What? – Niwatori exclaimed, being caught totally off guard – Richard, did you become insane? Do you intend to expose Akira's existence to everyone? That would the same as signing her death sentence!
Negative Niwatori – I replied, looking to what Enma was doing so concentrated – most contrary, we were always wrong exactly because we never did what we just did – I touched then kitsunemimi's should, whom limited replying "just a moment" – she already is under the extremists possession, in case people know she had been kidnapped and the "instinct" I keep hearing about is really true, all will probably become spies working for us!
That is a possibility not even I had even considered – Niwatori replied, asking in sequence – what do you think about this Kitagawa?
Well… I think we needed to think a bit about this matter – the old male looked at me and also asked – Richard, do you think you could spare us some time so as Niwatori and I can discuss and ponder regarding this matter, seeing there are a lot of things to risk?
Really… now that you mention that… - I pondered for some instants – yes, use this room to talk as there are no microphones in it, but in case you believe that you need a more private place, feel free to use any place of my propriety – I pointed to the infirmary then, I shall be waiting together with the noble Andrade and Enmie for the reply – Enma, come with me.
Yes – Enma replied briefly, standing up without taking her eyes from the small device.
Alright Richard, I hope we don't take too long to reach a conclusion – Niwatori replied, standing up and bowing in sequence.
I headed then to the infirmary, I observed that a good amount of the house's structure was destroyed and what was left had fissures here and there; the kitsunemimi silently followed me and continued typing things on her small device, I was curious about what she was doing, but I limited myself to just observe her; at that instant was then time I noticed something that scared me immediately, "Akira-chan, my beloved, is under the grasp of those horrendous beings…" I thought " however I am way too calm… as if this wasn't with me… what would be happening?", decided to find out what was going on with me, I would take the opportunity when I was with Enmie to ask her regarding that; moments later we arrived at our destination, Enma sat on a corner while I headed towards the usagimimi, that had just finished applying energy in Dusk, I asked her then:
Enmie, how is Dusk? – I looked at the inumimi, while the army doctor began stitching her wounds – will she be alright?
Yes… at first I thought we were going to lose her – Enmie then pointed to Dawn, who now slept – she was getting weaker while I applied energy on her, but it is indeed incredible the bound between those two sisters and the love the unites both of them – she smiled with visibly tenderness – as soon as the first drop of Dawn's blood entered her sister's bloodstream , it was as if she revived, the will to continue alive and fighting came back with an overwhelming strength… - her eyes were filled with hope – what love can't do?
You are completely right Enmie-chan… - I then looked again to the usagimimi – however I am afraid… very afraid…
But this is completely normal Richard – Enmie replied, looking at me with piety – in a situation like yours when the one you love most is kidnapped even I would be feeling like that… - Enmie then placed her paw on my cheek – i actually think you are even calmer than expected in a situation like this one…
It is exactly about that that I was talking about! – I commented even more anguished – the person I love more on this planet is under the possession of terrible beings capable of horrendous things or even murder her as quick as I can say "I love you"… - however I am completely calm as if she was as a matter of fact, just my slave and I never had even felt anything towards little one…
I believe Richard… - Enmie said after some instants, changing completely her voice – that you are again under the influence of spirits, however as now you are moved by love and not by pain, hatred or sadness, they are entities that wish for peace and blessings – the usagimimi then smiled to me – you know very well that acting while desperate makes us take wrong hasty and wrong decisions, isn't exactly that what they teach in the noble military academy?
Yes… - I replied, remembering the instructions we had at those times – that makes all sense…
So… they are giving you calm of mind and peace so you can face the test that you have before you Richard – she then removed her paw from my face and continued – and in a certain way inspiring you in the best way to act, something that would be surely very hard to do in a situation like this one, don't you think?
Indeed! – I replied smiling, beginning to understand – so it isn't just that evil entities that can influence us! – however I still had a doubt – but why just now they managed to reach me?
For two motives – Enmie showed one of her paw's fingers – first, those entities are very bounded to righteousness and love, without those feelings inside your heart, they wouldn't have a way to reach to you, nor their help would reach your – she then raised a second fingers – you were an atheist before, you didn't believe in something more, however even without religion, the facts and events from the previous weeks made you begin thinking there was something else, correct? – to which I replied with a nod – even if it isn't based in a particular religion, nothing the existence of something else makes all difference… - the usagimimi was explaining it to me when Enma shouted.
Finally! – Enma stood up with a jump from the chair she was sitting – finally I managed to find the signal from the locator I implanted inside Akira's ear! – she then showed me a device that had a red dot that was moving in the map – judging from the speed they are, they might have switched to an automobile as not to draw unwanted attention to them, what should we do? If we are too obvious they might discover that they are being followed and find the device into the nekomimi
I understand – I thought for some instant while asking mentally for whomever that was trying to help me would illuminate me with the right idea – I know you can be really discreet even to follow your targets Enma, do you think you can undo their advantage against us and see until where they intend to take poor Akira-chan without raising suspicion?
Of course I can do that discreetly – Enma replied placing that small device in my hands and already configuring a similar one – however they have a very good margin of distance – she then pointed to the route they were going through – they will need to pass through this part of the kingdom, going all around here… which would take hours to do… - the kitsunemimi then looked at me – if I take the royal restricted ways, with a little bit of luck I can intercept them here – she then showed where it would be – and would follow them until the moment I was sure that they were transporting her inside that vehicle and that I would be able to rescue her.
Great idea Enma! – I exclaimed while looking at the device's screen, giving it back to Enma – I am counting as always with your great work, in case you think you can rescue her alone, do it, otherwise report to me so we can send reinforcements!
Leave it with me Richard! – Enma didn't take the device back however, she just typed some things on the other she had in her possession and another sign appeared on the screen of the one that I had in my hands – now you can follow my position as well and in case you need to help, you know where to send it – she then winked to me.
Perfect Enma! I wasn't expecting less from you! – I then pointed towards the car's garage – check if the cars are intact and, in case they are, take whichever you find more convenient and head towards the royal highway, press the royal guard communications button and request access to the chosen path – I did hand signs as if someone was typing a password – then they shall require a password, type in this order "NMR551!67" and it shall be bestowed upon you the permission to use the road and they shall inform you the nearest exit to it – I smiled then and ordered – Enma, begin the rescue operation right away!
Yes sir! – Enma exclaimed and rushed outside.
I hope she comes back well… - Enmie commented, with a visibly worried face.
I am sure she will be Enmie-chan – I fondled her head with tenderness, trying to ease her worries – the fox already survived horrible things… I am sure she will be out of this one as well! – that was when my cellphone rang, when I looked at the number I recognized as it being the king's false identity, I quickly answered it – hello there friend José! How are you?
Very well, thanks Saint Meow Richard – he had a soft friendly tone – I got to know that there has been a lot of ruckus there, which is why I am going for a visit so I can check how my friend is!
D… Don't worry about it José – I replied stuttering, thinking on how reckless the king was acting – you don't need to go that far, I am well…
Richard, see you later – the king commented laughing – I shall be there in a matter of moments alright? See you! – he hung up in sequence.
And that just add to the pot… the king is coming here… - I sighed resigned, the king was very stubborn when he wants to be – well, at least with him here, we will be able to act as a team – we stood then Enmie, tending the patients, and I quiet for a few minutes, Niwatori entered the room moments later, when he saw me he said.
Richard, we reached a decision – he pointed to Kitagawa that entered together with him – we agree to take to the world's knowledge Hikari Akira's existence and that she is Mewsus' second female descendant, however revealing that we are respectively the nekomimi leader and the elder that used to guard Mewsus' descendants would expose us too much, in case all of us are taken down… - Niwatori continued – it could be the end of society as we know it…
It makes sense… - I pondered, as I knew they would be hesitant into accepting appearing together with me – however the ones of your race will accept just my word regarding these matters?
I am sure that they will, seeing that all of them accept what noble Oliveira orders as if it was myself – he then pointed to himself – didn't her give you that prerogative in case something happened?
You are right! – I remembered the speech she did in worldwide television network! – well I shall do it then, however could you contact your representative in Mewrusalém? If possible to check if Lívia already arrived there and to ask her to return as quick as possible, I do not wish to do all this without her being aware of what is going on here.
Of course! – Niwatori replied and smiled, pointing to my cellphone – could I make a call? Don't worry you can disable this number right after if you wish, the representative will know it is me once I say the password.
I understand – I handed him the phone – be my guest!
Thanks – Niwatori said, taking the device into his paws and dialing some numbers and placing it on the speaker next, soon someone apparently answered it, after a bip, the nekomimi said – "Cure de me qui sum nuntiare tibi."
Niwatori, it is so good hearing from you – said a feminine voice, which surely sounded like an old female – how can I help you?
Soraya, the nekomimi representative among the humans, Oliveira Lívia, already arrived to you? As you informed that she left yesterday morning to the meeting – Niwatori then looked at the clock.
No Niwatori-sama, we had a sand storm on her way and at this time she is isolated in a town near the desert, probably tomorrow she shall be here.
I understand, tell her that there was an attack to the Montecchio house and that they used explosives, order her to return as quickly as possible, as the noble need her in the investigations "Est finite lectus".
Understood Niwatori-sama – she replied, hanging up in sequence.
Ok, thanks Niwatori – I said, pointing to the broadcasting room – let's go to the broadcasting room so we can decide what we shall say to Verona's people.
Alright! – Niwatori and Kitagawa replied together, following me in sequence.
Oh sir! – the sergeant stopped me as soon as I was about to enter another corridor on the way to my destiny – I bring you this young boy that was walking in a suspicious manner inside your propriety – he threw forward a young guy, with shorts, t-shirt and sun glasses, I instantly recognized him as King João in disguise! – the normal would be arresting him, but since he was already inside your propriety, it is now your jurisprudence!
Alright sergeant, he is an acquaintance of mine – I pointed to the person – leave him with us and you can leave.
But he was appearing to be someone suspicious and… - the sergeant argued, clearly ignoring my order.
Are you refusing to obey an order from the royal army's second in command sergeant? – I asked with a hint of anger in my voice.
Sir, no Sir! – the sergeant then saluted – forgive me Sir! – and left the premises.
Wow, you managed to fool even your own army João – I commented after hugging him – you are getting good with disguises!
Richard, who is this one? – Niwatori asked, with a dubious face.
I ask the same thing Richard, who are those two? – João asked, pointing to both nekomimis.
João, these are the nekomimi leader Niwatori and the cult's elder that protected Mewsus' descendants, Kitagawa – I pointed to both nekomimis respectively – this is João, King of Verona.
There was silence at first, however moments later both sides began laughing at each other as if the most epic joke had been told; I limited myself to raising my hand to my face and think "I am surrounded by idiots…", after sometime laughing when they were already calming down, a higher patented member of the royal guard arrived, when I saw his insignia I noticed it was a Captain, who saluted me and handed me two artifacts, one that was similar to the dynamite that we used legally at mining, however it was much thicker and longer, on the other we had an object of the size of a brick, however it was relatively soft and had an electronic device over it with wires coming out of it, and a display that reminded old calculators, however it was off:
Montecchio sir, we found those artifacts over your residence sir, I believe they might be explosives left behind by the attackers.
They indeed look like it, do we have here a guard member that is an explosives specialist? In case affirmative, did he already exanimated this?
Yes, Captain Madara Reiji, explosives specialist – he then pointed to the dynamite that I had on my hands – this seems like a regular dynamite, however it is almost thirty percent bigger than those used legally in Verona, and there are those writing on it I never seen before.
Now that you mention it, even the shape is slightly different – I looked on its side and saw said writings – wow, I never saw letters like those one, they look like the ones that are on your back Niwatori, take a look for yourself – I then passed the artifact to him, he then examined it with curiosity, I then began analyzing the "brick" – and this one?
We never something like this, but something tells me that this relatively malleable part is the explosive – he then pointed to the upper part – and this might be a detonator, with a timer that detonates the lower part, however I believe that thanks to the impacts from the other explosions it might have been so damaged to the point of not working anymore – he then pointed to the side of the artifact – look, it has the same kinds of writing as the dynamite.
How weird… - I pondered while I examined it, looking through the weird letters there were three that stood out "C-4" – does it mean that the nekomimi extremists are so familiarized to explosives and forbidden material that they are developing other technologies to it? – I then turned the "brick" upside down to check its lowest part when I heard a "bip", I flipped it back again and noticed that the calculator visor now was showing the number ten there and slowly it began a regressive countdown!