In Mauntenkyandi Industries cooperate office…
The boss of the esteemed House Michishio was in her elevator sipping on some coffee while she needed to fill out paperwork.
Ugh, one of the things she wishes the word with lack of would be the paperwork a leader must do. But, as such, a good Mountain King must keep their way of life on track and these majestic nature spirits are still picking up the pieces from World War 2. She sighed and looked at the case of her father's attire during the war, fighting against the Japanese to support the allies so long ago. It was painful to fight against your own homeland but what the Merfolk, especially one of their kinfolk Hitler was going through was unconscionable.
"Stupid fish. Well, things turn out for the better, Papa. We knew what we had to do, and it was painful but, in the end, Japan became better. We forced them to open their eyes to the evil and saved so many lives." She spoke to the case with fondness with the badges he earned from the allies, "Merfolk, what they did to those humans… ugh. We almost lost everything because of their greed and arrogance. Nagasumi, I hope your compassion and generosity don't end with your fall by their hands."
After completing her paperwork, she circles around in her hair and looks at the bookshelves of Beastfolk History and Laws. She sighed but knew she couldn't deprive them of her nephew, even if the boy deprived himself of his own justice. She scans through the shelf and finds a book.
"I hope this is not something you'll regret, Nephew. But it is something you'll need to understand and if it was the wrong choice… It can always be corrected." She muttered to herself before snapping her fingers.
The Bat appeared and bowed before her.
"Lady." She whispered in a calm manner.
"Take this to my nephew, tell him to search, Chapter two, page 325, Paragraph G. His answers will be there, and let him know to call me when he makes his decision." She ordered the bat.
"Yes, My Lady."
The bat then grabbed the book and flew out the window. Hanabira sighed and then turned on her music, the song 'Clint Eastwood' by Gorillaz.
"Americans sure know how to keep a beat, none of that merfolk pop garbage."
At the Michishio Household…
"I can't believe your aunt is even thinking about killing those people." Ai gasped in horror at what her son told them.
"Don't be, they brought this on themselves." Mr. Webb scoffed while crossing his arms, "You know, I am quite disappointed that you seem to care about that Merfolk trash than your own son. You're more disgusting than I and she thought."
Ai stuttered and tried to explain herself, while Daisuke voiced in.
"But killing? Is that really necessary? They wouldn't have tried to hurt Nagasumi if they'd known." He stuttered.
"Oh well, then let's check in the book then. I mean if they hadn't known… Let's see, if a merfolk attempts murder on a Mountain King descendent but does not know of it… well. It. Doesn't. MATTER! They attacked a Mountain King Heir, they tried to kill him and thus their lives are forfeit!" Mr. Webbs bluntly informed the humans and Merfolk, "I'm sorry, Young Master. But there is no way their lives can be given back."
"There has to be something to save Akeno and the others! That Jackass didn't give them a choice!" Nagasumi shouted while Akeno looked at the boy.
"Nagasumi, it's okay." She breathed, accepting her fate.
"It's not!"
"Nagasumi, I betrayed you, betrayed Sun, I did wrong and so I must pay," Akeno answered.
"Akeno, you're my friend, you'll help and make things right. You helped me save Sun and everyone and as Heir of House Michishio, it's my duty to protect you. For honor among thieves is honor among the jungle and leaves." Nagasumi declared, not realizing the fall of white lilies everywhere.
"Okay, how do you and Sun do that?" Daisuke questioned his son, wondering if this was not just a magic thing.
"I didn't even know where they fall from," Ai added.
"Your loyalty and devotion to those undeserving is most chivalrous. I am proud to be your Majordomo and will follow you for the rest of your days." The spider wept with pride while insulting everyone but Nagasumi.
"Kiss up…" Maki muttered.
"Incompetent parasite." F. Webb countered triggering.
"Parasite?!" Maki howled as she was prepared to attack!
But hit painfully to a thick book held by a bat instead.
"Your aunt brings a solution in one of the older forms of laws for our kind. The answer lies in Chapter Two, page 325, Paragraph G. When you have read it and made the decision, call her straight away." The bat informed, dropping the book on the table and painfully on Maki before flying away.
"Aunt Hanabira came through." Nagasumi smiled, "I can get you out of this."
"Ow." Maki whined as Sun helped her out, "Thank you, Miss Sun."
"What does it say?" Sun wondered about her fiancé.
Nagasumi flipped through the pages and was stunned by what was written.
"Woah, this can't be right."
Nagasumi read it again and again.
"This can't be the only way. This is wrong."
"Nagasumi?" Ai voiced.
"It-it says that, according to Beastfolk law, the only way for a merfolk who committed a crime against us to escape certain death is to give their lives in service to us, forever," Nagasumi informed.
"WHAT?!" They gasped.
"Akeno and the others have to be enslaved and not just enslaved but their descendants will be slaved to House Michishio indefinitely," Nagasumi informed them while the spider hopped on his shoulder.
"Oh yes, these are one of the older laws but in the beginnings of the feudal era when Merfolk began to beg for their lives when they attempted to steal our land." The servant remembered.
"That's outlandishly cruel!" Sun gasped.
"True, but it is the only way to escape execution. A life must be given, either in service or in death. This injustice must be paid for with life, for life is the most precious thing to a Beast Folk." The Majordomo informed.
"Unless it's towards Merfolk…." Maki muttered.
"There is no other way? I can never do that to Akeno." Nagsumi fretted but then Akeno rose.
"You don't have to. I accept this." Akeno declared.
"Akeno-."
"Nagasumi, I have made a grave error and must pay for it. If it means serving you for the rest of my life and the lives of those who come after me, then so be it." Akeno declared, then bowed to Nagasumi.
"You know by doing this, you will forgo everything of the sea. Your life before will be gone, and you must spend the rest of eternity to serve the earth and Black Zheng. Do you understand this?" Webb informed the girl.
"I do and I accept."
They then turned to Nagasumi who frowned deeply.
"If Akeno is okay with this… if this is the only way… I'll call my aunt."
Nagasumi sighed while Sun held his hand and smiled with sadness and understanding.
He smiled back then called his aunt.