7 Chapter – 7 Meeting a Satan and… a Pendragon?

"Oh… and why do you think that is?"

Novachrono was taken aback as he heard this question. He immediately got up from Lavinia's lap, and vigilantly asked, "Who's there?" while keeping her beside him.

Novachrono doesn't recognize this voice, and this means that the other party is definitely someone he doesn't know. For someone he doesn't recognize to have come this closer to him without even triggering his perception, Novachrono knew that he was no match against the other guy.

Perhaps Lavinia also realized this, and vigilantly looked in the direction from where the voice came, as her doll appeared behind her, oozing off a freezing aura.

While the two children were vigilant, suddenly Libra's voice came from the other side, "Ajuka… you are scaring my son and his servant…!"

"That… wasn't my intention. I was just curious why your son thinks that he can understand the reason I don't like socializing very much." Muttered Ajuka helplessly.

"But you did it anyway… Ajuka, you really need to get out more from that lab of yours, at this rate you will never find a wife for yourself." Said Libra with a sigh.

"Whatever." Ajuka shook his head, not caring about the matter of marriage.

Libra said with a frustrated expression, "Gosh… you really don't change!"

Looking at the interaction between his mother and Ajuka, Novachrono was dumbfounded, 'If I didn't hear incorrectly Mother called him by his first name Ajuka…' and now that he looks closely, that man is definitely the very same Ajuka Beelzebub he saw at the party a while ago. The bewitchingly beautiful and attractive young man in his early twenties, with light blue eyes and green hair, slicked back. He has a mysterious aura around him that makes him seem devilish.

Looking at the man who is the epitome of the Devil race, Novachrono couldn't help but wonder again, 'But what is he doing here with Mother?'

Novachrono's question was soon answered, as Libra called him, and introduced Ajuka, "Son… come here and meet Ajuka… people also call him Satan Beelzebub these days."

"Mother… how can you be so casual about this?" said Novachrono in shock, and asked, "In the first place, how do you two even know each other?"

"Oh… well that… our relation goes way back… Ajuka's mother and I were best friends in our younger days, and after she passed away, I took care of him when he was but a child… in a way, Ajuka is like my own child… also, I might have forgotten to mention this to you son, but I too come from the House of Astaroth… so the two of you are also close relatives." said Libra with a mischievous smile.

"Huh?" Novachrono looked at the two people–one with a smile on her face, and the other with a blank face–with a stunned expression, as a wild thought appeared in his mind, 'Satan Beelzebub is like a son to my mother… does that mean he is like my elder brother? Do I have a Satan as an elder brother?'

It seemed that Ajuka was able to guess the thoughts coming into Novachrono's mind, and he nodded, "Yes… although our meeting is late… but… I would be happy if you still treat me as an elder brother." Then he turned to Lavinia standing behind Novachrono, and said, "Little girl… now that you know I am not an enemy, you can tell that doll of yours to retreat."

Ajuka's words reminded Novachrono that Lavinia's Absolute Demise was still active. Knowing Ajuka, he must have already realized that that doll is one of the thirteen Longinus. He didn't want anyone in the Underworld to know that he has a Longinus user as his servant, but now, this is not a secret anymore.

Perhaps, Libra guessed the thoughts in Novachrono's mind, and assured him, "Don't worry son, there is no problem in Ajuka knowing about Lavinia's Sacred Gear. I am sure, he won't tell anyone about it." She said, and asked in a dark and threatening tone, "Right Ajuka?"

Ajuka nodded, "R… right." There was cold sweat on his forehead as he was reminded of his traumatic days.

'It seemed that even Satan Beelzebub is afraid of my mother.' Thought Novachrono funnily as he signalled Lavinia to relax and put away her doll.

With that out of the way, Libra recounted a few memories of her and Ajuka's past, the time when Ajuka was still a child.

Ajuka seemed a bit embarrassed remembering those times, but he was still happy for the most part.

With this interaction, Novachrono also got somewhat closer to Ajuka, and the two people started to refer to each other in a familial manner.

From a distance, Libra and Lavinia watched the interaction between Ajuka and Novachrono.

After spending some more time with the Agares, Ajuka returned to his laboratory much to the helplessness of Libra.

After Beelzebub's departure, it was only Libra, Novachrono, and Lavinia. Tired, Novachrono rested his head in his mother's lap as he gazed at the sky of the Underworld. While Lavinia quietly stood on the side.

Unlike the human world, Underworld doesn't have a natural sky, or a day and night system, what's visible here is just an artificial sky Ajuka created to make the lives of former humans easier. But even if it's fake, Novachrono really loves to gaze at the sky because it's really beautiful.

Caressing his head, Libra asked Novachrono, "Son… did you enjoy the birthday party?"

Novachrono nodded, "It was fun, I met up with a lot of people, and made friends with some devils my age."

"That's wonderful." muttered Libra with a relieved smile, then said, "Of course, the best part is still left."

Novachrono blinked his eye in confusion, and asked, "Is there still something left mother?"

"Of course!" said Libra, and added in an excited tone of voice, "The gifts!"

"Ah right, I have yet to open the gifts I have received." Nodded Novachrono with a smile, then he thought of something and looked at Libra, "Come to think of it… Mother…"

Before Novachrono could finish, Julius walked in.

For a brief moment, Julius and Libra made eye contact, and the two nodded with a smile.

As Novachrono and Lavinia looked at the two people in confusion, Julius clapped his hands.

Immediately, a magic circle appeared beside Julius and two figures walked out of it. A man and a young girl.

Novachrono recognized the man, his name is 'Patori' a dark elf and the Bishop of Julius's peerage. However, when he looked at the girl, Novachrono knew that he has never seen her before. She doesn't seem to be any of the named characters he can remember from the High School DxD world, so she has to be some OC.

Unable to recognize the girl, Novachrono looked at Julius and asked, "Father… whom might she be?"

Julius looked at Patori.

Patori nodded, and instructed the girl, "Child… introduce thyself."

The girl nodded lightly. She bowed down courteously, and spoke, "It's an honour to meet you young Lord of the House of Agares… I am Artoria… Artoria Pendragon."

Artoria appeared to be a young girl, probably nine years old. She had soft skin, green eyes and 'finely textured' blonde hair that seemed 'as if sprinkled with gold dust'.

Artoria looked quite naïve as if she was ignorant of the ways of the world yet she displayed such elegance that can not be expected from such a young girl. Overall, she was an extremely beautiful girl.

Looking at her, Novachrono was dazed for a while, and it was Julius's *cough* that brought him back to attention.

Coming back to God, Novachrono muttered her name in surprise, "Artoria Pendragon?" and asked, "So that means you are from the House of Pendragon?"

"That is correct young Lord of House Agares." Nodded Artoria affirmatively.

With these doubts in his mind, Novachrono looked at Julius, "Father?" demanding an explanation.

Other than Arthur Pendragon, Le Fay Pendragon, and Uther Pendragon, none of the other members of the House of Pendragon was introduced in the Cannon, so, Novachrono doesn't have a very good understanding of the House of Pendragon. Therefore, he needs to understand who exactly Artoria is and what is her relation to that House. And how she is related to Patori?

And soon his doubts were cleared by Patori.

It turns out that Artoria and Arthur are half-siblings with Uther being the father of both. The only difference is, the mother of Arthur is Lady Pendragon, the wife of Uther Pendragon, while the mother of Artoria was a Human mage named Zenith Greyrat who worked for the House of Pendragon for a few years.

It appears that Uther Pendragon had a fling with Zenith, while Lady Pendragon was pregnant with Arthur, as a result, Artoria came to be.

"Okay… so that explains her existence…" muttered Novachrono, and then asked another question, "And how is she related to you?"

Patori explained, "Her mother Zenith Greyrat was my Contract Mage… she seems to have died while fighting some witch named Augusta leaving her behind… this child wouldn't be accepted by the House of Pendragon since she is the Lord's illegitimate child… as such, I brought her to you Lord Novachrono… hoping you might want to make her a part of your future peerage."

"I see, so that's how it is." Muttered Novachrono, understanding the gist of Artoria's background.

Patori continued, "Artoria is a very talented child, please consider adding her to your future peerage. I am quite certain she will never disappoint your expectations."

Julius and Libra had the same intention. In fact, Artoria is actually the Birthday Gift they have selected for their son.

Novachrono did not doubt Patori's words as he could feel the energy that resides within Artoria's body. He has yet to figure out what's the energy inside Artoria, however, he did figure out that Artoria is worthy enough to join his peerage. Therefore, he looked at the person in question, and asked, "Artoria Pendragon… You have heard Patori's intentions… What do you think? Would you want to serve me? Would you want to become mine for the rest of eternity?"

Hearing Novachrono's question, Artoria walked forward, and kneeled in front of him as she said, "It would be my honour!"

…

Author's Note:

And that's how Novachrono acquired Artoria Pendragon.

We are going to go with Artoria Lancer… for obvious reasons:

The Knights in DxD are mostly Sword users, so having a Lancer Knight would be something new, and almost everyone prefers them big, right?

So, this chapter was written after a few months. I won't say when the next chapter will be delivered, let's hope that it won't be too far in the future.

Anyhow, happy reading and all the best.