Gaming Badly in DxD

-Zatren Fumigami-

The giant dragon didn’t speak at first, merely content with staring me down. I, too, just stared up, unbothered by the flames surrounding us or the immense size difference.

‘’I’ll say…’’ I scratched my chin with squinted eyes. ‘’You could do better for a personal pocket space. It’s not like my soul is packed to the brim or something, you know?’’

Hot air blew into my face, pushing my black locks back as the dragon’s throat made a rumbling noise that sounded like a mix of a huff and a snort.

‘’Witty as always, aren’t you?’’ Ddraig retorted, the cracked side of his face directly in front of me. ‘’As pointless as I find the need to ask, I’m sure you’re aware of the underlying issue of my current form?’’

‘’You mean the lines in your face that make you look like a Christmas Cracker?’’ I tilted my head, getting a pointed look in return. ‘’Alright, alright. Yes, I know. The Boosted Gear was somehow shattered thanks to that Sacred Gear Extractor or something.’’

‘’It has indeed. If it wasn’t because of your Greed, I would have long ceased to exist.’’ Ddraig nodded; the movement was slow, and it caused the fire around us to part. There was no doubt about the Heavenly Dragon being imposing, but his movements were… feeble. ‘’The help of your life-long partner has also helped to stabilize the form of the Sacred Gear, but that hold won’t last long. It is, after all, an incomplete vessel barely held together by otherworldly, non-defined references of your own machination.’’

That’s a particular way to say an ‘anime show from another world saved my life’.

‘’What would happen if you remain in this ‘incomplete form’ for much longer?’’ I asked, but I already knew the answer, more or less.

‘’I hold no physical form to return to the Christian God’s System. How ironic it is that the prison that Deity imposed on me and the White One is now the only thing keeping me from vanishing altogether.’’ The dragon scoffed, both amused and annoyed at the thought. ‘’I hold no ties to my current life. After all, I have done nothing but be passed around human after human, partner after partner, for centuries. In short, I may very well die permanently.’’

That’s as much as I expected. What I didn’t foresee was how calmly the dragon spoke of death as if it were a foregone conclusion, or even something he wished for.

‘’And you’re just… okay with that?’’ I asked, confused.

‘’HA! Who will?!’’ Ddraig roared as he stood, wings flapping in a burst of brutal winds, causing my ears to ring, and for the whole space to shake before he settled back down on the floor. ‘’I have no wish for death, Deus of Abundance, but I also do not cling to life. I have seen how your strength grows, however. So, for staving my soul off death’s door, I’ll at least provide this much.’’

The dragon extended one of its claws. The limb was easily thrice the size of my body, and a singular nail was equal to my torso. The very tip of those dangerous weapons the Dragon may call digits touched my forehead, and a System window popped up.

Quest Started: [The Red Dragon Emperor’s Full Liberation].

The nature of this Quest is of Multiple Choice. Meaning that, only one of the following Objectives may be fulfilled.

[Objective I]: Restore the Boosted Gear to its full, non-broken state.

[Objective II]: Find a way to end the Dragon’s existence and put his soul to rest.

[Objective III]: Create your own outcome.

[Reward]: The Reward will vary depending on the path you choose.

WARNING: If Ddraig’s soul passes away on its own before this quest’s completion, Objective II will be automatically completed.

I stared, mouth agape at the act, turning to the massive dragon as the screen was dismissing.

‘’Ha! That spirit is right. Watching you be surprised and have that confident smile wiped from your face is quite the novelty!’’ Ddraig declared with boisterous laughter. ‘’Like I said… I hold no qualms to life or death, and taking my own destiny by the reins is a right that has long been stolen away from me.’’

Was this lizard serious?

Whatever I did, his quest would guarantee that I get something in return, even if I don’t do anything at all…

It felt depressive as shit!

‘’I’ll make sure to do something about it, then.’’ I smiled, crossing my arms. ‘’Don’t think I’ll be losing something so important after all the trouble I went through to get it—No, it’s not only that. I promised, even if just to myself, that I would use your former partner’s powers so as to honor his death. Don’t think you can just die on me, you lazy lizard.’’

Ddraig’s throat made a rumbling noise. Now I couldn’t properly tell if it was a grumble or a chortle of laughter. But in any case, I felt the pocket space tremble, meaning that I was close to waking up.

‘’…Do as you wish.’’ He huffed.

‘’Of course I will, who do you take me for?’’ I stuck out my tongue, giving a two-finger salute.

‘’An idiotic, if amusing fish-turned-devil-turned-deus.’’ Ddraig didn’t really have a set expression, but if I had to take a wild guess, I’d say that was a deadpan.

‘’Hey—!’’ But before I could refute further, the dream world was whisked away.

Damn him and having the last word… I wanted the last word!

-X-x-X-

As bad a taste as that dream left in my mouth, I couldn’t act on my words immediately.

Waking up with a call from Serafall telling me that I needed to get off my ass and get to a meeting was… not unexpected.

Sure, I would have preferred to stay cuddled up to the sisters a bit more, but duty called, and I couldn’t afford to look bad in front of our newest political allies. So, after leaving breakfast for the two ravenous Nekoshou, some good-morning scritches, and taking a quick shower, I made my way to the sky.

…To heaven, if I wanted to be specific.

‘’I really didn’t expect them to have the Golden Gate and everything.’’ I hummed while a nervous-looking angel guided me around. It was to be expected, going from a cold war to a treaty in the blink of an eye was bound to leave tensions.

‘I can’t imagine what Sirzechs and Serafall have to deal with.’

Heaven was… a lot less ‘’divine’’ than I expected, being honest.

The boundary to enter its dimension could only be accessed by other divine and his angels—the non-fallen kind—and it seemed to be divided into several sub-dimensions. A total of seven.

The thought made me snort. ‘Seriously, seven heavens… like the seven virtues to counter the seven vices?’

The first heaven consisted of the entrance and residential area. There was no ‘‘guardian’’ in front of the doors, but that wasn’t to say the area was unprotected. I could not feel any pure angel that fell below the six-winged range, and any that did was one of the newly reincarnated.

The perks of being created so long ago, I would guess. Considering God was supposed to be dead since the end of the Great War.

The Second Heaven was much less lively. Complete darkness swallowed the space, except for stars that shone in the sky. Contrary to what I thought, this place was supposed to be a prison. A place of penance for any Angel that sinned, but did not fall.

Seems… pretty contradictory? Did angels need to sin from the bottom of their hearts to fall, or did this place serve as repentance for those who deeply regretted their actions?

The Third Heaven was… infinite. Either that, or it occupied such a large amount of space that was equal to several dozen Earths, and there was no wonder why. The moment I stepped into it, I felt thousands, upon hundreds of thousands of souls. That was to say, this place was biblical heaven. The one so talked about in the bible.

…Not going to lie, it looked very bland—same structure as the others, but nothing besides souls.

However! This floor also connected to all the others. Of course, it was an intricate, difficult-to-navigate thing, but it was awfully convenient, and personally, it was kind of fascinating.

There was also apparently some sort of tree around here? A very important one…

Sadly, I had no time to pay attention to its search, nor visit the remaining Four Heavens, as time was precious, doubly so since Ayuka had already done her part and helped the Seraphs create something akin to the Evil Piece System.

And because my teacher seemed to like table games a lot, their theme was cards instead of chess.

‘’We are here, Deus of Abundance.’’ My escort informed, looking everywhere but at me. That was another curious thing the angels did. Whenever the ‘lower-ranked’ ones referred to a deity, it was always as ‘Deus’, probably saving the word ‘God’ for their one and true creator, no matter how long deceased. ‘’As you had requested, Lady Gabriel has taken your petition for a meeting. If you excuse me…’’

‘I so owe Serafall a dinner and a bunch of treats.’ I grinned, already having some ideas for a big breakfast and a relaxing day that the overworked Satan would love. ‘Now… time to tease the fuck out of that adorable little dove!’

Yes, yes, this was supposed to be an important chat about my places of worship. Honestly, I was not all that interested in replacing other Pantheons. Did I need followers? Probably, but my Strengthening Methods synergized well enough with the supposed ‘worship’, and I was not in a hurry.

Making Gabriel fluster until steam came out of her ears was, obviously, the more important matter. I even had Serafall’s encouragement!

…Though I don’t know what her bad blood with Gabriel was, at least it seemed more playful than hateful.

The stony gates parted easily, defying all logic of such a large door resting above clouds as if it was floating—just like the residential area, to be honest—and inside, there was a non-descript meeting room, complemented with two chairs, a large, decorative table with a white cloth, decorated with beautiful golden patterns, and, most important of all, there were two people inside.

The first, I recognized immediately: Gabriel. Just like last time we met, she wore a white cloth in a makeshift nun outfit in gold and white, yet her curves were more than visible even through the chaste clothing. Her hands seemed stuck in a prayer as her eyes landed on me, and a bright, lovely smile that couldn’t be described as anything other than ‘blinding’ parted her lips.

The other person was actually Griselda Quarta, Xenovia’s guardian. She, too, had nun robes, though a lot less flashy than the Seraph.

Oh, and her expression suddenly tightened into a polite smile when her eyes landed on me. Probably already knowing my perverse intentions of making the great and mighty Seraph in front of her into an adorable, stuttering mess.

To be honest, that was not my fault at all.

If Angel, why hot?

Either God did not have that much influence when creating his children’s bodies, or he knew exactly what he was doing.

Alas, if I had to guess by the holy power emanating from Griselda’s body and the fact that she was in Heaven alongside Gabriel, it must mean she was recently reincarnated as an Angel.

‘What did Teacher call them again…? Brave Saints? Cool name.’ I stepped forward, hearing the doors close behind me. With a warm smile, I bowed my head slightly in polite greeting. ‘’Hello there, Lady Grabriel, Lady Griselda. Good to see you’re both in good health.’’

‘’It is well to see you too, Abundance Deus Fumigami.’’ Gabriel nodded too, though I noticed a rosy pink entering her cheeks. ‘’Please, take a seat. Have you come alone?’’

‘’Titles are such a mouthful; just call me Zatren.’’ I grinned, reaching out to the chair and sitting down. ‘’Was I supposed to? I do see Griselda by your side, but…’’

‘’It’s not… required per se. But when important meetings take place, it is normal to bring a confidant with you, if not for safety, then for witnesses.’’ Gabriel explained while sitting across from me, directing a warm smile to Griselda, who decided to pour tea for both of us. ‘’As for formalities… then please, Gabriel is more than enough.’’

‘’Ga-chan.’’ I hummed, noticing in amusement how Griselda froze mid-pouring at my bold naming, while Gabriel blinked slowly. ‘’Gabri-chan? Maybe Gabi-Gabi?’’

Huh… nicknames were surprisingly hard. Maybe I didn’t give Rias enough credit.

‘’J-just Gabriel, please.’’ The Seraph’s face was tinted with pink, trying and failing to maintain a serious expression.

‘’Sure thing, sweet angel.’’ I stuck out my tongue.

Watching her squirm at just some surface compliments was truly adorable. A part of me wondered if she just wasn’t used to compliments—I would smack someone over the head if she wasn’t—or if it was merely my forwardness that threw Gabriel off.

‘’A-anyway…’’ Gabriel cleared her throat, now more composed and with a cup of tea in her hands. ‘’Shall we start? How about sites of worship first? We have no strong footing in Japan, but Europe is another matter entirely. If possible, you could…’’

Ah, this was the part where my brain started tuning things out for the sake of my barely working two brain cells.

Hey, if anything, having a cute girl to tease and fluster during the boring talk made it much less boring.

-X-x-X-

Cups were refilled and emptied as the talk went by, along with refreshments I provided myself, much to the Seraph’s joy.

In the end, I had several ‘locations’ that I had more or less ‘prohibited’—if not directly, then just strongly suggested—to take for myself.

A clear example would be Italy, though, even if I could make a church or cult in there, it would be idiotic to think I could dissuade any of the pull the Vatican held in that city.

Places like Rome and Greece were a-okay, preferred, even, after I commented on my nighttime chat with the Gods of the Greek/Roman Pantheon.

However, considering my main residence was in Kuoh, it is almost certain that I would set my first ‘shrine’ there… Which probably means I have to go to Kyoto, which is the capital of Youkai and also the Five Principal Clans.

Fun.

‘’Sooo…’’ Once the important talks were over, I still stayed a bit for small talk, even if I had to tone down my seduction attempts to not make Griselda pop a vein. ‘’I heard my teacher has done well in her promise to help you guys with your population problems. Something about Poker cards?’’

‘’Ah, yes, though we don’t really associate it with the game itself—unlike with Evil Pieces and chess.’’ Gabriel nodded, gesturing for Griselda at her side. ‘’An example here is Griselda. She’s my ‘Queen of Hearts’, and much like a devil’s Queen, she is the ‘highest’ value member of my deck.’’

‘Hm. Cards instead of Pieces, and Deck in place for Peerage?’ I hummed, knowing perfectly well I’ll end up confusing the two. ‘’I’m glad to hear that. Teacher really does quick and efficient work, though I’d hope she took more breaks and enjoyed the world around her a little more.’’

‘’Still, I’m curious about something…’’ I hummed, making the Seraph perk up.

‘’Oh? Please, ask away, I’ll be glad to—‘’

‘’Can angels fuck?’’ I blurted out, then immediately paused, noticing my blunder. ‘’Ah.’’

Gabriel’s face exploded in red as her hands twitched at my words. The tea cup in her hands had fallen to the ground, being only caught from… sinking into the cloudy floor? By Griselda’s quick action—Who, may I add, looked entirely too scandalized, yet slowly turned to her King with a glint of curiosity.

‘’I worded that improperly.’’ Coughing into my fist, I chuckled with an apologetic tone. ‘’I meant, considering that once you fall to ‘sin’, you become a Fallen… does that mean that no pure Angels could be born ever again?’’

‘’O-oh…’’ Gabriel chuckled nervously, still a bit jittery and very much blushing.

Now I had to wonder if all Angels were this innocent, bordering on straight-up dysfunctional when it came to speaking about anything intimate, or if it was just a Gabriel thing.

For a single second, I saw a hint of black spread across the Seraph’s pure golden wings, but it was quickly dissuaded with a shake from her head.

Griselda’s stare had, funnily enough, lost some of that strong admiration when looking directly at the Seraph.

So, my gut says the latter.

‘’Well, you are right… partially.’’ Gabriel started, looking down at her hands with a frown. ‘’We, angels… have the necessary ‘bits’ for reproduction. However, when it comes to the act itself… I’m sure you’re acquainted with some of the ‘old-fashioned’ Christian belief of only copulating to conceive?’’

‘’Oh… Oh!’’ My eyes went as big as dinner plates. ‘’So you can’t even… enjoy the act?’’

‘’It’s less about enjoyment, Zatren, and more about who you… e-enjoy it with… Angels obviously cannot lie with our Fallen brethren nor Devils without falling, so that lets only pure-hearted, sinless humans, which also have some obstacles we need to circumvent… And there’s also…’’ Gabriel’s last sentence was a tiny whisper that I couldn’t quite catch, but her ears suddenly turned red as she refused to make eye contact.

‘’I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.’’

‘’U-uhm… and the …ivine…’’

‘’…Still didn’t hear it~’’

I would say I was feeling apologetic, but that would make me a liar, because I enjoyed bringing reactions out of Heaven’s most beautiful woman.

‘’T-the divine!’’ Gabriel raised her voice, slapping her hands on the table before shily sitting back down, as if she had done something shameful. ‘’I… I apologize. That was improper, I just… The Divine. Other divine beings, such as Deuses, could… l-lay with an Angel without forcing their fall thanks to the Divine, Holy, and Light energies inside their bodies being generally stronger than your average Angel.’’

‘’Oh, that makes sense… So, to lie with, let’s say a twelve-winged Angel—A Seraph…’’ I grinned, uncaring about the way Griselda stared me down, or how Gabriel shrank into herself with a cute ‘fueeh...?’. ‘’One would need to be pretty strong… Like, beat a Cadre to a pulp, strong, maybe?’’

‘’O-odd comparison… but yes.’’ Gabriel tried, and I mean really tried to ignore my implications, but not being able to look me straight in the eye anymore without blushing was a dead giveaway. ‘’…W-why do you ask?’’

‘’Curiosity.’’ I hummed, deciding to turn down my advances for now. I was not the type to be incredibly pushy in the first place, and I feared that Gabriel would suddenly combust if I went on with it any longer. ‘’Anyway, it has been a lovely chat, Gabriel. You really have a way to make even boring themes like politics feel like lighthearted chats.’’

Yet, before I could get up and follow along with my schedule, Gabriel interrupted me by suddenly getting up with a serious frown, making me almost feel the sheer whiplash her emotions went through.

‘’Before you go, Zatren, I feel like there’s something important you need to know,’’ Gabriel admitted, a hint of worry in her tone that seemed… awfully angry. ‘’Do you know anything about a group calling themselves the Khaos Brigade?’’

‘’Doesn’t ring a bell, no.’’ I shook my head. ‘’Why?’’

‘’There have been reports of attacks across our territory, but the perpetrators are an organized bunch…’’ Gabriel’s body tensed as her tone was filled with displeasure. ‘’Devils, Humans, even Fallen who do not respect any treaty. They are mercenaries, going left and right, attacking seemingly without a clear intention besides amassing numbers, while also indiscriminately using deadly force without hesitation against those who oppose them.’’

I felt my face scrunch up into a scowl. The second-hand embarrassment of having such an organization be a thing at all, with the current peace treaty going through already, made me not like them one bit.

Seriously, how many idiots are there going to be before someone finally gets the hint that, ‘hey guys, if we don’t fucking kill each other just because, we are all kind of, I don’t know, safe from being targeted from every other continent-buster!’

Or maybe that was their goal? To square up against someone the likes of Sirzechs and win?

‘’I see… I’ll make sure to keep an eye out.’’ I offered with a tight smile. ‘’…Here, it’s just a little thing, but if you happen to learn more about these ‘Khaos Brigade’ members, or if I find something, I’d like for us to be in contact.’’

I wrote my number on a small piece of paper and offered it to the Seraph, who only looked in confusion before a sheepish smile appeared on her face.

‘’Ah… I don’t have one of these… Smart phonks? I tend to just communicate via letters…’’ Gabriel tilted her head to the side, confusedly pointing at the numbers.

I deadpanned. ‘’That’s…’’

…

‘’…They are called smart phones, they are convenient, much more than barging in unexpectedly or waiting for a reply to a letter. There are supernatural variants just for us, too.’’ I sighed and then immediately picked up my smile from the ground as it turned teasing as I placed the piece of paper on Gabriel’s hand and softly squeezed it closed. ‘’Don’t lose it now, okay? I’ll get so sad if a beauty like Gabi-chan were to ignore me like that. The heartbreak! I’ll die on the spot!’’

Sure enough, Gabriel’s face burst into crimson as she stammered, partially flustered and offended.

‘’F-fueh?!’’ Gabriel squaked, shaking her head before pouting, which made her cheeks inflate like a chipmunk’s. ‘’I-I thought I said to just call me Gabriel, Zatren!’’

‘’I know.’’ I blew the Seraph a kiss on my way out. ‘’See you later, oh, most beautiful among the Heavens~!’’

Without acknowledging Gabriel’s protests, I turned to leave, my smile immediately dropped once I crossed the door, as that information about what was essentially a bunch of super-powered terrorists entered my mind.

‘If I’m lucky, then they’ll attack a place where I’m already at…’ I snorted. ‘Or maybe that would be unlucky? I guess it depends.’

As I journeyed my way down, however. I felt someone following me closely behind. All the way from the third to the first Heaven, and before I could exit the pocket dimension completely, I turned around with a raised eyebrow.

‘’I apologize. Was there something you wished to speak about, Lady Griselda?’’ I asked as my eyes landed on the blonde wearing nun robes. Her posture was much more at peace now outside the meeting room.

That didn’t explain why she had decided to follow me around, however.

‘’I apologize, Abundance Deus, it was not my intent to sneak up on you.’’ The woman informed, and I bit down my tongue and the sassy, rude retort it would have otherwise spewed about her ‘sneaking’. ‘’I know this is an improper way to ask things of you, but may I… make a contract with you?’’

…Oh?

-X-x-X-

Not only was the First Heaven used as a residential area for reincarnated and pure-blood angels, but it also seemed to have its own ‘economy’ going on. Small shops that sold cute and curious trinkets, and conveniently enough for our chat, a café.

As I sat across from Griselda while drinking a cup of warm chocolate, I mused over her proposal.

‘’Hm… so the blue exorcist girl, huh?’’ I hummed. ‘’I can see how the news would blow a hole in her confidence and faith. Doubly so, considering the woman who served as her guardian, after knowing about the God of the Bible’s demise, still decided to join their ranks even after living a life of lies.’’

Griselda recoiled as if struck at the statement, looking down in shame.

Sadly, I couldn’t sugarcoat the matter and reassure that everything will be okay—this was a ‘betrayal’ on a more personal level. The church had already lied to Xenovia all her life, using her as no more than a pawn. Since, just like the other factions, they seemed to know about the Creator’s demise, and decided to hide that information away from their believers.

And now, Griselda, basically her mother figure, had decided that instead of backing out, she would jump ship and serve the Angels. Those who, while not directly related to the Church’s lies, were still responsible for managing their followers.

…Entirely fair on their part, however. Heaven apparently worked off pure faith and devotion. And the problem would be to direct all of that devotion to Michael himself instead of the now deceased God.

‘’Her situation tears at my heartstrings, yes,’’ I concluded, taking a deep sigh with a complicated frown. ‘’But do you think it’s wise to leave her in my care, of all places? My ‘ideology’ could be practically considered a sin for the lambs of God, you know?’’

Reveling in Abundance was, in fact, something that the bible directly preached against. Along with the other six vices. And that was without mentioning my newest minor domain being related to Devilkind itself.

‘’I… do not think Xenovia’s faith could be restored, I’m afraid. Her attitude after that meeting managed to get her excommunicated by the Church. But even while we are fervently working on re-vamping the organization, I don’t believe she’ll wish to come back.’’ Griselda admitted with a shake of her head, stirring her still full mug of coffee for the umpteenth time in this chat. ‘’I asked, even if I shouldn’t have, and Gabriel informed me that she had not prayed a single time since the news…’’

‘’Ah…’’ I smacked my lips, acknowledging the guardian’s position. ‘’What about her chestnut-haired friend, Irina? Isn’t she in the same boat as Xenovia?’’

A small pitch of dread filled my stomach as Griselda shook her head solemnly.

‘’That girl… she was affected by the news the most, considering how devout her family had been. That, combined with some personally devastating news about someone in Kuoh…’’ I flinched at those words. Acknowledging just what the news would have been. ‘’She was taken in by Michael, and she took to her role as his Ace of Spades like a fish to the water, but…’’

‘’But in her sorrow, she left her friend behind.’’ I finished the sentence, making Griselda nod. ‘’…How depressing.’’

There were no other words for it, really.

The organization she dedicated her life to had kicked her out for questioning them after sending her to a suicide mission and refusing to pray to a long-dead deity. Her guardian, unlike her, had decided to jump ship as the most logical conclusion, and now her friend—maybe her only friend at that—seemingly ‘forgave’ the ‘perpetrators’ and became an angel under Michael himself.

Was it a true betrayal by Griselda and Irina? No, not really. Everyone dealt with sorrow and heartbreak in their own way, but from Xenovia’s perspective? It may as well be the same as stabbing her in her sleep.

‘’Very well.’’ I clapped my hands after finishing my chocolate, offering a warm, well-meaning smile to the woman. ‘’I’ll take Xenovia Quarta under my wing for the moment, and try to help with her issues.’’

‘’Truly…?’’ Griselda asked, almost as unbelieving. I said nothing as the woman wiped the clear liquid threatening to escape down her face for a moment before she joined her hands in prayer. ‘’I thank you, Deus of Abundance. This truly means a lot to me… But now it’s my turn. What should I give to you as my part of the contract?’’

I was tempted to say nothing, but that wasn’t how contracts worked. This wasn’t a ‘favor’ or a friend helping each other out. Contracts had to be followed to a tee, or modified and then followed.

So, I settled for the next best thing.

‘’Every time you bow in prayer… You shall also offer a prayer to me, right alongside your original target.’’ I pushed my right hand forward in a handshake gesture. ‘’I do not ask for you to convert, not at all, you may even speak of this with your superiors, but that is the only condition that aligns with what you desire, Griselda.’’

The Mother Superior stayed silent, musing over the words with thin-pressed lips, and a difficult decision in her shoulders.

However, the determination that suddenly appeared in her eyes told me all I needed to know.

‘’Very well… I accept your terms, Zatren Fumigami.’’ Griselda admitted, clasping my hand and shaking it before gasping as a golden glow formed by words and agreement alone. ‘’…Is it settled, then?’’

‘’Y-up.’’ I confirmed, dropping the serious face for a grin. ‘’Inform your protégé of her new… living arrangements, and send her to me whenever she’s ready. I’ll be waiting.’’

‘’Again, I cannot thank you enough… my lord.’’ Griselda nodded, a hint of a smile on her face as she clasped her hands together once more. ‘’I shall not falter in my duties once, that is my guarantee.’’

‘’Sure, sure~’’ I waved the comment off.

But… ‘My Lord,’ huh?

I kind of liked the sound of that, to be honest.

…

I wasn’t getting a big ego now, was I? I better fucking not.

-X-x-X-

Bonus Scene: A Dhampir’s Panic.

-Gasper Vladi-

Inside the Occult Club’s previously sealed room, I walked in circles while shaking my head.

The second outfit I picked… it just felt like too much!

A black dress with a skirt full of pink frillies, with the same color pattern in the striped thighs. A pair of suspension boots—because if I had to get on my tiptoes just to stare Zatren-Senpai in the eyes, I was going to die of shame right then and there.

The gothic theme was too strong. Did Zatren even like goth aesthetics? Surely, they didn’t fit a guy—girl like me like they would a more… voluptuous woman, like Big Sister Rias or Big Sister Akeno.

‘’Uhhh…’’ I lamented, having turned my wardrobe upside down in the last few hours or so. ‘’K-koneko-chan, I need your help!’’

Turning to the Nekoshou, she was curled up on my bed, and she had been ever since I asked her to help me get ready for my date tomorrow, but we still couldn’t come up with a perfect outfit.

‘’Gasper. It’s been two hours.’’ Koneko deadpanned, tails flicking back and forth. ‘’Senpai is not a difficult man. Just wear what makes you feel pretty.’’

That was what she said an hour ago! But surely, it couldn’t be that easy?!

What was I even supposed to wear in an aquarium? Did I have to match the theme of the place, or did I have to match Zatren’s colors? What would he even wear?!

‘Maybe… maybe I should cancel.’

A pang of guilt squeezed my chest, but my nervousness was getting too high, and I didn’t want to spend half our date with my face covered…!

The acute sound of typing reached my ears, and I slowly turned to Koneko, who had busied herself by typing on her phone.

A second later, a notification sound rang.

‘’Senpai said… ‘whatever makes that cute dhampir’s bubble-butt stick out.’’’ Koneko read from her phone, raising her view and giving a thumbs up. ‘’Alright, I got it. We are going full tomboy.’’

‘’Huh…?’’ I blinked… and then the apparent message from Zatren registered in my mind. ‘’HUUUUUHH?!’’

‘’Drama Queen.’’ The catgirl deadpanned, having gotten up from bed and fished for some short shorts and a blouse. ‘’Come here. I don’t have all day.’’

‘’W-wait, wait! That’s way too much skin!’’ I panicked, feeling the switch that was my Sacred Gear ready to flip just as Koneko pounced. ‘’Waiiiiit! My heart isn’t readyyyyyy!’’

…

As Koneko jumped the indecisive Dhampir, her phone had the follow-up conversation of her question.

[Schizo-Senpai: Joking~]

[Schizho-Senpai: Tell her to wear whatever she likes the most. I bet that cutie can rock any outfit.]

[Schizo-Senpai: You there?]

[Schizo-Senpai: Koneko???]

-X-x-X-

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Author's Note:

Teasing Gabriel is always fun.

Though honestly, this chapter mostly serves as a hint for future events, considering the factions it mentions.

I also publish on other sites, if you wish to check them out:

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/15809388/HamsterX42

QQ: https://forum.questionablequesting.com/search/35199387/?c[users]=HamsterX42&o=date

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/HamsterX42

Discord Link: .gg/92Yt5wxeWN