Returning home, the first thing Jeanne saw was Ophis standing there with her arms outstretched, silently requesting a hug. This had become their daily routine. Each day, when Jeanne returned from school, a cute, expressionless little girl would greet her at the door, instantly washing away her fatigue.
Why didn't I get this treatment when I went to school?
"Oh, Ophis, did you specially wait here for us?"
Asia, deeply touched, stepped into the house and tried to embrace Ophis, but the latter swiftly sidestepped her hug.
Asia froze in surprise.
But Ophis paid no mind to Asia's feelings, continuing to stand there with her arms outstretched, her deep black eyes fixed unwaveringly on Jeanne, as if nothing else mattered in the world.
Jeanne was both amused and exasperated by the scene.
"I'm home, Ophis."
Unlike Asia, Jeanne received entirely different treatment. As Jeanne spread her arms, Ophis immediately darted forward like a baby bird returning to its nest, expressionlessly burying herself in Jeanne's embrace.
Ophis was always indifferent—at least toward things unrelated to Jeanne. Perhaps it was more accurate to say indifference was Ophis's natural state. Born from nothingness, the Infinite Dragon was an entity beyond definitions and comparisons.
In this world, dragons seemed governed by a rule: the stronger the dragon, the purer its nature. Ophis sought only silence; Great Red constantly roamed the Dimensional Gap; the Red Dragon Emperor and White Dragon Emperor were utterly focused on their rivalry. To Jeanne, dragons here felt more like natural phenomena than actual creatures.
Even now, Jeanne found it surreal that the most powerful being in this world obediently stayed by her side. Only after learning Ophis's true identity had Jeanne realized how absurdly overpowered the skill [Dragon Witch EX] was in this world.
In the game, this skill simply increased allies' attack by 20% and provided an extra 20% boost to allies with the [Dragon] trait. But since Jeanne herself didn't have the [Dragon] trait, the skill had always seemed useless.
Holding Ophis felt wonderfully comforting; her petite frame was soft and warm, far more pleasant than holding any stuffed animal. Although Jeanne was tempted to keep hugging her, she controlled herself and gently placed Ophis back down. Immediately afterward, Ophis posed a sudden question.
"Why can't I go to school with Jeanne? Koneko and Asia can."
Clearly, Ophis had been bothered by this for some time, though her face revealed no trace of emotion.
Only when cuddled against Jeanne did Ophis show a faint warmth, much like a kitten enjoying sunlight.
"But the school isn't suitable for you, Ophis," Jeanne replied with a helpless smile. "There are many people there. It's noisy and restrictive. You'd be irritated."
"I can simply ignore them," Ophis said indifferently. "All I need is to stay by Jeanne's side."
"But that would be troublesome for me."
In that scenario, classmates wouldn't bother Ophis—they'd pester Jeanne instead.
"Would Jeanne be troubled?"
Ophis tilted her head cutely, expressionless as ever. "If that's the case... then never mind."
Seeing how thoughtful she was, Jeanne rewarded Ophis by gently patting her head. Ophis's eyes immediately softened in contentment.
Because of Jeanne, Ophis was no longer as purely indifferent as she once had been. Gradually, imperceptibly, she began to care about the world around her. Jeanne herself couldn't determine whether this change was good or bad.
Hopefully, it's good… or rather, I hope it is.
Rias had actually suggested letting Ophis attend Kuoh Academy, right after approving Asia's enrollment. With four people now living in Jeanne's house and three attending school, Ophis would be home alone during the day—something that made Rias uneasy.
However, Jeanne had bluntly told her:
"If I send Ophis to Kuoh Academy, would you feel at ease?"
Impossible.
With so many eyes watching, any mishap could lead to a disaster they'd have no way of remedying.
Tonight, Koneko had club activities—answering human summoning requests and granting reasonable wishes—so only Jeanne, Ophis, and Asia ate dinner at home.
Jeanne was genuinely curious about the kinds of wishes people asked from Koneko's club, and how they fulfilled them.
She also really wanted to ask Koneko if she remembered that Jeanne herself had once been one of her "customers."
Leaving the dishes for magic to handle, Jeanne busied herself in the kitchen, making snacks for Koneko. Wouldn't Koneko be delighted to come home after finishing her tasks and find snacks specially made for her?
Imagining herself in that situation made Jeanne feel warm inside. She loved stories where husbands returned home exhausted, only to find their wives had prepared their favorite meals. Of course, she was equally happy with the roles reversed.
There was little entertainment at home, so Asia and Ophis were left sitting on the sofa, watching TV—a fact that bothered Jeanne. Perhaps she should buy some playing cards, Gomoku, or mahjong sets?
When Jeanne mentioned this, Asia gently shook her head, smiling warmly.
"I'm already very satisfied with our current life. Everything around me feels so new and exciting. It's like living in heaven."
Her voice carried not a trace of insincerity.
Some priest had once struggled through countless hardships, requiring thirty-six wicked souls, fourteen secret words, courage, and other difficult conditions to enter heaven, yet this nun casually declared, "I'm already living in heaven."
She's so easily satisfied… it's almost heartbreaking.
Prayer was Asia's favorite way to spend time, but it upset Jeanne. Therefore, Asia spent her free time watching TV instead—something beneficial, as she could learn much from it.
As for Ophis… aside from Jeanne and Great Red, nothing else interested her.
While Jeanne was busy in the kitchen, Ophis silently entered, expressionless as ever.
Jeanne instantly worried she'd come to help—which Jeanne strongly wished to avoid.
If Ophis genuinely requested to help, Jeanne would feel proud that the child had matured, but she'd gently refuse. She'd rather have Kiana destroy the kitchen because Jeanne could easily restrain her—but Ophis? Not a chance.
Fortunately, Ophis had a different intention. She held out her "snake" once more.
"Didn't I tell you? I really like you, Ophis. I want you to be happy, even if you offer nothing in return."
Jeanne gave Ophis a puzzled glance, unsure why she insisted on offering her "snake" again, especially since, with Jeanne's [Holy Grail], the snake provided minimal benefit. Even the place—the kitchen—hadn't changed.
Ophis shook her head, her bottomless dark eyes fixed firmly on Jeanne.
"I also like Jeanne very much. But… this isn't a repayment."
For once, a faint trace of emotion appeared in Ophis's voice. Something had stirred her normally calm, stagnant heart, creating ripples.
Quietly, Ophis spoke its name:
"Great Red, the True Red Dragon God Emperor."
"I want to defeat Great Red. I want to return to the eternal silence. I offer my 'snake' to you, hoping Jeanne can help me."
Utterly absurd—at least in Jeanne's opinion—yet Ophis spoke as if describing the weather.
Ophis's trusting gaze placed immense pressure on Jeanne.
Great Red—the True Red Dragon God Emperor, known from the Book of Revelation, called DxD, the "Dragon of Dragons," the only entity worthy of the title "True Dragon."
Although Ophis was the strongest in this world, that was because Great Red didn't actually reside here but within the Dimensional Gap. The Infinite Dragon God, invincible to everyone else, had been expelled from the Dimensional Gap by Great Red. In other words, even Ophis couldn't defeat Great Red.
Jeanne had never watched High School DxD but knew enough from studying its setting. Great Red was unforgettable for several reasons: being this world's absolute pinnacle, its name closely resembling Issei's Red Dragon Emperor, and its biblical origin as the Great Red Dragon, distinct from the Beast of 666.
Complex emotions flashed through Jeanne's eyes. "If even you can't defeat him, why would you think I could help?"
Ophis blinked slowly. "Jeanne… is unwilling?"
"It's not about willingness—I simply can't beat him."
"Then… with my 'snake'?" Ophis tilted her head gently. "Jeanne, combined with my snake… could you win?"
When Ophis asked, "could you win?" Jeanne's mind immediately flashed to a certain prideful figure declaring, "Nah, I'd win," only to be bisected offscreen later.
Jeanne frantically shook her head.
"No way! We'd die horribly."
Ophis frowned slowly, confused. "Strange…"
She appeared utterly perplexed.
"Everyone else said that if I gave them a 'snake,' they could help me defeat Great Red."
"You were lied to."
Jeanne answered without hesitation or thought, utterly certain. "Your 'snake' is meaningless to someone strong like me. Only weaklings with fragile minds would ask for it. Gathering those pieces of trash wouldn't even amount to a single speck of help, let alone defeat Great Red."
Ophis's frown deepened. "I… was lied to?"
Jeanne couldn't decide whether Ophis was adorably gullible or dangerously naive. Other children at least got real candy when lured by kidnappers. Ophis was even more innocent, fooled by mere empty words and hollow promises.
"Ophis, who exactly were these 'everyone else'?"
Jeanne recalled Ophis mentioning them before and felt suspicious.
But Ophis suddenly looked troubled. "I don't know."
"…"
Ophis's innocent gaze gave Jeanne a toothache.
It seemed futile to expect useful information from her.
However…
I always assumed Ophis wandered alone. Now, it seems she's surrounded by people coveting her power. Who knows how many snakes she's already handed out…
Jeanne's gaze gradually darkened.
And… will they come looking for me because of Ophis?
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T/N: my husabanmt....