Ch27: Year 6 Begins P8

Chapter 27: Year 6 Begins P8

~27.8~

*****

In a room with no windows, a certain black-haired young man sat at a table. His arms and feet were bound, and his mana was being forcibly suppressed. He couldn't break free.

"Release me this instant!" he cried out. He knew he was being monitored. "Do you not know who I am? I'm a prince of the Atlantis Empire! My father is the King of Nippon Sekai! Release me at once!"

His cries were going either unheard or outright ignored. He had no way to know. Finally, after several hours, a black-haired man entered the room.

"You there, I demand you release me immediately! I am-"

"Silence."

Zen was so taken aback that he didn't know how to respond. He sat in shock until the man spoke again.

"Good." The man conjured a chair out of nowhere and sat down in front of Zen. "Zen Akari II of Nippon Sekai. Son of King Zen Akari I and Lady Layla Barrett, older brother of Yami Akari and Sanae Akari, and younger brother of Kye Akari... also known as Elysia Athas, King of Elysium. Quite the mouthful when you put it all to words, and I only describe five of your many familial relations. However, the only one that matters to me is the last one, particularly the part about the King of the World."

What the hell is he talking about? None of that is private information, but why is it important? And... King of the World? She didn't mention that.

"Try not to dwell on a title, young prince." The man shook his head and sighed. "I need your help, younger brother."

"You have kidnapped me and now you have the audacity to ask for help?" It was one shock after another. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I simply need you to cause a little chaos. It's nothing you need to worry about right away, and you won't have to do much yourself when it comes around. You'll just be along for the ride, as they say."

"Cease these riddles and speak plainly."

The man chuckled. "No need." He opened a small hole in space and pulled out a box from within. "I do so enjoy using the system. The storage feature is quite nice, don't you think?" He opened the box and retrieved a small black orb of mana glowing with the many colors of the rainbow. "All you have to do is take this." The man touched the orb to Zen's head and pushed. The orb phased into his head and his eyes rolled backwards. A few moments later, he recovered, albeit with some grogginess.

"What did you do to me?" He struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Nothing you need to worry about. You won't even remember our interaction or your kidnapping. You'll wake up in the morning in your bed and continue your normal daily life until you are needed."

"And then?"

"Well, that would spoil the surprise! Now sleep, younger brother. I look forward to your performance."

Zen tried to argue, but lost consciousness quickly. Just as the man said, Zen woke up the next morning with no recollection of what had happened.

*****

Outside the Akaishi compound, a cloaked figure approached the front gate in the rain. One guard stepped forward while the other had his hand on his sword, ready to draw. "Remove your hood and state your name and business."

Removing the cloak, the figure revealed her beautiful face, black hair, and her cat ears. "I am Lana. I am here to see the Akaishi matriarch, Lady Akasha."

"Surname?"

She shook her head. "I don't have one." She reached into a pocket in her cloak and handed them a card. "However, I have this."

"Name: Lana. Race: Black Cat." The first guard showed the card to the other.

"A graduate of the Slayer Academy? So then you are a slayer."

"Have you come to claim a bounty? You need not see the matriarch for that. Instead, I can guide you to-"

"No," Lana said. "I am not here to claim a bounty, but to discuss accepting one."

The guards exchanged glances, unsure what to make of it. "But, miss, the only bounty the Akaishi clan has that is not already taken is-"

"I know. That's why I am here, rather than one of my juniors. The details of the bounty stated that the person taking the job must meet the matriarch to be granted the bounty. As such, I am here to see Lady Akasha about hunting the white cat allegedly responsible for the murders."

The guards looked at each other again, unsure of what to make of the emotionless look in Lana's eyes. There was not a hint of hesitation, doubt, or anger.

"Miss, are you certain you want to take that job?"

"Yes." Lana sighed. "I don't relish the idea of hunting a cat person, even one of white lineage, but I would rather do it myself and discover the truth than leave it to another that would take the easy half of 'dead or alive'."

The guards nodded, and one led Lana into the compound. A few minutes later, she was sitting at a table meeting with Akasha, Akuma, and Aisha.

"So you wish to bring the culprit in alive?" Akasha asked. Akuma and Aisha shared her surprise. "Are you certain that is within your ability?"

Lana nodded. "Yes, Lady Akasha. I know of this stray and spoke with both my people and the white cats before coming here to accept the mission. On behalf of both clans, I am here to accept the job. The black cats wish to observe, and the white cats wish to know the truth. If he is truly guilty, they will not oppose your judgment."

Akasha glanced at Akuma and Aisha for a moment, and received nods from them. She closed her eyes for a moment to think. Suddenly, she sensed a large concentration of mana being channeled in front of her, and her eyes shot open, but Lana was gone. The burst only lasted for a split second. Looking for answers, Akasha eyed the room, but when she looked to her left, she saw a sight she never imagined in her wildest dreams. Akuma was sitting between her and Aisha, yet there was only half his body remaining and blood splattered all over the place. She and Aisha were both covered in it.

Their screams of terror drowned out any other sounds that might be heard.

*****

Revision: 2024-9-1