(A new Distortion is approaching. Let us see how it begins to unfold from here on out shall we?)

Bold = English Conversations

Bold + Italics = Japanese Conversations

Distortion 2

The 9th Hierarchical City of Akitsu-Ko, the neighboring Hierarchical city of the 1st Free City of Otsu. Normally, it would be a city of high society, where the centuries old architecture meets with modern day Ars Magus innovations. Normally, the meticulously stacked brick buildings would be paired with the nice breeze of spring. However this was not the case for Makoto as her legs were buried near knee deep in snow, forcing her to struggle to push through as She grunted a bit.

"I cannot believe how high the snow got here. Then again, at least I know the NOL are not looking around here." Makoto said, wearing a very heavy poncho to keep her warm as she continued to walk through the snow. She was simply doing her job given to her by the Otsu Four, to find out what the NOL has in store for the destroyed cauldron that laid in Akitsu-Ko. Now normally, she would have been a little less reluctant to accept a job like this and focus more on her own problems but for once, her problems lined up with the job the four offered her up.

As Makoto couldn't help but let her mind wonder as she remembered the day before she left..

FLASHBACK

"Yes! This is good alcohol!" A Russian man said as he slammed down a cup that once contained Vokda, his white beard and slick hair would have gotten most people to mistake him for an elder if it wasn't for the muscular body that is normally hidden underneath his thick fur coat. "Indeed, this sake is the right temperature for a drink." Another man said, smaller in comparison as he pushed back his sunglasses while his slicked back black hair matched his silver business suit.

"Come on you two, don't drink so fast now! I am still trying to get used to this whole drinking thing." A girl said, clearly too young to be doing what these two men were but still trying regardless, enjoying a glass of whiskey with a nice ice cube ball on her glass to keep her whiskey cool as the last person involved was seated next to Makoto, watching the three drink away with a small chuckle.

"Oh don't mind Vlad, Tetsu and Sofia, those three have been intensifying security around Otsu lately. Can't be unprepared for when we come under fire from the NOL." The lady said, her red dress complimenting the Chinese buns she wore on her head as her eyes looked at Makoto as she chuckled. "I don't mind Ms Zhang, it's just is it really necessary to double check this whole thing? I got the basic gist from the message you sent to my phone." Makoto said as she suddenly felt a big hand be placed on her shoulder.

"Oh don't be like that comrade Nanaya! We just want to hang out for a bit! Loosen up and not be surrounded by guards every moment of our lives!" Vlad said, cheering as Tetsu placed another hand on her shoulder. "As much as it pains me to do so, the Russian merc's right. With the way the NOL is lately, it's not going to be surprising when they try to place a hit on us. And unlike every other hierarchical city, they can gun us down and pass it off as nothing." Tetsu added.

"So we may be partying right now, but know that we are still criminals at the end of the day and we could be offed by the NOL for being a dangerous part of society despite not doing anything of the sort to the general public ever since Otsu was founded." Sofia commented, placing her flat chest onto Makoto's head as she scratched her head. "Still doesn't change the fact that you're drinking casually at Caroline's place." Makoto commented, as it cuts to the living room of the combined residence of Sora and Caroline.

"Oh we do this all the time! Comrade Minakaze did not mind letting us in, bringing our own drinks and enjoying them to our heart's content!" Vlad commented as this made the man sigh a bit. "Still… to think that something crazy is happening to him… if your story is to be true." Vlad added as Sofia's hand slammed right into the giant Russian's stomach, making him cough a bit as he did so. "Can you be a bit more considerate, if she's right, then we are most likely going to be forgetting about him any day now."

"Can you two stop talking right now." Zhang Pi said, looking at the two with stern eyes as the other two immediately froze, realizing they were saying all of this out loud for Makoto to hear. "It's alright, I have accepted the fact that you guys are probably going to be forgetting about him any day now. It's just that hearing it come from your mouths is still something I am trying to register that's all." Makoto said as Tetsu placed a glass of Sake in front of her.

"In that case, while we still do, let's make sure every day is a day worth remembering the man by." Tetsu said as Makoto smiled a bit, grabbing the glass and clinking it with him before the two drank the sake immediately. "But just remember, anything on your mind, you can speak to us four. We may have busy lives but we at least are willing to give you a listen." Zhang Pi added as Makoto couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

"To think that I would be talking with four of the world's most dangerous criminals like this… if you four are going to be here, care to tell me all about Otsu's past then?" Makoto questioned as Vlad was about to get ready to tell a tale before Sofia jumped and covered his mouth. "Let's save it for another time, we've got to focus on the job ahead." Sofia said as Caroline came into the conversation with what looked to be food.

"I agree, and the best way to do that is with some instant military rations!" Caroline said as Makoto chuckled as the four heads groaned. "Comrade Caroline, I love you but will it kill you to at least cook something decent that doesn't require submerging in hot water?" Vlad questioned as Caroline chuckled, scratching her head. "I would like to cook but I got to put in my full focus to this research. I am sure a single MRE won't kill you for a day." Caroline commented as Makoto smiled

"Oh don't complain you guys, the MRE's Caroline orders are actually pretty good and don't taste half bad." Makoto said, giving the heads the confidence to know that if a person like Makoto was willing to eat the MRE's a woman who was just dedicated to her research, then they shouldn't have anything to worry about as well. "In that case, don't mind if we help ourselves to your meal Caroline." Zhang Pi said, trying to be friendly as soon a map was placed on the table, bowls on food on their hands as Tetsu began to explain the plan.

Tetsu: So to summarize the original message we sent you, We had gotten word from our sources that there are NOL forces that were seen assembling close to the Akitsu-Ko/Otsu border. Another group was also seen near Ko's cauldron.

Makoto: Matches up so far, continue

Sofia: We also noted that they also have a high ranking official there as well, Colonel Relius Clover.

Makoto:….Relius…

Sofia: So we are going to gather info about this, figure out what they are planning. If they really are planning on attacking us we got to know what kind of attack they are planning and prepare appropriate counter measures with all the families to ensure they don't get the jump on us.

Zhang Pi: Which is where you come in Miss Nanaya, we need you to check up on the situation at the Cauldron, you have been to one before so you would have more information about them than any of us combined.

Makoto simply nodded her head, agreeing to the suggestion as she focused on the next task at hand. "So… what's the entry point. I presume I am not going to be just walking through the front door if there is going to be NOL guarding around the area." Makoto said as the heads then pulled out a map for the general area of the Akitsu-Ko cauldron. "Indeed you're right, Making you walk right through the front door would be a Vlad decision, after all the man prefers the direct approach." Sofia commented as Vlad raised his hands into the air with a bit of a grin on his face, showing that what they had said was correct.

"Instead you will be going through this bottom area here. From our sources, this should take you through the elevator walkway where you can use the service elevator to get to the bottom of the cauldron." Tetsu explained as Makoto nodded her head at that, clapping her hands and rubbing them as she focused. "So in that case, all I need to do is check out what they are doing with the cauldron and send you guys pictures right?" Makoto said as she waited for the lords to give their response.

"Yes and no, yes you can take pictures but make sure they are of the physical kind, no digital copies otherwise the NOL will be able to track those." Zhang Pi explained as Makoto nodded her head at that. "Physical over digital… Do you have an antique camera I can use? A lot of photos taken nowadays are digital anyways." Makoto said as Vlad then placed right in front of Makoto what looked to be a very old camera. "Polaroid camera, very old technology, impossible to find but very easy to make once you find the instructions online to do so. Just remember there's no flash on these things so you got to take your pictures with bright lights." Vlad explained as Makoto scratched her head.

"You really like making old stuff huh Vlad." Makoto said as Vlad laughed. "The old days have so much more class and personality over this new age Ars Magus stuff. I do use some of it but where Analog can be used, I use it." Vlad said, laughing as Makoto took the polaroid camera as she smiled at Vlad's comment. "Anything else I need to know? If not, I would like to get going now." Makoto explained as Zhang pi nodded her head.

"Just one more, if you do meet Relius Clover at the Cauldron, you better get the hell out of there, it's not worth having to deal with the man. We understand that you have some beef with him but we don't want you throwing your life away." Tetsu warned as Makoto looked at him surprised, about to retort but stopped herself as she took a deep breath and simply nodded her head at that. "Can I at least talk to him before I go?" Makoto asked, knowing she may have been pushing her luck.

"I don't see anything wrong with that, Just as long as you don't let the man bait you to swinging the first punch." Vlad said as he looked at his fellow leaders, wondering about their opinions. "I agree with Vlad, it's fine for you to want to ask a few questions but ask those questions if you are sure you are alone and you can get away." Tetsu agreed but also gave a warning as Makoto nodded her head at that. "That's all the confirmation I needed to hear, thanks for giving me the blessing I needed." Makoto said, standing up and getting ready to head to Caroline's office.

"Now if you excuse me, I am going to go and get that new arm attached to me." Makoto said, stretching as she walked towards Caroline's lab to be by herself. "The woman sure knows how to push herself, she getting enough rest lately Caroline?" Tetsu questioned as Caroline shook her head. "She's occasionally taking caffeine pills to stay awake. I'd say that she's mostly trying to stay awake to not miss anything." Caroline suggested as the heads looked at each, wondering what they could do at their part to help their new friend relax.

...As Makoto herself took a deep breath to bring herself back to focus.

As Makoto was finishing up her current thought process, she pressed the emergency elevator to act as a distraction to any NOL officials who might be near the elevator. She then proceeded to make the slow walk down the emergency stairs, ensuring that she has a bit of a window of time should the NOL suspect she might be in the elevator. As the temperature became warmer the closer she got to where she had felt was the cauldron itself, Makoto couldn't help but touch her new arm, still hiding it in her poncho as she didn't know what to expect next.

"Caroline told me that I will be fine… but will I really be." Makoto said to herself as she focused on the robotic arm to make it clench it's fist. This was her first experience with a prosthetic arm and while she knew she should be thinking normally to make the arm do what she wanted it to do, It was a brand new experience for her so doing it naturally was not something that came into her mind just yet as she focused again to stop it clenching.

"Man… Should I say this is weird or just a learning process?" Makoto wondered as she continued to make her way down until she finally reached the bottom of the stairs where the elevator was and much to her surprise, there was nobody there. 'Nobody's guarding this elevator? Either the NOL was not expecting anybody to take the emergency elevator and got complacent as a result or something else is going on here...' Makoto thought as she looked around, checking for any potential NOL soldiers hiding in the massive pillar room that held the top floors above.

Unsure of whether or not there were people in the area, Makoto took a loose nut from the ground and tossed it right to the ground. The sound traveled through the huge room as she waited for a few minutes to see if her supposed enemies would make a move. When she didn't hear the sounds of footsteps walking through the room as she remained still, Makoto walked very slowly, making sure her footsteps didn't make any kind of sound as she kept her senses sharp, looking left and right to ensure she didn't miss anybody.

"Still nobody? Am I too late and they have already left or they are not even watching the cauldron in the first place." Makoto said as she felt comfortable enough with the fact that the NOL soldiers seemed to have not been in the area in the first place to start walking normally. She would have just gone back at this point but she needed to make sure and decided the best course of action was just to head towards the Cauldron and see if anybody's there. If she's lucky, she could find a way to slip into the boundary like she had with Ibukido's cauldron.

Makoto looked at the covered metal arm as she wondered if she should just remove her poncho now to at least give her free reign of her new arm should she need it. She decided at the end to keep wearing her poncho for now because it was simply too comfortable to remove and the comfort was more important to her for now. "Man… for the NOL, it seems to be a major oversight to not guard this area before the cauldron." Makoto said.

"Indeed, it would be were it not for the fact that I told my guards to simply watch the entrance." A voice echoed as Makoto immediately felt tense as she placed her hand on her poncho as her eyes darted all over the area. She then raised her arm to block an attack from a magenta doll and her massive claws as the poncho went flying, revealing a pure black arm with various vents built around it, the hand itself had various vents as well as pipes that led through the metal arm's wrists as Makoto used those same vents as a way to catch the magenta doll's claws.

"Just how long have you been watching you damn creep." Makoto said as she continued to scan her surroundings as she released the doll's clawed hands, entering a battle stance as she waited for the doll to act first. "Long enough, but do not worry I am just checking up on you." The voice continued as another pair of footsteps echoed throughout the area as Makoto turned to the source of the footsteps. "Check up on me… what are you, my fucking doctor Relius?" Makoto questioned as Relius Clover emerged from the shadows, a small smile on his face as Ignis soon came to his side.

"Such a brave face you are putting right now Miss Nanaya… yet I can sense the dread that is present in your soul. Still afraid of me I see." Relius commented as Makoto could see her normal hand was shaking, trembling a bit as she clenched harder to force it to stop shaking. "So what if I am… that doesn't mean I will let you step over me like you have done so in the past." Makoto said, putting on a brave face as she didn't want Relius to see what she was thinking, try to read her mind as Relius himself could see her attempting to do so.

Relius however did not make a move, instead he kept his eyes glued right at her, observing her closely as he couldn't help but be amazed by what he was seeing. "Remarkable… to think you had managed to see the very gates of the Azure itself." Relius commented, catching Makoto by surprise as Makoto couldn't help but begin to step back, caught off guard by his statement. "The gates of the Azure? What are you talking about? I don't get it." Makoto said, trying to feign her understanding to make Relius talk a bit more.

"Oh you saw it… those eyes have seen the very doors that house the place where the Master Unit is." Relius answered, uncaring of what game the squirrel beastkin was trying to play. He could tell the woman was looking for answers and he could provide them to her. "And this Master Unit… it's the thing responsible for everything that's happening." Makoto asked, further trying to get Relius to answer as she wanted to punch him so badly but knew she had no chance of fighting him by herself. Besides, she did make that promise to the heads to not get into unnecessary fights in the first place.

"It is...and much more." Relius said as he waved his hand, ordering Ignis to move right towards Makoto, claws out and ready to gore her as Makoto instinctively dodged, allowing Ignis to strike the person that Relius had noticed was slowly creeping up on her. "Like our friend who is currently eavesdropping on our current conversation." Relius commented as Makoto turned to look at the person who had tried to kill her as her body tensed up even more.

Long golden hair was the first thing Makoto was able to see as the woman managed to force Ignis off her with a simple kick. Other than wearing a white dress, There was nothing else remarkable about the girl as Makoto recognized this woman immediately. "What are you doing here… this is not where you are supposed to be." The woman said as Makoto immediately got up and without hesitation charged at her, fist raised up and tried to punch her only to find her fist missing.

"And the same is especially true for you Makoto Nanaya." The woman said as Makoto but her lips and looked at the woman right at her eyes. "Well I am sorry. I didn't know my life was being dictated for me… Bitch who stole Sora from me." Makoto said, venom present in her voice as the woman calmly took a deep breath before pushing her away. "That's Amy for you… and you wouldn't be like this if you had just accepted us wiping your memories of Sora for you." Amy said as Makoto glared at her.

"Wipe my memories… IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT SORA'S GONE!" Makoto shouted, Relius able to see her soul flare up with passion and anger, two traits that were beginning to grow in the woman as Amy shook her head. "I am just doing my job as ordained by the Master Unit! If you really want someone to blame you can go blame god!" Amy defended but Makoto was not going to have any of it as she punched her fists.

"You know… I was told by the people who hired me to not fight the NOL. They didn't say anything about otherworldly beings who come from out of nowhere asking to get decked in the face with a fist!" Makoto said, her eyes flaring up as she decided that this was now the perfect test for her new arm. Amy looked at her current surroundings and simply knew picking a fight right now was not going to be the wisest idea as Relius Clover seemed to be more interested in Makoto than her.

"I refuse to be your punching bag… and I would rather take my leave right now." Amy said, trying to just leave the situation and reassess her plans but Makoto was not going to have any of it, making the first move by sweeping Amy off her feet as she instinctively swung her new fist right towards Amy's face. Defending herself, Amy suddenly pushed herself away from Makoto's punch with what looked to be a gust of wind, creating a massive crater when her fist impacted the ground.

"Punching bag? No not really. I am just sick and tired of this world's bullshit and I don't care what I have to do, I will beat the answers out of you if you are refusing to give them to me!" Makoto said, wanting to make it clear that she refused to be dominated like what has happened throughout her life so far. For once, she wanted to finally have some sense of control. With the whole Sora debacle and the way the world had been treating her for her whole life, Makoto felt like this was the closest she was going to get to finally having some self control besides meeting Sora.

Amy however had pain in her face. She bit her lips as she looked at where the fist had collided, seeing Makoto slowly pull it out as her fist had managed to create a small hole on the ground. While she knew her task from the Master unit and she should fulfill them, There was still a reluctance from her as she simply dodged another series of attacks from her. "What's the matter huh! Cat got your tongue!" Makoto said, more anger flaring as Relius was simply content to observe, watch as he could act now and get what he wanted, but observation was always more interesting to him.

"I don't want to make this any more painful for you! All I ask you is to let me end your life peacefully please!" Amy demanded as Makoto was too stubborn to listen to that request, forcing Amy to use more ars magus to defend herself. "Yeah right! I don't give a damn about lying down to die so you can go fulfilling your own shitty job for your shitty ass boss!" Makoto replied causing her soul to glow even more, exposing itself for Relius to see as he simply continued to observe.

As Makoto continued to try to punch Amy out, Makoto began to cock by the mechanical arm as she began to charge up for a punch, as she did so, she could feel steam began to vent out from the arm as she recalled the feeling she had whenever she punched with her drive. As more steam vented out, Makoto realized it was actually Seithr that was being vented out of the arm as she threw out a level 3 punch right at Amy.

Amy herself formed a barrier to block the attack but when she did she could feel the attack blow her back. Her barrier remained but the impact was strong enough to smash her through a pillar as Makoto quickly dashed towards Amy to follow up her attack with another level 3, causing the defensive minded Amy to ragdoll as she was still reluctant to be the one who did the deed but she needed to do it regardless of how she felt.

"Then….I have no choice..." Amy said, reluctance in her voice as Relius could see her soul wave around, not with the same conviction as Makoto's soul had but with a sense of unease as Makoto swung another punch with the mechanical arm before Amy made manifest an astral claw that wrapped itself around her arm like some cloak, allowing Amy to grab it as Makoto tried to free herself only to find herself actually unable to.

"Forgive me… because I have to do my duty." Amy said as her right arm began to form an astral blade that she attempted to stab Makoto with as Makoto used her normal hand to stop the attack by grabbing Amy's armpit, holding it firmly as she kicked Amy at the stomach to try and force her off her. Amy did not relent and instead used Makoto's attempt to free herself to send both her and Makoto to the ground, sitting on top of Makoto as she tried to force the blade down her neck.

Makoto quickly reacted by holding Amy back, forcing Amy back by continuing to hold on her shoulder, using her leg as a way to create more distance between her and the blade that was going to her neck. Amy herself was determined so she tried to force the issue by punching Makoto's stomach with her astral coated hand, making Makoto lose both her concentration and breath for a moment as Amy tried to use this as her chance to deliver one swift motion to plunge the blade through Makoto.

Before she could however, Amy felt something tackle her off Makoto, allowing Makoto to recover as she quickly got up to her feet. "Indeed… you do Servant of the Azure, but I must not allow you to harm my most precious test subject." Relius commented, walking to shield Makoto as Ignis shielded Relius. Makoto couldn't believe what was happening as Amy held her side a bit in pain as she looked at Relius with stern eyes.

"Why do you interfere Relius Clover. You know she is violating the laws of the world by knowing what she knows. She's too dangerous to be allowed to live as her current self." Amy sternly said as Relius shook his head. "It is because her current self intrigues me that I must interfere Miss Amy. If I lose this version of Miss Nanaya I may never be able to advance further with my detonator project." Relius said, making Makoto feel a bit uncomfortable as she got up to her feet.

"So… You are choosing to be an enemy of the Azure as well?" Amy questioned as Relius simply shook his head. "Enemy? I am afraid you are mistaken. I am simply protecting my vested interest that is all. I could care less whether you serve the Azure or not, so as long as you threaten my most precious subject I cannot allow you to interfere." Relius warned as Ignis got ready to attack. Amy herself contemplated continuing her assault before deciding to relent.

"Fine… but do not think that I am running away because of you Mr Clover. As for you Miss Nanaya… I am afraid that so long as you breathe, I will never let you put at risk everything we had done to ensure this timeline was created..." Amy said, her eyes looking right at Makoto as Makoto herself clenched her fist. "Yeah? Well I will never forgive you for manipulating the man I love to be some sort of sacrificial pawn for your cosmic game that we wanted no part of!" Makoto shouted, letting her frustrations out as Amy formed a portal, walking through it and making sure Makoto did not see the pained look on her face as she vanished in front of them.

"Are you alright my dear?" Relius questioned, extending an arm to check up on Makoto before she swatted it away. "I am very fine Mr Clover. I don't need your help." Makoto sternly said as she tried to walk away, figuring her job to recon the cauldron was done and that she could head back already. It was more so that she didn't want to be in the area anymore. "Why do not be stubborn my dear. Do you not wish to regain your lost love?" Relius questioned as this made Makoto stop on her tracks and look at him right at his mask.

Makoto: What's your game in all of this. Why are you so interested in Sora as well huh… In fact, how do you even remember him? Shouldn't the world wipe your memories of him or something like that.

Relius: I have my own methods I am not inclined to share with you. In fact I could ask the same of you. How did you retain your memories of Mr Minakaze despite this world being wiped clean of the man.

Makoto: I don't have to tell you shit. And I am not the only one, a few people in Otsu still remember him dammit!

Relius: For now. Eventually they too will forget about Mr Minakaze. Then the only other person who you can ever talk to about him will be me. I can most assure you that will be the case.

Makoto: I will still refuse to talk to you… I will find him my own way! Without your help!

Relius looked in amazement at the color Makoto's soul was at that moment, her soul currently was that of a dark orange, symbolizing to him the bleakness she felt in her heart, yet the center of it still remained a small shining light, a beacon of hope remained in her heart. "Do as you will… but I suggest it would be at your best interests to work with me instead of against me. You may have traveled across another timeline before and may have had looked at the very gates of the Azure. But without someone who can truly teach you the ways of the boundary, you will never be able to reach the goal you seek." Relius warned, deciding to dangle a small carrot in front of Makoto, hoping to lay down the seeds to set up a kind of cooperation.

"You will be hunted down by those servants of the Azure, killed for the knowledge you possess. Your current self will cease to exist and any other version of you will just be another puppet for the Azure to play with, another chess piece for it to use to fulfill it's own goals. You said to Miss Amy that you are not a puppet, but alas, you have been since the very birth of your existence." Relius said as Makoto looked away, understanding that what Relius was saying was just to try and make her work with him, fulfill his own goals. But she also understood that Relius Clover was the only person she could talk to besides Rachel Alucard about this whole mess she had managed to stumble herself into.

"Thus… you will have only two paths in front of you. You can continue trying to find your way towards this gate all by yourself without my help, watch as everything you care about from the one you love vanishes in front of you, forced to endure it all as the Azure's servants continuous come after your life while you fruitlessly try to search for your loved one… Or you accept my aid, help me with my work as I help you to find the loved one you lost." Relius offered as Makoto clenched her fists.

"I do not need your answer and you can reject as much as you want… but you know where I stand, what I offer you. The only thing you must ask yourself is just how much of the world you are willing to endure before you accept my offer." Relius explained as he reached down his pocket and in front of Makoto's face tossed a couple of documents right in front of her. "These are orders from the top of the NOL, stating their plans for Otsu and what they wish to do with it. Consider this me offering you a small part of what I can do to help you." Relius said as he took his leave, Ignis following him as Makoto simply collapsed down to her knees, trying to process all of what she had just heard.

Makoto neatly collected the information that Relius had just given to her, conflicted as to why Relius would do such a thing. Then in pure frustration, she began to punch the ground several times with the mechanical arm, seithr and steam venting out furiously as Makoto created a small crater that got larger and larger with each punch. The confusion and frustration Makoto felt in her heart that made her uneasy continued to grow as she couldn't help but begin to cry as she hated feeling like this, she hated the feeling of confusion and helplessness she felt right now as she looked at her phone and pulled it out to call a number.

"Hello, This is Jasmine speaking. How may I serve you?" Jasmine answered, being the woman Makoto called. "H-Hey… can...can I speak to you later." Makoto questioned as Jasmine could sense the distress that was in her voice. "Why of course, same time?" Jasmine asked as Makoto thought about it. "Yeah… I got some paperwork to give to the bosses… I'll pick you up." Makoto said as she was about to hang up the call at that moment.

"If that is the case, Shall I wait at your place instead? Don't worry, I am free for the rest of the week so I got time for you." Jasmine replied. With her years of experience handling various customers, Jasmine could tell that there was a lot weighing Makoto's mind right now, and that this was not going to be a normal session. "A-Are you sure? Doesn't it cost extra to have you at the client's home?" Makoto questioned as Jasmine shook her head.

"I said it was extra because I don't want to be seen as just any Otsunian slut who would spread her legs for anyone to make an extra stack of cash. Doesn't mean I wouldn't do it for the customers I care for." Jasmine said as Makoto could sense a bit of worry coming out of Jasmine's voice as Makoto looked down the ground, at the stack of papers that Relius gave her as she simply nodded her head.

"Then sure, we will do just that. Just… be prepared to take care of me if I come back shitfaced." Makoto warned as Jasmine simply smiled. "Do not worry about that dear, shitfaced customers are something I deal with regularly. Though it's usually drunk men and not hot beastkin women I take care." Jasmine said cheekily as she ended the call, preparing herself to head to Makoto's place as Makoto herself couldn't help but appreciate the cheeky joke that Jasmine made to try and comfort her.

"Thanks for that… but I don't think a simple joke like that will be able to fix the whole mess I managed to create for myself..." Makoto said as she decided that she has had enough time in this place. She didn't want to linger any longer than she had to because of the NOL that might still be patrolling and Relius might have just ordered to go and check out. As she began to make her way towards the emergency exits to leave, Makoto's mind was simply lingering on the offer Relius had made and contemplated her own fruitless search for Sora the past two months…

...Wondering if a deal with the devil himself was worth selling her soul to if it meant being able to see him again…

GREETINGS LOST SHEEP OF FANFICTION! HOW IS EVERYONE DOING!? Well so far 2021 has been good so far, nothing too drastic happening other than we are still living in a pandemic world but other than that, we are still alive and we should be glad for that. As for how I am doing, I am doing fine for now, I have noticed some complaints about how the story is progressing and I am trying my best to address them. It won't be quick but please be assured that I am writing the best story I know I can write and not trying to create some multi universe level story in the process.

SO WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!? WHAT IS THE NOL'S GOALS WITH THE 1ST FREE CITY OF OTSU!? WHAT CHOICE WILL MAKOTO MAKE FOR THE SAKE OF HER GOALS!? WILL SHE STICK TO HER IDEALS AND STAY TRUE TO HERSELF OR WILL SHE ACCEPT THE DEAL OF THE DEVIL TO HAVE THE HOPE OF SEEING SORA!? Well, all these choices and more will be yours to read in the next chapter.