Fireflies of the Dark Night

It was a memory from a distant past. A young girl was desperately running through a dark forest, her breath ragged and labored. Behind her, the sound of multiple footsteps echoed, relentlessly pursuing her.

The girl's delicate, youthful face twisted in fear and exhaustion, tears welling up in her eyes. Her heart was filled with despair, sorrow, and a deep frustration at the injustice of it all.

Why did she have to suffer like this? Why was her life being hunted? Why did she have to endure such terror? Why, why, why…?

"Ah…!"

She tripped over a tree root or something similar, her ankle twisting as she fell to the ground. The sound of her fall seemed to alert her pursuers, as their footsteps and angry voices grew closer. Instinctively, she hid herself in the tall grass, holding her breath.

"Damn it! Where did that monster go?!"

"She couldn't have gone far in that state! Search for her! Find her and kill her!"

Cautiously, she peeked out from the grass to see her pursuers. They were armed with hatchets, hoes, and even a matchlock rifle—perhaps hunters or farmers.

"Who would've thought that woman had such a monstrous child…"

"I always thought something was off. She disappeared in the mountains and came back a month later, claiming she was saved by a mountain village. But there was always this strange, beastly smell about her. Who would've guessed she'd been with a monster!"

One of the pursuers spat out the words with utter contempt, his voice dripping with disgust. It was an era only a few decades after the Great War, and the imperial court was fervently hunting down the remnants of the monstrous beings who had once been their enemies. Soldiers were sent into even the most remote areas, and no mercy was shown—not even to infants. Bounties were offered to encourage civilians to hunt these creatures, and eventually, the campaign extended even into territories that had not participated in the Great War.

For the weak, there was no compassion. There could be no mercy shown to monsters. Any compromise, any leniency, any act of kindness could lead to the resurgence of the Great War. The land of Fusang and its people, who had barely survived the last war, could not endure another. Thus, any seed of potential threat had to be eradicated before it could sprout.

And so, in such an era, the tragic fate of a half-monster girl who was hunted without understanding why might have been seen as inevitable. It was the flow of history, and the tragedy of an individual would simply be swept away and forgotten in the vast sea of memories.

Yes, even if she had hidden in the shadows of a storage shed and witnessed her mother—her only family—being brutally betrayed and murdered by humans…

"Hic… hic… please… Mom… help me…"

Crouching down, the girl sobbed quietly, wishing desperately to wake up from this nightmare. But it was a wish that would not be granted. The reality was right before her eyes.

"Found you."

Before she could even let out a small scream, the girl's distinctive "fox ears" were yanked hard, nearly tearing them off. She was dragged out and slammed to the ground. If not for her fox-like tail cushioning the impact, she might have hit her head.

"We found her! It's her!"

One of the farmers shouted, and soon, a group of men gathered around, each radiating murderous intent.

"Ah…!"

Trembling with fear, the girl couldn't even stand.

"White hair, a tail, and ears… just as I thought. She's a monster fox's brat!"

"Disguising herself as a human, this monster!"

"She was planning to trick us and eat us, wasn't she?!"

Bombarded with incomprehensible shouts, the girl flattened her ears and drooped her tail, cowering like a small animal. To some, her pitiful appearance might have stirred protective instincts. But to those who had grown up hearing terrifying tales of monsters from their parents and grandparents, her fear seemed like a deceptive act. Or perhaps, for some, seeing the half-monster cower filled them with a sense of superiority.

…And then, there were those who, captivated by the girl's inherited beauty from her mother, felt a different kind of desire.

The man who had dragged her out first made a vulgar suggestion to his companions.

"Hey, seriously?"

"With this monster? Are you out of your mind?"

"You're a real pervert, aren't you?"

Some of the men grimaced at the suggestion, but others looked at the girl with keen interest. The girl, who hadn't even reached puberty, instinctively sensed the terrifying and dangerous future that awaited her.

As the man who had spoken approached her, he pinned her limbs down and grabbed at her clothes…

"Nooo!!"

"Ah!"

"Whoa!!"

The girl woke up screaming, her voice joined by the startled cries of several young children around her.

She was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, as she tried to recall the dream she had just had.

…But what had it been about? Dreams tend to fade quickly upon waking.

Though she knew it had been something terrifying and hugged herself tightly, she was already forgetting the specifics. Perhaps it was precisely because she couldn't remember that it felt even more frightening.

"Haah… haah… haah… huh?"

Still trembling, the girl suddenly noticed a small hand resting on her own. She turned her gaze in that direction.

"Big sis, are you okay?"

A young girl with a lizard-like tail looked at her with genuine concern. Behind her, several other children peered curiously.

"Where… am I?"

"This is the orphanage I run. Though… business isn't exactly booming."

The voice came from a woman with raccoon dog ears and a tail, who appeared from behind the children.

"Um…"

"I'm Azuma Hibari, from the Kawara Orphanage. And this little one here is Akane, the youngest among us."

The lizard girl nodded and smiled brightly.

"I found you in the city. You were in such a state, and there was a man with a spear nearby… I've never seen you around here before. Are you from outside the capital?"

Azuma asked the half-monster girl about her origins, but…

"..."

The girl opened her mouth to speak, but then, as if realizing something, she fell silent, her face clouded with confusion.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"I… I'm sorry. I… don't know who I am."

With a deeply troubled expression, the girl confessed that she couldn't even remember her own identity…

The Kiri Hakki from "Yamiyo no Hotaru" is originally set as a half-demo(malevolent demon). She embodies the cruelty and self-centeredness typical of demons, and appears during the fourth demon subjugation mission under specific conditions in the game. At this point, the kind villagers with whom the protagonist has been staying and interacting are completely ravaged by the demon army she incites, including women and children. Her favorite foods are fried tofu, maple leaf buns, and the brains of living humans. Known among fans for her voluptuous figure, particularly her thighs and buttocks, she is both alluring and terrifying.

Desperate for power and viewing humans as nothing more than prey or insects, she is defeated by the protagonist in battle and forced to flee, severely wounding her pride. Depending on the route, she engages in several battles with the protagonist, each time resorting to underhanded tactics, but is consistently overwhelmed by the protagonist's growing strength. This fuels her obsession with the protagonist. In some routes, she becomes entangled with the elders of the Onitsuki family, the Gorilla Princess, or the remnants of the Old Kuuhou faction, the Demon Salvation Group, who exploit her.

If the protagonist rescues her after she is betrayed and left for dead, a heroine flag is triggered. However, this comes at a cost: she survives but loses much of her demonic power and memories, reverting to a childlike form. In this state, she becomes deeply attached to the protagonist, whom she sees as a parental figure. While her initial stats are low, her growth rate is exceptionally high, making her a valuable familiar for the protagonist.

However, "Yamiyo no Hotaru" is known for its cruel twists. Many players, lured by the appeal of her loli form and the promise of heartwarming scenes, invest in her growth, only to fall into the developers' trap. If her stats reach a certain level, a bad ending is triggered. She regains her strength and memories, betrays the protagonist, and leads a surprise attack that devastates the Onitsuki family. Several heroines with high affection for the protagonist are killed in the process.

As readers might suspect, her ultimate goal is to monopolize the protagonist. Her restored memories, combined with her time as a child, create a complex and obsessive personality. Depending on the flags raised, the protagonist is often immobilized, collared, and subjected to her relentless advances. In a gruesome ending, she forces the protagonist to consume the flesh of slain Onitsuki family members and other spiritually powerful humans, transforming them into a demon like her. The accompanying CGs are shockingly graphic, leaving a lasting impression.

Additionally, this route often leads to the downfall of the capital and the collapse of the Fusou Kingdom, as the "救妖衆" achieve their goals. It's a grim and unsettling outcome.

...Now, one of the prequel short stories to Kiri Hakki's tale is "Kojihiun Tan" (The Tragic Tale of the Fox Child). This story explains how she gained the power to rival Aoko-sama by the start of the main story. It's a brutal tale that showcases her evil nature and is well-known among fans for its dark and twisted content. According to this story...

"Well, well, this has turned into quite the mess," I muttered.

In the new district of the capital—a chaotic area unprotected by walls or barriers—I stood atop one of the taller buildings, hidden under a cloak enchanted with stealth and perception-blocking curses. The cloak, a mysterious gift from a gorilla, concealed my presence as I clicked my tongue in frustration.

According to the novel, the fox demon split her soul into multiple fragments just before her death. If events follow the novel, these fragments will cause numerous incidents in the new district, where the imperial court's vigilance is weakest. Gradually, the fragments will regain strength, merge, and eventually resurrect her as an even more powerful demon, accompanied by a horrific tragedy.

From my perspective, I wanted to prevent this resurrection. To do so, I needed to deal with the core fragment that would trigger the main event. However...

"Tch, I have no choice. I'll have to start with the easier tasks first."

Having been under the protection of Azuma Hibari, I had to avoid careless contact. While I couldn't avoid getting involved eventually, I needed to focus on the immediate problem.

"In other words, it's time to hunt some small fry!!"

In the next moment, I shared my vision with a bat-shaped shikigami and hurled a spear with all my might toward the target. Enhanced by spiritual energy, the spear flew with greater precision and power than in my earlier days. The blade, wrapped in spiritual energy, pierced the air and shattered the skull of a fox demon that was about to devour a drunken man from behind. The demon's upper half exploded into gore, and its lifeless body staggered before collapsing. The drunkard, oblivious to the carnage behind him, continued stumbling down the dark alley. How carefree.

"Dealing with the corpse is going to be a pain... but I can't just leave it here."

I muttered as I leaped silently across rooftops using stealth techniques. A demon's corpse would only attract more demons, and if a human carelessly consumed it, they might turn into one as well. Leaving it was not an option.

Of course, based on the novel's description, there were at least dozens of these fragments. I didn't have the time or ability to handle all of them alone. So then...

"Oh? Are you in trouble? I could lend a hand, you know?"

The sticky voice echoed in my ear, and I instinctively leaped away to create distance. Well, I had anticipated being stalked, but still...!!

"Hey, hey, don't make such a disgusted face. It hurts, you know?"

"Since when do demons get hurt by something like this...!!"

I retorted sharply to the grinning figure dressed as a monk. The demoness shrugged and sighed softly.

"It seems you're struggling with the corpse disposal. As your elder, I thought I might offer some assistance."

She smirked and crouched beside the fallen fox demon's corpse. Reaching out with a pale hand, she squished the shattered brain matter, then scooped up a handful and placed it on her outstretched tongue, glancing at me. The gesture was grotesque yet strangely alluring.

"Hmm, not a bad taste. How about it? I'll buy this corpse from you."

"...What?"

At my bewildered expression, the demoness twisted her lips in amusement. She swallowed the lump of flesh and continued.

"Don't worry, it's not a bad deal. A win-win situation for everyone."

Despite her unflattering attire, her wink and the slight protrusion of her tongue made her appear oddly seductive.

"It seems you're quite interested in these creatures, so I'll gather the foxes for you. You can deal with them and then hand them over to me. How about it? Not a bad deal, right?"

On the surface, the offer doesn't seem terrible. But...

"There's nothing less trustworthy than a demon's proposal."

Only a fool would take up a demon's offer, especially one known for deceit. It's not even worth discussing.

"...Such an immediate rejection hurts. You always dismiss kindness so easily—it's a bad habit of yours."

"Kindness? You're not even human to begin with."

"Oh? Hahaha, fair enough. I suppose you've got me there."

The demon laughs cheerfully, but every time she "snacks," the grotesque sounds of squelching and crunching make me grimace.

"Ah, that was delicious. A riverstone fox demon, huh? For a lesser demon, it had quite a good flavor."

Having devoured most of the corpse, including the organs and bones, the demon wipes the blood from her mouth and clasps her hands together in satisfaction. The grotesque remains at her feet make for a surreal scene. Wait, she ended up eating it anyway.

"Fufufu, no need to be so angry. I won't disturb you next time. But if you ever need help disposing of corpses, feel free to call me. After all, we're close, aren't we?"

"Doesn't seem like there's any friendship between us."

"You always say that. I'm a girl too, you know. It hurts to be treated so coldly..."

The demon, who doesn't look the least bit sad, fades away with a sigh. Demons can transform into gusts of demonic energy, shadows, or even mist, making it easy for them to vanish without a trace. It's the perfect ability for stalking. In the original game, she probably used it to stalk the protagonist relentlessly, even during private moments like bathing or using the toilet. A truly unsettling ability.

"Well, it's not like I have no leads."

There aren't many who leave their clans or awaken to spiritual or cursed powers among the common folk, becoming rogue exorcists or freelance sorcerers hiding in the capital. They do exist, though. Based on the original story's descriptions, they're dangerous, so I'd rather not get too close... but under the circumstances, I have no choice but to reach out for the sake of connections.

"Damn it, this is why I didn't want to come to the capital at this time...!!"

I curse under my breath as I leap across rooftops, heading toward the new district of the capital. My shikigami, deployed in the sky, has detected another fox fragment. It's a hassle, but I have no choice but to act. I have no obligation to let them grow stronger, and I'm not callous enough to stand by and watch innocent people get devoured.

---

"...Fufufu, I love it. That kind of mindset is so human, so heroic—it's exactly my taste."

In the dark, shadowy night of the capital, the demon, whose proposal was "expectedly" rejected, smiles broadly as she whispers to herself. Of course, had he accepted her offer, her passion would have cooled instantly. A human who easily accepts a demon's favor is not the "hero" she seeks.

"Now then, it seems things are getting tough, but do your best, okay? I expect you to suffer, struggle, fear, bleed, and still grit your teeth and push forward, just like a weak, pitiful human should."

"...If you do, I might lend you a hand, just like last time," she adds playfully at the end.

Her gaze as she observes humans in the dark night is like that of a lovestruck maiden, a loving mother, a female captivated by pleasure, and, above all, a beast eyeing its prey...

---

"Really, what a vulgar demon."

"Hm? Did you say something, my lady?"

The courtier in charge of hospitality tilts his head, unable to catch her soft mutterings. Kiri Hakki hides her mouth behind a fan and lets out a tinkling laugh, like the sound of bells. It's a gentle, charming smile that inspires goodwill in those who see it.

...Of course, that's only on the surface.

"No, it's just that the capital's cuisine is truly exquisite. I was simply amazed by how delicious it is."

Her words are fitting for a thirteen-year-old, but her demeanor is soft, elegant, and her voice carries a certain allure. The unique atmosphere she exudes leaves the courtier momentarily stunned, but he quickly regains his composure and expresses his gratitude with a bright smile.

The banquet is lavish. The dishes, served in vibrant ceramics and lacquered containers, include a whole salt-grilled sea bream, boiled kuruma prawns, fluffy conger eel tempura, and an artistically arranged assortment of sashimi. Considering the capital is inland, the effort to transport live seafood and serve it fresh is commendable.

The aroma of roasted pheasant wafts through the air, and the soup made from dried oysters is rich with umami. The rice, cooked with mountain vegetables and duck, is complemented by tender taro and shiitake mushrooms simmered in soy sauce and kelp broth. The pickled cucumbers, eggplants, and turnips are perfectly infused with vinegar.

For dessert, there's more than just sugar candies and buns. Juicy watermelons and peaches, chilled in well water, are served alongside mellow sugar-preserved apricots. Most impressive is the shaved ice, served in crystal bowls and topped with fruit juice and sugar—a true delicacy.

Paired with sake and imported wine, the banquet is a perfect representation of the upper-class cuisine of the Fusou Kingdom. The fact that this spread is prepared for over a dozen guests speaks volumes about the host's wealth. The orchestra performing to liven up the banquet is also highly skilled—perhaps even summoned from the imperial court.

This extravagant feast was prepared by the head of the Oumi family, Oumi Kaichi, who serves as the Vice Minister of Civil Affairs and the head of the Genbaryou.

The Oumi family, like the Onitsuki family, was originally a clan of exorcists. However, over generations, their power waned, and they lost most of their supernatural abilities. Now, they have largely abandoned their exorcist duties and transitioned into court nobility. They have also formed marital ties with the Onitsuki family on several occasions, which is why they were chosen as the hosts for this visit. Of course, while they are providing lodging for the Onitsuki family for half a year, the Onitsuki family is obligated to protect them from demons and curses in return...

"Of course, it's unlikely we'll need your assistance. The capital's defenses are robust. Even if lesser demons were to attack, breaching the city would be difficult. And even if they did, this estate is protected by barriers and curses. We're quite safe here."

The Oumi family's representative boasts confidently about the capital's defenses. And it's not an empty boast.

"That's reassuring... But when we visited the imperial palace earlier, the security seemed unusually tight. Did something happen?"

Aoi probes naturally. The security at the imperial palace, where the emperor resides and conducts state affairs, was unusually heavy for peacetime. Fully armed guards, samurai stationed at every corner, and even onmyouji from the Bureau of Onmyou were mobilized for security. The tense atmosphere suggested an imminent attack—something must have happened.

"Hahaha, it's nothing serious. Rumor has it that some overconfident demons tried to attack the capital but were repelled. The survivors are still lurking around, so we're just being cautious."

Seated at the head of the table alongside Onitsuki Uemon, the Oumi representative laughs as if it's truly no big deal.

And in a way, he's right. Yes, in a way.

The inner capital, surrounded by walls and housing the imperial palace, is indeed relatively safe. But what about the surrounding areas? The new district just outside the walls and the nearby villages don't benefit from the capital's defenses. Moreover, the court seems to be redirecting samurai and exorcists to reinforce the inner capital's defenses rather than protecting the outskirts.

(So, they're fine with sacrificing the common folk, huh? Well, that's typical of the court.)

It's a cold and ruthless stance, but it's not new. It's not entirely born of class discrimination, either. For the court, protecting the imperial palace—and the spiritual leyline beneath it—is the top priority. And in the face of cunning demons, they've had to resort to cruel and underhanded tactics throughout history.

...That said, while such measures might have been understandable 500 years ago, the fact that they're openly willing to sacrifice the common folk in an era of relative peace and prosperity shows just how corrupt the court has become.

(Well, that's neither here nor there.)

Onitsuki Aoi ponders. The matter itself is irrelevant. To her, it doesn't matter how many commoners are devoured by demons. Unless it directly affects her or her surroundings, she has no intention of intervening. In fact... the court's inaction is somewhat convenient for her.

(As long as no one interferes with him, it's fine.)

If outsiders meddled, it could hinder his growth or tarnish his reputation. It's better if they stay out of it.

(Was it a fox demon? Let her be his nourishment.)

She's not entirely sure how much he knows about the situation or why he's acting the way he is... Through the shikigami she's attached to him, it's hard to tell. But that's fine—in fact, it's preferable. She has no interest in ordinary men. If he possesses something that sets him apart, that's something to be celebrated. It proves he's "special."

"Fufufu, very well. If everything goes smoothly, I'll reward you."

Amid the cheerful laughter and music, she slowly sips imported wine from a crystal glass. After finishing it, she catches a drop of the red liquid with her finger and licks it off with her red tongue, smiling in a way that sets her apart from the other guests.

"So... don't forget my souvenir, okay?"

Her grin is cruel, fierce, alluring, and... utterly terrifying.

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