Igor took in the sight before him. This family were big soccer fans. It was surprising when he first found out. It wasn't much of his thing, but he found fulfillment in just…watching them.
"Aunty."
"Hm?"
"Your food will get cold too."
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|DxD|- Chapter 43- Understand The World
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Evil Pieces, artifacts created by the great devil Ajuka Beelzebub. It addressed the concerning population shortage by allowing devils to reincarnate most mortal races into devils. It was magical, a work of pure genius that saved the devils from imminent destruction—at least that was the story shared internally.
In reality, the existence of Evil Pieces has made devils even more hated by the supernatural world, especially after the Scramble. All those reincarnated by Evil Pieces are forcefully drafted into Peerages, a system where the reincarnatee lives in a prison of servitude warded by the reincarnator.
The bars could be iron or gilded in gold—it was still a prison nonetheless. Very few masters were benevolent. Very, very…few. What made the Peerage System so universally hated is how 'consent' is never required. Some were deceived and most were forced. If anyone had value, they were targets for reincarnation. This system of forced indenture faced never-ending retaliation, sometimes ending with deadly consequences.
A servant who killed their master was known as a stray devil. They could have done the deed for good reason. Often times, it was done out of self defence and a desire to survive. But Underworld law was clear. Stray devils are to be put to death on sight.
"The reason I tell you all of this, Igor, is so you have a clearer picture of everything. Not all is black and white."
"I see…"
Igor and Baraquiel stood at one of the few rivers that ran through Kuoh. Behind them was the forest. Beyond was a vast expanse of lush plains.
"Then why am I here, old man? What if the one we're hunting suffered injustice?"
Igor posed the question without diverting his eyes from the river. It was almost afternoon and this would be his first trial. There was no life in the river other than one entity hidden within.
"Stray devils possess an instinctive desire to eat the flesh of sentient beings upon breaking their shackles. The blood they consume stabilises them."
Baraquiel placed his palm on Igor's shoulder.
"You tracked this stray here. I've taught you to judge based on the situation. Do what you believe needs to be done. Whether the stray lives or dies, that is all up to you."
Baraquiel vanished, leaving Igor alone to mull over the words. He closed his eyes, his senses spreading outward. When he opened them, they were gold.
"Haaaa…"
He released a breath, then took his first steps. Each foot rose and fell with purpose. River sand clung to the soles of his sandals until all of it was washed away by water. Igor continued walking, but he did not sink or wade in.
His vitality spread like a net from his feet. He'd trained 'Finesse Movement' to a great extent over the years, allowing him to use it in the most gentlest of applications, like walking on water.
His gait remained unchanged. Not a splash of water wet his heels. He walked on the river until he reached the centre where he stopped.
He took another breath. His heart was pounding in his chest.
"I know you are there. Please come out."
His voice was neither loud nor servile. It was not threatening nor did it hold fear. Igor waited, aware of the energy signature burrowed several metres below beneath the riverbed. That signature was his target. Whether it would be friend or conquest remained to be seen.
[Remember your training.]
His eyes remained clear. The seconds dragged with quiet intensity. An air of unease lingered in the air. Igor felt it before seeing it. A flash of killing intent targeted him before it came. He jumped back, the world slowing in his eyes. A green flash of light came from the bottom, boiling and sizzling the water as it drew closer to the surface. It broke free of the water's confines and shot towards the skies. It was a green goop of acidic energy.
Igor sidestepped once more and this time, a pale blue hand with five claws tore through the surface. A goop of green acid bubbled towards him and he slapped it away. It exploded when he did and though caught by surprise, he retreated several metres.
The stray followed him from underwater, the claws aiming to gut him open. Igor grabbed the arm and pulled them up. It was a woman covered in a clumpy mess of hair. Her skin was blue with her lower half being of a fish.
Igor used the momentum of his pull to grab her by the shoulder and fling her towards land. She hissed midair until she tumbled and rolled onto the sand.
"HISSS!"
She quickly pushed herself up. Her lower body parted in squelches to form two pairs of scaled legs. She looked up and Igor was slowly approaching her.
"I want to understand."
His feet splotched on the water, each ripple spreading outward. He remained calm, unlike this stray who seemed to be ruled by emotions. She gestured with her arms and two columns of water rose like snakes to devour him. They slammed into nothing but empty air.
Igor was already by her. His hand was on her shoulder. He looked at her with concern and hesitation. The stench of blood from her was strong.
"What made you become a stray devil?"
"Release me!!!!"
She tried to dart away, but his hand held her down. She wouldn't escape him unless she cut it off.
"I really want to know."
There was a tinge of pleading in his tone. When she looked at those golden eyes, she calmed slightly. She ceased her struggles and drew closer. His energy was warm, strong…and delicious.
[Foolish human!]
Only centimetres separated them, far too close for any of his parlour tricks. She pounced on him, her mouth stretching inhumanly wide to swallow his head in one gulp. It was an umbrella of death with sharp incisors that would sever him at the neck. She bit down and tasted nothing but her own saliva. A blooming heat was scorching the back of her neck.
When she turned, she saw him hovering in midair, his hand outstretched with a ball of energy circling in his palm. All she heard were two words before her world turned dark.
"I'm sorry."
She couldn't see or feel the blaze of energy. Igor made sure of it. The energy released like a deadly showerhead until it fizzled out, leaving only a pair of severed shins and glassy sand.
Igor slowly landed on the ground. His golden eyes faded to blue. Everything she did was within his perception.
"Your torment has ended. Please rest in peace."
He closed his eyes for a moment of respect. He didn't know her or her story…and she didn't wish to tell him. She could've been a heinous criminal or a kidnapped youth. Everyone has their own story and he, unfortunately, had to act on circumstances.
"You did good, Igor."
Baraquiel appeared. Igor had long since stopped being surprised.
"Mn. Thanks…"
He didn't feel any particular pride or sorrow. He just…felt.
"What do we do with her remains?"
"Submit them to Cleria."
Baraquiel began. Igor, though only thirteen, showed a veritable calm and resolve far surpassing his peers. He believed the boy was ready to properly begin his path to mid-class.
"Sign yourself as a contractor to aid with eliminating stray devils. Where possible, try to understand their stories. You will learn more about the world from those beneath the hull than any book. Shape your worldview from what you learn."
Shape his…worldview?
"..."
Igor raised his hands. He could still feel the soft warmth of her body in his palms, a warmth he erased with his own hands. If the situation was turned, he would be a headless corpse. Was this perhaps what the world was? Survival of the fittest?
"I'll do my best."
Igor responded firmly. He bent down and picked up the two legs. Wisps of smoke wafted from the charred flesh. He felt some complication as he held them. This stray devil was the second life he took. The situations were different, but the circumstances…were they the same? In both, he was the aggressor.
"I have a question, Igor. Consider it as satisfying a curiosity of mine."
Baraquiel prompted.
"When that stray launched the first attack, why did you continue with diplomacy?"
"I wanted to know her past."
Igor subtly turned to face Baraquiel. There was a ripple in his eyes.
"I wanted to know who or what caused her to walk this path. I want to understand consequences."
His voice grew with force. His hands clenched tightly around the legs until the bone cracked. The sound pulled him back. He shouldn't lose himself to banal anger.
"Seventy years ago, a god spread rumours of my clan. Seventy years later, I am living the consequences."
His voice was calm, unnervingly so. The wind chose this time to breeze over, tussling his hair while his eyes were lost in the horizon.
"Before I confront that god, I want to understand how actions can change the world. I want to understand how the whims of those in power, can affect those on the lower rungs. Once I do, I will educate that god…"
His voice deepened with a deadly tinge.
"...as I slaughter them."
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AN: Alright. I'll admit. Those are some cold words. If he wasn't thirteen, I'd buy him a drink and a cigar. Our boy is putting on his man pants. I don't really know what happened between 1992 and 1994, but Baraquiel is doing a damn good job.
Shameless advertisement for my p@treon. Here's the link to the forbidden website: [email protected]/HolyGambler
Replace the '@' with 'a' or just search for 'HolyGambler' on the platform. No other name exists other than yours truly.
Chapter 43
END