CH. 395: Guilt
Tamako of the kitsune clan returned to Kyoto. Without a smile, she and her allies walked through the crimson streets of a warring city under the concealment magic of Haruto, the Tengu leader. The war had torn down the once lively city. Neither the gods nor yokai were pleased with the current state of Japan.
Near the end of the city, where the civilians once sang the worship of their favorite gods, was a crimson torii leading into the Kinkaku-ji, a massive golden temple. Everything appeared ordinary for humans without any supernatural ability. People with strong magic could discern the unusual bubble encompassing the torii.
The group passed through, arriving into streets even more ancient than Japan outside the bubble. Many aged houses were lined up, and strange creatures revealed their faces from the doors, windows, and passageways.
Without the sun in the sky, the place was shrouded in mysterious darkness. In that darkness, numerous cries could be heard.
Swept in the wave of sorrow, the kitsune bade their farewell and scattered, each going to their home. Tamako and Haruto, with heavy hearts, kept walking and arrived at a majestic mansion clad in gold and crimson.
A shrine maiden awaited the two in front of the mansion. A kitsune shrine maiden with long blonde hair ending in spirals. The white Miko outfit couldn't hold in her outrageous bosom. Her status was shown by the golden crown sitting on her and the nine fluffy tails behind her. The Great Yokai of Kyoto and the nine-tailed fox, Yasaka.
Haruto kneeled and touched his beak on the dirty ground.
"Your keeper has failed you, Yasaka-sama."
Tamako also bowed her head. "We should be punished accordingly."
"What will that do?" Yasaka asked with a mirthless smile. "It's not your fault… we were careless and let the devils take our kin. Shinto gods will be present at our meeting with Heaven. I'll ask them to force the Underworld's hands."
Gods of Shinto were both delighted and angry at the ongoing civil war in Japan. On one hand, the shrines had almost no crowd under the oppressive feudal lord's terror. On the other hand, the overwhelming prayers from the sufferers strengthened their pantheon with each day. They cared not for the war but the faith accumulated by it. Then again, the infighting would end with too many casualties. When the gods were pondering about the bigger picture of this war, the gods had sensed devil and angel activities in Yokai's territory.
Of course, gods like Susanoo immediately rushed to Kyoto for an explanation. After countless nagging from Susanoo, Yasaka had given up.
The gods were going to attend the meeting between yokai and angels.
"Kami…" Tamako raised her head and frowned. "Yasaka-sama, Susanoo-sama will try something."
"I can handle him." Yasaka showed a graceful smile. "We need to prepare the mansion for the meeting. Can you help me?"
"Yes, Yasaka-sama!!!"
***
Sirzechs Gremory sat in a chair, holding his face in his hands. He had lost everything. The woman he loved was taken by someone, his father beheaded, and his mother lost in the dreamland.
He was shattered from inside out.
"Sirzechs, Venelana-san will be alright," said a young devil girl beside him. Her glossy black twin tails only emphasized her petite body. She would be mistaken for a young girl if not for the large breasts stretching her black suit. "She is a strong woman. An illness like this won't stop her!"
Serafall Sitri's attempts to cheer up Sirzechs were met with cold silence. Nothing was in vain as Sirzechs held onto his sanity only because of their support. Like Sirzechs, Serafall also lost her father, but her mother stayed strong under the grief.
Serafall looked at her other friend. "Ajukaaaa, tell him it'll be alright. We'll find a way. You're our brain, it'll be easy for you!"
Ajuka sighed. "I can't promise anything."
His recent focus was on repopulating devil numbers, rather he wanted to improve the low fertility rate of devils. Even though he adored Venelana, he couldn't stop the project focused on the entire devil race. What's more, he had studied all his life about magic and a devil's body, not the matters of the soul.
"I'm fine," Sirzechs said as he raised his head, only to freeze.
The son of Lucifer approached with a wide grin on his face. His bottomless aura put the trio on guard.
Ajuka narrowed his eyes, sensing the near-endless demonic power concealed in Rizevim's small body.
'The Son of Lucifer is a Super Devil.'
Ajuka had created the term 'Super Devil' for the abnormally strong devils, who could crush even the Satans. Only Sirzechs and Ajuka had qualified for the new class until now.
"Rizevim," Sirzechs spat. "Why are you here?"
Under all the distress, Sirzechs didn't bother hiding his hostility to the arrogant son of the former Great Devil King.
"For her." Rizevim opened the door close to Sirzechs. Inside the room, a brunette slept on a bed with her arms placed on her stomach. Rizevim shook his head in disappointment. "A fine woman forever adrift in the depths of her own soul."
Sirzechs grabbed Rizevim by his collar, his demonic power surging uncontrollably.
Rizevim's lips twisted into a vicious smirk. "Can the Flaxen-haired Madame of Extinction survive a fight between two behemoths of the Underworld?"
Sirzechs clicked his tongue and let go of Rizevim.
"Your despair is my ambrosia, son. Do you want to know who killed your father?"
"Who?"
"The oh-so-mighty Devil Kings."
Time stood still for Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Serafall. None of them ever thought about the Devil Kings going after their clans. Ajuka believed someone must have leaked their plan to overturn the rulers. Beheading the most influential family heads was a warning in advance.
Sirzechs was of the same mindset. He glanced at Venelana and shut his eyes.
'It's my fault.'
He stood still, his shoulders nearly crushed by guilt.
"Why would they do it?" Serafall asked, balling up her fists to hold down her rage. "Why?"
"You should ask them, kids." Rizevim turned around and walked away as if he hadn't just created an even bigger rift between the three devils above Satan-class and the upper hierarchy of the Underworld.