Yashakiden: The Demon Princess, Volume 2 Read Online Free Page B

here without so much as a scratch.”
    Gone was the battle-strength qi Mephisto had experienced outside the Toyama housing project. In its place was a humble, even courteous, air. But Mephisto regarded the old man with the same look as always.
    â€œThis is an unexpected welcome. I would have thought a hungry wolf or famished tiger awaited me.”
    â€œSuch stereotypical expectations,” the old man scoffed. He quickly corrected his expression. “We welcome you from the bottom of our hearts. To speak with total candor, making the best doctor in Demon City into an enemy was the last thing on our minds. I hope you will reciprocate our warm regards.”
    â€œBut of course,” Doctor Mephisto answered.
    â€œPlease, this way.” Shuuran smiled and turned towards a narrow path winding through the bamboo grove.
    The thick scent of bamboo floated on the breeze. At the back of the grove, a stone staircase was cut into the cliff wall. It had well over a hundred steps.
    Shuuran, in the lead, stopped before the staircase. Mephisto asked, “You’re not going up?”
    â€œThese were originally the steps used by the castle guards. My mistress would rebuke me severely if guests were made to use them.”
    Kikiou raised his hand. In a flash, another silhouette swallowed up the three shadows cast on the ground. Unquestionably the result of good training, a large bird swooped down and seized Mephisto by the shoulders without a single flapping sound.
    Just as it seemed that the bird’s upwards trajectory would continue into the heavens, Mephisto found himself standing on the top of the cliff along with the other two. He looked up, but saw no sign of the bird. All he could conclude was that it had at least three legs and three sets of claws.
    The wind bore an indescribable fragrance towards him, accompanied by a clear, transparent tone. Stretching out below him was a large courtyard and stately manor. A small red boat and gazebo floated on a brimming lake. A waterfall tumbled solemnly from the summit of an ornamental mountain made of oddly shaped rocks.
    The manor house was a showpiece of exquisite craftsmanship, sporting the lavish use of the finest materials. In the heart of an unexplored mountain range, wizards had created this world apart, this ultimate expression of four thousand years of refined tastes.
    Beyond the manor was a green expanse, so deep and dark it was almost black, reaching out as far as the eye could see.
    This was the dwelling place of these night visitors.

Chapter Three
    The woman easily broke through the heralded defensive perimeters of Doctor Mephisto’s hospital and continued on her way. The force fields resisted her as they might a gentle breeze. The paralyzers and airlocks filled with anesthetic gas were equally ineffective.
    She walked— flew might be the better word—right through them.
    The computers pointed to the existence of something unconstrained by the basic laws of physics and nature. But thanks to the fleeing woman’s horrible beauty, at least one member of the security detail had come away convinced of it.
    Getting word that she was moving quickly toward the roof, the surveillance room supervisor figured they had her cornered and tasted victory, though that feeling was tinged with apprehension.
    The hospital had seven floors above ground. After that the roof and the infinite sky.
    For no logical reason, the supervisor got the feeling that the woman—invisible to his monitors—would deliberately choose the most difficult escape route.
    Halfway up the staircase to the roof, the door came into view. The woman stopped. She’d definitely just passed the halfway point. But the distance to the door and its perceived size hadn’t changed. She could climb a thousand more steps and wouldn’t rise a foot higher. She could climb forever and all that awaited her was pointless effort.
    â€œSo they bent space back on itself. How very