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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 36: Stalking and Findings

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The 'Fixing' of Tomoe Hotaru is definitely the furthest thing from the Exorcist.

Not only was Mistress 9 so weak that she was unable to stop the first step (also named 'Yank her out of Hotaru's body') but she was very unprepared to get blasted by yours truly.

Still, this wasn't the real issue. The problem was how, without M9's stabilizing existence within her body, could Hotaru survive. In fact, she almost died on the spot the moment the chaotic spirit was removed from her body, forcing the Dead Wraith King to move as hastily as it was possible to get the 'job done'.

Hotaru shuddered as magic trickled all over her, the metal shaping and adapting to the demonic influence as steel was replaced by proper flesh. It was painful, at least that's what Lilim remarked as she could sense Hotaru's emotions through the situation.

Sadly, not much could have been done to soothe the pain as it was 'needed' by the King's own admission and... then silence.

The tall demon noble nodded. "The deed was done... and I will go back to my manga. Bye."

A portal opened and saw the demon leaving. The tension remaining despite his departure as I checked the girl's conditions with Lilim kneeling by her other side. I crouched down by Hotaru, checking on her conditions, relief just coming in limited moments as I could tell her heart was beating but... she was quite unresponsive for a solid ten minutes.

"Is she... alive?"

"Her heart beats."

...

"Coma?"

"I really hope not," I quietly remarked, but that wasn't a worry as I saw Hotaru shift and twitch in her slumber before ultimately opening her eyes.

She blinked, squinting her eyes as she adapted to the familiar shadows and then... appeared stunned. And confused.

"D-Did it..." Hotaru paused, her hands raised up to her gaze as she stared at her very normal fingers. She rotated her hands, mesmerized by the sight of those being fine. She was fine.

"It worked. But I think it's best you catch some rest and... do tell Minako to approach me if she has any questions."

Hotaru turned to look at me, a breathless look on her face before she launched herself at me. The hug was tight- tighter than I have dealt with until now and I heard her sobbing.

I offered a small smile, relieved she was fine but also upset she had to go through all of this in the first place. I squeezed and embraced her tight in return, with Lilim, feeling a bit excluded, latching herself to Hotaru's back with the counter-hugging.

It was a fond moment, but it wasn't a lasting one. Hotaru was tired, I was tired, and Lilim almost fell asleep in the hug.

Once I was done dropping Hotaru to Minako's flat, I took off with Lilim on my back. The succubus snored through the trip, and I was glad that Minasaki was still asleep but...

"Don't."

I paused at Lilim suddenly tightening her grasp over my neck.

"Don't... leave me here. Tonight. I want to... sleep with you. Cuddles."

I heard her yawn, and I sighed.

"Really?"

She smiled, I couldn't see her face but I could tell from the next words.

"Yep."

"And I should do this because-"

"Because you care. And Minasaki is such a nag in the morning."

I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed but too tired to push back on such a sudden request. I gauged the possibilities, groaned over the fact Usagi was going to raise a fuss despite the fact she gave me leeway over 'sleepovers', and then I considered what else could come my way.

...

Heh, fuck it.

"Fine."

She nuzzled on my shoulder as I marched back to the window, and leaped out of it with her on tow.

The ride was quite uneventful, but I paused a few times as I realized that Tokyo was not as quiet as usual. Not when there were some unusual patrollers around the streets.

APCs were an odd sight in the place, but considering that the whole 'Daemon' Thing had seen a sudden entrenchment of the source of those bastards somewhere away from the school they were building, and I knew that the government had been trying to press hard on stepping up their defensive capacity.

Not much could be done even with an increase in the JSDF's budget. The 'tall' men in Tokyo were looking to involve some military organizations to go around Article 9 and... while I would be approving considering that they were doing 'something, I was unsure how involving NOMAD was actually a good idea.

Still, nothing came to mind on what to do. Crime was being targeted by those soldiers as well. Nothing too violent, but the police had seen a sudden increase of efficiency thanks to these APCs around and I saw no point in involving myself until the matter was 'calmer'.

I was expecting a calm night as I came back home, but I failed to recognize that someone was watching over my swinging, eyeing both me and the sleeping Succubus on my back.

With precision unlike a mere pratictioner, the owner of those eyes hurled a thin piece of paper that latched upon Lilim's left leg, vanishing in her skin as we retreated and sighing as he knew his job was done.

All he had to do was to go back to his 'boss' and report the end of the day for his chores.

Many things could be said about the powerful Hell Knight Ingrid. She was smart, cunning, powerful, a beauty and...

The paperwork mule in Nomad.

It would be a lie to say that Lord Black didn't claim some of those towering papers as the leader of the organization, but it goes without a saying that, if Ingrid was not on patrols, she was ballchained to a desk to suffer the paperwork.

That being said, it wasn't like work wasn't without its perks. Lady Shinganji was extremely caring in her own way (as in 'taking Ingrid out for some unwarranted onsen baths and other intimate events among girls'), so it wasn't like she loathed too much those days.

That being said, she came to grow interested on something about the Black Family.

Little Kuroto had an obsession. She knew of his interest for a 'Knight' since he was very young, he just expected the boy to pick someone 'easy' to recruit, such as her apprentice Lina.

Then again, their first meeting was most displeasing on Kuroto's sight.

"I want a strong knight! Not a clumsy dumbass!"

The boy was as stingy as his father, but she couldn't blame him for wanting someone that could be his equal. Nonetheless, Ingrid had to spend most of that day listening to poor Lina's grievances. The girl was such a brat at times, but at least she had potential.

She just wasn't Kuroto's ideal knight (yet).

That expectation was soon shifted as someone else entered in Kuroto's optics. Lady Shinganji called this Moon Knight Kuroto's boy crush. She never heard of such term, and the young master was definitely quick to anger when it was brought up.

That being said, the boy was very fixed on this figure. She had some reports from Tokyo on the matter as this knight was both a public figure and a 'relevant one' that also had Lord Black's attention.

Not enough to call a hunt for this element and try to recruit him (not when he was already seen with Taimanins around his post), but still enough to get interested due to Kuroto's own obsession on the matter.

Further research ultimately led her to learn of his involvement to the 'Dark Sun Incident' and... she decided to autonomously expand the surveillance over the individual.

She sent the best and most trustworthy agent on the case and-

"I am back."

She would have jumped had she not grown accustomed to the 'traitorous' Taimanin's habit to appear right beside her to announce his arrival.

The name Shinganji Sakyo was important to the upper circles despite being a 'lesser officer'. The bespectacled Onmyoji was a renown spiritual expert, but also a founder of Nomad. He was the one that shared the vision with Black, acquiring the Noble Vampire's interest and glee in founding a bridge for humans and demons alike.

It was imperfect, but the flaws were getting 'purged' out the more stable their position was. Even the 'suspicious' Entertainment Sector had seen several members replaced or eliminated as something was up in that matter.

Some may say it was some 'wrong fussing', but if the Taimanin were buzzing over it, then there was more than gladiators being recruited to fight in the Chaos Arena. Ingrid herself made a note to check on this but... this wasn't the point of this meeting.

"How did it go?"

"Splendidly," Sakyo remarked with a smile. "However, I have to bring some heavy news. I think the 'King' should know this."

"Know what?" Ingrid pressed, a curious brow raised over this sudden shift to seriousness.

"The little knight is hanging out with Demon Nobility. He is around Kamadeva's heiress."

...Oh shit.

While politics in the Dark World were most unneeded for Nomad, the matters of the King of Incubus and Succubus was essential. It was so important that she was tempted to personally drag Sakyo straight to Edwin, uncaring of what the man was doing at the moment in his office.

"Are you sure?"

"Yep. The kid's definitely the right age and sealed potency. Kind of surprised she dodged our patrols, but I guess she has to thanks the kind knight of hers for that."

Ingrid leaned back on her comfy chair as she pondered on this big development.

Kamadeva was barely alive. The once powerful 'Incubus King' now a weakening husk that was barely holding his factions coherent to his line. He was respected, but the fear factor was gone together with most of his powers. Even some of his most loyal members such as Ishtar was questioning the line of succession.

To have this solved would favor Nomad but... how to weave this?

Then Ingrid realized she was thinking beyond her station. This should be a matter for Lord Black himself as she sat up and looked ready to march to him.

"Before you go tell this to Edwin, I have a request."

Sakyo's voice cut sharply into her intention, seeing the Hell Knight stop and glance over her shoulder.

"What is it?"

"Before telling him, do tell the news to his butler. I am sure Kii would appreciate relocating to safely monitor his King's daughter accordingly before anyone leaks the info."

...

"Fine. But I hope you are going to-"

"Keep an eye on the kid. I sure will do as he has some Hattori influence on his movements- wanna see if the hag is really coaching him or not."

Ingrid didn't ask for more info, aware this was Taimanin politics Sakyo wasn't going to bring up to her attention.

The woman's heel tapped silently as she marched to find the butler himself and...

If she had to go with just Kii's reaction, it was fair to say things should get smooth over 'first contact' with the Incubus King's heiress.

AN

Next time... Lilim gets a panic attack and Shingo is forced to face Nomad's officials over a matter of successions.

You can call this the... prelude to 'Lilim Maturity Arc'. Or whatever you want, really.