Chapter 9

I must've gone insane. That's the only logical explanation for all of this—I'm insane. I mean, I can't really be having tea, tea! with Venelana Gremory. This isn't real life; it's some weird dream that the Blood River put me in.

"Are you alright, young man?" That soft voice asks again, soothing my frayed nerves.

"A-ah, yes! Sorry, I was just... thinking." I stammer over my words like a fool, unable to stop myself from trembling. This is no ordinary woman. She's Venelana Gremory, one of the most powerful female devils to exist. She could wipe me out like I was a mere bug. And all she does is give me that same serene, amused smile she's had since we first met. Why? Does she think I'm strange for walking around with a katana, like I'm some kind of cosplayer?

Wait... oh plums.

She knows.

I reiterate—I'm both insane and dumb.

Mura warned me that I don't give off the typical magical aura of a Sacred Gear user. Instead, what I release is an ever-increasing bloodlust that everyone feels instead. He never said that it would go away, just that it wouldn't overwhelm me as long as I fought..

She knows.

Venelana walks toward what I can only assume is the kitchen area of wherever we are. For a moment, I hope and pray that she isn't calling anyone to join us.

Not that she needs help, of course. But what if she's alerting someone else? What if she's already decided I'm a threat?

She knows. I know she knows. She probably knows I know she knows.

I'm spiraling now. I need to take a deep breath and review the situation. Yes, she knows I wield Muramasa. But does she know it's one of his replicas? Or does she think it's the real thing? Either way, it's a question I'm not eager to have answered.

She returns, setting a cup of tea in front of me with an almost frighteningly calm demeanor. The porcelain clinks softly against the table, and I feel my heart nearly stop as she sits across from me. Her movements are so elegant, so precise. How can someone so dangerous seem so... Serene?

I'm not going to survive this.

"A-are you a teacher here, Miss?" I ask, Stumbling over words to distract myself from the crushing reality that I'm in way over my head.

She takes a slow sip of her tea, her serene smile grows. "Gremory Venelana. But please, call me Venelana. My daughter is a second-year here at this school, and during her breaks, I like to come here for some peace and quiet. I tend to the flowers as well."

Wait, second-year? Isn't Redhead supposed to be a third-year? I need to check that email again. Could I be behind the timeline? Am I... a year behind canon?

Oh plums.

"That's very kind of you, Venelana-san. We all need a break now and then," I say, forcing a smile. "I'm Sasaki Ryou." I lift the teacup to my lips, taking a careful sip. The tea is warm, comforting... and so incredibly good that it almost distracts me from the fact that I might not make it through this encounter alive.

"Fufu, Ryou-kun, is it? I hope the tea is to your liking. I brought it from home." She says this so casually, but home means the Underworld. I'm drinking tea from the Underworld.

"A-ah, yes! Thank you, Venelana-san. It's... amazing," I manage to say, setting the cup back down, trying not to spill it in my panic.

"Fufu, I'm glad you think so." She takes another sip before setting her cup down with deliberate grace. Her smile fades just slightly as her eyes lock onto mine. "Now that we are both relaxed, Ryou-kun, let's address the matter at hand, shall we?"

The atmosphere changes in an instant. Everything turns grey, and the air becomes thick with a pressure so terrifying that I feel like I'm being crushed from all sides. It's suffocating, overwhelming. It's the raw power of Venelana Gremory, and I'm realizing—truly realizing—who I'm sitting across from.

Her husband once said that Redhead was "cute" compared to the brown-haired Ruin Princess. Feeling this firsthand? I believe it. If I survive this, I doubt I'll ever be scared of anything or anyone quite like I am now.

"What are you really doing here, Ryou-kun?" Her voice is still soft, but the weight of her presence makes it impossible to breathe, let alone answer. "Were you hoping my daughter would be here?" The pressure increases, making my muscles tense. "Did a faction send you? No, they wouldn't be so foolish as to start something now. Was it a magician group? Another devil, perhaps, trying to seize an opportunity?"

I'm going to die. This is it. There's no way out.

Just as I'm sure my end has come, the pressure suddenly lifts. I gasp, feeling like I've just resurfaced after nearly drowning.

"Oh, it appears you're weaker than I thought." The words sting more than any physical attack could. It's like she shot an arrow straight into my heart. "Fufu, even if you let that curse take over, you wouldn't be able to defeat my dear Rias-chan." The casual dismissal of my abilities hits harder than I expected. I can't even beat someone who spends her time lounging around and complaining?

Why can't I be the one getting random power-ups when I need them?

"So I'll ask again, Ryou-kun," Venelana says, her voice soft but firm. "Who are you?"

I manage to stumble back onto the couch I had slipped off earlier, my legs weak from the overwhelming pressure.

"I-I really am a student here, Gremory-san," I stammer, my voice shaky. "And it's only recently that I've come across the... other side of the world, the supernatural side. I found out that someone in this club was part of it, so I thought I'd see if I could gather some information to avoid getting caught off guard again."

There's no point in lying. She'll know.

"Hmm, I see..." She watches me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Forgive me for jumping to conclusions, but seeing a young man like yourself with that kind of katana doesn't paint a particularly innocent picture. And, Ryou-kun, it's Venelana."

I breathe a silent sigh of relief. That went better than I expected.

"Now, instead of you sneaking around, I'll tell you what you need to know about the supernatural—"

"P-please guide me, Venelana-san," I interrupt, bowing deeply in my seat before she can finish. My heart is racing, and I can feel the weight of her power pressing down on me, even without it actually being there. I try to show as much respect as possible. This could be my only chance to learn what I need to survive here.

"Fufu," she chuckles softly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "However, in return, there's something I'd like you to do for me." She pauses, leaning forward slightly, her voice lowering just enough to send a chill down my spine. "Deal?"

Plums. I've gone down the rabbit hole haven't I?