Shalria was, of course, no stranger to Kalifa. Back when she first met Kaito, Kalifa had already been by his side.
To say there was nothing between Kalifa and Kaito—Shalria didn't believe that for a second. She pouted at Kaito, putting on a pitiful little expression.
But Kaito wasn't buying it. He reached out and pinched her nose, scolding,
"What's with that look? Kalifa is my secretary. Do you have some kind of problem with her?"
"Hmph, just a secretary?"
"Heh… sounds to me like you're asking for trouble again."
Without another word, Kaito hefted Shalria onto his shoulder under Kalifa's surprised gaze and casually walked toward one of the rooms.
At first, Shalria gave a token struggle or two, but soon she went still, obediently lying on his shoulder with a flushed face as he carried her inside.
Kalifa thought Kaito was about to let his beastly instincts run wild in broad daylight, so she hurried to close the door, then pressed her ear to it to listen in.
But even after quite some time, not a single sound came from inside.
...
Earlier, when Kaito carried Shalria into the room, he had set her gently down on a large pink bed.
Like Kalifa, she had assumed he was about to try something. But after placing her on the bed, Kaito simply found himself a chair, sat down, and rested his chin in his hand while looking at her.
Being stared at like that made Shalria feel a little embarrassed. She pretended to be curious and glanced around the room instead.
Looking at the pink bedsheets beneath her, Shalria pursed her lips and said,
"Hmph, who's this for? Don't tell me Kaito-sama has a girlish side?"
Kaito shook his head with a small laugh. He got up from the chair, walked to a wardrobe, and pulled out a large plush doll, tossing it to Shalria.
When she looked at it, she realized it was basically a cartoon version of Kaito—adorable, and far better looking than her own crude version.
She couldn't help but rub her face against it, but soon set it down and leaned into Kaito's arms.
"Kaito… did you already plan on bringing me here?"
Kaito gave a soft "mm" in reply. He was destined to clash with the people in Mary Geoise, and keeping Shalria—someone so close to him—there would be dangerous. If the Elders or others took her hostage, it could put him in a very difficult position.
By bringing her here now, Kaito removed his last reservation. He could face Imu with no worries.
...
In the flower hall,
Twenty Celestial Dragons were brought in by the kimono-wearing Elder.
The Elder entered and knelt before the throne on the high platform. The other Celestial Dragons quickly followed suit, copying his posture.
Above, Imu's figure gradually appeared, looking down coldly at the kneeling mass of nobles.
The Elder bowed his head deeply and said respectfully,
"Imu-sama, I have brought everyone."
"You've done well. You may withdraw."
"Yes."
Without hesitation, the Elder turned and left, leaving the twenty confused Celestial Dragon patriarchs behind.
Lizville's father, Mosrid, knelt on the ground and began to complain,
"Imu-sama! That Uchiha Kaito is utterly lawless! He has repeatedly challenged the authority of the Celestial Dragons, and now he's even kidnapped my daughter!"
Next to him knelt Rosward—Shalria's father.
Having already heard the details from Charlos, Rosward was furious that his daughter had aided an outsider against her own kind. Such a scandal, if it spread, would be disastrous for the family's reputation.
So he quickly echoed Mosrid's plea,
"Yes, Uchiha Kaito has abducted my daughter Shalria as well! I beg Imu-sama to grant us justice!"
He was quite ready to place all blame on Kaito, but Mosrid wasn't playing along. With a cold glance, he said,
"As far as I know, Shalria helped Uchiha Kaito against my daughter and left with him willingly. That's an utter disgrace to our kind."
Called out like that, Rosward's face twisted with humiliation. He snapped,
"How do you know she went willingly? She was clearly deceived by Uchiha Kaito!"
"Heh… is that so? Lizville told me your daughter has been infatuated with him for ages—she even sleeps clutching a doll of him."
"You—! I…"
Before Rosward could retort, Imu's voice cut through the chamber.
"Enough."
The tone was unnervingly calm, but it silenced them instantly. Rosward and Mosrid lowered their heads, kneeling with the utmost obedience.
Imu's gaze swept over them coldly before he spoke softly,
"I am already aware of the matter with Uchiha Kaito. Rest assured, he will soon receive his due punishment. But before that… I require you to do something for me."
The twenty Celestial Dragons responded with eager flattery,
"Imu-sama, please say the word—we are at your service!"
"Heh…"
A low chuckle escaped Imu, and suddenly the temperature in the hall plummeted. The Celestial Dragons shivered as a wave of dread washed over them.
Buzz!
A black vortex suddenly tore open in the middle of the hall. From within came a deep, guttural roar. The vortex expanded, revealing a pitch-black monster.
Its enormous, blood-red eye locked on the twenty nobles outside as if it were staring at the finest delicacy. The hunger in its gaze was unmistakable.
None of the Celestial Dragons had ever seen such a creature. Faces pale as ash, one of them stammered,
"I-Imu-sama, what is… that?"
Imu looked fondly at the creature before turning back to them.
"Your families have enjoyed nearly eight hundred years of privilege. I have already been generous enough to your ancestors. Now… it is time for you to contribute."
As twenty pairs of eyes widened in terror, Imu swept a sleeve through the air. A violent gust roared forth, lifting them off the ground and hurling them into the monster's domain.
From within came desperate cries—
"No! Imu-sama! Please spare—"
The begging was cut off mid-sentence.
A moment later came the sickening sound of chewing—
"Crunch… crunch…"