Chapter 2

Kuro’s POV

I don’t even know, how long I’ve been walking...

I made my way through the summit vicinity with a long tree branch to help support my exhausted body. My demonic energy was beginning to refill, but I was reluctant about evoking the old dragon’s wings, to avoid draining it again.

Thankfully the streets were practically deserted, my guess was another summit clash was taking place. I thought about going to find out what we may have to deal with next, but I really didn’t have the energy. Also, I could always just watch Sitri’s stupid show later, to see how the other matches went. Despite her useless chatter throughout the program, there was usually some useful commentary and analysis, given by the show’s various guests.

“Whooooooa, master, is this what Hell looks likes now?”

“H-how long were you in those burial grounds Morgana?”

“Oh? I think a couple of centuries, I dunno.”

“Shiko is also super amazed, Shiko wants to see Japan.”

“I will show you once we’re done here Shiko.”

“Hooray!”

“Wahahahaha, what do you mean little Shiko? Didn’t uncle Bahamut describe all the wonders of modern day Japan to you in detail?”

“Um, Bahamut-ojisan just told Shiko what the big sisters looked like and what their three sizes were.”

“D-damn it old man! What have you been telling Shiko!?”

“Wahahahahaha, just the wonders of modern day Japan foolish boy. All you have to do, is evoke this dragon king’s aged eyes and even you, will be able to figure out a woman’s…”

“Oh, oh, master, do me, do me!”

“Wahaha, I’d be more than happy to do so little witch girl, just...”

“Muahahaha, keep your putrid eyes away from my ethereal form, you perverted old fool! I was speaking with...”

“Give it a rest you two!”

My head was aching from my lack of demonic energy and the stupid wound Alessia dealt me was throbbing. The bleeding had stopped for the most part, but I don’t think the slash was healing. Just what the hell was Hrotti made out of anyway…

“Morgana, are you gonna be able to seal this wound?”

“Oh? Hmmm, probably!”

“W-what do you mean probably!? I’m starting to realise why that bastard Lucifer had you hidden deep in those ruins…”

“Ahhhhhh, finally, finally master is seeing me for what I truly am! Master Lucifer said that he hid me there because I was his most precious treasure. For master Kuro to feel the same way. Makes me very happy, teehee!”

“...”

I didn’t have to the heart to burst her bubble. I allowed Morgana to frolick freely in her little world and struggled on toward the villa.

I made my way up the slope toward home and resented the fact that it was uphill. As I passed through the gates and knocked on the doors, I realised how long it had been since I was last here. It may only have been less than a week, but it was much longer in reality, because I had spent so much time in Lucifer’s burial grounds.

The door opened and I spotted Eliza peeking from behind it. She met my eye and smiled at me. Her sister wasn’t with her, which was strange because they were inseparable. Having these two around really warmed my heart though. However, their loyalty to Shiro was terrifyingly unquestionable.

Before leaving on my quest to find another familiar, Eliza and Beth found the pictures of Mei-Lien that the geezer had sent me. I had them hidden in a locked and concealed chest of drawers. To this day, I have no idea how they managed to find them. I stumbled upon their discovery when I returned to my room to pick up a few things. The second our eyes met, Eliza latched onto my legs and Beth sprinted passed me, pictures in hand. I tried to free myself of Eliza’s grip but she was clamped around my ankles pretty tight. When I finally managed to escape, I felt the temperature around me drop. I knew what was coming, so decided to leap out the window, I landed on my feet and narrowly availed myself from Shiro’s blitz…

“Welcome home Master Kuro, my Mistress has been awaiting your return.”

“What did I tell you about calling me master Liz? Kuro is fi…”

Wait, something she just said, sent chills down my spine. Before I could stop her, Liz smiled up at me and sprinted off toward the direction of Shiro’s room. I had planned to report to Seir and then return to my room to get some rest, but I suppose Shiro was still mad about the photos. Come to think of it, she was giving me some pretty unsavoury looks throughout today’s summit matchup too. I guess I did take off with Alessia without even acknowledging her...

I took a deep breath and decided to face whatever cruel fate awaited me, like a man. Just when I was about to head toward Shiro’s room, I spotted Alice walking toward me from the corner of my eye.

“...My lord is awaiting you in his study.”

“O-oh, right, hiya Alice, how have you…”

“M-master! Who is this person and why does her presence send chills down my spine?”

“...My lord requested that you make your way there immediately.”

“R-right, I’ll go there now.”

I ignored Morgana’s outburst and made my way to Seir’s study.

I opened the door and spotted Seir leaning back in his chair. His hands were behind his head and his feet were on the desk. As soon as I walked in, he grinned at me.

“Hey, you’re back!”

“Yeah, I’m exhausted…”

“Ahahaha, well, how’d it go with Alessia Belith?”

“Aside from this little present she left across my chest, pretty well. She agreed to fight with us, after we make it to the semis that is.”

“Oho? I guess I’ll tell Alice to cancel preparations for a visit to the Belith Manor then haha.”

“W-what!? You thought that I…”

“Yikes, that’s one deep gash you got there. I take it that your quest for a familiar was unsuccessful?”

“No, actually I managed to find one, also Shiko…”

I was about to evoke Morgana and Shiko, when Seir made a surprised expression. I’ve only seen him make a face like that once, in the entire time I’ve known him. Seir jumped out of his seat and dashed toward me. It was like he realised something. He placed his hands on my shoulders and gave me a serious look.

“Where is she Kuro?”

“W-what are you talking about?”

“Show me Kuro!”

“D-damn it Seir, what’s up with you? My new familiar is Morgana, she’s one of Lucifer’s former familiars and…”

“No, I mean, that sounds interesting and all and I’m sure this Morgana is pretty cool, but I’m talking about Shiko.”

“Shiko?”

I evoked Shiko in shadow form. She hid behind my back and peered up at Seir with a curious and hesitant expression. Despite not being fully materialised, she was gripping onto my coat from behind me, it was actually a little adorable.

“...Shiko, come, JUMP INTO BIG BRO SEIR'S CHEST!”

“...”

“Ahh, how I have waited for this day, prayed for it! When Obaasan gave you to me all those years ago, I…”

I shielded Shiko and turned to leave.

“W-where are you going Kuro?”

“...”

“C-come back!”

“...”

“H-hey, where are you going with Shiko? Sh-Shikooooooooo!”

I patted the confused looking Shiko on the head and sent her back to Bahamut and Morgana. Following this, I made my way out of Seir’s study and toward my room.