Hmm?... Why does a small child have to be crying just when I'm trying to sleep?... Ugh... How annoying.
And here I was having one of the weirdest dreams ever... I dreamt that a variant of the quintessential Isekai transporter had killed me and a very beautiful but feminazi goddess had reincarnated me as a strange version of Rias Gremory, the main character from one of my favorite light novels, even though I'm a man, which is already weird enough... But, the most curious thing about it is that she was the daughter of my counterpart in that universe and of a strange harem linked to Demons and all that stuff from the novel...
In fact, I'm now slightly scared because I was following the cliché of the talented protagonist and now that I'm waking up maybe I'm without legs and thus the whole cliché would be complete.
Ahh... I can still hear that damn whimpering, and I usually get up furious when I'm woken up so suddenly and forcefully... Especially when I was having such an incredible and strange dream. I hope whoever is crying will stop soon... Even if I go back to sleep, maybe I can continue that dream. I've managed that feat a few times... Ahh... Although, well, even my mother could be having some visitors... I think a cousin my mother raised had a baby, so maybe it's her.
Sighing in annoyance, I open my eyes, intending to get up and present myself somewhat for the visitors, but I notice that the bedside table with the Akeno Himejima figurine I spent a month trying to buy isn't beside me... Oddly enough, I'm not in my room, and in fact, everything is barely visible in the dim light...
So the visit was just a denial... Shit, now I remember what happened, that whole "dream" did happen... And, if the first thing that comes to mind is true, I'm in serious trouble... Okay, let's recap: I was in the garden with Mom, Dad, Kushimi-Okassan, and Midori-san. The dark-haired woman revealed she was pregnant, and I deduced, with all my negativity active, that all her affection towards me was just some kind of practice for her baby... Something that hurts just to remember.
After that we were going to celebrate my 3rd birthday, however, they all went to the mansion, Father and Midori-san to bring my present and Mother and Kushimi-Okassan to bring something that the brunette wanted to show me... Up to that point everything was fine, being alone, I started to get depressed when I felt a sharp pain in my head and everything went black.
Okay, that was a great summary of the last few chapters... So... There are two possibilities: one, Nara, that damn goddess, suddenly murdered me out of sheer frustration at seeing me happy in this world, which I guess doesn't fit with the "Supreme Punishment" she imposed on me. Or two, I was kidnapped...
Judging by the appearance of this gloomy room I'm in, I'm leaning towards option two. My eyes adjust to the darkness in a second, and I get a good look around this whole space... Wow, I still haven't gotten used to seeing so well in the dark... Anyway, with a small broken window high up on a wall at the back of the room, where the tiny ray of light is coming from, this looks like some kind of stable, with some hay or straw scattered all over the floor, which is made of rotten wood, filthy as hell, and to top it all off, there's a single dark wooden door that looks like it might fall off at any moment.
Gently getting up, I realize I was asleep on the floor, and I have a bit of that snot stuck to my cheek. My hair is a mess, and the dress I was wearing is ruined, dirty, and torn. Mother and Midori-san would definitely have a fit if they saw me like this. Something like this happened once when I was playing with Counterpart-chan in the garden, and we both got pretty dirty. They scolded us and punished us severely.
Exploring the room in detail, I see the source of the whimpering that woke me. In a kind of circus cage, huddled in a corner, is a completely naked girl, hugging her legs and crying intensely. She has platinum blonde hair—I think that's what it's called—a little longer than mine, and she's very thin, too thin to be healthy. Her skin is pale, and she looks ill, but what catches my attention most are her ears. They protrude from her dirty blonde hair, long and pointed.
Holy shit!! An elf!!! Or a female elf? Whatever!! I never thought I'd find one of these in DxD!! I want to take pictures and ask her so many, so many questions, but I don't have a phone and I don't think this is the time to be asking questions. I think if I were a lolicon, this girl would be intensely harassed and possibly raped, but I don't really like lolis... Except for busty lolis, then it's okay.
Okay, back to reality, I have to leave the Elf girl—since I like to call her that instead of "elf"—I have to take care of what's currently bothering me... Most likely, this is a kidnapping... Given the conditions she and I are in, I'd say it's probably a slave sale, not a very refined one, if I may add.
If you think about it, I'm the ideal target for this business: daughter of a semi-extinct demonic house and, I imagine, repudiated by most of the Underworld. My kidnapping wouldn't attract too much attention, and if it did, it would simply be ignored, with people wishing me the worst. Besides, modesty aside, I'm very beautiful and intelligent, which makes me even more appealing to unscrupulous people and lolicons.
Although, I must say, it takes balls the size of a country to kidnap the daughter of the Sekiryuutei of Tomorrow, the strongest Gremory Matriarch in 1000 years, and Black Bolt, assuming my esteemed parents are as intimidating and powerful as their names make them sound.
I suppose this organization had a good plan... And a very good team to go unnoticed by my parents and all the butlers and maids, assuming there was no one else involved... Then there's the possibility of collaboration from one or more members of the household staff... But what surprises me most is that they hid in the garden in plain sight of where my parents were... And since we're on the subject of power... Will Midori-san also have a nickname as striking as my parents' and incredible strength to back it up? Because, as I said in the previous chapter, you don't leave your daughter with just anyone...
Well, for now it's best to escape from here and see what happens next. I suppose my parents are already looking for me, logically deducing that more than a day or two has passed since I was kidnapped... I suppose they must have already searched inside the mansion first, and that must have taken at least a day... How much time has passed? I also need to figure out where I am; hopefully it's the Underworld, that would save me a lot of trouble. Although my luck always sucks when I'm in trouble.
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I sighed after spending a good while thinking up a halfway decent, albeit rather risky, plan—if I'm being meticulous. It's seriously a dangerous gamble for my health, which is making me a little, very, nervous. However, I can't hesitate now; I have to go back to them, my parents. They're the only ones I can be with... even though one of them isn't exactly fond of me. Anyway, it's time to act... I hope Dio—I mean, Lucifer—helps me.
Rehearsing a move with my Destruction many times, I take all the air I can with my small lungs, along with all the determination I have, and shout as loud as I can "MOMMY!!!" starting a tantrum much bigger and louder than the cry of the Elf girl, to the point where it was her turn to look at me with bewilderment, giving me that look that pities me for what was about to happen.
Hearing furious footsteps behind the door, it is abruptly opened by a man, and immediately he and another man enter the room. I assume they are our guards. These two are large and somewhat muscular, with scars on their faces, dressed in thick gray coats, carrying what appear to be hunting rifles, one in their hands and the one who opened the door slung over his shoulder. The one with the rifle also wore a kind of cap on his head, which confirmed the validity of my plan.
I could sigh with relief that I nailed the plan, but that would ruin all the willpower I managed to muster, so, let's carry on with the show.
• "What the fuck, brat?!!! Shut your bitch mouth!!" - The man with the rifle on his back shouts as he approaches me with the intention of kicking me.
The other one was pointing at the elf girl, I suppose in case she did something unnecessary. But before that man could get close enough to touch me, I quickly calmed my screams and looked at him with teary eyes, my tenderness intensifying exponentially. The man just stopped, making a face I can't quite describe, but it was clear I'd caught his attention and stopped his thoughts.
"Onii-chan... Ria-tan's little thing is wet." Saying this in a broken voice, as childishly as I could, I sat with my legs open, lifting my skirt and making a gesture as if to take off my panties. "Mommy, I used to clean myself all the time, but now Ria-tan's little thing is wet and I don't like it, Onii-chan... Can you clean Ria-tan's little thing?" Lightly touching my special place, I looked at the man with even more teary eyes...
Suddenly, I see the other man abandon his threatening stance and walk slowly toward us, stopping to one side of the man in front of me. I simply ask him the same question, albeit more succinctly, and continue noisily tapping my special spot... My utter astonishment at these events makes my willpower waver, but just as I'm about to stop tapping my special spot, I see something that relieves me of the plan's continuity.
It seems I achieved what I set out to do, noticing a large tent protruding from each of their trousers. Just as they were about to lunge at me, I gestured with my other hand, and from the corners of the room came a small roar accompanied by a reddish glow. A beam of Destruction was quickly fired at the heads of the two, but instead of passing through, it entered and caused a small implosion inside their heads, and the men fell to the ground, motionless... Sighing with relief at the outcome, I collapsed to the floor.
Wow, that's the first time in three years I've heard my power make that sound. I guess it only plays when I'm about to attack... If I remember correctly, it's very similar to the sound Rias made when she used her Destruction in the anime, only mine is thinner and softer. The next step, which I don't have much time for, is to leave them at the door looking like they're asleep and drunk before someone comes to see what happened to these two idiots.
The plan was simple: attract the attention of the two guards and kill them with my power. Although right now I feel a little dirty... I have to apologize to myself and my parents for abusing my body like that... But one small consolation is that the only ones who saw my "little thing," besides my parents, are dead.
It was a lucky roll of the dice to make the far-fetched assumption that these two idiots were horny perverts. Judging by the stable-like room we're in, this place must be the weakest link in the organization that kidnapped me, or even a run-down branch of it, lacking in resources.
And generally, in these cases, they use any old bandits motivated either by money or by some strange perversion, and they usually take any opportunity to, well, have sex... That's more or less how I came to this assumption.
Thank goodness the dead God of the Bible was the second option that motivated those idiots... What made me breathe a sigh of relief, giving the plan extra points for success, was one of their hats. It's basically a childish design, pink, dirty, and covered in dark stains of God knows what kind. It's probably being used as some kind of "trophy" by that man to show off when he remembers some little girl, because it's ridiculously obvious that a regular man wouldn't have that kind of thing in these circumstances.
Another thing I could mention was the difficult task of making a Destruction sphere rapidly transform into a thin beam up to a specific point, and then reform into a sphere only to dissipate again... The speed of execution was also a headache; I had never attempted such a precise sequence of movements at that speed before...
Getting a little closer to them, I see that I couldn't keep everything under control since I miscalculated one of the spheres... The guy with the rifle on his back has a hole in his skull as big as a baseball, revealing some pretty nasty things... Ugh... I don't think my stomach likes this... On the verge of vomiting, I turn away, trying to calm myself down... I guess I need a lot more practice with calculating the mass of an energy sphere...
Of course, I didn't see that with Midori-san, it was on my own and totally empirical.
However, after barely managing to hold back my vomiting, something else is really causing me too much... impression, so to speak... aside from the blood, i-it's that I killed two men... Oh... I feel like my h-heart is being squeezed by some kind of t-hand...
I-I know I did it for my survival and that those damn pair were just two sick pedophiles who fell into my trap too quickly... But still... It-It feels strange doing it yourself, a strange pressure in my chest and now in my stomach is intensifying... I don't feel like throwing up anymore but it does feel weird, it feels so-so bad somehow...
Analyzing it logically, I can say that I feel this way because I was raised with Catholic beliefs, which emphasized the importance of life and how wrong killing is. I even developed a belief in my past life that I had no power over someone else's life when I don't even know their background or what they've done or are going to do. I have no right to judge them, just as they had no right to judge me, unless I had done something extreme.
However, in this world, that childish, idealistic thinking has no place... If I truly want to survive all this shit, I'll have to take every life that stands in my way...
Shaking my head, all I can tell myself is that I'll have to live with it if I ever want to see Mother, Kushimi, Midori, and Father again... It's for them that I'm doing this... I have to be able to convince myself, because otherwise, I won't be able to kill again, and you can be sure that's what I'll have to do if I want to move forward...
FUCKING SHIT!!! GET OVER IT, YOU FUCKING FAGGOT!! YOU ALWAYS STICK WITH YOUR NONSENSE!! YOU HAD TO TURN INTO A LITTLE GIRL TO PUT ON BIG BOY'S PANTS!! Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm me down and think of other things to distract me.
Wait a minute... Of course... What an idiot... I can disguise this guilt... Lighten this nonsense called Catholic common sense, if I have to name it... These deaths I caused, it's not because of me, it's all to save the little elf girl... Of course... The poor malnourished elf must be helped... Besides, I need an extra pair of hands to carry the bodies to the door. After all, I'm still only three years old, I have practically no physical strength, I just have my fair share of mana.
Okay, let's get to it. Going back to the novel, it's supposed to be that when Demons establish verbal communication with a certain person, they hear our words in their native language, and we Demons hear the person in our own language... Crap, now that I think about it, I've always been really shy around new people, UGH!! That doesn't matter now, Rias Gremory!! You'll have to dig even deeper into those ovaries that the Goddess of Shit gave you!!
• Excuse me, I know this question is really silly but... Are you okay? - Still not used to my voice, I say this to the little elf girl, lightly touching her shoulder.
She jumps up immediately, moving quickly to the other side of the cage, doing her best to get away from me and scaring me in the process, which makes me fall back and move a little away from the cage.
• "D-D-Do you speak Elvish?!!!" - With a trembling and fearful voice, the blonde screams that while covering her face with her hair and giving small, totally terrified glances.
• I have a special power that allows people to understand me and for me to understand them, so that must be why you hear me speaking Elvish. - I say this while showing my hands, and moving a little closer to the cage so that perhaps it can see me better.
Okay... That was... an okay. I didn't seriously think her language would be called "Elven," I briefly assumed it would be called something else... After all, it's the easiest and dumbest option to name your elven language... Although... Simplicity is always better... Why complicate things with a name for the language you speak?... There's also the possibility that my skill and my brain interpret it as "Elven," but she said a different name because that's just how I know it...
I'm just getting myself all mixed up... This is too confusing. For now, I'm going to assume that what I know about Elves is true.
"Understand?" Her voice trembling, the elf girl looked at me through her tresses and fingers. What beautiful blue eyes; I think they're deeper than mine. "B-But the only ones who have that ability are..." This time, her body beginning to tremble intensely, the blonde pointed at me and made a completely terrified gesture. "D-D-DAMN IT!!!" Screaming this last part, she seemed to try to back away further in the cage, but she couldn't.
Well, from the beginning I didn't intend to hide that I was one. It would be problematic if, at a later point, she no longer trusted me and abandoned me to my fate if we continue together while this plot unfolds, so it's better to know from the start who I can count on. I'll have to sweet-talk her...
"It's true, I'm a demon, but I'm not going to hurt you." Bringing my face a little closer to the light, which conveniently sits in front of the cage, my face lights up. "Think about it for a moment. I'm here too, as someone they brought here. They kidnapped me from my home, from my family." Speaking the absolute truth, I say this in a soft tone, my hands still in the air.
Reacting to my words, I see the Elf girl make a somewhat confused face and think for a few seconds, then shake her head as if she were trying to get something out.
"T-That's a lie! Baiasu-sensei said that Demons are big liars and that they are very bad!" - Shrinking back, the blonde shouts this at me and just looks at me with fear.
Damn Baiasu-sensei, you're making things so difficult for me! I hate you!
"Perhaps it's true that some Demons are like that, but I swear I'm not." My tone softened, I moved even closer, until the cage bars were literally just inches from my nose. "Besides, I think those men who brought you here were far worse than you made them out to be, and they were only human." With these words, the Elf girl seemed to remember something and began to shed tears...
She must have gone through a lot of terrible things because of those men. From the look she gave me at the beginning of the plan, she knew what was going to happen to me, which only means she experienced it firsthand.
• Do you know that demons can harm us if we pray to them or swear by the name of the God of the Bible? - Looking her directly in the eyes, I say this in a serious but still gentle tone.
Responding to my words with a slight nod, the blonde looks at me somewhat doubtfully.
Thank you for teaching him that, Baiasu-sensei! I love you!
Now that I've reminded her of something painful, this girl seems to be in a pretty unstable state, both physically and emotionally. Because of this, she just needs a little push to place all or some of her trust in me, the only person who's friendly to her... I know I'm coming across as a damn opportunist planning all this, but I really need to ease this pressure in my heart, and this girl is going to be the one to save what little sanity I have left... Because I feel like if things continue like this, I'm just one push away from madness.
• Then, I swear in the name of our Lord God that I will never harm you. - As soon as I finished this sentence, a sharp pain shot through my head.
Clutching my head with both hands, I fall to the ground... The fucking pain is unbearable... I even think I felt like I was unconscious for a second. I suppose it was because I said it with true devotion, thanks to the fact that I was, or am, a regular, but quite committed, Catholic. Besides, as I said before, I'm only a 3-year-old girl, so despite all the knowledge I might have, my stamina is almost nonexistent, which means my head still hurts like hell, even though the pain has stopped.
Even on the ground, I can hear the Elf girl moving quickly and anxiously asking if I'm okay.
Hey, I thought you hated Demons... Ouch... Lucky it only lasted a second, otherwise I would have died, I really would have. I guess he was so worried about me because I'm the only one who's shown him any kindness in the shitty situation he's been in.
Hmm... Now that I think about it, I hope all these deductions aren't wrong because otherwise it would be too embarrassing... It's also possible that she's deceiving me with the appearance of an innocent and helpless girl... I'll have to trust my instincts!
Slowly getting up, I see her looking at me with concern... Wow, she has a beautiful face... Everyone around me looks like a Victoria's Secret model, except for Counterpart-chan, he's just as ugly as I used to be and that comforts my ex-ugly heart.
• I hope that makes you believe me, although if you want, I can swear it by whatever god or gods you believe in. - I said this with a slight smile, still with my hands on my head.
She still looked slightly worried about me; however, after hearing my words, she made a nervous expression, opening and closing her mouth as if she wanted to say something.
• The-The-The High Elves... - Whispering these words, slightly blushing, the blonde says this while looking to the side.
Okay... Looks like this girl wants me to switch to the Loli side... How on earth do you expect me not to want to cuddle you with that expression? Besides, what's with the "High Elves" thing? Is everything I know really going to come true? This girl is way too innocent and convenient.
• Of course, I can do it. I solemnly swear, in the name of the revered High Elves, that I will never harm you... Did I do it correctly? - Placing my left hand on my heart and raising my right hand as in a judicial oath, I say this with my gaze serious on her, these last words spoken with the same seriousness, only somewhat softer.
I hope it happens that way... I really meant it in the most respectful and sincere way I could, after all, it seems that those High Elves matter to him quite a bit.
Reacting after a few seconds of staring at me, the Elf girl gave the biggest smile I've ever seen, nodding several times with that same smile and now with her eyes full of life.
It seems what I thought about her being just an emotional nudge away from trusting me was true... Or she's a really good actress. I just smile at her and offer a handshake, reaching my hand through the bars. I hope she knows the expression, or I'll look like a fool.
Looking at my hand in confusion for a few seconds, she remembers something and shyly gives me her hand. "Thank you for teaching her that, Baiasu-sensei... Assuming it was you."
"Okay, so... can I know your name?" she asked immediately after our handshake ended. My mind went blank for a moment, and the blonde seemed to think about it for a bit... "Don't mess with me... Don't you know your own name?" Maybe it got a little confusing after being called a "bitch" or a "whore" or whatever other insult those idiots had hurled at her. "What's wrong?" I tilted my head slightly, almost automatically, and asked this, making me jump a little in my seat, playing with my hair.
• I-It's just that, all this time they've been making fun of him... They say it's very long... - With these words, the little elf girl gives me small glances and is still playing with her hair.
Note to myself, that's a tic she has when she's nervous and/or anxious.
• I'll tell you mine first, but promise me you won't be scared. - I say this while raising a finger to emphasize my point...
The blonde girl just giggles a little when she sees me and whispers, "I'll try," while covering her face with her hair. I guess it's funny when a girl tries to look older, and this young girl is making me seriously reconsider being a lolicon...
I suppose that if his Baiasu-sensei taught him the basics about Demons, he also told him about some important events that marked them, such as the two wars and their protagonists...
• Rias Gremory. - As soon as my words reached her, I saw the blonde's face pale... I knew it... - But I'm not that Rias Gremory, I'm a descendant. My parents are trying to restore our family's good name, and they gave me the name because they wanted to show that anyone in our family is good, regardless of their name. Besides, from what I've seen in portraits, my face resembles hers. - After finishing my long explanation, I saw Elfa-chan now have small tears in the corners of her eyes, covering her mouth with her hands and whispering, "How noble"...
Did she really understand all of that? I know I spoke much more simply than usual, but the idea itself is quite complex for a child to grasp... I thought she was naive because of all this talk of innocence, but it seems she does have a good brain... That explains why an elf girl was educated by someone from outside the village with general knowledge, because Baiasu doesn't sound remotely like an elf name; it sounds more Japanese...
It had to be the Japanese... Always getting into supernatural trouble... Although there are also the Koreans and the Chinese... Mmm... Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?
"So, what's your name?" I chuckled a little and looked at Elfa-chan. She shook her head slightly and hid her face with her hair. After that, she started shaking her head from side to side, having a heated debate with herself... Or at least that's what it seemed like to me.
• Forsner Tjetevert Imot... - In an even softer whisper, Elfa-chan says her name while watching my reaction.
See? That DOES sound like an elf name. Complicated, very strange, and makes no sense to me... Although... What the heck am I supposed to call her? I can't remember the name anymore... I got distracted thinking that what she said was a real elf name, unlike "Baiasu."
• Umm... Can you repeat that? - With the kindest smile I have, I say this and see how the blonde immediately curls up into a ball and whimpers softly, but cutely.
Damn, now I'm torn between interrupting this adorable moment or comforting her. It's so tempting to keep watching this cute thing, but her feelings... Ahh! Damn it! Damn morality!
• W-Wait, yes? I-I-I'm sorry, really, I'm so sorry, but you have to understand that I'm not used to hearing elf names. Please, understand your silly, silly friend. - Ending my apology/excuse with something much more personal, I emphasized the word "friend" in my tone, hoping for a positive effect on the blonde.
Having achieved the desired effect, my last word catches Elfa-chan's attention, who sits back down and has, once again, that mental debate from moments ago, only it seems a little stronger.
• FF-Forsner T-Tjetevert II-Imot! - Completely blushing, the blonde says this in a loud tone.
I guess she thinks she's yelling, but it really sounds like she's talking out loud... She's seriously in terrible physical shape.
"Thank you very much." I quickly went to her side and, since she was in a corner, I stroked her head through the bars, acknowledging her good work. At first, she recoiled a little, but quickly got used to my hand. "Your surnames are Tjetevert and Imot, am I correct?" To make sure, I looked closely at the blonde, who nodded somewhat shyly, perhaps because of my gaze.
I suppose that, for the moment, a certain respect will have to be maintained, but a certain confidence in how I'm going to refer to her... Well, I'll make use of the Japanese customs that Father tried to instill in me a couple of times and that I already knew from anime.
• So, can I call you Imot-chan? - Deciding on the last surname of the, now Imot-chan, and the suffix "-chan" to show a certain level of "friendship", I await the reaction of the person involved.
After a moment of silence, a wide smile spread across her face, lighting up automatically, accompanied by tears, and she nodded vigorously several times. Well, it seems she likes me... I have to say, I'm really lucky with this girl because she's just like my parents, so transparent...
• Okay, Imot-chan, if you want, you can call me Rias. - Saying this, I wait for Imot-chan's reaction, who nods and whispers happily "Rias-chan...", while laughing a little.
This behavior brings a small smile to my face... This girl is so sweet, it's exactly what I always hoped for from an innocent loli...
Okay, now we have to get her out of there... But no matter how much I look, I don't see a lock on the sides of this cage... Maybe it opens from the top? The problem is I can't reach up there, I'm a little under a meter tall... There's also the possibility that this thing opens by magic... Which is a real pain in the ass, I mean, ovaries.
As I think about how to climb into the cage to check, I still have this feeling that I'm forgetting something... Oh well, if I don't remember, it's nothing. Continuing my search for a lock to destroy and get Imot-chan out of there, I notice that she sees me and moves her mouth as if she wants to say something.
"What's wrong, Imot-chan? Do you want to know what I'm doing...?" I unconsciously tilted my head again, this time on the side of the cage facing her. The blonde girl answered my question by shaking her head.
"Y-You're looking for the lock, aren't you?" Imot-chan said softly, looking at me with interest. For a moment, I forgot not to underestimate her. "B-But don't look any further, it only opens with a magic circle." "Damn it, it opens with magic..." "A-Also, I want to ask you something..." In an even softer tone, the blonde said this with an even more timid expression than when she spoke to me.
I just ask her what, an answer that triggers another little internal debate. It must be difficult to argue with you when you're about to make a decision, but it doesn't bother me; in fact, I even understand her... Unsure if you're going to upset the other person, you should think about what you want to say so you don't make them hate you. Not that I'd ever thought this, not at all...
• W-W-How old is Rias-chan? - Covering her face with her bright blonde hair, looking flushed, Imot-chan says this and gives me little glances while covering herself.
• A few days ago, I think, I turned 3. Why? - Saying this casually, she tried to jump to see the top of the cage. When she landed from her second jump, I saw how surprised she looked...
Ah... Yes, that's right... Three-year-olds aren't supposed to do this kind of thing... I think I'm picking up my parents' lack of common sense...
"Rias-chan, are you a high scholar?" - In the same way she asked my age, Imot-chan says this while I continue tilting my head...
"I don't consider myself a scholar at all... I was just lucky with my parents, who educated me quite early." I say this with a small smile as I trip over something...
Hmm? Was there something here? Seeing what almost made me fall, I curse myself...
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded in the hallway, and three men rushed into the room, dressed almost exactly like the two guards before and carrying the same rifles. They were stunned by the scene before them. I suppose they had tried to contact these idiots, and when they didn't get a response, they came to investigate. Seeing the door open, unguarded, and with no one around, they hurried to see what was going on.
This time I have no time to hesitate, moving slightly before they aim at me, I make a weapon shape with each of my hands, and, from the tips of my index fingers, two beams of Destruction shoot out quickly with a roar.
Having blown away a large part of one's chest and the other's neck, the two fall to the ground, writhing and bleeding profusely. Now only one remains... Shit, I thought I'd have better aim; I was supposed to be aiming for each of their heads. Trying not to be an easy target, I tried to move around the room, since, seeing the third man, who was closer to the door, he was starting to recover from the shock of seeing his colleagues mortally wounded, and he was pointing his hunting rifle at me.
Growing nervous as I watched him move, my hands trembled slightly, preventing me from aiming quickly and accurately at the remaining subject's head. Taking advantage of my hesitation, he fired first at my head, since I had to stop and form a gun shape with both hands to aim. Damn it... I didn't last long in this world... I'm sorry, Mother, Midori-san, and Counterpart-chan, but I'm not leaving feeling bad. I did my best...
Facing this fate, taking a deep breath, I stare at the rifle, noticing that bullet coming towards my head... However, suddenly, I feel my vision being moved to the side without warning, causing me to slightly lose my balance and fall sitting down where I am.
Staring intently at the man, he looks back into my eyes and, feeling a warmth/pain in my right ear, I touch it with my right hand... Looking back at it, I see a little blood on my hand... Looking back at the man, I notice he's looking at me, somewhat frightened...
Just as he begins to reload his rifle, I instinctively fire a massive sphere of Destruction at full force. This sphere swiftly pierces the man through the left side of his chest, causing his arm on that side to fall off, followed by the man writhing and bleeding profusely.
What the hell...? I-I... I-I...? How the fuck did I dodge a bullet...? Feeling my breath catch in my throat, I tried to calm myself with all the willpower I had left... Okay... We didn't die... Taking deep, slow, forced breaths, I tried to make sense of what I did. Let's see... Calm-Calm down and think...
In theory, I'm a descendant of the original Rias Gremory and Issei Hyoudou, which already gives me Supreme-class Demon genes, even Dragon genes, if those weren't lost through lineage. Furthermore, my parents, presumably strong because of their nicknames, are also prominent Demons. Also, I don't know if Counterpart-chan is a Human or Dragon Hybrid Demon, which would make her the Sekiryuutei of this story...
In theory, I have superhuman reflexes, even demonic ones... But... to the point of dodging bullets...? Wait... Of course. It's logical, the answer is simple: adrenaline. When I felt I was about to die, this privileged brain sent a rush of adrenaline throughout my body, including my reflexes, and boom, dodged...
Let's stick with that explanation for now; we'll think about it later while we cry from the shock of almost dying again. It's still showtime.
Still agitated, I create a couple of Destruction spheres, passing them over the bodies scattered everywhere, eliminating every trace left of those subjects' remains... I had to do it, they left me no choice... That's the truth... Shit... Now I really want to throw up... Unraveling due to my lack of concentration, I open a hole in the ground with another crimson sphere, and vomit as much as I can into it... After a while, still somewhat dizzy from everything I'd experienced and from the smell, I hear Elfa-chan calling me.
• A-Are you alright, Imot-chan? - Staggering, I go towards the bars where she is and fall in front of her, my legs have lost their strength...
I... I killed three other men... Now there are five... Th-This isn't... This isn't... This isn't good... M-Maybe I could have convinced them to leave... I-I could have found another way... Feeling my whole body tremble, tears stream down my face against my will... I didn't do the right thing, I feel terrible...
Suddenly I feel a slender hand caress my head and another pull my face closer to the bars. Still trembling, I just let myself be taken; I have no strength to resist... My God... What have I done...? Why did I do it...?
"Thank you for saving me, Rias-chan." I hear these words whispered in my ear... It's true... I had no choice... I... I risked my life and hers over these men to survive and save her. "You did a good job." With a gentle kiss on my cheek, Imot-chan says this, and even more tears begin to stream down my cheeks.
I don't know why I'm crying like this, but... Somehow, I feel that this gesture relieves the recent and heavy burden that is now in my head: Murder.
After calming my emotions for a while longer, I disintegrated some of the cage bars and helped Imot-chan out. The blonde is a little taller than me, but she has trouble walking, her legs being weak.
While I instructed her to practice her walk, I tried to piece together some clothing for my dear, and naked, new companion. I used scraps of coats left over from the half-destroyed bodies. "A true Gremory Lady knows how to sew, in case her dress or those of her companions get ruined," Kushimi-Okassan said, teaching me a little sewing.
I hope I can make something decent with that and what I know about dresses, although sewing with straw knots is difficult. Luckily, I also managed to get the pink hat that the first pervert had; that'll be mine, since my hair is sure to make me stand out, so it'll take care of the problem for now.
After about half an hour, I think, of pure improvisation, I handed the finished product to Imot-chan. She asked where I'd gotten it, even though I'd made it right in front of her. I just tossed it to her and told her to quickly put on the "Winter Dress," as I'd dubbed it on the spot. A little confused by them, she pointed at it from head to toe and, realizing too late, understood it was to protect her naked body. I think it's a bit late to act shy, but whatever.
Seeing her already wearing the Winter Dress, he contemplated it for a few seconds... Emergency and all, but it fits me very well for a hurry, modesty aside.
A few seconds after Imot-chan complimented me, two more men arrived. They hesitated for a moment when they saw us, but upon seeing all the blood on the ground, they tried to point their weapons at us. What they hadn't counted on was that I already had two crimson spheres in my hands.
Launching them quickly towards their heads, they caused a mini-explosion at their targets, leaving two riders headless and a shower of blood. Reacting as fast as I could, I made a flat crimson circle over us, to avoid getting any more bloodstained.
Putting aside the slight shock this still gives me, I'm starting to feel offended by how easily these idiots are falling for it. Seriously, they were the ones who kidnapped us? It can't be possible that human beings—because it's obvious they're human—who can barely hold a weapon, were the ones who breached the Gremory defenses...
Although... now that I think about it... didn't Mao Lucifer go over to the Bael side? That would tarnish my family's honor by dishonoring their "Prodigal Son." I say this because Destruction originally belonged to the Bael, and Sirzechs is the one who masters it best, according to Midori-san in one of her classes...
It could be, or it could also be one of the very convincing movies I can think of... That would be very dramatic, and they'd be easily discovered. I mean, I was able to figure it out with ridiculous ease... Although, there's also the matter that the Gremorys have almost no political power these days... What little they have has been achieved thanks to small contributions from ancestors and Mother and her servants, as Midori-san said in one of her other classes.
Well, following that line of thought, the theory about my kidnapping is this: The Bael, in an attempt to eliminate me, another possessor of the Gremory Destruction, kidnapped me with their best equipment and simply sold me to some random human organization that traffics in supernatural beings...
I can't imagine that some shady organization with even a modicum of recognition in the "underworld," so to speak, would agree to take me, hence the pathetic, random organization... But I don't think it was that easy... the Baels must have given them another incentive... And that was Imot-chan. It makes the most sense... According to what I heard Father say once while talking to Kushimi-Okassan, the security of the Gremory House was only slightly weaker than that of the Elves themselves, so it would make sense if they had also infiltrated it.
Imot-chan was brought here before me, I think, for the sake of validating the deal. So, following that logic, it's indirectly my fault that Imot-chan is suffering here. Well, that gives me even more reason to send her back to her village... Although, maybe I'm overthinking this to justify my murders, using the excuse of saving the blonde girl... Hmmm... Well, let's leave my future self to worry about that. Good luck, me, hahaha.
Returning to our current predicament, I can assume that, judging by this room, the place we're in isn't very large, and therefore there won't be much security. It might be possible to eliminate them all since they don't pose a challenge to my Destruction, but the problem is their resistance... Besides, there's no point in risking a head-on fight. Let's leave that to the optimistic, airheaded protagonists.
Making a hole in the wall from the broken window, I see that there is a completely white forest... Well, there is something good about this, I have never seen snow before, so this is mildly exciting.
Okay, putting that aside, I think of a possible course of action and tell Imot-chan, hoping for her approval or some kind of change. Saying it's better than nothing, and somewhat uncertain, the blonde decides to accept my attempt at a plan. Without thinking much, I improvise, telling her: We'll circle the place and when we find a path, we'll follow it. It will most likely lead to the nearest town, and there we can get some help.
After a brief mental preparation to make the so-called plan, we started slowly circling the place, me in front and Imot-chan behind me, watching to see if anyone was coming.
It's difficult to walk through the snow; now I really miss my old body. Keeping an eye on my travel companion, worried about her well-being, I realize we're now at the corner of the side of the house, almost at the front. Thinking this would be easy, I peek around the corner and see five men talking nonsense while sitting in the snow...
It's obvious these idiots didn't kidnap me. Concentrating as much as I can, I manage to form a crimson sphere almost the size of Imot-chan, then I send it to the back of the house, keeping it there. Waiting a few seconds, hidden under the snow, I destabilize the sphere and it explodes, swallowing a good portion of the back of the damned house.
From our hiding place, I can see those men panic and run ahead of us, heading straight for the back. It was a good idea to camouflage ourselves in the snow, but now we're soaked and freezing... The cold will get to us... I hope there's a village nearby.
Starting to run, holding Imot-chan's hand, after losing sight of those idiots, we follow a path marked by footprints and mud. I try to give it my all, and I'm already starting to run out of breath; my arms and legs ache like hell. It's probably because I made that sphere, using up a large part of my MP, plus I've never run with this body before. Imot-chan is doing the same; we're both breathing heavily. I think we're holding up pretty well.
Offering words of hope to my newest friend, with broken voices, we kept running. Okay, our escape was easy enough; the hard part will be reaching some place, town, or whatever. Now I see why they call snowy forests "White Hells." Or was that what they called Antarctica? I have no idea, but my vision is already blurring, and I can't see anything.
Constantly turning around, Imot-chan and I kept watch to make sure none of those idiots were following us. When they realize the explosion was a distraction, they'll follow. I say this because if they lived there, then they must be able to survive in this environment, so they'll be able to find us easily by the traces we left behind... And when they discover that we killed, or rather, that I killed, many of their own, I don't think they'll be kind enough to leave the merchandise untouched, if you know what I mean.
Suddenly, I bumped into something and fell backward, causing Imot-chan to fall as well, her body cushioning my fall. Looking up, I saw a large man in a thick coat, wielding an axe, standing before us. For a moment, all thought ceased, and my blood ran even colder. What brought me back to reality was Imot-chan's tight hug from behind, realizing we'd collided a few seconds after I had...
Okay, now it's time to play my best card again... Improvising.
• E-E-Excuse me, sir, but my little sister and I were running when my mommy told us to run, and we're already tired... A big, furry thing appeared, and my mommy said she would dis-distract-distract it... - Saying this in the childish tone of a pervert's trap, I make tears start to flow from my eyes...
I'm really crying, I don't know what we're going to do if this doesn't work...
"Oh my God... Calm down, sweetheart. Your mommy will be back for you and your sister soon." The man kneels in front of me and strokes my head, putting his axe aside and gently wiping away my tears.
With my vision a little blurry, I can see that he has a thick gray beard, and it's clear from his face that he understood my suggestion that our "mommy" saved us from a bear. Luckily, I was convincing enough.
"How about you come with me and I'll give you some hot cocoa? That way you can rest a bit before your mommy gets here." Trying to distract us, the man spoke in a friendly tone...
Judging by his voice, tone, and what little I saw of him, I'd say he's getting on in years, maybe around 60... Nodding firmly, I try to get up, but Imot-chan still maintains her firm grip.
Looking at his face, it's clear he doesn't trust the man. I can't fully trust him either, but at least his words seem honest and genuinely willing to help us. Besides, he's our best option before those idiots find us.
Stroking her hand with mine, I gently loosen the bear hug she's giving me, and looking into her eyes, she understands what I mean: "Trust me." Slowly rising, I take the man's hand, which he offers me. Imot-chan quickly gets up and grabs my free arm, walking in a way I can't quite grasp since she's taller than me.
I really hope we can trust this man... I have a good feeling about him. He seems like one of those kind old men you meet who help you out somehow. Walking as best I can, my vision still blurry, all I can think about are the faces of the men I killed.
I know they were bad and all, but this heavy feeling of unease won't go away... I feel like those seven men are going to haunt me until I figure out how to deal with this. I hope that when I get back to my family, Father will teach me how to deal with this shit; he must have gone through the same thing.
Those damn kidnappers had to ruin my already strange and messed-up childhood, which was bad enough on its own... I just hope that if that bitch did this, she enjoys it as much as I'm going to enjoy getting out of this shithole, because I assure you I'll try... Although it could also be that I'm just being paranoid and she's not involved... Well, you never know with her, right?
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Changing the winter landscape where a certain redhead has just fainted from exhaustion, in a certain mansion in the Underworld, where just a day ago one could say that said mansion was full of life and color, a loud and lamentable cry can be heard in the distance, which echoes throughout the mansion.
The servants belonging to the woman who is crying feel sorry for her, feeling a pang of guilt and pain with each cry of sadness that their mistress utters... All because of the absence of that little girl who, despite her almost nonexistent interactions with them, had a small place in everyone's heart, thanks to all the happiness she brought to the mansion itself, happiness snatched away from everyone, especially from that mother who now cries inconsolably in the room that belonged to this girl.
Placing her face where her beloved missing daughter slept, Rida Gremory sheds tears without stopping, lamenting and imagining, running through possibilities in her head, what would have happened if her daughter had not been alone in the garden.
Having last seen her for 5 days, 9 hours, 23 minutes, and a few seconds, the brunette continues counting the seconds. She acquired this strange and endearing habit the first time she had to leave her to attend to important matters for House Gremory...
Counting the time she hasn't seen her made her realize how much time she would have to make up for, to compensate for not having her precious child in her arms... But now she can't have her... These 5 days, she has searched a quarter of the total area controlled by the Demons in the Underworld and, so far, no trace of her.
However, it was so obvious that it was the work of the Bael that Rida searched their territories, discreetly at first, but still, nothing turned up. He could accuse them and bring them to trial, but it would be useless; he doesn't yet possess enough political influence and status in the Underworld to even confront the Bael.
Right now Rida Gremory is feeling something she never thought she could feel: frustration.
Entering the room where the brunette is, her husband and sisters walk slowly, with heavy steps. The brunette knows they haven't slept at all this time, just like her.
• Rida, come on, let's rest, we'll have a long day tomorrow. - In a soft tone, her husband, Ichirou Seiko, gently touches her back.
His voice sounds quite exhausted, being one of those who has been personally searching for his beloved daughter continuously.
"If only... If only I hadn't gone for that stupid camera..." Replaying the scene for the hundredth time, Rida sees her daughter giving a thumbs-up. "I... I would have stayed with her and none of this would be happening... My sweet Rias..." Shedding even more tears at the thought of her daughter in her arms, Rida curses herself repeatedly.
By day, she has a weak strength, searching with all her soul for her daughter, but at night, that slight resistance falls and she becomes as fragile as a simple mother who has lost the light of her life.
• Rida, don't blame yourself anymore. You didn't-
Trying to get his wife's attention, the dark-haired man attempts to touch his wife's cheek, but she quickly grabs him by the neck, giving him a look full of fury and despair.
"CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING?! IT WAS MY FAULT OUR DAUGHTER WAS KIDNAPPED!! I MADE HER LEFT ALONE!! ME!!! NO ONE BUT ME!!! WHY THE HELL AREN'T YOU HATING ME, ICHIROU?!!! BLAME ME FOR EVERYTHING!!! HATE ME!!!" Losing what little composure she had left, Rida shouted these words, directed at him, but also at herself, reproaching herself for her great sin, trying to vent all that was crushing her heart.
Falling into her beloved's chest with those last words, the brunette could only cry and cry even more.
Making the whole room fall into a deathly silence, only interrupted by the crying of the one who confesses her guilt, the only man present decides to speak in a tone so gloomy that it is simply atypical of him.
"It's not your fault, Rida. It's my fault." With his head bowed, Ichirou said this, causing his wives and girlfriend to look at him with great interest, wondering what he was about to say. "If only I hadn't forgotten Rias's gift... If only I hadn't been the same damn idiot I always am, I would have been with our daughter. So you all have someone to hate now... Don't hold back..." Heavy tears streamed down his face, and the strongest of those present collapsed, as did his wife.
Since this relationship was established, this man has been, and swore to be, the pillar of them all, but... His little daughter... She... His beautiful, special baby girl was simply kidnapped right under his nose, due to his carelessness... The instant Rias Gremory disappeared, the dark-haired man decided that the only one to blame was himself.
"Please, Ichirou-sama... It's not your fault." Touching the shoulder of the man she loves, Midori says this with a small, strange smile. "It's all my fault." This time, turning her gaze towards the person involved, those present are slightly disconcerted by the blonde's declaration, which comes with a smile.
"If only I had stayed with her, instead of going with you..." Tears streaming down her face, though she still managed to smile, Midori continued, her voice trembling. "I only wanted to make fun of you, and I forgot my duty to my new mistress. I forgot the vow I made to always be there for her when she said she loved me." Falling to her knees, the blonde girl's gaze was empty, her small smile now fixed on her.
At first, she thought the little girl was just a means to fulfill her frustrated dream of being a teacher, but as time passed, a love she never imagined grew for her, much greater than her later love for the little girl's father... So... If even one of her nails is broken, if anything happens to her... It will be entirely her fault.
Gently pulling her closer, Ichirou makes the blonde join his embrace. Midori can only sob inconsolably against his chest, while her mistress strokes her head, realizing she never thought the others felt guilty too, though it's obvious if you think about it... The only one missing is her...
"I'm the only one to blame." With an even more somber tone than Ichirou had used moments before, Kushimi collapsed to her knees, like a doll whose strings had been cut, her eyes devoid of life. "All for my baby..." Completely bewildered by the dark-haired woman's words, those present were stunned by this declaration.
• Just as I told you about my baby, my darling little girl froze, and her expression turned so... So sad... - Shedding even more tears than the redhead's mother, Kushimi's tone was cold and on the verge of breaking. - You could see on her face that she was afraid I didn't love her... But she quickly changed her expression when everyone's attention shifted to her... However, your mommy saw you, love... Your face was so sad, thinking that your mommy never loved you, that you were just a trial run for my biological baby.............. When I hugged you on your birthday, I tried to make it special for you, my darling... And you noticed... But you just thought you were wrong, didn't you, my love? That's why when Rida, Ichirou, and Midori left, you didn't come to me like you always did, didn't you, love? That's why I was going to tell you that my love was for you and my baby, but if I hadn't listened to Rida... You... You... And I... I... And now you... You're somewhere unknown, thinking that your mommy doesn't love you, that she only used you, feeling so sad and alone... But you're not alone... That and everything else... You can share it with me, my love. I don't want you, my whole life, to suffer as alone as I did... - With her head bowed, heavy tears streaming down her face, the dark-haired woman stops speaking, leaving the entire room completely silent... Suddenly, a completely desperate wail escapes the protagonist of this event, accompanied by broken words whispered in a whisper, rising into an incredibly pitiful scream.
• Because.... WHY?!! WHY DID MY BABY TAKE MY BABY AWAY FROM ME?!! - Completely breaking down, Kushimi hits her stomach hard but is quickly stopped by her family, while still whispering, "Mommy loves you, Ria-tan."
Having suffered the most from the Gremory Curse, Kushimi became a small, delicate balance, holding her family and closest friends in that fragile equilibrium, the little redhead herself a crucial piece. But when this piece was removed from the equation, her sanity crumbled with it. All these days, the dark-haired woman endured with all her might, supported by the second most significant weight on her balance, her husband. However, seeing her family crumble under the weight of guilt, she simply spoke the truth, the truth that gnawed at her from within.
Remembering that they are what keeps the dark-haired woman grounded, those present curse themselves for shutting themselves off from their feelings. Lamenting that the most fragile member of their family had to suffer and break down to remind them that each and every one of them supports each other, they make a vow in their hearts that this situation will never happen again. It is true that they temporarily lost the new driving force behind this family's life, but it is precisely because of that driving force that they must not fall apart.
Being the first to reach this conclusion, he, the one they call the great pillar of this union, takes the lead to take the first step to make this new reason for living a reality.
"I know all of this is very painful for everyone here." Rising slightly from the communal embrace that had sheltered them all, the dark-haired man assumed an upright and proud stance. "But we have to continue. With this little session, we got everything we wanted to say out loud. And if we want to assign blame, let's just share it. That way, when we find our daughter, we can apologize to her and tell her everything we want." Glancing at each of them, Ichirou broke the embrace, standing up and bringing with him an even slightly more fragile Kushimi, who gazed at him like a ship's captain at a lighthouse in the middle of a storm.
"Girls, let's find our daughter and give her such a big kissing and cuddling session that it'll last us a month." Stretching his arm out in front of them, the dark-haired boy offered his fist, making them all look at each other and giggle slightly.
• I assure you that won't be enough for me, Ichi-chan. - Standing firm, completely grateful to him and everyone for being her strength, the dark-haired girl resumes her usual attitude with these words; however, they notice that this is something stronger than what she usually shows.
Smiling somewhat confidently, but slightly frightened, Kushimi offers her fist next to that of her beloved.
"Don't be silly, Kushimi. I'm going to be the one... and that won't be enough for her, I'm going to have my Ria-tan for ten days straight." Smiling at this newfound strength in the people she also loves with all her heart, Rida returns to her strong and proud tone, offering her fist in the center, sticking her tongue out at the dark-haired woman, who just laughs at her mistress's immaturity.
"Please, everyone. Rias-chan will need a lot of lessons after this, besides, don't you think she'd rather be with the mother she loves most?" With a formal but very boastful attitude, Midori stands up and lightly dusts her maid outfit while also offering her fist in the center.
There, a mothers' argument begins about who a certain redhead prefers. With a smile, witnessing this peculiar squabble, the dark-haired man can only wish to find his daughter as soon as possible so she can see this and laugh along with him. He doesn't know why, but something inside him tells him that his daughter understands him better than anyone else, even better than his own wives.
Smiling contentedly at the sound of their mistresses' cheerful conversation, the maids and butlers began preparing tea, for surely they would be thirsty after that fight. Curiously, none of the servants were involved in this atrocity, for they possessed a deep-rooted loyalty to their current mistress and to the one who would be theirs in the future.