Chapter 6.2 (2/2)

“Get lost,” Suoh spat out as last advice.

Even demons would have scrambled to evacuate at once upon hearing that warning.

The Blue King, however, coolly took no heed.

“In the course of Scepter 4’s work, the need arose to hear what Yamata-s.h.i.+ over there might have to say on a certain matter. Will you relinquish his custody to us?”

Yamata cowered with fear.

Munakata continued, addressing the strains, “—Ah yes, also, I would like the two of you to accompany us. You are not registered yet, and I have a few questions to ask of you.”

Although there was a smile on his chiseled intellectual features, the Blue King uttered it like his words were the only absolute truth in existence. He acted like he owned the place. He was faultlessly refined and courteous, yet what was that unmistakable oozing vainglory…? Ouch, this… Totsuka was lost for words. This was looking really dicey. That king turned out to be the type the least compatible with Suoh.

As Totsuka had feared.

“…I’ll repeat one last time for you. Get lost. You’re an eyesore,” Suoh informed him, loading the words with all of his disgust, hostility and irritation.

The slight smile playing on the Blue King’s lips slowly changed its overtone as his eyes behind the gla.s.ses narrowed. “I seem to recall you saying that you were not going to give me orders?”

The corners of Suoh’s mouth lifted in a predatory grin. Totsuka’s restlessness reached its peak.

“H-Hold on a second! Intervening with other clans is prohibited by Protocol 120! Demanding we hand Yamata over to you is unjustified, no?”

To frantically sputtering Totsuka, the Blue King replied smilingly - and icily, “For the time being, we simply wish to question him on the circ.u.mstances of the matter. Depending on the result, we might hand him over to the judicial branch… although as far as dealings with supernatural ability holders are concerned, we Scepter 4 are entrusted with full authority in most cases. Naturally, the issue will be settled if he is not guilty.”

“But—?!”

Totsuka was about to lean forward, but Suoh stopped him, extending his arm to the side.

Before Totsuka could say anything, “In short,” Suoh reaffirmed, scowling at the Blue King, “you wanna pick a fight, right, Munakata? You really love beating around the bush, huh.”

No, no, no, no! Totsuka paled. What was Suoh saying! A fight between 2 kings? No, no, no, no. If it was a joke, it was a really bad one. What’s more, it reeked of ill omens. After all, Suoh was the Red King and Munakata Reis.h.i.+ was the Blue King. Jokes aside, the worst possible map altering fight was no joke at all.

“…Suoh Mikoto. a.s.suming that you are capable of providing not only knee-jerk replies, I have a question for you…” Munakata slowly pushed up his gla.s.ses, his smile never wavering. “What is it in it for you to be protecting Yamata-s.h.i.+, nothing to say of the two strains, at this time? I am offering you to take that burden off your hands, you know? To take care of a few problems that Homura is ridden with at the moment.”

Suoh spat on the ground exaggeratedly and took out a pack of cigarettes slowly. Fis.h.i.+ng out one, he put it into his mouth, produced a lighter, lit the cigarette and took a long drag. Exhaling the smoke lazily, he nodded with his chin towards the Blue King - towards the saber strapped to his hip,

“King?!”

“—Captain.” The female member of the troops standing next to the Blue King requested his orders in a sharp voice.

Totsuka panicked and braced himself. If the kings came to blows, he would have to fight all the Scepter 4 troops standing before him right now. He moved his hand to grasp his PDA in order to call for help, although in his head a chorus was still chanting, ‘You gotta be kidding me?!’ No, before that, he wanted to scream at the female Blue, 'Why are you egging them on?!’

“…So it is unavoidable then,” the Blue King sighed.

And then - his eyes took on an extraordinarily freezing, absolute zero reaching glint.

“Awas.h.i.+ma-kun. I am leaving you in command of the troops. I shall hold off Suoh Mikoto. While I do, please arrest Yamata Daichi and the two strains. Once you do, withdraw. Let us end this as quickly as possible.”

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