/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45794447 (51/?)

With all the subtly of a wrecking ball, Shinki slams open the door to Alice’s cottage and shouts, “Happy birthday Hana!”

Unfortunately, Hana is not there. Instead, her allies seem to be warding a freshly patched wall. Her sudden appearance causes them to jump, though it grows strangely quiet after that. As the silence lingers, Mima floats over and begins to give a recount of the party. As Mima reaches Yukari’s arrival, Shinki’s smile contorts into a grimace.

As Mima pulls away, Shinki says, “Sheesh, she’s absolutely insane. I suppose we figured that out already, but still…”

Sariel pokes Shinki with her staff, “Pointing out the obvious is unnecessary. Relay our findings.”

As she swats the staff away, Shinki replies, “Right, right. More bad news, she’s making a soul-eater sword out of sin. I think it also has ties with Ibaraki-doji. I-”

Shinki is cut off as the others react poorly to this newest revelation. Mima is able to string together a coherent line of questing the fastest (and says it the loudest), “A soul-eater? There can be no doubt of her intentions in that case. How did she shape such a sword out of sin? The woman is many things, but a blacksmith is not one of those.”

Before Shinki could reply, Yuuka cuts in, “Ties with Ibaraki-doji? What exactly do you mean by that? Does it contain the pieces of Kasen’s soul that were sealed away?”

Shinki begins to answer, “Well it’s specul-” but is cut off again by Alice this time as she asks, “How exactly did you find this out? Is there any risk that Yukari is on to you?”

Marisa interjects, “That shouldn’t be possible-ze. Yukari’s attention was rather firmly here and none of her goons would be able to spot Shinki while she’s in her element. What I want to know is what held you up? Did something happe-”

Sariel cuts the chatter by slamming her staff into the ground. As the room grows silent, the fallen angel growls, “Enough, let her speak.”

Shinki rewards Sariel with a pat on the head. The mercurial seraphim surprisingly allows it. In fact, she puffs up to receive like a cat. Clearing her throat, Shinki answers, “Well to answer your many questions. The sword wasn’t forged. Instead, Yukari seems to be growing it or rather letting it form by itself. I couldn’t get a perfect read on the stuff being used to fuel the sword’s growth, but it’s definitely nasty. Violence, hate, lust, envy, etcetera, etcetera. What I am certain about is that there was a ground-up soul slurry in there and part of it felt like Ibaraki-doji. It may have been an imitation of the old bitch, but that shouldn’t matter much for the ritual itself. As for Yukari being onto me, nothing is ever certain with that woman, but I can say that she definitely didn’t see me through any gaps or magical means I could detect.”

As Shinki seemingly is done talking, Marisa stomps with a reddened face, “You didn’t answer my question, what else happened? I know you of all people wouldn’t take long to figure all that out.”

Shinki sighs dreamily, “Ah, a young magician who comprehends my power. If only there was another one who truly respected her creator’s strength. You’re right. For one I had to take out the trash, but before that, I left Yukari a little surprise.”

Mima raises an eyebrow at that, “A surprise?”

Shinki nods, “Yeah, a surprise. Nothing too crazy, I just made it appear that the Dragon God ordered her death.”

… The room falls dead silent as everyone stares blankly at Shinki. Mima, ever quick on the draw, demands, “Explain.”