Scarlet 42

Scarlet 42

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Commissioned by Sivantic

Wordcount: 2500

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AUUGHHHHH. BLONDE KITSUNES.

I want to go home.

Alright, I’m done. For now.

No. You’re not.

BLONDE KITSUNES IN MIKO OUTFITSSSSSS.

I know that I can’t hate God. He beat me fair and square. But, sometimes, I feel like I should.

I took several deep breaths of the salty sea air and let the wind flow over me. The seagulls chirped, the waves crashed, and the scent of meat grilling was faint in the air. Laughter and joy filled the beach, but in truth joy and completion filled my heart.

Ah.

My dreams weren’t a lie.

They were within my reach all along.

Normally, I’d be happy for you, since you’re looking to get something you want and do the right thing. In this case, though, I almost want to cry.

I can get a blonde, kitsune girlfriend that cosplays.

Nothing can me cry anymore.

Jeez, at least get the girl, before getting so happy! You’re not an idol-fan, you know!? Be a man! A real, human being!

I luxuriated for a few more minutes, before cutting back on my exhilaration and refocusing.

“Alright, Ddraig, what do you know about the cute girls with fluffy ears and tails?”

I have never disliked you any more than I have now.

I waited.

Ah, fine. I don’t know much. They’re Japanese. Mostly. There was one in China a long time ago that was a problem, but it got solved, before I got up to see what the fuss was about. You’re pretty much on your own.

That was to be expected. Ddraig wasn’t all-knowing. So, all the concrete information that I had was in the dossier that Sona sent to my phone.

I did my best to skip the pictures.

My god she was wearing the kimono with the top open and according to tradition.

Taylor.

Right.

The West Faction Youkai were located in Kyoto and they were led by the bux—blonde Kitsune named Yasaka. Sona’s goals with them were simple: prevent conflict from breaking out and spilling over. They had a rival group led by a Nurarihyon, which had younger Youkai that were chafing at having to stay concealed from humans. Both sides were in agreement with the Five Principal Clans, which were Japan’s equivalent to the Church, and who had Sacred Beasts passed down their lineage that helped them purge Youkai and fight supernatural foes for normal humans.

It was a lot of new information, but it made sense.

There was no way Japanese history would’ve been the same here and my world (sans the Endbringer Leviathan) if the supernatural existed, and there was no counterbalance. An organization of humans that have hereditary powers? Yeah, that sounded like just the thing to get to keep things normal.

The question was, however, why didn’t the Devils do this themselves?

The Great 3 Factions are called as such for a reason. As you cans see, this nine-tailed Kitsune is noted to be on par with an Ultimate Class. She leads all of the Western Youkai. The Devils, Grigori, and Heaven have such people in the dozens, and their leaders are far stronger, too.

Ah, so they weren’t superpowers, but regional powers.

A human term, but appropriate.

These Youkai were close enough to Kuoh to affect the balance of power. Kyoto was a day trip away using mundane methods, like the train. With most supernatural creates capable of flight, that meant that these Youkai in Kyoto were within striking distance. If they wanted to make sure their peace was upheld, and the there were no issues with their territory, they could easily start policing this area. However, if they were destabilized and used by the enemy, they could also serve as opponents that we couldn’t defeat.

Which was why Sona was asking me to go there and inform them of what was going on, so that nothing could interrupt the upcoming treaty ratification.

“Well, it looks like Sona’s thought everything through, as usual. But… why should we just contact that Youkai? Why not the five clans?” It seemed to me that we should contact the people keeping these guys in check, rather than contact the people who were being hemmed in. The clans of humans with hereditary powers seemed to be better allies… or was there some form of neutrality going on in that regard. “Do you have any idea, Ddraig?”

None. All this politicking is beneath a Dragon. They might be strong, but they certainly can’t kill gods, like I can. I never paid anyone below me any attention. Only pity.

Escanor, you are not.

I totally, kinda am!

I ignored Ddraig and looked around.

Akeno Himejima… she had a shrine priestess outfit for battle. As far as clues went, it seemed pretty flimsy, but it was a clue and I could pursue it.

Still, I considered the fact that she was a Devil and the fact that she’s never mentioned her father and mother.

Issues could arise from the question, so I shelved it until after we were finished at the beach.

…

“Ara? Ise-kun, Sona-chan said that you had something to ask me about my former clan?”

“I was going to ask after the party, but sure.” Sona, as always, as a few steps ahead and Akeno didn’t seem perturbed by the question. Instead, as usual, she was sultry and seductive while taking a seat next to me. Her bikini top was two shades of purple, magenta and violet, held together by a hoop right at her cleavage line. The bottom was the same, but the hoop was on her right hip. Both hoops were desperately trying to survive, just like me. “Do you know anything about the 5 Principal Clans?”

“Ah, that’s why you weren’t being so ferocious.” Akeno pouted and giggled. “You were worried that it had something to do with my past, since I used to be part of the Himejima clan?”

“I had no clue. I thought that you’d known more since you have magic and you were a shrine outfit.” I told her the truth, which made Akeno blink, and then giggle. Rias nudged me off to my side, and I looked her way, only to get a thumbs up. That was, apparently, the right move. “I didn’t want to bring up anything uncomfortable. At least, while we’re all supposed to be celebrating.”

“I see. That’s very nice of you, Ise-kun, but I don’t mind. I like my new life.” Akeno sighed and leaned away from me. Boobs, I won’t forget you. She tucked her knees up. Ooh, boobs you look better squished like that! Akeno giggled again. Yep, I was staring. “The Gremory family has my loyalty… the Himejima Clan… I don’t see them as family after what they did to me. Nor do I see the Grigori as fellows, either.”

She reached out and took my hand.

It was nice, but that wasn’t the point.

You’re still excited, but I guess you’re putting some effort into not being horny. I guess, it’s fine.

“My mother and father were in love, but they believed my father controlled my mother through magic and tried to dispatch him. They failed, but leaked information to the Fallen about them, and had her killed. He left after that.” Akeno recounted the situation, trying to seem unperturbed, but I could tell that it was difficult. Still, I was re-evaluating my views on the Five Principal Clans. If this was how they did things, then it was no wonder why Sona wanted me to contact the Western Youkai Faction instead of the humans keeping them in line. “I lived with a relative until they found my father’s blood was strong, they chased me to kill me until I was twelve, before Rias’ father’s Bishop interceded on my behalf. I become a Devil that shall be of the Gremory Familia and never interact with them again, then I shall be allowed to live freely.”

I took a lot of effort to not get angry.

I thought that Akeno was saved, like Kiba was, but even if she liked her current life… she was forced to become a Devil. The benefits of becoming a Devil were many, that much I couldn’t deny, but becoming a different creature entirely should be by choice… or if one was dead. It was an imperfect system that placed so much in the hands of heirs to the Pillar Families. However, that just made Akeno’s forced situation worse.

Her ‘clan’ essentially forced her into immortal servitude with a Pillar Family so that she could live. If it weren’t the Gremory clan, if her King wasn’t Rias who treated her peerage like a family and helped them fulfill their goals, then Akeno could’ve been turned into nothing more than a slave. An immortal slave forever to be used and abused by the Devil that took her in, just because they couldn’t accept who she was because of her parentage.

“Ahn, Ise-kun… you can’t blame me for what happens next, if you keep hurting me so nicely~.” A husky whisper from Akeno brought me back from stewing in my anger. I noticed that I’d been gripping Akeno’s hand hard enough to leave red marks, despite trying to hold back. I worried I’d hurt her, until she held her hands with a hazy gaze and reddened face. “Ah? Why did you let go? Can’t you tell that I want you to hold my hand until it hurts and hurts?”

…what a dangerous girl this is…

I’m a Dragon, and even I agree. Good luck, Taylor!

I cleared my throat and repressed my instinct. It would be another story, if we were in private, but in public… it was a close call, but I persevered.

“S-sounds like they’re not worth talking to, then. They’re terrible people.” I grunted and looked away. My face was red and it was a struggle to calm down, but I after a few breaths Akeno giggled and just leaned against me again. “If you need help against them, just ask. I won’t ask for much.”

“But there’s so much that I want to give, Ise-kun~.” Akeno breathed into my ear and my self-control threatened to break down into a million pieces. That was until I noticed that Akeno’s smile held a sadistic tint to it. I calmed down at the sight. If there was anything in this world that didn’t exist for me, even with my new body, it was being treated like I was under someone else. Thankfully, Akeno noticed, and she eased off that particular persona and just earnestly smiled and brought a finger up to her lips. “Let me rephrase, Ise-kun. If you help me, there’s a lot I’m willing to let you take.”

Augh.

Yep.

That was way better.

I don’t see the appeal with being dominated either, and I didn’t go through what you did. I’m sure that it’s perfectly fine to just one thing or the other, Taylor.

Don’t need the supporting commentary on my fetishes, Ddraig.

Thank goodness.

Once more, I had to take a moment to regather my wits, before speaking to the giggly and happy Akeno.

“So, what do you know about the Western Faction of the Youkai? The ones from Kyoto?” That got a nod from Akeno as she changed gears over to relaying information. I felt a cold, dull edge at my side and noticed Rias passing me a plate. Right. We were eating. I passed the plate to Akeno and then took mine. Rias’s pout was pretty cute. Also, her bikini was awesome. I stared for a bit… and a bit longer. I forgot to look back at Akeno. “Sona wants me to contact them to clear things up about what happened over here.”

Rias giggled, then I suddenly felt Akeno turning my head over her way and tilting my chin down at the same time.

Ah, barely any time lost between looking at one pair of cleavage and another.

Wonderful.

I don’t get boobs, but that’s because I’m a dragon.

Quiet.

Oi, pay attention to the important information!

Pairing information to significant images is one of the best ways to develop powerful memory.

…I don’t like how that makes sense.

“The Western Faction of the Youkai in Kyoto is a very calm and docile group. They’ve hardly done anything to trouble humanity. In fact, some serve as guardians of shrines and work together with the 5 Principal Clans. It’s the Eastern Faction that causes issues.” Bounce. Jiggle. Squish. Is there anything in life as wonderful as boobs? Mhmm. Butts, probably. Oh, midriffs are great too. Toned anything. Legs are amazing. Cute smiles. Slender eyelashes. Nape. Lips. Hair. Calves. Hips. Oi, you’re just naming every part of the female body. That’s because it’s true. Feet? Armpits? I’m a pervert, not a degenerate. “It seems the Sona is worried that this won’t be enough recuperation for you, Ise-kun, or that you might find some training over there that will be useful. There are many magics that Youkai possess that can be learned by humans. Kitsune of the Kyoto region, for example, are quite adept at sealing.”

“Sealing?”

“The ability to subjugate and curtail spirits, as well as their effects. It’s a form of exorcism. Ah, I see. She’s worried that you’ll lose yourself to your Sacred Gear. After all, you’re more a hybrid between human and Dragon at this rate.” Akeno trailed a hand down my chest. On the outside, I looked the same. However, Ddraig focused any changes on the inside. Tougher bones, muscles, and organs, as well as far more robust defenses and regeneration. Al things that were very good for me in the long term, but definitely inhuman. “Perhaps, Sona-chan thinks that you should have yourself looked at, so you don’t stop being you.”

Akeno’s gaze had a bit of worry at that statement, but before it could grow, I shook my head.

“I’ll look into it when I’m there, but Ddraig and I are on good terms. I’ll get checked out, but he has my trust.” If there was anything I was sure of in this life, it was the fact that Ddraig and I understood one another and were able to work together. It was the benefit of knowing each other’s histories and sharing the same bodies. Still, my statement and confidence in said statement made Akeno smile, and some tension from Rias fade. “I think it’ll be plenty useful to just know a few more tricks just in case, too.”

With that said, Akeno nodded and started to eat her food, though her gaze darted my way a few times.

This would be the part where I say a sinister one liner, so that the audience can be caught in a cliffhanger until the next volume, even though nothing happens.

Yeah, none of these guys knew Ddraig and I were fellow otaku.

I’m telling you that they’ll be fine if we show them the manga and anime and games that don’t have that much weird stuff.

Name one.

…

Exactly.