"If the demon could unleash a wide and strong attack from that distance, it would be stupid to stay here," one of the senior slayers said, arms crossed, face grim.
He paused, then added, "Don't get me wrong.I know we can handle a Jōkyū. But if it's a surprise attack? They'd have the upper hand. And if they coordinate, Most of our force would be slaughtered before we could mount a defense."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.
"That's right," Sakura said, stepping forward slightly from her position against the wall. Her voice carried clearly, confident despite being one of the younger slayers present. "But what if the demon was just a warning? A test of our defenses before a bigger attack?"
She looked around the room, meeting eyes.
"If we leave," Soutarou added quietly from his seat in the back, "they might attack the closest village."
Every head turned toward him. Some were surprised he'd spoken. Others were dismissive that the failure had an opinion worth hearing.
Soutarou didn't care. His plan was simple. To make them dislike him more. Which we'll lead them to dismiss him more since he knew no one could hurt him.
But Sakura's expression brightened. "Yes. Exactly."
Commander Fujimoto's sharp eyes fixed on Soutarou for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.
"Inoue and Sakura are right," he said, voice carrying the weight of authority. "If we relocate, we must protect the villages nearest to this location. We cannot simply abandon them to whatever follows."
He stood, hands planted on the table, surveying the room.
"Which means this isn't just a relocation. It's a strategic withdrawal with defensive positioning. We need outposts. Patrols. Eyes on every village within a day's travel."
Jojo stepped forward, jaw tight. "That spreads our forces thin, Commander. If another demon attacks or multiple demons coordinate, we won't have the numbers to respond effectively."
"Then we'll need to be smart about it," Fujimoto replied.
"Assign our strongest to the most vulnerable locations. Rotate patrols to cover maximum ground. And..." His gaze swept the room. "we assume the worst. That this was a warning. That more attacks are coming."
Silence settled heavy over the room.
Sakura glanced at Soutarou, a flicker of pride crossing her face before she looked back to the commander.
Soutarou kept his expression neutral, but inside, his mind was troubled.
Soutarou's hands clenched in his lap, hidden beneath the table.
"We'll divide into three operational groups," Commander Fujimoto continued, moving a map across the table. "Alpha will establish a new base here." He pointed. "In the mountains. Defensible position, harder to reach.
Beta will maintain rotating patrols around the five nearest villages. Captain Riku will investigate the attack site and track any demon activity."
His finger moved across the map, marking locations.
"Assignments will be posted tonight. Relocation begins at dawn. Questions?"
A hand raised. One of the squad leaders.
"What about the demon that attacked? Do we have any idea on its location? Capabilities?"
All eyes turned to Jojo.
He stepped forward, pulling a small notebook from his uniform.
"The demon was a Jōkyū-class, based on the attack range and destructive power," he said, voice clinical. "White hair. Female. Demonstrated long-range capabilities and—" He paused, flipping a page. "according to survivor testimony, pain manipulation or transfer technique."
Soutarou's chest tightened.
"The demon escaped," Jojo continued, eyes flicking briefly toward Soutarou before returning to his notes. "Two slayers encountered it directly. Inoue Soutarou and fifth Class slayer Miwaka Tachi. Both survived, Both injured."
He closed the notebook with a sharp snap.
"Their account suggests the demon fled after engagement, but we found no trail. No blood. No signs of retreat. It's simply... vanished."
His gaze settled on Soutarou again, heavy with unspoken suspicion.
"Which raises questions about how a Jōkyū ranked demon was driven off by a failed slayer and a fresh recruit."
The room went dead silent.
Sakura's hand clenched.
Soutarou felt every eye in the room turn toward him.
The Commander turned slowly, deliberately, to face Soutarou.
"Inoue?"
Soutarou stood, keeping his movements steady, unhurried. His voice came out calm, almost tired.
"Jojo is actually correct. It did vanish."
The room went dead silent then murmurs erupted through the crowd like a disturbed hive.
"What?"
"Two demon arts?"
"That's not possible."
"Is it a Daiyoukai?"
"It seems to have two Blood Demon Arts," Soutarou continued, cutting through the noise. "The long-range attack it used on the base... and the ability to vanish. Completely. No trace."
'At least it's not all a lie. Shion actually seemed to have used two Demon arg. Ira Turn and whatever she used for that long-range attack.'
'But that would make her a Daiyoukai.'
Daiyoukai were the strongest demons. Rumor to have their own freedom to even refuse the demon king orders. Twelve only known.
Then his eyes widened. He doesn't have any memory of Daiyoukai in Varō's memories. He remembered behind taught of their after what the Taima Dan described as the incident. 'Could it be?'
"Lies!" Jojo's voice cracked like a whip snapping Soutarou from his thoughts.
Soutarou looked at Jojo's face flushed with anger. "You expect us to believe a demon with two arts just let you walk away? That it fled from you?"
"So what are you trying to say?" Sakura stepped forward, voice sharp. "That Soutarou is lying? That he's working with demons? Spell it out, Jojo."
"You guys, calm down—" Tomohiro raised his hands, trying to mediate.
"Silence."
Commander Fujimoto's single word cut through the chaos like a blade.
Everyone stopped froze. Then slowly, reluctantly, sat.
The commander's gaze swept the room cold, authoritative, brooking no argument.
"We are not here to fight each other."
He turned to Jojo, expression hardening.
"Jojo. I know you dislike Soutarou for his... inability." The word hung in the air. "But he has been with me and Taima-dan longer than you. Show some respect."
Jojo's jaw clenched so hard a muscle jumped in his cheek. But he bowed his head slightly, yielding for now.
"Understood, Commander."
Fujimoto's eyes shifted to Soutarou, measuring, calculating.
"Two demon arts is... unusual," he said slowly. "But not unheard of. The stronger the demon, the more complex their abilities can become."
He folded his arms.
"If this Jōkyū can vanish without a trace, that makes it exceptionally dangerous. It could strike anywhere. Anytime. Without warning."
His gaze swept the room again.
"Which means our patrols need to be vigilant. And our strongest slayers need to be ready to respond at a moment's notice."
He looked back at Soutarou.
"You and the recruit survived an encounter with this demon. That means you've seen it. Fought it. You know its patterns, its movements."
Soutarou's stomach dropped.
"Which is why," Fujimoto continued, voice firm, "you'll be assigned to Riku's group. Investigation and tracking."
Murmurs erupted again, shocked, disbelieving.
"Commander, with all due respect..." One of the senior slayers stood. "Inoue can't even kill demons. How is he supposed to track one? He'll be a liability."
"He doesn't need to kill it," Fujimoto replied calmly. "He needs to find it. Identify it. And report. Riku's group will have experienced slayers for combat. Inoue's role is reconnaissance."
His eyes locked onto Soutarou's.
"You've encountered this demon and survived. That's either incredible luck... or you have some instinct for avoiding death that might prove useful."
'Or I'm the one who tamed her.'
Sakura looked like she wanted to protest, mouth opening but Soutarou caught her eye and shook his head slightly.
Don't. It'll only make things worse.
She closed her mouth, expression torn between anger and helplessness.
"Assignments finalized," Commander Fujimoto said, tapping the table once. "Dismissed. Prepare for relocation. Dawn comes early."
The room began to empty, slayers filing out in small groups, voices low with discussion and speculation.
Jojo lingered near the door, eyes burning into Soutarou as he passed.
Sakura appeared at his side the moment they were outside, hand gripping his arm.
"Sau—this is why I dislike him," she hissed, voice low but fierce. "Is sending you to track the demon that almost killed you? What's your father thinking?"
"He's thinking I'm expendable," Soutarou said quietly. "And he's not wrong."
"Don't say that." Her grip tightened, almost painful. "You're not expendable. Not to me."
Her eyes were bright with emotion, something deeper she wasn't saying.
Soutarou's chest ached.
'I'm lying to her. About everything. And she's worried about me.'
"I'll be fine," he said, managing a small smile. "I'm good at surviving, remember?"
Sakura didn't look convinced.
But she nodded, slowly, and finally released his arm.
"Just... be careful, Sau. Please."
"I will."
She held his gaze for one more moment, then turned and walked away, shoulders tense, hands clenched at her sides.
Soutarou watched her go, something heavy settling in his chest. 'Should I tell her?'