AN: Hello everyone!
I hope you had great weekend this week!
Also I have several announcements. First the update will change from Friday, Saturday and Sunday to Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
the reason is.... because I want to actually sleep and rest in the weekend instead of writing~. Hehehe.
this weekend is hard since I have write, then with the new update from HSR version 3.6 is something I have been dying to play!! so I sacrifice sleep and my time for writing to play it!! Ahahahaha!! The story this update is really great! it is good see March, Dang Heng, Welt, Himeko, Sunday, The Herta and Screwllum further more all of the Chrysos Heirs came back!!
so with that in mind I will have my writing and posting schedule.
Then the 2nd and last is that, Volume two will end in 6 chapters after this chapter. After that we will enter Volume 3: Emergence at (still a secret 😜)
So please stay tune!
Alright that is all for me!
See you guys this Wednesday for the update~
---------
Astral Express, DxD World orbit..
As the party carried on, Hajime enjoying his moment with Ingvild and Ophis, spotted Noah walking toward them with Gabriel at his side. He raised his brows at Noah as they came near.
"Are you enjoying the party, Ingvild, Ophis?" Noah asked warmly.
"Yes, it's truly nice to be here with everyone," Ingvild replied with a smile. "The people and the food are wonderful."
"The desserts taste good," Ophis added with a nod as she continued to munch her sweets.
"Ahahaha! That's good then," Noah laughed. "Lumi will be overjoyed to hear that."
"Sorry, Noah-san. Ophis-chan can be too direct sometimes," Ingvild said apologetically.
Noah waved his hand to show he was unbothered. "No worries~ I actually like her honest answer."
Ingvild let out a sigh of relief, but before they could continue, Hajime spoke up, eyeing Noah.
"So, what's the matter, Noah?"
"How cold! After just a few months apart you treat me like this?" Noah said dramatically, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Was our brotherhood such a fickle thing to you?!"
Hajime rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, sure. So what do you actually need?"
"Tsk! Such a spoilsport," Noah pouted. "And here I was, being a good brother and coming to tell you that your 'package' from Hii arrived."
Hajime's eyes widened before abruptly standing, shocking Ingvild and Ophis beside him and Gabriel at Noah's side. "You should have told me that in the first place!"
He immediately bolted out of the lounge, leaving the three staring after him.
"...Is that okay, Noah-san? Letting Hajime-san run off like that?" Gabriel asked, a touch of concern in her voice.
Noah nonchalantly sipped his juice. "Yep, that guy will come back… soon enough."
Almost on cue, Hajime slammed the lounge door open again, startling several guests. "Noah, where was it?!"
"See?" Noah winked at Gabriel and Ingvild before answering Hajime. "Med bay, pod two."
Without another word, Hajime dashed out again, leaving the guests whispering in confusion.
Kiana and Sirin approached, glancing at the lounge door left open.
"What happened to Hajime, Captain?" Kiana asked.
Noah calmly reached out, wiping a bit of sauce from her lips, which made her blush. "He went to pick up his 'package.'"
"Ohh…" Kiana and Sirin said together, understanding the reason.
Moments later, Hajime returned, guiding a floating medical pod into the lounge. His eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Yuuna Yunohana, who was chatting with Lumine and the Slash/Dog team. The group turned curiously as Hajime strode toward her.
"Yuuna, I need you for a bit," Hajime said firmly.
"Eh? Me?" Yuuna pointed at herself in confusion.
Hajime tilted the medical pod upright, his fingers moving across the panel until a soft hiss chimed and a small window slid open, revealing a sleeping beauty inside.
"IS THAT ME??!!" Yuuna shouted, her eyes bulging in shock as she saw her own face lying peacefully in the pod.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the lounge, looking at the figure of Yuuna inside the pod in disbelief.
Hajime kept his focus on the monitor, calmly checking the readings. "With our ever-meddling Captain, who decided to play cupid, I once told him about you, our friendly ghost from the inn."
As he spoke, Alice, Anisphia, and Euphyllia came to his side, followed by Noah, Gabriel, Ingvild, Kiana, Sirin, and Elysia.
"So when I made the deal with him, back when I resurrected Villhaze, you were also included in that," Hajime continued. "Alice, Anis, and I wanted to give you a new life. Not as a ghost, but as a normal girl like anyone else."
Yuuna gasped, her hands trembling. Sagiri, Yaya, Chitose, and Nonko, the residents of Yuuragi-sou, stood frozen in shock at the revelation.
"I received two Origin Crystals from this guy. One I used to store all the data I could trace about Villhaze." Finishing his adjustments, Hajime finally turned to Yuuna, his expression softening. "The other was to slowly bind you into it. That way, instead of being a spirit bound to Yuragi-sou, you became bound to this crystal."
He took out the Origin Crystal from his pocket and held it high. Within its flower-like core, Yuuna's figure is sleeping inside. "The next step is simple, I'll place this crystal into your new body. And with that, you'll awaken… not as a ghost, but as a living girl of flesh and blood."
"H-Hajime-san… that..!" Yuuna covered her mouth, tears spilling as her voice trembled.
Hajime gave her a gentle smile and extended his hand. "Come on now, Yuuna. Your new life is waiting for you."
"Yuuna-san, you deserve this," Alice said warmly. "Our Hajime even had to strike a deal with Captain just for this chance."
Anisphia nodded firmly. "As one of the gentlest, most caring people we've ever met—ehh, ghost—we wanted to give you this gift of life. So please… take it."
"Everyone…" Yuuna's heart swelled. She turned toward Chitose, Nonko, Yaya, and Sagiri, who each gave her an encouraging smile. Sniffling, she wiped her tears and placed her trembling hand in Hajime's.
He squeezed it lightly, then opened the pod. Inside lay Yuuna's new body, clothed in a simple white medical dress. With careful hands, Hajime placed the Origin Crystal against its chest. In a heartbeat, the crystal sank in, and the ghostly Yuuna dissolved into twinkling stars, flowing into the vessel below.
One second. Two. Three. The body stirred. Yuuna's eyes slowly open, her gaze moving around before falling to her own hands. A sob broke free. "I… I'm really here…"
Alice, Anisphia, Sagiri, Yaya, Chitose, and Nonko rushed forward, embracing her tightly and showering her with congratulations as she cried in their arms.
—--
Watching from the sidelines, the seraphs, along with Devils and fallen angels, sighed at the scene.
Azazel chuckled wearily as he drained his glass of alcohol. "Would you look at that? The rules of life and death casually being broken again."
Sirzechs glanced at Michael, who calmly sipped his tea. "Is this really okay, Michael-dono? The balance of life and death is being twisted like this."
The Seraphs exchanged glances before shrugging.
"The Crowned Clown is with them. Whatever he decides, Heaven will follow," Michael said plainly.
"And just like when he casually rewrote the world, we'll handle the follow-up," Raphael added with a sigh.
"Though I'll absolutely demand a bonus after all the paperwork," Uriel quipped with a grin.
Hearing their answers, the Cadres and Maous blinked at their easy acceptance. They exchanged glances, then finally shrugged.
Whatever happens, happens. they all thought.
—--
At the other side of the lounge. A similar moment unfolded near one of the side windows of the lounge, where the lights dimmed just enough to give the illusion of night. Kuroka leaned against the frame, her amber eyes reflecting the stars outside. Her usual lazy grin was absent, replaced by something more distant.
Koneko curled beside her head on her knees making her small frame even smaller. The silence between them has the long overdue tension. at the side not far yet not close. just enough to give the sister privacy. Issei, Asia, Rias, Vali, Lefay, Arthur and Bikou waiting from them.
"....Nee-sama," Koneko said in a small voice. There was no hostility in her voice. Just longing and confusion.
Kuroka gave a soft, tired chuckle. "Hmmm, hmmm. You've gotten taller, Shirone. And became more serious too."
"....."
"Hehe, relax." Kuroka's tail swayed behind her, betraying her nerves. "Sorry, I still feel awkward talking like this… it's easier to joke about your height than face everything I ran from."
A heavy silence settled between them before Kuroka scratched her head and forced herself to go on. "Sorry… I always wanted to take you back. But after being injured, and with the corrosion from those cursed fruit experiments (the Stellaron), I could only run on my own. Before I knew it, I convinced myself that staying away would somehow protect you. Maybe that was just me being a coward."
"...I was hurt… alone and scared." Koneko lowered her gaze. "But even then… I always remembered how you used to hold me, how you hummed to put me to sleep."
Kuroka's voice trembled. "That was… a long time ago."
Koneko nodded softly. "But it was still you. My one and only sister."
Kuroka bit her lip and looked away. "...Do you hate me?"
"No," Koneko said firmly. "I can't, and I won't."
There was a faint shuffle of movement before Koneko leaned closer, resting her head against her sister's shoulder. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I missed you, Nee-sama."
Kuroka didn't answer right away. She stared out at the stars, then slowly, gently, lowered her head against Koneko's.
"I missed you too, Shirone. More than you'll ever know."
—---
A few steps away, the onlookers watched in silence, each holding their breath as the long-separated sisters finally found the courage to speak. Issei clenched his fists, his eyes unusually serious.
"Good for you, Koneko..." he whispered, tears slipping down his cheeks despite his attempt to hold them back.
Asia, beside him, clasped her hands near her heart. "Koneko-san..."
Rias nodded, her expression a mix of relief and lingering regret. "...Maybe this is the first real step forward for both of them."
Vali crossed his arms, silent, though the way his eyes softened didn't escape Arthur, who offered a small smile. "...I hope this will make her less annoying."
Arthur adjusted his glasses. "You talk as if you don't enjoy the chaos she brings."
Bikou, unusually serious, exhaled. "About damn time..."
Not far from them, Serafall stood with Amaterasu, Yasaka, and Nurahiyon. They observed the reconciliation of the sisters.
"The victims of the cruel ways of the Khaos Brigade, finally finding peace." Yasaka sighed in relief.
"That girl was branded a criminal by the real criminals for stopping them from continuing their experiments not only towards the Nekoshou race but to many others. They silenced her from telling the truth and spread lies that she had gone mad." Amaterasu's voice was firm, befitting her status as chief god of the Shinto faction. "And the worst part? Those same criminals slaughtered her entire race to cover their tracks."
Serafall grimaced, biting her lip. "With the confessions we got from Katerea, Shalba, and Creuserey, the entire Naberius Clan is now under heavy interrogation for their ties to the Khaos Brigade."
They all looked toward Kuroka and Koneko, now leaning against one another in silence.
"With the effects of the apocalypse reaching not just the Human World but the Underworld as well, everyone suspected of having ties with the Khaos Brigade is being scrutinized. The people are angry, and they demand that anyone connected to them be punished."
Amaterasu snorted. "Good. Make sure those responsible are punished then maybe I will consider your alliance proposal."
Serafall smiled helplessly. "Thank you for your consideration, Lady Amaterasu."
Amaterasu waved her hand, unimpressed by the flattery. "Just know this, devil, even if we share the same ties with the Nameless, that doesn't make us your ally. At best, we will remain neutral despite our grievances."
Serafall's smile turned strained.
"To be honest, that's the only saving grace why our faction still entertains discussions about an alliance aside from the threat of the Khaos Brigade," Nurahiyon added, downing his drink.
Serafall sighed. "...We do know that. And we truly appreciate you not shutting your doors on us."
Yasaka offered a small smile. "That's because we all saw and understood what the Captain of the Nameless did. If we continue fighting alone, we will crumble one by one. But if we want to save our homes and our world, we must stand together."
Serafall let out a thankful smile. "The same reason why we push for the unification of the three factions. Because we know, as the humans say 'together we stand, alone we fall.'"
—--
The observation deck of the Express. Akeno Himejima stood by the wide window, watching their home planet slowly rotate below. At her side were two cups of tea and some desserts that Elysia had pressed into her hands. With a playful wink, Elysia had said, "This is for you and your visitor~. You two may have many grievances, born from misunderstandings, but the care and love between you are real. In the end, you're still family." Then she tapped the shoulder of the figure hiding nearby and left them.
Akeno's usual gentle expression was gone, replaced with a plain, guarded look. Her eyes twitched before she sighed.
"...Are you just going to stand there, or will you come here?" she asked in a flat, almost dry tone.
The figure flinched, then after a long silence, slowly stepped closer. Silence stretched between them. The man stiffened, his mouth opening and closing without sound.
Growing fed up, Akeno sighed again. "Will you say something, or keep standing there in silence? Don't you have anything to tell me after all these years you left me alone, Father?"
She turned, facing the man she once called her father, the fallen angel Cadre, Baraqiel. She saw him bite his lip, one hand covering the bridge of his nose as if holding back pain. Akeno tried to keep her expression stern, but deep inside, the heart that had grown cold from all the years without him wavered as she caught the trace of tears in his eyes.
"I... I do have a lot to say to you," Baraqiel muttered slowly. "I just don't know how to start..."
Akeno turned away, forcing herself to calm down as her gaze returned to the planet below. "Then just say what's on your mind right now."
Baraqiel wiped his tears and gazed out at the planet from the window. He took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself. There were so many things he wanted to ask, so many things he longed to say to his only child, the precious daughter he and Shuri had brought into the world. Yet if there was one truth, one question that weighed on his heart above all else, it was this…
"Akeno… are you happy now?" he muttered, almost a whisper, yet she heard it clearly.
Akeno's shoulders trembled, her eyes widening as her mouth fell open at the unexpected question. "Why… are you… asking this now?" her voice wavered.
Baraqiel blinked rapidly, trying to hold back fresh tears. "At first, I wanted to hug you, to tell you how much you've grown. I wanted to ask about your studies, to apologize to you, to tell you how much I love you and your mother. To admit how deeply I regret not finding you sooner, to confess how guilty I've always felt that you and your mother had to suffer because of me… and so many other things. But all of that… it's just me."
He closed his eyes and dragged a hand down his face, his voice raw with regret. "Those are my burdens—my failures, my powerlessness."
Akeno bit her lip, holding back her words, forcing herself to let him finish. And then he spoke again, and the strong front she had built for herself crumbled to dust.
"But I suppose… even for someone who wronged you and your mother, as a father who still loves and cherishes his only daughter… even if I've lost the right to call myself that… I still have this one wish. For you to be happy. That's why, of all the questions and words I wanted to say, the only one that has never left my heart is this: Akeno, my and Shuri's child—are you happy?"
"If… if that has always been in your mind… why didn't you come to me sooner?" Akeno muttered between sobs.
"Because I thought… you'd be safer that way. Without me around, my enemies wouldn't come after you like they did your mother." Baraqiel let out a humorless chuckle.
"Safe?!" Akeno shouted, her tears spilling as she glared at her father. "I lived on the streets as a child, scavenging trash just to survive! On cold nights I barely slept, always keeping my guard up in case someone came to finish me off. You call that safe?!"
Baraqiel lowered his head, his face heavy with guilt.
"I was just a child who lost her mother… waiting, hoping my father would save me. But in the end… he never came." Akeno wiped at her tears with shaking hands. "If you truly cared… why weren't you there when I needed you most?"
"I... I tried... but every time I tried to go to you… my body would freeze. I was terrified I'd lose you the same way I lost your mother." Baraqiel's voice broke as he confessed. "Azazel told me countless times to go and be at your side, but all I could see was Shuri's lifeless body and you beside her. By the time I gathered the courage, you were already under the care of the Gremory's. And in that moment, I knew… I have lost the right to take care of you."
He let out a deep sigh. "...I really failed as a father."
"Yes, you did," Akeno replied curtly, wiping her tears before glaring at him. "And it will take you a long time to pay me back."
Baraqiel's eyes widened. "Akeno..?"
"During the apocalypse, when I grabbed those lights Noah-san spread around the world… I don't know why, but I felt like I saw you and..... felt those feelings you buried deep inside." Akeno's gaze pierced into him. "Hearing you admit you felt guilty, scared, and regretful… now I know that what I sensed back then was truly yours."
She drew a shaky breath before continuing. "To answer your earlier question… I may be living happily now. But I'll be happier if my father comes back and never leaves me behind again."
Baraqiel stepped forward, closing the distance before pulling her into a tight embrace, tears spilling freely. "I'm sorry, Akeno! I'm sorry for leaving you all those years! I promise to do better! Thank you… thank you for giving me another chance."
"Hmph! You better not disappear again, Father. Or else… I'll never forgive you."
—--
At one of the couches at the lounge, Anisphia sat with Euphyllia, Illia, and Lainie. A soft clink of glasses and faint laughter from the party created a warm backdrop as they talked about the things left behind and what they'd built in the stars.
Anisphia leaned back with a chuckle. "Despite the prank of Captain towards Hajime, it is really great to see all of you again!"
Euphyllia reached out and gave Anisphia's hand a small squeeze. "I agree. We owe Noah-sama for making this happen."
Illia and Lainie nodded along, content to let the moment speak for itself.
Then Euphyllia sighed, her eyes went toward Hajime across the room. "Though… it looks like Hajime-sama's charm hasn't gone unnoticed again."
"It's Hajime, what did you expect? Even Alice can only sigh in acceptance." Anisphia smiled awkwardly, scratching her cheek. "Riche episode remember? and during our travels it also happens a few times."
Euphyllia sighs and looks at Hajime who is with Noah and leaders of the Three factions discussing something. Most likely about the consequences of giving Yuuna a new life.
"Still... I'm grateful to Alice-sama," She added softly. "She could've seen us as competition. Instead, she welcomed us."
Anisphia took a sip of her soda. "It's her confidence. No matter how many girls show up, her place in Hajime's heart is solid. Sometimes, when they flirt, I feel like I'm the extra."
"Ahh, don't get the wrong idea! Hajime loves me too, okay? He does care and treat me the same way as he did to Alice. He never made me feel less!" Anisphia quickly added, flustered, before anyone could twist it into something else. "As evidence, he gave me this ring and properly proposed to me a few days back."
Illia let out a laugh. "We would never have doubted that, Anis-sama. After all, this is the man who told Algard-sama that if you, Anis-sama ever wanted to be queen, he'd give you the world."
"Pffttt!!" Anisphia nearly choked on her drink, coughing. "I-I can't believe you still remember that!"
"Anis-sama, everyone remembers that special moment. The people of the kingdom say that Anis-sama found a great 'husband' and our future king." Ilia added with a small smile.
Euphyllia rested her cheeks on her palm, teasing spark in her eyes. "As your proxies at court and the one who interacts with the nobles on both of your behalf, I still hear Hajime-sama's name from their mouths."
Lainie added, "Even before we left, people kept asking when you two were returning."
Anisphia groaned, head in her hands. "Ugh… and we thought leaving was going to make things calmer."
Euphyllia giggled. "The citizens do love both of you after all. Now there are even plays. About you and Hajime-sama. Especially the confession scene."
"Wh-what?" Anis startled.
"Ehem… 'Have you ever even stopped to think about what she wants? Her thoughts? Her dreams? Her desires? You and everyone else just slapped your expectations on her like you knew what's best for her! And yet she—she's done more for the people of this kingdom than any of you. She made life better for those who work hard, for the ones you all always overlooked. Then you, Algard, you want her to carry this ungrateful kingdom? A kingdom that looks down on someone I believe in? Someone who's did more than any of you?'"
Lainie straightened, she took a deep breath as she continued. " 'So I declared to you! To all of you! If Anis ever wishes to be Queen, it won't be this kingdom… I'll give her the world.' Like that."
Anisphia's face went bright red as she slammed her hands over her face. "Lainieeeee! Why would you say that out loud?!"
The trio burst into laughter, their voices mingling with the hum of the lounge, just one more happy note on this day's harmony.