บท 53: Prologue

Part 1

MC's POV

"Urgh..."

The girl groaned after I released her left foot. No matter what, even if I had been using my Ki to reduce the pain for a large degree, having your bones broken and then fixed is not something pleasant. Nonetheless, I have to praise her force of will to actually not faint during the process, and even if she had her face covered in tears, I could see something burning inside her eyes, the desire to get better, and hope for the future.

"This is enough for today, I will leave the other leg for another date." I concluded.

Beside me, Marion-san used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from my face. Standing near the door, Alkaid put the handkerchief she had pulled out from her pocket back, her crestfallen look made her look pitiful but I had my attention on my patient.

The girl I bought that auction, the sports prodigy, was getting treatment for her injuries. Fixing the bones back in place was rather painful so I have been doing this slowly. A few weeks have gone by since I brought her here and I have already fixed the arms and just now, a leg was completely fixed. I considered doing this all in one try but she fainted when I tried with arms so it will be a slow process.

"Please... Continue..."

The girl extended her hand my way with some difficulty but trembled when I glared her way and she lowered it again after biting her lips.

"I know that I might sound heartless and even a bit cold but you can still wait for a few days more. Even if I healed you completely, I doubt your body will react as you expect it to, some time will be necessary so it gets used to being back in the correct shape, not to mention you need plenty of therapy so you can have your muscles doing their job. Believe me, rushing this can only worsen your state." I exclaimed. "Focus on getting the perfect control over your hands again, I took a look at that thing from before and you still need more time working on your hands' movements, writing is difficult right now, is it not?"

At my words, she looked down. I could easily read how vexed she was by my words, but could not refute me given that I was correct.

"Don't be stubborn, I am only asking you to be a little patient... or would you prefer that I did not leave a dessert for you today?" I narrowed my eyes.

Frantically shaking her head left and right the girl used actions to express an answer.

Sighing, I tried to give her a few head pats but she looked almost like she would cry and covered her face fearfully. Her actions made me inwardly grimace at her automatic response but I did not let it show on my face, I simply smiled before leaving the room to let her rest, her body must be exhausted so she needed to recover some energy.

Tagging along, Marion-san dutifully trailed behind me and Alkaid-san did as well, albeit with a depressed face. I stopped in place and turned around, surprising her.

"Thank you, your consideration was much appreciated." I head patted Alkaid-san.

The young girl found herself a little lost but she still cheered up by my caress.

However, I had to do the same to the envious girl beside Alkaid-san.

With that finished, I heard a ruckus at the end of the hallway we were walking and our next location. I used my ability and identified the problem so I dashed at once after strengthening myself using Senjutsu.

The hurried steps of my maids could be heard behind me as I burst thoroughly the door and a spear was pointed at me, but I ignored that and focused on the cause of my hurry.

Pinning down the blonde-haired girl I brought at the auction, Sirius-san desperately tried to not cause her any damage as she subdued her.

Before I took a step forward, the spear was hastily retreated.

"Urgh!"

A groan of pain was heard and I shifted my attention to my other purchase who had dropped her spear and was trembling and hugging her shoulders to resist the pain from the slave geas. It seemed some kind of counter-measure to avoid the slave hurting the master but it is not a perfect system. This girl never once did she try to hurt me, although this has happened before when she had pointed her weapon at me with some hostility because she thought I was an intruder, like just now.

Walking her way, I slightly grazed the thing you could also call 'slave crest' and she stopped trembling, her heavy breaths were proof that she suffered quite a bit.

Nonetheless, I had priorities, I took my time to stop her crest because the pain can grow until her body cannot handle it, in the worse cause causing death, but now I have another issue to deal with.

"M-My honorable master, I am deeply sorry, I-I o-only looked away for one-e second..." Sirius-san panicked.

Just as I reached her, Marion-san and Alkaid-san arrived.

"I will take care of the bleeding, Marion-san, please help Sirius-san to hold her down without hurting her, Alkaid-san, please bring her some change of clothes, the thing she has now is all bloodied, and a change of sheets too." I exclaimed.

Looking at the girl who had empty eyes but still resisted and tried to reach for a shard of glass from a flower pot that was beside the table, I could see her wrist bleeding nonstop.

...

"Uhhhh."

The blonde-haired girl groaned.

Under the watch of Marion-san and Sirius-san, she is unable to grab any sharp objects. Alkaid-san is picking up any glasses on the ground and getting rid of any possible way for her to acquire one. In my case, I am using Ki to lessen the pain from the geas on the other girl, she looked pitiful as she stayed on the ground with a sad stare, but she would not budge from there, I tried to move her but I only got a scared look. It seemed that the crest has caused quite the phycological damage... although it could also be my presence that is making her a tad rebellious.

"Why do you sit on that chair? I think it is better than sitting on the cold floor." I offered.

Shaking her head frantically, she stood up and picked her spear, using her hands to signal me that she would guard the door and me.

Sighing, I looked at the scar from the injury on her throat with some bitter feelings. She did not allow me to heal that, for some reason, she was against it despite allowing me to deal with old wounds and broken bones she had from the physical abuse from the auction. Many of those were from that place but... there were quite a bit from what I believe was her times as a village protector. I left her skin as pristine as it should've been if she had lived the life of a normal girl, but that scar was still there. Not only will it cause her to get many strange looks, but it is depriving her of her speech. The fact that she acted as a silent knight was because of this.

"My apologies Master, please punish this lowly maid!" Sirius bowed.

Shaking my head to get rid of those impure thoughts, I did my best to ignore of one her most used phrases.

"You don't have to, I made a mistake and underestimated her drive." I said.

Even so, the girl had her head lowered. Does she want to get punished that badly? Is she an M? Maybe she and Akeno-chan will get along in the future when the younger one gets interested in that sort of topic so I need to keep an eye that Sirius-san does not teach her anything weird. Akeno-chan in the Canon grew to be an extremely lewd Onee-san so if she gets more perverted, I feel like I would be 'attacked' if I don't turn her down for good.

Walking up to her, I patted her head under Alkaid-san's envious look.

"So, you still want to go down that route?" I spoke to the girl in bed.

I did not get an answer so I continued.

"Think this through, don't just give up on yourself." I muttered. "You are nothing like they said, don't let their words confuse you, you are not useless-"

"What do you know!?"

This time girl shouted angrily but soon paled and covered her head in defense.

"I was not in the same situation as you so I am sorry for speaking like I know about everything, however, you are not useless, there are many things you can try and see if you can do right. No, even the other things you have failed at, we could try them again, if one time is not enough, we do it twice, and that way, we will repeat them until you can do them." I said.

"...I am not attractive so I can't be used for 'that'."

Managing the killing intent towards those people, I scratched my cheek while watching the ceiling to avoid scaring the girl.

"You don't have to rely on that, there is much more in a person than their beauty, selling your body is not the only path you have if you feel like there is nothing else to do." I spoke. "About whether you are beautiful or not... Instead of only using your own parameters to make that judgment, I suggest that you ask other people for their opinion. I don't think you have asked me if I find you cute or ugly."

Pointing at Sirius-san, Alkaid-san, and Marion-san, the girl simply stared at me.

"You only surround yourself with attractive women who have nice bodies, I can only feel that you treating me like a fool... not only you are trying to deceive me but you are also having fun doing so, right? I met people like you before... however, you probably know that already, about those private sales."

The girl spoke in a dark tone of voice and with her left hand, she held her right wrist the one she cut before.

"You don't even let me free myself of my misery."

With a bitter smile, she gave me a sidelong glance.

Taking a moment to ponder about what she said, I was not sure if I should be happy that she was more chatty now... albeit a little harsh with her words, or simply be sad about her lack of trust, although I can't help that. She has all the right to doubt me, it should be more strange the case of that other girl who is more eager to collaborate with me, even though it is just because I can grant her healthy limbs.

This girl was basically mute the first few days but opened up to me little by little, enough to have a conversation... after failing to suicide herself on multiple occasions. That said, she has quite the image about me, and that is not strange considering how we met and the fact she has that crest on her.

Nonetheless, in private sales, I did small research through Nil who offered me some information about his experiences from serving Naberius. I was honestly surprised he simply gave me a file with detailed information out of the blue when he was giving me a visit on Zekram's orders. I skipped pleasantries and asked for anything he could tell me, giving the curiosity I have over it. However, he surprised me with the file. Unfortunately, it did not have anything about the Gremory, not the first generation bastard that started that place, not any possible involvement they might have. It tears my heart to avoid chatting with Grayfia-san, Rias-chan, and Venelana-san, but I don't feel like I could face them for now. Giving curt replies to their messages, I turned down the chance to eat ice cream with Grayfia-san, skipped Rias-chan's training and some invitation to play at her house, and called off a meeting for the business Venelana-san and I were planning... the last one is the most dangerous, she got quite pissed because she had a possible customer with her at that time and she hanged on me after calling me to get a valid reason. However, I believe it was better to avoid them for a while.

"Private sales, I see. However, you are mistaken about one thing, I only went there that one time." I honestly replied.

There is no need to lie and she will find out easily.

"And you got yourself three slaves in your only participation, aren't you something, master? Among the 'failures' and 'unwanted' like us, we conversed, I happened to overheard a group talking about how rare was for some devils and fallen angels to purchase 'products' when they get there the first time, however..."

Mumbling that, she went silent.

"You are pretty good at diverting the topic." I commented.

While my train of thoughts is an example and representation of my chaotic nature, I did notice the way she talked was leading me to another topic, far from the original question I asked.

"...sorry."

The girl looked away.

Showing a vulnerable side, she fumbled with her hair.

"So, you tell me, what is it that you want? Do you want to be a beautiful woman? I can tell you have what it needs to do so, but for that to happen, you need to eat all your food, no more skipping your meals." I said.

"You don't need to waste your precious food with the likes of me."

The girl remarked.

"I am not wasting it, and since it is mine, I can do what I please with it. I want you to eat it, get your body healthy again." I muttered.

Raising her head, she stared at me with an empty look and a helpless smile.

"I see how it is, you want me to gain some meat because I am too skinny for your tastes. Only to attack me later..."

Inwardly wanting to knock her head for her imagination and her accusation, I settled for giving her a rough headpat that she was unable to avoid.

"You know, I will prove you that you are wrong!" I exclaimed.

"So you really have no interest in me... not even for that..."

The girl closed her eyes, but before she did so, I noticed the melancholy in her eyes.

"Alright, you know what, you are not only failing to listen to me, but you also just spout whatever you want." I spoke. "You are not useless or unwanted, I will repeat it as many times I need so you finally acknowledge that. I will make you someone who loves herself again, and for that to happen, I guess I will have to get rid of the idea that you are useless."

"How noble of you... just doing as you please with me, although I can't complain because I am a slave."

Sighing, the girl simply looked down before preparing herself to sleep.

Nonetheless, I was not going to allow this conversation to end so easily again, she had run away by covering with her sheets, so I extended my left hand and gently held her chin, she trembled but did not try to resist... or perhaps she did not find the strength to do so. Moving her face to have her eyes staring directly into mine, I got closer until she could only look at me.

"I will not give up on you." I said in a resolute tone, her eyes shook but she tried to move her eyes to look somewhere else, only to fail since we were very close to each other. "I will teach you, I will help you try everything I can imagine. You said you can't do anything, but that is not true, you simply have not found what you are good at. Even if all that fails, I will make you good at something, if you can understand something, I will help you understand by explaining it to you again and again until you do so. If it is about practicing, I will also accompany you. You are not useless, you are certainly not, do not forget that."

Releasing her chin, I backed away. She opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words, her eyes showed a tiny bit of expectations, and perhaps some hope but she gritted her teeth and shook her head forcefully before glaring at me.

"I will never believe you!"

Exclaiming that, she hid under her blanket.

Since the conversation was over and the danger of her trying again her suicide had been reduced after a failed attempt, I left the room along with the rest of the girls. My dear maids followed me closely, but miss bodyguard followed from some distance away. I shrugged my shoulders and glanced back at the room of the girl one last time using my ability. Nowadays, she only tries that once in a while, but when I brought her here first, she would try whenever you took your eyes off her. I can tell if she has resigned herself since her attempts are always frustrated or she has also lost the will to die, thinking that she even failed at that because she is useless, however, since she does not try it that much, I would like to think it is a good thing.

"Are the girls causing any trouble for you guys?" I asked while walking down the hallway.

"No, the brown-haired one still refuses to tell us her name but she is quite docile, her focus is always on recovering the movement of her limps." Marion-san responded.

Sometimes I got the feeling that she was too rushed to recover, but she has not told me anything about so I cannot tell what kind of reason she might hide.

"The blonde-haired one also refuses to tell us her name, but she is eating a bit more during every meal, although..." Alkaid-san mumbled.

Turning back to wait for her words, she seemed to hesitate on telling me this. However, on the opposite side of Marion-san who was on my right, Sirius-san on my left interrupted.

"She does not speak very much with us, she simply stares at the wall with empty eyes for hours. However, she does behave more these days." Sirius-san informed. "It is because you left for too long, my honorable master, that she began acting like that again."

That is a little concerning.

"Marion-san, I will send Shizuku-san to help you here. I want you to show her around and make her cast some spells around the mansion. She bragged the other day about being a great kunoichi, I want to test whether she is just being cocky or she knows some interesting techniques." I paused. "If that does not work, I want her to dig several floors below the basement. I had confirmed this with Nil, but I am free to modify this place as I please so I asked for some advice from one of my acquaintances and she handed me a detailed file with all the necessary steps... I think that there is no need to say it, but please keep her out of trouble and from lazing around."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I remembered the self-proclaimed kunoichi who for some reason appeared in mind with a smug smile while doing a peace sign. Looking at one side, Marion-san's lips were twitching. It seemed that she has gotten to know that girl's personality as well.

"...you are free to scold her as much as you want, the punishments are decided by you, as long as they don't go too far." I spoke.

"...while I would like to retort about why Master gave me that permission like you expect it to happen, I have worked with her already." Marion-san sighed. "I will fulfill my master's orders."

Tilting their heads in unison, my Youkai maids looked clueless. However, I have no other choice. Marion-san already knows how to deal with Shizuku-san so it is a better choice to leave her here instead of asking these two who have not met her before. Alkaid-san is someone I cannot leave alone here given her personality and Sirius-san can deal with the kitsune one, but she will not be able to take care of the girls. Even though Zekram sends some people from his side to help my maids to deal with the mansion's care, I do not let them come close to the girls.

Now then, I guess I need to go back home for a bit.

...

"Sweetie! I am home-" I shouted while entering through the front door.

Nonetheless, my phrase was interrupted when a white and golden blur pounded on me.

*CLANG*

The sound of metal clashing resounded loudly and I sighed. Sirius-san and Alkaid-san were each holding their swords crossed diagonally in front of me. Stopping a sword that was about to hack me in two, or not, I knew the attack was coming and I could've easily stepped to one side. However, they were doing a fine job at stopping an attack aimed at me.

The assailant looked frustrated and had to crouch because a horizontal slash aimed at her from her back forced her to. Different from the attack from the first assailant aimed at me which lacked any killing intent and only carried frustration, the one from the second assailant aimed at her was full of killing intent aimed at her. Needless to say, just by seeing the tops of their head you can easily know who they were. Artoria, assailant number one, and Akiko-san, assailant number two. Since this little act was a common thing nowadays, I only looked at it with warm eyes.

"What a beautiful friendship, look at Akiko-san who relentlessly aims at Artoria's heart, not to mention Artoria who easily parried the attack and sent a kick in the direct of Akiko-san's face, who easily avoided it." I sighed with emotion.

"My honorable master, shouldn't we stop them?" Sirius-san sweated slightly while glancing at me.

"If master orders me, I, Alkaid, will do my best!" Alkaid-san resolutely stared at me.

I smiled at their words.

"There is nothing to worry about, I can make them stop anytime, but I wanted to see how they bonded over a fight like in that manga." I shrugged my shoulders. "Since you guys are worried, I will make them stop. Artoria, continue and you will not get lunch and dinner today! Akiko-san, stop!"

Like my words held some magical power, they both froze in place and lowered their swords.

"Grrrr, you are as sneaky as always..." Artoria growled but still ceased her actions. "Welcome back, I guess."

Glaring at me, she muttered some unnaturally welcoming words, making me frown.

"Who are you?" I narrowed my eyes. "You would usually curse me, but you are actually welcoming me!? Not to mention, that unusually cute appearance is not your regular style."

"Whose fault do you think it is!? You made me wear this!" Artoria retorted.

"You lost the bet, and just for the record, I warned you that I would not go easy on you." I shrugged my shoulders. "Besides, you are also wearing it because your dear sister asked you to."

Raising her fist in rage, Artoria observed her outfit. I also took a look at it. A dress with a knee-length skirt with exposed arms and a slight area below her armpits that connected with her exposed back, there was a gap near her chest that showed a littler of petite but growing breasts, having a black ribbon tied there just like her hair was. Her legs had a black pantyhose hugging them and Artoria grabbed her skirt and lowered it when my eyes were directed there. She looked speechless for a moment before glaring at me and leaving without looking at me.

Smirking, I thought that teasing her was funny as always. Above all, I recalled how she end up watching some TV show and got hooked on playing cards. The worst thing was that the card games changed from the innocent type that children play such as the old maid and the like to things like poker and blackjack. The young girl was truly good and caused quite the trouble inside and outside the house, practically becoming a gambling addict, somehow betting my sweets with the girls at home, and with Yasaka-san who ran out of sweets to pay and had to give her money. From there, it escalated into using that money to play with other people in Urakyoto until she got nicknamed as the God of Gambling, incidentally beating an actual god of gambling that was passing by. Like any of you, I was astonished that such a God existed but I had more stuff to mind, such as her cockiness getting out of hand. Short story, I beat her until she was left with nothing more than her clothes and her little sister. That said, the foolish girl even gambled that... her clothes, and she lost brutally.

Feeling like it would be a waste to let the opportunity pass, I began pondering on a different outfit than her usual pair of jeans and oversized black shirt, although it took to wait too long because she had stripped herself that and presented them to me, staying in her underwear and glaring at me like I killed her whole family. My mind suddenly had an epiphany, it dug into certain muddled memories of my past life and a perfect outfit just came to mind. I hastily left the house and had Shion-san work on the outfit and challenged the poor girl into one last game which I won. Just in time, Shion-san delivered the outfit, I got surprised with her speed but she only laughed off the topic mentioning her craftsman's soul being ignited with the idea. However, my lips twitched when I saw that the innocent-looking outfit came with not so innocent underwear. It earned me a disgusted stare from Artoria and one shy look from Alice-chan, although I thought I saw some strange glint in the eyes of the little one, I ignored all that. I made the girl wear it after getting some support from the younger ones, and made the older one go and apologize for causing a ruckus. There is no need to mention that I gave back what she earned through gambling after a severe scolding for her and the ones she beat.

That was quite the trouble she cause, but I was not banned from going to Las Vegas in my past life for anything. Somehow, I have incredible luck in luck-based games and card games are quite my thing. Not necessarily proud, but I had to earn money for my parents' burial somehow so I got into that kind of world until I went too far.

"Milord, should I really allow her to leave? She tried to harm you, our benefactor, I-" Akiko-san tried to say more things, but I silenced her by putting a finger on her lips.

For some reason, she blushed but I had to look away because due to her fight, her purple kimono had loosened up slightly, showing me a disheveled look that was unnecessarily appealing.

"Imagine what you would feel if I made you wear that kind of outfit-" I tried to explain but Akiko-san grabbed my hand and parted it from her lips.

"If Milord desires, that kind of outfit... or any other..." Akiko-san started to speak strongly and her voice gradually diminished until it was hard to hear.

Smiling wryly, I patted her head.

"You should let me finish. Listen, regardless of my reasons, I made her wear some questionable clothing that tickles a man's desire. She is bound to feel disgusted and even feel scared of what kind of things I might be planning." I spoke. "So it is not strange if she has one or two things to say."

"However, she raised her sword at you!" Akiko-san protested.

It was honestly funny seeing her serious look melt from a headpat.

"There was no ill intent so it is ok... sort of. To begin with, she knows that Sirius-san and Alkaid-san are usually following me and they can stop her blows, even if I were alone, she did not move fast enough so I could not evade her. Please be patient with her." I muttered. "I am reflecting that perhaps it was too much, but she is acting less hostile lately so she should not mind it that much... I wonder why."

"Ara? Isn't that because Nora-nii-sama is actually thinking of her well-being when you did that?" Alice-chan exclaimed.

Her voice would've been surprised if she had not tried to sneak behind me and I had the luck to hear her steps.

"I did nothing of that sort." I denied.

"Nii-sama, are you also going to play the tsundere card? One of your good points is that you are honest, you know?" Alice-chan said.

For some reason, she still stayed behind me so I used my ability to see what she was up to and saw her trying to reach for my tails so I moved them out of her hands' way.

"Not sure what you are talking about." I sighed her frustrated look when she failed to grab them.

"You went with her to apologize to everyone and give everything so she did not get a bad reputation, did you not? Because it was Nii-sama who was with her, the youkais simply took it as a harmless joke despite her excessive actions." Alice-chan muttered. "Not to mention... you are trying to give her back something I took away from her."

Before I was aware, my maids began cleaning around, with Sirius-san sweating when she messed up almost breaking a flower pot and Alkaid-san preventing it. The two got into cleaning a repeated the comical situation where one messed up while the other one fixes that. I was moved, but I did not let my guard down and avoided another attack from Alice-chan.

"Because of me, Onee-sama had to act like a boy for a long time... but even though we are safe, she continued to act like one, and while her choice of clothes is not bad, she does not use anything girly. However, you have made it so she is now wearing something very girly." Alice-chan commented in a happy tone. "Besides, isn't my Onee-sama cute? What does Nii-sama think?"

Her question caused me to choke on my spot slightly, cute? Very, but for some reason, I got a strange feeling when she changed her tone when she asked... almost like she was testing the ground, however, I could not worry any further because the sly girl used that chance to grab both of my tails with a strong grip, startling me.

"Think about it some time, fufu." Alice-chan giggled playfully and released my tails before I could counterattack.

"What do you-" I tried to ask her when she passed by my side but she had an innocent smile on her face.

"I love Nora-nii-sama's tail after all." Alice-chan said. "Nii-sama, before anything else, shouldn't you worry about her? I think she fainted."

Pointing at my hand, or rather, the girl I was head patting, I saw Akiko-san with closed eyes and a happy expression on her face, I thought that she was just blissfully enjoying the headpat, but she fainted. Fainted while standing, if you add the fact that she did it because I was head patting her, it makes quite a strange situation.

Tilting my head, I was too late to notice that the little devil had escaped when I distracted myself.

"That child, she is not innocent at all, although I will forgive her for expressing her love for my wonderful tails." I mumbled. "Now then, I guess I need to carry her to her room. *Sigh* Kuroka-chan and Shirone-chan should be at Sora-san's place again, otherwise, I would get a different welcome. It is all because of that big breasted girl, she has them so scared."

Honestly, why is Lavinia-san living here? I recall that in the Canon she stayed somewhere else. However, when I got home, she had taken a room for herself from my place. I mean, why did she have to take residence here? Is Kyoto not big enough for her to find a place? That gal suddenly dashed my way when she first saw me and buried my head in her ample bosom. My first thought was a simple and common 'why', I mean, someone I did not aim to meet suddenly appeared so I was quite bewildered.

Walking carefully to not bump this girl's head against anything, I sighed. I planned to stay here for a bit cuddling the Neko duo, but they are not here and Yasaka-san is busy, and while I could easily grab the small furball and play with her for about one hour, I decided to postpone that and deal with a certain business I had. Better to have everyone together at night when I can spoil the heck out of everyone.

...

Tactfully lowering the girl in my arms on her futon, one that I managed to prepare using my tails, I decided to turn a blind eye to the fact that she had awakened midway here but chose to act like she was still unconscious. It was a concerning issue that she relies too much on me, and while I can't say I expect her to get along with everyone, I would love that she at least could have a normal conversation with them. While I was away, she barely interacted with anyone, although Kuroka-chan and Shirone-chan managed to get through her somewhat, perhaps because I pamper them so much, Akiko-san tried to be friendly to them. Nonetheless, she basically ignores anyone else, except Artoria whom she often fights with.

I wonder if I can get some help with this... Ah, I should invite Tomoe-san one of these days. However, getting permission for her given her suspicious connections to some whacky organization, Yasaka-san is bound to complain.

...

"I am honestly impressed with the fact that you made me come to pick you up." Barakiel sighed. "Even though I am your future father-in-law, I am not your personal teleportation shuttle."

"Otou-sama!" Akeno-chan glared at her father.

Leaving the maids to rest after taking care of the girls in the Underworld was not an option because they began to panic over not being of use thus I left them to take care of the house and wait for the catgirls in my stead while I went to deal with my business.

After leaving Urakyoto, I contacted my next possible shuttle- I mean, the kind man who could just teleport me to my destination. However, I did not expect him to bring the always lovable Akeno-chan with him.

For some reason, she was wearing a somewhat familiar uniform. It looked like the regular student's uniform in anime, but it had a main theme of blue while the design was similar to one from a special countermeasure organization from an anime. It consisted of a blue blazer and skirt, making it rather lovely in the small girl.

"*Sigh* You don't have to look at me like that, I let you know when he contacted me again, didn't I?" Barakiel smiled helplessly.

Poor guy, her daughter already has him tamed. As expected of a masochist.

Nevertheless, if she has that uniform, that means she is going to that school where Barakiel teaches. I wonder if this is a way for them to spend more time together? Since devil and fallen angels have some complicated relationships on the surface, they cannot openly act like a family so they have to be careful where to interact. I heard that they sometimes go incognito by using magic to hide their appearance so they can walk around the city as a family. However, it is only in areas that devils from the Gremory house have some control over, like Kuoh town that is under one of their trusted people. Yasaka-san also permitted them to walk around Kyoto. It is thanks to the under-the-table talks that have been going on. I wouldn't call it an alliance yet, but things are going that way. I had simply suggested it but I as mentioned that they should be subtle about it, focusing on observing those who are truly interested in that or those who only agree due to social pressure. In the long run, those people are the ones who are actually dissatisfied and could potentially become a pebble in the shoes. Yasaka-san considered my words, the same was true for Barakiel, however, I would like it if more people paid attention to those kinds of troublesome individuals.

"Akeno-chan, how is your mom doing? Is she healthy? Let her know that she can swing by someday so I could express my thanks by offering her some Japanese sweets of her choice. I am extremely thankful that she swing by the house and fed the girls who were sulky and did not want to eat Yasaka-san's meals." I spoke.

I felt some pity for the guy so I changed the target of Akeno-chan's attention to me, although I was serious. Her help was appreciated and I am hoping to repay that grace with some meal, and while I am not openly saying it, I hope the who family comes. If the bastard of Barakiel says that he is busy, I might let slip that he has been to the red light district in Urakyoto several times. What? A threat? What is that?

"Hehe, Okaa-sama told Akeno to remind you that you just need to ask if you need help. Lately, she has been busy, but she also wants to prepare you some meals. Okaa-sama is happy when you all eat her food." Akeno-chan giggled happily.

Leaving Barakiel's side, she sneakily stood beside me. Using the opportunity when I focused somewhere else to move a tad bit closer. Until our hands could almost touch.

"*Cough* Why don't we leave? You wanted to see how the kids were doing, right? Let's go." Barakiel muttered in a sour mood, probably because his daughter acted.

Before the precocious girl or I could say anything, a magic circle below our feet teleported us away.

Part 2

MC's POV

Different from what I expected, we appeared near an apartment complex located close to the outskirts of a city. I had been here before, heck, I owe the damn building.

Looking at Barakiel suspiciously, he simply opened his mouth.

"They had no classes today so they were at their lodging. A lot of suspicious activity from the Utsusemi is making it dangerous for them to meet their family or friends so they are simply resting at home. In other words, they can laze around in their houses." Barakiel said.

"Everyone here plays a lot with Akeno so they are my friends too. Isn't it amazing? Akeno made more friends." Akeno-chan beside me cheerfully commented.

I smiled at her enthusiasm. She has that right deprived of her so she can now rest assured and have a normal if you can have a normal life in this ecchi world, a life free from prosecution of her clan. Except for Suzaku though, they also meet often and chat through messages so that the family bond is getting stronger every day. However, the last time they met and I was present, there was this strange mood but I just closed my eyes and head patted my way out of that one.

"If Akeno-chan does her best, she can get hundreds of friends. However, remember to treasure each one of them, ok? Treat them all equally." I said.

I sometimes worry about her, but she always sunnily tells me about how much she is enjoying her daily life so it puts my mind at ease.

"Hehe... No, Okaa-sama said I should... Yes, like that... Ufufu, I am actually a bad girl because there is one particular friend that is special to me." Akeno-chan was about to giggle innocently, but then she shook her head and mumbled something I will have to complain to a certain woman later, only to suddenly began to sweet when her aura changed... or not, only her way of talking. Her cheeks couldn't be any redder and smoke seemed ready to come out of her ears.

Shuri-san, what are you teaching this girl?

"...I am still here, you know?" Barakiel timely interrupted.

The mood that had turned strange when Akeno-chan tried to act like an Onee-san dissipated and Barakiel got glared at by his daughter.

This time, something else saved his ass. From the apartment, several animals (?) came flying. The first one to arrive was a hawk that perched on my left shoulder with practiced movements. It rubbed its head on me affectionately. I could only smile wryly and took out some treats for it, treats it devoured happily.

Following the flying one, it was time to receive the land ones. First, a small black dog leaped into my arms, using the chance when I caught it to jump higher using my arms. It rode my right shoulder, licked my cheek before climbing on top of my head.

The next one was a small white cat that did not need my help to climb until my right shoulder was occupied.

The last one was a somewhat lazy-looking small four-horned beast wearing a mask, its steps looked slow but the desire to arrive at my side was strong. When it did so, it waited in front of me while staring (?) at me like it was expecting something. I sighed and lifted it. Holding it into my arms, where it swung its tail left and right happily.

"As expected of Nora! If I wanted to cuddle them, Akeno would need to go to them one by one, yet they gathered for you without even calling them." Akeno-chan muttered in an envious tone.

Barakiel learned his lesson and did not speak anymore, however, his lips twitched and he carried an expression that indicated surprise.

"Hahaha, I knew it, Nora had arrived."

A boisterous and cheerful female voice picked out attention.

Directing our eyes there, our party noticed a group composed of girls leaving the building. The one who spoke first was is a beautiful young woman with light brown hair that is normally tied up. She has a slim and voluptuous figure, albeit usually hidden with her clothes, you could say that she is the type to look slender in her regular clothing that usually did not highlight her figure, and for the record, I know because I read her wiki in my past life, only for that reason. There has not been any ecchi event between us that caused me to learn about her bountiful figure. I did not have one lucky pervert even with Natsume Minagawa, one of the main heroines in Slash Dog. I claim innocent, I was walked in, I did not walk into her in the bath!

*Cough* *cough*

It is all in the past already so I will move on.

"Jeez, Jin. That is no good, I was combing your fur when you suddenly left. Bad!"

Swing her finger in an admonishing manner, another girl spoke. She was a petite and cute girl with shoulder-length hair and two pigtails tied behind her, with green eyes that expressed a certain innocence, she exuded a homely aura that fitted her status as a childhood friend type, or so I describe her since she is indeed someone's childhood friend.

A whimper was heard from the puppy on my head, but it did not make an effort to move. The girl sighed and smiled wryly as she greeted me with a wave of hands. Her name was Sae Toujou and she was the childhood friend of a certain main character whom I could not see around.

"Why do they always know where to find you? They suddenly leave our side whenever you get here."

The last girl from the group wondered aloud.

She was another cutie. A petite girl in her teens, with a Japanese and European descent making her looks have some mixed features, she had long blonde hair that is tied using ribbons and tied in a braid looking a lot like a crown, her eyes are heterochromatic with a blue right eye and a black left eye, which I kind found attractive, although a certain chunni kid found them to be worthy of a long and unnecessary nickname to explain some nonexistent power. Her name is Shigune Nanadaru, a girl whose future I am worried about. She has a big appetite and could easily be tricked with food... or at least that is my worry since I easily made her come here to live after offering her some tasty dishes.

"Well hello there, Minagawa-san, Toujou-san, and Nanadaru-san." I greeted the group. "Where are the guys?"

I don't see them here, and while a certain former delinquent is known for his habit to disappear from this place sometimes, he should be nearby given that Byakusa, the white cat extending a paw to touch my cat ears was here. Like the rest of the animals (?) invading my personal space, it was an avatar-type sacred gear. Known as one of the four fiends, this small cat can't get that far from its user.

"The basement. The idiot challenged Vali-kun again and got beaten badly so he dragged Ikuse-kun to train with him." Minagawa-san shrugged her shoulders. "Although once he learns you are here, he might drag you with you too."

Carrying a wry smile, the girl warned me. After that, she walked my way along with the girls who tried to take each of the avatars. On top of my head, Jin, the manifestation of the Longinus Canis Lykaon, reluctantly let himself be carried, staring at me all the time.

"Don't be like that, I am not your master and while she is not your master either, she already claimed your master as hers so give it up. She is in a higher hierarchy than any of us." I pulled some treats from my pouch for the puppy who happily ate it.

"I-I h-have not claimed anyone!" Toujou-san blushed.

Just as I was giving one last treat to Jin, she embarrassedly ran away.

"Ah, youth..." I sighed.

"Hmm, youth..." Minagawa-san sighed as well.

"Akeno does not understand..." Akeno-chan tilted her head at one side of me.

"Don't worry, I did not understand either, Akeno-chan." Nanadaru-san wryly smiled.

While that happened, Barakiel had a pondering look and mumbled something hard to hear.

"...he teased a girl right off the bat... is that a good thing? Akeno might like it... no, no, I need to observe more closely if that is a good thing for her... Ah, but if she does like it, she will be like me... my feelings are a bit complicated." Barakiel entered father-mode.

Deciding to tactfully ignore his words, I decided to tease Akeno-chan less during his presence. I feel like he will misunderstand and I don't want the guy who basically challenged Issei to confirm his feelings for her daughter. I don't have plot armor nor any miraculous Longinus that gives me strength and powers ups just by desiring them. That said, I can't say I am not interested.

I wonder if I could get an artificial one, or even create one, perhaps I have a never seen talent when I start studying the subject... yeah, no, I don't think I am a smart cookie. However, I could get at a respectable level where I design one if I study hard enough. I do have a bountiful imagination... as long as it is not about names.

*Growl*

A certain sound was heard, and I tactfully kept my head straight, not turning my head to stare at the origin of that sound.

*Growl* *Growl* *Growl*

Inwardly facepalming, I wanted to know who wanted me to retort to this. From the corner of my eyes, I caught the actions of the girls here blushing and holding their stomachs. Three pairs of eyes looked at me expectantly and I could not turn down that look so I simply started to walk.

"Ah, ah, I have new recipes I want to try making. I kind of want to try, but I can't eat all that by myself so would you guys mind helping me by tasting it?" I suggested.

"*Cough* There is no choice, as your senior, I guess I need to lend a hand to my junior here when he is trouble." Minagawa-san said.

Nice tsundere act, you might not be one but you mimicked one pretty well. I guess she is embarrassed to openly admit that she is starving... I kind of forget since they have been eating good food thanks to a certain overpowered guy and Toujou-san, but this girl here can't cook.

"I want to eat whatever you make!" Akeno-chan cheerfully exclaimed.

Ah, innocence. She does not mind at all, you should pay attention to this, Minagawa-san, you too, Nanadaru-san, being honest-

"Are you guys coming or not?" Nanadaru-san waved at us from the door to the apartment building.

She might be the most honest of the bunch.

...

The sound of people eating and swallowing non-stop could be heard even from the kitchen where I was cooking. There was nothing dividing the kitchen and the dining table in this apartment so I had a free view of everyone enjoying the food. Besides the already met-for-the-day girls, Barakiel and two male individuals were eating with gusto.

One who looked like a delinquent was a young man with spiked-up dyed brown hair and gray eyes, he had a tall frame and his eyes looked sharp. He took large mouthfuls of food and did not pay attention to anything else, Kouki Samejima, aka, Shark... like Reni-san likes to call him.

The other person had a gentler disposition despite mimicking the action of the delinquent one. He had black hair and pale gray-colored eyes. His name is Tobio Ikuse-kun and he was one heck of a cheat character in Slash Dog, and from what I have seen so far, even here in this world.

"Ahhhh, I am full." Samejima-san mumbled as he finished emptying his plate.

Silently putting down his chopstick, Ikuse-kun stood up and took his used tableware to the sink.

"You guys look like have not eaten in ages." I commented on their actions.

"Haha." Ikuse-kun awkwardly laughed.

The way he avoided my eyes was suspicious.

"Shiki, you have no idea... It all comes down to that bird brain! She smugly said that she would take care of breakfast, but...! She spent the whole time burning whatever she was making, in the end, we had to settle for something very light." Samejima-san sighed.

"You! Don't call me that!" Minagawa-san banged the table with her hands.

"Heh, no intentions to deny the other thing I said." Samejima-san smirked.

Everyone else watched with wry smiles when Minagawa-san failed to offer a rebuttal.

"How come they are less compatible every time I come here?" I said.

"Haha, I think it can't be helped, they both have similar traits but completely different personalities." Ikuse-kun commented.

Deciding to filter out their discussion, I decided to not butt in to not carelessly become a target in their discussion. I did not want to become an object to be used against that girl since I owed her for the 'treat', one I will not comment on. Since Barakiel is not saying anything and focusing on Akeno-chan who continues to eat but puts on a difficult expression once in a while.

"Akeno need to practice more..." Akeno-chan took another mouthful. "Okaa-sama is right, I can't get complacent, 'to catch a man, I have to get him through his stomach', I need to work harder!"

I think I need to chat with Shuri-san the next time I see her. She is teaching some strange stuff to the smol Akeno-chan again.

"How is life here?" I asked.

Picking up Jin who was wagging his tail at my feet, I turned to see Ikuse-san.

"Everyone is doing fine, although it is a bit confusing since Youkais and Fallen Angels are doing this kind of work, there is nothing we lack. We do get lonely because we can't meet our friends or family members but it can't be helped, it is for their safety." Ikuse-san mumbled. "Although, I can't deny that we sometimes get the feeling that all this is a dream since it seems so unreal."

Taking a treat from my pocket, I feed the small dog. This greedy guy, I left them with a lot of food, and yet he came here to ask for more. He was the vanguard from what I see, a certain hawk was coming here, followed by a certain cat.

"You don't regret it?" I asked.

"I don't have any other close relative so there was not much attachment from that side." Ikuse-san said.

"However, you have friends and that girl..." I let my eyes wander over to Toujou-san.

Hoping to keep them safe with the youkais' forces was a nice idea, but I could not simply rely on that idea. Yasaka-san has many strong and skilled youkais under her command, however, this operation was not a high priority for the faction so she could not spare me that many people until I gave her a proper reason other than suspicious. Thus, I mostly started this with Marion-san and Shizuku-san, making them watch over them and locate possible threats. That said, I will give credit to those who deserve it. Suzaku was a big help in hunting down those Utsusemi guys after I provided some information about their possible locations... That girl is the best, I simply gave her some rough estimation about the hideout and she filled the blanks from that inaccurate location, although she probably got the support from that old bastard and many other old guys from her clan. Just from their experience, I can bet that their aid was something necessary, however, Suzaku got the lead on the case so she gained a lot of influence and a good reputation. Her messages usually reek of this hard-to-hide pink aura, but this time there was this excitement over the fact that she got the approval of many of her clan members that did not seem thrilled with her usual peaceful ways.

Thinking of Suzaku, I felt a little bad for hiding these guys from her, but there is no way to confirm if her clan and the rest of the five great clans would take a positive stance against people who have Sacred Gears that the Utsusemi considered to be the opposite to the Sacred Beasts. However, the most troublesome identity is from this guy here, Ikuse-san, who was said to be the stain of the Himejimas. The doggie here in my hands is in possession of a sacred sword that slew the very same god that the Himejimas worship.

Figuring that the problem was bigger than what I could handle, I contacted Shuri-san so she contacted Barakiel to have a chat with him. Without being able to rely on Suzaku's help on the matter, I went to the Fallen Angels. It can be argued if what I did was a smart move or not, but I had planned to contact them at some point. They were watching over them so it was a matter of time before we entered into conflict with them. Giving a headache to my beloved kitsune was not something I wanted so I had a long chat with Barakiel. To be honest, he did not ask about many things, he simply said to leave it to him. Nonetheless, I stressed privacy with the matter, only informing Azazel-san.

"I have complex feelings about that." Ikuse-san said. "Because she wanted to stay at my side, she is living far from her family."

His worried tone pulled me out of my musings.

"Don't think too hard, she did it for a reason and I do not think you are dense enough to not see it." I uttered.

My memory can still recall how much he cared about her, enough to lose control of his Sacred Gear. Honestly, what a cheat character, he was born in his Balance Breaker state so that proof how special he is. Nonetheless, he is a young man as well as a Longinus user. His worries are not much different from mine towards my beloved ones.

"I..." Ikuse-san was at loss for words.

"You know, this world is more chaotic than you think." I muttered. "In all honesty, it is a scary world where beings that could kill you with one slap exist. Now that you are aware of this other side of it, I think you know dangerous it can be. You know it, and she knows it. That is why she stayed because she wanted to be by your side. After all, you are important to her. Despite the dangers, she chooses to be by your side... I am sure you have an idea what that means, don't you?"

It might be just me being a busybody, however, in the Canon, he lost her for a long time. During the Aloha incident, she was thought to have died. He suffered a lot from it and when she reappeared as Utsusemi's pawn, he almost lost her again when she could not stand hurting him and decided to kill herself.

The gentle young man stayed in silence, mulling over my words, or perhaps reminiscing about their past.

"Do not regret anything... that is my advice." I said.

It suddenly turned into love counseling but I guess it can't be helped. They have feelings for one another but are too naive and shy about it.

Inwardly smiling, I saw Toujou-san coming this way and my mischievous nature took over. Since he might take forever like the males in canon, I should offer him a helping hand here. It is because I am an advocate of love, not because I enjoy causing chaos or watching people get embarrassed.

"What are you guys doing?" Toujou-san asked while walking into the kitchen.

"We-" Ikuse-san tried to explain, however-

"Toujou-san, I concluded something after hearing Ikuse-san's plea." I muttered.

Tilting her head cutely, the girl looked alternatively at Ikuse-san and me. However, she failed to find any clue from the young man's face or mine. I made sure to keep a serious expression and to not show any signs of mischief.

"Everyone, why don't we go to the basement? Samejima-san, you want to spar a little? Minagawa-san and Nanadaru-san can join in if they want. Barakiel, I have something to discuss with you..." I called everyone one by one and the last one had an expectant look so I racked my brain to offer a reply. "Akeno-chan can be the judge! I can only entrust such a task to the trusty girl!"

I feared that she might be disappointed but she looked pleased... she is a good girl.

"Eh...? We just ate, why?" Minagawa-san inquired in a reluctant tone.

"Hah! I have been waiting for those words! I have gotten stronger since the last time I face you, I won't lose this time!" Samejima-san looked excited and immediately walked away without asking any questions.

"I can't use Poh's powers..." Nanadaru-san looked visibly troubled.

Barakiel just glanced at me and left, he probably had a few things to discuss with me as well so he did not question my sudden words. His daughter, on the other hand, stayed close to me, beside me to be exact.

"Let's just leave these two alone for a while, since they can't get a formal date, Ikuse-san asked me to give them some private time for a date at home." I said.

Minagawa-san suddenly smiled, realization probably struck her and got what my actions meant.

"Ah, right, I forgot, I wanted to train... Eh, you know, learn few things from Shiki-kun." Minagawa-san winked at me and dragged away Nanadaru-san who looked clueless.

This girl is good, I think we might get along better than I expected.

"D-Da-Date!?" Toujou-san blushed madly and looked at Ikuse-san with a shy but expectant expression.

"No, wait! I-" Ikuse-san fought against his embarrassment tried to explain himself.

"Don't worry, I left in the freezer the cake you requested me before. I did it according to your specifications so you can use it on the date." I playfully added.

"When did you!?" Ikuse-san dashed to the freezer and found a strawberry shortcake.

I planned to use it as a dessert for everyone but this opportunity to tease- I mean, to aid this future couple suddenly presented itself so I had to do the right thing. I had.

Leaving his question unanswered, I gave them a thumbs up.

Akeno-chan seemed curious about their reactions but she changed her target to me when I held her hand and guided her away.

"What a strange Onii-san, Akeno thinks that he should be more honest..." The smol girl commented.

I mulled over the fact that Barakiel has yet to inform this girl that he was her relative, but I could be said to be doing the same, and my case includes not telling Suzaku either. However, after the threat of the Utsusemi's and the stray magicians is finished, it should be ok to inform these kind girls.

That said, why are these little ones still on me? I think they are a bit too attached.

...

"Guh..." Samejima-san groaned.

Smiling wryly from one side, I watched as he slowly stood up.

"...I lost again, damn it." Samejima-san complained. "I can't hit you but you always land your blows..."

If I could not beat you given my large experience and training, I would be crying right now.

"You waste your strength unnecessarily." Barakiel said.

Watching from the distance beside Akeno-chan who raised a flag that signaled the end of the fight, the cadre kept his eyes on Samejima-san.

"You think that by adding more strength in your thrusts and swings, you will be able to hit him? I can see that you have experience fighting, but if I had to guess, you only had street fights so far, am I right?" Barakiel muttered.

Just in time, Minagawa-san and Nanadaru-san, who left in the middle of my fight with mister-ex-delinquent to get changed, came back. An interesting choice of clothing I must say, we're gym clothes that consisted of a t-shirt and bloomers. I have to question... why? I mean, I am not manic about it but it feels somewhat lewd. In the Canon, they used those in some events mostly for fan service so I wondered if it was something that only happened with those perverts, but it seems that I underestimated this world once again.

"So what?" Samejima-san grumpily replied.

"It is not the same to use your fists in a fight that to use a weapon. The reach can change many things, and using it to your advantage is not something you can do in such a short time. Look at him, he trained a lot using his fist so he has that main style of fighting. He chose to stick to his fist and he can bring the best of his skills like that." Barakiel pointed at me. "A brawler, a boxer... there are many ways to call people who fight with their fists so you can imagine that specializations can be pursued even after you focus on a weapon."

"Whoa, whoa, stopped there. You are having a huge misunderstanding about me... I am not any of that, I am an archer." I interrupted their talk.

I practice with my bow every freaking day after waking up so I am damn sure I am getting better.

"Eh?" "No, no, no..." "That is a bit... fake."

I heard surprised gasps from all over the room and I felt their doubtful stares.

"You are lying..." Barakiel expressed his thoughts rather honestly.

"You have never used a bow during our mock fights." Samejima-san incredulously stared at me.

Oi!

"I have my reasons, a deep and hidden one." I could see how everyone looked at me with interest. "I simply like smacking people."

"Oi." Samejima-san complained. "You say that you are stronger with the bow? I don't need you to pity me. Use your full force."

With a pair of eyes full of burning spirit, he requested me that.

I can't exactly say he is correct, but he is not wrong either. The thing is, I let the blood rush to my head and just go bonkers to smack other guys.

"If you want to..." I shrugged my shoulders.

I don't think he would be able to face my full force as he is now. His sacred gear has yet to grow like in the Canon and my grown-up version has enhanced abilities that would make a smack with Kasen-san's sword become deadly to your regular guy. I had used it against Vali-kun before though, he got too into fighting and even used his balance breaker but that damned ability of halving undid my transformation. I have my complaints about the unfairness, but he could not hold his state for that long so I managed to aim for a draw.

"Ah, I can only see this ending badly..." Minagawa-san scratched the back of her head.

"He was not here when Vali-kun and him fought?" Nanadaru-san inquired.

"He left this place because he said it was getting stuffy here." Minagawa-san shrugged her shoulders.

With those voices as the background, I pulled my bow and a quiver of arrows without arrowheads, since this was not a fight to death, I was using blunt tips, a rubber mass that is usually meant to numb or stunt. I should add that even though it is non-lethal... it hurts to be hit by it. A certain woman who taught me archery used them on me when she gave me tips on how these work.

Glancing to one side, I saw Akeno-chan furiously drawing something on a large sheet of paper, and just before I turned back to face Samejima-san, she raised her head and gave an innocent and sweet smile. She raised the sheet of paper and it said 'Go, Nora, Go!', I was tempted to go a give her a tight hug when she flashed me another smile that looked smug and proud, but I might just want to headpat her for the rest of the day, and while that would make two people happy today, I said I would fight the guy. I ignored the complicated expression that Barakiel had as he looked at Akeno-chan.

In front of me, Samejima-san was done preparing to fight. His sacred gear, Byakusa, had climbed into his shoulder and had shaped his tail into a sturdy-looking lance.

Now then, I guess I need to get a bit serious. He is a sturdy guy to face with arrows.

3rd Person POV

Just as Kouki Samejima dashed straightforwardly at Nora after Barakiel gave the signal, he had to raise his lance to deflect a couple of arrows heading his way. However, despite his actions, things did not go as he desired. As soon as the arrows hit the lance, they broke, and immediately, vines grew at an unusual speed, not giving him time to avoid being tangled. Kouki saw how Nora had several arrows nocked in his bow so tried to pull off the vines from his body, but the more he struggled, the more they tightened around his body.

"Burn it!" Kouki signaled Byakusa after being out options.

Arcs of electricity spread starting from Byakusa, and while they were not exactly capable of producing fire, the constant impacts on the plant made it catch fire, successfully weakening the grip.

"Ha." Kouki released himself with a shout.

Nevertheless, by the time he did so, Nora was gone from his previous position. In fact, even after turning his head back, he failed to see him. Recalling a certain move the boy had pulled on him before, one where he started to jump on the air from one place to another at high speed, Kouki glanced upwards but there was nothing there. Confused, he briefly let his guard down, and that was a bad move because an arrow struck him in his right shoulder, the opposite side he held his lance. There were actually two arrows aimed at him but Byakusa had used another tail to grab the arrow. It seemed that the small creature could create several of those but it chose to only show one.

"Kuh!" Kouki groaned from the pain.

It was a stronger hit than what he imagined, he had sub-estimated the power those blunt arrows had.

"What happened to all that fighting spirit from before?" Nora's voice was heard from behind him.

Turning around, his eyes caught nothing but he did notice something from the corner of his eye. Flying at high speed, two new arrows were flying his way and he raised his lance by reflex and managed to reflect the arrows away. They bounced off to his side's and from the looks of it, they were normal ones.

"You little! I will show you!" Kouki grinned aggressively.

Aiming at the spot the arrows came from, he thrust and the lance extended forward a few meters. Nonetheless, it failed to land a hit. Feeling a tug of his clothes, Kouki followed the warning his sacred gear gave him reduced the size of his lance back to his original size just in time to block an arrow coming from his left. However, this time he could not reflect it because it blew up mid-air, and a tree grew out of it. Watching as the tree just appeared out of thin air, Kouki was half amazed and half alarmed. Thus, his instincts told him to avoid that or he might be crushed because it continued to grow.

After evading by diving forward, Kouki rolled on the ground to avoid another tree. A low crashing sound came from behind him and he clicked his tongue at the unreasonable display.

"Is this how archers fight?" Kouki grumbled.

"Well, lances usually do not stretch like yours so you are not exactly a lancer yourself." Nora commented.

Following the voice, Kouki detects an arrow flying his way. It made a loud impact and he slightly questioned if a wooden arrow should sound like metal hitting another metal, but that would bring more questions since his lance was made from the tail of a cat of some sort. He raised his guard and tried to focus in different directions for the next attack but was surprised when an arrow came from the very same direction. His arm could not help but be moved slightly during the impact, however, it did not end there, another arrow followed, along with the next one... and he was put into a defensive position far more strained than before. His arms could barely be put in front of him in time to defend from the arrow, arrows that came far too fast, the timelapse within each other being extremely short, making people wonder if a longbow should shoot that fast.

Before long, his arm was lowered, powerless my hanging down. Kouki could not even muster any strength from it. Most of the damage from the arrow had been absorbed by the lance but the shockwave, the impact caused his arm to numb and flowers the feeling. He could just switch arms but the moment he does, he would show an opening that would not be wasted. It was a bitter feeling but this was a mock-fight.

"Enough." Barakiel declared.

"Yay!" Akeno jumped happily and her eyes darted left and right, trying to find the still unseen boy.

In another place, Natsume Minagawa and Shigune Nanadaru looked at finished mock-fight with complicated expressions.

"*Sigh* How are we supposed to face an enemy like that? Maybe I could have my Griffon manipulate the wind to deflect the arrows but... close range is beyond me." Natsume furrowed her eyebrows.

"Poh is capable of eating the long-range attacks, but I can't handle his power well... and close-range would be even more dangerous because I would not be able to stop from harming him." Shigune frowned.

"No need to think too hard about this, the more you practice, the more you train, the stronger you will become. I have far more experience than you along with the natural advantages supernatural creatures have over humans." Nora's voice came from beside Kouki and he appeared right beside him.

Raising his hand, without touching Kouki, a glow appeared, and seconds later, Kouki stood up and moved his arm like there was nothing wrong.

"Sheesh, you make it sound like you have been fighting for ages. When did you start to train?" Natsume inquired with a laugh.

"Thanks..." Kouki continued to move his arm with a thoughtful look on his face.

Sighing, Nora glanced at the young woman with light brown hair while Akeno slowly made her way to him.

"It started a little before I was 5..." Nora casually said.

His words caused most of the people around him to pause their actions and give him a questioning look.

"I asked for that so there is nothing to worry about me being forced... although, the mock-fight with Kaa-san was a bit brutal. Not to mention that there was this one time I begged- I mean, pleaded- excuse me, I asked Kaa-san to find me a less dangerous opponent and she left me alone in front of a humongous bear after telling me to beat it." Nora's eyes looked a little dull. "Although, I did eat bear paws that night. Truly tasty, even though I won, I can't deny it was tough for me."

His bright smile when he mentioned that, earned him quite a few sympathetic looks and a tight hug from Akeno who arrived at his side.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Nora tilted his head with a bewildered look on his face. "Not like I mind it though..."

Returning the hug, he gently rubbed the back of the girl. A moment later, the two other ladies also when to his side.

"Worry not! You are in a good place now! Call me Onee-san from now on, I will take you under my wing." Natsume patted his head.

Carrying an unusually serious expression, she spoke what could be said some nonsense given the looks she received and decided to ignore or was simply obvious to. The young woman practically forgot that she was usually taken care of by the boy who came to do the chores, even cleaning her bedroom because it was messy, and she did not want her friends to find out.

"I will take care of you now that we are friends!" Shigune muttered in a tone full of conviction.

This time, the other girl offered some words, forgetting her voracious appetite and how she would glance at him sadly whenever he dropped by to check on them, only to have a bright smile when he prepared her more.

"No, no... don't you guys depend more on me?" Nora incredulously asked.

Ignoring him, the girls looked away.

A little away from them, Barakiel sighed, and Kouki who had left the Ravens approached him.

"Yo! Feeling bitter?" Kouki casually spoke. "Not only that girl... he is surrounded by those two as well."

Receiving a glare from the cadre, Kouki shrugged his shoulders.

"Where are you going?" Barakiel asked.

"I lost, undeniably lost to him." Kouki glances at Nora. "It is not simply a matter of being close to winning, I am still far from matching him."

Barakiel remained silent for a moment, watching over his daughter. Akeno looked frustrated when she tried to fix his appearance and wipe his sweat since there was no need for her to do. His clothing was not disheveled nor did he sweat one bit from the earlier ordeal.

"Yes, and I will apologize for saying this but the way you are now, you can't hope to reach him, after all, he..." Barakiel closed his eyes as he recalled what the boy did for his family.

Feeling a change in the mood from Barakiel, Kouki silently waited for him to finish reminiscing.

"To save my wife and daughter, he went beyond what you would do to a total stranger. He... was weak, my wife was injured severely after he left to take care of another threat to her, yet he never gave up and used his skills to save her." Barakiel said. "Risking his life, because he has that conviction, he can go past further and further from his limitations. One of the reasons why I favor him behind close to my daughter is because I know that he will treasure her greatly and would go to great lengths for her sake. I... am no good, because I almost caused them to suffer greatly and die."

Listening to those words, Kouki recalled that it was the boy who put them together, offered to protect their families and friends, and despite they denying his words and warnings at the beginning, he did not give up and continued to convince them. Nonetheless, one of them left even after that, not minding his safety or his family given that he had none to speak of.

"Hmm? You are leaving?" Barakiel asked.

Kouki was about to leave but he turned to the cadre.

"I gotta train harder then. I can't just be protected by a child just like that, and one day I hope to return the favor." Kouki muttered. "Raising my stamina and resistance, you suggested I did that and he also did it. Although he told me to run until my body could not do so..."

"Hey! Where are you going? Training is not done yet!" Nora yelled.

With hurried steps, he strode to reach Kouki.

"I can't let you go, I promised Ikuse-san to let him have a home date so I will train you guys until you are unable to move... even after I recover your stamina with Senjutsu."

His words only instilled half of the fear into Kouki, Natsume, and Shigune given that he had Akeno hanging on his back with a happy smile.

...

A few hours later, lying with their backs on the floor, three of the four fiends users were heavily breathing and exhausted beyond measures. Several times, not counting after the 10th time that Nora granted them full stamina again, they had given up trying to stand up. Even the hot-blooded Kouki was obediently looking at the ceiling of the basement.

Without a drop of sweat, Nora simply looked at them from afar.

"I guess this is it... even if their bodies are ok, their mind is not into it." Nora idly commented.

Even Barakiel known for his strict courses found his training methods unusually harsh. He would at least stop when they were tired, yet... Nora did not. He would restore their stamina over and over, truly devilish.

"Akeno-chan, want another cookie?" Nora offered.

Sitting nearby as he watched the lying trio, Nora offered another cookie to Akeno who insisted on being fed by the boy who did not seem to mind such a thing. Barakiel thought that his wife's instructions were perfectly carried by his daughter and once again he felt bitter.

From the corner of his eye, he caught the shadow of the boy squirming and changing shapes until it formed a girl close to Akeno's age. His shadow changed because a certain creature was bidding on the boy's shadow although he seemed oblivious to it because the girl hid perfectly, it was only because of their difference in strength and his ability to detection that was far developed that he found her, and while it was unnerving, he had seen her wearing a maid outfit similar to the ones the boy had working on his house, and the ruler of the youkais had let him know in advance just in case so he decided to remain silent.

She had a remarkable ability to hide her presence so he could not help but remember that other child they found the other day. Another tragedy of the sacred gears, a child who became an assassin due to those uncanny abilities, but someone that was almost impossible to guide on the right path. Not because she was mentally ill, but because her very existence caused harm to others, even cadre level existences and people like Azazel are wary of her abilities if they develop any further. Even against Azazel's ideals of trying to integrate them into society again, that proved to be difficult and there were talks of taking care of her. Nonetheless, Barakiel wondered if they had done all they could once again, it would sometimes become tiresome to continue with their job. Looking at the boy, he wondered if-

"Found you~"

A voice pulled him out his musings and all he could see was a white and yellow blur passing by, when he paid more attention, he found that person's identity. Unfortunately, the boy was unaware and he remained like that until the blur, Lavinia Reni, lifted him and buried his head in her bosom.

Another chaotic situation unfolded but for some reason, Barakiel found that to be rather fitting of the boy.

Part 3

MC's POV

"Can I get up?" I asked once again.

It was a while later after the trio of sacred gear users managed to get up and left for their bedrooms with listless expressions. I tried to follow after them to make sure they did not bump into anything, but for certain reasons, I was 'bounded'. It was a sneak attack where a certain someone snuck behind me and tried to kill me by suffocating me with her soft and bouncy bosom. A recent 'acquisition' of the Shiki household if you put it nicely, or someone who just invaded my property, took a random room near the catgirls and me.

I am honestly astounded by the way I came to meet Lavinia Reni, I had asked Marion-san and Shizuku-san to arrange a meeting with her if they found her but it went beyond my expectations and now she lives together with us.

"Nope~" Reni-san replied. "This is revenge~"

Even though I tried to lift my body, she gently pushed me down onto her lap once again.

Abandoned with her (against Akeno-chan's wishes, but it seemed that she had to meet with Rias-chan so Barakiel took her away), I was tormented (?) by receiving a lap pillow.

"Is it because that time you tried to give me a lap pillow but I turned the tables on you and have you one instead? I thought you enjoyed it." I sighed.

"You were a bad kid, you should not be like Va-kun who always runs away when I try to spoil him, instead, you should be a good kid like I heard you were." Reni-san muttered.

Smiling wryly, I helplessly let her do as she pleased, it was not like she was harming me after all.

Now that we finally had a time alone, far from Kuroka-chan's grudge-filled gaze or Yasaka-san's judging glare... I hesitated. There was something that happened in Canon, and it would send her into a mental breakdown of some sort. However, that would be only when she faces Augusta. She will try to seek the truth about her teacher whom she mistakenly believes to have been killed. Nonetheless, it will be a cruel truth that she will hear... from her teacher's own mouth.

"Reni-san, why did you come here? To Japan." I asked.

Puffing her cheeks rather childishly, the blonde-haired magician refused to answer.

"...Lavinia, I told you to call me that." Reni-san demanded.

Facepalming, I wondered what is wrong with all the magical girls I know and their wish to be called informally. Sera-tan first and now this one, are magical girls always this friendly and easy-going?

"*Sigh* Lavinia-san..." I conceded.

"Without the '-san' it is better, but I will accept it." Lavinia-san nodded in satisfaction. "Hmm, I came here to look for someone."

Maintaining a gentle smile, Lavinia-san spoke. Her manner of speaking made it sound like it was not a big deal, but I was aware of her true intentions.

"For what reason?" I inquired.

"Hmmm, they are bad kids and need to be punished." Lavinia-san ruffled my hair, trying to divert the topic.

"You are seeking answers, aren't you?" I asked.

Lavinia-san's hand came to a stop and even her smile looked forced, probably because she tried to suppress her surprise.

"What if... what if the answer you were seeking was far from pleasant?" I hesitatingly asked. "Would you still try to learn that truth?"

This time, the air around her changed, from the airheaded girl into a resolute person.

"I would still do my best to know." Lavinia-san spoke.

From her tone, an ardent desire that was unbefitting for the nickname Ice Princess could be detected.

Biting my lips, I thought about the possible outcome of this chat. She will hold suspicion against me, and most likely will not take my words seriously.

"Would you be willing to listen to some nonsense from a whimsical and nonsensical cat?" I muttered.

Her gaze softened, probably thinking I was going to spout some chunni speech. I felt some damage being done to me, but I already said that not turning back.

"First of all, I want you to pay attention to one thing... you are not alone! Do never forget that! The guys here, and the girls at home are your friends and if stopped patting them against their will, perhaps they would warm up to you enough to consider you something like a family member so do not despair." I said.

Sitting up, I matched my eyes with her. She looked puzzled by my sudden words yet she did not try to stop me.

"If you were to corner Augusta enough, she will reveal something to you. Regardless of what you hear, I want you to accept it. Do not try to deny it, because it is the truth." I spoke.

"...how?" Lavinia-san mumbled in a low tone.

I shook my head and did not explain.

"It will be painful and shocking, but you have to be strong. At that time, if even after telling you all this you still feel at your wit's end... call my name, I will surely lend you a hand." I said.

My words could not be more unreasonable, and I knew that, however, I really like her back then so I simply wanted her to face her hardships with a little help. In the end, such is my limit. I can't kill Augusta for her or deny the existence of her teacher's wickedness. As long as she chases after the magicians led by her, she will end up clashing over and over, thus making Augusta use the terrible card of having Lavinia-san's teacher confess that she was alive all alone and she had abandoned her because she did not find her useful anymore and how everything the poor girl lived was a lie.

"Fufu, you want me to call your name? Alright, I will do so... if you want to become my knight in white armor, I will gladly accept." Lavinia-san muttered.

I am certain that my speech went through her, but she was trying to fight the urge to question me more. Perhaps, she was internally conflicted and will pursue the topic later... that said, a knight in white armor.

"That is unbefitting of someone like me whose hands are no longer clean." I mumbled in a low tone.

I don't have the right or the ability to become anyone's savior in white armor, however, there are two girls whom I will protect even if I have to forfeit this life. Kuroka-chan and Shirone-chan, they who became my light back then... I will not allow anyone to extinguish that light.

Light huh, I think Musashi-san also fits in that role... I shudder thinking about what would've happened to me if my mind had gone down a darker path. The one who protected me from that and gave me a little hope was that girl. I am not sure how to make Udon so I should learn the way to make some for her.

Standing up, I patted Lavinia-san's head. She tilted her head confused.

"Don't think too hard, I want to be your ally. Even if I tell you more, you will not believe me." I retracted my hand. "If you truly wish to know, I will gladly share what I know, however, make up your mind because it will shatter your beliefs."

Walking away, I intended to back home and leave the girl here. Forgetting that she stays at my house as well.

"Eh... want to go back together?" I offered.

Lavinia-san giggled.

"Nora-kun can be quite the airhead." Lavinia-san said.

Hey, I don't want to hear that from you.

Swallowing my shame, I stood beside her and waited for her to prepare the teleportation circle. My mind recalled that Yasaka-san had asked me to go visit her at her office tonight to speak about some upcoming festival of some sort, she did not express the details though.

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Nyarlathotep00

What are your thoughts on the chapter? just so you know, all those characters appear in DXD later on the road but their beginnings are in the novel Slash Dog, you can check it to get familiar with them if you want, although if you plan to read it... there are many spoilers here. By the way, Suzaku also belongs to that time line, she appears in slash dog mainly.

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