66. Italian Adventures: Part 2.
Omniscient POV
On the fourth day, their journey to Florence was a seamless transition from Rome's ancient wonders to the city's Renaissance opulence. Arriving at the train station, they were greeted by the grandeur of Florence, with its cobbled streets and towering cathedrals.
Their first stop was the renowned Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance art. Lavinia's eyes widened in wonder as they beheld masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, each painting a window into the soul of the Renaissance. From there, they made their way to the iconic Florence Cathedral, its magnificent dome dominating the city skyline. Climbing to the top of the Duomo, they were rewarded with sweeping views of Florence, a patchwork of terracotta rooftops, and ancient bell towers.
The following day dawned with a sense of anticipation as they set out to explore more of Florence's treasures. Their first stop was the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's iconic David sculpture. They stood in awe before the towering figure, marveling at its lifelike proportions and exquisite detail.
Eager to experience the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, they embarked on a bike tour through the rolling hills and vineyards surrounding Florence. Pausing at local wineries along the way, they indulged in wine tastings and savored the flavors of Tuscan cuisine, although Lavinia and Elle were not allowed any. Kouske tasted some, avoiding Elle and Lavinia's sight, afraid of any drama.
*
*
On the sixth day of their journey, Kouske suddenly remembered his original reason for coming to Italy and realized he still hadn't contacted Esri, despite getting her number and expressing interest in a date. Feeling nervous, he acknowledged his oversight and wondered how to proceed.
Kouske: Hey Esri, sorry for the delay. It's Akatsuki. How have you been? ?
Esri: Huh? Who's this? ?
Kouske: We met at your art exhibition just two days ago. Did you forget me already? ? ﾟﾥﾺ
Esri (sarcastically): Heh, you're the one who disappeared after asking me out? ?
Kouske (nervously): Ha ha ha.. You got the wrong idea. I've just been busy. How about we meet up tomorrow for that date? ?
Esri: Busy enough to stand me up? ?
Kouske: "..." ?
Esri: You left me hanging, so I'm not sure if I want to go on that date anymore. ?
Kouske: I messed up, Esri. I'm really sorry. But I promise, I'll make it up to you. Let's still meet up tomorrow and see how it goes? ?
Esri: Fine, but you owe me big time! ?
Kouske: Deal! I'll make sure it's worth your while. Looking forward to it! ?
*
*
While the girls visited Venice, the city of canals and palaces, Kouske teleported back to Rome, where Esri was still attending her art exhibition.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Kouske and Esri stood on the bustling streets of Rome, their hearts beating in sync with the rhythm of the city. Esri looked radiant in her flowing white dress, her hair catching the last rays of sunlight, giving her an ethereal glow.
"Hmph! At least you're not late," Esri mumbled with a cute pout, though her words were barely audible. Kouske, with his enhanced hearing, caught her complaint loud and clear. In response, he smiled wryly, acknowledging his fault for her irritation.
Kouske handed her a bouquet of roses and lilies, each flower carefully selected to match her beauty. "For you, Esri. A bouquet of flowers for a beautiful flower," he said softly.
Esri's lips curved into a faint smile as she accepted the flowers, her pout evaporating, the soft scent of the blooms filling the air around them. "Thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"At least you know how to make a girl feel special. Pretty experienced, are we?" Esri said with a knowing look.
In response, Kouske chose to be wise and remained silent on that particular topic for now, offering only a kind, infectious smile in return.
"So, what's the plan?" Esri asked with a snort, her curiosity evident as Kouske remained silent.
Kouske extended his hand towards Esri, who hesitated for a moment before finally accepting it.
"Now, let's stroll for a while, embracing the beauty of the city. After all, I'm here on a tour," Kouske suggested, intertwining their fingers as they walked shoulder to shoulder, their closeness palpable. He caught a whiff of her sweet fragrance, a subtle reminder of her presence.
Initially reluctant, Esri's demeanor gradually shifted back to her cheerful self as they walked hand in hand through the bustling streets of Rome, admiring the various stalls and unique products on display, chatting, and laughing together. The city was alive with the sounds of laughter and music. The aroma of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread filled the air, adding to the romantic ambiance of the evening.
The soft glow of the street lamps cast a warm light around them, accentuating Esri's radiant beauty as they strolled along the cobblestone alleyways. They passed street vendors selling gelato and handmade crafts, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling city. Kouske found himself enchanted by Esri's contagious laughter, stealing glances at her that filled him with a sense of happiness and contentment.
After a while, Kouske suggested they watch a movie, so they headed to a nearby theater. When it came time to choose a movie, Kouske proposed a romantic Italian film, but to his surprise, Esri expressed her desire to see the latest action movie.
Kouske: "Really? I was thinking of something more romantic."
Esri (innocently): "I'm in the mood for some excitement tonight!"
Despite his initial surprise, Kouske secretly arranged for the entire theater to be reserved for their private viewing.
Esri was taken aback when they arrived at the empty theater, wondering aloud why no one else was there.
Esri: "Why is the theater empty? Did you book it just for us?"
Kouske: "Maybe they're hosting a private screening later. Let's enjoy the solitude while we can."
Esri (excitedly): "This is amazing! I've never had a whole theater to myself before."
Kouske simply smiled, keeping his plan a secret as they settled in to enjoy the movie.
Throughout the film, Esri was filled with excitement like a child, and Kouske couldn't help but watch her fondly.
Esri: "Wow! Did you see that? That was incredible!"
After the movie, Kouske whisked Esri away in a sleek and elegant Bentley Continental GT to a luxurious rooftop restaurant overlooking the breathtaking beauty of Rome. The rooftop offered panoramic views of the city, with twinkling lights illuminating the historic landmarks and ancient architecture.
Esri: "This place is stunning! How did you find it?"
Kouske: "Just a little something I arranged. I wanted our evening to be perfect."
They enjoyed a candlelit dinner with soft music playing in the background, savoring each moment together.
Following their romantic dinner, they took a leisurely stroll along the shore of the picturesque Lake Albano, basking in the tranquility of the night and each other's company.
After a while, as they walked along the shore quietly, the atmosphere suddenly grew heavier and more serious. Esri turned towards Kouske, her innocent and cheery demeanor replaced by a serious expression.
"I really enjoyed this small date of ours, I really did. But how about you tell me your real intention for approaching me now, Black Dragon King?" Esri's tone was initially fond, but it quickly turned serious.
"You knew? How?" Kouske asked, genuinely surprised and curious about how Esri had discovered his identity as Vritra's host.
"You really don't know, huh? You've been pretty famous since a few days ago. The fighting video of you and the Ouryuu against the Grigory Cadres is spreading all over the DeviNet. It's the hottest topic right now," Esri said, laughing a bit.
The only reason she had accepted his invitation was that she didn't sense anything malicious from him, and it was amusing to her how he was still clueless about the video while the whole supernatural world was talking about him. Esri considered herself a pretty good judge of people.
"Oh," was the only response Esri got from Kouske, which was a bit disappointing for her as she expected more of a reaction.
"So, you know about the supernatural, huh?" Kouske asked curiously.
"Well, duh. My family has come into contact with the supernatural multiple times, so I'm aware of it," Esri replied as she gazed at the calm water surface.
"Are you affiliated with anyone?" Kouske asked.
"No. We try to keep our distance from all this insanity," Esri replied with a bit of melancholy.
"Then, who's teaching magic to your niece?" Kouske inquired.
"What do you mean?" Esri asked.
"Your niece has a powerful mage-type sacred gear. Did you perhaps not know? From her mana levels and all, it looks like she has already awakened and is practicing using it," Kouske explained, surprising Esri completely. It seemed she really didn't know.
"No, I..." Esri mumbled, looking tensed and troubled.
"Her power is quite apparent. You will have to join a faction. Otherwise, it will become a problem for you guys. You are also in close proximity to the church. You should ask her if someone is teaching her or if she's just trying things out herself," Kouske advised.
Esri was quiet for a long time, thinking things over.
"For now, I will drop you home. It would be best if you talked things through with your niece properly. I actually came to Italy to recruit your niece. I can teach her magic properly. I hope you will consider it. And it really was a pleasant night with you," Kouske said fondly as he took her to his car.
Esri just absentmindedly followed him.
"Your address?" Kouske asked.
"Nn?"
Kouske had to repeat himself to get her attention and drive her home, but not before giving her a gentle goodbye hug.
"Contact me soon," Kouske left a stunned Esri, leaving only those words behind.
*
*
In a certain house, a young blonde girl with greenish-yellow eyes, her thin frame outlined by nothing but bones, woke up to the sound of commotion. It was dark, and she felt a pang of fear and hunger. Despite her trembling, she mustered the courage to investigate the noise, driven by childlike curiosity.
To find one grown man over another beating his face in with bloody knuckles over and over again, while people cheered.
She called for her mother, but nobody cared to answer. Scared of the violence she went to her mother's bedroom, only to find a friend of her mother's and a woman she didn't know in her bed, having violent, drunken, drugged sex. Her childish self still didn't know what was happening.
Clouds of smoke from people smoking lined the ceilings, and people outright out cold slumped in the corners of rooms.
Nobody paid her any attention as she left, checking the third bedroom, only to find an orgy going on in it, disgusting and horrible, yet not understanding it at all as a child.
From there, she tiptoed towards the living room, which was connected to the kitchen, in search of food and her mother. However, she found neither. Instead, she discovered the unconscious, bleeding form of the man who had been beaten earlier, along with his attacker and more people partying in the living room. Her eyes filled with tears when they landed on a small, broken grey box, with wires leading to an odd handgrip thing beside a large black screen resembling a window.
Her eyes lit up when she turned around and saw an indent in the wall, a carved-out square space with shelves filled with all manners of items at the entrance to the living room. She specifically picked up a large glass bottle filled with orange liquid.
As she opened it and took a sip, excitement turned to horror and disgust. The liquid didn't taste as she expected; instead, it burned her throat—it was alcohol, a strong one. Despite this, she was so thirsty that she drank it anyway, stealing away to her bedroom with the pilfered bottle of orange liquid. Alone, scared, lonely, and hungry, she drank it all. Her throat burned, her vision swam, and everything went black.
67. Italian Adventures: Part 3.
Omniscient POV
Upon returning home, Esri was surprised to find Dia playing alone in the dining room.
"Dear, where's the nanny?" she inquired, noting that it was still early for the nanny to leave.
"Oh, Aunty! Daisy's gone home. She had some work to do," Dia replied with a radiant smile as she hugged her aunt.
"When did she leave?" Esri asked, gently patting Dia's head.
"Probably around an hour ago," Dia answered.
Esri sighed inwardly. She would have to have a talk with Daisy. Leaving Dia alone without informing anyone first was unacceptable. Irresponsible teenagers!
"Have you eaten dinner yet?" asks Esri.
"No," replies Dia.
"Then wait for a bit. I will make Ragu with sage pesto. I had already finished the prep work before leaving," says Esri as she heads to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Dia's eyes light up at the mention of the dish. She eagerly makes rounds around the kitchen, watching Esri as she cooks. After Esri finishes preparing the meal, she serves Dia dinner.
"Here," says Esri as she hands Dia the plate and sits down beside her.
"Where's your plate? Aren't you gonna eat?" asks Dia innocently.
"Sorry, dear. I already had dinner outside. But I will stay beside you. So finish your meal," says Esri with a warm smile.
After a while, Dia finishes her meal and tries to help her aunt by taking her utensils to the dishwasher. After cleaning everything, Esri turns to Dia for an important conversation.
"Sweetheart, is there something you are hiding from your aunt?" asks Esri softly, her eyes serious.
Dia was taken aback by the question, her eyes darting around the room as she avoided making direct eye contact with her aunt. She hesitated for a moment before softly saying no, a sense of unease evident in her demeanor.
"Are you sure, dear? You know you can share anything with me. You shouldn't lie to your family. Lying is bad," says Esri gently, her tone filled with concern and understanding.
After some persuasion from her aunt, she finally let her guard down and answered honestly.
"Nnn. I have a sacred gear I awakened a few months ago and have been practicing to use it since then whenever I am alone. Sorry I didn't tell you," says Dia softly, mist covering her eyes, feeling a bit guilty.
"You don't have to apologize, dear. But you know it was dangerous for you to use that all by yourself. You could have gotten hurt," says Esri as she hugs and comforts her warmly.
"Sorry," says Dia softly.
After a while, when Dia stops weeping, Esri releases her from the hug.
"But when have you ever been alone to do this? Shouldn't Daisy be with you whenever I cannot? And where do you even practice?" asks Esri curiously.
"Oh. Daisy is always busy on her phone. So it isn't really hard to escape her eyes. And I usually use the library where some of the magical books are kept or the garden," says Dia, prompting Esri to sigh again and start thinking of hiring someone new. Daisy's priorities are definitely not in the right place.
"Did anyone know or see you using your powers?" asks Esri nervously.
"Umm... No. I don't think so," replies Dia.
"Hmm... Do you want to learn from a professional?" asks Esri after thinking for a while. It's probably better for her to learn properly when she has already gotten involved with this side of the world. But how would she explain it to her brother and sister-in-law?
"Yes!" replies Dia excitedly.
*
*
Serafall Leviathan has been feeling the strain of recent events. The emergence of that video has thrown the Underworld into chaos, with everyone clamoring to uncover more about Akatsuki and his true identity.
The devil council has been in constant discussion on the matter, with some members scoffing at the Cadres' defeat and others recognizing the potential threat posed by this unknown individual.
Amidst the chaos, many are eager to ensla... recruit Akatsuki into their peerage, sparking curiosity among the council members.
However, amidst the banter and speculation, the Satans and older devils are acutely aware of the power wielded by Kokabiel and Satanael.
Having faced them in battle, they know firsthand that defeating both of them is no small feat. They recognize the need to investigate this new individual, unsure whether he could be a valuable ally or a potential enemy.
Furthermore, the unexpected display of power by the Ouryuu has left many shocked. While they had heard of his talent, they never imagined he could take on multiple fallen angels and two Cadres single-handedly. It's a revelation that has opened their eyes to the true extent of his abilities.
Despite their curiosity, the devil council struggles to uncover the true motives behind the altercation, as the Nakiris remain elusive and Azazel remains unresponsive despite the numerous calls. What on earth is even Azazel doing?!
Nevertheless, the Satans remain vigilant, knowing that Akatsuki's emergence could potentially disrupt the delicate balance of power in the Underworld.
Meanwhile, Serafall, as the Head of Foreign Affairs, is bearing the brunt of the chaos. She had heard about Akatsuki from Kouske before, in their few interactions where they met a few times.
So, Serafall even went to Kouske's house a few times to find anything she could about Akatsuki. But to her dismay, that boy's out of the country!
'How long is that brat planning to tour?!'
As the pressure and workload mount, Serafall curses Akatsuki and wishes he chokes on his food for making her work so much harder!
*
*
"Sister Griselda, any sign of him yet?" asked one of the exorcists, his frustration evident in his tone.
"No, nothing," Griselda replied, her brow furrowed with worry. "It's like he's vanished into thin air."
"This is embarrassing. How can we let one man elude us like this?" another exorcist grumbled, kicking a stone in frustration.
"We need to find him, no matter what," Griselda declared, her jaw set with determination. "Keep searching every inch of this territory until we find him."
As the exorcists dispersed to resume their search, Griselda's mind raced with worry. How could they not find Akatsuki's trace at all? Frankly, it was humiliating for the Church not to find him in their own territory, and she could sense the frustration growing among the exorcists. Some were taking it personally, their impatience starting to boil over.
But despite the doubts and mounting pressure, Griselda couldn't abandon the search. The orders from the higher-ups were clear, and they needed to find Akatsuki to understand his intentions for entering their territory. He was a wildcard, and they couldn't afford to underestimate him. No matter how long it took, Griselda was determined to track him down and get the answers they needed.
*
*
Spirit Realm
In the throne room of the Phoenix Emperor, an injured phoenix knelt before the ruler. The man was a skilled informant cum assassin from the royal guards, boasting a B ranked power level. Despite being a phoenix, his wounds showed no signs of healing or worsening.
"What happened? Did you complete the task?" inquired Felix, the current Phoenix Emperor, his gaze fixed on the assassin.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I've gathered all the information regarding the one who contracted with the princess," the assassin began, detailing everything he knew about Kouske and the others.
However, he omitted any mention of Akatsuki, as he had never encountered information about him due to Kouske's constant teleportations and the interference of a certain maid.
"Hmm. He doesn't seem too bad. Nevertheless, keep a close watch on him and remain near my daughter," commanded Felix after a moment of contemplation.
"Um, your majesty. Observing him will become increasingly challenging from now on," nervously interjected the assassin, prompting Felix's curiosity.
"Why? Is that also the reason for your current condition?" inquired Felix, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. Um, there's a dangerous maid in that household. I couldn't sense her aura, but I always felt her menace. Initially, she didn't obstruct my surveillance, but after a few months, she became aggressive. One day suddenly, she was right behind me, I didn't even know how or when, warning me not to spy on her master anymore. When I tried attacking her, I was instantly in this state without even knowing how and what happened. She didn't kill me and just left me with a warning and stated that there would be no next time. But, she still permitted me to remain close to the princess," recounted the assassin, visibly shaken by the memory of his encounter with her.
"How powerful was she, and why hasn't your wounds healed yet?" queried Felix, already suspecting the answer.
"I'm uncertain of her strength, but she effortlessly outmatched me. As for my wound, it refuses to heal, no matter what remedies I employ, even my own healing factors totally stopped working. Even the fatigue and the blood loss are still the same. It's as if my body is trapped in a static state," explained the assassin.
"It's likely time magic. Use this right now," instructed Felix, tossing him a vial of Phoenix Tears crafted by himself.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," expressed the assassin, applying the Phoenix Tears and witnessing gradual healing.
"Hmm. It's potent. Ordinarily, my Phoenix Tears would instantly heal wounds, but it appears they faced resistance, likely from her magic. She must possess considerable power. Avoid engaging her in combat. Focus solely on protecting my daughter," directed Felix, contemplating how to relay this information to his wife.
"As you command, your majesty," expresses the assassin.
"Hm. Now, what does my daughter do there?" pondered Felix.
"She mostly occupies herself indoors and plays human games. Then sleeping, shopping, and occasionally venturing out for tours," reported the assassin hesitantly.
Felix was taken aback by this revelation. He had anticipated her exploring the human world more extensively.
"Are the games truly that captivating?" muttered Felix.
"I've brought the one she was recently engrossed in," offered the assassin, handing the game to a nearby guard.
After that, Felix dismissed everyone, having much more to contemplate. As he held the game in his hands, if his wife and daughter were to have anything in common, he might find something new to occupy his wife's time and lessen the brunt of her mood swings. Felix still didn't know, that this simple decision of his would give birth to Japan's number one professional gaming duo. But that's a story for the future.
*
*
In a dimly lit apartment nestled closer to a slum area in Italy, the sounds of laughter and music filled the air as a party raged on. Amidst the chaos, a mother stood in the center of the room, her newest rich boyfriend by her side, her face contorted with anger and frustration. She had reached her breaking point, unable to bear the weight of her own troubles any longer.
"Get out!" she screamed, her voice cutting through the noise of the party. "I can't take care of you anymore! You're nothing but a burden!"
Tears streamed down the cheeks of the young girl, her heart breaking at her mother's words. She begged and pleaded, but her mother's eyes remained cold and distant.
"Don't ever dare to think about coming back!"
With a shove, she was pushed out into the cold night, the door slamming shut behind her.
In the crowded party house, amidst the laughter and music, harsh whispers and judgmental stares were exchanged as the malnourished young girl was thrown out onto the streets.
"What a disgrace," sneered one guest, casting a disdainful glance at the bony girl.
"She's filthy," remarked another, wrinkling their nose in disgust as they looked at her through the glass window. "She belongs to the slums. No wonder she's been kicked out."
"Mama! Mama! Please..."
But her cries were drowned out by the jubilant noise of the celebratory party, as her mother was swept away by the excitement of her boyfriend's proposal.
Alone and vulnerable, the young girl wandered the streets, her stomach growling with hunger. She searched desperately for scraps of food, even resorting to rummaging through trash bins in a futile attempt to ease her gnawing hunger, fighting off street dogs for a single bite of the spoiled food. But the spoiled food she found only made her vomit and sick.
As the young girl stumbled through the alleyways, desperately searching for scraps of food, the reactions of those around her grew even colder. Mothers pulled their children away, their faces twisted in disgust as their little ones pointed at the girl in tattered clothes, dirt smeared across her face.
"Don't look at her, darling," one mother scolded her child, tugging them along. "She's dirty. Probably from the slums. We don't associate with people like that."
The young girl felt the sting of rejection with each passing gaze, each whispered insult cutting deeper into her already wounded spirit. But she pressed on, her determination to survive outweighing the cruel words and judgment of those around her.
After days of wandering the streets, she stumbled upon the place she once called home, only to find it sealed with a notice of being sold. Her mother had abandoned her, leaving her to fend for herself on the streets.
With her last bit of hope shattered, she collapsed in the alleyway, her heart broken and her spirit crushed. In her weakened state, she could barely see through the tears that blurred her vision.
As her strength waned and her vision darkened, street rats biting into her flesh, she caught sight of a silhouette in the shadows. With the last of her energy, she cried out for help, her voice barely a whisper in the night. And then, everything went black.
"He..lp..."
68. Italian Adventures: Part 4.
Kouske's POV
Over the past few days, we've been exploring various places in Italy. Lavinia even took a day to visit her parents' house.
I had two more meetings with Esri, during which we agreed that I would teach Dia magic and help her master her sacred gear, providing her with magical books.
Today was supposed to be the day I met Dia, as Esri had planned to introduce us. However, I didn't anticipate seeing Lavinia and the others at the house. I assumed they were out sightseeing. Could Lavinia have come because Dia was in the same city? I could swear I saw her exchanging messages on her phone.
"Ko-kun?" Lavinia's surprise was evident when she spotted me. I had mentioned that I would be occupied for a while.
"Hey there. Are you here to meet Dia?" I inquired, and she nodded eagerly. It was nice to see her expanding her circle of friends.
"Ko-kun? Didn't you say he's younger than you, Lavinia-san?" Dia questioned, looking puzzled.
"He is!" Lavinia affirmed, pointing at me, which only seemed to spark more curiosity from Esri. I could feel her squinting gaze boring into me.
"Care to explain?" Esri prompted, her tone demanding answers.
"Ha ha ha," I chuckled nervously, unsure of how to respond.
Just then, Sakuya emerged from the kitchen with snacks, accompanied by another individual. She appeared apologetic, likely having overheard our conversation with her touki enhanced hearing. I wasn't even aware when she had learned touki. After I briefly explained it to her, she managed to acquire the skill over time. Esri requested that the other girl leave, and now she was glaring at me. It seemed like it was going to be a challenging night.
*sigh*
*
*
After some explanation, Esri was furious, to say the least. However, she begrudgingly agreed to let Dia learn about her sacred gear and magic from us. The whole ordeal was exhausting.
As we all headed back to our hotel together, I suddenly felt a connection and saw some faint strings. They were slowly fading, indicating a severed connection. But what caught my attention more were the dark red strings. Someone was in mortal danger. So, after asking Sakuya to escort them home, I hurried to the location.
What I found there was far from pleasant.
In one of the alleyways, I discovered a young blonde girl lying face down, blood seeping from her body where street rats had bitten into her flesh. Her complexion was pale, indicating malnourishment, likely from not eating for days, given her emaciated frame and torn, dirty clothes. Quickly dispatching the rats, I administered a healing potion that restored her health and even brought back some color to her complexion. Exhausted and likely fatigued, she slept soundly, her breathing steady.
I brought her back with me to the hotel and asked Sakuya to care for her. Sakuya appeared saddened by the sight, while Elle remained stoic. Grateful that Lavinia was already asleep, I instructed Sakuya to clean the girl and allow her to rest for the day. We could inquire about what happened in the morning. With that settled, I retired for some much-needed rest, mentally drained from the day's events.
*
*
I woke up feeling more exhausted than usual, so I slept in a bit longer. When I stepped outside the room, I saw the girl dressed in clean clothes, eating hungrily from the food that had been ordered. Tears streamed down her face as she ate, and her sadness struck a chord with me. Lavinia was already in tears at the sight of her.
"Eat slowly. There's plenty of food. I'll order more for you," Sakuya reassured the girl as she went to place another order, selecting various dishes for her.
"So, what's her name? And how did she end up there?" I asked Sakuya, knowing all too well that people in her condition are unfortunately not uncommon, influenced by societal, economic, or even supernatural factors. It was a sad reality.
"Well, she didn't even react when she woke up in an unfamiliar place. I tried asking her, but she didn't say anything. Her empty stomach was rumbling loudly from hunger, so I brought her out to get some food," Sakuya explained.
To be honest, I recognized her from the resemblance. After we finished breakfast, we attempted to inquire about her family and background, but she remained silent. Her once beautiful greenish-yellow eyes appeared empty and devoid of life. Eventually, I resorted to using 'Cognizance Nexus' to read her mind.
Unfortunately, the revelations about her mother were not pleasant. I shared this information with Sakuya through our mental link. For now, we decided to keep her with us. Lavinia is doing her best to help her open up.
"But what should we call you?" Lavinia asked.
"Anything you like," the girl replied.
"How about Tarte? Do you like that name?" I suggested, seeing no reason to change her name from her franchise.
"Hm," she replied.
"Then I'll just call you Tarte-chan," Lavinia decided.
Over the next few days, we traveled through Italy with Tarte. Although she didn't speak much about herself, she started becoming less reserved and more lively. One day, she even spoke to me with a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Kouske-sama. I heard you were the one who saved me and brought me here," Tarte said, bowing slightly. Was she trying to imitate Sakuya?
"Don't worry. I'm just glad you're okay. And there's no need to call me like that. Just call me Kouske," I replied, patting her head gently.
Tarte was with us when we met Esri and Dia. I gave Dia a bracelet to conceal her sacred gear and left some books with her for the time being. She turned out to be quite studious, and Lavinia enjoyed spending time with her. Esri was cordial but her lingering glare hinted that she was still upset with me. When Esri learned about Tarte's situation, she even offered to let Tarte stay at her house, but Tarte didn't give her an immediate reply.
After a few days, it was time for me to visit Ferrari's Headquarters in Maranello, the town famed for Ferrari.
As soon as we arrived, I wasted no time heading straight to the museum showcasing the iconic red cars, including the legendary F1 models. While I immersed myself in exploring the exhibits, Sakuya showed keen interest in the town's history, Lavinia and Elle admired the craftsmanship and marveled at the engineering, and Tarte soaked in the atmosphere with wide-eyed wonder.
Following our museum visit, we proceeded to the Ferrari headquarters, where the managers and staff warmly received us after verifying our identities. The entry permit was under Akatsuki's name, and the staff proceeded to guide us around, explaining the details and history of Ferrari. It was fascinating to witness the direct influence of the Miyamura Conglomerates.
After hours of exploring the intricacies of Ferrari production, I couldn't resist asking the ultimate question. "Are there any spare cars I could buy today?" I inquired enthusiastically.
"Are you even old enough to drive?" the manager replied, amused by my request but eager to accommodate the young enthusiast.
"Don't worry. I am old enough to drive," I reassured him. Even in my adult form, I looked quite young. Maybe I should alter my appearance a bit.
As the manager led us to view available stock, Elle couldn't help but question my driving abilities. "I'll wing it. My instincts are supernatural," I joked, causing Lavinia to worry.
"Just don't embarrass us, please," Elle added, echoing Lavinia's concerns.
Truth be told, I am quite a proficient driver. My excitement bubbled over as we delved deeper into the showroom.
Afterwards, I drove around the area for about half an hour. Seeing me drive, Lavinia expressed a desire to drive too, but she was neither old enough nor did she know how to drive. Sakuya intervened to prevent her from doing so, which left Lavinia a bit disappointed. Incidentally, Sakuya took the wheel for a while.
Lavinia and Elle seemed a bit sad not to have the chance to drive, so I promised to make up for it sometime. Tarte was visibly excited as she looked around the place, although she didn't show or voice her excitement.
After a while, I approached the manager with a smile, explaining my intentions to have the cars shipped back to Japan. In the end, I bought two cars. One can never have too many cars.
*
*
It was time for us to return to Japan. Lavinia and I would occasionally visit to assist Dia with her magic, so there was no need for lengthy goodbyes. The real dilemma lay in deciding Tarte's future. She would have to choose where she wanted to live—whether to join us in Japan or stay with Esri, who had already offered her a place.
While we awaited her decision, Lavinia was quite emotional, clinging to Tarte and shedding tears.
"Can't she stay with us?" Lavinia asked tearfully, looking at me and Sakuya.
"Reni-chan, it's up to Tarte to decide. If she wants to stay with us, we'd be delighted to have her. But if she prefers to stay with Esri and Dia in her home country, we must respect her choice. It's her decision," Sakuya explained calmly to Lavinia.
After some time, Tarte spoke up in a soft voice, barely audible.
"Um... I would like to stay with you guys if possible. I like it here," Tarte said.
"Are you sure? You'll be moving to a new country with a different culture," Sakuya inquired.
"Yes, I want to go. I don't enjoy staying here," Tarte replied.
"Then welcome to the family," Lavinia said with a smile.
"Yes. Thank you," replied a teary eyed Tarte.
With Tarte's decision made, we boarded our flight and returned home to Japan. Sorting out her paperwork and passport wasn't difficult, given my knowledge of her true identity. However, I would need to create a new identity for her in Japan. When the time was right, Tarte would share more about herself willingly, and we would be there to support her every step of the way.
*
*
We introduced Tarte to everyone around us and shared some souvenirs with them. Uncle Ryuga was especially pleased with my choice of cars when they arrived. It was also nice to see the old granny again.
For now, Tarte has been equipped with the same translation magic that Lavinia initially used. Tarte will just have to gradually learn Japanese on her own. She has already witnessed magic during our time with Dia. Unfortunately, Tarte doesn't possess any sacred gears, but her affinity for lightning is extraordinary. I plan for her to learn spearmanship and magic, as she is eager to learn and strengthen herself to live in this supernatural world.
Tarte has also taken an interest in learning from Sakuya about being a maid. No one forced her; she asked Sakuya herself. God knows why! However, Sakuya isn't going easy on her during the training. Sometimes, I feel like my house is turning into a female orphanage and childcare center.
As I pondered these thoughts, a certain magical girl unexpectedly appeared on our doorstep.
69. Expanding Business.
Kouske's POV
I was helping Sakuya make breakfast when we noticed Serafall standing outside our house, nonchalantly using the doorbell outside the barrier and main gate as if nothing had happened. The audacity of this gal!
She had actually attempted to break in three times before when we weren't at home. When her teleportation failed, she tried to breach the barrier, but anything less than her strongest attack couldn't make a dent in it.
But her strongest attack could have blown the city to smithereens. Despite my gesture of disabling the auto curse system on the barrier, she was acting as if she had done nothing wrong. So, I went outside to meet her.
"Good morning, Kouske-kun! How have you been? I've missed you!" Serafall greeted with false innocence.
"Good morning. Are you planning another break-in attempt today?" I replied evenly, staring at her.
"W-what are you talking about?" she stammered, glancing around nervously.
Giving her a pointed look, I allowed her to enter before heading back inside.
"Watch out for the curses. They can be quite nasty," I remarked, sensing her discomfort as she checked herself for curses with spells.
"If you don't know, I disabled the curses. No need to worry," I added with a smirk, irritated by her presence.
Leading her to the meeting room, I took a seat on the sofa.
"Please, have a seat. Would you like some coffee? You're here so early in the morning. What brings you?" I inquired, though I already had an inkling.
"A cup of coffee would be nice. You have a lovely home," Serafall replied, switching to her casual magical girl demeanor, ignoring our earlier conversation.
"Okay. It's unusual to see you here, especially after your previous attempts. You must have something on your mind. Let's get to it," I said, mentally telling Sakuya to bring coffee and snacks.
As Serafall attempted to make small talk to put me at ease and possibly extract information, I couldn't conceal my annoyance knowing her intentions. Consequently, our conversation didn't proceed as smoothly as she might have expected.
After some time, Sakuya arrived with snacks, and Serafall's expression was priceless—her eyes seemed ready to pop out of their sockets. Sakuya handed us the snacks and left without saying much, leaving Serafall staring at us as if she'd seen a ghost. I sneakily took some pictures of her gobsmacked face before she snapped out of it.
"Kouske-kun! Who is she?" Serafall asked, pointing in the direction Sakuya had left.
"Sakuya? She's my maid," I replied nonchalantly, inwardly amused by Serafall's reaction.
Serafall continued to inquire about Sakuya, growing more and more confused with my vague responses. She seemed to be drawing her own conclusions in her head. Then, out of nowhere, I presented my Sabnock Clan Head magic circle to her, leaving her even more bewildered. I even crafted some weapons using the bloodline ability that was believed to be extinct.
"Why do you have that? Who are you?!" she demanded, her tone serious.
I quickly fabricated a story about my devil mother and other matters before realizing it was time for school. Secretly relieved for the distraction, I had no intention of satisfying Serafall's curiosity after her three burglary attempts without any remorse. Until she apologized, I wouldn't provide her with more information. Yes, I can be quite petty.
"I'm afraid I must head to school now, Sera. We can continue this discussion later," I declared, teleporting her outside before she could respond. As she vanished, I showcased the Beelzebub Clan's ability, King of Flies, which only added to her bewilderment. She hadn't even gotten to the reason for her visit, likely to inquire about Akatsuki and the powerful barrier. Over the next few days, I avoided her like the plague!
*
*
After that, I met up with James. He may be a bit of an idiot, but he still has some useful connections. So, I recruited him to start working on building an information network, no matter how small it starts. In a few years, it will definitely be worth the effort.
The meeting and deal with Azazel and the Nakiri Clan went smoothly. We finalized contracts and signed them, agreeing on a set amount of potions to be sold over the next five years at a fixed price. It's a reasonable quantity, not too much or too little. If they need more, they'll have to purchase from my upcoming website launching next month. I set my prices lower than what Phenex charges Devils for Phenex Tears.
Surprisingly, the Nakiri Clan Head was courteous and appreciative, despite belonging to the Five Principal Clans. During the meeting, I noticed a shy girl sneakily observing from a distance—it added a fun twist to the atmosphere.
Azazel continues to be relaxed and casual around me these days, though I'm not sure if it's genuine or just an act. He seems open and unguarded. Shemhazai is quiet and reserved, while Penemue comes off as cold and honestly kind of scary, yet undeniably sexy.
I've also had the chance to meet some of the other Cadres, but I haven't encountered Baraqiel yet; he's probably with his wife. Many of the fallen angels seemed frightened upon seeing me in Grigori Headquarters. I could sense silent hostility and fear from them, likely stemming from the video of my defeat of their Cadres.
Fortunately, I haven't crossed paths with Satanael or Kokabiel. They're still recovering, and Azazel probably prefers to keep us apart.
I've started going through the data from Satanael and the information Azazel has shared with me. Learning alongside Azazel doesn't mean I'll receive direct step-by-step guidance; instead, I have to learn by observing his research and working alongside him. It's proving to be a challenging and stressful process.
The situation is that while Azazel concentrated on replicating sacred gears similar to Yehweh's methods, Satanael's research delved extensively into creating parasitic-type sacred gears and harnessing monsters powers for this purpose. This direction explains Satanael's involvement with the Utsusemi organization in developing those grotesque parasitic creatures. Despite this, Azazel remains significantly ahead of Satanael in his research progress.
There was an interesting incident involving Kokabiel—they used a snake's tongue, using a Phenex Tear, to repair his damaged tongue. Phenex Tears can't regrow organs but can connect them if there's some compatibility. Surprisingly, the snake's tongue was more compatible than human or fallen organs. Kokabiel adamantly refused human organs, so a Grigori doctor cleverly used the snake's tongue when he found a match.
Unfortunately, the doctor is now on the run, and I pray for his safety.
During this time, I also met Cleria and her peerage. They had seen the video, and Mark seemed nonchalant about it. He seems like a great bro. We all gathered for dinner and conversation, with Rangiku and me playfully flirting and trying to outsmart each other through teasing while Cleria and Maria blushed like tomatoes, although Cleria was trying to keep a composed demeanor.
Meanwhile, Navirose gave me a hungry look—not the kind of look I preferred, but one that for battle. I had promised her a spar the next time we met, and we eventually had several intense sparring sessions. Despite winning due to my superior strength and speed, I realized she possessed superior sword skills compared to mine. Hiroshi-san was said to be an even better swordsman, so I saw sparring with Navirose as an opportunity to hone my skills and perhaps learn from her using the Sabnock Bloodline ability. We arranged to spar weekly, sometimes inviting others to join, making this period eventful and beneficial for my growth.
After that, I provided more sacred gear detecting devices to Yama-san and his crew, instructing them to report any devices that reacted. My goal was to recruit slowly, so I emphasized focusing only on specific areas I designated—ones outside supernatural jurisdiction, making it easier to operate without getting caught, thanks to information from James.
To safeguard against theft or tampering, I enchanted the devices with spells. If stolen or tampered with, they would teleport directly to me. I realized I was pushing them hard, even sending them to international borders, and felt a twinge of guilt for the strain I was putting them under.
However, the effort paid off as the crime rate due to the Yakuza dropped by 40% compared to previous years. I also found myself gaining a reputation akin to a demon or a don within the Yakuza community, instilling genuine fear in them.
I finally used the Falna on everyone. The only ones I used it on directly were Sakuya and Uncle Leon. I had the fortune of seeing her as red as tomato. I designated Sakuya as a 'Moderator' in the Falna system, allowing her to freely bless others with Falna on her own. Sakuya took this opportunity to bless all the girls in my house alongside Aunt Arene, Asagi, and Momo with Falna. I also bestowed the Falna upon James and Yama-san. Both of them were shocked and exhilarated by the sudden surge of power coursing through their veins. I had to 'gently' stop their overthinking and 'kindly' show them how dangerous the supernatural world can be.
Blessing Yama-san with Falna wasn't a spontaneous decision. That guy has genuinely earned a bit of my trust. He's level-headed and carries out my orders without question. He's content as the leader of the Yakuza and is gradually halting their illegal activities. Perhaps he could prove even more valuable to me in the future.
I also continued my discussions with Serafall after a month. By then, my products were being marketed on the DeviNet, and customers used race-specific methods to verify their identities—noble devils with magic circles, commoner devils demonstrating their demonic auras, and other races with similar processes online. During purchases, 'Vrita's Magic Circle' will confirm their identities, and I imposed limits on quantities to prevent hoarding. Goods were delivered through the same magic circle after successful transactions.
I sold a variety of fruits, vegetables grown in the Demiplane, and healing potions on my website, with plans to introduce rare potions like soul nourishing potions gradually. Each product had ranks from F(-) to B(+) and description indicating value, potency, taste, and scarcity. There are also higher-ranked goods, but they will not be sold for a long time, or perhaps never.
Initially, people doubted my products' authenticity, but with support from the Nakiris and Grigori, wealthier supernatural figures purchased and confirmed their validity, boosting sales. James managed media relations while I used my reputation on the website. Despite struggles to meet demand, I received help from Esri and Yama-san, who sent people who were then also contracted through my Taming skill. Sakuya and others also assisted. I couldn't keep up with demand alone, hoping to resolve this by recruiting more members.
Through 'Observe', I discovered some foods contained Gourmet Cells that could awaken them in others with significant consumption. Though it was still just a probability. So these foods were set aside, while others offered health benefits like fast healing, increased mana, or increase in affinity with certain elements—alongside having delicious taste. I increased prices for these special foods, detailing benefits on the website. Skeptics believed after lab results confirmed the claims, realizing they couldn't replicate these foods outside my Demiplane as these were made from literally just my imaginations. I changed the Miyamura house's diet and frequently supplied these to my close acquaintances.
Due to the sudden success of Akatsuki's website, Serafall approached me again, understanding the reason behind my avoidance. So she offered a reluctant apology, feigning remorse with fake tears as she pouted cutely. Annoyed, I also withheld details about Akatsuki whenever she asked a question. Serafall then shifted to my heritage—the extinct Sabnock lineage. Being a Sabnock descendant inheriting this lost bloodline and a Beelzebub descendant would cause significant upheaval in the Underworld.
We decided to keep this a secret to avoid scrutiny and potential exploitation by the devil council. Otherwise, according to Serafall, the devil council would try to manipulate and exploit me, treating me like a breeding horse for heirs. While I believe I could handle them, I'd prefer not to deal with them right now. My focus is on establishing Akatsuki and my business. Additionally, I need to recruit researchers and alchemists, and study chemistry, medicine, blacksmithing, and engineering to fully leverage the Sabnock Bloodline. I'll need to buy a thought-accelerating skill to cope, especially since I was just a normal Chemistry Major student in my previous life.
I reminded Serafall about my involvement with Akatsuki. She tried to reason with me talking about my racial duties, but ultimately understood my stance. I tried to make her promise not to disclose my situation to the other Satans for a few years. Her stance on this will affect my trust in her and the devil faction as a whole.
She argued that as a Satan, she had a duty and responsibility to at least inform the other Satans about me and preached about how great they are. After some negotiation, we agreed she could inform the three Satans without revealing my location or arranging a meeting for now. I want to be more prepared before meeting Ajuka.
Serafall even brought me books about blacksmithing. She seemed very interested about Sakuya and was shocked to learn that Sakuya was actually fully human and totally unrelated to Grayfia. I'm curious to see both of them meeting face-to-face, particularly Grayfia's reaction, given Sakuya's knowledge of her.
I also met Saibai and contracted him to work as a manga artist for me. Leveraging the Miyamuras vast connection, I had previously set up an agency. I'm buying scripts of famous manga, manhwa, and novels from my previous world from the Shop. I'll use the original authors' names but with different artists. I asked Saibai to introduce more artists to me. Over the next few years, the entertainment industry in this country will undergo a massive transformation, embracing true art instead of cheap imitations like Drag So Ball!
And just like that, two years flew by!
70. Schemes and Akatsuki.
Sukuna(sama?)'s POV
Yo! Sukuna-sama's back!
Can't remember me? I'm the legendary fighter who bravely faced off against the Yakuza boss two years ago.
I've always idolized the Yakuza lifestyle, and my dream finally came true when I joined the top group in town.
But those guys are something else. Just because I nearly beat the boss doesn't mean they should demote me! They've been making me do nothing but grunt work as punishment!
I've got more guts than the lot of them and have been in every gang fight since. Yet, those shameless pricks refuse to promote me. Even my underlings at school agree with me. And when I shared my boss fight story with them, I got demoted again.
*sigh*
They didn't even help with my medical bills. I had to borrow money from that rich kid at school to fix my teeth.
Despite us being Japan's top gang, crime rates are down because we only target the corrupt.
Maybe it's time I challenged Yama-san for leadership. I can run this gang better than he ever could.
Today I was summoned, and I had a good feeling that I might finally be promoted. They must have realized my greatness, likely due to my conversation with Ino-san yesterday. Ino-san is my direct superior, and I plan to help him rise up the ranks once I make it big.
As I entered the building, I greeted all the grunt members outside and quickly made my way inside to meet the branch head of our town. He was seated in a chair, so I greeted him promptly.
"Aniki! Thanks for meeting with me today!" I exclaimed, making a 90-degree bow to show respect, despite most of them being incompetent mobs.
"Yeah, I've heard about you. You're quite the troublemaker. But I didn't call you here to punish you again. Do you remember that crystal ball that lit up when you were... begging Ino-kun by grabbing his legs yesterday?" the mob asked.
His words made me as red as a tomato in shame. I wasn't really begging. I was just looking at something down there.
I had only heard about those devices, and some gang members carried them around, but I had never seen one before. Somehow, that thing was glowing last night.
He didn't wait for me to speak and continued, "Ino-kun said you've been annoyingly begging him every day for a promotion. But you've never done anything significant or won a single fight outside your own pretend school gang. On the contrary, you pick fights without thinking and end up losing. So we're kicking you out of the gang as of now," he declared.
I was momentarily stunned by his words. I quickly fell to his feet and begged for a second chance, but it didn't seem like he would change his decision. Anger clouded my mind, and for a moment, I had the desire to burn everything around me.
Then, fire manifested around my body. Instinctively, I created a condensed ball of fire in my palm and aimed it at himself. Even though it was sudden, I felt like I had been blessed with an amazing gift from God.
I felt like an anime protagonist, ready to burn all those who had turned a blind eye to my efforts. I expected the mob to panic and get burned, but to my surprise, he remained totally calm, and something like a barrier stopped the fire.
Then suddenly, someone struck me on the head from behind like a coward, and my consciousness started fading.
"Call the guys from Akatsuki. They won't even need a mental test to determine his nature. This guy's an irredeemable prick. Just ask them to extract his sacred gear and wipe his memories," I heard vaguely before blacking out completely.
*
*
Omniscient POV
Underworld
In a dimly lit room within the Bael Domain of the Underworld, a covert operation was underway.
Seated around an opulent table were men of significant influence, including Zekram Bael, the esteemed founder and inaugural Head of the House of Great King, the most politically potent figure in the Underworld.
Accompanying him were figures of high authority, among them the current head of the House of Bael.
As the deliberation began, the current head of the House of Bael addressed the pressing matter. "She is perilously close... If left unchecked, it's highly likely she will expose its existence."
One of the men inquired, "But how did she come to know of it?"
Frustration evident in his tone, another man interjected, "Satan only knows how she stumbled upon it!"
Seeking resolution, another participant focused on the eldest devil present. "Instead of dwelling on her discovery, we must strategize how to neutralize her before any potential repercussions manifest. My Lord, what is your directive?"
Remaining silent until now, the charismatic middle-aged man tapped his fingers against the table as he pondered the predicament involving the young girl from the House of Belial branch family.
After a prolonged moment of contemplation, he turned his gaze towards the individual who had presented the intelligence and inquired, "Is there anything else you would like to report concerning this girl?"
The man paused, recalling an important detail. "I've discreetly monitored her activities and observed a rapid increase in her and her peerage members' strength. Cleria, Rangiku, and Hiroshi have ascended to intermediate high-class power levels, with some possibly nearing peak high-class. The other members have all reached the pinnacle of mid-class strength."
"Oh, that's impressive for such young devils. It's unfortunate we have to eliminate her. If only..." Zekram mused, his expression pensive as he considered the matter.
After a moment, he continued, "Given their strength, we must ensure their demise by sending an ultimate-class devil. Additionally, gather some strays and offer them freedom if they can eliminate Cleria. Even if they fail, we can attribute her death to a powerful Cluster. After all, she has encountered one before, hasn't she?" Zekram directed his gaze at the informant, who nodded in confirmation. "It would be no issue if she were to encounter them again."
"What about the Protestant Church Exorcists stationed in that town?" one of the members interjected.
"Just bribe some of the Church higher-ups to temporarily relocate those exorcists elsewhere. We will fabricate a story claiming that Cleria and her peerage fell victim to the Cluster. When the Church members arrive to find injured strays preying on innocents, they will take action. Ensure to block any communication with her household and erect barriers to prevent their escape before the exorcists arrive," Zekram instructed, closing his eyes with a deep sense of sorrow at the necessity of severing such promising buds of the Underworld.
*
*
Kouske's POV
During these two years, many things have happened. Most notable among them are the new skills I purchased from the Shop: Memory Partition (D), Thought Acceleration (D), Blood Manipulation (C), and Deft Touch (C).
The first two are the same ones from the Nasuverse. The D rank Memory Partition allows me four partitions, meaning 256 different thoughts at once. I had to purchase it to keep pace with all the research and studying I'm doing while working alongside Azazel.
My blacksmithing skills have improved a bit due to Serafall providing some books on Sabnock's blacksmithing from the Underworld Library. And the last skill is only for *cough* *cough* experimental purposes.
My strength has improved to C rank over these two years, but the rate of increase has slowed down. The difference between a high rank and an ultimate rank is immense—it's like they belong to different realms. The power disparity grows even larger at later stages.
Hundreds of high-rank individuals would still be considered weak compared to a veteran ultimate-class powerhouse. However, somehow, the pervert had managed to overcome this difference with his plot armor in the story. The power dynamic in DxD is all over the place.
Because of my increase in strength, I've also unlocked Vritra's Darkness Manipulation, which is pretty neat. I already had this from Noctis, so it just made my skill affinity and proficiency stronger.
During this time, I've also collaborated with Vrita to enhance the efficiencies of the magical circles. We managed to improve the summoning circle of the system, increasing its efficiency from 68% to 70%. However, we couldn't achieve the same for the other two circles since they are already quite efficient.
Thanks to my new passive skills, learning and analyzing things have become far easier. I can comprehend more about magic circles and magic overall. I've been studying medicine, blacksmithing, alchemy, engineering, and magical books all at once. It's quite challenging to process and understand all this information in my head, even though the time required for studying has decreased and my efficiency has improved due to the skills. It's still quite a painful task.
My side business is also thriving. The agency has gained popularity, and many pirated mangas are being sold en masse. Not surprisingly, Serafall took a keen interest in the agency after discovering so many different and SUPERIOR mangas on the market. Soon anime and other merchandises will also be available.
So she delved into the agency's background and learned that the Miyamura Conglomerates was behind its establishment, although it was owned by Akatsuki. From then on, Serafall started pestering me every few days to arrange a meeting with the authors.
How could I set up a meeting for her with non-existent people? After many rejections, she decided to help popularize the agency and its works. In exchange, she requested that mangas centered around magical girls, especially ones depicting her TV program with her as the heroine, Magical Girl Levia-tan, be published.
So, I found the laziest available illustrator, someone always trying to skip work, and connected him with Serafall to collaborate on her project. I readily accepted her offer. I mean, why would I refuse when the authors and illustrators have to deal with her instead of me? I am getting free publicity in the process.
Should I publish some DARKER magical girl mangas through the agency? Her reaction would be priceless! He he he!
Lavinia and I have been alternating between visiting Dia and Esri's place. Dia has been steadily improving and growing stronger. She's naturally gifted and always eager to learn more about magic.
Meanwhile, Esri seems to have forgotten about that incident. After chatting with Esri and Dia for a bit, Sakuya also granted Falna to both of them.
There's also a new member in our household, not Tarte. Tarte has been more cheerful and the most dedicated among the girls in her training. She has started practicing with the spear and developing her lightning magic. And for some reason, she's taking after Sakuya and learning how to be a maid from her.
However, she still hasn't opened up to tell us about her difficult situation with her bitch of a mother. So, we haven't taken any action against her bitchy mother yet. We'll wait a bit longer. Otherwise, I might make things difficult for that bitch in a year or two.
The new member at home is actually the innocent Asia. I was able to kidna... persuade... her to leave the church quite easily. She was in an orphanage under the church's ownership, and it didn't take much convincing to take her with us.
She still hasn't awakened her sacred gear, so they weren't really against leaving her with us. It's ironic to think they were treating her well until now, but everything would have changed drastically once she awakened her so-called "god-given gift" and was hailed as a saint.
They would have viewed her like a monster, isolated her, given her lesser food, and pocketed every single penny she made. Human nature can be quite rotten and ungrateful.
At least in my household, she will grow up happily among a loving and caring family. I brought her six months ago. She's quite timid but extremely pure and good-natured. Sakuya also granted her Falna.
All the girls might level up soon. Aiz managed to reach level two in around one year, which was the fastest. But this world has a different power system. People can easily get stronger here with hard work, unlike in Danmachi where just hard work alone doesn't cut it for everyone.
So, many of the girls have already leveled up, and the others will hopefully level up soon too. The Falna system is quite beneficial for the humans in this world, allowing them to match the supernatural even in brute strength and power.
I also formed a contract with Asia, granting my fires the ability to heal through the Synthesis Skill. Additionally, my Taming skill has been upgraded, allowing me to share two skills simultaneously now.
Recruiting members for Akatsuki has been quite successful. Over the past two years, we've brought in approximately 150 members, many of whom are sacred gear holders, half-humans (like half-fallen or half-devils or half-humans from various mythologies), skilled mages, craftsmen (such as blacksmiths, alchemists, doctors, and engineers etc), and researchers.
To aid in this process, I purchased specialized devices capable of detecting people's affinities, talents, or half-human lineage, allowing for extensive searches.
Each member has entered into a 50-50 taming contract with me. And I provide them with a home, salary, safety, and training in exchange for their work. Those who declined our offer had their memories wiped and were sent back home. For those who agreed to join, I granted Falna to enhance their abilities.
I've established a fully functional facility within the Demiplane to accommodate our members. While it's been costly, the investment is justified by the prospect of having a formidable army of demi-gods in the making at my disposal.
I've equipped them with the blue summoning circle of the system, which allows them to create portals connecting to the Demiplane for easy access and magic. However, their access is limited to a specific area within a barrier, separating it from other important sections of the Demiplane.
These members have also been instrumental in supporting my business on the DeviNet website, serving as valuable labor for our operations.
The business website is thriving despite various disturbances, with many customers purchasing products regularly. Among the most popular items are Gourmet Strawberries, Rainbow Fruit, Mystery Soup, Dragon Apples, Vanilove Fruit, LuminaPom Apples, and VerdeSalad Grass.
Rainbow Fruit and Vanilove Fruit stand out as the top sellers, even though Rainbow Fruit was sold only once through an auction that generated substantial revenue—I think Freyja purchased that fruit. I doubt she'll be able to appreciate any other fruits of lesser quality for quite some time, so I just pray for the Norse Gods who has to endure the annoyance of an unsatisfied petty Goddess.
I faced several assassination attempts due to my business website, which led to hired assassins targeting me in public. However, I quickly adapted by concealing my movements and evading further attacks. Naturally, I retaliated against these assassins and eliminated them.
These attacks were orchestrated by prominent supernatural figures within the food industry, notably the Amy and Shax noble houses of the Underworld. These houses control the devil faction's food industry and likely saw my potential mass food distribution as a threat.
Surprisingly, the Phenex house has remained inactive, possibly because I'm currently only selling low-grade healing potions. While these potions aren't common, some people have been able to make them previously, but the costs were usually very high and kept secret within their own factions.
However, my potions are not only more efficient but also cost-effective. Hence, I've managed to sell them in bulk at reasonable prices. I've heard reports of people purchasing these potions even during ongoing combat situations, acknowledging their effectiveness compared to the overly expensive Phenex Tears.
For now, only Grigori and the Nakiris have access to the higher-ranking potions comparable to the Phenex Tears. I plan to introduce them to the market slowly in the upcoming years. Serafall also approached me to make a contract with her family to provide a set amount of these low-grade potions for use in their hospitals.
For now, I've sent a subtle warning to the Shax and Amy clan houses by orchestrating strategic disruptions. I pilfered money and goods from three of their warehouses and cast a widespread Chronos Lock spell on some of their lands, rendering them unable to cultivate crops for several years. This was a calculated move to convey my message without causing widespread chaos within the devil faction, keeping the damage minimal.
To carry out these actions, I utilized Time Magic, which some people had already witnessed me using before. The purpose behind my actions was clear: to dissuade further interference. The Shax and Amy clans were taken aback when they realized that their warehouses were compromised overnight.
I mean, no one would have thought that something as simple as an army of ants could possess the ability to teleport items. I shared the skills with the ants and provided them with the necessary energy for the teleportation. No one would have suspected ants to be capable of such feats. Those two clans are still trying to figure out exactly what happened.
Despite their discreet efforts to investigate the situation, they have refrained from disclosing the incident to the media, likely due to the embarrassment it would bring upon them. I hope that my message has been well received, and they maintain cautious silence for the foreseeable future, especially considering their inability to discern how I managed to steal from them. The fear should serve as an effective deterrent.
On a different topic, Azazel and the Nakiris have been incredibly supportive and helpful to me, particularly Azazel. I didn't expect him to go so far. We've shared conversations over drinks, and he has realized that I might share a pacifist inclination like him. We've hit it off, and he's genuinely fun to be around.
Speaking of Azazel, he's currently in seclusion, focusing on his... 'little brother'. Azazel has a penchant for suggesting visits to brothels, but I am not really keen on using their services. Sakuya got wind of one such suggestion and swiftly put a stop to Azazel's nightly activities for a good few months using her Time Magic. The result? His "little bro" is now quite intimidated by Sakuya, which I found hilarious and shared a laugh about with Penemue and Shemhazai. It was amusing to see even Shemhazai laugh, given his usual serious demeanor.
On another note, Shemhazai seems to be dating a commoner devil. From what I recall, they'll have a child during canon time, which solidifies the peace treaty due to the union between a Fallen Cadre and a commoner pure devil.
I've had conversations with various other Cadres and gotten to know them better. I also had the chance to meet Baraqiel, who's back after losing both his wife and daughter. He's focusing on work for now, and we're not close enough for me to offer any advice.
Regarding Kokabiel, I recently learned more about him and gained some semblance of respect, despite finding him annoying with a punchable face. Azazel made sure we never crossed paths.
Kokabiel fell from grace because he tried to aid humanity, which I found intriguing. He deeply loved humanity and sought to protect them. However, his faith was shattered when he witnessed a human village under attack by devils summoned by humans themselves.
Despite his best efforts to save as many as he could, both humans and devils callously took hostages, including the pregnant, children, and elderly, to escape from him. Witnessing such cruelty firsthand drove him into a rage, leading him to retaliate by killing every devil and collaborating human in a fit of fury. This act of vengeance caused him to fall from grace as an angel.
Embittered by his fall and feeling betrayed by his Father and Heaven, Kokabiel became twisted in his views, caring only for his fellow Fallen even if it meant sacrificing innocent Fallen lives to strengthen their faction. He gained many followers within the Grigori with this mindset.
Apart from this, in the past two years, I've faced off against four evil gods, liberated several human cities from their grasp, and seized their territories. Videos of these battles, especially showcasing my thousands of tamed monsters and Time Magic, have circulated widely. As a result, I believe people are beginning to take me more seriously.
On a separate note, I have kept those evil Gods and some of their stronger subordinates alive. They will be the first subjects of my experiments to create artificial sacred gears. I intend to extract their full powers for this purpose. They are currently locked in a static state using my Time Magic within a prison in the Demiplane.