Chapter 233 – Delivering the News.

Chapter 233 – Delivering the News.

While the girls were busy having fun at the beach, and Akagi was breaking out the single most wanted criminal in Japan, Mizumi, Kukurihime, and Shinlua descended the Council Hall's main staircase to speak with the jailed former Council members who were being held below. The three Spirits were being held in specialized cells and bound with magical restraints that rendered them unable to use their magic, and Mizumi wanted to deliver them a very important message.

"I...I still don't know if this is a good idea, Lady Mizumi." Shinlua said as the two of them moved past a guard. "The people are angry with them, but... Such extreme measures will probably not go over well."

{I know that ending their lives may be the best way to stop future problems, but I fear it also may CREATE problems for us as well...} (Shinlua)

"They might be angry about this decision, but I hope that in time they'll come to understand my reasoning." Mizumi replied as they reached the bottom of the staircase and veered off into an area that was far less grandiose than the rest of the Council Hall. "Our people's tendency to hold life sacred is admirable, but sometimes it's necessary to make exceptions." She'd steeled herself for this, but it still left her slightly uncomfortable inside.

{I used to advocate for the protection of all life, and here I am, about to cast three people into...} (Mizumi)Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

"There are times when it becomes necessary to put aside one's lofty ideals and face reality." Kukurihime commented, noticing that Mizumi was currently experiencing a torrent of emotions. "In the past, our kind used to fight each other relentlessly, and while I'm glad to see that our descendants have elevated themselves above our past, in my personal opinion, these three are getting what they deserve." She was none too happy to learn that the Council was planning on murdering/enslaving all mankind, and as a result, put their entire people at risk.

{How could they turn their back on their own people like they did? Dokorimon wanted peace between our people and humanity. Even if such horrors happened in that other world, I have no doubt that he'd NEVER agree with taking revenge, especially on a people who had nothing to do with it.} (Kukurihime)

As they entered the holding area, they were greeted by the sight of the three fallen Council members shackled to the walls of their cells in large long chains while massive iron barn kept them separate from each other. The floors and walls were covered in magical formations, and each had a different look on their face, ranging from anger to despair.

"Well, Well, Well, I see the Demons PETS came to visit us." Daruma scoffed as he glared at the three women. He was utterly embarrassed by Akagi's quick and easy defeat of him. Mizumi was hoping that he'd be injected with a bit of humility, but sadly that had no happened. "Come to gloat? To lord yourself before us? Well, if you've come to enjoy your victory, then I hate to disappoint you, but I'll never grovel before you!" He huffed.

{I'd sooner die than prostrate myself before them, or beg for clemency from a monster or its pets!} (Daruma)

"Still as arrogant and hot-headed as always, aren't you." Mizumi sighed as she shook her head. "I'm not here to gloat, anyway. I just wanted to speak to the three of you."

{At least one good thing about all of this is that Daruma will soon stop being a problem. Now if only we could get Muichiro in here. I have a feeling that an nice angry mob tearing him to pieces would be a welcome sight in the Central Square.} (Mizumi)

"What could you possibly wish to discuss with us?" Onmiyame asked, his face contorted into a deep scowl. "You've sold our people to a Demon. I hope you've not come to ask us to join your servitude, or perhaps have you come to seek advice on a rebellion?" He smirked.

{Mizumi has a leash wrapped around her neck like the good little pup that she is. I highly doubt she'd ever betray her master. I wonder what she was promised by that creature? Dominion over our people? Power? Some fun at night?} (Daruma)

"I'm not suicidal, thank you very much." Mizumi rolled her eyes. She figured that Daruma and the other two were still stupid when it came to Akagi, and his comments proved her right. "Akagi has already granted us a kindness by allowing us to live under her rule. I'm not about to take chances with our entire people, so there will be no talk of rebellion." She knew it would be both stupid and pointless to plot something like that. Not to mention, Akagi's people kept tabs on Omara and would instantly know if something subversive was going on.

{I suppose even after understanding that Akagi is a true Demon Lord, they still act like arrogant fools. I guess that's not surprising, considering everything we know about them. The amount of money they and their co-conspirators stole, the resources they squandered... and... the lives they...} (Mizumi)

"Then we've nothing to speak about." Onmiyame replied. "I have no wish to speak to a traitor to our people. You are nothing more than a collaborator, and mark my words you will be remembered as such in the future when our people are free." He was still sure that Akagi would be felled one day in the future.

{It may not be tomorrow, but one day our people will be free of that Demon and you, and you'd best be prepared for what comes then.} (Onmiyame)

{Not to mention that for all the bluster about throwing away her humanity and embracing her status as a Demon Lord, she still bears the scars of her past and they haunt her to his very day. Akagi may not be a human, but her mind can never be rid of its humanity entirely, and THAT'S why I think she can be a good friend and ally to our people. We may be a curiosity to her, but at the same time I no longer doubt her intentions toward us or our people. Time can do a lot to beings like her and I, but I do not think it can erase the kindness that I know exists within her heart.} (Kukurihime)

"So you say, but for how long?" Onmiyame asked. "How long until such a being tires of peace and desires violence and destruction?" He figured that Akagi would one day bore of them and start treating them like playthings.

"I don't know." Kukurihime shrugged, and Onmiyame twitched at the unexpected comment. "I have no idea if she'll one day bore of our people and start acting out. However, I see no reason to judge her on what she could do versus what she has done." She laughed. "And when I look at her actions up till today, I see someone that can be kind and caring, but also firm and forceful. Akagi had every chance to destroy our people but chose to give Mizumi the opportunity to prove that we deserved to live. She could've enslaved humanity but instead chose to co-exist with them, albeit with the understanding that she was above their laws. Thus, from my perspective, she's better than some of our kind that I knew in the past, and there were plenty of our people that used their power to lord over humans in the very way you lot intended to."

{There's a reason the Tokugawa clan created a special Yokai hunting family from their blood. Humans needed protection from those Yokai who went beyond what humanity could tolerate, and our eventual exile was the result of all those mistakes.} (Kukurihime)

"Whatever." Daruma huffed. "I'm done with this conversation. Just leave me to rot in this cell and go fuck yourself." He turned away.

"Fine. I have no real interest in talking to you idiots anymore either." Mizumi replied. "Though don't expect to 'rot' for very long." Her lips curved into a smirk.

"Oh? Why not?" Daruma asked with one eye turned toward her.

"Because I've asked Judge Musharna to order your executions as part of your punishment." Mizumi's words caused all three former Council members to stare at her in shock.

"WHAT?!?" Sizix finally spoke up.

{I DON'T WANT TO DIE!} (Sizix)

"Y-You'd seriously..." Onmiyame was in shock. Capital punishment was essentially banned by their people, even in the most extreme instances.

"Hah! You really have become that Demon's puppet!" Daruma laughed. "I guess it makes sense since she sees nothing as sacred. Congratulations Mizumi! You've really let that Demon take you for a ride!”

"Contrary to what you expect. Akagi was not the one who made this call. I was." Mizumi glared at the three of them. "I merely asked for her advice on the matter, and she told me to follow my gut." She looked between the three former Council members. "You lot have not only placed our people in great danger, but you schemed to commit an atrocity that would make what happened to our people look tame in comparison!" Her anger exploded as years of emotions came spilling out. "You three make me ashamed to call myself a Spirit! Not to mention the fact that despite all your claims about keeping our people safe, you and your cronies were stealing our people's resources for your backers! You three were living it up while many of our people had NOTHING!" She bit her lip in frustration. "None of you have any right to call yourself the protectors of our people when, from the very beginning, you've thought of NOTHING but yourselves! If not for your foolishness we could've avoided this whole series of events! Hymone secured a peace deal with the other races, and yet YOU THREE rejected it, thinking that it was stupid to accept something when you were CERTAIN we could secure a more favorable outcome. WELL, GUESS WHAT! YOU WERE WRONG! YOU WERE WRONG, AND NOW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR PEOPLE ARE DEAD! DEAD BECAUSE YOU THREE COULDN'T PUT ASIDE YOUR GREED FOR FIVE MINUTES AND PUT OUR PEOPLE'S SAFETY AS YOUR FIRST PRIORITY!" She let out a deep breath. Mizumi had wanted to yell at them like this for a while but never did due to decorum but with that no longer required she was letting loose. "And the best part? If it wasn't for Akagi, the rest of us would be doomed. Because those fucking Gods weren't content with driving us from our home. No, now because Enoris is a sinking ship, those rats are trying to find a way to flee, and guess what their idea was?" She gave a terrifying smile that gave everyone chills. "They're sending those Heroes here with the express goal of wiping us out and becoming the new gods of this world."

"W-What?!?" Onmiyame barely squeaked out one word.

{They're...} (Onmiyame)

“They're coming here?!?” Sizix paled.

“You can't be serious?!?” Daruma tried to pull away from his chains but was unable to move much.

"You heard me!" Mizumi growled. "Akagi is now the only thing that stands between our people and annihilation. So sorry that I'm trying to cultivate a good relationship with the ONE person who seems to genuinely want to help us!" She turned to leave. "Now, use whatever time you have left to contemplate the stupidity of your lives, and the next time I see you, it will be when they remove your heads from your bodies!" She walked away, tears coming down her eyes.

{This is what I have to do. I'm sorry, Hymone. I know you would've never wanted things to end like this, but please understand that I'm doing what I need to do for our people. If they all condemn me for this action, then so be it. Even if they don't want me, I'll always protect them. It was the job you gave me and the duty that has fallen to me, and I'm going to see it through to the end.} (Mizumi)