Fireflies of the Dark Night

The flow of the story in the prequel Tale of the Fox Child's Misfortune to Fireflies in the Dark Night goes like this:

A nine-tailed fox demon, torn to shreds by the capital's exorcists, manages to survive by fragmenting her soul into dozens of pieces. While most of these fragments go on to feast on humans in and around the capital, one fragment is special—a half-demon, the core of her existence.

Koriha Shiroki is no ordinary malevolent demon. To be more precise, she is an extremely rare case of a half-demon who ascended to the status of a malevolent demon.

This was something Azuma Hibari likely never anticipated. Half-demons themselves are rare, often persecuted by humans and preyed upon by demons. Few ever become full demons, let alone malevolent ones. There had been no reported cases of what happens when such a being fragments itself. Azuma, a half-tanuki with the observational skills to detect lies and deceit, was caught off guard.

In reality, the white fox girl told no lies and harbored no evil intentions. Stripped of her malevolent demonic nature and devoid of memories of her past atrocities, she was essentially just an innocent half-demon child.

Yet, she was undeniably a fragment of the nine-tailed malevolent fox demon, Koriha Shiroki. The other fragments knew her location. Initially, they had intended to abandon this pitiful fragment...

The other demonic fragments despised this core fragment, which retained the memories and consciousness of the half-demon girl. For them, who had endured unimaginable hardships to become malevolent demons, this weak, timid, and tearful version of themselves was a shameful relic of the past—a time when they were merely exploited and oppressed. They had planned to sever this fragment from their existence and let it perish somewhere. In fact, in the novel, the newly fragmented girl, disoriented and with blurred memories, wanders aimlessly through the new town at night, only to be discovered by thugs and subjected to a lynching. She was supposed to die there.

The half-demon girl, exposed to baseless malice as she had been in her childhood, nearly killed by a lynching, is saved by Azuma Hibari and becomes a new resident of the orphanage... This marks the beginning of a new tragedy.

Think about it. Between an ordinary human and a half-demon, which would be more useful as sustenance for a demon seeking to regain its strength? Moreover, with the orphanage's headmistress, who had once been the head of the Onmyō Bureau, the other fragments began to take an interest in this discarded fragment.

And misfortune piled up. Azuma Hibari had grown complacent, but that wasn't the only issue. No, to be precise, her underestimation of the situation and the misfortunes that followed were indeed her fault. However, from the perspective of an omniscient third party, the tragedy was undoubtedly the result of a series of unfortunate events.

The conditions Azuma set for the orphanage's barrier were criticized in fan forums and analysis sites as a glaring oversight due to her complacency. However, after the release of supplementary materials and side stories, such criticisms diminished. It became clear that her actions in Fireflies in the Dark Night and its related works were not as naive as some had suggested.

In the world of Fireflies in the Dark Night, demons truly exist, and even charms, straw dolls, and incantations hold real power. In such a world, inviting someone into your home is a far more significant act than in the real world, and even children understand this. Especially for half-demon children, who are vulnerable to persecution, human trafficking, and experimentation. Azuma had raised the children well, and it was unthinkable that they would casually invite someone inside based on mere words.

At the same time, the conditions Azuma added to the barrier were, in a sense, reasonable. Blocking entry based on demonic energy alone posed risks. As mentioned earlier, the orphanage's threats weren't limited to demons. In fact, humans were often the greater danger during peaceful times, and the orphanage had been attacked before. Humans couldn't be ignored.

Moreover, if the barrier discriminated based on demonic energy, the children might accidentally leave the orphanage and be unable to return, or other half-demon children seeking help might be barred from entering. Some of the half-demons Azuma had rescued had fled from thugs or escaped human trafficking. What would happen if such a child sought refuge at the orphanage while Azuma was away and was denied entry?

Even if adults were present at the orphanage, they would be powerless against a fox demon's infiltration tactics. Such underhanded methods would almost certainly allow the demon to breach the defenses, no matter how many adults were present. In fact, the more upright and ethical the person, the more vulnerable they might be.

"And if they accidentally invite a monster inside, it would lead to a massacre, followed by..."

Honestly, the thought of such atrocities is too vile to put into words. Even as fictional text, it evokes disgust, and the fact that it could actually happen is far from pleasant.

The bigger problem is how difficult it is to intervene in this situation. While the events involving the Tachibana Trading Company could serve as a pretext to mobilize the Gorilla, the same can't be said for the orphanage.

Unfortunately, it would be hard to involve the Gorilla here. There's no reason to help a half-demon who was forced to retire as the head of the Onmyō Bureau due to a scandal. Well, it might not be impossible with some negotiation, but neither the Onitsuki family nor the Princess have any obligation to help the half-demon children at the orphanage. Without that, cooperation with Azuma Hibari is out of the question.

"Even if I show up alone, I doubt they'd trust me."

Even if Azuma, as a half-tanuki, can discern truth from lies, showing up in a cloak to hide my identity would only raise suspicions. Revealing my identity would only make her wary of the Onitsuki family, and as a subordinate, my words might be dismissed as manipulation. Given our first encounter, there's a good chance I'd be hunted down on sight. I can't approach them casually.

And above all, I want to eliminate the vixen completely here. My face, and the Gorilla's, are already somewhat known. Who knows how this will affect the story's start? Since the vixen is likely to follow the original plot, I want to settle things at the first major event—the massacre at the orphanage. Damn it, if only the Gorilla had finished her off quickly, I wouldn't be in this mess...!!

"Well, that's how it is. My options are limited... Haha, in a way, did I choose the worst possible path?"

With my identity concealed by the cloak, I shrug and force a wry smile. I'm in the worst part of the new town's slums, tailing an old man through a place filled with gambling dens, black-market salt and alcohol vendors, unlicensed food stalls, rogue sorcerers' shops, and muddy, foul-smelling streets littered with the occasional corpse of animals or humans. The area is teeming with night hawks and unsavory thugs...

Grrrrrr...!!

In a back alley from the setting materials stands an old bookstore. As the old man enters, I follow, only to be greeted by a massive bear—or rather, a Kumaoni, a wild bear that has evolved into a demon over time. Its glowing red eyes and towering height of over six meters mark it as at least a high-level demon. It leans in close, its warm breath hitting my face. Thanks to the cloak, it can't recognize me, but...

"Fohohoho, a customer, are you? Though you're carrying quite the dangerous item."

I shift my gaze to the cheerful voice. In a corner of the bookstore, which is far larger inside than it appears from the outside—likely due to some spatial manipulation—sits an old man with a long white beard and a cruel smile. On his lap rests a black cat with two tails, clearly no ordinary pet.

"...It's an honor to meet you. The renowned sage of the Onmyō Bureau, Matsushige Dougen. I'm deeply moved to be in your presence."

Suppressing my fear and unease, I clasp my hands and bow. It's fine. I expected something like this... Ugh, my stomach hurts. I broke a rib in that fight with the fox, and the painkillers are wearing off.

"You're not an assassin from the court, are you? You seem more skilled than the amateurs and rogues around here... but you're far too weak to kill me. Even the court's fools wouldn't send someone like you."

The old man grins as he shares his analysis, almost as if he's explaining it to me. So then...

"..."

"Hmm, you're wary of word magic. That's a wise decision. If you had answered, you would have been led to reveal everything about yourself."

The old man cheerfully admits to his scheme. Word magic, or kotodama, imbues words with power, using sound to influence the mind and induce a hypnotic state. Once you realize it's being used, you can escape by sharpening your focus, but it's hard to detect in the moment. If the other party speaks in a long, explanatory, or leading manner, extreme caution is required. In my case, I bite the inside of my cheek to stay alert. The pain is a good stimulus for waking the brain, and keeping it inside my mouth prevents the smell of blood from attracting demons.

...Later, I might suffer from mouth ulcers, which would be troublesome. I should apply salt to the wound.

"...I serve a certain clan. I must ask for your understanding in not disclosing the name of the clan or my own name."

"That is to be expected. Only a fool would reveal their name to me while knowing my true nature."

The old man let out a muffled chuckle.

...This old man, known as Dougen Okina, formerly the Assistant Chief of the Onmyoryo and Director of the Research Institute, Matsushige Dougen, is a villain and advisor character in the original game and several spin-off works. His strength goes without saying. In the Onmyoryo, a place teeming with cheat-level non-humans, he reigned as the second strongest for decades. Even considering that he is more of a researcher than a fighter by nature, his abilities are first-rate. While he may be considered a heretic, he is also, in a sense, one of the most principled and duty-bound beings in this world. That is why I decided to approach him this time.

"So, what brings you here, servant of the Demon Moon? It can't be just to kill time, seeking out someone like me who is wanted by the authorities without telling anyone, can it?"

"..."

For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Hey, he already knows. Did I fall under some illusion without realizing it?

Noticing my brief silence, the old man gleefully patted the head of the transformed cat on his lap. Then, with a gesture of his finger, he signaled the transformed bear, which retreated with heavy, thudding footsteps.

"At least you're not raising your voice or denying it outright. Well, I heard about the recent attack on the merchant caravan. I had my shikigami investigate a little."

"...I have a request to make of you, sir."

I spoke in a calm, emotionless tone, careful not to show any sign of agitation.

"Oh? A request for me? You must be out of your mind. Normally, upon learning of my existence, you should report me to the authorities. And yet, you come with a request? If discovered, your master would be beheaded and your clan punished. Surely you understand that, don't you?"

The old man, who had been pursued by the imperial court for secretly researching forbidden techniques and rituals, questioned me. Of course, I knew all that.

(Stay calm. This is where the real challenge begins. Don't say anything that might disappoint him...)

I hid my face under my cloak, enduring the overwhelming aura of death that filled the room. Yes, if I disappoint this old man now, it's all over.

On the surface, he may seem like a selfish, evil mad scientist, but that's just a facade. I must not forget that, in truth, this old man is an exorcist who believes in justice and loves the people in his own way.

In the game, he is particularly despised by the protagonists for his cruel actions, even against half-demons, a few good-natured demons, and even human criminals. However, he himself deeply loves humanity... or so it seems. He has set the protection and prosperity of humanity as his ultimate goal, and he is willing to sacrifice his own life for it.

Conversely, he doesn't care what happens to demons, half-demons, or criminals who hinder society. In fact, he even plans to eventually exterminate the first two. His research into forbidden techniques is for this purpose, and he has used many half-demons and criminals as experimental subjects.

Therefore, if you approach him as just another selfish heretic based on his outward actions, you'll be in for a world of pain. No matter how much money or benefits you offer, he will never agree to anything that threatens the lives or property of the people, nor anything that causes social chaos. Misunderstand that, and you'll incur his wrath and be cursed to death. In a way, he's also a landmine character. In the game, depending on your choices in the later stages, he can become either an enemy or an ally.

And now, I was planning to use that very setting to my advantage.

"Are you familiar with the name Azuma Hibari?"

"...Hmm, her? I heard she's raising monsters on the outskirts of this town now. Kukuku, I doubt she ever imagined that the reason for her exile would be living in the same town, albeit at a distance."

The old man stroked his white, sage-like beard as he answered, his expression clearly filled with amusement.

"Yes. However, she is a former head of the Onmyoryo and a hero who fought through the great turmoil. Even as a half-demon, her long years of service to the imperial court and the people cannot be denied."

I defended her using general arguments.

"And what does she have to do with your request?"

"She is in grave danger. The kind that threatens her life."

"..."

The old man fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. About a minute passed in silence before he finally spoke.

"Given the timing of your visit, the recent incident, the foxes roaming the town lately, and the monster she recently picked up, I can guess what you're getting at. But do you really think that woman would be defeated by such a creature?"

After all, she was once the head of the Onmyoryo. Even in her prime, the demon beasts couldn't stand against the exorcists protecting the capital. It's laughable to think they could defeat her now. But...

"Let me be clear. Azuma Hibari will be devoured. And so will all the residents of that orphanage. Surely, someone as wise as you can understand the gravity of the situation."

Among those half-demons are some with incredibly rare demon blood. And if they were to devour the former head of the Onmyoryo... the power they would gain could make them even stronger than before their division. At that point, even the capital's exorcists would hesitate to confront them.

"...It's true that she was too lenient. The atmosphere in the Onmyoryo became much more relaxed after she became head."

The old man spoke as if reminiscing. According to the setting, during Azuma Hibari's tenure as head of the Onmyoryo, the relationships among the exorcists were quite good.

Like the Demon Moon family, exorcist clans often have internal strife. In a world where curses are real and the gap in talent and lineage is stark, this is only natural. Moreover, with the prevalence of traps and instant-death techniques, the tendency for infighting is even stronger. (That's why the elder sister's authority was so overpowered.)

The Onmyoryo was no exception. There was constant backstabbing over achievements, and many members were strong-willed. While it could be said that they pushed each other to improve, the workplace atmosphere was quite toxic. Azuma Hibari, with her bitter experiences as a half-demon, her age, and her wide network, acted as a mediator and lubricant within the Onmyoryo, improving discipline and fostering cooperation and collaboration.

...Of course, after her exile, the atmosphere deteriorated once again. The staff even pointed out that the reason the troublesome fox escaped was due to the exorcists' lack of coordination, despite their disaster-level individual strength.

"You wouldn't let monsters grow fat and lose valuable combat power, would you? I don't ask for much. Just a small favor from you."

I knelt down and bowed my head respectfully, as one seeking help from an elder.

(If I can secure his cooperation here, it would be ideal...)

But...

"I can't agree so easily."

...I expected that the merchant wouldn't sell his wares so cheaply.

(If this man has any doubts, it could be about whether this is a trap set by the imperial court, or perhaps the reward. Or maybe...)

"How much do you think I can trust the words of a man who keeps monsters by his side? Especially when the other party is a notorious liar and a demon."

"...!!?"

I bit my lip in frustration, hiding my face under my cloak as I glanced sideways. Oh come on, of all things, it had to be that...!

(Well, in a way, it's only natural...!!)

I had checked to make sure I wasn't being followed before coming here... but apparently, my eyes were useless. I need to retrain myself, I thought, as I watched the thick, dark demonic energy gathering before me.

"I must say, I'm a bit surprised. He was so concerned about being tailed that I took extra care to hide my presence. And yet, I was found out so easily."

The demon, disguised as a begging monk, wore a troubled smile. The old man narrowed his eyes at this but—

"—Well, well, I never thought you'd still be alive. The infamous Azure Demon, still breathing. And of all places, here of all places!"

Despite having seen through the disguise, the old man's face was filled with genuine surprise. He seemed to have recognized the demonic nature but hadn't fully grasped that this was the infamous Azure Demon herself.

(This is bad...)

If this notorious demon appears before the old man, who despises demons, my credibility will plummet. At worst, I might not even make it out of here alive. Forget the demon—I stand no chance against this withered old man before me.

"...Now then, servant of the Demon Moon. What is the meaning of this? Not only are you not with the imperial court, but you're also associated with demons? Depending on your answer, rejecting your master's request might be the least of your worries."

The spiritual pressure, undoubtedly restrained, was enough to make me feel like passing out. The only reason I didn't was thanks to my past experiences. Not that I'm grateful for it.

"...I apologize for the carelessness of bringing a demon here. However, it's unfair to assume I'm in league with demons."

"Exactly, that's right. Isn't that just an insult?"

The demon, with a playful tone, interjected as I struggled to maintain consciousness. Hey.

I shot a reproachful glance through my cloak, but the demon paid no heed. And then...

"Right. This next part is a bit embarrassing, so I'd like you to sleep for a while, okay?"

"Huh?"

The next moment, a sharp impact to the back of my neck plunged me into darkness. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was the demon's amused smile right in front of me and the old man's wide-eyed surprise.

---

"...I must say, I'm astonished. For a monster of your caliber to show such restraint and carefully knock out a mere servant..."

The old man's shock was understandable. The records of the atrocities committed by the Azure Demon a thousand years ago were well-documented. Selecting one human sacrifice per district daily, building her mansion with the bones of those she devoured, lining up pleading civilians as hostages to threaten the emperor when the palace's barrier proved too strong... such acts were mere amusements to her. The name of the Four Evils, who plunged the capital into terror, was no exaggeration. And yet...

"I couldn't risk leaving any aftereffects. It's only natural."

For a demon whose strength could obliterate a human body with a casual swing, delivering a precise blow that neither broke bones nor caused lasting damage was no small feat. And to gently cradle the fallen human to prevent their head from hitting the floor, all while gazing at them with eyes filled with affection... it was hard to believe this was the same infamous demon.

"Ah, is there somewhere I can lay him down?... Hey, you there, bear. Bring something over."

The demon directed a surge of demonic energy toward the bear. The great demon, captured and transformed into a shikigami, had lost all its inherent ferocity and now trembled like a puppy. The demon, annoyed by its cowardice, considered beheading it but...

"Genbu, there should be a mat and bedding over there. Bring them."

At the old man's command, the bear demon hurriedly obeyed. Trembling, it carefully laid out the mat, pillow, and bedding on the tatami. The demon, now in a better mood, carried the servant in a princess carry and gently laid him down.

"Ah, that's a relief. Carrying him like that for too long would've hurt him. His ribs are broken, so I can't push him too hard."

After tucking the human in, the demon discarded the pillow and instead offered her lap as a cushion. She smiled warmly, like a mother doting on her child.

"...You seem quite attached to that human, Azure Demon."

"Of course. He's my favorite. I have to treat him well at times like this."

For a demon known for her insatiable desires, impatience, and capriciousness, this was an unusually humble attitude.

"May I ask about your relationship with him?"

Thus, the old man inquired. One could never predict what might enrage the demon. Without knowing the nature of their relationship, there was no telling what might happen next.

"He's my hero."

The demon said this briefly at first. Then, she continued.

"I can tell. I knew it the moment I saw him. He's destined for greatness. No, he will achieve it. To the point where he could defeat me, where I would deserve to be defeated by him. After all, he's never once betrayed my expectations."

The demon, in the form of a beautiful woman, twisted her lips into a grin. Her delicate lips parted to reveal sharp, menacing fangs, far beyond what a human could possess.

"I want to see the completion of his heroic tale. That's why I have to help him, right? Ah, but it would also be fun to frolic around like we used to. Well, that's up to him. I can't decide that on my own."

From there, the demon's response turned into more of a monologue than an answer to the question. It was a self-centered, selfish explanation, typical of a demon.

"I see..."

The old man nodded, satisfied with the answer. He had expected nothing less from a demon. Still, it revealed much.

(He's been enchanted by the demon. How pitiful.)

The old man cast a sympathetic glance at the man lying before him. To be favored by a demon was, in a way, even more unfortunate than being devoured by one.

"Ah, that's right. Here, take this."

A grotesque snap echoed through the room. The demon tossed something toward the old man. The transformed cat shikigami caught it in its mouth and brought it to its master.

"This is..."

"Consider it payment for the request and proof that he's not my pawn. He's been working himself to the bone, so... Since I complicated things this time, this is my compensation. Even a rotting finger from a thousand-year-old demon like me has some value, don't you think?"

What the demon had thrown was... a finger. Likely the little finger of her left hand, a part of a thousand-year-old demon. Its value as material for experiments or rituals would be immense. But more than that, for a demon so arrogant, prideful, and self-important to sever even a finger for the sake of a mere human...

"...To go this far for a mere human. I can hardly believe you're the same infamous, wicked demon."

"Now, now, that's not fair. If I weren't infamous, cruel, and wicked, no one would care if I were slain in public. Let's keep this between us, okay?"

She spoke with a mischievous grin, placing a finger to her lips like a playful town girl.

"Well, that's that. I can't compromise any further for the sake of my pride. You can handle the details with him. After all, I'm just a side character this time."

With that, the demon closed one eye and casually dismissed the matter, losing interest in the old man. She began gently stroking the head of the human lying beside her. Yet, the old man neither reprimanded her for the rudeness nor felt displeased. He understood that this was the demon's way of showing the utmost concession toward a human.

"...It seems that's how it is."

The old man muttered softly as he watched the demon's indulgent behavior. He understood. The demon's twisted values, her foolish schemes, and the hopeless situation the man before him had fallen into.

"...Hmm, I suppose there's no other choice."

And so, the old man reluctantly made up his mind as he stroked his beard. He would help this man. He had no choice. And he would have to train this man. For this was one of the few opportunities to kill the demon, who was filled with a madness born of love.

...And, conversely, to ensure that the man did not succumb to temptation and lies, falling into demonhood and unleashing a newborn demon upon the world before it could be stopped.

Yes, even if it played right into the cunning demon's plans. As long as it aligned with both their goals...

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