Chapter 20
The day came closer to the evening, Commander was still sleeping, but then suddenly his eye squeezed. The man slightly opened it and looked at the ceiling, which was in front of him. He turned his head to the right and then to the left.
"Ah, yes. I'm at Shiranui's house…" the man seemed he forgot, but then remembered where he was, "He looked around again. And took out phone out of the pocket, "It's half past seven, and several missed calls." the man only pondered about something, "I was sleeping pretty much." he did a pause, "Well…" the man looked at the phone again and, "One from Drunkard, twenty minutes ago" the man looked at the number and rubbed his eye, "Interesting, what could happen if he called me straightly?" the man looked at the ceiling again, and quickly pressed with his fingers against the screen and put his phone near his ear, "Come on…" the man mumbled.
'Oh, I'm surprised you called me back so fast.' Commander heard a voice in the phone, 'Do you feel better yourself now?'
"Yes, thanks for your concern." the man with the eye patch mumbled, "Did you call me just for that?"
'You know, everyone is worrying about you and want to know what's with you.' Drunkard replied him, 'I hoped to change you on your place.'
"Dream on, I won't be out of business so easily." Commander smirked.
'Kangaroo, Avalanche and others are worried about you. Even Hush isn't well.' Drunkard replied him again, 'But at least now I can say them you're fine.'
"Yes, tell them stop being idiots and continue their work. I think I will join you soon." Commander replied him again.
'By the way, where are you now? Knowing you, you shouldn't be in the hospital or medical block.' the man suddenly stopped, but then added, 'If our doctors don't know what do to with you, theirs will drive you out fast.'
"None of your business." the mercenary with wind power mumbled, "I'm there, where I'm now."
'Don't tell me Asagi decided to take you.' Drunkard heard nothing so he added, 'Or since you're the guest, you're with Shiranui right now?'
"I told you, that's none of your business.' Commander repeated again.
'Maybe I spoiled something?' Drunkard said sarcastically.
"If there's nothing important I'm hanging the phone." Commander replied him.
'Fine.' Drunkard replied him then.
"I hope you didn't tell about that to the heads?" Commander asked the man in the phone, "Knowing you…"
'I didn't.' Commander heard a respond, 'Even if we're friends I know what to tell and what not.'
"I see." Commander exhaled somehow strangely, "By the way, did you found out something interesting or at least some gossips about these scums?"
'No, but I've heard about some even near time.' Drunkard replied.
"Event?" Commander seemed puzzled.
'Yes. It will be in Tokyo, on Chaos Arena.' Drunkard replied the man fast, 'One guy, who has a debt told me about it. There will be some kind of contest, where you can take captured Taimanin.'
"Who is in charge of this event?" the man asked his interlocutor.
'Chaos Arena, who is in charge of it?' Drunkard only reasked his question.
"Yes, stupid question." the man in the vest rubbed his nose with free hand, "And if it's after Oboro, that means Edwin Black must be there too."
'We wanted to meet him, didn't we?" Drunkard only asked the man again.
"Yes, we did." the man with the eye patch answered, "Any ideas how to sneak there?"
'I told that guy to find some way to let us enter them place.' the man replied fast, 'I don't know will he be able to do that, but if he doesn't I will shove my sickle into his ass.'
"Maybe we could enter it as contestants?" Commander asked Drunkard, but if we fight Black in the end that will be problematic for us."
'Did our Taimanin wanted to go with us?' Drunkard asked the leader, 'I thought we're helping them, but now vice versa.'
"We do, but they won't be able to be there undetected." Cyclopes replied him fast, "Demons will know them, if only Oleg with others could go there. Demons don't know him well, and we could join them.'
'You know it's better to get two passes.' Drunkard replied him, 'I don't think he will be able to get even three passes.'
"Well, keep me conversant." Commander said after a small pause, "It's better to take Professor with us too, maybe he will be helpful at least there."
'I will inform him. By the way, how are you?' Commander didn't reply for this question, 'Listen I'm not Splash and I'm not going to play game, just want to know your state.'
"Not well, but still not bad." the man mumbled, "My head is cracking, but not much."
'Inner Demon?' Drunkard only asked.
"Yes, but I hold it. So, there's nothing to worry about."
'I see, when you return you owe Kangaroo and me for wasting for my rakia for you.'
"Fine, fine, I'll buy you it." Commander mumbled, and stopped the call, 'Event on Chaos Arena…' Commander pondered then.
He lied for some time and then tried to get up. He was shaking a little, but still could hold himself and slowly headed to the door, which led out of the room into the hall. Commander didn't hurry, he walked slowly, trying to understand where he should go. He saw the doors of the rooms, but he didn't open then as he didn't want to interrupt people, and didn't want let them help him.
'This place is really big.' the man did a turn to the right not knowing where it will bring him.
The man didn't take his scythe as he didn't want to seem strange for people, who he can meet. He went further and further until he came to a balcony. He looked around and saw the inner yard where they were in the afternoon. It reminded some kind of a park, then man looked at it and was thinking about something.
'It seems big clans live well.' Commander chuckled.
There was a chair on the balcony, but the man didn't sit, as if he wasn't to seem weak even for himself. He put his hands onto the handrail and looked at the people, who were walking in the yard.
'Interesting, what was with me if I stayed with Russian hunters?' the man looked at some woman with a child, then he squeezed his fist and hit the railing, 'If not these damn politicians, she would be alive…' he looked at the night sky, 'So strange to have peaceful evenings.' Commander decided to snap out of bad thoughts, 'I will never get used to this feeling.' the pondered again, 'So, the event on Chaos Arena…' he thought about another theme, 'It's needed to think everything over carefully. First I need to inform Shiranui about that, but still the question is in this Walter, will he visit Black too?' Cyclopes looked at the park again, 'Their main purpose is in destroying seals, so I don't think they will lose time for that. But if he send someone? Who it can be? Someone from his own minions or 'The Third Law'?' he frowned, 'Mystic is needed for seals, Archon and Przemislav are not the best choice as they're mental users. Etienne, will not go. Then Torch with someone from 'Black Wing'?' he looked at the sky again, where were stars, "No, they are weak, and won't be able to fight there's contestants."
"Who is weak? And what contestants they won't be able to fight?" Commander heard a soft voice, behind him, he looked around and saw a woman in a home clothes, which consisted of a light sweater, a long skirt and ribbon, which reminded bunny ears.
"You found me quite fast." Commander looked at Shiranui.
"I was surprised when I didn't see you in your room. The rest didn't see you on the other floors, so I thought you must be here." Yukikaze's mother came to the man and put her arms onto the railing of the balcony, "Uncomfortable?"
"What?" the man asked the woman not understanding, what she wanted from him.
"Didn't used to such conditions?" Shiranui explained her question.
"Something like that." the man sighed, "The life of mercenary doesn't give such moments, and if give too rarely to get used to them."
"I hope you will enjoy your time here." Shiranui smiled, "After all, you're a guest and if you want something don't hold yourself and ask." Cyclopes didn't reply anything, "By the way the dinner is ready, Yukikaze, Tatsurou and Rinko are waiting you too."
"It's not the family dinner." Commander didn't like that, "There's no intentions for that."
"Yukikaze and Tatsurou don't want to start without you." Shiranui chuckled, "And Rinko quickly took their side. So…" she looked at him with a smile.
"Fine." the man mumbled, 'At least we will discuss it all.' he thought then.
They walked back by the same hall. They came to the stairs and headed onto the next floors, they reached the fourth floor. The man seemed well, but still sometimes he was shaking, and Shiranui could nothing, but help him.
Little by little they reached some dining room, there was a table with chairs. There were three persons at the table, who were Akiyama siblings and Yukikaze. Cyclopes looked at the table were a lot of different food. From salads and rice till fried meat.
"Good evening, Commander." Tatsurou quickly greeted the man.
"Good evening." Rinko joined him fast.
"G… good evening." Yukikaze nodded indecisively too.
"Evening." Commander replied them and slowly headed to the free place which was in front of the children.
"How are you?" Yukikaze asked him as he sat opposite to them.
"Fine, don't worry." Commander replied her, "No need to worry about what happened." then he looked at the boy, "By the way, what about you?" then he looked at Yukikaze then, "You became a little better since our mocking battle, trained well?"
"Do you think so?" Tatsurou looked at the man with surprise.
"But you were…" Yukikaze still was blaming herself for man's wound.
"Yukikaze." Shiranui sighed, "You shouldn't blame yourself."
"Your mother is right." Commander added too, watching Yukikaze wanted to say something, "Everyone can make a mistake when there's a new opponent. Even if it was a boy, he is a demon. And not a weak demon." he did a pause, "The best thing is to understand where were your mistakes and try to improve your fighting next time."
"Was the same with you?" Tatsurou asked the man.
"Not only with me, but with everyone." he replied, "Your mother is the second example here."
"As I see, you know Auntie well." Rinko looked at the man with interest, "Did you meet her before?"
"Yes, I didn't tell you that." Shiranui smiled as he sat at the table, "It's really a good story."
Shiranui told the story of their fight. How she along with Asagi and Kuro fought the man and how Drunkard interfered and helped him to escape.
"He can use demonization?" Rinko was surprised to hear such information.
"Yes, in our organization only he and I can do such a thing." Commander replied her, "But he is much better than me, as he can control his demon well."
"And how is it possible to awake Inner Demon?" Yukikaze asked the man.
"Yukikaze!" Shiranui didn't like the question, "You shouldn't think about that!"
"I think it's not a good question too." Rinko looked seriously at Yukikaze.
"I would never wish anyone to awake it." Cyclopes suddenly said to the younger Mizuki, "Inner Demons are the part of our soul, and when we live some great soul shaking moment, when you feel anger, sorrow and lament. If you can't hold these emotions, Inner Demon will awake and try to take your body."
"And how did you two awake them?" Yukikaze asked the man again, "But if you don't want you should tell!" Yukikaze saw frown eyes of her mother and friends.
"I will not say how it was for me." Cyclopes quickly replied, "But for Drunkard, he awoke it in war."
"In war?" Rinko was surprised even Shiranui was.
"If you want ask him. I don't know how it was." Cyclopes answered them all.
"By the way…" Tatsurou suddenly said, "I wanted to know about wind seals." the boy didn't know how to start, "I still can't understand with what to start, maybe you will show some of them? Since your power is in wind too."
Commander looked at the boy.
"Last time you were excited and even indecisive." the man looked at the boy with his eye, "But now, I see that you changed a little."
"Really?" Tatsurou was surprised that the man suddenly started to praise him.
"Yes, even your view changed." the man nodded, "It seems work with us was really good practice for you. Still don't want to join us?"
"Don't ask my brother to become a mercenary!" Rinko didn't like that.
"We told you, we're Taimanin!" Yukikaze quickly replied too.
"Fine, fine." Shiranui quickly interfered into their talk, "The food is becoming cold! Let's eat and if Cy… our guest will want, he will answer your questions." the woman amended herself as if she didn't like to name her guest by his nickname.
"Ivan…" the man said.
"What?" Shiranui looked suddenly at him even the young Taimanin looked like they didn't understand what the man wanted to say, "My name is Ivan."
"Ivan…" Yukikaze's mother repeated, "Good and short name.
Commander felt strange when Shiranui named him, but still he could hold himself. The man looked at the food, which was in front of him.
"Thanks for the food." Ivan took the sticks and started to eat salad and rice with fried chicken.
"You do well with them." Tatsurou looked at the man, "Pavel and Ilya prefer to eat with fork and spoon more."
"Pavel and Ilya?" Ivan looked at the boy.
"Yes, they're our friends." Yukikaze nodded, "You must see him on the missions."
"Ah, the boy with the sword." Ivan seemed remembered the boy, they were talking about.
"And Ilya is the boy that looks like a girl. He fights with two guns, like Yukikaze." Tatsurou explained.
"Yes, I remember him too." Commander nodded, "By the way, how are they? I mean as people."
"They're really good." Tatsurou said.
"I wouldn't say the same about Ilya!" Yukikaze protested, "I hate, when in our class, he is always declare he is the best shooter!"
"Isn't it so?" Rinko looked at Yukikaze with a smile.
"Rinko! You must be on my side!" Yukikaze wasn't glad that Rinko was on the side of the boy, who was in her squad.
"I read about him, so I think he is a little better in shooting." Shiranui chuckled too.
"Mum! Not you too!" Shiranui's daughter seemed upset.
"I think Yukikaze is better, indeed she must practice, but…" Tatsurou pondered, "Her skills are better."
"At least someone is with me!" the girl was glad that her boyfriend was in her side.
'It's strange…' Ivan didn't say a word, 'It's really strange for me be in such situation.' but still he continued, "And that Pavel, did he awake his powers?"
"No." Tatsurou shook with his head, "But he is really good in sword playing."
"Yes, his style is really interesting." Rinko agree with him, "Even without powers, he can impress his opponents."
"And with Ren they make a good duet." Yukikaze added too.
"Ren? The girl with blue uniform?" Cyclopes looked at the girl, who only nodded, "As I noticed, they have something, haven't they?"
"Who knows?" Rinko shrugged with her shoulders not wishing to tell that Pavel and Ren had relations more than friends, but less than a couple.
'Nice to hear, he is fine here.' Ivan thought, 'Even made friends here.' however his face didn't change, "Listen, did you want to contact Edwin Black?"
"Yes, why?" Shiranui quickly paid attention to the man's words, the young Taimanin did the same.
"I think there's an opportunity to visit him. But there's still something that must be done." Ivan replied her.
"And how we'll be able to face him?" Shiranui asked the man.
"Soon there will be something on Chaos Arena." Ivan responded, "I think it's a good opportunity to visit him."
"How did you know that?" the woman was wondered the man was telling her such things.
"Drunkard told, he will try to get passes there. So someone of us could sneak there." the blond man told her, "And some of us could become bait and play the role of contestants."
"Do you want to take part in the contest?" Shiranui looked at him with serious eyes.
"If I feel better, Mom." Ivan replied her, young hunters laughed by this respond, even Shiranui smiled, being unable to stay serious, "Nice to hear that."
"I think Drunkard and Haze could take part in it. But Haze isn't here right now, so I think about Avalanche or probably some other guys."
"That guy with white attire?" Rinko quickly remembered about whom he was talking about.
"Yes. He is good in fighting, so we can try to send him too." Ivan replied.
"What if we meet these guys again?" Rinko asked the man, "What will do then?"
"I was thinking about it too. But I don't think they will come as they don't have intentions to interfere their work with the seals." Commander replied her, "Can I know, who is with us?"
"According to our last discussion, we four, all Russian group and Sakura." Shiranui explained the forces, "And we think you'll help us too."
"Yes, from my side, we have Kangaroo, Avalanche, Hush, Drunkard and other three guys, if they won't be taken." he pondered then, "And I'm with you too."
"Pretty good squad." Shiranui liked how things were going, "Now, I must discuss everything with Oleg and Sakura, and when your comrades will tells us we'll be ready to go there."
"I'm surprised that Asagi isn't with us." Commander looked at the woman with the ribbon.
"She has other work, and I hope there won't be any problems, as with Ilya, Maria and Rinko there is Asagi and Murasaki in their squad.
"Understood." the man nodded, "Professor told me about that."
"Professor?" Rinko looked at the man.
"It's a green lizard guy with tentacles." Commander explained her fast.
"Well, I will talk to Oleg and Sakura, and then we'll think everything over." Shiranui told him.
"By the way!" Yukikaze suddenly turned to the man, "Well, when you're fine… Will you give us another training battle?"
"I will think about it." Ivan answered her, his face was the same, but watching at the energetic girl and then at Tatsurou, who also was eager to hear his answer, sighed, "I will try."
The dinner continued, they were discussing a lot of things, most of them were asked by young hunters. While the man answered the questions, Shiranui was watching at it with a smile.
'It's like old days with the whole family.' she thought, 'But still he is not like Yasuhiro…' she looked at the man with the eye patch, 'It's really good, when there is a big company around you.' she smiled to her thoughts, and when they finished with food started to pour tea and serve the desserts, which Yukikaze started to eat immideately, while Tatsurou and Rinko didn't hurry with it.
The man looked at his piece of the cake and took a small spoon of it.
'Interesting, situation.' he thought, 'Maybe I really need to try to enjoy that vacation?' he looked at Shiranui, who now was talking to Rinko, 'Yes, I will try to do that. If she does everything what she can, I need to be grateful for her efforts.'
The dinner was finished, but still the talk was continued, but then Yukikaze, Tatsurou and Rinko left as they had to go to the academy tomorrow, while Shiranui decided to stay with the man.
"How was the family dinner?" she asked him then.
"Not bad, I think." the man replied her.
"In your division, do you have something like that?" she asked him again.
"Rarely, but have." the man replied, "However not all take part in it."
"Like you?" Shiranui looked at him.
"As a leader I take part in them, but there are those, who don't like such things. Haze and Drunkard are from those." Ivan explained.
"I see." the woman nodded, "If you want I can show you the place, if you have powers, of course."
"No need." the man shook with his head, "You have a workday tomorrow, it's better for you to go and sleep."
"I hope you won't peep at me." she chuckled, but the man looked at her with serious expression.
"Just kidding." the woman smiled, "But still thank you one more time, for saving Yukikaze. I don't know what I would do if I lose her."
"Honestly, I did it because of that." Ivan replied her.
"What?" Shiranui looked at him with surprised eyes.
"While you have those you're taking care about, I have no one. That's why I didn't want let you feel sorrow again." the man responded, "Yasuhiro and Yukikaze it would be really much for you to bear." Shiranui replied nothing at that, "And it's really good that you let me have vacation at your place. It's really wonderful to do nothing." he tried to return the talk in a little merrier tone.
"Yes, enjoy yourself." Shiranui smiled to him and then got up, "As I told you, when you need something just ask what you want."
Shiranui and Cyclopes slowly headed out of the dining room. She helped him to return back to his room, his scythe was on it place, the man decided not to bother Shiranui with finding new clothes for him. However she told him they will do it tomorrow. When the man fell onto the bad, the Taimanin left the room letting the man to rest more.
"I can't belive it, Lord Walter trusts me so much that sent you with me." Malek looked at Tardis, who was on his right.
"Be thankful, Lord Walter, didn't went with you." Tardis merely replied him.
"Yes, if I would fail in his presence, he would send me straight to Tiradex." Malek mumbled.
"Of course." Tardis heard him, "I always told this idiot, not to underestimate his opponents."
"By the way how long were you working with him?" Malek asked the Pegasus.
"For some years." Tardis snorted, "And each time one lecturing."
"Was Walter, who made you, working with him?" the demon with the tail asked his companion.
"Yes, and I thought he must be smart enough not to lose to the kids." Pegasus only snorted again, "It seems I was naïve."
"What if we start to work together?" Malek looked at the other demon.
"Do you think you will gain some respect from Lord Walter?" the demon with wings, looked at the demon with the tail with a smirk.
"Who knows?" Malek shrugged with his shoulders, "But I will try to gain it by taking the tickets for the show."
"And if your friend gives you nothing?" Tardis looked at Malek with interest.
"I will make him to give them." Malek hit the trash can with his tail, "I know how to be convincing."
Tardis and Malek were walking by the alleys of Tokyo Kingdom. Few were on their way. They suddenly walked onto the crowded street. Malek was ahead, while Tardis followed him. The demon with the tail was walking fast as if he wanted to deal with his work, which he got accidentally, fast. Tardis felt it and didn't want to interrupt his new partner.
They entered another small alley, but this one was lit well. When they were on a small intersection, Malek looked around and shouted.
"I'm here!"
"Why are you shouting?" they heard a roaring voice, "I hear you."
They turned to the left and saw a massive ork. The ork was in a vest and pants. The demon was much bigger than Tardis and Malek, but still the size didn't scare them at all. The ork seemed angry, but still he was holding himself.
"Good, you came fast." Malek said to the ork.
"What do you need?" the ork asked the demon with irritation, "If you called me that way, it must be really something serious."
"I needed to know about Black's competition, he is going to make near time." Malek asked the demon straight, "i want you to give me special passes."
"Do you think, I'm typing them?" the ork looked at Malek, but then at Tardis, who didn't say anything.
"I know, it's hard, but at least two or three." the demon with the tail said to the ork again, "I don't need many."
"Do you think Lord Black will not know about that?" the ork looked at the demon.
"I don't think he does everything personally." Malek grinned, waving with his tail, "I guess Oboro is in charge of it."
"I don't want to become her play thing." the ork spitted, "I want to live more."
"Maybe, there's another way to visit this event?" Tardis interfered into the talk, he saw that the tail of Malek was moving strangely, so he decided to avoid unneeded blood.
"Do you want to say as a contestant?" the ork raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, I belive you gather strong warriors, who can entertain Oboro and Black." Tardis nodded as he snorted.
"Well, you can join it as a fighter, but you need to find this place and then you must discuss it with Oboro herself." the demon replied at his words.
"Listen, what about one pass?" Malek looked at the ork, "You know I will not let you go out of here."
Ork watched at his tail, which was directed at him.
"Fine, I will think of something, but only one pass." the ork grunted, "I belive there must be something unused."
"Nice to hear." the demon with the tail relaxed his tail, "By the way, do the contestants need to pass some trials before the competition? And what is the main prize?"
"The main prize is a captured Taimanin." the ork answered, "You can choose whoever you want, but there's a nuance, you need to defeat Oboro, and if you lose. Well, you know what will be in the end."
"Well, that doesn't matter for me, what that hag will do." Malek hit the ground with his tail, "I need to know about trials."
"Well, there's no trials." the demon replied, "You just find the way to the Chaos Arena, which is in Tokyo and take part in it. You'll fight other contestants, if you want you can kill them if you don't want you can make them your servants or you can do a public punishment to the loser."
"Like usually." Tardis snorted.
"Yes, nothing new." the ork looked at him.
"Do you know the location of this Arena?" Tardis came a little closer to the ork.
"I do, but…" the ork stumbled as Tardis did another step.
"We need to know where it is." the Pegasus told him seriously,
"Yes, there's a guy we can't fail." Malek responded too, "And if you don't tell us we will take you with us."
"Fine, it's in the east part of Tokyo." the ork understood it was bad idea to deal with these two demons, "It's in downtown, under the skyscraper, which is in the center of the area."
"See, it wasn't difficult." Malek chuckled.
"Is it all what you wanted?" the ork looked at the demon with the tail.
"Yes, don't forget the invitations." the demon reminded to the ork what he needed to do, "Try to get two after all I helped you with your problematic defectors, so it's time to pay the debt."
The ork didn't like the tone, but still nodded. Then he turned around and left telling them that he would contact them when the passes are done. Malek was glad everything was pretty good for him, while Tardis was serious and calm as always.
"I think Lord Walter, will be glad." Tardis looked at the partner.
Malek only smirked at his words, "I hope you're right. Don't want to make him disappointed."
"Good words." Tardis nodded, "Because his anger is the last thing you would like to see."
"Did you see it?" the demon with the tail looked at the Pegasus with interest.
"Only once, but it was towards other servant, who was killed by him in the end." the demon snorted, "The only being he forgive is Mistress Celine."
"That armored one." Malek mumbled.
"If you serve her well, you can hope for her protection." Tardis replied him fast, "There's nothing more what could protect you from his anger."
"I'll keep that in mind." Malek nodded and then hit another trash can, "Fine, let's return, we're done here."
Tardis only nodded and then they disappeared in the circles of winds, after it was dispelled.
"Do you think we need to act straight after he had that strange attack?" Torch turned to Celine, "Isn't it better to wait?"
"Need… act… can stop hearing… the voice…" Celine replied him, "Will go… with you…" Celine pointed at the woman with wheat hair, who was stating next to her.
"And what about Etienne?" Torch asked the armored woman.
"Too…" Celine exhaled cold steam, "If find… Walter must not know…"
"Are you sure about that?" Stephanie asked her savior, "He is from those, who best not to make angry."
"I will agree with you." Troch nodded.
"Will take everything…" Celine put her hand onto her bust, "No… worries…" she looked at the blue haired young man.
"Can you say, what we're looking for?" they heard a voice behind them, Troch and Stephanie looked around and saw the gray haired man with the doctor's robe.
"Yes, I would like to know that too." Torch was surprised, but when Etienne announced his question, was glad he was not the only one, who was interested in that.
"If Celine says it's important you must listen to her and…" Stephanie was unable to finish her statement as Cline put her hand onto the woman's shoulder.
"Sphere..." she exhaled a cold steam, "Has… great power…" Celine finished then.
"And how we must understand, we have the needed one?" Troch asked the woman, "What if we bring another he can make a mistake?"
"Will not…" Celine responded, "Will feel… Stephanie… can feel too… when touch…" the demon lord tried to speak clear, but it was difficult for her.
"I see, that's why you send her with us." Etienne looked at the helped of the demon lord, "Let me guess, that girl of Naomi will go with us."
"Yes..." Celine nodded, "Don't need… many… just find… and report…" she added, "Tell Walter… when done…" she put her hand onto her bust again.
"I see." Etienne sighed, "I would like payment in advance." he turned to Celine, "Since you distract me again, I want some of your blood."
"Will take… it…" Celine nodded him.
'This time, I will try to inject some of their blood inside.' Etienne chuckled thinking about his price, "So, where will we start? In Tokyo Kingdom?" the man remembered, where they stopped, Celine only nodded at his words, "And if it's not a secret, what sphere will do? Won't it kill us when we take it?"
"Boy… can activate…" Celine replied to his question, "None of… you…" she continued after a small pause.
"I see." the man nodded, "When we're going?"
"In… fifteen… minutes…" the demon lord exhaled cold steam, "Think… searching… fruitful this… time…" she added and then went somewhere ahead the corridor.
"Honestly, I don't like it." Torch responded, when Celine turn to the left along with Stephanie.
"Why? I'm interested in that, since I will receive my payment." Etienne chuckled watching at the comrade.
"I don't know how to explain, but…" Torch mumbled, "I think it's not good for our organization."
"It's bad to argue with these two." Etienne replied, "My advice to you is to listen to what they say, you're no match for them, and if you start to meddle, Walter will not wait long." Torch didn't reply for that, Etienne wanted to add something, but Torch took out his phone and looked at it.
"Yes, what is it, Doc?" Torch asked, "Is it urgent? Well, I will come soon." young man added then.
"Przemislav?" Etienne asked him.
"Yes, says it's urgent, if I delay tell Celine to wait for me." Torch then put his phone back into the pocket and rushed back.
"I hope Celine' nerves are as cold as she is." Etienne shook with his head and slowly went to do his work for preparing to their upcoming mission.
Sakura returned home in the evening. She walked with Oleg, and when the man decided to go to the dormitory, she went to go for a little longer, as she was trying think everything over. Her talk with Asagi about Black, their new enemies, what Black did to them, and what Oleg read her of the diary. She tried to bind all pieces of the puzzle, but she didn't know from what to start. She understood, they had to contact someone, who had at least some knowledge about them in order to understand how to act. Sakura also understood it was a bad idea to act not telling Asagi about their plan, but she couldn't do vice versa, because her elder sister would never cooperate with the one, who made them suffer.
Sakura was thinking about the boy that was turned at the stone giant and about the generals Oleg told her. Everything was unclear for her, however she was glad, Oleg gave her some small answers, but these answers created more questions, which needed to be answered in order to help to understand what was Walter and his other companion Celine.
When Sakura opened the door of her home she quickly exclaimed.
"I'm home!"
"You're quite long." Asagi went to the corridor in her home clothes, which consisted of tights and a sweater, "Was walking with Oleg?" she smiled to Sakura.
"Kinda." Sakura smiled back, but then said, tightening her grip on the book, she found and Oleg read to her.
"What is it?" Asagi noticed the book.
"Well…" Sakura stumbled, "That's what I'd like to take to you about." Sakura said, "But promise you won't be angry at me."
"Why should I?" Asagi was surprised and puzzled of her younger sister's words.
"Promise." Sakura insisted.
"Fine, I promise." Asagi gave up with a smile on her beautiful face, "What is this book?"
"Well, let's go to the kitchen." Sakura said, "It's not a short story." Asagi nodded and headed to the kitchen, while Sakura only followed her thinking what she must tell to Asagi and how, 'Easy to say…' she was excited and tensed, 'No, I said Oleg, I will discuss it with sis, I mustn't fail him!' she concluded her thoughts.
Asagi sat at the table, and Sakura didn't make her waiting long.
"So, what is this book, and why are you acting so strange?" Asagi asked Sakura with a smile, but still she was her thoughts were serious.
"Well, during our report, we told you about fight with the kid after the guys, it was when Kurenai and Ayame's leaving." Sakura started, "I didn't tell you all about, but this book was what we could get from that boy." Asagi was watching straight at Sakura, she responded nothing, but only nodded letting her knowing, she can continue, "When I found it, I asked Oleg to watch it. And he said that it's…"
"It's?" Asagi asked Sakura.
"This book is written in Russian." Sakura finished her thought.
"In Russian?" the principle of the academy raised her eyebrow and looked at the book with was on the table now.
"Well, not in Russian, but as he said the language, which was during Russian Empire." younger Igawa quickly remembered, "It's a diary of the guy, who travelled across the world, in order to understand how demons appeared."
"And who is it's writer?" Asagi asked Sakura.
"Some Russian politician, as I understand, he put on a semblance he went on a trip by official meetings, but he picked legends about demons too." Sakura explained what Oleg told her.
"Is it what Oleg told you or was it written in this book?" elder Igawa asked Sakura seriously.
"Oleg thinks so." Sakura quickly nodded, "But he read me some part of it."
"And do you belive him?" Asagi asked Sakura, "I mean he could think something and tell you that."
"Sis, I don't think he would do that." Sakura responded fast, she wanted to add something, but Asagi was first.
"Why are you sure in that?" she asked Sakura again.
"He gave it to me and told to speak to you and only then to tell other's to come." Sakura answered fast, "He wouldn't lie to me if he would take the diary and say something another."
"I see." Asagi sighed, "But why didn't you tell me about it first, but discussed it with Oleg first?" Asagi narrowed her eyes, "Is it because of our talk about Black?"
"What? No!" Sakura exclaimed, "You have too much work late time, and I decided to do at least something to make your work easier."
"Thanks for that, but it's my work to do all that work." Asagi replied Sakura.
"I know, but with this diary I can deal." Sakura chuckled trying to reduce the tension.
"And what did you know in that diary?" Asagi asked Sakura.
"Well, he read only some legends, but several are similar especially Russian and Indian."
"Indian?" Asagi raised her eyebrow.
"Yes, in India there was a guy who was splat in two, and in Russia there was a stone giant." Sakura said in simple words.
"Stone giant?" Asagi tensed.
"Yes, I think it the same guy we met. That appeared out of the boy." Sakura understood, what Asagi was thinking about, "But Oleg told that this giant was killed by some heroes."
"Yes, Pavel told some of the lords were defeated." Asagi remembered Pavel's words, "But if he this guy is killed then…" she stumbled, "Wait, Walter can control skeletons, that means he could resurrect him."
"Yes, we thought so too." Sakura quickly replied Asagi, "But we don't understand, why he didn't return other demon lords."
"Is it all what Oleg told you?" Asagi asked her younger sister with gleaming eyes.
"No, that stone guy had three servants, as I understood the author named them generals or officer." Sakura added after the question of her elder sister.
"And according to the knowledge we have now the one, who attacked Natsume is a general too." Asagi pondered, "I will not surprise if the boy you met will be someone from them too."
"See?" Sakura turned to Asagi, "I don't want to give you more thoughts, if it's the work I can do, then why not to do it myself?"
Asagi smiled at her words, "Sakura, I'm surprised how you have grown up these months. Even try to help me with my work."
"Well, not only you must do all that." Sakura liked praising.
"Can I ask you a question?" Asagi asked her younger sister, who only nodded "What do you feel towards Oleg?" her question was straight.
"Ah?!" Sakura suddenly flinched, "Why such a question?"
"I belive if not him, you would never change." the woman with blue hair replied to her sister, "I don't say I'm not happy that you're starting to help in cooking, but still it's little worrying for me."
"Well, I don't know, what is it, but…" Sakura stumbled, "I don't really know, what I'm feeling, but probably I have something to him." she said with a lowered voice.
"I see." Asagi nodded, "But you must be realistic, when we're done with our work with 'The Third Law', I belive he will return back to Russia. Indeed, he can try to stay here, but I don't think his government will let him do so. Even Ren and Pavel are afraid of that."
"I know that." Sakura nodded, "That's why I don't say I love him, if we're going to stay good friends, I don't mind." her voice was a bit sad, because of the situation.
"But who knows, maybe he will be able to find a way to stay here." Asagi smiled, "And you'll be able to make it further." hearing that Sakura was cheered up, "You know, I'm always by your side, so if you have something what bothers you, just tell me and we'll think it together."
"Yes, you too." Sakura smiled her with her brand smile.
Sakura and Asagi talked a little more about what Oleg read younger Igawa, they shared some ideas, but it was hard for them to bind these ideas. Sakura gave ideas, and Asagi tried to bind them, then they changed roles, however it was hard for them to think of something, as the knowledge was minimal and the questions were only growing.
"Fine." Asagi suddenly said, "Study that diary with Oleg first and when you study it, we'll make meeting."
"Yeah, maybe he will read out something interesting, what will help us to understand some things." Sakura agreed with her.
Asagi also looked into the book, she could only watch at the words, but their idea was incomprehensible for her.
"If only Shizuru was here." Asagi sighed.
"By the way, no news from her?" Sakura asked Asagi.
"No, they didn't contact me." the elder woman shook with her head, "I'm afraid they can be in danger." Asagi sighed again, "I'm surprised what could happen to them."
"Don't worry, Shizuru is an ace in scouting and spying, she will find a way out of all trouble." Sakura chuckled.
"I hope you're right." Asagi looked at Sakura with a slight smile, "I can do nothing but waiting. I just hope they're not in danger."
Asagi and Sakura decided to have dinner and to talk about their daily routine. Sakura wanted to make new fighting with teachers for their students, but Asagi decided to make to make a practice among students first in order to prepare them better.
"I think Mu-chan and I will be in charge of it." Sakura replied, "By the way, what we will do with Masami?"
"Ask her about it." Asagi answered, "She is training with Pavel, so his answer is also must be know."
"Got it, I'll ask him tomorrow." Sakura quickly nodded, "I'm surprised."
"What is it?" Asagi asked her younger sister.
"Well, I'm still surprised how our life changed in these months with their coming, and all of the change are positive."
"If not mentioning their enemies, yes." Asagi agreed with her sister, "But still I don't like that Russian government doesn't tell us anything."
"Oh!" Sakura seemed remembered something, "Oleg said, it will be good to contact their minister."
"I will try to contact him." Asagi nodded, but then looked at her glass, "Sakura…" Asagi pondered about something.
"What is it?" the younger Igawa was worried a little about her sister's lowered voice.
"I want to share something with you too." the woman said, "What will you say if I meet Incubus King?"
"What do you mean?" Sakura raised her eyebrow, not understanding what her sister was mentioning.
"When I was on a mission with my squad on investigating gravity anomaly, Aki and Maki fought that four armed demon, they were save by him, and he invited me to talk to him in Tokyo."
"And you?!" Sakura exclaimed.
"I sent to check what he is doing, but they reported nothing significant, he only comes sits one hour and then leave." Asagi replied, "I don't know, to cooperate with him or not."
"Well…" Sakura didn't what to answer, 'We're going to meet Black, and here is such a chance. The high demon wants to visit us himself.'
"After what he did to Shiranui, I'm not surprised if it can be a trap." Asagi continued, "What are thinking about it, should I go or not?"
"Sis, it's up to you." Sakura replied fast, "I don't want to insist, but if you want to know something, he is the best candidate to tell you that. But of course you must take someone with you, who knows what this scum has in his mind."
"Probably, you're right." Asagi nodded with a smile at her sister's words, "Well, I will think about it tomorrow, and will make a conclusion."
"I hope you'll take right decision." Sakura smiled too, but brighter than her sister.
Then they decided to go to sleep in order to restore powers for tomorrow, which supposed to be fruitful.
"Relaxing?" Ezekiel entered the room, where were Ayame and Kurenai.
"If I knew I will do nothing, it would be better for us to work on our own." Kurenai looked at Ezekiel.
"How rude." the vampire put on a semblance he was hurt with her words, "And I was with good news."
"What are they?" Ayame asked the vampire.
"If the information is correct, near time Black is doing some kind of tournament." the vampire replied her, "It will be in Chaos Arena."
"Chaos Arena…" Kurenai mumbled.
"Is it still working?" Ayame seemed wondered, "I thought it supposed to be destroyed."
"It always rebuilds." Ezekiel said to Ayame, "There will be a contest mostly for Black's servants."
"And what it gives to us?" Kurenai asked him with interest, "We're going to attack him or steal the weapon he has?"
"I was thinking about the second." Ezekiel replied her, "But if we kill him, there will be no need to worry about the weapon he has." he added after a small pause, "What do you want to do?"
"I think we must go to the arena with our powers, I think we will be able to kill Black." Ayame offered her idea.
"If you want to kill him, we can do so." the vampire agreed with her, "But if you want to weaken him, the best to do is to sneak into his place and steal it." he looked at the half-blooded vampire and added, "So it's up for you to choose."
"Why did you agree to fight Black first?" Ayame asked him, "If you're interested in Walter isn't it much better to concentrate on him?"
"Walter is far stronger than Black." Ezekiel replied her fast, "The three of us will never be able to defeat him, especially when he works with Celine."
"The other demon lord?" Ayame asked him, the demon only nodded.
"We can try to fight Black, and when he is dead we will attack his base and steal the weapon, if it's really powerful we will be able to use it against Walter then." Kurenai said with puzzled expression.
"Yes, it will be wiser for us." the vampire like the way she was thinking, "First we must study it. If we can take its power it'll be really impressive."
"I hope we will be able to do that." Kurenai squeezed her hand onto the hilt of her sword, "These two scums must die for their crimes."
"If we go to the arena there's only two ways to do it. As guests and as contestants." the demon said after Kurenai, "I think it'll be good to go as the first ones."
"Why?" Ayame asked the demon, "Maybe it'd be better to go as contestants."
"You're Taimanin, demons may know you." Ezekiel looked at the woman with the rifle gun, "Better for us is to stand in shadows in order not to be found out."
"And if you want to go there as a guest, there must be an invitation." Kurenai said to him, "How we'll be able to enter it without it?"
"I have some identities, who is invited." The vampire smirked, "If you want we can have theirs passes."
"How did you get this information?" Ayame was surprised.
"When you work with the crime world, you start to know everything about everything and everyone." the vampire looked at her with his red eyes, "So, if you want we can start visit needed people."
"I must inform my friends." Kurenai said.
"I don't think it's a good idea." Ezekiel said to her, "We don't have them right now, it's much better to do that when we have them."
"We must inform them." Kurenai replied to the demon, "They must know, we're going to sneak at the place, which also much be destroyed." she watched at him seriously.
"Fine, do as you wish." Ezekiel exhaled, "Some reinforcement will be helpful."
Kurenai nodded and then left the room where they were, Ayame followed her leaving the demon alone.
'It seems she is really persistent.' Ezekiel chuckled thinking about Kurenai, 'It'll be interesting, but hard to work with her. But still I hope I'll enjoy it.'