Ophelia leaves.

I get to work earning my keep, breaking out a cat teaser and giving Lady Ayano the full treatment.

My reward is a deep huff of her fur.

I settle in, letting the quiet do its work.

I try asking her, “So, what’s with the healing constitution, Milady?” but all I get back is a “Meow, meow.”

No typewriter in here, so a real conversation is off the table. I put it off for later.

I’m huffing like my life depends on it, but the pain isn’t budging…

Not enough volume? Or maybe… it’s fuel and recovery.

The Akachi family maids bring a meal. I crush it, then go back to huffing.

The healing feels stronger this time.

My theory holds. It clicks. You can’t build muscle from nothing. Same principle here.

Eat. Sleep. Huff. The holy trinity of recovery.

Stands to reason.

A few hours pass. The acting head of the family, Lady Kimiyo Akachi—eighty years old—and the surviving Lady Ren Akachi—thirteen—enter my room.

Sumire Akashi is with them.

Then a memory hits me like a punch.

Sumire. The SUV I jacked after I knocked her cold. The fireball it became.

Ugh. Shit. This is bad. So damn bad.

“Well, well. You were burned to a crisp. You look more presentable now.”

The old woman moves to my bedside and sits. “Ikaku Akamuro. You’ve done us a great service.”

“Huh? Oh. Thank you. I’m honored… But you already know what went down?”

“I got the full picture while you were out,” she says. “Heard the story from the Luxor girl, too. Ikaku Akamuro. You’re a piece of work. Honestly, I’m surprised. Must have been one hell of a night.”

“To put it mildly? I was sure I was dead.”

“Heh. I imagine so.” Lady Kimiyo’s stern expression softens.

“You found the Hidden Flame, that demon-worshipping cult with a vendetta against the Akachi family. You pinpointed their stronghold, and annihilated them, giving them no chance to escape. Reports say you killed one hundred sixty-four people. Is that number correct?”

“That many? No. I wasn’t keeping a tally.”

“Heh. Hahahaha.” Lady Kimiyo looks like she’s having the time of her life.

Beside her, Lady Ren just stares at me, pale-faced. I’m definitely scaring her.

Sumire gives me a look that says it all: Is this guy a mass murderer?

“How satisfying,” Lady Kimiyo says, her laugh tapering off. “Utterly satisfying. Heheheh. I hear there were fifty Demons, too?”

“Wasn’t keeping a tally on them, either.”

Lady Ren’s voice is a choked whisper. “F-fifty…?! You killed them all by yourself, Mr. Akamuro?”

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