The Demonic Capital: New York
The Fitzgerald family home sat in an affluent neighborhood on the outskirts of New York, where luxurious mansions clustered together. It was said to be the place where noble families who had immigrated during the early days of settlement had gathered. Perhaps for that reason, every building carried an antique yet aristocratically refined elegance.
The Fitzgerald main residence was no exception—a white stone building that felt distinctly more luxurious than the others.
“This way, please.”
Aris, excited to be back in her hometown after so long, dashed inside with lively steps. Nae Fitzgerald, the butler, Mimata Chieri, and I followed their guidance into the house.
Nae Fitzgerald introduced the statues in the front garden and the neatly pruned trees as we walked.
“That tree over there was planted when Aris was born.”
“Oh, it’s grown well. Both of them have.”
Looking at the lush, full-grown tree Nae had pointed out, I connected Aris to it with a light comment. We continued our slow conversation as we entered the mansion.
Whether because Nae Fitzgerald was originally from Japan or simply because that was how things were done here, we removed our shoes at the entrance and slipped on indoor slippers. At least I wouldn’t have to commit the crime of climbing into bed with my shoes still on.
The interior of the mansion wasn’t overwhelmingly opulent, but it possessed a subtle, dignified grace. One wall displayed portraits of past Fitzgerald family heads. Upon closer inspection, most of them were white men with light brown or blond hair. That made sense—they were Irish nobility. Anything else would have been strange.
“Butler, please show these two guests to their rooms.”
“Understood.”
Nae Fitzgerald headed off with her suitcase while the butler guided Mimata Chieri and me to the guest quarters. Naturally, as a male and female guest, we were given rooms quite far apart. Mimata Chieri’s was near Aris’s, while mine was noticeably isolated.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. I had no intention of doing anything with Aris in this house anyway. With the butler and constantly moving maids everywhere, there were too many eyes. Getting caught fooling around with Aris could get me thrown out on the spot.
I tossed my luggage into a corner and threw myself onto the bed for a moment. Then I turned on my smartphone and accessed the Dark Market app. I remembered that auctions were occasionally held in New York, so I wanted to check the schedule.
Let’s see… entering the Diamond-grade menu… there it is. For security reasons the app only displayed the nearest auction, and whether by coincidence or fate, the closest one was right here in New York.
The auction was scheduled for the dawn of the day we were supposed to fly to LA. I’d have to attend the auction and then immediately catch a flight. I could sleep on the plane.
When I pressed the reservation button, a QR-code invitation was issued instantly. It allowed one companion, so I could bring either Mimata Chieri or Aris.
Mimata Chieri had been spending a fair amount of company money on the Dark Market under the pretext of purchasing equipment. If she had reached Diamond grade, all three of us could have gone together.
But Diamond wasn’t a rank just anyone could obtain, so at best Mimata Chieri was probably a Plus-grade member. That meant I’d have to choose one of them.
Knock knock!
“Ms. Nae Fitzgerald has prepared refreshments.”
A young woman’s voice came through the door. It must have been one of the maids working at the Fitzgerald mansion.
“I’m on my way.”
I rose from the bed and opened the door. A modestly pretty woman with light brown hair and freckles stood there in an authentic maid uniform—not the stylized version from Japanese maid cafés, but the real thing meant for working in a proper estate.
“Since you may not know the location of the drawing room, I’ll show you the way.”
Following the maid, I headed to the drawing room where everyone waited. As a space meant for receiving guests, its décor was noticeably more ornate than the rest of the house.
On the table sat a three-tiered tray filled with sweet cakes and cookies exactly like those seen in movies and British dramas. A white porcelain teapot held black tea, and a small bowl of cream waited for anyone who wanted milk tea.
“Welcome~!”
The ever-bright Nae Fitzgerald waved at me. Aris and Mimata Chieri hadn’t arrived yet. I took the seat directly across from her.
“It’s the first time since the funeral, isn’t it?”
Nae Fitzgerald poured my tea as she spoke. The question carried a deeper meaning. It stirred a faint suspicion inside me—something about Phantom Thief Francois. It felt as if the Fitzgerald mother and daughter had been covering each other’s alibis while the thief traveled the world. When I had seen Phantom Thief Francois in the secret laboratory, the figure had felt strangely familiar.
“Perhaps?”
My “perhaps” was deliberately meaningful. It implied I had seen someone but wasn’t sure whether it had been her. If my suspicion was correct, she should have shown some reaction. Yet Nae Fitzgerald remained completely calm. Her lack of agitation made me wonder if I was wrong, but I could always confirm it properly later.
“The only time I’ve been to Japan recently was for the funeral, so this must be our second meeting.”
I watched her composed expression and added cream to my tea. We sat there smiling at each other while a strange current flowed between us. Then Aris and Mimata Chieri entered the drawing room.
“Sorry we’re late~! I was showing Chieri my room.”
Aris sat beside me, cutely poking her tongue out. Mimata Chieri naturally took the seat on my other side.
“What were you talking about?”
“Just that it’s the first time we’ve seen each other since the funeral.”
“Aww, Mom! Why bring up a funeral on such a nice day?”
“Ryuta looks so much like Saburo that it reminded me. I’m sorry.”
Aris scolded her mother, but the excuse—that seeing him made her think of her dead younger brother—was such a perfect Talulah-level justification that Aris lost her words and could only fall silent.
“By the way, when will Uncle arrive?”
“My husband is on a business trip. He probably won’t return until tomorrow or the day after.”
I brought up Oliver Fitzgerald to change the subject. There was no point in dwelling on Saburo, whom I barely knew. Better to talk about something else.
From Nae’s explanation, Oliver Fitzgerald’s Talon company specialized in precision engines and was currently manufacturing spaceship engines to support the active Mars colonization project.
In TMC, the prequel that depicted the future of the mega-corporation’s youngest son, Talon held considerable prestige. It was now a solid, steadily growing enterprise on its way to becoming one of America’s true mega-corporations. Investing even a little now could yield massive returns later.
My own funds were currently tied up in several investments, so I had been thinking of discussing a mithril supply deal with Oliver. Since he was away, that conversation would have to wait.
“How long are you staying?”
“About four days before we head to LA. I have modeling work, and Ryuta’s friends are there too.”
“That’s a shame. I thought I’d get to see my daughter a little longer.”
While listening to their casual conversation, I picked up a slice of cake from the tiered tray and put it in my mouth. Hmm. The cake from a storied family really was on another level. It was delicious. It paired perfectly with the milk tea; alternating between them made it feel like I could eat forever.
“Hoho, it’s lovely to see Ryuta eating so heartily. Still, mealtime is approaching, so don’t overdo it.”
It seemed Nae Fitzgerald still didn’t fully understand what a big eater I was. Aside from the slightly strange atmosphere at the beginning, the tea time proceeded in a warm and friendly manner. My suspicions, however, remained unresolved.
New York Chinatown back alley.
Jackson Shaw, the New York branch leader of the Black Moon, stared at the figure before him with pure terror in his eyes. Muyounggui—the legendary leader of the Black Moon’s Execution Squad—stood holding a giant scythe that looked exactly like the Grim Reaper’s weapon. Wrapped in swirling black fog, its gender was impossible to determine, which only heightened the dread.
The coalesced black mist created an inhuman, ominous silhouette.
This was a daytime office, yet the entity had entered without any resistance. Jackson Shaw felt cold sweat running down his back.
"Wait…"
The voice was horribly raspy, as if it had been scraped across broken glass. Muyounggui fell silent, apparently verifying whether Jackson Shaw’s words were true.
"There are traces of contact attempts. Explain in detail."
“The story begins about six months ago, when we first failed to deliver the tribute…”
Jackson Shaw spoke with a face twisted in absolute terror.
Fitzgerald Mother and Daughter.
Nae Fitzgerald had also consumed the Juangwa.