Flesh is Weak

The Omnissiah knows no limits.

The beatdown started immediately after Geros left and continued all the way to the kitchen. After I was done with her, I made Issari cry. Issari wept apologies to me, but I didn't take them.

"You tried to strangle me for something I didn't do wrong! You are getting what you want, but you'll suffer for worrying, Rias, you troglodyte!"

Issari wept in fear of me now and the promised future pain. Rias blushed and looked at me dreamy while Akeno snickered. Kiba looked at me like I was the coolest thing since sliced bread, while Rias and Akeno started gossiping about a possible wedding.

After our first session was done, Issari cried in the kitchen corner next to the fridge. Akeno smiled broadly and hugged my right arm.

"You're the best cousin ever, Lex. I haven't had as much fun as I have had since meeting you and her! You both will make the school fun!"

I don't think being strangled is fun before I smile evilly at my cousin. I will get my revenge soon, so be prepared, rat queen. Akeno takes the look and smiles her teasing smile. Rias was about to ask something before a portal opened, and Geros returned with pizza. He took note of Issari in the corner.

"Again, like Master Ajuka. You both enjoy putting your best friend in the corner for bad behavior."

Oh, shit, that says a lot about Sirzches. Rias blushed badly, mumbling that her brother was good. Geros raised an eyebrow in disbelief and set the pizza on the counter. Everyone takes their box, including a still weeping Issari. I take Daphne's upstairs along with napkins and plates. The nymph was resting well, and she enjoyed her vegetarian pizza.

Thanks to my butler, she tells me she will be up and about in a day. That's good because she seems like a nice person. Just suspicious for the right reasons. She does say now that it's the two of us alone.

"I'm sorry for ever doubting you. The situation I described to you happened to my sister, and I didn't want that to happen to me. You seem to be a stray hunter, but please don't kill my sister. She ran because her king was extremely abusive to her and another she ran with. I know I have nothing to offer you for that, but I'm choosing now to trust the good man you are."

I pat her right hand.

"I know strays run for multiple reasons. I'm only going after strays that harm people. I'm not blind to their abuse, but I'm half human, and it's wrong of me not to defend them, too, despite what they do to the planet."

Daphne was relieved hearing that. Her face on humans needing defense wasn't what I'd thought she'd take.

"I know that they try for Gaia. Many don't see that, but I know they do. My former lover was in a big movement that you humans are trying that cleaned up so much land. It saved twenty groves of nymphs and dryads in Vancouver. The others in Europe deny that humans try, but to those of us from the area and the forests next door, we know you do. It's slow, and they are fighting against a system that doesn't want change."

That sounds right, and I will do what I can to help our world. Not enough people do that. In my world, the rich stopped playing pretend and just embraced being the dogs they were. Corporations just made the environment a regular person's problem while continuing to be the actual problem. I will try for Gaia, too.

I prepared to leave the room, and Daphne said to me with her blue eyes on me fully.

"You have the look many of the demigods have of seeing the world through the lenses of everything out to get you. You're a good man who has a destiny that you can't escape. It made me wonder if you were a doom-driven hero. You are one, but you're the potential champion of something new. I can see it now, and the world will one day be completely different because of you."

Yes, it will be. Hopefully, it will be better, or we will have the grim darkness of the far past. I replied to her with a small smile.

"I am only one man, but it only takes one pebble to make a landslide."

Daphne giggled there.

"That is true. I'll find a way to help you. Thank you for the pizza. It's good, and I will recommend it to my sisters."

She settled into food, and I go back downstairs to enjoy mine. I leave her door open so that she can call out for help if need be. Upon returning to the others, Geros is gone, but a new face is here in a pretty woman with white hair wearing a conservative maid outfit. She is youngish, in her mid-twenties, with a nervous face, and immediately bowed seeing me. I just watched Issari grumble that I'm a prick before she dug into her food again. Akeno giggled, seeing me once again out of place while Kiba was in a corner watching Issari like a hawk. Rias is just shaking her head at me in fondness. The maid introduced herself.

"Young master, I am Maéva Caillat. It is an honor to serve you. I am willing to do anything you ask of me! Please take care of me!"

She is French, and Rias took note of my shiver hearing French. I, however, don't like the willingness to do anything part I heard. However, I allow her to finish her bow before I smile my trademark smile at her.

"It is my honor to meet you, actually, Maéva. Please call me Gregor. I didn't know I was a noble until recently, and I prefer informal things. I hope we can get along."

The maid seems to brighten there. Now that I see them, her eyes are a pretty hazel, and she was beautiful when she smiled. I, however, don't have a maid fetish, so this will be easy other than the locks and more. Maéva does seem like a nice person. She said as she began to clean up boxes.

"Of course. Geros said you seemed kind, and I wanted to believe it, but I was still nervous. I was destined to serve Lord Diodora, and suddenly being reassigned is worrying. I promise I am a good maid!"

Diodora is a prick, so I get the worry. I glare down Issari. My friend shivers at the glare, and I say to her and Maéva.

"I'll key you into the locks I have here along with everyone else. It should take about twenty minutes. Maéva, there are a few rooms that I will eventually let you into, but that will be in a few days, and you don't have to worry much about them. They will be used later."

Everyone but Issari grew interested in the locks. Maéva frowned at hearing rooms she couldn't clean but became professional immediately. Rias asked as she finished her last slice.

"These locks, did you make them with your gear? You said that you can make other things."

Kiba looked on, wondering about my gear. Maéva widened her eyes there. She looked me up and down before her eyes seemed to take on a hopeful light. Why? Akeno is curious, too, and I shake my head at how this day is going.

"I did, and they are extremely special. Breaking them is incredibly difficult. Did Lady Lucifuge ever get the wards moved?"

I ate three slices while Rias told me Grayfia moved everything fast. Maéva seemed to brighten up more, and I checked her. She is a devil and a reincarnated one, consisting of two pawns. Which begs the question, who is her king? The maid answered the unasked question.

"My king is Geros, sir. He is good to us, and I am the newest piece, sir."

Wait a minute, Geros is a butler. How is he noble enough to have a set? Rias answered.

"He is a fifth cousin of an Astaroth branch family. He is extremely loyal and has never failed your father or grandfather."

Maéva nodded profusely, supporting that. I don't get devils. I finished a fourth slice, then set the other slices away for tomorrow. Maéva followed me to the front door, and I began to key everyone into the locks. The devils don't understand what they are. Issari does, but only a little. Maéva, however, showed her professional side immediately and began to look around her new station. I lead the train to the doors on everything but the basement. I wanted to do a second hunt today, but that's not happening while Daphne is still hurt. I will, however, lift today because I need to increase my armor weight. The tengus had been incredibly dangerous. That ninja had been the leader of the two because he was the one who had taken command immediately.

I was looking at my armor in the room of the basement that I had chosen to make an armory. She had followed with the others, and Kiba was looking at the armor, too, along with Rias and Maéva. Issari is just watching Kiba. Akeno asked in pure curiosity.

"This armor is so strange, and it is the first time I have seen something like it. What's it called?"

I pulled the shuriken out of my chest piece, and it came out with a clang. Rias touched the armor on the shoulder plate, and she looked at the Mechanicus symbol in curiosity. Kiba kept looking at the helm along with Maéva, who was intimidated by the red eyes.

"It's called carapace. It's good armor because I have had gear swords thrown at me, which bounced off. Maéva, I am currently hunting strays because I need money for a situation, and I don't like the idea of them hurting people. If you see me in this, don't be intimidated."

Maéva kept her eyes on the helm held on the wall by a hook. Rias touched the skull and cog on my chest piece. Issari was watching Kiba, and Kiba scooted towards me for protection from her. Akeno did ask.

"You said your gear took this symbol, Lex? That you have a faith that is not normal. What is this faith?"

Issari was about to open her mouth, but I glared at her again, stopping her. I explain.

"I'm calling it the Cult Mechcanicum. I believe that there are things that reside in all technology and that they are like me in my state. I promise Maéva I'll keep it away from you and the others, given your condition."

That makes Maéva relax more tenseing at the mention of a faith. Rias had, too, but she was feeling something because she seemed to be just tracing the cog, never unending. Akeno was thankful I was not saying anything more that could possibly hurt them. Kiba was, however, deeply interested. He approached the chest piece and looked at the symbol for a second harder look. He doesn't say anything. Rias does.

"I want to learn everything about you. Please explain when you can."

Kiba surprised everyone, too, by saying.

"I would like to hear the idea too. This is interesting as there is something in the armor, like a being here with us. Almost like that poltergeist we once chased out of the club. It's different, though not being hostile."

That's Tsuda because she said she was not actively doing anything, and he was sensing her. I watched Kiba with more curiosity. What else did the Holy Sword Project do to him to let him know this? Issari and Maéva looked at Kiba in interest for two different reasons. Akeno shows her brains here.

"Usually, ghosts stay away from technology because it can expose the other side easily, and they are just as invested in keeping the veil up. You sure, Kiba?"

Kiba kept focusing on the chest piece.

"Absolutely. I don't often say much about it because it was from those days, but I was the best in my group, sensing spirits. There is one here, and along with its story, is strange. It was in a dark place of misery when someone found it. It watched the stranger freeze badly upon seeing its former body before they left. The spirit heard a scream that drew it towards the stranger and two more people. The first stranger saved one and then brutally killed the other of the newcomers. The spirit then felt release but chose to return to help its hero. It is calling them a name it says I'm not enlightened enough to know."

That's Tsuda's story almost to a T. Issari went wide-eyed hearing it, as did Maéva. Akeno looked at me again with understanding eyes, while Rias saw the look on Issari's face and then turned to me. Kiba is watching me incredibly interested while I'm greatly impressed with Kiba. He got all that from just a minute of touching the chest piece. He would make a fantastic tech priest if he could commune with spirits like that. The Machine God told me that many exorcists would make amazing tech-priests. While he is telling me that Kiba looked at me, then the wide-eyed Issari before he put two and two together.

"He saved you. I'm sorry, my lady, for that experience. You still scare me, but I didn't know."

Issari blushed badly and then nervously shifted. Before she grew determined, her brown eyes came alive with a passion that was not for Kiba.

"I want to protect others like my best friend. I'd follow him anywhere. He cares, and I know what the spirit calls him. He's just too stubborn to accept it fully yet."

Kiba looked at both of us with more interest. He kept his eyes on Issari, and he asked.

"You hear them too? I'd like to get with you and understand why that is the case. When I was recruited for the church, that was the biggest reason I was pushed towards being an exorcist. The restless dead are often the first thing the new recruits fight. With my skill, I could skip that easier stage and focus on harder foes."

Issari answered with her knucklehead self-speaking here.

"I only hear the machine spirits. They like the machine in being immortal as I follow the faith, too."

Akeno looked again at me and then at the chest plate cog. Rias touched the symbol again, and she seemed to whisper something. We couldn't hear it, and she shook her head like she was in a trance, saying whatever it was. Maéva, however, was the weirdest of them all. She looked at me, and her hazel eyes seemed to understand me the most.

"Young master, I will do anything I can to help my next Lord Astaroth. A true noble that remembers others first. I'm sorry, young lady, that such a thing happened to you."

She bowed low, preparing to leave the room before I told her.

"Choose a bedroom for yourself. I will need your help sometime this weekend or next week with a thing I will be doing. I will be incapacitated during the process, and I will need to do multiple rounds of it. I will ask you to do something that will be your first test."

Maéva bowed immediately, and she responded.

"Yes, milord."

She went off, and Kiba kept looking at Issari. Then, the symbol. He, however, is intrigued deeply because he does say to Rias.

"I'd like to come here more and get to know you properly, Issari-san. Just please don't chase me, as I have enough of that at the school."

Issari is hard focusing on Kiba. She, however, surprised everyone by saying.

"I won't do it again. I do want you but will prove to you I'm not the fan girls. You're a knight, and I will show you the proper respect."

Kiba looked at her more closely. He was searching for something. He didn't seem to find it and nodded before he took on his usual cheerful grin.

"We will see. Rias, can you please make me a portal? I need to go to the soup kitchen tomorrow and plan to be there most of the day. I know where the house is and can get here later. Thank you again, Gregor, for the food."

Rias goes with him upstairs while Issari prepares to say something to Kiba before he leaves. Akeno stays with me. She looked at the symbol again, and she did say while she looked at it.

"You are indeed a silly man, but I don't think bad of you or your spirit. I'm interested in this faith, Lex. I can't practice it, but you said it's helped you."

I decided to shock her more since it was the two of us.

"The Machine God I worship is not like many Akeno. He would accept you and the others."

Akeno prepared on instinct for pain, hearing the word closing her eyes, but when none came, she opened her eyes in amazement and confusion. Payback is a bitch rat queen. Get trolled! She looked at me.

"I can't believe it."

I hugged my cousin and then surprised her more.

"He is different from the rest Keno. He is not like most deities. You are human, too, and are just a sadistic rat queen who needs to stop torturing me. My wonderful cousin, despite being that, is still my family."

Akeno began fufufuing up a storm at being had. She hugged me back, too, in total support.

"I'll try to tone it down, but you got me there. Lex. The fact you did that for this spirit here shows me that you are still the same. I was so afraid that day when you didn't recognize me. I will never regret that day because you are making my life better than ever before. I wish my mom were here. You were her favorite."

I pat my cousin and don't regret agreeing to play the part. It's like having my brother back with the good and bad. The camaraderie was something I truly missed. We go upstairs, and I say to her, while in a fond memory.

"I wish I did remember her, but I love the new memories I'm making. I'm in a better place than before you found me because despite everything I have learned about me, now it's you I prize most. Do you have any fun ideas for tormenting Issari? I didn't want to die and come back, scaring everyone."

Akeno fufufuing there.

"I have six, and they are each fun. I knew there was enough of it there to promote this. Here is number one."

They are indeed good. We laughed evil together on the last one when we entered the front entrance, and that was the scene in which Rias and Issari found us. Issari shivered and backed up. I'm confused by the look on Rias's face. Rias was definitely built differently here as she grew interested in me over something. Akeno snorts at that. I do say for Issari.

"Keno, we do plan two. Issari, you will learn never to strangle me again. Also, you smell funny."

That was a joke, but the tic mark returned. Rias and Akeno liked the insult. They snicker while Issari grows pissed.

"You are ugly! I don't smell funny! I showered today!"

That misdirected her away from the actual hit. Akeno shocked the pervert with a small lightning bolt that hit Issari and made her fly into the air before hitting the floor and groaning. I high-fived Akeno. She snickered and said to the groaning Issari.

"Don't strangle my cousin. You're fun, and I like you, but he didn't want to scare people. Have you learned your lesson?"

That last part was phrased so that the sadism was plain to hear. Issari mumbled something into the floor, which prepared another lightning bolt. The snap crack of it sent Issari jumping into a soldier pose, and she saluted.

"Yes, sir! Don't strangle Gregor-kun, sir!"

Akeno purred, and that made Issari let loose her perverted self. Rias shakes her head and moves towards me as she takes my hand. Akeno smiled her sadistic smile and patted Issari like a cat.

"Don't worry, my little strangler, you will be rewarded for your good behavior. Be good, and I promise you will enjoy it."

Akeno might honestly be the best dragon tamer ever. She grew serious and stopped pats for Issari. She moved away from the pervert, making her whine. Rias had checked the time and said sadly.

"We need to get going. My brother is visiting us tonight and will do his usual thing. I'll see you tomorrow, Gregor-kun. Thank you for the food and for trusting me."

Rias whispered into my ear a promise that just made me shake my head internally. I'm stuck with this redhead. Akeno smiled and followed after her king when she made her portal. It closed, and the room was silent except for Issari whining now that her tamer was gone. I shake my head. I need to do so much more today. Like talk with Kuroka at some point and deal with Maéva. Now, I have a maid, and while that helps, it doesn't help me with how secretive I am. I just prepared for more trouble, and I went to lift weights. Issari followed along like a good gecko.

She was silent as I lifted and pushed myself past my limit. I'll let the gene heal me up. I did pull all my muscles, and it hurt badly. That was where Maéva found us. Issari was in dreamland, sitting on a box in the lifting room. Maéva was indeed professional and didn't stare. She did say that after thinking of how to start the conversation,

"You are a half milord?"

She was still nervous, but her eyes held the curiosity. There's no sign of a racist, but that's not saying anything with Shirone being one. I stopped lifting and breathed heavily before replying.

"I am, and my friend is pure human. Will that be a problem, Maéva?"

The woman shook her head.

"No, young master, it just is surprising. I heard and seen much about Lord Diodora and how he, while being an NKF member, publicly supports the GKF privately. I was just curious and meant no offense."

Diodora is a very big problem that I will have to crush. Damn, noble thinking has already poisoned me. I'm debating if I should make him into a servitor.

"It's alright, Maéva. I know of one reincarnated racist, and I don't know how prominent that is. Here, I encourage you to be open with me."

Maéva relaxed completely. She was now openly happy, and the smile showed prominently.

"Of course, young master. I am sorry if I gave you that impression. I am not a racist, and I don't understand everything yet about devil society. Only that Geros says that the GKF is a faction that doesn't look highly on us reincarnated. My king is pure NKF and follows Lord Beelzebub to the letter, as does Lord Astaroth. I stand ready to help in anything you ask of me."

That was said in pure honesty. Geros probably wanted Maéva to be near a person who would not look down on her, and the fact that he's NKF is not surprising because he had voiced his disapproval of Diodora. There must be bad tension in the family because of me. Diodora is the family's second son, and I'm not getting why I have heard next to nothing about Lady Astaroth. Issari was listening in, and she kept being silent. I replied to Maéva.

"I plan to be NKF as well. The GKF also hates me for my nature, so I would be stupid to support them. I'm learning this side, too, so we can do that together. I want a better world, and by Mars, I will see it."

Maéva looked weirdly at the Mars statement. She continued to remain her professional self. Issari was so deep in thought she said something unconsciously.

"Cousin, so pretty."

Maéva sweat dropped there while I shook my head.

"That's Issari. Don't mind her much. She is just open with her wants and mostly harmless. You have picked out a room, yes?"

Maéva just watched the pervert before she nodded.

"I have. It's too big for me, but the maid room next to the recreation room is sufficient."

I chuckled there, hearing the disgust of the room's size.

"Mine is too large and pompous as well. I'm used to regular-sized everything and hope that I'll eventually be able to renovate the place at some point."

Maéva and I bonded over our mutual dislike of extravagance. We moved out of the weight room, and Issari followed along. She was still thinking of Akeno. We climbed the stairs, and I introduced Daphne to Maéva. The nymph smiled and asked for a TV remote because she was bored. Maéva got it for her, and the nymph clicked through the channels till she got to a nature documentary and then settled into watching bears be weird. One was eating a fish before waving at the camera people. Maéva promised to help Daphne out, and the nymph was simply happy to have a good bed. Issari finally snapped out of her dreamland and checked the time. She then sprinted off, leaving a dust cloud. She said, running down the stairs and out the front door.

"Bye, Gregor-kun; I'll see you tomorrow!"

Maéva didn't ask anything about that. She just shrugged. Daphne's face was just amused. She said before focusing on the bears again.

"I might not be her type, but she is sadly mine. I enjoy knuckleheads because they are a riot once you get them into new situations. Her going after you was funny."

I shake my head.

"If you want to be strangled because of something you didn't do, then be my guest. She has a good heart and isn't the worst person."

Daphne snickers before saying.

"Don't promise me a good time. I miss my partner. She was one, too, and her enthusiasm for nature was how we got together. There was this one time."

She told a funny story about her knucklehead, which was definitely a keeper story. I lost track of time watching bears and hearing stories from Daphne. I will do my next hunt tomorrow. While we were doing this, Maéva began to get her stuff and routine ready for tomorrow. When Daphne finally passed out, I left her for a good night's sleep and went to enjoy my own night. I thank the Machine God for my war mask. My God says I'm welcome and agrees that Kiba would be an excellent tech priest. Many Exorcists would, but he doesn't want to supplant other faiths. When I mentioned that Big G was gone, he grew silent before speaking in a matter-of-fact voice.

"The system is designed better here. It's more robust than in many places. He prepared for his death. It will stand, and from what I have gathered, it has resisted several attempts by other deities to hijack it. I will do my own research into it. Not for control of it, but because I would like to have something similar for myself and you. Have you considered it fully yet?"

Being a champion of a god. I tell him I need more time. My God shrugged but told me that he was not in a rush. However, he says I have attracted the attention of several other deities. The Shinto have shielded me from them. Saying that they like me and him. I don't want more deities looking at me. I prepared myself for tomorrow as I entered my room and hit the bed.

That night, I had nightmares beyond count. Earth is burning in the void. A fleet burning our world to nothing. I woke up screaming three times. Throwing up twice and the third time dry heaving. I was miserable that night and didn't know what that was. I get, at most, three hours of actual sleep. I checked my phone for messages and saw one from Rias, which explains why she left early yesterday. It's good news.

When I'm down in the kitchen after showering and dressing, I find Maéva up, too, and she has a tray set with vegan food. She looked at me, distraught, from behind the granite island.

"Are you ok, young master? I heard the screaming, and I was worried."

I have an excuse for that.

"I'm as well as I can be. I was having a nightmare of the car crash, and I lost most of my memories. I'm sorry, Maéva."

The maid grew sad. She drooped, and then she moved with the food towards the stairs. She says as she begins ascending them.

"I was just worried, young master. The screaming was so bad I deafened the guest room after the first episode. She thankfully didn't wake at all."

That's good. I moved with her, and she looked down in a bit of fear, wondering if I was mad at her. I tell her as we hit the top of the stairs.

"Thank you for the concern, Maéva, and for doing that for our guest. Perhaps you can teach me a deafening spell, so you don't have to worry more about that. You're always welcome to be honest with me."

Maéva brightened there. She was still worried, but she was now not down. We tapped on Daphne's door and then entered. The nymph was slowly moving up, and she took three steps forward. Upon seeing her food and us, she smiled. Maéva brought the food over, and she gave it to the other woman. Daphne began eating, and she smiled once more.

"I'll be good to go in a few hours. Your family butler is a miracle. He knew exactly where to get the healing magic on me. I can never thank you enough for this, Gregor."

That's excellent news. I promised her.

"I'll escort you to a bus station and give you some money. Then you are free to go wherever you want."

Daphne smiles at that, and I keep her secret. She kept eating, and then, after she was done, she moved towards the bathroom. Maéva was happy there. She picked up the tray and plates before asking if I wanted anything for breakfast. I tell her something with a lot of protein. She immediately started cooking. I was eating when Issari entered the kitchen, and she looked happy today. Maéva was confused about how she was here, not hearing the front door open.

Issari was being a menace and gazed at Maéva. I slapped her head into the counter. Maéva smiled there, and Issari groaned. She said as she came up.

"Asshole, why!"

I slapped her again into the counter, making her groan again.

"My maid deserves respect, pervert. Don't do that or else. Just because you're a horn dog doesn't mean you can do that to my servants."

Issari groaned again, rubbing her head. Maéva added insult to injury by whacking Issari with a wooden spoon. My best friend groaned again. The maid made sure she was good to do that, and I approved with a quick nod. Issari whined at that.

"Maid, so pretty!"

I smirked, then turned to Maéva. She saw my thought process, and we grinned together. Issari shakes as I inform her.

"The strongest female devil queen, Issari, is a maid. She beats down anyone that screws with her. This is good practice for you. Don't stare at Maéva, or I will make last night look like child's play."

Issari wimped out and nodded. Maéva does ask while amused.

"How did she get into the house? I'm keyed into the wards, and she didn't trigger them."

Interesting, but good to know. I let my maid in slightly.

"I made something that can get her here. I can get rid of it at any time. There are lots of interesting things I can do, Maéva. Pervert, we will be hunting today, and I don't know if I should include you. I remember the black encroaching in."

Issari got her tic mark, and Maéva was amazed at the confession.

"How?"

I smiled and replied.

"Technology."

That makes Maéva look amazed. Issari kept silent. Maéva asked again.

"Your gear?"

I smile and nod.

"Yes."

Maéva was surprised again, thinking before saying.

"I have never heard of a gear like that. My gear isn't great."

That admission was said sadly and softly. I wonder what her gear is and why Geros would reincarnate her if her gear is weak. Issari said softly.

"I have gear too. Surely it's not that bad."

Maéva grew sad, and a rain cloud manifested over her head. Issari sweat dropped at that, and I shook my head at her and slapped her again into the island. She groaned, and I reassured Maéva.

"I'm sorry, Maéva. I won't ask. Do you need any household machinery? I can make some for you that should save you time or help you budget your expenses."

I guessed that she was like Rossweiss. That was proven right when the rain cloud vanished instantly, and she nodded vigorously.

"Thank you! I noticed several things at the mansion regarding our old machinery, and when I brought it up to Geros to suggest to Lord Astaroth, we were shot down by Lord Diodora. He said the issues were not real, and Lord Astaroth supported him to keep his son happy. My suggestions would have saved your house incredible amounts of money. I will enjoy working for you, young master!"

Stupid nobles you save money by being efficient on expenses. I tell her while frowning.

"New ideas are good, Maéva. Make a list of the necessary machinery, and I'll make it today. Just don't be put off by their look. I, too, am a fan of budgeting and believe in doing that in the best possible way."

Maéva danced happily there, and it's cute. Issari groaned again as she hurt from three slaps. I don't care. I didn't make her get a concussion. She just said to me while hurting.

"Prick."

I let Maéva make her list while I spoke to Issari.

"I am one, but you love me."

She grew pissed before she hugged me.

"As my best friend. You took a chance on me knowing everything, and you still helped me. You are what she says you are. You will be your stubborn ass self and deny it till the end. Just accept it like you did your redhead, you jerk."

I still doubt Rias, but she seems fine here. My nightmares return for a second, and I worry again about the earth over Rias. I will talk with Kuroka and kick up hunting. I still face an uphill battle in everything. Maéva gave me the list, and I read through it as I prepared to make them. We moved to the second floor, and I asked Issari to help move the new stuff after it was made. She grumbled about that but agreed. When Maéva saw my gear for the first time, she was stunned in silence, especially when a washing machine popped out of thin air for her. Then, the dryer. Koriel was hidden, and after I finished, I helped her move the machines. It was easier with Maéva helping to make the machines extremely light.

After we finished, I texted Kuroka, saying I would be free to talk with her soon. The cat replied that she had been called away yesterday after we left by a stray friend who was helping another new stray. When I asked if it was a nymph, Kuroka said that yes, it was one. How did I know? Stupid anime logic. I told her that I might have someone for her to meet. I asked for the name and went to Daphne, who was preparing to leave. I asked for her sister's name when it was the two of us.

She told me that it was Thetis. I texted Kuroka something, and then I escorted her towards the basement. I told Maéva that she was free to relax till I got back. The maid smiled before she turned to clean the house thoroughly. I handed Daphne money, and she was confused before we went through the teleporter.

Daphne was weirded out until we reached the station's main room, where Kuroka and two others were. The nymph beside a human man brightened, horrifyingly, seeing Daphne. They, indeed, were sisters by their hair color and eyes. A squeal hit Daphne, and then physically hit by her sister. Kuroka smiled here, and the human man watched as the sisters bonded again. He smiled there, and he thanked Kuroka.

"Thanks for this cat. Thetis was worried that someone had caught her sister and was torturing her for our whereabouts. Stray hunters are heartless, and we don't want to die."

I snorted because I was a stray hunter and a good guy. Kuroka snorted, amused, as did Issari. The man was confused, but Daphne finally got free from her sister long enough to say.

"You have now met two who aren't. It's okay Thetis they are my heroes and won't turn on you and your friend."

The man had shown himself fully there, and his face had paled, hearing we were stray hunters. Then he grew confused because he was here with his friend, her sister, and the S-class criminal, and nothing had happened. Thetis just smiled more and thanked us.

"I trust my sister Tomas. She and I are the best of friends."

The man watched me carefully for a minute. He was nondescriptive, with brown hair and blue eyes. He remained on high alert. Thetis giggled, got off her sister, helped her up, and introduced Tomas to her.

"This is my partner, Daphne. He kept me sane with him."

Surprisingly, while Thetis was a two-pawn piece, Tomas was a bishop. Daphne saw her sister's happiness with Tomas and congratulated her with a tease.

"You were always boring, Thetis, but I am happy for you both. We can move fast as our friend here gave me money for you two."

Thetis smiled brightly there while Tomas was looking me up and down suspiciously. He didn't seem to accept the story. He tensed before suddenly throwing a spell that punched through my stomach into the tiled floor. I gasped in pure shock at the attack, and the missing part of my stomach was now not there. Before dropping to the floor on my back as my world went fuzzy. Issari screamed, and Daphne immediately ran to me. I stared at the ceiling, and the world started turning black. Daphne was looking down at me in horror; she was cupping my face, and her eyes were filled with tears. Kuroka appeared on my right side, looking into my eyes in horror and tears as well. I say softly to Kuroka only.

"Don't worry, Roka, I'll be back."

The world darkened despite Daphne saying something I couldn't hear. I passed into the darkness of death, my first one.