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~ I'm planning to increase the number of advanced chapters to +50 this weekend!
~ I've edited some of the previous chapters to remove anything you might consider "cringe" or "unnecessary." I'll continue reviewing them from time to time!
~ Very soon, we'll return to releasing two chapters daily, including bonus privileges for Power Stone contributions!
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A few minutes later, they arrived at the gate of the massive castle, guarded by two large and intimidating ogre-like creatures. They were rather unpleasant to look at with their bulging muscles of pink flesh that was laid bare. Their only clothing, thankfully, was a striped loincloth.
As they approached, one of them spoke in a guttural tone, its voice like a nasty case of serious congestion. "Halt! None may enter at this time! Turn back!"
Ichigo was about to argue that they had an appointment but, a sudden voice called from above. "Kunou-hime!"
Both he and Souji looked skywards to see a man with large black wings descend upon them.
'A fallen?' Ichigo's eyes narrowed dangerously. However, he noticed that Souji was as relaxed as ever. Well, as relaxed as a man forged through countless battles could get.
As the figure came closer and the lantern light of the settling night illuminated its face, Ichigo realized it wasn't a fallen. The dead giveaway was the bird like face.
"Kurokumo!" Kunou exclaimed from Ichigo's grasp.
He turned towards what he realized must be a Tengu, and gestured towards Kunou with his chin, "I'm going to assume that this belongs to you?"
"I must thank you for returning Kunou-hime to us. Though I must ask, who are you?"
Ichigo didn't miss how the Tengu placed a hand on the pommel of a sword strapped to his hip.
"We are here on behalf of our master, Sirzechs Lucifer. Yasaka-hime requested our presence." Souji diplomatically replied from besides him.
'Wait a minute…we were requested to come here?' Ichigo's kept his face impassive but inside turmoil began to build. 'No…Sirzechs said that only I was required for this and Souji simply decided to tag along…just what the hell is going on?'
Returning his attention to conversation at hand, Ichigo saw the Tengu look at them carefully. "The Underworld emissaries?" He softly intoned with surprise.
"Hmm," Kurokumo hummed. "Very well, I will have someone guide you to the audience chamber, if you will wait but a moment. Kunou-hime, come, let us return to your quarters."
Surprisingly, the golden haired child wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck tightly. "We are most c-comfortable with our current steed. W-we will remain with him." She refused to meet any of their gazes.
Kurokumo looked at the pair of Devils uncomfortably, no doubt fearing how they would react to being treated as mere mounts. Luckily, Souji diffused the tension with a hearty laugh. "From pawn to horse! Your good fortune unfailingly continues, Ichigo-kun."
"Don't I know it," Ichigo muttered sardonically. "Shall we get going? Or are we going to stand out here all night?"
The Tengu coughed into his hand. "Err, yes, I will take you to see Her Highness."
As Kurokumo turned, neither Ichigo nor Souji missed how his fingers twitched and how several shadows seemed to jump forward and into the castle. They silently fell into one stride and Ichigo shifted Kunou in his arms so that he could reach Zangetsu more effectively. Though he doubted that there would be any attacks on his person so long as Kunou was so close. Still, there was no harm in caution.
They treaded through the ancient castle with Kurokumo as their guide. Every so often, Kunou would make some comment about a particular place they passed or a work of art that hanged from the walls.
Ascending a massive staircase, which Ichigo thought was far too large to serve any reasonable purpose, they arrived at an equally immense door. It was painted bright red and held patterns of inlaid golden flowers. Two other Tengu stood guard at the door, each wielding what appeared to be a monk's shakujō.
"Oh dear," Kurokumo turned towards them in an apologetic tone. "How rude of me. I completely forgot to ask for names.
Kurosaki Ichigo," he offered.
"Okita Souji," Souji smiled.
Kurokumo's eyes went wide. "The former captain of the Shinsengumi's first troop and the human who defeated the traitor Shinigami Aizen. Surely the Crimson Lucifer has taken fearsome servants."
Ichigo was mildly amazed that his actions and the events of the Winter War were known to supernatural world. Then again, Sirzechs was fully aware of who he was and what had happened so it wasn't too much of a stretch that the world at large was privy to the Aizen's rebellion. In fact, he'd be thoroughly disappointed if the Japanese supernatural world was ignorant of what was happening in their own front yard.
The red doors opened with fluid ease and Ichigo beheld a chamber with a vaunted ceiling held aloft by colossal pillars of white timber. Crimson silks embroidered with gold foil hung loftily and billowed out. The floor was of marble bricks and on the edges of the gargantuan chamber, were pools of crystal water that splashed with elegant koi fish.
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