A/N: And there you have it!! this will be last Chapters for this week!
Please do enjoy chapter 81 along with the chapter 31 rewrite.
See you again next weekend!
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"Kuh! To think I was tricked by a human into revealing the secret of this villa… how utterly disgraceful of me!" she spat, her voice trembling with frustration.
Her glare snapped to Hajime, who stood there calmly, one hand rubbing his chin as if already calculating the possibilities this villa held. A faint twinkle of mischief flashed in his eyes before he tilted his head toward her, lips curling into a sharp, almost predatory smile. The maid instinctively stepped back.
"Hmph… how disgraceful of you indeed," Hajime drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. "To not even recognize us—the ones sent by the Fallen to conduct the Stellaron experiments."
"What?! Th-that's impossible!! You're lying! The Fallen and Devil top brass already gave up on using the Stellaron on the young lady!"
—-
"You're right, I lied. But thanks for confirming that the Devils and Fallen really are meddling with the Stellaron," Hajime said plainly, his tone so casual it almost sounded like a joke.
The maid froze, eyes widening. Her shoulders trembled before she suddenly dropped to her knees, bawling. "Waaaaa… I'm sorry, young lady! This Villhaze has failed you!!! Waaaah!!"
Hajime felt several cold, sharp gazes stabbing into his back from the others. He decided pretending not to notice was safer.
"…Ahem. As thanks for this very… valuable confession, I shall bestow upon you a reward," Hajime said, raising a hand in mock solemnity, clearly trying to make her stop crying.
The now-named maid, Villhaze snapped her tear-stained glare up at him. "Do you think I'll fall for that again?! I'd rather die than betray milady!"
But you're already dead… Hajime thought dryly, before letting out a small sigh. "...Actually, I'm here for your young lady."
Villhaze instantly straightened, slipping into a fighting stance so quickly it was almost instinct. "Human, what are you planning to do to my master?"
Hoo… interesting. Hajime's eyes narrowed at her sudden change from sobbing mess to guarded warrior.
"It seems this young lady of yours is quite important to you, huh?" Hajime asked, his tone laced with interest.
Villhaze didn't answer, but the way her eyes hardened and her fingers clenched told him enough. The loyalty in her posture was almost palpable.
"I'm here to wake her up… from her long, long slumber," Hajime said plainly.
Isn't that right, Noah? All this drama… all these side events… just a carefully laid trail to the heroine you wanted me to meet. Whoever she is, you clearly see her as important—and you've been pushing me toward her from the start. This was the encounter you wished to happen all along. Hajime narrowed his eyes, almost swearing he could imagine Noah answering back with that same irritating, knowing smirk.
Alice and Anisphia let out identical sighs. From the way Hajime phrased it, they understood instantly—this "young lady" was the very 'encounter' Noah had told Hajime about.
"…We've been had, Anis," Alice muttered. "Captain's at it again."
"Yeah… he really does love his 'master in the shadows' routine," Anisphia replied with a wry twist of her lips.
Sagiri tilted her head in confusion, while the Slash/Dog members exchanged puzzled glances. Clearly, they were missing a few pages of the script.
Villhaze's expression hardened, her posture straightening. "...And how can I trust your words? After tricking me into saying all of that, do you truly think I'm that stupid?"
Hajime offered a wry smile. "You never actually told us your young lady's condition, didn't you?"
Villhaze blinked, her stance easing just a fraction. "That… seems to be true."
She glanced past Hajime to the others, gauging their reactions. "If that's the case… how did you know my lady's condition? And more importantly, why are you so willing to help her?" Her tone sharpened, testing him.
But Hajime didn't dodge. Seeing the loyalty in Villhaze's eyes, his impression of her improved, this wasn't just a clumsy, chatty maid anymore.
"Our leader told me about her, and about what happened. He said your young lady was hidden away by her family because of her birth… because of what she was. And then, she fell into her long sleep."
Villhaze's expression darkened at the mention of her master being hidden away by her own family. The sadness in her eyes deepened when Hajime spoke of her falling into that long sleep.
"I don't know why our leader pushed me toward your master," Hajime continued. "But he told me about an 'encounter' with her."
There was no hint of jest in his tone this time.
Villhaze studied him closely, her gaze searching his face for even the slightest crack in his sincerity.
"And I think… I really did meet her," Hajime said at last, his lips turning into a faint, almost self-mocking smile. "A beautiful lady with long purple hair and striking orange eyes, isn't that right?"
Villhaze's eyes widened in shock. "How did you meet the young lady?! That's impossible with her condition!!"
"Who knows? Maybe only Noah does," Hajime replied, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "But like he said, I did meet her. And I—" he paused, his expression softening— "I do personally want to save her. I want her to be free from whatever is happening to her."
Villhaze looks directly at him and long before, she sighs. "Follow me."
—-
Hajime and the others followed Villhaze up the creaking stairs of the villa.
"…My young lady is a direct descendant of the Leviathan family," Villhaze began, her voice carrying both pride and lingering bitterness. "However… she was half devil, half human." She hesitated, as if the words still tasted wrong. "Because of that, she was shunned by her so‑called family. So she lived here with her parents… until she was struck by the Devil Sleeping Disease. She has slept for over a hundred years since then."
A soft gasp escaped Lavinia from the back. "A hundred years…?"
Villhaze's steps didn't falter. "Her parents sought help from the main Leviathan family in the Underworld… and they did come. Along with Lord Lucifer himself, they brought the 'Stellaron,' hoping it could be used to cure her."
"...But the result, as expected, didn't cure her and only brought more disasters," Alice remarked from behind Hajime, her tone carrying a mix of sympathy and annoyance.
Villhaze bit her lip and gave a slow, regretful nod. "That is correct… monsters suddenly appeared.. and even.. milady's parents were..."
Anisphia glanced toward Villhaze. "Figures. Nothing involving the Stellaron ever ends cleanly."
Lavinia frowning softly. "Poor girl…."
They continued down the corridor until they reached a heavy door at the end of the hall. Villhaze stopped, her hand hovering over the handle for a moment as if steadying herself.
"…This is the room of my master—Lady Ingvild Leviathan," she said solemnly, before opening the door and stepping aside for them to enter.
—
As Villhaze pushed the door open, the group stepped inside. A breathtaking young woman lay asleep under the canopy of her bed, her long purple hair flowing across the sheets like silk. Her breathing was calm and relaxed, almost as if she were simply napping, yet the room, like the rest of the villa and island, was covered with fragmentum.
Hajime's expression softened instantly. He walked to her side, pulling out the chair and sitting beside her bed. Carefully, he took her hand from where it rested over her chest.
"We meet again, purple‑haired diva," he murmured.
Villhaze caught the look in his eyes and frowned inwardly. Why was this human gazing at her master with such a gentle expression?
From a few steps back, Alice and Anisphia exchanged a glance, both wearing faint, wry smiles. It was odd seeing their Hajime give that same tenderness to another girl. The sight stirred something between mild jealousy and amusement.
Anisphia leaned slightly toward Alice. "Looks familiar, doesn't it?"
Alice sighed softly. "Too familiar… but I guess that's just him."
Meanwhile, Sagiri and Lavinia watched Hajime's gentle expression toward Ingvild. A spark of jealousy crossed their faces, but it was shut off by a pride—pride that even as a Godslayer with immense power, Hajime could still show such kindness to someone beyond Alice and Anisphia, his fiancées.
Sagiri whispered to Lavinia, "He's… really soft when he wants to be."
Lavinia gave a small smile. "Mm… it's one of Hakkun's charms, I guess."
Hajime, for his part, couldn't help but remember the first time he truly understood Alice's situation. It was right after the battle with Gilgamesh, when he'd learned her weakness. Princess Alice Louise Gododdin, premier Hime-miko and an outstanding witch gifted in magical and spiritual arts, politics, beauty, and intellect. Despite her brilliance or perhaps because of the tremendous power she wielded, it made her body weak, unable to bear the strain of her gifts.
Every time she used her powers, whether intentionally or passively, her body weakened. Yet her weakness never stopped her cheerful, adventurous spirit. Wanting to experience an ordinary day, she had slipped away from her family's mansion, where she met Hajime—and together, they strolled through London like any other boy and girl their age… until that fateful day that made Hajime ascend to Campione and Herrscher.. The strain from the ritual Gilgamesh had forced upon her had nearly brought her to death's door.
When the time came for Hajime to face Enkidu as promised, Alice refused to remain hidden in the safety of the Gododdin mansion. No amount of protest from him swayed her. In fact, she threatened at point‑blank that she would follow him whether he liked it or not. By the end of that fierce battle, desperate to turn the tide, she used her power to unlock the most powerful treasure within the Gate of Babylon. Hajime seized it to secure victory over Enkidu. But when he turned to her afterward, she was collapsing—dying.
He refused to accept it. Drawing on the stolen authority from Enkidu—the Blessing of Terra along with his Herrscher of Reason, Hajime used the planet's life and Reason to pull her back to his side.
Now, as he looked at the peacefully sleeping Ingvild, that same feeling awoke inside him. The memory of Alice, the desperation to save her, resurfaced, only now it was aimed at this girl before him.
He tightened his grip on Ingvild's hand, his eyes never leaving her face. "Let's wake her up," he murmured, his voice low but determined.
"Can you really do it? To save my master?" Villhaze whispered, her voice a mix of hope and doubt.
"Yes," Hajime replied without hesitation, his tone firm and confident, eyes still fixed on Ingvild.
Villhaze blinked at the certainty in his voice, momentarily taken aback before giving a small nod. The Slash/Dog team exchanged curious glances, and Alice and Anisphia shared a faint smile, one that showed understanding.
And then a soft ping cut through the room. Hajime's terminal lit up, signaling an incoming call.
Blinking, he tapped the holoscreen and smirked faintly when the caller ID read Noah. "…Really, Cap? Perfect timing as always."
But when the call connected, it wasn't Noah's familiar, irritating smirk on the screen—it was Lumine.
"…Lumine?" Hajime blinked in surprise. Behind him, Alice and Anisphia glanced at each other, equally puzzled at her sudden appearance.
The blonde girl appeared onscreen, sitting serenely in the Express lounge. She gave a brief nod of acknowledgement to those behind Hajime before locking eyes with him.
Hajime frowned slightly. "…Why are you using Noah's terminal?"
Lumine tilted her head, expression calm but words carrying that faint, teasing lilt. Why? Is there an issue?
Hajime's cheek twitched. "…Right. Never mind."
Lumine finally spoke. "I have a message. From Noah."
That made Hajime's eyes narrow with interest. Alice and Anisphia both leaned in, sensing something was up.
"Why isn't Noah telling us himself?" Hajime asked, curiosity laced with suspicion.
Lumine's neutral mask stayed in place, but the three of them could hear the faintest pout hiding in her tone. "…Cuddle rotation… with Kiana."
The room went silent.
Alice and Anisphia almost stumbled.
Even Hajime's eye twitched. "…Seriously?"
Lumine didn't elaborate. Instead, she calmly pulled up a children's book—Sleeping Beauty.
Hajime tilted his head, brow furrowing. "...What is this supposed to be?"
"From Noah," Lumine said simply, flipping to the illustration of the prince waking the princess with a kiss. She lifted her thumb in a silent 'good luck' gesture, her expression perfectly neutral… which somehow made it worse.
Hajime blinked at the page, then at her, utterly dumbfounded. "Seriously?"
Alice and Anisphia exchanged looks, their mouths partway open. Even Sagiri beside them blinked rapidly, her cheeks coloring as the implication sank in.
Hajime rubbed a hand down his face. "That… idiot."
From the side, Villhaze—who had been silent until now—suddenly stiffened, eyes narrowing. "Oi, human, what exactly are you planning to do to my master, huh?!"
Hajime ignored the sharp pressure radiating from Villhaze and fixed his gaze on the culprit of this chaos. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Lumine didn't answer, her expression as stoic as ever but Hajime caught it. The faintest tug at the corner of her lips, the twinkle in her eyes that betrayed just how much she was enjoying the chaos.
"...You girls spend too much time with Noah, huh." Hajime's cheeks twitching.
Behind him, the air seemed to chill. Alice's smile had frozen into something a little too polite, while Anisphia's cheerful demeanor now carried an ominous, dark aura.
Sagiri inched sideways, wisely putting more distance between herself and the incoming storm.
Hajime didn't dare turn around. He could feel it—the pressure, the silent threat, the creeping doom.
"…This is going to be a long day," he muttered under his breath.
He slowly turned back to the sleeping Ingvild, his expression a mix of resolve and hesitation. Her serene face, framed by her long hair, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest made a faint blush creep up his cheeks.
"Of course it has to be a kiss…" he muttered under his breath with a resigned sigh.
"I will ask again, human—what exactly are you planning to do to Lady Ingvild?!" Villhaze's voice cut sharply through the room, her glare could make even veterans flinch. It was a startling contrast to her otherwise refined beauty.
Hajime glanced toward the window instead of facing her—or the dangerous looks he knew Alice and Anisphia were wearing. Answering her now would only make it worse.
Lavinia tilted her head, her tone light and innocent. "...So Hakkun needs to give the sleeping princess a kiss to wake her up? Like in the fairy tales? How sweet~"
"Please don't say that out loud, Miss Reni!!!" Hajime blurted, flustered, instantly regretting it when heat rushed to his face.
Lavinia pouted, clasping her hands behind her back. "You're calling me that again! I won't listen to you, hmmp~"
Hajime sighs, getting used to Lavinia's adorable antics, turning back toward the sleeping girl. His hand rose to her cheek, brushing lightly against her skin. Warm. Alive. That small proof tugged at something inside him.
"…Human, don't tell me you actually plan to have your way with my lady?!" Villhaze's voice snapped through the air, her body instantly turning into a guarded stance.
Hajime glanced at her with a helpless smile. "Villhaze… whatever I do here, I'll take responsibility for it. I'm not running away from her."
Her eyes narrowed, searching his face for any trace of deception, before she gave a sharp snort and looked away.
With a quiet breath, Hajime returned his focus to Ingvild. "You're not going to stop me, then."
"Try doing anything more than necessary and I'll make you regret it," Villhaze muttered, crossing her arms but making no move to block him.
Hajime's lips twitched faintly. Then, closing his eyes, he began to chant, calling upon his authority.
"Let the breath of the planet grant you life. Let the land's spirit grant you its protection. Let the world grant you a place among the living. Let them grant this warm embrace once more. "
Sagiri and the Slash/Dog team flinched as divinity began to gather around Hajime. It wasn't just magic, they could feel the world itself answering his call. The very rules of the world followed his decree.
"…Is he seriously about to give a devil a divine blessing?" Sae blurted, eyes wide.
"Wait—hold on! Even if Lady Ingvild is half human, she's still half devil!" Natsume protested, voice pitching up.
The words made Villhaze snap her head toward them, eyes wide in alarm. "Human, stop right—"
But Hajime didn't stop. His expression didn't waver as he leaned forward, closing the last bit of distance and pressing his lips gently to Ingvild's.
The verdant-gold divinity flowed slowly between their lips, like a warm current weaving its way into Ingvild. Behind him, Alice and Anisphia crossed their arms and turned away with identical humphs, their eyes radiating enough heat to make the back of Hajime's neck prickle.
I'm not looking. I'm not looking, Hajime chanted silently in his head, as if it would shield him from their glares.
Around them, Villhaze, Sagiri, Lavinia, Tobio, and the rest of the Slash/Dog team could only stare. The sight of a human—no, a Godslayer—bestowing a divine blessing on a devil without it harming her was almost unthinkable.
"...He's actually doing it," Natsume whispered.
"And it's working," Sae added, astonishment flowing from her tone.
Villhaze's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. For once, she was speechless.
Moments later, Hajime pulled back, the golden light of his blessing gradually fading. A few heartbeats passed… then Ingvild stirred. Her lashes fluttered, and with a soft inhale, her eyes slowly opened for the first time in a century.[spoiler][/spoiler]