The next morning arrived with an unusual quiet that felt almost unnatural after the chaos of the previous night. I was sitting in my kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee while Asia hummed softly as she prepared breakfast. The domestic tranquility was a welcome change, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was temporary.
My new eye is still adjusting, I thought, blinking deliberately with my right eye. The Sage's Eye felt different—not uncomfortable, but like wearing contact lenses for the first time. At least the crimson color isn't too noticeable unless someone looks closely. I can always claim it's a side effect of using my sacred gear too intensely.
Valerie wandered into the kitchen, still in her pajamas, hair adorably messy from sleep. "Morning," she mumbled, heading straight for the coffee.
"Someone's not a morning person," I observed with amusement.
She shot me a half-hearted glare that lost all impact due to her bed head. "Says the guy who was up until three in the morning doing... whatever mysterious things you do."
If only you knew I was writhing in agony while getting a legendary eye implanted. "Just thinking about our next moves. Things are going to get more complicated from here."
"They always do around you," Valerie said, but there was fondness in her voice rather than complaint.
The doorbell rang, interrupting our morning routine. I raised an eyebrow—it was still early for visitors.
"I'll get it," I said, setting down my cup.
Opening the door, I found myself face-to-face with Xenovia. She looked different from our previous encounters—gone was the absolute certainty that had defined her every movement. Her chin-length blue hair with the distinctive green fringe on the right side was slightly disheveled, and her brown eyes held a vulnerability I'd never seen before.
"Xenovia?" I said, genuinely surprised. "This is unexpected."
She stood there in casual clothes rather than her usual church attire, fidgeting with her hands in a way that seemed completely foreign to her normally confident demeanor.
"I... I need to talk to you," she said, her voice lacking its usual strength. "About last night. About everything."
Here it comes. The fallout from Kokabiel's revelation about God's death.
"Come in," I said, stepping aside. "We were just having breakfast."
She entered hesitantly, nodding politely to Asia and Valerie as they looked up from the kitchen with curiosity.
"Would you like some coffee?" Asia offered sweetly, already moving to get another cup.
"That would be... thank you," Xenovia said, her usual directness replaced by uncertain politeness.
We settled in the living room, with Xenovia perched on the edge of the couch like she might bolt at any moment. The silence stretched uncomfortably before she finally spoke.
"After last night, after learning the truth about..." she paused, swallowing hard, "about God being dead, I find myself without purpose. The Church I served, the faith I held absolute... it was all built on a foundation that no longer exists."
I could see the pain in her brown eyes, the way her hands clenched in her lap. She's completely lost, adrift. For someone who lived their entire life with absolute certainty, this must be devastating.
"I've been thinking all night," Xenovia continued, her voice strained, "and I realized that despite everything, I still want to fight. I still want to protect people. But I need... guidance. Someone who won't feed me comfortable lies."
She took a deep breath and then, to everyone's surprise, slid off the couch to kneel on the floor.
"Please, let me join your group. I want to serve under someone who has the strength to face the truth of this world, and the power to actually change it."
This is unexpected but not unwelcome. Having someone of her caliber would be invaluable, especially with the Hero Faction looming.
"You understand what you're asking?" I said seriously. "Joining my peerage means accepting a bond that goes deeper than simple allegiance. You'll be tied to me in ways that affect your very soul."
Xenovia's laugh was bitter but determined. "After learning that the God I served is dead, a soul bond seems almost mundane." She looked up at me with fierce resolve. "I've watched you fight, seen your strength. More importantly, I've seen how you treat your companions—like family, not tools. That's what I want."
She's thought this through. And honestly, her combat skills and holy sword mastery would be incredibly valuable.
I stood and extended my hand to help her up. "Alright. But fair warning—my enemies are the kind who could destroy entire countries. You sure you want to sign up for that level of chaos?"
Her grin was sharp and eager, more like her old self. "Try and stop me."
I retrieved a Knight piece from my pocket, holding it up so it caught the morning light streaming through the window. The piece seemed to pulse with an inner radiance.
"This will create a bond between us, but unlike devil reincarnation, you'll remain human. You'll just gain access to enhanced abilities and the connection to my power. It might feel strange at first."
"I'm ready."
The process was fascinating to watch. The evil piece dissolved into golden light, merging with Xenovia's body. Unlike devil reincarnation, there was no fundamental transformation—instead, I could sense a new connection forming, a thread of power linking us together.
When it was complete, she stood with a new aura of strength surrounding her, her brown eyes showing a subtle golden flicker that matched my own energy signature.
"Welcome to the team," I said, and her smile was radiant.
Three members now. We're getting stronger, but we'll need to be with what's coming.
"I can feel it," Xenovia said wonderingly, flexing her fingers as golden energy briefly flickered around them. "This power... it's incredible."
"You'll learn to control it with time," I assured her. "For now, why don't you join us for breakfast? We were planning to visit the Occult Research Club today anyway."
Later, at the academy, we made our way to the familiar clubroom. My phone had buzzed earlier with a message from Rias: There's someone I'd like you and your peerage to meet. It's important.
Gasper, I realized. She's finally ready to introduce her bishop. And given the timing, this should be interesting for Valerie.
When we entered the clubroom, I could immediately sense the nervous energy radiating from inside. Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and Issei were all gathered around what looked like a large cardboard box in the corner.
"Ah, perfect timing," Rias said with visible relief as we entered. "There's someone I'd like you all to meet." She gestured toward the box. "This is my bishop, Gasper Vladi."
The box rustled slightly, and a small, timid voice emerged from within. "I-I don't want to come out! There are too many people!"
Valerie froze beside me, her eyes widening in recognition. "That voice..." she whispered.
Here we go. This reunion is going to be emotionally charged.
"Gasper," Rias said gently, "these are friends. And one of them is someone very special who's been looking forward to meeting you."
"N-no! I'm fine in here! Boxes are safe! No one can see me in boxes!"
I exchanged a glance with Valerie, who looked like she was fighting back tears. She's been wondering about him for so long. This must be overwhelming.
"Gasper," I called out, crouching down near the box. "I'm Akira. I have someone here who really wants to see you."
"I don't know any Akira! Go away!"
Valerie stepped forward, her voice gentle but filled with emotion. "Gasper... it's me. It's Valerie."
The box went completely silent. Then, slowly, a small flap opened, revealing a single pinkish-violet eye peering out nervously.
"V-Valerie? But... but you're supposed to be dead! The other vampires said you died!"
"I know what they told you," Valerie said softly, kneeling beside the box. "But I'm here now. I'm alive, and I've been looking for you for so long."
The box burst open as a small figure practically launched themselves out, tackling Valerie in a desperate hug. Gasper was exactly as I'd expected—an effeminate-looking male with platinum blond hair and pinkish-violet eyes, his hair styled in a short bob cut with several small fringes over his forehead. He was wearing what looked like a girl's school uniform that somehow worked perfectly on his androgynous features.
"Valerie! I missed you so much!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "I was so scared when they said you were gone! I didn't know what to do!"
Valerie held him tightly, her own tears falling freely. "I'm sorry, Gasper. I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you. But I'm here now, and I'm never leaving you again."
This is exactly what she needed. Family. A connection to her past that isn't filled with pain and betrayal.
I felt Asia's hand on my arm and turned to see her wiping at her own eyes, clearly moved by the reunion. Even Xenovia looked touched, though she was trying to hide it behind her usual stoic expression.
"I take it you two know each other?" Rias asked with a knowing smile.
"Gasper is... family," Valerie said, still holding the smaller vampire close. "We grew up together before everything went wrong."
Gasper suddenly seemed to remember there were other people present and tried to hide behind Valerie, peeking out at us nervously. His gaze landed on me and my peerage members.
"A-are they safe?" he whispered to Valerie, his voice barely audible. "I don't like meeting new people..."
"They're wonderful," Valerie assured him. "Akira is my King—he's the one who saved me and gave me a new home. Asia is our newest family member, and Xenovia just joined us today too."
He's exactly as timid as expected. But there's potential there, especially with that Sacred Gear of his.
"H-hello," Gasper managed, still mostly hidden behind Valerie. "I'm Gasper Vladi, Rias-senpai's bishop."
"It's nice to meet you properly," I said warmly. "Valerie's told me a lot about you."
His pinkish-violet eyes went wide. "She has?"
"All good things," I assured him. "She's been worried about you."
"I was worried about her too!" Gasper said, his voice gaining a little strength. "When they told me she was gone, I... I didn't want to come out of my room for months."
Poor kid. Losing the one person who understood him must have been devastating.
The room fell into a comfortable quiet as the two vampires caught up, sharing whispered conversations about their time apart. I found myself watching them with satisfaction.
This is what I wanted for her. Connection, family, a sense of belonging that goes beyond just my peerage.
My contemplation was interrupted by a sudden shift in the air—the unmistakable presence of immense power approaching. Everyone in the room stiffened as two elaborate magic circles appeared near the center of the room, their intricate designs speaking of high-ranking devil nobility.
Oh, wonderful. Here comes the politics.
From the larger circle stepped a man with long crimson hair , wearing an expensive-looking suit. His presence alone made the whole room silent in recognition.
Sirzechs Lucifer. One of the Four Great Satan-class devils and Rias's older brother. This should be interesting.
Behind him materialized a woman with silver hair and blue eyes, dressed in a perfect maid uniform. Her demeanor was professional to the point of being intimidating, and I could sense the lethal competence that made her respectedamong devil-kind.
And Grayfia Lucifuge, the ultimate devil maid and one of the strongest Queen-class devils in existence. They're really pulling out the big guns for this visit.
"Rias," Sirzechs said warmly, his serious expression melting into genuine affection as he looked at his sister. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
Rias immediately straightened, her casual demeanor replaced by formal composure. "Brother! I wasn't expecting you."
The family dynamics are already showing. She's nervous, probably wondering if this is about the Kokabiel incident.
Sirzechs's gaze swept the room, taking in each person present before settling on me with obvious interest. His green eyes seemed to pierce right through me, and I could feel him assessing my power level.
"Actually, I'm here to meet someone specific." His eyes locked with mine, and I felt the full weight of his attention.
. .
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