Cold Reverence

Icy radiance. A strange contradiction that Miho didn’t really expect to find within the halls of the Saioji. It glowed like it was meant to be warm and embracing, except it drained it all away. No heat remained. It was unnervingly chill. Their eyes were placid, vacant of vibrancy. And yet everything was polite and cordial.

When she first arrived with Yori, they were both feeling half dead. She managed to stabilize them both with her spell, but that was the best she could manage. It was the Saioji that truly got them back to their feet. They looked almost eager to do so.

All her impressions of them were nothing like what Yori spoke about them. She expected a place that was bitter and closed. Completely rejecting anything that they didn’t consent to. They sounded like a traditional family and a rigid one at that.

But they were nothing of the sort from first impressions. And perhaps taking someone’s measure while trying not to bleed out was a bad habit. And yet that was what she had to work with. Until now.

The meeting hall that Yori escorted her to held more than just the Master of the estate. She didn’t really know how large the family was, but expected some extended family with how formalized it sounded. That undersold what she found in the hall.

The hall itself was easily larger than the entirety of Yori’s apartment. A main aisle led to the Head, who sat formally in the back. On the flanking sides were dozens of men, women, and even children. It seemed like the whole family might have been present. Or at least whatever they deemed important, which was far more than what should be needed for such a meeting. At least, as far as she was aware.

Those present systematically bowed with Yori’s arrival, as though he were the Head and not the Master that they approached. No words were spoken, but she could have sworn prayers were in the air, manifested out of spirit itself. It nearly felt joyous, if it wasn’t for how hollow it felt. It was routine and mechanical, but strangely genuine. They all deeply believed what they did, but there wasn’t the vitality injected into it.

She found it insulting.

Yori was special, important. He was needed for the world. But this wasn’t how he should be treated. She looked over at his back as he marched on, ignoring the ceremony. ‘I see why he left.’

They finally reached the end, and even Master Hiroshi bowed deeply to Yori. She didn’t understand Yori’s family dynamic. Even he said they adopted him, but he had more respect than blood. Strange.

Yori stepped aside partly and motioned to her. “Master Hiroshi, Miho Ebisawa of the Yattsu no Aoi Hana Eighth Squad.” She gave the man a polite bow, still trying to gauge the situation. Yori said this would make sense.

“Miss Ebisawa, as Head of the Saioji, welcome. It is a rare pleasure to provide aid to Mado.”

“Thank ye, ye’ve been most kind to me and my sister.”

“She is unharmed?”

“Apart from the destruction of her memory and person, yes.”

“My condolences. I pray you can reforge your bond.”

She politely bowed her head. “If I may, Yori mentioned there was a matter to discuss?”

“Yes. A raid on one of the black market auctions is a worthwhile effort in the name of justice. However, it comes with wide-ranging consequences. Guardian Yori, please tell us what transpired in the auction.”

She had her own fight with the summoner, and she didn’t know what Yori did. The assumption had been that he activated his Eye of Akasha, as was the plan. However, he looked far better than he claimed the effects of it would be. She didn’t consider it in the moment, but now it was clear that he never activated it.

Miho knew he didn’t like the power, but he was firmly committed to the mission. She had no doubts about that. Which meant that something had to have happened. He wouldn’t have missed it if something didn’t come up. But she waited for him to give his report.

There was a longer-than-normal pause from Yori. ‘What happened to him? That sorcerer had found him. Is this the cause of what happened before?’

“We needed a distraction so that those captured could have a chance to get out safely. I was forced to create a backup plan on the spot and orchestrate an open firefight between the syndicate and yakuza factions in attendance. It grew quickly out of control, allowing us to escape.”

“That explains the reports. You are aware of what you started?”

“Yes, I knew the likely outcome. But if it saved the innocents, I considered it worth the risk.”

She couldn’t see his face as he spoke to the head, but there was pain in his voice. Miho didn’t understand Japan's political or social landscape, but even she could see where this was heading. ‘He’s started a war just so that everyone could be safe? Yori…’ She knew what such things were like on the Mado side. Violent and destructive beyond imagination. What would a magic war in Japan even look like? What would the Veil do?

“They’ve been silent, licking their wounds for a decade. You may have acted in the best interest of justice, but you ignored the cost. More will be caught up in this before it ends.”

“I knew the price when I pulled the trigger. My only hope was that the fight would remove a few key players so that the war would not be as severe as the last.”

“We can only pray for such a kindness.”

“And Section 14?”

“They’ve already been made aware. I imagine it's chaos right now. You can expect a punishment to be handed down for your actions.”

“I’d be surprised if they ignored it. Guardian or no, I’ve jeopardized the country. Nothing more to say to me?”

Hiroshi sighed heavily. The man seemed to be the only one with a little emotion in the cold room. “I sometimes wonder if you seek punishment, Yori, for all of your recklessness. You have a good heart for justice, but a shadow lies over your path. We, Saioji, will fight, as we always have. That you have as my promise.”

“Well, if you’re not planning on doing anything for the moment. We need to see to those who made it out safely. I couldn’t save everyone, but they need to return home.”

“We’ve got pull with the mana train to see that Section 14 doesn’t slow things down. Best they return before it gets worse on this side.”

“Thanks.”

To Miho's surprise, he had read them correctly. They were more than happy to help. All the talk of justice; they genuinely seemed to care. For all of the government drones involved in this, she expected it to take more effort. But if they could all get back home soon, the better.

She followed Yori out of the hall. Miho was glad to be behind that strange place. His family truly was an odd matter. But it would soon be a distant memory. “Thank ye again. It might not have been a perfect mission, but we saved some.”

He paused to look back at her. “That makes it worth it.” Yori gave her a small smile.