Ch 35-Little Subordinate

ant A/N: sorry I haven't uploaded in a long time. I truly enjoy writing this fanfic since it is my first one, but I still have the college stuff that has been keeping me busy. but dont worry il start uploading again more frequently.

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'Ugh, I really fucked up this time.' Thought Meliodas as he held two kids in each arm. 

It's only been a few hours since he hatched them both and he deeply regrets doing it.

He was fine with just one kid... well dragon kid like Kanna and he had a feeling that the second one would be like her.

But what he didn't see coming was that the second egg would be the Lord of Geo himself.

But he can't turn back time anymore unless he gets another time travel ticket but he wouldn't count on it.

Right now he is riding his Sparrow while carrying both of them as he heads to the city below them. Meliodas had already scouted the place for all exits possible that he could find. He had also already stuck some concealment talismans he made on both kids, concealing their aura and dragon features.

In all honesty, he's not concerned about escaping from beings stronger than him since he already marked a small knife he had with his [Weapon Warp] ability and hidden it in the forest so he can just escape instantly to the knife.

But there's no knowing when you will meet someone else who can control space itself and block you off so it's no guarantee.

As Meliodas got close to the city he got off his Sparrow since the piece of technology might bring unwanted attention.

finally reaching the gates by foot, he was met with a long line of people probably waiting to pay a toll.

[I don't think we have money to pay a toll.] Mentioned Merlin by our mental connection.

'I do but I only have gold bars and gems that I got back at the Luofu. It be too weird if some nobodies paid a mere passing fee with gold.' I replied back to Merlin.

[So do you want to sneak in] (Merlin)

'Looks like it's the only choice, I can only get some money once I trade in some materials I have at some trading place. I could steal some money but the people here look like they are barely getting by with what they have and it will leave a bad taste in my mouth' Said Meliodas.

Meliodas was going to Steal some money from people in the line originally but seeing the state of the people here he thought that maybe it wasn't the best idea. He also looked out for any rich-looking people passing by but to his luck, there wasn't any.

[I had the same idea but let's not unless we have to. Let's sneak in then.] (Merlin)

Looking back at the kids in his arms who were looking around in curiosity Meliodas spoke with a smile "Hey Kanna, Rex were going to play a little game of stay silent and don't get cough OK"

The children didn't understand what he said but going by the hush sign he made with his fingers. the already smart children were able to make out that their father wanted them to be quiet.

Seeing that they understood him, Meliodas was impressed by their learning speed and felt that it was quite terrifying. Well, he was impressed but not surprised since they are both dragons.

Meliodas cast an illusion around all of them by bending light around himself and the kids as he started walking towards the gate.

And by no surprise, he was able to get by the security guards in armor.

Though when they entered.

[Meliodas...]

"Yeah I know I already expected it to be like this," said Meliodas with a sad face.

The sight in front of him was quite sad though he had already expected the City to be like this. Slums left and right, People that looked like skeletons, and horrible smells everywhere you go. though he felt pity for the people here he was no saint so he only turned a blind eye to it.

with his illusion still on he walked through the slums until he reached the main part of the city. going into an alley he undid his illusion and came out with both kids, though Merlin was hiding inside his coat since flying balls weren't really the norm.

[It's very different here than in the outer part of the city] Commented Merlin.

"Well of course it is, the closer you get to the center the richer the people are. First is the slums for all the people of the lower class, and the second is the living areas for the middle class from what we're seeing right now. and for final guesses, the closer we get we might see the commercial district, and at the center is the owner of this city." Meliodas guessed.

[I see so the deeper you go the more expensive and luxurious the stuff should be.]

"Yup, anyways we should head to the commercial district and sell some of the elemental crystals I have in my pocket."

[You have elemental crystals?] Asked Merlin in Curiosity. he obviously knew what they were since they were mentioned in the books that he scanned in the library back at the Luofu.

"yup I do, they should mostly be used for creating magical items depending on their size and purity, and the ones I have are of the highest grade. I got them when I first found little rex here in a cave" Meliodas explained to the robot.

[I see, if that's the case then we should hurry up it is getting late already and we need the money to find a place to stay]

Meliodas Hurried up along with the crowd with Kanna and Rex as he looked for some sort of market.

After asking around a bit they managed to find this Merchant Group called Azur Jade which was one of the city's most prominent Merchants.

Meliodas felt that the name was quite fitting for a Chinese setting like Liyue.

heading there he managed he managed to bag a lot of money used around here from trading some rare materials, surprisingly it looked like Ryo that was used in ancient China.

coming out of the store Meiodas Felt a sudden gaze directed towards them but mostly towards the kids.

in a panic, Melodas Activated his [Observation Haki] which he managed to awaken while trying to learn [conquerors haki: Infusion] but instead learned [Armament Haki] and so on after tried to learn [Observation Haki]. He scanned the whole place but it seemed that the person who was watching them managed to conceal themselves.

"Tch!, Merlin it seems someone knows we're here and they managed to somehow notice the kid's true form!" Meliodas informed Merlin.

[Damit!, should we leave?] Asked Merlin In Worry

"No, I didn't sense any ill intent from their gaze it was more of a curious gaze, and we also don't have anywhere else to go for now since it's getting late. Let's just find a place to stay for now and Wait and see what happens, we can't run forever."

[Right, but stay alert we don't know what their intentions are with Kanna and Rex.]

"I know, let's find an inn"

agreeing that they should find a place to rest they found an inn to stay in. Entering their room Meliodas immediately started to draw on the walls with his Aether making defences and concealment in case anybody tried to come during the night.

"And I'm done," said Meliodas as he created the last barrier.

Merlin who was watching on the side was impressed at the number of defenses Meliodas put up now. Even Kanna and Rex Lapis who were on the bed looking at their dad drawing weird smbols found the shapes pretty and were focused on him drawing them.

[So what now, are we just going to sleep or are we doing something else.] asked merlin.

Taking out [Lost Vayne] he used its clone ability to create copies of himself. He of course could create physical clones of himself with his [Aether Arts] but it was more mentally taxing as he would need to constantly control them unlike the sentient clones [Lost Vayne] Makes.

"Go!" Meliodas said as his clones disappeared from the room.

[What was that for?] Asked Merlin

"We need as much information about the city right now, its leaders, high-ranking figures, anybody who could have been watching us. So I sent my clones out to scout and gather information about the whole place." Explained Meliodas.

[I see if that's the case then while the clones are out here are you going to do your summons that you told me you could do right now] asked Merlin.

"Ah!, thanks for reminding me, I completely forgot about them because of the whole baby thing. But first, let's get them to sleep" said Meliodas as he looked at Lanna and Rex playing Animal Shaped Aether Constructs he made a bit ago to play with the kids.

"Alright kids time to sleep," Melidas said but the Children of course didn't listen.

Snapping his fingers, the Animals he had made disappeared earning sad looks from both children. Tucking them into bed he saw that they were still wide awake and seemed like they weren't going down any moment soon.

[Looks like they won't budge, whant to cast a sleeping spell on them] Suggested Merlin.

"Naw, let me try something," Said Meliodas with confidence.

As an experienced father of five girls, he already knew how to easily put children to sleep... well most since Violet refused to go to sleep many times forcing him to use sleeping powder on her before.

Taking out a guitar from his storage he started to gently swipe his fingers through the strings as he tuned the Guitar.

[A Guitar? I didn't know you could play the guitar] said Merlin with surprise.

"I only know how to play the Piano and the Guitar because of my mother, I also used to play it a lot for a few family members of mine"

Meliodas mother in his past life used to be a professional Mexican Singer and was passionate about it from a young age, from what she told him he knew that she could have become big after she had managed to join a music label company. but the guy who offered to get a contract signed with her said that she had to sleep with him and his mother rejected him.

Eventually, she left the music life, met his father, and had three children which were Meliodas and his two brothers from his past life.

Of course, even after leaving the music life behind, she was still passionate about it and taught Piano and guitar to Meliodas. he was originally good at both even before dying but he became better after using those instruments to put his daughters to sleep for many years.

"Alright then"

Meliodas started to gently play his guitar earning him the attention of he kids curious about what he was doing.

{Rises the moon-Liana Flores}

{A/N: I love the song, I play it when my insomnia hits. Great for going to sleep}

"🎶Days seem sometimes as if they'll never end

Sun digs its heels to taunt you

But after sunlit days, one thing stays the same

Rises the moon.

Days fade into a watercolour blur

Memories swim and haunt you

But look into the lake, shimmering like smoke

Rises the moon.

Oh-oh, close your weary eyes

I promise you that soon the autumn comes

To darken fading summer skies

Breathe, breathe, breathe.

Days pull you down just like a sinking ship

Floating is getting harder

But tread the water, child, and know that meanwhile

Rises the moon.

Days pull you up just like a daffodil

Uprooted from its garden

They'll tell you what you owe, but know even so

Rises the moon.

You'll be visited by sleep

I promise you that soon the autumn comes

To steal away each dream you keep

Breathe, breathe, breathe🎶."

As Meliodas finished singing He saw that Rex and Kanna were fast asleep. with a gentle smile, he said "Sweet dreams Kids"

[wow I didn't know you were this good at music] Said Merlin in Amazemant

"Like I said I always played for a few family members of mine"

'Now that I think of it I never told Merlin about me being from the future' thought Meliodas

Even though Merlin was with him all the time, he always disappeared as he always thought that he shouldn't poke his nose into his business especially when Meliodas explained the whole future thing with Jingliu and Wukong. At most what Meliodas told Merlin was that he wanted to go back to his home place.

'Meh il tell him later'

"Anyways let's do the summoning now"

Hearing his words Merlin hummed in acknowledgment.

'System how many pulls do I have?'

[You have 23 tickets, host]

'I see, then do a three pull, I don't like the uneven 23'

[Ding!, New items obtained]

<[lesser upgrade card(F)< p>

Description: This card allows you to upgrade skill or item rarity from D, E, and F upwards by one tier. once upgraded the skill or item might receive a power boost or new features.]

<[Stinky tofu(D)< p>

Description: tofu gone bad that is now in your hands.]

<[Rusty Iron Sword(D)< p>

Description: An iron sword that is rusty what else did you expect]

"..." (Meliodas)

'I knew my luck was going to run out eventually on the draws but I didn't think it would be that bad, well the lesser upgrade card isn't that bad I guess' grumbled Meliodas internally.

'Fuck it, do a ten pull

[Ding! ten new items obtained]

<[Extra Upgrade card(EX)< p>

Description: all skills have the possibility to be raised even higher through effort though the limit is SSSR rank, the only way that limit could be broken is by turning it into an EX skill with an Extra upgrade card. you can also upgrade already existing EX skills into EX+.]

<[Logia Type Devil fruit: Pika Nomi(A){One Piece}< p>

Description: the devil fruit's abilities, it allows the user to create and control light along with turning themselves into light at their will Since the user inherits the properties of light, they can travel at the speed of light and can use reflections for transportation. Theoretically, this makes them the fastest being on the planet. The Yami Yami no Ni's powers are:

-Grants complete control over light to the user.

-The user can also turn himself into light and easily avoid all the attacks (non-Haki attacks) since the enemies can't touch them.

-The user can use the strength of light to create powerful laser beam attacks from his hands and even feet too.

-The user can travel at the speed of light and transport using reflections.

-The user can also create weapons as they can create anything with light.]

<[Noble Phantasm: Three Line Formation-Three Thousand Worlds.(E-EX){Fate}< p>

Type: Anti-Army

Description: is the Noble Phantasm of Oda Nobunaga. It is her famous policy, having dreamed about the unification of the country of Japan, and the "three lines of fire" strategy she is said to have employed at the Battle of Nagashino

Ability: It brings about three thousand arquebuses in your surroundings. It is most effective against beings with high 'Divininty, 'Mystery', or 'Riding Skill'. but to people without those, those thousand guns will be nothing but mere Matchlocks.

<[Chemistry(D)]< p>

<[Random Pokemon Card(D-EX){Pokemon}< p>

Description: Allows you to randomly summon a Pokemon though catching it and getting it to like you is up to you]

<[Lesser recovery potion(F)]< p>

<[new pair of socks(D)]< p>

<[Sunkist: Orange soda(D)< p>

<[Bag of avocados(D)]< p>

<[Apple of the world tree(B)< p>

Description: it extends your life by a hundred years. It also makes you look younger]

'yes!, I got some good stuff, though most of it is useless' Meliodas celebrated inwardly.

He was excited about the things he had obtained from the Gacha especially the noble phantasm he got, Those thousand guns are basically god-killer weapons.

And For the [pika pika no mi] was quite useless for him since he could already control light from the beginning. In fact, his own light is conceptual, unlike a devil's fruit.

Something Meliodas has realized from The powers or elements he obtains from the Eikon is that they are conceptual and not just mere elements. If it weren't then he wouldn't be able to create physical weapons like Zantetsuken and Gungnir along with their special powers, coming from Odin's dark power.

Now for the [Extra upgrade ticket] Meliodas feels quite excited. The power he uses the most is the Eikon power derived from the main skill [Mythos] so he wonders what would happen if he were to upgrade it from EX rank to EX+ rank. Meliodas also has a Pokemon card but he will use it once he is out of the city. After all, he wouldn't want to summon Kyogre in here by accident.

[What did you get Meliodas] asked Merlin as he saw the growing grin on my face.

"Fufu~injust got some good stuff" Saying those words Meliodas summon two Matchlocks on each hand.

[Um what are those supposed to do?, I'm sure that you have better weapons than those two?] He said with an unsure tone.

But the next second, Matchlocks started to randomly spawn around the room all pointing towards Meliodas.

Merlin on the side was dumbfounded at the amount of weapons that appeared out of nowhere

[How did you do that?!] He asked.

"It's a skill called noble phantasm, it lets me summon three thousand of these guns, and that is not even the best part. The guns might look normal but they are god-killing weapons to any who have divinity."

Hearing my explanation Merlin was left in shock from my explanation [God kili g weapons! And it's three thousand of them!]

"Yup cool right," I said with a smile.

[*Sigh* yeah they are cool, sometimes I wonder if you are the luckiest person on the planet]

"Well not really, I summoned ten items but I only got like three good stuff"

Hearing my words he asked what other stuff I got and I explained the whole Devil fruit thing and why I didn't eat it.

[I see, so are you going to give it to Kanna or Rex Laps?]

"No, at least not yet, I wouldn't want one of the kids to turn into light and run away or get lost because of it. to much power for a little kid, and I'm pretty sure they already have enough of it," explained Meliodas

[I see, than if that's the case was that all you got]

"No, I got a Pokemon card allowing me to summon a type of familiar, and I can also summon ten more times but I will do it when we leave the city for good luck"

[Understood, so for now, we wait for the others I guess]

"Yup, that the pla-" Before Meliodas could finish his words,a knock on the door resounded in the room.

[Meliodas!] said Merlin in worry.

"I know, scan quickly and see who it is" Said Meliodas as he reached inside his coat for [Judgemet Of Shamash], Pointing it to the door as he was absolutely ready to pull the trigger. At the same time, Merlin Started to scan who was behind the door.

[Um it's an adepti] he confirmed Meiodas.

"Adepti?, Really?"

[Yes, she has white hair, blue eyes, and the tail and ears of a fox]

'White hair, fox, blue eyes. there is only a few characters i remember like that'

going close to the door with his gun still in hand, he opened it-

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POV-Meliodas(clone #1)

The original me had created me for one thing only, to find info. And where is the best place to find information you may ask, it is obviously at the bar. We're everyone is drunk and spilling secrets left and right.

Entering the pub with my cloak on I was greeted with the sight of soldiers and mercenaries drinking beer and having fun.

Walking past them all I sat at the front bar.

"What do you want" asked the bartender.

"Give me the best beer you have"

Nodding at my request he gave me a huge mug of beer. Taking a sip, I was surprised that it was actually decent.

'though it was going to taste like piss' I thought inwardly.

'Anyways I should start to gather info'

Spreading out my [observation Haki] I started to listen to the conversations of multiple people. Though most of them were talking about useless things, someone had managed to catch my attention.

"so when's the auction, did you manage to sell that freak" asked one of the men at the table located at the corner of the bar.

"It's tonight, and yes I managed to sell him for a big price hehe, I didn't know an immortal brat could sell for so much," he said with an ugly-ass smile.

'Immortal?, Freak?. My anime sense is tingling!' I thought to myself.

As I kept listening, I found out that tonight there will be a secret auction for rich people here in the city. They sell all types of exotic beings and artifacts.

"And today they will be selling my first recruit So I better pick him up quickly," I said with a smile as I headed to the auction.

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POV change- Meliodas (clone #2)

"*Munch* Dam my job is really *much* tiring," I said as I ate some snacks I bought from a stall.

My name is Meliodas Clone Two and I'm looking for info... well I'm looking for info while enjoying myself a bit. the original Meliodas put a bag of money on each of us before we left in case we needed it, and oh did it come in handy.

It might be a waste of food and all the stuff I consume will go nowhere because I'm just a clone but I'm sure the original me will understand since he himself eats for enjoyment and not just eating to survive.

*Bump*

As I kept walking down the street Some shorty decided to bump into me. 

"Sorry!" Said the childish voice as he ran away.

though when she did my pockets felt lighter.

"Fuck he snatched my snack money," I said in a panic.

Spreading out my [Observatio Haki] I managed to find him in an alley not far from here.

I jumped from where I was and went from building to building at a fast speed until I was looking at her right on top of a building on the alley she was on.

"Hehe that moron didn't even notice~," the cloaked kid said with a happy tone.

Hearing his statement I felt my lip twitch from annoyance.

fuck it I'm going to scare the shit out of him.

seeing that he was distracted counting MY money, I quietly went down from the building's roof towards his back.

oh poor soul, he doesn't even know that I am behind him kekeke.

'three, two, one'

"BOO!" I yelled with a grin.

"KYAA!!!" 

"Kya?" I said with a confused tone.

Looking at him, no it would be her. She had a skinny malnourished body, big blue eyes, and her most prominent feature was her white and red hair.

'Well I'll be damed this kid is Topaz' I thought with a surprised tone

topaz was one of the characters that came from the game Honkai Starrail, just like Jingliu and the others.

'well I'm not surprised after all genshin is a Mihoyo game so Honkai Impact and Genshin Impact should be in the same universe or at least the Genshin Impact universe should be attached to the imaginary tree' I thought to myself.

"P-please don't kill me," she said with a scared face as she shook me out of my thoughts.

Rubbing my chin I gained a great idea.

"Tell me kid what's your name and how old are you?" I asked

"I-Its T-topaz and I'm seventeen," she said with a fearful stutter.

"Seventeen!, you look like your twelve," I said in surprise

saying those words she started to look at me with an awkward look.

'Oh fuck I forgot that she's basically a begar' I thought as I realized my mistake.

"Anyways where are your parents?" I asked.

hearing my words an even sader face replaced her previous awkward expression. "I don't have any"

Dam I really am bad at this.

As I was about to speak again a sudden voice came from the end of the alley.

"Found you fucking brat!!" said a man with a long wooden plank, he also came with two of his own 'Friends'.

seeing him Topaz seemed to panic, he probably stole from him or something.

As he approached her with a face screaming 'im going to kill you' I moved in between him and Topaz.

"Move it kid this is none of your business, she has been stealing food from my stall for the past week and I'm finally able to get my hands on her," he said in an angry tone as he pushed me aside.

'did his guy really just push me right now' I thought as I felt anger boil through my veins.

looking back at them, I could already see the main guy holding up Topaz by her rags.

"Listen here kid, you owe me money worth the crap that you stole so you better cough it up, or even better il sell you to a brothel!. Im sure that il get some good money off from you," he said with an evil smile.

though Topaz on the other side was on the verge of tears with eyes closed as she was probably resigning to her fate.

"Sorry, but i can't let you do that~"

A dark fog Started to come to below my feet as it rushed towards the men holding Topaz. As the darkness reached them it tied them up with my dark energy.

"W-What the heck is-" Before he could speak further the dark energy that was binding him crept up to his face shutting it tight.

I looked back at Topaz who still looked terrified at the current situation.

Waking towards her she closed her eyes probably expecting me to do something to her so I merely waited for her.

As she finally opened her eyes she was greeted with the sight of my smile making her look confused.

"Um weren't you going to eat my soul or something," she asked nervously.

"Hm, now why would I do that?" I asked.

"Um well you kind of bonded the guys over there with some scary black stuff, I thought that you were some evil spirit or monster that was after my soul," she said with a nervous expression.

"HAHAHAH evil spirit that's a good one!" I laughed as her expression seemed to become calmer at my laughter.

Looking back at her I smiled and said "I have a deal I make with you Actually"

"R-really what would it be" she asked with a nervous expression.

"Hm~, well I want you to become my subordinate of sorts," I said with a smile.

"S-Subordinate, are you going to make me lure people into your lair to eat their souls!" she said as she started to shake in fear.

"NO!, No, why do you keep mentioning that I want to eat souls *Sigh*" Seeing that she didn't believe me I raised both my hands as a ball of light and darkness appeared on each hand.

"Woah!" she said as she saw the shining ball of light in my hands

"See if I was evil then I wouldn't be able to create pretty light like this," I said as I started to shape the light into different shapes and animals.

At one point it became a little light show, Mesmerizing her at the beauty of the light animals I made and created.

snaping my hands all the animals made of light disappeared and her focus came back to me.

"You see I have a good eye for talent, and you Topaz, have a talent that I need," I said making her eyes go wide.

"Really? What is it!"

"Tell me can you do math?" I asked her

"Math?" she asked with a confused tone

"It related to numbers and things like that"

"No I can't," she said with a sad tone

"I see then let me ask you if I took along this many friends (Signifies 4 with hands) friends to the market to pick apples, we picked this many apples (makes a 40 with hands) apples in all. how many apples will each one of us get if we decide to share them equally," I asked

Immediately she answered "It would be this many apples per person," she said as she raised eight fingers signifying each apple.

Hearing her immediate answer I could only smile. I asked her a bunch of other simple math questions related to division, subtraction, and addition. 

the thing is that she answered them all immediately without a single waver in her answers.

"Um why are you asking me all these questions?" she asked

"Well because you have the makings of a merchant of course"

"A Merchant, what do your questions have to do with this?" She asked with confusion

"Because all the questions I made are all related to math, A merchant not only needs to have a sense of business but also extensive knowledge in numbers and calculation since money equals numbers," I said to her as a face of realization dawned on her face.

'And you were one already in star rail' Thought Meliodas clone inwardly.

"You managed to answer all my questions even though you don't have even the slightest education in math, and I have to say that it's talent right there that you showed"

"Really is that true!" she asked with a bright smile.

"Umu of course, like I said I have an eye for talent and you have it so you will come with me and I will give you education, food, money, and a place to live in. I promise that il make you the greatest Merchant to have ever lived! So what do you say... do you accept" I exclaimed as I saw her eyes light up as if she had just seen some sort of miracle or hope materialize right in front of her.

hearing my worst she went into deep thought

after thinking about it she spoke"... I will do it, il come with you and learn, it's better than living here in the slums, waiting to die one day from starvation!." she exclaimed with determination.

'Hoh, this kid has it in her, that's good I thought as I smiled inwardly.

"KYA!" she screamed cutely as I picked her up into my arms. 

Taking out my wings of light and casting an illusion around us just in case, I took to the skies with Topaz reaching a height at which you could look over the whole city.

"Look at this Topaz, one day you will have a place even greater than this city, I promise. And I guess I haven't introduced myself have I"

looking straight into her eyes I said "My name is Meliodas Pendragon, A traveling Adventurer, and from now on your name will no longer be Topaz, But Topaz Pendragon... My little sister"

Hearing my words her eyes went wide in surprise but I merely chuckled at her reaction and headed back to my room at the inn or maybe should I say 'our' room at the inn.

Looks like I got myself a pretty good recruit today, wonder how much she will grow.

Hopefully, she's as good as Asuna when it comes to money, or perhaps even better.

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WC: 5376

A/N: Decided to make a 5000-word chapter today instead of the usual 1000-2000 word chapter.