Chương 108: Chapter 104- An Oath To Protect

"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.... … |DxD|- Chapter 104- An Oath To Protect …... Igor was a strange lad. He was strange in a good way though. To Gorou, the kid was an enigma who he couldn't quite figure out. He'd once thought Igor was one of those kids who'd dropped out of school.

But apparently, the boy was some sort of genius freelancer who was loaded with money and lucrative jobs. He didn't fully understand the intricacies, but it explained why Igor was gone for a year, and why he hadn't seen Shuri work once in the past years. It hadn't helped his impression much when Issei had prattled on and on about how Igor was some fantasy powerhouse. He'd believed his son had met a swindler like his grandfather.

Even after the year passed, he had been a bit skeptical of Igor—that this 'freelance' work was a front to him being a scammer or part of some syndicate. But as he got to know Igor over the months, he'd finally figured it out. He'd met a genius, a youth who outshone his peers by miles. Igor was a rare talent that a connection had to be forged with. Their small town of Kuoh wouldn't contain a prodigy like him. And so he had no problem with Igor hanging around Issei.

He even actively encouraged it, going so far as to pick up the boy from the farmlands outside of town. It was easy to add a rose to a bouquet of flowers, but giving warmth in someone's time of need was the most crucial gift. Before Igor achieved renown, a connection had to be forged. Gorou sat down on the couch and calmly looked at Igor. It was hard to believe how a year could see that lean teenager turn into a soldier. Igor. Was. A. Behemoth.

Even if he was ten years younger, he knew he wouldn't be beating this boy in a fight. He was a chisel of defined muscles and broad shoulders. That powerful figure was why Kuoh Park had seen girls become common visitors. The lad was definitely a looker and a feast for hungry eyes. Gorou didn't reveal his thoughts behind his glinting glasses. Igor had asked they come inside for a serious talk. Akeno sat with him and Issei was hyper as if he knew what was happening.

A small glass table separated them in this modest living room. Refreshments were drank and the purpose of this sudden talk had to be addressed.

"Alright, Igor. We're both listening. What is it that is so important?"

"Tell them! Tell them! Tell them! Tell them!" Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Issei was jumping up and down next to Igor. His parents would finally know how cool his big brother was!

"Calm down, Issei." Igor patted Issei on the head. He then faced Miki and Gorou seriously. The couple were seated together, and they too emulated his mood.

"Mr and Mrs Hyoudou. After observing you, I've decided that you're worth sharing this information with. I ask that you keep it confidential, for what I'm about to say will overturn your understanding of the world as you know it. I am about to show you a piece of that. Please do not be afraid. No one here will be harmed." Gorou frowned and was ready to interrupt. But before his very eyes, an orange orb formed on Igor's palm. It was dim, yet he clearly felt the heat from it. This…this didn't make sense.

"What is…?"

"Magic is real."... … |DxD| …... Igor still remembered the day Shuri told him of the supernatural world. Knowing how vast it was had shattered his young mind. With the Hyoudou couple, he did not reveal the existences of mythologies, legends, and folklore all being real. The existence of magic was enough to begin with. More could be learned piece by piece over time.

"Let me…let me understand this, Igor. Because this is just…it's a lot to take in." Gorou rubbed his forehead. It didn't matter if his eyes were open or closed. The ball of energy remained there; hovering, rotating, and emitting heat without the slightest contraction holding or powering it.

"How does this magic work?" Miki asked in concern, but Gorou shut her down.

"No. Do guns still work on magicians?"

"Yes. They bleed all the same. If you're fast enough, a firearm is strong enough to fell them." Igor reassured Gorou. Against a Low-Class, certain firearms would still work.

"Good. Now you can answer my wife's question." Gorou sat back with folded arms. His eyes were closed in deep contemplation. The orb was so hot he felt the heat press against his forehead. It defied all logic. Miki looked hopefully at Igor. Like her husband, she held worry and unease. This only reinforced Igor's decision to conceal many things.

"Aunty. There's not really a way I can explain magic. But what I can say is, in this town, there's only a few magicians. Aside from Aunt Shuri, I won't reveal the others I know. But do know there's very little chance of you meeting another for there aren't that many."

"Touji. Is he a magician as well?" Gorou's question cut through his explanation. The depths in his eyes was filled with seriousness.

"No. Touji isn't a magician. And this gets into why I am here." Igor placed his hand behind Issei and brought him forward.

"There are powerful artifacts called Longinus. Issei was born with one of them."

"And let me guess." Gorou cut in."

"He will be hunted by fairies and wizards."

"If he reaches adulthood without knowing how to control it? Yes. He will be sought after. Because unlike normal magicians, Issei is special."

"Tch. Is this some prophesy nonsense?" Gorou spat with frustration. His frown had not risen since Igor shared this revelation. In this new reality, he had very little strength to protect his family.

"No it isn't, uncle. But Issei does need to get stronger."

"Like the protagonist to a story." Gorou scoffed amidst Miki's gentle ministrations. Her calming hands had little effect on the insanity of the situation.

"Let me guess, Igor. Is this a story in which the hero's parents die?"

"H-Huh???" Issei couldn't remain quiet. He looked back and forth between his father and Issei.

"What do you mean, dad? What's happening, big brother?"

"It's nothing, Issei. Your father was just making a joke." Miki pulled her son over and kissed his forehead. She glanced at her husband and he also realised he went too far.

"I'm sorry. I just…" He took a deep breath and continued.

"I don't know about all of this, Igor. I can't even look at you the same way anymore." He was stressed. His fingers had not stopped scratching his hair for the past five seconds.

"We'll need to sit down and talk again: just the two of us. But until I can make sense of this, just answer me one thing." Gorou raised his head.

"You told us all of this because your goal is my son, correct?" The question was rhetorical.

"Give me one good reason I can trust you with him." The two met eyes, and Igor gave his oath, one that he meant from the depths of his heart.

"I will protect him with my life."

END