His face locked in determination. Six days remained. He could use them to improve himself. The upcoming sections in the manual would include long-range attacks. To become a weapon that would protect Shuri and Akeno, he had to cover all his bases.
"Six days, Igor. Make them count."
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|DxD|- Chapter 29- Worries Beyond Grasp
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April 26, 1992, Kuoh Town, Japan
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Spring was in full swing. The town of Kuoh was showered in blooming flowers and buzzing bees. It was a late Sunday afternoon, a time for families to relax and enjoy the day together.
Baraquiel stood outside the porch with his hand on the guard rail. The yard was freshly cut and pruned shrubs had flowered. The sun shined gently, even illuminating the dark forest beyond the fence.
Baraquiel's eyes were on that very sun. His thoughts veered towards Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and the leader of the Shinto. She embodied her namesake, possibly even surpassed it. The world may have intentionally diminished the might of the gods to make them approachable and human, but he knew the truth. The gods, pantheon leaders especially, were far stronger than the books insinuated. The Scramble showed that.
His grip on the railing intensified. The metal showed faint signs of deforming. Amaterasu was as powerful as the sun. Divinities tied to the sun always meant wielding the power of a star. He couldn't defeat her, but he was sure he could escape—and that in itself was a humiliating reality.
Baraquiel held no wishes of contending against the Shinto Pantheon, but it was a possible outcome given the loose leash they had on their subordinates. The Five Principal Clans of Japan, the Himejima Clan especially, caused him great concern.
His wife had already been shamed for having a child outside of wedlock. If they learned of Akeno's hybrid nature, they would spare no man to kill her. And if he exposed himself and retaliated against the Himejima, the Shinto would…
"Sigh…"
His daughter would be two in a few months. She recently just started walking. His precious daughter…the light in his eye that would be seen as a scourge of the night. He loved her more than life itself and would do anything to ensure her safety, their safety, even if it meant becoming a hated outcast.
He buried the killing intent within his heart. At the moment, there was a status quo. No one aside from his closest siblings knew of his residency in Kuoh or his marriage to Shuri. Announcing their union to the world would shred any semblance of a normal life his family might ever have. And no doubt, the Himejima Clan would take action to erase the two "disgraces".
His brows creased in displeasure. Everything was ultimately due to his lack of power. He was at the lower end of God Class. Unless a miracle happened, no amount of training would ever elevate him beyond this stage.
A year ago, the old dragon Yinglong revealed a cryptic revelation to him, a possibility that could be the miracle he needed. Ajuka Beelzebub and Sirzechs Lucifer were powerful monsters of Devil Society, two beings who surpassed the limits of devils, becoming Super Devils that could contend with pantheon leaders.
In Yinglong's cryptic words, Fallen Angels could too ascend to that power, power at the peak of God Class. He'd travelled to Antartica several times over the year to gain more answers, more clues. But since that day, the old dragon never once replied to him. A year later, and he had yet to take a single step forward.
Baraquiel once again looked at the sun. The passing hours saw it shift over the horizon, dulling in its glow as darkness steadily encroached for its night watch. He found it funny how the changing scenery matched his heart. Anxiousness and hope maintained a steady balance. Should he let life continue how it is or take his family and leave? So many answers, so many uncertainties, and all of them different.
As embarrassing as it was to admit, Igor was the shining light in their lives, an answer to his incapability. Igor alone was a benefit and his possession of the time chamber meant he was an ever-growing weapon.
Baraquiel held no illusions that his daughter's heritage would be forever hidden. But if the status quo could be maintained for at least the next twenty or thirty years, he was confident he could turn Igor into a High-Class fighter. By then, even if the Himejima sought to attack, Igor's strength alone meant he could protect this family without arousing personal action from the gods.
"Husband."
Soft feet glided across the tiles. The smell of food and tea entered his nose. Shuri placed the tray of food on the table and began stirring the mug.
"You haven't eaten since morning."
"Just thinking, Shuri."
He turned to face her with a small smile. He placed his hand against her cheek and she leaned into it. His wife—so warm, so beautiful, so kind—thinking of the perfect life she could've lived if he never entered her life…
Baraquiel didn't let the thoughts show on his face. He took a seat and drank a cup to steady his thoughts. For this little family he would do anything to ensure they live well.
"Thank you for worrying, Shuri. But everything is fine."
Shuri held a small smile on her face, one that spelled "I don't believe you". Nonetheless, she took her seat on the opposite side and took her plate of food.
The couple ate together amidst the dwindling light. Utensils clanged against ceramic and vaguely, Akeno's cheery shouts could be heard from the living room.
As the days for Igor's return drew closer, Shuri had taken to adding some more decoration to the porch in the form of flowers and trinkets.
"It's hard to believe so much time has passed."
"Indeed."
A year was especially quick for long-lived beings.
"I'm curious to see how much Igor has grown. Do you think he's been eating? Maybe he hasn't. I'm sure he hasn't been washing his clothes too. Boys his age don't know how to take care of themselves. If he's…"
Baraquiel resisted the urge to chuckle when his wife went off on a tangent. In this month alone, she'd been a mix of emotions. There was a trade between excitement, nervousness, and worry. He wondered if she'd be like this when Akeno grew up.
"Calm down, Shuri. The boy is not stupid and will return safely. Didn't you already calculate the date? Just wait for Friday."
Only five days remained. He really was curious of Igor's growth.
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AN: I thrive off comments and reviews. After thirty chapters, I'd like to know what you think so far and if you have any recommendations I can improve on.
Chapter 30 is available to read on my p@treon. Yes, this is my shameless way of getting you to go to that forbidden platform and lure you into buying me coffee. There's a seven day free trial. Just look for Holygambler.
Chapter 29
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