Chapter 54 - Youkai (Patreon)

Makima was in the lead with Gasper and Zatouji. I, Milicas Gremory, followed alongside Asia, holding hands.

The road ahead wasn't entirely unfamiliar to me. Ten years ago, when I came to this place with Rias, I was just a child determined to follow in my aunt's footsteps and win a family worthy of a Gremory.

Rias had secured a contract with some Demon Bats — cunning, intelligent, and extremely loyal creatures. But my ambition was greater. While Rias was signing her contract, I felt an imposing presence in the forests to the east. My instincts screamed for me to go there, to challenge this entity, and take it as my own. But when I had the chance, I failed because I was impatient.

I was only a child, of course, but Gremory pride ran in my blood. If my sister signed a valuable contract, why couldn't I? This thought had eaten away at me over the years, and now, faced with the chance to try again with a more mature mind, I couldn't pass it up.

"Milicas, you look thoughtful," Asia commented in a gentle tone. "Are you worried?"

I was glad she had conveniently started this conversation. "Actually, Asia, I wanted to talk to you about something else..."

She tilted her head to the side, looking a little confused. I looked at Zatouji, Gasper, and Makima ahead and realized that we were a little behind them now, so this was a good time for a more private conversation. So I took a breath and got straight to the point:

"I need to get married."

Asia's face instantly turned red. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly in shock.

"A-Here?! Now?! B-But this isn't a romantic place for that kind of proposal, Milicas-kun! At least wait until we're at a candlelit dinner or something!"

I was confused for a moment before I realized how she had interpreted my words.

"No, no!" I raised my hands in denial, laughing nervously. "That's not it! I meant that... for reasons of tradition and demonic customs, I need to marry a noble she-devil soon. Only then will I be able to receive my rewards for killing Kokabiel."

The sparkle in her eyes faded a little. Her smile diminished, and she bowed her head slightly.

"Ah... got it."

A momentary silence fell between us.

"I... I guess I knew something like this could happen. You come from an important family, so it's not surprising that they expect you to have a proper wedding."

I felt a tightness in my chest. I knew this would be hard to say, but seeing the sadness in her eyes made it even worse.

Asia had always been someone extremely kind, someone who gave herself completely to the people she loved.

She took a deep breath and looked at me with a determined expression. "Even so...! Milicas, I'll be happy just to live by your side."

"What?"

"You took me away from a life of suffering and tucked me into the warmth of your heart. That's not something I can't value just because you have to marry another woman. Naturally, I can handle being your second or third concubine... I also know about Makima, of course. The way you look at each other leaves no doubt."

Those words... even if they carried a hint of pain, showed how much she valued me.

"Asia... Thank you for being so understanding."

She smiled at me and let go of my hand to grab my right arm. "So, Milicas, as long as you're not married, please warm me up with your body as much as possible."

"I'll do that," I said with a smile.

I thought Asia Argento would be the one to take this situation the hardest. She used to be a nun with strong Church dogma, but it seems I underestimated her feelings for me. In fact, we jumped into Five Relationship Hearts after she lost her virginity to me, so I should have expected a softer reaction.

After a few more minutes of walking, we finally reached the place we were looking for.

The clearing was unlike anywhere else in the forest. The surrounding vegetation looked withered, and the air was dense.

But the most impressive thing was the creature in the center of the clearing. It was still there, just as it had been ten years ago.

A huge Tengu, a beast from Eastern mythology, with black wings and a slender body, but covered in muscles. Its red mask, with an elongated nose and glowing golden eyes, emanated a menacing presence. It was a fierce type of Youkai, known for testing warriors and eliminating the weak without hesitation.

There were two types of Youkai: those who are like animals, who have animal ears, and those who are born as monsters. Their nature is as different as that of a Human and a Devil, with millennia-old spirituality being practically the only cultural link between them.

Those who are like animals are like Koneko Toujou and her sister—Kuroka Toujou. They can talk, wear clothes, have a culture, and everything else. However, those who are like monsters don't think and are hated or ignored even by the animal Youkai.

The Tengus were indeed monster Youkai, but they were also very rare and intelligent. The legends said that anyone who saw a Tengu alive would have no luck again, but I not only saw one, I fought one ten years ago. I lost miserably, and my opponent didn't even have to move that day. Now, ten years later, I had the chance to challenge it once again.

"This time, I won't fail."

As I walked alone towards the Tengu, it opened its eyes and slowly rose. Its large pair of wings, feathered like those of a Fallen Angel, opened up like a gigantic shadow over us. Its gaze fixed on me, and a grumble came from its throat.

The Tengu had completely red skin, white hair like a moustache and beard, and no hair on its head. The clothes it wore resembled the armor of a samurai, but its arms were bare to show the fibrosity of its muscles. It put its hands behind its back and took out a pair of katanas.

Zatouji crossed his arms and smiled. "Well, Milicas-kun... Show him how much you've grown."