A small part of her wanted it to be a lie. If it was found she saved an Ariyan, it wouldn't just end with her death. The entire Belial clan, her peerage, and all related to her and Igor would be killed. But when Diehauser replied to her with a weak smile, she knew it was true.
"Yes. He is one."
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|DxD|- Chapter 70- Two Sides of A Coin
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Time Chamber, 1 Month Later, 13 Months Since Entry
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It was coming. It was always coming. Rest had never been Igor's moniker. It was far too much to expect he could rest for three years. Three months was already the best he could do.
Since last month, he'd gone back to having a training schedule. Keeping in shape was his guarantee his instincts wouldn't numb.
Reading had quickly risen to becoming his favourite hobby. Through it, he realised the biggest and most surprising way to improve his spirit.
The soul grew stronger not through age, but experience. The eyes were the windows and the more they saw, the more 'mature' the soul became. With Baraquiel, he only ever saw the rancid supernatural side filled with decay. Through books, he read about the mundane side that had more heartbreak than breaking hearts.
Whether the books took him to other worlds or told of this one, they all revealed the life experience of the one who wrote it. And in a way, that experience transferred to him.
He wasn't quite sure what level of strength his soul had to reach for his spirit to finally unite. His vitality still fed the cycle strengthening his body. For his soul, did he have to come to some truth? Enlightenment? Did he need more resolve? He still wasn't quite sure since Marcei's notes and insights were not direct with spirit nurturing.
But one thing he accepted was this. His soul was already contributing more to his spirit. Together, he might be able to reach high-class within five years. He didn't have an accurate measure for that level of power, but he was teetering towards the same precipice he felt when moving from low-class to mid-class.
"What I wouldn't give for a sacred gear."
Igor complained from the steps of the cabin. A cold jug of water cooled his body after an extreme training session. Unlike him, sacred gear users could skip all this worry of body and soul.
"From the moment it awakens, they are guaranteed high-class."
Sacred gears were truly absurd artifacts. Even the weakest or most meaningless sacred gear could pull their wielder from low to high-class in a few years. He'd met some of Grigori's contractors who went from writing high school exams to taking high-class bounties with only a few years of dedicated training. He hadn't met Longinus wielders, but he was certain they'd be more absurd.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they can reach high-class in months."
Igor downed another swig of water to quell his jealousy. Here he was, training for days and days to move an inch. The comparison made him mildly infuriated, but that was all.
"I wonder why the All-Father never gave us sacred gears."
He understood why. His people had the gift of the old tongue and could write inscriptions that endangered gods. Any Ariyan with decent knowledge of inscriptions was already a potential Longinus. But that was for mana wielders.
"Can't you see we vitality users are suffering?"
He woefully lay down on the stairs and the wooden steps dug into his back.
"I'll be lucky if I get to high-class before my twenties. But ultimate-class?"
After high-class, everything changed. An ultimate-class supposedly had the power to drown an entire country into chaos. They alone could turn everything from the mountains to the rivers into wasteland. It wasn't the same for all of them, but one thing remained true. One ultimate-class could either release or endure a disaster that could potentially overturn a country.
"Sacred gears…"
Igor muttered again. He didn't need to think. He knew it would take him decades, maybe even over a century to get to that level of power. There was a reason high-class was a major cut-off point, even for noble races who were spoon-fed high potential from the womb.
"Alright. Enough mumbling, Igor. You're on the clock so stop wasting time."
Igor shoved the last piece of the nutrient bar in his mouth. He had some training to do and it certainly wouldn't do itself.
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|DxD|
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10/March/1997- March 12, 1997, Wednesday, Kuoh Town, Japan
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The air was tense, the curtains were drawn, and Akeno was at school. Diehauser's matter was like a heavy cloud over her for the past two days. Time after time, she questioned what would've happened if she declined the invitation and chose to wait for Baraquiel's return instead. Nothing good could've come from meeting a clan patriarch alone. But because of her hard head and curiosity, she ignored her instincts and went instead.
"So he knows."
"..."
Her hand trembled upon her lap. Baraquiel's words cut across the kitchen like a knife to her heart. His words weren't blaming, but she wished they were. Instead of coming back to a place of rest, he was presented with a problem upon his return.
"I'm sorry…"
Her head could not rise to meet him. She wished she could handle this matter, but it was far above her. The only consolation was Cleria having told her not to worry.
"Do not apologise, Shuri. Igor's lineage would be discovered sooner or later. And in part, I am at fault as well. Regardless of what methods Diehauser used, he could not have come to a conclusion without prolonged contact."
Having Igor work as Cleria's contractor to hunt strays was always a risky gamble. Putting him in Cleria's vicinity put him in Diehauser's as well. His fault was underestimating the man's interest and means.
"Did he say how he found out?"
"He said he'd only explain when he met my…guardian."
"..."
Baraquiel relaxed back into his chair and closed his eyes.
"That is indeed troublesome."
"What do we do?"
"Let me think on this, Shuri. I'll figure something out."
"Then how can I help?"
Shuri's tone held a bit more force than normal. She was tired of being passive in this matter. If she could do something, then she wanted to know.
"For now? Nothing. Diehauser has clearly had this information for some time. Him revealing it at this moment is a demonstration of his goodwill. But soon, we will have to meet. Inform Cleria that your protector will meet him in the coming month. I'll conclude the matter of the Shinto and…"
Baraquiel opened his eyes and his tone became grave.
"...further verify Diehauser myself."
Since things had come to this, he sincerely hoped Diehauser could become a potential ally instead of enemy. Because when it came to his family's safety, he had no bottom line.
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AN: I don't think anything too bad might happen on the Diehauser side. For all of Baraquiel's bravo, there'd need to be a very stupendous reason for him to, let's say, kill Diehauser. One, he can't just end at Diehauser. He'd have to end Cleria too. That invites eyes and having an overseer and a clan patriarch dead is something that will absolutely bring the Four Satans in. It's just a spiralling mess from there.
Chapter 70
END