Baraquiel let go and walked ahead. This short period with Vladimir confirmed one thing for him. He was still the same coward as he was before. He would report that to Azazel.
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|DxD|- Chapter 15- Sephiroth Graal 2
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Machines beeped and the smell of antiseptic filled the air. A large room in the palace had been turned into a highly advanced medical research area. The walls were covered in soft white pillow-like padding. There was a team of four researchers in lab coats using the various magic technologies in the room and walking around with clipboards.
There was another adjacent room separated from the research area by a glass partition. The room was a luxury suite fitted with an exquisite bed, ornamental decorations, immaculate furniture, and a private bathroom.
This room belonged to Valerie Tepes, this generation's wielder of the Sephiroth Graal. Her hair had grown over the past few years. No longer dull, it had brightened into a rich golden brown. Her eyes were bright red like polished rubies and her pale skin was brushed with a layer of rosy hue.
The first twenty years of her life were predictable. She was born right in the height of the Skirmishes. Vampire numbers had dropped so low they began fornicating with humans just to prevent complete extinction. She was the product of rape, and even as the king's daughter, she was treated as such.
Valerie never held expectations to live a long life. Vampire-human hybrids rarely lived long. Dhampirs were despised and considered lowly by many vampires. Her own father considered her nothing more than an expendable asset.
Many of her siblings had been killed in this foolish civil war. She was only lucky to live this long because she was sickly. From a young age, she'd always been physically weak, a 'disgrace' they'd call her. The last ten years of her life saw the biggest change. She did not know whether to call them good or bad.
It began when she awakened her sacred gear. She was no longer a disgrace, but the king's 'prized' daughter. More like 'prized asset'. She wasn't a person in their eyes. Just a tool to use to weaken the Camilla Faction.
When she turned twenty-one, she truly believed she would not live to see the coming year. She had been forced to use a sacred gear so consistently she became comatose. Sephiroth Graal could heal, remove racial weaknesses, and even perform resurrection. In that year, her father had launched a reckless offensive and solely relied on her to revive dead troops.
She would never forget 1981. That year was the worst period of her life. She awoke four years later only to find she had fallen into Grigori hands. The first thing she saw was slick purple hair and striking amber eyes. The woman called herself Penemue. She was surprisingly blunt when she stated what their goal was.
'With your consent, we wish to study your sacred gear in a safe environment. As far as history knows, you are the first wielder to possess three chalices instead of one.'
She had laughed out loud that day. It wasn't a gentle laugh, but hoarse from years of skirting the throes of madness. Consent? She'd never heard a funnier joke in her life. She was nothing but skin and bones, and her mind was a playground for souls and ghosts.
She offered her consent because it wasn't as if she could say 'no'. Back then, she half-expected to be chained and forced to use her sacred gear again until her death. Maybe they'd extract it from her like she was always threatened they'd do. She'd grown so numb she was willing for the end to come at any moment.
But her surprise, even to this day, was still palpable. She was given proper clothes and fed. She was given books to read and a flexible schedule to work on. She was allowed rest and no one was allowed to disturb her, not even her father.
Grigori had a goal. It would've been stupid of her to believe they were treating her well out of the goodness of their hearts. Funnily, Grigori had been very blunt about their goal for years now.
'We informed your father we wish only to study your gift. But the truth is, we wish to recruit you. Do not decide now. Take as many weeks, months, or even years to come to a decision. By our estimates, it will take us fifty years to fully research your gear, perhaps even more as it changes according to your emotions and power.'
The words were…freeing, in a way. It has been six years since she came under the care of Grigori. She hasn't seen her father in all those years and if she were honest, she was glad she didn't. Seeing the person who dined on her mother evoked nothing but immense rage.
"Good to see you are awake, Valerie. Though…is something wrong? We can skip today if you're feeling unwell."
Valerie hadn't heard the door open. Penemue was the embodiment of a strict teacher. She was as stern as she was tall. She looked intimidating behind her glasses, but she was capable of being very kind and caring.
"No need, Penemue. I was just lost in thought. We can move on with today."
Valerie replied quietly. Penemue was the only person she could smile around.
"Alright, Valerie. I'll inform the team to be ready in one hour. I'll have breakfast prepared for you."
"Mn. Thank you."
Her voice was a soft soprano, melodious like calming waves. She'd grown more comfortable with conversation and could calmly respond to the other person.
She got out of bed just as Penemue closed the door. Proper care had filled out her body very well. From a sack of skin and bones, she was now a beautiful damsel who could feel confident about her body. Perhaps once she joined Grigori and left this hell, she could have her own children.
[Ah. I already made my decision, didn't I.]
She smiled lightly. She could never truly be free as long as she held this so-called 'gift'. The supernatural world would tear her apart like meat in a pond of piranhas. But under Grigori? Well, even if all they've done until now was manipulation, it was far more promising than staying here.
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|DxD|
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Valerie was doing well, very well in fact. Penemue looked at the data numbers on her datapad. Valerie's growth had gone past predicted margins and her estimated future projections were only more promising.
Penemue walked through the laboratory towards her office on the opposite side. Her team gave her silent acknowledging nods. Her office was separated from the lab by a transparent two-way glass.
Baraquiel was seated inside and helping himself to her stash of wine. A damned simpleton is what he was.
"Tch."
She opened the office door with some force. The wind just barely lifted the fringes of his coat. Her heels clicked on the hardwood floor. She offered no greeting and made her way to her chair. She put her pad and clipboard down before levelling a silent glare at her brother. The smell of her precious liquor made her wish to strangle his neck.
"You do remember I am responsible for your salary, correct?"
"Spare me the banter, Penemue. You know what I'm here for."
The two stared at each other for a tense moment. Baraquiel's casual dismissal forced Penemue to close her eyes and recall her anger management lessons. She'd get back at him for this.
"Indeed I do. Since I know you're so adamant on remaining behind the times, I made physical copies for you."
She opened a drawer and took out a stack of documents placed in a file sleeve. She tossed them over to Baraquiel who picked them up.
"That contains the last three years of Valerie's growth along with some notes. She's getting along well with my team and so far, she's yet to interact with any vampires aside from the one stationed to watch over us."
"I see."
Baraquiel pulled out the documents and gave them a once over. He was satisfied with the readings and reports. Azazel should also be satisfied with this.
"Thank you, sister. I'll have this delivered to Azazel."
He pushed back his chair and had barely stood up when Penemue fixed him a stare.
"That's it?"
"Don't worry. I'll replace your wine."
"No, not that. I don't care about the wine. Rather, aren't you forgetting something else?"
Baraquiel paused. There was a change in his sister's tone, a tone he didn't like. And there was that look in her eyes. She had the same one three years ago…and that brought back some memories he wished to bury forever.
Suddenly, the wine didn't seem so appetising.
"Stop that. And I'm not saying it."
"Come on, Baraquiel. I want to hear those words again. Won't you please your little sister just this once?"
"No."
His response was curt. He tucked the file sleeve into his coat pocket and made his way to the door.
"I'll add a bonus to your salary if you say it for me. Can't you do it please, Baraquiel? It's been three years now. It's just two sentences. Just two. Imagine all the nice things you can buy for Shuri dearest. Maybe you can put it towards Akeno's education. Don't you want her to go to Kuoh High School? I hear it's very expensive there."
"..."
Three years ago, he felt embarrassed. Three years later, he was about to be embarrassed. Why did his sister remember such a thing? Curse her memory. If he knew she'd pin him like this, he wouldn't have drunk her wine.
He truly wanted to refuse, but the bonus…
"Does it really matter if I say it or not?"
"Yes, it does!"
Penemue stood up rather abruptly with great excitement.
"When you get all serious and focused, you get such a deep voice. 'I come here under the orders of Azazel. He wants to know if the girl is worth investing in.'. Remember that moment? I can still feel it in my chest."
"…"
His mouth twitched. Baraquiel wanted to bury himself but lacked the means. Penemue forcefully tried to emulate the tone he used when he last came. His fists were clenched not in anger or fright, but in indecision and embarrassment. Damn it all. When Penemue issued bonuses, they could be twice or even thrice his salary. Having that extra bulge in his pocket was very, very appealing.
He paused a bit longer in indecision, but he gritted his teeth and said the words.
"I come here under the orders of Azazel. He wants to know if the girl is worth investing in."
"..."
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Silence…
"Kyaaaaaaa~!"
Baraquiel winced the moment Penemue started squealing and gushing. His cheeks burned like someone was pinching them.
"Don't forget the bonus."
He squeezed out those stiff words before vanishing like the wind. He would have to return here in another three years, but he'll see if he can't foist that onto Shemhazai. Handling embarrassing things was absolutely not his forte.
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AN: I understand, Baraquiel. Little sisters are weaknesses. Money too. And Valerie-chan is surprisingly older than in canon. Well, things really would never be the same when a super-powered clan roamed about. It can be confirmed that canon is indeed wrecked.
Chapter 16 is available to read on my p@treon. Give it a visit. Completely free. You get an extra chapter, I get more traffic. Algorithm picks that up, and we all win something. Just look for HolyGambler.
Until the next chapter.
Chapter 15
END