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Chapter 77.2. Emergence
They were now unable to request support from houses of equal standing.
Everyone was hesitant to get involved. They didn't know how much damage they would incur, and they predicted it to be substantial, yet they didn't want to become enemies of the Minamoto family.
Reluctantly, they had requested another meeting with Kamishiro Serika. It seemed better than dealing directly with the Minamoto family.
"...Understood. That's fine. I'll rely on you for sure."
"I understand. And the Minamoto family is also interested in purchasing a small portion of your company's stock to support in overcoming this ordeal. Would that be acceptable?"
Serika mentioned the additional reward with a charming smile, seemingly kind. Suwa couldn't refuse.
"Yes, yes, that's acceptable!"
It could be interpreted as them falling under the Minamoto family's influence. No, it would undoubtedly be seen that way by those around them. The Suwa family would become inactive as an independent faction.
Suppressing their frustration, Suwa's family lowered his head to Serika, and the discussion ended. They had fallen into a trap. It was their fault. That was the rule of the inner town.
After leaving the restaurant, Serika returned home in a car driven by Karin, who had come to pick her up. It was already dark outside, and she yawned while gazing at the neon lights flickering in the city.
"Did it go well-nya?"
The driver, Karin, asked with her tail swaying gently. Serika leaned back in her seat and chuckled.
"It went very well. I've turned the Suwa family into a gift for the Minamoto family, and now I have control over the security company and the management of outer town resources. That means I have both military and financial power. I've gained a bit of influence as well."
When she heard that the union leaders were making a move, Serika decided to take action. Suwa was going to fall anyway. There was no way they could compete with that Sakimori. So, she guided Karin to initiate the attack. With proper preparation, Serika believed that Sakimori would eventually try to take the armored vehicles. There would be no harm to Sakimori's base, making it a good plan.
Now, all that remained was to negotiate with Sakimori.
"But we haven't received the vehicles from Sakimori yet, nya. You're getting ahead of yourself."
"No, this is also beneficial for Sakimori. We'll give up an armored vehicle, one jeep, and 30 percent of the obtained automatic rifles in exchange for the rest. At that time, the vehicles owned by Sakimori will be registered under my research institute as equipment for local exploration in the abandoned town. This way, we can provide gasoline regularly, perform maintenance, and supply ammunition."
Getting hold of vehicles was not the only concern. Armored vehicles, in particular, were expensive to maintain. Gasoline would run out quickly, turning them into mere decorations. Sakimori would accept Serika's offer.
"Hmm... My instincts are warning me that if the warrior becomes too powerful, it could be dangerous-nya. Are you sure it's okay-nya?"
Karin could see visions of the future with her mischievous grin.
"He'll keep getting stronger even if we leave him alone. It's better to have connections."
"Yeah, when you put it that way, it makes sense-nya."
Karin was in a dilemma, pondering Serika's words. Perhaps leaving Sakimori unchecked would lead to him gaining more power and expanding his influence. However, she had concerns. Underestimating Sakimori could be dangerous. He could turn a small amount of power into a significant force. Just a few months ago, he had operated alone.
"I see. Also, have you confirmed the bodies of Suwa Koukaku and his team?"
Serika appeared unconcerned, but she was somewhat anxious as she asked.
"They're in the envelope on the seat-nya. I've already taken photos-nya."
"Let's see..."
Serika took out the contents of the envelope placed on the seat. Inside were photos of the annihilated Koukaku and his team's bodies. Karin had taken them as requested.
"...Karin, were these photos taken right after the battle?"
"Yeah-nya. Sakimori uses shadow familiars-nya. I didn't know where he was hiding, so I took the photos from a safe distance after the sounds of battle stopped-nya."
"I see... Burned to ashes, all of them. Bite marks, and after that, torn apart with claws... It's like Sakimori's power knows no bounds..."
The photos were gruesome, but Serika viewed them with a serious expression, one after another.
"The soldiers in the jeep met a similar fate. Exactly as I expected. They probably thought they wouldn't even get a scratch. Suwa's security company's equipment couldn't break through that barrier."
"So, the prediction of another person with a skill turned out to be incorrect, nya?"
"That's right. Considering it was a military force, I thought someone else would appear. Or maybe we were being monitored? That he knew we were planning this?"
The jeep's team had similarly perished from magic. What if someone had realized their intentions and burned everything? If they had left no trace, it could be problematic.
"...Let's meet with Sakimori tomorrow. I have a bad feeling about this."
Serika poked at the photos with her finger, her expression growing stern as she was illuminated by the neon lights outside. There was a possibility that things wouldn't go as planned. However, deep down, she was excited about it, and sighed while smiling, gazing out the window.
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