Chapter 13.
Fire purges the night. Never let it in.
The preparations were made, and I got the extra sword and pistols ready. I had my mechadendrites prepared for this, and I have additional rounds made for battle this week. When everything was ready, I opened a portal to my old place after asking Kuroka via text if it was all right. She responded it's okay.
In the house is the cat and another. It's the iguana in Issari. She and Kuroka were sitting at the table and enjoying breakfast. Issari is looking at me, and I raise an eyebrow at her.
"I thought you'd be with Murayama-chan."
Issari grins.
"I was till ten thirty, but I'm coming with you, Gregor-kun. I need to help, and I know you will try to say no. As for the thing, I'm close to ready. I don't want to be a devil, and this protects me and the gecko. Please make it for me sometime this week."
I eyed her for a hint of doubt. Of regret. I see none, and I ask.
"How can you justify it? Not having your parents. As for the joining, I can't hold you back. You're going to have to eventually go in and have real battle. I can't stop that forever, and with him having made our war masks, I have less reason to object. I'll portal us to the station and we will get your equipment. I'll make you a digital holder."
Issari grew grim and ready. Kuroka wants to see my gear, and I will let her in today fully. Issari got up, and she said as I made the portal to the station.
"I can justify it by the fact my parents will have me there defending them utterly. My family will have a person they can look up to. I will show humans we are not playthings to the other side and that I'm willing to make sacrifices like my Fabricator-General. My family will be remembered for ten thousand years when we reach the stars. As one that made the Red Dragon of Mars."
Better reasons than many. Kuroka doesn't get the certainty for the stars. I will explain more to her when I make the holder. We went through the portal, and Issari ran to get her stuff while I took away the enhancement bed and power sources with Kuroka watching that. When Issari is back with her armor, sword and her las pistol on her hip. I summoned the anvil along with Koriel this time. Her cybernetics and her utterly alien appearance shocked Kuroka. Koriel studied the cat before shrugging. Issari is ready by her near-perfect stance. I ask for her old armor set.
She blinked but gave it over. I willed it away and my old set before I swung and made two new sets and a holder for Issari. Red colored carapace along with new helms having the symbol of our eventual planetary symbol. The cog and skull of Mars. I offer Issari the helm and armor after getting us a new war mask. The divine power hits and Kuroka's again shocked it doesn't hurt her. She looked at Koriel and the anvil once more.
"Who is she nya? I have never seen a person like that before, and I have never heard of a gear that can do this, nya."
I smiled and then introduced my partner and my gear.
"Bad cat, this is Fabricator Koriel Zeth of Mars. As for my gear, I like to call it the STC. Or Standard Template Constructor. It's a Longinus because I can eventually change our world completely and, with enough work, kill gods. The generators for the teleportation pad you used. Those are plasma generators. The key to our energy problems. The bed I got rid of. That will enhance my and eventually Issari's bodies and bring them up to a new stage of human evolution. Eventually, I can make things that will get us to Mars and beyond. Yes, spaceships. Because Koriel is from a reality where we had those."
Kuroka stood still. Looking at Koriel and then the anvil. Koriel smiled.
"We had millions of ships, cat. Trillions of soldiers. Our empire had tens of thousands of worlds. He is correct; I am from another reality. I was a powerful member of a group called the Cult Mechcanicum. Or as we were commonly called, the Tech Priests of Mars. He is not lying about the ships. I have the knowledge to make them; with this, we will change the world forever."
Kuroka was still stone stiff. Before she fell over, twitching on the ground and Issari giggling at the sight. I shake my head, saying to Issari.
"The teleportation device here is now connected to the new place. It's massive, and I have invited your swordsman, my cousin, and future betrothed over tonight for dinner. You're welcome to join us. I'll make the portal to the tengus."
I pulled out my extra guns and swords along with the mechadendrite pack. I got my armor on, and Issari looked at the pack with interest, helping me place it. Before the arms come out and then they grab the swords and guns. Issari blinked. Before, her eyes twinkled at the site of extra arms. Kuroka was up now and was watching the arms move as I got them used to movement. The anvil is gone, and Issari replies.
"I want one of these. That's kick ass! As for dinner, yes, I'm in! Pretty cousin and swordsman, here I come! What is the pack called?"
I experimented and then moved one of my hands toward Kuroka, who watched it approach curiously. I make a handshake gesture with the robot arm, and Kuroka takes it and shakes. It's her time to speak.
"I want one of these too, nya. I could do so much if I had this. I'm here with you on a very permanent basis, nya. Starships. This place that had them. What was it like, nya? How did we have all that?"
I answered Issari and Kuroka.
"They are called mechadendrites. That place was not a good place. Kuroka, we are right now in the third millennium. The time that Koriel was at was the thirty-first millennium. The universe itself continued on towards the forty-second millennium. Everything I make is from those times. The empire humanity had there eventually had a million worlds. We spanned a galaxy. I plan to make that possible for here. That's what the Legio Solar will fight for. A new future."
Kuroka widened her eyes more, and the red fringe fell over her eye. Issari was preparing her pistol and her sword with several chops in her style. I get my extra hands ready to be extra reloading hands. More mags are prepared, and I warn Issari.
"Wear the helm and never take it off. The sight my guns do is not pretty. The rounds I use will enter a body or surface and then drill before they explode inside them. It does go through magic barriers. So, fair warning. Also, be ready to dodge and take cover. Hopefully, we will be doing this fast, and then I'm going after more strays. One fight only today."
Kuroka looked at the pistols with a new fear. Issari frowned but tilted her head in acknowledgment. Kuroka asked in fear.
"What were they fighting that required that kind of a gun, nya?"
I shiver, as does Issari. I make a comparison.
"Many things. But these weapons were originally designed to fight an alien species called the Orks. They are like the brutes from Halo but worse. They are a fungus animal hybrid, and just one getting to a world was a death sentence for that world. They shed spores constantly, and they especially did that when they died. They and many other things are why I fear the alien Kuroka. Because we might have them here, I'll read you a paper from someone that tells me things. It and I will explain it more."
Kuroka went bone white hearing that. Her tails straight up in the air. Issari had heard bits of the Orks. Just not the spores part yet. She grew more determined because she had read the note, too. Kuroka finally understands the fear. The possibility of Xenos worse than brutes. A death sentence for a world.
"You're not nuts, nya. They might be here nya! You would never claim something like that unless you have deductions that point to that, nya!"
I supply a little.
"The Orks were made for war. A war that lasted millions of years against things that were worse than them. I fear what will happen should they ever find us if they exist, which is highly likely given a few things I know. We are not able to fight them as we are now. No UNSC. No navy. There is no central command. There is nothing to prevent them from landing. Why I don't fear the known as much. Can you fight off a hundred of them? Five hundred? More because they are a horde force. I fear what will happen if they exist here and come to our planet. We will be lucky to last a week. I want the world ready for that possibility and whatever else is out there."
Kuroka finally gets me. She was shaking and thinking about that. She looked ready to faint but grew determined, too. She looked me up and down, searching for a lie and hoping I was. When she doesn't find one, she doesn't faint. Just grew understanding.
"Tell me everything when I see you again after you return, nya. My mate would not lie like that or try pranking me this way. How are you so certain that this place was real besides her?"
I have everything on and loaded. I prepared the spell. I answered.
"Because I'm not from this reality originally either. The sea that is the warp stretches across the multiverse. My reality was vastly different than here. The tale is long, and I won't hide this from you anymore. Trust me, like how I did you. I want you free and able to sis-con abuse your sister. I want to improve the world, but we can't do that with things like the Chaos Brigade. Like the OSF and something they want to free. I can tell you a story of this pervert named Issei. How he was the worst and how Issari is so much better than him even on her worst day. I know it is truth. Because I know things about there and how they apply to people here."
Kuroka froze upon hearing the name of the other group. She had never said their names to me. She looked at me in shock because Issari backed me up.
"That me is horrible. Gregor-kun is telling the truth. I have talked to another version of me. That me is cool, and he is weird because he's not a pervert. He says that the base version of us is ultra cringe-inducing. Kitty, his version of you, says hi and says that you are cool. She likes the hair and says that you will get freedom like she did. Just trust our green-haired idiot."
Kuroka dropped her mouth to the floor. She was looking at me, then Issari. I snark to Issari.
"I'm at least the idiot with a sort of plan. Your plan is to get into my cousin's pants. By the way, I will beat you down horribly because I like my cousin. Despite the fact she is a rat."
Issari didn't deny the accusation. She just grinned like a pervert loon. Kuroka looked at me with hope and a bit of distrust, which hurt. She is fun and I'd like her to be the second possibly. Issari saw the look from the cat and said to her.
"He lied to me, too, but not for a bad reason. The idiot that is our friend wants to help our world. He can't yell he's from another reality without laying the groundwork. He would be thrown into an asylum and left to rot. He is trying with us, and he believes in others. Don't hate him, bad cat, especially since you and he are good together. Sorry Gregor-kun, but your cousin is mine! She's like me!"
Kuroka took that, and then she looked down at the floor. Before she looked at me, her yellow eyes promised something nice for me. Not perverted in any way. She smiled and said.
"A mate that wants me to be free. To have my sister back, nya. To see the stars and to let me feed the sin I have without hesitation. You are a man I will chase to the end of the galaxy, nya. My mate that continues to surprise me."
I chuckled there.
"I try. I will fail many times, but I will try forward. I have several free plans for you, and I hope it work. I need you to beat down your racist sister because she doesn't seem to want to change. Issari, it's time."
Issari prepared to don the helm. Kuroka looked worried for me and her sister. As I opened the portal, Kuroka said one more thing.
"Tell me everything when you get back and are free, nya. Good luck, Greg."
I smile at her, then don my helm. The mask kicked in, and I immediately felt weird. The same disassociation that I had felt the first time. Issari dons her helm, too, and I opened a vox link with her. Before I opened the portal to the old, abandoned house the tengus were using.
The house was in one of the most run-down parts of the city. It was, however, the biggest of the nearby ones. People were not out and about despite it being midday. The portal was right next to the house in the backyard, which was mostly overgrown with trees and weeds and surrounded by a high-rotting fence. No one can easily see the backyard, so we were good. I used a Google Maps picture to visualize this place. I moved with Issari towards an old, half-rotted back door. I slowly used a mechadendrite to open the door and entered first with axe and bolt pistol prepared. Issari followed and I checked our right. The washing room was empty, and after checking the room fully, I advanced.
The advance was slow, with me leading the way. Issari was right behind me with her pistol in her left hand while her sword shook slightly. I moved into the next room slowly, and as I gazed around the room, which was a living room, if I didn't have the helm, I would have made this a death room because a giant sword slammed straight into my helm and clanged off it. I hurt because of the force of the impact and the ringing of metal on metal, but I prepared for a fight. The red eyes of my helm looked at my opponent.
It was a female tengu with bright black feathers, and she was wearing old armor that looked like it belonged in a museum for ancient samurai footmen. She was near the decaying couch to the right of the door we entered in, and she crowed her anger here that the sword failed.
"I knew I heard something. Your dead intruders."
The second tengu appeared from the shadows dressed like a ninja all in black, and he slammed two sai into my chest at a horrific speed, but the armor once again saved my life. The clangs made Issari back up behind me, but I only fell back a single step. Being in the living room allowed me to extend two of my arms with chainswords activated. The roars of three chain weapons at once plus the suddenness of two extra mech arms makes the ninja and the samurai back up badly at the noise. The samurai had been about to chop again at my legs. Issari revs her sword behind me, and the battle begins.
I activated more hands, bringing bolt pistols out, and I fired my first shot. The round slammed into the couch, and the rotted thing exploded, sending the tengus into even more confusion as they dodged the metal cage still in the sofa. Issari fired her shot with the laser burning red hot, hitting the wall beside where the samurai tengu had landed. The house descended into a battlefield, and I pushed forward and brought two swords down toward the ninja because I hate rogues, and this fucker hit harder than the samurai. Rouges are almost as bad as bards in actual terms of damage and use. The ninja blocked the two swords rapidly with his sai. The clangs and roars are muted for me, thanks to the mask. In it, it's just logical thinking. There was no noise and few distractions. I love it and hate it. However, this is better than echoing roars.
Issari fired a second shot and advanced towards the samurai. The shot again missed, hitting another wall, leaving another scorch mark. The samurai chops with her sword towards Issari's right arm, with the sword gleaming bright, and Issari dodges with the sword, hitting the tiled floor with a clang. I fired one of my bolt pistols in support of my friend, and the round carved into an old tv before exploding. The ninja slammed the sai into me again and hit where my kidneys would be. The blades clanged again and left thin scratch marks on the carapace. I chop in retaliation at the foe with my swords and axe, which he dodged again, being incredibly well in shape. The swords and axe get nothing because this tengu is not an amateur like the first three. He has seen fighting and is a clear veteran. He threw a smoke bomb that covered him, retreating toward the now elongating shadows of the room on our side.
Issari swung her sword and called out over our vox.
"Boost!"
The sword swung faster at the power-up, and the samurai barely caught the sword with the teeth whining against the sword of the bird. She and Issari are moving towards the stairs. I fire three shots with my bolt pistols and swords, moving as one on the ninja. The bird dodged each shot expertly and had clearly fought against guns before. The shrapnel from the explosions flying, and my sword on my right got a hit finally on the fast fuck.
The teeth cut a hunk of meat from his right arm near the elbow. The meat and feathers flying off his arm make the bird crow in agony. He threw a second smoke bomb to try and get distance from me, but I fired another bolter shot as my helm and eyes tracked him through the smoke. The shot hit the tile and sent it into his legs, making him slow down, crowing in pain again. He continued to dodge shots and swings of my swords and axe but was starting to slow down more, thanks to blood loss. He kept pushing me and slammed his sai in every single weak position on a human body. They all clanged off my armor, but there are a ton of scratches.
The smoke fucked over his ally. She couldn't see. Issari could. She fired her gun and got a hit as the red-hot round cut through the bird's left leg. The hole was not big, but it made the bird cry out, and she wobbled. She barely blocked the sword that came down on her. They kept fighting as the bird tried to maneuver away from Issari.
I hear a whistle, and then three shuriken hits where my eyes and heart would be. The eyes shuriken clang off me. However, the heart shot gets stuck in the armor. The bird is pissed because he snarled.
"What are these fucks wearing!"
His ally responded in growing fear.
"No idea, but we need to run! They are good, and they must be hunters! Fall back!"
Oh no, you're not running. I fired three bolts at the samurai, and Issari fired too at the same time. All but one shot missed the samurai. The last shot was a las shot through the center of the head, and the samurai fell to the ground in a heap of feathers. The ninja was horrified by the death of his ally. The bolter rounds were not wasted as they entered the stairs railing, and the explosions sent shrapnel into the bird. Wood hits his wings and hands, making him scream. Issari takes the opening, and she brings her sword down on his head, saying again over the vox.
"Boost!"
The swipe takes his head clean off, with the head hitting the floor along with the body. Blood spilled onto the tile, and then the house went quiet. I will the bolts fired away and end the roars of the swords and axe, before telling Issari in my now blank voice.
"These are yours. No argument. You made the kills."
She shakes her head. I'm retracting my arms and putting the pistols, the axe, and one sword away, and that's when Issari spoke.
"You need it more. It must go to saving your redhead, and I'm not taking it."
Stupid pervert, and stupid me because I could take the money. However, years of working with crews of people don't go away easily. I pressed as I got the heads and threw them in a pocket spell.
"Half then. I won't let you do the work and then get nothing. Don't argue further. Ninja or samurai?"
Issari replied with a bit more emotion now.
"Samurai. You're a stubborn asshole."
I growled back at her as I threw fire on their bodies. Then, hose down the blood with water.
"I was poor Issari. I believe heavily in fair payment for people. You can hate it all you want, and yes, I am a stubborn asshole, but."
A soft whimper cut off the argument from upstairs. Oh no. We both had that thought and immediately went to see what that was. We ran up the stairs, and I opened the door to find a bedroom with a woman tied up on the bed. She is beautiful, and her hair is orange with maple leaves in it. She was tied to the bed with rope, and she was faced towards the wall. She started shaking more, hearing the door open. Then she was sobbing out, something I couldn't hear because she was gagged. I moved and told Issari over the vox.
"Check the rest of the house. I have this."
Issari moved and headed down the hall. I slowly moved to the tied-up woman, and I looked at the rope and then her clothes. They were in poor shape with many holes, and they revealed bruises and minor cuts. Her hands have rope burns on them from trying to escape. I take off my helm, and the feeling of being normal hits hard, and I hear the woman crying more than ever. She was making begging sounds, and I hate this. I softly say to her.
"It's ok. I'm not them. I can get you free, but you have to trust me. I will make a loud noise, but it will be to cut you free. Please believe me."
The woman stopped shaking and sobbing and only slightly moved after that. Before she shook her head in a yes. She was so scared, and I activated my sword. The roar was loud, and the woman shook again. I, however, cut the ropes holding her down and then the rope around her hands. I cut the power to the sword, and the woman turned to face me. Moving slowly, her face was revealed. Her right eye is swollen shut from a nasty black eye. Her left eye is a pretty blue. Upon seeing me she froze more. She was shaking badly, trying to remove the gag, meaning she had not had hand movement for a while. I asked for permission with my eyes to remove her gag. She looked me up and down in fear before saying yes in confirmation. Her eyes closed, and I removed the gag before stepping away.
"I'm sorry for the roar."
The eye opened again. This time, there is clear relief there. Her voice was rough. Like she had not used it in a while, it was, however, very musical, like wind rustling over grass.
"It's ok. Thank you for saving me."
I helped her up, and she hadn't used her legs in a while either because she was wobbling back and forth. I helped her up and she leaned on me heavily. Her head lands in the crook of mine, and her smell is an earthy smell that is like freshly planted grain. She spoke up again.
"You are a real hero. I don't have anything to give you for saving me. I'm sorry for that."
I just slowly moved towards the door with her leaning on me. My sword was on my hip. I replied to her even though I didn't believe that.
"It's alright. People are calling me a hero, so I guess I am one now. I want nothing for saving you. I'll get you to safety. You a devil?"
She shook her head at the question.
"I'm a pure nymph. You will never not be my hero good sir. I'm Daphne. Who are you? It's rude for me not to know my hero's name."
We are slowly moving down the stairs and I speak when we're at the bottom.
"Names Gregor. Were there any other people here in the house with you and the birds?"
Daphne was about to answer when Issari came clunking down the stairs. That made Daphne freeze, but I just rubbed her back in reassurance. That settled the slightly taller woman down. Issari moved around us to the front with her helm off. My friend had heard my question because she said with relief and pride.
"No one else. Just old rooms. I did find a bit of money and that's mine. You get the bounties you ass. We are good to move."
Daphne grew relieved because she had not known if there was anyone else. Issari helped me move Daphne, and we moved to the backyard. Daphne shows her hurts clearly and I will need to get her a doctor. Oh, how I wish Asia were here. Once we get to the yard, I open a portal to the station. We moved through and then the portal shut behind us. I didn't see Kuroka, and I made our way to the teleportation room with Daphne looking around with her good eye. When we hit the pad leading to the new place we flashed there, and Daphne blinked. We were in an old wine room, and I keyed Issari and myself into the lock before opening the door. We helped Daphne up the stairs from the basement to the first floor, and Issari looked at everything in amazement. She said with a jealousy-ridden voice.
"Lucky prick. I'd love to live here."
I shrugged. Daphne just snorted in amusement at the comment. We helped her to the main hall's living room to the left. I then help lower the nymph to the couch and she lays on the sofa relaxing more now that the threat of the tengus has passed. She is still worried about something, and I text Rias and ask if she knows a doctor. The text that comes back is extremely worried, but she said she has something better. She would get them and begged me to know if it was for me. I replied no it's for someone else. That got her calmed down. Saying that she will be there when possible. As Issari had gone to get the newcomer water from the kitchen, Daphne asked me something.
"You asked if I was a devil. Now I'm asking you. Please don't tell me you are and that I'm now required to join your peerage as compensation."
That's such a shit thing to do. I shake my head now.
"I'm a half-devil, and I'd never demand or make anyone do that. I don't have a set either, so if I tried that, I'm even more of an ass with a death wish against a pretty nymph."
That got Daphne giggling at the end. She looked at me with fondness for being honest with her. Issari came back with water having heard the question and the reply. She set the glass next to Daphne and bumped me off the couch. I hit the floor with an oof, and the pervert said with the same fondness in her voice.
"He's too nice to be a regular devil. I have offered to be his first piece when he does get a set and the idiot just said no. He is just a silly man who pets machines."
Daphne laughing real there. Her single good eye watched me, and she smiled. She was taking a drink of water with the help of Issari. The nymph, after being done, smiles big at me.
"A good man indeed. Many would've tried something immediately upon seeing me. I can never thank you both enough for this. I was there with them for three days and they both loved hurting me. Said I would pay for myself eventually. I have nothing to give you as they hawked all my stuff on me for money. I know that some devils 'rescue' people then reveal to the person in question the whole thing was staged after they reincarnate you. I'm sorry for doubting you."
That's a prick move too, and it makes sense to ask. Issari got mad there, for Daphne's sake.
"Gregor-kun would never do that! He saved me too from them and didn't know he was half then. He would never force someone into a peerage like that!"
Daphne was taken aback by the outrage that was for her situation if it had been other devils. Getting it for her made the nymph smile more. I say to Issari.
"Let's get Daphne to a bath. I'm not implying anything, but you look like it would be a good thing for you. The water might relax your muscles."
Daphne isn't offended by that. Issari helped the nymph up, and I gave the pervert a warning look. Issari humphed.
"I can be good. Besides your cousin is mine! No offense, misses, but you're not my type, not big on the smell of the earth."
The nymph giggles there. We slowly helped her up the staircase to the second floor. I opened a door near the stairs and find a bedroom with a bathroom. I immediately kept the door open and said as we moved towards it.
"Your room till we can get you to wherever you live. Just make sure you watch this one. She's a little gremlin."
Issari squawked at the gremlin part. Daphne just shook her orange hair, amused, which caused a leaf to fall out, hitting the floor. Before the two make their way into the room. I go downstairs and prepare to make the enhancement bed. Rias said it would be a bit, so I'll do that quickly. I walked down the stairs and removed my armor in the basement, putting it in my holder. I then chose a room near the wine room and made the medical ward. All of it is automated because I'm an idiot. Koriel does insult me again fondly during the process, and I take it because I will never be ashamed to admit I'm an idiot. By the time I'm done, it's a half hour later, and I think I'll order us takeout tonight with Daphne here. Akeno is a rat and will say I'm expanding my horizons with a nymph. Issari will help her. Rias will freak out because she is clingy, thinking I will focus on the nymph over her.
That jealousy will be horrible to deal with. It was on full display with Murayama on Monday. I'll need to crush that eventually. I'm climbing the stairs into the main room, and I don't see a portal yet so that's goodish. When I get up the stairs, I knocked on the door twice. Issari opened it and she just went back in. Daphne is on the bed relaxing as best she can in conservative new garments. She is in a blue dress, and her eye is slowly opening up on her right. Upon seeing me, she smiled again, and Issari was in a chair she had dragged over to the bedside. Her sword and pistol are gone. Daphne smiled again, relaxing completely, and I sat at the foot of the massive bed. I ask my best friend.
"Issari what is a good takeout place in town? I'll get us whatever we want tonight for dinner. I have money, so I'll use some for my gremlin friend and new guest."
Issari got a tic mark and sprung up, pointing a finger at me.
"You're an ass! Fuck off, you bitch!"
I snicker at her growing tick mark. Daphne just smiled at us and our banter before she shifted her eye back and forth at the same very pissed Issari and my teasing of her. Daphne finally spoke up after Issari was about to say something about my mother.
"I'd like this thing humans have called pizza. I heard it's good."
Issari glared at me, and I just smiled at her face. I replied with a smile smirk for Issari and Daphne.
"Pizza it is. I'll look up places since she is angry."
Issari growled dragon like then said a place.
"Try Pizza La you prick. They have several stores here. Fuck you."
I waved at her thanks before asking for pizza toppings. I write down the order on a sheet of paper but will hold off till Rias and the others get here. Issari growled at me. Mumbling how she will get vengeance on me. I do ask her.
"You remember much from under the mask now?"
Daphne was, of course, confused, but Issari shook her head.
"Only a few noises and our conversation. Other than that no. The others fought like that. The whole deal there?"
I am thankful she doesn't remember that. I'll never forget the intestines flying. I reply to Issari while Daphne watches me.
"The aspect warriors, yes. The others no. Never not appreciate it, Issari. My shells do things you don't want to see."
Issari frowned upon hearing that. Daphne saw something in me before she softened her good eye at me.
"A real warrior indeed. I have never heard of these aspect warriors before. What culture are they from? I heard the barks from downstairs, the explosions, and the roars. What weapons do that?"
I shake my head.
"Both answers are out of this world. I'm really sorry for scaring you. We didn't know you were upstairs. How did they capture you?"
Daphne was silent for a bit. She apparently was nervous to reveal why. She noted the motifs for house Gremory on a cup and I have several ideas. I say after five minutes.
"I won't push you there. It's private and I'm sorry. I just was curious."
Daphne relaxed. She smiled apologetically at me.
"It is not good why I'm here. You said you're a half-devil. Yet this place has Gremory markings. I don't know much about them other than that they have red hair, which you and your friend don't. I can't say more than that."
It's understandable. Especially if it's the other reason.
"It's fine. I'm not a Gremory. I'm actually something else, and even then, I'm not what you'd think of when picturing that. My possible betrothed is a Gremory, but I trust her. Don't say anything you don't want to share."
Issari snarked while Daphne looked relieved and surprised that I had a betrothed.
"He's a noble prick. Want me to get your diamond ring, your 'grace'?"
I snort. Daphne was amused but watched me a bit more. Not in worry but curiosity. I looked for demonic energy in Daphne like how Grayfia taught me on Saturday. She has absolutely none, so she isn't a stray. The nymph caught the look and she just shrugged.
"I'm not like I said. I am just worried about someone else. You are not bad people. Either of you. I have other people to think of. That's all I'm saying and yes, it is that Gregor. You're a noble, apparently, and I don't want them hurt."
So, a stray relative. I flashed my eyes in warning to Issari, who didn't get it because she didn't know about stray culture and that the city has a good stray community. My look sends the pervert into silence, and Daphne smiles genuinely there.
"A true good man. Smart too. I wish you were a little older. I have several friends who could use a good man who is a true noble."
She giggled musically there, and I snort.
"Don't need or want what many people my age want. I sadly have to have one."
Issari froze. Her eyes narrowed on me in pure hate, before her tic mark returns on full power. She launched herself at me so fast I'm surprised she was that fast, and she grabbed my neck and sent us flying onto the bedroom floor. She started strangling me in her fury and screaming that rage.
"I'll kill you for stealing my dream! Why does our God love you like that and not me! Fuck you noble prick!"
I'm choking without air and Daphne is amused and worried seeing the rage. That's what Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and an unknown man walked in on. Rias immediately ran to try and help me. Akeno laughed loudly and cheered on Issari. Kiba sweat drops while the older man shakes his head, mumbling.
"Kids these days. I'm glad I'm single and don't have brats."
I'm seeing the black encroaching in, and I don't want Rias to learn about the gene this way, you stupid pervert! Rias tried to pull Issari off me, but Akeno just launched a lightning bolt at me and Issari. We do the jiggle dance as the electric current goes through us. Issari dropped to the floor as did I. Rias looked pissed. The older man sighed again, but I did get to see him get a look at Daphne, and he moved that way.
I take multiple deep breaths. I will make her the gene then take her arm! That fucking hurt you, stupid pervert! Akeno's a fucking ultra rat abusing my regenerative powers just to get her kicks! Yes Issari suffered that too, but she might like that! Rias plants my head in her chest, and I don't want this. I don't want to die from breast suffocation! Issari groaned from her spot. Looking up at me before she growled and then cried.
"Why can't that be me! I'm a good follower of yours! Why can't you give me that!"
Akeno enjoys the suffering of me and Issari. Daphne sweat dropping seeing the sight with Kiba joining in again. The older man once again sighed.
"Miss Gremory please don't kill him. I'd like to be able to meet my future lord properly. Not having him suffocating would be preferable."
Rias finally let me breathe, and I breathed cold air into my lungs. I saw Akeno patting Issari in ultra comfort and support. The action gets the pervert mumbling how she needs a waifu and a husbando. Or multiple. Rias was about ready to suffocate me again, but I am not impressed. I don't want to die that way! But wait a minute. The stranger said, future lord. I watched him out of the corner of my eye, and he was now clear to see.
He was middle-aged and had blue-green hair. His eyes were a regular brown, and his clothes were those of a noble butler. A hundred years out of date. He raised an eyebrow at me before saying to me professionally.
"Greetings Heir Astaroth. It is an honor to meet you finally. I am Geros Hallther. The butler of the Astaroths. I was hesitant to believe you were one, but you look exactly like Lord Ajuka except for the eyes. I would be happy to help you with this situation. Now miss. Tell me where it hurts. I am a qualified doctor in nearly every field and species in the world."
Wait this is my family butler! How did Rias know him! Akeno is solidifying her way into rat heaven forever by answering me while Issari is weeping on her shoulder.
"Grayfia has a club with the butlers and maids of the four Satans. She let slip your existence to the good sir. Rias was freaking out when she got your text, and he was in the room with us and Grayfia."
Geros gathered energy in his right hand before gently applying it to Daphne's eye. The nymph relaxed and sighed in pure relief. The black eye began to recede. Rias was just worried, looking me up and down for injury. She noted the strangle marks on my neck were receding, too. She was about to ask why, and I glared at Issari, promising pain on her because now I have to explain this. Fucking pervert! Issari keeps weeping into Akeno's shoulder.
"Why does he get my dream! He doesn't even want that! I'm a good person, and I deserve the waifus and husbandos! Why can't I win!"
Akeno is ultra-amused. She was feeding her sadism fully. She turned her purple eyes to me, and I pale. Don't do that. Punish bad behavior don't reward it! She prepared to do the deed, but Rias whacked her queen to support me. Kiba sweats again. After making sure Akeno was cowed, Rias turned back to me and hugged me again. She was whispering to me.
"I was so worried. I expected you in the bed hurt. Instead, it's your friend strangling you. That's better than you having lost a limb or your eye. I want to keep you safe like you do me."
Akeno heard that, too, and realized this wasn't a good time to tease me. She patted Issari and said in a comforting tone.
"You are fun, Issari-chan. Maybe one day soon you will win with me. Come on cheer up."
Issari does a total one eighty hearing that. She grabbed Akeno and jumped up into the air, fist pumping with her left arm while holding an amused Akeno. Kiba sweats more, seeing the new look at him that Issari sent him, having finally caught sight of him. He slowly moved towards the door while Issari moved like a predator towards him, and Akeno wiggled out of the grip. Kiba now has the monster pervert on him. He ran. Issari followed him, screaming.
"He's perfect! Thanks, Redhead! I'm staking my permanent claim! Get back here, swordsman!"
Rias sweat drops while Akeno laughs and follows after them. Probably to torture Kiba. I sweat dropped too. Geros is a good butler and doesn't pay attention much to the pervert. The swelling around Daphne's eye is completely gone now. The glow moves towards her exposed leg, and the nymph is happy to have a healer. Rias is about to get angry over Daphne, but I stop that with a look and say.
"She was a prisoner of the strays I went after Ria. I won't leave people abused by them behind. I'll explain to you why the marks are gone. Please don't worry too much after I tell you."
Rias settled down there. Geros listened and said nothing. Daphne spoke up from the bed.
"Your betrothed has not lied. He's also too young for me, and I'm the other way. He's my hero who I won't forget."
I thank Daphne with my eyes for helping a homie out, and her good one caught the thanks. Geros replied while healing more cuts and making more bruises go away.
"I have heard of how you lost your memories, young master, and I am sorry to hear that. Your father was extremely protective and private about your raising. He rarely spoke about you to the rest of the family. I have no issue with your status and will gladly serve you. You are already proving yourself better than your uncle. He has listened to the nobility and expects to be named heir at any time. He never did believe that you existed. However, Lord Astaroth has always said you do exist. Blocking any attempt by your cousin to the position. I have believed my lord. I'm interested in learning more about you. Now, miss, where else are you injured? I would like to have you back on your feet very soon."
I take the dismissal and the news. Diodora is going to be a problem I can tell already. I got up and led Rias out of the room. She followed me, and I pulled her to another room, a library. The room is large and has many bookcases. It's got another floor here and I saw a staircase near the single fireplace in the back right of the room. I will mark this on my mental map. I shut the door, and Rias pulled me to a loveseat near the fireplace. She squeezed me tightly. We just sat there in silence for ten minutes. She's just making sure I'm ok. I still shake a tiny bit from the shock, but I'm ok. Rias finally asked me with a small voice.
"I will always worry about you. Why are you so certain that you will be okay? Strays are incredibly dangerous. How can you not worry more?"
It's time. I was silent for three more minutes before I began to explain.
"Rias. I don't worry about them because I'm not going to leave. This is only known by Keno and Issari. I died in the crash."
Rias grew extremely worried. She tightened her arms around me, and I continued to explain.
"I came back. I will always come back now. I am something new Ria. I believe I am a true immortal. I can lose limbs and they will return. The marks on my neck are gone now. I will never leave you or the rest. So don't worry about me Ria. I'm here till the end of everything."
She doesn't want to believe that. She burrows her head into my shoulder, and I have to prove it.
"Make me a knife. You won't believe me otherwise. I can share my medical records from the crash, Ria. I should not be walking. Yet I am. Ria I promised to let you in. Sooner than I like thanks to my stupid friend. Please believe me."
She closed her eyes before her right hand conjured a knife. She reluctantly handed it to me. I do a small cut on my hand. She watched blood flow from the wound. Less than twenty seconds before it closed, she looked at me, and her green eyes were horrified. I won't cut off more limbs for them. I'll just let that possibly happen in combat. Rias hugs me tightly, and she sniffles.
"This is why. You really mean it utterly. I had a few doubts you would live as long as me. It's still a five thousand-year life, but now. If you're that. Oh, Gregor-kun!"
She weeps into my chest, and I pat her back reassuringly. I did this to myself and will suffer the consequences, and I might do this to Issari. Rias kept weeping for me. She hugged me tighter and she now gets more than ever. It was ten minutes later when she finally stopped crying. I tell her while she still sniffs in sadness.
"I'm a million times better than Riser. I promise you that I will be here with you. I promise to make the world respect us, and we can torment my cousin together for eternity."
The smirk of mine promising torture on Akeno makes Rias smile, too. Evil and like mine. Akeno will suffer for all the shit she has inflicted on me and Rias. We giggled evil together and became mood-kindred in our vengeance against the sadistic queen. Rias smiled, and she said as we looked at the fireplace.
"I don't like saying this, but this could help more. If this is genetic it could make my parents back out immediately with them because you're giving me the best life possible, and your new thing will intrigue them. This could be the beginning of a new bloodline thing like the Phenex."
I shake my head.
"It's not. This is human. I'm calling myself a perpetual. I don't know if I want my kids to have this. To be cursed with this is not great, but you're right."
She nuzzled into my chest, and we enjoyed this together. Rias, however, is shocked out of this by Kiba running into the library, and he is scared beyond belief. He didn't see us till he ran past us to the second floor begging me for silence in regard to the greatest enemy he has ever faced. I zipped my lips because that stupid pervert would get denied this for a while. Rias giggled at the fear on her knight's face, and I shook my head.
"My guest wants pizza tonight for dinner, Ria. Want some?"
She beamed and nodded.
"From where?"
I smiled and got up pulling her away from the fireplace. We are about to exit the library to return to Daphne's room when the door opens, and there is the queen of rats and Issari. The pervert is sniffing the air like a bloodhound. Akeno was giggling at the scene, and she saw how close we were, plus the slight blood stain on my hand. She grew grim and asked.
"Rias knows now?"
I nodded at the question while Issari was squinting at the library's second floor. Rias is barely keeping her face schooled around Issari's behavior. Akeno smiled now that the secret was out for Rias. I reply for Rias.
"Pizza La. I don't know the brand, so maybe I will get a recommendation from you three. Issari, you stupid pervert, your punishment has now gone to a new level. You tried to strangle me you cur!"
Issari stopped searching for Kiba and glared at me. Lightning shoots between us, and she narrows her eyes at me.
"You stole my dream! Why do you get that!"
Oh, you want this.
"It's the fucking law you stupid doorknob. You'd think I'd take it otherwise! Fuck off!"
Issari blinked. She hadn't expected that. Akeno shakes her head there.
"It is a law Issari-chan. What was the minimum requirement again Rias?"
Rias grew sad and looked at me with her eyes.
"Three minimum. They wanted six but the compromise was made for three. However, they push for more, with each one getting more benefits."
Two too many and more for extra benefits. Sounds like the GKF is trying to fix the problem, and I hate that it makes sense. Issari looked genuine and regretted that, but she will be punished for this. I was surprised when Geros entered the library and didn't bat an eyebrow at the four of us. He reported to me in the same professional tone as before.
"Young master, the guest has been healed and is in a much better state than before. I am happy to help you with anything else you need."
I smiled there, and I replied to the man.
"Thank you, sir. I was worried about her because the condition we found her in was not good. I need help with many things, and you probably can't fix many of them."
Geros eyed me up and down before he, with his perfectly schooled face, shrugged.
"Probably not. You are like your father in being self-reliant I see. I will endeavor to get in contact with him as fast as possible. I can't give up on my primary duties as head butler for your grandfather, but I will endeavor to help as I can. Lady Lucifuge told me you know nothing about our society and your future house. I will help by joining her in the lessons. I will assign a maid here, young master, to help you. The one I am considering assigning you is new to the job and needs practice in a nonstressful environment, so this is a good situation for you both. Is there anything I can do before I return to the underworld?"
I don't want to ask this because this reduced him to a pickup man. But Rias asked for me not getting the idea I have not had servants before.
"Can you please pick up pizza from Pizza La for us?"
Oh, Rias. We can do that ourselves or have it delivered. Geros, however, said.
"I can. Please give me the orders. I heard you were planning to order that from the good woman across the way and again when the blond young man was hiding briefly in the room with us. He had already given me his order. What is yours?"
I sighed and handed him the paper with the first three orders. Rias and Akeno ordered theirs, and Issari just kept watching for Kiba. He was still hiding and well. Geros left to perform his duties, and I glared at Issari. You get your gene pervert, and I will claim arms in retaliation for this.