Disclaimer: Neither High School DXD nor Elder Scrolls belongs to me, all rights to their respective owners.
Chapter 76
— I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it… but I couldn't help it. We were at war; if I didn't kill them, they would kill me. Please, be quiet, I don't want to hear you anymore… leave me alone. —
Words from the diary of a veteran of the First Great War 4E
The night sky shone with a few stars, while the Kuoh town buzzed with its usual nighttime activity. The inhabitants continued with their daily tasks, nothing out of the ordinary that could draw attention. Among the crowd was Ingvild.
The young half-devil walked calmly through the city, seeking to clear her mind of the thoughts that tormented her. She was anxious about what was to come, two important events that would undoubtedly mark a before and after in her life.
'Two more days… just two more days to confess to Asia how I feel…' Ingvild thought as she passed by a takoyaki stand. The soft aroma of the cooking batter reached her nostrils, forcing her to stop abruptly. After a few seconds, she stood in front of the food stall.
Ingvild's eyes filled with desire as she gazed at those wheat dough balls filled with octopus.
"It's still a couple of hours until dinner… I suppose it won't hurt to have a snack before, right?" she said to herself, giving herself permission to satisfy her craving. After a few moments of deliberation, she decided to buy a portion.
She approached the vendor, a man in his forties, and ordered a portion of takoyaki. The man nodded and quickly prepared her order. When Ingvild received the portion, she paid and left the place.
"Ju, ju, ju…" Ingvild laughed happily as she savored her "small" portion of sixteen octopus-filled dough balls. She was so happy that from time to time, she would do little jumps of joy, catching the attention of some passersby.
She continued enjoying her snack until she reached the central park of the city. Her orange eyes settled on the park's fountain, a place she had visited countless times either during her visits to the Hyoudou residence or when going out with the ORC members and her friends after classes. However, she always felt a slight unease whenever she was there.
'It's strange… every time I come here, I feel like I shouldn't be in this place… or at least, that's what my mind tells me…' thought the last member of the Leviathan clan as she approached the fountain.
Upon arrival, she looked at the crystal-clear waters, which reflected her face. She noticed she had a bit of takoyaki sauce on her cheek. Quickly, she took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped it off.
As the soft fabric ran across her face, her mind took her to a distant memory. On one of her first days at Edzard's palace, she had witnessed a somewhat peculiar display of affection between Edzard and his lovers. She remembered how, during a lunch where they had eaten Japanese food, Edzard had approached Aika to remove a grain of rice stuck on her face with his mouth.
'I will never forget how, at that moment, I saw Aika blush like a girl in love…' Ingvild thought with a slight smile. Then, she imagined how she would react in a similar situation, discovering that she would probably be much more emotional.
After wiping her face, Ingvild sat on the edge of the fountain. The cold granite beneath her made her sigh as she continued eating her takoyakis, of which she still had about five left.
Each bite was accompanied by thoughts that gnawed at her mind. While her emotional state was important, especially after her near-death experience that had shown her the importance of acting according to her desires, the other matter occupying her mind was equally crucial.
'I'm running out of time and I still haven't finished all the preparations… I haven't chosen my outfit, nor have I prepared the words I will say to all the guests…' she thought with concern, recalling the words of the current leaders of the underworld.
Flashback
Ingvild was in the ORC room, completely alone, as Rias and the rest of her club were in class. The reason for her presence there was simple: she had been summoned by the leaders of the underworld. She didn't know the exact reason, as she had been at the palace, but received a call from Rias asking her to go incognito to the club room.
"What will happen now? Why have they summoned me?" Ingvild wondered anxiously.
The anxiety she felt made her bring a hand to her chest, where she could feel her heart racing. She began to take deep breaths to calm herself, and luckily, it started to work.
However, as she tried to calm down, a magic circle appeared in front of her, startling her.
"Kyaaaa!" Ingvild screamed, falling backward. Fortunately, she was sitting on the room's sofa, so it only seemed like she had collapsed onto it.
Slowly, an image began to materialize over the magic circle, revealing Sirzechs, who watched Ingvild with curiosity as he saw her sprawled on the sofa.
"You shouldn't sprawl out like that on a sofa, Ingvild-san… Ladies don't do that." Sirzechs said calmly, trying to make his words sound like advice rather than criticism. However, noticing the piercing look Ingvild gave him, he knew she had taken it as criticism. Ingvild immediately sat up, as a high-class young lady would, but her look showed she wanted to hit him. This made Sirzechs laugh awkwardly, while beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. "Heh, heh, heh… I suppose that wasn't necessary to say."
At Sirzechs' words, Ingvild simply pouted and looked away, giving him the silent treatment for a moment, something that made Sirzechs shiver, as he had received that same look from his wife several times in the past. Knowing he couldn't talk to Ingvild while she was angry, Sirzechs apologized, especially when Ingvild explained that she had collapsed because he had scared her.
After the apologies, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward but not unbearable. Both knew they had to talk immediately, as there were important matters to discuss.
"So, why have you called me, Lucifer-sama?" Ingvild asked, looking at the magical projection of the devil leader.
Upon hearing the question, Sirzechs' smile disappeared, adopting a serious expression while grimacing. That reaction made Ingvild begin to fear that something bad had happened.
"What has happened, Lucifer-sama?"
"I'm afraid some devils, whom I didn't want to know about your debut until the last moment, have found out and pressured us to change the date."
The response left Ingvild in shock. Her mind began to weigh the pros and cons of that revelation.
'More time… That's good!' Ingvild thought with joy, feeling she wasn't ready for her debut in the underworld.
Her expression lit up with an excited smile, something that made Sirzechs smile. Although he shared her joy at seeing her more relaxed, deep down he wasn't happy. The reason was those devils who had caused the date change… Devils Sirzechs didn't fully trust.
"So, what is the new date?" Ingvild asked curiously, wanting to know how much time she really had.
"Four days after Marie-chan's birthday."
End of Flashback
'A few days left until Marie-chan's birthday… Then my moment will come… The moment to step out of the shadows and face the responsibilities that my surname carries…' thought Ingvild as she finished eating the last takoyaki ball.
When she realized she had nothing left on her cardboard plate, she sighed. She got up from the edge of the fountain and walked towards a nearby trash can. Upon finding one, she threw the cardboard plate, along with the wooden stick and napkin, into it.
'Ahhhh… I suppose it's best to return to the palace as soon as possible… I need to have dinner and review the preparations for my debut… It would be good to ask the girls for help… and Yasaka-sama. She is the leader of her people; if anyone can give me good advice to impress devil society, it's her. It wouldn't hurt to count on Rias and Sona either; they know devil society well…' thought Ingvild as she clenched her fists with determination.
Smiling at having devised a solid plan to solve her main problems, the young half-devil was about to leave to find a place to teleport to the palace she called home.
However, as she began to walk, she noticed something strange. While looking for a suitable spot, she reached a clearing and saw two familiar silhouettes. Blinking, she decided to approach stealthily, trying not to alert those she thought she recognized. With cautious steps, she managed to position herself close enough to see who they were.
Ingvild's orange eyes widened as she realized it was Edzard and Rossweisse, in a compromising position. A blush began to tint her cheeks as she saw Edzard and Rossweisse kissing. But it wasn't just embarrassment that overwhelmed her, but also a painful sensation in her chest upon discovering that her friend/teacher at the academy had already started a relationship with him.
'It seems I'm the only one in the group who hasn't started a romantic relationship with Ed yet…' thought Ingvild with sadness. However, that sadness didn't last long, as she shook her head and reminded herself that the important thing wasn't the order in which things happened, but what she could share with him.
She took a deep breath and began to walk, this time more noisily to make herself noticed. As she approached, she tried to make her steps resonate, hoping Edzard and Rossweisse would realize her presence. Seeing that they weren't paying attention to her, she decided to speak.
"Rossweisse-sensei? Ed?"
Silence took over the atmosphere after Ingvild's words, creating an uncomfortable mood for the three of them.
"How long have you been there?" asked Edzard, helping Rossweisse to her feet, who was somewhat embarrassed to be caught kissing Edzard.
"Not long, I arrived when you gave that kiss to Rossweisse-sensei." replied Ingvild with a smile as she approached them.
The young half-devil's heart was divided between happiness and envy. Happiness, because her friend, who had confessed to being in love with Edzard, had managed to start a relationship with him; envy, because Rossweisse had taken that step before her. However, among those two feelings, happiness was the one that predominated.
"I see… What were you doing in Kuoh?" asked Edzard with some curiosity as he and Rossweisse walked towards her.
"I was clearing my mind." replied Ingvild sincerely, as it was the truth and there was no need to lie to them.
"And eating takoyaki." added Rossweisse with a smile as she pointed to Ingvild's right cheek. "You still have a bit of sauce there."
Hearing this, Ingvild blushed and immediately touched the cheek Rossweisse was pointing at. Feeling something wet and sticky, she didn't need to look at her hand to know it was sauce. Embarrassed by that oversight, she quickly took out her handkerchief and wiped it off.
After this action, the three of them fell into an awkward silence, as they all had things to say, with Edzard being the one who most wanted to speak at that moment. The young dragon's mind began to get tangled, as he didn't know how to start the conversation. However, to his good fortune, it was Ingvild who broke the silence.
"So…" Ingvild began to speak somewhat clumsily, as she didn't know how to approach the topic. Even so, after a brief pause, she was able to continue speaking and formulate the question she wanted to ask. "Since when are you… you know?"
"A couple?" asked Edzard, completing what Ingvild didn't dare to say.
"Yes, that…" said Ingvild, slightly averting her gaze.
"Just today." replied Rossweisse, also averting her gaze, as although she liked being in a relationship, it wasn't easy for her to say it in front of another girl who also had feelings for the same guy.
"Wow… so today… I guess I should congratulate you." muttered Ingvild in a low voice.
"T-thanks." said Rossweisse with some shyness.
"So, what do you plan to do now?" inquired Ingvild, wanting to know if they would continue their date or if they planned to return to the palace.
"We're going back to the palace." replied Rossweisse quickly, starting to get nervous about the situation, fearing that Ingvild would find out she hadn't asked Asia for permission to be with Edzard.
Rossweisse's response caused a feeling of strangeness in Ingvild, who noticed how rushed it was.
"And why would you go back to the palace? I mean, you're on a date and it's still early… why go back so soon?"
"I need to talk to Asia about something." replied Rossweisse, this time with some clumsiness, averting her gaze.
Rossweisse's reaction generated different responses in Edzard and Ingvild. The son of Akatosh realized that Rossweisse might have said more than necessary. Although he tried not to worry, the truth was that he was, as he didn't know how Ingvild would take the fact that he and Rossweisse were a couple "behind Asia's back".
'What do we do?! I don't know!' shouted several miniature Edzards that materialized in his mind. They wore different clothes, representing the various facets of his personality: one as a blacksmith, another in legionnaire armor, and another in the attire he used to wear as the Herald of the Companions. They all argued, unable to think or deduce what to do if Ingvild discovered the truth. However, the chaos in the former imperial general's mind stopped when he heard Ingvild's voice.
"Why do you need to talk to Asia…?" Ingvild asked doubtfully, her mind beginning to suspect that something was happening. The way Rossweisse had responded was not typical of her, which caused Ingvild to start thinking about how to solve this enigma. After a few seconds, a crazy idea crossed her mind… a wild and somewhat improbable idea, considering the relationship Rossweisse and Edzard had. Even so, feeling she had nothing to lose by asking, she did. "H-have you not asked her…?"
The question that came from Ingvild's lips froze Rossweisse, leaving her petrified, with wide eyes and beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"I-I-I…" Rossweisse tried to respond, but she couldn't, as her mind wouldn't let her lie. Or rather, the minimal amount of alcohol still left in her system prevented her from thinking clearly enough to give an appropriate answer.
Rossweisse's failed attempt didn't confuse Ingvild, who took it as confirmation. Surprise and shock took over her, reflected on her face with an expression of disbelief. This revelation made her take a step back, which led Edzard to move towards her.
"H-h-how? How could you do something like this, Rossweisse?!" exclaimed Ingvild, looking accusingly at Rossweisse and Edzard. The young woman was angry, feeling betrayed, not because she had something with Edzard, but because she felt that the rule that allowed the family she wanted to join to function properly was being broken. "You know the rules! Before even thinking about doing what you've been doing, you should have talked to Asia!"
Ingvild's shouts were like sharp swords quickly aimed at the hearts of the other two. However, as sharp as those words were, they meant nothing to Edzard, as he knew the truth.
"I-Ingvild, please, calm down." Rossweisse pleaded as she tried to approach her friend and student, who was getting more agitated with each passing second.
"How do you expect me to calm down when I'm-?!"
Ingvild's words died on her lips the moment a green sphere hit her body.
Rossweisse and Ingvild's eyes moved towards the one who had thrown that sphere, and with surprise, they saw it was Edzard who had his hand extended.
"I hope… I really hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for what I just did, Ingvild." Edzard commented with regret in his voice. What he had just done was something he never thought he would do. However, the situation warranted it, as he felt this could escalate, and he didn't want either of them to confront each other and end up damaging their friendship.
Edzard's words caused both Ingvild and Rossweisse to look at him, each showing different expressions. Rossweisse had a sad face, as she understood why her boyfriend had to do that. Ingvild, on the other hand, displayed a completely calm demeanor, which contrasted with what she felt inside.
The young half-devil felt strange; inside, she could feel that she was disappointed and betrayed by the person she loved, but no matter how much she wanted to explode, scream, or even curse Edzard, she couldn't… It was as if what she felt was being forced into a sealed bottle.
"What you are feeling right now is the effect of a spell called «Calm»." Edzard explained, drawing the attention of the two young women. "It is a spell that, in essence, removes the desire to fight, keeping the target calm."
"I see… So this is your way of controlling me." said Ingvild in a calm tone, but Edzard and Rossweisse knew it was meant to cause Edzard pain.
Hearing this, Edzard felt even worse, but he decided to accept it. Sighing, he spoke again. "You don't have to worry about being like this forever, Ingvild. This is only temporary and will last just long enough to clear this up."
Edzard's words made Ingvild look at him with extreme calm, but Edzard could see that what she really wanted to do was frown.
"So, you want to clear this up… right?"
"Yes."
"Fine, then start by telling me… Why do you and Rossweisse say you're a couple when she hasn't obtained Asia's permission for this?"
Ingvild's question was followed by a look towards the mentioned ones, who exchanged glances.
"I-I think it would be best if you explain, Ed." Rossweisse requested, not feeling well enough to do it herself. The first words Ingvild had shouted resonated in her mind, making her feel bad and unable to look at her friend or even say something coherent.
Seeing that his lover asked him to handle it, Edzard nodded, realizing she wasn't in the best state to face it. Then, he walked towards Rossweisse, picked her up, and carried her back to the place where they had been previously. As he moved, he looked at Ingvild and asked her to follow him.
When they arrived, he put Rossweisse back on the ground and sat down, asking Ingvild to do the same. Despite being upset, she obeyed and sat in front of Edzard.
"I suppose I should start from the beginning…" Edzard said, beginning to narrate everything to Ingvild.
The young woman's face didn't change throughout the narration, not because she wasn't surprised, but because Edzard's spell was still active, preventing her from showing her emotions correctly. Even so, inside, where her emotions could flow, a dreamlike version of her had her eyes wide open at what she was hearing. But not only that, but she also felt bad. The reason was simple: she had yelled at them, accusing them of something they hadn't done.
'How could I think something so stupid? They would never, never do something like that, because it would hurt Asia, and Edzard would rather gouge his eyes out with a spoon than do something that would hurt her. Besides, Rossweisse is someone very upright, she follows the rules… It's obvious she couldn't have done something so low… I was really stupid.' thought Ingvild, feeling that, if it weren't for Edzard's spell, she would be crying like a baby.
"And that's everything that's happening." said Edzard, finishing his explanation. "I know it sounds almost like a bad excuse, but believe me… it's the truth…"
"Yes, Ingvild… you know we wouldn't lie about something so serious." added Rossweisse sadly, hoping their friend would believe them.
Ingvild's first response was silence, something that made Edzard and Rossweisse uneasy, as they exchanged worried glances about how Ingvild would react. Feeling anxious, they both watched the young woman closely. They were about to say something when they saw something that completely paralyzed them… Ingvild's shoulders began to move gently as a green mist dissipated from her body.
The movement of Ingvild's shoulders left them frozen, but they snapped back to reality when they heard her start to sniffle. That sound could only mean one thing in Edzard and Rossweisse's minds… and they didn't have to wait long to confirm it.
"(Sniff) I-I… I'm… I'm sorry… (sniff)" was the whisper that came from Ingvild's mouth as she slowly lifted her gaze to see her friends. The young woman's face was covered in tears, which fell like waterfalls from her eyes to her jaw. All of this was caused by the spell dissipating, which made Ingvild's emotions flow uncontrollably, leaving her more emotional than usual.
The sight of a tearful Ingvild made both Edzard and Rossweisse feel bad, so without thinking twice, they rushed towards her and hugged her. Ingvild, surprised, shuddered at first, but then let herself go.
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry." said Ingvild, crying on Edzard and Rossweisse's shoulders.
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize… Anyone could have reacted that way." said Rossweisse in a calm voice, as the effect of the alcohol had almost worn off.
"Yes, that's true." added Edzard, as he began to rub the half-devil's back.
Ingvild started to feel better thanks to their words, although she couldn't help but feel that she shouldn't have doubted her friends.
"Thank you." said Ingvild with a somewhat awkward smile, as she wiped away her tears. When she finished drying herself with the sleeves of her sweater, as she was wearing a thick white long-sleeved sweater, a pair of blue jeans, and low-heeled gray boots, she looked at her friends while thinking: 'It's incredible, I never thought Asia could give a free pass for that… you don't know how envious I am, Rossweisse. I know it's wrong, but I can't help feeling this way.'
The young half-devil's thoughts began to turn towards the reason why Asia had given that pass to Rossweisse. The only explanation she could find had to do with what had happened in the Italian Alps.
While Ingvild was still lost in her thoughts, Edzard felt Rossweisse take his hand. Looking at his lover, the son of Akatosh realized she wanted to tell him something. So, leaning his head closer, he listened to what she had to say.
"Ed… why didn't you tell her that she also has a free pass?" Rossweisse whispered softly.
The Valkyrie's words were meant to remind Edzard that the half-devil in front of them also had a free pass to be with him, something the son of Akatosh had decided not to tell her… at least for now, as it wasn't the time or place for that conversation.
To answer his lover's question, Edzard turned his head and tried to respond, but before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Rossweisse.
"Ed… why don't you go talk to her? Tell her what you told me…" Rossweisse whispered. This surprised Edzard, who didn't know what to say at that moment. This was because, if he confessed his feelings to Ingvild, this day would stop being so special for Rossweisse.
"Are you sure?" Edzard asked in a whisper.
"Honestly, no… but it's the best. I know you love her too… just like you love us, so go, tell her…" Rossweisse whispered, giving Edzard a supportive smile. The reason she was saying this was simple: she knew Ingvild was preparing to confess her feelings to Edzard, but she would also talk to Asia first. All of this was surely because she was also thinking about what she had experienced when she was on the brink of death. Something that, although questionable and bizarre, was an efficient driving force.
Seeing that smile, Edzard felt as if Rossweisse was giving him a little push… so, nodding, he approached Ingvild.
"Ingvild." Edzard said calmly, causing the half-devil to look at him.
"Yes." Ingvild responded, looking at him curiously, as despite his calm tone, his cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Can we talk somewhere else?" Edzard asked, causing the half-devil to look at him with surprise and curiosity, but she nodded.
After that, they both began to walk to another place, leaving Rossweisse alone for the moment. She watched them leave with a smile, while in her mind she cheered for Edzard and Ingvild to confess their feelings to each other.
Edzard and Ingvild arrived at the fountain in the middle of the park after walking for a bit. The place was empty, something Edzard appreciated, as he felt uncomfortable with what he was about to do. As they approached the fountain, the son of Akatosh's heart began to beat faster, a sign that he was getting nervous.
"Is here okay?" Ingvild asked upon reaching the fountain and seeing its calm waters.
"Yes, it's fine." Edzard replied as he approached and sat down, something Ingvild imitated.
The two young people stayed there, sitting, looking at the sky for a moment. The atmosphere that emerged was tense but also cozy, at least for Ingvild, who still felt bad about what she had previously thought.
Thanks to the atmosphere, Edzard took a deep breath to gather courage and ask the question he was about to ask.
"Ingvild… I have a question for you…" Edzard said, turning his head to look at her.
Hearing Edzard's voice, Ingvild also returned his gaze. As she did, the half-devil felt the air escape a bit from her lungs. This was because it was the first time she had seen Edzard with that expression.
'How cute!' Ingvild screamed in her mind upon seeing Edzard, as she was witnessing a side of him, she had never seen before: seeing him blushing, with a serious look and a body that showed extreme nervousness… almost as if he was about to faint.
While Ingvild was captivated by this new side of Edzard, the son of Akatosh was dealing with an intense internal struggle about what to do now, as he felt small pricks in his mind… almost like voices…
'Damn it, these bastards… again…' Edzard thought with worry and horror as he subtly clenched his fists, something Ingvild didn't notice. The reason Edzard felt horror was simple: these attacks were never so frequent, but it seemed something was triggering them more often, and he didn't know why.
"What do you want to ask me, Edzard?" Ingvild asked, avoiding looking directly into his eyes.
Hearing the question, Edzard quickly clenched his teeth before asking the question he wanted to ask.
"Ingvild… what do you feel for me?"
Edzard's question was so direct that the member of the Leviathan clan could only open her eyes wide, as she didn't expect that question at all. The surprise she felt was such that she literally almost felt her heart leap out of her chest.
The young woman's face began to redden quickly and with such intensity that, if there were no lights, her face could have been used as a flashlight. Additionally, the young woman began to feel her heartbeat accelerate and her hands start to sweat, signs that she was very nervous.
'How can you ask me something like that so directly?! Edzard, you idiot!' Ingvild thought in panic, unable to believe how direct Edzard could be in asking such a question without any filter.
Silence fell again, as Ingvild didn't know how to express what she felt for Edzard. Telling the person, you like how you feel is not easy. However, those doubts and fears began to slowly dissipate, allowing her to move her lips, first tentatively without any sound coming from her throat, but finally, she spoke in the most normal way she could.
"I… I… you… you… I like you…" Ingvild said in a low tone, while her hair hid her still very flushed face. The young woman's heart, already beating fast, began to beat even faster after uttering those words.
Hearing her, Edzard smiled, but his expression also tightened slightly, as at that moment he heard a familiar whisper. He would recognize that voice anywhere; it was the voice of someone he had killed in single combat, as dictated by ancient Nord's traditions…
«You are truly a hypocrite, Dovahkiin… seeking happiness when you have created widows and orphans among the sons of Skyrim…»
That echo from the past almost made him relive what he experienced with Rossweisse, but this time he was more prepared. Since he felt that prick in his mind a few seconds earlier, he had been on guard. So, clenching his left hand, hidden from Ingvild's eyes, he dug his nails into his palm until a thin line of blood began to run.
The silence that followed Edzard's lack of response caused concern in Ingvild. She thought that maybe this was a form of rejection, which saddened her as she believed her feelings were not reciprocated. After all, among all the girls, she had spent the little time alone with the son of Akatosh. Even so, she hoped that the moments they shared had at least created a spark of attraction. But just as her thoughts were turning darker, Edzard's voice pulled her out of her reverie.
"I also… I also like you…"
Edzard's response left Ingvild paralyzed, not knowing how to react at first. However, after a few seconds, she began to smile with pure happiness, feeling that her heart might burst at any moment. She looked up, seeking Edzard's eyes, hoping he wasn't lying.
"R-r-r-really?" Ingvild asked, hopeful that Edzard's words were sincere.
Edzard looked at her, surprised that she could think he would lie about something like that. Deciding that an action was worth more than a thousand words, he took Ingvild's hand and gently intertwined his fingers with hers.
The action surprised Ingvild, who opened her eyes wide as she felt a tingling and an electric shock run through her body.
"Tell me something, Ingvild… Do you think I would lie about something so serious?" Edzard asked with a serious voice and a calm demeanor, although inside he was struggling with the ghosts that were whispering again. However, by keeping Ingvild's hand intertwined with his, he felt a bit of peace.
"No, you wouldn't…" Ingvild quickly replied, realizing that Edzard would never do something so cruel. This filled her with euphoria, knowing that her feelings were reciprocated. She threw herself into Edzard's arms, hugging him tightly.
That hug contained all the affection the young woman felt for the son of Akatosh, and he returned the gesture with equal warmth.
"Now I just need to talk to Asia…" Ingvild whispered, beginning to think about how to confess to her friend that she loved her husband. She decided to do it that same day, when Rossweisse finished talking with Asia… at least, that was her plan. But before she could think about it further, Edzard said something that took her by surprise.
"Yes, about that… there's something I forgot to mention…" Edzard commented with some regret in his voice, which caught Ingvild's attention, making her lift her head to look him in the eyes.
"What is it?"
"You see… Rossweisse isn't the only one Asia gave a free pass to…" Edzard said, averting his gaze towards the nearby fountain.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ingvild asked, confused. It took her a few seconds to process what Edzard had said, and when she understood, her eyes widened while her lips trembled to form words.
"Y-y-you're not saying that…" Ingvild stammered, beginning to guess what Edzard meant.
"Yes, just like Rossweisse, Asia has also given you a free pass."
Edzard's words left Ingvild in shock, not knowing how to react.
'A free pass… I have permission to be with Edzard without consulting Asia?' Ingvild thought, still in shock. Slowly, a smile began to form on her face, reflecting the immense joy she felt, although that joy intensified even more with what she heard next.
"Ingvild… do you want to be my girlfriend, my lover, and be with me for all eternity?" Edzard asked out of nowhere, surprising her once again.
Ingvild's face blushed even more after hearing those words, which sounded more like a marriage proposal than the start of a dating relationship. Even so, she was immensely happy to hear them. Without a second thought, she threw herself at Edzard and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Yes, yes I do!" exclaimed the last member of the Leviathan clan, with a huge smile on her face.
Hearing her response, Edzard also smiled and, wrapping his arms around his new lover's waist, pulled her close. This made their bodies press against each other, which made Ingvild blush even more, but she simply let herself be carried away by the moment.
The happiness they both felt led them to look at each other once more, and they slowly began to bring their faces closer… Their warm breaths mingled as they approached. When they were close enough, Ingvild closed her eyes, and they shared their first kiss.
The kiss should have been awkward, but Edzard's experience made it quite the opposite. Ingvild felt like she was on cloud nine, or at least that's what she thought.
After a few seconds, they separated due to lack of oxygen. They looked at each other again and smiled. Then, they stayed in each other's arms for a few more moments before finally separating.
"I think it's time to go back to Rossweisse… we wouldn't want her to think we ran off and left her alone, right?"
Edzard's question had a slight humorous tone, which made Ingvild smile, imagining for a second Rossweisse sitting in a fetal position, crying comically while repeatedly saying they had abandoned her.
"Yes, let's go see her." Ingvild replied with a smile.
After those brief words, the couple got up from the edge of the fountain and began to walk towards where Rossweisse was.
After a few steps, they reached their destination and saw the Valkyrie sitting quietly, looking at the sky. The light filtering through the trees illuminated the place, bathing Rossweisse's silhouette in a glow that made both Edzard and Ingvild blush slightly. The young woman looked even more beautiful than usual.
"You know, right now, I feel like you're a true goddess." Edzard commented aloud, catching the Valkyrie's attention.
"E-Ed! I-In!" exclaimed Rossweisse in surprise as she turned towards them. "H-H-How long have you been there?"
"For a few minutes." Ingvild replied with a smile.
Ingvild's smile was so radiant that Rossweisse immediately knew what had happened. Without much thought, the Valkyrie stood up and approached her friend/student, drawing a smile on her face. When she reached Ingvild, she didn't hesitate for a second and hugged her tightly.
As they hugged, both young women laughed with happiness, sharing in each other's joy. When they separated, they looked into each other's eyes, and after exchanging a smile, Rossweisse asked Ingvild a question.
"So… how was it?" the Valkyrie asked, referring to the moment when she and Edzard had confessed their feelings.
"It was incredible." Ingvild replied, with a slight blush on her face.
"Heh, heh, heh… I can imagine." Rossweisse sighed longingly.
After that, the two friends and Edzard fell silent for a moment, until Ingvild spoke again, this time asking Rossweisse why she wanted to talk to Asia about getting her permission to be Edzard's lover, despite having a free pass. The Valkyrie's response resonated deeply with Ingvild, as Rossweisse's explanation made her realize that, deep down, she shared the same feeling. That's why she decided to accompany her to talk to Asia.
With their decisions made, the group looked at each other and, after nodding, Ingvild created a magic circle at their feet. The circle teleported them back to the castle to have the conversation with Asia.
The wind entered through the window of Edzard's study, gently moving the curtains and refreshing the room. In the middle of it, sitting at her husband's desk, was Asia. Edzard's young wife looked at the door with a slight expression of annoyance on her face. The reason was simple: Edzard and Rossweisse were taking too long.
'It's been almost twenty minutes since Edzard told Samira to wait for them in his study…' Asia thought, as she began to gently tap the table with her fingertips.
That sound was a reflection of her growing anxiety, as she intuited the reason why Edzard and Rossweisse were coming to talk to her. That's why, discreetly, she had placed a magic circle under the desk, which would serve as a microphone so the rest of the girls could hear what was happening. This had been the condition the others imposed on Asia to agree with the free pass she had given to Ingvild and Rossweisse.
Sighing, Asia glanced at the clock on the desk. Dinner time was approaching, which increased her unease. However, her nervousness dissipated a bit when she saw the door slowly opening.
The soft creak of the hinges, barely audible thanks to being well-oiled, made Asia's heart start to beat a little faster. With the sound of her heartbeat resonating in her ears, she felt her hands slightly sweaty as she watched the door open completely. When it finally opened, her eyes widened in surprise to see not only her husband and Rossweisse but also Ingvild.
'Why is In with them?' Asia thought, somewhat puzzled, as according to Diodora's former bishop, only her husband and Rossweisse were supposed to be there. However, as she reflected more on the situation, a conclusion formed in her mind, causing her to smile amusedly. 'It seems In has joined them too…'
Asia's eyes remained fixed on the newcomers, watching as they approached until they were in front of her. Rossweisse and Ingvild sat in the two available chairs, while Edzard chose to remain standing.
The atmosphere filled with a tense silence as Ingvild and Rossweisse looked at Asia, occasionally averting their gaze only to look back at her. This behavior continued for a few minutes until Asia finally broke the silence.
"So… I suppose the reason why both of you are here with my husband and the way you're looking at me is because you've found out about the free pass, right?" Asia asked in a calm voice, a contrast to her interior, where she felt as tense and nervous as the others.
Asia's direct question left the two young women motionless for a moment, surprised by their friend's frankness. However, it was also comforting, as it would allow them to respond more easily.
After a few seconds of silence, Rossweisse was the first to respond.
"That's right, Asia… we've found out about the free pass." The Valkyrie's voice, though confident, contained a slight touch of annoyance and a hint of having been drinking until recently.
Noticing that tone, Asia raised an eyebrow and looked at her husband, who nodded in confirmation. This was enough for the former nun to deduce that Rossweisse had been drinking recently. This detail surprised Asia a bit, as it seemed Odin's former bodyguard now had a higher tolerance for alcohol.
"And we are upset and disappointed about this." added Ingvild with a serious voice and a look that was neither funny nor cute.
The firmness in Ingvild's gaze and words sent a chill down Asia's spine. Even so, she couldn't say or do anything, as the two young women continued speaking.
"Even so, despite feeling that it wasn't the best decision… we are grateful to you for it." they said in unison, standing up and approaching their friend.
"But, although we are grateful, we also want to tell you something else." Ingvild said while glancing at Rossweisse.
The phrase made the Dovahkiin's wife raise an eyebrow in curiosity, as she didn't understand what was happening.
'I thought they would be happy with the free pass. However, it seems I was wrong.' the young woman thought as she noticed that her friends seemed offended. She decided to apologize, but before she could say anything, Rossweisse interrupted her.
"So, listen to us carefully." Rossweisse said, feeling her heart race and the blood rush to her face, making her blush. "A-Asia, I want to ask for your p-permission to be with E-Edzard in a relationship and join the family."
The Valkyrie's words caused Asia's eyes to widen in surprise, but before she could say anything, Ingvild intervened.
"I do too, Asia. I also want you to allow me to be with Edzard and join the family." Ingvild said, blushing as well, though not stumbling over her words as much as her friend.
Hearing these requests, Asia deduced that her friends were following the protocol she had implemented, although they were deliberately disregarding the free pass she had given them. This caused a division in her mind: one part of her wanted to tell them that what they were doing wasn't necessary, but another, the more rational part, told her she should go along with it to avoid making them feel bad. So, not wanting to make them uncomfortable, she clasped her hands in front of her face.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked in a grave voice, intending to make them feel the pressure of what they were about to do.
Asia's tone of voice sent chills down the two young women's spines, but they didn't waver and nodded. Seeing this, Asia nodded as well before speaking again.
"Alright, then, if you are willing to go down this path, I must tell you what you are getting involved in." Asia began, preparing to explain what it meant to be in this relationship with Edzard. "First of all, you must know that this relationship is not as easy as you might imagine. It is a constant test of loyalty, love, and patience… not just for you, but also for Ed. We can't waste time or energy on stupid fights over who gets more of his attention. We must stay united and seek a balance between our love life and daily life. This is a joint effort where each of us must put in the effort to make it work… so, now that you know this, I ask you again: Are you willing to join this family?"
Unlike the previous time, the response didn't come immediately; it took a bit more time. The two young women knew what they were committing to, so they reflected. They didn't doubt their feelings, as they were sure of what they felt, but they did wonder how they would face this kind of life.
After several seconds, the young women looked at each other before fixing their gaze on Asia.
"I-I accept." Rossweisse responded firmly, maintaining eye contact with Asia. "I know it won't be easy, but I can't imagine any other way to be happy with Ed… I love him, it's the first time I've felt something like this, but I know what I feel for him isn't fleeting. It's true that we haven't had many interactions, but I believe that what we feel will be nurtured by both our love."
"I accept too." was Ingvild's response. "This is my first love, but since I woke up, I feel connected to Edzard. Every day I spend with him, I fall more in love, and every time I'm with all of you, I feel truly happy. So, I also want to be with him and with you all until the end of time."
The young women's responses made Asia's eyes widen as she smiled, but she wasn't the only one. Her husband was also blushing quite a bit. The image of her husband in that state made a smile appear on the former nun's face, who, although she thought it was a bit strange, found it amusing to see her husband so embarrassed.
"With responses like those, I have no choice but to accept you into the family… so, welcome." Asia said with a beaming smile. Then she looked at her husband and, maintaining her smile, said, "So, Ed… What do you think of their confessions? Don't you think you should respond with a few words and then give them their first kiss?"
Asia's question surprised the two girls to the point that they blushed deeply, averting their gaze, which was imitated by Edzard. This reaction made Asia raise an eyebrow in curiosity, and then an unexpected thought appeared… Had they already kissed?.. but if that was the case, how had it happened?
Feeling her curiosity growing, and also that of those secretly listening, Marcoryan's daughter decided to ask.
"Have you… h-have you already kissed?" Asia asked, stuttering a bit and blushing, as she couldn't believe it, given that her husband wasn't the type to make the first move when it came to romance… of course, that was to start the relationship, because once the relationship was established, it was different. He was usually quite loving and dedicated to each of them, and as for the more intimate activities… well, let's just say they would understand why some days they were slow to wake up or didn't want to get out of bed.
Asia's question made the two girls feel embarrassed, something shared by Edzard, but even so, the three nodded. This caused Asia's jaw to drop, showing a look of absolute astonishment, as she didn't expect this. Even so, a smile appeared on her face, somewhat tense, but showing complete happiness for her friends.
Then, standing up, she began to walk towards them. When she was in front of them, she gave each of them a hug while smiling. As she separated, she looked at her husband and, with a somewhat dark look for someone like her, made the son of Akatosh feel uncomfortable.
Stopping looking at her husband, she turned her gaze to her friends before asking them something. "So… would you mind sharing with me and the rest how your first kiss was and if it was Ed who confessed to you?"
That question wasn't immediately answered, as they were all teleported by Asia to another place in the palace, where they could talk a bit before dinner, during which Ingvild and Rossweisse would be presented as Edzard's lovers to the maids.
BOOM! CRACK! BOOM! SPLAT! BOOM! CRACK! BOOM! SPLAT! BOOM! CRACK! BOOM! SPLAT!
The sky was filled with the roar of multiple explosions that engulfed hundreds of Nilhrem magicians, consuming them mercilessly. Those who weren't devoured by the colossal tongues of fire fell under the brutal blows of the intruder. The impacts were so powerful that those who received them ended up split in half, decapitated, or with holes in their chests. And if, by some miracle, someone survived the first blow, they were thrown against the structures of the fortification below, where death reached them anyway.
This massacre was being carried out by Crom Cruach. The Dragon of the Crescent Circle was killing every fool stupid enough to think they could waste his time.
"Die!" shouted a Nilhrem magician as he launched a blast of ice at Crom Cruach.
The attack, which would have instantly frozen any other being, was nothing more than a gentle winter breeze to the most powerful evil dragon. Crom Cruach moved one of his wings, dissipating the spell as if it were nothing. The magician, terrified, thought of fleeing, but didn't even have time to plan a retreat. A blink later, Crom Cruach appeared above him, and with a downward strike, connected his fist with the magician's head.
CRACK!
The disgusting sound of bones breaking resonated in the air as the magician was crushed like an accordion, then shot at high speed against another magician. Both collided, falling to the ground, where they died from the impact.
"Come out already, Euclid! Stop sending your pathetic followers!" the dragon roared furiously, who, although unnecessary, was in the state of «Indignation». This trance of rage enhanced all his abilities, making dragons the most feared creatures. It was a power multiplier that allowed them to face beings that surpassed them in strength.
Crom Cruach's anger was due to one reason: Euclid's interruption in his fight with the Dovahkiin. That fight had been the most exciting he had had in a long time, as he hadn't found a rival that pushed him that way, and besides, he was fighting a dragon hunter who, in his eyes, was fascinating. So, being interrupted, the dragon was far from being in a good mood, especially after being trapped in a pocket realm that served as a prison to keep him controlled.
"Come out, bastard!" Crom Cruach shouted again as his claws tore through some magicians who crossed his path.
Seeing that the damned devil didn't come out, the dragon decided to continue his bloodbath. Without hesitation, he launched himself to exterminate all the magicians, causing the sky to fill with a symphony of screams of agony and terror as blood and viscera rained down.
All this made the castle below the battlefield turn red. When Crom Cruach finally killed the last of them, he set his sights on the structure beneath his feet. From the little he had learned after being freed from the pocket dimension, this was the place that served as Qlippoth's main base, where Euclid was usually found.
"If you don't come out… I'll beat you out!" roared Crom Cruach as he flapped his wings and dove towards the structure, aiming at the place where he felt the greatest concentration of power. He knew Euclid would be there, and perhaps Rizevim. Although aware that this super devil was annoying, he also knew he could defeat them both, so he didn't worry as he fell. However, his advance was abruptly halted when a barrier appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path.
After stopping, the dragon saw how, through a purple vortex, Euclid himself appeared. Upon seeing him, Crom Cruach felt the need to cover his nose, as the devil's scent had changed. He no longer smelled like his kind, but reeked of a walking corpse.
"Hello, Crom Cruach… I see you've come to visit. To what do I owe the honor?" Euclid asked in a moderate and casual tone.
"You know why I've come, Lucifuge." the evil dragon replied irritably.
"I suppose… Is it because I interrupted your little fight with the Dovahkiin?"
The devil's question carried a clear tone of disdain and mockery, which did little to calm the annoyed dragon. Crom Cruach clenched his fists, controlling himself from lunging at him.
"You shouldn't be so upset… You'll have other opportunities to face him. So, please, I'd like to ask you to stop this tantrum." Euclid requested in the politest voice possible. "Your fight with these magicians is disturbing Lord Rizevim's sleep… and I don't think you want to bother him, do you?"
"I don't give a damn what the spawn of Lucifer wants! What I want is to rip your head off for daring to interrupt me!" the dragon roared, lunging straight at Euclid.
The devil, seeing the dragon pounce on him, moved his wings to gain ground and conjured a staff completely unknown to Crom Cruach. However, that didn't stop the dragon, who continued his line of attack, covering his hands with his draconic aura.
"Die!" Crom Cruach shouted as he threw a direct punch. However, his fist never reached the devil's body, as a kind of gargoyle, made of bones, got in his way.
CRACK!
The sound of bones breaking under the pressure of the evil dragon's punch resonated in the air, and splinters flew in all directions.
"Good hit, but it's useless…" the devil whispered softly, moving his hand to cast several spells at high speed. They were wind scythes along with ice spears, moving at a speed far exceeding ordinary spells.
Seeing this, Crom Cruach didn't think twice and moved to the side to dodge them, but before he could completely do so, he felt something grab his leg. Looking at his right leg, he saw a chain made of bones, emitting a sinister purple glow.
"I've got you!" Euclid shouted as he pulled the chain.
Contrary to what Crom Cruach expected, instead of being dragged, the dragon felt the chain expand, forming a kind of bone web that trapped him completely.
Trapped, Crom Cruach struggled with all his might, but no matter how much he fought, he couldn't move a single muscle.
"What the hell is this?!" Crom Cruach shouted as he tried to free himself, using all the strength of his «Indignation» state. Despite his effort, he couldn't break free from the chains that held him.
"Those are special chains, designed for something very simple… I suppose you're already feeling it." Euclid said, approaching the dragon with overflowing confidence.
Euclid's words made Crom Cruach realize that his power was being rapidly absorbed, something extremely dangerous. Aware of his situation, the dragon created several bullets of his draconic aura, firing them point-blank.
The attack took the devil by surprise, preventing him from reacting in time.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Several explosions shook the area, filling the surroundings with dust and smoke. Although Crom Cruach couldn't see through the dense cloud, he knew it wouldn't be so easy to eliminate his opponent. He waited in silence, anticipating the next move. However, before he could react, a voice rose from within the smoke.
"Well, it's really pathetic that you fall for something so simple, Mannimarco." said the voice, laden with mockery and cruelty.
'Mannimarco? Who is that?' thought Crom Cruach, bewildered. He didn't know anyone by that name.
"I-I'm sorry, Lord Padomay…" The voice of Euclid or whoever it was sounded from within the smoke, surprising the evil dragon.
Before he could process what was happening, a gust of wind dissipated the smoke and dust, sending a chill down Crom Cruach's spine.
When the vision cleared, the dragon saw someone who, although resembling Rizevim, was clearly not him. He finally understood that the one he had mistaken for Rizevim's right-hand man was not actually Euclid.
"Who are you really?" the evil dragon asked, narrowing his eyes. His mind desperately tried to connect those names with some known mythology, but he couldn't find any answers. This only increased his confusion, but at the same time, made him understand how these beings had managed to overcome his draconic resistance and neutralize his innate weakness to dragon-slaying weapons.
Upon hearing the question, both Mannimarco and Padomay turned towards him, showing eyes that radiated pure and limitless evil. Even the most powerful of the evil dragons felt fear, for not even those of his kind were as sinister as these two beings.
"Ummm… good question, although the truth is, you don't need to know…" Padomay replied in a dry voice as he floated towards the trapped dragon. "Mannimarco, release him."
Hearing his master's order, the necromancer nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the chains binding the dragon were released.
A look of absolute confusion appeared on Crom Cruach's face when he found himself freed from the chains that held him. That confusion gave way to anger and indignation when he realized what it meant that they had released him.
"Do you think you can face me?" the evil dragon asked, watching as Padomay slowly approached.
"…" Silence was Padomay's only response, which further enraged the dragon.
Seeing that he got no answer, Crom Cruach roared in fury and lunged at Padomay.
"If you don't want to talk, I'll beat the answers out of you!" the dragon shouted as he approached his enemy.
Crom Cruach's eyes remained fixed on Padomay, watching as his figure came within his attack range. Without wasting time, the dragon prepared his claws as weapons. However, before he could even attempt to strike, Padomay disappeared from his sight.
'What? Where is he?' was what the evil dragon thought before feeling an excruciating pain in his chest. Slowly, he turned his head in that direction and watched in horror as his entire right side had been shattered, leaving a huge hole through which his internal organs could be seen.
"Umm… you're really not much… you couldn't even withstand a blow with half my strength… I suppose the beings of this world are nothing but filthy trash…" Padomay said from behind the dragon as his right hand dripped fresh blood.
Those were the last words the evil dragon heard before collapsing, as his consciousness faded into the sweet and peaceful sleep of death… The last thing he saw before darkness consumed him was Padomay and Mannimarco disappearing from the place, leaving him alone.
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, this chapter is finally out XD
It took me some time, but I finally managed to get it done. I hope it is well done, but honestly, I have had very little time in the past few weeks.
Well, let's put that aside. We see that I am forcing romantic relationships to progress faster, I need to remove some drama… and since I am not very good with romantic dramas (I can't even stand them in real life), I decided that this possible misunderstanding should be resolved in one fell swoop.
Regarding the mental state of the Dovahkiin, I want to show it more in depth. In the future, I hope to show that he can also feel frustrated or upset about certain issues.
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.