After much prodding and a half-hearted explanation from Zald, Erebus collapsed dramatically onto all fours, pounding the ground with both fists.
"Why?! Why did someone else pick up such a monstrous child first?! I'm so jealous!"
Alfia stood beside him, massaging her temples as if the weight of all this ridiculousness was too much.
Then Zald clapped his hands together, as if remembering something. "Oh, right. Alfia, maybe, you should stop calling Akira a brat."
Alfia narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Hah?"
Zald shrugged, grinning innocently. "He mentioned that if you hadn't kept calling him that, he wouldn't have been so rude to you… you know, since you're his aunt."
Akira had told Zald the full story of how they had met.
…Well, almost the full story.
He had neglected to mention how Alfia's gloves had mysteriously gone missing, which was probably for the best.
A dangerous silence hung in the air.
Then—
"It's none of your damn business!" Alfia exploded.
Magic power surged around her hand like a divine blade.
"W-Wait, wait, stop, Alfia!" Zald flinched and staggered back, frantically throwing up his arms in a defensive stance.
"Let's talk about this! Don't!"
Meanwhile, back at the church.
The door creaked open.
Zald stepped in first, his towering figure imposing as ever, but there was a rare flicker of nervousness in his expression.
Following him was Alfia. Her face was pale, her presence ethereal. That long black skirt still clung to her slender frame, swaying like a drifting shadow as she walked. Even in her frailty, her mystique remained intact, elegant and untouchable, like a dark flower in bloom.
And beside her, a stranger entered. An aura surrounded him that was both peculiar and elusive. His messy black hair stood in every direction, clearly untouched by comb or care, while a streak of gray in his bangs added a strange visual contrast. He wore modern, stylish clothes that looked almost out of place here. His face was relaxed, smiling gently.
Too gently.
There was no malice, and yet something about him made it hard to trust him. The kind of man who could hide knives behind his smile.
Akira turned at the sound of footsteps. His eyes scanned the group, narrowing slightly when they settled on the unfamiliar figure.
Zald, smiling, waved a hand. "Akira, we're here."
"And who is this?" Akira asked, his tone neutral but sharp.
The man stepped forward and gave a half-bow.
"Allow me to introduce myself." He said, striking a confident pose. "My name is Erebus. I am the god who governs the underworld, the primeval darkness incarnate."
He raised one finger dramatically toward the ceiling. "I am the god of absolute evil… the one who brings despair to this world."
Akira blinked and then smirked.
"Oh, is that so?" He said slowly.
He raised both hands and slicked his hair back in mock flair. "Then let me join the performance too."
With both hands relaxed at his sides, Akira strode confidently to the center of the room.
His hair was slicked back, though a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead. His gaze was sharp, burning with a heroic glint, and he exuded the air of a man standing at the peak of destiny.
He struck a pose and declared solemnly, "My name is Akira. A proud member of the Astraea Familia, the fastest, strongest rookie adventurer in all of Orario."
A powerful breeze seemed to rush past him, though it was likely just in his imagination.
"I possess endless power." He continued, gesturing to himself dramatically. "Master of the five major combat roles! Slayer of tyrants! And soon… the one who will take down the Black Dragon!"
He pointed skyward, his voice brimming with conviction. "From this day forward, no one shall stand in my way. I will rise above the heavens themselves."
…
The church fell into absolute silence, so silent that even the faint rustle of wind brushing against the stained-glass windows seemed like a thunderclap.
Zald and Alfia looked at each other, their expressions blank, as if questioning the very choices that had led them to this moment.
Was this truly the one they entrusted with their future?
The awkwardness was so intense, it was almost a physical force.
And then—
Thud.
Erebus collapsed. He slowly sank to the floor, face buried in his hands, and began rolling dramatically across the floor.
"Wow wow wow… how shameful…" He groaned.
Why did I try to act cool just now!? I should've known better!
Regret filled his heart as he writhed in theatrical agony.
Akira calmly lowered his hand and raised his chin slightly, a smug gleam flashing in his eyes. A moment later, he composed himself, resuming his usual aloof, dignified demeanor.
He even had the nerve to mutter under his breath, "…Just a few lines. Not a big deal. I've seen worse during performances."
"Pffft—hahahahaha!!"
Zald erupted into laughter, holding his stomach as he pointed at Erebus.
"I warned you, Erebus. Akira doesn't play by the rules. You tried to out-drama him and got burned."
Erebus picked himself up, sighing deeply.
"What a hopeless child." He muttered, though his lips curled into a faint smile.
He had to admit, while some children liked to boast, this one really lived up to the flair. The terrifying part was that most of what he said might actually be true.
Alfia rolled her eyes in exasperation and finally cut through the nonsense:
"Can we get back to the point? We're not here to judge performance art." Her voice, cold and clipped, brought the group back to reality.
"Ah, right!" Akira scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly. "I was just excited to see you all. Got carried away with a little joke."
"You are as spirited as ever." Zald chuckled, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He added, his tone turning serious, "But we didn't come here to show off introductions."
Akira nodded, his expression tightening as he turned to face Alfia.
"I understand. Zald told me about your condition. Don't worry. I'll give it everything I've got."
"Then I'll look forward to it." Alfia replied quietly, brushing back her long silver hair. Her voice carried a trace of emotion she tried to suppress.
Erebus clapped the dust from his coat and grinned lazily. "Well then, now that we've finished the prelude, how about we begin the main event? I've been dying to see what you can really do, Akira."
Akira turned toward the inner sanctum of the church and said, "Come. We'll need a quiet space for the treatment."
He led the way deeper into the church.
Alfia followed without hesitation. Though she had claimed last night that there was no hope left, that had been a lie born of fatigue.
After years of disappointment and fruitless effort, she'd closed her heart. But now, facing this reckless, sincere boy…
A spark ignited again within her. A flicker of fragile hope. Her steps quickened unconsciously.
Just as Erebus was about to trail behind them, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
"Let them go alone." Zald said, voice calm but firm.
Erebus turned and met Zald's steady, watchful gaze and understood instantly. They had only known each other for a few days. Trust didn't bloom overnight. And he was, after all, the leader of Evilus.
If Alfia had still been bedridden and near death, there might've been room for indulgence. But now…
Now that there was hope, they couldn't afford any risk.
"Fair enough." Erebus muttered. The casual grin on his face softened, giving way to a rare look of solemnity.
"I'll guard the door."
Akira, already halfway down the corridor, glanced over his shoulder.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you two, then."
(End of Chapter)
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