Cooled Passions Chapter 78: The Lord Protector

Chapter 78: The Lord Protector

“Thank you, Yasaka.” The Divine being opposite me spoke as the Kitsune finished pouring tea, “I am sorry, but may I speak to the Sagan alone?”

Yasaka hesitated at that, giving me the briefest of looks before she bowed low from her seated position, “Hai, Lord Hachiman. Please excuse me.”

Straight backed, with perfect posture, she left the room without a backwards glance.

“She is concerned for you. Enough to hesitate when given an order.” Hachiman observed, taking a small sip of his tea, “It speaks well of your character to have endeared the Miko of Kyoto so.”

“I am glad to have her think so warmly of me as well.” I took a sip of my own beverage, “I must admit, when I received her missive, I was not expecting it to be an invitation to a personal meeting.”

“Hmm.” The God hummed, eyes peering through his mask as he took in my form, “Originally it was decided that Susanoo would be the one to speak with you, however, his way of ascertaining one’s nature is to cross swords with them. I humbly suggested that such an approach would have been alienating.”

“I thank you for the consideration.” I spoke, relaxing slightly.

From what I have heard of him and the myths surrounding him, Susanoo would have likely attacked me as soon as I stepped foot on Japan, fighting until he was satisfied then dragging me off for drinks afterward. While the trade with the Yokai is important enough to my immediate situation that I would have accepted it, it was still a source of stress I was glad that I didn’t have to encounter.

Still that left the question about why they were sending someone to meet me. The fact that Susanoo was considered meant that it was for something important, considering his status as one of the big three of the Shinto pantheon.

More to the point, it brought into question why they didn’t just have Inari meet me to discuss whatever it was. I was the closest with the fox deity out of all the Gods of Japan, so them deciding to send someone new implied certain things about this meeting.

Whatever his business, Hachiman was in no hurry to get to it. Instead, he was content to sip on his tea, eyes lingering on the new additions to my form, obviously taking the time to consider what my bloodline meant for the Shinto. For my part, rather than get annoyed at the power play, I decided to take the opportunity to reflect and try and calm the roiling mess of power inside of me.

Ever since the seal broke, the Dark Moon sword had been feeding Loki’s power into me. It had been doing that before, but it was but a trickle compared to the flood that had occurred once the dam broke. Interestingly enough, my Demonic Power was not increasing that much, considering I was devouring the essence of a God. Instead, it felt as if it was suffusing every part of me equally, not quite increasing my capabilities yet still making me feel like I was becoming more than I was.

I would need to meditate properly to completely understand the feeling, but this brief break was enough for me to soothe the rushing flow of power, marshalling it into some form of order. The tea that Yasaka prepared seemed to be helping with the process somehow, likely a mystical blend that I have yet to learn about.

The silence that settled between Hachiman and myself was heavy with expectation, yet neither of us seemed to be uncomfortable with it, perfectly content to let the other make the first move.

The one to break it was the Shinto god, putting down his cup of tea and placing it formally on the table in front of him.

“Much has happened to my homeland since we retreated to the Land of Reeds. My people have forgotten lessons learned long ago, yet at the same time much is the same as it was. Walking the modern streets, I am at once at home and a stranger. Such is typical of the passing of time and will fade shortly, but there is one thing that we have discovered that has brought us much to consider.” He spoke, the snarling mask he wore at odds with his calm, measured tone.

I nodded, careful in my reply, “The soul of a people has a long memory. Change is always difficult, but I am sure that Japan will be better off with your involvement again.”

He laughed softly at my answer, a grin barely visible, “You are the first person I have heard say that and truly mean it.”

He fixed me with a considering look, the mirth fading from his expression as a hand came up to softly hold his chin, “In our absence, many deals and agreements have been made, including ones with which we are not pleased with.”

“Like my own with the Yokai.” I guessed, earning a slow nod, “But forgive me for pointing out, such an agreement was only possible with the assistance of Inari and the approval of Amaterasu.”

“You are right for doing so. However, those decisions were made when you were but a singular, ostracised Devil. Not the consort of an immensely powerful god, nor indeed, the descendant of Lucifer.” He countered, “Thus, we have been taken by the need to review not just your arrangement, but all those that have been agreed upon in our absence.”

“I see. Of course, changing realities must be taken into account, but I feel I must disagree with your authority in this matter.” That earned a head tilt from the Kami, causing me to elaborate, “The agreement was made between myself and Yasaka, in her capacity as the head of the Kyoto Yokai. Not as the Miko of Amaterasu. As her masters, you do have the capability to break this agreement. However, doing so would be detrimental to the very subjects you wish to protect, not to mention that the penalties for breaking the contract would have to be paid in full.”

“All valid points, Lord Sagan. Yet, I cannot help but feel that you are not arguing purely for business, but rather that you have become personally invested in the matter.” He nodded warmly with his words, “Which is why I will be recommending that we do not interfere in the agreement between you and the Yokai.”

“I’m sorry? Might I inquire as to your reasoning?” I blinked at the sudden curveball.

“One of the things that our people have forgotten is that Devils are selfish creatures. They can only be trusted to act according to their own desires. You obviously desire to make Yasaka yours, thus you will act in a beneficial manner towards her people.” He poured himself another cup of tea, breathing in the aroma, “More to the point, your agreement does not cede any territory to you. All the warehouses in Kyoto are still the property of the Yokai, not you. This has made your situation much more palatable.”

“I see. That is the major concern for the Shinto?” I asked, intrigued, “That Devils and other factions have gained territory upon Japan?”

The cup in his hand creaked slightly, “Two thousand years, yet not once has a single inch of the Sacred Home Islands been ceded to an invader. However, through agreements and deals made in darkness, there are now parts of our domain that are no longer beholden to us.”

He relaxed, as slight as his tension had been, as he turned to regard me shrewdly, “Tell me, young Sagan, descendant of Lucifer himself. If I asked you for your counsel on this matter, would you give it truthfully?”

“I would give it freely.” I responded, immediately scenting that any losses by other Devils in Japan could only strengthen my own position, “The first thing I would advise is to ask the Devils who own the territory for their copies of the agreements that gave it to them. Breaking deals weakens Devils, as it goes against our very natures, however said agreements are only as binding as their wording.”

“So pore over the contracts for ways to break them?” He questioned, eyes sharp.

“No. Take advantage of the same loophole Devils do. Unless an agreement is with an entire bloodline, it is only binding so long as the one who made it is alive. A Devil can gain territory in exchange for taking care of it and protecting it, but if the one they made the agreement with dies, they are no longer bound to do so and may do what they wish in regard to the territory. However, by the same token…” I explained.

“I see. The very deal itself is no longer binding. Very devious.” He smiled now, with genuine warmth, “Also something we are already doing. Omoikane-no-Mikoto gave the exact same advice. Thank you for your honesty.”

I smiled back, shrugging, “Well played.”

---XXX---

She looked down on the broken fragments on her desk. Drumming her fingers over the arm rest of her office chair, she felt her mind drifting, thinking over the meeting she had secured for later in the week. It was one of those moments her father had told her about, the rare points in time where the actions you take would affect the rest of your life.

She felt the weight of expectation around her shoulders. She had argued long and hard with her parents, trying to get them to accept her point of view, only for them to eventually reveal to her that they were thinking the same things. They merely wanted to see that she had properly thought through and considered her actions and what they could mean for the future of their House.

It all circled around the same material that the shards on her desk were made out of. The wonder mineral, the mining of which propelled her House to the highest echelons of power.

Agaresite.

The crystal formation was exceptionally magically resonant, allowing enchanters and warders of all kinds to perform truly wondrous feats with the mineral as a base. Even the Evil Pieces, the ultimate weapon of the Devil Race, were made from it.

At the same time, it was a noose around the Agares’ necks. They were under more regulations and restrictions when it came to the riches of their territory than any of the other Pillars of Hell. Understandably so, it might seem, as their greatest asset as a race were tied to the crystals that could only be found in their territory. It seems sensible that the leaders of the Devils would want to restrict other Factions’ access to such a wondrous material.

Bans on trading with other factions. Limits on the amount they could sell to other Pillars. Mandatory quotas to deliver amounts to Ajuka Beelzebub, to turn into Evil Pieces, for market rate prices. Of course, the Market Rate price was legislated, so the Agares were being underpaid for their labours, even if they received what many would consider a King’s ransom in exchange.

After all, they had become one of the most powerful Houses in Hell, but for all their power, all their influence, they were still constrained and blocked from going any higher. Agaresite was a finite resource, this much is true, but even if they expanded their mining operations a hundredfold it would still be many centuries until they depleted the entire reserve of the crystal. That is not even considering the other secret about the substance that the Agares had kept to themselves.

She sighed, stretching her palm over the shards, feeling the incredibly complex spell-work from Lord Beelzebub that even now filled the shattered piece. She activated her family magic, focusing intently on only the magical signature under her grasp. As it was known to do, the Agaresite ate up the Demonic Power sent its way, allowing her Power to suffuse the entirety of it easily. More than that, it allowed her to do something otherwise impossible.

Under her hands, the pieces shivered and began to move, each part of the broken pawn merging and moulding back together, as if time reversed itself. In fact, that is exactly what was happening. She continued to focus and concentrate, not stopping even once the piece was made fully whole. She continued, winding the clock further and further back, until what remained was not the glorious wonder of spell-work created by a Satan, but instead a simple, ordinary chess piece carved from crystal.

She sighed, bringing her hand back to her side as she picked up the blue object with the other. Tilting it, she reflected on the most closely guarded secret of the Agares clan. The main reason why all the worried of them eventually running out of the crystal were almost laughable.

It didn’t matter what the crystal was used for, what form it was turned into, how long it had been in use. A few mere moments with an Agares, and all the machinations of others would be wiped away, as if they never existed. The Agaresite itself would be pure, ready to be reshaped and reused, as if it had just been brought up from the mines.

The facade was useful, the non-renewable nature of the crystal in the minds of others meaning that her House gained a position of prominence and protection, after all anything finite needed to be protected and taken care of.

Now, however, the winds of change were blowing. All the pillars had decisions to make, they could all see the collision course their society was on. Or at least, they should. Too many powerful beings were rising, taking sides and declaring allegiances. None of them could abide being only one amongst many, there would be a reckoning. When there were only three sides, there was a tense but somewhat stable balance between them. However, with the rise of the Sagan, that equilibrium was a thing of the past.

Danger and opportunity were often different sides of the same coin, and she wished to ensure that when the dust settled, her House was standing higher than it was even now. To that end, she saw the utility that the Sagan represented, especially with the STC. Damocles had been buying the maximum allowable amount of Agaresite from her House that was afforded to him by his rank, but he had not been satisfied. He bought out other Houses’ quotas, letting them buy the material only for him to purchase it from them, often at insane prices.

It was too much.

He was only trading with the Yokai at the moment, but the amount of resources the STC was acquiring was much too much for only that one trading partner. No, he was stockpiling, preparing. The Sagan intended to expand and if her intuition was correct, rather rapidly at that. His thinking was likely to sign several agreements with sizeable, favourable bonuses for those agreeing, rapidly and in quick succession. By the time others noticed, it would be too late to stop him through the Senate, as the deals would have already been signed.

If the Agares cooperated with him, became a partner rather than just a supplier, then her House could reap the rewards alongside the Sagan. On top of that, it would position her Family as a neutral party in the coming conflict, having agreements and at least normal relations with each side. It was not a certain guarantee, but one would hesitate to strike at a supplier of your enemies if it would harm your prospects as well.

She was brought out of her reflections by her door opening, a pale Alivan leading her Lord Father into her office.

“Daughter.” The Lord Agares smiled at her, warmth and pride filling his gaze, “I must say, your intuition puts us all to shame.”

She was very confused, blinking as she asked, “What do you mean, Father?”

“Ah.” He chuckled, “It appears you have yet to see the news. Alivan, if you would?”

Her Queen nodded, walking around the desk and showing her the screen of his phone. The browser was open on it, showing a news article, headline large and in bold. She ignored that in favour of staring at the picture, low quality and obviously taken by a shaking hand, but considering what it showed that was no wonder.

“It appears, dear daughter, that you have secured us quite the coup.” She heard her father speak, from a million miles away, “Everyone will be clamouring and rushing to gain even a speck of his attention, yet, who is it who has the first meeting with the newest descendant of Lucifer? That’s right, House Agares. Well done, Seekvaira.”

Indeed, right there, proudly displaying horns and a spaded tail, was the scion of the Sagan House.

Damocles Sagan.

Or should she say, Damocles Lucifer?

---XXX---

“Damocles, would you indulge me? I wish to share something with you.” Hachiman asked, our conversation about to finish.

I had offered to drop the honorifics, something to which he had agreed to, with only a slight shake of the head. Nothing of great import had been decided, merely making sure that there were no misunderstandings between us.

“I don’t mind, Hachiman. The next little while will be rather trying for me, I expect, so delays are welcome.” I responded, flicking my eyes up to the protruding appendages.

He laughed softly, “Yes, I suppose it will be. Walk with me.”

He proceeded to stand and lead me through the Palace, moving with purpose, obviously well aware of where he was going. We moved through several hallways, the winding path leaving the familiar parts of the building I had already seen, before finally arriving at somewhere completely new.

I recognised it in an instant, of course, having seen pictures of similar places multiple times. Still, this was the first time I had ever stood in a Kyudo Archery Range. The Kami walked easily, picking up a bow purposefully, stringing it with long practise. Casting an eye over the implement, he nodded before he breathed gently on it, the wood glowing faintly as he did so.

Turning back to me, he started to speak as he held out the bow, “I find that Archery is a great way to clear the mind. The turmoil within you is clear to see, I would like to assist in a small way as an apology for my suspicions earlier.”

“I do not believe you have anything to apologise for, but I thank you for the sentiment and accept gratefully. However, I have never used a bow before, so I fear I might embarrass myself.” I walked up to him, taking the bow from his hand.

He nodded, stepping back as he said, “Do not worry about that, my blessing will ensure that will not be an issue. Just follow my guidance and all will be well.”

I proceeded to do exactly that as he guided me into the correct stance, internally thinking that this act had a lot more significance than he was telling me. Once my posture was correct, he then began to instruct me further.

“Raise the bow, with the arrow nocked. Over your head, focus on nothing but the arrow and your target. All your worries, all your pains, they are not important to this. Lower the bow, draw the arrow, and release it true, your frustrations flying free with it.”

I did as he bid, the world fading away as the blessing of the bow guided me, allowing me to draw and fire the arrow with practised ease that wasn’t mine. As I did, I felt a great weight release from me as the arrow left the string, as if my stress really was flying along with the arrow. With a soft thunk, the arrow impacted the target, just shy of a bullseye, but still amazing for a first shot.

Looking at the bow, the glow had entirely left it, the implement once again resembling nothing but a normal bow.

“Excellent. I trust it was helpful?” Hachiman asked.

“Very much so. Thank you for sharing that with me.” I responded, handing the bow back to him.

“You are most welcome.” He unstrung it and put it away neatly as he spoke, “You are only the second Devil to ever experience shooting with me, so it is something you can proudly brag about.”

My curiosity was piqued, “What happened with the other Devil?”

The Kami, finished with the bow, turned to me with a visible smile, “She missed.”