"Uncle, it looks like Master Hide sent someone with his bird," said Priscilla as she rushed into Ji-san's office. Ji-san quickly went to where the bird had landed and saw Charlotte, still unconscious. The bird held out a note, which Ji-san took and read:
"Ji-san, this girl is a friend of mine. I'm being followed, and I won't be back for a while. Please keep her safe. Don't worry about me—if I'm in serious danger, I'll contact you again."
Ji-san folded the note and turned to Priscilla. "Bring her into a room. We may have guests."
Outside, he spotted several figures near the gate. Ji-san signaled the others to prepare.
He stepped outside and addressed them, "May I ask what business you have here?"
One of the figures responded, "We have business with your master. We'd like a word with him."
"I'm afraid he's not home. He's away on business in another city. He should return in a few days."
The figures exchanged looks. "Thank you, but we don't have time to wait," said one, drawing a weapon.
They were after Charlotte.
"Say, old man, open the gate or we'll break it down."
"I can't do that," said Ji-san calmly, but his tone grew colder. "You've picked the wrong house."
Some of the figures jumped over the gate, breaching the manor.
Ji-san emitted a sound inaudible to humans but clear to the maids and butlers. The gate opened, and Ji-san stood surrounded.
Inside the manor, chaos erupted.
"Find the girl. She mustn't escape," barked one intruder.
Priscilla heard the sound—Ji-san's signal—and grinned. "I guess it's time."
In the kitchen, the cook Yusef faced several attackers. "You dare enter Master's home like this? Now you'll pay."
Yusef transformed into his fiend form. His appearance struck terror into the intruders. "Fiend! Fiend!" they screamed.
In the ballroom, Mary stood silently in the dark. As intruders approached, they grabbed her illusion. The real Mary emerged from the shadows. "The girl you want isn't here. And now, you'll regret coming in."
Priscilla, meanwhile, carried Charlotte toward a safer room but was intercepted.
"There she is!"
Priscilla put Charlotte down gently. "You won't touch her. Since you attacked us first, expect no mercy."
"Big words for a maid," scoffed one.
"Didn't you hear your comrades scream? No? You were too busy sniffing around. Now—who wants to be dog food?"
"What dogs?"
Priscilla transformed—horns, claws—and slaughtered several attackers. "Sic 'em, boys."
A monstrous fiend-dog emerged from a dimensional rift, devouring the remains.
Outside, Ji-san faced the rest.
"It's been too quiet inside," said one intruder.
"You underestimated us," said Ji-san. "Let's finish this."
"You can't even land a hit, old man."
"You'll be dog food like the rest."
Ji-san transformed. Blades extended from his arms, his body encased in deadly edges.
"That's... The Owl," gasped one. Panic erupted.
"Run! We need to warn the others!"
They tried to flee but Ji-san cut them down, dragging the bodies to Priscilla. One survivor whimpered, but Ji-san finished him off.
"Feed them to the dogs," he ordered.
The battle was over. Blood stained the manor.
Everyone regrouped—Yusef, Mary, Priscilla.
"Uncle, what do we do now?" asked Priscilla.
"They found our location, but not our identities. We must leave."
"Where to?" asked Yusef.
"We're going home," said Ji-san. "To where Young Master grew up. I've restored the old house. It's hidden in the forest."
Everyone packed. Ji-san tossed a lighter into the manor—it went up in flames. They departed in a carriage.
Charlotte awoke in the carriage and saw unfamiliar faces.
"Hey there, sleepyhead," said Priscilla.
Charlotte sat up. "Who are you? Where is Hide?"
"We're here to protect you," Mary replied. "Master Hide's orders."
"Are you his friends?"
Yusef smiled. "We're his servants."
"So you're maids and butlers? Why serve him?"
Priscilla whispered, "Should we tell her?"
She checked with Ji-san, who nodded.
"We serve him because he's half-fiend, half-human," said Priscilla. "He's the last Fiend King."
"Hide's... a half-fiend?"
"That's right. He doesn't look like one. But we can show you if you don't believe it."
"Why did he send me here?"
"He's being hunted," Ji-san called back. "You're here so we can protect you."
"Then why are we moving?"
"We were attacked. They were after you. Probably thought you had info. But you don't, do you?"
"No," said Charlotte softly. "Thank you for protecting me."
"You're welcome," said Priscilla, smiling.
Charlotte sat in thought. She had so many questions. But one stood out:
Where is Hide now?
The carriage continued into the night. Trouble still lingered.