Disclaimer: Neither High School DXD nor Elder Scrolls belongs to me, all rights to their respective owners.
Chapter 77
— There is no magic more dangerous and abhorrent than that which disturbs the rest of the dead… but even in that, necromancy is the worst… not only do they revive a dead person, but they also take away the one thing that makes us unique, free will. —
Sermon on Necromancy given to the initiates of the Vigilants of Stendarr
Mannimarco's eyes watched with slight amusement the corpse of the so-called most powerful evil dragon. Only a few hours had passed since that stupid lizard had recklessly attacked them directly at their main base.
'You should have stayed quiet and waited for orders, like the good dog you were.' the necromancer thought irritably. He knew they had lost a valuable war dog, one that would have served to divert the attention of rival factions and allow them to continue working undisturbed until Padomay's plan was complete… At that moment, they would be unstoppable, for no one could stop the incarnation of one of the primordial forces that gave rise to Aurbis: the representation of chaos, change, and darkness.
"Euclid-sama." called the trembling voice of one of the Nilrem magicians, approaching with a small box in his hands.
Seeing him, the "devil" raised an eyebrow, visibly suspicious.
"Is this all you managed to get?" Euclid asked condescendingly.
"Yes, Euclid-sama… although I'm afraid that to obtain this we lost more than ninety percent of the hybridized humans we were creating." the magician replied with evident fear. He didn't know how the devil would react to such a failure.
Euclid's tone sent a shiver down the magician's spine, filling him with panic, so much so that he almost lost control over himself… and the foul smell that soon invaded the room confirmed that he had indeed failed to contain himself.
The devil's face twisted into a grimace of deep disgust at the stench. However, stepping away from Crom Cruach's corpse, he approached the magician and snatched the box from him. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary wooden box, painted a deep red, but it was an artifact capable of containing objects of immense power.
Without saying another word, Mannimarco made a gesture with his hand, and the magician disappeared from his sight.
Now alone, he stored the box, which he would deliver to his master shortly. But first, he had another matter to deal with. Approaching the fallen dragon's body again, Mannimarco summoned his staff and planting it in the ground, erected a necromantic altar.
"You're nothing but a dog, but for now, you're the strongest dog we have… So, we can't let you go so easily, lizard." he said with disdain while hurling the insult he always used to refer to dragons.
With a gesture of his hand, he conjured twenty crystals as black as a starless night. These gems radiated an oppressive energy so overwhelming that any common mortal would have felt suffocated just by approaching. They were the infamous black soul gems, capable of holding the souls of mortal beings, and a valuable treasure for necromancers, who used them in their darkest experiments and spells.
The gems began to float, surrounding the dragon's inert body. Once positioned, Mannimarco joined both hands and began to gather a massive amount of Magicka. The energy was so dense that it became visible, forming a thick aura of deep purple around the necromancer.
"From dust to flesh… from soul to body… let this corpse walk again, but with chains that bind it… Let its steps no longer belong to it and its will be mine… Let this pact be sealed with the offered soul, until its body is destroyed, or its soul consumed…"
With each word Mannimarco uttered, the black soul gems glowed more intensely. When he recited the second stanza, they shot rays of pure energy, purple in color, towards the dragon's body.
Crom Cruach's body absorbed those energies like a sponge, and slowly, the enormous wound on his right side, a result of his battle with Padomay, began to close. The hole in his body disappeared, leaving the flesh pristine, something that would have confused any spectator who had seen him before.
When the regeneration was complete, the dragon's corpse began to levitate. The gems, drained of their energy, stopped glowing and fell, while Crom Cruach's body descended to the ground with a dull thud.
"It seems he's ready…" Mannimarco murmured, approaching the restored corpse. "Although you and the Dovah are similar, you are not the same when it comes to souls… Theirs are immortal, they can only be destroyed by their own kind or by a Dovahkiin. But yours… are powerful, yes, but they do not have that quality. They are like the souls of beasts, only harder to dominate… Now rise, Crom Cruach… Rise and prepare to serve me until you are no longer useful to me."
As Mannimarco spoke, the dragon's body began to move slowly. First, the fingers of his hands and feet, which flexed slightly. Then, Crom Cruach's eyes opened, revealing that they were no longer the same: they now glowed with a sickly blood-red color, while his sclerae were as black as coal.
The evil dragon stood up and faced Mannimarco, who only smiled cruelly, delighting in his success. He had resurrected an evil dragon, albeit at the cost of using more than ten thousand human souls trapped in the black soul gems.
"Good… Now follow me, my slave… I have a new mission for you." Mannimarco said as he walked away, heading to where his master was to deliver what his human vassals had collected.
The moonlight rose high in the pocket realm created by Edzard, gently illuminating the lake near the palace. Edzard's home and his family were completely resplendent thanks to the thousands of "candle lights" that made up the lighting system of the entire complex. Inside the palace, many people could be seen moving back and forth, these being the servants that Yasaka had "lent" for the occasion. In the kitchen, several of the best cooks from the youkai faction under Yasaka's command were preparing the various dishes that would be served at the main celebration.
While all that hustle and bustle was happening in the kitchens, in one of the formerly empty rooms, Kunou and Marie were surrounded by several maids. Among the servants were those who served Yasaka as well as the maids who previously belonged to Diodora's nobility. They all moved back and forth, finishing dressing the girls for the big event of the day: their double birthday.
"Please, Kunou-sama, stay still so we can place the last pins in your kimono." requested one of the maids as she adjusted the outfit the little kitsune would wear for the occasion.
"Ready, Marie-sama." said Roxanne, one of Diodora's former knights. She had been assigned to dress and help Marie prepare for today's event. "You are ready for the party."
Hearing that, the little dragon smiled and, jumping off the stool she had been standing on, ran to Kunou, who was finally fully dressed.
"Wow…!" Marie exclaimed in amazement as she looked at her "sister" with bright eyes. She loved the outfit Kunou had chosen. "You look very cute, Ku-chan."
The kitsune's cheeks blushed at the compliment from her "little sister." something she didn't receive very often. Even so, thanks to her upbringing, she managed to keep her composure long enough to return the compliment to Marie upon seeing her fully dressed.
"You look beautiful too, Ma-chan." Kunou commented as she approached her "father's" daughter.
The two girls looked at each other for a few seconds and then smiled with joy, a gesture that also moved the present maids, who felt that the girls' smiles were like a breath of fresh air amidst the tumultuous events shaking the world.
When they finished smiling at each other, the door to the room opened, and Emilie, seeing them ready, nodded. This gesture was the signal that it was time to leave the room and walk to the main hall, where the festivities would begin.
Hand in hand and with slow but excited steps, the girls began to walk, closely followed by the maids. As they walked, they recalled how their morning had been. The truth is, it wasn't much different from others, except for the fact that they had breakfast with the whole family, that is, with their parents and grandparents. That breakfast was fun, as they had been prepared their favorite dishes, something that was repeated at lunch, although lighter than usual, since there would be a banquet in the evening, and they didn't want to be too full before the main event.
After a few seconds, they arrived at an area where there were only some circular platforms carved into the ground. The place was quickly recognized by Edzard's two daughters: they were teleportation seals.
"Marie-sama, Kunou-sama." Emilie called in a calm voice, capturing the girls' attention. "Edzard-sama, Asia-sama, and Yasaka-sama have ordered that you wait on these two circles, with Marie-sama on the right and Kunou-sama on the left. According to the protocol set up for the ceremony, you will be summoned to the great hall when Edzard-sama names you. Until then, you must wait here. The moment of your teleportation should not take long, as the preliminary events of the ceremony began a while ago."
With those words, Emilie and the maids withdrew. Edzard's two daughters looked at each other, and walking to their respective places, waited patiently to be called. When they saw the magic circles begin to glow, their smiles filled with excitement, as they knew they were about to see the great party that had been planned for them.
The great hall of the palace was decorated in a way that left everyone present stunned. The place, as always, was impeccably clean, with the marble floor so polished it reflected like a mirror. This, of course, was to Issei's liking, who took advantage of the reflection to try to see the underwear of some of the ORC girls. The walls were adorned with banners of House Cumberland, along with typical decorations of Japanese noble houses. Although these styles of decoration were very different, they did not compete; rather, they complemented each other, giving the place a unique appearance.
In the middle of the hall were all the guests at the ceremony. Although the event seemed grand, it was not excessively ostentatious, as there were not thousands of attendees, only the most important and close to the family, whether through friendship ties or other connections… although there were also some political guests.
Among the most notable attendees were all the members of the Gremory Clan: Rias, her parents, her brother, her sister-in-law, and her nephew. Next to the redhead were her servants, as well as Issei's parents. Beside the Gremorys was the entire Sitri Clan, including the current Leviathan, as well as the members of the student council. Separated from them, but not too far, were some representatives from Heaven: Vasco Strada, Michael, and Dulio Gesualdo. In another sector were the members of the Grigori, with Azazel, Tobio, and Baraqiel as representatives. Also present were the members of Vali's team, along with Ophis, whose presence terrified many of the attendees who recognized her. Finally, among the most unexpected, were Mariella and the orphans from her church, who watched the celebration with enthusiasm, as it was the first time they attended an event of this size.
Despite it being a festive atmosphere, the hall was filled with palpable tension, as if a fight could break out at any moment. The members of Vali's team watched the attendees cautiously, always keeping their guard up against the possibility of an attack. The only ones who seemed to tolerate their presence were the members of the ORC, the student council, and the Grigori… The rest looked at them with distrust, which was understandable, given that they were members of the Khaos Brigade.
"Why do you think Vali and his team are here?" Issei asked, looking at the mentioned members of the rival group.
"I don't know, Ise… but I don't think they'll do anything today." Rias replied, watching Vali's team with distrust, as they had caused them so many problems in the past.
"Ria is right." added Zeoticus with a smile. "They wouldn't dare do anything in a place like this, surrounded by so many powerful people."
The current leader of the Gremory Clan observed the main hall of Edzard's palace with slight surprise. Despite being accustomed to luxurious environments, there was something about this place that made him feel small. It wasn't an obvious opulence, but both he and his wife, Venelana, perceived an almost overwhelming sense of grandeur, as if the palace itself were an incomprehensible entity. Even so, they managed to stay calm, which allowed them to interact naturally with the other guests.
"I can't believe Edzard-kun invited us to his daughters' birthday." said Mikki, Issei's mother, excitedly, while admiring the medieval castle they were in. "I never imagined someone so young would have so many high-level contacts."
"I understand, dear." Garou replied, smiling slightly, though uncomfortable being surrounded by so many influential people. "Being among so many important people can make you feel insignificant."
"Yes, dear. I just hope Edzard-kun isn't disappointed with our gifts." Mikki added with concern, fearing that what they had prepared wouldn't be enough for someone living in such an imposing palace.
"You shouldn't worry about that." Sirzechs intervened with a kind smile. "He doesn't care so much about expensive objects, but about the sentimental value with which they are given… I'm sure that's what he's conveying to his daughters."
The words of the leader of the devils reassured Issei's parents, making them feel that their presents would be appreciated, regardless of their material value.
After that brief conversation, the group remained silent, at least among themselves, while the Sitri maintained a livelier atmosphere.
"I can't wait to see little Marie and Kunou appear!" Serafall exclaimed excitedly, her eyes fixed on the place where the throne was. Beside her were her parents and Sona, who tried to hide her face, embarrassed by her older sister's behavior.
Sona and Serafall's parents, devils who appeared to be in their thirties, shared common traits such as black hair and purple eyes. Both kept a serene posture, despite Serafall's extravagances.
"Onee-sama… please, calm down." Sona pleaded, trying to hide her face from the embarrassment she felt for her sister at that moment.
The amused giggles of Sona's parents at seeing the interaction between their daughters stopped when they fixed their gaze on the throne.
"It's incredible that we've been invited to a celebration like this… In all my years, I've never seen a place like this." Sona's father commented, with an analytical look.
"You've noticed it too, haven't you?" Sona's mother asked, with slight concern in her voice.
"I'm sure anyone with experience in battles against angels has sensed that there's something strange about this structure…"
The conversation between her parents caught Souna's attention, and she looked at them curiously. Realizing that their younger daughter was watching them, they returned her gaze and asked what was happening.
"Why do you say there's something strange about this palace?" Souna asked, intrigued. Despite having visited the place several times, she hadn't noticed anything unusual.
Her daughter's question caused both parents to feel confused and astonished, as they didn't understand how their daughter couldn't notice anything strange.
"Do you really not feel that this place is practically built with sacred power?" Souna's father responded, visibly surprised. This shocked not only his daughter but also the rest of the present nobility.
"What do you mean this place seems to be made with sacred power?" Saji whispered, his eyes wide open. The reason he didn't speak out loud was because Momo had pinched his thigh, warning him not to shout.
Souna's servant's question made her parents look at him, and smiling, they began to explain that the structure radiated an energy similar to the light spears of high-ranking angels, although with a slight difference in sensation.
This explanation left the young devils overwhelmed, and they soon realized that there was indeed some truth to those words. Although they had only faced one high-ranking angel, Kokabiel, that encounter had left an indelible mark on their minds. Their body memory finally caught the familiarity of the energy emitted by the palace, similar to the light spear the fallen angel had created before fighting Edzard.
While the members of the Sitri Clan discussed this, the representatives of Heaven and the Church were having another conversation.
"Do you think it's a good time to talk to Edzard-dono about what's happening with the exorcists?" Michael asked in his usual calm and gentle tone, addressing the cardinal, who kept a serious expression, clearly worried but also determined.
"Honestly, no… but we can't waste any more time. Initially, I planned to talk about this during the presentation of young Ingvild in the Underworld, but this is more urgent. If we can get him to agree, we can buy some time. My speech at the Sistine Chapel convinced many, but some of the more radical cardinals will send their own exorcists to hunt and kill the rogue exorcists. We can't let that happen."
The old cardinal's words contained a great truth. Despite his speech having persuaded several members of the cardinal council, there were still some who wanted to eliminate the rogue exorcists, something they couldn't afford. Not only because it was morally wrong, but because they couldn't afford to lose combat capabilities in these times.
"Cardinal Strada is right, Michael-sama." Dulio intervened, observing the orphaned children next to Mariella with a smile. Michael's 'Joker' found it comforting that some children, who had no family, could enjoy moments like this, moments when they could simply be children. That was the reason he fought: to protect the innocence and smiles of the little ones, whom he considered the future of the world. Although, like Vasco, he also did not approve of the radical ideas of some extremist cardinals. After Strada's words, he looked at Michael, waiting for his response.
Feeling the gaze of his two subordinates, Michael understood that they were right. They couldn't afford to lose the rogue exorcists. Despite not being entirely comfortable with the timing, he nodded, giving Vasco permission to talk to Edzard about the matter.
Seeing their leader's approval, Vasco nodded, a gesture that was replicated by Dulio.
Meanwhile, in another corner, Azazel was quietly reflecting while looking towards the entrance of the hall.
'I need to talk to that kid about the subjects he left for us to examine.' Azazel thought, bringing a hand to his chin. The smile he always wore seemed normal, but internally, the leader of the Grigori was very worried about what he had discovered during the examinations of those individuals. Although only forty percent of them had been examined, the results were disturbing and, at the same time, terrifying. 'What they did to them goes beyond human or possible without a deep understanding of how the bodies of the Nirmnians work… This only makes me think they really have someone from Aurbis helping them… Damn you, Rizevim… you always bring trouble…'
Azazel's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the doors of the hall opened, allowing the entrance of a young man. The appearance of the newcomer was quickly recognized by everyone present, as they had received a letter from Edzard informing them of his identity and explaining that he was now under his protection, thus having a safe-conduct.
When the young man, who turned out to be Karna, walked until he stopped a few meters from the throne, he turned and looked at everyone present.
It wasn't difficult for those present to notice that the young man was nervous about standing before them. It was understandable, as someone who once belonged to the Khaos Brigade wouldn't be calm when facing the leaders of the factions he had probably attacked in the past. Although, this nervousness could be more due to the presence of his former supreme leader in the room.
Despite his nerves, Karna managed to stay firm. After clearing his throat, he took a paper and began to speak:
"Entering, the Argento-Cumberland family!"
After that announcement, the doors of the main hall opened, causing all the guests, at least those who knew the protocol, to stand up. Those who were not familiar with this type of ceremony took a little longer, but seeing the rest stand up, they realized they had to do the same, so they quickly mimicked the actions of the others.
The sound coming from outside confused those present. It wasn't the typical uncoordinated noise of several people walking, but a single, synchronized one, as if it were a single person. However, that seemed impossible, as everyone knew that Edzard's family was numerous. Therefore, when they saw them appear, they couldn't help but be surprised. Those who knew Edzard and his group had initially wondered why Ingvild and Rossweisse, who were not considered official members of the family, were not present. However, seeing them walk alongside the other girls in a triple formation, they understood that had changed.
"Damn Ed… that's seven now…" Issei whispered jealously, crying tears of blood as he watched his friend continue to add lovers.
"Incredible…" murmured Issei's mother, astonished to see Asia and the rest of the girls wearing beautiful dresses.
The girls wore unique outfits, each more beautiful than the last. Asia's dress was white lace, with bell sleeves that fit her figure like a second skin. The skirt fell to her calves, showing white low-heeled shoes. Aika, on the other hand, wore a red satin dress with a tight corset and a wide skirt. The V-neckline highlighted her figure, and the knee-length skirt revealed black high-heeled shoes.
Mittelt, with her taste for the expensive, wore a gold brocade dress with a high collar and a very structured corset. Although her long dress didn't allow a good view of her footwear, she had opted for white low-heeled shoes. Valerie, true to her heritage style, wore a Victorian dress in light blue and silver tones, with an elaborate corset and bell sleeves. She complemented her outfit with period black shoes, giving her a timeless air that fit her perfectly.
Lint opted for a silver taffeta dress with a tight corset and a wide skirt, giving her a classic and simple look. Her knee-length skirt revealed low platform sandals. Rossweisse, after difficulties finding a dress, she liked and that was affordable, ended up choosing a pearl-colored silk one. The tight corset with a V-neckline highlighted her curves, and the ankle-length skirt revealed white high-heeled shoes.
Ingvild, with a simpler style, wore a baby lilac dress, sleeveless, that highlighted her corset and neckline. The skirt reached her knees, allowing a view of the high-heeled shoes matching her dress. Finally, Yasaka wore an elegant royal blue kimono, adorned with silver cranes, and an obi with an elaborate knot on her back.
Each of them wore different jewelry as accessories. All wore crowns, except Yasaka, who had Kanzashi hairpins. The crowns varied in design, with details representative of each. Asia's had carved crosses and embedded emeralds; Aika's had magical symbols and golden pyrite. Mittelt's tiara had wings and inverted crosses with sapphires, while Valerie's had carved bat wings with rubies. Lint's tiara featured dove wings and rubies, while Rossweisse's had runes and aquamarines that matched her eyes. Ingvild wore a tiara with wing designs similar to hers and orange topazes, while Yasaka's hairpins were adorned with gems like rubies and sapphires.
For his part, Edzard wore a black suit consisting of a five-button vest and semi-fitted pants of the same color, with black leather boots adorned with silver buckles engraved with Nordic runes. Under that formal attire, he wore a light blue shirt and a dark gray tie, secured by a gem. Over his shoulders rested a black cape, held by two charms connected by a gold chain.
While Edzard and his partners' presence drew attention, it was two individuals who really caught everyone's eyes, as they were unknown to most, except for a few guests.
The man, dressed in an elegant dark blue suit consisting of a blazer, vest, and smoke-white shirt, walked alongside a woman wearing a light turquoise dress, fitting her figure like a second skin. The dress reached her knees and had a subtle slit on the right leg. That woman was practically a reflection of Asia, which puzzled those familiar with the couple, who began to speculate. The first theory was that she was Asia's older sister, but the more they observed, the more convinced they became that they were probably Asia's parents.
The whispers of those who discovered the connection quickly spread, bringing a smile to the last Lilmothiit. Meridia's champion stood, watching with satisfaction as Asia's father walked alongside his wife without the need for a cane or any kind of assistance. This made him realize that the Fates had taken good care of them and that Edzard had not allowed their health to deteriorate. A fact that the Vestige would keep in mind when speaking with the kid. Even so, he hoped to be present when it was revealed that Asia's parents were still alive, something that would undoubtedly shake the supernatural world of Draconic Deus.
"That woman looks a lot like Edzard's wife… Is she the girl's mother?" Vali asked, while observing the couple, trying to discern if the mother was as interesting as her daughter.
"Yes, she is her mother." Zakir replied with a barely concealed smile.
"Wow, then that man must be her father, right?"
Vali's question had ulterior motives, something Zakir immediately noticed. This made the smile on the humanoid fox's face widen, finding it amusing that the half-devil wanted to face someone like Marcoryan.
The smile did not go unnoticed by the others, which piqued Kuroka's curiosity, who wanted to know more about the family of the wife of the person she wanted to have kittens with.
"Why that smile, nya~?" Kuroka asked, raising an eyebrow gently.
"I find it funny that the Lucifer kid thinks he could face someone like Marcoryan." Zakir replied with a hint of mockery, revealing the name of Asia's father.
The hero's response made Vali frown, as he didn't consider Edzard's wife's father to be that strong. However, Zakir's next words made not only him, but everyone present understand better the power that Asia's father might have.
"Kid, you know that Restoration magic is the equivalent of sacred magic in this world, right?" The Lilmothiit's question was answered with nods from Vali's team. "Well, you see… Asia's father is what we call a Templar."
"Templar? Like the medieval Christian knights who were accused of heresy and burned at the stake?" Le Fay asked curiously, fascinated by the fact that both worlds used a similar word to describe a warrior.
"No, not at all." Zakir quickly replied. "The Templars of this world, according to what I read, were just knights with a lot of economic power, but the Templars in Aurbis are something else. For starters, they are warriors who fight with magic and weapons, making them magical knights. However, they are not like the kid who uses destruction magic. No, Templars use Restoration magic as a weapon… they use it to enhance their attacks, imbue their weapons with the power of light, and heal themselves and their allies. You understand where I'm going with this, right, Vali?"
Zakir's last words were a growl, indicating that the topic was closed. Realizing this, Vali's team nodded, turning their attention back to the hosts of the celebration, who were already standing in front of the throne, watching them.
Edzard and his family's eyes were focused on all the guests, observing them attentively. Everyone seemed happy to see their friends present, although there were also people invited for political reasons, such as the members of the Youkai council. All the guests were arranged in such a way that no one would feel offended.
Setting aside the guests, Edzard's gaze turned to his family. All his lovers looked beautiful, even Yasaka, who, despite being only his fiancée in name, looked more radiant than usual. This made the son of Akatosh feel fortunate to have them all by his side, from Asia to Yasaka. With a smile on his face, he looked at his father-in-law, who returned the gaze with a nod.
After that gesture, Edzard stepped forward, as he had to give the words that would start the celebration.
"Good evening to all the guests." Edzard said calmly, but with a voice firm enough for everyone in the room to hear without shouting. After finishing those words, he realized he had captured everyone's attention. Seeing that he had achieved his goal, he brought a hand to his mouth, forming a fist, and coughed slightly to structure his thoughts before continuing. After a few seconds, he found the right way to express what he planned to say. Without wasting more time, he spoke again. "It is a pleasure for me and my family to have you all gathered in this place on such a special day for us. While today is a day dedicated to my little ones, there is something I want to share with all of you. I know many of you may have noticed that today I am accompanied by people unknown to most… therefore, I would like to introduce them before starting this party."
Edzard's words made all the attention of those present turn to the two individuals who had not been present at the celebration of the treaty signing that granted the Youkai a home in this kingdom.
Upon hearing Edzard, both Marcoryan and Zephyra stepped forward. Asia's parents looked at everyone present, showing different emotions. Marcoryan remained calm and serene, as this type of presentation was something he had been accustomed to since childhood, and nothing compared to the pressure he felt when he was introduced as Selene's fiancé years ago. On the other hand, Zephyra was not as calm as her husband, as this type of environment was not her thing. Asia's mother was visibly nervous, something noticeable in the slight tremor of her hands. This continued until she felt someone take her left hand. Looking down, she realized it was her husband who had taken her hand.
"Calm down…" Marcoryan whispered softly while gently squeezing his wife's hand. "Don't worry. These types of presentations are quick, and we don't have to speak in front of the audience from here."
"R-really?" Zephyra asked with some fear in her voice.
"Yes, you have nothing to worry about."
Her husband's words managed to calm Zephyra, who smiled more confidently at the audience.
When Edzard saw his mother-in-law calmer, he looked ahead again. The son of Akatosh had noticed her nervousness, so he delayed the presentation a bit to give her the necessary time to relax. Now that he saw her calmer, it was time to continue.
"It is an honor for me to introduce a part of my family that I thought was lost." said Edzard as his wife slowly approached to stand by his side and took his right hand. This made Edzard turn his face and smile at her, a gesture she reciprocated. After that brief exchange, he turned his attention back to the audience. "As you all know, my wife grew up believing her parents were dead… but the truth is different. The two people beside me are Marcoryan Cumberland and Zephyra Argento, the parents of my beloved wife."
The revelation of Asia's parents' identity caused a wave of murmurs, as this information was unknown to almost everyone. Despite this, those present were happy for the young woman, especially Mariella, who silently cried tears of joy for her former protégé.
"So those are Asia-san's parents." commented Akeno, visibly surprised by what she had just heard. Everyone who knew Asia believed her parents were supposedly dead, making this revelation perplexing.
"It seems so." said Xenovia with a smile, happy for her friend. However, she soon realized something: if Asia's father was alive, he might oppose Edzard taking more lovers… which would complicate her desire to have a child with the son of Akatosh. This reflection made her frown slightly, though she soon returned to her usual expression.
"Surely Asia-chan must be very happy about this." Miki commented excitedly, flashing a big smile at seeing Asia's parents alive.
"Of course." Zoeticus responded with a touch of concern in his voice. "Now I just hope they can reestablish a good parent-daughter relationship after so much time apart."
The words of the Gremory patriarch were accompanied by nods from his wife, his eldest son, and his daughter-in-law. They understood better than anyone that, although this was a happy moment, it must also be complicated, as Marcoryan and Zephyra would have to reconnect with their adult daughter, something that would not be easy. Therefore, they mentally decided not to ask the couple uncomfortable questions, despite the doubts they still had about what had happened for them to disappear. However, the fact that they were being introduced at this ceremony and seemed to have a good relationship with their daughter and her family was more than enough to understand that they had not abandoned Asia of their own will.
The thoughts of the elder Gremorys were shared by many of the other adults present, who also wished that Asia's parents could establish a bond with their daughter. Even so, despite the revealing moment that Edzard had facilitated by introducing his in-laws, the party had to continue, so it wasn't long before the voice of the son of Akatosh resonated again.
"FAAS… Now, I know many of you have some questions, but I will answer them in private… as long as they are reasonable." Edzard said with a smile that did not convey calm but rather sent chills down the spines of all who saw it. That expression clearly said: Don't ask me anything I don't want to answer.
That attitude made Azazel force a smile, wondering what they gave the Nirmnians to act that way. However, the fallen angel stopped thinking about it, believing that maybe it was a matter of upbringing, or something that only that kid named Edzard could do.
Without anyone knowing, the reason everyone felt that way was because Edzard had used the first word of the Thu'um of disquiet, subtly instilling fear in them. Once the hearts of all those present, which had accelerated due to the Thu'um, calmed down, the son of Akatosh continued speaking.
"Now that the matter of my in-laws is concluded, let's continue with the party. But first, a few words from the mothers of the two girls."
After those words, Edzard stepped aside, giving way to Asia and Yasaka. The two women looked at each other for a moment, and after a mutual nod, Asia stepped forward.
The ex-nun's eyes scanned the guests. Although they were all friends in some way, she began to miss some faces. Despite wishing to see Aela, Serana, and her friends from the College of Winterhold, Asia was happy. Even though her oldest friends were not there, she had new friendships to celebrate this special moment with. However, although she was filled with joy, she also felt nervous. Not even at her wedding had she had to speak in front of so many people. Even so, she took a breath, created a magic circle, and placed it in front of her mouth so that everyone could hear her without needing to raise her voice too much.
"G-good evening, everyone…" Asia began with some nervousness, but as she spoke those first words, the fear faded away like sugar in water. "As Marie's mother, I thank you for being here with us on this special day. I hope you enjoy the celebration. Thank you very much."
After those brief words, Asia stepped back and gave the turn to Yasaka.
Kunou's mother stood in front of the guests and, unlike Asia, began to speak with complete calm.
"Good evening to all of you." The kitsune's voice was serene and elegant, demonstrating her ability to remain calm in situations like this. And it was to be expected, as Yasaka had presided over the opening of several massive celebrations in her village when they still lived in Urakyoto. "As Kunou's mother, I also thank you for being here today. To be honest, until recently, I never imagined seeing the leaders of various factions gathered for my daughter's birthday, but now circumstances have changed. I also want to take this moment to thank the various factions for the help they have provided to my people, allowing them to settle in this kingdom. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy this small celebration."
After those words, Yasaka looked at her fiancé, who in turn looked at Asia. Then, Edzard and his wife walked to stand next to Yasaka. Once together, they looked at each other again and nodded in unison. Edzard stepped forward to speak.
"Now that the formal greetings are done, it's time for the two stars of this evening to make their appearance." Edzard said with a joyful smile, while Asia and Yasaka conjured their respective magic circles.
The two magic circles appeared at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne, shining with an intense golden light, something that surprised everyone present, as it was not common for magic circles to radiate in that way. However, if that had already surprised them, what happened next left them astonished. The circle created by Asia, designed by Edzard some time ago, shone one last time before giving way to a whirlwind of snow that turned into a gentle shower of flakes reflecting the light in such a way that they looked like small stars suspended in the air.
At the same time, the circle created by Yasaka, which contained lines reminiscent of an electrical circuit and was formed by a hexagon with circles at each corner, adorned with Shinto symbols, also stopped shining. From its interior emerged a whirlwind, but this one was made of cherry blossom petals. The petals began to fill the room, joining the snowflakes, creating an impressive sight that highlighted even more the two girls who emerged from the circles.
Before the eyes of all those present, Marie and Kunou appeared from the circles. Edzard's two daughters looked radiant, almost ethereal, as if they were not made of flesh and blood. The clothes they wore were worthy of princesses, or even queens. At first glance, it was clear that these garments were not common nor made with ordinary materials, as the quality was evident, and their craftsmanship was so perfect that they did not seem to have been made by human hands.
The garments they both wore were nothing less than a dress for Marie and a kimono for Kunou. Marie's dress seemed to be a single piece, although it consisted of two parts joined together. The upper part was a detailed bodice, embroidered with yellow and red flowers whose branches were adorned with silver threads. These embroideries were made with yellow gold, red gold, and silver. The lower part consisted of a white tulle skirt, falling in layers, creating the illusion of clouds in the sky. Embedded between the layers, small pearls and diamonds shone like stars in broad daylight.
For her part, Kunou's kimono was made of such pure, soft, and light silk that it seemed like a piece of the firmament brought to the world. The base color of the kimono was a deep blue, like the night sky, adorned with a pattern of silver cherry blossoms that shone softly under the light of the place. The obi, of a bright silver color, contrasted harmoniously with the blue of the kimono, delicately fitting Kunou's body. Finally, the collar and edges of the kimono were finely embroidered with gold and silver threads, adding even more elegance to the outfit.
Although the outfits captured the attention of many, some guests, especially the members of the youkai council, focused their gaze on the jewelry worn by the two girls. Marie wore a silver tiara with a design reminiscent of tree branches, adorned with emerald leaves and diamond flowers. Despite its rustic appearance, the design was incredibly elegant and refined. Kunou, on the other hand, wore her hair in a bun, decorated with a Hana Kanzashi hairpin from which hung bellflower blossoms in various shades of purple. These flowers, made of amethysts, varied in shades of lilac and purple. Accompanying the Hana Kanzashi, Kunou also wore a Tama Kanzashi, a golden hairpin with a sphere decorated with red, blue, and white lines. This hairpin, made of pure gold, was adorned with rows of rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.
What surprised many the most was the fact that Kunou, who had lost everything because of Molag Bal's son, now had something of such value. Many thought that these jewels must have been a gift from Edzard to his new daughter.
However, they were mistaken. Both the garments and the jewelry had appeared in Edzard's study the day before. Although this surprised him, it also brought a sense of déjà vu, reminding him of something similar that had happened before his wedding with Asia in Skyrim. Despite this, he simply smiled at seeing those beautiful gifts, aware that not even he, a competent blacksmith, could have created such beautiful jewelry, nor could the best tailors in this world have crafted such sublime clothes. Finally, he handed the garments to Asia and Yasaka to keep until the big day.
When both girls finished appearing in the room, they opened their eyes, which they had kept closed since being teleported. Seeing all the guests before them, they were both surprised, but they knew what they had to do by protocol, so without hesitation, they bowed in gratitude for everyone's presence.
The bow was met with applause, which made Marie and Kunou smile with happiness, giving them more courage. Marie was the first to speak.
"Thank you for coming!" she exclaimed with joy and a huge smile while raising a hand.
"Yes, thank you very much for coming!" Kunou repeated with a smile on her face.
The girls' happiness was contagious, and soon everyone present was smiling. When the applause ceased, the two young girls began to walk to the front to receive their respective gifts.
Slowly, each of the girls received gifts. Some were clothes, jewelry, or even books. Many of these gifts were of great economic value, but there were others that were simpler. At a typical noble's birthday, cheap gifts would have been considered an insult, but for Marie and Kunou, that didn't matter. What really made them happy was the presence of so many people at this special moment.
When the guests finished giving their gifts, it was Edzard's turn to give his.
The two girls looked expectantly, knowing that what their father had prepared for them would be incredible. With their eyes fixed on him, they watched as Edzard walked towards them with a smile on his face.
"I guess it's my turn now." Edzard said with a smile.
"Yes!" exclaimed Marie, her eyes shining with excitement.
Kunou, although equally excited, didn't show it as much, which made her stand out next to the effusive Marie.
Seeing his daughters so excited made Edzard's smile widen even more. Kneeling before them, he snapped his fingers and made two purple vortices appear. These vortices slightly surprised Kunou, who was still not used to them, but she didn't look away as two chests began to materialize from within.
Thud! Thud!
Both chests fell to the ground with a loud noise that surprised those present. Some guests looked at the chests analytically, trying to discern what material they were made of, while others simply admired their luxurious design.
"In each of those chests are the gifts for each of you… Although I made them, it was your mothers who helped me refine each of the imperfections in the original sketches." Edzard said as he approached the chest in front of Kunou. Upon reaching the chest, the son of Akatosh knelt down and opened it.
The eyes of everyone present widened in amazement as they observed the interior. On a bed of pink velvet rested a silver bow approximately ninety centimeters long. The shape of the bow resembled a Yumi, the traditional Japanese bow, but due to its size, it was not a Daikyu (longbow), but a Hankyu, a short bow. The bow was a true work of art: unlike typical Japanese bows, this one was not made of bamboo but of a metal that some thought was silver. However, those more experienced recognized the material instantly.
'So, you used adamantium to make that bow… Yes, a good choice. Although it's a heavy metal, it's not as heavy as ebony or Stalhrim…' Zakir thought as he recognized the material.
"I-it's beautiful…" Kunou whispered, totally amazed, without taking her eyes off her gift. The little kitsune had never seen anything like it in her entire life.
Hearing Kunou's words, Edzard and Yasaka smiled, pleased that she liked the gift. It was Yasaka who suggested that present, knowing that her daughter always looked with some envy at the young people practicing Kyudo. That observation allowed the leader of the youkai to notice Kunou's fondness for archery. Therefore, she and Edzard designed a Yumi bow together for the young kitsune. The bow retained the typical characteristics of its asymmetrical design, with the grip in the lower third, although its size was notable for a short bow compared to traditional Western bows.
With shyness and some doubt, Kunou slowly extended her hand towards the bow, afraid that it would disappear as soon as she touched it. However, when her hand finally brushed the bow, it did not disappear. On the contrary, it felt strangely comfortable in her hand. The black leather of the grip was soft and fit perfectly to her fingers. Although the bow had some weight, it was not so much as to be uncontrollable, but enough to require some strength.
"What do you think?" Edzard asked with a smile on his face.
"I-it's beautiful… I like it a lot… Thank you, Dad." Kunou replied with a smile, using the word 'Dad' to refer to Edzard for the first time. For some strange reason, calling him that did not feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, for the first time in a long time, she felt that something missing was slowly beginning to fill.
"You're welcome, Kunou." Edzard replied as he approached his daughter. Taking her hands in his, he guided her to adopt a proper stance to shoot the bow. "It looks like a common bow, but there's a reason you don't see arrows in the chest… This bow doesn't need them. It can create them, but it requires a special fuel."
"What fuel?" Kunou asked with surprise and curiosity, eager to know what she would need to create the arrows.
Her daughter's question made Edzard smile, responding calmly. "Your fox fire."
Edzard's answer not only surprised Kunou but also Yasaka, as no one expected the bow to use the power for which kyubi-type kitsunes were so well known.
"Edzard-kun… How did you…?" Sirzechs tried to ask, but Edzard completed it before she finished.
"How did I do it? It wasn't easy, but I asked Yasaka for some of her fox fire and managed to find a way to tune the bow with her flames. This way, Kunou will be able to use it as a means to create more precise and powerful attacks."
Edzard's words caused Yasaka's eyes to widen in astonishment. She remembered that he had asked for some of her fox fire, but he didn't tell her what he would use it for. Now, knowing it, she felt even more pleased, as she had not only contributed ideas for the design but had also directly contributed to the bow's power.
"I'll tell you how to do it, so listen carefully, Kunou." Edzard said as he gently moved the young girl's hands to draw the mithril string. "Inject your flames into the bow…"
"B-but…" Kunou began to stammer, worried that her flames might hurt Edzard.
"Don't worry, you won't hurt me." Edzard responded with conviction.
"That's right, Ku-chan!" shouted Marie, who had been watching everything with fascination. "Trust Dad!"
Her little sister's encouragement gave Kunou the confidence she needed. She closed her eyes for a second and conjured the blue flames characteristic of fox fire. The flames quickly spread throughout the bow, including the string, and slowly began to form an arrow made of blue fire.
When Kunou opened her eyes, she was surprised to see the fire arrow, which seemed much more powerful than any fox fireball she had conjured before.
"You feel it, right?" Edzard asked as he helped Kunou hold the bow, ensuring she didn't accidentally shoot the arrow.
Kunou nodded, as she clearly felt it: that arrow was much stronger than her normal attacks.
"To cancel an attack, simply stop feeding the bow with your fire." Edzard commented while concentrating magic in his hands. Gathering enough Magicka, he casually used a "Dispel Magic" spell, making the fire vanish. "Although for now, I'm afraid you won't be able to do that without practice. You'll need to train… you understand, right?"
Kunou had kept her eyes fixed on the fire arrow and was even more amazed to see how easily Edzard dispelled it. Even so, she nodded, understanding what her father meant.
Seeing his daughter's face, Edzard knew she had understood what he wanted to convey. With Kunou's gift delivered, he was about to turn to look at Marie and give her present, but before he could even move, he felt the little dragoness pounce on him.
"It's my turn! I want to see my gift!" Marie shouted as she lunged, expecting her father to catch her. Edzard, smiling, caught her in his arms and spun her in the air before placing her in front of the chest.
"Heh, heh, heh… As impatient as ever." Edzard laughed while Asia shook her head but kept a smile on her face. All the family members smiled, and even the guests laughed at Marie's energy.
Hearing the laughter, the little dragoness frowned and pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. She was somewhat annoyed that they were laughing at her, as all she wanted was to see her gift and check if it was as incredible as Kunou's.
Noticing his daughter's expression, Edzard smiled. Without making her wait any longer, he approached the chest. Opening it, he watched with amusement as Marie's eyes widened at what she saw inside. The chest was lined with blue velvet, and on it rested his eldest daughter's gift.
"Woaaaa…" was all Marie could say at what she saw.
The gift Edzard had designed for his daughter, which almost caused a misunderstanding with Asia, was none other than a dagger… or at least it seemed so. In reality, it was a sword, small but clearly a sword. The handle was black, made of ebony, and the grip was wrapped in soft leather. The pommel had a lobed shape with adamantine silver details. The guard, rectangular and somewhat wide, barely exceeded the size of the base of the blade. What stood out the most was the blade itself, forged in Stalhrim. It was thin, though not too much, with a characteristic blue hue, polished to the point of looking like a single piece.
Marie gently extended her hand, taking the sword.
"Ughhh…" she puffed slightly as she almost lost her balance lifting it but managed to stay on her feet.
The little dragoness's eyes shone with excitement as she made small lateral movements with the sword, though without experience. In one of those movements, she almost tripped and fell, but before touching the ground, Edzard held her, laughing slightly.
"Careful, dear. You haven't learned to use it yet, so don't try to move it too much for now, okay?"
Marie nodded at her father's words.
"Don't worry if it seems small. This sword is enchanted to grow with you. When you reach your final height, the enchantment will disappear, and only the other spells I've placed on it will remain." Edzard explained, referring to the enchantments adorning the sword.
Everyone presents listened attentively to the explanation of the enchantments, surprised that Marie's sword shared many of the same qualities as her parents' weapons.
When Edzard finished speaking, the little dragoness was smiling, excited to also have a powerful sword. She approached Kunou and began to show her the sword, to which the young kitsune responded by showing her bow. Both smiled at the situation.
With the gifts delivered, both Marie and Kunou asked to leave the hall, as they wanted to play in the garden. At this, Edzard nodded, and everyone headed to the castle's main garden, which had been prepared for the more casual part of the celebration.
Upon reaching the courtyard, they saw long tables filled with all kinds of food and drink.
"Now that the formal part is over, let's begin!" Edzard exclaimed with a smile as he snapped his fingers. Several ghostly figures appeared and began to play music. The guests dispersed around the place, some chatting while others ate and drank.
The adults formed groups to chat, while the children, including Marie and Kunou, ran and played throughout the garden. Although seeing the girls' clothes get dirty might bother any parent, Edzard and Yasaka didn't think of stopping their fun at that special moment.
"You know, this party is quieter than I expected, kid." Zakir commented as he approached Edzard, who was accompanied by his lovers.
"You know I'm not one for wild parties, furball." Edzard replied with a smile upon seeing the old hero. "How has everyone been?"
The question took Vali by surprise, as he didn't expect Edzard to care about them.
"Do you care about us, nya~?" Kuroka asked with a playful smile as she approached Edzard, trying to rub against him. However, she was quickly stopped by Bikou, who pulled her by the neck of her kimono upon noticing the murderous looks from Edzard's lovers, who were clearly not willing to let Kuroka get away with it.
Seeing that the situation could escalate and cause more problems, Zakir decided to intervene quickly.
"Well, luckily, we're fine. In the end, we did end up being the target of the entire Khaos Brigade… but it's nothing we can't handle. The kid Vali was having fun." Zakir replied with a smile, before looking at Ingvild and Rossweisse. "On your side, I see you haven't wasted any time… you've added two more girls to your family. So, have you deflowered them yet or not?"
The Lilmothiit's direct question caused both Rossweisse and Ingvild to blush at once, but they weren't the only ones; Asia and Valerie also blushed noticeably.
Seeing the girls' reaction, the humanoid fox knew the answer, so he quickly intervened before Edzard could say anything.
"Well, it seems at least you're taking it calmly and responsibly… Well, I don't think it's convenient for any of them to get pregnant so soon, especially at this time."
The mention of pregnancy made all the girls present blush even more and start fantasizing about what it would be like to become mothers. However, they snapped out of their daydreams when Edzard finally spoke.
"Could you not talk about that topic for now…? We don't think it's wise to have more children… at least not until peace is achieved…"
"Then you'll stop using those contraceptive potions." Zakir quickly added with a malicious smile.
Those words caused a collective blush, which also included Aika and Mittelt. Edzard, for his part, just sighed, clearly tired of Zakir's nonsense. Fortunately for him, help arrived in the form of his father-in-law, who took the humanoid fox by the shoulder.
"Hello, Zakir." Marcoryan said with a smile on his face. "I think we have a lot to talk about, old friend. Let's leave the young ones to chat about their own matters. Besides, I think there are other people who want to talk to my son-in-law."
With those words, the Lilmothiit was practically dragged out of the scene, which surprised everyone except Edzard, who noticed that Zakir had sought that exit.
After that, Edzard looked ahead and saw Sirzechs, Serafall, Vasco, Michael, Dulio, and Azazel approaching. Seeing them, he realized they weren't coming to greet… No, they were coming with a request or, worse yet, with bad news.
'Damn.' Edzard thought, before walking towards them to deal with the matter as soon as possible.
Author's Note:
To those who have made it this far, thank you for reading. To be honest, my English writing skills are not strong, and I'm relying on Google Translate and the dictionaries that come with Office 2019.
Well, chapter 77 is ready XD
We see that the double birthday chapter has been completed, and I really hope I did it well. We see that things are starting to move faster, which is something I want to do, because although I have many ideas in my head, I don't want to overdo it and add events that I can't integrate properly later.
We also see something else… Crom Cruach is not dead, at least not definitively. What Mannimarco has done is simple, he has turned him into his personal pet, so we will have many appearances of Crom in several future chapters, especially as we approach the final stretch.
I apologize for any spelling errors. Please don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed the chapter, or if there's something that needs improvement, or if you have any questions about the story. Any constructive advice is welcome. With nothing more to say, see you in the next chapter.
Omake:
The moon was high, and all the children had already gone to sleep, leaving only the adults and the young ones, among whom were the members of the ORC, the student council, and Vali's team. Everyone, including the members of the mentioned groups, had had a few drinks, as they had been drinking wine.
The young ones had gathered around Edzard, who was telling them some anecdotes from his adventures in Skyrim, more precisely about the time he went with Serana in search of Auri-El's bow.
"Let me get this straight… A temple roof fell on you, and you came out unscathed?" asked Issei with wide eyes, surprised by what he had just heard.
"Yes, but it wasn't just the temple roof; there were also some cave debris…" Edzard responded, almost without enthusiasm, as if it were something common for him.
"And it wasn't just that time." added Asia, frowning. The alcohol seemed to have given her more confidence to speak. "The day he and I started dating, part of the roof of some ancient ruins also fell on him."
That fragment of the story about how Edzard and Asia's relationship began surprised those who didn't know it, namely the ORC, the student council, and Vali's team. Everyone was astonished by Edzard's strength, who had withstood what must have been more than five hundred kilos of debris falling on him.
The conversation continued with laughter and amusing anecdotes, even Vali joined in, which, to everyone's surprise, led Ophis to participate, asking Edzard questions about the Dovah. The atmosphere was so pleasant that everyone present kept chatting until the conversation caught Zakir's attention, who approached and interrupted with a few words.
"You know, it's weird to see you all together… At least the girls in this group." commented Zakir, who, by the way he spoke, more friendly and playful than usual, was evidently drunk. This surprised Edzard, as he knew the old fox was a great drinker, capable of emptying barrels of mead like nothing.
This fact worried Edzard, who knew that drunk people could be unpredictable, but he was too slow to stop what the Vestige was about to say.
"I don't know why, but I find it funny to see you all together…" said Zakir, slurring his words a bit. "Did you know that in other worlds, several of the women here were lovers of the kid?"
The Lilmothiit's revelation unsettled everyone present, including Edzard, who was so surprised that he dropped the mead cup he had in his hand.
"What?" was all Rias could say, being the first to snap out of her stupor.
"What you heard… There are alternate realities where things don't happen like here." confirmed Zakir, alluding to the existence of parallel realities.
"W-wait… Are you telling us that there are…" Sona began to ask, who seemed the most bewildered.
"Alternate realities? Yes… Didn't I say that?" Zakir responded with total naturalness.
"Well, yes, but… we can't believe you without proof." Issei quickly replied, visibly jealous, thinking that if what Zakir said was true, in some worlds Edzard would have had something with the ORC girls. Unfortunately, his thoughts were interrupted when Zakir took out some photos and showed them to everyone.
Everyone's eyes, and this time, everyone's, widened to the maximum upon seeing the photos Zakir was showing. In them, Edzard could be seen in various family photos, like one at the palace entrance, with his family… only the photos weren't exactly like the ones they knew.
The first one showed Edzard alongside Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Koneko, all wearing the Kuoh Academy uniform, but what left the ORC girls stunned was that each of them was holding a baby in their arms… well, in Rias's case, she had two babies, who looked like twins.
The vision of what was clearly another world left everyone paralyzed, especially Issei, who felt a surge of jealousy. The girls looking at the photo felt strange, as they didn't know how to process what they were seeing: themselves as young mothers, something that surprised and confused them in equal measure.
Rias and the other ORC girls weren't the only ones surprised. Xenovia and Irina were also left speechless when they saw another photo where they appeared alongside Lint and Asia, each holding one-year-old children, while Edzard, looking like he had just come out of a battle, was holding Durandal and Mimic Excalibur. Asia was wearing an exorcist uniform, and Edzard had a necklace with a cross hanging from his neck.
On the other hand, Mittelt looked in astonishment at a photo where Edzard, dressed in the Kuoh Academy uniform, was accompanied by herself, an Asia in her nun outfit, and two fallen angels she recognized as Raynare and Kalawarner… this left her perplexed, as she knew both had died in an incident with the Gremory. This led her to wonder if, in that world, Edzard had faced the Gremory.
Sona and her group were also surprised to see another photo where Edzard appeared in the Academy uniform, but with the difference that he wore an eye patch, which terrified them, as they couldn't imagine how someone like him could have lost an eye. In that photo, Edzard had his arm around Sona and Tsubaki, which annoyed both Saji and Kiba, especially the latter, who couldn't explain why he disliked seeing Edzard hugging the student council vice president.
While all those photos were impressive, none compared to the one Le Fay and Ravel were looking at, in which they appeared alongside Edzard and Asia, but dressed in military uniforms, he from the British Army and Asia from the Italian Army. That image left them speechless, as they didn't expect to see Edzard in a military uniform, although they had to admit it suited him quite well.
Thus, they continued looking at more photos, all showing Edzard with different members of the present group. One of the most notable showed Edzard with Vali's team, including Ingvild, and another where he was wearing Skyrim clothes alongside Asia and Rossweisse while they were in what seemed to be an ancient Viking house.
All these photos left everyone completely astonished, but not for long, as Issei and Saji launched themselves at Edzard in a fit of jealousy, causing laughter from Zakir and the true culprits of this revelation: a pair of Daedric princes watching the scene while drinking wine and brandy, eating cheese.