The Wandering Devil
Chapter: 48
Disclaimer: I don't own High School DxD or any other universe used in this story.
Pa/ t reon details below the chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance.
(The Goddess of the Moon)
-{Zephyrion}-
The woman let me go, her arms that had been clutched around me dropping as she backed away with a hint of confusion.
"Orion?" I questioned, staring at the mildly flustered woman who could only be described as a Goddess.
Her expression flickered between indignation and something softer, a flush creeping across her cheeks that she clearly wished wasn't there. I felt my heart race a bit at her vulnerable and shy expression.
The spear still felt warm in my grasp; the previous, downright painful cold feeling had subsided. My arm felt like it was on fire, but in a warm and comforting way.
Her vivid green eyes sharpened at my question, and her long blue hair caught the lantern light as she stepped forward.
"Yes!" She said, scanning my face with a critical expression. "Even with your display of magic going against the enchantment, only they can claim my spear."
So she had seen that?
Well, it would have been hard not to, but by the sounds of it, she had at least somewhat felt my attempt. I highly doubted she knew the extent of it, though.
"And what exactly does that mean?" I asked, squinting my eyes at her.
She smiled, yet the display felt like it was holding back waves of somberness that threatened to spill over at a moment's notice. The slight discomfort I felt at the thought of seeing her sad caught me off guard.
I generally wasn't one to feel much for strangers, but she… was different.
"It means you are my champion." Her voice carried a weight that seemed to still the air around us, her green eyes burning with conviction. "The one chosen by the stars themselves. My Orion and the wielder of one of the only Divine weapons in Orario."
"…"
I don't remember signing a permission slip to whatever I had stumbled upon.
Part of me was tempted to see where this would go, but something about it felt like a betrayal of Hestia. This seemed like the sort of thing that would actually upset her. Parading around with another Goddess wasn't exactly something someone did when already in a Familia.
"Quite the honour, wouldn't you say?" The purple-robed God sidled closer with that fox-like grin of his.
His eyes glittered with amusement as he regarded me like I was the most entertaining thing he'd seen in centuries. "Our dear Artemis doesn't hand out that title lightly. Sometimes she goes centuries without naming a champion. As for down here in the Lower World? The other Gods would kill for the privilege of bestowing such a blessing."
Artemis?
He placed a dramatic hand over his heart. "Some of us can only watch and weep."
The now confirmed Goddess rounded on him, her expression sharpening into something that could cut steel.
"If you spent less time scheming and more time actually doing something, perhaps you wouldn't need to live through others, Hermes." She said, a surprising lack of heat despite her words, something that subtly seemed to throw the other God off.
"Ah! So cold!" He staggered back as if struck, clutching his chest. "And here I was, trying to help you explain things to the lucky adventurer. This is the thanks I get?"
"Your 'help' invariably comes with strings attached." She turned back to me, dismissing him entirely. "I told you once, and I shall tell you again, I shall not give you a 'lap-pillow'!"
Hermes stuttered.
The fire in her eyes softened, just slightly, as she met my gaze.
A champion?
I'm guessing that meant joining a Familia, and as cool as this divine weapon was, nothing was worth that. Since it wasn't contract-bound, I'd have to make a quick escape.
"Despite his words, what they mean rings true. This competition was in search of my Orion, something that had been a… last-ditch attempt." She said secretively. "I had never expected someone to claim it, especially such a powerful adventurer, truly."
Okay…
So she knew I was in a Familia.
"So I don't have to give it back?" I asked slowly, eyes flickering down at the powerful spear.
"N-no," Artemis replied, stuttering slightly. "The spear has chosen its wielder…"
I mean, not willingly, but I could feel its new bond, and from that, I knew it wouldn't be easy to separate. I'm sure my wishing rings could push that effect.
"You don't say?" I commented. "I knew it was a special weapon when I saw it. It's certainly beautiful."
And powerful…
I wanted to go into the dungeon and spend an entire day figuring out what this spear could do. I still hadn't figured out what my new bloodline did yet, as well. But that didn't seem like something Hestia would let me do.
"That is... that's simply how divine weapons work." The Goddess explained slowly, her eyes gleaming. "Once bonded, they cannot be reclaimed by another."
"Perfect," I said, looking at the very powerful weapon in my hand. "I guess I win this competition?"
The craftsmanship was beyond anything I'd seen in Orario. The shaft hummed with barely contained energy, and the blade itself seemed sharp enough to cut through my Mithril Chainmail.
She looked at me with confusion, her brow furrowing as if she couldn't quite process my reaction.
"Indeed!" Hermes grinned. "As the event organiser, I am honoured to say this most rare and anticipated event is over."
The hundreds of people gathered around were left in an uproar, and I started to feel that this event had probably been going on for years.
I guess it was just more attention I was going to have to deal with.
Artemis stared at me intensely, content to ignore everyone around us.
"So you made this?" I asked, looking at her curiously.
"Yes." She said softly. "I made it myself in Tenkai before we descended."
Made by a Goddess.
No wonder it was so powerful
I squinted my eyes at her. I felt like I was going to be pulled into something,
The crowd was still watching us, along with the God in purple clothing.
What could Hestia do if I took her to another world and allowed her to let loose?
I chuckled. "And you gave such a weapon away? Don't you have anyone in your Familia that could use it?"
Artemis' face became complicated at that. "Ah, no. It has special requirements and none in my… Familia had met them."
"I'm honoured." I stared back at the beautiful goddess, smiling. "Thank you for the chance to gain such a weapon. You have good taste. Perhaps our Familia can join parties in the future."
That was the very least I could do.
"For now, I bid you farewell," I said in an attempt to be polite.
That was the best I could come up with.
Her mouth opened, but I took that moment to move, my eyes catching a nearby roof that looked stable enough. In a burst of speed, I launched myself skyward, the festival crowd becoming a blur of colours and sounds below.
Wind whipped past my face as I landed on a rooftop three streets away, tiles cracking slightly beneath my feet.
Sebas materialised beside me a heartbeat later, his landing so precise it didn't disturb a single loose shingle. His white gloves remained immaculate despite the sudden movement.
My eyes twitched as I stared at two tiles rolling down from below me.
"My Lord." Sebas greeted, without batting an eye at the missing tiles, "May I presume everything went well? I believe that amiable announcer said you had won."
His sharp eyes flickered down to the gleaming spear in my hand.
I shot him a grin.
"Yes, it has..." I held the spear up, examining it under the moonlight. The weapon seemed to glow faintly, responding to my attention. "To think they were allowing just anyone to try it out…"
"Indeed? I am happy to hear that, my Lord." Sebas tilted his head slightly, studying the artefact with those sharp eyes of his. "I must say I am surprised it came at so little value if you hold its structure in such high regard."
"I am as well, but it did seem like they wanted to drag me into something greater in exchange," I replied thoughtfully. "Even still, to give away something that could very well be the base structure for a potential world-class item…"
His eyes widened at that.
A rare display of genuine surprise from the normally unflappable butler.
"Such weapons exist in this world?" Sebas asked a bit incredulously. "And that lady with the blue hair was the one who made it?"
"Yeah, she is also a Goddess," I confirmed.
"Did she attempt to reclaim it?" Sebas asked, his tone slightly strained. I could see the calculations happening in his eyes, so I quickly shut them up.
"Nay. Surprisingly, she didn't." I secured the spear across my back, the weapon settling into place as if it had always belonged there.
"Truly?" Sebas asked with surprise.
"Yeah. But again, it felt like she wanted to drag me into something, so I left," I replied with a nod.
"A wise choice, my Lord." Sebas nodded approvingly. "Such beings rarely offer gifts without some expectations attached."
I hummed in agreement, looking out over the festival below.
The lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting dancing shadows across the rooftops. Music drifted up from somewhere in the market district, accompanied by the distant roar of crowds enjoying the various attractions.
"In any case, I'd say this has been a good day," I said with a breath. "I can't say I was expecting that."
"With such ease, then again I suppose it's quite expected from a Supreme being if I may say."
I chuckled. "It wasn't that easy; most of my demonic power is gone."
Sebas didn't seem to believe me, but kept quiet, so we moved on.
"Let's look around a bit more before heading back," I decided. "The night is still young, and we've got some time before we have to head back."
"At once, my Lord." Sebas gestured toward the eastern quarter. "I noticed several interesting stalls in that direction earlier. Shall we?"
We dropped back down to the street below, blending into the festival crowd. Well, as much as I could with my new reputation. The spear on my back drew curious glances, but my reputation made sure that they kept a respectful distance.
I was examining a vendor's display of enchanted accessories when I saw the familiar flash of green hair.
Riveria Ljos Alf stood near a stall selling crystallised moonflowers, her jade-colored hair catching the lantern light like spun silk.
She wore her usual green outfit with yellow borders, a white cloak draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her pointed ears marked her elven heritage, but it was the regal bearing that truly set her apart.
The High Elf was examining one of the flowers with polite disinterest, clearly waiting for something or someone. Her jade eyes flickered toward me, and she looked away.
Was she ignoring me?
I approached her with an amused look.
"Hey, Riveria."
"Zephyrion." Her voice was cool and composed, but not unfriendly. "I had wondered if I might encounter you here tonight."
"It's good to see you too. Enjoying the festival?"
"Not as much as I would like, I am... accompanying some of my Familia members." A slight pause. "They seem to have gotten themselves lost in the crowd."
"How careless of them," I commented.
Her eyes flickered to Sebas.
"Indeed." The faintest hint of amusement touched her lips before vanishing. "I heard quite the commotion earlier, people talking about you. Something about a tournament?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Huh, news sure does travel fast."
"You defeated nine opponents simultaneously and then faced Ottar himself." Her jade eyes met mine directly. "Such news tends to spread quickly."
"Ottar forfeited," I pointed out.
"You do realise that's still a very big deal? Half of my Familia are just blatantly refusing to believe it, even with your rather… amazing track record." Riveria said with approval.
Her eyes finally caught sight of the spear on my back.
Riviera stared for a bit and then sighed. "Of course, you managed to pull out an ancient divine weapon. How did you get past that powerful resistance?"
"From a contest. Someone stuck a divine weapon in a crystal and invited people to pull it out." I shrugged casually. "So I did."
Riveria stared at me for a long moment, her expression caught somewhere between exasperation and reluctant amusement.
"Only you," she said finally, "would describe acquiring such a weapon as simply 'winning it from a contest.' But seriously, how did you manage? I heard there was some unknown requirement."
"A pure heart." I beamed.
She burst into actual laughter. "I hope you realise that's going to draw even more attention," Riveria said. "Bete and even Ais were trying to get that spear out of its crystal."
My smile quite figuratively turned upside down.
We walked together through the festival grounds, Sebas maintaining his customary position two steps behind. The crowds parted naturally around us, partly from recognising me, partly from the sheer presence Riveria commanded simply by existing.
And naturally, the Elves were seconds away from rushing me.
"So, your people celebrate it differently from Orario?"
"The elves have observed lunar cycles for millennia before the gods descended." A hint of pride entered her voice. "You could say our traditions run... deeper."
"Yeah? Maybe I can sneak into whatever elven kingdom you come from and see it." I joked casually. "I have the ears for it."
She glanced at me, and I caught something flickering in those jade depths.
"Perhaps," she allowed. "If the occasion presents itself."
"I wonder what they think now. Surely, they notice my slightly pointed ears." I wondered. "They don't seem any less hostile."
"They're probably more hostile, since your ears would suggest you are a half-elf," Riveria said amusedly.
"Well, that's not very fair of them." I pouted jokingly.
I took the next half an hour merely walking around to catch up.
"How did the Loki Familia's expedition end up going?" I asked.
"As well as can be expected." A note of weariness crept into her voice. "The deeper floors present... unique challenges and the travel time proved long."
"I imagine it does," I replied with a smile.
Her eyes narrowed. "So how did you circumvent that?"
"Circumvent what?"
"Don't act sly, Zephyrion, I know you've found a way," Riviera asked with gleaming eyes.
"I guess you'd be right about that." I laughed. "I was going to leave it as a surprise, but yes, I've figured a way, and I plan on opening a business based on it."
"Based on what?" Riviera asked eagerly.
"Transportation. The ability to travel to the deeper floors in a matter of mere seconds." I replied casually.
Riveria's reaction to that piece of information was barely contained shock, to the point that she lost her composure.
"You can make such a process for an entire party? How does it work? How do you intend to set it up? Can it be learnt?" Riveria shot off, somehow managing to say it calmly.
"You'll see, I'll even let you be my first customer." I teased. "Of course, if you ever need assistance-"
"The Scarlet Disaster offering aid to the Loki Familia?" She raised an elegant eyebrow. "That would certainly cause a stir."
"I have a habit of causing those."
"So I've noticed." She smirked. "And whatever it is you're planning will no doubt create a monopoly, one that even the guild wouldn't be able to ignore."
I opened my mouth to say something undoubtedly witty in my humble and most honest mind, only to find myself interrupted.
"THERE you are!"
We both turned, including Sebas, who had been following like a silent shadow.
Artemis stormed toward us through the crowd, her blue hair slightly dishevelled and her cheeks flushed. She was breathing harder than a Goddess probably should, her chest heaving with exertion as she pointed an accusing finger at me.
Oh, dear.
"Do you have ANY idea how long I've been searching for you?!" She planted her hands on her hips, green eyes blazing with indignation. "You just, you just left! In the middle of our conversation!"
"Technically, the conversation was over. You said I didn't have to return the spear." I pointed out bashfully. "And I said a polite goodbye."
"I wasn't FINISHED!"
"You seemed finished."
Artemis made a sound of pure frustration.
I became distinctly aware of Riveria beside me, her posture having shifted subtly.
The warmth that had been present moments ago had frozen over, replaced by something cold and sharp. Her jade eyes assessed Artemis with the clinical precision of a battlefield tactician identifying a threat.
"And who," Riveria said, her voice carefully neutral in a way that somehow made it sound more aggressive, "might this be?"
Artemis straightened, seeming to notice Riveria for the first time.
Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the High Elf's appearance.
"I am Artemis," the Goddess declared, lifting her chin.
"Ah." Riveria's tone could have frozen the fountain beside us, but it remained respectful. "A Goddess. How... lovely. It's.. Nice meeting you, Lady Artemis."
The two women stared at each other.
I suddenly felt like I was standing between two opposing armies moments before they clashed.
Artemis turned back to me, some of the fire leaving her voice as something more vulnerable crept in.
She sighed.
"Please, we need to talk. Properly this time."
"What do you wish to talk about?" I asked warily.
She hesitated. The anger that had been propelling her forward seemed to drain away, leaving behind something heavier. Her shoulders dropped slightly, and when she spoke again, her voice was quieter.
"Please." The word seemed to cost her something. "It's... It's important. Something is happening that I cannot handle alone. I need..." She swallowed hard, her green eyes glistening faintly in the lantern light.
Damn it.
I knew something was up.
"I guess it's my duty as your Onion," I said automatically.
"It's NOT-" She caught herself, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, they were wet. "Please. Just... hear me out. That's all I ask."
I felt something twist in my chest at her expression, making me hesitate.
I could hear her out, preferably in front of Hestia, so I could allow her to decide.
I looked at Riveria, who was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Her jaw was tight, her posture rigid with barely concealed displeasure.
"I should let you attend to your... business," Riveria said coolly. "It seems pressing."
"We can speak another time, Zephyrion." She was already stepping back, putting distance between us. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
She turned and walked away, her white cloak billowing behind her. She didn't look back, but her spine was ramrod straight in a way that spoke volumes.
Was she jealous? No, that didn't make sense.
Artemis shifted beside me.
I turned to face her fully.
Whatever this was, it had reduced a goddess to chasing me through a festival and nearly begging for help. And she had felt the need to wait for someone to pick up her divine weapon.
That meant it was either incredibly important or incredibly troublesome.
Probably both.
"Fine." I gestured for her to lead. "Let's find somewhere private to talk."
The relief that flooded her features was almost painful to witness.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you, Orion."
"It's Onion."
She shot me an annoyed look, and I couldn't help smiling.
Sebas, still two steps behind, made a sound that might have been a suppressed cough.
-{Sebas}-
The master should always be two steps ahead.
It was the proper distance for a butler attending his master.
Close enough to respond instantly. Far enough not to intrude. Sebas had maintained this position for longer than most beings in Nazarick had existed, and he would maintain it for as long as his Lord required.
His Lord walked ahead, the blue-haired Goddess at his side speaking in hushed tones. He was almost sure his Lord was teasing the Goddess, which in turn forced him to hide the amusement he was feeling.
Sebas kept his attention split between the conversation and their surroundings. The festival crowds had thinned as they moved toward the residential district, but threats could emerge from anywhere.
Not that most threats in this city concerned him.
Orario.
A strange place.
Sebas had been here for only a short amount of time, but he had already formed opinions about it.
The adventurers were weaker than expected.
Even the so-called elite would do little against the average floor guardian of Nazarick. Perhaps he should have anticipated this, even when his Lady had so humbly instructed him to remain vigilant for threats in this new world.
The real threats, the gods, were sealed. Unable to access their power without being expelled from this realm. It was still worrying to know such beings existed. Beings that surpassed the level of Nazarick by such a ridiculous margin.
But then he had realised something.
There were ways to bypass this. And the Supreme Beings, with all their wisdom, had already begun exploiting those avenues in the face of these new threats.
This was only the beginning.
Lord Zephyrion had already enthralled one of these Goddesses to the point that Sebas had been left stunned. For such a being to show such loyalty... he had thought it a guise at first. A ploy. But further observation had proven otherwise.
Lady Hestia no doubt had more to her than met the eye, but her devotion to Lord Zephyrion appeared genuine.
This opened a new avenue of power.
The Falna. A blessing linked to these Gods and to the dungeon itself. The dungeon was fascinating from an academic standpoint. An endless spawning ground for creatures that dropped valuable materials. A self-replenishing resource pool.
But what interested Sebas most was watching his Lord thrive.
Lord Zephyrion had taken to this world with a vigour that made Sebas realise his Lord had not been idle. He had built a Familia from nothing. Defeated challengers. Earned respect. Formed connections. Gathered resources. Laid the groundwork for something greater.
And he had grown.
Slowly. Incrementally but still growing nevertheless.
The Falna did not grant dramatic new abilities. His Lord's foundation was already too solid for that. But it refined what he had. Sharpened his reflexes. Deepened his reserves. Added a layer of potential that had not existed before.
While Sebas valued his own power only for its ability to serve his masters, he understood what that meant.
The entirety of Nazarick could gain this Falna.
Which was why he hadn't held back fighting beside his Lord. To see how far this Falna could take him for the glory of Nazarick. Fighting alongside his Lord in the dungeon had been an honour for him as well.
It was something that hadn't happened a lot and something Sebas had treasured.
But now his thoughts turned to darker matters.
The weapon on his Lord's back was deeply troubling to Sebas. His Lord has so casually said it could be the core for a World-Item class weapon…
That was a big deal, even for the supreme beings.
It made him revisit the subject of the so-called Gods of this world. Sealed beings, limited to mortal forms, are unable to access their true power. They were dangerous in the way that any ancient creature was dangerous.
But a weapon like this… apparently forged by a Goddess who wasn't adept at smithing and merely made with her power. A Goddess who wasn't even the strongest among them and had probably still been limited in her creation of it…
Sebas wasn't adept at sensing, but he could see the energy it emitted.
When his Lord had claimed it, Sebas had felt the pressure of its power even from a distance. This was not a tool made by mortals or even by the weakened Gods of the lower world.
And if such weapons existed, what else might be hidden in this world?
The Goddess walking beside his Lord was another concern.
Her energy felt wrong.
Sebas could not identify precisely why, but his instincts, honed over countless years of service, told him she was not entirely what she appeared to be.
She was hiding something. His Lord had undoubtedly noticed as well.
But the larger issue remained.
Lord Demiurge would need to be informed.
The existence of divine weapons that could bypass the sealing restrictions changed the threat assessment of this entire world.
If the Gods here could create such artefacts, they might have other means of circumventing their limitations. Means that could pose a genuine danger to Nazarick's interests.
And Lady Ainz would definitely want to know.
Lady Ainz had sent Sebas here partly to gather intelligence. He knew his Lady was worried about the last and only other Supreme Being currently with them.
It had been his Lord's words that had stopped her from sending more aid for this world, as Lord Zephyrion considered the new World a larger threat in comparison, especially with Lady Shalltear's recent situation.
Sebas would compose a detailed message tonight.
The weapon's capabilities, the goddess's suspicious nature, and the implications for their broader strategy.
They had created a limited device that would allow for short messages to be sent through… in theory. Yet another test that could potentially revolutionise Nazarick's future.
Like the days of old, when every resident of Nazarick only knew from the library.
When Nazarick had conquered multiple worlds.
For now, his duty was clear.
-{Zephyrion Gremory}-
The walk back to the Hestia Familia home was only a bit awkward.
Artemis trailed behind me; her earlier fire had dampened and been replaced by a thoughtful look.
Sebas kept his usual position, though I noticed his attention never fully left the goddess at our backs.
He was wary. That much I could tell.
When we reached the manor, the door burst open before I could touch it.
"Zephyrion! Sebas! You're back! I was starting to worry and-"
Hestia froze mid-sentence.
Her sapphire eyes locked onto the figure behind me and went wide.
Sebas smiled politely.
"Artemis?" Hestia questioned, blinking in shock.
Even then, much to my amusement, she wrapped her arms around me.
The blue-haired Goddess stepped forward, something vulnerable flickering across her features. "Hestia. It's been a long time."
"ARTEMIS!"
Then Hestia launched herself past me like I didn't exist, crashing into the other Goddess with enough force to make her stumble. Her arms wrapped around Artemis in a fierce hug, her face buried against her shoulder.
"I can't believe it! When did you come down to Orario? Why didn't you tell me? I would have come to see you immediately!" Hestia pulled back, holding Artemis at arm's length to look at her properly. "You look good! Different, but good! How's your Familia? Are they here too?"
Something passed through Artemis's eyes at that question.
I watched the exchange with raised eyebrows.
The tension in my shoulders eased slightly.
If Hestia knew this goddess and trusted her enough to react like this, that made this a lot easier.
"Hestia," Artemis said warmly. "You know Zephyrion? Is he perhaps your child?"
Hestia blinked.
"Y-yes," Hestia replied, obviously confused. "He is the captain of my Familia…"
Artemis' eyes brightened. "How fortunate."
Hestia looked confused by the focus on me.
"How is it that you two know each other?" Hestia questioned calmly.
Uh-oh, she was starting to sound like an actual Goddess.
"We met at the festival," I said simply. "After you left, I decided to check out that tournament. It was a challenge to lift a spear out from a magical crystal that had some sort of sealing properties. "
"And naturally, you managed to pull the spear out of the crystal." Hestia deducted. "What does that have to do with your meeting?"
Artemis coughed, as if to signal something.
"Wait, was it your divine weapon?" Hestia asked with bewilderment.
Artemis opened her mouth to respond.
"Apparently, I'm her Onion," I said innocently.
"Orion!" Artemis snapped, her composure cracking. "It's Orion! How many times must I-" She stopped herself, taking a breath. "He is my champion. The weapon chose him."
Hestia stared at her old friend for a long moment.
Then at me. Then back at Artemis.
"Your champion." Her voice was flat. "You made my Zephyrion your champion."
Artemis blinked back at her, those green eyes widening slightly as she seemingly noticed something.
"The weapon chose him," Artemis repeated, though she looked somewhat guilty now. "I did not force this."
"Uh huh." Hestia's eyes narrowed, then she sighed, and her demeanour reverted to normal.
"Mou, Arty!" Hestia pouted, clinging tighter to my arm. "Coming back after all this time just to poach my Zephyrion? So mean!"
Artemis looked startled. "That was not my intention, even if he has become my champion, that does not undermine your connection with him."
Hestia beamed.
"I know you wouldn't do that on purpose, Arty. You're not like those other Goddesses." Hestia's smile turned sly. "But just so we're clear, he is a part of the Hestia Familia."
Artemis nodded.
"Unless you're intending on marrying him to bring our Familia's together." Hestia joked.
The Goddess nearly tripped up. "H-Hestia!"
"I'm only kidding, jeez." Hestia giggled. "So… what did you want with Zephyrion?"
"I need his help," Artemis said seriously.
Hestia seemed to catch something in her tone and grew slightly serious.
She grabbed both of us by the arms and dragged us through the door.
Sebas followed behind dutifully.
-{Artemis}-
Artemis sat across from Hestia and her champion, watching them interact with growing confusion.
This definitely hadn't been what she was expecting.
She sat across from the Goddess she had known for so long. Observing her with… a hint of bafflement's
Hestia had always been affectionate. She remembered that from Tenkai. Hestia was one of the few goddesses who genuinely enjoyed physical contact, hugging freely and smiling easily.
But this was different.
Hestia sat pressed against his side, her hand resting on his arm with a casual possessive nature.
When she spoke, she leaned into him.
When he shifted, she adjusted to maintain contact. It was unconscious, automatic.
It was completely different from the way Hestia had normally treated the many Gods and men after her hand. She was always enthusiastic and friendly, but she would always subtly maintain a distance.
That was completely out of the window.
And he allowed it.
More than allowed. His body curved toward hers, protective and present. When Hestia had grabbed his arm earlier, his expression had softened in a way that spoke of deep familiarity.
This was not the Hestia that Artemis remembered.
The virgin goddess who blushed at romantic tales and insisted she would never fall prey to such foolishness.
Something had changed.
Her gaze drifted to the man himself. Zephyrion, Hestia called him. The Scarlet Disaster, according to the whispers Artemis had heard while chasing him through the festival.
When she created the trial, she had imagined someone like the heroes of old. Pure of heart, noble of spirit. Instead, she had gotten a man who was proving more interesting by the second.
She had felt him attempt to break that with powerful magic, but it had failed… but in that moment something had happened, something she couldn't quite make sense of.
Instead, the weapon had chosen... this.
The requirements were harsh, but they were set in stone.
This Zephyrion didn't seem to be the innocent, pure-souled champion she had been looking for, and yet there was something unique about him.
The memory irritated her.
She had appeared before him, ready to make her plea to the being who had won her divine weapon. And he had just... vanished. No questions. No curiosity.
Just a burst of speed and he was gone, her divine weapon strapped to his back like common loot.
And yet.
The weapon had chosen him. Orion did not make mistakes. Whatever Artemis thought of his methods or his manners, there was something in him that resonated with her divine artefact.
She just couldn't see what it was.
Her thoughts turned darker.
Perhaps it didn't matter in the end. As long as he could accept her plea, then everything would prove secondary…
Artemis stared intently at him.
That left the question of how to proceed.
She couldn't tell them everything.
The truth of what she was, a fragment of the real Artemis, was sent out in desperation before Antares consumed her entirely. Her Familia, slaughtered.
Her true body, trapped within that monster, her arcanum being slowly drained to fuel its corruption. If she told them that, would they still help? Would anyone willingly walk toward such a hopeless battle?
Antares needed to die.
The corruption spreading from the Elsus Ruins would only grow worse. Eventually, it would reach Orario itself. The monsters in the dungeon were already growing restless, responding to the distant call of that ancient evil.
But to kill Antares, someone needed to kill her.
The real her.
The one trapped inside.
That was what Orion was for. That was what her champion was meant to do.
Artemis looked at Zephyrion again at the weapon on his back.
At least he would get that much. The spear would be his payment. Her final gift to the one who would end her suffering. It was a divine weapon, powerful beyond measure.
In the hands of her Orion, it could pierce anything.
Even a Goddess.
It was all she had left to offer.
"Artemis."
Hestia's voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her expression had shifted from excitement to concern.
"What's wrong? Why are you really here?" Hestia asked, her energetic voice drawing on the subtle tones of concern.
Artemis hesitated.
How much could she say? How much should she say?
"I… I need help." She admitted.
Hestia tilted her head. "With something your Familia can't handle?"
"In a sense, yes. I need someone who can wield my spear more specifically." Artemis said evenly.
Hestia nodded slowly. "With what?"
"There is a threat," she said finally. "Outside of Orario. A monster that my Familia attempted to subjugate." The words felt like ash in her mouth. "We failed. The creature is growing stronger. If left unchecked, it will become a disaster that threatens the lives of many."
"And you need someone who can use such a weapon to help you stop it," Hestia finished. Her hand tightened on Zephyrion's arm.
"Yes, I need my champion for this task." Artemis looked at him directly.
"So your entire Familia couldn't handle it?" He asked, sounding particularly relaxed.
"No, they couldn't." She said, swallowing the tears that wanted to rise.
Watching the Familia she had spent years building into the kind, strong and well-teamed group it had been, only to watch them all die in the brutal manner only a monster could survive wasn't easy.
She watched his face, searching for any sign of his decision. He was difficult to read. Those strange eyes gave nothing away, and his expression remained neutral as he processed her words.
He wouldn't accept.
Why would he? She had given him barely any information. She was asking him to travel far from Orario, to face a monster that had already supposedly beaten back one Familia, on the word of a goddess he had just met.
There was no reason for him to agree.
Then he sighed.
"Sure."
The word washed over Artemis for a few seconds
She hadn't realised how tense she had become until the relief washed through her.
"I'll help," he continued, his tone casual. Almost bored. "But I'm going to need some details, and how far away is this?"
Artemis kept her face passive. Nodded once.
"Of course."
Inside, something cracked.
Joy and sorrow tangled together until she couldn't tell them apart.
He had accepted.
And one day soon, he would use that weapon to kill her.
-{Zephyrion}-
I leaned back on the couch, my arm curved around Hestia's narrow waist, enjoying the way her thick thighs melded against my legs as she sat on my lap.
"What do you think?" I asked, enjoying Hestia's fingers threading through my hair.
"She's hiding something…" Hestia replied lowly.
"Yeah?"
"Arty and I go way back. Thousands of years." Hestia's expression softened, a little wistful. "We were close up there. Two of the only virgin goddesses who actually meant it, you know? The others always teased us."
She paused, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "She's hiding something. I can tell. But it's not... It's not bad. Arty doesn't do bad. She's just stubborn about carrying things alone."
"I guess we'll see."
Hestia nodded, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Her fingers had stopped moving through my hair, resting against my scalp.
"She seemed different. Smaller, somehow. And the fact that her whole Familia couldn't defeat whatever this thing is..." She shuddered against me. "Arty's girls were strong, Zephyrion. Really strong. She trained them herself, led them on hunts across the continent. For a monster to beat them is surprising, and for her to find help outward, even more so."
Her voice grew concerned, and I tightened my arm around her.
Then she began pouting.
"Mou, and why was she so focused on you?" The concern shifted to something more familiar. "She wouldn't look anywhere else. Staring at you like you were some kind of…"
"Chosen hero?" I declared victoriously.
"Don't sound so smug about it!" She swatted my chest. "It's not fair! I introduce her to my Familia, and she immediately latches onto my boyfriend. That's not how this is supposed to work!"
I chuckled.
"Stop laughing!" Another swat, harder this time. "This is serious! What if she tries to recruit you? What if the spear means you have to go with her permanently?"
"I highly doubt she's going to try, and I think you know that." I chided.
"Let me fantasise," Hestia whined.
I ran my hand up her back, feeling the warmth of her through the thin fabric of her dress. "In any case, we have three days until we join her. Whatever she's dealing with seems urgent, but there are certain things that need to be attended to."
"Yes…" she pursed her lips. "The summoning to the wizarding world."
"Yeah, it seems the timing has aligned quite nicely," I said.
"Is that why you asked for three days?" Hestia questioned with a frown.
"That and some other things. I can't really ignore the summoning, or my followers may go into a frenzy. And there's much to be gained." I replied with a nod.
"How long?"
"Two days. I'll be bringing back some people with me this time to act under us. With the mastery over wizarding magic, many things will be solved for us." I said calmly.
Hestia sighed. "At least I know I'll be able to summon you back."
I kissed her forehead.
She rolled her eyes. "You're taking Sebas, right?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Someone's warmed up to our loyal butler." I joked casually.
Hestia smiled. "I'd feel better knowing you had someone so strong behind you."
"Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't want to leave you undefended."
She rolled her eyes. "We are hardly undefended with all the magical protections you keep developing. Especially with Artemis staying around. Though I doubt she will be very pleased you're vanishing for two days with the way she's acting."
"It's only two days." I shrugged.
"And the journey after that will take ten days to get there, according to her word," Hestia murmured against my skin.
"I can cut that down. Significantly." I squeezed her waist. "Bell can hold down the fort with you while I'm gone."
Hestia went rigid.
When she pulled back, her eyes had changed. The playful goddess who complained about unfair divine attention was gone. In her place was the Goddess.
"I'm coming with you." She stated.
It wasn't a request.
"Okay."
She blinked, the ancient in her gaze flickering with confusion. "Just... just like that? No arguments? No, it's too dangerous, Hestia, or 'stay here where it's safe'?"
"Would any of that work?" I questioned idly.
"...No."
"Then why waste the breath?" I grinned. "Besides, sleeping alone in a tent isn't nearly as fun without you."
The serious goddess evaporated. Hestia's face went scarlet, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
"You-that's not-" She sputtered, steam practically rising from her ears. "We're discussing something important here!"
"We are. And I'm telling you I want you there." I pulled her closer, letting her feel the truth of it. "I'm playing around a little, but it is true. We've talked about you joining me more often. It's not fair to leave you back here worrying yourself into a mess and stress-eating jagamarukun."
"I do not stress-eat!" Hestia exclaimed.
I just looked at her.
"...Maybe a little." She huffed, then the blush softened into something warmer. "Thank you. Really. After last time, when you were gone, and I didn't know if you were okay, if you were even alive..." She pressed her forehead to mine. "I don't want to feel that way again."
"I know. And honestly, I'm tempted to take you with me to the wizarding world. Having a powerful Goddess with me would be cool, and we haven't tested out your divine form yet."
"My divine form?" She asked, confused, then her eyes went wide, and she blushed even harder.
"A-and why can't I come?"
"You can, but I'd rather you come the next time. When we have multiple wizards guarding our Familia, and there's nothing to worry about." I said, looking at her. "Then we can spend some time observing your divine form and see just how unrestricted you are in a foreign world."
"Just the two of us?" She whispered.
I nodded.
The next world…
The world from where I originated, in a sense, at least the devil side of me.
"Only if you want to come."
"Of course I want to come, dummy." She settled back against my chest with a contented sigh. "Besides, someone needs to keep you from doing anything too reckless. And I need my cuddle buddy."
"There it is. The real reason."
She pinched my arm, but I could feel her smiling against my chest.
After a comfortable silence, she tilted her head up. "Wait. For the journey to the ruins. Can't you just leave one of your marks here? Teleport back and forth so you can check in every night?"
"I could. But repeatedly jumping across a continent wastes time and energy. And honestly?" I shrugged.
"It won't be that long. It could even be fun. You, me, camping under the stars, your old friend glaring daggers at us from across the fire because I keep saying the word 'Onion.' And her confusion at a formerly virgin Goddess suddenly being so… promiscuous."
Hestia giggled, her whole face lighting up. "I doubt the image of me sitting in a man's lap has ever even appeared in her mind… much less the other things we do."
I squeezed her pillowy thighs with a smirk.
"Let's hope I don't forget a silencing charm."
"Zeph!"
-{Lemon warning}-
I couldn't help but chuckle at her exclamation, the way her cheeks flushed that adorable pink, her sapphire eyes wide with a mix of mock indignation and warm love.
I stroked her cheek, and she tilted her head, her pouty lips glistening in the low light as they pushed out slightly in that irresistible way.
She caught my gaze, becoming silent and watching me with expectation. Her arms tightened, and that possessive gleam entered her clear eyes.
My hand slid up from her waist, cupping the back of her neck gently but firmly, fingers tangling in her silky black hair that cascaded like waves down her back.
I pulled her closer, our faces inches apart, her breath warm and sweet against my skin, carrying the faint scent of vanilla.
Without another word, I closed the distance, pressing my lips to hers in a slow, soft kiss. Her pout melted instantly under the pressure, her mouth parting with a soft gasp that I swallowed greedily.
Her small hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer as she moaned into the kiss, her fingers digging in as if she couldn't bear even a fraction of space between us.
As we kissed, my free hand roamed lower, settling on one of her thick, pillowy thighs that pressed against my legs. They were perfection, soft yet firm, the kind of plush curves that yielded under my fingers like warm dough, her skin silky smooth and radiating heat.
I squeezed, feeling the generous flesh give way, my thumb tracing circles on the inner side, inching higher toward the hem of whatever she was wearing.
That's when I pulled back just enough to glance down, breaking the kiss with a wet pop, her lips glistening and slightly bruised from my attention.
I looked at her attire.
She was wearing… something utterly sinful.
A slutty black-and-white maid outfit that clung to her petite yet voluptuous form like a second skin.
It was a low-cut bodice top with puffy short sleeves that barely contained her large breasts, the fabric stretched taut over the ample swells, pushing them up into deep cleavage framed by a frilly white apron tied with a big bow at the back.
The material was sheer in places, lace accents revealing hints of her pale skin beneath, with a cute headband adorned with white ruffles perched atop her head and a choker collar.
Below, it transitioned into a short, frilly skirt layered with petticoats that rode high on her thighs, barely covering the curve of her ass, paired with thigh-high stockings gartered with black ribbons that accentuated the pillowy thickness of her legs.
It looked almost out of place on her innocent form, a pure Goddess playing dress-up in a costume that made her look beyond sexy.
I let my eyes trail over her with appreciation, a feeling that made me itch with something pleasurable. Truthfully, this had all started when I had bought her something slutty to wear as a joke… it hadn't been that bad, but still, I had thought she would get embarrassed by it. Then she had barely twitched an eye when I asked, and that led me to try to get her increasingly flustered.
It turns out that was a hard job.
She bit her lip, that blush deepening as she shifted on my lap, her thighs squeezing around my hips. Her voice was breathy, her large breasts rising and falling, nipples hardening visibly through the thin fabric.
I captured her lips again in a fiercer kiss, my hands now both on her thighs, kneading the soft, pillowy flesh, fingers digging in just enough to leave faint marks.
She whimpered, grinding down against me unconsciously, feeling the growing hardness beneath her, her arms wrapping tighter around my neck as if to claim every inch of me for herself.
Breaking the kiss, I trailed my mouth down her neck, nipping at the sensitive skin, sucking marks into her collarbone while one hand slid up under her skirt.
No panties, of course.
My fingers found her already slick folds, teasing her entrance as she gasped, her head falling back, but not before she leaned in, her teeth grazing my shoulder in a possessive bite, not hard enough to break skin, but firm, like she needed to mark me with her love, her breath hot against my ear as she whispered my name.
"Zeph~"
She began gently biting my neck as I fingered her hot folds. But it seemed she wasn't content just to receive. She recovered… barely so, with a determined, possessive glint in her eyes.
Hestia slid off my lap, kneeling between my legs on the plush carpet. Her hands came to my trousers, undoing them with eager fingers, pulling down my pants and freeing my throbbing cock.
Hestia's face flushed deeper as she wrapped her delicate fingers around the base, stroking it slowly, her grip tightening slightly as if she couldn't get enough of the feel of me in her hands.
Then her pouty lips parted, and she took me into her mouth, looking deep into my eyes.
She began slowly at first, her tongue swirling around the head, her cheeks hollowing and worshipping my dick.
I groaned, threading my fingers through her hair, guiding her without forcing.
Her sapphire eyes gleamed, and an intense love passed through them.
She began to bob her head, taking more of me inch by inch, her large breasts pressing against my thighs as she worked, her free hand clutching my thigh tightly, nails pressing in as she devoured me with insatiable devotion.
The wet sounds filled the room, slurping, sucking, her occasional gag as she tried to deepthroat me, saliva dripping down her chin. The intense heat of her mouth drew me wild.
Her thick thighs shifted beneath her, rubbing together for friction as she pleasured me, her maid outfit riding up to expose more of her curves.
She looked up at me through her lashes, eyes watering but filled with devotion, humming around my length, the vibrations sending jolts of pleasure up my spine.
I let her continue until I was on the edge, then pulled her up gently, earning myself an annoyed look
A subtle spell flashed, a wandless cleaning charm from the wizarding world that cleaned me from her mouth. Only leaving her wet lips in its wake, lips that I kissed deeply.
She melted into my arms once more, but even in her surrender, her hands roamed my back, pulling me impossibly closer, as if the brief separation had been too much to bear.
"My turn," I murmured, flipping her onto her back.
I hiked up that slutty skirt, exposing her tight, glistening pussy.
She stared at me in a daze, breathing heavily and giving me an adorable smile, her fingers reaching out to trace my jawline possessively, like she needed constant contact to affirm her endless craving for me.
Positioning myself between her pillowy thighs, I rubbed the head of my cock against her entrance, teasing until she whined. Then I thrust in, feeling her walls clench around me like a vice, a wet, tight heat coming to embrace my member, her walls stretching to accommodate my size.
She cried out, her large breasts bouncing with the motion, nipples straining against the corset. Her arms wrapped around me possessively, hot breath tickling my face, her legs locking around my waist as if to trap me there forever in her loving embrace.
"I love you," Hestia stated, her voice soft and an endless amount of care coming to settle in her tone.
I smiled, my arms circling her narrow waist and lifting her.
Then I thrust into her, repeating the motion, filling her up and nearing climax from the feeling alone. I began pounding into her, each thrust left me bottoming out, my balls slapping against her cushy ass, her juices coating me as I filled her completely.
Her thighs wrapped around my waist, thick and soft, pulling me deeper as she moaned my name, her beautiful face contorted in ecstasy, her hands clutching my shoulders with a fervent grip that spoke of her inability to get enough.
I leaned down, sucking on one of her large breasts through the fabric, biting the nipple until she arched off the couch.
Hestia's body trembled beneath me as I continued to ravage her, my teeth grazing her hardened nipples through the thin fabric of her maid outfit, eliciting a deep gasp of pleasure that further made her thighs clench around me.
The comfortable, large couch creaked underneath us with every powerful thrust into my Goddess, my hips driving up into her relentlessly and savouring her taste.
Each plunge sent waves of pleasure through us both, Hestia's soft thighs turning red from the force.
She ground down against me in perfect rhythm, her plush thighs squeezing my sides, the soft flesh pressing into my skin as she rode the building intensity, her mouth finding my neck and biting down gently, possessively, her teeth leaving faint imprints as she marked me with her overwhelming love, sucking lightly as if she couldn't resist tasting more of me.
Hestia clenched down on me, climaxing and tightening her pussy down on me further, milking me.
"I'd do anything for you," she whispered breathlessly, her nails raking down my back, leaving stinging trails of passion that only heightened the sensation as her body shuddered around me. "I'm all yours."
She smiled with a hint of a predatory look.
I came inside her, enjoying the way it spilt into her womb.
She slumped against me, her forehead pressing against mine, eyes never leaving my own, her arms still wrapped around me tightly, fingers tracing patterns on my skin as if committing every inch to memory.
Not done yet, I pulled out, flipping her over onto her hands and knees.
She obliged easily, sending me a look over her shoulder as I grabbed her silky hair.
I bent my Goddess over the couch's edge and looked at the scene in front of me.
Her ass was presented to me, round and plump, the maid's frills dangling teasingly around the thick curves; her ass was entirely exposed, the maid's outfit doing nothing to cover it.
I cupped her ass, grinning as she pushed back into me. I gripped her hips, thumbs sinking into the soft flesh, and slammed back in. The angle hit deeper, her tight pussy gripping me like it never wanted to let go.
I fucked her hard, the couch creaking under us, her large breasts swaying pendulously beneath her, slapping against her arms.
She pushed back against me, meeting every thrust, her moans turning to screams of pleasure, her head turning to bite at my forearm playfully, her obsession shining through in the way she clung to the contact, needing more even as we moved together, her nails digging into the couch cushions before reaching back to scratch lightly along my sides.
Her ass jiggled hypnotically with every impact, and for the next half an hour, we merely fucked.
By the end of it, she was left a boneless mess in my arms.
Breathing heavily, I pulled out, gathering her into my arms and enjoying the way she curled against me, her head on my chest, thighs still quivering, that slutty outfit dishevelled but somehow even more enticing, her hands still roaming my chest as if she couldn't stop touching me.
We cuddled in the afterglow, my hand stroking her hair as she sighed contentedly.
"Maybe I should come with you." She whispered into my ear.
I chuckled.
The fact that she would abandon everything for me never failed to make me warm.
Hestia was cuddled into me, coming to clutch me with a clinginess that she had always possessed.
"I think you may distract me if you do," I said, smiling into Hestia's hair.
The smile she gave me reenergised me.
Thoughts about our prior discussion were put on hold as my hand moved down to her ass.
-Scene Break-
Artemis caught me near the entrance hall, her silver eyes sharp with a hint of concern.
"You're leaving?"
I adjusted the strap holding the Orion spear across my back. "For a bit."
"I thought we had an agreement." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge underneath.
"You said you'd need two to three days." She said quietly.
"And I'll be back before that day is up. This is a small trip. Something I need to handle." I replied casually.
"Something." She repeated the word. "Something that requires you to travel so far, I cannot sense your presence at all?"
I'd forgotten that gods could track their Familia members and those connected to their divine instruments. The spear on my back was essentially a beacon.
At least this world…
"It's complicated." I shrugged.
"Then mayhaps there is a way to uncomplicate it?" She stepped closer.
"You seem rather insistent," I said with a hint of amusement.
Artemis sighed, stroking a strand of her blue hair behind her ear. "I do not mean to be untrusting."
I looked at her, curious as to why she seemed so worried. "I'm not going to abandon you. There are just some things I need to do."
I smiled. "Trust me, I'll be back soon and with items that will help for a quicker journey. It's also something that was planned before your arrival, so I can't really ignore it."
Artemis stared at me, searching my eyes with those calm orbs of hers.
"...Forgive me. That was rude of me. I simply..." She looked away. "Time is not on my side. Every moment wasted is a moment that the thing grows stronger."
I noticed her concern for the creature I was apparently going to fight.
"It's not wasted. I'm getting reinforcements and some items that'll help with our speed in any case." I said reassuringly.
That caught her attention.
"Along with people who will guard my Familia while we're gone." I said carefully.
Artemis opened her mouth, then closed it. "Guard… your… Familia?"
The concept seemed foreign to her, but something passed through her eyes, a glint of acceptance and respect, before it vanished.
In truth. I knew he was the most likely suspect. I hadn't forgotten about Freya and Ottar suddenly coming out to fight me; it had basically just confirmed it.
I was mostly waiting for an actual move from her; it'd give me the plausibility to fire back with a proper attack and not get into shit. It would also make me feel better if I went off something beyond just adventurers watching me.
I had to suspect she was watching Bell, and I didn't want to let him keep being undefended, even if I was leaving my Basilisk and familiar back here, along with some other plans.
She shook her head.
"May I come with you?" she asked instead.
From somewhere behind me, I heard Hestia make a noise of annoyance. "Artyyyy, you show up out of nowhere after years and years, and now you want to run off with my Zephyrion?" Hestia stormed into view, planting herself between us with her hands on her hips. "What about spending time with me, Arty? Your oldest friend? Remember her?"
Artemis's severe expression cracked slightly. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. "Of course I want to spend time with you, Hestia."
"Good!" Hestia jabbed a finger at her. "Then you won't mind staying here and keeping me company while he's gone!"
"That's not quite what I meant-"
"Perfect!" I said cheerfully. "Get acquainted with the Familia. Bell's eager to meet a real Goddess of the hunt."
Artemis's eye twitched.
"I'm leaving you with my Familia and one of your oldest friends." I smiled innocently. "Unless you have somewhere else to be?"
She held my gaze for a long moment. Whatever she was looking for, she apparently didn't find it, because she eventually let out a breath and inclined her head.
"Then I wish you safe travels." Her eyes dropped to the spear on my back. "Please... bring my spear with you. And attempt to learn more about it, if you can. It'll serve you well."
"I'll see what I can do," I replied, looking at the powerful spear.
Hestia latched onto my arm, pressing herself against me with a clingy need.
Artemis's expression flickered with something I couldn't quite read. Discomfort? Confusion? The virgin goddess of the hunt watched her old friend hang off a man like a lovestruck teenager.
"I love you," Hestia whispered, her voice becoming seductive. "Come back quickly, I'll be waiting with a… surprise."
"Don't make me burn down the wizarding world by rushing Hestia…" I warned.
She giggled.
This was going to be an interesting trip.
Sebas materialised at my shoulder, silent as always. "My Lord. We should depart soon if we wish to catch the summoning window."
"Yeah." I gently extracted myself from Hestia, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Behave," Hestia said.
"I always behave," I replied.
"Uh huh."
The garden behind the manor was empty this time of morning. Sebas stood at attention beside me, his gloved hands clasped behind his back, eyes scanning the perimeter out of habit.
"You seem tense," I observed.
"Merely vigilant, my Lord." A pause. "The goddess Artemis concerns me."
"And why's that?"
"It merely feels like you're being left out of the entire picture. I would advise caution."
"Noted," I replied, but wasn't overly concerned.
Hestia had a better insight, and Sebas, while better than most from Nazarick, was still overly protective.
The pull came a moment later.
A hook behind my navel, a tug on something deeper than flesh. The summoning circle activated across worlds. My demonic power plummeted as the connection was established.
The manor garden blurred, twisted, and then we were somewhere else entirely.
Stone walls. Torch sconces. The smell of old parchment and something metallic. A ritual circle drawn in what looked like actual silver, runes still glowing faintly from the activation.
Two figures knelt at the circle's edge.
Reginald looked thinner than I remembered. The aristocratic bearing was still there, but there were shadows under his eyes and a tension in his shoulders that hadn't existed before.
Beside him,
Clint had grown a beard, and that was about the only difference.
Both of them stared up at me with naked relief.
The room was unfamiliar. Underground, from the look of it. No windows. One door, heavy oak reinforced with iron bands.
"Hey there." I greeted cheerfully.
-END-
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