Chương 107: Chapter 103- A Prelude To A New World

"But you're warm, Apu…"

"..." Igor couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from rising. There was a sense of pride, sweetness, and accomplishment. Just these simple words made his entire day.

"Thank you, little chick. Now let's go and see Issei."

"Yayyy! Let's go~!" … |DxD| - Chapter 103- A Prelude To A New World …... Two siblings walked on the forest road. Sunlight splintered through the trees as scattered rays. There was a silence filled by chirping crickets and sandals on dirt road. Igor carried Akeno on his back. She was quietly playing with his hair. He said nothing and only walked forward. The minutes came and went. They crossed a few turns until the forest outskirts came in sight.

He continued walking until he stopped where the trees yielded to vast plains. Far in the distance, a car was approaching them on the dirt road. Dust trailed behind it in a cloud. Akeno perked up and recognised the car.

"Apu. It's uncle and aunty!"

"Yes, little chick. It's them." The Hyoudou family of three was approaching. Igor waited patiently until the car drew closer. The engine hummed and it rolled to a close. Gorou rolled down the windows and called out in mock complaint.

"Igor! You really don't want us to greet your aunt, don't you."

"I just like walking, uncle."

"Yeah, yeah. And the government has a clean backside. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a research base in that forest you're keeping us away from." Igor chuckled at Gorou's grumbles.

"That's not the case, uncle."

"Whatever. Hi, Akeno~. How are you~?" He greeted Akeno in a cutesy voice and she happily waved.

"Hi, uncle! I'm fine today. And you~?"

"Uncle is fine, Akeno. You two can hop on in with Issei at the back. Issei. Make space there." Akeno shimmied off of Igor's back and skipped to open the rear door. She hopped in energetically, almost bumping into Issei.

"Careful, Akeno! You know you have a hard head." Issei complained and Miki chastised him.

"Don't speak like that to your friend, Issei."

"But it's not a lie, mom. She always headbutts the other kids."

"Because they're stinky! And you're looking stinky too, Issei. Hmph!" Igor chuckled as he closed the door. He pulled Akeno close and quietly told her.

"Don't bully Issei."

"Yeah! Don't bully me, Akeno." Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Hmph!" Akeno closed her eyes. She didn't bother entertaining Issei and relaxed into Igor's side. A silence descended upon the car as Gorou turned it around. The car sped up and the gravel clintered beneath. The distance wasn't too long and Gorou soon turned into the tarmac. The car picked up speed and he glanced at Igor through the rearview mirror.

"Sooo…when are you getting your license, Igor? So this old man can rest while you drive for us." Miki playfully swiped his hand with a cloth.

"Stop joking, Gorou. You're not even forty."

"But look, Miki. I have a white hair. That means I've reached my senior years."

"Hehe~. Well your performance says otherwise." Gorou flushed, but then composed himself with a cough.

"As I was saying, Igor. When are you signing up?" Igor smiled. He could never grow tired of this married couple.

"Some time before the year ends, uncle."

"Tch." Gorou clicked his tongue. The odometer crisply displayed the distance travelled.

"Look at this. Seven kilometres. You're ruthless, Igor. You're ruthless to yourself. I swear you couldn't make me walk this distance even with a gun to my head."

"So what if we were in danger?" Miki softly intoned as an attempt at appealing to her husband. But Gorou slammed down her fantasies.

"None of you are worth it. If you're kidnapped, get kidnapped in town. Otherwise, you can pray to the gods this car has fuel or else I'm not coming."

"Gorou!" Miki moaned in complaint.

"We're your family! Tell him, Igor."

"Aunty. Please don't pull me into matters above me." Igor calmly removed himself from the argument, and Gorou continued.

"I'm sure Igor would save everyone. He's a superhero who can do a hundred pushups in a minute. He's probably an elite operative."

"Uncle…"

"Haha! I'm joking with you, Igor. But seriously. The way you move your body is out of this world. You could literally enter any sport and dominate it." Gorou continued seriously.

"You could even enter the Guinness Book of World Records, Igor. That's how much I believe in you." Igor smiled kindly. It was the intent that mattered.

"Thank you—""I told you, dad! Big bro is super strong!" Issei spoke excitedly.

"He can fly and shoot lasers out of his hands! He's a superhero!"

"We know, Issei~." Miki reached back and ruffled her son's hair. Her eyes caught Igor's and she smirked at him.

"Your big brother is a ninja who can move things with his mind."

"Yes! He can…wait—can you, big bro?"

"No, Issei. Not in the way you think."

"Oh?" Gorou was now interested.

"I'd like to see this. Will you be able to show us, Igor?"

"Once we've stopped, I will, uncle."

"Yes!" Issei cheered.

"Show them how amazing you are, big bro!"

"Fufufu~." Miki chuckled. She didn't mind Igor's magic tricks. It kept her son very motivated. But admittedly, she was also interested too.

"I'm also looking forward to this, Igor." … |DxD| …... Sacred Gears were divided into four categories. There were low-tier sacred gears. They had little to no effect on supernatural beings or other races aside from humans. Common examples were sacred gears that increased charisma and influence. Then came mid-tier sacred gears. They offered mostly supplementary means like barriers and weapons that matched the wielder's strength. The stray devil Jonathan's sacred gear was at this level.

It was what helped him find the time chamber artifact from his mother's tomb all those years ago. High-tier sacred gears had great importance and were heavily sought after. They gave the wielder immense power or capabilities beyond themselves. Most importantly, high-tier sacred gears could grow and potentially rival Longinus-tier sacred gears. Over the past months, Igor had spent many days with Issei and Irina. During that time, he had come to a conclusion he'd verified many times with Baraquiel's help.

Issei Hyoudou was either the White Dragon Emperor or the Red Dragon Emperor of this generation. Such dense and pure dragon fluctuations couldn't be faked. In this small town of Kuoh, he had encountered a Longinus wielder. Such a boon was like giving him a warm blanket in the cold. It was still unclear if he would have a significant deterrent after reaching God-Class, but Issei definitely would.

And if he had Issei as his ally, the gods would have to be wary of the Red Dragon Emperor, especially one who would not fear old age if he had nourishment from the Sephiroth Graal.

"Apu? What are you thinking about?" Akeno asked. They'd driven to town and were cruising the residential areas.

"I'm thinking about Issei, Akeno."

"Issei?" She turned to face him. The two locked eyes and lightning sparked between them.

"Hmph!" Akeno fell back onto Igor and closed her eyes. Igor ruffled her hair and lightly warned her.

"Be careful you don't bully Issei too much, little chick. He might become stronger than you in the future."

"Stinky Issei?" Akeno asked in disbelief and Igor chuckled.

"Yes, Akeno. If you don't up your training, Issei will get stronger than you."

"Yes! You tell her, big bro! Just because she's older than me doesn't mean she can bully me forever!"

"Stinky Issei! Big brother will train me too! Right, big brother?"

"Yes, Akeno. Big brother will train you. But if you want to remain stronger than Issei, then I'll have to be a bit hard on you." In the front seat, Gorou and Miki had smiles on their face. Igor was really a figure their kids looked up to.

"Alright, you three. We've arrived home. You can now show us those few things, Igor. You don't mind doing it here, right?"

"I don't mind." Today was the day. Gorou and Miki Hyoudou would learn just how wide the world really was. And they had to learn and prepare, because an emperor never led a normal life.

END