67 Ch. 67 Changing Pasts pt.3
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*Stomp Stomp Stomp*
""Kyahahaha!""
*Slam*
"Halt Great Demon Lord!" One cute and adorable So-tan announced righteously as she burst into my office wearing a rather familiar outfit I see regularly, only blue. "Magical Girl Sapphire is here!"
"And don't think we forgot about you, Queen of all Evil!" An adorable red headed girl cried out as she wore a matching red outfit and pointed her wand at my Queen. "Because Magical Girl Ruby shall take you down!"
'Sirzechs will grovel for pictures of this and I can't wait to embarrass them both when they're older.' I briefly thought as I looked at my little sister-in-law and her bestie.
"With the help of love and hope, my allies and I shall vanquish you both and return joy to this cursed land!" My own wife then said as she ran in with her own twinkle effects thanks to refined skills in illusion magic she has developed ever since her show began.
I looked at my Queen with a questioning look, resulting in a small shrug before I decided 'why not?'
"Mwahaha!" I responded maniacally as shadows whirled around me, allowing me to put on my demon lord outfit and smugly pose.
Yes, I am part of Sera's show as the ultimate villain. There was no way that wasn't happening when I married the woman and she looked at me with her sparkling eyes.
She also likes to do some magical girl role play, R-18 version, with it.
Scáthach is my 'Evil Queen' as my second in command there too, Jeanne is my 'Enforcer of Darkness', I still don't know how she got roped into it, Mana is a sort of anti-hero hunter, Ingvild is actually the magical princess who gives her powers to Magical Girls, Milim makes some appearances as my castle's guardian Dragon, Moka as my 'Blood Maid', Medea as the 'Witch of Hatred', Tamamo, Anastasia and Marie as other Magical Girls, and a few others such as my two youngest daughters as the goddesses of Light and Darkness.
It's a much more developed show than I would have first thought in all honesty. Good shit to watch. Especially when I helped developed proper techniques to get the best effects, help fix up dialogues to better standards and have costume designs be spot on.
Sirzechs' Satan Rangers can suck it.
Our show is Number one in the Underworld AND across the supernatural world in general thanks to it being more than just about devils this time around.
Actually made other pantheons and members of such start their own shows.
My current favorites are Hestia and Liora's cooking shows, Quetzalcoatl's Lucha Madness franchise, Apollon's Musical Showcase, the Inter-Pantheon Smackdown Tournament hosted by Musashi, and Sherlock Holmes' 'Game'.
Fun stuff really.
Gabby even has her own kiddie show and Azazel is running his own R-18 brand with Zeus and Odin.
Anyway, back to the two cute magical girls who were trying their best to look determined and strong, but just were too darn adorable, and my wife.
"You think you can simple defeat me? In my own domain? What fools you three are!" I dramatically responded with a flourish of my red cape.
"It won't end like last time!" Sona said as her blue wand glowed with her determination.
"Oh? So you will not beg for my mercy in sparing your lives?" I replied as I remembered our last 'battle' ending with two little girls begging for me to stop as I tickled them to oblivion.
"Hmph! We aren't as weak as before." Little Rias declared with a stubborn glare.
"That's right! We three will vanquish you! Even without our friends!" Sera added with assuredness.
"Hihihihihihihihi." A creepy woman's laugh rung out.
"*Gasp* It can't be!" My wife said as she looked around.
"Oh but it is." The voice replied as a puff of smoke occurred to allow the reveal of my loyal scientist. "The great genius of the damned, Doctor Sin has returned!"
Yeah, Da Vinci is in on this too.
One of the most enthusiastic members of the show really. She essentially creates all the mobs and one-episode villains and serves as one of the most recurring villains.
"Are you still so confident, Magical Girls?" I questioned with an arrogant tone.
"We will still win!" Sera replied as she brought her hands together in prayer. "Please, oh goddess of light, hear our prayers and come to our aid."
""Please goddess."" The two Junior magical girls mimicked.
"Ha! Like that pathetic goddess would have the strength to-" I barked before dramatically stopping at the dazzling light in front of me.
And then my little angel popped in with her wings of light, looking all pure and holy.
"Worry not, I shall seal the demon king and allow you a chance at victory." She serenely said as she waved her arm and had her [Light] engulf me.
"No. No! NO!" I roared. "I shall not be taken by such a puny goddess!"
But even with my 'great struggle', I disappeared from my office with a flash of light, leaving my Doctor to take care of those who challenged me.
I then reappeared in Mariel's room alongside her.
"Well I think my acting was spot on." I commented as my Demon Lord outfit vanished and left me with my casual wear.
"Hehe! I'm sure those two quite enjoyed our show daddy." My daughter responded with a happy smile.
"Live performances are always popular." I replied with a grin.
"I kind of get why mother likes singing in front of people so much, even if it always makes her nervous." She said with a nod before looking my way with an excited smile. "But for now… Daddy!"
With that my most spoiled daughter leapt into my arms and began nuzzling.
Yeah, Jacqueline may be a mommy's girl, but my sweat Angel is a daddy's girl to the bones!
So she immediately took this opportunity during her visit to smuggle me away for snuggle time.
Mariel has to spend a lot of time in Heaven, leaving low on 'Daddium' a lot. They're all over protective annoyances up there, but they all know a lot better than to not let me see my daughter or to try and make her sad by not letting her visit whenever she wants. I'm one of the only selfish desires she has, and even then it's basically a remake of how Gabriel was with God from the Bible. That and I'd burn Heaven to the ground if they made her cry.
She's my little girl after all.
-Japan, Himejima Clan Outskirts, Shrine (different day)
'The place is pretty nice. I always preferred the calmer feel of these kinds of temples and shrines over the grand ones.' I thought as I walked down the pathway to the living area where I could sense two people. 'Baraquiel didn't even leave an adequate defense. That idiot is just asking for it even after I warned him.'
Well, regardless of that stubborn masochist's views, I will not let him lose his wife and essentially lose his daughter as well due to her trauma and hate.
We've become friends over the decades and I'm pretty sure friends can do some things that'll get them decked if it was for their friend's own good.
I mean, not many people like getting an intervention but it's always those who care about you who do it.
And if Baraquiel is too into his 'happy marriage' to change things for the safety of his family, well I'll talk to the other half of the couple.
'Worst comes to worst, I'll either kidnap Shuri and Akeno for a while or go brainwash the Himejima clan. After I tell Amaterasu I would be going to 'convince' them of course.' I thought as I stood in front of the door.
*Knock Knock*
"One moment." A calm woman's voice said as I heard approaching steps.
The door opened to reveal quite the beautiful Asian woman with soft and elegant features, smooth skin, long, flowing black hair, light brown eyes filled with acceptance and quite figure hidden under her rather plain white blouse.
"Yes? How may I help you?" She asked politely but with hidden caution.
"Hello, my name is Lith Azaroth, I'm a friend Baraquiel's. You must be Shuri-san." I greeted with a warm smile. "He talks, well brags, a lot about you and little Akeno-chan. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The look in her eyes told me she recognized my name.
"L-Lord Azaroth." She gasped softly before quickly schooling her expression and bowing. "I am sorry for not recognizing. Please forgive me."
"You have done me no harm Shuri-san." I quickly said as i gently made her stop bowing. "I am the one who came so suddenly and unannounced at that, hence I should be apologizing to you. Also, I don't really care for all the status stuff outside of formal events."
"There's no need Azaroth-sama. But why have you come? Surely you must be aware that my husband is not present." Shuri asked out of curiosity.
"Well that's exactly why I came. To speak to you about your family's situation as his friend." I answered with a slight difficult expression. "He is rather stubborn at times."
"Fufu~ That is true, but he can also be… pliable." Shuri answered as she unconsciously leaked her S aura before snapping out of it. "Oh, how rude of me to keep you outside so long. Please come in Azaroth-sama."
"Thank you Shuri-san." I responded as I came in and took of my shoes before following her to the living room.
"I will prepare some tea and then we can talk." She politely said before lightly bowing and going to the kitchen.
I just looked around the mostly traditional home, comparing it to Yasaka and Musashi's homes, finding it more… homely.
Then I felt a little gaze on me from peeking purple eyes.
"Hello little one." I gently greeted with a bright smile, causing the peeper to hide quickly. "Haha! Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
The little peeper carefully peeked again, but did not approach more. So I decided to do a little trick using [Space], tossing my stylish pocket, that received as a birthday present a few decades ago from Ciri, and holding every disassembled piece in mid air.
It was a much more complicated watch than normal ones, being made by Da Vinci to keep track of many things within my [Time], so that made a lot of things float around before I made the metal pieces reflect light as I darkened the room to create something akin to a floating night sky.
My little peeper was unconsciously drawn in as i began using a bit more magic to form links amongst the 'stars' to form 'constellations' and making them move.
"Magic is great isn't it?" I almost rhetorically asked the young girl who look very much like a miniature version of my host.
"Yeah." The little one sighed in wonder as the lights sparkled in her eyes.
"*Chuckle* So what is your name?" I asked as we both looked at my little work.
"Ah! Um, I'm Akeno." The shy and embarrassed girl answered as she looked downward after realizing her current situation.
In response I made a bird made of stars fly around her to help her out a bit, making giggle.
"Nice to meet you Akeno-chan, I'm Lith, a friend of your Otou-san." I gently said.
"You know Otou-san?! Does that mean you have wings like his?" Akeno excitedly asked.
"No, sorry. I'm a technically devil." I answered the girl, causing her to visibly deflate.
"A devil?" She almost asked herself with a little head tilt before looking at me wearily. "But Otou-san and Kaa-san said devils are bad."
"A lot of them can be pretty bad." I admitted with a nod. "But I think I'm pretty nice. Have you ever been to Nagasaki? Or maybe heard your Otou-san talk about something called Azaroth?"
"Hmmmm. I think I heard Kaa-san talk about it before." Akeno answered after thinking about it.
"Well, I rule those places." I said with an exaggerated manner, initiating my own little anime effects.
"Really?" The girl asked with suspicion in her eyes.
"Yup, I'm pretty cool and even stronger than your Tou-san~." I teased with a goofy grin as I begin a yuh huh nuh uh battle for the heck of it.
I knew Akeno was likely to be a lonely child due to her family situation, meaning that the Himejima bastards would most likely kidnap her to use against her parents if they had the chance, forcing her to stay with her mother at all times, so I thought some silly childishness I've developed from having multiple children, a few adopted younger siblings, Sona and Rias, and being married for over 400 years to Serafall, would be perfect for her.
"Ara Ara~ It looks like you two are having fun." Shuri playfully said with a warm smile at the scene of our little banter as she came in with tea and cookies.
"Kaa-san! Lith says he's stronger than Tou-san!" Akeno tattled immediately as she ran over to her mother and clutched her leg.
"Fufu~ What lies you are spreading Azaroth-sama~?" The woman teasingly responded to the revealed accusations.
"Oh woe is me! To have my honor trampled so!" I dramatically replied as I clutched my chest, causing little Akeno to giggle.
"There, there. A big strong man like you can take a few words." Shuri said as she put down the tray and began preparing the tea.
"Haha! Too true. I have too many women in my life to have such thin skin." I heartily commented as I properly sat at the table.
"Oh~? I've heard of such rumors. A true harem of powerful beauties was it? My dear husband was quite adamant to never let you met our precious daughter so wouldn't 'sink your fangs into her' I believe." Shuri responded as she passed me my cup.
"Ha! Of course that overprotective fool said that." I barked with good humor as I savored the tea. "Hm? Not bad. Mildly reminds me of Yasaka's. Very calming, which is weird for such… mischievous women."
"Fufu~, thank you for the compliment." Shuri replied with practiced manners before she dropped her more playful feel. "But I must ask, why have you come today Azaroth-sama?"
"*Sigh* Because I'm concerned about the safety of one of my friend's family." I answered honestly as I sipped the tea.
"Akeno, could you go and play outside while I speak to Azaroth-sama?" The mother softly asked, causing the daughter to look a bit unsure due to the serious turn things have taken but she nodded and left nonetheless. "What has happened?"
"Nothing as of yet, but things are about to take an unpleasant turn." I answered with a bit of frustration. "You probably know about my ties to Tōtsuki and the groups surrounding it yes?"
"Of course. I may not look like it, but I was next in line to inherit the leadership of the clan." Shuri said with a firm nod. "I know about the forces in these lands well, including your ties to the Youkai faction, Nagasaki, Kuoh and even the gods."
"Well that includes having informants within the five clans ever since I was helping my lovely fox prepare her return to these lands after their stupidity and even more so after I helped create Tōtsuki." I informed the woman who became very serious at my implications.
"They wouldn't." She coldly stated as her eyes narrowed.
"The hardliners are planning something with more radical Fallen angels and others who hate Baraquiel enough to want to harm him anyway they could. I've even found some devils, stray exorcists and magicians involved." I honestly told her.
The looks of anger, shock, sadness and just pain were impactful to say the least.
"And why have you not told my husband about this?" Shuri asked firmly.
"I tried. I've been trying for years to have all of you move to my lands, even if it's Nagasaki, for your safety. Away from those Clans and away from anyone else. No one hurts those under Azaroth protection, but that stubborn fool just isn't budging." I answered with great frustration. "I partially think he's become to emotionally attached to this kind of life and convinced himself that he can protect it all on his own, but I know him, his sense of duty will be used against him and it will hurt everyone far too much."
"Azaroth-sama? Did you just say you've been attempting to convince my husband to move to you lands for years?" Shuri asked with a great amount of controlled fury.
"Yes. Ever since he started bragging about Akeno-chan and I found out about your overall situation." I answered immediately.
"Ara Ara." She said without any of the playfulness from before. "It would seem that I must have a 'talk' with my dear husband. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
"He somehow lied about not being able to move to my lands when you brought it up didn't he?" I asked with exasperation at the stupidity in deduced from her words.
"How impressive your deductive abilities are Azaroth-sama." Complimented the housewife with a sinister aura I had only seen from a few of my wives when I really messed up or more frequently when my father-in-law screws up too much and my mother-in-law snaps.
"Thank you. And since I timed my visit very well, I'm fairly certain Baraquiel will be coming soon, so I shall excuse myself and go play with Akeno-chan." I said as I finished my tea and excused myself.
"Have fun~." Was her answer as she waved me out and prepared to unleash her unholy wrath.
It was quite funny to later hear the amount of begging which occurred that day as I played with Akeno and made sure she didn't hear that hell. The little girl was quit excited to potentially meet and become friends with two other little girls her own age when I talked about Sona and Rias, especially when she heard they would be moving 'close' to them.
Meanwhile Baraquiel was thoroughly 'cooked' in the corner when Shuri broke that little piece of news to her daughter. The Masochist couldn't even get off on this punishment and I got some respect for the woman.
I mean, you have to realize that even hurting someone of Baraquiel's level is quite the achievement, he is genuinely strong by normal standards. So Shuri actually being able to be his Dom and cooking him like that, even if he wasn't actively defending himself, is a testament to the woman's personal strength. But that can be a bit expected from a very well trained Shinto Priestess who would have inherited the clan's Sacred Beast.
Good thing everything worked out rather well since a few days later a force mainly compromised of Himejima assholes attacked the place, thinking it was still occupied due to a little trick of mine and allowing for quite a few extremists to come to light for my little ally, Suzaku Himejima, the future head of that clan.
Being a nice person is great, but I'm still going to take advantage of things.
Yasaka loves Japan and I'm friends with the Shinto gods, so might as well further my influence to help 'stabilize' everything.
But regardless, it did bring a smile to my face when little Akeno, Sona and Rias began playing together.
-Nightingale Hospital, Azura, Neutral Lands of
Azaroth
"You wished to see me Kuroka-chan?" I asked as I sat down in the nekoshou sisters' private room.
I was only with Kuroka while others of the generation were playing together with Shirone, meaning Rias, Sona, Akeno, Gasper and Valerie. Florence and I agreed that they would all do well to have fun as children would to help heal the traumas of the majority.
"Yes." The teenager answered rather tensely.
"If you aren't comfortable with my presence we can hold this meeting off or even have it over projections. You don't need to force yourself." I gently told the girl who was obviously still very guarded against me.
"No!" She loudly said before her eyes widened and she calmed herself into a practiced emotionlessness. "I mean no. I am fine."
"We both know that isn't true little one. Just the fact that you have to act like this is telling enough." I softly replied.
"It doesn't matter. All that matters is that Shirone is safe." The teenage catgirl said with a shake of her head.
"And she is. You both are. So why are you forcing yourself to go through something you obviously aren't comfortable with?" I asked the nekoshou. "I knew you wouldn't want to be near me anytime soon after your… experience, so I stayed away and let others I knew would care for you handle things, so why ask for me?"
"What do you want from me? From us?" She directly asked with a great amount of suspicion.
"Why would I want anything from either of you?" I returned with a bit of bafflement.
Sure they were both talented and had a lot of potential, even if Kuroka's would have to be recovered from those experiments which wasted a lot of it, but I didn't require anything from them. I just felt bad for what Kuroka had to go through so I did my best to make them happier.
"*Slam* Don't give me that! I don't care who I saw and who I talked to! You're a devil! Like all those bastards! So stop giving me hope and tell me what you want!" Kuroka yelled almost desperately as she slammed her hands on the table between us.
"*Sigh* I know you have suffered a lot Kuroka, psychologically and physically, but you have to understand, you have nothing I desire." I directly told the poor girl. "Your strength and skills are far below anyone of my peerage members and even hundreds of my subordinates, the 'fabled' Super Devil state those bastards tried to achieve through you is one I have had for centuries while many in my peerage achieved, being a Nekoshou holds very little value to me, and neither you nor sister are beings I'm even trying to recruit.
I simply saw two girls who were given a bad hand and deserved to receive the best care they could while I uphold my promises to the world."
"Bullshit." Kuroka actually hissed out as her nekoshou features flared out.
"If you don't want to believe me then what do you want from me? I can explain things all day, but if you are determined not to believe then I can do nothing." I replied patiently as I felt like the girl was trying for a few things at the moment.
"Assurance. Shirone's safety." The cat teen stated.
"You don't get it do you Kuroka? You're already safe. If I wanted to do anything to either of you I wouldn't have brought in my mate, who just so happens to be the leader of all Youkai and an old acquaintance of your mother, as well as Magari who taught your mother.
It would cause an international incident which would likely reverse all of my credibility if anyone ever discovered I was involved in harming you after officially giving you sanctuary. So when I say that you are safe, it isn't simply because of my generosity Kuroka, it is my duty to make sure of it." I responded in the face of the stubborn cat. "So if you don't believe in a so-called devil, which I'm only half by the way, showing kindness, you can at least trust me in a matter of pride."
The difficult look on her face told me I had made rather solid points in her mind, but she didn't look like she would be backing down anytime soon.
Typical female of any species really. Especially the self-sacrificing ones.
"Prove it." She grumbled out with a sour look.
"I don't need to girly. My work over the last century alone backs up my words, much less my entire life as did everything I could to save people. So if you want something, stop insulting me with how you're treating me after I've shown nothing but kindness and understanding and spit it out." I straightforwardly said as I planted my foot down.
I might have liked her character and understand her current reasons, but I do not deserve these suspicions nor will I let this paranoia of hers continue to waste my time when she is clearly not ready to talk.
Kuroka on the other hand seemed like a cornered animal after I put my foot down.
All until we heard the sound of giggling and laughing little girls, and Gasper, run past the open window, which included one smiling Shirone.
The dazed look on the black haired teenager caused her to finally relax her tense body and taut mind. She then looked down and started shaking as her hands grasp her hospital gown tightly.
"I…I-I am sorry." Kuroka sniffled out as little tears dripped. "An-and thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you making Shirone smile."
Well, looks like the black kitty finally stopped baring it's teeth and claws.
"*Sigh* Are you going to tell my why you truly wanted to talk now Kuroka?" I softly asked the girl as her tears blew a lot of the wind out of my sails.
"*Sniffle* I want to be strong." She said as she wiped her arms on face before looking at me again. "I want to become strong like all those people around you to protect Shirone. Even if that means making a deal with another devil."
"Then you simply need to live your life under standard Azaroth practices and then join one of our military branches. I don't see why that needs me specifically. Heck, if you two go back to the Nekomata, I'm pretty sure Magari would take you in personally and give you plenty of training." I replied with a bit of bafflement at where this is coming from.
"No. I need to be stronger than that. Strong like all those powerful women I've heard are around you. The strongest. Everyone says Lord Azaroth can make everyone become the best they can be. That's what I need." The growing kitten resolutely said as she looked into my timeless eyes with her golden feline ones.
"You do realize what you're asking right?" I asked the girl with a raised eyebrow.
"I do." She answered with great determination as she then went into a full Dogeza. "Please let me join your peerage."
"Kuroka, I cannot promise you this simply because it would be an insult to those already with me to simply hand my last piece over to a child who has not earned it." I responded softly to the girl, causing her to shiver as she remained in position. "All I can promise is that I will give you a the same chance as those who came before, allowing you to display you strength, talents and potential to earn my piece. After we remove the ones inside you and fix everything done to you of course."
A bit of a fib considering Ingvild didn't go through this, but she was a Leviathan born with her clan trait, immense innate reserves of energy and a Longinus level Sacred Gear, meanwhile Kuroka was going to undergo something of a temporary downgrading from losing her two Bishop pieces and whatever 'harmful in the long run but power boosting' 'procedures' she had undergone.
The cat girl would need some proper training to get back to the strength she currently had and to really get into the real potential a Nekoshou had. Meaning she'll be getting some training from Tamamo, Scáthach and myself after I, Da Vinci, Florence and Medea flush her systems properly.
"I understand. I won't fail!" The teen said in response as she stood up with a fire in her eyes.
"That's some good spirit. But for now, try to enjoy life ok? You and Shirone are safe here, so try to enjoy your time together and make up for past sufferings." I encouraged as I gave the girl a head pat subconsciously.
It caught the Nekoshou completely off guard, making her purr, her ears flick and tail swish in delight before I realized my actions.
'I might be a bit too used to doing that to young people and my close ones with animal features.' I thought.
"Eh?" Was Kuroka's only reaction as she only realized what I did a few moments after I stopped, resulting in the girl sporting a massive blush and running to hide under her nearby bedsheets.
"My apologies Kuroka-chan, force of habit." I said a bit awkwardly. "I'll take my leave then. Sorry again and have a pleasant day."
So with my quick escape from the possible mess of emotions I know teenage girls can go through, I then went ahead to join the other younger ones I was in charge of today.
That day ended with a blushing Nekoshou who refused to look my way, being dragged by her sister to one of Azaroth's primo amusement parks for a nice day of innocent childhood memories with others of her generation.
-Northern Italy, The Alps, Vatican Research facility
"Shit! What do we do!" One scientist wearing an oddly 'Christian' style lab-coat shouted.
"Run for the love of God! It's that damned demonic witch! She'll slaughter us all!" Another shouted back as they all scrambled to head to any emergency exit they could use.
"Where is Archbishop Valper?! Where's all the data?!" A woman cried out in panic as she typed on a terminal.
"He teleported out and left us with nothing!" Was her answer.
"Then why aren't we teleporting out too?!?" Another female researcher screeched.
"Because that monster sealed the space around the entire mountain! The only reason Valper escaped was because he was the first one to spot her somehow and ran without telling us!" An incredibly spiteful man answered.
*CRASH!!!*
That enormous crashing sound made all those panicking pause in almost fascinated terror as the figure of a pale skinned woman with shoulder length white-blonde hair, almost predator-like blazing yellow eyes, a beautiful face twisted in a savage smile, clade in intimidating black armor and wielding a black blade covered in crimson flames appeared before them.
"So you're all the fucking bastards who have the damn gall to experiment on, torture and have children killed in the so-called 'name of God' right?" The woman known throughout the world as the Witch of Vengeance asked in barely contained fury.
The silent terror all those present were exhibiting was enough to answer a question she already knew the answer to.
"Well, then I guess it's time for me to make you understand just how badly you fucking monsters preaching the name of God have fucked up." She snarled as cries of pain, pleading for mercy, men begging for death and screams of horror began resounding as she made her way through everyone of these hypocritical demons in priest's clothing.
All until she found her way to the containment area holding the surviving children of this mess.
Looking at the dozen or so children of varying age, said witch couldn't help but scowl and inwardly curse at the bastards she had killed.
"Listen up kiddies! I'm Jeanne Azaroth, The Witch of Vengeance, and well, I just gave everyone who didn't manage to run like a damn rat before I could seal the space around here a taste of what they deserve for what they did to you." Jeanne explained as the fearful faces before her turned hopeful. "And now, I get to bring all you twerps to a proper sanctuary where people like you, who suffered under the church like I did way back when, can be safe. So follow me!"
Without any hesitation, Jeanne turned around and let the mildly twisted charisma she had developed from centuries of doing this kind work do its magic, making the children follow in a stunned silence as they made their way through the burning and destroyed facility they had been trapped and hurt by for so long.
And once they made their way outside, seeing the melted snow and surrounding mountains, feeling the rushing wind and hearing it alongside the crackling flames, the children took hesitant steps before they all began crying.
Their tears fell as they look at the clear night sky which was growing lighter by the moment, themselves to see if they were dreaming and then the woman who stood before them in all black armor, now holding a battle flag with a symbol they couldn't recognize, all while those present finally got to see their first sunrise in so long.
Then they felt it: freedom.
They had been freed.
"Let's all get you to proper homes."
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EXTRA AUTHOR NOTES:
Hello and welcome.
Let's get started.
For the first bit, I just wanted a bit of fun and to show the two heiresses to be having it as they might have been a bit corrupted in their younger years by a better version of Serafall's magical series, plus a bit of stuff to show what some people have been doing with the advent of television.
I thought it would be nice to have a bit of slice of life and seeing that Lith isn't just a plotting op super god, but also a bit silly as he just goes along with Sera's stuff too.
I think I messed up a tiny bit on the timeline regarding when the Himejima thing happened, but I'll just say that Youkai presence and more hands-on Shinto gods delayed that bit and be good.
So, I'm pretty sure any mother would actually try to make sure her family is safe when under actual threats and while knowing good possible alternatives, such as Shuri wanting to either join the good group of exiles under the Nakiri Group's leadership or going to live in Nagasaki to come under the very well known and regarded wings of Azaroth. So I decided to make it Baraquiel's fault because I could actually see a very long time war veteran trying to desperately maintain 'his peaceful home' as best he could, even if he went so far as to fooling himself.
Plus i think it's funny to think about Akeno's sadistic mother being legitimately pissed at her husband and toasting him for it.
As for Akeno, as far as I know the people she really socialized with were basically only her mother, father and cousin, so her being a bit of a shy child near someone new and different sounded appropriate to me. So Lith shows a bit of wonders to make the child open up a bit and make her feel a bit more comfortable by acting childish, and voila, a child who now likes the guest.
Next up we have Kuroka facing what I would say is a major psychological block for a young teen who had to go through a lot to protect her younger sister as best she could and before she could go through about ten years of working in the shady side of the supernatural world and gained proper experience and skills beyond outright power. Sure she killed her master and whoever else was in the place she was being experimented on, but they were all scientists with even less real combat abilities than most devils at this time, so not that impressive overall compared to the real powerhouses.
I decided to have her want strength after meeting all the powerful women around Lith like Yasaka and Florence who she would have personally talked to regarding various things during her time there, giving her thoughts about staying under the umbrella of Azaroth for safety and to grow stronger basically. Her 'I want a strong mate' thing and more playful personality will come in later after she gets over some more issues and becomes more secure in herself and her own strength.
Meanwhile, I'm having the rescued children play with Rias and Sona since it would genuinely be good for all those kids with varying degrees of issues to make genuine friends. Kinda also planing on this being a good way to make peerages happen like canon but also with twists, like maybe having Valerie Tepes being Sona's Queen.
And finally we had Jeanne doing what she's been doing for centuries, crushing bastards in robes by burning the Holy Sword Project to the ground.
In this version the Church would have made a lot of efforts to hide this project from Jeanne and even from Heaven due to Gabriel's more active role and Jeanne's actions in the past, hence why they would have had time to do a lot and Valper should have been smart enough to know what he was doing who essentially be guaranteed to bring down who is likely the most feared 'enemy' of the church on his head. So the project did still get good results, but it hadn't reached the 'gas 'em' point yet.
That's all for general thought process explanations/clarifications, hope you enjoyed.
