Ichi knocked Scipio's hand aside with his stick.

"I'm covered in the blood of your little cthulu friends. I've had a rough night." Ichi pointed back with his thumb towards the fort Renya was detailing. "And you hurt my girl. Turn around and leave and I'll let you live." Ichi said.

Scipio started laughing as he shoved his hands in his white coat pockets.

"There's a pecking order. In this world, I'm above you. Seer's Council. We've got these really nasty Tengu Twins that run roughshod all over the planet. But," Scipio held out his arms wide. "I'm double special. I'm Dracula's and Ika's son! We run the Shadow Society! I'm what royalty wish they could have been, for thousands of years they pined for eternal life and absolute power," Scipio swung his fist with his thumb pointing to his heart.

"I was born with both." Scipio walked up to Ichi, staring up into his hairy face. "You're special too. We can be friends. I'm always on the lookout for new connections. I've got ambition. When your dad's got the world, you've got to go bigger!" He swung his hand around Ichi's lower back, reaching for the stars with his other. "The galaxy! Together, we could rule the galaxy!"

Scipio started cackling madly as he one armed hugged Ichi from the side. Ichi turned around looking at Renya with one raised eyebrow. Renya made the slight effort to shrug a little then went back to work carving out windows.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I can see why they call you the 'Worst'." Ichi moaned. Scipio let him go and danced back, performing and extragant bow.

"Charmed. You know what Schopenhauer said. First they hate you, they they champion you, then they accept you as common knowledge."

Ichi's face twisted in disgust. People who quoted philosophers with inaccurate interpretations of their work on purpose- no wait, he lost his train of thought entirely. Ichi scratched his head.

"You're here about the cat, right?" Ichi half heartedly let the words slip out.

"What cat?"

Ichi felt his blood run cold as Scipio straight face filled his vision. Then-

"Why are you here?"

Scipio pointed over at Renya. The fort was complete with insulation from the surrounding foliage. She was on the rooftop carving the wood into a design she felt best suited the theme of 'moonlight'. She was really into it.

"That girl. The little alchemist girl. She's energetic. Been in touch a long time trying to get a little extra information on what her family was up to. She told me about this 'Armory' that the Tengu Twins had. They stole from the council. Withheld their spoils of war. I came to steal it for myself. Ripped their whole house apart and there was only some disgusting anime merchandise. The lower classes have no sense of taste. I do. I love arguing matters of taste, Ichi, if you like anime, we can't be friends."

Ichi shook his head.

"No, I like anime. There's no way I'd want to hang out with slimy bastard like you anyways. I'm thinking murder sounds good."