[They dot the Wasteland scrub like ants. Matoba knows for certain that no Sutoku members had dared try to brave the Wastelands yet ahead of the clan's organized efforts; he would presume, from Shylock's agreement, that the same went for the Tamamo. The Enma certainly wouldn't be just journeying out on foot. And the Shuten.... Well, he had reason to believe they wouldn't jump before the Alliance did.]

[Which meant anyone out here was fair game. He slides an arrow from his quiver and knocks it, focusing on the sight of a small caravan of apparent mercenaries.]

One in ten-thousand, hm? [Less than he expected, more than he'd certainly like. But it confirmed his thought from previous information. He compartmentalizes this for later; to stew on it, turn it over in his head, and consider the implications.]

[Shylock know a little bit about the Matoba clan and their... path, at least. Eight hundred years and then extinction...]

Scrapping for survival is an inherent trait of mortals. Exorcists are much the same, a bloody history of politicking and backstabbing. [He says it with a difficult to read tone. Shylock being in front was a small mercy.] ...But in the end, the powerful should rule.

Shylock-san, you did not take charge of your failing clan? Why?