Greeting Kawagi as he awoke was a blinding bright light. The sudden sensation burning his freshly opened eyes caused him to squint and let out a groan.

“You’re awake.” Nordon said, clicking his pen and scribbling the time from his watch down into a small notebook.

“...”

Kawagi, feeling himself unable to move, opened his eyes fully and looked down. Wrapped around his body and binding him to a cold metal chair was a large Shimenawa rope which in turn was covered in hundreds of small paper seals.

I can’t feel my aura… He thought, creasing his brow. “Where am I?” He asked looking up to Nordon who sat atop a metal desk before him.

“That’s confidential, but I can assure you it’s somewhere safe.” Nordon answered, quickly scratching more words into his notebook.

“What’re you gonna do to me?”

“Extract information.” Nordon answered without looking up from his notebook.

“Through torture?” Huffed Kawagi, a hint of anxiety present in his tone.

“Of course not, that’s both illegal and against my morals.” Nordon frowned, looking up to Kawagi.

“Jeez, sorry I didn’t know you’d have such morals after kidnapping me already.”

“That’s disingenuous, you’re being detained for a list of crimes, the most notable being…” Nordon flipped back a few pages in his notebook and began to read aloud as if from a list. “Attempted Murder, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit murder, terrorism vandalism, affiliation with an unauthorized criminal company and the list goes on. Switching to the crimes the Venator Society has posed against you we have use of magic without authorization, use of magic against another in a lethal manner, use of magic in public, use of magic against the population, mass manipulation through magic, unregistered ability to use magic, assault with magic, unauthorized use of a magical implements, unauthorized production of magical implements, unauthorized ownership of magical implements… well those are just important ones anyways.” Nordon sighed, closing the notebook and placing it on the desk to him with a thump.

“Didn’t know I had to have permission to use something I was born with. Do I need permission from you to use my dick too?”

“I don’t create the rules, I simply enforce them. If you have an issue with them then you can bring it up in court. It’s not our job to put you on trial for any of these crimes. We’re just adding to your crimes.”

“Is that so?” Kawagi frowned. “Is getting information out of me without a lawyer present legal as well?”

“If you confess to something of course it is. We just can’t force you to confess.” Explained Nordon.

“Tch, so you just think I’m gonna tell you everything then? Why the hell would I do that!? Besides you should know that even if you throw the book at me the courts will never enforce it! We own them and you know that!” Yelled Kawagi struggling against the ropes which bound him.

“That’s why you’ve been detained by the Venator Society and not arrested by the government. Until we release you or hand you over to them you can be detained here for as long as we need.”

“And you think the Toumeikan is just gonna let you do that?”

“No comment.” Nordon sighed, pushing his square glasses up the bridge of his nose.

Hearing Nordons response Kawagi let loose a nasty scowl, he continued to try and pull on the Shimenawa ropes to see if they would move at all but they didn’t budge. He was bound in place completely and couldn’t even scratch his ass if he had to.

“Well if you’re satisfied with your questions, I think it’s time for us to begin…” Nordon hummed, checking his watch.

“What? My confession.” Laughed Kawagi.

“If you would, that'd surely save us a lot of time and effort.” Nordon shrugged

“Yeah alright then, here is my confession. I’m gonna kill you myself once I’m free.”

Nordon frowned at the empty threat and opened his notebook writing the new charge down into it. “Well then if you won’t be cooperating with us then we’ll just have to use our own methods to get your confession.” He sighed, clapping his hands.

“Permission to enter?” A voice on the other side of the room's metal door asked.

“Granted.” Nordon answered.

With that the metal door slowly creaked open and who entered was a rather tall and thin man wearing a brown suit and fedora. He looked to be someone you’d see in a typical black and white noir film.

“Who’s this ass hat?” Asked Kawagi.

“I’m Zankou Shinji, rear captain of the Venator Societies Edoland branch and the main scribe for this confession.” The man said, tipping his fedora.

“...” Kawagi didn’t respond and simply watched as Shinji pulled that chair out from behind the metal desk which Nordon sat on and took a seat.

[Deadmans Stenotype]

Appearing on the desk with a flash of light and clack of metal was a small old style mechanical typewriter. A stack of papers already primed in the tray.

“?”

Kawagi raised his brow at the conjured typewriter and tried to analyze its potential functions in his mind.

[Deadmans Stenotype: Remorseful Confession]

Appearing next to the typewriter was an intravenous contraption with a long clear tube which Shinji grabbed and walked over to Kawagi with.

“Hey what the hell is this!?” Kawagi scrambled trying to break free from the bindings with all of his might. “I don’t do good with needles!”

Not responding, Shinji pulled a small square packed out from his suit's pocket and ripped it open to reveal a small sanitizing wipe. He peeled up Kawagis black shirt and wiped at his bicep where a large vein bulged across his skin.

“This will only hurt for a second.” Shinji said, poking the intravenous needle into Kawagis arm.

“Tch!” Kawagi grunted at the pinching sensation, sweat dripped down his brow as he continued to struggle against the ropes which sealed him in place.

“As per the conditions of my spell I will now explain its effects and usage in full. Ignore or talk over me if you so choose but as long as I explain them with the intent for you to hear what I say then the conditions have been met. Do you have any questions?” Shinji asked.

“...” Kawagi didn’t respond, his bald head wrinkled with a single large vein growing at his temple.

“Well then, let us begin. The blood which I’ve now siphoned from you is connected to the typewriter which I’ve conjured. From the time I activate the spell to when you either lose a tenth of your blood or I deactivate the spell your thoughts will be transcribed onto the conjured paper indefinitely.”

“Wait a minute how is this not considered torture!?”

“As long as we take a non substantial amount of blood from you it’s considered no different then taking blood for medical and criminal testing.” Explained Nordon.

“That’s bullshit!”

“According to the law it’s considered legal, again if you have a complaint you’ll have plenty of time in court to discuss it. Now moving on let us begin.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

With a clap of Shinji's hand the spell activated and the typewriter began to click away, the blood flowing from Kawagi into the machine, blood red letters being written onto the script.

“I’ll now ask you a series of questions, you can feel free not to answer any questions if you so choose that’s within your right.” Nordon said, reading from his notebook.

“Hey, that’s cheating! Even if I don’t say it, my thoughts will still be written down!”

“There’s no law against it.”

Kawagi grit his teeth at his response and the vein which bulged on his forehead grew into a spider web like pattern as more rippled against his cheek and scalp.

“First question; are you affiliated with the Toumeikan?”

No shit I am, wait dammit! I thought that without thinking, this must be how the spell works! Of course when he asks the questions I’ll immediately think of the answer in my head and it’ll be written down.

“Next; are you a Joshin?”

Why ask the question you already know the answer to of course I am. Shit! I Can’t control it, even if I try not to think the answer still pops into my head right away.I need to think of a way to break out of this.

“Next, are you in regular contact with the Toumeikan Hachibuto, Asago Yamikawa?

Of course he’s my boss. Fuck! How am I supposed to break free from this!? It’s not even fair!

“Next; when was the last time you had contact with Asago Yamikawa?”

That would be yesterday, d-damnit how how how how how am I supposed to beat this!? It’s not fair, it reads my thoughts, even if I try not to think of the answer of course I automatically think of it!

“Next; what did you discuss?”

How to kill you… it’s useless I-I can’t I keep trying but it keeps going. H-how much blood has been used!? How much longer until the blood is -

“Who proposed this plan?”

Domushi…

“Why would Domushi suggest killing me? Isn’t that Yamikawas business?”

No clue, it was just given to me… I-I don't think I can break this…

“Did you have any suspicious about Domushis suggestion?”

It was weird…

“How so?”

It was… out of line for him.

“I see, well then let’s move on from that. Next question; do you know where Asago Yamikawa is right now?

No, his personal headquarters is unknown to anyone other than Kobe for security reasons. Damnit damnit damnit damnit fuck shit hell bitch bastard! I can’t speak anymore! I can’t give them anything else!

“Kobe? Are you referring to Susanori Kobe?”

Who the hell would I be talking about?

“Is Susanori Kobe often in contact with you or Yamikawa?”

He never speaks to anyone other than the Sanjogou unless it’s Yamikawa who he sometimes talks directly to…

A sigh escaped the lips of Kawagi, one which sounded as if it came from the depths of his soul. One of lament and self loathing. Regret and anger yet acceptance of the situation.

“Do you know where Susanori Kobe is right now?”

Probably hiding somewhere in the countryside… no one knows where he lives, not even the Sanjogou.

“Alright, let’s change topics since it seems as though we’ve reached the end of this thread… Did Asago Yamikawa say anything to you about this mission other than you were assigned to kill me?

To be aware of Domushi…

“And why would that be?”

No one trusts him really… he’s sus.

“Suspicious? In what way?”

Lots of ways.

“What’s the most prevalent reason for you to find Sumiyoshi Domushi suspicious?

He's never followed instructions and was promoted from outside of the company…

“Outside of the company?” Nordon muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing. “Who suggested him?”

Beyond my pay grade.

“In that case what do you think the reason for my assassination attempt was?’

The fear of an invasion.

“Of an invasion? What makes you think that?” Nordon asked, brow raised and neck cocked back as if he’d never heard of such a thing before.

Higher up knowledge, not my job to care about.

Kawagis head lay low, his chin pressed into his chest and eyes vacant of emotion.

“What else do you know about this invasion?

A foreigner, probably the one from the Izumika Incident is a member of the Venator Societies main land here in Edo. He has a hit placed on him by Kobe himself.

“By Kobe himself?” Nordon muttered, his composure faltering momentarily though he quickly masked it by pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Kanashi is still in Edoland? Why would he stay and what is he doing? Why is he here still?

“What information do you have about this foreigner?”

Seems I struck a cord there, is he not supposed to be in Edoland? But that wouldn’t make sense now would it?

“What do you know about him!?” Nordon asked once more, his voice growing louder and his teeth bared.

He was last reported seen at Soragou airport. But he never boarded the plane and one of our guys who was set there is missing as well.

“...” Nordon let out a breath and rubbed his chin in thought.

He was supposed to board a plane but he didn’t? So he was planning on leaving but something happened to either redirect him or blocked him from boarding it. Couldn’t he just have boarded the next flight? But that doesn't explain why one of their men went missing. It could be unrelated to one another but that’s highly improbable. Especially if they placed a hit on him beforehand. Could it be he had second thoughts about quitting and decided to stay But why wouldn’t he reach out to me if that’s the case? Is he ashamed to speak to me or afraid of rejection? That’s the most likely scenario. So the question from there would be what is he up to right now exactly. If anything his attempt at help is only risking the whole invasion more than aiding it especially if they’re actively looking for him. An encounter with a Joshin would only result in a quick death. I need to find him somehow and before they do.

“Do you know anything else about this foreigner?”

He has a scar on his face and a black arm.

“So it’s definitely him then…” Nordon sighed.

“We’ve used up 9%.” Shinji said, looking at Nordon.

“Got it, I’ve got only a few more questions before I wrap it up.” Nordon nodded. “What are the current counter measures in place against a hypothetical invasion?”

To kill you, the foreigner and a few others.

“Do you have any idea when this hypothetical invasion would occur?”

No clue.

“What do you think the repercussions of your capture will be?”

Either a fall out between Domushi and Yamikawa or me being replaced without issue. As long as you’re holding me here I doubt they’ll try to break me out.

“If a fall out was to occur between Domushi and Yamikawa what would the repercussions be?”

Dunno, but nothing good. It might just split the Toumeikan down the middle or Kobe himself might step in to resolve it. Either way it’s a bad ending.

“How does the Toumeikan feel about the Orochi Kingdom?”

Most dont em, half have just sorta put up with it while the other half wanna kill them.

“Who's the most likely to betray the Toumeikan?”

Probably Akatora.

“Why’s that?”

“9.95%!” Called out Shinji.

Because he-

With a final click the typewriter and intravenous entrapment vanished. Leaving only a well organized stack of papers about eight inches high on the desk.

“Shinji, collect the documents and organize them by relevant and irrelevant information. Highlight his direct responses and thoughts.” Ordered Nordon standing up from the desk and popping his neck with a sigh.

“Got it.” Nodded Shinji as he placed a bandaid over where Kawagi had been pierced by the needle.

I can probably leave the rest of the questioning of Kawagi to Shinji if I leave him a script to read from. If Sarumaler-San is really still here in Edoland then I need to focus my soul on finding him, before the Toumeikan do!