I take the sloping road up the mountain. A steady pace. The mansion waits at the peak.

I pass through the broken gates and onto the grounds of Coral Eldarian. The fortress of Exorcists. A castle-mansion hybrid crowned with spires.

Ash still poisons the air. The smell of smoke drags me back to that night.

God, I hate it.

Expensive cars fill the parking lot. Exorcists in severe black suits move between them. A car door locks with an electronic chirp.

The families of the dead.

Lady Ayano and I get out and walk toward the main building. Prefab shelters litter the grounds.

The rumble of heavy machinery is a constant growl as work crews clear the wreckage. Akachi Clan hires, most likely. All of them working nonstop.

The closer we get to the main building, the heavier the air feels.

This place was ground zero for the attack. Search and recovery started here, where the guests had been thickest.

Ten days. The crews have made progress. The bodies are gone.

“Meeow.”

Lady Ayano pads through the charred remains, her expression grim.

I spot a familiar face. She sees me at the same time.

“Morning, Miss Akashi.”

“Mr. Akamuro. Good morning. You’re back on your feet.”

“More or less. What are you doing out here?”

“What does it look like? Cleanup. Never ends. I’m running security for the work crews, just in case any Demons are still skulking around. And when I’m not doing that, I’m helping clear rubble and carry out the dead.We’re also supposed to recover personal effects for identification. With this many victims… it’s a nightmare trying to match anything to anyone.”

Sumire sighs, planting a hand on her hip. She looks wrecked.

“The Akai Clan is grateful for your work. My master would thank you himself if he could.”

“…Mr. Akamuro. How much faith do you actually have?”

“In what?”

“That the Akai will ever recover from this.” Her eyes sweep over the burnt-out shell of the castle. “And if they don’t? You going to join the Akachi?”

“Hard to say. Haven’t given it much thought. But it’s a possibility.”

“Lady Kimiyo’s taken a shine to you. I’m sure she’d be thrilled if you came over to our side.”

“And you, Miss Akashi? Would you be thrilled?”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous. Then again, you did wreck my car. I might have a few reservations about working with you.”

Fair enough.

“Heh. I’m kidding. Don’t look so crushed.” She smiles, looking up at me and tapping my shoulder. “By the way… have you seen them?”

“I was heading to the temporary morgue next.”

“Want me to show you? I doubt you know where they put it.”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I was looking for an excuse to do something else.”

I glance at Lady Ayano, then turn to follow Sumire.

The morgue comes first.

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