[233] A Wrong Choice, Indeed

[233] A Wrong Choice, Indeed

Chapter 233: A Wrong Choice, Indeed

—

The world had changed. The news of such a major Chief God’s defeat spread across the realms to solidify that fact. The implications spoke for themselves, as tension rippled around.

It reached the Occult Research Club too. Unfortunately, their members had bigger things to worry about at the moment.

The atmosphere inside the Occult Research Club was thick with tension, suffocating even.

Akeno paced back and forth, her usually calm demeanor shattered by the sense of dread that gripped her heart. Every few seconds, her eyes flicked toward the window. The scene made her gulp.

Outside, the magical barrier surrounding the entirety of Kuoh High School shimmered under the relentless assault from outside.

Each strike against the barrier sent a ripple through the air, proof that their defenses were weakening. Things were looking bad.

“Damn it... damn it... Fuck!” Akeno muttered under her breath, her fingers twitching in nervousness. Her gaze darted to the closed door of Rias Gremory’s room.

After a month of going missing, having left a mere letter behind, the club president returned a day ago and had locked herself inside. Even during this tense situation, she hadn’t bothered to come out since. Akeno had tried knocking, pleading for Rias to emerge and take charge, but there had been no response.

In the center of the room, Gasper Vladi hid in a corner, his body trembling. Akeno could understand why he was scared. The boy’s usually pale face was ghostly white, his eyes wide with terror. After all, all of this was because of him. The enemies were after him.

He knew they were after him—whoever was attacking the barrier outside wanted him specifically. His fear radiated through the room, making the atmosphere worse.

Kiba and Saji were crouched beside him, trying their best to calm him down. Kiba’s gentle voice was laced with concern as he spoke softly to Gasper, but nothing seemed to be working. Saji’s attempts were no better; the usually brash and confident boy was at a loss for words, his frustration evident in the way his fists clenched and unclenched.

“Koneko, what do we do?” Akeno asked, her voice tinged with desperation as she turned to the small, white-haired girl standing by the door.

It made her feel bad that she was trying to get validation from the little girl, but she had no choice. She didn't know if staying back here was smart, she wanted to hear someone else’s opinion.

Koneko Toujou, although the smallest, was still a formidable member of the peerage, her opinion mattered as much as anyone else’s. She was in a battle stance, with her golden eyes narrowed and her fists clenched, as if enemies might jump her anytime. Her senses were sharp, every fiber of her being attuned to the threat outside. So she didn’t answer Akeno immediately, her gaze fixed on the door.

“...Let’s just hold your ground,” Koneko finally said, her voice calm but firm. “If the barrier breaks and they defeat Sona’s group, then we fight.”

Akeno sighed and nodded. The reassurance did little to ease the tension in her chest.

Outside the mansion, Sona Sitri’s peerage was assembled, ready to be the first line of defense should the barrier fall.

Sona herself stood at the front, her face was serious. Beside her were her Queen, Tsubaki Shinra, and the half-werewolf Loup Garou, along with the rest of her peerage.

Issei Hyoudou, with his Boosted Gear ready, was there too, his stance tense as he prepared for battle. The air around them buzzed with anticipation and fear. They were just kids, after all.

Sona’s sharp gaze flicked toward the barrier. “Be careful guys. We need to fight with a tight formation,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “No matter what comes, we protect the old school building.”

Akeno stood by a window, lost in thought as she heard them. Was she being... too selfish keeping her group inside, while asking Sona to protect the outside?

Her usually aloof expression was marred with worry as she watched the barrier flicker under the barrage of attacks. She couldn’t help but wonder why this was happening.

Why were they targeting Gasper? This wasn’t the first time they’d been attacked, but it was certainly the most serious assault yet. They had learned from their previous attempt, and now they returned with better preparation, with a stronger group.

Ever since the world had changed—as people began growing far more powerful than they should have been—a shadowy group had started hunting for Gasper.

They’d managed to fend them off before, but this time the attackers were different. Stronger. More determined. And they weren’t from any single faction either. Mercenaries, hired by someone... but who?

Just as Akeno was lost in her thoughts, the worst happened. The barrier shattered with a deafening crack.

— Chhrrunggg!

— Crack!

The world was changing, and with it, the balance of power. But at that very moment, everyone felt that they were fine—and that they would always be, as long as they stood near this young man.

****

[First Person Point of View]

I had come to make sure Kuoh was alright, that Akeno wasn’t harmed since we did sleep together and I liked her. Koneko was there too, and I’d be sad if she died. So I flew here after realizing how fucked the world had gotten.

I hadn’t expected to encounter such an attack though.

“Aqua!” Akeno ran to me, jumped from the window, and threw herself into my arms. We weren’t that close that she’d react like this, but I guess the situation had made her nerves lose.

Sona’s Peerage was busy around us, carrying the injured bodies and running to the infirmary. I could heal them myself, but they’d be fine. Sona and Tsubaki looked at me before leaving with them, but a blue-haired girl remained, as instructed by Sona.

“Hey,” I ignored them and held my half-breed gently. Her hug tightened. “It’s alright now, the invader’s been dealt with. Are you alright?”

“I am,” she quickly canceled the hug, looking at my face with a sigh. “I would have called you for help. But I didn’t know you were back from your... trip.”

“I thought your club president would tell you,” I said, my head turning to the building. I could sense her presence there. “Seems like she didn’t...”

“Yeah, well... She locked herself up when her peerage’s in such a situation,” Akeno looked at me and said, and I chewed on my lips. “I know you know. She snuck with you on the trip, didn’t she?”

“She did,” I nodded. “I can’t tell you the details, but I learned something unpleasant. She’s sad that I didn’t find the information delightful. It’s okay, she’ll get over it.”

“Ah...” Akeno wanted to say something, but thankfully Sona ran back by then.

The blue-haired girl seemed to be feeling awkward listening to us talk so far, but seeing Sona return, with Tsubaki beside her, she brightened up. “Ah, president...! How’s their condition?”

“They won’t die. The others will take care of them for now,” Sona said and turned to me. “I had to return fast in case you vanished. Thank you for saving us, although I’m sure much of it is because Rias would be in trouble if you didn’t help.”

“Oh come on, you and I are not enemies, I’d have helped you even if you were alone,” I said and looked at Tsubaki behind her. “You’re Tsubaki’s King and Sera’s little sister. You have more importance to me than you realize.”

“Oh-” The petite girl blinked as if she hadn’t expected me to say that, while Tsubaki blushed that I mentioned her importance over Sona’s, pairing her with a Satan.

We did have a few touchy encounters, so she was certainly worth more than Sona in my eyes. Not as important as Serafall, but it didn’t hurt to imply sometimes.

“And long time no see. Tsubasa, right?” I looked at the blue-haired girl and talked to her finally. I remembered her. She had the same name as my cousin and looked the same as Xenovia—my knight. I made a note of her for the first time.

“R-regardless,” Sona cleared her throat, pushing her glasses upward. “Thank you for saving my Queen, and in extension my whole peerage. If you’re not too busy, would you sit with us for a short meeting? My... sister has been out of reach lately due to how busy she is in the underworld, and many people are trying to take advantage of Kuoh due to that. I'm sure she’ll be happy if you help us make this area safe.”

She was already using her sister as a bargaining chip? Evil girl. “Sure thing,” I nodded. “Let’s head into the club and sit down.”

We did that, turning around and heading to the club. As I walked, however, the glare of a dragon fell over my head. It only grew more intense as I approached the club.

Ah.

The Black Dragon Vritra, was it?

**

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Author Note: A LOT of stuff is happening around the world. If you remember, Rizevim visited the vampires in Romania for some girl before Aqua left the world. That’s just one of the many things that are happening, but perhaps it might grow into the biggest problem of them all. We’ll see!

It’s the 1st week of the month, still the best time to get into Patreon! Come read the next chapter, as well as the entire month’s there.

Link: /Master4thWall