“What was given birth from inside her was—something enveloped in a frightening aura.”
“Something?”
It seems like Akeno-san also can’t grasp hold of what the Head is trying to say. Same goes for us as well. We can’t come to understand what his dad is trying to say at all. I can’t help but think that there is a critical difference between the Gasper we know of and the Gasper he knows of. The Head then says as if he’s barely able to let words come out of his mouth. “……When that was born……it didn’t have the shape of a person. Something black and creepy that was squirming came out from his mother’s womb. Something that you can’t describe with words came out from the womb. Something that wasn’t a human or a Vampire or even a monster. His mother saw that with her own eyes and went insane, leading to her death.”
…………
……H-Hold on a sec. What was that? Was that……really about Gasper……? And a black squirming thing…… It feels like he’s sharing a story about how he witnessed the birth of a monster. Well, certainly the power that has been awakening in him lately……is an ability of black darkness. The Head continues. “The nurses and several servants who were present in that scene started to die one by one in a strange way.”
……A strange death. The ones who were present during the birth? The Head then says one thing. “They must have been cursed to death.”
……So he’s saying that they have been killed due to a curse. “Gasper did? A curse?”
I couldn’t resist asking him, despite my action being beyond my standing. The Head answers me without being concerned about it that much. “Yes, it must be a curse he used unconsciously. He turned into a form of a normal baby several hours after his birth, but by then, his mother had already died due to the shock.”
……Oi, are you serious? That’s something beyond our imagination! “Does Gasper-kun know about this?”
The Head shakes his head to the side at Akeno-san’s question. “No, he wasn’t told about this. We don’t know what will trigger him into returning into his true form after all. I don’t want to carelessly stimulate him. ……Close relatives of mine who didn’t know about that incident found his time stopping Sacred Gear something uncomfortable to be near with. But for us who know about his true form, it is more terrifying than his ability to stop time.”
The Head says in a heavy tone while hiding his mouth with his hands. “……Devils of Gremory, we can’t consider that as a Vampire nor a human…... We can only group him as a different being. We did treat him like a half-blood……but we don’t know whether that was the right decision. And we made him go to the outside world while we didn’t know about his true identity……”
I then say it to the Head who is putting on a very confused look. “I don’t know how he was in the past. But Gasper is a Devil right now. He is our junior. Even if he were to have his body tainted in darkness—he is still our comrade.”
Koneko-chan also takes a step forward. “……Gya-kun is my precious friend. He is the first friend I ever made who happens to be the same age as me.”
Koneko-chan…… This was something only she could say immediately since its Koneko-chan who gets along with Gasper more than anyone else. The Head asks us. “Didn’t all of you witness that true form?”
He must be referring to the Gasper who can control shadows and is tainted with darkness. All of us nod. The Head smiles seeing that. “……Like I thought, you people are the Gremory group. Rias-sama also said the same thing when I asked the same question.”
[If he isn’t a human or a Vampire, then Gasper is a Devil. After all, I reincarnated him as a Devil with my own hands. No matter what his true form is, he is no doubt a Devil of the Gremory group.] He tells us how Rias answered him in such a way. I......no, we all became emotional at Rias’s words. The woman I love……our master……is the best after all! The Head then says this while putting on a bit of a smile. “…………That’s an emotion which is difficult for me to understand, but I see. If all of you are able to say that after witnessing that power, it means that I can come to the conclusion that he was saved by all of you if even just a bit.”
Our conversation continues a bit after that, but we can’t find out anything about Gasper’s true form. The only thing which is clear is that they, the House of Vladi, aren’t pleased about Gasper’s existence. ……I think he talked to Rias in a way where the Gremory side will officially take full responsibility of him. In other words, it means that there is no longer a place in this territory in which he can call his home. The discussion ends, and the maid bows and reports it to us as we exit the underground. “Hyoudou Issei-sama and Toujou Koneko-sama, her highness Valerie has requested for you.”
Koneko-chan and I look at each other. ……So this time it’s an invitation from Gasper’s saviour. Before our departure, Ravel did say that a Sekiryuutei has hard schedules, so I can’t help but to agree that it’s true. But there have been many things that have been bothering me since we came here—. The place Koneko-chan and I get taken to is an indoor garden located on the higher floor of the castle. It’s an enclosed place where there isn’t a single window and the only thing we can see and hear is the artificial light, the variety of flowers, and the peaceful water flowing by. There is a table located in the centre of the garden in which Rias, Gasper, and Valerie are already sitting. Koneko-chan and I sit on the unused chairs after the maid allows us to come in. ……I also sense the creepy pressure coming from beside me. When I look toward there I can see the man clad in black who was present at the throne room, Crom Cruach, who is leaning his back on the wall. “…………”
After he takes a single glance at us silently, he closes his eyes right away. Valerie chuckles quietly. “That person over there is my bodyguard. —His name is Crom Cruach-san.”
……You sure do have the strongest bodyguard you can ask for. Valerie has the Evil Dragon while the old man called Rizevim has the other Ophis next to them. Even the bodyguard of a boss-class figure is something to be reckoned with. So it means we can’t make any wrong moves here huh. I had a simple plan where I would take Valerie by force if I had the chance as our worst scenario, but I can’t take that action if that thing is next to her……
A cup is placed in front of me and Valerie pours the tea for me. Valerie says to me while smiling. “I had Rias-sama tell me about the lifestyle Gasper had in Japan. I hear that Japan is a very peaceful country, Hyoudou Issei-san.”
I would need to reply to her politely, right……? Even if she is Gasper’s saviour, she is currently the leader of this country. “Y-Yes. Japan has many delicious foods and entertainment, Valerie……I mean your highness.”
Valerie chuckles as if she’s finding it funny when I said that. “You don’t have to speak to me so politely, Hyoudou Issei-san. I’m also asking Rias-sama to talk to me casually as well.