Ch 20: A Maid?

"Ah, Sharon ... have you ever wanted a maid?" Sirzechs asks.

Sharon looked at Sirzechs, a bit surprised by the sudden question about wanting a maid. He had never really considered it before, as his focus had primarily been on raising dragons and growing stronger. However, the offer intrigued him.

"Well, I've never really thought about it, but if you have someone in mind..." Sharon trailed off, leaving the statement open-ended, curious about Sirzechs' intentions.

Sirzechs chuckled, then looked over at Grayfia, who seemed both surprised and shy about the proposition.

"Grayfia here is an exceptional maid. She's highly skilled, reliable, and dedicated to her work. She has served our family for a long time and is incredibly talented," Sirzechs explained, introducing Grayfia.

Sharon observed Grayfia, noticing her posture and the way she carried herself. She exuded a sense of professionalism and seemed proficient in her duties. He was also quite aware of her potential in terms of her power.

"I see. It's an honor to be offered such a skilled individual. If Grayfia is willing to join me and my peerage, I would be more than happy to have her," Sharon responded, extending his hand to Grayfia with a warm smile.

Grayfia hesitated for a moment, contemplating the offer. It was a significant decision, and she wanted to ensure it was the right move for her. After a brief pause, she took Sharon's hand and shook it firmly.

"I accept your offer, Master Sharon. I will do my best to serve you and your peerage," Grayfia said, a determined expression on her face.

"Welcome to the team, Grayfia. I'm certain you'll be an invaluable addition," Sharon replied, appreciating her dedication and commitment.

"Magnificent! Congratulations Grayfia," Sirzechs said with a warm smile as Silvia had a teasing smile, leaving Grayfia blushing profusely. "You finally found the one for you, huh, dear sister?" 

"Alright, I think we should head back now. Akeno and Suzaku are probably waiting for us to return." Sharon said as he bowed a bit toward Sirzechs. "It was a pleasure meeting you again, Sirzechs. Let's do this again sometime."

Sirzechs nodded as dragon wings sprouted from Sharon's back, spanning nearly 10 meters from his body. 

Devil wings grew from Grayfia's back, while two smaller dragon wings emerged from Kuroka's and Shirone's backs. 

With a flap, the four of them took off, following Sharon as he led them out of the underworld and to the human realm.

*Time Skip*

It had been around an hour since Sharon left alongside Kuroka, Shirone, and Grayfia, and they were rapidly approaching their apartment.

"Akeno-nee-chan and Suzaku-nee-chan are gonna be so surprised! Will they get dragon wings too, master?" Shirone asked with a cute expression as she grabbed onto Sharon from his side.

"Of course, I'll ask them if they want to join me, and if they do, then they'll also get dragon wings," Sharon said as he patted her head as they flew.

Then the realization hit.

"Wait, did you call me master?" Sharon asked as he almost lost control of his wings.

"Hm? Yup! You're Shirone's master now!" Shirone said with an adorable smile as Sharon was left unable to just reject her.

"But ... didn't I say to just call me, Sharon?" He asked with a confused expression. 

She nodded as Kuroka appeared beside him as well. "You should get used to it, master~"

"Ufufufu, it seems Master Sharon is quite ... popular," Grayfia said as she giggled and followed behind.

"Oh, you have no idea, maid-san," Kuroka said with an almost exasperated tone.

The antics continued as Sharon and the rest of them reached the town of Kuoh. They landed in the nearby forest and walked home.

Within a few minutes, they reached their apartment. Shockingly enough, there were a few others inside.

"Took you long enough, dragonboy." A man with black hair and a golden bang said as he laughed and drank some sake.

"The brat sure took his time, and with so many girls too." A man with a heavy black beard said as he stood next to a woman.

"Ufufufu, I knew he'd be popular with the women, didn't I say so darling?" The woman beside the bearded man said with a chuckle.

"Ah! Sharon, you're here!" Akeno and Suzaku said with a bright voice as they rushed forward.

"Azazel, Baraqiel, Shuri-san ... why are you all here?" Sharon asked as he walked in, confused.

"How come you treat my wife with more respect than me?" Baraqiel asked him with a curious expression, as Sharon just chuckled. 

"Because she didn't try to drown me when I was a kid, ya damn old man," Sharon said with a smirk.

"Hahahaha, it'll never get boring with the dragonboy here." 

"Shut up Azazel. Didn't I say not to call me that? Sounds so ... weak. Just call me a dragon." Sharon said with a prideful expression which quickly faded.

"I would ... but you're not a dragon yet, are you?"

"Azazel!! You're the one who wouldn't let me meet Vali! He's already awakened Albion, hasn't he?" Sharon barked back as Azazel just laughed.

"You'd just want to fight him the moment you meet him anyway. What's the point?"

"Grrr, whatever. I need to meet him as soon as possible. I'm at the peak, and I need to talk to Albion."

"What? Already? Tannin said it takes decades or even centuries for even a regular dragon to become a Dragon King. Yet, you - a dragonkin - are already there?" Azazel nearly yelled as Sharon's proud expression returned.

"Of course I have. I have the bloodline of a Dragon." Sharon said.

"That doesn't change anything, all the bloodline does is purify the aura within your body at a faster pace. That doesn't even do anything except for allowing you more control over your aura and for the aura to be more powerful!" Azazel argued as Sharon was confused.

"Huh? That can't be true. It was after I unlocked the bloodline that I started to grow so fast, that can't be all a bloodline does." Sharon said as he was clearly confused.

"No, I spoke with Albion, and even with the Blaze Meteor Dragon King, Tannin. No matter which bloodline you possess, even if it belongs to Great Red or Ophis, it will not do anything to your rate of growth or your abilities. All it does is affect how strong your attacks are, and how quickly you heal." Azazel said as Sharon nearly collapsed.

"You mean ... this was all me? It wasn't because I was lucky and received a powerful bloodline? That all this progress I've made, all the potential everyone thinks I have ... it's all mine?" Sharon asked as he felt a sense of happiness wash over him.

"It does. It was all due to the effort, training, and suffering you've faced. Your growth is incredible because of your determination and drive." Baraqiel said as tears dripped from Sharon's eyes.

'So ... all this ... it's all because of my desire for strength.' Sharon thought as he wiped his tears and laughed heartily. 

"Hahahahaha! I wasn't lucky, it was my own effort. I too am truly strong!" Sharon roared as pride and happiness spread throughout his entire body.

All these years, ever since he had received Ophis' blood, he had always felt as though he wasn't strong because of himself. He was only strong because that's what Ophis' blood granted him. That his power was one granted to him. 

A bright smile spread over his face as he hugged Baraqiel and Azazel. 

"Thanks ... you have no idea how much this means to me." He muttered as he let go and stood before them.

"Oh! Azazel, Baraiqel! I did it." Sharon said with a proud smile leaving them curious. 

Azazel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Sharon's enthusiasm. "Did what exactly?"

"The peerage system of the devils, and their evil pieces. I found a way to replicate them, well ... kinda." He said as he left both Azazel and Baraqiel in shock. Meanwhile, Akeno, Suzaku, and Shuri didn't know what it meant. 

Shirone and Kuroka stood by Sharon's side, as Grayfia stood behind him.

"What? How? The Grigori has been researching this for nearly a decade, but hasn't achieved it yet!" Azazel asked as Sharon took out a tarot card.

"I'll show you," Sharon said with a grin as he walked over to Akeno.

"Akeno, will you accept me as your master, and become my 'High Priestess'?" Sharon asked as Akeno, although a bit confused, stepped forward.

"Are you asking me to be in your peerage, Sharon?" She asked with a soft tone as there was hope evident in her eyes.

"Yes, Akeno. You've been with me ever since I lost my family. You've pushed me to become stronger, become kinder, and become someone others want to be around. You've done so much for me, and I want you to be mine, Akeno. Will you fulfill this selfish wish of mine?" Sharon asked as he spoke what he truly wanted to say, from deep within his heart.

Tears dripped from Akeno's eyes as she heard what Sharon said, her heart thumping wildly, threatening to leap out of her chest. She rapidly nodded as she hugged Sharon.

The High Priestess card phased into Akeno's chest as dragon scales appeared on her arms and slowly receded into her body. Dragon wings also sprouted from her back. 

Slowly, around 5 minutes later, she opened her eyes. Her deep amethyst-purple eyes glowed faintly as she smiled brightly. 

The next moment, her lips pressed against Sharon's. 

-----------------------------------------------

So, I'm finally back everyone! Didn't think I'd be in bed for this long, but I am back. Haha, it feels nice to be out of bed. 

Anyway, my apologies for not uploading, but here's the next chapter! 

If you enjoyed what you read, make sure to add it to your library, and if you want to, give the story some stones!

Do leave comments, as I'll read each one and take it to heart on how I can improve my writing.