Akira and Hina were eating together. Akira ravaging the food like a hungry wild cat.
"So, will you tell me what is going on, Akira" Hina
Akira stopped eating and looked at Hina while contemplating. Then shook hear head in denial
"Akira, we are family you can trust me with everything, you know" Hina
"I am going to trust you, I really want to. The point is are you willing to trust me unconditionally?" Akira
"I do" Hina
"Well, it settles it then. I need to make some preparations and once I am done I will tell you everything. Until then, I beg you to put your blind trust in me as a reliable grown up person" Akira
Hina was startled of the mature expressions of Akira.
"She is growing up fast" Hina thought
"What should I do for you Akira, you know, to help with your so called preparations. This uncertainty is troubling me and I wish we can become clear asap" Hina
"Hmm where can I find city's utilities maps like electricity, sewers system, plumbing etc" Akira
"Why would you need those things?
"Blind trust, remember?" Akira
"Sigh, alright. Let me think Hmm. The city library should have a department with those types of things. But they may ave some restricted access" Hina
"I would need and hour most to investigate something" Akira
"Ok, finish up, put some nice clothing and we are going to the city library" Hina
"We are?"
"Of course, I said I will help you and no questions asked" Hina
"Oh.. Thank you Okasa" Akira was feeling gratified. A smile erupted on Akira's face
They both arrived at a huge building in the city "City library" "city council" ... different signs were posted on the main entrance.
Akira was wearing summer pants and a T-shirt. Of course the daytime disguise was on :the pink sunglasses and the summer hat. She had her school bag where she had put a drawing sketchbook and other drawing necessities.
......
The mother daughter duo were standing at a large double door "Tokyo city public library"
"Ok we go to the library now. You said you want an access to the city utilities maps?" Hina
"Yes, if possible. I will need about an hour to finish my task" Akira
"Ok, lets go" Hina
"Good day, how may I help you?" an elderly woman was sitting on a desk
"Good day" Hina bowed and said:
"My daughter is inspiring to become an architect. She even founded an "architect school club" Hina
"Oh, how nice, such a bright and smart young lady" The librarian smiled
"My daughter,Akira said she need to look at the Tokyo city utility maps for her school project, and I decided to help her out. You know mother daughter bonding time" Hina
"Oh how nice! She doesn't talk much thou?" The woman
"Well, she is a bit shy and sheltered. I am starting to worry about her future social life" Hina said with a said expression
"Haha, same as my granddaughter" the woman
"Will you be able to help Akira out, she said she need about an hour. Just to look for an inspiration or something" Hina
"Well It is kind of a restricted access" The woman scratched her head
"And while we are waiting for Akira to finish, we can have some home made cookies and tea" Hina pulled out a big bag of cookies
"Oh, Ahh well, my break is in 15 minutes and those cookies look delicious" The librarian
"Come Akira I will guide you to the desired section, Just don't break anything and make sure to put everything you take back in its place" the librarian
The woman headed towards a glass door section of the library. Hina winked at Akira and pulled her thumb up.
Akira smiled gently in return and followed the woman, who unlocked the glass door and led Akira to the second floor.They arrived at a large corridor with many doors. Entering one of them the librarian said"
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"All drawings are placed on their corresponding districts area racks. You can examine them on that table" she pointed to a very large table in the middle of the room.
"Once you finish, just put back everything and come downstairs. I will leave the door unlocked" The woman gently patted Akira on her shoulder and left.
Akira wasted no time and found the "Meguro district" deck, where the demonic church compound was located. She pondered over the tagged sections and pulled several 1,5 meters drawings tube cases.
She unfolded the large drawings on the table and said:
"Time to work"
20 years of engineering made reading the drawings a child's play. And her newly upgraded powers made the copying of the desired sections onto her sketchbook a toddler's game. She didn't even need a ruler as she was drawing lines with a perfect motion with the speed that even surprised Akira herself.
The entire process finished in 30 minutes. A half an hour earlier than Akira had estimated.
"I have underestimated my new abilities" Akira.
Soon Akira and Hina were outside the building.
"What's next?" Hina
"Well, I have to purchase some stuff at Sninju district" Akira said looking awkward.
"What are we waiting for, lets go shopping" Hina raised her hand in the air and then walked forward. After few moments of hesitation Akira followed in quick steps.
What followed was 2 hours of shopping spree. Akira was buying the weird and strange things, while Hina paying the bills. Of course Hina was enjoying the trip as well as she purchased few stuff for herself.
They were back home at 5 PM.
"I will start preparing the dinner"
"Thank you Okasa" Akira
"What? Making dinner is nothing special" Hina
"No, thank you for helping me. It really means a lot to me" Akira
"Oh come here you little manipulator" Hina smiled and hugged tightly Akira while caressing her back.
Akira entered her room and dropped on the ground a large 15 kg military type backpack filled to the brim with stuff Akira hadn't paid a single dime for.
Akira lifted the bag with one hand in amusement:
"Amazing, it is so easy!" Akira was mesmerised of her muscle powers. Her body may not look as tough, but she had the strength of a well trained athlete.
Soon Kornelius connected:
"Akira, I am back"
"Hi partner, how did it go? Akira
"Productive and exhausting, what about you over there?" Kornelius
"Same - productive, exhausting and .. fun" Akira
"Here is what I have found. It will be .... expensive" Kornelius shuddered.
"Oh, come on Kornelius don't make me wait. Tell me about" Akira
"The "lesser holy light can be upgraded for 5 000 SU to a "minor holy light aura". Then for another 10 000 SU upgraded to "holy cleansing aura" Kornelius
"What is the spell description"
"I am reading it now: [Holy cleansing aura: An area of effect type of spell creating a 10 meters diameter sphere around a designated target. Every type demonic affliction regardless of its rank is being affected and slowly deconstructed and purified. Depending on the power of the demonic spell it may need additional casting. Mana cost 100 mana. Cast time - fast; Cool down time - 1 hour; Aura radius 5 meters; spell duration 2 hours]
Akira focused on the details and contemplated:
"I will need 15 000 SU. That is a lot. I can slowly grind them, but it will take a lot of time, the time I don't have if I want the Heal Okasa soon.
What are my options? Hit the demon claws gang base: It is very risky as they will be probably on alert after 3 of their members were attacked
What about this demonic church compound. What secret are they hiding under high security?"
"Kornelius here is what I discovered today..." Akira
"There must be a Gate in Kyoto" Kornelius exclaimed
"Gate?"
"Yes gate as a "world gate". Oh I forgot how ignorant you can be. hehehe" Kornelius snickered
"Well forgive me for coming from some backwater world" Akira coldly replied
"Oh stop acting as a child. It was a joke Akira, a joke"
"Yeah whatever, now explain" Akira
"The world gates" are unique and limited in numbers remnants of the age of gods. They are extremely important strategic resource both for demons and FOL as they can be captured and repurposed. They allow to move people from one world to another in the Multiverse."
"Like the summoning circle?"
"Well kind of, but the summoning circle works only for soul transport, while the gate is actually a space-time hole, where real people and materials can pass trough" Kornelius
"So the demons are getting the larvae from somewhere else?"
"Very likely. The demon Queens that spawn them are extremely rare and are probably well guarded in the demon's core world"
"So those Queens spawn larvae, which come to Terra via the gate and are shipped by Hoshimura securities to different cities" Akira made the conclusion
"What could be Hoshimura securities moving towards the gate?"
"My best guess is : an already evolved demons who had reached lvl 24 and can not grow further on Terra. So they go back to the demon world and continue to grow there". Kornelius
"Like the rabid mantis?
"Correct, but those demons should be obedient and following the orders of their commanding staff"
Ok it is worth checking it out. I can take a look and see what are my options after that." Akira
Akira looked at her window. There were heavy clouds in the distant. A storm was coming!
About 6 pm Hina called Akira for dinner.
Akira was eating slowly as being distracted by some serious thoughts.
Hina was watching her daughter with worry. Akira was not being a glutton means something is seriously bothering her.
"What is it?" Hina couldn't endure anymore
"I will need to go out tonight. I am not sure of my returning home time, could be even tomorrow" Akira
"Going out, tonight?" Hina looked troubled
"It is important Okasa, It is important to ME. It can change the things for the both of us especially for you" Akira said with a serious tone
Hina looked at the eyes of her daughter. A determined and а serious look met her, a look of a person who knew what he is doing.
"I.. I am afraid something bad can happen to you" Hina
"I will not lie you okasa, there is some danger, but I must act or even worse things will happen?"
"Can you tell me about. I.. I may help you, please Akira"
"No, not now. This thing I must do alone. But if everything goes as planned, If I am lucky enough tomorrow you will have your answers" Akira
"You will tell me everything?" Hina
"If i succeed, yes... I will and you okasa will finally be free" Akira
"I don't understand"
"Soon okasa, soon you will, I promise" Akira
The dinner ended in silence
.....
Akira spent the rest of the time packing her gear and checking and re-checking if everything is in order.
About 8 PM Akira was standing at the house front door ready to leave.
There were lightening in the skies, soon the storm will hit in full swing.
"Akira wait, the storm looks bad, take this, it is your father's".
Hina handed her a plastic raincoat with "Hoshimura securities " logo
"Thank you okasa." Akira put it on. It was not her size and reached bellow her knees. Akira folded the sleeves and took her army backpack.
"See you soon Okasa, Ittekimasu"
"Itterasshai, and come back safe to okasa" Hina stretched her hand to reach Akira, but she had already departed