[189] A Number Dilemma, Is Ten Enough?

[189] A Number Dilemma, Is Ten Enough?

Chapter 189: A Number Dilemma, Is Ten Enough?

—

After absorbing the spirit of the black dragon corpse I bought for her, Yuzuru finally reached [Gold] rank. That made four Golds in this household; Ruby, Tsubasa, Asia, and now Yuzuru.

Their four gold signs weren't bad either, but that's for later when it would be useful. Ruby and Tsubasa were almost at Underlord, now. Despite their late start, their growth was faster than the other two since both had a second source of energy.

I've decided to slow down Asia and Yuzuru's training after I watched for a bit more. I think it'd be better to focus on others instead. Since two spaces were vacant, I had to make careful choices.

When my mind was busy with all these thoughts, I heard someone call my name. "Aqua, you got a DM," my mother said, waving my phone at me when I walked into the living room from the shower.

I was really sweaty after hunting all night earlier, and then helping Yuzuru advance. So I wondered what it was so important that she had to tell me herself.

"Can you check it for me?" I asked, going over to the fridge to grab a bottle of cold water.

"I already did." She said, frowning. "It's from that flirty devil girl, Akeno. It's about Rias." She paused for a moment, waiting for me to turn to face her. "Apparently she... passed out? She touched some devil artifact and fell unconscious."

"What?" I put the bottle away and walked over to her. She held the phone to my face. As she said, Akeno was telling me that Rias passed out.

While reading those messages, another one came.

[DirtyFallen: I'm just telling you this so that you don't worry if you can't reach her for a while... She'll be okay, Satan Beezlebub said. Ah and, outsider visits aren't allowed, so you can't meet her sadly.]

I frowned. "She'll be okay yet an outsider visit isn't allowed?"

"How suspicious," Ai rippled with my own idea. "You wanna go check anyway? I think you can, if you push it. After all, you are her Sect Leader, not an 'outsider'."

"No need, if they think it's not that serious," I let out a whiff of breath, after pondering for a bit. She's not dead, and if that's the case I'm sure Ajuka will figure something out. He's smart. "Just tell her that—if they're having trouble with whatever condition Rias is in, just call me, I'm well versed in this demonic artifact field."

Ai typed just what I told her, and sent it. A reply came immediately, but it was a short 'alright'. It's obvious that Akeno wanted my help, but I guess the Satans really didn't want an outsider there.

"Poor girl," Ai put the phone away, shaking her head. "She's cute, I like her. Did you do something in front of her at the party? Maybe she got mad or something and tried to cast some seductive black magic on you."

I raised an eyebrow, "Why are you blaming me for this? I did nothing. I even showed affection to her in public, she loved it. I even rejected that woman, Lady Belphegor, who wanted me in her bed."

"Oh, did you?"

"Yes? I don't lie."

"That's a good boy," Ai patted my head, while I gave her a blank stare. "No, really. You did well, holding it in."

"You'll get in trouble if you keep acting like this," I warned her, my expression flat.

"Oh, what type of trouble, I wonder?" Ai tilted her head in curiosity, looking so dense that I'd have believed her if not for that soft, mischievous smile on her glossy pink lips. In the end, she is a world-class actor, she's making fun of me.

To show her what type of trouble I meant, I pulled her by the waist, her soft chest pressing against my hard frame. "You wanna see?" I grabbed her chin and pulled her face towards me, our lips clasped together as she made a fake surprised gasp sound.

"No~ we shouldn't~ we're fami-" she decided to make more fun of me, so my hand raised and descended on her ass. She yelped aloud, this time not an act, and glared at me with a red face. "Don't hit me."Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

"Heh, what will you do if I don't listen?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, and she growled. A moment later, she smirked. What's she planning?

"Aww..." Galaxara looked a bit down.

I sighed. "Our victory isn't going to be clean, my Goddess. So I am only taking those who can take care of themselves, those who wouldn't need my protection. We can always take Asia later on after saving the world."

"Um, then, Aqua... about the last spot?" This time, Shoko spoke up.

Even before I could speak, Yuzuru jumped, hearing her, "No way! Onee-chan, I can't let you go on your own! If I'm not there to protect you, then-"

"I did not allow you to talk, brat," I let out my willpower, and Yuzuru's jaws shut. I looked at Shoko and rubbed my chin. "Word Soul Magic, huh..."

Her improved looks and better complexion weren't the only things that happened in the last few months. She wore a black sundress, her skirt short, and a black choker on her neck. She looked like the idol she was.

[Image Here]

Spoiler

[collapse]

However, that wasn't the only thing. Her powers were undeniable as well. Since she managed to grow this much even though I didn't give her enough attention.

Spell Concept: Chaotic Magestra of the Word Soul Magic – was her magic path.

[Details: Chaotic Magestra of the Word Soul Magic can shape reality with their spoken commands. This magic demands articulate expression and intense focus, turning mere words into tools for construction or weapons of mass destruction. The witch holds the power to manifest and manipulate on the tips of her lips, only constrained by her mana and clarity of imagination. Advanced practitioners can achieve remarkable feats, subtly altering the physical and ethereal realms. However, it's also fraught with risks; misused words can lead to unpredictable outcomes. It's magic balancing potent creation with the discipline of restraint, granting the witch immense power in return for caution.]

It's a spell concept that went great with her Sacred Gear Echo. Even though she's just at 6th Circle, the specialty of her magic meant she could go toe-to-toe with 7th Circle Archmages. Having that Sacred Gear made her even more powerful, it's possible for her to clash with 8th Circle Mages.

Shoko Nishimiya was undoubtedly a powerhouse.

Sadly, her nature was too soft, and her battle experience was nonexistent.

Would it be wise to take someone like her to that dangerous world? Moreover, I had another figure in my head who I wanted to take to fill the 10th number...

I had even summoned that person today. Why's she so late? Just as I thought that my senses tingled.

"Ohaiyo~" a blonde figure jumped through the window, coming to a stop beside me. Dragon God Quetzalcoatl raised a thumb to greet everyone. "It's a-me!"

"You're finally here," I raised a hand to point at her, my eyes meeting with everyone. "After discussing things with her, I've decided that Dragon God Quetzalcoatl will be coming with us as well. She'll be the 10th member of our crew."

The crowd looked at her in uncertainty. While she was certainly strong, she was also a troublemaker. Ai crossed her arms, while Shoko's shoulders slumped a little.

That made me feel bad. I didn't like seeing her sad. She must have been working hard to earn my approval, only to learn that I'd already chosen someone beforehand.

So I should take a minute to seriously decide if I must take my mother's advice and increase the number or not...

**

**

**

Read the next chapter right away along with this entire month's, on my Patreon.

Link: /Master4thWall