Chapter 83: Akeno Himejima

"It's quite surprising to see all of you working hard"

Lucias muttered as he arrived at the empty land close to the Gremory Mansion where Rias and her peerage were training with Azazel and an old dragon.

"Lucias?"

Rias muttered in surprise as she saw him walk towards them with a casual expression on his face.

"What are you doing here?"

Koneko asked as she ran towards Lucias with a light smile on her face.

"I just came to check on all of you, but I didn't expect that you were training together with Governor"

Lucias said while patting her head causing Rias and Akeno to look at her in envy.

"Lucias-sama. It's been a while hasn't it?"

Governor said with a large smile on his face, waving his hand at Lucias who was staring at him with a weird expression on his face.

"What?"

"...nothing... It's just that... It's really strange to not see you slack off. What did you eat to become this diligent and train them?"

Lucias asked causing his mouth to twitch while the dragon behind him suddenly knelt down in front of Lucias.

"It's a honor to meet the husband of the Dragon Empress"

He suddenly greeted causing Rias and her peerage, except for Koneko, to look at him in surprise.

[So that's the reason why I felt a familiar aura of a powerful dragon on him]

Ddraig commented causing Tannin to tilt his head in confusion since Ddraig wasn't able to recognize the aura of a Dragon God that was surrounding Lucias.

"Dragon Empress?"

Akeno asked causing Lucias to nod his head while glancing at the dragon who was bowing his head to the ground.

"What's bring you here, your majesty"

"First, stop with the formalities, and don't call me 'your majesty' since it's creepy"

Lucias said causing him to awkwardly sat back down on the ground.

"Also, don't mind me and continue you're training. I'm quite surprised that you can train Issei knowing his weird constitution"

Lucias said while pointing his thumb at Issei who awkwardly scratched his head with his right hand.

"Honestly... We made no progress in terms of magic, but we were able to improve his physique to be able to use [Boost] a few more times than before"

Governor said with a tired smile on his face causing Issei to guiltily lower his head to the ground before looking up at Lucias with hopeful eyes.

"Lucias-sama! Please teach me magic!!"

"... Isn't Sandra teaching you magic already?"

Lucias asked as he glanced at Sandra who was bowed down in front of him with a respectful expression on her face.

"I thought him everything I know about mana manipulation but... my knowledge in magic isn't as profound as yours Lucias-sama since my expertise are more on [Psychological Magic]. Issei isn't able to learn my magic as of now since he lacks understanding of the basic attributes"

Sandra reported with an apologetic expression on her face.

"... well... I guess that's true. The only magic that succubus can use are that and [Demonic Magic] after all"

Lucias muttered before glancing at Rias with a serious expression on his face.

"Rias, recite the two basic methods to train magic"

Lucias suddenly asked causing Rias to tilt her head before answering his questions.

"Incantation and Manipulation, right?"

"Correct, Issei from now on you learn magic through both of those methods"

Lucias said causing Issei to look at him in fear.

"Both have their own quirks and disadvantages, it's better for you to understand how both works before you actually engaged into it"

Lucias said causing Issei to hesitatingly nod his head in response before glancing at Sandra who was looking at him with a soft smile on her face.

"The method that you all are most familiar of is [Manipulation], it is basically a method involving the manual manipulation of mana in your body and using elements around you as a weapon, or you can create the element yourself using your own mana"

Lucias explained before opening his palm in front of him as the wind started to swirl and encondensed in his palm, creating a sphere of high pressured wind.

"This method is good if you want to fully understand the fundamentals of magic since it teaches you to create everything from scratch. One of it's advantages is it teaches you how to be flexible when using your mana, which is great since you can create your own spell using this method. That's why this method is taught to all nobles in the underworld. But it's disadvantage is that it takes time to cast, and time is one of the most important things to consider when in combat since your opponent won't wait for you to attack"

Lucias said before shooting the sphere of wind towards the large cliff a few kilometers away from them. Creating a massive explosion that devoured the entire cliff into dust as the debris rained down at them due to the high pressure wind present during the explosion.

"[Incantation] on the otherhand is much easier to method to use since it does everything for you when you cast a spell"

Lucias said while Issei obidiently wrote down everything that Lucias explained to him with the small notebook that Sandra gave him.

"Magic works on three principles, control, imagination, and Mana. So if you want to cast a spell you need to imagine it's form in your mind when your manipulating your mana. [Incantation] helps you solve this issue, and it also help you use [Quick Cast] that is hard to achieve through the [Manipulation] Method"

Lucias said before taking out a thick book of chants inside his inventory and giving to Issei who was staring at the book with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"[Incantation] helps you form your mana without imagining it's form manually in your mind, but [Incantation] isn't limited to reciting the chant itself since you could cast a spell using [Incantation] through your subconscious mind. If you know the spell by heart. Your mind will automatically translate that and will immediately form the spell as soon as the chant come into your mind... and because the spells are pre-defined to it's perfect form. The spells are much powerful than spells that are created through [Manipulation] even if you don't fully master the spell itself"

"..."

Issei listened carefully, taking every information that Lucias told him by heart while the other Spellcasters around them listened to him in interest since none of their teachers were able to fully explain why they must learn using [Manipulation] and the indepth explaination on how [Incantation] work.

"...[Incantation] works like this. Issei when you read the word 'Sky', what do you imagine?"

"Uh... White clouds and the sun"

Issei answered causing Lucias to nod his head in response before continuing his explanation.

"That's correct. [Incantation] are basically words that is used to describe the form of their spells. If you recite the chant, your mind will automatically imagine the spell's form. Most complex spells however are much harder to use since their forms are more complex and the mind needs time to actually form the image in your head, thus most complex spells have longer chants, and those chants actually help empower the spell more when you recite it"

Lucias said causing Issei to nod his head in response causing Lucias to smile before signalling for Sandra to come closer.

"If you want to learn something don't just memorize it, use it and try to understand how it works since that will truly help you in the long run"

Lucias said before glancing at Sandra who was by his side.

"If you can master at least the fundamentals and basics of magic... Then, I'll take you in as my student. Sandra, guide him, but only using hints. It's up to him to understand how to properly train in both methods"

Lucias ordered, causing Sandra to nod her head in response before he looked at Akeno who was watching them with a gentle smile on her face.

"Now then... Akeno, come with me"

Lucias said causing Akeno to look at him confusion but still followed him from behind as a massive portal appeared in front of them.

"Ara Ara, where are you planning on taking me, Lucias~"

"... Somewhere private"

Lucias said causing Akeno to mischievously smile at hos direction before she hugged his arm, pressing her large breast on Lucias.

"I'll be back by tonight with Akeno, so don't wait for us"

Lucias said before glancing at Koneko who was looking at him with a look of surprise.

"... You're targeting her?"

"No, it's just a request from one of my... close friends"

"Really?"

Koneko asked while looking at him in suspicion causing Akeno to giggle by his side before looking at him with a seductive expression on her face.

"Really? We aren't going to do anything? I'm willing to do 'anything' for you, Lucias"

She whispered close to his ear before playfully biting it with her teeth, causing Lucias to look at her with a wry smile on his face.

"We're not going to do 'anything'... We're just going to meet a trusted friend of mine"

Lucias said, ignoring the stare that Koneko was giving him.

"... If you're going to take her in your harem... then I hope you can make her happy like me"

Koneko said causing Lucias to smile as he gave him a short kiss on her forehead.

"It's good that you care about your friends but... I hope you don't push all of your friends to be part of my harem... I already have my hands full with Asia and the others"

Lucias said with a helpless smile on his face, remembering how they pushed Mira, Kurome, and Akame to join his harem.

"Then, see you later, Koneko"

"Mn"

Timeskip

"Lucias, where are you taking me?"

Akeno asked while following Lucias who held her hand as they made their way towards his mansion in Kuoh.

"Akeno... I want you to meet someone"

Lucias said with a gentle smile on his face causing Akeno to look at him in confusion, obidiently following him inside the mansion.

"... where is she?"

He asked one of the maids who were cleaning the stairs of the mansion causing her to glance at Akeno before nodding her head in response.

"She is at the garden, Lucias-sama"

She answered causing Lucias to immediately make his way towards the garden located at the back of the mansion.

"Lucias?"

Akeno called out but recieved no response while they walked towards the garden.

After a few minutes they arrived at a beautiful pond in the middle of the maze of his garden where a single woman sat down on the side of the pond, submerging her feet in the cold water.

"Shuri..."

Lucias called out causing Akeno to widen her eyes from hearing such a familiar name before staring at the woman close to the pond with widened eyes.

"... You're finally here... Akeno"

Shuri muttered causing Akeno to look at her in shock as her body started to tremble, overwhelmed from seeing her dead mother once again.

"M-Mom?"

"Mn... It's me Akeno... "

She said as she started to walk towards them with trembling hands while her tears started to ran down her soft and rosy cheeks from seeing her beloved daughter once again.

"My baby girl has grown so much. You've become such a beautiful woman"

She said causing Akeno to break down in tears as she ran towards Shuri who recieved her in her arms, hugging her gently in her embrace like she was holding a delicate treasure in her arms.

"Mom! H-H-How, I-I-I thought-"

She stuttered as she struggled to speak out her thoughts due to the overwhelming emotion in her heart.

"M-Mom. Y-Y-You're alive"

She said as her tears drenched her face causing Shuri to bury her daughter's face in her chest before starting to gently caress her head.

"Shh... Cry all you want, Akeno... We'll always be together from now on"

Shuri whispered causing Akeno to shout all of her emotions out as she tightly hug her mother, as the nostalgic warmth that she craved for was suddenly back in her arms.

"There there"

Shuri whispered in a gentle and soft voice to sooth her daughter's emotions.

"M-Mom... I missed you"

"I missed you too, Akeno... You don't know how much I've wanted to hug you in my arms again... I love you so much"

She said as tears of joy suddenly ran down her cheeks while her daughter completely drenched her clothes with her tears.

"We're finally together again... Akeno"

Shuri muttered, noticing Akeno's trembling arms causing her to gently smile as she suddenly knelt to the ground with Akeno in her embrace.

"M-Mom, p-p-please don't leave me again"

"I won't ever leave my little girl alone again... I'm sorry for suddenly leaving you all alone in this world, Akeno"

She said as she wiped her Akeno's tears with her thumb with a joyful smile on her face causing Akeno to look at her with an expression like she couldn't believe that this was happening. 

"Lucias... Thank you... Thank you"

Shuri said, glancing at Lucias with an extremely grateful expression on her face while hugging the crying Akeno in her embrace.

"... I promised you afterall, Shuri... Sorry if it took this long..."

Lucias said with a satisfied smile on his face causing Akeno to look at him in surprise due to her mother's words.

"M-Mom..."

Akeno muttered as she choked on her tears, slowly losing the strength in her legs due to the sudden outburst of her emotions.

"Let's meet up with your dad, Akeno"

Shuri suddenly said causing Akeno to frown as she looked up at the gentle expression of her mother.

"W-Why? H-He abandoned us!! W-Why should we-"

"Akeno... It's not your dad's fault. Remember that"

Shuri immediately cut her off while gently patting her daughter's head.

"B-But-"

"Akeno, you're father isn't that all-powerful. He couldn't protect us because they attacked us when were most vulnerable... I know how much you hate your dad... he did his best... I know how much he blames himself for my death, Akeno"

Shuri said causing Akeno to bite her lips in response.

"Do you know why he didn't seek you for all these years?"

Shuri asked causing Akeno to remain silent before Shuri continued her words.

"He saw that... you're far more happier with Rias, he knew himself how much his own daughter hate him... but he didn't blame you, Akeno. He always blamed himself for everything that happened in the past... and your hatred towards him only amplified the guilt and regret that he always carried all this years..."

"..."

"Akeno, he just wanted you to be happy... because you showed him how much you hate him, he respected your hatred and tried his best to stay away from you..."

Shuri said while caressing her daughter's head, who remained silent as Shuri tried to convince her to change her perception of his dad.

"Akeno... Just try and meet him, ok?"

Shuri requested while Lucias silently watched from the side with a neutral expression on his face.

"..."

"Akeno, do it for me, alright?"

"... I'll do it"

Timeskip

"Commander"

Nightingale saluted as soon as she caught sight of Lucias who was walked inside the dungeon where all of their prisoners for interrogation were held.

"Where are they?"

Lucias asked causing Nightingale to walk infront of Lucias, indicating for him to follow her.

"We only kept 4 of them alive, commander... a few was still able to escape from us but we can assure you that we have wiped out 80% of the entirety of the Hero's faction"

Nightingale reported as they arrived in front of a large cell, where 4 humans were chained on the prison walls.

"Lucias Frey!!!!"

Cao Cao shouted in angeras he struggled to break free from the white chains that were tied to their limbs.

"No need to be so angry, Cao Cao-san"

Lucias said with a light smile on his face as both him and Nightingale entered the cell with little to no hesitation.

"Now then, shall we start?"

Lucias said as he created a wooden chair with his magic behind him, before sitting down, facing the 4 prisoners in front of him who all wore varying expression on their faces.

"Lucias Frey! If you think I'll talk then you're-"

"Who cares about the insignificant information you have, Cao Cao-san. The only reason why I captured you 4 is because of your constant persuit towards my ally, Yasaka Kitsune"

Lucias said before taking out 4 contract daggers from his inventory.

"W-What is that?"

The cute blond haired girl, wearing a witch outfit nervously asked while staring at the 4 daggers infront of them.

"This thing is very valuable especially when I have no shop points left due to an incident that happened while I was summoning my servants"

"W-What?"

The blond girl muttered in confusion from hearing several unfamiliar words coming out of Lucias' mouth.

"To put it simply, this dagger will decide your fate"

Lucias answered causing the little witch to tremble in fear, due to the inhumane rumors surrounding how the leader of the forsaken faction deal with his prisoners.

"Now then, I want you 4 to choose. Work for me or die"

Lucias said causing all of them to raise their heads to look at him in shock.

"W-What..."

"Work for me and I'll give you everything you need to grow stronger, or die a painless death in this prison"

Lucias repeated his words, causing both Cao Cao and the blond girl beside him to frown in response.

"Lucias Frey, how low do you see us that... You think we'll join the very same person who ordered my members to be killed!?"

Cao Cao shouted as he stood up from the ground befote trying to break free from the chains holding him back, but was all for naught.

"and here I thought... we had the same goals in mind. We're doing this to protect humanity from the supernatural world!! Why can't you understand!? Didn't you also swore to protect humanity!?!?"

Cao Cao shouted in anger, but only received Lucias' nonchalantly smile like he was looking at an idiot.

"I did, that's why I'm doing everything I can to protect humanity, and the entire dimension in which they lived in"

"Huh? What are you talking about? You protecting humanity!? Don't make me laugh, you allied against those beings who treated them like slaves throughout history!"

"... You're an idiot if you don't relalize that you were being tricked by your own allies from the start"

Lucias said without a single change in his expression while staring at the 4 prisoners in front of him.

"W-What..."

"To what extent do you know about your own allies? Can you guarantee that they have the same goals as you, Cao Cao-san?"

Lucias asked before snapping his finger, showing a small projection of the current events around the world, caused by the Gastreas and Demons brought by Xaosis inside their dimension.

"This is the humanity that you swore to protect, Cao Cao"

Lucias said as he showed the piles of severed corpses inside the projection, causing the little witch to cover her mouth in shock as her eyes trembled from the sight in front of her.

"Y-You're lying, if this really happened then, we should've have known about this from the start, don't try to decieve us, Lucias Frey!!"

"... You really are an idiot, Cao Cao. I purposely hid this fact from the rest of the world to avoid creating chaos since that will only lower the chances of humanity's survival"

Lucias said with a dissapointed expression on his face before crossing his legs as he leaned back against the backrest of his chair.

"Millions have died in the past few days because of your so called 'allies'. You fools are destroying the very thing that you all swore to protect by joining the very people who wanted the destruction of not only humanity, but also the entire dimension"

Lucias said with a light frown on his face before pointing his finger at the daggers on the ground once more.

"I'll ask you again, work for me or die. It's your choice"

Lucias stated causing Cao Cao to grit his teeth before glaring at Lucias who was casually sitting in front of them.

"I refuse!!! Do you really think that I'll get tri-"

"Kill him"

Lucias suddenly ordered, causing Nightingale to quickly unsheat the gun on her waist before firing a bullet, precisely at Cao Cao's head without hesitation. Piercing a small hole on his head as his blood splattered on the prison walls, causing both the little witch and the blond girl to yelp in response.

"I'll ask once again... Join me, or die in this very cell"