Not to blockade and arrest, but to protect us?
These words left not just Ken dumbfounded - even the Yukinoshita family seemed frozen in place.
Could this man actually have secret connections with the stationed military?
Yet as everyone puzzled over this, Katsuhiko smiled lightly:
"Does the military blockade affect us?"
"Of course it does."
"But who will be more affected? The garrison forces imposing the blockade, or the Onmyou Agency, who can't enter Chiba territory to intercept us because of that blockade."
"Though I've always verbally dismissed those incompetent Onmyoji from the Onmyou Agency, I must admit most National-Level Sorcerers, including those Grand Onmyoji, are indeed extremely troublesome opponents."
"And now they're being kept out of Chiba by equally troublesome garrison forces. Isn't this advantageous for us?"
Hearing this explanation, Ken Yakushiji first froze, then his eyes lit up with understanding as he smiled:
"My perspective was too narrow."
"This... is indeed beneficial. No wonder you deliberately leaked information about Chiba City being the demon's sealing ground, Uncle. You'd already calculated everything."
'What?'
'Onmyou Agency? National-Level Sorcerers? Grand Onmyoji? And demons?'
Haruno Yukinoshita listened to these terms that sounded like they belonged in fiction, her expression completely blank.
If not for being kidnapped by Katsuhiko Yakushiji, if not for recognising him as a high-ranking executive of police equipment supplier groups, she would never have believed these fantastical terms existed.
Yet now, those exaggerated-sounding titles seemed to be real things existing in this world?
Just then, Haruno heard a soft murmur.
"...Chuunibyou?"
Hearing this faint voice, Haruno's expression froze.
Because it came from Yukino Yukinoshita.
Haruno glanced sideways to see Yukino observing the two Yakushiji family members with strange eyes. Without guessing, Haruno knew her little sister had definitely labelled them as adult chuunibyou cases.
Truthfully, if Haruno didn't know Katsuhiko Yakushiji, she'd suspect the same.
But Yukino, even if you think that, you shouldn't say it out loud.
Fortunately, Yukino wasn't foolish. From Haruno's judgement, that nearly inaudible whisper shouldn't normally draw attention.
Yet when Haruno turned back, she saw Katsuhiko Yakushiji staring intently at Yukino, and her heart sank.
At that moment, Katsuhiko chuckled and turned to Mrs. Yukinoshita:
"Madam, your daughter is truly clever."
Though complimentary, Mrs. Yukinoshita showed no pleasure, instead sternly commanding:
"Yukino, apologise to Mr. Yakushiji."
"Yes." Startled, Yukino instinctively bowed as ordered. "I sincerely apologise."
Katsuhiko gave Yukino a long look before turning back to Ken Yakushiji:
"Has the SDS mobilised?"
Ken promptly responded:
"They have. The Red Squad is systematically eliminating the Lesser Demons we released in Chiba's urban areas."
Katsuhiko nodded slightly, then narrowed his eyes: "Found the target yet?"
Ken lowered his head apologetically: "...Regrettably, not yet."
"I see..."
Katsuhiko Yakushiji didn't blame his nephew—or rather, his son—but instead asked with slight confusion:
"Could it be that the Demon Heart didn't fall into SDS's hands? Or perhaps the member who obtained it was stationed at their base?"
Both possibilities existed, but in Katsuhiko's eyes, the latter was far more likely than the former.
At this thought, his eyes narrowed slightly:
"Increase the deployment of Lesser Demons in Chiba Prefecture. If necessary, conduct sacrifices to amplify demon numbers."
"Keep the Third Special Task Force busy and force them to send reinforcements."
After issuing these orders, Katsuhiko sneered:
"Hmph, that enchantress from America won't allow civilian casualties to rise sharply. Her personality isn't as remarkable as her abilities."
"As long as casualties keep increasing while she's pinned down in America by Truth Astronomy's executives, both she and her subordinates will have no choice but to mobilise all SDS members in Chiba Prefecture."
"Then, whether they dispatch the member holding the Demon Heart or we raid their base, the initiative will remain firmly in our hands."
"Understood!"
Hearing this plan, Ken Yakushiji's eyes lit up. He immediately bowed in acknowledgement before turning to leave.
Yet as Ken turned, his footsteps paused momentarily. In his mind's eye appeared the final images transmitted by a dying Lesser Demon.
Among them, the figure wearing a ruby ring on their right ring finger stood out vividly.
Seeing this figure, Ken's gaze momentarily glazed over, but then sharpened again. He swiftly turned back to address Katsuhiko:
"Uncle, we've located the target."
Katsuhiko's eyes gleamed at this news:
"It seems fate has ultimately sided with us."
Chuckling, he added:
"Ken, deploy decoys. If their numbers are few, try to lure them towards the nearby dummy base."
"I want to see exactly who stole the Demon Heart from that Sharon."
"Yes, Uncle." Ken hurried from the parlour to arrange the decoys.
Watching this unfold, Katsuhiko chuckled before turning his attention to Yukino Yukinoshita.
This time, he rose from the sofa and advanced slowly towards the four Yukinoshita family members.
Seeing this, Mrs. Yukinoshita paled and protested: "Mr. Katsuhiko, you gave us your word earlier."
In unusually good humour, Katsuhiko teased: "Can't a chuunibyou patient be excused for eccentric behaviour?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita's face turned ashen.
Meanwhile, Haruno Yukinoshita had already positioned herself protectively before Yukino, whispering urgently:
"Yukino, remember the local police box? Run there when you can."
"Sister?" Yukino stared bewildered at Haruno's sudden intensity, then flushed crimson: "But—"
"No buts. Go!" Haruno's command was interrupted by Yukino's frightened cry:
"But... I can't move my body!"
Only then did Haruno realise with dawning horror that her own limbs had become similarly paralysed.
'What is this?'
Haruno turned her gaze towards her mother, noticing that she, too, remained rooted to the spot, taking no action.
'Could it be... that demons truly exist...' Haruno Yukinoshita was finally experiencing violence that transcended worldly logic!
"A simple mental oppression, quite a basic trick."
Seeing this, Katsuhiko Yakushiji chuckled softly before stepping up to Mr. Yukinoshita. Under the furious gazes of those present, he raised his hand and gently lifted Mr. Yukinoshita's chin, whispering tenderly:
"Sir, you wouldn't want your wife and daughters to be bullied by me, would you?"
In that instant, the gazes of all three women present froze.
But the most bewildered person was Mr. Yukinoshita, who had been preparing to shield his wife.
Yet when he met those predatory eyes, the middle-aged man—usually exuding the charm of a successful individual—revealed a look of utter shock.
'The target isn't my wife... but me?'
Mr. Yukinoshita was dumbfounded on the spot!