The Youkai Palace stood proudly at the heart of the city.
The architecture resembled a traditional imperial Japanese palace straight out of history books, with elegant curved rooftops, red-painted pillars, intricate golden details, and massive lanterns illuminating the pathways with warm orange light.
Arthur could physically feel the natural energy brushing against his skin.
Valerie looked around with sparkling eyes as they followed the kitsune servants deeper into the palace grounds.
"This place is beautiful…"
One of the fox-eared attendants smiled proudly.
"Thank you very much, Valerie-sama. We have worked hard to ensure the palace is always in order."
Eventually, the servants guided Arthur and Valerie toward the throne room.
At the far end of the room, Yasaka sat elegantly upon a beautifully crafted throne-like seat while Cao Cao sat beside her casually.
Though Arthur immediately noticed the subtle way the nine-tailed fox Youkai leaned slightly toward him, and was subtly caressing Cao Cao's back with one of her tails.
Arthur's lips twitched.
(Damn... She is down bad for that "True Longinus".)
Valerie politely bowed first.
"Thank you for receiving us, Yasaka-sama."
Arthur followed shortly after.
"We appreciate the hospitality."
Yasaka smiled warmly.
"You are both welcome within Kyoto, Sekiryuutei-sama and Tepes-sama."
The fox servants quickly began preparing traditional Japanese hospitality for the guests.
Within minutes, low tables were arranged before them with elegant tea sets, expensive sweets, delicate dishes, and warm towels.
Valerie looked genuinely fascinated, and Arthur picked up the small cup carefully.
"Fancy."
Cao Cao smirked.
"Please try not to break anything."
Arthur immediately looked offended.
"I'll have you know I am an extremely sophisticated individual with delicately elegant fingers."
Ddraig immediately snorted.
(Yeah, right. And I'm Great Red's secret love child.)
Arthur ignored him and took a sip.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Okay, that's actually really good."
Yasaka chuckled softly behind her sleeve.
After some time, the atmosphere shifted from relaxed to serious.
Cao Cao folded his arms.
"So, Arthur, mind filling us in on why you're here in Japan?"
Arthur nodded and began explaining the Heavenly of Aloha Incident, random disappearances, and the possibility of larger forces moving behind the scenes.
Valerie occasionally added information whenever Arthur skipped details.
The more they explained, the more serious Yasaka's expression became as her nine tails slowly swayed behind her thoughtfully.
"I see."
The room became quiet briefly.
Then Yasaka sighed softly.
"I do wish to help you on your mission."
She looked genuinely apologetic.
"However…"
Her gaze shifted slightly toward Cao Cao.
"Our forces are currently occupied with ongoing incidents within Kyoto itself."
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What kind of incidents?"
Before Yasaka could answer, Cao Cao spoke first.
"There have been multiple disturbances throughout the city over the past several weeks."
His expression darkened slightly.
"Suspicious movements, entire districts damaged during the night, and several igthings of unknown silhouettes."
Valerie blinked.
"That sounds serious."
"It is... The Youkai forces and I investigated these disturbances, but we always ended up empty-handed."
Cao Cao answered calmly.
Arthur leaned back slightly while thinking deeply.
(Hmm... That timing is suspicious.)
Ddraig agreed.
(Too suspicious.)
Arthur remained silent for several moments before finally speaking.
"Alright. It's decided..."
Everyone looked at him.
"I'll help solve Kyoto's issue first."
Valerie immediately nodded beside him.
"I'll join in too."
Yasaka visibly looked surprised.
"…You would assist us?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? You're helping us, so we'll help you. Simple as that. Also, whatever is happening to Kyoto may be connected to our mission. And besides..."
He gestured casually at Cao Cao.
"The lover of my best friend is an ally of mine."
When he said that, Cao Cao looked away, a bit embarrassed.
(Asshole...)
For a brief moment, Yasaka stared at Arthur in silence.
Then, a genuinely warm smile appeared on her face.
"Anata spoke highly about you. You are different from what your reputation suggests."
Arthur blinked.
"What? My reputation?"
Yasaka nodded softly.
"You noticed the fear within the civilians' eyes earlier, did you not?"
Arthur paused, then thought back to the nervous looks he received when he punched away that Oni earlier.
"Huh."
Yasaka folded her hands neatly on her lap.
"A year ago, you nearly wiped out an entire vampire bloodline. The destruction of the Tepes Faction changed how many supernatural factions view you."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Valerie lowered her gaze slightly at the memory of her time as a prisoner.
"Smaller factions especially fear earning your hostility. They see you as an unstoppable calamity. A dragon that destroys everything standing against him. Among many circles, you are called…"
Yasaka smiled faintly.
"The Crimson Calamity."
Arthur blinked rapidly.
"That's the first time I've heard that title."
Cao Cao sighed while rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Unfortunately, Yasaka's right."
He looked at Arthur.
"But honestly? It's not entirely bad, Arthur. They're a little afraid of you, but they also respect you immensely."
Arthur stared blankly for several seconds and spoke to Ddraig.
(Am I really that scary? I always see myself as a friendly-looking guy who respects others who respect me.)
Ddraig became completely dumbfounded.
(Are you serious?)
Ddraig immediately began listing things off.
(You killed an Evil God in your first Exorcist mission, wiped out eighty percent of the total vampire population, defeated and killed numerous powerful enemies, spent the last year gathering Sacred Gear users and Longinus wielders like Pokémon cards, founded an organization composed of literal monsters and prodigies, and you recently destroyed part of Tokyo.)
Arthur went silent.
"…Fair point."
Cao Cao snorted loudly, Valerie giggled softly, and even Yasaka laughed quietly behind her sleeve.
The atmosphere lightened once more.
Then Cao Cao stretched slightly, glanced toward Arthur and Valerie.
"Now that our little talk is settled, you two should relax for a bit before we start working."
Yasaka immediately nodded happily as her nine tails swayed excitedly.
"Oh yes. You absolutely must try our hot springs."
Valerie perked up instantly.
"Hot springs?"
Yasaka smiled proudly.
"The onsen within the Youkai City are located on top of Kyoto's Leylines. It saturates the spring, fully restoring both physical and spiritual exhaustion of whoever submerges in its waters. Even Ultimate-Class beings like myself benefit greatly from them."
Valerie's eyes sparkled.
"That sounds amazing!"
Then she immediately looked toward Arthur.
"Can we go and try it out, Art?"
Arthur stared at her excited expression for several seconds, then sighed dramatically.
"You're so lucky I am weak against cute women."
Valerie blushed immediately.
"A-Arthur…"
Cao Cao rolled his eyes.
Yasaka chuckled warmly before gesturing toward several waiting kitsune attendants.
"Please guide our guests to the palace's onsen."
The servants bowed gracefully.
"This way, Arthur-sama. Valerie-sama."
Arthur stood up alongside Valerie.
But just as they began leaving, Arthur overheard Yasaka leaning slightly toward Cao Cao.
Her voice dropped into something significantly softer and more seductive.
"Anata~ Shall we continue what we left off earlier in bed~?"
"...I think I need an adult."
"I am an adult~"
Arthur swore he heard Cao Cao gulp hard, making him smirk in pride.
(Cao Cao, you are one lucky bastard. Welcome to adulthood.)
Valerie looked confused beside him while Arthur rapidly walked after the servants with the expression of a man trying very hard not to laugh from Cao Cao suffering from success.
DxD
The warm waters of the onsen rippled softly around Arthur's body as steam drifted through the open-air bath.
The atmosphere was peaceful, quiet, and relaxing.
For once in a while, Arthur was not fighting or doing paperwork.
He leaned his head back against the smooth stone edge of the hot spring and released a long sigh of absolute bliss.
"Hell yeah... I fucking deserved this shit."
He muttered quietly to himself.
The crimson-haired young man rested lazily within the steaming waters with only a towel tied around his waist, while a small sake cup rested between his fingers.
The distant sounds of Kyoto's hidden Youkai City echoed faintly beyond the bamboo walls.
Arthur took another sip and closed his eyes for a brief moment.
(Man… I've been way too busy lately... Managing Avalon, leading the Counter Corps, handling political nonsense, and training recruits... The list never ended.)
Arthur slowly exhaled again.
"This would've been even better if either Lavinia or Valerie were here, though."
Ddraig's voice suddenly echoed inside his mind.
(Seems that you're enjoying yourself, partner.)
Arthur hummed.
(Yeah...)
The Welsh Dragon sounded oddly hopeful.
(Can I join you?)
Arthur immediately opened one eye.
"Absolutely not. I am not gonna use Welsh Inferno Dominator just so you can bathe."
(What? Why not?)
Arthur snorted quietly.
"If I summon a giant red dragon inside Kyoto, the entire city will panic..."
He paused for a few seconds.
"But then again... The scene of you flying around breathing fire as I ride on your back with Excalibur in hand..."
Then both Arthur and Ddraig thought about something simultaneously.
(Let's do it.) x2
Their moods immediately improved.
Arthur grinned sinisterly, and Ddraig chuckled darkly.
"We should do your grand reveal when we fight Vali and Albion again."
Ddraig immediately laughed proudly.
(HAHAHAHA! YES! I cannot wait to see Albion's shocked face when I show him that I can get out now!)
Arthur chuckled.
"Exactly."
Satisfied, Ddraig quieted down and gradually returned to sleep within the Boosted Gear.
Arthur relaxed once more.
He slicked his wet crimson hair back before pouring himself more sake from the nearby bottle.
The warmth of the water was making him pleasantly drowsy.
All of a sudden, the sliding doors behind him quietly opened.
Arthur didn't bother turning around as he assumed it was Cao Cao.
So naturally, he decided to be an asshole.
"So... are you done with your unfinished business with Yasaka?"
Arthur said casually while lifting his sake cup.
"By the way, how is the pregnancy?"
He took a sip.
But then a feminine voice answered softly.
"…Arthur…"
Arthur blinked.
That was not Cao Cao.
He turned his head and instantly spat his sake out in a violent spray.
"PFFTT!"
Standing there completely red-faced was Valerie Tepes.
Or rather...
A very embarrassed Valerie wrapped only in a towel around her curvy hourglass figure.
Her damp blonde hair clung lightly to her shoulders while steam surrounded her body beautifully.
Her crimson eyes refused to properly look at him.
Instead, she awkwardly twirled a strand of blonde hair around her finger while muttering shyly.
"D-Don't stare at me like that… It's embarrassing…"
Arthur froze completely.
His brain visibly blue-screened.
The sake cup nearly slipped from his fingers.
(Oh no, she's so cute.)
Ddraig immediately woke up again.
(What happened?)
Arthur mentally screamed.
(GO BACK TO SLEEP AND START COUNTING GOLD!)
Arthur blinked several times rapidly before finally forcing himself to recover.
"I… I think the servants accidentally sent me to the women's bath."
Valerie shook her head quickly.
"N-No… The nice kitsune lady said this onsen is mixed… So it's okay."
Arthur paused.
"…Mixed."
Valerie nodded shyly.
"Y-Yeah..."
Arthur's soul left his body briefly, and Valerie slowly descended into the steaming water with visible nervousness.
The waters rippled gently around her body as she quietly approached him before sitting beside him near the stone edge.
"..." x2
Heavy silence.
The kind that made Arthur suddenly very aware of the fact that Valerie was wearing nothing but a towel.
Arthur immediately began drinking more sake to keep himself from getting an erection.
Valerie, meanwhile, slowly relaxed into the water beside him.
After a minute, she glanced toward the cup in his hand.
"Can I try that?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"You sure? This is really strong stuff."
Valerie nodded quietly.
Arthur shrugged before pouring half a cup and handing it over carefully.
Valerie stared at it seriously for several moments, like she was preparing for war.
She took a deep breath and downed the entire thing in one go.
Arthur blinked.
"Val?"
The sake immediately hit her hard.
*Cough!* x4
She began coughing violently while Arthur quickly moved beside her and gently rubbed her back.
"There, there... I got your back, Val."
He laughed softly.
"First time drinking?"
Valerie weakly nodded while coughing.
Arthur chuckled.
"Don't worry. It's always difficult at first, but you'll get used to-"
He suddenly stopped speaking because Valerie abruptly dropped the empty cup.
Without warning, she climbed directly onto his lap.
Arthur's eyes widened.
"V-Val-?"
Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly, and she kissed him hard.
Arthur froze for exactly one second.
His instinct took over as his hands immediately grabbed her hips, and he pulled her closer while deepening the kiss.
The hot spring water rippled violently around them.
Valerie whimpered softly against his lips as their kiss grew more heated.
More desperate.
Their tongues tangled together fiercely while Arthur effortlessly overwhelmed her.
Steam surrounded them thickly.
The warmth.
The alcohol.
The tension that had existed between them for months finally snapped.
After nearly a full minute of deep kissing, they finally pulled apart.
A thin strand of saliva connected their lips briefly before snapping.
Both of them panted softly.
Arthur stared at Valerie in silence.
"I'm not complaining... But what's gotten into you?"
Then he noticed her flushed face and the hazy look in her ruby-red eyes.
Arthur blinked slowly.
(Oh... She's drunk.)
Mental note acquired instantly.
(Note to self: Valerie is a lightweight.)
Valerie leaned closer toward him until her lips brushed lightly against his ear.
Her voice dropped into a soft, sensual whisper that sent chills down his spine.
"Can I make a request~?"
Arthur swallowed slowly.
"W-What is it?"
Valerie slowly pulled back just enough for their eyes to meet.
Her crimson eyes trembled in arousal.
"Make a woman out of me~"
*BADUMP* x10
Arthur's Dragon Heart slammed violently inside his chest.
His entire body immediately grew hotter.
Desire surged through him intensely.
Every instinct within him screamed to pull her closer and claim her completely.
But...
Arthur forced himself to calm down through sheer willpower alone.
He gently caresses her waist with his thumb while whispering carefully.
"Valerie… Are you sure? I... I don't want to take advantage of you while you're drunk."
Valerie smiled softly at his restraint and consideration towards her.
Then she slowly shook her head.
"I wanted this for a long time…"
Her cheeks deepened crimson.
"I only drank because I was too embarrassed to say it sober…"
She looked away briefly.
"…And I knew you would wait for me."
Her fingers slowly reached toward the towel wrapped around her body.
Then her ruby eyes met his emerald ones, filled with love and trust.
"So now I'm saying it properly..."
Her voice became barely above a whisper.
"…Make me yours, Arthur Pendragon~"
DxD
Hello readers!
For starters, this is a pretty short chapter.
Second, sorry for suddenly disappearing into the sunset.
I had to take a mental health break.
During that time, I mostly played Last Day on Earth: Survival for days, and I liked it.
Unfortunately, I had to delete my WebNovel app because my phone's storage is lower than my chances of getting a girlfriend, so I haven't really paid attention to what's happening here.
Fun Fact: The Last Day on Earth: Survival was my favorite zombie survival game during my junior high years, but I deleted it when I entered college.
As an apology and thank you for waiting, the next chapter will be R-18.
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!