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Chapter 10: Deep Woods

Year 1871

- This is unacceptable, Tomoyo. It's the third squad you lose, I will not accept my soldiers dying and you not bringing me results.

The man spoke full of menace in his voice, rising from his seat behind a very large desk covered in documents. His military uniform was completely black, and a blue sea dragon had been carefully sewn to the chest. It was quite a similar view to the black armors the soldiers wore every day, except for the flat black cap over his head.

- I understand sir. - the woman in front of him responded, lowering her head for a moment. She had one of those black armors on, the dragon on her chest glowing with the electrical light from the ceiling. The black hair would fall like a curtain over her silvery grey eyes, but then the fringe would return to a straight line right above them once she straightened herself up again - However, I must repeat myself. I've informed you time and time again captain Shikashi, that the Deep Woods are dangerous, this time I didn't die out of luck. It's like the forest itself wants to kill us.

- Enough! - the captain punched his desk and many objects fell to the floor. He had a very dangerous spark in his eye - The only reason why you're not stuck inside of a cylinder breathing through tubes right now is because you swore loyalty to Seiryu and you assured me you could complete this task. If commander Keisuke decides to come here after all these months and I don't have what he asked me for, you are going to be our next great experiment, are you hearing me? We've been trying to get our hands onto one of you people for a while now, if you fail it's going to be you. For a sorcerer and a criminal you're showing yourself to be quite less than I expected, Furutani!

- Sir, with all due respect-

- Maybe you need some time alone with my nephew again to lift your spirits, Furutani. He always seems to bring out what's best in you. - the captain enjoyed the effect of his words; the armored woman in front of him tried not to show any reaction but he could see the little color she had draining from her face. Sorcerer or not, that woman had enlisted as his soldier and she was going to obey him. - What do you say?

- That won't be necessary, sir.

- Then go and assemble yourself a new squad. You have another month to get me that relic and that's your final deadline. We need everything complete before the end of the year or we'll be out of schedule and Keisuke won't have that. Is that clear?

- Yes, sir.

She left the office and walked away with her blood boiling inside her veins, but the same indifferent expression of every other day. That was a talent she had developed very well during her time in that station, to keep a blank face while chaos reigned inside of her chest.

When she reached another white-lit corridor, her arm was suddenly grabbed and she was pulled towards the last person she wanted to see. He smirked down at her.

- So my uncle didn't get you arrested this time either, huh. I'm starting to doubt his sanity.

She moved quickly and twisted the man's arm all the way to his back, then forcing him on his face against the wall. She was now trembling slightly from head to toe, but the reaction was automatic. Osamu, captain Shikashi's nephew, was the one person who disgusted her the most in her entire life. On the surface he looked like just another soldier, the usual really short dark hair and black armor, not a short man but not a very big one either. Nothing remarkable about his appearance.

Under the surface he was the station's most skillful torturer.

- You don't touch me ever again, do you understand? - she forced him harder against the wall, but he laughed.