Some quick addressing to some reviews:
Certain guest reviewers: Yes, I do have an account in AO3 where you can find some mature/smutty contents. And for those who expected more Saitama and One-Punch Man goodness, I hope you can be patient enough to wait another two chapters or so.
Savitar6651: My stomach has been feeling much better, thanks for asking. :)
Lastly, anybody knows who can, or how to create tvtropes page? Now that I've read some reviews and stuff, I feel like a tvtropes about this story might be nice.
"Out of all the realms that Saitama could have landed, it had to be yours out of all places."
Hel listened to her father as they walked with several Valkyries and Thor - The Strongest Thunder God.
A Viking by definition, his upper torso exposed to the world, masculine abs and muscles riddled with battle scars drawn in random wild streaks mottling his body from Asgard's warring years. His trousers were made from the hide of the giant Geirröðr, and Járngreipr, the Asgardian gauntlet made of the finest metal, decorated his right arm. The belt of might was worn around his waist, an ancient item that doubled his already powerful might, though rumors had it that the item could magnify his might many more if activated to its fullest potential.
His face was the definition of an Olympian adonis, raw chiseled features of pure masculinity, his purple hair long and ragged, uncombed, wild and savage yet there was a purity that anyone that laid eyes on him that they could not deny - the spirit of a warrior.
The legendary Mjolnir dangled from his hip, the odd-shaped hammer thrumming with divine lightning as it swayed with each step of its wielder.
"And he traipsed the realm the others fear the most like it was a casual walk on the Midgardian beach. Hahahaha, oh… This is hilarious. How is Garm, though?" Loki asked with a smile."I don't want to talk about it." Hel puffed her cheeks, earning a few amused smiles and chuckles from others.
"The once-feared soul-taker of the Nine Realms reduced to being a bald man's servant. Quite a grand tale to spread back in Valhalla." Thor remarked.
Hel sighed as they approached the double-doors.
But they jumped when something crashed through the said double door…
The golden mask fell, golden locks of hair spilled out, a woman with a scar diagonal across her face, a beautiful woman… knocked out cold with the white of her eyes showing and a mushroom bump of her head growing.
On her cheek was a glowing red bruise the shape of a hand, as if someone slapped the whites out of her eyes.
"...ERESHKIGAL?!" Hel finally reacted after recognizing the unmasked face.
Thor walked forth and pushed the double doors open… he saw Baron Samedi, the tuxedo man with pitch-black skin and a voodoo skull painted over his face holding a camera aimed at Ereshkigal.
"Oh… Oh!" Baron Samedi hid his camera behind him as he backed away from the strongest Thunder God.
Thor regarded the other Gods of the Dead, most of them were in their seats, from various pantheons.
And then there was Saitama…
"...Oh, hey Thor." He waved at Thor casually.
Bitu was behind the scenes, trying to pull her mistress out of the door by the legs when Thor looked back at the defeated goddess. The Valkyries, Hel, and Loki stared at them with Thor in silence, processing the scene.
Hel then sighed, "...I dread myself asking this, but….. What happened?"
"I understand if skepticism is your first response to this hilariously implausible story. The short summary of this incident is the goddess challenged the bald man, due to a mix of a growing inferiority complex, a need to prove herself, trauma, God complex, and he reminded her of the man that dumped her." Baron Samedi summarily explained, pointing at the goddess. "And is it so bad for me to attempt to take a picture as a memo of the lowest point in her eternal life?"
[Yes.]
All of the other Gods of the Dead unanimously answered Samedi, unamused by his very modern behavior.
Out of all of those in the meeting, Baron Samedi was the most modern of them all, a mythic entity known to smoke tobacco in a modern tuxedo, the most 'mortal' Divine of them all.
Bitu finally managed to pull her mistress out of the door, the blonde goddess groaning in pain.
"...She started it, by the way." Saitama pointed at the woman as if he was trying to hide the body of a murder scene.
Thor grinned as he approached the strongest man. Immediately, he casually drew Mjolnir and tossed it toward Saitama.
"Hm?" Saitama caught the hammer with one hand.
When his eyes looked back at Thor, he saw the Thunder God closing in with his fist crackling with lightning.
It landed on Saitama's face as the room was flooding with brilliant light, lightning drowning the room first, followed by the booming sound of thunder like a storm suddenly birthed into this room.
However, once the light died, the Gods of the Dead saw the supposedly 'strongest man' unfazed by the fist that collided with his face.
"Really, Thor?" Saitama waved casually at the warrior god. "Using me to test your strength? Again? How many times does this one make?"
"Seventeen, Egg Head. Seventeen! Ah hah hah ha!" Thor heartily laughed as Saitama lightly bonked his forehead playfully.
"Well? Tell me my score! Is it higher than before?!" Thor smiled from ear to ear.
"A bit flashier than usual." Saitama brushed the static electricity still clinging to his suit. "My suit is now static-ky, which is a first."
"Definitely an improvement!" Thor nodded to himself.
"Please, brother. Not in my daughter's castle." Loki chastised his hearty brother with a sigh. "Anyways, we're here to escort you to Midgard. I apologize for interrupting your important meeting, my fellow Gods."
Loki's eyes scanned the room, seeing the different pantheons of the afterlife giving him their attention.
However, he saw some of them stealing glances at Saitama.
His intuition revealed that some of them were curious and had something to say to the Strongest Man on a certain matter.
"But since we're here, if you have something to say to Saitama, make it quick. Before Thor decides to turn the palace into a battleground because now the Asgardians love to test themselves against Saitama for the adrenaline and mirth."
Anubis was the first to rise from his seat.
"Then allow me to make our proposition quick."
Eat this if you want to stay.
Djall's words repeated in Ikala's mind as she stared at what he gave her.
You cannot stay here like a sheep in a community of wolves, using weak-flesh human terms. You will not belong. Here, you are prey, yet you want to remain by Celiphrana's. To stay, you must become one of them. Change your skin and hair color to match theirs, alter your scent. Make your choice by the next time we see each other.
She sat by the giant puffball mushroom with Celiphrana.
The Little Mushroom as Djall called it looked up to them with curiosity, knowing what was in her hand.
It was one of Djall's cells.
His power.
And he freely gave it to Ikala like it was nothing, giving her a choice.
"...You don't have to do this." Celiphrana advised as she held her other hand.
Ikala closed her eyes, and bobbed her head a bit to show she had taken her lover's words in. However, her mind had yet to choose whether stay true to herself and return… or stay true to herself and press on to the spider's den with great sacrifice.
"I know… but I… we cannot let this continue as it was anymore. I have to do something…"
"This matter is my battle-"
"No." Ikala shook her head. "It isn't anymore… Your mother is approaching the line of no return. And this Devil has disrupted Alfheim for too long. Something has to be done, and as royalty, it is my duty as princess to protect it. And we are in this together no matter what."
She brought the meatball into her mouth.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Then a childish voice crying out of denial reached out, a familiar voice Ikala knew too well.
The fairy boy-king Oberon entered the scene, appearing without warning.
"Father?!" Ikala was taken aback to the point that she fumbled on her hold of the cell, allowing Oberon to snatch the orb away in his rolling on the ground.
"King Oberon?! What - How did he find his way here?!" Celiph exclaimed.
"I worked hard to get here! And how could you?! Do you want to give your dear old papa a heart attack?! Don't eat the forbidden meat! Especially mutating meatballs!" Oberon shouted with teary fatherly eyes.
"I-! You…!" Ikala then shook her head, regaining her bearings, "Never mind that, what are you doing here?! Where are the others?!"
"I sent them away! Djally is a mean little shite! He teleported us into a frackin monster den and made us fight for our lives! But that's not why I'm here! Ikala, we're going home! I don't want to face your mother without bringing you back, she will make me sit in the time out room for a week!"
Ikala took her father's words in for a couple of seconds, "...So you are on your own?"
"Mhm!" The fairy boy-king nodded furiously. "Ikala, we can't stay here! We need to go!"
"But… I can't…" Ikala turned away. "Father, times have changed. I have to do something to stop our realm from falling into another war!"
"Ikala, I understand, but I can't afford to lose you!" Oberon pressed on.
"If I don't do something and act in a manner befitting of my station, then when will I be able to?!" Ikala shrieked at Oberon much to the boy's and Celiphrana's shock upon hearing her retort at such a volume and pitch.
Ikala returned to her senses immediately upon realizing the awkward silence she earned.
"...I'm sorry…" Ikala sighed. "...Father… If I go back home to that room, I don't think I can break out of my shell and become the royal princess I want to be. Right now… I feel like a caterpillar stuck in my cocoon… During the days the Midgardians arrived at our lands, I'm starting to see how much we are behind… and after this, I don't think things can return to how they were anymore."
Oberon silently regarded Ikala with a gentle gaze, "Ikala-chan…"
"Father. Why do you keep sneaking into Midgard and pilfering everything there if you're no longer interested in how things are?"
"That's…"
Ikala stared at Oberon, waiting for an answer.
"...I didn't think you would grow up so fast while I'm not looking. The Power of Love really does wonders." Oberon spoke with a resigned tone, but he was smiling proudly at his daughter.
Ikala smiled at her father's attempt at humor.
"Yes… I want to stay and help Celiph." Ikala stated her decision. "But as Djall said, I cannot stay as a sheep in a community of wolves. So… I need to commit a sacrifice only a princess can make for the greater good of our species and world."
"Okay, now that's another story." Oberon protested, "Look, sweetie - you have my full support about the whole reformation and ushering peace in Alfheim, but taking in some kind of mutating meatball for the sake of power is way too reckless! Like jumping into a vat of radioactive waste to try and become the hulk, just to fit in with a bunch of savage orcs!"
"...I do not understand those references." Ikala blankly reminded the boy-king.
Celiphrana followed suit, "Anyway, it is not power she is after, it is to infiltrate my nation. Djall said my people can sniff Ikala out. He sniffed out Ikala's scent on me when we first met, and that was just from a hug." Celiphrana informed the King.
"...Okaaaay? That is a different story, but…"
"How long will it take for you to teach me that spell that lets me hide from the nose of others?" Ikala asked.
"...Tsk. Now I regret not teaching you that… Titania doesn't want my bad influence to rub off on you," Oberon pouted.
"So you will give me the mutating meatball?" Ikala quirked a brow.
"If I bring you back a freakish mutant, she will ground me into fish paste, stuff me inside a metal can, and bury me under the Tree of Light," Oberon frowned.
Celiphrana could not help but giggle at the family dynamic. It was funnier than Ikala's awkward descriptions of her family life.
"Mother's wrath is the last thing to worry about, we can survive whatever she can throw at us. Now, give it to me. And if I really turn into an abomination, you are free to do whatever it takes to murder Djall until he turns me back to normal." Ikala stated.
"Make sure to tell Titania that it's all your fault, and we have a deal." Oberon handed Ikala the meatball. "...And lastly, I love you, my baby girl."
Ikala smiled and nodded at her father, before she inhaled as she held the thing in her hand… and opened her mouth wide.
"...And then Djall sent me here. Just like that…"
Everyone listened to Kiyome's story on what happened after Djall teleported Issei's group away into a parasite-infested cave.
From what Djall was trying to do, the interesting interaction between him and Kiyome, him breaking into the Dark Elves' most fortified prison just to stash Kiyome away, and then her battle with the Queen.
"...Urist…" Azazel muttered. "That Urist is here?"
"...Urist said that he met you." Kiyome mentioned.
"He's Yuuto's hired smith instructor during his training in the Underworld. I taught him about Sacred Gears and advanced cybertech, then Urist taught Yuuto the ways of sword-smithing in return, though not without the dwarf verbally raging at Yuuto's existence with all the stout rage of a craftsman. Genos gave me recordings of their best conversations, well, more like Urist's thrashing. Here, have a listen."
Azazel took out his smartphone and tapped on the screen, then pressed play as he smiled.
[You fucking ladyboy! You think you know smithing?! You dare call that travesty of a copy-paste sword factory 'smithing'?!]
Kiyome smiled at the familiar rage of the short man.
Issei recoiled a little from the sheer volume and audible rage, the image of Yuuto being cowed by the smaller man pictured in his head as the dwarf verbally chopped Yuuto down to size.
[What the fuck is this shite?! You dare show a dwarf such as me, this abomination of a Sacred Gear and that you abused it to make so many of them flimsy toothpicks?! I'll chop those knees down, bitch boy! Look at me in the eyes when I rage at yee!]
[Yer fucking swords are so shite, you're insulting our heritage so much that we'll stake your scrawny wee wee arse to the cross and feed yee to Muspelheim, after we carve every curse we can think of into yee slimy skin and brittle bones!]
[Listen here, you overprivileged pansy twig with wings! I am gonna grab that masturbation tool you call a sword and shove it through your arse so hard, you'll finally taste how much of a piece of shit you are!]
The recording then ended. The entire room went into total silence for a good few seconds until Issei spoke first, followed by the others.
"...Black is gonna have so much fun with this dude."
"That was the most creative trash-talking I've ever heard."
"Are dwarves just as crass like this one?"
"...And this one came from those who forged the Mjolnir?"
Issei and the others could not help but comment with a desire to meet this guy in person.
"Oh, yeah. It was funny seeing Yuuto traumatized by dwarven trash-talking. The dwarf even threatened to chop off Yuuto's arms if he dared make another 'flimsy abomination' in his eyes. Hah, good times." Azazel smiled.
That was definitely the Urist Kiyome knew.
"Ahem, back to the matter, please." Titania reminded.
"Oh, right. Kiyome, is it possible for you to sneak us into the dark elf nation again?" Azazel moved back to the topic at hand.
"...Maybe. We can at least retrace our steps with our memory of the layout and our noses." Kiyome replied. "I think all we have to do is to follow our scent. What's the plan this time?"
"We need to find Euclid's base of operations and strike while the iron is hot." Azazel answered. "Though Oberon said that it would be best to invade."
"Ahem. While I can understand the sentiment given then apt descriptions of the monsters now lurking underground, I would like to remind everyone that Euclid still has my wife." Sirzechs reminded. "If he knows we're here, he will send Grayfia away to another location. While I have a link to her, I do not want to risk the chance of Euclid uncovering our secret. And send her to somewhere more impossible to infiltrate."
"A valid point… Grayfia first than Euclid. Though unless we can locate them, it is impossible to do anything about it."
"...Why not have Stjarna free her?" Kiyome suggested.
Everyone turned to Kiyome.
"...I mean, why not see where it goes? It's worth a shot."
Issei stared at Kiyome in thoughtful contemplation, calculating Stjarna's current mindset and his whimsical nature…
"...It can work…" Issei admitted. "But I'm not sure if he will just kidnap Grayfia from Euclid… Actually, he might if we add some incentive, we just need to catch his interest enough. He does have a warped sense of humor…"
He might just throw Euclid into a Volcano just to see his reaction.
"I…" Kiyome paused, suppressing the heat creeping up on her face. "I might have something that can interest him."
Issei blinked, "Well, what is it?"
"It's complicated, but I think it can work. Just let me handle this." Kiyome replied, albeit she refused to look at anyone's eyes.
"...Why are you avoiding the question?" Issei asked.
"Just… trust me on this." Kiyome worded.
Issei however, blinked when his mind came across something, "...Is whatever you have in mind for him, sexual in any kind?" he asked with a narrowed look.
"...I'm going to kill you if you say that again." Kiyome warned, albeit a blush was visible on her face.
Issei's eyes then widened, "...It is?!"
"I said I'll kill you! No, no, it isn't! I'm just… trying to bait him with something that is troubling him for a while…" Kiyome explained.
"...Screw it, now I want to see how this goes. Link up with Grayfia, let's tell her the plan."
Everyone did not bother to rebuke, though Kiyome received many awkward glances her way, silent opinions thrown at her direction.
The Son of the Beast looked annoyed this time.
He squatted down on the couch, his unblinking eyes staring at Grayfia who seated across from him.
"Do you always wear that frilly servant dress?" Djall noticed the same attire on Grayfia's person from every visit.
"Yes. I do not see what is the problem with it. Is something the matter?" Grayfia asked.
"Isn't that meant for servile individuals?" Djall sniffed.
"True. But I just can't help but be mesmerized by it. My interest in maids was always there even when I was little, back when Euclid and I were still together." Grayfia smiled.
"Hmmmm…" Djall clicked his throat in a strange rhythm this time.
Pupils shifting shapes and colors, iris shrinking and folding, the third large eye on his forehead almost zooming in on Grayfia's dress.
"...Is something the matter?" Grayfia asked.
"...It's nothing." Djall dismissed, though Grayfia's intuition said otherwise.
"Oh, believe it or not, I don't think so. I noticed that you either always come here to discuss something serious or if you're bored. You don't seem bored to me."
Djall stared at Grayfia's amused smile.
"I cannot believe that I have become that predictable in my angst." Djall grumbled. "Fine. Tell me about this Pornography."
Grayfia blinked and tilted her head slightly, "...I beg your pardon?"
"One of those… meat bags I ran into earlier mentioned this… Pornography, they said it can help me understand more about love." Djall was carefully choosing his words to avoid mentioning the person's identity on purpose.
Who in the world would mention something so adulterous to someone like him? As a mother, Grayfia knew how terrible it was to introduce something like this so early.
Porn? Why is he talking about porn?
Sirzechs' telepathic link arrived at the worst timing as always.
"Good question." Grayfia replied to the mental link, then she addressed Djall.
"I am… not sure how to address this matter. This is not something someone as young as you should delve into."
"Why?" He tilted his head.
"It… is like a spider that lures in prey. Once you get into it, you will be trapped by its web… and be consumed by it in a way." Grayfia tried to use whatever metaphor that came into her mind.
Who in the world revealed the taboo to him?! Do you know what kind of damage that can do to someone that is not afraid to eat people?!
Grayfia demanded Sirzechs in the mindscape with an almost banshee-like shriek.
You tell me, I just arrived not even a minute ago!
Sirzechs replied in his defense.
One of you is responsible for this! I sincerely doubt a bunch of careless elves could do this! And Euclid is not that irresponsible to adulterate him with that dirty stuff! And the twisted fetishes these days, Vore, Guro, do you want him to receive twisted pleasure from his kills?! Whose idea was this?!
Sirzechs turned to the group.
"Alright, random question, but who introduced porn to the monster?"
Everyone could not react to the ridiculously random question. Even Vali's eyes turned into dots at the word 'porn' coming from Sirzechs' mouth.
For some reason, Kiyome found the ceilings and walls around her to be very interesting to look at.
Noticing Kiyome's subtle shift of behavior, Sirzechs turned to her, followed by Issei, Griselda and Asia; then by everyone else as they gave Kiyome their full attention.
"I did not encounter any knowledge of such potent magic that can corrupt and degrade the soul in the libraries I devoured… But this pornography, the first I've ever heard of it - explain that to me. What is it?" Djall demanded.
Grayfia sighed in resignation, "It's… some sort of art and entertainment about copulation."
Djall blinked once, twice, before finding himself muttering, "...But Kiyome told me that acts of reproduction are not meant for entertainment."
Kiyome Abe…
Grayfia hissed with a vengeance. Sirzechs was now sweating upon hearing her mental promise to verbally eviscerate her.
"Only if they don't want it shown. This… is not something you can force. It is criminal to do so." Grayfia reasoned again.
"Hmmmm… I don't see the point. You make it sound as if it is more criminal than murder, and I've killed many."
"...It's worse than death to some. It's complicated, alright?"
"I believe you use that word to treat life for granted. Death is worse because there is no turning back, as long as you're alive, you can heal, endure, and overcome."
When Djall was musing on his own again, Sirzechs finally used the window to talk to his Queen.
That's right, Grayfia. I have something to tell you. We are about to invade the Dark Elf territory, can you reason with Djall to help you escape Euclid's stronghold? Or at least to keep Euclid busy until we come to your rescue?
Grayfia paused as she sighed.
"...I have a favor to request of you." Grayfia inhaled, preparing for the worst. "...You are against Euclid trapping me here, correct?"
"Yes?" the questioning tone in Djall's answer, as strange as it sounded - meant he had an inkling of where Grayfia's question was heading to.
"...Would you free me from this prison at my request?"
Djall widened his eyes as his throat started clicking with curiosity.
"Oh, so that's your plan… Daring. Do you really think I will smuggle you out of here, knock out and scare away all pursuers, and deliver you to freedom like in the useless fairy tales?" Djall asked with an amused, almost sadistic smirk.
"That's…"
Grayfia understood her position as she prepared for the rejection.
"You cannot leave with that silly clothes on, Euclid laced it with runic magic to stun you once you leave the boundary."
However, Djall continued to defy expectations.
"As much as I could and probably would rescue you to see Euclid rage for a good laugh, it would be too uninteresting if I simply break you out. However, I will tell you where you are. You are at the mountain plains, high atop one of the mountains behind the mountain standing above the dark elf capital." Djall continued.
Back in the Palace of Eternal Light, Sirzechs turned to others, "Did you get that?"
Titania, who had joined the meeting, nodded, "If it is what i think it is, it will be far. They are in a domain where Alfheim pierced through the heavens…"
"Ladon's barrier hinders all forms of teleportation, even the Longinus Dimension Lost. You need to take the Trihexa-infused Dragon down first if you wish to enter and leave." Djall explained again.
"How do you get inside then?" Grayfia asked.
"I simply threatened the dragon to let me in every time or snuck in through one of the teleportation circles, the magicians here are sloppy and arrogant, too arrogant. Or, if you have the power, break through. Otherwise, you'll be whisked away to who knows where." Djall's smile grew.
Taking Djall's words into consideration, Grayfia allowed a small smile on her face, "I see, for whatever it's worth, I thank you for your information."
Djall snorted, "Then answer everything I want to know about porn."
….Alright, Grayfia. I need to go and prepare for the next step. Stay safe and I love you!
Wait-!
Djall then watched Grayfia's expression shift between exasperation and annoyance.
"He left?" Djall assumed with a growing smile.
Grayfia scoffed, "That he did, some husband he was…" She then sighed, "Now I need you to excuse me, for I need to inspect and get rid of whatever enchantments my brother has placed on and around me."
Djall simply hummed before he stepped in to close their distance. Before Grayfia could have asked what he wanted, Djall's clawed hands grabbed her dress collar and pulled down.
The Silver Queen sucked in breath at the sight of her torn clothes crumpled to the floor, leaving her only in a simple set of white corset and panties.
She quickly covered breasts and stepped back when Djall's hands were about to reach towards her.
"What the hell do you think you are doing!?" Grayfia hissed with a slightly flustered look.
"Saving time." Djall replied nonchalantly, "Now come here, I think those are enchanted as well."
"I can take these off myself as soon as I have some privacy, thank you very much!" Grayfia retorted, "...Do you at least have spare clothing for me to use?"
Djall blinked, "...Can't you just get yourself a new one with magic?"
Grayfia sighed, "Everything on my person, including the ones in my dimensional storage have been confiscated when I was arrested. So forgive me that I have nothing on me right now!"
"Hm….." Djall then looked around before an idea came to him, "How about this?"
Djall clapped his hands together, palm to palm.
Grayfia was confused until she saw a sickly crimson velvet blanket widening between his palms when he pulled his hands apart.
She watched the monster weave the fabric, albeit his motions were more like he was trying to mold clay into something more defined in shape.
Sculpting and weaving a flat plane, then folding and rounding, pulling in different directions.
Then he handed the result to Grayfia without warning.
"...Is this a leotard?" Grayfia asked as she stared at the crimson leotard.
"Yes."
"...Why is it so revealing?"
"Because I thought all weak flesh females like to show their skin. And it's made from my hide, so it's durable."
Grayfia scowled, "For your information, not all women like to show their skin. Can you give me something less revealing, please?"
"Then why do all of Euclid's female servants like to show their soft flesh? Sycorax too."
Djall really needed to get out more into the world.
"It is not good to use a minority as a reference of the majority." Grayfia pointed out.
"But the majority are like water, so fragile that even a gentle breeze can snap them apart." Djall pointed out.
"That's not a good reason to stay a recluse."
"Heh. Now I don't want to give you a 'less revealing' outfit. It'll be funnier this way." Djall smirked, earning another scowl from Grayfia who eventually sighed in defeat before she stared at her newly assigned clothes.
She would not bother to even wonder how Djall could create the clothes exactly matching her sizes, but the point was it matched her sizes too well. With a roll of her eyes, she reluctantly discarded her corset so the leotard could fit around her body. The only credit she could give was the quality and the feeling of the fabric on her skin - they were surprisingly comforting.
Grayfia looked at the mirror and gazed at herself.
The belly of the leotard was cut out, revealing much of her toned stomach, especially the back, and the way her underboobs were showing…
If she showed this to Sirzechs, it would knock him dead…
But she should not show this to her son, ever.
"Where did you come up with this design?"
"I can read how women like to look at themselves from… prolonged observations and insights."
"...So you're a voyeur?" Grayfia quirked an eyebrow
"I don't see any other use for soft meat other than consumption." Djall reminded, unfazed by her revealing appearance. "Though a part of me now wants to see Euclid's reaction. Will be funny if he suffers a heart attack."
Grayfia found herself interested in the idea of watching her brother having an aneurysm. Unfortunately, returning to her family came first.
"As amusing as it sounds, I'm afraid I have my own priorities."
"Your loss." Djall chuckled as he hopped from his seat. "...Good luck. I feel better now." He walked towards the window, then stopped.
Grayfia watched Djall backtrack until he was facing her again.
"If you need an emergency, take this." Djall spat something in his hand and offered it to her.
"...Is that a Trihexa Cell?" Grayfia asked.
"No. It's mine." Djall answered. "My power, so to speak."
Grayfia slowly took the thing and inspected it in her hand.
"If you ever wish to surprise him."
When Grayfia looked back, Djall was gone from her sight.
"And I'll know when you eat it. I want to see your meat husband face to face when he does get here."
She turned to the window, only to barely catch him falling below the window frame, already left. She then stared at the organic matter on her palm, before she frowned. She looked around, and proceeded to tear the curtain next to the windowsill before she wrapped the thick fabric around her as a make-shift cloak, then she stored Djall's cell beneath the fabric.
"Hmmm… tempting." Grayfia wondered if she should take it or not.
It would be a sight, though it would cause problems on the political spectrum…. Unless Mordax was somehow in jeopardy or kicked the bucket that was.
Djall descended from the flat peaks of the Welkin Mountain, humming to himself as he entered the blue below the cosmic night above.
The Welkin Mountain Range held one of the record tallest mountains in all of the Nine Realms, the finger mountain of Jotunheim holding the number one record.
His form dove into the cloud sea; when he emerged, he was in the form of a drake with three eyes, crimson flesh and blackened armor cutting through the air as he flapped his six wings, cutting through the air as he pondered on what to do.
He wanted to finish devouring the library.
There was a forbidden section of it he wanted to break into and devour the books inside, only accessible within the dangerous borders of the Shadow Realm where the great ones slumber within.
He then had to check on the princesses.
Little Mushroom would be alright with Celiphrana.
Whatever they do, Djalll was interested in observing their actions and impact. The revolution and changing of an era, a new age up close.
But first, Djall decided to have some fun as he continued his gliding descent, his eyes looking at the mountain sitting atop of the Dark Elf nation.
The others were planning an invasion on the front door, so he needed to prepare something to guard the 'princess in the castle,' or Queen in this case.
As much as he wanted Grayfia free, it was against his nature to let something so easy to happen.
He could tell that the Midgardians surpass the Dark Elves in terms of… well, everything so to speak.
But genocide and conquest were not in their blood.
So he decided to give them a challenge and a chance for his servant to test himself again as he landed at the peak of the Shadow Peak Mountains.
In his drake form, Djall perched around the stony peak, the cold air snow crunching beneath his draconic feet, the monster looked around and inhaled.
The winds were high, the peaks snow-capped with frosty rime, gelid temperatures attempting to rob him of heat but unsuccessful. He could smell the marking scents of a frost dragon around him, though the creature did not seem to be present.
Or it was hiding. He either did not care or was not hungry enough to give that thing his attention for now as his dragon form shrunk, returning to his human form as stood on his bare feet.
[Lerneus. Orochi.]
Djall's psionic song rang across dimensions.
[I call upon you.]
The pack of frost dragons watching from the plateaus meters below the mountain peak were startled when lightning crashed at the very top of the snowy cap, melting the snow beneath before the cold solidified the water back into ice.
The figure was kneeling, poisonous purple hair draping over his face.
"...What is thy bidding, my master?"
The man spoke in many voices, at least eight different voices spoke at simultaneous unison.
"Rise." Djall spoke in an authoritative tone.
The man rose as mentioned.
A chakra wheel was behind him, eight segments of the circle currently representing the powers dwelling within him, fiery orange in one-eight of the chakra wheel, poison purple with toxic mist, ice blue with cold air emanating from it, heavy stone, brilliantly radiant white, and more.
From the center of his chest, a tattoo emblazoned it, representing dragon-like serpents erupting from his body, long serpent heads slithering from the center and wrapping around his limbs, ending in his scaled forearms and scaled forelegs.
He did not have clothes on him, armored in black dragon-snake scales, his lower half completely clothed in his dragon scales
His two eyes gazed at Djall, eight draconic pupils in each eye gazing at Djall with each eye.
Djall's first servant gifted by Rizevim, insane because of the cognizant discord of eight minds, reformed and stabilized via hive mind, all thoughts now coherent and in harmony.
And now with the minds of Lerneus, the name Djall gave to the Aberration embedded inside Orochi, in symbiosis.
"I need you to watch over the tallest mountains and see if there are any invaders approaching the palace. Don't let anyone know that you're there," Djall answered. "You will recognize some of them. Play with them if they get too close. Ask me questions through our link in our hive mind."
Djall had Orochi stationed here just in case he needed him.
His ears picked up the frightened yips of the frost dragons below him, he paid them no attention.
"It will be done."
As fast as he arrived, another bolt of lightning struck the elemental dragon in human form, taking him away from the scene.
Djall was promised something fun, and he would have his due as he licked his lips before he teleported away, back to the library.
He needed passage into the forbidden archives within the shadow realm, and he refused to be barricaded out of it. There was no place he could not break into.
Issei perked.
What was that feeling just now?
He looked up in the distance, swearing that he heard someone calling for something.
"Ise?"
Issei blinked and turned to see Rossweisse was looking at him, "Are you alright? You suddenly spaced out just now."
Issei smiled as best as he could, "...It's nothing, Rossweisse. I'm fine." He then decided to distract himself by addressing the one in front of him, "Say, how far are we now?"
"We are almost there." Titania assured.
It was time to face the Dark Elves.
The front path is different. The Dark Elves have a network of tunnels and secret paths they could use to enter the surface, but the main official path was what they used to trade with the other communities.
The Wood Elves were more neutral with the Dark Elves than the Light Elves were as they protected Alfheim's bounty above all else.
Though Oberon's marriage with Titania did strain their neutrality. It was a massive cavern with a direct linear route to the cave system leading to the front gate of Skugariki, the Capital of Mykriundir.
The entrance was, surprisingly, riddled with giant mushrooms.
Honestly, Issei still could not get used to the giant mushrooms being that prominent.
Titania took the lead with Rosseweisse beside her as the representative of Asgard. Following behind was an army of her elite warriors, walking with orderly and unified steps.
The Fairy Knights were Titania's most elite warriors, though for some reason all of them were female, garbed in the finest Mithril Armor shining light as bright as the rays that graced them, though the armor was quite revealing, leotard with armor plating most likely.
They were all beautiful as well.
It was a very wide cavern ahead, stone-light lanterns illuminating the dark entrance with many monsters from the Rokkatandi to the Tryfelagi appearing.
Some stone drakes were guarding the surface with Dark Elf Beast Masters beside them.
They already noticed Titania. All of the Dark Elves knew the Queen's regal face, one of the oldest elves in this realm.
The road was infested with mycelium growth, moldy gray biomass under their shoes, as a group of beastmasters approached them, leather and chitin bound dark-brown elves with sharp eyes.
Draconic eyes, the eyes of the Trihexa.
Honestly, Issei would not be surprised if they have a thing for bondage and stuff considering how kinky Sycorax was.
"You have much gall to arrive here without your army, Titania."
The leader of the surface watchdogs approached Titania.
"It has been a while, Horagua."
That was one of the most foreign names Issei had ever heard if he was honest. The dark elf in question was taller than the rest. Unlike the others, she had a metallic weapon around her waist, a bastard sword in a chitinous sheath.
She had the elven beauty, but she had more muscle than the rest of her kind while retaining her smooth features.
"Why did you bring a Valkyrie? And… are those Midgardians?" Horagua's gaze turned to Issei and co.
Issei was with Kiyome, Griselda, and Rossweisse as part of Titania's protection details. Rover was with Asia, who was moving with Sirzechs' team.
Vali and his team were also with Sirzechs as well as Euclid was the most dangerous. And the White Dragon Emperor had beef with Euclid's boss.
"I apologize for our sudden arrival. I am Rossweisse of Asgard. I have come as a mediator, to help Queen Titania Ljósálfar parlay with Queen Sycorax Dökkálfar regarding her alliance with Euclid Lucifuge and Khaos Brigade."
Horagua's expression twitched at the mention of Euclid Lucifuge. She paused with a soft inhale. Her face was troubled upon hearing that name.
"...You actually found out. I am not sure whether to be impressed… or assume that it is because the outsiders arrived after the Devil?" The leader sounded as if she had critical criticism against Titania.
"I suppose you haven't forgiven me from all those years ago…" Titania sadly conjectured.
"You let your people dally in that floating paradise for too long; you are blind to what happens below. Not even the Wood Elves noticed the difference enough to pursue the cause."
Her eyes shifted, the Trihexa eyes receding as her eyes turned normal, human-like, before returning to their draconic default irises.
"...Will you allow us an audience with your Queen?" Titania asked.
The leader grimaced as she looked back at her subordinates, all looking back at her with worrisome gazes. It was as if she was asking her subordinates what to do with her gaze.
"... Can you rid the Devil and the monster that lives amongst us?" Horagua looked back at Titania.
"...Is this about the Son of the Beast?" Titania asked.
Kiyome could not understand their elf language, feeling a bit left out. Griselda looked stoic, but also shared Kiyome's sentiment.
"What is she saying?" Kiyome whispered.
"They're talking about Djall." Issei whispered back in Japanese.
"My sister Matriarchs in the Abyssal Palace sent warnings… There is an obsession infecting our Queen. Once they want war with the elves, now they are scared for their lives. It is not like them to be scared. Once our Queen wants something, there is almost nothing that can stop her or break her out of the spell."
"When something appears before her, she likes to challenge herself in the endeavor to obtain it. I know my sister too well." Titania smiled.
"...Hah. Follow me. But I make no promises." Horagua sighed. "You have an Asgardian with you. I don't know if she does represent Asgard, but we are not that eager to test ourselves against Thor yet."
Titania smiled as Horagua shouted at her subordinates to let them through, but keep a vigilant eye on them.
"...The first wave is cleared." Rossweisse whispered to the others in Japanese. "Keep calm until we reach the Queen. Be prepared for the unexpected."
XoX
Meanwhile, deep in the mountainous range around the dark elf territory, another group was trekking through foliages and forest covering the mountains.
Rover hopped forward, sniffing the air and the ground in front of him, before he turned and barked at the group behind before he continued sniffing the ground.
"I wonder if I should get a dog… Would a Cerberus do for Millicas?" Sirzechs asked Azazel.
"As long as your son is willing to take it for a walk, clean up its poo, feed and bathe it regularly, I see no problems." Azazel shrugged. "Those are pretty much what the Hyoudous did with Rover during their stay in Grigori."
"Heh, as if you can get a dog like Rover." Vali snorted.
"I recommend a cat. Cats are better, nya." Kuroka suggested instantly.
"Your dog phobia is showing," Bikou snickered.
"Arthur, please ram your sword through the annoying monkey's rear if he speaks another word," Kuroka requested.
Arthur merely smiled and pushed his glasses up while Le Fay giggled.
"Honestly, I find this work much better than dealing with the paperwork office." Beowulf followed.
"We rarely have any action nowadays." Surtr grinned.
"Are we not enough for young master Millicas anymore?" Enku asked Sirzechs.
"...Are you comparing yourself to the likes of pets? Because that's concerning; you are one of the irreplaceable members of my family." Sirzechs retorted.
"Apologies. We are not degrading ourselves, it is also our role to entertain the young ones." The Kirin chuckled.
"That should be the last to worry about," Sirzechs replied.
"Hey, what are you talking about? Stop talking in Midgardian nonsense!"
They were accompanied by fairies, the pixie variety, small flying women with glittering dust the size of Tinkerbell.
They were the guide of this group through the Welkin Lands.
The plants here were dominantly purple due to the frigidly cold temperatures. They get their heat source from the dormant magma underneath the mountain, meaning that the Welkin Mountains also act as a chain of dormant supervolcanoes.
One of the fairies was in a blue dress pulling Azazel's cheek.
"Alright, alright. How close are we to the plains?" Azazel asked in his standard Latin.
"Hmph! Past the bushes, through the glade, over the bloodsucking vines, through the ecotone, and then you'll see the place, I'll say!" The blue-themed pixie huffed with her translucent bug wings fluttering.
"Anything we should be wary of?" Azazel asked.
"Oh, watch out for Sky Dragons!" The Red Pixie chimed. "There are maaaaany sky dragons that love tall places. This is one of the tallest! They might smell you and attack you on sight if you're not careful~"
The pixie then made a hush-hush gesture, "...If I were you, I'd either circle around the glade, or run across as fast as I can."
Azazel hummed as he nodded in understanding, "...Then I suppose there will be no problems. What do you say, Sirzechs?"
"How strong are these… sky dragons?" Sirzechs asked.
"Hmmm, as far as I've seen? You probably should worry more about their numbers than their actual power." The Green Pixie shrugged.
"Still, we need the element of surprise. Let's circle around the glade." Vali suggested.
"True. Let's keep moving."
They could not remember the last time they went on such a journey.
Sirzechs and his Peerage never did this since the Familiar Forest run for a good familiar for his wife and son.
The wildlife here was a bit… unique.
Like the two-proboscis mosquitoes flying around, flying on what looked like leaf-shaped helicopter wings for flight buzzing around them, their compound eyes reflecting their images.
Rover's nose continued sniffing the strange purple, curly two-pronged grass as he waddled forward for anything that was related to the dress of the woman or the bat-winged people that lived in their homes.
Rover looked up, pausing as he smelled something familiar yet unencountered.
Bark!
Rover barked to catch everyone's attention. He growled as he sensed something dangerous. On cue, Sirzechs raised his fist up, prompting the group to stop and scan their surroundings.
"...Please tell me this is a false alarm." the Green Pixie nervously hoped with her eyes darting around.
Rover sniffed the ground as he stopped, continuing to sniff the ground.
The dog started circling around a patch of strange grass, not entering the invisible perimeter. Then Rover barked again, tilting his head as he placed his paw in the unseen line.
Only for a magic circle to reveal itself, charging its spell.
Arthur moved fast and threw his sword at the magic circle before it detonated. The holy blade speared into the epicenter, then the magic circle dyed down, deactivated by force of will, the light flashing as if it suddenly glitched and died.
"...Was that a magic trap?" Bikou could not help but utter.
"It's… a loud exploding mine formula from the looks of it." Le Fay hummed.
"There is also a sensory component weaved into it." Matthers added with a rub of his chin.
"...Do they know that we are coming?" Vali asked as Arthur moved to pick up his blade, resheathing it.
"...Or it isn't meant for us." Matthers concluded. "The sensory component did trigger while the explosion did not. The caster is alert. What should we do, Lord Lucifer?"
"...I have a hunch." Sirzechs muttered. "I think we can hide. They should come to check the circle. Kuroka, Le Fay, may we count on your talents?"
Kuroka snorted with a smug smile while Le Fay giggled.
XoX
Sometime later, several teleportation circles appeared.
Monsters from the looks of it, like Chimeras.
They were searching the area, pushing aside the bushes and plants, some standing around in wait, albeit against their will if their monstrous faces were of any indication, restless, uncomfortable, wanting to move but could not.
After several minutes, more teleportation circles appeared as the magicians of Nilrem arrived - witches wearing the mantle of those that studied and mastered the arcane, those that dabbled in forbidden territory, as evident by their monstrous eyes.
They walked towards the magical trap circle and inspected it.
"The abomination didn't take the feed, thank goodness. It's a pain to bind new mutant familiars…" The leader sighed with relief.
"Did the trap malfunction?" Another asked.
Abomination?
From their covers - everyone blinked at one particular detail.
"It was specifically made to trigger in response to Trihexa genetics, it did not malfunction and explode due to random unicorn rabbit." The leader answered.
Everyone looked at Rover in Asia's arms, the dog silently wagging his tail… The dog was infected with the Trihexa Death Plague.
"Kuh, then why are we here then, Karen? The magic circle looked like it was jammed at the last moment, probably by the thing's absurd powers."
"We are reviewing our work, mind you, to use for later reference." The female leader responded with sass. "The last thing we need is the 'Young Monster' sneaking into our rooms to pick us off. I'm here because I want to get away from the thing that's not afraid to eat us, not to have it break into the castle every time it wants to see the locked-up Queen in the tower just because."
Ah…
Everyone realized who it was for.
"...He did tell Grayfia that he would sometimes eat the magicians…" Sirzechs admitted.
"Wow…" Bikou was amazed, he should not be, but honestly, it was a first for him.
Stjarna terrorized the Khaos Brigade's lower branch so much that even the subordinates would go this far as to lay deadly traps for him.
"For some reason, I feel sorry for them…" Azazel muttered. "Working in such a hazardous environment. Reminds me of the old days with Father a little."
"I never thought working up there is bad." Bikou whispered.
"Please, my brothers and sisters died by the billions in the war after I fell. Not to mention, I heard from those that fell during the war the stress of worrying about Father throwing the others out of heaven spontaneously on a whim and the prospect of falling on its own," Azazel replied.
The scouting leader then knelt down and inspected the magic circle.
"It seems the experimental sensor script is causing the major lag…" the Leader commented.
"Of course it is. Do you know how annoying it is to formulate that script, Karen?" Another added.
"It even takes up too much space for the circle."
"Do you want a random lightning rabbit to set it off, then?" 'Karen' retorted.
"Speaking of rabbit, what's for dinner? I want more of that Alfheim special venison the Wood Elves are having."
"They don't eat meat."
"I know, but I think we should try and smuggle one from that damn forest of theirs."
"Their forest is too protected, even the trees are like sentries watching out for us."
"I feel like snacking on one of those pixies."
"Girl, that's cannibalism, you know?"
"They're not human, so… it shouldn't count. Right?"
"Your Trihexa cravings are showing again, my Dead God, get a grip on yourself."
The pixies with Sirzechs and Azazel cupped their mouths and meeped, hiding in their hair.
"Should we jump them?" Bikou asked.
As for the party, they were all invisible thanks to Kuroka and Le Fay's spells. Fortunately, the original Trihexa strain didn't give the witches the noses of hellhounds, like that of Rover's.
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes - the witches still did not know about the intruders; but if they were to let them go, and somehow by any chance, trip another alarm, the enemy scouts would eventually grow suspicious, if they had not improved their security.
"...On my signal, subdue them. Matthers, jam all attempted communications. No lethal forces, we need them alive to tell us what they know about Euclid's territory." Sirzechs whispered, earning several nods.
Everyone cautiously surrounded the witches while Matthers prepared the spell.
"I think we should move to another post. Is there anywhere the Abomination wouldn't go?"
"There is one place, but that place is not for people like us. Well, it is kind of, but…"
"Ahhhhhgh, it's too late to turn it into an Aberration. Life would've been so much easier."
"You done yet, Karen? I don't like to stay here any longer. The thing might still be watching us."
"Almost done recording… Alright, we're good. Let's-"
They came from nowhere without warning.
There were no signs of their sudden arrival.
In their eyes, it was all blurry; before they could have even registered what happened, they were all pinned down either on the ground or against the nearby tree bark.
Magic spells of various elements vaporized the nearby monsters and blasted them into gory pieces, their remains staining the lush beautiful nature of Alfheim with their remains.
One of the witches had Souji holding his blade against her jugular; two were easily manhandled and pinned down by Surtr's massive frame; some kind of giant dog monster pinned down another two, while the last one was forced onto her knees with another blonde man pointing his sword towards her.
"W-What the?!"
"Get off me!"
"Humans?! No… No! That hair! It can't be! Sirzechs Lucifer?! HOW?! You shouldn't have known that we're here!"
"Sirzechs?!"
"The Strongest Satan?! HERE?!"
"We're fucked! Shit, we can't beat a Satan!"
The others paled upon hearing the name of the strongest Devil in the Underworld, the name alone crushing their will to resist.
"I prefer not to be called that nowadays. But since we're here, Arthur, if you would."
Karen grits her teeth as the man in a tuxedo and lion-like hair of golden brown walking toward her.
"What are you doing? Hey, hey, what are you doing with that sword?! Stop! Don't do it!"
The closer Arthur was to the woman with his sword raised, the more she panicked and struggled as she wriggled.
"STOP! NO!"
She shrieked; Arthur's Excalibur Ruler stabbed her head.
The holy blade plunged through her skull as Arthur proceeded to dominate her mind.
It was another power of the Excalibur Ruler, the ability to influence and dominate certain concepts like space and time.
It could also dominate the mind directly if plunged into the skull of others, right into their brain at their most vulnerable.
"We don't have all day. Tell us all you know about the facility and your current forces." Arthur demanded.
"...Yes…" Karen submitted easily under the holy sword.
Issei heard about it, but never saw so many eyes that bore the mark of the Trihexa - of Djall.
The tunnel was direct, leading them towards the capital of Mykriundir's front gates. Horagua already alerted her superiors about them and explained the situation with Titania.
Loud verbal arguments were exchanged through the message spell she uses, the group had to wait until the debate was finished on the other side. They received permission, though they must be under the watchful eyes of the best warriors the Dark Elves have.
They entered a village on the outskirts, a trading post, many working elves either transporting ore, mushrooms, meat, or otherwise stopped and looked at the outsiders that entered their community, escorted by a large number of dark elf warriors.
Their eyes gleamed in the dark, bright with the power of the Beast, hushed Elven whispers muttering amongst each other.
Titania's Silver Guard closed around her for her protection.
"They're muttering about why the Queen was here…" Issei translated for his group.
"...You know our language, human?" Horagua asked in Alfheim dialect.
"Your speech has some differing dialects and pronunciations, but yeah." Issei admitted.
"Interesting…"
Once they moved past the village, they were greeted by armed escorts with three important-looking Dark Elves garbed in the finest silks surrounded by those with much better equipment.
"What are you thinking, Hora? Bringing the Queen Titania here? With outsiders?!" The middle one asked, a noble-looking dark elf with brown skin, and decorative glowing blue tattoos painted around her body, giving her an illuminating, glow-in the dark finesse.
"What else am I supposed to do, Leidarla?!" Horagua hissed back. "A Queen of another country arrived at my doorstep, how can I just turn her away?!"
"This…! Uggggh. This does not bode good signs for our future." Leidarla rasped as she addressed the Queen.
"Please, you do not have to use formalities. This is an urgent matter that must be addressed." Titania assuaged the stressed noblewoman.
"Then I'll be brief. You couldn't have arrived at a worse time," she hissed. "This is against procedure. A Queen arriving without prior notice."
"As for official arrangements, I do have this." The Queen gave the parchment to Sefinia, her finest Honor Guard, as she walked towards the dark elf noble with the rolled parchment.
"What is this?" She asked as she received and opened it.
"A demand for compensation. For an attempted assassination from one Agatha of the Shadowblades. If you want, we can present you with her daggers and armor as proof that she attempted to infiltrate my castle and take my life."
The noblewoman stared at the parchment and hissed. There was an dark elf ear there with elaborate jewels crafted with chitin.
"...I recognize the earpieces…." She sighed. "Follow me. I hope the outsiders can behave themselves."
Their journey towards the Abyssal Palace was short and uneventful, though for Issei and the rest, they absorbed the sights of the underground culture of Alfheim.
Homes carved from cave stone, some built with materials from the surface, wood, clay bricks.
Giant insects roamed with the dark elves while mushrooms, giant and glowing, illuminated the area.
Many eyes of the Trihexa were aimed in their direction, the Midgardians receiving comments from many who hadn't seen those with short-ears before in their lives.
Issei smiled when he saw a bunch of dark elf children peeking at them from a giant mushroom stool… though it disturbed him how the children even had the eyes of the Trihexa.
He heard it from Kiyome about Euclid experimenting on an entire race, but to see it was different.
The tunnels were guarded from all angles, even the walls had spider riders clinging to check for any creature that might dig from above and land upon them, all listening with spells designed to sense vibrations.
Then they arrived at the palace…
It was much larger than anything the Devils had made. Actually, it might be taller than the tallest skyscrapers in Midgard.
They walked across the daunting bridge closing the gap of the bottomless chasm surrounding them and then into the palace.
After entering a teleportation circle inside, they were outside of the throne room doors.
"Alright… brace yourselves." Rossweisse inhaled.
Kiyome clenched her hands. Honestly, seeing the Queen Bitch again like this irritates her for she could not pay the bitch back.
"Let us handle this. We should be able to deal with whatever is behind those doors." Rossweisse informed as everyone nodded.
Once they opened those royal doors…
"...Ah."
They were greeted by the sight of Djall and Sycorax. However, their position was what made them pause on their tracks.
His body was still as Sycorax's arms were wrapped behind his neck and his head as she was pulling his head towards her face. The real eye-catcher, however, was the sight of Sycorax's lips enveloping Djall's. However, when Sycorax's eyes caught the sight of the newcomers, with a familiar face among them, her lips twitched into a smirk as she proceeded to deepen the kiss.
Djall blinked and his body jerked slightly when he felt Sycorax's tongue slip past his lips and proceeded to explore his teeth and palate. The kiss lasted for a good few seconds until Sycorax finally broke the contact slowly, allowing everyone to see a trail of saliva between their mouths.
"Welcome, dear sister, and… I believe it's welcome back for you, Kiyome Abe." Sycorax greeted with a taunting smile as she licked her lips in satisfaction, "Forgive me for the tardy display, you caught us when I was teaching my charge here about some finer taste in life. So, how was it?"
Everyone's eyes turned to the one who was kissed.
His throat was clicking in a confused manner.
"...Why does that act trigger something inside me?"
Kiyome's vein nearly popped as her rage increased tenfold.
"You b-!"
Issei immediately covered her mouth from behind as many murderous profanities muffled through Issei's hand. Hell, he was surprised that he had to hold Kiyome back from marching over there and cause another incident.
This day just kept getting better and better as many jaws were dropped, including the dark elf escorts.
To be Continued….
Special: A Certain Witch of Nilrem
"...Ladon's barrier is nigh impenetrable. It is nearly impossible to infiltrate the fortress without suspicion."
Karen autonomously answered their questions.
"The only way in and out is via magical signature and screening from magical scanning. Unless you want to break through the barrier."
Vali, Azazel and Sirzechs exchanged looks.
"We should be able to break through with our firepower." Vali said.
"But that might risk us being surrounded by Euclid's full force, not to mention the Evil Dragons he has in store. I prefer to keep our element of surprise." Azazel replied.
"I agree." Sirzechs nodded before he turned to address the witch, "Tell us more about how the screening works."
"We only need to spell our full name and the scanner will authenticate our voice and names."
"I see… What's your name, then?" Azazel asked.
However, upon receiving the question, the witch's body visibly twitched before her expression became strained.
Azazel eyed Arthur, who was as lost as he was; the knight narrowed his eyes slightly, focusing and ensuring that the Excalibur Ruler was still in effect.
"Answer the question, what is your name?"
"...Karen." the witch muttered with a somewhat reluctant tone.
"Just Karen? General rule of thumb is that everyone has at least a surname." Azazel retorted.
"...Yes, just Karen." the witch - Karen, replied after another pause.
Even without magic, everyone could tell from her tone alone that she was not telling the truth.
"Oh, wow. She's actually resisting it." One of the pinned witches sounded amazed by the avoiding the question.
The others glanced at the other witches in confusion.
"...Alright. What is your last name?" Azazel decided to play along.
"...I have no… last… Name!" She uttered with astonishing strain in her voice.
Honestly, her astounding stubbornness on this matter astonished everyone.
"Okay, now I'm deathly curious. Arthur, full power."
Arthur nodded at Azazel before he stabbed her skull once more. The witch was now twitching against Bikou and Kuroka's hold while frothing through her gritted teeth.
The other witches, however, found themselves wanting to root for their comrade.
"Yeah, Karen! Fight!"
"Don't give anything to these intruder scums!"
Bikou and Kuroka glanced at the witches cheering. The latter then shrugged to the latter, who then proceeded to shove her hand inside Karen's robes.
"No! My wallet!" Karen shouted.
Kuroka then took out her identification card, which was kind of weird for a witch to have something so…. civilian.
A chaotic mix of anger and fear twisted Karen's mind as Kuroka read her name out loud.
"Karen… Yoodle?"
Arthur ceased his attempted domination.
Vali went silent.
Sirzechs blinked and tilted his head a bit at the revelation.
"Yoodle?" Arthur called out.
"I've never heard of someone with that kind of name. Kind of funny."
"...AAAAAARRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Karen Yoodle shrieked at the top of her lungs as everyone digested her name slowly and thoroughly…. Confused by her sudden outburst.
"Pfffff!"
"Kihahahahahahaha! What kind of name is Yoodle?!"
The pixies accompanying them started laughing at the silly name and the witch's reaction.
"I'll fry you, you little bugs!" Karen struggled to get up but Bikou held her down by the shoulders.
"Wait, is that why you're so stubborn? A random, embarrassing surname?" Azazel accused.
"Shut up, you don't know what it's like, you pompous angel! What more do you want, huh?! My life?! Oh, maybe you want to sell my body to the slave market or something, why don't you do that?!"
Everyone felt a bit awkward by the woman's sudden outburst.
"Girl, having a silly name isn't that bad, nya." Kuroka criticized.
"Oh, shut it, catgirl. Just kill me already!" Karen shouted.
Asia then stepped forward, fidgeting a little before voicing her opinion, "Um, I don't think 'Yoodle' is a bad name, it's actually kind of cute, like noodle."
Unfortunately, Asia's words had the opposite effect.
"YOU LITTLE BITCH!" Karen roared with tears in her eyes, causing Asia to wince back with an 'eep!', "That's exactly why I detest that name! 'Oh, look, that's noodle~!' Do you know how hard it is to make friends with a name like 'Yoodle'?! Go to hell, you pissant!"
Surtr could not help but whistle at her verbal tirade.
"...So will you help us get through the barrier?" Vali decided to move on.
"Fuck you, half-breed mongrel! You think some of us got into this job because we want to 'oh, I am a witch, so I must be evil,' you little shit! It's already bad enough that I have to deal with seeing my friends being devoured randomly by that abomination, worrying every day for my life, and crying myself to bed because my first real friend died and they won't do anything about it! Just end it and put me out of my misery!"
The witch was having a mental breakdown.
It honestly shocked all of them to see a Witch of Nilrem, a terrorist organization, being this… human.
"Karen…" The other witches pinned looked very sympathetic now.
Sirzechs and Azazel exchanged glances. Asia decided to be the saint and walked towards the subdued witch.
"Um… Karen. I am sorry." Asia apologized.
Karen glared at the girl with teary eyes.
"I am sorry that you have to go through a lot. I know it is not my business to pry, but, um… I want to know about your friend. What is she like?"
Karen stared at Asia.
"Why do you care? You're just some happy-go-lucky girl. Heh, I bet everyone likes you because of how naive and dumb you are."
"...Before I met Issei… I was… a nun at a church. Everyone was nice, we were friends with everyone."
Her words only made Karen glower.
"But I lost everything when a Devil came to me for help… The Church got mad when I decided to heal him. I still believed that I did the right thing, even if the Devil was evil."
"...You're the girl from the Diodora incident." Karen realized it.
Asia nodded.
"...I heard he died a death he deserved… Tell me. Did you enjoy it when he learned he died a bastard's death?" Karen asked.
Asia sadly smiled.
And shook her head.
"I am sorry if this isn't the answer you want to hear. But… I was there when he died… I can understand why everyone believed he deserved to die like that. But… I was sad that he couldn't find the peace he wanted. Because I believe that everyone deserves to find redemption. No matter how bad they may be."
Karen stared at Asia in the eyes.
She saw only the angel's kind smile, her warm gentle eyes gazing back at her.
"...You're not bullshitting me." Karen stated with genuine astonishment.
"...Why did you join Khaos Brigade, Karen? You don't seem like a bad person."
Karen's lips twitched as she stared into Asia's eyes. There was nothing forcing her to answer.
But the tears started to flow even more from Karen's eyes.
"...Let me tell you a parable," Karen looked down, unable to maintain her gaze, "a parable of one Karen Yi Yoodle…
"Karen was a daughter of a minor magician family. They were… quaint. They don't have the resources to make it there. They lived in a rural village in… North America. They were a family that moved from Europe to avoid persecution of the Christian community after the fallout of their stupid civil war, but they ended up with little to nothing. Life was hard, simple, but we lived with content… then from the winds, my parents picked up word that certain Noble Devils were willing to reward viable powerful magicians to recruit into their peerage."
Azazel perked.
"Wait, you were a Devil?"
"Let me finish… They prepared their only daughter for the audition. She passed with flying colors. She managed to become the Bishop of a certain noble family… But not for the Rating Games. You see, some Noble Devils like to use their Peerages as comfort women. The Asmoday are a particular bunch of degenerates that are addicted to drug abuse, their favorite being the one distilled from Vampire Blood called the Embrace. The drug is also used to chain the Peerage to the King with addiction… But Karen refused to stay there anymore. So she killed him. Overdosed in his sleep. Worked too well, they still couldn't find the killer."
Asia listened to Karen's confession with infinite patience and compassion.
"...I returned home to find my parents living well-off. With a second child at that… They made a sister and they didn't bother to tell me. They've completely forgotten about me… It was so fucked up, seeing their smiles and their… happiness while I am outside, addicted and angry. That anger blew me up. And the house with it… I didn't stay to find out if they're still alive."
Kuroka widened her eyes as she and Vali exchanged glances, the latter knowing the Neko's story.
"...So you're a Reincarnated Devil on the run." Azazel summarized.
"Heh. Yeah. The magician community is stubborn on 'human purity.' Everyone I tried, they threw me out of the door, not even giving a lonely girl a chance because I am not 'one of them.' They don't like seeing something not human, with a naturally higher magical affinity, mingling around them. I can relate to that feeling, like placing someone old enough to be in high school in elementary school, I guess… but it still hurts, you know?"
"...You didn't have to join Khaos Brigade." Asia commented.
"Didn't have a choice. Who would pick up a stray reincarnated Devil? A reincarnated Devil without a master is free game, no basic human rights whatsoever." Karen snarked. "It was easy to hide my Devil heritage from them with some creative spells. Even more so when I ate enough Trihexa Cells to cover up my Devilhood. Everyone there gave up their humanity for a chance to become something greater than God, a God-killing beast of unimaginable power. Who can deny that?" She chuckled.
"From there, I finally found a place I could belong. I made some friends, yeah. Sure, the higher-ups are shitty, but there's no one else I can trust anymore. Then you know the rest… When that abomination came back, it made our lives miserable. They shouldn't have brought it back. Everything's turned to shit. We can't even hide in another of the nine-fucking realms. Just… get it over with and end our miseries."
Asia looked sad at her resignating to her fate. Asia looked back at Azazel with pleading eyes.
He already knew what she wants.
"...Since you're witches, how about I strike a deal with you?" Azazel offered.
Karen did not look up.
"...Are you taking pity on me?"
"Yes, yes I am. Besides, it would be easier if we have an insider on our side, and we want to help… remove the Son of the Beast from the clutches of Rizevim. It's a win-win. Unless you have something to say about that, Ms. Yoodle?"
Karen was silent. She paused in contemplation on the offer. She looked back at her friends. They looked back at her, uncertain of her choice.
"...Do you really think you can defeat the monster and free him from Lord Rizevim's spell? You think you're ready to face whatever is hiding behind those walls, what horrors Lord Euclid has in his laboratories? The Son of the Beast is not your run-mill monster; he is a true monster. He has already mastered much of our magic, he ate our libraries with his mind and surpassed us as if we were mentally defective children. He devoured legendary dragons of old like they're nothing, The dragon that lays at the roots of the world tree? His snack. The ogre dragon from the epic of Beowulf? Ripped apart, meat picked clean from bones. And then he ate the bones just because. And that doesn't take into account the Abberations that lay within wait inside."
Everyone went tense at Karen's warnings. Nevertheless, Azazel kept his smirk, "Now, ain't that something to behold? Sure, girl. Lay them to us."
Karen regarded her captors for a few seconds before she sighed in defeat"...Hah. Well, guess it'll be interesting to see someone else get eaten instead." Karen sighed. "Fine. I'll spill. Don't say I didn't warn you."
I4MD347H here. Honestly, I thought of Djall leaving Sycorax on the floor as a twitching body barely clinging to life but decided otherwise as it is too… violent and sudden. Needed shock value, and it would give readers head over heels as to the why, but decided otherwise and went with the DxD style. Opinions? Thoughts?
Ahsoei: the omake ends up being longer than expected; it was based on a certain Youtube series involving a vampire hunter... I kind of forgot the name.
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