NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Chapter 62
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The characters, scenarios, locations, and images used in this fanfic are the property of their respective creators and/or rights holders. This fanfic is a non-profit work created solely for entertainment purposes, with no intention of infringing any copyright.
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— World: Draconic Deus
Earth, Japan, Tokyo, Avalon Residence:
Guest Room —
Six hours after Kaguya knocked him unconscious with a single blow…
"….."
Vali slowly opened his eyes, his mind still hazy.
For a few moments, everything around him felt like a complete void; he couldn't process anything.
The first thing he noticed was that he was in an unfamiliar room, lying on a bed with soft sheets, but the warmth of the bedding brought him no comfort.
Confusion enveloped him like a dense fog until a familiar voice echoed in his head, shattering the silence with the finality of an unquestionable judgment.
'[You lost.]'
Albion's voice broke through with severity, laden with disapproval and a coldness that left no doubt about his displeasure.
'[You unleashed a power you have yet to master, sacrificed your reason and technique, and became little more than a rampaging beast. I warned you not to activate [Juggernaut Drive] unless you had no other choice. Yes, I know, with your demonic powers, you can avoid paying the price in life force… but even so, you pushed beyond your limit. You have shortened your own existence.]'
Vali swallowed, feeling the weight of those words.
'[If it weren't for that monster Aiden, who literally rewound your body and injuries to the past before you unleashed [Juggernaut Drive], you would now be paying an irreversible price for your recklessness. All because you lost control… in a mere training session.]'
Albion's tone was that of a wise elder reprimanding his reckless pupil, a mix of exasperation and genuine concern.
Vali sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.
He didn't need to see him to know that Albion was truly angry with him.
"This was my fault…" Vali admitted, his voice firm yet laden with self-awareness.
He ran a hand over his forehead, trying to organize his thoughts.
The memories of the battle were fragmented, distorted by the fury of [Juggernaut Drive] and the influence of the past wielders of [Divine Dividing].
But there was one question gnawing at him, a doubt he couldn't ignore.
"Tell me… did that lunatic at least use one of her strongest attacks… or was she just playing with me?" Vali asked, struggling to remember, though his mind was still shrouded in a murky haze.
'[…I'd say she attacked you seriously, but I can't be certain. However, that spear she used… it had a feeling similar to that of an angel. Even its name matched one. And not only that… it pierced through the most powerful [Longinus Smasher] any wielder of [Divine Dividing] has ever launched… with a single blow. No dramatics, no spectacular clash of power… it simply tore through it instantly. Less than two seconds. And then, it pierced your stomach, sending you flying and defeating you effortlessly.]'
Albion paused.
'[That girl… is not human. Not that I look down on humans, but in all my years, I've never seen one with such power.]'
Vali frowned, bewildered.
"An angel…? What the hell does an angel have to do with that lunatic…?" He understood nothing.
'[I'm not sure… but that spear, that armament, had the essence of an angel. Not in terms of sacred power or light… but in its very existence.]'
Albion sounded thoughtful, as if trying to find the best way to explain it.
'[I had never seen that spear she called [Raphael]… but it was as if the world itself whispered to me that thing was an [Angel], even without possessing the sacred power of Heaven's angels.]'
"….." Vali remained deep in thought.
'[That spear… there is no doubt. Its power and abilities are exactly the same as that weapon. The same one wielded by that armored knight when he challenged Great Red in the Pacific Ocean… And now, that girl named Kaguya wields it with the same mastery. If Kaguya and Aiden are a couple, then the conclusion is inevitable. That knight who shook the supernatural world with his audacity in facing Great Red must be Aiden.]'
Albion took a brief pause before adding in a tone that wavered between irony and amusement:
'[So… congratulations on finding him before everyone else. Should I say you were lucky, or simply call it fate?]'
Vali's eyes shot open in surprise.
His mind went blank for a long moment.
Albion said nothing more, giving him space to process it.
"Aiden is that guy…?" Vali barely managed to murmur.
He didn't know what to think.
But at least he felt a certain 'relief'; he hadn't lost to just anyone… though, at the end of the day, he had still lost.
'[Do you plan to inform Azazel?]' Albion asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"…No."
Vali shook his head, his expression firm.
"Aiden trusted me. He took me to that base in the Dimensional Gap and allowed that lunatic to use the spear, even knowing that it could expose him. If he has decided to play this way, then it's his choice when and how to reveal himself. And more importantly… I'm not going to risk losing such a strong opponent. Someone like him will help me reach an even higher level."
Albion nodded slightly, his tone reflecting satisfaction.
'[Hoh… I see.]'
…
— Living Room —
The next day.
Aiden was resting peacefully with his head on Mukuro's lap, while she flipped through Nia's manga with interest.
She found it quite good and planned to share her thoughts with Nia later.
"Hm~n."
Meanwhile, Vali, Le Fay, Arthur, Bikou, and Kuroka (whom Aiden had already returned to normal with [Haniel] after she claimed that Kurumi had "bullied" her in her cat form) had gone off to who knows where.
Before leaving, Vali and Bikou thanked Aiden and the others for the training.
Even though they were easily defeated, at least they had managed to grow stronger.
Le Fay also mentioned that they were in Japan and that she would like to visit them.
Aiden didn't object.
Even after discovering that Aiden was the one who had fought Great Red and gone viral on Supernatural.net, their attitude toward him hadn't changed much.
Kuroka still laughed while calling him "old man" or "senile," Le Fay remained shy, and the others were the same as always.
That's why Aiden simply didn't care that they had discovered his identity; after all, he wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.
In passing, Le Fay briefly explained the reason why Vali and the others were in Japan:
Azazel was busy with a matter related to the pursuit of Kokabiel, who had rebelled.
As a member of Grigori, Vali was accompanying him, and although Arthur, Le Fay, Bikou, and Kuroka didn't belong to the organization, they had decided to follow him.
Aiden consulted [Rasiel] and discovered that Kokabiel was a lunatic trying to provoke a war between the biblical factions, whether out of boredom or his hatred for demons, who were responsible for the deaths of many fallen angels in the Great War.
Whatever his reason, Aiden couldn't care less.
Azazel, however, seemed to be letting his subordinate wreak havoc on purpose, only to then send Vali to "save the day" and use it as an excuse to organize a meeting.
His goal: to propose an alliance between the three biblical factions, as there were far more concerning matters than their disputes… such as the Khaos Brigade.
In short, Kokabiel was being used as a sacrifice.
Aiden wondered if he should accompany Vali to stop him—not for any particular reason, but because Kuroka's younger sister, Koneko—or rather, Shirone—who was Rias Gremory's [Rook], would be caught up in the conflict.
Kokabiel intended to kill the younger sisters of the Maou, which worried Kuroka.
Aiden wanted to help her.
Moreover, if he took care of Kokabiel and his subordinates, he could collect their souls and study them to advance the development of the [Soul Separation Spell: Harmonious Division].
Kokabiel was a "powerful" individual, but more importantly: he was very, VERY old.
His soul had to contain valuable information for Aiden.
Additionally, he had quite a few subordinates, and their souls could also be useful…
"Nushi-sama is making that expression… that expression of: 'I'm scheming something.'"
Mukuro closed the manga with a slight sigh, carefully placed it on the coffee table in front of the sofa, and, without warning, stretched Aiden's cheeks as he rested his head on her lap.
"Fufufu…? Well? What are you scheming now, Nushi-sama?"
Her golden eyes shimmered with a mix of amusement and resignation.
"Muku knows… It's that spell you're devising to separate Yoshinon and Yoshino into individual existences, isn't it?"
Mukuro puffed out her cheeks slightly, making a small pout.
"Really, Nushi-sama… When you get obsessed with something, you never stop. It was the same with the [Spirit Piece]…"
"….."
Aiden looked at her in silence for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.
Even so, he responded:
"I'm not going to stop. I want to see them in their own bodies, walking together, side by side… like the sisters they already are."
Mukuro let out a sigh, shaking her head with a mix of amusement and resignation.
"Muku knows… Nushi-sama never stops once he becomes obsessed with something. It was the same when you created the [Spirit Piece] to give us physical bodies."
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"But well… at least we can make sure you take a break."
Then, leaning slightly toward him, she murmured softly:
"Tonight… Muku will wear the bunny costume."
A shiver of excitement ran down Aiden's spine, but even so, he rolled his eyes with feigned exasperation.
'If I didn't have [Camael], I would have died countless times already from what you call "relaxation"…' he thought with resignation.
These girls were way too thirsty.
Well… he couldn't exactly say he was any different, especially with Origami, who seemed to have a special talent for seducing him.
But putting that aside, Aiden said casually:
"You'd better wear your [Astral Dress] tonight."
That qipao ignited something in him that even he didn't understand.
Mukuro: "….."
…
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A/N:
Sorry for the short chapter.
Yesterday I tried to write it, but I couldn't finish it because I had to do other things, like taking English classes.
Today I won't be able to write either because I have classes and other commitments, but I also don't want to leave the fanfic without an update for too long.
So, even though it's brief, here you have it.
Here are some images:
[Image] (Credits: jaguar - https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/127398731)
As always, thank you for reading my fanfic.
It really means a lot to me.
I love you, dear reader.
Peace out.
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