Chapter X
And here i am with the tenth chapter! I assure you we are nearing the end where I will open the poll. As usual, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and that you enjoy this one, so be sure to leave a review letting us know if you did. I would also like to thank Bakuto Masaki for his help with this endeavor, I am sure he is getting tired. So let's move on to the reviewer responses.
jmspikey: I can guarantee there's a chance she will.
sirvancelotgraves: Don't worry, it'll slow down for a bit.
thechampionmike957: He will.
Blade1986: That they do. Yes she does, and it explains that certainly. Don't worry, it won't take that long for them to show up.
Fortitude: Well most devils don't really hold Servant-Devils in that high of regard, so they don't really care what the Kings do to them.
And in case you didn't notice, this was pretty common knowledge, and only the Gremorys seemed to care.
Well like I said, really only Zechs would care along with Serafall. Most other devils and devil clans consider the Servant-Devils to be slaves, and thus property, meaning their Kings can do whatever they want with them.
It's not that they didn't consider it, they just didn't care.
Yeah, the devils in TOSND are generally pretty fucked up.
Indeed, he's going to have a lot of enemies very soon.
scottdragoon: You don't appear to be alone in that opinion.
akilja95: They'll get their time. Generally I try to have Boudica out of his head whenever a lemon arises, sometimes she'll be there. But she's not going to be there forever. They'll be slowing down soon.
Travis Moon: Glad I could help.
superpeirce: three more days.
Skull Flame: Oohh. No, it's not based on him, "stupid dog" is a line Ryoubi uses on Ryouna in the games a lot.
Yep.
Nope.
When you've experience what she has, it happens.
That she does.
I'm sure it won't.
theraceytracey: I know. Not all of the lemons are going to be emotionally stimulating. Some of them will just for the sake of the sex. Though if you don't like them, there's the all-ages version.
Guest: He will not do that. That, however, he will do.
Guest: You will.
Hakkyou no Yami: Well I enjoy Ddraig's perverted nature, so I'm keeping it.
Anyway, that's all for reviewer responses, so onto the chapter!
Basara sighed as he sat on the sofa, stretching his sore arms, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Sakura standing behind him slightly curious. He winced as he remembered what he saw last night, shaking his head of the thoughts. "S – Sakura?"
"Basa? Are you feeling okay?"
"Y – Yeah, just a hectic day yesterday."
Sakura gained a minor smirk before her expression returned to normal. "So why did that blonde spend the night?"
"Planning."
"Planning? For what?"
"On how to deal with Caster."
"A Heroic Spirit?"
"Yeah. Rin discovered her the other day, and we tried to meet her, but she was immediately hostile, so we had to run. She was insanely powerful."
Ddraig just snickered.
'What's so funny?'
'Oh nothing… bwahaha!'
Basara grumbled in mild annoyance, before turning as Sakura asked, "Do you need help?"
"Huh?" he mumbled.
"Do you want my help?"
"That's… a hard question to answer."
Brunhilde urged, 'Accept it.'
Basara frowned unsurely. 'But I don't want her to get hurt.'
Ddraig once again belted out with laughter.
'What the hell is your problem!?'
'You thinking she'll be in danger! It's hilarious!'
'At least he has concern for her,' Boudica snapped.
Sakura put a finger on her chin in thought. "Hm… would it make you feel better if I was partially immortal then?"
"Eh?"
"Perhaps I could join that chess set of yours too."
"H – Huh?"
"That stuff you did with Raynare that made her one of your servants."
"U – Uh…"
Sakura leaned towards him, seemingly unaware it gave Basara a clear view down her shirt. "Well? Can I join in?"
Basara gulped and pointed his eyes straight forward. "S – Sure…" 'But which Piece…?'
Ddraig counseled, 'Knight. Girl already has immense amounts of mana and with Berserker she has phenomenal attack and defense but not much in speed.'
Basara nodded and then turned to Sakura, who was thankfully standing up straight again. "How about Knight?"
"Sure," Sakura nodded before beginning to remove her shirt.
Basara put his hands up with exasperation. "Why do you all keep doing that?!"
"Doing what?"
"You don't need to take your shirt off for me to put the Piece on you!"
"But how is it supposed to get in me with clothing in the way?"
"It's devil magic, it'll be fine."
"And how much do you really know about Devil Magic?"
Basara twitched an eyebrow, realizing he knew very little of it.
"Thought so." After a moment, she frowned in disappointment. "Or… do you not want to do it with me?"
That caused Basara's entire body to lock up, Ddraig snickering, 'Got you backed into a corner, huh?'
"Th – That's… not fair…" he grumbled.
"Hm?"
"It's not like that, I just don't want you to do anything unnecessary. Besides, wouldn't you want that to be during something special?"
Sakura frowned somewhat unconvinced.
"Okay? When I take you, I want it to be special."
She sighed in defeat. "Fine. How about me joining your Peerage, at least?"
Basara nodded in agreement. "That sounds good. Now lie down."
Sakura nodded and laid down on the floor.
"Though, do be aware, according to Raynare, this hurts a bit."
Sakura merely turned to him with a smile. "Compared to what I've experienced before, and if it entails spending eternity with you, I can handle it."
"Okay, here we go," Basara announced as he placed the Knight piece on her chest. "I order, in my name Basara Toujou, you Sakura Matou. I resurrect you back to this soil as my servant and you have been reborn as a true devil. You, my Knight, be delighted with your new life," he recited before the Piece sunk into her body.
Boudica, seemingly forgetting Basara can hear them, asked Ddraig, 'Think it will get rid of her infestation?'
Basara narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, 'What infestation?'
'Uuhh…'
'Way to go, Red,' Ddraig chided.
'Sorry…'
'What infestation?' Basara demanded.
Ddraig sighed and explained, 'Crest Worms. I don't know how they got into her, but her body is full of hundreds, maybe thousands, of mana-eating worms. And once you start the transformation, they'll be fighting for control of her body against your Piece. Let's hope your mana is powerful enough.'
'He has the capacity of an angel, a high-class devil, a dragon, and he's a descendant of myself and Siegfried. Those worms are fried.'
Sakura shivered and moaned lightly as the Piece sunk into her body. However, seconds after it did her entire body lit up and her eyes shot wide before she began screaming in agony.
'Loud…' Ddraig complained.
"Sakura!"
'No!' Ddraig shouted. 'Don't touch her. If you do, you'll make it far worse.'
'But –'
'Touching her will do more harm than good. Let the Piece burn out the parasites.'
After several moments Sakura passed out, falling unconscious.
'Leave her be,' Ddraig warned. 'That's probably for the best.'
'Fine…'
'Now carefully pick her up and put her in bed.'
Boudica commented, 'I am surprised no one heard the screaming.'
Brunhilde sighed in shame. 'They probably assume Basara's just having sex. Again.'
'Hmm… That makes sense,' Ddraig remarked before sniffling. 'I'm so proud…'
Basara just groaned as he gently lifted Sakura.
Sometime later, Sakura groaned slightly as she awoke and sat up slowly in a bed before she looked to the side and saw Basara, asleep, sitting in a chair next to her. "B – Basa…?" she muttered lightly in surprise.
Basara flinched lightly before yawning awake. "Sakura…?" he mumbled before widening his eyes in realization. "Sakura! You're okay!"
Sakura winced back slightly in surprise before nodding slowly. "U – Um, yeah…"
Basara sighed in relief. "That's good. I was so worried."
"Th – Thank you…"
"You're welcome."
After a moment, Sakura looked at him in thought. "Were you there all night?"
Basara nodded in response. "Yeah. I wanted to make sure you were alright. How are you feeling?"
"Better… much better… My body feels lighter. Warmer. And painless."
Before Basara could respond, the door to the room crumpled open, Maria, Mio, and Raynare falling into the room. He twitched an eyebrow angrily as he looked at them. "… How long have you three been there?"
Mio gulped as Maria laughed weakly.
"Since you two woke up," Raynare answered.
Basara frowned as Sakura hung her head, resulting in a deep scowl from Basara to the other.
Raynare and Mio stiffened in fear.
"W – We were just concerned for Sakura!" Mio shrieked.
Ddraig huffed lightly. 'They really expect us to believe that?'
Basara retorted, 'At least with Mio I think it's true. It's the two perverts I doubt.'
'T – Truly…' Brunhilde muttered.
"Really? I thought it was to watch them bang," Raynare responded.
"What?! You told me you were just worried about Sakura!" Mio argued desperately.
Maria added, "I thought the real reason was to watch too."
"No!"
Basara just twitched an eyebrow at them. "… Perverts!"
"I'm not!" Mio begged.
"Riigghht…"
"Rias does?" Basara asked as he spoke with Akeno after Sakura was determined okay.
The busty ravenette nodded. "Yes, she wants to speak with us."
"Um… why?"
"She didn't say. I'm assuming it's a job."
"Right… then we'd best get going."
Basara's eyes wandered uncomfortably as Rias stared at him with irritation. "Mind explaining why you brought a Fallen and a Matou here?"
"We came because we wanted to," Sakura retorted.
Basara gulped before sighing. "They're… also my Servant-Devils…"
"… Eh?" Rias muttered.
Basara winced as Ddraig suddenly hollered, 'Moron!'
He argued, 'She has a right to know, plus I was planning on telling her anyway.'
'And you think Iri's warning has no merit?'
'She just wanted to wait as long as possible so she could play some prank on Rias.'
'Right…'
Rias twitched an eyebrow before groaning in frustration. After a moment she reached into her desk and pulled out a large bottle of alcohol and began taking a heavy swig.
Akeno frowned in mild annoyance. "I thought you were saving that."
"Well stuff just got extremely weird."
"Right…" she muttered before frowning to Basara, though he did not notice.
Basara frowned in confusion. "I thought the drinking age was –"
"Pah!" Rias moaned lightly before slamming the bottle down. "Okay! Now I'm ready to handle this insanity."
"Okay…?"
"So how do you want to handle this?" Akeno questioned.
Rias leaned back with a heavy sigh. "Call my mother…" She then glanced at the now empty wine bottle. "And get me more."
Akeno nodded in understanding. "Right."
Some time later, the trio stood in the clubroom along with Venelana, having explained situation.
Venelana sighed in thought as she took in the information. "Well this certainly is surprising, and annoying she found out so soon. I was hoping for her not to know for a while longer, lest she do something stupid with the information."
"Like what?" Rias asked with a slight drunken hiccup.
"Like trying to make him marry you when I already got a contract in place with him."
"… Eh?"
"What? Did I stutter?"
Rias frowned and demanded, "Since when was this a – hic – thing!?"
"Same here," Basara added.
Venelana replied, "A couple years after Basara was born."
"… Then what about that – hic – jerk…?" Rias retorted.
"Your father did that one behind my back."
Basara frowned in bewilderment. "Um… what's going on here…?"
"Nothing that matters right now. Now, I'm not entirely certain what this means, so for now we should keep it a secret."
"Right… so what's up with these Evil-Piece things, anyway?"
"Tell me, did your father ever tell you about the Great War?"
"Uuhh…"
"Right. The Great War was an immense conflict between the angels, fallen angels, and devils. It lasted for tens of thousands of years. When the War finally ended, the populations of each race had been reduced drastically."
Basara nodded in understanding. "So I guess this was a way to rapidly refill the ranks?"
"Yes. Devils have an extremely low birthrate. It's a miracle that I had two children so close in age. The Evil Pieces were created for two reasons. The first was to quickly fill the ranks and the second was to settle disputes."
"Like a game?"
"Yes. The Rating Game. Previously, whenever two devils had a dispute, they would settle it either peacefully, through a discussion, or less often, through combat, assassination attempts, or sabotage."
"I see…" Basara muttered in disdain.
"All of those acts tend to cause injury or death, and as you can imagine, with a reduced population, we want to avoid that. So with the Evil Pieces, a devil gathers a Peerage and, in the event a dispute can't be settled with words, it is then up to Peerage versus Peerage."
Basara put a hand on his chin in thought. "Interesting."
Rias frowned with a huff. "It's not exactly a fair system though."
Basara turned to her curiously. "How so?"
"Just because you had to use a Mutation Piece to get that Dhampir doesn't mean it's not a fair system."
"Dhampir?"
"A rare type of vampire."
"That's not it," Rias argued, "it's because not all devils have an equal Peerage. Sometimes others will have stronger Servant-Devils or simply more. I know of several people who –"
Venelana put up a hand and interrupted, "That's enough, Rias. I agree the system is not perfect, but as it stands it's the best system we have. Besides that, if you are complaining about Servant-Devil strength, you obviously haven't been training your own, or yourself."
Rias huffed in annoyance and took another drink of wine.
Basara frowned in confusion and turned to Venelana. "Is she actually allowed to do that…?"
Venelana nodded in response. "Devils stop growing for a few centuries after they reach eighteen. Not to mention Devils don't have a drinking age. She actually started this habit when she turned fourteen. Which was four years ago."
"… Do I even want to know why?"
"You'll learn soon enough. At any rate, you should probably start thinking about potential members of your Peerage. And I think Chaldea can help with that."
"Chaldea?"
"Yes."
"I… don't really know what that is…"
'Seriously?' Ddraig chastised.
"I heard about it from Rin, but I don't know much about them."
"Ah."
Rias then spoke up, pointing to Sakura. "That aside, do you know who and what the Matous are?"
"Sakura isn't a Matou by choice, and mages I am guessing."
"Monsters more like."
Basara scowled venomously. "Sakura's no monster."
"Her family are. I don't have specifics, but I've heard some of the practices they use. They're deplorable."
"And like I said, Sakura isn't one by choice."
Rias sighed before putting down the bottle. "Right… and as for the fallen?"
"She failed her job."
"Job?"
"Yeah. To kill me."
Rias remained silent before taking another deep swig. "You, Basara, are a cute idiot."
"Huh? Whatever, as for what Pieces I used, Sakura is a Knight and Raynare is a Rook."
Venelana then asked, "So, do you need me for anything else?"
Rias shook her head in denial. "No, we've got a job tonight. Stray hunting."
"Ah. Good luck then. And expect someone to come in contact with you Basara."
"Okay…? Oh, should I bring Sakura and Raynare?"
"Might as well…" she mumbled before hiccupping drunkenly.
Later, after night had fallen, Basara, Raynare, Sakura, Rias, Yumi, Akeno, and Koneko stood in front of a tall, old building.
"Why is he here?" Koneko asked in mild annoyance.
"To hunt!" Rias cheered.
"Is she drunk again?" Yumi asked.
"Rias-Senpai drinks?" Sakura questioned.
"A lot," Akeno replied.
"Now… onward to the Stray!" Rias cheered as she stumbled.
Basara grabbed her as she fell back. "Whoa there. Okay, I'm heading this now."
"Sounds good to me," Raynare chimed. "She doesn't seem capable to anyway."
"Yeah," Akeno added.
"Agreed," the other girls added.
"So what are we after?" Basara questioned.
Akeno showed him a projection of a large, quadrupedal creature with the upper torso of a woman instead of a head.
'Infected,' Ddraig remarked.
'What?' Basara retorted.
'That devil is infected by something. Turning it into a monstrous creature.'
'Youma, sounds like.' "Sounds like we've got a fight coming," he explained before drawing Balmung.
"Where'd you get a Demon Sword?" Yuumi asked in surprise.
"It's… complicated. Let's just say it's a family heirloom and leave it at that."
After the group entered the old building, Raynare looked around in disgust. "Dark, desolate, and creepy. Definitely devil territory."
"You know you're a devil too now, right?" Koneko remarked.
"So? Doesn't mean I can't speak the truth."
"So where is the monster in question?" Akeno asked.
"Hm…" Basara hummed.
Sakura suddenly pointed nearby, where the group saw a massive, rotting corpse.
"… Well that was quick," Raynare deadpanned.
"Something killed it," Basara commented before looking around. "And it's possibly still here."
Looking over the corpse, Yuumi explained, "Whatever did it used a heavy, blunt weapon. One blow to the head."
Suddenly, Koneko ripped a piece of the weak floor up and raised it in front of the group, blocking a chunk of the building that had been thrown at them.
"Well I think we found it," Basara noted before a figure leapt down from above and hit the floor with incredible force.
A small, female voice urged from the dust, "I will ask you all only once. Leave."
After a moment the figure emerged from the cloud, a young, petite woman with short, messy red hair that covered her eyes, though it was clear they were mismatched in color, wearing what could only be described as bridal gown, with a massive hammer held in only one hand.
Looking at the woman, Ddraig urged Basara to not fight.
Nodding, Basara looked at the girls. "Everyone, stand down."
"H – Huh?!" Yuumi stuttered in shock, Koneko also looking at him in annoyed confusion, whilst Raynare, Sakura, and Akeno did as he said, Rias still too tipsy to put up much resistance.
The woman frowned in confusion. "What is your game?"
"Nothing," Basara answered bluntly.
She frowned further. "You're human," she began, before pausing as she sniffed the air, "or not… Are you here to avenge this creature?"
Basara shook his head in denial. "No. We were here to end it."
The woman looked at the group curiously before just nodding. "Then you have no reason to be here. Goodbye."
He frowned in mild annoyance and disappointment. "No need to be rude." 'You know her?'
Ddraig responded, 'One of my previous wielders did, and helped her.'
Basara nodded in return. 'That's good enough for me. She have a name?'
'She didn't when they first met, but I think it's Fran or Mary Shelly.'
Basara turned his attention back to the club-wielding woman with slight timidity. "… Fran?"
Her eyes narrowed under her fringe. "How do you know that name?"
Basara activated Boosted Gear in its weakest form and showed it to her. "A friend told me."
Fran lowered her weapon with eyes wide. "You are… his new form."
"… Eh?" Before he could ask further questions, Fran took a swift step towards him and kissed him deeply.
The girls just stared in disbelief.
"It's good to see you again, Karl," she said with a smile as she pulled away from him.
Basara simply looked at her, his brain somewhat short-circuited. "Uh… sure… But my name is Basara."
Fran nodded in understanding. "Ah, so that is your name this time?"
Basara wanted to retort, but Ddraig interrupted him. 'Just go with it, trying to argue will only give everyone headaches.'
He just sighed. 'Right…'
Raynare groaned as she tried to process what was going on around her. "… Let's get going… I could use some cake after this."
Basara nodded in agreement before turning to Fran. "Will you be coming with us?"
She nodded in return. "Of course."
Rias, unsteadily, looked at the scene before her in disbelief.
Raynare, surprised, retorted, "When did you regain consciousness?"
"A few seconds ago…"
Fran looked at Basara curiously. "Shall I return her to unconsciousness?"
Basara immediately got between them, arms raised. "No! Everything is okay! Nothing needs to be done!"
"I see."
Basara slumped his shoulders in exasperation. "Let's just head back… I need a break after all…"
Soon after, the group, now including Fran, arrived back at the clubhouse.
Fran looked around the main meeting room in thought. "Huh…"
"Well?" Basara asked as he watched her.
"It's nice. Is this where you live?"
"No. It's Rias' club room."
She just nodded silently in understanding.
"Yeah. Once we're done here I'll show you to where you'll… crap."
'Yeah,' Ddraig chided.
Fran looked at him curiously.
"I… don't know if we have enough rooms…"
"Ah…"
Basara decided to cross that bridge when it came.
Which it did when they arrived home.
Sella opened the door as Basara, Sakura, and Raynare returned with Fran in tow. "Welcome home. There's…" she trailed off upon seeing Fran standing quietly behind Basara. "Another one?"
"Yes…" Basara answered with a hint of shame.
Sella scratched her head before sighing with a shrug. "… I'll unlock the seals on one of the lower areas."
Basara looked at her in shock. "We have that!?"
"Yes, of course. Why?"
Basara twitched an eyebrow in irritation.
Sella blinked in recognition. "Oh, right, before I forget. There's someone here to –"
She was interrupted as a figure suddenly tackled Basara in a hug.
"Basara!" a jubilant voice exclaimed.
Basara looked up and saw a rather short girl with long, dark brown hair tied in a ponytail with a white ribbon, with two locks framing her face with her hazel eyes, ending just above her sizable cleavage, wearing a light-yellow vest over a short-sleeved white shirt with a green tie, a pleated, green, plaid skirt, thigh-high stockings, and dark brown shoes straddling atop him. "H – Huh? A – Asuka?"
Asuka grinned happily. "Hey, Big Bro!"
Maria grinned with excitement at the development as she approached the commotion.
"What are you doing here?" Basara questioned.
Asuka pouted and shrieked, "I heard you were here! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Busy, plus I didn't know you lived around here."
"I thought I told you…"
Basara flattened his brow incredulously. "You think a lot of things you never really did."
Asuka sat up with a pout. "That's not nice."
Basara gulped slightly as he took notice of her cleavage sitting just above him.
"Bro?"
"H – Huh?" he muttered, his attention back to her, though he frowned as he noticed Maria's wide grin.
'When ya gonna bang her?' Ddraig taunted.
Basara just twitched an eyebrow silently.
'Don't know when, huh?'
'… My instinctual response is I don't intend to, but based on my track record, that won't last…'
'Indeed…' Boudica added.
With a sigh, Basara appended, 'Besides, she probably has a boyfriend.'
'Bet you a five-course steak she doesn't.'
"You said your name's Asuka?" Maria interjected.
Asuka blinked before turning and noticing the others. "Huh? Who are these people?"
"… Friends…" Basara answered unsurely.
Maria grinned deviously. "Is that what you call us? It's at least fuckbuddies."
The other girls turned bright red, Basara just glaring at her, before Asuka, her head tilted in confusion, asked, "What's a fuckbuddy?"
'I'll be taking that steak tonight,' Ddraig taunted.
Basara twitched an eyebrow and retorted, 'That doesn't necessarily mean anything.'
"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Maria questioned.
Basara frowned in annoyance.
Asuka tilted her head in confusion. "Huh? No. Why?"
'Steak! Steak! Steak for days!' Ddraig cheered.
Basara groaned heavily. "… I give up." He then turned to Asuka curiously. "So how'd you find out I live here?"
Asuka tilted her head in thought. "Well… one of my teachers told me she saw you."
"Oh? Who?"
"Tomika Amato."
"Okay?"
"She said she saw you here. Plus, Aunt Iri and Aunt Goei are the only people who could be housing you."
Basara flinched slightly. "… Fair point. Anyway, what else did you come here for?"
Asuka pouted as she looked at Basara. "Isn't seeing you enough?"
The brunette could only respond with a quivering eyebrow as her melons were pushed not far from him.
Ddraig snickered in amusement before teasing, 'I bet you want to lick them.'
'Shut up!' Basara howled in his mind.
'And squeeze them gently. Then feed her some Succubus Pills to make her lactate.'
Basara snarled as the chains reappeared in his mindscape, coiling around Ddraig's mouth, silencing her.
Brunhilde sighed in exasperation. 'You know that will just encourage her…'
Basara replied, 'But it'll give me a few minutes of peace.'
"Why don't you all come inside to eat?" Sella suggested, the conversation around her not going anywhere.
Asuka jumped joyfully. "Yay! Big Bro's cooking!"
Basara raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I am?"
Ddraig managed to peel one of the chains away and hollered, 'You are, now make steaks!'
The teen grumbled, seeing his silencing tactic failed rather quickly.
Shortly later, the group sat around the dinner table with a large gathering of food in front of them.
"It looks so yummy!" Asuka cheered as she and Raynare drooled over the food.
Illy smirked with pride. "Of course! Big Brother made it!"
"Well?" Basara interjected. "Dig in."
Asuka and Raynare instantly started eating with zeal, though Leysritt had already begun, not waiting for his urging.
"Wow…" Maria muttered in awe.
"Yeah…" Mio added.
Basara remained silent in surprise.
Ddraig added, 'They got big appetites. Wonder how much cu –'
'Shut up or I eat tofu.'
Ddraig huffed in disappointment. 'Fine. Then hurry up and eat!'
He just sighed as he began to eat the five steaks sitting in front of him.
Asuka let out a loud moan of excitement. "It's soo yummy!"
Illya nodded with agreement, being sure to swallow before speaking. "Big Brother's cooking is the best!"
Leysritt quickly finished her plate and grabbed Rin's, the teen protesting, eliciting a snarl from the red-eyed girl. However, Sella flicked the girl's nose and handed Rin back her plate. "… Meanie…"
"You aren't the only one who needs to eat," Sella argued, before noticing Akeno to the side eating far more vigorously than normal.
Basara sighed as he continued to eat the massive platter. 'I'll get weak if you keep winning bets like this.'
Brunhilde chided, 'Then stop betting against her.'
Annoyed, he rebutted, 'She starts the bets and doesn't give me much choice!'
'Because you let her,' Boudica argued.
With a proud huff, Ddraig added, 'Because it's easier to indulge me then ignore me. Ask Art.'
'Indeed…' Basara groaned as he downed the second steak.
Boudica frowned in curiosity. 'Who is Art?'
Ddraig proceeded to explain. 'Arturia Pendragon, often incorrectly called Arthur Pendragon in modern stories. And she'd make you look small, Boobica.'
'It's – oh forget it… Okay, that's her name, who is she?'
'The one who dug me out of that castle you buried me under, founder of Cumalot, leader of the Knights of the Round Table, inheritor of your Excalibur, and a good friend.' With a nostalgic sigh, Ddraig added, 'Those were good times…'
'I was wondering how you got out of there.'
Basara, confused, questioned, 'Um… isn't it Camelot?'
'No.'
'Right… So, how did Mordred's Rebellion happen with you there?'
'… Mordred's what now?'
'Mordred's Rebellion. A rebellion where the illegitimate son of King Arthur coveted the throne and fought against him, er, her, which left the kingdom so divided and weak that it crumbled, and ended with King Arthur, er, Arturia's, death.'
Ddraig remained silent in flabbergasted disbelief. '… Eh? First, how is Mordred Art's illegitimate daughter? I saw her birth myself. Second, why would she do that? Sure, she had a rebellious phase but she'd never do that.'
Basara frowned in thought before sighing and standing up.
"Basara?" Iri asked curiously.
"I just need to look something up."
"Oh, okay. Be sure to remember condoms are the enemy."
"It's nothing like that!" Basara howled with a face as red as Mio's hair before stomping off.
Basara sat in front of his phone, looking over a web page detailing the fall of the prestigious Camelot in history, the rebellion of Mordred against his father after forcing himself onto Guinevere, Arthur returning to end the man's treachery.
Ddraig growled as she read the information through Basara's eyes. '… Okay, who the fuck wrote this garbage?'
Basara, not wasting energy thinking his words, just answered aloud, "Says here it was written by several authors over time. Though the biggest additions to Mordred's story were by some guy named Geoffrey in the twelfth century."
Ddraig groaned in exasperation. '… Bull. Fucking. Shit.'
Sighing, Basara suggested, "Why don't you tell me what happened when you last saw them then?"
'Sure. It was during the preparation and celebration of Mordred's eighteenth birthday party.'
"And?"
'During that came two visitors. Can't remember too clearly on the guy, but I was pretty sure he could have been Karna's newest reincarnation seeing as Bedivere, the previous one, died a couple years after Mordred was born. The other looked like she was Galahad's sister. I immediately tried to seduce them.'
"Of course you did… What else happened?"
Ddraig sighed with a shrug. 'Not really sure. After I tried, I left to find some liquor for the party and got myself some Soma Wine for it to. When I got back the party was about to start and found out the guy was a great cook having made all the food for the party.'
"I see. And then?"
'I got drunk and passed out halfway through.'
Basara groaned in annoyance.
'After that, I woke up and found the place completely wrecked. As in everything destroyed.'
That took him by mild surprise. "… Any ideas what happened?"
'Not a damn clue. The only girls I found in the mess was Guinevere, Merlin, and Morgan, and they were just as drunk as I was during the party.'
"Did any of them remember what happened?"
'Nope. Merlin said she woke up a bit and thought she heard a brawl and a shout of "my cake" but got knocked out by a table.'
Basara twitched an eyebrow as he recognized something Ddraig said.
'What?'
"Merlin's a woman too?"
'Yes. She is. Want a nude of her?'
"No," he answered flatly.
'Okay,' Ddraig answered plainly, with mild disappointment.
After finishing their conversation, Basara walked out the room to the living room where he saw Raynare sitting on a sofa. "You okay?"
"Hm?" the woman hummed lightly, looking up at him before shrugging. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Right… do you have a moment?"
Raynare glanced at him in thought. "Sure, what's up?"
"I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me."
"Do you really need to know my three sizes?"
"Not that," he deadpanned.
Raynare just chuckled lightly. "Sure, ask away."
"Why were you trying to kill me in the first place?"
"Orders."
"Oh?"
Raynare sighed heavily. "It's… complicated… Very… complicated…"
Basara sat next to her on the sofa. "I've got time to listen."
"Fine… you know that tin angel that attacked us?"
"Intimately…" he grimaced.
"He's the one that gave the order."
That just left him with more questions. "About that, why is an angel working with a fallen?"
Raynare just shrugged. "He's after something here, and he's giving information to the Grigori in exchange for that."
"I see… he must be pretty desperate to kill me then."
"Because you're in his way."
Basara was surprised, and confused, by that explanation. "Huh? He made it pretty clear he hates me. What could I be standing in his way of?"
Ddraig added, 'A woman he wants.'
Raynare continued, "There's an angel here he feels you're imprisoning. Or something like that."
Basara frowned in deep confusion before Brunhilde and Ddraig commented in unison, 'Chisato.' He just tried to ignore their remarks.
Sighing, he redirected his questioning. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is it that stopped you from killing me?"
Raynare frowned deeply in disappointment. "You… don't remember, do you?"
"You mean our date? I remember that."
"You don't…"
Ddraig gasped in realization. 'Oh she is so related to you.'
'That's not what she's talking about, I think,' Basara shot back, with a hint of uncertainty.
Raynare sighed and turned away from him, mumbling quietly, "Stupid cousin…"
"… What?" he stated bluntly in disbelief.
'You had a threesome with your cousins!' Ddraig cheered.
"It's nothing," Raynare retorted bluntly before standing up to leave.
"Is it?"
"It is," she snapped.
"Ray…"
"What?" she asked, growing annoyed and wanting to leave.
"You're… my cousin?"
Raynare gained a twinge of excitement before frowning. "Did you remember that on your own, or did they tell you that?"
"Honestly? They told me."
Sighing, she shrugged slowly. "Yes, I am."
"How…?"
"Seriously? Your mother is my aunt. Akeno is my half-sister."
"… Does Akeno know…?"
"She should. Otherwise she'd kill me outright."
"… What…?"
"She holds little love for her fellow Fallen, and even hurts herself."
Ddraig added, 'Well, that explains why she hasn't let you groom her wings very much lately.'
'Yeah…'
"Is that all?" Raynare asked, somewhat cross.
"… I do have one more question. What's that angel planning next?"
"… To acquire a certain nun…"
"A nun? What's he want with a nun?"
"He wants her Sacred Gear. Probably to keep you alive no matter what he does to you."
"Sounds like fun… Any idea who this nun is or where she is?"
"Somewhat," Raynare added. "She will be arriving any day now. Her name is Asia Argento."
"Tell me everything you can about her so I know what to look for."
"A blonde you'd want to hug to death. You can't miss her."
"I see. I'll keep an eye out."
"Good. Remember, blonde and adorable."
"Right…"
The next morning, Basara groaned to consciousness as Rin stood over him, poking him in the cheek. "What…? If you're here to kill me or fuck just get it over with…"
Rin's face immediately turned vibrantly red as she smacked him on the head. "Wake up you idiot! It's time to train!"
Basara sighed as he sat up, a small welt on his head. "Oh…"
"You, me, Luvia, Illya, and Miyu need to train to beat that bitch."
Basara was about to respond when he heard Ddraig sniggering in his head. 'Heh… needing to train to beat her…'
He finally had enough of that. 'Okay, you've been giggling every time we talk about this, so out with it.'
'You think she's strong!' Ddraig howled, roaring with laughter, causing Basara to twitch an eyebrow angrily.
"Basara…?"
"Ddraig's talking crazy. She's saying we're being dumb for training to beat that woman."
Rin gained a rather large tic mark, wanting to reach in Basara's mind and smack the dragon. "Is she blind, deaf, or stupid!?"
'None of the above, but you're all three!' Ddraig howled.
'And how's that?' Basara retorted.
'Nope. Not spoilin' it.'
He just groaned. "Whatever, let's just find somewhere secluded and start training."
Soon, Basara, Rin, Luvia, Sakura, Illya, and Miyu stood in a large field on the edge of the town.
Basara nodded, seeing that everyone was present. "Now, let's start. Illya, Miyu, transform."
The girls nodded before donning their Mystic Codes.
"Good. Now bring out your Class Cards," to which both did, though Illya raised a hand curiously. "Yes, Illya?"
"I've never done this, so I don't know how."
Basara, rather bluntly, replied, "If you'd be more patient, that's what I'm going to train you to do."
Illya paled and winced back slightly, whispering in trepidation, "Big Brother's scary when he's teaching…"
"I heard that."
"Eep!"
"Now, Sakura, demonstrate."
"She's not a Kaleid," Miyu argued bluntly.
Sakura pulled out her Class Card and raised it. "Include: Class Card, Berserker!" In a flash of light, she once again donned her black and red armor.
"H – How…?" the girl muttered in awe.
Sakura, her voice somewhat distorted, answered, "If you have enough skill, anyone can Include."
"Sakura, attack," Basara commanded.
"Who?"
"Everyone."
"Right," Sakura responded before vanishing in a blur.
Miyu raised Sapphire to attack before she got smacked by Sakura, sending her slamming into Rin.
"H – Hey!" Rin shouted.
Sakura then spun on her heels and charged at Illya.
Basara frowned in annoyance as he looked at the bewildered Luvia. "Oy! Luvia, aren't you even going to try to fight?"
Luvia flinched and looked at him in shock. "Wait, I'm involved with this too?"
With a groan, Basara replied, "Yes. If the four of you together can't beat Sakura, who isn't trying to kill you, you won't have any hope against Caster. So work together and fight!"
Sakura immediately grabbed Illya by the arm and flung her at Luvia, the young girl sighing in relief as Luvia's generous bust cushioned the impact. "Use your Cards already!" Sakura howled before tearing a tree from the ground.
Miyu stood and shook her confusion off, taking the Card out of her pocket. "Include: Class Card, Lancer!"
"Illya, you too!" Rin ordered.
"O – Okay!" Illya stuttered before looking at the card. "… Um, which Card is this again…?"
Rin face-faulted in shock. "Archer! It's Archer!"
"Ah!" Illya nodded before pressing the Card against Ruby. "Include: Class Card, Archer!" Almost immediately, Ruby was bathed in light, which died down to give Illya a huge black and white bow. "… I don't know how to use a bow!"
Ruby replied, "Well that's what the Archer of this Card uses. Oh, and there aren't any arrows either. Rin usually uses Black Keys she just finds lying around."
Illya frowned with sympathy, looking at Rin. "… She must be pretty poor if she uses keys as arrows."
Rin twitched an eyebrow as her face turned red. "They're not literal keys you dunce! They're the swords that Exorcists use!"
Basara held up a small red sword with no blade that flared to life with a blade of light. "Like these? How are they black?"
"I don't make the names!"
Sakura snarled and slammed her tree weapon into the ground, sending dirt flying in all directions.
Ruby suddenly added, "Oh, word of warning. The long Sakura keeps the Berserker Card active, the more violent and instinctual she'll become. If this fight goes too long, she might not have the mental faculties to hold back anymore."
Sakura huffed dismissively as she flung the large tree over her shoulder. "Shows what you know. The hell my family put me through makes me have far more control over this Class Card then any of you maggots could achieve!"
All of a sudden, Ruby reverted from her form as a bow to her normal Kaleid Stick form, shocking Illya. "Ah! You changed back!"
Ruby nodded. "Yep, time's up. If I stayed in that form any longer you'd suffer Mind Down and run out of mana. Also, duck."
"Hu –?" she muttered getting hit by a thrown duck, getting slammed into Rin, again.
Basara sighed heavily and raised a hand, stopping the bout. "Okay, Sakura, you can stop now. I've seen everything I need to."
"Aaww…" Sakura pouted with a smirk. "But I didn't get to use Rin as a weapon yet…"
"Sakura…" he urged harshly.
She sighed in defeat and deactivated her armor. "Fine…"
Basara then turned his attention to the girls, all exhausted. "You all need work. So that's what we'll be doing. Teamwork looks to be your biggest problem. And Illya needs to learn pretty much any type of combat." Basara then noticed his little sister giving him a puppy dog stare. Unfazed, he retorted, "Illya, don't. Right now, I'm not your brother. I'm your teacher."
"… Okay…" the girl mumbled in defeat.
"Now, let's go. Strength training followed by magical training." Basara then picked up some weighted bands nearby and tossed them to the girls.
Rin and the others just stared at them.
"Well? Put them on."
"S – Seriously…?"
"Yes. Or would you rather have gravity seals set at five times Earth's normal gravity?"
They just stared in fear before each grabbing a set.
Nearly an hour passed as Basara pushed the girls in training, all four lying on the ground, exhausted.
Rin, too tired to even turn her head, grumbled, "Illya… your brother… is a monster…"
"I heard that," Basara snapped.
"I… don't… care…"
"We haven't even started training yet, you can't be tired already."
Rin immediately gained just enough strength to sit up and glare daggers at him. "One hundred push-ups, sit-ups, squats, fifteen chin-ups, and a ten-kilometer run isn't the training!? Are you TRYING to kill us!?"
"No. That's the training I did when I started out."
"Hah!?" Luvia gasped in disbelief.
"What?"
"If this is how you started… what do you do now?"
Basara raised an eyebrow at the odd question but shrugged and decided to answer, "The same thing but with gravity seals set to ten times normal gravity."
"… EH!?" the four exclaimed in unified horror.
'Loud…' Ddraig grumbled in discomfort.
"Just like Big Sis…" Miyu muttered quietly with a hint of nostalgia.
"But that's just to make your body stronger. That doesn't cover actually fighting. So I'm going to teach you some basic fighting techniques, and after that sparring with Sakura and me."
"HUUH!?" the quartet again howled.
"… Just like Big Sis…"
So Basara spent another few hours drilling basic fighting moves into the girls, though Rin and Luvia had a small existing amount of knowledge, very small. Yet again leaving them even more fatigued.
"… Just like home…" Miyu mumbled weakly.
"Stop being nostalgic about pain, it's weird!" Luvia shouted in bewilderment and a hint of concern.
"Yeah!" Rin agreed.
"Your fighting is just horrible. Illy and Miyu I can understand to a degree, but you two seem to have some basic knowledge and even then you're terrible."
"Yeah!" Ruby agreed.
"So it's time to change that."
Luvia sighed as she sat up and looked at Basara in confusion. "Do you seriously expect us to punch Caster?"
"If you can get close enough, why not?"
She just stared in disbelief.
"What?"
"Getting that close would be suicide!"
"Based on what I've heard, Casters don't appear to be well known for their physical strength. Plus, getting close will prevent her from firing those beams all the time. So you need to be strong and fast."
"And you're neither!" Ruby chimed in once more.
"Shut it!" Rin hissed.
"If you have enough energy to yell you have enough to spar."
"You're evil…" Luvia lamented.
"Not compared to what could happen if you lose."
Ddraig just chuckled. 'The "worst" she'd do is molest them a little.'
"Grr… fine!" Rin growled as she and the others stood back up.
"Good. Illya and Miyu will fight Sakura. Luvia and Rin will fight me."
Sakura pouted slightly. "Aaww… But I wanted to… 'play' with my dear 'sister' again."
"Illya and Miyu need to experience fighting a Heroic Spirit, and you're the closest option since Boudica's back home."
'And why you left her there is beyond me,' Ddraig chided.
'Iri wanted to talk to her.'
'… Did you at least bring Balmung?'
Basara pointed to the blade wound in fabric by a nearby tree.
'Guess it'll have to do, since Benny was practically useless last time.'
'You weren't any better!' the white-haired beauty snapped back.
'I told you to cut the chain, but you didn't! If you did I would have crushed that tin can!'
'We still don't know what effects your full power have! They could kill Basara!'
'… You do realize that would have let me materialize outside of his body to fight, right?'
'Enough!' Basara suddenly shouted at the two, ending the squabble. 'What's done is done, I have more important things to do right now.'
'You're going to have an orgy?'
Ignoring her, Basara turned his attention to Rin and Luvia. "Alright, Luvia, Rin. When you're ready. No magic. Only physical attacks or weapons."
Rin growled but nodded. "Fine," before instantly grabbing a stone and throwing it at him, which Basara easily caught and chucked back at her, seemingly giving Luvia the chance to circle around him.
Basara just stood without moving, waiting for her to strike, which she did with a rather petty smack to the back of his head. Basara frowned and looked back at her. "… Was that it? I mean, really? Illya hits harder."
Luvia frowned slightly. "I thought the goal was simply to hit you."
"No. It's to actually fight. Yes, we're trying to avoid any crippling or fatal strikes, but this is still a battle. So, shall we try again?"
Luvia's face reddened slightly. "W – Well, I wasn't trying to hurt you, just make contact."
"… Then give me an actual punch."
Luvia frowned, conflicted, but nodded and stepped back before swinging at him with a full strength punch, Basara sliding back a few centimeters from the impact.
"… I was expecting more."
Luvia winced in disbelief. "That was a full power punch!"
"… You didn't even reinforce it though."
"… What? How would I reinforce it?"
Rin nodded in agreement. "Reinforcement magic is for reinforcing objects. It doesn't work on living tissue."
Basara frowned and raised a hand, which glowed brightly with lines crossing over it before he punched a tree, smashing his fist through it without any damage, the two watching in disbelief. "Any questions?"
"How did you do that?" she asked with a raised hand.
"Easy. You aim the spell inward."
The duo just stared silently.
"… Hello?"
Luvia, flabbergasted, mumbled, "It's… really that simple…?"
Basara nodded plainly. "Yes. It's the same with any spell. If you want the effects to work on yourself instead of somewhere outward, just aim them inwards. I wouldn't suggest it with every spell, obviously. Just helpful ones."
"Right…" Rin grumbled.
"Now, you try."
The two nodded in return.
Illya swung Ruby, throwing several blasts of mana at Sakura, who easily side-stepped around the shots as Miyu dove around back, Sakura swinging a weapon-shaped tree behind her at Miyu.
"Oh dear…" Ruby muttered as Miyu was sent flying, Illya gulping in fear.
Sakura sighed in disappointment, resting her arms on the uprooted tree. "Are you two even trying? If so, it's disappointing."
Miyu snarled as she stood up, pulling out the Lancer card.
"Hm?"
"Include: Class Card, Lancer!"
"Hoh?" Sakura muttered with intrigue as Miyu charged at her.
Illya watched in confusion before her eyes widened as Sakura moved to the side, Miyu's spear moving in midair to follow her before reaching her, though Sakura managed to catch it before it hit her.
"H – Huh?!" Miyu gasped.
"Miyu, get away!" Illya shouted.
Miyu frowned before complying, growling and kicking away from Sakura's grasp, landing next to Illya, her spear disappearing.
"Miyu, can you activate that again?" Illya asked sternly.
Miyu was surprised by Illya's sober expression but nodded. "Why?"
"That spear has some special power, doesn't it?"
"Yes. Gae Bolg, the spear that never misses."
Illya nodded and pulled Archer from her pocket, putting it on Ruby. "Right! Include: Class Card, Archer!" she shouted before Ruby transformed into the giant bow.
"Include: Class Card, Lancer."
Sakura raised an eyebrow as she watched them.
Illya reached a hand out to Miyu, who looked at her in confusion before widening her eyes and handing her Gae Bolg. "Take this!" Illya shouted before putting the spear in her bow like an arrow and pulling it back, firing it at Sakura.
The purplette's eyes widened as she attempted to dodge, before realizing the spear was changing direction midair. She swung her uprooted tree to block it, but it was moving with too much power, plowing straight through the weapon and impaling Sakura's abdomen.
Illya winced slightly as both wands returned to normal, Sapphire shaking some blood off as she returned to Miyu. "Oops…"
"Sakura!" Rin shrieked in horror, running up to Sakura, not noticing the wound in the girl's torso sealing almost immediately.
Basara walked over to the commotion with a smile and patted Illya on the head before turning to Sakura. "You alright, Sakura?" he asked, not at all worried.
Sakura just nodded before her armor vanished.
"Good."
Suddenly, Rin ran up to Sakura and smacked her on the head.
Sakura twitched an eyebrow before frowning at her. "What was that for?"
Glaring, Rin shot back, "For being an idiot! What were you thinking, trying to block it and not catch it like before?! What if that spear was cursed or hit your heart instead of your stomach?!"
Sakura just folded her arms with a shrug. "So what if it did? It wouldn't hurt me. Not anymore at least."
Her glare growing into a scowl with desperation, she shouted, "It would have killed you! That's why!"
"No it wouldn't."
Rin grumbled angrily. "Are you just that arrogant, or do you have a death wish?!"
Sakura shook her head. "Neither. Thanks to Basara, I can no longer die from such normal means. Even a Noble Phantasm like that, if it lacks the true power of a real one won't do any permanent damage."
Rin shook her head as desperation began growing on her face. "But still! I – If you died, then…!"
Sakura frowned in suspicious confusion. "… What, are you trying to say you'd be sad?"
"Of course I would!"
Sakura flinched back in shock. "… What?"
Basara frowned, seeing the situation, and turned to the girls. "Oy, Illya, Miyu, I need to talk to you over here."
Illya raised an eyebrow but nodded, she and Miyu following him.
"What makes you think I believe you?" Sakura shot back.
Rin paled before gritting her teeth. "I'm your sister, that's why."
"That hasn't stopped you before," Sakura accused bluntly.
Rin finally cracked, shaking her head as desperate tears suddenly started forming as she shouted in a weak breath, "I had no idea what was happening to you! Whenever I tried to come and see you at home, they turned me away, and when you were at school that brother of yours kept me away. Then I was called to the clock tower, and I never saw you again… Then when I got back you kept avoiding me, and later tried to kill me."
Sakura was taken aback by Rin's sudden declarations. "Y – You were… you weren't exactly being the nicest person yourself."
"Because you were avoiding me and I didn't know why, and any time I tried to bring it up you brushed me off, and it was pissing me off!"
"You deserved it," she retorted bluntly, anxiety still present on her face.
"Then you should have gone ahead and killed me!"
Sakura winced again as Rin took an uneasy step forward. "Basara wouldn't have wanted that. You're important to him."
Rin stumbled forward, dropping her head. "So?! I'd have rather have died then knowing I failed you so badly!"
Sakura's eyes went wide in awe as she felt her own joints grow weak. "H – Huh…?"
"I'd have rather you crushed my neck right there than knowing you went through hell because of my own uselessness! Why did Father choose you to suffer and not a useless magus like me?!"
Sakura stood stiff in shock.
"Just why…? Why was it you and not me instead…? Th – The older sibling is meant to protect the younger…"
"S – Stop…"
"But it's true! I failed you…"
"… Stop…"
I – I'm the worst… I know it… A horrible person… a failure of a big sister… Even a Mystic Code given to me knows I'm pathetic… I shouldn't even be alive… So… here's a gift you'll probable enjoy from your big sis, Sakura…" Rin blubbered before pulling a dagger from her pocket.
Sakura stared in horror and confusion before slapping the knife from Rin's hand. "Just stop it! I… I'm not exactly perfect myself…!"
"Sakura…?"
"I just assumed you knew about everything and didn't care. Tokiomi certainly did."
"Sakura, that's not… I didn't…"
"… Rin… I'm sorry…"
"No! You shouldn't apologize! It's my fault for being weak!"
However, Ruby then landed on the raven-haired girl's shoulder. "If you ask me, I don't think you're either to blame. Sounds like your dad was a real jerk. He's the one who started this. So blame that guy."
Sakura nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I think… I think we were both victims of his poor decisions."
"Right…" Rin answered, wiping her eyes.
"Good, now kiss and make up!" Ruby urged before both girls grabbed her and pulled her, stretching her impossibly.
"Shut up, stupid wand," they threatened in unison.
"But siblings kiss after a misunderstanding!"
Basara then approached and grabbed Ruby, tossing her back to Illya. "Stop antagonizing them."
Illya frowned slightly. "… Siblings kiss after a misunderstanding…"
"Huh?"
"N – Nothing!"
Basara returned home with the girls, Sakura and Rin smiling as they walked with each other.
Luvia just stared at the sight unnerved.
"Welcome back," Iri greeted at the door, smiling. "How'd the training go?"
"Good," he answered with a nod. "Illya shot someone."
"Oh, she did!? How fun! I wish I could've seen it!"
"… It nearly led to Rin killing herself."
"Oh?" Iri blinked in surprise before noticing Rin and Sakura standing close to each other. "Well, it looks like everything worked out somehow."
'… Your mother is a sociopath,' Brunhilde muttered in horror.
Ddraig added, 'Get with the program, that's already a known quantity.'
'But not this bad! What next, her driving like she's playing some violent game!?'
Basara just sighed. 'Do not… remind me… of Mom's driving…'
Ddraig howled with laughter.
The next morning, Basara yawned as he walked down the street. "What a day yesterday was…"
'So… what are we buying?' Ddraig questioned.
'Just some food.'
Basara turned to head into a grocery store when he bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry. I didn't see… you…" he muttered as he looked at the woman he ran into, a tall, buxom blonde woman with dark green eyes, her long blonde hair tied with several braids, ending just above her round ass, her large cleavage barely held within her elaborate, dark blue dress.
The woman looked at him in thought before smirking slyly.
He winced suddenly as Boudica shouted with a shrill tremor. 'EEEEEEKKK! SHE'S HERE! Run aware before we become her slaves!'
'What are you talking about!?' Basara shouted back.
'That's her! Caster! The one who blew us all up!'
'… You're drunk.'
'Yup,' Ddraig remarked.
The woman looked Basara up and down before smirking. "Well aren't you handsome? Are you… available?"
Basara shivered slightly under her gaze. "Uuhh… s – sure…"
Licking her lips, she nodded with a wry smile. "Then can you help me take these groceries home with me? My dear little girl is home alone and so very hungry."
Basara nodded plainly in return. "Yeah, I don't mind."
The woman smiled brightly, wrapping her arms around one of his. "Great! You're such a helpful, handsome man!"
"R – Right…"
In another location, inside of an extravagant apartment, a young woman with blonde hair tied up in a neat bun with a red bow, and bright green eyes, wearing a frilled red dress that barely reached past her hips and exposed most of her busty cleavage, laid asleep on a sofa before the door slammed open as the more mature blonde walked in holding Basara by the arm. "Umu!" the younger blonde shrieked as she shot awake.
"Nero! I'm home baby girl!" she shouted.
The younger blonde, Nero, glared at her. "I can see that! Why are you being so loud!?" She stopped when she saw Basara and whistled. "Whoa…"
'WHAT'S SHE DOING HERE!?' Boudica howled with horror in Basara's mind, whom did not listen.
Nero smirked as she stood, fixing her dress, and looked Basara over. "You found quite a man, dear Mama."
"Well, I am Agrippina the Lesser," she smirked before pushing Basara into the room, closing the door, and locking the door behind her before putting a hand on his back, a rune appearing on his skin.
"Wh – What the…!?" he stammered in shock.
Agrippina smirked proudly. "Oh, don't worry! That rune was to make sure you don't run off on us."
'I told you!' Boudica hollered.
And finished! Thus ends the tenth chapter! Should only be one more chapter until this version of the story is caught up with the original and the poll is opened. So remember, if you prefer one version of Gremory's Guardian over another, be sure to vote in the poll to make sure it can win. Leaving a review saying which version you prefer will not do any good, a vote on the poll is all that counts. That said, if you enjoyed the chapter even still, let us know with a review. If you are unsure, confused, or just have questions about something, leave a review with your questions and, provided I see it before tomorrow's chapter is posted, I will respond to it in a reviewer response. If you did not enjoy it, review if you must, but I would recommend a better use of your time unless you have actual recommendations for improvement. Anyway, with all that out of the way, see you tomorrow!