Chapter Four: Missionaries – Those Who Lives Lies (2)
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In an unknown cell, there is a chained up lion transient and he looks to be sleeping. He doesn’t have much clothes on, just a cloth covering his lower which protected him from being fully naked.

 

  “Hm? Oh, is it dinner already? I was just starting to get hungry.” Even though the lion transient was in such a bad condition he greeted the person who is currently holding him captive with a smile on his face. He doesn’t seem to be concerned about the fact he was chained and locked up currently.

 

  “Oh, baby! What a daring spirit you’ve got there! Such a big eater for a man behind bars. Respect, baby, yeah!” Nyarlathotep walked into the cell holding a tray of food for the lion transient. His smile on his face seems to increase a bit at the way the lion transient is acting despite their current situation.

 

  “Unfortunately, I’m used to being imprisoned. You gotta eat while you can. Wahaha!” The lion transient let out a cheerful laugh and didn’t seem to hold any anger against Nyarlathotep despite the fact they were holding him against his will.

 

  “What’s this, baby? A witty exchange with your captor? Is a wonderful bond growing between us, Mr. Stockholm Syndrome?” Nyarlathotep went to poke at the lion transient patience but the lion transient didn’t seem to get annoyed with his actions.

 

  “What’s the fuss? It’s not like we’re sworn enemies just yet. Friends and foes change as easily as the wind. Like fickle favors of a fair maiden’s heart, all things are in flux. I just happen to be old enough to understand that, young one.” Even though the lion transient was speaking with a smile on his face there was a sharp look of wisdom in his eyes.

 

  “Is this what they mean about silver foxes being suave?! Oh my, have fun with him in there, princess!” After Nyarlathotep places down the lion's transient food, he pushes Gabriel who ends up falling to the ground with a groan of pain.

 

  “Ugh… I’m…?” Gabriel looked dazed and confused as she went to sit up in the cell she was now in. The lion transient looked over at her with a surprised expression.

  “Oh, Gabriel. You were captured, too?” The lion transient went over to her and put a hand on her as he checked to make sure that she was doing okay.

 

  “Lord Arsalan… Where am I?” Gabriel couldn’t understand where she was or what was happening. She was still in a state of being awake and being unconscious.

 

  “Don’t talk. Just rest for now. I am here.” The lion transient, Lord Arsalan, put a hand on Gabriel's head in a comforting manner and motion for her to rest. “Say, young one… I don’t find it admirable at all for you to treat a girl in such a rough manner.” The lion transient looked at Nyarlathotep with a sharpness in his eyes.

 

  “We’re all about political correctness, baby! Equality for all! Isn’t that the goal, daddy? But don’t you fret. Our heroic band of Mr. Carters will soon be along to save you.” Nyarlathotep didn’t seem concerned with how he was being stared at and shrugged it off with a wide smile. 

 

  “Young one… What are you after…? Can’t you at least tell me that much?” The lion Transient, Lord Arsalan, expression was grim as he questioned the still smiling Nyarlathotep.

 

  “Hehehehe….! We tell you time and time again, baby… All we want is to turn this reality into a wonderful work of mind-bending fiction!” Nyarlathotep had a childish expression on his face and the lion transient, Lord Arsalan, looked at him with an unimpressed look on their face.

 

  “Now let’s go, my naughty little villain! You better fulfill your role in the transformative middle arc!” Nyarlathotep spoke cheerfully to a silent Hati who was standing behind him with a frown on their face and looking at Gabriel with a sad look in their eyes.

 

  “Gabriel… I…” Hati went to say something to the unconscious Gabriel but stopped himself and hardened his expression then left with a humming Nyarlathotep who closed the cell with the two captured guild members.


Back With Masato Group…

 

  We managed to ride the pudding rapids and break through the angel forces. With Maria as our guide, we make our way through Shibuya. My body felt so tired from all the running I was doing but I kept pushing myself to keep moving.

 

  “This way, everyone! Hurry!” Maria surprisingly didn’t sound out of breath as she called out to us as she led us to a place. Ryota looked really tired as he struggled to keep up with the rest of us.  “Huff, huff! Hold on… Huff…”

 

  “I keep telling you to exercise more! You’ve better hurry or they’ll catch up!” Kengo started to push at Ryota back causing them to stumble a bit but they quickly caught themselves before they could fall on the ground.

 

  “Ahhhh! Stop pushing! You don’t want me to fall, do you?!” Ryota shouts at Kengo angrily as he struggles to keep on running.

 

  “It might be faster if we rolled you.” Kengo actually looked ready to roll Ryota but stopped himself when he noticed that I gave him a firm stare and focus on following after Maria.

 

  After a while, we ran into a building near Shibuya station. After we all went into a room, Maria made sure that our pursuers weren't in sight and then she quietly closed the door and locked it. Everyone drops to the floor and gathers their breath after running full speed through the city.

 

  “Good job, everyone. I’m sure staying here will buy us some time.” Maria didn’t sound like she was struggling to catch her breath at all and I couldn’t help but wonder if she has a lot of stamina or something like that.

 

  “Huff… Huff… Maria, where are we? Is this place safe?” Shiro was struggling to get his words out as he tried to get his breathing under control as he sat on the ground with sweat all over his forehead.

 

  “It’s one of the safe houses owned by the Aoyama Guild. Only those in the guild at my level and higher know about this location.” Maria went to sit on the ground with us as she spoke in her usual polite tone.

 

  “Haa… Haa… Safe house? What’s that… Maria…?” Ryota looked like he was going to pass out due to how heavy he was breathing and I gave him a look of concern. Maybe I should increase his stamina or something because this is concerning…

 

  “R-Ryota?! Here, have some water! Please try to rest and catch your breath for now.” Maria went to get water from a fridge that was located in this room. She gave it to Ryota who drank it all in one go.

 

  “A safe house, huh? So this is one of many similar locations owned by the Aoyama Guild.”  Shiro finally looked like his breathing was back under control as he spoke to Maria in his usual serious tone.

 

  “Speaking of which, the Ikebukuro Guild had lots of underground passageways and shelters in case of emergencies, too.” Kengo didn’t look tired at all as he sat calmly on the ground. His stamina is way too good… He doesn’t even look like he is sweating that bad either! 

 

  “So a safe house is different from a Portal, then?” Shiro looked serious as he noted down that information in his head. Even in this situation, he is still taking his duty seriously, which just increases his charm points in my mind.

 

  “Correct. A Portal must be a landmark or historical building located in their respective ward. A location like this, where guild members may loiter, is not a fitting place. In the game, in order to extend your guild’s territory, you must occupy and maintain Portals. The reason for this is that the areas between Portals will be designated as the ruling guild’s territory. Within their territory, members of the same guild can all enjoy the same benefits in-game. However, there are many Portals locations. You cannot always make sure that there are guild members at every one. In order to maintain as many Portals as possible, safe houses like this are required across a variety of locations.” Maria looked serious as she told us about how Portals work. I was listening very closely because a serious Maria is a cute Maria.

 

  “In other words, they’re places where you can hang out during emergencies! Rad! Shiro, let’s make a safe house too! I wanna set up the sandbags!”Kengo looked at Shiro with an excited look in his eyes. He really looked eager to have a sandbag in our safe house. I really hope he won’t overdo it…

 

  “The place I’m preparing with Andvari could be called a safe house, like this. Sandbags aren’t in the plans at this point, though.” Shiro didn’t bother to speak any more to Kengo about wanting a sandbag in the safe house and didn’t bother to look at them.

 

  “I guess we can let out a sigh of relief for now! Man, all that running’s made me hungry!” Ryota looked like he was able to breathe again and didn’t look like he was going to pass out anymore.

 

  “Yes, let’s take a short break. Allow me to prepare some tea and snacks for you.” Maria got up to make snacks and tea for us. I really can’t get over how kind she is! Those angels are just biased against her for no real reason.

 

  After a while, Maria gave each of us snacks and tea which really helped bring my energy back up. A cute girl is always perfect to help increase my energy! Wait, that sounds pretty bad if someone heard this without context…

 

  “Phew! I feel way better! As long as I have these delicious snacks and tea, I don’t need anything else! Wait, that’s not true! Hearty, tasty meals are essential to a fulfilling life, too!” Ryota looked totally energize again after he ate and I couldn’t help but find that another cute trait of his.

 

  “Haha. Oh, Ryota.” Maria laughed at Ryota's actions and I couldn’t help but find her laugh so pretty. Maria is such a pretty woman! I can’t see her as a bad person at all. 

 

  “Sorry to bring this up while we’re taking a break, but there’s something I gotta know. Earlier, you admitted that you’re not the real Maria. Is that true?” I shot Kengo a look once he asked Maria that. I really didn’t think we should be asking that of her during this situation.

 

 “Kengo, you didn’t have to ask that right this second.” I really didn’t want Maria to talk about anything that would upset her even if it means we would be left in the dark without any important details.

 

  “He’s right. We need to know. Please tell us, Maria.” Shiro also wanted to know more about Maria's past and I couldn’t help but frown at that. I really didn’t want her to feel forced to talk about something she doesn’t want to. I really trust her that she hid it for a good reason.

 

  “Maria… If you don’t wanna talk about it.” Ryota also didn’t want Maria to do something that would make her upset either. It was split between me, Ryota, Shiro, and Kengo about wanting Maria to explain herself or for her to keep it to herself.

 

  “It’s all right, Ryota. Just as you have put your faith in me, I shall put my faith in you.” Maria gave a gentle smile to Ryota and me before she took a deep breath as she got ready to speak to us.

 

  “First, I must express my gratitude. Thank you for choosing to believe in me. Because of that, I feel you deserve to know the whole truth. That said, this will not take long. I have only two secrets to share. My first secret is that I was sold off by an unknown entity as an infant. My second secret is that I took the identity of the real Maria at a certain point during my life here in Tokyo.” Maria looked straight at us as she told us personal information about herself and I felt a bit guilty for hearing this about her but she did tell us this so maybe some of my guilt doesn’t have to be here…

 

  “You were… sold? And then you took the place of the real Maria?” Ryota looked upset as he repeated what Maria told him and I felt like he may start crying soon since his eyes were getting all watery.

 

  “That is correct, Ryota.” Maria nodded her head seriously at Ryota and he lowered his head as his hands tightened into fists.

 

  “There’s one more, don’t you think? Where’d you get off to back at the concert hall?” Kengo still had some suspicions about Maria and I gave him a hard look for still doubting her.

 

  “On my way back to join you, I was stopped by Nyarlathotep. It was nothing but idle chit-chat. However, I had difficulty understanding him because of his cryptic words. In retrospect, I think he may have been trying to stall. If I had tried to explain that to my guildmates, under those circumstances…” Maria didn’t finish what she was going to say but I was able to figure out what she was hinting at.

 

  “...It would’ve connected you to Hati and Nyarlathotep, and the sheer chaos they caused” Shiro finished what Maria was going to say with a frown on his face, already figuring out why Maria didn’t tell her guildmates she was stopped by Nyarlathotep.

 

  “You were right to keep your mouth shut. Who knows what those angels would’ve done.” Kengo seemed to understand why Maria was quiet when she was being questioned by her guildmates and didn’t find her actions to be suspicious anymore.

 

  “I think I understand, Maria. Considering the circumstances, you’ve told us more than enough. I have no intention of alerting my decision to trust you, just as Masato said earlier. Let’s talk about what we should do going forward. Please let us help you resolve this situation.” Shiro smiled at Maria and I couldn’t help but give him a thumbs up in my heart. Shiro is just a perfect advisor!

 

  “Very well… Thank you very much.” Maria looked really happy as she gave us a gentle smile and I really wanted to hug her because of how cute she is currently in my eyes.

 

  “Now, let’s review. Are you definitely sure that this safe house is… well, safe? I remember that other users within range can find out your location through the App.” Shiro looked concerned about us being found by the angels and that was understandable. I couldn’t help but remember when I was being chased by so many people when I was trying to find Shiro before, really not a nice experience at all…

 

  “Wait… So they might not know who’s hiding, but they can see five of us grouped together in here?” Ryota looked surprised and nervous at the fact we may be shown to the group of angels who are hell-bent on chasing us and capturing us.

 

  “Fear not, Ryota. Under my authority as acting leader of the guild, I set this safe house and my location to undisclosed.” Maria looked calm as she explained that to us and I couldn’t help but find her so reliable.

 

  “Can the leader of a guild really do that?” Shiro looked really curious about that fact and I was a bit curious as well since I was considered the leader of this not official guild until we became an official guild. 

 

“When it comes down to it, I am only the representative for the Guild Master. There are some members to whom my authority does not apply. Namely, the backbone of the Aoyama Guild, Arsalan, and Gabriel, who has a vast number of supporters among the guild. Lastly, our supervisor, Father Azazel. Right now, those three are beyond my authority.” I knew only two of the people Maria mentioned but didn’t really know who this Lord Arsalan was? I am pretty sure they were mentioned before…

 

  “Setting the first two aside, do you think Azazel might give us away to the angels?” Shiro mentions Azazel and I couldn’t help but wonder if he would help them out. I mean he was a bit strange… And really attractive in a strange way.

 

  “I… doubt it.” Maria had an uneasy smile on her face as she spoke about Azazel.

 

  “Then would you say he’s on our side, Maria?” Shiro noticed Maria's uneasy smile and tried to figure out if Azazel was someone we wouldn’t have to worry about.

 

  “He is in a rather complicated position, but I don’t think we would be wrong to assume that.” Maria gave a confident smile to Shiro but he still had that serious frown on his face.

 

  “And Zabaniyya?” I couldn’t help but remember that sexy angel in those tight clothing when Shiro mentioned them again. I really didn’t want to fight someone that attractive, it would be a hard battle with what he wears…

 

  “In terms of hierarchy, Zabaniyya chooses to be subject to Arsalan alone. Therefore, he is unable to view any of the private guild information I have set as undisclosed.” Maria told Shiro that and the frown on his face decreased in how serious it looked.

 

  “Damn, this is complicated. So… we’re safe for now?” Kengo messed up his hair as he grew frustrated with all the information that was being told to us.

 

  “In a word, yes. Then our next order of business is to find Gabriel. Correct?” Shiro mentioned finding Gabriel and I couldn’t help but feel like I was forgetting something …

 

  “As long as Arsalan’s whereabouts remain a mystery, she is our next best hope for taking back control of the guild. Furthermore… She is my friend. I must save her.” Maria messed around with her fingers as she told us this with an uneasy frown on her face.

 

  “Wouldn’t this be classified as a kidnapping? Maybe we should call the police.” After I said this Maria gave me a strange look and I couldn’t understand why I was being looked at like that. The police should be able to help out in a situation like this, right?

 

  “Maria, the truth is, Masato has amnesia… and is a bit lacking in common sense, too.” I let out a gasp as I put a hand over my heart at what Shiro just said about me. I have amnesia, yes, but I have common sense!

 

  “I see… Then perhaps I should explain. That might seem like the correct way to do things, but we cannot expect much. The police are reluctant to deal with crimes involving Transients. Since Transients are different from the humans of this world, they are not afforded the same rights. Many have unique cultures and the police do not want to meddle in that which they don’t fully understand.” After what Maria said I could understand why she gave me such a strange look… I really do lack a bit of common sense…

 

  “I never considered how they might deal with Transients. Inuzuka and the others must have a lot of hardships we aren’t even aware of.” Ryota looks a bit upset as he thought about our friends who were Transients. 

 

  “They may also refuse to take action because this problem is localized to our guild. To an outsider, it may seem like little more than a quarrel among acquaintances or friends. Unless a blatant crime… such as assault… were to take place, I doubt the police would do anything.” Shiro told us this quite bluntly and I couldn’t help but find the police in Tokyo a bit… useless…

 

  “Wait, hold on! Assault?! We’re getting assaulted left, right, and center!” Ryota motioned with his arms all over the place and I couldn’t help but agree with him, we were getting assaulted by so many angels it wasn’t funny.

 

  “Without proof, the police are not interested. After all… Everything from injuries to death is undone the moment the App is closed.” Maria was right with what she just said. Without anyone seriously hurt or dead the police would just brush us off.

 

  “B-But… kidnapping! Someone totally got kidnapped!” Ryota still didn’t want to let up about how a crime just took place. I mean Gabriel was pretty famous so maybe they would take it a bit more seriously…?

 

  “Gabriel is a Transient. Even if we report it, I don’t know how seriously they’d take the case.” I felt my hope go down a bit when Shiro mentioned that it wouldn’t get taken too seriously since she was a Transient.

 

  “I spoke to the police once, when Arsalan went missing. They refuse to listen, citing the fact that he’s a Transient as an excuse.” Maria had a frown on her face as she mentioned this to us and I really didn’t have any hope the police would be any help with us finding Gabriel at all…

 

  “N-No way! Even if he’s from a different world, we’re all in the same society now…” Ryota looked really upset with how Transients were treated so differently just because they came from another world. I wonder if this applies to me since I am technically a Transient since I came from another world as well even though I look very much human… I think I am fully human…

 

  “Unfortunately, that is the current state of law and order in Tokyo. That is exactly why the Aoyama Guild has laid down our own laws in order to reinforce the rights of Transients.” Maria looked a bit proud as she said that but she still had an uneasy smile on her face as well. 

 

  “And yet, that very same Aoyama Guild is the problem right now. In other words, we have to solve this on our own, and without any clues to work from.” When Shiro mentioned having no clues I couldn’t help but get that feeling once again that I was forgetting something important…

 

  “Aren’t you in charge of the guild? Can’t you find other members? The boss of the Ikebukuro Guild said something like that once. Whenever he wanted something, he’d find me immediately.” What Kengo said did make sense since Maria did have a bit of authority so she could figure out where a guild member should be currently.

 

 “That may be true for regular guild leaders. However, I am only a substitute. My authority does not reach so far. To be precise, Arsalan and Gabriel are positioned under the guild leader. Since I am only an acting leader, they outrank me.” What Maria mentions is a problem, we really have no way to find Gabriel… I think?

 

  “In other words, you can’t find out where they are. Hmm… What to do…” Shiro started to think deeply and for some reason, I ended up remembering something that was told to me.

 

  “Oh, come to think of it… Nyarl…” Before I could say something Ryota looked at me with a frown on his face and looked at me with questioning eyes.  

 

  “Since when are you two so close?! Oh, now that you mention it, he did tell us to call him that.” Ryota said that but he still looked a bit upset but I was too focused on what I just remembered being told to me by Nyarl…

 

  “He told me something about going to where the Aoyama Guild started? I think that’s what he said. It totally slipped my mind. Heh heh.” I hit my head with my fist as I gave a wink to them with my tongue out a bit as I hoped it would distract them from the fact I forgot such an important clue.

 

  “Why didn’t you say so sooner?!” Ryota, Shiro, and Kengo all yelled at me and I couldn’t help but quickly sink into myself at how angry they looked. 

 

  “I didn’t have the chance. How was I supposed to know?” I was sniffling to myself as I tried to defend myself. It is not my fault I forgot when we were being chased by people who wanted to hurt us! I was too busy worrying about not getting caught…

 

  “Aww, don’t be like that! You gotta admit you deserved a bit of a scolding.” Ryota put a hand on my back and it made me feel a bit better but I still felt upset that I was scolded by them…

 

  “Considering he purposely handed you that clue, doesn’t it seem like it’s a trap?” Shiro wasn’t giving me a disappointed look anymore as he thought about the clue that was given to me by Nyarlathotep.

 

  “We’ve got nothing else to go on, though. Beggars can’t be choosers.” Kengo didn’t look that trouble about the clue being a trap and I guess that was a nice trait of his. He is a bit dumb but a good person.

 

  “Maria, what are you zoning out for? That kind of thing happens from time to time.” Ryota speaks to Maria who was zone out after what I repeated what Nyarlathotep told me before he disappeared with Hati.

 

  “No, that’s… not it. Are you sure that’s what Nyarlathotep told you? Where the Aoyama Guild started… Is that what he said? How would he even know where it started?” Maria looked troubled as she spoke and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was something really personal to the guild.

 

  “Maria, do you know where that is?” Shiro asked Maria this and she nodded her head toward him as her expression got serious.

 

  “Of course. Any member of the Aoyama Guild would know. It’s the Aoyama Cemetery.” Maria had a frown on her face as she said that and I couldn’t understand why the guild started in a cemetery, that is a bit grim.

 

  “The Aoyama Cemetery? Isn’t that a public cemetery in Minami Aoyama?” Shiro seemed to know what location Maria was talking about and I found it really helpful to have such a person as my advisor once again. He really knows a lot of things!

 

  “That is correct. It is a place where a great many Transients now rest in peace alongside the dead of this world. Those summoned to Tokyo only to meet untimely deaths alongside their friends and family… To us, the Aoyama Cemetery is a reminder of our oath to never forget such tragedy. That was the beginning of the Aoyama Guild. The cemetery holds a special place in our hearts. At present, the Aoyama Guild has spread its territory out from a central point in Shibuya Ward. Even so, the Aoyama Cemetery in Minato Ward is the place we are sworn to protect with our lives. The reason we call ourselves the Aoyama Guild, even while based in Shibuya Ward, is because that location is sacred to us. It is also a place where we are in constant competition with another powerful guild to maintain control.” Maria's expression got a bit upset as she spoke about the other powerful guild like it was something she didn’t like talking about.

 

  “Another powerful guild? I’m afraid I’m not very knowledgeable in regards to the various guilds yet… But the only guild that might match the Aoyama Guild in size would be…” Shiro seems to already guess the guild that Aoyama was having trouble with.

 

  “They are our polar opposite. They seek to obtain power and wealth here in Tokyo, which they see as a place of opportunity. They reign over Roppongi, the city of the chosen, looking down upon the rest of the world from atop of their skyscraper. They are the Roppongi Tycoons, and they have control of half of Minato Ward. The area from Aoyama Cemetery to Nogizaka, where they share a border with us Aoyama Missionaries...marks the greatest concentration of App battles among all 23 wards. Not a day goes by without battle breaking out there. In other words, regardless of our current weakened status, our members must continue to fight on the front lines.” Maria looked upset as she told us this and I couldn’t help but wonder how bad things have to be between them for there to be countless fights happening…


Currently With The Aoyama Guild…

 

  Cutting across Aoyama Cemetery is a Portal located between Roppongi Station and Aoyama-itchome Station called the Nogizaka Tunnel. Because it lies between the territories of Aoyama Missionaries and Roppongi Tycoons, the Portal has been designated an armistice zone. 

 

  While Aoyama Guild has the numbers, the Roppongi Guild makes up for it in skill. Thus the back and forth continues, with no winner in sight. However, that balance now hangs by a thread. 

 

  What is inside the Battle Zone cannot be seen, except by other App users. From inside, angel Transients shout as they scramble to drag their fallen brethren to safety.

 

  “Retreat! Retreat! Fall back to the hospital in Hiroo!” Their entire force now wiped out, the Transients have no choice but to retreat. Guild members that still have some fight left in them have their hands full transporting the wounded. 

 

  And while the wounds may not last since physical damage is reversed once the App Battle ends, the emotional trauma is another story.  

 

  “Haaaaaaaaaagh! Ah! Ahhhhhh!” The Transients look deranged, proving that they still retain the agony in their memories.  On their faces is a raw fear of death.

 

  “Dammit! When will the reinforcement come?! Where is Lady Gabriel?! If only we had her songs to sustain us, we could…” There were a lot of angel transients speaking as they grew panic about their slowly decreasing numbers of fighters.

 

  “Rumor has it Lady Gabriel has been kidnapped!” An angel Transient told everyone that and their expression grew dark and nervous once they heard that.

 

  “Is that true?! C-Could it be those Roppongi bastards…?! Who else could possibly capture Lady Gabriel?! Ah… First, they take Lord Arsalan… Now this…” The angel Transients spirits were decreasing at the bad news that kept on coming which just made fighting even harder on them.

 

  “At this rate, what will become of the Aoyama Guild?” The angel Transients look at each other as they start to wonder what will happen to them as they continue to fight this difficult battle against the Roppongi Guild.

 

  “Stand your ground! We must defend the cemetery at all cost, no matter what other areas fall! This is where our brethren rest! We must not let them take control of it!” The nether angel Transient spoke to the other angels with a serious expression on his face and the rest of the angels yelled out in agreement with what he just said.


 From Roppongi Guild Side…

 

  “Kyahahaha! Is that all you’ve got?! Where’s that little ascetic torturer? Not here yet? Aw, too bad. I thought I’d finally have the chance to teach him about more beautiful forms of pain than those moldy old laws of his! Whatever. By the time we reach the grave, I’m sure the torturer will also…” The Vulpes Therian licks the whips in her hand, and her lips spread in an enraptured smile. But the elation is instantly erased when she lays eyes on the dragon Transient behind her. An army of dragons arrives alongside the Transient. 

 

  “Well, if it isn’t the lustrous Golden Nine-Tailed Fox. Your reputation as a dirty animal precedes you, Lady Hakumen. I hear there’s no one better when it comes to breaking the weak. What a wonderful talent! ...Though it is your only one.” A Draconian talked to the Vulpes Therian, Lady Hakumen, and gave her a look like he was looking at someone beneath him.

 

  “Oh, my! Oh my, oh my, my, my, my! If it isn’t Ophion! Do excuse me. Good day to you. And how do you do, you failure of a Creator? I’m terribly embarrassed. I’ve been so sheltered from the outside world that playing dirty is the only way I know how to win. As one would expect, the words of one who lost the world they created in a duel carry different weight to them. Oh, my! Or should I say, the world that you, um, claimed… to have created?” Lady Hakumen has a wide smile on her face but her words were harsh as she spoke down to Ophion.

 

  “Goodness, so harsh! Nevertheless, I must respect an elder’s wisdom.” Ophion chuckled as he called Lady Hakumen old and the smile on her face went away. Her tails hit the ground angrily as she glared at Ophion. “Excuse me?! How dare you call me old!”

 

  “I believe you’re turning 1,001, my little fox spirit. For the occasion, I shall make a bouquet of as many flowers as your years.” Ophion started to smile as he started to insult Lady Hakumen with polite words.

 

  “Kyahahaha! What a clever joke!” Lady Hakumen covered her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughed at Ophion's words but her eyes were cold as she looked at him.

 

  “Bwahahaha! A crone with her age in four digits is no match for me, after all!” Ophion started to laugh as well but he was coldly looking at Lady Hakumen as well. Sparks fly so fiercely between the two that it seems the surrounding atmosphere might erupt in an explosion at any moment. 

 

  “By the way, should you really be dilly-dallying here? I heard your forces were currently on the offensive at Aoyama Park.” Lady Hakumen stopped laughing and sneered at Ophion with clear hatred on her face.

 

  “Your sources must be napping on the job. That battle is over. We easily destroyed that undisciplined mob. Of course, with the Lion General and the Angelic Siren gone, one would only expect those remaining to be weak fledglings. This is fortuitous. The spies we dispatched to Aoyama will now be of use to us time and time again. This may be a mere game, but as a ruler, it does bring me joy as a ruler to harvest their territory.” Ophion's expression grew excited like a child and Lady Hakumen gave him an annoyed look as she listened to him talk to her.

 

  “I’ve had enough of this idle talk. You must have come here for a reason. What is it?” Lady Hakumen wanted to move along the conversation so she just asked Ophion what he wanted from her.

 

  “Oh? No time for a chat? Why ever would you think such a thing, Lady Hakumen?” Ophion pretends not to understand what she was talking about but Lady Hakumen didn’t buy it at all.

 

  “We Tycoons don’t waste time on chatter without reason. After all, I hate you so much just looking at your ugly mug makes me ill. This is exhausting. I’m done with the superficial banter.” Lady Hakumen didn’t even try to act politely with Ophion anymore as she showed her clear dislike for him.

 

  “I do agree, Lady Hakumen! Now allow me to be direct. I want you to hand over Arsalan the Lion General and Gabriel the Angelich Siren. I have many uses for such rare gems.” Ophion asked Lady Hakumen to hand over Arsalan and Gabriel which caused her expression to get confused. “Excuse me… What did you just say?”

 

  “I will give you as much coin as you like. Name your price. You were the one who kidnapped them, were you not?” Ophion didn’t hide the fact that he thought Lady Hakumen kidnapped those two important figures of the Aoyama Guild.

 

  “Oh my, so that’s your game! Your plots are so very petty. I see you mean to pin your kidnappings on me.” Lady Hakumen gave a charming smile to Ophion but there was a cold air surrounding her and her tails were hitting the ground angrily once again.

 

  “Pardon?” “What?!” The two Transients glare at one another, each trying to decipher the other’s intent. The dragon Transient is the first to avert his gaze.

 

  “It seems there has been a misunderstanding. I shall excuse myself.” Ophion gave her an indifferent look as he turned to leave Lady Hakumen sight with his dragon followers when he realized he wouldn’t get what he came for. 

 

  “Well, well… So that’s what’s afoot…” Lady Hakumen rub her finger over her whip as she watched Ophion leaves with an understanding look in her eyes.


With Ophion… 

 

 “Hmph. Slow your advance, my minions.” Ophion was in the air with his dragons' minions as he thought deeply to himself after his conversation with Lady Hakumen.

 

  “What is the meaning of this? How could I have miscalculated? The central figures of the Missionaries, Arsalan the Lion General and Gabriel the Angelic Siren… I thought that damn vixen was the only one capable of kidnapping them with such grace. It seems I have missed the mark. If not her, then who? The Demonic Prime Minister? No, if he were involved, it would have never been pulled off with such secrecy. If he had his hand in this, it would have surely blown up into a commotion involving both Shibuya and Minato Wards! In that case, could it be the Agrarian Star…? Impossible. He would never willingly seek out toil. He is far too lazy! Then who…? No… If just any incompetent fool could get away with it, I would have done it myself long ago! But who could have brought this about? Who is pulling the strings?” Ophion was trying to figure out who else could have kidnapped those important figures of Aoyama Guild but he couldn’t come up with anyone else now.

 

  “This is highly suspicious. I refuse to underestimate the enemy and be expelled to that hellhole, Oceanos, once again. If I proceed, I will have to join the battle at the cemetery. What shall it be…?” Ophion rubs over the broken horn as he thinks about his next actions.


Back With Masato Group…

 

  Leaving the safe house with everyone else, we headed together toward Aoyama Cemetery. We had to be very sneaky so we wouldn’t attract the attention of the angel Transients who were currently after us.

 

  “It seems the battle has not yet reached Aoyama Cemetery,” Shiro spoke up after we arrived at the empty cemetery but we could hear distance fighting farther ahead from the current location we are in at the moment. 

 

  “Indeed… But it is only a matter of time. With our central pillars Arsalan and Gabriel gone, the Aoyama Guild is drastically weakened. I highly doubt the Roppongi Guild will pass up this chance. They are likely to already be on the offensive, and will have taken control of our Portals on the front lines. Thus, their next objective should be to occupy this cemetery. We must stop them at any cost. This is where the spirits of our people lie. I will not allow them to defile this place.” Maria's expression was serious as her hands tighten into fists at her side.

 

  “I wouldn’t wanna fight around graves… Aren’t they afraid of being haunted?” Ryota looked at the graves we were passing by with a cautious look like he was afraid a ghost would appear out of nowhere.

 

  “We must hurry. If there are any clues about Gabriel to be found here, we must find them before it turns into a battleground. Without Arsalan and Gabriel, we will be powerless to stop the Roppongi Guild from invading. I’m sure that all within the Aoyama Guild, not to mention Roppongi Guild itself, would agree. We cannot afford to give any more ground in this war. Our people are still fighting on the front lines!” Maria looked uneasy as she thought about her guild members who were currently fighting.

 

  “Hey, aren’t those angels on the front lines, too?” Kengo asked Maria about the angels who were chasing after us before as he looked around just in case he had to be ready to start fighting enemies.

 

  “Yes. The enforcers are loyal. I am sure they fight on, even now.” Maria said that with certainty in her voice and Kengo looked at her with a look in his eyes.

 

  “You would still side with people who tried to arrest you?” Kengo didn’t seem to understand Maria and I kind of nudged him in the side, trying to tell him not to be so rude.

 

  “That is correct, Kengo. Do you think I'm foolish? When all is said and done, I believe in them. After all, they are my guild. My family.” Maria didn’t seem to have anything against the people who went against her as she smiled and called them her family.

 

  “Wow… that’s pretty dumb. But I’m not one to talk, seeing as how I followed our boss into this mess.” Kengo shook his head with a sigh and I couldn’t help but wonder why everyone seems to enjoy picking on me. I don’t think I am a dumb person, I am smart in my own way!

 

  “The Aoyama Guild, the Roppongi Guild, and us… All headed to the same place. This is too convenient. It’s like it’s all going according to someone else’s plan… Huh?!” As Shiro was speaking his book started to shine in his hand and Kengo looked at him with a shocked expression. “Shiro! What’re you doin’?! Didn’t we say we were gonna keep a low profile?!”

  “My Sacred Artifact just suddenly started shining! What’s going on?!” Shiro didn’t seem to understand what was happening and the light coming from his book kept getting brighter and brighter. Shiro’s Book starts to scream though it is resonating with something in the cemetery. Suddenly, an entrance opens in front of us, leading underground.

 

  “What the hell?! These stairs just appeared outta nowhere!” Kengo looked completely shocked at the entrance that appeared in front of us after Shiro book started to act weird.

 

  “Wow! A hidden stairwell! It’s like a game! Well? Where’re they to?” Ryota looked curiously at the stairs that lead underground and I couldn’t help but felt maybe we shouldn’t just go down them since they seem pretty suspicious…

 

  “Beats me. They seem to lead underground, but…” Kengo looked at the stairs cautiously with his hands tightened into fists, waiting for something to just pop out from underground. 

 

  We were all gathered around and cautiously peering inside. Before us lies an underground graveyard.

 

  “Aw, there’ nothin’ but graves down here, too. Well, it is a cemetery, after all.” Ryota didn’t think too much of it after just seeing more graves down the stairs but I still couldn’t get rid of the weird feeling I was getting from this place.

 

  “No, something’s off. Right, Maria?” Shiro didn’t seem to ignore how strange these underground stairs appearing was unlike Ryota who managed to brush it off rather quickly which kind of makes me wonder about him for many reasons.

 

  “You are correct… What we are seeing isn’t possible.” Maria added onto what Shiro was saying as she looked down the stairs into the underground cemetery. 

 

  “What’re you talkin’ about?! What’s weird about finding graves in a cemetery?!” Kengo didn’t seem to get what this was strange just like Ryota and I wonder if it because he is a bit dumb in his own way…

 

  “There aren’t supposed to be catacombs in the Aoyama Cemetery. In other words, this is…” Shiro didn’t finish what he was saying as he looked over to Maria who seemed to come to the same conclusion as him.

 

  “Though this is my first time witnessing it, I believe this must be the phenomenon known as a collision of worlds.” Maria nodded her head to herself as she came to this conclusion.

 

  “Collision of worlds? What’s that? Some kinda special thing?” Ryota looked confused at what Maria was saying and looked at her to explain more of this new term that she just told us.

 

  “As the name suggests, it refers to when a part of Tokyo collides with part of another world. It occurs when numerous conditions of Roles, Rules, and geography come together in a very specific way. These catacombs must belong to a location in another world that is somehow related to Shiro’s Role and Rule. I have heard of this happening a few times before. Places that have collided with other worlds aren’t exactly a rarity. However, I doubt it is a coincidence that this place appeared before us at this precise moment.” Maria thought deeply for a few seconds after she said this and Shiro seemed to be doing the same as he kept looking at the underground entrance in front of us.

 

  “So, what should we do? Are we goin’ in, or not? We’d better make up our minds. It’s obviously suspicious, but there’s also a chance it could be a whole lotta nothin’.” Kengo didn’t hold back in what he was thinking and Maria got quiet as she looked at the entrance with a frown on her face.

 

  “My Book… This cemetery… My Rule… Gatekeeper… I’ve got it!” Shiro snapped his fingers as he stopped thinking deeply while looking at the underground entrance.

 

  “Shiro? What is it?” It seems like Shiro figured out something about this underground entrance since he got that look in his eyes whenever he managed to figure out something. It is a rather cute look, I should take a picture one of these days…

 

  “This is bad! This underground graveyard is bad news!” Shiro looked rather serious when he said this and I had a feeling he probably knew about this from the book he read in his room. From what I remember I am pretty sure I read something about catacombs when I was messing around in the school library before, bored out of my mind…

 

  “Oh! These ancient catacombs are…!” Yeah, I am pretty sure I read something about some graveyard in a book in the library. It was rather interesting so I didn’t really forget about it once I left the library after I finished what I went in there for.

 

  “You got it too? I didn’t know you were also interested in the occult, Masato.” Shiro patted my back with his hand as he looked at me with a pleased smile on his face and I could feel my cheeks get hot due to how I was being treated by him… Ahh, he shouldn’t do stuff that will cause my heart to jump up like that!

 

  “Don’t just pat each other back! Explain what’s going on!” Kengo destroyed the moment happening between me and Shiro as he waited for Shiro to explain why the underground entrance was bad news. Ryota also looked annoyed at being left out. “Yeah! Don’t leave us in the dark!”

 

  “I know about this catacomb. Or, perhaps I should say, I’ve read about it. There are a great deal of stories in my Book. One of them is the story of an occultist who opens a gate to a network catacombs. The catacombs he stumbled upon are like hell on earth, crawling with ancient terrors.” Shiro talked about the story I managed to read about in the school library. It was a pretty wild and interesting story if I am being honest.

 

  “Ancient terrors? Sounds like a hell of a story.” Kengo didn’t really seem that interested but he couldn’t help but admit that the story sounds pretty crazy.

 

  “The point is, I do not advise going in there! If we were to proceed, I fear we would be met with a terrible fate…” Shiro looked serious as he tried to tell us the reason why we shouldn’t go down the stairs but he was cut off by Ryota's voice. “Look! Is that fur, feathers? Aren’t those…?”

 

  “Without a doubt. Those belong to Arsalan and Gabriell. They are here… Both of them.” Maria got closer to look at what Ryota pointed out and confirm that it did belong to both of her guild members.

  “This is clearly a trap! Don’t go in… Agh!” Shiro tried to change our mind but he quickly let out a noise of surprise once he noticed we weren’t alone anymore.

 

  Suddenly, I realize that we’ve been surrounded by a host of angels. They had their weapons up and ready to attack us with them. They were all glaring at us with dark expressions.

 

  “Stop, sinners! Submit yourselves into our custody at once!” One of the angel Transients spoke up as he looked at us like we were criminals.

 

  “We’re surrounded?! Since when?!” Ryota was panicking and I quickly got in front of him so he would be safe if we started fighting these angels.

 

  “Hey man, isn’t this overkill? You sent a whole army for a small group like us?” Kengo looked pissed as he looked at the group of angels that were all around us and was standing in a way that looked ready to start fighting whenever.

 

  “Fools. Do you think we came here for you? We are here to defend this holy land from the Roppongi Guild invaders.” The angel scoffs at us like it would be a waste of time to send a bunch of people after us.

 

  “To defend…? Then that means the nearby Portals have fallen!” Maria looked shocked at this information and the angel glared at her. “Traitorous wench! We have gathered all of our remaining forces. You should know what that means.”  

 

  “All else has fallen. This is now the last line of defense for the Aoyama Guild.” Maria didn’t pay any mind to the way the angel was talking to her and focused on the more important issue. The angels surrounding us all scowl bitterly in regret when Maria says that.

 

  “Lady Maria…” From the group of angels, I saw that even Zabaniyya was here. He still looks like his mysterious, sexy self. I would totally compliment him if we weren’t in a situation where we were on the opposite side. 

 

  “Lord Zabaniyya! Even you’re here?” Maria looked surprised to see that he was here as well with the other angels.

 

  “Never mind that. Now, tell me. Is it true that you lied about your name?” Lord Zabaniyya didn’t pay mind to Maria's surprise and asked her right away about the situation with her name.

 

  “Lord Zabaniyya, it is exactly as we said! This woman is…Ugh!” The angel went to say something but was stopped when he was given a look by Zabaniyya that caused him to stop talking right away.  “Quiet. My question was addressed to her.”

 

  “Yes… It is true.” Maria didn’t try to hide the fact that she lied about who she was and Zabaniyya nodded his head as he looked at her with serious eyes.

 

  “Your actions contradict our commandments. Thou shalt not bear false witness. If that is so, I must administer your judgment.” Zabaniyya had an upset look on his face as he told Maria this and I really didn’t understand why he did something he clearly disliked…

 

  “Lord Zabaniyya, the fire of Purgatory shall consume all that I am for the gravity of my sins. However, that time is not now. My duty is to save Gabriel. Please… Please, allow me a brief reprieve.” Maria asked this of Zabaniyya as she looked him directly in his eyes but he shook his head at her.

 

  “Unfortunately, my duty is to uphold the absolute sanctity of the commandments. My judgment cannot be swayed by emotion.” Zabaniyya said this as his expression still looked upset. On Zabaniyya’s signal, the angels encircling us begin to close their ranks.

 

  “Maria, can’t you think of a way to stop him?!” Kengo looked at Maria from the corner of his eye but didn’t take his eyes off the angels who were closing in on us.

 

  “If we find Lord Arsalan, he may be able to talk some sense into him! Lord Zabaniyya holds a great deal of respect for him.” Maria's expression was serious as she told Kengo this and he nodded his head in understanding.

 

  “Great. Then you go get this Arsalan guy and bring him here. I’ll hold this lot off, so get in there and find him!” I looked at Kengo in total surprise when he said this. He didn’t look nervous at all as he started to stretch out his arms to get ready to fight against this huge number of angels and Zabaniyya.

 

  “That’s crazy! You know how powerful Lord Zabaniyya is!” Maria didn’t look okay with Kengo fighting against Zabaniyya and I was against it as well. He was holding back when he fought Kengo before so that says something about his strength and that made me worry about Kengo's safety.

 

  “I do. I fought him once before, remember? I’m a halfway decent martial artist, y’know! That’s why I’m sticking to a humble promise to hold him off. I can handle this narrow entrance! If we all retreated into the catacombs and then got surrounded in that cramped space, we’d be done for. We wouldn’t stand a chance!” Kengo didn’t back down from what he suggested and Maria looked at him with a frown on her face.

 

  “Zabaniyya will not rely on others to aid him in passing judgment. He means to shoulder alone what he perceives as the sin of arrogance.” Maria looked at Zabaniyya with a frown on her face as she told Kengo this. She didn’t seem to like what Zabaniyya did as well, I wonder if it's because she noticed that he doesn’t enjoy doing it and that it upsets him.

 

  “Then we duel. Works for me! Who knows how long that’ll last, though. Anyway, it’s settled. Go on!” Kengo motioned for us to head down the stairs but Maria looked at him with a questioning look. “Kengo… Why would you go to such lengths for me?”

 

  “My partner and my buddies all seem to think pretty highly of you,” Kengo smirked at Maria as he told her this, and I couldn’t help but smile at how simple his reasoning was… He is really a simple and straight-forward person. 

 

  “I suppose we have no choice, even though we know we’re walking into a trap. You got this, Kengo?” Shiro looked at Kengo as he asked them this and Kengo nodded their head toward Shiro with a smirk still on their face. “Yeah.”

 

  Shiro doesn’t waste another moment. He turns and races down the stairs. “We’re walking into certain danger, my friends, but this is the only way. Let’s go!” Shiro called that out from over his shoulder as he went down the stairs.

 

  “Good luck, Kengo! I’ll treat you to some premium chocolate when we get back!” Ryota also ran down the stairs after Shiro when he told Kengo what he wanted to tell them.

 

  “We are counting on you, Kengo! I pray you will come through unharmed!” Maria bowed quickly in Kengo's direction before she headed down stairs after Shiro and Ryota.

 

  “Kengo! Give him the ol’ one-two! I believe in you!” I tell him that before I ran down after everyone else and force myself not to look back at Kengo.

 

  “You got it! Leave it to me!” I could hear Kengo reply to me and I could just hear the smirk in his voice.

 

  “I am the enforcer of the divine commandments. Prepare yourself.” I could hear Zabanniya speaking to Kengo as he got ready to fight him and I could hear Kengo let out an annoyed sigh. “Yeah, yeah… I’ve been waiting for this! I’ve been dying to fight you at full strength! Now bring it on!!”


Here I am updating this story once again! I really wanted to update it yesterday but it was too late and I wasn't done writing just yet. I need to get quicker at writing... But anyway! I got this done so I am just going to post it for you people who want to read it. I do like writing for this story but it a lot of writing and writing does make my eyes hurt soooooo much! It like I love writing but I have to rest my eyes... Well, that is it for me now. I hope this chapter was enjoyable and that you are safe physically and mentally. Bye-bye for now and I hope to see you again (*●⁰ꈊ⁰●)ノ~☆

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