"Defeated?" Akagi asked with a raised eyebrow, though her tone indicated less concern and more intrigue at the statement. She'd been called into the main conference room where Alice and Black Company were waiting on the video screen to deliver their report. After an initial back and forth the Demon had been informed that the monster invasion had been stopped in its tracks by the appearance of unknown forces, a turn of events that was, while not entirely out of the realm of possibility, not something Akagi's calculations had shown was likely. "How and by who? I need more information if I'm make countermeasures."

{Just goes to show that even with my abilities one can never know the future for certain.} (Akagi)

"Some kind of Elf woman and a psychotic girl with a bunny hood and a giant pair of scissors." Merkyul replied, his answer causing Akagi to have even more questions.

"Sooo... The usual in this world?" Yumi retorted with a small snort.

"How many summons were lost?" Akagi asked, ignoring the Priestesses laughter.

"Around 100 Mama, but I'll be able to bring most of them back in a couple of days. Though... Wormy will probably be gone for a couple of weeks since he was sliced up good." Alice said, the sadness in her voice making Akagi want to leap through the video to hug her and give her head pats.

"It could stay gone forever, and I'd be fine with that." Elna said, not realizing her words were caught on audio.

"I presume you're all fine then?" Akagi continued, ignoring the Elf while giving her a quick glare. “No direct combat between you and this unknown party?”

"Yeah. Neither pushed too deep so they never even saw us." Merkyul answered. “It didn't seem like they were interested in doing anything other than halting the attack.”

"Could you take them in a fight if needed?" Akagi asked.

"I can't say." Merkyul shook his head, unable to give an answer with any degree of certainty. "We only saw them fight monsters, which they dispatched easily, so they may be even more powerful than what we saw. I'd wager we could but that's only on the assumption that they're commensurate to the power level we expect from people of this world."

{From what I've seen even lower level players would rank around the top of their 'ranking system' with Halifax and beings like her being the most notable exceptions. Just goes to show how much Mizumi fucked up in creating the Returnees and why my threat of utter annihilation of her people if she tried making more is no bluff.} (Akagi)

"Are they Demi-Gods?" Yumi thought aloud, figuring that partially divine mortals would be the most likely culprits. "I don't think your average Enorian adventurer would take down a Mouther so easily nor push through so many of Alice's summons without much resistance." She knew just how large the gap in power was between even the Ninja and players, and seeing how poorly most fared against them made Yumi confident that it would take those of Divine make to perform the feats described.

"We're working on answering that question now. I've got Roxlex slated to do some recon and intel gathering in the nearest Dwarven Hold here shortly, so hopefully I can provide a bit more detail in the coming days. Please forgive us for this blunder, Lady Akagi." Merkyul bowed, begging for forgiveness.

"It's fine. In fact, this may work out to our benefit." Akagi hummed in thought as her mind raced to figure out the best path forward. "Have Roxlex figure out what he can while you keep the pressure up on all fronts. No matter how powerful they are, if there are only two then you should be able to keep the assault going to a reasonable degree."

{Though we do need to be careful. My little agent informed me that the Gods have taken an interest in what's going on in the Dwarven Kingdom, so its safe to assume there's SOME connection. I'll have to follow up with Jacabey to find out more while treading carefully, but if I play my cards right I can turn whatever their planning on its head and come out with an even bigger advantage.} (Akagi)

"Do you want us to kill them, Mama? I can summon even more powerful monsters if you want." Alice asked, her eyes burning with a desire for retribution for so many destroyed summons.

{I'll even unleash my super secret monster to crush them all!} (Alice)

"Nope. Let them play Heroes fighting off the armies of Hell for now." Akagi shook her head as she tapped her finger to her lips. "If they come for you directly then feel free to go all out and remove them, but for now let's leave them be. This will make for an extra variable for my plan to bring the Dwarves into the fold, but I think it's actually a benefit more than anything else."

{Letting them become the Dwarves saviors only to have them brutally torn to shreds will likely make it even easier to convince the Dwarves to work with me when they see that even the most powerful people of this world are helpless before the monster horde banging at their doors. Still though... Who exactly are these two? An Elf and a bunny-hooded girl? Halifax made no mention of those two when we discussed Demi-Gods, so its no guarantee that they are. Is it possible they're just powerful adventurers? I'll have to ask the 'new recruits' about this before they head out to meet that useful idiot who calls himself a Hero.} (Akagi)

"Alice, are you going to be okay? I know you don't like your summons being destroyed even if they can come back." Akagi asked, knowing that each 'death' would always impact the summoner in some way. “If you want to back out, I understand.”

"I'll be fine. This is nothing, Mama!" Alice smiled happily, behind which Akagi could tell she was burning with a desire for vengeance.

{That's my girl!} (Akagi)

"Just be careful and remember the warning I gave you when you came over here, okay?" Akagi said, reminding her Daughter that she was required to flee if there was any risk to her life. “And I don't think I need to remind the five of you what you need to do if it comes down to it.”

"We'll keep her safe, Lady Akagi. You have my word that no harm will come to her." Merkyul saluted. “Even if it costs us our lives, we'll protect her.”

"Then I expect your next update will bring much better news. Good luck, and happy hunting." Akagi nodded as the feed cut out leaving her and Yumi alone together.

"Did you predict this?" Yumi asked in a mocking manner while giving the Demon a nudge to her shoulder.

"No, but I did predict the fan about to fall on your head!" Akagi said as a paper fan gently landed on Yumi's head. "Gotcha!”

"You're an idiot..." Yumi sighed as she pushed the fan off her head, thankful that it wasn't of the kind usually dropped by the Demon.

"But I'm your idiot!" Akagi said as she pulled her into a hug, wrapping her arm around the Priestesses' neck. “The idiot you're stuck with forever!”

"Don't remind me..." Yumi rolled her eyes.

{I will never stop reminding you! Hahahaha! You'll never escape me, MEW!} (Akagi)

"But anyway, I suppose I should see how the other idiot is doing." Akagi said as she let Yumi go. "Halifax already dipped, as did the pet, but with Impy kicking about I've now got someone else to keep an eye on." She sighed.

{While I need Imp to come with for her technical knowledge and autistic knowledge of random things, she's probably going to be as ADHD as possible in this world. I can only imagine it's going to be like taking a dog for a walk and it stops at EVERYTHING it comes across to sniff...} (Akagi)

"Well considering she was spazing about about the magical barrier Zephiria made before we came in here and talked the poor girl's ear off, yeah..." Yumi nodded in agreement as the two exited the conference room and followed the distant sound of Imp asking a billion questions to some poor unfortunate soul. Burning Light was gathered outside the main entrance to the Dumetorian base and Imp was pestering them with her insistent need to understand their weapons and abilities.

"How-why work-operate?" Imp asked a clearly exasperated Nier who was trying, and failing, to get his blade back from the engineer. "Hmm... Magical formula... Multi-level... Heh heh. Need testing-experiments!" She said while practically drooling over the blade.

"No! No! No! No!" Nier yelled as he swiped the blade out of Imps before she could do something irreversible to it. "You're not breaking Enhime!" He said, shielding the weapon from her grubby hands.

{Hands off!} (Nier)

"No break-destroy! Only experiment-test yes-yes!" Imp hissed as she greedily eyed the blade. “Give over-provide!”

"Feel free to punt her halfway across the continent if she gets too annoying." Akagi said as she pulled Imp away before Katlyn took a swing at her.

“If that's the criteria I think she's already scheduled for her flight.” Yumi commented.

"NOOOOOOOO! MY RESEARCH!" Imp howled as she desperately tried, and failed, to get away. “I NEEEEEEEDS IT!”

"Don't you have enough crap back home to research already?!?" Akagi asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

"No?" Imp's reply came out more as a question than an answer. "More things-items to research-study is good-amazing!" She said as she pulled away from Akagi, her eyes shining with fanatical fire that both impressed and disturbed the Demon.

"You know, I somehow think this oneis worse than the Demon Lord." Katlyn sighed. "She even asked if Mizzy would let her open her up for study like some kind of cadaver!"

"Only a tiny cut-slice!" Imp retorted as she tried to defend her actions. "Need data on Dark Elf biology! That one has unique-special magic-power!"

{And people call ME the monster...} (Akagi)

"Alright, you serial killer in the making, go cadaver hunting at the graveyard like a reasonable person." Akagi said as she bopped her on the head. “You're banned from cutting live people open.”

{I don't think reasonable people dig up bodies to experiment on...} (Yumi x Miz'ri x Nier x Katlyn)

“Ah1 So-” Imp tried to say something, but Akagi smacked her on the head as she knew full well what the Devel woman was about to say.

“You're not allowed to unalive them yourself to get around that restriction either.” Akagi rolled her eyes as Imp hissed in pain.

"But... That's boring..." Imp pouted, seemingly having done that before and not liking it very much. "I need fresh-recently alive test subjects!"

“Hush! I'll get you some random people off the street or something later, so for right now don't go trying to dissect members of the Clan..." Akagi shook her head in exasperation as Imp's tail drooped in sadness. "I swear, it's like I'm warding off a man-eating monster by telling it I'll feed it some other people later." At her comment, Imp merely winked before chuckling. "Anyway, this worked out since the three of you are here already and I was just about to come find you." She said before turning her attention to Nier. "Have you ever heard of a pair of adventurers consisting of a Dark skinned/tanned Elf and a bunny-hooded blue-haired girl?"

"That's an oddly specific question." Katlyn retorted. “There really are some strange folks out there, huh?”

"I don't choose what my foes look like." Akagi shrugged. "But I figured if anyone did know who they are it would be you three since you're pretty high-ranked Adventurers. Those in the business tend to know the other players."

"A true enough statement but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to give more information off just that info." Nier replied, shaking his head. "Dark Elves are not particularly common adventurers so naming them would be east but there are

Sun Elves who wander in from the East from time to time. There aren't many but there's enough to make guessing who it is nearly impossible with just that, and the bunny... That could be a million different people."

"And generally all Sun Elves are powerful so that will also not be of much help here either." Katlyn noted. "It could be anyone from Eviser to Kal-Idren. So narrowing it down will take a b it more than just their races."

"Well, Kal is retired so I doubt it's him." Nier said. “And I don't think he hung around rabbitkin.”

“He fucking hated beastkin, so I doubt its him.” Katlyn rolled her eyes.

"If it helps any, this bunny was apparently female." Akagi figured that adding the sex would narrow things down. "As for appearance, the Elf had golden hair and wore something that looked like desert clothing."

"Hmmm..." Nier thought for a moment, furrowing his brow in thought. "You know, that rings a bell... But I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Yeah, I don't know about the rabbitkin, but I swear we saw an Elf like that once before." Katlyn rapped the side of her head as she tried to remember. "Damn, I must be getting old if I'm forgetting them."

{Just the fact that they recall them is good enough for now.} (Akagi)

"Ummm..." Miz'ri raised her hand to speak, which Akagi motioned for her to do. "Is there any chance it's that Elven member of the Dawn Order we came across years back?"

{Dawn Order? Hmm... Interesting.} (Akagi)

"Ah!" (Nier x Katlyn)

"That's right! We did meet someone like that!" Katlyn said, snapping her fingers as she recalled their encounter with the woman. "But what was her name? Ugh..."

"I don't think we got it?" Nier shifted his jaw in thought. “No, we definitely didn't, not under those circumstances.”

{There definitely wasn't any time for introductions during that mess.} (Nier)

"Did she have a bunny girl with her?" Akagi asked.

"No, she was alone... Ahh... I hate not knowing something we should." Nier clicked her tongue in irritation.

"In all fairness, we were kinda in a rush, and we more or less just ignored her after the first meeting." Katlyn said. "Not to mention she was ferreting Spirits away from a war zone so..." She said, implying that Burning Light let them escape.

"Well, no matter. That you recognize this individual as a member of the Dawn Order is good enough." Akagi nodded. "I'll handle it from here, so you three can head out toward the Hero for your rendezvous whenever you'd like."

"What is he doing anyway?" Nier asked, figuring that one of the Heroes couldn't possibly be sitting around in the same place for all this time without doing something.

"Oh, nothing in particular." Akagi smiled. "He's just relaxing and enjoying himself. Nothing special at all."

_____________________________________________________________________________

Kanato POV

"Phew..." Kanto said as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He'd been helping to chop down some trees near the village and was busy carving them up into logs to burn in the fireplaces and kitchens. Ever since he'd arrived at this sleeply little place he'd been living a relatively slow life, something he'd not expected to find in this world, but he was happy.

He knew that returning home to his wives and children should be his priority, but couldn't bring himself to face them after everything he'd learned and was more or less in a self-imposed exile after parting with Akagi. Something the fairies were both happy and irritated with as while they enjoyed the food they wanted him to travel to their home for some reason they wouldn't elaborate on.

"Now to get these and..." Kanato paused as he sniffed the air, smelling both smoke and blood. "What?!?" He spun around just in time to see black smoke on the horizon, coming from the direction of the village. "An attack?!" He said, summoning his blade as he rushed through the dense foliage, hoping that it wasn't too late to protect the people who'd shown him such kindness.

{I'm coming! I may not be a real Hero but dammit I won't let more people die on my watch!} (Kanato)