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….
I dug my keys out of my pocket, the metal clinking loudly in the quiet night air as I unlocked the front door to my house. I stepped inside, quietly toeing off my shoes, and let out a long, exhausted breath.
The house was dark, save for the soft, ambient glow of the streetlamp filtering through the living room blinds. I walked quietly into the room and stopped.
Sprawled out across my couch, completely dead to the world, were Isabella and Asia. Isa had one arm draped over her face, snoring softly, while Asia was curled up into a tight, defensive little ball on the opposite cushion, clutching a throw pillow to her chest.
Seeing them safe in my living room brought a memory from earlier tonight rushing back.
(Flashback)
I had just pulled Rias aside after receiving the insane System prompt about the Church. Asia had nowhere to go. She had been excommunicated, hunted, and traumatized. She needed a safe house, and my place was the only one off the grid. But with a four-hour time limit to wipe out a Fallen Angel base, I couldn't exactly escort her myself.
"Rias," I had said, keeping my voice low so the others wouldn't hear. "Can you do me a massive favor? Take Asia back to my house. Make sure she's looked after... while I go deal with a personal issue."
Rias's eyes had narrowed, her sharp intellect instantly putting the pieces together. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
"This 'personal issue' wouldn't happen to involve the Fallen Angels stationed at the church, would it?"
I just smiled faintly and gave her a single nod.
Rias looked horrified. "Shiro, are you insane? Do you know what kind of political nightmare this is? Taking on a Fallen Angel base is a direct act of war. If my peerage is seen anywhere near that church, it'll be viewed as a violent power grab by the Devil faction!"
She looked away, her fists clenching in frustration. "You knew saving Asia would cause a massive ripple effect... and you're still willing to look after her. You're willing to walk right into an enemy stronghold alone, even if it means certain death."
"Rias." I reached out, gently placing two fingers under her chin and lifting her gaze to meet mine. She blinked, startled by the contact.
"Asia has nowhere else to go," I said softly, but firmly. "Who's going to take her in if I don't? She doesn't deserve to be hunted down by Fallen Angels or psychotic exorcists like some kind of criminal. So please. I need you to do this for me."
The rigid tension in Rias's shoulders slowly melted away. A soft, incredibly genuine smile touched her lips.
"You have a very kind soul, Shiro," Rias murmured. She stepped back, nodding gracefully. "Fine. I will take Asia back to your house and keep her safe. But... I'm sorry. I can't help you with the church. My presence there would start a war."
"I know. That's why I'm going alone," I replied.
Rias let out a dry, helpless chuckle. "I don't think anyone in the Underworld is going to believe me when I tell them a human did all this. I wonder what they'll think when they finally see you for themselves."
A shadow of genuine worry crossed her face. I knew exactly what she was thinking. If I pulled this off, I was going to put a massive target on my back. Other High-Class Devils, or worse, would try to force me into their peerages.
I smiled, reaching out and giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze to break her out of her spiral.
"Don't worry," I said. "I shouldn't be long. An hour or two, tops. Besides, after the mess I'm about to make, I doubt anyone is going to want to pick a fight with me unless they have a death wish."
Rias finally laughed, the sound light and relieved. She walked over to the girls, quickly explaining the plan. Asia had hesitated, looking nervously between Rias and me, but Isa gently took the nun's hand and gave her a comforting smile, leading her away into the teleportation circle.
(Flashback End)
I chuckled quietly to myself, shaking my head as I looked at the two sleeping girls.
I raised my hand and pushed a tiny fraction of mana outward. With a soft shimmer of blue light, my spectral wolf materialized in the living room.
I expected him to sit by my side, waiting for a command. Instead, the massive beast immediately padded over to the couch, completely ignoring me, and shoved his wet nose affectionately against Asia's dangling hand.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "I thought the grimoires said familiars are fiercely loyal to their summoners because of the direct tether to our souls. What are you doing?"
The wolf didn't even look at me. He just kept sniffing Asia's sleeve.
I shrugged. "Whatever."
I walked over to the couch and carefully slid my arms under Isa. With my Strength at 50, she felt like she weighed absolutely nothing. I lifted her up bridal style. She mumbled something completely incoherent in her sleep and snuggled instinctively against my chest, her breathing evening out.
I carried her upstairs, gently laying her down on the bed in one of my spare guest rooms, and pulled the blanket over her shoulders.
I walked back down, repeated the process with Asia, and carried the sleeping nun up to the second guest room across the hall. As I set Asia down and turned to leave the room, I noticed my familiar.
The wolf had followed us upstairs. It padded silently over to the foot of Asia's bed, glowing softly for a second as it deliberately shrank its massive size down into the form of a small, fluffy grey puppy. It curled up right at the edge of the mattress, its tail swaying lazily back and forth as it kept a watchful eye over the sleeping girl.
I stopped in the doorway, thoroughly confused. "Okay, seriously. What is your obsession with her?"
The puppy looked up at me, tilting its head and giving me wide, incredibly soulful puppy-dog eyes.
I stared at it for a second before rubbing my temple. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
"Oh. I get it," I muttered, pointing an accusatory finger at the puppy. "You're an extension of my mana. A manifestation of my own soul. Meaning... you're literally the physical embodiment of my raw instincts."
The puppy wagged its tail happily, letting out a soft yip and nodding its head.
"So I'm the one who desperately wants to protect her," I sighed, running a hand down my face. "You know, this wouldn't be nearly as weird if you didn't sell me out so blatantly."
I walked over, reaching down to scratch the puppy behind the ears. It leaned into my touch, nuzzling my hand contentedly.
Suddenly, my right hand flared with a strange heat.
The dark, jagged ring I had looted from the church, the one housing the Sacred Gear: Lightning Dragon Leonidas, began to pulse with a brilliant, aggressive purple light.
The puppy instantly stopped nuzzling me. It jumped to its paws, the fur on its back standing straight up, and let out a low, vicious growl directed entirely at the ring on my finger.
"Yeah, I get it," I whispered, frowning at the pulsing gemstone. "You don't trust it either."
I gripped the cold metal and yanked the ring off my finger. The purple light instantly died down, returning to a dull, dormant sheen. I stared at it, trying to figure out what to do. My Observe skill had only given me the name and a massive, hovering [Yes / No] prompt to awaken it. It didn't tell me the risks.
"Maybe I should ask Rias about this tomorrow," I muttered, slipping the ring into my pocket. "She knows more about Sacred Gears than anyone else I, "
I looked down. The puppy was already fast asleep, curled up into a tight ball at Asia's feet, softly snoring.
"Thanks for listening," I whispered sarcastically.
I shook my head, quietly stepping out of the room and clicking the door shut behind me.
I walked down the hall to my own bedroom, utterly exhausted. The adrenaline crash from the entire night was finally hitting me. I mentally unequipped my armor, trading the heavy leather and steel for a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, and practically collapsed face-first onto my mattress.
My eyes slammed shut, and within seconds, I drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
...
RING.
RING.
….
Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read ahead by 10+ Chapters or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
http://patreon.com/Marin_kitawaga