Chapter 83: The Good Ol' Bait & Hook
AN: I decided to bring back first-person for this chapter since I haven't done it in a hot minute, (lemme know how you feel about that).
///
(Alduin)
I could feel their eyes snap onto me, cerulean blue and luminous gold. The former seething with intense, mistrustful gravity. The latter calm with plain, placid curiosity, and a healthy pinch of concern.
Serafall needn't utter a word, I could hear them through her stare alone. You better not be about to do something stupid, is what I'd imagine the accurate translation would be.
"Curious," Yasaka's tails swished once, an indicator of intrigue. "I have no small number of defenses set up both here, on the perimeter of my headquarters, and Kyoto itself. Not to mention the fact that I'm linked to the very Ki that exists throughout the city's land, sea, and sky. How is it that you've noticed something I have not?"
Her done didn't convey offense, but it carried a cautionary tone with it that warned me to have a good explanation for my claim, lest I wanted negotiations to take a turn for the worse before they even began.
Which was fair, at the end of the day, we were devils, and she was Yōkai. A sprinkle of willingness from one end didn't equate to an ironclad positive relationship. If I were Yasaka, I'd be wondering if this was part of an elaborate ploy from our end. A way to curry her favour by fixing a problem we're responsible for creating in the first place.
I chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "It's a bit hard to explain, but for the sake of necessity I'll try my best," I coughed, clearing my windpipe. "I have a special kind of 'sixth sense', shall we say? Not just for Ki, but illusions too. You see, I—"
"Tiamat," she invoked the Dragon Queen's name before I could get the chance. "Her scent clings tightly to you, I'm aware of how her ability works. There's no need for you to explain any further." She flipped open a gold and black paper fan, cooling herself in a calm, collected fashion. Her demeanor that of a bonafide, experienced faction leader's.
Much more regal than Azazel's, that's for sure.
[Oi.]
'Oh shush, you know I'm right.'
I paused a moment before letting out a mildly-embarrassed laugh. "I guess that saves us some time."
Upon reaching Satan-Class, Partial Hypnosis underwent an 'evolution' of sorts. I can now manipulate up to three senses at a time, which is not only extremely helpful, but it also answers the question of how exactly I'm supposed to develop my illusory prowess.
At first, I thought it amounted to the simple task of prolonged, consistent use. Allowing my body and mind to grow increasingly more familiar with the sensation of manipulating another's senses, and achieving a breakthrough through brute force.
Either that, or some hidden developmental secret only Tiamat herself, the power's progenitor, is aware of.
Evidently, neither were the case. The answer was much simpler, but also equally more difficult to achieve. I needed to expand the 'holding capacity' of my body. I needed to evolve as a devil, break the barrier between Ultimate-Class and Satan-Class. Achieving a qualitative change in the density and strength of my demonic power to manipulate a third, simultaneous sense.
Although, that does raise a few questions. If one were to abide by that logic in the most rigid manner possible, wouldn't that suggest I'd need to become a Super Devil merely to manipulate four senses at a time? Tiamat herself's not supposed to be any stronger than Peak Satan-Class herself. The math doesn't really seem to check out in that department.
Of course, there are plenty of independent variables to consider. My 'hypnosis' might not necessarily be the exact same as Tiamat's. I ingested the power, she possessed it from the get-go. Unknowingly, I may be developing an entirely different branch of the original article.
But that's besides the point, on top of being able to access three senses at once, my Partial Hypnosis awakened a secondary, passive ability. The power to 'resonate' with illusions. To sense them without the need to deploy any form of detection magic, or active sensory ability whatsoever.
I simply had to be near an illusion, and I'd know it was there. Like a small shock of electricity pinging my brain and drawing its attention.
Judging from Yasaka's words, I think it's safe to assume Tiamat's capable of it too.
Is there an upper limit to it? Maybe, but whatever it is, the illusion I detected on the way here clearly wasn't good enough to meet that barrier.
"Where did you feel it?"
"In the shrine bridging this subspace to Kyoto," I answered post-haste. "I won't pretend to understand the mechanics, but I imagine the illusion itself was embedded into whatever facilitates the transportation itself. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say someone's installed a backdoor entrance into Urakyoto."
It's a bit ironic if you think about it, the back door itself wasn't what exposed them, but the illusion they had installed to mask said backdoor.
Contemplative, Yasaka lowered her fan. "It's not that I doubt your claim, Sallos-dono, however, Inari Ōkami-sama's watchful presence is attached to Urakyoto's barrier at all times. Admittedly, I struggle to wrap my head around how you managed to pick up on something she did not…"
Serafall's stare intensified, once again, cautioning me to tread carefully.
'Sheesh, would it kill ya' to have a little confidence in me?'
"It could be a matter of preparation," I offered my perspective. "Everyone knows of Inari Ōkami's presence here, but I doubt many are aware that someone with the same ability as Tiamat would come here. Even if they knew of myself and Serafall's future arrival, I can count on one hand the number of people that know I possess her blood."
It's not exactly an ability I like to wave around for all to see, and for good reason, as it would seem.
Yasaka's foxy eyes sharpened, halfway between suspicion and agreement. "You mean to say they specifically designed the backdoor to account for Inari Ōkami-sama's surveillance? That the person responsible for installing it is capable of such a thing?"
"It's a possibility," I nodded.
"Yasaka," Serafall chimed in. "Is there another faction you're at odds with right now? You don't have to tell us who they are exactly if you don't wish to, but I feel it's only proper that we know whether or not such an entity exists." In the battlefield that is diplomatic negotiation, such a concern is inevitable.
The Kyuubi shook her head. "Besides our usual tension with the East, we've had no malicious run-ins with any other faction within the last century."
Serafall hummed. "If the East were to find out we were in talks of an alliance, isn't it possible they'd try to retaliate out of fear? Not to sound full of ourselves, but a partnership with the Underworld would heavily tilt the scales in your favour."
Yasaka exhaled. "It doesn't matter how scared they are, the East wouldn't dare try anything. It's not a matter of choice, but of order." Calmly, she explained. "Though we are not united, we both still act as havens for the Yōkai of this world. Thus, we both fall under the Shinto Pantheon's purview. Amaterasu-sama does not wish to see either of our bloodlines go extinct, and has enforced a strict ceasefire to ensure such a thing does not come to pass. To break that ceasefire is to invite divine, wrathful intervention."
Her words carried weight. Too much weight to be untrue. Not to mention that they were backed by millennia of co-existence between the West and East Yōkai Faction, even before Yasaka and the current head of the East assumed their positions as faction leaders.
But if not them, then who? Could it be someone from our side? And by 'our', I mean Zekram's. I wouldn't put it past those diehard traditionalists to try to sabotage a potential alliance between us and the West Yōkai Faction merely to maintain the status quo.
"If you'll excuse me," Yasaka stood up. "I must convene with Inari Ōkami-sama to ascertain how severely we've been compromised, if at all. If there's truly another faction or party with the intent and means to invade Urakyoto, it's my utmost priority to quell the threat before it has a chance to strike."
"You could do that, or you could listen to a counter-strategy of mine, if you'd like." Audaciously, I interrupted her. Earning me an even harsher glare from the on-edge Satan sat beside me. "Besides, Inari Ōkami's already listening to our conversation, isn't she? What's the point of telling her what she already knows?"
I doubt it's normal, but even now, I can still sense the godly presence looming over me. Watching my every step as if I were a ticking time bomb set to implode within the confines of this faction's magnificent headquarters. I can't detect her through my Ki, demonic power, or Tiamat's blood, but rather, something far more deep-rooted within me. Emphasis on the roots.
My 'heaven-piercing tree'. The entity that lives in my brain with full authority over my dragon. I don't understand it, but it appears to be serving as a medium. A link that connects an existence even as insignificant as mine to one as grand as Inari Ōkami. A Satan-Class Devil to one of the Shinto Pantheon's top brass.
A feat I find wondrous just as I do terrifying. The tree's supposed to still be in its 'recovery phase' after all, or at least that's what my dragon tells me. Yet, it's already capable of such a thing without me even asking it to be. I don't even truly understand what it's supposed to be, or what purpose it serves, but I already find myself pondering just how powerful it'll be by the time it's fully recovered.
Yasaka froze, her mouth opening as if to say something, only to close without doing so. From what I could interpret, someone was speaking to her through telephatic means. Inari Ōkami, I would presume. I wonder what they're talking about? I'm willing to bet money I'm the subject of conversation.
She broke the silence. "You are a gifted one, Sallos-dono. Inari Ōkami-sama speaks both highly of you… and cautiously." I could feel Inari Ōkami's presence shift away from me and blanket Yasaka, as if to comfort her with an almost maternal sense of affection.
Cute.
I replied with light laughter. "Should I take that as an insult or a compliment?"
"Both would be the wise choice," she sat back down, her tails swishing a few times as a sign of mild anxiety. "Very well then, let's hear this 'counter-strategy' of yours. Though I can't guarantee I'll abide by it."
"I wouldn't expect you to," I nodded my understanding. "If the caster's skilled enough, which appears to be the case, they should be able to sense if something happens to their illusion, or at least I hope they're capable of that much. So why not use that to our advantage?" I suggested.
Once, Yasaka fanned herself. The perceptive glint in her slit pupils telling me I didn't need to elaborate any further, she was more than intelligent enough to grasp the basic concept.
"You want to scare them into showing themselves, correct?"
"Mhm," I confirmed. "If they're audacious enough to intrude on Shinto-protected territory, I doubt they're the type to flee instead of committing to whatever it is they have in store. And even if they decide to no-show, so what? I imagine Inari Onikami's already committed their magical signature to memory. They're bound to be uncovered one way or another."
I'm not really familiar with the internal procedures of the Shinto Pantheon. Shocker. But If I were to use some educated guesswork, I'd say their divine red tape stops them from interfering on a physical level unless another Pantheon interferes themselves. God for God and whatnot.
However, on an informational level, I'd imagine Inari Onikami's free hand Yasaka the identity of whoever it was that had dared to mess with the Urakyoto barrier. The Kyuubi is a 'divine servant' of the Shinto Pantheon after all, or at least that's the term I'd go with. I have no clue what the official lingo could be.
Momentarily, Yasaka closed her eyes. Spending a few silent seconds to contemplate my proposal, perhaps even seeking Inari Onikami's counsel too.
"If the hostile party does indeed choose to show themselves," she began. "I would have invited an open attack on my faction—my people." As a leader, a caring one at that, her concern was only natural.
"So?" I held up my finger, pointing it to and fro myself and Serafall. "If the attacker is a realm above us, then the Gods should be free to intervene as they please. Even if they don't, since we're on a diplomatic visit, we'll have grounds to call for Lord Lucifer and Lord Beelzebub."
I'm not 100% sure they'd come for my aid, but Serafall? Their lifelong friend? There's no universe in which they'd hold out on her if someone on their level tried to do her harm.
Not entirely convinced, Yasaka's gaze drifted over to Serafall. "Can you guarantee this?"
With a resigned exhale, she nodded. "Yes, I can."
She side-eyed me with a note of disapproval, she seemed to understand my train of thought. It's necessity included, even if it was a little unsavory.
Eh. Sue me. I'm a few months away, perhaps even less depending on how this Demonic Ki predicament of mine ends up concluding, from going full-blown Sallos. I might as well embrace my inevitable change of character instead of brooding over it so much.
Granted, I don't think I'll turn into an exact replica of my mother. My ambitions and morals are simply too contrarian to hers for that to happen, however, I can't help but feel like the current me—the current 'Alduin Buné'—is bound to disappear soon. Very soon.
It's odd. I should be more scared of such a feeling, shouldn't I?
Why isn't that the case?
"In that case, I have a condition." She spoke with steadfast determination. "I want Sallos-dono to be responsible for the direct defense, and for you, Serafall, to remain behind and ensure the safety of my people, and most importantly, that of my daughter's."
Huh? She has a daughter? Why didn't anyone tell me that?
I mean, this is a diplomatic visit, I guess that's none of my business.
"With all due respect, Yasaka, shouldn't it be the other way around?" Perplexed, Serafall smoldered. "I'm the more experienced one between us." Ah yes, using the word 'experienced' to substitute for 'stronger'. Real subtle, Serafall. Real Subtle.
Yasaka delayed her response, clearly trying to convey a sense of gravity. "I'm sorry, Serafall. But Inari Onikami seems to believe otherwise."
OH YEAH. TAKE THA—
Wait a minute. Call me paranoid, but isn't there a good chance Inari Onikami wants me to fight merely as a means to investigate me? You know, after I went ahead and sensed her out of the blue and all, when I have absolutely no reason or right to?
Hm.
Yeah, I think that might be the case.
Fuck. I just put myself on a high-ranking God's radar without thinking it through, didn't I? Yeah, I totally just did that. Well done, Alduin. Your genius truly knows no bounds.
Whelp. Too late for take-backsies.
"As you wish, Yaska-sama." I put one hand on my chest and bowed, standing up with a stiffened, battle-ready posture. I have no idea who I'm about to encounter, but I hope they're worth the trouble. I've been itching to get a proper test dummy for my newfound Satan-Class prowess.
Preferably not too strong though. I don't want to be sidelined while the Gods get to have all the fun.
Yasaka raised her paper fan, flickers of dense, impeccably controlled Ki flickering off body in preparation. "Five minutes from now, I will break the illusion spell and ensure the transportation backdoor's re-routed to a suitable location for battle, away from my headquarters. I suggest you use that time to position yourself appropriately, Sallos-dono." Inari Onikami's possible motives aside, Yasaka's expectations of me were very much real.
"Understood."
I wouldn't be much of a diplomat if I didn't make a good first impression, now would I?
///
.
(Georg)
A spark ran through my mind. No, perhaps it'd be more accurate to call it a sudden, awakening streak of lightning that snapped me to attention. The kind I had only experienced a few times before when I tried to experiment with more 'unorthodox' magical methods in front of my betters, of which very few remain.
'Impossible.'
A spell of mine had been broken. One that I had installed a month prior, and gone to great lengths to ensure wouldn't even be uncovered in the first place.
"Cao Cao," I uttered his name through gritted teeth, holding back the confusion and shame such a blunder brought me.
"Mm? Wuz'up?" He mumbled while in the process of chewing on a pork dumpling.
"We have a problem."
///
If you want to support my work and get access to early chapters, go check me out on P@treon/Accel14!
There's also a discord if you want to communicate with me there or get updated on public chapter releases! (wNzT9AEsaz)