Chapter 48: Alrighty Aphrodite

Chapter 48: Alrighty Aphrodite

Kayson outlined a simple plan. During the festival, the majority of the Sects were given leave to head into the city. As no one expected trouble, they let their disciples loose to curry favor with the Himawari Sect. Anything less was a failure to show proper face.

That gave us less resistance to our approach, even if the problems with the plan stacked up after.

One of our biggest issues was that the Getsu Sect, like most Sects, lived in a gated community. They had a strict in and out. Even with the festival, there was definitely going to be some form of guard. Kayson might be able to slip his Manifested Soul in to locate Bruno, but we still needed to find out own path into the place.

Eve was automatically assigned to that duty. Both her Soul Ability and lockpicking skills made her essential. With Kayson, theyd be able to find and spring him from whatever cell theyd tossed the big guy in.

But the most important problem was how to sneak them past the Soul-Fortified outer sect walls. Even without guards, itd be impossible to scale them.

I came up with the solution. It spoke a lot about the situation, and perhaps my squads trust in me that they accepted the awful idea that came out of my mouth.

Id approach the guards directly and cause a scene. The plan was pure improv; somehow, Id do something to catch their attention and draw them far enough away from the gate for Eve and Kayson to get in. They shouldve brushed the idea off, but Kayson slowly nodded his head instead.

Suzaki could fix me up after I inevitably got my shit kicked in. Whatever it took to free Bruno. So long as I didnt fail.

Something tugged at the back of my mind, and when I asked about it, everyone laughed me off. Would Bruno go along with the plan? They kept telling me that I was out of my mind, that the big guy would, of course, want to be free. But I knew him. This sort of shit is what he lived forrivals, Sects, and duels over honor?

Since no one else was feeding into it, I let it go, and we drove to the Getsu Sect.

It was a long trip through the west side of New Valentinethis outskirts of the city was a vast swath of land cut out and reserved for the minor sects. From what I understood, way back when, it all used to be marshlands. Formation masters managed to reforge it into something more workable.

Of course, even among the sects, Himawari stood above. They didnt live out here. Instead, they had their private island off the shore, letting the rest of these minor sects cluster together in the fake countryside.

Their sprawling estates engaged in a perpetual competition to be the king of their small hills. It was almost a comedic effect to see the various Sect raise artificial mountains constantly trying to top the otherslike an ancient tradition straight out of the old world. Why not build an immortals-damned skyscraper? But no, no one ever claimed these stuffy Sects were fucking sensible.

As we drove down the long winding eastern roads of the Sect countryside, I felt unreal. Their pristine gated communitieseach a different snapshot of the unknown reality. We cut through the artificial forests to meticulously mowed lawns and mile-long stretches of wall. They all had their unique take a presentation to display their Sects values and importance.

Oh Otsu the girl next to him giggled, unable to help herself at her companions perplexed and angry expression. She was about my age.

Ya heard her, Otsu, your friend thinks ya are a joke. Whats a kid like you doing in there? Guess this Sect is needy if theyre accepting children who aint able to grow a full head of hair. Which Sect is this again? Taiyo-no-eiko? I threw out the name of their biggest rival to piss them off. It brought me an unhealthy amount of joy when the kids face recoiled with revulsion at the name. If they let a boy like you in there, Im sure theyll want an actual man like me.

I didnt know much about the Sects. Just the bits an average New Valentine dweller picked up. Things like the more powerful Sectwhich ones pissed the others off. Typical mortal gossip bullshit. I never imagined those special news reports would ever come in handy until now.

This is certainly not Taiyo-no-eiko, as if the magnificent Getsu sect could ever be compared to that

Ehhh? Aint the Getsu Sect that the one with that guy going around taking advantage of girls in the Lantern District, yknow I heard a couple of stories

You dare badmouth our exemplary Sect?! Leave here at once! the kid even puffed his chest out. Adorable.

Oh, Otsu. Come off it. This is the most fun Ive had all day. The girl sighed. Just what are your qualifications for joining the Getsu sect, outsider? she leaned a little bit out the window, smirking.

Elder Sister Fukui! Dont entertain this scoundrel!

Well, if ya have to ask, I am more qualified than that bald kid ya got there. Been through more fights than hes probably read about; I aint just sitting around in a booth all the fucking time. I have lots of shit constantly flying at me, I jabbed a finger towards baldy. Bet ya couldnt even beat me in a fight. Dumbass Sect sorts like duels, right? I challenge your prepubescent ass to a fight. If I win, I get your spot.

We do not admit outsiders based on simple duels! Besides, I would certainly crush you in a fight. I have the teachings of the inner lecturers of the Getsu sectIve attended plenty of lessons regarding the secrets of the path of Cultivation.

All I hear is a lotta hot air, I spat on the ground. It was time to turn the screws. I looked at Fukui; her eyes were lit up. Id noticed the way the bald boy kept glancing at her for approval after every other sentence, so his reluctance stemmed from self-doubt. He didnt wanna make a fool of himself in front of her, and he wasnt sure how hed do against me. Ideal fuel to start a fire.

I threw more charm into my eyes, pressing closer to the glass, catching Fukui by surprise. Perfect. Well, if I aint able to get in from taking this losers spot, how about ya and I get hitched. Beautiful eyes, gorgeous hair, great sense of humor Fukui blinked at the sudden shift in my direction.

You court death! The boy screamed from the side, crawling out of the window. Beautiful, it worked like a charm.

Cmon, gorgeous, come see how a real man fights! I broke out into a jog, past the bushes that my friends hid in. I glanced over my shoulder and was relieved to see the girl pop open the door and follow behind. Good. Shed lept on the chance for any entertainment, and just like the dumb kid, shed bought the bait.