She made her choice and walked closer. With the speed Igor showed, she knew she had no chance against him. She only hoped this wasn't a deeper ploy, because to her, Shirone was worth more than life itself.
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|DxD|- Chapter 117- Tortoiseshell Granny
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Beasts pulled the carts, and Diehauser endured the bumps with calm poise. To his side was Baraquiel holding the reins, and he had to admit that his disguise was completely convincing. No one would believe this old human in the winter years of his life was a cadre of Grigori.
[And to think he'd intrude on devil territory for Igor.]
Diehauser subtly glanced over his shoulder. Baraquiel cared more for Igor than he let on, and more than the boy knew. He only hoped that Magari wouldn't take too much offence once she was informed.
But the most interesting thing was actually encountering two nekoshou. Seeing them appear one after the other had almost managed to erode his calm countenance. Nekoshou were exceedingly rare and many years could pass without one being born.
Through his eyes, there was little room for mistake. Layers of Worthlessness had identified just how easily nature energy came to young Kuroka. To have the luck of seeing them was truly worth the journey, so worth it he hummed in silent exuberance.
A few eyes fell on him, especially Sairaorg, whose eyebrows rose in sheer surprise. A rare urge to chuckle pervaded Diehauser, for his smile simply refused to fade. An Ariyan, a Bael prodigy, and a fallen angel cadre: such a lineup was worth boasting about for a hundred years, maybe even two. And if Igor and Sairaorg's growing fondness for the nekoshou sisters were anything, then this generation would blossom with talents and prodigies.
[I must be careful, lest I be mistaken for a maiden in love.]
But how could he not be in love? So many different energies to analyse and study were seated right behind him. Be it Sairaorg's touki, Igor's vitality, or the nekoshou's ki, all were things rarely, if ever seen in the wider world.
Diehauser closed his eyes and relaxed his shoulders. There was little he could do for his smile, but he stopped humming.
Far ahead, the village gates were in sight. It was a simple banner of polished wood held aloft by wooden poles.
[The Village Of Nekomata. It will be enlightening to see the interior.]
The caravan trudged along the gravel road. It was surprisingly well-maintained even after a few months had passed since he last came. And as soon as that thought came, another arose.
[Magari should be here by now.]
The nekomata were known for rarely letting devils ascend the mountain, let alone come so close to the village gates. Diehauser considered spreading his senses, but before an elder like Magari, even he had to admit defeat.
"Elder Magari. Are you there?"
He called out with calm poise, as if speaking to a person beside him. Igor stopped brushing Shirone's tail and looked at Diehauser with a mix of curiosity and slight bewilderment. And just as quickly, his head snapped to the cart behind them.
There was a cat, a very normal white cat with black spots. It was young and licked its paw without a care in the world. The only abnormality were the seven tails swishing behind it like the feathers of a peacock.
Igor opened his mouth to say something, paused, then chuckled. There were many things to expect. A house cat was not one of them. But after everything he's experienced, this was reasonable.
"Granny Cat!"
Kuroka exclaimed with excitement. Her eyes sparkled with jubilation, and her shoulders relaxed in relief. With Elder Magari here, they were absolutely safe.
"Elder Magari. I was wondering when you'd come."
"Come? I've been here the whole time, Diehauser."
Her voice was like a stream flowing unhurriedly. Magari set down her paws and gracefully hopped onto the lead cart.
"You've brought me two interesting kittens. A devil who wields touki, and a human who commands life energy. Truly unheard of."
Her eyes fell on Sairaorg…
"A contradiction…"
…then on Igor.
"...and a defiance of the natural order."
"Then I take it you are pleased, Elder?"
"I will be pleased once my carts enter the village. Isn't that right, Kazuya?"
Baraquiel turned back and spoke helplessly.
"Elder Magari. It's Kazuma. Not Kazuya."
"Oh would you look at that. It appears old age is catching up with me. And how are you, Kazuya?"
"..."
Baraquiel's lips twitched, but he still replied.
"Recovering, elder. I still have some extra years in me."
"That's good, that's good."
Magari nodded sagely, then to Igor's surprise, she jumped onto his shoulder. Her fur brushed against his cheek and two of her tails curled around his head. Magari raised her paw and slapped Shirone on the head.
She yowled and turned to glare at Magari with tearful eyes, and that same glare died when Magari's paw lingered above like a beheading sword.
"Shirone. You don't know how to greet your elders anymore?"
"...Granny Tortoise…"
"Greet properly."
"Hello, Tortoise Granny…"
"What time of day is it?"
Magari spoke sternly, yet calm with eyes that bore into the soul. Shirone quivered and the tears came on their own.
"G-Good morning, Tortoise Granny…"
"Hmph."
Magari leaped off Igor's shoulder and went over to Kuroka.
"Don't stop on my account, Kazuya. Continue to the village."
Baraquiel wordlessly looked at Magari. She had crawled into Kuroka's lap and laid on it.
"Yes, Elder Magari."
He whipped the reins and the beasts trudged forward. Igor and Sairaorg never once pulled their eyes from Magari. This little cat was to be their senjutsu teacher. Neither of them underestimated her, especially not when she'd lingered around them so stealthily.
Behind the surprise, there was anticipation. The power of senjutsu had worldwide renown and was just as difficult. But for them, it was just another challenge to overcome.
Chapter 117
END