are the masterminds behind this affair.>>

Samejima, while sitting in a pose of poor manners with his feet propped up on top of the desk, spoke.

"Now that you mention it, when Ikuse and I were attacked by that guy this morning didn't he call himself Doumon?"

<<They discovered the owners of the sacred treasures in which the evil spirits known as the "Four Fiends" have been sealed. Those ones possess top class abilities among the independent-avatar types. Minagawa Natsume, Samejima Kouki, there seems to be no mistake that you possess "Four Fiends".>>

Natsume and Samejima looked at the falcon and cat, respectively. Tobio turned towards Jin.

<<The Four Fiends, consisting of Húndùn, Táowù, Tāotiè, and Qióngqí, they are legendary monsters that appear as bringers of ill-fortune. They were exterminated in ancient times and were turned into Sacred Gears. Those have been passed down until today, and have now become your power.>>

"And like poof after lazily searching for these incomprehensible things, I've learned that those names mentioned above seem to be associated with something called The Four Divine Beasts or such. Something Genbu and Suzaku or whatnot. Is there some relation to these 'Four Fiends'?"

Kouki, who was searching for the information related to the Four Fiends, asked to Azazel.

<<There is. Each family from the Five Principal Clans respectively governs one of the Four Divine Beasts and the Ouryuu. When a person is born within the family possessing this almighty power, there's a rule that they are bestowed with the name of the ability such as Suzaku or Genbu. The ones involved this affair at this time are the reverse, they are all from among those who did not inherit the name of their household.>>

"Somehow, it's become strongly reminiscent of fantasy. It was all one could handle with magical girls and Sacred Gears. Still, even so from the underside of this country, there are things like exorcists and people with supernatural abilities and whatnot..."

Natsume was pondering while holding her hand to her forehead.

Tobio asked.

"Those guys who are attacking us, by saying they desire the Four Fiends, that is to say, it's our sacred treasures they're after?"

<<Ahh, that is so. Those guys acting from the underside this time, those who are affiliated with the 'Utsusemi Agency', from the start, they were forcibly expelled from their households as a nuisance, so they are nothing more than outcasts. Those people have gathered together, and they bear a severe grudge against those heads of households that completely cut ties with them. They require power to triumph over them. Accordingly, they mobilized to obtain the power of the 'Four Fiends'.>>

"So that's the reason behind the attack on the luxury liner. They seek to utilize the Four Fiends in opposition to the Four Divine Beasts and such."

To Samejima's statement, Azazel affirmed with 'That is so'.

<<Those guys attacked during school trip merely to retrieve all of the students. It was beneficial for those guys, the fact that half the ship sank deep underwater the way it did. Beneficial since it seemed to save them time arranging for the several missing human corpses. After that, all that remained was dealing with the bereaved families. At any rate, for that, they used hypnotism so that the relatives would mourn for the children whose survival was unknown. It should be that those of you who were in attendance at the funeral service had a feeling of discomfort. To some extent, that funeral service would have appeared to be an act. Those guys smothered any hope for their children that existed in the minds of the parents. All for the sake of achieving their ambitions.>>

Natsume inquired.

"So then, what is the reason you are cooperating with us 'Governor-General'? Even though I realize that you have arranged things like following up with strangers like us at this place, how do I know if you're not a good person?"

<<Regarding the Utsusemi, the technique that was being used to develop them is from within my organization, they are a result of a leak of information relating to artificial Sacred Gears. Information regarding you all and the matter of the Four Fiends was also leaked to that agency by an informer within the organization. From the beginning, our organization effectively caused this calamity. In this case, essentially, it can surely be said that we should be the ones who set out to stop it...but there are complicated circumstances related to this world, so we cannot readily interfere. Even though we'd be supporting you, from a different perspective, there'd be no choice but to view it as a scandal. Our organization wishes to obstruct the current experiment on artificial Sacred Gears, and also to seize the one who has become a traitor.>>

They completely lost it in his words. Only Lavinia and me, who had been aware of the circumstances, acted composed. Still, Tobio and company couldn't hide their shock.

As his expression changed to one of anger, Samejima violently struck the desk.

"Njya, so we had to go through such things because of your incompetence!? The hell's up with that!"

Samejima was unable to conceal his rage, and Tobio as well was only managing to not succumb to his fury, it was just so completely outrageous. Lavinia raised her hand.

"Shark, please don't just blame the Governor-General. To be honest, on this occasion, given that my organization, the magician's association, has also been pursuing a group that's participating with those people, it is therefore not just a deficiency on the part of the Governor-General's organization. While there are some bad factors, we are all tied to the current scandal. Despite this, the 'Grigori' and I are cooperating, and have planned to pursue those people, and so here we are. Until now I haven't discussed this with Shark and the rest, and I believe that is my responsibility. If you're angry, then I ask you to be angry at me. But I simply wanted you to be aware of this. Had we had this extraordinary discussion all at once, surely Natsume, Toby, and Shark would have all felt as though their heads were going to burst, to have you all come to grips with the hard facts little by little, we choose to explain things gradually."

Lavinia rapidly bowed her head in apology. Her tone of voice had seemingly dropped to some extent.

Samejima put on a complex expression in response to Lavinia's apology, as he scratched his head and, with no place to go, "Ah, damn it!" he cursed.

Forcibly suppressing his rage, Samejima cut off the conversation to inquire of the 'Governor-General'.

"At this late hour, it's fine even if the incomprehensible keep on increasing. It's good enough that we've come to annihilate all of those bastards. Other than that, I have just one more thing to ask of you."

Samejima turned and glared at the speaker.

<<What is it?>>

"Those that were changed into Utsusemi by those bastards, can they be returned to how they once were again?"

That question, it was also one harboured by Tobio and Natsume.

<<They can be restored. I personally guarantee it.>>

Hearing that Samejima struck the palm of right palm with his left fist. His expression was full of energy.

<<Maeda Nobushige. He was your friend. If he can be safely brought back, I promise to restore him to his original state. The same for the friends of Minagawa Natsume and Ikuse Tobio.>>

Hearing that Tobio and Natsume's expressions brightened.

"Seeing as you're someone I know nothing about, as of yet I can't believe what you say, don't you agree? I cannot consent to how you guys brought about this current affair...but for restoring my buddy to how he was, in that case, I'm willing to give you a shot, so this is your chance to repay your debt. Because after what that agency did, I didn't feel alive at all. For the sake of annihilating them, you have my support."

<<What I did was unforgivable. I would like to apologize for not showing my face at this time. But I promise that we will without fail meet face to face someday.>>

It seems that Azazel wanted to end the call but…

"Hey."

I haven't finished.

<<I think that I know what are you thinking, Drako…>>

So you know it, huh...

Then...

"Why? Why do we have to clean up the mess caused by the Five Main Clans? Don't you remember what happened six months ago, Azazel? Don't you remember?!"

Without realizing it, I broke the table on which the speaker was resting.

<<Calm down, Drako. I have already messaged them, but they haven't answered back. I honestly think that they are not going to do anything about this matter because of the events of that incident, and they are forcing this unto us. And… Drako… would you cooperate with a member of the five clans? Or would you kill him on the spot?>>

Huh…

Isn't it obvious?

"I will destroy them. If I can't do it now, I'm going to do it in 4 years or 10 years. I don't care. I want to take the head of Suou Himejima with my own hands. I'm going to destroy everything that he cares for, everything that's important to him."

While I hated Suou since he visited Akeno's house six months ago, the hatred has gone upwards with the pass of time.

It's not the first time that I heard Akeno crying while sleeping, and she always mumbles the same words.

[Why can't I live? Is it because of my raven wings?]

[I hate them, I hate myself...]

[I want to live… I want to live…]

<<You know that I hate them the same or more than you, but we can't do anything at the moment. It's impossible to do anything when we have the white wings and the bat wings waiting for any opportunity to strike at us.>>

Only a matter of time, a matter of time…

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So, a 2,5k chapter. I know that there is a lot of information on this chapter, but I wanted to put all of this important information in one chapter and then continue with the development of the history.