Chapter 271

"I promise I will not use uncouth means to win his affections. I will not use potions, magic, or any other supernatural means. I shall rely on my own efforts and if he is to…reject me, I hope it will not be due to external influence, but my own failure."

"..."

Aurelia did not respond. But there was a thought in her mind. She, from the bottom of her heart, wished to say…no.

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|DxD|

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Aurelia despised how hypocritical she was, but she found herself unable to help it. In her heart, it was clear as day. She didn't want to share him. She didn't want to let Shuri have even a sliver of a chance. If she were being honest, she wanted to take Igor far away from here so that Shuri would never see him again.

But alas, there was no controlling that man. His love for Akeno and Shuri would make it hard-…no, impossible to separate them.

[...]

Aurelia found herself unable to think properly. Shuri had bowed to her and did not once raise her head. She knew she had to say something, but all that pervaded her mind were negative thoughts.

It was moments like these that she missed her political mind. Shuri was Amaterasu's priestess. Investing in her would be very beneficial in the long term. But her heart and mind refused to agree.

Sigh…

"I'm sorry, Shuri-sama. I need some time to think this through."

Aurelia couldn't bring herself to a decision. If it were a few weeks ago, then she'd still have the confidence to agree. But the longer she stayed with Igor, the more she was afraid of losing him.

There was no helping. Shuri was too…beautiful.

"..."

Aurelia's words reverberated like thunder in Shuri's mind. For a brief moment, her hands clenched into fists before relaxing.

"I see…"

Shuri was frustrated, but she was in an inferior position. She'd already pushed the bounds of their friendship by putting Aurelia on the spot like this. Any further might serve to damage the camaraderie between them.

"Then I shall await your answer, Aurelia-san."

She stood up with a slight smile on her face. Getting this far was already good enough. Soon, Shuri turned around and began making arrangements on the table.

"I will begin preparing dinner."

"I will hel-"

"No."

Shuri interrupted her.

"I will prepare dinner today. Please use this time to think through what I said, Aurelia-san. I am quite anxious for your reply."

All this time, Shuri did not make eye-contact with her. She was packing some of the spices and other ingredients into the cupboard. But, she soon stopped and gave Aurelia a deep look.

"I wish we could be sisters under the same name, Aurelia-san."

"..."

Marriage---that is what Shuri was implying. But was it really possible? To coexist? Perhaps. But Aurelia didn't want to think about these things, atleast not for now.

"Please excuse me, Shuri-sama."

Aurelia left the kitchen. Once again, she found herself indecisive on the matter. Shuri was a good woman…too good in fact. What if Igor ended up leaving her for Shuri? What if…what if…

Sigh…

Aurelia cancelled those thoughts as she closed the door behind her. Who knew that she who planned for Igor to have dozens of wives, content to be a simple attendant now found herself afraid of losing his attention?

Selfish thoughts dominated her mind, but she knew she was in the wrong. She was the one to give Shuri hope only to break. At the very least, the woman deserved a chance. Aurelia knew that, but she found it hard to say yes to Shuri's request.

[How the tables turn…]

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|DxD|

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1999/09/10- September 14th, 1999 (Friday)

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Time passed and a few days went by. Igor's life became easily predictable. After waking up and meditating, he would spend time with his family and send the children to school. It's been a few days and it still surprised him how Asia had become a student in Akeno's school.

It was pretty hard for her to adjust as an Italian, but she was picking up Japanese very quickly. He was grateful to Shuri for taking time out of her day to teach Asia all the essentials.

After sending the children to school, he'd go straight to the Underworld where he would train with Souji once more.

The swordsman's temperament compared to the first day was worlds apart. After the first day, Igor never had to force Souji to come. The man would wait for him at the Gremory Manor and sometimes, he'd be found maintaining his sword.

The overly extravagant robes were reduced to a simple cloak draped over a tunic. According to Rias, Souji looked like an anime protagonist.

The two would then train for an entire day, only ending at around four in the afternoon. He would then pick up his sisters from school and train them both on the basics of combat for the next two hours until dinner.

He loved them dearly, so he trained them to the dirt each time. On certain days, he'd fight them himself. He mostly had them double-team him in the spars they had. Having them fight him together would solidify their teamwork.

His blows were not light. They weren't enough to break bones and shatter ribs, but they'd definitely test their willpower. He was happy to admit the girls didn't disappoint him. The competitiveness between them had them raring to outdo the other.

Once the day ends, Asia would use her Twilight Healing to heal herself and Akeno before they both went inside for a shower, bringing an end to that day's training.

It lasted two hours, but that timeframe was too short for Igor's liking. So some time in the future, he planned to have his sisters dropout. The supernatural world was far too dangerous for them to waste time playing school.

Though such a matter would be discussed for when he leaves the time chamber. Coincidentally, it was time he informed them all of his impending departure.

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|DxD|

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The town of Kuoh was beautiful at night. Repetitive destruction forced the town to use the latest technology and architecture during rebuilds, making it look more modern and appealing to the eye, especially in the middle of the night.

Igor took particular solace in this sight, especially given the thoughts going on his mind. It was uncharacteristic for him to still be awake at this time, but he found himself unable to sleep.

As expected, news of his departure in four days for the next three weeks was a hard pill to swallow for his family, especially Shuri and Aurelia.

The kids were oblivious, but the women knew he would be going to war once more. The kids whined about him leaving, even going so far as begging him to stay.

Igor could only begrudgingly break their little hearts and remain firm in his stance. In the end, Asia and Akeno gave up, but this left Igor conflicted. It was especially so after seeing Shuri's worried gaze---because for the first time, he found himself considering whether he should stay.

It was an inconceivable thought to have, but he considered sacrificing precious training time he desperately needed just to spend time with his family. This brought him to a phrase he'd heard often: family holds you back.

It was a harrowing thought to have, but Igor realised he was being held back by his family. Having a family came with having concessions.

It reminded him of his father. He belonged to a powerful mafia group in Italy. But because of concessions, he abandoned the life and moved to America to live an ordinary life with his wife and children.

In the end, everyone was killed, leaving Igor as the only son alive in this strange world. Such a dark thought struck him deeply because…what if his family died because of him in the future?

This series of dark thoughts led to a downward spiral, and all of it was sparked by a single notion---does family make you weak?

[I wish father was here.]

Right now, he wished he could ask his father what he thought, of whether it was worth leaving everything behind for a woman. Maybe he'd wish he never left Italy? Who knows?

[Don't lose sight of your goal, Igor. Remember, you want to become the strongest in the universe.]

Losing sight of his goal could mean certain death not only for him, but for all those he loved.

"Hey, Uncle Ay. Are you going to continue stalking me or did you have something to say?"

Igor subtly turned his head to view the man standing behind him. In the darkness of the night, Azazel indeed looked menacing. There was a road behind him leading up the hill. Naturally that road had street lights and with how ominously they illuminated him, it was a sight straight out of a murder scene.

"Who would stalk you?"

Azazel pulled his hands out of his pockets and walked towards the boy. Instead of his usual suits, Azazel wore a trenchcoat. It was the luxury kind made from high quality leather.

Still, he didn't hesitate to join Igor at the edge of the cliff. Both men sat together with their legs dangling over the edge.

The sight of a sleeping Kuoh was beautiful. Systematically arranged street lights lit up the streets along with carefully aligned greenery.

Azazel couldn't help but feel a bit of pride. His woman was responsible for all of this development. But that could come later.

"So, what's got you so troubled, kid?"

"*Sigh* I don't know."

Igor turned to face him.

"Uncle Ay. Does family make you weak?"

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AN

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