No matter how talentless, stupid, slow, worthless, foolish, bitter or useless you are, as long as you have someone that cherishes your existence, you'll always have a reason to keep on living.
DISCLAIMER: DxD belongs to its respective creators.
I fancy myself as a true servant of Gremory...
The best? No, far from that. The most loyal? Perhaps, but I wouldn't dismiss another alternative. The oldest? Let us not discuss those unpleasant matters...
Then, what makes me consider yours truly a 'true' Gremory servant, you ask?
Simple.
My life and soul belong to the clan. From here on, to eternity, all of my being belongs to the noble house of Gremory. From Millicas, to Alice, to her adorable daughters Nemesis and Berolina, they're my masters, my owners, my caretakers and my entire existence.
My story is not unlike any other child after the Devil Civil war: The Abraxas, who blindly embraced the superiority of the Old Satan Faction, fought nails and teeth against the revolutionists, firmly believing their cause to be just, to believe in the supremacy of those descendants of the Four Great Satans; those fools paid the price, killed by the anti-Satan Faction, and leaving me, their sole survivor, alone in this world. The Lucifuge found solace under the wings of the Gremory; the nomad Alastors with no master to follow, were content to wander around the underworld; the Rubicante simply faced the new reality and sought calmness in being part of this new devil society. The Abraxas, foolish as they were, were eradicated completely, utterly extinct, erased from both history and genetics, as none survived their attempts against the new order, the new reality, dominated by Sirzechs Lucifer and his compatriots.
None, except me. The last daughter of Abraxas, Noin.
Life had barely started, and i found myself fighting for it. A street runt in a selfish society such as the Underworld; fighting for my survival with the scraps I could gather. Stealing and begging for food, being beaten by other devil kids out of mischief, fighting back and always breaking a bone or popping an eye or two, meeting and negotiating with people who would probably be dead by the next day... That was my life, the cursed life of the last of the Abraxas, who lost everything to the people who called themselves the new demon Lords. Everyday flesh blood on the blade and face, every night a new bruise or cut. Broken fingers that would meekly hold mouldy bread to a toothless mouth, mixed with bile, blood and other unsavoury fluids, not always mine.
To die, to live, it didn't matter. Living off the gutters of this new world, with cursed blood in my veins; I would close my eyes every night, neither hoping nor dreading to wake up in the next morning. A meaningless existence, a wasteful life, that was me.
Until that day. Under the cold rain, I tried to sleep once again, feeling the cold drops on my face, the icy wind ripping my skin, the same old, same old. And then...
'H-Hey, are you okay?'
I look up, eyes tired but curious, only to see this boy, probably around my age at the time. Comfortable clothes, unscathed skin, big innocent eyes, carrying an umbrella to shield himself from the rain. However, the most distinguished trait he had was his bright crimson hair; even in the blurry scenario my swollen eyes could grasp, I could see that red like fire dancing to the wings of that rainy day.
One look and I could already tell: He had never experienced a single difficult in life, not a single obstacle, nor had to do the very worst to survive; an existence basked in love, care and happiness; an existence anyone would envy, an existence I envied. I lived enough to comprehend past the idea that I should hate him, that I should feel superior to him for experiencing the hardships of this world, that in any aspect either physical or spiritual, he was inferior to me. Suffering or misery makes no one smarter, stronger or virtually superior to anyone, it just hurts, there's only pain, and the truth is that if I were to choose between his or my life, I would choose his, no questions asked. I shouldn't hate him, just envy him, and ask him to leave me alone.
A random encounter, a small moment between strangers, and after that, we would walk different ways, living different lives, as things should. The little spoiled prince, and the street runt, nothing but a moment, a moment that shouldn't last at all...
But it did.
The cold drops stop, yet it was still raining. The the painful impact on my skin ceased, replaced by the soothing sound of their reverb in a muted, distance surface. I look up again, and now the umbrella the redhead prince was holding shields me from the wet nightmare, while he let himself be soaked in the process. What was that? What was he doing? Extending such kindness for the likes of me? How come? I tried to say something, but he simply smiled, saying that I would catch a cold under the rain, and nothing else.
Soon, another figure appeared behind him, mimicking his kindness and letting herself be showered by the rain while protecting the younger figure. They discussed, they talked, and before I knew it, he extended a hand towards me. A soft, delicate, warm hand with no signs of struggle or efforts, towards my dirty, unkept, broken fingers that resembled pale spiders. We touched, he lifted me from the ground, and still smiling, offered me to eat with him, to eat with him at his castle. Confused, I was confused. Him, offering me food? How come? Why? Why do such? I am simply a street urchin, with cursed blood in her veins, whose body is tainted in dirty and sin. I could die in the entrails of this world and no one would bat an eye? So why?
His answer?
'Because you look hungry and alone...'
Simple as that. I looked... Hungry and alone, miserable. And for that, with nothing in return, either physical or material, he took to his castle, dried me up with a soft and colourful towel and took me to eat dinner with him. The maid that accompanied him however scolded me and offered some clothes to me, who was only wearing rags. I was taken to a big place, larger than any place I have been before, sat on a comfortable seat, and offered several plates in front of me, carrying delicious dishes each. I started to wet the sheets, and I didn't know if it was saliva or tears, and reaching for one, I munched on the food, only now noticing how hungry I was...
I was scolded again by the maid, the redhead boy laughs, everyone else laughs, yet even taking in consideration that I had my mouth full; I couldn't say a thing. Comfortable clothes, good food, surrounded by smiling faces and warmth. All those things I didn't have, handed to me by that boy for no reason other than... He wanted to help me, he wanted to offer food and shelter just because.
Soon, the food started to get salty, so very salty, yet I couldn't stop eating it...
'Hey, how about you stay here for a while? The rain will not stop so soon, and here is better than the cold out there!'
…
Now, he was offering me a place to stay for a while? Why is that? Why? I have nothing to offer, this defiled body used for the cheapest favours, no intelligence nor talent to give anything in return, not even as a slave I would fit. Looking around, the boy already had the best the world could offer him, personal and material, women older and prettier than I could ever be, who would be willing to do anything for him, and a loving family to call his, so why?
I said nothing, only continued to stare at the nothingness as the older silver-haired would take me to even deeper into the mansion, into a very organized room, offering me sheets, a pillow and some nightgowns. No words or warnings, she simply gave me clothes and shelter and offered a bed, my first one ever. That night, I didn't sleep, I could simply look at the ceiling, perplexed. That boy offered me food, ceiling and clothes, for what? I didn't understand, I couldn't understand...
The next day, the redhead boy woke me up for breakfast, and I got again scolded by the older maid, pulling my cheek until devilishly possible. The living room again bursting with laughs and warmth; the boy, his father, his aunt and grandparents, all of them sharing a cosy atmosphere even with an intruder like me. I savoured delicious dishes once again, got scolded once again by the older maid, and watched others appreciate my company like I was already one of them.
Confusing, so confusing; I was ready to leave and return to my life on the streets before they could deceive me any longer and I end up becoming something like a livestock or worse. Such kindness and charity, it was possible it was only a trap, and they would torture and kill me in the worst ways imaginable the moment I let my guard down... But then it hit me...
My life had no meaning, no direction, no destination... No future. Either by the hands of those people, or rotting in a gutter, there was no light or hope for me at the end. How many times I had to dirt myself, get betrayed and backstabbed, wander aimlessly until I would pass out either by hunger or fatigue, only to survive one more miserable day? To become their plaything or slowly wither as a nobody in the entrails of the Underworld, I chose to stay. I could at least feel, for as long as I could, how a family feels like, how happiness feels like, and even if they stab me on the back like countless others did, I would be satisfied regardless, to end this meaningless, husky existence...
Ever since that day, life... was good. Life was calm. The boy would help me get up, the older maid would scold me when I would do something wrong, and people would laugh and smile with me. As the boy would take me to places for us to play, the older maid would help me to groom myself, taking care of my wounds and broken body, strictly yet tenderly teaching me manners, words and how to behave, including how to eat and talk like a person. The other maids would tease and giggle at my interactions with the boy, butlers would joke and bother us, and it was only too late and after many flying teeth that I discovered that I could just ask them nicely to stop... with words, not fists. I was still learning a lot, but didn't stop me to fear for my life after so long, courtesy of the older maid, whom not even her redhead master could tame...
Hours became days, days became weeks, weeks became months, and looking in the mirror one day, I couldn't recognize myself: I had a healthier complexion; from rags, I was now wearing an untainted uniform that would so lovingly embrace me; cuts and bruises no longer visible, instead closed scars that didn't hurt anymore; no more ghastly stance or grimly locks, instead a correct posture and neatly cut lavender hair. Was that me? Was that the little urchin with no purpose or meaning in her life? Yes, it was. Yet, I couldn't understand.
No twist, no backstabbing, I dreaded every single day, but everything I got were smiles and greetings, fun time with the boy and lectures with the stern but kind older maid. I became one of them, I became part of their family, even if I was a servant, a mere intruder, they would treat me with kindness and warmth. They gave me something expecting nothing in return, that boy... He simply saw me in the most miserable state possible, and instead of disgust or pity, he extended a hand and offered me the world... For what? It was only long after I discovered who he was...
I've met Millicas Gremory, the man who would later become the Grandmaster Devil, and the son of the Lucifer Demon lord, Sirzechs, the executioner of my family and relatives, who drove my clan to near extinction and left me in the state I was.
After that... I completely understood. I understood everything and my role in this whole scenario.
I was dead.
Noin Abraxas died in the rotten womb of the rotten world she was born, and the girl whom Millicas Gremory offered a hand just so happened to look and act and have the same name as her. Now, I was only a servant of Gremory carrying that accursed and nothing else. There was a reason as to why those good people would exterminate my clan, and for me, it was fine. I've met Millicas, so maybe their erasure was something good...
I was fine. As the last member of the Abraxas, I was fine.
Abandoning my name and living as a servant of Gremory, life was good. Even if I were to die and completely extinct my name, it would be fine, because the one being buried would be a servant of Gremory, and not the last surviving member of the Abraxas. I was...
Content.
Life was good, even better after that. I met new people, new servants, shared experiences with Millicas, played and frolicked with him and the others, surrounded by people who appreciate me. I was there when Lady Rias was engaged with the Red Dragon emperor, I was there when he bravely fought against the Beast of the Apocalypse alongside his companions and loved ones, I was there to assist as much as I could, as much as a simple maid could at the face of the apocalypse...
Servants came and went, some became more known than others, and all of them adored and were adore by the Gremory. However, for some reason, Millicas grew attached to me the most, me, the simple maid who had nothing else to give. I would hear him laugh or complain during his misadventures in the Rating Game school; always participate in his tea parties with friends or families; I was there to console him when his father, the great Sirzechs, sealed himself to fight the beast of the Apocalypse, and again when he lost his parents, his dear aunt Lady Rias and the great Issei Hyoudou. I celebrated his marriage, his coronation as the supreme demon lord, the Grandmaster, and held him when he almost fainted when he discovered that he fathered a precious little girl, whom he named Alice...
I was there to teach the little lady Alice how to talk, how to read and behave, how to treat her servants and uphold the name of the Gremory with pride and respect; I was there to witness the news that, barely by the age of 13, she was pregnant with a child from one of her servants, with me swiftly punishing the scoundrel within an inch of his life for ruining milady's life and reputation, just not killing him by milady's request, saying that she would keep the child; I was there when said scoundrel fought his way into becoming the Lucifer just to prove, not for me, not for the world, but to the little girl known as Nemesis that he was worthy to be her father; I was there to hold dear Nemesis, vowing the same vows I've made regarding Alice, to see her grow and become such a proper lady despite the absence of her father and inaptitude of her dear mother, earning her peerage pieces and constructing unbreakable bonds with others; I was there to see milady's second child, a brighter, sweeter little girl not unlike how she was back then, to sitter her again, her shining, positive disposition being another sun in my life...
Hence, I won't ever accept that the current red dragon did. To turn his back to his own King, to the clan that offers nothing but love and shelter to those who have nothing. Him, regardless of possessions, being an intruder into the family, to then backstab her and roll everything in chaos. For that, I have nothing but contempt and hatred for that little f-…
*BAM!*
"NOIN-CHAN...!"
My line of thoughts was suddenly cut with an alien roar with the same resonance to milady Berolina's. The door leading to my quarters burst open, and from that, I see milady in fumes, carrying both that scoundrel and dear Revoll by the cheeks in a pinch. I had no time to properly react when milady threw both that little troublemaker and my apprentice in my direction! I was quick to swat those two away with a swift move while standing from my small tea table. What in the world is happening? From where that came from! Milady came with heavy steps to my direction, confusing me even more.
"Noin-chan, please be honest about this: are you and Ichijou seriously quarrelling among yourselves?!" Milady shouts in my direction with a pouty face, the typical one that she draws when truly upset, making me be taken back a little.
"Milady, Berolina dear, how...?" My mind ere with the flow of information, but when it matched, I turned a vexed stare at the red dragon, fallen right beside my tea table. This cod, he must've told her to free himself from an arduous trial out of desperation, typical. To my stare, he simply sighed tiredly. "You..."
"Hey, don't look at me. Blame your student over there for letting the cat out..."
"Sorry, sorry, master Noin. I spilled the beans about the trials. My bad~." Dear Revoll confessed while also lying next to my tea table in a rather scandalous position. I was about to dismiss it as a lie so that the red dragon could slither away, but her tone was guilty and heavy, so I couldn't do such. I see, well, it appears that such is from my own hubris. I will apologize for dragging her into this conflict later.
"Noin-chan, answer me, now!" Our attentions turn to the very upset Berolina, who came closer and closer while her swollen cheeks and frown would arrow me exclusively. I gulp a lump of air down my throat, it seems I'm corralled in this situation. However, this is a great opportunity to lecture her about my intentions and how she sees the current red dragon, Lord Ichijou. I sigh.
"How much do you know, Milady?" I inquire. She probably already knows the basics between our quarrel, but he might've twisted some facts in his favour, as expected.
"Is there more?! I already know you have been throwing your own disciples against Ichijou to 'test' him or whatever! Is there something more I need to know!" Milady jumps up and down in a clear show of dissatisfaction. I swear, no matter her age, her tantrums are such a joy to see, wonder if I'm the only one who has ever seen her acting like that. I shake my head negatively, and her face narrows even more. "Yes, there is! Why?! Why did you do it?! He already has too many girls fawning over him! If the harem becomes too big, people will start complaining and saying that he only purpose is to be a walking console!"
"That's the reason why you're angry?!"
"Hush, you." And I bury my boot on the back of the red dragon's head, making him eat dirt with such unpleasant and unnecessary comment to milady. Berolina screams an exclamation, and I turn to her. "Milady, I shall answer this for you... With another question: do you think this... Excuse of a servant is the most suitable to be one of your Evil Pieces, let alone your dear Queen Piece?"
"Of course! Ichijou is... He is... Uuuuh~… My precious someone..." The angry red on her delicate face adopts a shier tone, but after a quick headshake, she returns to her furious gaze, although her eyes still exhale some embarrassment. Such dangerous, indeed, the charm of the red dragon emperor. "He is the red dragon emperor too! And he is very strong and smart! Of course, he has all the good stuff to become my dear servant!"
"But is he loyal?" I said, burying my foot even deeper into his skull, making him eat dirt even more when I feel a form of resistance. Milady stopped with her small tantrum and drew a rather confused glare now. I see, the right question. "My dear Berolina, serving the Gremory for decades still, I know how your clan treat its servants. We offer you nothing but our servitude, yet your love, care and respect for us is what we would call nigh-divine. From our Grandmaster, to your dear mother, your dear sister and finally yourself, the Gremory give even the lowest of the low such as myself only the best, while other clans would treat us like furniture or even slaves. The biggest honour I could be given was to be chosen as the headmaid of this house, and I feel that all servants feel equally as blessed to be under your you... All servants, except this scoundrel known as the current red dragon emperor."
"Eh...?" Milady blinks her a few times, her purple gaze spiralling even more into confusion, as wide as saucers. It is the perfect moment to make her see reason and the grave mistake the red dragon really is.
"Do you remember? Back in your first Rating Game against dear Nemesis, the red dragon cleaved his way into defeating her for your sake, yet in the most precious, decisive moment in that match... He forfeits it, completely exposing himself to the adversary, claiming something about his honour or mentality, and then... Completely giving the game up to dearest Nemesis." I grit my teeth, on the verge of smashing the red dragon's skull like a rotten pumpkin. Just remembering said event makes my blood boil, and years and years of maid discipline are almost breaking apart. I take a deep breath to recompose myself. "Berolina, my dear... You do remember what happened next, right? Losing your sanity and identity, all while this... Miscreant never bothered to see your state, nor ask for your forgiveness, as futile as it would be."
"..."
"I just... Couldn't stay idle as he waltzes around the Gremory manor without a single care in the world, as if everything he has done, every sin he has committed simply... Vanished. I know I have no rights to dictate who you choose as your servants, but I just wanted to let my displeasure be known." I said, tapping my sole against the grumbling red dragon underneath it. Berolina dear blinks once, twice, and the brink of her eyes tremble. Am I finally getting through? I am satisfied. "This excuse of a servant shall never be like our lord and saviour Issei Hyoudou, in both power or spirit. To put his puny needs above those of the family he serves, the Gremory above all else; to dishonoured your name; and to return to your side without proper punishment, like nothing ever happened... I implore you, don't be so lenient to him anymore. I made him pass through a few trials in order to show his true form, and the conclusion I came to? He's nothing but a petty, arrogant, short-sighted little devil who probably accepted them in the first place in order to humiliate me and get on my nerves. No respect, no honour, I bet he didn't think of you during them, only his own ego. He might've defeated my disciples, but doing so, he revealed his true self."
"Ichijou...?" Lady Berolina turns his stare to the fallen devil under my grasp, but then turns back to me. "Noin-chan..."
"I'm glad you're seeing things clearly now, dear Berolina." I sigh, adjusting my gloves and removing my boot from the red dragon's scalp. My feelings towards him remains, but since my dearest can see now the putrid scum that he is as a servant, I guess my rage is a bit quenched. I reach a hand for her adorable red locks and give it a light snuggle, the way she adores. "Seeing you in pain pains me too, my dearest. Therefore, as a servant of Gremory, I shall try my hardest to cease all yours tears and struggles, even if I have to face my peers. It may not be much coming from me, but please accept it..."
"..."
I sigh, satisfied. As I said, I fancy myself as a true servant of Gremory. I care, adore, love the clan that gave me everything when I had nothing, and for that, I give everything, my body and heart, to them. Meanwhile, the red dragon emperor, inheritor of the legacy left my Issei Hyoudou, is nothing but the lowest of the low now, being given everything, only to act on his own whims, even if meant destroying everything his own King, his master, held dear. I won't doubt if he ever betrays us even further in the first hardship he faces. I know my efforts will be useless on the long term, he is still Berolina's queen, but even so, if she knows how he really is, how to act now against this scoundrel's trickeries, I think my job in this whole situation is done. I had my fun, but in the end, everything I did was...
In the name of Gremory.
*BASH!*
"...?" However, my spoil has a rude and sudden interruption, and awakening from my little reverie, I saw that the assaulting hand came from Berolina dearest, who slapped my hand away. That one took me by surprise, I thought she loved those headpats. Turning my attention to her, I notice her eyes were now brimming with tears, but her narrowed frow and gritting mouth indicated no sorrow, but wrath. This expression, the first time I see in milady's face.
"Milady?" I question her, trying to get rid of the burning sensation on my hand. That was a flaming slap, plus the surprise effect, I was taken back. "Is there something bothering y-…?"
*SLAP!*
"HIDEBU~…!"
"Revoll...!" And when I could distinguish heavens from earth, my gaze one of my dear pupils flying away into a way, victim of a violent slap... From lady Berolina of all people! My mind could only recount the following events after a few instants: between then and now, milady lifted a hand against me, and if it wasn't for dear Revoll, I would be the one rolling on the ground and having a rather unpleasant pash with the wall! I cover my mouth with a hand, exasperated, turning to milady. "Berolina, what In the world has descended upon you?! Have you lost your m-…?"
"NOIN-CHAN, YOU DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMYYYYYY...!"
…
…
Ah...
Ah...?
Ah.
Thank goodness, for a moment I thought I just lost my hearing. The tinnitus however rather stays, and after a few seconds, it went away. My body still trembles, and I lose my sense of grasp, but not because I was almost blasted away by such wail. No sir. It was because lady Berolina just screamed at me.
"M-Milady...?" My blurry vision starts to clear, and the scenario is the same as before: milady Berolina, eyes brimming with tears, frow narrowed and clutching mouth, in a clear expression of rage. Yet, I don't understand. Rage for what? "Milady?"
"Haaaah~… Haaaah~… GYAAAAAAAAH~…!" And another scream without a cause, milady now grabbing her locks by the ends and holding her head like a madwoman, confusing me even further. Her wails rage on, her head now low and screams that wouldn't just stop, as if in extreme pain. I try to reach a hand for her, but then she shoots her head upwards, teeth gritted and tears flowing. "NOIN-CHAN, YOU DUMMY! DUMMY! DUMMY! DUMMY DUMMY DUMMY!"
"What is this language, Berolina?" I gasp to her crude language. "This is not something I've taught you! Such crass words..."
"FUCK YOU, YOU OLD HAG!"
…
… Ah?
"B-Berolina, what has gotten into you? Have I done something wrong?" I cover my mouth with a hand in total shock to her choice of actions and words, shaken to the core. However, her face didn't falter at all, using her sleeves to dry up her tears.
"You're hurting my feelings, Noin-chan..." She sobs. My heart fall for ground. Me, hurting milady's feelings? How come? I don't understand. I would never do such thing. Her pretty face now turns to me, in a mix of rage and sorrow. "It's not his fault... Not his fault... I was the one... I was the one who hurt him so much... Stop... It's not his fault..."
"Berolina? What do you mean? I would never... Please, explain to me." I try to reach a hand for her locks, but she again slaps the hand away.
"Shut up! Just shut up!" She exclaims, harming my heart even more. "Noin-chan, I prohibit you to ever touch or harm my servants ever again! Cease this stupid trial and never speak to any of my Evil Pieces again!"
"Wha...?" I was taken back once again. What is even happening? Did I do something wrong? Have I overdone something that might've upset her? Why? "Milady..."
"SHUT UP, NOIN-CHAN! I HAT-…!"
"...?!"
"Ah... Ah. No, no. I won't say something like that again..." Milady snaps and before she could finish her sentence, closed her mouth with a hand and gasped in surprise, her eyes widening again in pure shock. However, the damage was already done: milady hates me, and I don't know why is that. I'm glad she is thoughtful enough to stop herself before she could say it herself. She takes a deep breath, then sighs, turning to me with a pouty face. "Noin-chan, whatever this whole nonsense was about, please stop. You have... No right to harass my servants like that, so don't ever mess with them anymore."
"B-But Milady... I was just showing how unfit this scoundrel is as a servant of Gremory!" I said to the red dragon that was slowly standing up and dusting his clothes. I bow a little to her, apologetically. "I apologize for going overboard, but don't let my observations be in vain, please. Think thoroughly, realize that this young man is unfit to be your servant and how his hubris will bring nothing but ruin to you, and how to act about it before it's too late..."
"Noin-chan..." Berolina takes a deep breath, and turns a serious look at me. "... I think I'm smart enough to figure out who's fit or unfit to be my servant without your help."
…
…
…
…
…
Ah.
"I... I see." I respond, shifting my gaze elsewhere. My eyes sting a little, but maybe it's just the shock. She's right, who am I to dictate whom she turns into her servant, after all? She knows the best, after all. Even if he's unfit, I shall've never doubted her better judgment. "I apologize for my intrusion in your peerage affairs then. I'm so sorry for making it appear I thought you were unfit to raise a peerage, milady. I shall accept any punishment you bestow upon me. Again, my apologies..."
"Let's... Just forget about it. Just don't harass my Evil Pieces anymore, okay?" She sighs, hand masking her eyes and a puff of smoke out of her mouth. From here, I see something worse than hatred: disappointed. I've disappointed milady, and I couldn't feel any worse.
"I understand. Your wish is my command."
"Good. I'm be going to bed now. I'm... Really tired." She sighs, walking right beside the red dragon and helping him dust himself from the dirt. After everything cleaned, she held him by the shoulders and inquired if he was okay, if he had anything else to declare or say, and after a negative response, she slapped him on the cheek, scolding his behaviour as well. After that, she turned around, and walked away. "Goodnight, you guys. Also, Revoll-chan, sorry for hitting you, I wanted to hit Noin-chan instead!"
No response, only a thumbs up from the fallen maid.
And then, she left, leaving only me, the red dragon and Revoll on my quarters.
So, this is how it is, huh? I should've known better, and instead it was my own hubris that brought me into this state. Regrets? I have them now, but in retrospective, who's to say I don't deserve it? This state of mind is weighing heavily on my mind, but maybe it is the most deserved outcome.
"Noin-san...?" I turn to the voice calling me, and instead face the red dragon emperor waving his hand to me, calling for my attention with a bruised cheek. That emerald stare was now in a surprised wide, curiously eyeing me from head to toe. My hatred for him was not subsided, but now... I sigh, turn around to face away from him and lower my head. I wish to not see anymore. Not out of hatred but... something else. "H-Hey..."
"Go away, red dragon. I have... No other declarations against you." I murmur, reaching for inside my blouse to snap the commitment ring piercing off my right nipple and flip it to him with a dry ring. I am not worthy of it anymore, anyway. "You've won, Ichijou Tsukino. I, Noin Abraxas, declare myself defeated. Now go away, I wish... Solitude."
"H-Hey, Noin-san..."
"C'mon, red. Master needs some time alone. Even I wouldn't want to pester her in that state." And I hear Revoll instead intervene, probably preventing the red dragon from coming closer and probably be vaporized by yours truly. I hear steps getting farther and farther until they were simple echoes in the hallway, even closing the door, leaving me alone with my regrets and nemesis...
…
…
She hates me... Milady hates me. She hates me...
She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me. She hates me...
…
And I deserve every moment shred of that hatred, for doubting my dearest, for underestimating her better judgement. Indeed, I'm surely... The worst.
…
Chuif, chuif...
Maybe I am... Not worthy, after all.
But regardless, I'll still continue to serve them, because that's my duty, that's my life. Even if she hates me, I still love her.
I, who have nothing, am indeed still a servant, even if I'm the worst.
…
The next day. I continue to do all my chores as a servant. Waking up in the earliest of hours to wake up my dear peers and pupils, prepare miladies and milords clothes, food and silverware, instruct today's activities for all the others. During such time, breakfast and supper, I would notice that Berolina dearest would face me and frown, and I would graciously accept her scorn. I have committed the biggest of sins, and that's my punishment...
After that, I procured solitude in other tasks that didn't involve seconds. As milady and her peerage went for a visit at the Beelzebub hospital, I dismissed the other maids and decided to dust the main halls alone, enough to rethink my previous actions. As a typical afternoon, there was no one around, so there was only me, lonely dusting the corridors...
However, when I say lonely, I don't mean alone...
*Jiiii~…*
"..."
*Jiiii~…*
"Lord Ichijou, what business you have with me?" I didn't even turn my head to know that he has been staring at me for what some time. As much as I hate to use the Abraxas' Discharge abilities, I have to begrudgingly admit that the Sixth ability is quite useful, even if the eyes staring back are far from pleasant.
"Ah, Noin-san noticed me. I thought I've learnt some good stealth skills with Ren, but I guess I need some more practice." I hear his voice behind my back. His tone is light and awkward this time, as if caught in a prank. I guess he didn't want to lose me from sight and wait for the best moment to talk to me? Indeed, he's a teenager, after all. I turn to him, and he starts to walk towards me.
"What is that you want, lord Ichijou? Milady made it very clear that she prohibited ill interactions with you, and you know that I won't be warming up to you anytime soon. So I hope you have a good reason to search for me, otherwise I'll ignore you." I blink a few times to him, then resumed my chore to wipe the floor. I dust and dust, yet I can still feel his vexing presence lurking around. Indeed, a bothersome fellow. I reach for a second broom and pass it to him. "If you wish to stand around me, don't do it idly. At least assist me, if you think yourself as a servant of Gremory."
"Ah, okay." He reaches and grabs the broom and starts to dust the hallway with me. I decide to ignore his presence as we cleaned the surroundings, but honestly, his stare just doesn't stop aiming at me, becoming so irritating and hard to dismiss. "Hey, Noin-san..."
"If you wish to belittle or ridicule my actions, you waste your words on me. It'll only make me dislike you as a person even more." I point out without paying him a second glance, resuming my duties as a gasp escape his lips. There is nothing else he can say that it'll make me regret my actions even more, and the only thing that will worsen in that scenario will be my disdain for his personality. "The trials are over, and the victory is yours, truly. I see no reason for you to search for me unless to belittle and mock my current position. In that case, I think even in my blind wrath, I put too much respect for you, then."
"Hm, that's not it, Noin-san." He declares, and I still refuse to look at him. I guess I was wrong, not even he would be that rotten to kick someone who's already down, but it wouldn't surprise me if that was the case. There was a beat. "I think I just want to talk to you."
"And like I said, Lord Ichijou, there is nothing to talk about. I don't want to hear any further comments from you, and any word directed at you will come with poison from me, and milady forbid those. Therefore, we better limit our interactions as possible." I declare. See? Even casual conversation ends up in a rather aggressive tongue-lash from yours truly. Not wanting to disrespect milady's wishes, I will not comment anything further to him.
"Fine, then. Can I least monologue?" He asks. An eyebrow arched; I turn to him.
"For what purpose?"
"Dunno." He shrugs. What an irritating fellow. There was another beat, and turning away, we resumed out little chore. "Noin-san really is the super maid the others talk about. After that scolding, I would probably be seething or planning something bad against Rina. You, on the other hand, accepted her hatred and went on anyway with your duties. That's... That's a lot of mental fortitude."
"Please, stop. Trying to endear me will only worsen my opinion about you." I groan at his pathetic attempt to cherish me. If there's something I really dislike is this false empathy, mocking my intelligence. "Moreover, I accept her scorn and words because I am capable to discern from where she's coming from. I know milady to know she meant no harm or had any bias, only pointed my faults. If I had any complains about my shortcomings, then I am no different from a brat..."
"Hm..." He thoughtfully hums. "I can't say that I know Rina that much, but I know she didn't mean to say that either."
"But still, what I did was indeed unforgivable." I sigh. "To doubt milady's intelligence and better judgement, underestimate her ability to discern a good servant, indeed the biggest of sins. After all the Gremory did for me, to go against them lights me as nothing but an ingrate servant. I have no idea how I can make it up to that, but I hope one day I can be forgiven."
"..."
There is a beat.
"Y'know, Noin-san isn't all that wrong."
"Excuse me?" I turn to him one more time, stopping on my tracks as he continues to dust the floor. Is he trying to endear me yet again? How irritating.
"You say all those cruel and hurtful things, and while I still think you're kinda annoying and bitchy, I can't say I disagree with most of them." He stops and now supports his hands on the tip of the broom, looking at the invisible horizon. "The main reason as to why I accepted to pass through the trials was to prove myself, anyway."
"...?"
"It's really hard... To find some worth when you're the youngest. I have four sisters, and I admire and envy every single one of them." He frowns at the distance, like remembering a bad memory. "All of them are Keio-worthy students, all of them are very talented. Not just them, but my mother is a good editor, and I gotta give it to my piece of shit father about being a businessman as only his. When you live with such incredible and irritating people, you start to doubt any form of praise or achievement. For the longest, I never knew if they were really praising me or just making me feel better. It's really hard to know if what you're doing is enough."
"Huh..." I hum.
"I've also met so many strong and talented people ever since I became a devil, one as powerful and admirable than the other. Rina, Nemesis-san, auntie Alice, Cohen-sama, the Satans, senpai and Vali; all of them remarkable in their own right. Even you and the other maids, Noin-san, I can say deserve your titles." He sighs to himself, and for once, I sense no malice or attempt to sympathize with me. He's being honest all the way. "I've been a mediocre person all my life, and even as a devil or the red dragon emperor, I have no idea how I fare against those amazing people. So Noin-san is not wrong to doubt me in the slightest. Just know that you're not the only one who does that."
"..." There was a beat. What an... Intriguing young man. But then again, he might just be making stuff up as he goes, just to endear me. I return to dusting a little, sparing a moment to gaze at him again. "Then why did you do it? Why did you abandon the Rating Game against milady Nemesis and forsook victory? Wouldn't that be enough to reassure you of your worth, not only as a person, but also a devil and a servant of Gremory?"
"There was a lot of circumstances surrounding that day. Even being a devil, I guess it'd be hard to explain." He laughs sheepishly to himself, and I blink. However, his serious look returns and he sighs. "But the reason I didn't let it slide was because... If I were to win in that state, I would feel like nothing has changed."
"That's still your explanation? I have you know, regardless of circumstances, you've given the match up, and that proves your own selfishness and nothing else." I admit, frowning. That same explanation? I knew he just wanted to endear me so that this explanation would hit differently. However, that's not the case, at all. I still stand in my disdain for him. Still. "Apologies, that came out as rude."
"No problem, it happens." He reassures me with a waving hand. "I think what I'm trying to say is that for what it is, I'm trying my best, and if that was a slip or a path, I'm not that sure, but that was a decision of mine. I'm not asking you to forgive or like me, and honestly, I didn't do the trials just because I wanted your acceptance or something like that..."
"Then why do them anyway? Just to humiliate and belittle me for disliking you?" I question him. "Or maybe some other deeper reason?"
"..."
"..."
There was another beat.
"Hmm... Maybe because I wanted to fight cute maids." He chirps. "Is that a reason enough?"
"..." I blink, once, twice. I sigh to myself, and resume dusting the hallway. "It's acceptable."
"I see." He chuckles and opens a grin. "I guess if I were to say something deep or pretentious like 'I wanted to prove myself' or 'to seek any meaning or will for my feelings for Berolina', you wouldn't believe me, right? There you have it, then. I gotta say, those maids are pretty cute."
"Huh. I guess it makes sense. Boys will be boys, I guess." I sigh to myself. Makes sense, after all. Boys will be boys, and he's no different. He's still not worthy of my praise, but after all of that, I'm glad we got to understand each other a little better.
Perhaps I was too harsh on him. His reasoning still grinds my nerves, but he'll have enough time to learn a thing or two. He accepted the trails... So, he could fight cute maids, how silly of me to have any other deeper answer. But he did say he loves milady. So that's fine for now. That's fine for now...
I'm content, somehow.
"Say, Rina said for you to not hurt or harass me anymore, right?" I heard him ask.
"Yes, those were milady's words. Therefore, I shall not harm you anymore in any form or shape." I answer him.
"Ah, I get it, I get it." I heard him chuckle. What's so funny? "But, say, self-defence doesn't count, right? Defending yourself doesn't count as harming or harassing me, right?"
"Excuse m-…?"
*PUNCH!*
My question was silenced, and instead a guttural sound that no sapient being should be able to produce exited my mouth instead. I taste blood, my vision goes awry and disoriented, and I feel my brain ricochet itself all over inside my skull as my body spirals in midair. My senses only return once I fall on my sides on the floor, feeling an unpleasant itch on my cheek, a bit of blood dripping from my mouth. I touch my affected area, and flinch with the sudden pain. I look forward and I see the red dragon with eyes as wide as saucers, a surprised expression on him. He punched me; Lord Ichijou just punched me...
"You..."
"Ah! Noin-san, are you okay?!" He exclaims with an exasperated shriek, as if he didn't just punch me! Disposing his fighting stance, he comes closer with hands in the air, unable to do anything. "S-Sorry, I thought since we still have some unfinished business, you would want to fight; and with self-defence being a thing, if I attacked first, we could settle things without breaking that rule you had with Berolina! I think I put too much strength in that punch! My bad, are you oka-…?!"
*KICK!*
"BGWAH...!" And to return the favour, still on my sitting position, I kicked the ground once and punted him right in the kisser! His head almost snaps back as a bit of blood taints the ceiling and he flies for a few inches before landing on his feet but almost falling and with his entire balance shaken. With that move, I kicked myself up and standing, adopting now a fighting pose. Once recovered from the shock, he cleans the crimson trails off his mouth and eyes me with defiance.
"You really are a bold one, Lord Ichijou. It's not a quality I dislike in a devil, but I hope you're ready to assume the full responsibility of your actions." I declare, letting him know that from this point on, all that happens is his fault alone. Instead of dread, however, I see some confidence in his glare after shaking off the daze from that kick, and that enrages me to no end. "Truly, a real troublemaker, you are."
"Not the worst thing people have called me." He smiles, and I feel my left eye sting. Lord Ichijou cracks his neck a few times, roll up his sleeves and adopts a fighting pose as well. "But coming from you, I can only take that as a compliment."
"You rascal..." I say back. He is a bold one, and that's a quality I can admire, even in a rapscallion like him. I lift both my hands and then we stand face to face, arms in the air, ready for a clash. Whatever happens from now on, its entirely his fault, and for that, I must thank him. He really is... An interesting young man.
I think I might be warming up to him...
Or maybe it's just the concussion boggling my mind.
…
*PUNCH!*
*PUNCH!*
"Kh...!"
"Gh...!" I grit my teeth to avoid more bloodloss! I hit him! I assume I hit him based on the fact I felt my fist connect with him face! However, I couldn't be 100% sure: we fired our attacks at the same time and hit one another simultaneously, blood flying everywhere as our upper bodies would lose composure! The blow was too much, so I could feel a foot disconnect from the ground! However, snapping back, I gathered my forces to pull myself together and stomp hard on the floor, regaining my balance! "Scoundrel...!"
"Crap...!" I try a swift kick onto his legs. His balance was still broken, so I thought making him fall would make things easier. However, he jumped away from my hit and positioned himself a few distances away, cleaning the blood on his mouth. "Holy shit, as expected from a maid of Gremory, you hit like a truck."
"I shall accept those words as a compliment." I quip, despite having no idea what a truck supposed to be. No time to talk, I advance against him and unleash a sequence of punches and thrusts. He's faster than I thought, dodging my assault with a certain clumsy grace, jumping, dodging, halting movement for fake-outs. One moment, and he caught my fist, blowing a gust everywhere due to the impact. I sense him tremble, the hit maybe been too much for him. "Bad move, young man."
"Huh...?" He gasps, but no time to react, I won't let him: from that position, I slither my hand deeper and grab him by the wrist, pulling him closer until my other hand could grab him by the collar, in a way he wouldn't reach me. I kick a foot of his so he could lose some balance, and taking advantage of his daze, I pushed him straight to the nearest wall. "Ah, wait...!"
*BAM!*
"Should I remind you, Lord Ichijou...?"
*BAM!*
"This is..."
*BAM! BAM!*
"... As you said..."
*BAM! BAM! BAM!*
"... Nothing but..."
*BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!*
"... Self-defence!" And I smashed his face for the n'th time against the wall. Blood splatters everywhere and the entire foundation trembles with the impact. Maybe I'm not angry enough, otherwise he would already he unconscious. Oh well, I scrub his face on the white-red surface. "Milord, how unsightly. You came all the way here boasting about ideals, only to end up like that. How pathetic, perhaps you thought you could take me on? Your hubris have brought you nothing but shame...!"
*KICK!*
"Oof...!" But air exhales my mouth in an instant, another blow to the gut courtesy of a back kick! Is he still conscious, even after all those blows? And it didn't stop there: coming my way another kick, this time on the jaw, enough to put me off balance. I start to stagger on my feet, blinding lights covering my vision, so much so I sought balance on a nearby wall, reaching for it for support and taking deep breaths to regain some stamina. Looking the other side, I saw Ichijou doing the same, a hand trying to contain the massive nosebleed and bloodshot eyes.
"Haff, Haff..." He tries to keep up with his breath, and sniffs a few times, blowing his nose in the most inelegant way possible and splatting his blood everywhere. He seems a bit stunned, but from here I see I didn't break anything. "On second thought, maybe that wasn't such a hot idea..."
*BASH!*
I tackled him, bashing his midsection like a charging bull as we both came down off the balcony and into the Gremory garden, the soft grass not being enough to cushion our fall as the impact made me yelp in pain, rolling on the hard ground and trying to find some sole to stand in. In the end, I finally could pull myself together on top of the red dragon, grabbing him by the hair and delivering a punch on his face! Driplets of blood fly from his mouth and the impact makes my hand itch, but it's... Just... So... Fun... Beating this little rascal!
*BAKI!*
"...?!"
"My turn." He responds stopping my fist with the palm of his hand, and before I knew it, he uppercuts me with his other fist, enough to let me let go off his hair and loose the grip of my fist. Not being enough, he punts me right in the stomach and air exhales from my mouth in a hoarse and crass cough.
He pushes me off himself and not wanting to fall on my back in a vulnerable position, I try my best to stay stationary and standing. I was able to, but what came next didn't leave room for celebration: out of nowhere, Ichijou socked me in the face, a hook well-placed, and then other, and another, and another. The shock and pain from those blows didn't let me defend myself, and when I tried to retaliate, the red dragon came closer, dodging my fist and picking me by the sides of my head. Wait, what is he...?
*BAM!*
"Bwah~…!" He headbutted me. Ichijou just headbutted me! I couldn't breathe or see due to the red filling my nostrils and sight, but didn't need to since he held my head tighter, letting me know what he would do next.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
Now everything I see is red, now everything i smell is blood. One headbutt wasn't enough, he continued to hit me with his forehead on my face like a woodpecker would, and for every hit, I felt my hands twitching, my guts twisting in a uncomfortable way, my face feeling like it was going to turn itself in. After a while, his grip on my head loosened and he let go off me, but not before giving me one final kick on the jaw, making me splat blood from mouth and nostrils...
This is... Also... Really... Really... Fun.
"Noin-san...!"
"Huh..."
*KICK!*
*TING~!*
"Ow." And feeling his presence coming, his intent of harm directed at me, even in my most vulnerable state, I couldn't let him win. So following the most logical sense, I turned to the direction his voice was coming, pulled one of my legs...
And kicked him right in the groin.
I think. I wasn't so sure since I was blinded by red, but when you live among the lowest of the low, the feeling of kicking a man's pride and joy just senses differently. Hearing a painful groan and then a loud *BAM!* just confirms that indeed I aimed right on the jewels.
"Arf~, Arf~…" But still, my face is damaged, red is blinding me in all senses and I can barely stand or hold myself together. Such savagery, reminds me an unsavoury period of my youth. I blow a huff from my clogged nostrils and dry the bloody tears so I could see the red dragon recovering from my low blow, his forehead bloodied with my own blood and also in such a deplorable state. A beat between us, and then I sigh, using my sleeves to clean up my dripping nose. "Ichijou, as harsh as our relationship is, I beg of you to avoid hitting me, rather any female opponent you'll encounter from now on, in the face. No matter the situation or scenario, a lady shall always be beautiful and well-groomed. Devils, no, women, are vain like that."
"Oops, sorry. I think the heat of the moment brought up the best of me." He chips, hands on hips and spitting a few drops of blood elsewhere. He might look balanced, but I can sense he's tired as I am, if not worse. He sniffs, cleaning his bloodied face. "But I guess I'm not the only one swayed by the moment. Noin-san said she values finesse above strength, but that... That's not the fist weight of a person who thinks that."
"..." I blink a few times, clenching my fists, the sensation of punching this little scoundrel still fresh in them. I do value finesse above strength, I am not a savage like the likes of him, but he reached a point that I just wish to... Punch all the pearly whites off his jaw, just like I used to do in the gutters of the underworld. Besides... "You don't deserve any honour or finesse from me, red dragon. As a maid, i shall respect and appeal to you as a fellow servant and dear evil piece of milady, however, as a person, I should nor will waste any pleasantries or honours to you. I have nothing to prove to you, either."
"Hmmm~. Okay then. Y'know, regardless of intentions, I am actually happy about that." He quips, and I tilt my head in confusion. How's that? He smiles, teeth tainted in red, but for once, I feel no malice from them again. Perhaps that last assault might've been too much for his brain. "I mean, I still think you as a pesky and annoying old hag maid, but, like, trading blows with you, I feel like... I understand you a little better. And I'm happy for that."
"..."
"I don't know if it's a devil thing, or maybe just me losing my mind, but I think I can understand a person deeper after a fight like that..." He continues. "Every person that I've ever fought was confronting me for some reason; driven by revenge, love, pure emotion, instinct, all of them fought for something, and when you really weight those blows down, you can sense how much they believe in their cause. I realize that usually after the deed is done, but... I feel like, in a sense, while that doesn't mean I truly see their view or am swerved by their motives, I can understand them a little more."
"..." How poetic. This young lad surely is revealing a new side of him without making me stop disliking him. He still sees me as an opponent, but as well as a person. Huh. He blushes a little.
"Hahahah~, just forget what I just said. I was caught in the moment again. How embarrassing..." He sheepishly laughs with himself, a hand to hide his embarrassed face from me. For that, I sigh, but slowly smile.
"Ichijou... I think I understand you a little better too." I admit. He stops laughing, turns to me with a surprised face, but then loosen it to draw a smile. Indeed, what an intriguing boy, and I think he will only get stronger from here on, and with a heart like this... Perhaps, maybe... Just maybe...
No, definitely.
Yes, definitely.
…
*VOOSH!*
"Miscreant...!"
"Old hag...!" But then we resumed our match, jumping on each other and punching the closest piece of skin we got. The blow took both of us back, but after the initial daze, he firmly put ourselves still and started to share punches and kicks with each other.
A punch in the face. An elbow to the chin. A knee on the stomach. A blow to the chest. Fists clashing. Heads bumping to the point of blood. The assault were too fast for even us, and every blow would only leave a blur in the distance between us, but the result remained in our bodies as skin would deform, blood would spill, knuckles would bruise and cuts would open.
"You want finesse? Then have at thee." I said, dodging one of his punches and instead climbing and wrapping myself onto his arm to give him a good kick in the face, for a nail my heel not drilling into his eyeball. My attack had a short-lived victory though, as he only swatted me off himself, almost throwing me to the ground! When I lifted myself after that landing, I saw a fist coming at me, and instinctively I lifted both my hands to shield me from the attack... Only to receive nothing as he descended his fist and punched the ground where my feet stood instead. "What...?"
"Bleh. Fool ya!" He quips. I was so concentrated on his fist, I didn't notice him twisting his body with a standing foot, and when I snap back, all I could see was a shoe coming my direction! A powerful and swift blow, that kick not only broke my defence, it hit me right on the side of the neck, crushing anything in its path and staggering me completely. "This is for... Faust-san's ruined Oktoberfest!"
"You..." With the remaining forces I had, I kicked him away from me, but that only worsened my standing, as I found myself stumbling everywhere. Oh no, the bloodloss is getting the best of me and the adrenaline high is wearing off. I can't find my footing, my vision is getting blurry and the more I try to grasp something, the more things start to dissipate on my touch. Tch, how irritating, to fall like that, to admit weakness, indeed, so... Irritating.
*GRAB!*
"Hm...?" But as I was about to hit the floor, something reached for me. Something reached for me and tightly held my hand, preventing me from meeting the cold ground and finally defeat. What is that? This hand, so warm, so gentle, the grip is firm but at the same time delicate, as if it knows I'm on the verge of a collapse. Who... Who is it? Is him? I open my eyes just a little, and finally see who my saviour is. "Ichijou...?"
"Hah, that was close." He sighs, pulling me back on my feet so I could stand properly this time. I blink a few times, then look at our hands together. Back at him, I draw an interrogation. In the end, however, I gently retrieve my hand from his grip, and turned my stare elsewhere.
"Thank... You."
"You're welcome." He replies with a puff of smoke and a chuckle. I'm still a bit confused, why is that? Why bothering with such action? Perhaps he's trying to appeal to my nature, or perhaps another way to endear me? But... His grip was indeed firm and kind, not unlike... I sigh, such confusion. After a few seconds, we face each other, and taking a small chuckle, he recites. "Say, how about a truce, then? I'm just to beaten up to continue, and by your state, I guess you're too. Let's just... Stop it right here and call it even, how about it?"
"..." There was a beat between us. In another other moment, I would associate his wish to cowardice, weakness of spirit and overall fragility, but I am in no state for conflict either, and I fear that, if this brawl were to continue, we will both die. Oh well, I already have my answer regarding what kind of servant he is and I had the opportunity to beat him, so I suppose that will satisfy me. "Very well. It's a deal, red dragon emperor Ichijou. We are having... A ceasefire."
"Thank... Goodness... I'm all... Beaten up and... I can barely... Stand..." He whispers and mumbles, and from here I see he's staggering quite a bit, not unlike I was before. In a moment of daze, he slips on his own feet, and starts to fall backwards, ready to clash on the floor. "N-Noin-san... I'm gonna... I'm gonna fall..."
"..."
"H-Hey... I'm really... Really gonna fall... Noin-san..."
"..."
"N-N-Noin-san... I'm falling... I'm falling... I'm f-…!"
*BAM!*
"..."
"..."
"You... Fucking old hag..."
"Face this as our seal of understanding. This will be the last atrocity I shall commit upon you." I chuckle to myself seeing his fallen body on the floor, as he frowns and mumbles curses under his breath. We might understand each other a little better now, and the hatred might've vanished, but that doesn't mean I have to like him, and again, nor I have to pay respects to him. I should probably go ask Lucrezia-chan help him, though, that's the least I can do. I turn around and start to walk away, waving a hand at him. "You're strong, dragon. You don't have to prove anything to anyone anymore. Bask in your victory, for you have defeated me..."
"H-Hey, Noin-san... You did say that my personality grinds your nerves, right? To be honest... I also think that side of me gets annoying fast..." He starts to mumble again. I stop on my tracks and give a side glance to his fallen body, struggling to support its upper half so he could face me. A minute of insight? How rare. A blush decorates his cheeks, and still with a low tone, he continues. "So, uh... Say, if... I mean, when I have a child with Rina, could you, uh, teach him or her how to behave and act? I think... I would be a lousy father in that regard."
"..."
"Noin-san...?"
"..." I leave without saying a word.
Such bold words to say to me, that Ichijou. Bold, or perhaps a fool, but then again, makes no difference regarding the red dragon emperor. I quickly snap my gaze forward into the manor, using my apron to clean up the blood and dirt on my face and heading to the maid quarters so i could look presentable. Fortunately, the worse blows were onto my body, so it'll easier to hide them. I take a deep breath. At least he minded those. Indeed, I was too harsh on him...
"He's a nice boy, ain't he?" Without turning my head to that new voice, I already know who calls for my attention. Even so, from the corner of my eyes, I see Faust supporting himself on a wall, handing me a handkerchief. I am quick to pick if for myself to better clean my skin. To his question?
"Huh... Impulsive, arrogant, inconsequential and quick to anger, yet not enough bravery to face his own decisions. Even if he's just a teenager, I can't excuse all of his shortcomings." I admit, flinching after touching an open wound on my lips, which I should remember to heal with magic later. Milady does have an eagle's eye when upset. Faust chuckles to himself. "But regardless, he's... Not that bad, not that bad after all..."
"Huhuhuh, so the cold-hearted Noin Abraxas might be accepting the red dragon emperor. That's nice, that's nice. I particularly started to warm up to him a lot." He chuckles once again. I am not surprised about this development, this one hasn't changed for the longest I know him, and he was always the one to sides with the worst out of just amusement. I click my tongue.
"I haven't accepted him fully yet." I correct him this time. "He might be a fellow servant of Gremory and have my respect, but he is still not worthy as the title of such yet. His faults and weaknesses vastly overshadow his supposed merits and qualities. How come milady chose him, of all things, even with his position as the red dragon, is beyond me..."
"Well... Millicas would understand." He speaks.
There was a beat between us.
"He would... Wouldn't he, headmaid Noin?"
"..."
"..."
"Yes, he would." I sigh.
I return the handkerchief to the head butler and resume my road to the maid quarters. Faust decided to follow me suit, probably to just pester me. As much as I hate to admit, he's right. To love and support their servants, that's the biggest quality of a Gremory, and even the lowest of the low, the rotten apples of the rotten world like me and him can become something due to them. I still don't truly accept the red dragon as being the loyal servant for milady, but for now, I guess I can tolerate his position. After all.
By the end of the day... We're just lucky troublemakers.
"Golly, master Noin! What happened to you?!"
"You're like, all beaten up, y'know!"
"To draw attention from me to you, that indeed is a very serious issue, Master Noin!"
"That... That look it hurts..."
"Dismissed, dears. I had a little accident back then, nothing to worry about..." I waved a hand to my dear pupils as they ganged on me to look at my wounds. I shall honour my promise to the red dragon and not reveal the true events leading to my current state. While still worried about me, they decided to leave me alone to treat my wounds. A bit of magic here, a bandage there, I flinch a little due to the pain, but in no time, I was able to close all my wounds or hide them very well.
I guess the trials are over, and in the end, the red dragon ended victorious... And that enrages me to no end, but at the same time, I think I understand him a bit better now. He's brash, arrogant, mischievous and short-sighted, but now I see... He can... He will become a devil or worth someday. Tch, admitting my own shortcomings, that feeling is still irritating to me.
"Say, my dear pupils... What're your thoughts about the red dragon emperor?" I absentmindedly ask to the four maids in the quarters, who stop on their tracks to turn to me and answer my idle question. They varied in tone and words, but all came to the same conclusion: they didn't think ill of him, but the fact he defeated them In their own speciality left them in a foul mood. One, two seconds passed, and spark of genius shined on me. I did say I wouldn't bother him anymore... However, I think he wouldn't mind a little... reward for his hard work, even more considering that I wouldn't be the one delivering it. "Say, dears, how about you get your... Revenge on the red dragon?"
They curiously accepted my little invitation.
Indeed, we're just troublemakers.
Indeed, troublemakers.
Hello there, DxD, how's it going? Sorry for the delay for this chapter, but this one... I had to rewrite and turn and twist so many times, it wasn't even that funny. For all the events of this arc, this is the closing moments and also the climax, and i wanted to make it as perfect as possible. Noin's POV, Rina's retalliation and how downfall for her own hubris, only to get the help of her rival, the red dragon emperor.
As much as i paint her as the antagonist of the arc, i wished to show that, for all of that bickering with Ichijou, she was truly wishing for Berolina's wellbeing, and all things considered, with her backstory revealed, I wished to show the roots of her views and antagonism with our MC. Makes sense? I hope so. It is justifiable? Absolutely not. However, no matter how you feel about her and her actions, i hope it was enough to be a satisfying ending. Also, before we go into power level discussions, I will drop a small explanation for the whole brawl: If they were going all out, Ichijou specially, while she would still cause a lot of trouble, regarding strength, Ichijou would be the one victorious. However, as brutal as it was, the real reason for the beating was to vent, not find a victor... I still had a lot of fun writing it. I guess this is the first time I write an entire brawl which they go full physical... It was fun.
With this rant out of the way, I hope you liked the chapter and hope for more! Next chapter might take a while since, well, I might be preparing a lemon next chapter. Hope you like a four maid mix!
Ikkun's friends and theme songs
[Ichijou] - Nami no Yukusaki(The Ricecookers)
[Shiori] - Boogie-Woogie Lonesome High-heel(Imai Miki)
[Berolina] - Shame on Me(Avicii)
[Kurama] - Baby Rose(Kondo Masahiro)
[Annabelle] - Goodbye Nostalgia(CODA)
[Tasha] - Teen Town(Weather Report)
[Liu Bei] - Curtain Call(Soul'd Out)
[Whiswain] - Lift(Feint)
[Guan Yu] - Take me Under(MAN WITH A MISSION)
[Serena] - Take me Higher(V6-Ultraman Tiga)
[Yagura] - Through the fire and flames(Dragonforce)
[Lucrezia] - Wonderwall (Oasis)
[Irene] - Easy Lover(Phil Collins)
[Raven] - Dreams(Fleetwood MAC)
MAID FILES: Noin Abraxas
- The strongest, most polite and eldest maid in the Gremory Household. The headmaid, whose age is [CONFIDENTIAL].
- The last surviving member of the Abraxas clan of Extra Demons, she serves the Gremory since youth and was the headmaid for the longest of a few decades.
- The childhood friend of Millicas Gremory and Faust Michaelis; the godmother of Alice and nanny of both the Gremory sisters, also works as a maid instructor for the new servants and rarely has time for herself. All servants look up to her, Millicas used to have a crush on her and even thought of marrying her only dismissing such because he knew she wouldn't agree.
- Dutiful, professional and non-nonsensical, she has an air of grace and charm that others are enchanted by, even those who know her past as a street urchin. Because of a bad first impression and still being in sage time, Ichijou didn't realize, but Noin is an extremely beauitful woman. Her pupils also think highly of her, claiming she's stern but fair. Indeed, the super-maid.
- Her commitment ring is located on her left nipple, where her heart should be.
- Of all the maids, she's the strongest, fastest and most intelligence, being on the same level as a high-class devil. Her Abraxas inherited skill is Discharge, which is the ability to electrocute her foes with powerful discharges of electric energy not unlike an eel. However, due to the dislike for her heritage, she doesn't use it at all. A passive skill of such is Sixth, which allows Noin to notice when she's being observed, making sneak attacks or stealth impossible.
- She hated Ichijou a lot, but her opinion might be changing for the better...