Chapter 4: Fateful Meetings

-Ajuka Beelzebub POV-

"Any word about the location of Bune heirs whereabouts?" I ask while at my desk in my personal office. My only companion in this office just snorted at the question answering while taking care of her paperwork.

"Nah, nothing so far," said the figure of attractive beauty who glanced at me from between some paper that she held. "It's been a few months since Sirzechs Lucifer contacted you for lending some help to find this bratty heir who suddenly disappeared."

I chuckled lightly at my companion's uncaring words. "Yes, it has. And ever since then, alongside Serafall and Falbium, we have occasionally kept in check about the current situation."

"I don't know why you even bother dealing with this small nuisance." said the woman while casually stroking her hair.

I only smile while walking towards the office door to go outside. Seeing that, my female companion quickly stood and followed me.

Both of us are walking in silence while passing through a bunch of other workers who greet us respectfully. Some of them are caught leering at my companion, which earned me a laugh when they were caught offhanded and fearfully excused themselves under the deadly gaze from my companion.

After some time, we finally arrived where I wanted to visit. It is a spacious hall with various decorations embedded in every corner of the room. The hall itself is ceremonial for the purpose of granting evil pieces to any high-class devils that have met the necessary requirement.

Walking towards the altar, I raised my left hand. Then, a black monument lowered from the ceiling. The monument itself stopped before it reached the ground, floating in the air.

With another wave from my hands, the monument glowed slightly before a blue notification appeared in front of my face. The notification itself contains a list of every devil who has already registered themselves in order to receive the right to obtain a set of evil pieces for starting their own peerage.

And among those names, there's only one name that has a gray color on it. The name of a runaway heir that went missing a few months ago.

"Tiamat."

I called my companion's name, to which she quickly responded with a quick 'yes'.

"Find the heir for me."

Tiamat raised an eyebrow, but didn't dig further as she turned back and quickly strode her way outside.

Smiling at myself, I turned my head to the nearby window, where I could see an enormous blue dragon taking flight somewhere. Snapping my finger, I returned the monument back into the ceiling then left the hall.

"Don't take too long" I said to myself while smiling inwardly. "After all, I also want to greet our runaway heir myself as soon as possible."

-Ars Bune-

Learning magic from Azi left me with mixed feelings.

I was very excited before the first lesson with Azi, anticipating various magic that I could learn from the teachings of one of the strongest mages in the world.

Maybe I could apply some cool abilities for enhancing my magic, or maybe Azi has some cool technique for casting so much magic at once, or maybe he would have some super secret teaching method that could help me learn magic really fast.

Imagine my disappointment then, when Azi told me that there'd be no such things in his lessons. He even told me that devil magic is one of the most famous methods of learning magic because it is also the easiest one.

Take Norse Magic for example, it requires you to learn about the basics of runes and how to apply it to your magic circle before you can even begin to cast it.

Then, there's the human version of magic which requires the user to calculate complex mathematical formulas inside their heads in order to even perform a basic magic circle.

Though he does explain that devil magic requires much more power to fill any gaps from a lack of knowledge. While all of them are following the same steps to cast, devil magic has the advantage of easier casting in exchange for the cost of more energy. Whereas human magic is mostly done with calculation so any single mistake can instantly cancel the spell.

But there exist certain spells and abilities that are beyond this even including those who are regarded as Super Devils. Examples of those are clan traits, Longinus, or other unique abilities that have so many steps. With each missing step requiring such obscene levels ofdemonic power to replace it, making any attempt of copying them utterly unfeasible.

In short, I was quite fortunate to be a devil, as devil magic is by far the best method for me.

Damn, there goes my hope of ever learning something new easily.

[How dare you say that learning under this great Azi Dahaka is just a disappointment!]

[Don't you know how many times I was revered as one of the few magic gods in this world!?]

[Kids nowadays are just ungrateful!]

"Yeah, right. Got it, Azi." I replied with a deadpan tone, ignoring another three sets of rants coming from the three-headed dragon that is currently inside my head.

Right now, I am in the middle of another lesson with Azi while doing push-ups in the middle of the gravity area. One thing I like about having Azi as a Sacred Gear is that he knows many spells I can use in my training. The gravity area spell is a classic, handy spell that increases gravity in my surroundings. Very effective for physical training as I can passively train while doing my other training or day to day tasks.

I am not sorry for copying your method, Goku. After all, Vegeta stole it first.

But unlike the gravity chamber, I didn't know the exact amount for how much gravity pressure I can withstand, so I just let Azi increase it until I feel it's enough.

I did ask Azi to modify the spell into a seal which I then proceeded to place on both of my arms and legs. Making it easier to use and extending its active period for as long as I feed it my demonic power

This way, I can continuously increase my physical strength while also maintaining my current limit, a win-win situation for me and for Crom as well.

[Though I must admit this method of yours is indeed effective since you are basically doing both active and passive training at the same time.]

[That's because having someone that is practically an outsider from this world as my host is truly unthinkable.]

[Calling you an alien is fitting, my alien host!]

Though the downside is there's this thing that I have to deal with after merging with Azi.

Thanks to our inner subconscious being directly linked due to the merging, Azi has a great amount of access to my memories. And it does not take long for him to know about my identity as a reincarnator.

I was worried at first since I didn't expect that my true identity would be exposed this easily, especially since the ones who found it are known for their cruelty, even among evil dragons. Though for some reason, Azi just found it interesting and didn't share it with Crom. Which promptly made me wonder and asked him about that.

His answer just left me facepalming.

"You didn't tell Crom just because he tricked you to agree to being sealed inside me? Calling it some sort of payback? How mature of you, Azi." I muttered with a sarcastic tone, which earned me another tirade from the resident that lives inside my right arm.

I could get used to this.

Ignoring the three-headed dragon who is currently spewing lots of cursing words, I was about to resume my training when suddenly an individual that I didn't expect suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"So this is where you are," spoke a feminine voice, which immediately caused me to swiftly turn my head to the source with a shocked expression. "You hide yourself quite well. It took me a few days just to sense your demonic power, young heir."

The person who is currently speaking to me is a beautiful woman in her late twenties wearing business clothes that are prominently blue colored. Her long navy hair flowing freely along with gentle breeze of wind, as her sharp dark blue eyes are now bore directly at me.

[Here she comes, the party pooper!]

[Annoying bitch!]

[Wretched whore!]

I would respond to how Azi is bitching about the woman in front of me if I was not currently being paralyzed due to the oppressive pressure she emitted from her body.

Her immense aura bore directly at me, rendering me useless as my body could only stand still while frozen in fear. My breath labored as I watched her walk slowly towards me before she stopped directly in front of me.

Despite my heart beating uncontrollable due to immense terror, I refused to look away as I glared at her domineering figure. From what I learned from Azi and Crom, turning your attention away from a dragon is a sign of weakness, and I totally want to avoid that at all cost. Showing your weakness is something that must never be done in front of a dragon, lest they look down on you due to their pride.

Her dragon eyes bore directly at me as the pressure intensified when she saw I didn't back down. But before any of us were about to say any word, another intense pressure also joined us.

And this one is much worse as I immediately know who the owner of this aura is.

"What are you doing here, Tiamat? Leave this instant." spoke Crom with disdain as he walked toward both of us from the cottage. His golden eyes glowed ominously, his expression is filled with annoyance.

Tiamat in response turns her attention toward Crom, showing the same level of annoyance as she glares daggers at him.

"I am here to fetch this boy." spoke Tiamat with a flat tone. Her eyes never leave Crom's approaching figure as she scowled at him. "So you are the one who is responsible for the Bune heir disappearing."

"This is not your business." replied Crom with a venomous tone, as I can see his demeanor changes once Tiamat mentioned taking me away. "Leave. I will not repeat myself."

"That is not yours to decide," fired Tiamat back. "My colleague needs the Bune heir's presence as soon as possible. And I will not return before I have the bune heir."

I am sweating nervously as neither of them are backing down. Their body postures tensed as their aura is rapidly skyrocketing, creating an enormous pressure that affects their surroundings.

Cracks begin to form around their footing, trees are being thrown away, rocks and dust are scattered in every direction as the wind grows stronger due to the sheer force of their Dragon Aura. Even the clash from their respective auras creates an electricity that sparks violently.

Holy shit, this is like a scene that comes directly from Dragon Ball. And I am here almost getting thrown backward several times.

So I had to do something before a deadly match between them occurs for real. A truly stupid things that makes me cringed hard.

By screaming as loud as I can.

"Both of you, stop right now!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. I am also using some demonic power to enhance my scream to be louder. To my utter dismay, it worked a bit too efficiently with both of them stopped unleashing their aura as they quickly turned their attention towards me.

"Stay out of this, brat."

"Don't stop us, kid. Least you want to suffer my wrath instead of him."

Now both of them literally told me to fuck off.

Damnit, I don't need two angry dragons chasing my ass off especially when both currently gave a death glare.

Steeling myself, I quickly approached them to stop this farce. Especially with Tiamat here seeking for me out of the blue.

"Can't do that if you both are getting closer to beating each other to death." I retorted while trying my best to ignore their deadly gaze. "And first of all, why is Tiamat looking for me? It's impossible for her to do that without a reason."

From the corner of my eyes, I can see Tiamat smirking when she hears my words. Which proves that she did have a reason to search for me.

"Correct, kid." Tiamat nodded while quickly dropping her Dragon Aura. "Ajuka tasked me with searching for you since you suddenly went missing without any notice. But imagine my surprise when you're here, in a land that is far away from the nearest devil civilization, with this guy of all people."

She said it while glancing at Crom who is also dropping his Dragon Aura reluctantly. I can see that he has pride for never attacking an enemy that is already uninterested in fighting him.

'Crisis averted.' I mentally sighed in relief.

[Tch, and when things were about to be interesting…]

[Spoilsport!]

[Party pooper!]

While totally ignoring Azi who's ranting about missing a good fight. Dragons and their lust for battle for fuck sake.

"Why is Lord Beelzebub searching for me?" I asked Tiamat directly, while glancing at Crom who's standing behind her with crossed arms.

Tiamat just shrugged her shoulders at my question. "Who knows what he wants, kid. But it seems related to your Evil pieces or something."

I widened my eyes when Tiamat mentioned Evil pieces, I totally forgot about that due to my previous condition. Damn it, I really need those things in order to gain Ingvild as my Waif-peerage member, peerage member is what I meant. Given the fact that Ajuka is even ordering Tiamat to look for me, it must be something urgent related to my Evil pieces.

Damn it, now I really need to go to Lilith as soon as possible if I don't want something to ever happen to my rights for obtaining my own Evil pieces. But I cannot simply leave to Lilith, given that I haven't finished training with Crom yet.

I am truly in a dilemma as both are equally untenable.

"Fine."

"Huh?" I turned my attention towards Crom, unable to believe what I just heard.

"I said, fine." said Crom while signing in mild annoyance. "It is important for you to gaining strength. There's no reason for me to interfere with it."

I stood frozen in disbelief at what Crom just said. Him, the most selfish person that I know after being reincarnated in this world, is allowing me to leave.

I gave him a smile. "Thanks Crom! I really needed to go to the Capital to get my Evil pieces, and I was really afraid that you would forbid me from going!"

Tiamat just snorted when she heard me. "Even if you didn't get permission from this man, I would still be snatching you away."

Crom just grunted in annoyance but didn't say anything further.

"Alright then, kid. Let's go." said Tiamat while putting her hands on my shoulder, as she began activating her personal dragon gate to teleport both of us to the Capital Lilith.

And my world turned blue before I even had a chance to bid Crom a proper goodbye.

The first thing that I see after my vision returns is a massive hall that is painted in white. Many luxurious artifacts are positioned in almost every corner of the room, red curtains are neatly placed in every window, alongside a long red carpet that stretches all the way to the stage.

Standing in the center of the stage, is the figure of a man who walks toward both Tiamat and me.

"You really took time, heir Bune."

The one who speaks is a handsome man in his twenties with slicked green hair and light blue eyes, which are now staring at me.

This man is Ajuka Beelzebub, formerly Ajuka Astaroth as now he is using the title of a former satan name to replace his family name. Something that his fellow comrades who also did the same. His figure is making me unconsciously look away, partly due to how uncomfortable I am with his oppressive aura that is much worse than the one Tiamat unleashed before.

"My apologies, Lord Beelzebub." I said while bowing to Ajuka in a formal tone. "I was informed that both you and Lord Lucifer are searching for me."

"Indeed I was." said Ajuka with a light tone, though I can somehow perceive a hidden mockery from his sentence. "The news about you suddenly disappearing is causing quite a ruckus among us, Four Devil Kings. I think Sirzechs is also dispatching your current Regent to search for your location."

I was a bit surprised when I heard Ajuka's information about my disappearance, but quickly understood why after remembering a certain information.

After the Civil War, the devils entered a peaceful era, where they quickly reformed the entire devil society by removing the monarchy system which previously used to rule and changed it into another government system that resembled the Meritocratic oligarchy system.

If a devil did a great deed or was deemed worthy by the government according to their skills or achievements, the government will grant the said individual a promotion exam. Where the individual will have a chance to rise in rank. The government itself is mostly led by Four Great Satan which consists of Sirzechs Gremory, Ajuka Astaroth, Serafall Sitri, and Falbium Glasya-labolas, who all changed their last name with the name of their former leaders while also giving up of their status as a heirs of their respective houses.

And one particular rule that Ajuka mentioned is their endeavor to recover the once extinct pillars while keeping the ones that are closer to extinction as well, like my Bune household.

Technically, the Bune household did have another member other than me. But due to his mixed heritage, Ladora Bune is being scorned and deemed unfit to be Lord Bune. Thus, the responsibility falls on me since I did have a 'purer' blood if compared to Ladora who is now currently serving as Sairarorg Bael's Rook.

No wonder Sirzechs is doing his best to find me since I am technically his responsibility.

"Aside from that, heir Bune." spoke Ajuka, which turned my attention back on him. "You know the reason why I am dispatching Tiamat in order to look for you, right?"

"Is it because of my Evil pieces?" I asked, which Ajuka nodded.

"Yes, it is because of that. Despite knowing that your house is nearing extinction, why didn't you immediately seek me to obtain your Evil pieces set and start looking for your peerage members to restore your prestige?" Ajuka asked me while smiling lightly. Though there's some hidden intent that I couldn't grasp on it.

I cannot help but be unable to answer his question properly. "I found a teacher to help me restore my condition, Lord Beelzebub."

"Is that more important than obtaining your Evil pieces?"

"Both are equally important, My lord. I trained hard so I can overcome my debilitation so it can help me obtain my peerage later." I said while trying to explain my circumstances to Ajuka while avoiding mentioning anything about Crom. For some reason, I felt Ajuka was trying to interrogate me indirectly with his questions. That makes me get more cautious as I am trying to answer it as best as I can without mentioning anything suspicious.

"But even having overcome your enfeebled body doesn't really help you to gain a good peerage."

I blinked at his words. "I am sorry?"

"Did you think that becoming stronger and overcoming your weaknesses can help you gain a mutation?"

"No-I mean, yes, Lord Beelzebub. I was hoping that's how it worked." I silently cursed at myself for giving such a feeble answer. I can even see from behind Ajuka, Tiamat snorted when she heard my answer. I know that gaining a mutation totally depends on each person's luck. Especially for me since I specifically wanted to find and recruit Ingvild before she awoke and met Issei.

Ajuka's statement struck me hard and somehow kinda demoralized my drive, and I hate the fact that he just doesn't care if he did it to me.

"You know it's impossible, yet you're hoping for an almost unachievable dream." Ajuka just shook his head in a mocking tone. "I wonder if you're simply a foolish young devil or just an ignorant dreamer."

I stood silently while unable to answer Ajuka's question. Specifically, I am refraining myself from answering him and letting him further embarrass me with his questions.

"Oh well, I hope your belief doesn't betray your result, heir Bune." Seeing that I didn't have any more interest in answering him, Ajuka just shrugged and lifted his right hand. A black monument appeared lowering from the ceiling, where it floated in front of me.

"Touch that monument to register yourself, and you will obtain your Evil pieces." Explained Ajuka with a flat tone as he's already become uninterested and just letting me obtain my set.

I did exactly what Ajuka instructed. The monument responded by glowing in silver color, which I didn't realize how Ajuka was giving me an odd look when he saw the color.

And the thing that appears in my hand, is a small rectangular box that contains my Evil pieces.

"This is it." I muttered in a low tone, trying my best to ignore the gaze from two powerful individuals behind me.

Squashing any anxiety lingering on my chest, I opened the box.

And my eyes widened in shock, which was mirrored by Ajuka and Tiamat as both of them also stared in disbelief at my newly Evil Pieces.

Among fifteen pieces, three of them have a different color.

"Oh my," said Ajuka with renewed interest. "Three mutated, and on top of that, a mutated Queen piece."

"Yes!" I shouted excitedly. I was barely able to contain my smile. My heart is racing with renewed excitement as I keep looking at my new Evil Pieces with pure joy. Aside from a Mutated Queen, I also got a Mutated Bishop and Mutated Rook. This is the best result that I could have asked for.

"I must say, heir Bune. I am now owing you an apology for my earlier words after what you just achieved." Spoke Ajuka while he and Tiamat are now approaching me while leering at my new Evil pieces in an undivided attention. "Especially since you are the first person to obtain the rarest mutation among all Evil pieces."

Ajuka's statement aroused my interest. "No one ever obtained mutated Queen pieces until now?"

"You are the first person that ever obtained it first hand." confirmed Ajuka as he returned the black monument back into the ceiling with a simple movement from his hand.

Tiamat also added her own thoughts. "I wonder what sort of monster that you will reincarnate as your Queen later on, kid. Not counting your other mutations as well."

I smiled at their prediction. "I already know the one I will recruit with this little guy."

Both of them are looking at me with renewed interest. Eager to find out what sort of individual that they will someday meet who will bear the rarest mutated piece. But since I already obtained my pieces, I need to go back to my temporary residence as soon as possible.

As if hearing my thoughts, Tiamat took my shoulders while preparing another teleportation. "This transportation spell will directly transport you to your teacher's location, so I won't need to accompany you."

I bet that is also due to her not wanting to meet Crom again.

"Heir Bune," I heard Ajuka call my name, which I promptly turned my attention towards. "As a reward for showing me something interesting, I will let this meeting slide away from my knowledge and act like this never happened."

I raised my eyebrow at Ajuka's declaration. "My Lord?"

Ajuka just simply smiled mischievously as a reply. Never telling me the reason as once again, my world turned blue.

If I actually stayed a bit longer, I would have heard about what Ajuka said about myself. "After all, I just found myself a new form of entertainment."

After Tiamat teleported me back from the CapitaI, I quickly looked at my surroundings, finding myself standing in front of an odd mansion.

Strangely, this is nowhere near my temporary residence at all.

At first, I wondered if Tiamat had mistakenly transported me to the wrong place. But I quickly put that thought aside when I saw the figure of Crom standing in front of the peculiar mansion, showing that she indeed pinpointed the spell correctly.

I quickly approached Crom who strangely only stood in place without even acknowledging my presence.

"Crom, why are you just standing here like a statue? More importantly, where are we?" I asked him. But he just ignores me while not answering my question. To my utter surprise, Crom suddenly walks towards the mansion. Promptly breaking the front gate while marching forward.

I quickly followed him. Curious about something inside that mansion which makes Crom behave like this.

Arriving at the front door, Crom didn't bother to even knock it and just simply kicked the door in, breaking it in the process.

From inside the mansion, a woman who looks to be in her thirties wearing an old tattered dress suddenly appears with an angry expression. "What is happening here! Which barbarian are you who destroys my front door like this!"

Before I even have a chance to reply to the woman, Crom just strode past, completely ignoring the woman while he marched towards one particular door on the second floor.

The woman is about to stop him, but I quickly prevent her by placing my hands on both of her shoulders. "Ma'am, please don't stop him! You'll get killed when he's in that mood!"

"Then you can explain why he suddenly appeared out of nowhere while destroying my front door, young man!" Said the woman who now glared at me while demanding my explanation.

Inwardly swearing at Crom for his unexplainable behavior, I quickly introduced myself while explained about anything that I know, which also includes about Crom's identity as a Dragon while leaving the important part about his true identity.

Strangely after I explained it to her. The woman strangely just nodded while glancing at the figure of Crom who just entered the room on the second floor with a pensive expression.

"Ma'am, may I ask what is the room on the second floor that Crom just entered?"

"It's a bedroom, dear. And you can call me Hertlinde Amy."

"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

"Likewise, young Ars."

It didn't take long for Crom to leave the bedroom. He walked towards me with annoyance clearly plastered on his face. Before I could ask him what was bothering him, he passed by and told me to check it myself. Confused by his sudden demeanor, I didn't stop him from leaving the house after slamming the door with a bit of force, leaving it dented due to his ridiculous strength.

"Sorry about his demeanor, ma'am." I apologized to Hertlinde, though she just smiled wryly for some reason and didn't say anything. I wonder why she didn't seem surprised by Crom's sudden departure.

Following Crom's advice, I entered the bedroom, and quickly understood why Crom suddenly left the house. The moment I stepped inside, I immediately fell on my knees due to the amount of aura that surrounds the room. It is sickening to me and almost makes me lose my consciousness if I don't act instantly to reinforce my body with a thick layer of demonic power.

The aura itself is somehow affecting my dragon side and weakening it to the point where if I didn't use the power of my devil side, I would surely succumb to it. I take quick note that a particular aura specifically weakens any dragon species or those who are having dragon-related power, which makes me instinctively search for the source. Which is somehow very similar to a certain power. And my deduction is ironically correct as I quickly approached the source of the aura after immediately recognizing the individual that is laying on the bed with a serene expression.

Her pale skin didn't take away even an ounce of her beauty. Her lavender hair is neatly tied up over the pillow. Her slender body was covered by a thin hospital gown, which did very little to hide her bountiful bosom at all.

I stared at the sleeping figure of Ingvild Leviathan in complete silence, unable to believe myself that I could find her much earlier.

"I assume that you know the identity of my dear sleeping beauty, lad." the voice of Hertlinde snapped me from my state, as I could only nod dumbly.

"Yes, I do know her. Or at least I think I know her lineage" I said while glancing at Hertlinde. Looking at her with a questionable gaze.

Hertlinde chuckles at my expression, which she promptly answers my curiosity. "It was around a hundred years ago. I was answering the summon of a contract as usual when I stumbled upon a peculiar spouse that begged me to hide her daughter. Imagine my surprise when I learned about their identities. A descendant of the Leviathan house, along with her human husband. After some negotiations, I agreed to keep their only daughter, who got infected by the sleeping disease, away from their residence."

Regaining her breath, Hertlinde continues her story. "Since then, I've been taking care of this child until now. I never received any news from the parents after that, but I assumed that they were hunted down by the old satan faction, probably due to how those radicals viewed their marriage as a taboo for their so-called 'sacred bloodline'."

Hertlinde walks closer and gently caresses Ingvild's hair. A painful smile crossed on her expression. "Poor girl, having her peaceful life being taken simply due to her existence. And before I left with Ingvild, her parents briefly told me about their daughter. What she likes and dislikes, her hobbies, how much they loved her and how they are grieving for parting with her. They just loved her so much that it hurts me sometimes seeing her vulnerable state."

I just stood silently while listening to her story while occasionally glancing at Ingvild, who's sleeping peacefully. The novel did explain Ingvild's background where her parents are contacted a nameless devil through summoning contracts to take care of her. But having heard it directly from the person who is taking care of Ingvild herself, whose name is never properly mentioned as a background character, is a completely different experience.

It makes me realize once again that knowing the story from the novel and hearing it directly is an entirely different experience. But sooner or later, Ingvild's sacred gear will awaken. During that time, Hertlinde would eventually part with her after she left Ingvild in Gregori's care since she doesn't know anything about Sacred Gears. And I don't want that to happen since from the very beginning, I've already planned to take Ingvild as my peerage member.

I took one of my Evil Piece out from my pocket. One of three pieces that I kept on myself after leaving the ceremonial hall.

The Mutated Queen Piece.

The only piece that I believe is worthy for reincarnating Ingvild.

Hertlinde stares at the odd-colored evil piece in my hand. She clearly understands my intention even if I didn't say anything. "I won't stop you if that is your intention. I always knew this day would eventually happen when a High-class devil arrives in this secluded place and tries to recruit Ingvild to their peerage."

Hertlinde stepped back from the bed as she approached me with a pensive expression. Tears started flowing from her eyes, but she held herself from totally breaking down. "But please promise me that you will treat her with respect and care. Ingvild may not be my daughter in blood, but I will always think of her as my dearest daughter that I couldn't ever have."

I nodded at her request, staring at Hertlinde's mourning face with a firm expression.

Hertlinde nodded while smiling sadly, before taking her leave out of the bedroom. "I will be leaving you so you can do the process undisturbed." With a quick click, she left me alone with Ingvild.

Taking a deep breath, I begin to draw forth my demonic power while putting the Mutated Queen Piece on Ingvild's chest, preparing myself for the ritual as I reiterate Rias's chant on the reincarnation ritual when she did it on reincarnating Asia. But to my utter surprise, the Mutated Queen pieces glowed slightly for a few seconds before it stopped.

The reincarnation process stopped?

'How? Even if she has a demonic power rivaling satan class devil, I should've been able to reincarnate her with a mutated queen!' I shook my head in disbelief.

I repeated the process again, twice. Then thrice, then again, and again. I keep repeating the process but also keep receiving the same process. The Mutated Queen pieces kept glowing for a moment before stopping, making me completely frustrated as anxiety began to crawl inside my chest.

Is it a malfunction of my Mutated Queen? Or is it due to other reasons?

'What if I can't reincarnate Ingvild?'

It's the same question that I keep repeating myself in agitation. But before I am trying to do the same process once again, Azi's voice suddenly interrupts me.

[It's because she's too strong for you, fool.]

[It is not because the process failed because of malfunction, you're just simply too weak to reincarnate her.]

[Though, you don't need me to explain it since you already know about it but didn't dare to admit it by yourself.]

I couldn't admonish what Azi just said since deep down in my mind, I know that he's right. I am simply too weak to reincarnate Ingvild.

'So you're telling me that I just have to give up…' I replied Azi in my inner consciousness with a bitter tone. But to my surprise, instead of agreeing with my sentence, Azi is just laughing hard.

[Fool! Do you think I will just leave this fine piece of treasure like that?]

[You don't even need to explain why you really wanted to reincarnate this girl, brat! Because I already know!]

[Fine! I will help you in this situation! But remember this great Azi is helping you simply because I cannot stand such a precious treasure like her being obtained by another fool!]

Azi then began to chant about something but I couldn't understand any of his words. As suddenly a huge amount of demonic power exploded from my body, making me widen my eyes in shock.

[Don't just stand there like a damn statue, recite the ritual now!]

[It doesn't last long!]

[Hurry up, brat!]

Deciding to refrain from questioning what he just did to my body, I once again recite the ritual chant. And this time, the Mutated Queen is glowing more intensely, as Ingvild's body also responds by unleashing a titanic level of demonic power that instantly puts me on my knees. But I held myself in sheer desperation, eager to see the ritual process until the end.

Finally, the mutated Queen piece is entering inside Ingvild's chest. And what happened next is an explosion of wind that threw me and all the furniture inside the bedroom to the nearest wall due to the sheer force of the demonic power that let loose from Ingvild's body.

Grunting in pain, I slowly stood while coughing violently due to the scattered dust and remains of furniture that smashed apart from the sheer force of Ingvild's enormous levels of demonic power.

And met with a pair of orange orbs that looked at me with curiosity.

"Hello? Do I know you?" I could only stare back with a dumbfounded expression as the bedroom door suddenly opens with Hertlinde quickly coming inside with alarmed expressions.

Only for both of them to stop in her tracks as she also stared at Ingvild in disbelief and joy. Only to sigh in understanding when Ingvild asked about their identity in an innocent tone.

After the entire reincarnating fiasco, both Crom and I decided to return to our temporary residence with Ingvild following us.

After some intimate conversation with Ingvild and due to not wanting to leave Ingvild without any care, Herlinda finally relented and decided to follow us to take care of her daily needs. I guess this is some sort of happy ending since she didn't part ways with Ingvild in the end.

We had a simple dinner of fried rice that I cooked with the remaining ingredients we had. Both Ingvild and Hertlinda are complimenting my culinary skills, saying that I have a knack for being a chef which makes me a bit flustered. I made a mental note to schedule a grocery run tomorrow if I didn't want my Waif-Peerage Member to be subjected to one of 'Croms delicacies'. I really need to stop thinking of her like that she is a real person.

Also I had gotten a decent amount of cash from Hertlinda. So I wouldn't be hurting on funds right now. Not to mention, If need be I could order her to go shopping since I can't really go to the nearest town to buy some supplies due to the fact that Sirzechs dispatched my current Regent to search for me due to my sudden missing status.

I have yet to inform Crom about this, given that he didn't want to deal with other devils except me. Heck, he might have reacted badly if I informed him.

For now though, I will stay quiet while focusing on my training. hoping my Regent didn't find this place like Tiamat did last time. Seeing Crom and Tiamat trying to rip each other apart just because of their mutual dislike for each other with both being really close to starting a fight if I didn't stop them earlier is downright ridiculous.

Imagine my Regent suddenly appeared out of nowhere and demanded the same thing. Crom would totally tear my regent apart due to sheer annoyance.

Dragons and their short tempers, for damn sake.

I am also asking about what Azi just did with my body earlier. He said it, to my annoyance, in a smug tone that he forcefully released my latent hidden potential that supposedly I will reach it someday. Bringing my demonic power into a higher level than my current one which also increased my odds of reincarnating Ingvild.

Azi also said that Ingvild's condition also helped the process. Had if I am trying while she's awake, it would definitely be impossible for me to be able to reincarnate her, even with a mutated Queen piece.

Speaking for Ingvild, I glanced at the person herself who now is sitting beside me in a grassland near our temporary residence, staring at the artificial moonlight with an unreadable expression. Due to my attempt to reincarnate her, it caused her Sacred Gear to be awakened. Promptly making her awaken from her sleeping disease. Exactly the same as canon albeit with a different trigger.

She's currently wearing the same dress from the first time she met Issei in the park. The dress itself is hugging Ingvild's body tightly due to her recent growth.

Apparently due to the reincarnation, Ingvild's body is undergoing sudden growth. Her already bountiful bosom is now becoming even bigger than before. Her hips and waist are also filled nicely, becoming wider than her previous size, along with her height, which also increased a few centimeters. Before the reincarnation, she's probably around my height if not a bit shorter. But now, she's almost one head taller than me. And combined with her current size, I dare to say that she might be rivaling Rias and Akeno in terms of size, maybe even more.

I cannot help but be mesmerized by her amazing figure.

"Do you know," Ingvild slowly speaks, which snapped me from my thoughts as I quickly focused on her words. "Even if you and Hertlinde have already explained everything to me about my circumstances, I am still unable to believe it." Ingvild said it while smiling pensively, while turning her head to staring at me.

I can understand why she's still doubting the entire situation. Having been sleeping without knowing anything and suddenly waking up with a bunch of unknown people who later explained to her that a hundred years had passed since she's been sleeping is mind-boggling.

Knowing that she's been sleeping for that long is hard.

But losing contact with her parents without knowing whether they're still alive or not is even harder

I can understand why she's still in denial about her current situation. After all, Ingvild had been living a normal life as a countryside girl in a small village nearing the ocean, where she used to run on a sandy beach and play with her friends.

And now, its all suddenly gone without any warning and leaving her possibly parentless.

Of course she's feeling distressed and downhearted.

Sighing at myself, I took her right hand with my own much to her surprise, while trying to console her. "I am sorry for your loss, Miss Ingvild. I can't do anything but offer you consolation that you are not alone in your current predicament."

Hearing that, Ingvild just smiled softly while also grasping my hand with both of her hands.

"And I am grateful for that. If not due to your effort to reincarnate me, I would be still slumbering in my sleep without even knowing anything."

Despite her comforting words, I can still feel slight trembles from her fingers. Showing her trepidation over her condition, but still held herself strong. In response, I placed my left hand on Ingvild's shoulder and promptly hugged her.

If Ingvild was surprised with my action, she didn't show it. Merely letting me hug her as I can feel her shoulders quiver in response. I took my other hand and began to rub her back, to which she responded and hugged me tightly. Crying quietly with her tears hidden beneath my shoulders and starting to leak on my clothes.

But I didn't care. All I care about is consoling a heartbroken girl who's essentially just lost everything she held dear.

[Ugh, a lovey-dovey moment…]

[A fucking telenovela…!]

[Cringe!]

Oh shut up, Azi. You're almost ruined the mood.

Time passed a while as I let Ingvild cry on my shoulder before finally she let go of her hug, smiling with swollen eyes after crying for some time.

And even after crying like that, she's still trying to stay strong and smile at me.

I took my thumbs and began to wipe her remaining tears, while also caressing her cheeks. Ingvild seemed to enjoy it as she let me do it while smiling in gratitude.

"Thank you Mr. Bune. I am sorry for suddenly crying like that."

"Please, I don't mind. And also call me Ars."

Hearing that Ingvild just smiled and nodded lightly. "Then you may also call me Ingvild as well, Ars."

I nodded at that while smiling back at her. The previous depressed mood is quickly disappearing, replaced with a delightful mood as both of us are chilling while enjoying the night breeze.

Though I still have something that I need to confirm.

"Ingvild, this might be a little sudden, but can I ask you to show me a bit of your demonic power?"

Ingvild tilted her head in confusion, but complied with my request.

She slowly stood up while distancing herself a little from me. She then began to quickly summon her demonic power - which caused powerful winds to begin spiraling around her, the pure raw demonic power behind it was enough to make the entire meadow around us tremble, as if it was reacting to her gargantuan demonic power.

It was so powerful that it almost blew me away, and I had to anchor myself to the ground to avoid being thrown away like a ragdoll.

The process also caused her wings to manifest behind her back, which was exactly what I wanted, as it confirmed my theories and my suspicions over her otherworldly demonic power.

[Well, I am actually just staying silent since I hate seeing both of you being lovey-dovey with each other.]

[But this is! This is really unprecedented, even with my knowledge!]

[you are not just hitting a jackpot, brat! You're getting a super jackpot!]

There it is.

The reason why I couldn't reincarnate her even with a mutated queen piece and would have failed if Azi didn't help me.

Floating in the middle of the grassy terrain, under the glittering full moon, was an enchanting beauty beyond words. The hauntingly beautiful visage of Ingvild Leviathan stared back at me, eyes glowing brilliantly like stars in the night.

Kept aloft by twelve jet-black devil wings jutting from her back.

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Beta Reader: LuluViBritania(FF.N, SB and QQ)/-LuluViB|99th Britannian Emperor(Discord)

Authors Note: Heya guys, its been a while. Another chapter is up after a month. From here Ars is finally stepped up on his training with copycat gravity training, goku style all the way. Also we got the point where he also obtain his evil pieces, which comes with a surprise for him.
Also, canon Ingvild only have eights wings instead of twelve. And yes, she's on the same realm with Rizevim, Ajuka, and Sirzechs.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the fic, bye.

Ingvild Pict: /gallery/2VkaLDO

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