(Insert Image: Sumeragi Kaguya From Code Gease)
Ten minutes later.
Akuto had finished clearing every last zombie.
Inside the airport terminal, all the passengers and staff who had just fled from the planes gathered together, their eyes filled with awe and reverence as they looked at the boy before them.
Could it be? Were the myths true? Was this boy a divine savior sent to deliver them?
The scene of him instantly slaying the giant bat was so overwhelming that such thoughts naturally formed in their minds.
Clang—
Akuto planted his sword before him, sweeping his gaze around the hall as he spoke slowly.
"My name is Sai Akuto. Right now, I'm managing a shelter together with Councilwoman Yukinoshita. Who is in charge here?"
Seeing him speak so bluntly toward royalty, a middle-aged woman who looked like a secretary frowned in displeasure.
But before she could voice her complaint, a black-haired girl with hime-style bangs cut her off sharply.
"Do not be rude to this lord!"
Having silenced her attendant, the black-haired girl in an ornate kimono gracefully bowed before Akuto.
"I am Princess Kaguya, currently managing this airport with my uncle's permission. Lord Akuto, what brings you here?"
"'Kō'—that's the surname of the Emperor's line. Which means… you're of the royal family?"
Akuto studied her carefully.
Indeed, she looked exactly like the Kaguya he remembered from the Code Geass world.
(Author's Note: Don't worry, I won't write too many characters from outside the HOTD world—this is just a convenient mascot for faction expansion. The plan is still more mutant zombies to fight, but nothing too overwhelming. Within 15 chapters, it'll be mostly battles and heroines joining before returning to the DxD world.)
"Yes, I am of the royal family. May I ask Lord Akuto what your purpose is here? Do you seek contact with the government or the Self-Defense Force?"
Kaguya maintained the elegance befitting her lineage.
"No, Princess Kaguya," Akuto smiled, revealing his intent.
"I came here to protect you."
"As a royal, staying in an airport that could be attacked by zombie bats at any moment is far too dangerous."
"For your safety, both body and soul, you should come with me to my shelter."
"…"
Everyone present knew perfectly well that a man who just asked who was in charge was no savior "protector." Yet none dared speak up.
In fact, some even found his words convincing—if safety was the priority, then truly, there was no safer place than at Akuto's side.
"Lord Akuto's words carry much sense. But… would you perhaps be willing to speak at length with my uncle?"
"The airport has means of contacting him, and a reply would come within half a day at most."
The "uncle" she spoke of was none other than the reigning Emperor of Fuso.
"With your leadership and personal power, I'm certain my uncle would find great use for you."
Kaguya was testing him—would he show respect for the royal line, or did he mean to replace it? If it was the former, she could introduce him to her uncle.
"Negotiations can wait. For now, isn't ensuring Princess Kaguya's safety the most important matter?" Akuto sidestepped her probe.
"…True. My uncle is busy with state affairs. We should not trouble him lightly."
Kaguya's lips curved faintly as she abandoned her test.
"Hm? That woman looks familiar…"
Akuto's eyes narrowed on a strikingly beautiful woman in the crowd.
"Aunt Kiriko?"
"Eh?"
Startled at being called out, a voluptuous woman whose face strongly resembled Rei's stepped forward.
"Akuto-kun? Is it really you? I thought my eyes deceived me! What about Rei? How is she?"
Her first concern was her daughter's safety. Losing her worthless husband hadn't mattered—but if she lost her daughter, she feared she could not bear it.
"Don't worry, Aunt Kiriko. Rei is safe. She's at my shelter right now."
Akuto gave her a once-over, his expression turning peculiar.
Because he realized—Kiriko was still… unmarried?
[System? Is this your doing?]
[Ding!]
[The system merely prevented Kiriko and others from ever marrying. As for Rei's birth—that was the inevitable path of this world.]
[When the appointed time came, even without a man, Kiriko and others would conceive through heaven's will.]
"…I see~"
Akuto nodded, satisfied with that explanation.
Thinking for a moment, he said to her:
"Aunt Kiriko, it's nearly nightfall already. Moving in the dark is inconvenient."
"Tomorrow at dawn, we'll head out together—with Princess Kaguya—to reunite you with Rei."
"Yes, I understand. Akuto-kun, I'll go with you." Kiriko nodded quickly.
Akuto had no intention of simply abandoning the airport.
However, since airplanes were no longer safe, its importance had greatly diminished.
Thus his final decision was—if the hundreds of people here wished, they could come back with him. If not, they were free to decide their own fate.
That night.
Rika lay awake with complicated feelings.
She had never imagined a human could be that strong.
Even less did she imagine that man would be Shizuka's lover.
[Damn it, Shizuka, you stupid cow! You swore no men, and yet you betrayed our vow the moment you found someone young and handsome!]
With that resentment simmering in her heart, she drifted into uneasy sleep.
...
Late at night.
The sound of the door jolted her awake.
Before she could react, a hand covered her mouth.
"Shh…"
Shizuka smiled, finger to her lips.
"Mm?!"
Her mouth was sealed, and both her hands were pinned easily by Shizuka's one.
"Rika, do you remember our vow?"
"You once told me—if I ever found a man, he would have to be one you approved of. I told you the same."
"So tonight, I've brought Aku-chan to you." Shizuka's smile was radiant as she pressed Rika down.
To Rika's shock, she couldn't break free of Shizuka's hold.
Hiss—!
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, for completing a Fate Seizure.]
[Fate Source: Rika Minami.]
[Blank Initial Ability Slot +1. Current total: 5.]
"Hm?"
Akuto raised a brow.
He had only come to Rika to indulge his collector's habit, and to fulfill Shizuka's wish.
He hadn't expected Rika to already meet the capture standard.
So, bold women like Rika really were the carnivore type?
"Hm? 'Hm' what? You think it's polite to stop here of all times?"
Annoyed at his pause, Rika took the initiative, flipping him beneath her and climbing on top.
It was the end of the world. She no longer clung to old ideas—when death could come at any moment, why not enjoy life while you could?
"Rika, this is wonderful~"
Shizuka stroked her friend's violet hair gently. She had always worried Rika would never find a man—but now, her childhood promise had finally been fulfilled.
(End of Chapter)
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