The Seduction of Maxim

Diplomatic action

—continue to log my efforts to ingratiate myself, and by extension the Aotsuki Clan with Lord Maxim of The Wolfpack. To disregard what must be firsthand knowledge of the Demonic Realm would be the height of foolishness. These creatures pose a—   —agreed to aid Maxim in achieving some kind of "vengeance" against Honda Tadakatsu, formerly of the Tokugawa Clan. I understand that she wounded him when he first arrived in our land, but that wound has long been healed. Is he truly so petty as to drag this little vendetta out over such a long period?   It matters little. In aiding him with this, I will both create a debt to the Aotsuki Clan we can leverage later and an opportunity to practice the onmyōji arts against a true demon. My research, though limited, has given me the creature's true name: Eligos. A demon of war and Pride. Why, then, was she serving Mammon, Prince of Greed? Perhaps these hierarchies are not as strict as I once believed—

—agreed to aid Maxim in achieving some kind of "vengeance" against Honda Tadakatsu, formerly of the Tokugawa Clan. I understand that she wounded him when he first arrived in our land, but that wound has long been healed. Is he truly so petty as to drag this little vendetta out over such a long period?   It matters little. In aiding him with this, I will both create a debt to the Aotsuki Clan we can leverage later and an opportunity to practice the onmyōji arts against a true demon. My research, though limited, has given me the creature's true name: Eligos. A demon of war and Pride. Why, then, was she serving Mammon, Prince of Greed? Perhaps these hierarchies are not as strict as I once believed—   —is powerful and has amassed a surprising collection of misfit, but capable allies. Still, Maxim sorely lacks in initiative. It seems that it will be up to me to "arrange" the entirety of his battle with Honda Tadakatsu. I should not complain. More control is always a boon, and if he is not capable of laying a trap himself, I will do so in a way which benefits my ends most.   I have spent more time than I would like planning this out, but I believe that my plot will work. The key is to prey upon Tadakatsu's pride; to create a situation where it would be cowardly of her not to face Maxim. To achieve this, I have tempted her with an array of weaker fighters, sent one by one to a certain cavern beneath the arena in Shimonoseki.   My sources have thus far been correct. Tadakatsu lusts for a worthy opponent, and now that she has killed Ryūzaki Sanosuke, there are no others in Japan who she believes can prove a challenge. Yes, that was a much-weakened simulacrum of the Silver General, but guile does not seem to be in Eligor's skillset. She was fooled utterly. As a result, she seems to have lost all interest in Ryūzaki Sanosuke, having marked him as weak as the others. Seeing as the man's actions seem to be driven mostly by his loins, I doubt that was his intended outcome. Still, we can turn it to our advantage. Dangling the promise of a worthy opponent, slowly increasing the power of each opponent, until it would be unthinkable for her to refuse a combat with Maxim—   —finally in place. Maxim seems to believe that I will be traveling with him to this encounter, but I see no reason to risk myself. I have fulfilled everything he asked for. The binding circle is in place. All that remains is to see if it will hold Honda Tadakatsu. I am, of course, prepared for the eventuality that Maxim does not survive. It would be an unfortunate loss of knowledge, but in truth the Aotsuki Clan loses little by such an outcome. He is leaving now, and I plan to use my unseen observer in that chamber to collect as much data as possible on—   —had not accounted for the presence of the Champion of Inari no Okami. Certainly, she would not suffer a demon to be bound if she could prevent it, dogmatic harpy that she is. But how did she even learn of this contest? Did someone tip her off? I will have to use this time wisely to plan my excuses when Maxim returns. If he returns.   Certainly, their cadre has been more successful against an unrestrained Tadakatsu than I would have thought possible. That corrupted man from the Kōga Ninja managed to hold her down while the others beat on her with their weapons. Eligos' skin seems to be as steel, but even it is beginning to yield under their onslaught. What's more, the Binbōgami's destructive magic appears to bypass those natural defenses altogether. Witnessing this, I am full glad that I took steps to ensure that her power can never be turned against the Aotsuki Clan.   Of course, I should not have underestimated that Maxim has a demon at his hand as well. Haures has no doubt whispered the secrets to defeating their own kind into his ear. Oh to have that knowledge for myself. Perhaps I shall be able to wring it out of him, if he survives.   That seems more likely now, but far from certain. Diminished by Maxim's allies though she is, Eligos appears to have some kind of higher patron aiding her. The golden wings which burst from her back, striking Kashirin from the darkness in a blaze of light, did not seem demonic in any way which I yet understand. What's more, even with half of her skin burned off and a dozen wounds piercing her skin, she shows no sign of slowing her struggle. My knowledge of Pride demons is still sorely lacking. Could this be the work of the Prince of Pride? Research so far indicates that this power is named Lucifer—