After the ritual, we returned home.
Our bodies felt heavy, as if weights were dragging us down—heads pounding from the strain.
Alice and Miu were the same.
We collapsed onto the Hyodo living room sofa, huddled like dumplings.
"Ugh… dizzy…"
"Same…"
"Me too…"
Alice groaned first, followed by me and Miu.
The pseudo-divinity implanted in us must be the cause.
But why me? It was originally mine—yet I'm suffering too?
Ignis, sipping Calpis on the opposite sofa, seemed to read my mind.
"You collapsed last time too, right? Slept five days straight."
"Wasn't that battle fatigue and dying once?"
"Partially. You were exhausted then, body couldn't handle it. This time, split three ways with energy to spare—just dizziness. It'll last today."
Makes sense… that context.
Got nursing from Miu and others—perk?
"Worrying everyone isn't a perk."
"Sorry… don't read minds naturally?"
Alice pressed her temple but caught it.
"No, it was on your face, Onii-chan."
"Seriously… wait, that was mind-reading?"
Miu buried her face in my lap and read anyway!
How without seeing my expression!?
Telepathy too one-sided!
No privacy!?
"""None."""
"Don't harmonize! Twice!?"
No privacy? Tears!
Ignis recalled:
"Oh, Balance Break banned one day?"
"Really?"
"Sacred Gear ties to soul. Fatigue's spiritual. Using it now…"
"If used…?"
She stared.
"Head go boom?"
Boom!? What situation!?
Scary for sure!
Glasses placed on table.
"Master, water."
Frilly maid Diarmuid—no, Santa cosplay Diarmuid!
Classic hat…
Strapless red bare dress, fishnets—sexy Santa!
Slightly tight, emphasizing cleavage; skirt revealed glossy thighs!
Shoulders to collarbone—beautiful lines!
Curves out, toned in!
Great body!
One word: erotic!
Expressionless added weird allure!
Question time!
"Why… Santa?"
"Master's mother made it."
"Cute, right?"
Miu sipped, but… erotic, not cute.
Emphasized too much.
Mom made—fits perfectly.
Cleavage intentional.
Mom… nice.
Diarmuid handed chilled towel to Miu.
"This too."
"Yay! Thanks, Dil-san."
Miu grateful; Diarmuid pleased.
…Always close, these two.
Diarmuid shows this only to Miu…
"Join us, Dil-san?"
"Yes!"
Sat beside Miu, thrilled…
Spoiled?
"Hey… Diarmuid likes Miu, right?"
"Naturally. Deep respect."
What made her so!?
Karaage!?
Effect too strong!?
Miu bitter laugh!
"Haha… exaggerated."
…Why obsessed with Miu?
Cute?
Miu's cute x infinity. First "Onii-chan" teared me up.
But different reason.
Karaage then…? Hunger spiced taming?
Alice to Ignis:
"Ritual linked us three—Issei's soul ascending pulls ours?"
"Yes."
"Reverse? Miu or me ascending pulls Issei?"
Possible.
Ignis nodded.
"Yes. But Issei likely trigger. Connected to Sirius—Miu's dad. Direct pseudo-divinity from Rossweisse. My power in third stage. More factors for him."
We: "Heh."
Can't grasp 'god' feeling.
Pseudo-divinity—how activates? Effects unknown.
Ignis smiled.
"Normal now. Devils becoming gods—unimaginable. You'll understand when time comes. Hang in♪"
Winked, sipped Calpis.
Hang in…
Keys obtained. Up to us.
Clock: past 1 PM.
"Time… join others."
"Asia's group?"
"Yeah."
Christmas planning next.
We ritual-lagged; others scouting gifts in groups.
Joining Asia's at town two stations away.
Asia, church trio, Ross, Toji-san.
Likely at electronics store or bookstore.
Check trends, ask staff.
Undecided gifts—reference this.
New, in-demand better.
Substitute for resident survey.
"Still woozy… leave in hour. Cosplay shop too—make it."
Santa designs.
Women-heavy—careful.
"Mom making fastest…"
"Agree. Custom fits."
Others declined burden… Mom eager.
Makes anything with materials.
Nicknames: 'God-Eye Saki', 'God Hand Saki', 'Costume Alchemist'.
Dad told.
Alice:
"Passed mom in bathroom… drawings, red fabric."
Seriously… already making.
Made Tia, Ignis outfits; Diarmuid's too.
Occult girls in mom's costumes this Christmas.
"Well…"
Stood to room—but wobbly, lost balance.
Then—
Squish
Soft face feel!
Pink plump ahead!
Looked up—eyes met Diarmuid.
Fell, grabbed Santa cosplay.
Strapless—slid, breasts bounced!
First time… impressive!
Fresh!
But Diarmuid silent.
Stared… face reddened, trembling.
Angry?
"Sorry…?"
"~~~~!!"
Teary!?
Droplets falling!?
Liar!?
Diarmuid crying!?
Jumped back, apologized!
"S-sorry! Accident!"
Miu hugged Diarmuid, angry!
"Hey! Don't make Dil-san cry!"
"Accident! Force majeure! She's weak to this—unexpected!"
"Yes! Dil-san's 15! Middle school!"
""EHHHH!? No way!?""
Shocked by Miu's reveal.
▽
"Ah… glad brought umbrellas."
"Good checked forecast."
Walking in downpour: me, Miu, Alice.
Train two stations, walk to rendezvous.
Rain—sheltering maybe. No umbrellas.
Brought enough.
Recall pre-exit.
"Diarmuid 15…"
Aura close age… but middle school.
Style, vibe, speech—unbelievable.
Alice shocked.
"…Lost to five years younger… such… sniff"
Patting chest, teary.
Yeah… speechless.
"You knew, Miu. Most talk."
"Soon after arrival, chatted."
Ah…
Big sis to Diarmuid?
Clings hard.
Reason…?
Imagination.
15… unfair looks.
Thought older than Miu.
Brought Miu at 14—shocked.
This more. Miu baby-faced…
Youth develop… I'm young too.
Unexpected: maidenly side.
Reunited in cardboard, tamed—thought purity gone.
Saw swimsuit, not nude.
Live girl parts—reacts so.
Normal, actually.
Our girls bold.
…My bad.
"Apologize again home."
"Yes? She's shy."
That shy? Unconvincing.
Mysterious…
Embarrassment standards off.
This normal; others?
Alice:
"Meet spot near?"
"Yeah. Rain—sheltering."
Dulio could clear… no.
"Not overkill…—!"
Stopped.
Odd wave.
"Evil dragon?"
"Similar… but town? Daytime?"
Doubted senses—no.
They'd attack openly.
"—Qlippoth?"
Nodded.
Attacked Kuoh daytime once. Possible again.
Direction—
"Near meet!"
Fighting Asia's!
Damn, daytime!
Post-ritual sluggish!
"Run!"
Folded umbrellas, sprinted.
Miu wind-coated—dry, fast trio blur.
Five minutes tracing.
Park—
Eight-headed dragon.
Blood tears, jaws wide, sharp fangs.
Not flesh—black aura formed.
Necks to—one sword.
Ominous aura sword, long black hair man.
Partner, that's 'Venom Blood Dragon' Yamata no Orochi. Fangs, blood poisonous.
Orochi!
Legend evil dragons revived casually!
Zenovia fighting!
Aid!
"Zenovia! Irina! Ross!"
"Issei! Perfect timing!"
Joyful.
Tough foe, dragon power—struggling.
Man narrowed eyes.
"…Red Dragon Emperor. This area demon realm unknowingly."
Sword aura swelled!
Dragon grew massive!
Tch…
Miu barrier—but town, no flashy!
Balance Break easy… no boom!
Bare!
Careful. Poison deadly—even you.
Got it!
"Do it, Alice!"
"Damn, off-form! Annoy!"
Alice spear, white lightning.
Blonde pure white, battle mode.
I aura arms, drew Ascalon.
All post-ritual off.
Bad timing!
Man swung—one head attacked!
"Shit!"
Backjump, ki blast!
Hit, head blew—regenerated!
Regen too!
Target wielder—heads guarded!
Anticipated!
No wonder struggle!
Man to me:
"Don't interfere, Red Dragon Emperor. Revenge."
"Revenge…?"
"Yes. For killing me and her."
Gaze to Toji-san by Asia.
Hate-filled, vendetta eyes.
Toji muttered:
"Yaeagki-kun… you…!"
"Pointless now. You… killed me and Clelia! I have right to kill you!"
"…!"
Toji pained, silent.
Me and Clelia's killers…?
Questioned, slashed approaching head with Ascalon.
Blind ki—heads covered.
Defense—multi-attack.
Heads sentient.
Adapting.
Alice lightning, Zenovia slashes, my ki—nullified!
Tch, facing one—odd sight.
Head burrowed!
Too late—yelled Asia!
"Asia!! Call… Fafnir!!"
She drew gate—dragon surged underground!
"No!"
Zenovia Durandall holy wave.
Carved ground, bisected!
But bisected—charged!
Partner! Strong will—heads move severed!
Trouble dragons!
Toward Asia, Toji!
Summon late!
"Zenovia! Hold others!"
"Got it!"
We pinned—Zenovia ran!
"Hahaha! Shido Bureau Chief! Your soul settles our rage!"
Burst from ground!
Ross flew arrays!
"No!"
Hit assaulting.
Head exploded.
But—fang grazed Toji shoulder.
"Kuh…!"
Yaeagki tearful joy.
"…Good. Suffer. Agonize."
Asia healed—but Toji knelt, shaking.
"Poison!"
Damn…!
"Papa!! …You hurt Papa!"
Irina rage tremor.
Yaeagki satisfied.
"…Heh. That's anger. For harmed loved ones. Even angels can't suppress family rage?"
"…!"
Irina speechless.
Yaeagki ugly grin, transfer array.
"Bureau Chief! I'll revenge on you, heaven, Baal! Never forgive! Absolutely!"
Light enveloped, to us:
"Your paradise Kuoh—built on sacrifices. Baal blood demons, retainers inheriting. Remember."
Transferred—
▽
Post-transfer, Alice:
"Chase?"
"Now tough. Toji poison first."
Unsure effect—Boosted Gear qigong heal boost.
Should help.
Rushed crouching Toji—slipped.
Then—
Squish
"Ah… re…?"
Soft hands.
Creak neck—groping Ross breasts. Both hands.
Soft.
Want knead.
Bed—push down.
But no.
Ross reddened—
"Doing now!?"
"S-sorry!!"
Pseudo-divinity influence!
Accident!
Understand that!
Just hit 260, now 270…
How far… (-_-;)
-----------------------------
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