"I mean no harm, but I must ensure this matter of great secrecy has no foreign ears, for this knowledge concerns the gods."
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|DxD|- Chapter 69- Shuri's Shock
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Gods. She'd heard the word more often than she preferred in the few weeks since Igor left. Shuri sat stiffly in her chair. If this matter involved gods, something Baraquiel didn't know, then she wanted to hear it.
"I'm listening, Lord Belial."
Diehauser flashed the briefest grateful smile before it faded. His grey eyes still held calculation, still paving an avenue of approach for what promised to be a very delicate conversation.
"Before I begin, Shuri, I would like to reiterate that I hold no malicious intent towards you. The information I hold will not be used to coerce or force you into a disadvantageous position. You are Cleria's only true friend and despite what you may believe, I value the bond you share far too much to compromise it for meagre gains."
Shuri gripped the hems of her dress. Now she was truly worried. Just what did Diehauser find out? His first words sounded uncomfortably similar to the ones she gave him all those years ago in the forest.
"Please elaborate, Lord Belial."
She maintained a semblance of calm, but she couldn't hide her palpitation from them.
"Shuri. Please relax. I swear no harm will come to you now or after."
Cleria intoned gently. She could feel that Shuri's heart was a nervous wreck of rapid beats. Truthfully, she also felt apprehension at her cousin's doomful words, but if he was going this far to lay the groundwork, then the knowledge he possessed must truly be mind-shattering.
"Cleria is right, Shuri. I do have integrity, you know?"
It was a poor attempt at a joke, but it worked. Their combined reassurance allowed Shuri to steady herself. Diehauser gave her a moment and thereafter, decided to begin.
"Two days ago, I received a piece of intelligence. Emissaries of the Shinto gods have been spotted at key ley lines over the country. I am not clear what they are doing yet, but I do know they are forming a net."
"How bad is it, cousin?"
Cleria asked worriedly. A mobilization of this scale had signs of a country-wide lockdown not seen since the Scramble.
"I'm not clear yet. But Kurohime was seen amongst those mobilised."
*Bang!*
"Kurohime?!"
Cleria banged the table with wide eyes. It was a disastrous loss of composure, but it couldn't be helped. Kurohime was Yokai Leader Yasaka's personal aid and widely considered as Japan's greatest seal master. She was to the Shinto what Vasco Strada was to Heaven, and if this matter included her personal deployment, then the Shinto were gravely serious.
"Unfortunately, cousin."
A silent moment passed as Diehauser met both their eyes.
"Regardless of her involvement, they are still in preparation and will have to release an obligatory announcement. But we cannot deny that the groundwork is being laid. And this is where my concern comes in, Shuri."
Shuri had been passive for most of this time. She'd once glimpsed upon Kurohime many years ago: a staunch middle-aged woman who held a very deep presence behind cold blue eyes. A human like her who served the priestess of Amaterasu was a distinct rarity.
"I'm listening, Lord Belial."
Shuri maintained a reserved posture. In a room of conversations above her power, she held a wait-and-listen approach.
"Shuri. I'd like to once more repeat what I said earlier. I harbour no ill intent nor do I intend to use my knowledge to your disregard. That said…"
Diehauser met her gaze.
"I am aware Igor is a descendant of Ariya."
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Shuri said nothing. But her widened eyes, her energy spike, her stiff posture—her entire body betrayed her. Cleria felt shock, because instinct wanted her to believe it was a lie. She'd witnessed the era in which every single Ariyan was gutted and killed. Under the direct involvement of the gods, absolutely none would've escaped the net.
"But cousin. How?"
She asked with shock. She wanted to say it was impossible, but Diehauser wouldn't joke about such a thing.
"Igor is only sixteen this year. It doesn't make sense."
"I don't know how as well, Cleria…"
Diehauser faced Shuri.
"...and I won't ask. But what I do know, Igor needs to leave Japan by today at the latest. Regardless of what or who the Shinto are looking for, they will not ignore him if they do find him, and we cannot risk him staying here."
Shuri had her head lowered, and Diehauser placed his hand on the desk and leaned over. He didn't want to forcefully abduct Igor, not at such a sensitive time.
"Shuri. Please make a deci—"
"He's not here."
Shuri spoke suddenly. Her words were a direct admission. Perhaps Diehauser was bluffing and wasn't completely sure. Maybe she should've walked out those doors the moment he said those words. But in that moment, she wasn't thinking properly. Her expression was one of silent shock, a face no different from a puppet.
"Apologies, Shuri. But what do you mean he's gone? Did he know beforehand?"
Diehauser watched her closely. He'd always suspected Shuri had some sort of protector. This secret information absolutely would not be shared to a mid-class, not without someone higher up deliberately informing her.
"He left Japan for his training. He'll be back in a year."
Shuri replied with a slight quiver in her voice. She made to stand up, readying herself to leave.
"I'm sorry, but I…I…"
She looked at Diehauser. The long suppressed fear gripped her heart with an iron fist so tight she couldn't breathe.
"Shuri. Calm down. You're panicking."
Cleria stood warily, worried her friend might fall into shock.
"I…"
Shuri couldn't finish her sentence. Instead, she politely bowed her head and left the room. The door clicking closed signified her departure. Hurried steps on wood seeped through the walls. It was the first time Cleria had seen her friend in such a state.
She herself wasn't much better, because it was now dawning on her. Six years ago, she gave away a life-saving phoenix tear…to an Ariyan. And once that thought sank in, it terrified her to the core, so much her legs weakened.
She sank to her chair and looked at Diehauser with a smile between disbelief and helplessness.
"Ariyan, huh?"
A small part of her wanted it to be a lie. If it was found she saved an Ariyan, it wouldn't just end with her death. The entire Belial clan, her peerage, and all related to her and Igor would be killed. But when Diehauser replied to her with a weak smile, she knew it was true.
"Yes. He is one."
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AN: The cat is outta the bag. Big D was unfortunately a bit too late. Not everyone has a Cadre for first-hand information. Blondie is doing his thing in the chamber, unaware things have just spiralled beyond control. But that's an issue for the future him.
Chapter 69
END