SWNOVELXO Chapter 67: DSWS: Chapter 67
"Investigating Kyogoku House"
Several hours earlier…
On a rooftop overlooking the Yoshiwara pleasure district, a figure moved swiftly and unnoticed: Aoki, having already separated from Tengen Uzui.
His eyes, now three-tomoe Sharingan, constantly scanned the surroundings.
"No activity. These demons are well-hidden," Aoki muttered, crouching on a rooftop tile. "But this place is perfect for demons to hide. Uzui's instincts are sharp."
As he prepared to leave, he heard a distinct sound—something falling—followed by a woman's shrill scream.
"Ah!"
Aoki's attention snapped to alert. After all this time hiding, it seemed the demons had finally revealed themselves.
He ran towards the source of the scream and found a crowd gathered around a dead woman. A clearly visible red mark encircled her neck; her hands were still clutching at her throat, her mouth open, her wide eyes frozen in terror.
"Isn't that Kyogoku House's madam? What happened?"
"Yeah, what a terrible way to die. So tragic."
"Who knows? The whole pleasure district has been uneasy lately. A few days ago, three oirans disappeared. They say they ran off without paying their debts."
Ignoring the murmuring crowd, Aoki pushed his way through to the corpse.
His Sharingan immediately detected lingering demonic energy. The woman had clearly been killed by a demon.
"Miss, was this woman an employee of that establishment?" Aoki asked a nearby woman, his voice gentle and soothing.
In the Yoshiwara, beauty held significant power. While Aoki wasn't strikingly handsome, he was certainly attractive. His clean and unblemished clothing further enhanced his appeal.
The woman, immediately captivated, blushed and whispered, "She… she was Kyogoku House's madam. Because Kyogoku House has Warabihime, one of the district's top two oirans, she was quite well-known. Many people knew her."
"Sir, you…"
Just as the woman anticipated a possible romantic encounter, she looked up to find Aoki already gone, leaving her staring after him in a daze.
He came and went quickly—a truly desirable man, she mused.
Having learned the woman's identity, Aoki immediately headed to Kyogoku House. Their madam's death wouldn't halt business; in the Yoshiwara, the most powerful person simply assumed control after a death.
On his way, Aoki discreetly gathered more information about Kyogoku House.
He learned it was a major establishment, its popularity skyrocketing thanks to Warabihime, one of the district's top two oirans.
Aoki then inquired about Warabihime herself. He was told that despite her fame, her reputation wasn't as good as Koinatsu's from Tokito House.
One reason was that her clients often disappeared. Another was that she seemed only active at night, remaining secluded during the day.
This strongly suggested Warabihime was a demon; no one would choose to be active only at night unless they were averse to sunlight.
Aoki quickened his pace towards Kyogoku House.
A beautiful woman greeted him at the entrance.
"Sir…" she began, but Aoki cut her off.
"I want your best woman," he stated calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
The woman's face brightened. "Of course, sir. Please, come this way."
She gestured for him to follow.
"I don't mean just any woman. To be frank, is Warabihime, the oiran, available tonight?" Aoki remained impassive.
His words caused an immediate and unsettling silence to fall over Kyogoku House. The shamisen player stopped, staring at Aoki with wide eyes. Everyone in the house seemed to share the same shocked expression.
"Sir… did you say…?" The woman who greeted him asked tentatively, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead.
Aoki's answer was firm.
"Warabihime, the oiran, is she available tonight?"
Just then, a woman with a beaming smile emerged. She was the next in line for power after the madam's death and was still reveling in her new position.
Seeing the sudden silence, she asked, "What's going on? Why are you all just standing around? Get back to work!"
The woman who had greeted Aoki approached her, whispering urgently. The new madam's smile instantly froze, replaced by sheer terror.
She approached Aoki, stammering, "S-sir… I'm so sorry. I hear you're looking for Warabihime, but she's… indisposed.
She's been unwell lately and stays in her room all day, only coming out at night. I apologize."
"We can offer you…" Before the new madam could finish, Aoki interrupted.
"I've come to the Yoshiwara specifically to see Warabihime. If that's impossible, perhaps… this might persuade you?"
Aoki produced a large amount of money, tossing it onto the madam's face. The coins scattered, creating a shower of metallic sound.
"If this isn't enough, I can add more. I only wish to see Warabihime."
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