Flesh is Weak

Lines in the sand and family reunions

The sound of feet hitting metal is heard as I made my way up the rusted metal stairs with my head hanging low. I had failed today on my hunt. As I continued climbing the stairs I eventually got to a floor that had its walls blown out. Outside of this building is a ruined and devastated city that juts into an orange sky with a very bright full moon. I finally entered a large empty room where I had made my small home. The room was filled old rusted and worthless metal husks with rubble and decay strewn everywhere. I continued to a corner of this room where a small mattress brown from age and water lay. I sat next to it and began to throw the tiny amount of cloth I did find onto a pile. I picked up two special rocks before desperately hitting them together to make a flame as I felt the cold of night coming. My hunt caught fire and made a tiny flame. I extended my small hands to the fire. It barely helped keeps me from freezing. The cold winds of the night were now entering this room making my underfed body shiver and shake. The heat was not enough and the flame began to die. I was going to die here tonight. I could feel it in my bones and soul. The black was ever encroaching around my eyes as the night continued. The endless depth of the void got ready to claim me as the fire went out. Then light and warmth began to shine into the room before a voice came.

Hearing something my right eye slowly opens to see the queens all snoozing around their body pillow in me. Raynare mumbled as she snuggled deeper into my right side.

"My Great King."

Everyone was wearing ultra-pleased sleep smiles.

My red eyes turned to the sound of a deep snore that came a second later from the left. It was from Xenovia who was now in the queens officially.

I didn't want to break this with them yet a glance at the clock shows it was almost three pm. That made me sigh before I slowly began moving from the pile. People whined and soon were crowding where I had been for body heat. Then it was to the bathroom for an ultra late start to the day.

When I returned I saw that despite my best efforts the queens had been woken up. The only two still in the room were Ravel and Murayama who were sitting at the foot of the bed. The two saw me and slowly followed me to the closet. My Grand Planner went into professional mode.

"Do you know how long you will be staying with your cousin?"

Ravel was obviously worried and I take her hand.

"I don't know. The situation for them is bad from what I understand. I'll let you know when I learn more."

Murayama was silent now while Ravel sighed.

"I'll run things on the various fronts if you need to stay with them. We will need time set aside to do the final touches on the letter for the Uvalls."

That meeting was not going to be fun.

"I'll do a draft while I'm there and then send it to you."

Ravel nods before I glanced at Murayama.

"I am coming with you Greg. They are my problem too."

I knew this was going to happen.

"I was never going to stop you Mura."

Murayama prepared to leave the closet to get ready while Ravel stayed with me before she pulled me into a gentle kiss. I returned it before getting ready to pack several days worth of clothes just in case.

As I was exiting the house into the backyard in power armor the pool's blue water reflected the sun into my face. Murayama was already in her armor carrying her storm shield and power sword on her right hip. Around her were the other queens. The group had been talking to each other softly and that conversation had broken when I made a clunk with my boot. There were also two other people here next to the pool. Akeno stood next to Issari holding her cog staff in her carapace while Issari was in her power armor. When I raised an eyebrow at Issari my best friend shrugged.

"Senpai wants vengeance and I'm here to support her getting it."

I snorted at the bluntness while Akeno smiled and licked her lips.

"I promised to help Suzaku yesterday when she messaged me asking about our channel."

I wasn't going to talk her out of this. However I turned to the queens as they approached me. They crowded around me as I told them.

"I love you all. Please be safe."

My queens kissed me one by one before they all whispered to me.

"We love you, Greg. Please be safe too."

I promised them I would before breaking from the group with Murayama. I saw over my shoulder everyone started deflating as the two of us moved to where Akeno and Issari were before I portal us to Suzaku's base.

As the four of us exited the portal into a wooded area we could vaguely see a large white wall. I fell into step with Akeno while Issari and Murayama started talking to each other and soon perverted giggles started for the two. I rolled my eyes as did Akeno slightly as we got fond smiles for our perverts The four of us continued walking toward the wall through the trees till the trees began thinning as we approached closer. I saw that the wall was well worn with the white slowly fading away.

When we broke from the trees we saw that the white stone wall was broken in the middle by an elaborate and well-made yet worn by time compound entrance. At the entrance of the open gatehouse stood two twenty-year-old men with their hands on sheathed katanas wearing samurai armor with the five mitsudomoe emblem. The two young men were actually paying attention and upon seeing us they tensed and drew their blades moving towards us quickly. As they got closer Akeno leaned on her staff and I prepared to take out the badge that Suzaku had given me. The two clansmen once they were close enough to us stopped and the leader pointed his katana at me ready to charge.

"State your business here devils and how you found us. Now!"

The air stilled before I pulled the badge out of the pocket and twitched my pinky finger making it levitate halfway between us. The katana of the first clansman had been ready to strike before he and his comrade widened their eyes seeing the symbol. The man then narrowed his eyes.

"How did a devil get that badge?"

The second clansman looked at me and then Akeno closer before he bumped his comrade.

"That's the Chikatetsu no eiyū and Lady Suzaku's other cousin Tano. She said we'd have unusual visitors today don't you remember?"

The first man looked at us again and his once hostile face took on respect for me sheathing his sword.

"Apologies."

The second clansmen does the same and I shrug.

"No need for that you're doing your job and doing it well. Where is Lady Suzaku?"

The first clansman looked at the second one who bowed before leading us to the gate. The first clansmen went back to guard duty as we entered the compound.

As we entered this place we found that we were at the top of a small incline with a series of steps that went down to the main part of the courtyard. Inside the massive flat courtyard were twelve worn white marble statues with a massive Sakura tree right in the middle. There were multiple people in the courtyard including a horde of children sitting and watching two pairs of swordsmen and women sparring with each other. There was also familiar face observing them. Ohashi was clearly in his teaching element giving advice to the duelers and pointing out things to the kids. Murayama saw her uncle and broke off from the group. Her boots clunking made the duelers and children look in the direction of the noise. Ohashi saw his niece and a massive smile appeared on his face as he called for a break and moved towards her.

Murayama was soon surrounded by Ohashi and the awe-struck children who followed Ohashi. The kids were all looking at Murayama's armor with big star-filled eyes before a stream of excited questions came from them which got a big smile from Murayama as she started to answer them.

Our guide continued leading the three of us further into the compound towards the sakura tree. There was a small worn white brick wall running around the tree and our guide moved toward an arched doorway. He showed us the archway and Akeno and I passed through with Issari behind us.

As we entered the small courtyard I saw in the middle of it just before the long gnarled roots of the tree was a wooden table and multiple seats. At the center of the table was Suzaku in a Shinto shrine maiden robe of white with Tobio next to her. To the left of Suzaku was an almost bald-headed young man with two familiar eye colors dressed in white monk robes looking at something on the table. To his left was a young woman with long white hair and purple eyes wearing a long yellow coat with a yellow scarf that had turtles running up it.

On the right side of the table was a young man with short gray hair dressed in noble clothes of grey black with glasses covering intelligent yellow eyes. To his right was a sharply dressed young man in samurai armor with yellow hair and eyes. The sound of our metal boots clunking in made the five clan heirs along with Tobio look up. Suzaku got a smile seeing us as did Tobio. However, Tobio's eyes soon fell on Issari and they looked at her with curiosity. Suzaku moved around the table and over to us.

"Lex, Keno!"

I smiled wide as did Akeno as Suzaku swept us into a hug. We both returned it for a couple of seconds before we broke apart. Suzaku kept her smile and was ready to ask me a question when a voice came from behind her.

"This is our help Suzaku? They don't look like much."

That had come from the yellow haired man. Suzaku shook her head amused.

"You said something similar about Tobio-kun long ago Ouryuu-kun. Alex and the others will help us. He is the Chikatetsu no eiyū and while he might not be entirely human like us he has followed our ideals in being a defender of Japan."

The clan heirs looked at me again with more interest and admiration from some of them. The bald headed guy grins now while Ouryuu is still skeptical but kept silent. He kept looking at me in caution as Tobio quickly took over.

"You have our equipment, Gregor?"

I nod before asking Suzaku.

"Permission to use magic?"

My cousin nods yes and I opened a pocket spell before drawing out a katana. Everyone looked at it strangely as I handed it to Suzaku. My cousin took it and I pointed to a switch in the hilt.

"I have a hundred of these ready along with a hundred naginatas for your people. The blades will cut through any body armor that the Pure Clans use. The guns I have for you can do the same without requiring bullets. Issari-chan could you please summon a thick earth wall?"

Issari does with a twitch of her finger. The wall rises up to Suzaku's and my right and I can see that the other four heirs don't believe the claims. Suzaku hit the activation rune and the blade hums to life with lighting sparks showing. She looked at it curiously before she focused in on the wall before she made a swipe. The blade continued to hum and before the eyes of our audience the blade cleaved through the wall in a clean yellow line. The top half creaked before falling over backward. The audience looked at that with wide eyes as I smile smirk.

"My power katanas and naginatas will make your fighters hit above their class. As will the one hundred armor sets that I have made called carapace. The armor will stop all current modern day ballistic weapons and many types of magical attacks."

The heirs looked at the humming sword in Suzaku's hands before a bark of laughter came from the bald head man.

"I like him Zaku. Now we can start actually doing something instead of sitting around waiting for that day! One big battle and then we can start fixing their shit and making us into what we should actually be!"

That got eye rolls from the other heirs. The noble dressed man looked at the sword and then his comrade in amusement.

"Byakko-kun we still might not be ready for it even with this good news. However we actually might be able to do the raid we had planned."

Byakko pouts but I see why Tsubaki is related to him by the fact that he was back to being happy extremely fast. The good mood was infectious as Tobio and the white-haired woman joined in. The yellow haired man kept watching me carefully but even he was wearing a hopeful smile. I looked at my cousin along with Akeno before asking.

"What is this raid?"

Suzaku gestured us to follow her to the table and its there we saw the blueprint of a small-sized mansion. Suzaku looked to Tobio and he began to explain.

"Last night we managed to get another defector from the Pure Clans."

A small frown appeared on my face.

"I can easily make another set of armor and weapons for them quickly."

Tobio shook his head amused before his face took on a frown.

"This defector is not a frontline clanswoman or man. They are from one of the five breeding branches of the Nakiri."

That brought the good mood crashing down. The yellow haired man took on a massive sneer that was echoed across the faces each of the heirs along with Akeno, Issari and me. Tobio continued as he pointed at the picture of a manor.

"This is one of the many breeding compounds that the clans use. Each one is spread around Tokyo isolated from the others to keep the breeders inside them under control. The defector managed to escape and told us where this one is. Our hope is that we can take or evacuate the building of people. I also heard something from your pawn that interested me. You're a ward breaker?"

I look at the picture in curiosity before I glance at Tobio.

"I am a ward breaker. I just need to know if Principal ward stones are different from western ward stones in terms of runes."

Tobio had a grin growing on his face.

"That's incredibly good news for us then. Seiryuu-kun would be the one to ask that to, however. I don't get warding."

The glasses wearing man looked at Tobio with a slight grin.

"You get it better than most people Tobio-kun. As for if our ward stones runes are different to western ward stones unlike many in the clans who'd say they are the truth is they aren't. Warding only came to the home islands in the 1800s and the clans quickly learned the skill from Western magicians. Before wards, we used something less effective in area seals but most of those were phased out fast by the clans once they saw how effective wards were. We have a few small deviations unique to our wardstones but they are easy to teach."

I bowed towards the other man.

"I'd be happy to learn Seiryuu-san. Suzaku do you and the others have a plan for the clan heads?"

That put a pleased smile on Seiryuu's face while Suzaku looked at the other heirs.

"We do have a plan Lex that Seiryuu-kun and I have been drawing up since the beginning of the summer. I'll tell you it fully tonight. Hopefully now we can try it with your equipment. Tobio-kun get a party together. Byakko-kun please show Alex where we have our armory while Seiryu-kun gives a quick rundown on our wards. Who is this person next to you Keno?"

Tobio nodded before he left to get people for this raid. Suzaku moved to Akeno and Issari with the three falling into a conversation. Meanwhile Byakko whoops making the others roll their eyes again. Byakko got up from his seat along with Seiryuu as both came towards me. The two men gestured to follow. I did and when I was close enough to Byakko as we were about to leave the courtyard he stopped and sniffed the air near me. His heterochromia eyes narrowed and he sniffed again before a look of hope appeared on his face.

"I know that scent. It's very faint but I have never forgotten it. You know where my cousin Tsubaki is. Is she safe? Is she?"

His worry for Tsubaki was genuine while Seiryuu shook his head amused. We exited the courtyard and moved towards one of the many buildings that were built into the white wall of the temple. I glanced at Byakko with a small smile.

"She is safe and sound. As for your other question yes she is now a devil. She is a queen to one of my betrothed's friends named Sona Sitri. I can get you in contact with her if you want."

Byakko got a happy smile.

"I would love that. I haven't seen her since my uncle Kiyotora fled with her when her gear showed itself ten years ago. Tsu always loved it when I got to see her and we would watch cowboy movies together. Does she still like them?"

My smile soon matched his.

"She still adores them and has converted her king into being a western fan."

That made Byakko grin wider than ever before. He then started begging for information. I supplied it to the man as we reached the armory and I began unloading the equipment for the True Clans from a digital holder.

An hour and a half later the armory racks were full of power weapons, las guns and carapace I had a very good idea about how Principal Clan ward stones work. Seiryuu proved to be a wonderful teacher on Principle wards and he was impressed with what he saw when he asked for a demonstration. While that had been happening Byakko was playing with a new set of power fists. The guy was a joyful battle fanatic while Seiryuu was a scholar and the grand planner of the True Clans. He was like a male Ravel and once he learned of the ratings games his interest was piqued deeply.

"I have long wanted to watch some of these games as the premise for them is interesting and the rules seem intricate."

I shrug as I hold a ward stone and look at the runes on it.

"I know next to nothing about the rules. The only game type I have done was an honor game which was open ended with few to any rules. The one to talk to about ratings games would be Sona Sitri. She is planning on opening a school to teach the game rules to reincarnated devils."

Seiryuu hums.

"Interesting. I will have to eventually have a talk with her. This school is located where?"

I shrugged.

"It's still being built in my personal city in the underworld. I plan to have the city eventually be open for humans and others."

That intrigued the man further.

"Very interesting. Perhaps when things are settled here I will visit it."

That was when the door to the armory opened and Tobio popped his head in. He saw the racks of armor and weapons putting a grin on his face.

"I see we have our stuff ready. He can break the wards Seiryuu-kun?"

Tobio came into the armory soon followed by five others. Two clanswomen and three clansmen. All have black hair and were young in their late teens or early twenties. They look around the armory in curiosity then at me. Seiryuu looked at Tobio and nodded.

"He can Tobio-kun. We should be good for the plan."

That made some of the stress leave Tobio's face. Before he saw the las guns and narrowed in on them.

"I heard your magician say to Zaku and the others that those are laser guns. I don't know if that is true or if she is just pulling my leg."

The five people from the True Clans looked at the guns along with Seiryuu now. Byakko was completely focused on his power fists and didn't notice the newcomers. I open a pocket spell and pull out my modified short barrel plasma gun.

"They are laser guns and you should have no trouble with them as they don't have recoil, bullets, or jam. We leaving soon Tobio-san?"

Tobio gave me a nod as he picked up a las gun handing it over to a clansman.

"We will once someone arrives. Can you show us how to put on the armor?"

I began showing the six and a curious Seiryuu how to armor up carapace. As we were getting the final pieces on we were joined by two someones. Jin came into the room panting next to a young woman with navy blue hair that looked liken she was Shirone's age. The woman was wearing a white kimono that looked extremely rough with dirt on the bottom parts. Jin led the woman over to Tobio while Seiryuu and Byakko left the room for us to brief. Tobio showed his kind nature here as he smiled at the newcomer.

"Its ok Miyake-chan. We will get the others out of there and to safety. Are you ready to help us?"

Miyake looked up briefly at Tobio before her eyes filled with determination.

"Yes Tobio-sama."

My second cousin nods.

"Can you please start explaining the place?"

Miyake looked at the rest of us before she explained the compound and the number of people in it. There were fifteen women inside the building with twenty Pure Clansmen watching them. When I asked the young woman if there were any computers in the compound the young woman was uncertain.

"I think so? There is a room close to mine that the protecters used often."

I frowned and make a mental note to make a data interrogator when we get there. A spirit stepped up saying she would operate it. She had been a hacker for Anonymous in life and was eager to hack again. I thank her before kindly smiling at the young woman. Tobio asked Miyake a few more questions and when they were answered he looked at me.

"Could you make a portal for us there?"

I asked for the address and was given it. The picture of the compound via Google Maps helped me make a portal to where we could break in from. Before the seven of us went through.

That portal exit was in a sea of green trees. Close to our landing point was a chain link fence that was extremely high fencing in the property. I noticed with distaste that the top of the fence had long jagged spikes that went up into the treetops. Tobio held a hopeful look as did the other clan fighters. Jin barked softly and Tobio pats his partner.

"We just need to get through the fence. I can cut it or.."

I stopped that as a smile smirk appeared on my face. I extended a mechadenrite with a saw that whined to life and began cutting through the fence. Tobio grinned again before he started laying out the plan as I cut the hole for us.

"Jin please stay here with Miyake-chan till we clear the building. Gregor since you are the tech man can you see if you can get us more information? Specifically on other sites and general information. I'm sure that we all know we can't hurt the women here."

That got nods from everyone and a bark from Jin. I give Tobio a nod before I pull out the anvil. The True Clan fighters stared at it as did Miyake as I swung and made a data interrogator. The hacker spirit entered the skull and floated it onto my mechadenrite pack. The anvil disappeared and Tobio watched that with interest before the seven of us started moving after I explained to them how to use the vox and HUDS. We began move through the trees as Jin and Miyake watched.

As we slowly moved past tree roots and the first leaves beginning turn orange we didn't meet resistance. Tsuda moved her servo skull off my pack and into the trees. She began scanning the building and I could tell she missed Mimic by how silent she was. I missed the sword too and I swore for a second I heard the song Mimic would sing whenever we were together. That moment was broken when Tsuda chimes that she found something.

That something was a large concentration of electrical devices in the mansion's second floor. That was where fifteen signatures were scattered across several rooms with a person walking up and down the hallway. The first floor held nineteen shapes who were lounging about. I pushed the display to the other's HUDS. Their gasp was muted when Tobio began orders.

"Mukai-san you and Baisho-san are when you get the chance to secure the second floor. Gregor-kun we will need your help in the fight. You are sure your machine will be fine by itself?"

We get ready to hit the tree line close to where the back porch was and I reply over the vox.

"The interrogator can move itself to and into the computers without me there. Stand back I'll breach the door. Fair warning before we start my gun is nasty and if you see a white ball coming towards you dodge or duck."

My lance cannon arm moves and begins to hum. The True Clans fighters take cover on either side of the door while Tobio makes a shadow scythe. The cannon fires a red hot shot blowing the black wood door off its hinges and into a wall shattering it to pieces.

That noise drew people to the sunroom as four men rushed in wearing samurai armor. They saw my form and drew katanas from their belts. Just as they were about to start a charge a white ball of plasma hit the first man head on. He screamed as he melted into goop making his comrades freeze in fear. A scythe was thrown from my right and flew into one of the frozen men's chests. The man gurgles blood and drops to the tile floor making the others react.

The two survivors broke for the shock and charged slashing their blades across my chest plate roaring.

"For the Nakari!"

The blades unlike the many swords of strays or exorcists left ultra thin lines on my armor that made the men look at it in shock. One looked to his sword and then the line before he was cut in half by a power sword. His body tumbled and that set off his comrade. The final man started running back the way he had came screaming at the top of his lungs.

"We are under attack!"

Just as he was about to the next room a red hot las shot punched through his stomach making him drop to the floor with a groan. Tobio and I moved first followed by the fighters. I look at Tobio making another shadow scythe as the first one disappears from the second corpse. We could hear more feet rushing toward us and I take point at the front of our arrow advance.

My helm was barely around the corner of the doorway into the dining room when three bullets pinged off my face plate. The bullets hit the ground with a thud as I move my body fully into the hall. Facing us from behind an improvised series of furniture barricades were eight foes. The foes were all wearing the same samurai armor and carrying submachine guns. They began a barrage of bullets towards me. My lance cannon arm moves and powers up before a lance shot hits a table and blows it to pieces showering the foes in shrapnel. Tobio took that open along with the fighters to enter the room. A scythe is thrown into the head of one of the defenders while las shots come from behind me.

Two more defenders topple with holes in them. A third falls screaming as they lose an arm drawing a katana. My plasma gun whined up and was pointed towards another doorway as three more Pure Clansmen rushed to aid their allies. My shot takes two and a half of the reinforcements. Two clansmen melt to goop along with both legs on the the third. He screamed loudly before a las shot put him down as it carved a hole in his head and the wood floor. Two of our people drew katanas and charged the remaining foes. The blades hum to life and come down on quickly being raised enemy katanas.

A chop bisects one foe in half through armor and raised sword. The second slices off an arm before the blade goes through a gut. It was pulled out leaving a yellow hole through the body. The final foe fired another burst of his submachine gun before he tried to flee toward the kitchen. He slipped in the green goop and fell to the ground before a las shot quickly put him down through his chest. True Clans people moved forward to the kitchen with Tobio and I following them.

The kitchen was deserted. We moved through and soon found where the other defenders were. They were standing behind a barricade wall of furniture before the stairs. They had submachine guns ready or katanas drawn. The leader who had long horns on his helm roared out a command to his people.

"Kill them! For the Nakiri!"

That sent the melee people forward from both sides. Tobio started a duel with the leader as scythe and katana slam against one another. Gun and las fire picked up in intensity giving me the opening. The interrogator skull flew up off my pack and into the air over the fighting.

I prep a mechadendrite before sending a grenade from its arm. The grenade flew and landed before the smoke grenade started spewing out on the gunmen. Another free mechadendrite made a wind spell and then threw the smoke into their faces. Gunmen began to cough and hack from the smoke which helped our two shooters put down the first of the foes. The smoke cleared on another as a green ball of plasma made another man shriek as he disintegrated. I called to Tobio over the vox.

"The interrogator has found three computers and is starting it's hack."

That got a grunt from Tobio as he continued fighting the leader. A stupid clansman charged me with his katana raised to slice off my head. Another of my sword arms moved lazily and the new power sword on it hummed to life and bisected him. The body tumbles down onto the tile and another plasma shot kills a person with an assault rifle. That allowed our two shooters to run towards the second floor as the number of foes decreased. The fight was slowly dying down and my plasma gun melted the last shooter just as Tobio finally ends his fight when he sliced off the commander's head with his scythe. The body tumbles and the noise died down. Tobio and our three people were breathing heavily from the fight before the vox chimed.

"Tobio-sama the second floor is secured. None of the breeders were hurt. They are just ultra scared from the noise."

Tobio sighed in relief still breathing heavy.

"Good work. I'll have Jin bring Miyake in to help calm them. How's our hack?"

The hacker spirit chimes to me and I sighed as I began summoning fire to clean bodies.

"The first two computers were filled with nothing important. The third computer has actual firewalls and the interrogator is halfway through them."

That news made Tobio sigh in relief as he gave orders to collect bodies. The three fighters here started helping me with that task.

The last bodies were being incinerated and covered with dirt by a clansman on the grounds of the mansion as I re-entered the front room. Near a broken chair Tobio, Baisho and Mukai were discussing something. I came in on the tail end of that conversation as Tobio shook his head no.

"We can't hold here. Grab a few sets of armor and several katanas from the armory here so we can show the others the plan might work."

That got two salutes as the two went to work. Tobio turned towards me with relief across his face. The sound of feet and claws on the wood floor was heard as Jin and Miyake came into the room. Miyake had her right hand in Jin's black fur petting him. Jin was panting happily as Tobio teased the young woman.

"He's a big fan of being scratched behind the ears Miyake-chan."

Miyake side eyed Jin before she moved her hand to scratch behind Jin's right ear. That made Jin bark in happiness and put a smile on the navy blue haired girl's face as Tobio chuckled before growing serious.

"Can you please help us convince the other breeders that we mean them no harm and want to get them to safety?"

Miyake gave a slight nod before she rushed over to the two female clanswomen. As they moved up the stairs the data interrogator floated over their heads and landed on my pack. It warbled out what it had found as I translated it.

"The third computer had the location of the major training base for the clans around Tokyo. The plans seem to show it having a big server room there."

Tobio sighed in relief.

"Get me the location and I'll start planning with Seiryuu-kun. You were right the weapons went through their armor. However, there is a question that's been bothering me. That interrogator you called it? Do it and the robots have AI in them?"

His grey eyes gazed at my red ones.

"They don't have AI. They instead have what is called a machine spirit in them. What was your name before?"

Tobio was confused by that until the interrogator warbled out her name. My second cousin's eyes widened and as I replied.

"Anaka. I'll weld that onto the interrogator."

Anaka warbled a thanks before Tobio narrowed his eyes at the interrogator.

"You're saying that there is a spirit of a person in there?"

His face took on a dark look as a shadow scythe started to form in his hands.

"It's not Necromancy. Anaka and the spirits in the robots along with many of my peoples weapons and armor are not forced into them. They choose to enter machines and are welcome to leave them whenever they want."

Tobio didn't entirely believe that as he approached me. He frowned deeper when he was closer to Anaka. As he grew closer Tobio's deep frown changed to plain confusion.

"It doesn't feel like Necromancy. It feels holy?"

He kept getting more and more confused as he felt the presence of Anaka. He kept that look until he was finally convinced.

"I'm sorry for assuming that."

I smile at my second cousin.

"My chief commander thought of the same thing when she first saw the robots. I get how people draw the comparison."

Tobio's head came up as his grey eyes returned to Anaka.

"I'm still sorry. I had an extremely bad encounter with a necromancer when I was introduced to the supernatural world. They raised a very near and dear person to me named Sae after killing them. I have hated necromancy ever since. That compounded further after I joined Grigori as Azazel has the same opinion of them. My team and I were often thrown against covens of necromancers that tried to operate out of Africa exploiting their famines to try and make armies of bodies. I had to learn to stop holding back because if I did people would suffer in their bodies they couldn't control."

His face was lost in remembrance of Sae. I looked at Tobio with understanding and true pity now.

"My first encounter with the supernatural was being threatened by a kitsune to be hung from a Shinto temple door."

Tobio broke from the remembrance.

"I see. You know you can just call me Tobio. Five years in the West made me get used to that."

I shook my head as a wide smile crossed my face.

"I will earn the right to call you Tobio-kun. My best friend is Japanese and one of my betrotheds is a weeb. She loves Japan for multiple reasons and would scold me here if I was improper."

That got a chuckle from Tobio.

"It's the redhead, right? I saw her eyeing our weapons intently yesterday."

That didn't surprise me getting a huff of laughter and a wide grin thinking of a future pull.

"That's her."

Tobio kept his smile.

"I wish I had as many reasons to love Japan. It's been nothing but pain here for me. Maybe after we are done with them I will find new reasons to love the country again."

I could clearly see one of those reasons as Tobio got that goofy grin of a man in love. We shared a good moment together before I frowned.

"What is the plan for the clans?"

Tobio sighed as a frown crossed his face too.

"It's a rough plan. The short story is that clan heads rarely meet all together because of paranoia. However, that will change soon as coming up Saturday is one of the rare instances they gather to discuss the next year's agendas. Zaku and the others want to storm this meeting with our forces and kill the clan heads all at once."

That wasn't the worst plan yet I saw multiple holes. I was about to say the first hole I saw to Tobio when the noise of feet came towards us. I see Miyake leading down the stairs a slightly older woman. She was pregnant as were all the other women moving our way.

The line of people and belongings moving from my portal to the True Clans base finally ended an hour later. Tobio had left partway through to deliver the news to the other heirs. Miyake was standing close to another woman with a few white hairs in her black speaking with one of the female fighters from the raid. The trio finished talking before the female fighter gestured to me.

"I'll show you Chikatetsu no eiyū-sama and everyone else to the rooms Suzaku-sama set aside for you."

I gave the woman a nod before our group was guided toward the back of the compound grounds where a red archway stood being an entrance to the small building. There waiting under the arch was Murayama who looked extremely happy. She saw our group and quickly made her way to me looping her arm with mine. She eyed the breeders for a second before she pulled me away to show me where she had put her own power armor. When I was out of it and my armor next to hers in this small courtyard Murayama led me up a hallway before we stopped in front of a paper door with a faded tiger. There she opened it to show a bedroom with a bed and a small attached bathroom. Murayama was standing in the doorway just as I asked.

"Fun reunions Mura?"

My knight squeezes my arm.

"They were my dad and brother are both eager to meet you. My brother is curious about you having heard things from Mom and Uncle while Dad wants to do his protective father routine."

That amused me.

"I'm eager to meet them too Mura."

My grin was soon on Murayama before she started giggling pervertedly and she was soon joined by another. We glance across the hall to see Issari and Akeno stepping out of a room across from ours. Issari had a blood droplet falling from her nose that she quickly cleaned up. My cousin then turned our way.

"Welcome back Lex. Suzaku wants you to know that we are invited to a dinner with her and Tobio-san soon."

I give her a nod before detaching from Murayama and entering the room to open a pocket and place my suitcase on the bed. Murayama looped her hand with mine and pulled me after a now moving Akeno and Issari towards the main courtyard of the compound. The beginnings of an evening sun illuminated the open space while slowly beginning to fade. The sun's red light hits two groups of kids playing a game with each other while being watched by several minders. The kids were having fun passing a big ball between them shrieking in glee when someone missed catching it. The sun also hit a group of clansmen who were moving boxes of food that three members of Slash Dog brought through the gate.

The four of us smiled at the sight of a young girl catching the ball while we walked toward another small building that was jutting out from the temple wall. The four of us grew closer to it and the sliding door with a fading picture of a tree on it. As we approached the door we could hear the sound of voices behind it. Akeno raised her arm to knock on the door only to stop when something emerged from the shadows of the building. It was an extremely focused Jin. He shook his labrador-sized body as his red eyes looked at Akeno before they turned to Issari. She narrowed her brown eyes at Jin before dragon growling. Jin narrowed his red eyes at Issari before a low growl came as the two stared off. That was the scene that Suzaku opened the door to.

Suzaku was still wearing her Shinto shrine maiden outfit and gently scolded Jin.

"Jin be nice to our friends."

That got a whine from the Longinus before Jin barked twice and Suzaku shook her head.

"I guess that you don't want the bone Tobio-kun got you then."

That made Jin bark excitedly and rush into the building past Suzaku who let out a series of giggles at the dog avatar before she looked at our group.

"Please come in Tobio-kun has prepared pork and rice ramen."

Suzaku kept the door open for us. Issari had her normal grin hearing that as she and Akeno entered the house. Murayama and I followed after them and the sound of the door sliding back came from behind me. Suzaku then stepped to the front of our group and led us deeper into the house. We followed and I saw that on the walls of the hallway were pictures of Akeno, Alex, and Suzaku as kids. Many of them were of the trio playing rocket ship or them looking up at a night sky. The pictures of the past continued until we reached a small dining room. There bringing a hot pot and bowls to the low to the floor table was Tobio and Lavinia. Tobio was with his free hand giving a massive bone to Jin. The black-furred dog ran to a corner of the room melding with the shadows before the sounds of gnawing and bone crunching started. Suzaku gestured to the left side of the table as she knelt on a cushion. Akeno and Issari take a knee followed by Murayama and me. Tobio set the hot pot in the middle of the table before taking a knee on the middle cushion. Lavinia took the left cushion next to Tobio and clapped her hands. A metal ladle levitated into a now open pot of ramen before pouring scoops of it into everyone's bowls.

Suzaku looked at Murayama as the bowls were being filled.

"You are one of Lex's pieces stranger-san?"

Murayama smiled wide before she squeezed my arm hard.

"I am Murayama Doumon the Red Knight of my wonderful Red King."

Suzaku kept her red eyes on Murayama before a smile appeared.

"It's nice to meet you Murayama-san. Lex only told me a little about everyone that was around him yesterday. It's still strange to me that devils have harems. Technically the clans still have our laws active for them, but no one has actually had or attempted one since before the Meiji Restoration."

Murayama smiled fondly at me.

"I found the idea strange too before I reincarnated. I noticed that you subscribed to several of our channels on the Noosphere."

Suzaku nodded as the last ladle of soup was poured.

"I did. I have never really got a chance to use the mundane one since I was busy with other things as a child. It's like I'm discovering a whole new world."

Tobio grinned wide looking at Akeno and Issari.

"Zaku showed me your cooking channel last night Akeno-san. I'm glad to see that my cooking skill was inherited by someone else in the family."

Akeno beamed wide.

"Isa and I have a series of videos coming up soon. I'm sure Lex would be happy to make you a cogitator so you can follow along on your own!"

Tobio looked eager for a cogitator from me after finishing my first bite of ramen. It was beyond delicious.

"I can certainly make one for you later Tobio-san."

That got a big smile from Tobio and from Lavinia as she finished a serving of ramen noodles.

"I would also like to see this channel. Tobi is a wonderful cook and if not for him we would have starved on our many missions. This Noosphere you called it? Does it have a channel for magic?"

It was surprisingly Issari who answered that after finishing some ramen.

"No not yet. One of Gregor-kun's peerage who is a bishop is considering making a channel for her future magician's guild. She has told me that she'd be happy to have me in the guild's inner circle one day."

Lavinia grew ultra interested by her sapphire blue eyes narrowing there.

"You're a magician? What schools are you trained in?"

That set off the two into a deep discussion about magic that started with illusions as Tobio smiled wide at his friend. Suzaku did too before she looked at me again.

"You are still thinking on your own channel Lex?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Murayama mime something that she had promised me if I made the channel. A hint of a blush hit my cheeks as I remembered that thing.

"I am still considering it. It's an outrageous premise and my possible co-host is extremely busy with something so it wouldn't be anytime soon."

Suzaku took on a very disappointed face.

"I see. I would be happy to be your first subscriber Lex. Please consider doing it."

Suzaku was giving me a puppy face that made me quiver. It was incredibly adorable and made Tobio break from his conversation with Akeno looking my way.

"You should do this channel. Zaku was really excited about it when we were returning here yesterday. Who is your potential co-host?"

Koriel tells me to piss off in a binary dialect from Metalica that is extremely crude as I looked at Tobio and sighed.

It's my Longinus partner. She just said something I can't repeat."

Tobio got a strange face while Murayama sighed.

"I see now that it's her we have to win over not you Greg."

Koriel got ready to say something to me to tell Murayama but I turned my face to Suzaku.

"Zaku this plan for the clan heads is risky. What if they suddenly at the last minute decided to reschedule the meeting? There is so much that could go wrong with this type of plan."

Suzaku shook her head.

"They won't change it. This meeting is linked to a tradition that the clans can't and won't break. This Saturday is the clans's version of Nogoshi-no-Ohara that takes place in the seventh month of the year instead of the sixth. It represents that we have the five sacred beasts, Amaterasu and Susanoo. They have to do the holiday, or they risk losing our divine backing with them and breaking the compact of Kyoto which was made with the Youkai after the Second World War. Tobio-kun, Seiryuu-kun and I made sure this plan was good."

Tobio started there after finishing a bunch of noodles.

"The holiday helps us in multiple ways starting with that it will last most of the day. They won't leave the gathering place until late Saturday afternoon when the holiday is over. The holiday also helps gather most of their loyalist captains in one place too. If we can't get to the clan heads then the main objective becomes the captains. Their deaths will help destroy their ability to fight effectively and give us time for a backup plan along with sending a message to the younger generations. The clan heads rings once seen by the older rank and file clansmen will get them to obey the heirs without question. However, the clan heads will likely have an extra large honor guard defending the temple and way there. Can your guns be modified to knock the regular clansmen and women unconscious rather than kill them?"

I give credit to them they did think this through.

"They already have a setting for that. The hit person will get minor burns but should be knocked out of the fight. I can make additional knock out devices for you if needed."

Suzaku was pleased.

"Tobio-kun has told me about the raid and how we might have a much better chance at this now with your stuff. The Shinto must have sent you to us as we feared that we would have to do this without help."

My lips take on a half smile.

"We are happy to help Zaku. If you need extra people for this plan of yours then I am willing to offer up mine"

Suzaku shook her head making her long black hair hide her ears.

"I wish I could say yes there Lex. However, this is a Principal problem not theirs. We are just lucky to have you, Akeno, Tobio-kun and his friends."

The way Suzaku had looked at Tobio all but saying she loved him was extremely cute. Tobio was making the same look so I pushed them by teasing Suzaku.

"With looks like that, I have to ask when is the wedding for you two? Maybe Keno and I can be the flower girl and boy."

That made Suzaku and Tobio go ultra still then red. They were silent and a glance from Akeno made her push fufufuing a storm.

"I was actually going to ask that myself when I saw the looks earlier today."

Suzaku and Tobio continued blushing as Suzaku got ready to stammer something out only to be interrupted by an amused Lavinia.

"Tobi has always had a soft spot for you Suzaku-chan. You were all he would talk about sometimes while we were on missions. Everyone on our team and the other heirs have seen the looks you both have sent each other when you think no one is looking. You two would be good for each other. I have debated many times if I should snatch up Tobi but sadly I'm not into men."

The two kept blushing more and more red while Issari wiggled her eyebrows.

"Do I have a chance with the beautiful magician?"

Lavinia laughed a tinkling laugh.

"I am more interested in expanding the fields of magic than sex. Still you know your magic quite well for being a self trained non guild magician and that makes you interesting."

Issari fist-pumped before she returned to a goofy grin when Akeno whispered something in her dragon's ear. That made Lavinia laugh again like a chime bell as Tobio finally stopped blushing before looking at Suzaku with a small smile.

"I guess it's out now. Zaku I wouldn't be opposed to being with and marrying someone as kind and beautiful as you."

Suzaku took on a small grin herself despite her own blush.

"I wouldn't be opposed to being with or marrying a handsome and kind person like you either Tobio-kun. Maybe after everything we can start planning something together."

Suzaku had extended her hand to his and Tobio took it.

"Together."

Their smiles for one another put a big smile on everyone else faces including a now extremely happy Lavinia. The seven of us continued that good mood sharing stories and helping Suzaku reconnect with Akeno and myself. As dinner was coming to a close Issari, Akeno and a curious Lavinia left to continue discussing magic. As Murayama and I left and the last thing I see before stepping into the night was Tobio and Suzaku with massive smiles holding each other close near a bedroom entrance.

By the time Murayama and I were back at our quarters the moon was shining down on us. A look of her brown eyes to my red ones then our bed made me smile before getting out my cogitator.

A glance showed two neatly made folders sent by Ravel with all the reports of today from the Legio and Ryza. A click on the first folder and I started reading. The reports were showing that everything was going to plan and our manor was almost done. I was finishing up the last one when I noticed that I had also gotten a message from the queens at nine. The message was asking me when we would be back. I typed out to them we would be back hopefully by Saturday evening or Sunday morning when a snore came from my right showing Murayama was lying on the right side of the bed in a red sleep shirt and pants snoring away.

A look at the cogitator's clock shows it was 1.00 am and that led me to close the cogitator and beginning my own sleep.

The setting sun was dipping behind the trees and this mansion before without warning the front door was kicked down. Less than two seconds later two dozen warriors in samurai armor rushed in with two more ornate armored ones with longer horns on their helms following one with ultra long horns and a camera.

The scene inside the building was shown to a chatroom with five watchers. As the five looked on in curiosity one person typed out to the other four catching something that was on the ground.

"The failure heirs and their allies continue to cause trouble for us. Its time we call the vote."

The chat room went silent before a vote took place. When it was finished the results of it were texted to the warrior who was holding the camera. As he read the results a smile broke out under his face mask. He turned to the two warriors at his side.

"Inform all captains at other sites and bases that the wise clan heads have come to a decision. We will purify the tainted."

The long-horned warriors bowed.

"By the will of the Pure."