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Haru was confused.
He'd left his fighting spot with Venom what, two, maybe three days ago? Venom had pointed him toward Juane's domain, and it sounded simple enough. Just head north past the black mountains, through the burning sky valley, and he'd reach her territory. Easy.
Except, well… somehow, he was lost.
You all don't understand, he thought bitterly. The Underworld is vast. Don't blame me, you'll never understand.
Still, there was a silver lining. Flying was God damn awesome.
As a Lesser Demon, he'd had no means of flight. Haru wasn't sure if that was normal for all Lesser Demons or if he'd just been unlucky. But now that he'd evolved, he had three ways to fly: the Flight skill itself, his new wings, or simply manipulating gravity.
"What a life," he muttered smugly. "Looking down on these peasants."
Then he froze. "Wait, wait!! Back to the topic."
Because he had gotten lost e had gone down to the surface hoping to find some Greater Demons, someone to ask for directions, maybe. But instead…
"Why," he whispered, "why the hell is Noir. Primordial Black Diablo in front of me?"
The way Diablo was looking at him made his skin crawl. Those golden pupils gleamed within black sclera, filled with unrestrained curiosity, as the Primordial smiled and bit lightly on one finger.
"Am I safe?" Haru muttered under his breath.
The silence stretched on. Finally, unable to bear it, Haru asked, "Uh… hello? Can I help you?"
Diablo smiled faintly. "Do you know me? You look extremely scared right now."
"Of course I know of you," Haru said quickly. "The Black Primordial."
"Oh?" Diablo tilted his head. "Now I wonder how would a two-year-old demon, who's only ever interacted with one Greater Demon, know me?" His grin widened. "But… who cares."
Damn, Haru cursed internally. I forgot. I shouldn't know about Diablo, of course. I messed up.
Diablo continued, his tone almost playful. "Are you lost?"
Haru shook his head. "No, not really. Just… sightseeing."
"Is that so?" Diablo mused. "It's just that you've been going in circles for the past two days, so I thought perhaps you were looking for a certain place and just couldn't find it."
Haru's eye twitched. "You've been… watching me?" he asked with an awkward laugh.
Diablo smiled wider. "Well, of course. I've been watching you since your first battle with that Lesser Demon."
That's literally my entire demon life, you weirdo! Haru screamed internally.
He forced a smile. "And, uh… what could be so interesting about me that you'd pay that much attention?"
"Besides the fact that you don't have a lineage," Diablo said, eyes glinting. "There's something… peculiar about you. You reasoned and spoke even as a Lesser Demon. I feel there's much to uncover."
"I see," Haru said flatly.
"Yes," Diablo replied just as flatly.
A painfully awkward silence followed.
Finally, Haru cleared his throat. "Well, if that's all, Noir-sama…" he said, the honorific coming out hesitant and stiff. "I'll be on my way. Nice meeting you."
He walked past Diablo quickly, then faster, then into a full-on speedwalk.
But when he glanced back, his stomach dropped. Diablo was smiling and following him, step for step.
Why are you following me?! Haru screamed internally, trying very hard not to break into a sprint.
Haru stopped mid-stride, forcing a smile as he turned back toward the walking disaster behind him.
"Can I help you with anything else?" he asked, voice awkward but polite.
Diablo smiled faintly. "Juane's domain isn't that way."
Haru's eye twitched. So you knew where I was going this entire time, he thought flatly.
"…Thank you for the reminder," Haru said aloud. "How did you know where I was going?"
"I watched your entire fight with that Greater Demon," Diablo replied smoothly. "Incredible battle, if I must say so myself. I'm not one to usually enjoy watching fights, perhaps it's because you were the one fighting that I enjoyed it." His golden eyes gleamed with a strange happiness.
Haru shivered. Oi, what is that smile? It's weird. No, this man is weird. I need to get away from him. Immediately.
"Well," Haru said, forcing a grin, "I'm glad we managed to entertain you. Now, if you could just point me toward Juane's domain, I'll be on my way and no longer bother you."
Diablo tilted his head. "From what I've observed, you're terrible with directions and get distracted very easily. Take for instance when you reached the Black Mountains. You suddenly started smiling perversely, took a sharp left, and failed to find your way back since then."
Haru froze. Of course, that's what happened! I had been thinking about doing certain things with Hima. Then realization hit him, followed by panic. Wait, wait, wait!! How close was Diablo to notice changes in my face? And I don't smile perversely! Ever!
Diablo continued calmly, "Why don't I take you to Juane's domain? That way, you won't get lost again."
"I really wouldn't want to impose on your time," Haru said quickly, smiling stiffly. Internally: I don't want to be anywhere near you. Please, just disappear.
"Don't worry," Diablo said with a gentle smile. "If there's one thing demons have, it's plenty of time."
Haru was left momentarily speechless. "…I don't feel comfortable traveling with men. Sorry."
Diablo's smile curved slightly. "Don't worry, I can change into a woman."
Before Haru could object, Diablo's form shimmered. His body shifted seamlessly. Now he had sleek black hair with a striking red streak, golden eyes that gleamed with quiet confidence, and a calm, knowing smile. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, black tie, and fitted black skirt, he exuded a sharp, elegant air, composed, alluring, and subtly intimidating. And, of course, with an impressive chest to complete the the set.
Haru's eyes widened and then carefully he thought why does his female version low-key look hotter than Testarossa? Wait, no!! Why am I thinking about, ?! This is Diablo!, plus Testarossa slander will not be tolerated even from myself.
Testarossa will forever until the end of time be the hottest Tensura female character.
"Is this better?" Diablo asked in a smooth, feminine voice, her tone dripping amusement. "I can make my chest bigger if that's how you prefer it" he added.
Haru internally shouted why are you making it seem like I'm creating my wife in a simulation game or something.
Then Haru sighed. He's not letting me go, he thought grimly. But this might work in my favor.
Haru had been thinking of how to make sure none of the Yellow Demons interfere in the fight, especially that nuke demon Carrera.If Diablo's here maybe he can keep Carrera occupied so I can have a clean 1-on-1 with Agera.
"Fine," Haru said finally, a small smile on his lips. "You can come with me but I'm going to need your help."
"Keep Juane away from your fight, right?" Diablo replied instantly. "Consider it done."
Haru blinked. How did he... Then he stopped himself. There is no point in trying to find out. "Please revert back to your original form," he said instead, sighing. "That female form is… unsettling for me."
Diablo smiled, almost alluringly. "How demanding. What's this? I thought you hated men."
Haru's nose suddenly began to bleed.
Why is my nose bleeding?! he panicked inwardly, wiping it quickly as Diablo chuckled softly.
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