Arthur teleported them back to Avalon, but Asia excused herself as she recalled a promise she made with an elderly lady relating to flowers and left, leaving Arthur and Valerie.
Back at the chapel, Arthur stood at the front, with Valerie by his side, her hands folded neatly in front of her as her eyes scanned the group.
Valerie was dressed in a black and red Victorian-era dress, delicate lace trailing along her sleeves and collar, giving her a noble presence despite her shy posture.
"Everyone, this is Valerie Tepes. The last descendant of Count Dracula Vlad 'The Impaler' Tepes the Third, and before you ask, yes, it's a long name. Treat her well, okay?"
She gave a small curtsy and bowed politely.
"Hello, everyone. It's nice to meet you."
Valerie said softly, her voice gentle but carrying just enough warmth to reach each of them.
The team responded enthusiastically, several smiling at the unexpected formality of her greeting.
Arthur began his introductions one by one, starting with Dulio and Heracles.
"This is Dulio Gesualdo, the Strongest Exorcist in History, and this is Heracles, the reincarnation of the same-named hero from Greek myth."
Dulio grinned like a mischievous fox as he leaned closer to Arthur.
"Well, well, Arthur. Didn't think you had it in you, you sly dog."
Heracles chuckled deeply, his massive frame leaning against a pillar.
"Yeah, man. Gotta admit, you're one lucky bastard."
Arthur's deadpan stare was immediate.
"Really? That's your impression of me? What the hell do you take me for?"
"A horndog." x2
Dulio and Heracles spoke in unison, their expressions grinning.
Meanwhile, Valerie's cheeks turned red at the thought of being together with Arthur.
Arthur moved on quickly, clearing his throat.
"Next, Siegfried and Jeanne. Just like Heracles, Jeanne is the reincarnation of Joan of Arc, and Sieg is a clone made from the remains of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer. They're also my teammates from the Vatican."
Siegfried gave a calm nod, trying to act cool.
"Pleasure."
Jeanne, in contrast, smiled warmly as she stepped forward to shake Valerie's hand.
"Greetings, Miss Valerie. Your dress is beautiful. It suits you well."
Valerie blinked at the compliment before giving a smile.
"Thank you very much, Miss Jeanne. You look beautiful as well."
Arthur, standing off to the side, smirked.
"Don't let their serious act fool you. These two are closet lovers."
"WE'RE NOT!"
Siegfried and Jeanne both yelled in unison, their cheeks faintly colored red.
Dulio burst out laughing so hard he nearly fell backward.
Arthur just chuckled, while Valerie hid a small laugh behind her hand, momentarily forgetting her nerves.
"Moving on. This is Connla and Cao Cao. They were the ones who rescued you during our invasion."
Immediately, Valerie's expression shifted in sincerity, and she bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much for saving me. Truly, I owe you both my life."
Cao Cao simply shook his head, trying to assure her.
"No need for such words, Miss Valerie. We were just lucky to find you at that time."
Connla nodded.
"We're just glad to see you're standing on your own feet again, Miss Valerie. There's no need for that."
Valerie straightened, her lips curving into a grateful smile.
"Still, I am deeply thankful."
Arthur then motioned toward the last pair.
"And finally, Georg and Lavinia. They're both powerful magicians in Grauzauberer."
Georg adjusted his glasses, giving a polite bow before extending his hand.
"It is a pleasure, Lady Tepes. Welcome to the team."
Valerie accepted the handshake lightly.
"The pleasure is mine."
Then, Valerie faced Lavinia, bowing gracefully.
"Nice to meet you as well, Miss Lavinia. I'm Valerie Tepes."
Lavinia returned the gesture with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, too, Valerie. I'm Lavinia Reni, Arthur's girlfriend."
Valerie froze.
"..."
Lavinia's words repeated in her head, and her smile faltered.
(Arthur's... girlfriend? He has... a girlfriend…? She's his girlfriend?!)
Her thoughts spiraled in an instant, feeling her heart aching for some reason.
She imagined every chance she had of being close to Arthur shattering like glass.
How should she face him after this?
Her chest tightened as her mind wrestled with countless questions.
Arthur tilted his head when she didn't move, instinctively feeling that a cliché trope was about to happen.
"Valerie? You okay?"
She didn't answer immediately, her gaze distant, as if she was in a trance.
Georg, watching quietly, noticed the tension instantly.
His sharp mind pieced together the situation in seconds, and he stepped back subtly, choosing to let things unfold.
The others sensed it too.
Heracles smirked, leaned next to Dulio.
"Twenty bucks says this turns into a catfight."
Dulio, grinning, shook his head.
"Twenty bucks says otherwise, and they tag-teamed Arthur."
Meanwhile, Lavinia studied Valerie's frozen expression.
She wasn't oblivious; she could see the turmoil inside the dhampir's innocent eyes.
Lavinia sighed inwardly and looked at her boyfriend.
(You're such a ladies' man without even trying, Arthur.)
Still, Lavinia had already prepared herself for this moment, which is why she said those words earlier.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Valerie, pulling her into a soft hug.
The contact jolted Valerie out of her spiraling thoughts.
She gasped softly, her eyes darting to Lavinia in confusion.
"Miss Lavinia?"
As Valerie stood frozen in her embrace, Lavinia leaned down slightly and whispered something into her ear.
Whatever she said, it made Valerie's face red, her lips trembling as she muttered incoherently, unable to form a proper response.
When Lavinia pulled back, Valerie was red from ear to ear, looking as if steam might rise from her head.
She stammered nonsense under her breath, unable to process what she just heard.
Lavinia walked back to Arthur casually, as if nothing had happened, and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, making his eyes widen.
"What was that about, Lav?"
He asked, clearly confused and curious.
She only smiled mysteriously.
"Don't worry about it, Art. It's nothing."
Arthur could tell she was hiding something interesting, but decided to leave it be for now.
Nearby, Heracles cursed under his breath as Dulio pumped a fist in victory.
"Ha! Easy money, baby."
Valerie, meanwhile, stared at the floor, her heart was racing from Lavinia's words, and she wanted to vanish.
But at the same time, hope lingered inside her chest as she took a glance at Arthur.
Arthur's eyes scanned the chapel.
"Wait… where's Vasco?"
He asked, raising a brow as if realizing he hadn't seen the old exorcist.
Dulio answered lazily.
"Oh, Old Man Vasco's running some errands for the Church. Something about supplies for the orphans."
Arthur nodded slightly, only to pause mid-thought when Dulio suddenly snapped his fingers like he just remembered something important.
"Oh, right! Arthur, I almost forgot. We still have that vampire guest waiting for you."
Arthur's eyes widened just a fraction as he muttered under his breath.
"Oh yeah, right… the representatives…"
He looked a little sheepish for forgetting, scratching the back of his neck.
"Where are they now?"
DxD
In a small, quiet bakery tucked in one of Avalon's side streets.
The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries lingered in the air, and the low murmur of conversations filled the cozy establishment.
At one of the corner tables, where sunlight from the window cannot reach, sat a girl who immediately stood out from everyone else.
She was a young lady with long, wavy light-blonde hair that cascaded past her shoulders, her pale skin smooth and flawless like porcelain.
Her deep red eyes seemed to pierce through the air around her, framed by long lashes that made her already doll-like face even more surreal.
The dress she wore was regal, a crimson gown adorned with black frills, lace, and embroidery reminiscent of something from the Middle Ages.
Upon her head sat an ornate headdress, only adding to her aristocratic aura.
In her hand was a delicate teacup, steam faintly rising from the warm drink.
She raised it gracefully to her lips, took a slow sip, and then sighed softly in satisfaction.
For a brief moment, she looked serene, elegant, and calm, like a noblewoman from another era enjoying a peaceful afternoon.
But that moment of grace was shattered almost instantly.
*SLAM!*
The girl suddenly slammed her fist against the wooden table, startling the entire room.
Cups rattled, plates clinked, and conversations halted mid-sentence as every pair of eyes turned toward her.
"I have been waiting all morning! Where the hell is this guy?!"
She demanded, her voice both sharp and annoyed, echoing in the small bakery.
Her pout was visible, her lips pressed into a thin line as her brows furrowed in irritation.
The waiter, who had been nervously wiping down a counter, nearly dropped the tray he was holding.
Customers shifted uncomfortably, pretending to mind their own business but stealing glances at the girl whose tantrum did not match her otherwise refined appearance.
She huffed and crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her sleeve as if impatiently counting the seconds.
"Making me wait this long… utterly disrespectful! Hmph!"
Her pale cheeks puffed slightly as she pouted harder, and though her aura was intimidating to the bystanders.
The waiter cautiously approached her table, bowing nervously.
"M-Miss… is everything alright? Would you like another pot of tea while you… wait?"
She turned her head sharply toward him, crimson eyes glowing faintly.
The poor man froze, feeling as though he had just been caught in a predator's gaze.
Then, after a tense pause, she waved her hand dramatically, her expression softening only slightly.
"Fine. Another pot. And bring more of those raspberry tarts. They were acceptable."
The waiter nodded frantically and retreated, while the rest of the bakery's patrons exchanged hushed whispers.
The vampire girl let out another sigh, drumming her nails lightly against the table.
"He'd better be worth all this waiting… otherwise, I'll-"
She paused, cheeks faintly flushing as she muttered something under her breath.
"No, no… it wouldn't do to throw a tantrum like a child… As Queen Carmilla's representative, I must show an example."
She shook her head quickly, then sat straighter, regaining her regal composure as if nothing had happened.
But then, just a minute later, her lips curled into another pout.
"Still… making a lady wait this long… tch. Honestly!"
DxD
Hello readers!
This is a short chapter...
... That's all.
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!