Chapter 149 – Checking out the Sights.

Name:The Red Hand Author:
Chapter 149 – Checking out the Sights. Announcement

2 Chaps!

After dinner was concluded, the girls returned to their rooms for the evening. The week would consist of many meetings between Akagi, Mizumi, and various government officials. Topics would vary between magical trade, diplomatic relations with Omara, and the lending of Birdy to the Americans. Mizumi would spend a large amount of time independently of Akagi as she would be handling the important task of representing her people to the American government. So she would be busy, which was fine.

The week went on with meeting, after meeting, after meeting. Something Akagi was all too used to, and she actually had some fun with this setup. There were a lot of tense discussions, but the Americans generally had a cautious yet respectful and amicable attitude, something that pleased Akagi. So in return, she agreed to work on more favorable deals with them. A few of the most important agreements were as follows.

(1) Akagi would be recognized as the leader of the Kingdom of Dumetor, once it was established, with the promise of limited Democratic institutions in the future.

(2) The U.S. would set up official diplomatic relations with her new nation.

(3) The U.S. would sponsor her country's entry into the UN.

(4) The U.S. would guarantee her nation against hostile attacks and invasion.

(5) The U.S. would accept Birdy and use her as a part of a non-military unit to deal with natural disasters and relief efforts.

(6) Akagi will begin trade in both knowledge and material regarding magic.

(7) Akagi will be recognized as a Demon Lord by the United States.

(8) Akagi will facilitate trade and transport between the U.S. and Omara until other methods are developed.

(9) The U.S. will recognize Mizumi as the official spokesperson of her people.

(10) In a gesture of goodwill, Akagi will recall her agents from spying on the American government and its military institutions.

(11) The American government will recognize the status of those brought from FWO into the real world as people protected under international law as de-jure humans thereunder.

(12) The U.S. will not interfere with her family operations where possible. (I.E. not stopping nations from hiring them and ignoring small-scale crimes. This provision is secret.)

(13) The U.S. will work with Akagi to provide technical support for the construction of her new town, and will work with Japan to provide safe transport and relocation for those who wish to enter it as citizens.

(14) The U.S. and Japan will work together to clamp down on discrimination of returnees and FWO survivors.

(15) The U.S. will assist in future negotiations with Japan on legal issues regarding her new nation, such as tariffs and customs.

In addition to negotiations, Akagi met with ambassadors from various nations ranging from South America to Europe. And while each were kind and cordial, she could tell that opinions on her were divided.

Mizumi met a similar number of important figures and had an equally long list of meetings over the week. Though, it seemed that there was more interest in her and her people than Akagi. Something the Demon found funny. Thursday was set aside as a free day so that Akagi and the girls could check out D.C. Originally, Rosewood wanted to prepare an itinerary and even have Nariyuki accompany her. But when her agent checked in Akagi's room that morning, she found a note saying that she and Yumi would head out with Hikari to walk around D.C. and that she could relax on a nice happy day off.

Naturally, this resulted in a minor panic as Nariyuki contacted President Rosewood, but she was told to just leave things be. Though the annoyed agent had to take a few more stomach pills that morning due to stress.

_____________________________________________________________________________

"I am honored you wished me to accompany you, my Lord!" Hikari smiled. She was excited to see D.C. together with Akagi. She'd not spent much time with her as she was always overseas and was looking forward to spending time with her leader.

"You really do enjoy things like this, huh?" Yumi giggled. "You've been like a kid in a candy store since we started this morning."

"Well, sorry, I have hobbies and things I enjoy outside of being an assassin and the Demon Lord. Hmpf!" Akagi turned away.

"Now, Now." Yumi poked Akagi in the shoulder. "Don't get all pouty. It was fun for me too. And Hikari, you had fun, right?" Her eyes told the dog girl to say yes.

"Yes!" Her tail stood up. "It was so much fun!"

{No it wasn't. But if I said that, Yumi would kill me.} (Hikari)

"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Akagi smiled. "We should get back for dinner though. Nariyuki said they were going to serve us something Japanese inspired tonight, and I can't wait. Hikari, you should join us too." She figured the girl needed a reward, and food was very welcome to the beastkin.

"Sounds great!" Hikari's stomach growled.

"It's like we never left behind Mika with you here." Yumi laughed, and Hikari growled at her. Once they finished up at the park they were at, the three of them began a return trip to Blair House. Today was a full day, and Akagi thoroughly enjoyed herself, noting to make time to check out other historical places in the world and perhaps make a trip to Europe in the near future.

After a bit of a walk, they returned not long before dinner was to begin. Nariyuki gave Akagi a lecture about not taking off without her or someone from the government with her, but was promptly ignored. Akagi didn't want or need a minder.

"You're not even listening to me, are you?" Nariyuki sighed.

"Nope." Akagi laughed. "I do what I want. If that's an issue for you, too bad."

{As if I'm going to just leash myself to you. What do you take me for, some kind of weak minded fool?} (Akagi)

"You could have at least informed me before you went out." Nariyuki said.

"Hey! I left a note." Akagi shrugged. "I figured that would be good enough."

"She's doing this on purpose, isn't she?" Nariyuki looked at Yumi who started laughing.

"She has a bad habit of picking on people, and I think you've caught her interest on that front." Yumi giggled.

"Well, fuck me." Nariyuki put her head in her hands. "Why did I have to be the trustworthy one." She cursed Rosewood for this assignment.

{I swear, if the Secret Service wouldn't jump me, I'd kick her ass!} (Nariyuki)

Mizumi was running late with a meeting, so the four of them sat down for dinner in the dining hall. The chef brought out something that looked like curry and naan bread, two things Akagi very much loved. However, not all was well with this seemingly amazing food as just when Yumi moved to start eating, Akagi stopped her.

"No one touch the food." Akagi declared.

"What's wrong?" Nariyuki's eyes got sharp.

"It's poisoned." Akagi's words caused the three girl's eyes to widen in shock.

{I had a feeling something like this might happen.} Akagi internally sighed. {Why can't we just have a normal, peaceful day?}