Chapter 3

We were all a little confused at this outcome, well everyone except Seir and Shiro’s Mum. I looked at Seir and waited for him to respond.

“Yahhhhh, sorry for putting you two through all that, you see Auntie wished to confirm with her own eyes whether Kuro was dangerous or not, that is why she attempted to push his buttons and see how he would respond. Although our Kuro is not prone to the nature of a Damien, he still is one. This was the only way that Auntie would allow Shiro-chan to accompany me to the summit haha.”

“Now that I have confirmed that the Damien in your employ is too weak to pose any sort of threat to Shirohime. I believe that it is time for us to return to the the matter at hand, regarding my terms.”

“Ahhhh straight down to business already eh Auntie?”

“In exchange for the First Princess of the Yuki Onna Clan accompanying you to the summit, I as representative, request that we be given control over the remaining half of the Yokai Population in Japan and that this be binding, on any future Devil that may attain your territory as a result of the summit.”

“Hai hai, no problem Auntie, no problem, I’m sure the old perverts in the Administration Bureau wouldn’t mind obtaining a royal decree to that effect, especially if I tell them that they may get to see an actual cute Japanese yokai in exchange.”

“Regarding the investment of 100m yen in our Inns located in Osaka and Kyoto…”

“Already taken care of Auntie! Alice has already made the transfer. Although, I don’t think I will be able to attend board meetings, unless you have them in the evening and I can wear my PJs ahah.”

“Well then, the Yuki Onna Clan of Niigata looks forward to continued prosperity in our relationship Prince Seir.”

At that point Shiro ran out of the reception room.

“Leave her be…”

Nobody moved but I wasn’t going to sit and do nothing, so I gave Shiro’s mother a scornful look and ran after her.

“Dammit! She’s pretty fast, I have no idea where she went and Seir’s Estate is huge. Hey old man, you there?”

“Wahahahahahaha, don’t mind me, me and little Shiko, just started making another batch of popcorn.”

“How the hell is that even possible! Shiko’s a blade! I have no time for your games old man, I need you to help me find Shiro, can your sense her spiritual power? I need you to lead me to her.”

“Wahahahahahaha, I think it would be better if you left her alone for now foolish boy.”

“Just do it old man!”

Old man Bahamut lead me through a series of twist and turns, I had no idea where I was, just how big is that bastard Seir’s Estate anyway.

When I thought that the old man was playing around with me again and leading me astray, I felt the temperature freeze over and spotted Shiro sitting in the corner.

She was in her yokai form and she was crying. It was so cold that her tears were freezing over just before they hit the floor.

“Shiro…”

“She always does this...She always lets me think that I’ve gained some freedom and then shows up and snatches it away from me, even when I was a girl. It was always the Clan, the Inn and then me. How she treated you Kuro, no matter how she tries to justify it. It was just plain evil.”

“I-I’m sure she was just worried about you. I hate to admit it but Damiens can be dangerous. I learnt that the hard way many years ago, I understand how you feel.”

“NO! You don’t understand, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING AT ALL!”

Shiro got to her feet and tried running past me, just below she passed, I grabbed her hand to stop her.

“...Let me go Kuro.”

“When I was 7 years old, my mother threw me into the Panopticon.”

“Eh?”

“The Panopticon is like a prison in Hell for Damiens. It’s were the Damiens who haven’t gone berserk are kept. Well it’s where Damiens who aren’t servants are kept anyway. It’s also where Devil parents leave their Damien children when they are too cowardly to kill them off, or when they wish to hide their shame for giving birth to them.”

“...”

“It’s supposedly regulated by a division under the King of Hell but from my experience the only law in the pit is that the strong prey on the weak and nobody is ever truly your friend. I don’t know what reasoning my mother had for throwing me in there and I don’t really wanna know, but, believe me, when I say that I understand how you feel, I do...”

Shiro wrapped her arms around me and began sobbing. I placed my hand on my head in an attempt to soothe her.

Time passed and Shiro cried herself out. She looked up at me with puffy eyes, I wiped the remaining tears off her face, grabbed her hand and raced back to the reception room.

“Well I think that concludes our business, I will take my leave now Prince Seir.”

“Waaaaaaiiiiiiiiiit! Wait old lady, before you leave I wanna talk to you.”

“...”

“Let’s make a deal, if we win the summit and Seir becomes the next King of Hell, then you will allow Shiro to do as she pleases. She can marry who she wishes and she can live how she wishes. She also gets to keep her title as First Princess of the Yuki Onna Clan. If we lose, if we lose, then…”

“When you lose, Shirohime will quit University. She will return to Niigata with me, she will marry who I chose. She will live where I tell her to and she will do as I say without question. In addition, you will work as a cleaner at our Inn in Hokkaido. You will do so for the rest of your days and you will earn just about enough to eat.”

“Works for me lady.”

“Kuro, Kuro what are you doing!?”

“Just to make sure that the odds are stacked even higher against you, despite there being no need to do so. You will personally have to defeat the first born Prince of the Bael House. Who is said to be the favourite in the upcoming summit. You must defeat him without any assistance from Shirohime or Prince Seir. Since there is no way for someone as weak as you to do so, I would be satisfied to agree to your proposal.”

“Fine, but when I win, I will come to Niigata with Shiro and you will personally apologise to both of us in front of your whole Clan for what you orchestrated today. Following this, you will spend the day waiting on me hand and foot, as if I were the most esteemed guest that has ever visited your Inn.”

“...Very well.”

Shiro’s mother proceeded to leave the reception room. Alice hurried after her to escort her to the gate.

Despite our heated exchange she never once looked in my directions but I had decided. I was gonna make her eat her words and I was gonna make it so Shiro could live the life that she so desperately wanted.

“Oi, oi, Kuro-kun, I think you bit off more than you could chew there, although just by looking at Shiro-chan’s face, I don't think she minds at all hahaha.

“Eh? N-no...I”,

“Wahahahahahahaha, you really are a foolish boy aren't you? Don't worry, this Dragon King will watch over you, even if you want to march into the mouth of a tiger. Just remember that since we're fully synchronised. I will no longer die if you decide to throw your life away. Little Shiko is worried for you though kid.”

“Would you two stop messing around and be supportive!”

“I am being supportive Kuro-kun, look I just ordered a casket for you off Demazon and I've already begun drafting a eulogy...”

“Wahahahahaha, I think I'll stay away from being a familiar after this, it's so hard watching the young purposefully find reasons to throw their lives away.”

“Damn it, screw you guys, when I go to Niigata to confront the Ice Queen after I win. You can't come Seir, and old man by then, I'll finally know how to keep your so called aged eyes from snooping in my affairs.”

I continued to go back and forth with Seir and the old man for the next few moments. Shiro finally looked as if she had cheered up a little, so I was more than happy to be the straight man to the comedy duo that the old man and Seir were portraying.

Alice returned and served me some black coffee.

“Phew, thank God that’s over, hey Seir, have you got anything to eat?”

“Ah, Alice go get some of that beef…”

“Oh, I still have the food that I made this morning Kuro, Alice-san do you mind warming this up?”

“...Not at all Shiro-san.”

“...”

“Wahahahahahahaha, can’t catch a break, can you foolish boy?”

“Eh? Is there something wrong Kuro?”

“N-no! Old man Bahamut was just saying that he’s jealous that he doesn’t get to have any of your cooking.”

“Wahahaha, alas, it is so little snow girl, but it warms my heart to see my master enjoy a good meal, please, go ahead and warm the food up for him.”

“Oh OK, come on Alice-san, I will help.”

Shiro left the room with Alice and I was left dreading what was to come, my only consolation was that there would be enough for Seir and that he would have to eat some too.

The first Prince of the Bael House huh. The current King of Hell is from the Bael house so this must be his son. I don’t know how strong he is but I guess I have no choice but to beat him.

I never had any intention of taking the summit seriously, but I suppose my business with that person would have to wait for now.

After I make Seir the next King of Hell. I will finally go after her, sorry mum and dad but our revenge will have to wait.

I clenched my right hand where the tattoo that proved that Bahamut was my familiar was glowing and felt him responding to what I had in my mind with bloodlust.

The time for playing around was over, it was time to train to win the battle and the war.