Chapter 16

Emiya's residence.

Finally, peace and quiet. Well, except for Ophis and Tiamat, who were pawing at my hands like cats. I didn't see Grandfather, but something told me he was around here somewhere.

Hercules was sleeping in one of the rooms with Fou. Alaya decided to check something out. Gilgamesh and Enkidu had gone somewhere again, taking Merlin with them. Emiya and Medusa were now with Artoria, who was looking after the unconscious Lancelot.

What about him? I turned him into a full-fledged Servant, of course. But I did it as a little experiment. I wanted to see if I could combine Lancelot's Berserker Holy Graph with his Saber's Holy Count. And it went pretty well. Now, in his normal state, he's a Saber, but he can become a Berserker at will. However, he won't be able to get out of it on his own - he'll need a good kick to the head.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang, interrupting my musings. Hmm? Who was that at this time of day?

I expanded my senses and was able to recognize the two auras standing on the other side of the door. Ditching the two dragons and reaching it, I pulled the door open and saw 'siscon number 1' and his maid-wife.

- Wow. What unexpected guests came to my house. Lord Lucifer himself and his maid fetish. Oh, I beg your pardon, Lord Lucifer and his maid," I said in a sweet tone. To which I received a shaky smile from Sirzechs and an icy stare from Greyfia. - What can I do for you?

- Good afternoon, Romani-san. Can we go inside? Talking outside would be a bit... awkward," Sirzechs said trying to keep a smile on his face.

- Оh? Is that so? - I crossed my arms, still not moving from the aisle.

- It is," black lines appeared on Sirzechs's forehead.

- Good," my head made a small nod.

- Good," Sirzechs's whole body twitched. Especially his left eye.

I looked at Sirzechs, and he looked at me. And it went on like that for a while. Hell, my eyes even saw some sort of tumbleweed crossing the street. And my hearing picked up something very similar to the cawing of crows.

- Well?! - and he couldn't take it anymore.

- What do you want, Sirzechs-san? And why are you standing at my door? - I gave him a puzzled look.

- Will you let us in?!

- Оh? Of course. Please.

With a scowl on his face, he still remained silent and walked inside, followed by Greyfia.

Heh. That's a lot of talk for today.

-0-

At first, when he had first planned his visit, Sirzechs had already mentally prepared himself for the man's annoying nature. His plans were to get to know the Magician, by the name of Romani Archaman, better. He had decided to assist in the training of a member of Rias's retinue on his own initiative, and Sirzechs wanted to prepare in advance, in case of unforeseen circumstances. He knew there were holes in the contract, and he wanted to make sure his sister and her retinue were safe.

The Magician was strange. And so was his biography. There was nothing unusual about it. He was born and raised in Europe, educated, traveled the world, got a job at the Kuo Academy thanks to his qualifications. But nothing to do with the mystical world. Nothing at all. How could he escape the radar of not only demons, but all other supernatural beings?

Besides, the Magician wasn't afraid of him. Not in the slightest. He knew Sirzechs, knew of his power, but he didn't show the slightest bit of fear or discomfort. And that pointed to one very important fact, Romani was stronger than him. Sirzechs didn't know how much, but definitely stronger than him. And so he decided to proceed with caution. Methodical. And deliberate.

When Sirzechs first encountered him, his mind seemed to freeze. And his blood boiled in an excitement he couldn't understand. It was as if he had met his ancestor again. The feeling was very subtle and fleeting. But it was there nonetheless. Which made him very confused.

How could he feel it from a human, even a Magician. He was not a supernatural being, much less a demon. So why did that thin thread of energy coming from Romani's side make him remember his ancestor's aura?

Sirzechs wondered. He remembered Rias' words after she had come to her senses after turning the current host of the Ddraig. She had mentioned an unknown creature that evoked a similar feeling: humanoid, body covered in scales, very long arms, a pair of giant horns embraced by flames, and a huge eye in its chest.

It asked her questions, suggestive of certain thoughts. Thoughts that indicated it knew her blood, her origins. And it used the word 'we' when addressing her.

Many questions swirled in Sirzechs's mind. Who was this creature? What was its connection to the Romani Archaman? Why did they inspire similar feelings? And he wanted to find out the answers to them. Not knowing them unnerved him.

And everything would have been within his expectations, if not for something inside Romani's house. Or rather, someone. A little girl in an unusual gothic lolita dress.

She was powerful with a touch of indifference to everything around her. Sirzechs felt that his presence was in no way noticed by her. He was nothing to her. If at any point she decided to harm Rias, Sirzechs would be helpless. And that was very alarming.

And now, this very girl was clinging to Romani like a cat with carefree and childlike innocence. Had she been here when the Magician had made the contract? Sirzechs didn't know that.

Looking away slightly, he looked at the other individual, who reeked of the same power as the first, and perhaps even exceeded it. But the feeling her presence inspired was different.

A mature woman with enormous horns instilled a feeling very much like... home. A home in which Sirzechs felt warm, cozy, and safe. No, not really. Her presence made him remember something... kind. Something... protective and ready to help at a moment's notice. It was like his mother's presence. And her kind smile and aura reassured Sirzechs, as if to say, "Everything will be alright."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that even Greyfia's gaze had softened. The cold and indifferent expression in her eyes was replaced with a warm and nostalgic one.

- Romani-san, who are they? - He asked, looking at them.

-0-

- Romani-san, who are they? - Sirzechs asked and slowly made his way inside the room and sat down on a vacant couch. Greyfia stood right behind him, as befitted a maid.

Hmm, is that your first question in those long minutes of silence?

As soon as he entered the room and saw Ophis and Tiamat, he instantly froze without even reaching the couch. And he stood like that for quite some time. His body didn't move, and neither did his eyes. But in them I could catch the changes in a certain order: surprise, fear, anger, sadness, humility, and, at the very end, peace. By my reckoning, he stood in prostration for about two or three minutes. And in that time, he experienced quite a number of different emotions.

How strange... Is it because of their auras? I suppose that's the only conclusion we can come to.

- Are they embarrassing you, Sirzechs-san? - I looked towards Tiamat and Ophis. - They don't seem to be like your little sister, so please don't spread your vibes here.

- That's not the reason I asked you," he replied, and his eye twitched involuntarily. - They reeked of power. A lot of power. And I am extremely concerned for the safety of the city and its people.

Ho? He chose to put it that way? How interesting.

- I understand, but I assure you they pose no threat," I shook my head and waved my hand. A cup of hot tea appeared on the table in front of Sirzechs, with a drawing of the maid girls on it. - Besides, we signed a contract, didn't we?

- And I remember that fact very well. But it only applies to those under your personal command and yourself. And I very much doubt that these two ladies are on that list," he replied and sipped from his cup, trying to ignore its design and the stare from Greyfia.

So he wants to play, then? Aye-aye-aye, Sirzechs-kun. You just stepped on a very dangerous path.

- Heh," I grinned. - You're directly pointing out the holes in the contract and the possibility of circumventing it. Your actions are very interesting, Lord Lucifer.

- As is your understanding, Magician-san," Sirzechs returned my grin. - I propose a new contract. This time it will affect all the inhabitants of your house.

- Ho? Why not?

A snap of fingers echoed around the room, and three sheets and three pens appeared on the table. One sheet and hand near me, another in the middle of the table, and the last one near Sirzechs. But on either side of that sheet were two pens, the first with a drawing of Greyfia in her work clothes, and the second with Rias in her maid's uniform. Upon seeing this, Sirzechs began to sweat profusely under Greyfia's VERY intense gaze as his eyes darted between the two pens.

- Well," I clapped my hands together and smiled sweetly. - Let's put it together.

All I got in response was silence.

Heh. Did he really think it would be that easy?

-0-

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