Chapter 9: Plans Abounding

Jonah

(1 day after arrival in Asgard)

I think I know how an insomniac feels. While Sylvi, Rossweisse and Gondul had done their best to stay awake and keep me busy with things to work on, they weren't the ones who's family was under threat and had subsequently fallen asleep in one of the guest rooms.

I stayed up, far too stressed to even think about sleeping. It certainly didn't help matters that as more time went by without even the most basic of communication from home, it became morbidly obvious that something truly crippling had happened.

I'm startled out of my funk by a sudden knock on the front door of the house and I blearily walk towards it, only to find an awake and alert Gondul already answering it.

"…Yes, I will let him know. Thank you."

With a quick bow a boy not much older looking than me walks away and Gondul gives me a sympathetic gaze.

"Lord Odin would like to meet with you as soon as possible, he says it has to do with your family's situation…"

I feel my stomach plummet at that. If I'm meeting with the leader of Asgard instead of with a messenger from home…

"Um, Jonah? Do you want something to drink before you go?"

I clumsily turn around, half dead due to exhaustion and shock, and find Sylvi looking at me with obvious concern in her eyes. I try to respond to her concern with a smile but it probably comes out looking more like a grimace.

"I'd like that, thank you Sylvi. Do you have coffee or some equivalent?"

She brightens slightly and cheerily replies, "Sure! Just give me a second!"

As she quickly walks off my eye slowly wanders to her shapely legs, said legs being exposed rather enticingly by a black night shift that comes to just above her knees and-

I furiously scowl and rub my eyes with a tired motion, annoyed that my state of exhaustion is turning me into Riser of all perverts out there.

"Sylvi is rather lovely, is she not?"

My cheeks flare red with embarrassment as I notice Gondul intently staring at me and I try not to make a further ass myself.

To my surprise I hear her just chuckle a second later and she speaks up with, "Jonah, I've been alive for awhile and remember what it feels like to be young and running on zero sleep. I wasn't threatening you."

"…still wasn't very polite of me."

She shrugs indifferently and I'm suddenly made aware of having a steaming mug of something pushed into my hands.

The aroma of black coffee assaults my nostrils and I immediately feel myself perk up slightly, system already preparing for a caffeine rush. I give a thankful grin to the young woman and say, "Thank you very much Sylvi."

She gives a flippant grin and easily replies, "No problem Jonah, anytime."

She loses some of her cheer and more hesitantly adds, "And, well…good luck with Lord Odin and everything."

Yah…luck. That's something I can't decide if I've had a surplus or deficient of these past few hours.

"I advise you not to be surprised by Lord Odin's more…unusual tendencies Jonah. He tends to be rather laid back in his attitude unless confronted with something of dire importance."

"I'll take that over some sort of overly uptight noble. I've met some Devil's that act like their Lucifer's own gift to the world and I never really got along all that well with them. "

An enormous pair of stone doors grind open as 2 heavily armored guards bang their axe's pommels on the floor and Gondul leads me forward, her pace brisk and professional. I quickly follow and raise an eyebrow upon laying eyes on Lord Odin for the first time.

If the measure of a man was in the length of his beard, he'd be immeasurable. A grey-white mane of facial hair droops almost below his knees and I can't help but wonder if that thing get's stuck in zippers and the like very often.

Bjarke and Hertha are standing off to the side with worried expressions on their faces, something that really doesn't ease my apprehension one bit, before I turn my attention back to Odin and bow forward at the waist.

"Relax boy!" he suddenly booms out, "The only people I like bowing to me are voluptuous women, especially if they wear loose shirts."

…Well Gondul did say he was laid back most of the time…and judging by how everyone else in the hall looks resigned rather than shocked or annoyed I'd say this is just par for the course.

"You're just the same as ever Lord Odin…"

My eyes widen in shock as a familiar voice tiredly rings out and I spin around to find none other than Uncle Sirzechs walking through the hall doors, the 2 guards shocked at finding none other than the Crimson Lucifer himself showing up out of the blue.

Completely forgetting about Odin I run up to Sirzechs and frantically ask, "What happened, is everyone still alright-"

He holds up a hand and gently chides, "Jonah, where are your manners?"

I grimace as I realize I just totally blew off the Chief God of Asgard before said God speaks up with an exasperated tone.

"Oh come now Sirzechs, the poor Boy has more important things on his mind that trading pleasantries with some old fart. You have news?"

The Maou's face instantly falls along with my stomach and all of the sudden I feel Bjarke set a hand on my shoulder, Hertha right behind him, both of them with equally apprehensive looks on their faces.

Sirzechs sighs and quietly says, "There's no easy way to say this…Jonah, officially none of the Valefor family, or their affiliates, survived last night's attack."

Bjarke's hand suddenly becomes vice-like, but I barely even register it.

It feels like the planet just gave way beneath my feet.

"…All of them?"

Sirzechs just sadly nods and I would have collapsed if it weren't for Bjarke holding me up. I fight back through the fog in my head as something Sirzechs said catches my desperate attention.

"You…you said officially, right? What about unofficially?"

The raw hope in my voice causes Sirzechs to briefly wince but he takes a deep breath and gives me a serious look as he says, "After Lord Phenex and Beelzebub, alongside myself, inspected the aftermath of the attack we believe Caine is alive."

Hertha gasps and frantically inquires, "Jonah's Brother is alive?!"

My own relief and excitement is equal to hers as I almost drop to the floor in relief and stammer out, "M-my dorky Brother is…he's still there?"

A slight grin appears on the Maou's face before it falls and he elaborates with, "When we were examining the mansion we found another Magic Circle that lead directly to Clarissa's parent's home. Unfortunately, whoever did this had planned ahead and had assassins waiting. Tiffania and Fareth were killed."

I feel another pang of sadness at that news. I'd only met Mom's parents a few times since they were usually traveling all over the Underworld, but they were unashamedly cheerful people and spoiled me and Caine rotten.

I bring my attention back to the now as Sirzechs lightly smiles and adds, "Yet we're certain that Caine managed to escape. He used Ravel's Phoenix Heart to surprise his attackers and re-activate the Magic Circle, escaping rather cleanly if you ask me."

His already small smile disappears and the tired expression returns full force.

"Unfortunately we don't have any idea where he might have ultimately ended up. I have every available subordinate and search party I can get my hands on scouring the Underworld, but…it's a large place, and if we devote too many resources whoever was behind this atrocity might start wondering what, or rather who, it is we're so covertly looking for. This attack had significant backing behind it, I'd rather not expose any more information than absolutely necessary."

I clench my fist helplessly, knowing Sirzechs is right and that I wouldn't be of much help. I see similar expression on Bjarke and Hertha's faces, but thankfully this time around they're not about to charge out in a frenzy.

Instead I let out a slightly bitter chuckle at the whole unfairness of this damn mess and quietly say, "Already using his Betrothed's present to save his skin…that Kid sure knows how to get mileage out of a girl's gift…"

I see my words have the desired effect I'd hoped for as my honorary grandparents both suddenly ratchet their heads around and Bjarke stammers out, "W-wait, our Grandson is married?!"

I sagely nod and Hertha enthusiastically asks, "What's she like? Do they get along? Will she be sad that Caine is, well…missing?"

Their sudden 180 from being worried about his safety to being freaked out by him getting hitched drags a small grin from me.

"Well she's sorta like Caine actually. Kind of a smartass sometimes, likes to get in trouble and annoy her Big Brother…and yah, those 2 are thick as thieves. Does she miss him though?"

I briefly think about how our friends in the Phenex family are taking this and feel a sudden pang of concern. Me, Caine, Riser and Ravel had all been pretty close and I'm sure they're just as frantic trying to find Caine as I'm feeling.

Assuming Sirzechs told them about us still being alive, but I'm pretty sure he's done so. Our family and the Phenex clan were pretty tight.

"Well, let me put it this way. They probably both miss each other and if she isn't the first one to somehow track him down I'd be more surprised than anyone."

Sirzechs smiles at my words while both Hertha and Bjarke seem somewhat mollified at the explanation.

"Well not to be that one guy that kills the mood, but what exactly is your plan here Sirzechs? I think you'd best tell us."

I belatedly remember that Lord Odin is still here while Sirzechs looks thoughtful for a moment. While he still seems to be considering the best way to get across his idea an icy coolness settles in my head. Things are clearer now.

My family is gone. Whatever remnants still exist are almost certainly scattered to the winds or in hiding, and our enemies, at least for the moment, are unknown and self-evidently powerful.

I can either hide away here in Asgard, letting Sirzechs give me advice on what to do and relying on Bjarke and Hertha's generosity…

…Or I can start using my head, something Mom and Dad always said was my greatest strength, and start working towards payback.

Caine would agree with me on this. There's no fucking way we're going to just take this lying down, without even an attempt at fighting back.

I don't care how long it takes, I will find my Brother, and I will have revenge for my family.

All it'll take is time…

"Lord Odin, may I ask for a favor?"

All eyes snap towards me.

The Elder God raises an eyebrow and, obviously intrigued, replies, "Depends on what it is Boy. Hit me with it."

"I'd like to be enrolled in an Asgard academy. With Lady Gondul's permission, I'd prefer if it was the one Miss Sylvi and Rossweisse are attending."

I ignore everyone else's gazes that clearly ask, 'what the heck are you planning?' and focus on Odin. He stares blankly at me for a second before smirking and turning to Gondul.

"Well 'Wand Bearer'? Do you think you could put in a good word at Mímir Academy? I have no problem with his request."

My surprise at the ease of which he granted my proposal must have show on my face because he laughs and says, "You look confused Boy! Well, I can see that you have a plan and the drive to see it succeed. I remember Hayden when he was just a young lad, and I won't lose any sleep over what you have planned for the Bastards who did this. You can pay us back by giving them a taste of their own medicine."

…The Old guy is pretty perceptive. Well whatever, I got what I wanted.

I bow low to him and Gondul before turning around to face Sirzechs who looks bemused by my actions. My mind is running a mile a minute as I ask, "I assume I'm included in the list of the dead?"

He nods and I continue with, "Ok, here's my plan. If the attack was as devastating and thorough as I think it was then most of our suppliers and 'business' associates are going to be left directionless and without any way of selling their product. Whoever attacked us will probably try to pick up the leftovers as their own and get a profit out of this. I don't know about you, but they probably won't be nearly as careful in keeping track of the really dangerous stuff."

Sirzechs just nods agreeably and I continue with, "In that case, you probably want me to stay on the down low until things have calmed down a bit, then take over the leftovers, right? As the Valefor successor with the backing of a Maou and the remaining allies we have left, we should be able to run damage control, right?"

"That was the gist of what I was hoping to achieve, yes."

A humorless smile comes to my face.

"I think we can do better. Give me a few months, maybe a year in Asgard, talking to other people at the academy, understanding Norse culture and making 'friends'…I'll have allies here as well as whatever support we still have in the Underworld. Then we won't be confined to mere 'damage control', we can actually rebuild what my family built from the ground up."

Sirzechs stares at me for the longest time before a small smile comes to his face, one tinted with both admiration and sadness.

"You remind me very much of Clarissa sometimes…she always seemed to thrive on setbacks and the like, coming out of all the stronger. Very well, hopefully I will be able to contact you again in a few weeks with further details, but for now I should get back to Lilith before my absence is noted."

I heave a heavy sigh and nod in understanding…before stepping forward and give the Maou a quick hug. He stiffens briefly before gently returning it and morosely says, "I'm sorry for not being able to see this coming Jonah. If you can-"

"If this is about forgiveness, you don't need it Uncle Sirzechs, I don't blame you. Our family duty always came with risks like these. If you still feel like you need to make it up to us, then please. Find my dumb Brother."

The big sap looks teary-eyed for a moment before he jerkily nods and quickly bows to Odin, saying, "Thank you for allowing this visit on such short notice Lord Odin, if there's anything-"

The older looking man just waves a hand idly and easily replies, "Ah don't worry about it Sirzechs, the way I see it this was a meeting between Odin and his old pal the ex-Gremory heir, not between the leader of Asgard and one of the 4 Satans. Just let me know ahead of time if you need to meet about something, the usual channels."

Sirzechs once more bows and gives me a brief nod before disappearing in the flash of a Teleportation Circle.

Everyone is quiet for a moment before Odin chuckles and fixes me with a gaze that's equal parts amusement and anticipation.

"A Devil attending an Academy in Asgard…you're gonna be in for some rough times Boy, I don't envy you. Haha!"

A few minutes later Gondul had stayed behind to hash out a few details with Lord Odin about my coming transfer into Mímir Academy while Bjarke and Hertha had accompanied me home.

"…Jonah, are you really intending on carrying out what you planned with Lord Lucifer?"

I turn to Bjarke and ask, "The part about where I eventually succeed the Valefor name and start finding out who was behind all this?"

A fierce nod.

"Absolutely. Those people killed my family. They killed your son. Maybe it's not the 'right' thing to do, wanting revenge this badly, but quite frankly I don't care. I'll see them pay for this, one way or another."

Bjarke stares at me for a second before pursing his lips and shakily replying, "If you ever need anything, and I mean anything, just ask me or Hertha, and we'll try to help."

My honorary Aunt also gives a nod at her husband's words and the grief, rage and pain in their eyes suddenly reminds me that Hayden was their only child, something I'd forgotten for a moment since they were so composed a few minutes ago.

I suddenly feel guilty at my inability to offer them any sort of comfort, and privately resolve that I won't rest until they can one day have some sort of closure, in whatever form it may come in.

The rest of the journey back to their…or maybe I should say 'our', home is a quiet one and Bjarke unlocks the front door without any fanfare.

I'm suddenly shocked out of my thoughts as I see both Rossweisse and Sylvi staring at the 3 of us with obvious concern in their eyes. Hertha must have seen it as well since she puts on a brave face and gently says, "We're all right girls, it's just been…a trying day."

Sylvi shoots me a concerned glance while Rossweisse asks, "Is Grandmother busy? We can find our own way home if we're imposing-"

"Nothing like that Child, she should be along shortly, she just had to speak with Lord Odin about some matters."

The older girl seems mollified by that, although Sylvi is still giving me not-so-subtle glances. Feeling uncomfortable with the scrutiny I turn to Bjarke and ask, "Is there a spare room I could use? I…need a moment to think."

He shows me to a small guest room without further ado and gives me a squeeze on the shoulder before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

I slowly sit on the edge of the bed and bring a shaking hand to my eyes, the grief I'd been pushing aside for the last hour or so finally breaking through my self-control.

And just like that the floodgates are open, quiet sobs racking my body as the reality of it all comes crashing down.

Mom…Dad…Hayden…they're gone.

The last coherent thought I have is of Caine, and the hope that my Little Brother is still safe out there.

Ravel

(5 Weeks After Valefor Family Massacre)

No doubt contrary to what many other Devil's think, in no small part thanks to my Family's manipulations, getting parts of your body blown off and then regrown in a blaze of fire does hurt. Not as much as losing it in a conventional sense, but it's still uncomfortable, like the pins and needle sensation when your leg falls asleep, only sharper. We just pretend like it doesn't hurt us to intimidate everybody else.

All that said, I think Mother is taking just a little too much enjoyment out of repeatedly burning my arms off.

"Come on Ravel Dear! You're never going to impress anyone with that slow speed! Or do I need to light a fire under you for motivation?"

Knowing all too well she means that literally (having to regenerate my butt was a mortifying experience) I hastily focus on my missing left arm, ignoring the uncomfortable sensation and instead willing the bone, muscle and skin to hurry up and restore itself. Fire slowly crawls out of my shoulder, ensconcing where my limb should be, and within a few seconds it retracts, my arm as good as new.

"Hmm…8 seconds, that's quite good Ravel. A whole second faster than when we began a few weeks back."

I heave a sigh and morosely reply with, "And nowhere near good enough. Stupid Riser of all people can grow back a limb in just 2 seconds…"

Mother chuckles and walks over before sitting down, motioning for me to do the same.

"Ravel dear, Riser worked very hard for a very long time to be able to do so. Our birthright powers act differently from many other Devils, and the way we improve them is also different. There are no shortcuts for us, no sudden burst of understanding that allow us to jump forward by leaps and bounds. All there is for us is unceasing practice, of trying again and again until we improve bit by bit. Our fire is a part of us, born the moment we are, and repetition will make it stronger."

"…You're sure there's no shortcuts?"

Mother actually starts laughing and stammers out, "You're so much like me when I was your age! Unfortunately, my little Firebrand-"

Darn it I hate that nickname...

"-There are no cheats. Trust me, I tried to find them. But look at it this way, in the span of just under 5 weeks you managed to reduce the time needed to regenerate your body by an entire second. Given a few years with this kind of schedule, and I think Riser is going to have to watch out for his up-and-coming little sister."

The sudden thought of kicking around Big Brother in a fight is so appealing that I unintentionally start cackling to myself, forgetting Mother is right beside me.

"Your not there yet Little Miss. You still have a ways to go."

Slightly mollified I mutter out, "Yes Mother…" and scowl as she giggles yet again.

Suddenly rising to her feet Mother stretches and cheerfully says, "I think that's enough for today, why don't we get cleaned up and then make sure you have everything for your big day tomorrow?"

I raise an eyebrow and ask, "Big day? What's going on tomorrow-"

And then my face falls as I remember.

School.

Mother chuckles at my expression and archly asks, "Oh? Did you happen to forget?"

I sheepishly smile and reply with, "Sort of? I've been so focused these past few days that I kinda lost track of time…"

My voice trails off as I suddenly recall that both Caine and I were supposed to attend starting tomorrow. He would have started a year below me, but still…

Mother must have realized where my thoughts were headed because she gently pulls me into a hug and comfortingly whispers, "I'm sure he's fine Ravel…you know how clever Caine could be when he wanted to."

A few weeks ago that would have put me at ease, but now? The reality of just how cutthroat our world is has made itself painfully apparent, and I understand that Mother's words are just that. Words.

I still find them at least a little comforting though.

Antiquity Academy. The most famous and prestigious academy in the Underworld for young Devils that can afford it, or for the few who can obtain the grades high enough to be accepted in on a scholarship. Almost 3 square kilometers of immaculately crafted buildings made of a variety of materials, ranging from marble all the way to honest-to-Maou gold.

I get that it's more than a little hypocritical of me to complain about opulence, considering my family's own home and wealth, but the architecture of this place legitimately does strike me as being wasteful and excessive.

Then again, it's mostly only the children of Pillar families or their affiliates that can attend here, so all this extravagant material probably doesn't appear all that gaudy to most of it's attendees.

And speaking of attendees…

"Oh! Ravel there you are! We've been looking all over for you!"

Here come Cerise Paimon and Alameda Zepar, 2 other Devils my age that I last year had considered friends, until I overhead them whispering about how they might be able to introduce me to Cerise's younger Brother and hopefully end up closer to the wealthy Phenex family.

But that's the reality of Antiquity Academy. Since so many of us are slated to be the next heads of our families the majority of our time is spent carefully making 'friends' and things like that, little thought given to being nice to someone simply for the sake of being nice.

I hate it.

But just because I hate it doesn't mean I don't know how to play the game.

Putting on a false smile I turn around and lock gazes with Cerise, a shorter girl with dark black hair and dark blue eyes, and Alameda, who's about my height but has long brown hair done up in curls.

"Hello Cerise, Alameda. How was your vacation?"

With a no doubt equally false smile Cerise airily replies with, "Oh it was fine, my Father was thinking about introducing me to the son of some High-class family, some sort of marriage contract, but I talked him out of it. Oh! That reminds me! I heard about your broken off engagement with that Valefor boy from my Father!"

…Wonderful. Not more than a few minutes into attending this place and I already want to leave. I'd bet my life that the next thing out of her mouth is related to me meeting her Brother somehow…

"Personally I think it's a good thing you got out of that contract Ravel. My Father never had anything good to say about the Valefors. He always said the they were a dishonorable family, coming by their wealth and influence through crime and other stuff like that. I bet your betrothed was a right thug, wasn't he?"

…I find myself wishing that Cerise had simply tried to talk about her Brother.

If she had, I wouldn't be fighting the urge to simply burn her alive right this very second, damn the consequences. Gritting my teeth I simply shrug and cooly reply, "It's hard to say, the few times I met him we got along perfectly fine, although it's hard to say anything more than that."

A bald-faced lie, but telling these fools the truth wouldn't accomplish anything.

Exhibiting intelligence I normally wouldn't apply to her Cerise seems to clue in that this isn't a subject she'll make much headway with and drops it with a hasty, "Well, we should get to class, can't afford to be late the first day, now can we?"

Best idea she's ever had in forever. I quickly lead the way without a glance backward lest I forget that setting one of my classmates on fire isn't all that great of an idea.

Which is when I find an entirely new form of behavior that makes me wish I could just set aside all this political posturing and cut loose with my powers.

…I think Caine rubbed off on me after all these years. He had a way of engineering situations so that he got to solve them by hitting things.

I give a quick shake of my head and instead march over to where Diodora Astaroth is clearly making some poor new girl nervous and more than a little scared, if her body language is anything to go by. As an upperclassman he should be making new students feel welcome, not giving them a horrible first impression of other Devils.

We're the scions of the 72 Pillars for Maou's sake! We should be the benchmark all other Devils, reincarnated or not, aspire to be and one day hope to surpass! Not some arrogant and bullying jerks who think having a powerful family name gives us the right to do whatever we want!

"It's been a long time Diodora, are you perhaps showing the new student to her class?"

He turns that disgustingly fake smile on me and I have to make a concentrated effort not to shiver in disgust. I've heard rumors about his growing 'fascination' with nuns and the like and that smile of his suddenly makes me believe all the rumors without a doubt.

"Ah, it's good to see you again Miss Ravel. And rather I was telling Miss Galatas here about the hierarchy of students here an Antiquity. Now is there anything I can do for my junior? Us seniors have to provide a helping hand whenever we can of course."

Thats just sickening. This person is 4 years my senior? What a joke.

Still, my curiosity is piqued about the new girl. Galatas sounds vaguely Greek, and it's not a name I recognize from any well known Devil family. Not to mention she's visibly shaken by all of the attention and is showing obvious signs of fear, something no heir would willingly show to others.

To show weakness in this viper pit is to open yourself up to exploitation. And just to prove my point…

"Galatas? I've never heard that name before, are you some new family from nowhere important? You should be thanking Senior Astaroth for showing you the ropes!"

I take back what I said about Cerise having something of a brain, no Devil with any form of intelligence would insult someone they don't know anything about. Just a few seconds of polite introductions to figure out your opposites social standing could allow you to save face, and she wasn't willing to even spend that much.

Unfortunately, in this case she seems to be mostly correct as the new girl just looks even more downcast and physically seems to shrink. Which of course just encourages my 'friends' to no doubt start thinking of ways that they can further tear down this poor girl and I promptly decide I'm not going to deal with this crap within minutes of my new school term.

I quickly grab her hand and loudly state, "We can work on introductions later, we'll be late for class if we don't hurry."

I don't spare the other 3 more than a cursory glance, just long enough to see the briefly confused looks on their faces before I'm gone, setting a brisk pace and still half-dragging the Galatas heir behind me.

I think I pulled it off. They'll probably see that as me just being in a distracted hurry rather than deliberately stopping their 'fun'.

As soon as we walk past the large double doors where students are still streaming in I sharply veer off to the left and promptly push the both of us into the gap between support pillars, creating an impromptu hiding spot.

"You really are new here, aren't you?"

The girl gives me a look thats part confusion and part hope, causing me to sigh.

"Easily showing fear or timidness in this school isn't a good idea. Just like those 3 you met a few moments ago, they'll gobble you up and spit you out just because they can."

The girl looks visibly undercut at that and I take a moment to look more closely at her.

She has a sort of nobility to her, despite her unassuming and timid attitude, which is further accentuated by her platinum blond hair done up in a graceful ponytail, the whole look rounded off with a set of piercing golden eyes.

Thankfully she seems to find her spine and straightens up before giving me a shaky smile and says, "I, I see…thank you for telling me this and helping me earlier. My name is Monica Galatas, may I ask for yours?"

I gain a smile of my own and happily reply with, "Sure! I'm Ravel Phenex, 4th child of the Phenex Clan. Please to meet you Monica!"

The other girls more genuine smile gives me hope that maybe I actually might have found a real friend in here and I enthusiastically ask, "What class are you in Monica? We might be there together!"

Cautious excitement showing on her face she replies with, "I'm in class A-3, you?"

A triumphant smirk comes to my face upon hearing that bit of news.

"Awesome! I'm in there as well! Ok Monica, I'm thinking we can be good friends here, and if that's going to happen you need to get a crash course in how to act around here. And I'm going to be your teacher!"

She looks equal parts relieved and worried and she quietly says, "I, I appreciate your offer, but won't it-"

"No buts! Now come on now, watch how I walk and act, you'll pick this up in no time!"

Once more grabbing her hand and dragging her out from our little corner a genuinely happy smile comes over my face.

Today might not be so bad after all.

And that's a quick update on what Jonah and Ravel are going to be up to while Caine is in Kalichi! A little dry on the excitement unfortunately, but as opposed to just skipping over everything I wanted to give the time these 2 spend doing their own thing a bit of focus, since it'll come into play later in the story.

And I can't believe I forgot to do this earlier, but here it is.

Caine's list of femme fatales: Ravel/Kuroka/Shirone/Jeanne/Rossweisse/Secret Character/?

Jonah's lovely ladies: Sylvi/?

While not very comprehensive yet, as some of these characters haven't yet made an appearance, Jonah will have his share of relationships, although the overall tally will be smaller than Caine's.

Other than that next chapter introduces quite a number of new and familiar faces, and might take a bit longer for me to upload, since it's pretty long and has quite a few introductions that I want to be easily remembered.

Till then, thanks for all the continued support!