Chương 111: Chapter 107- A Fractured Couple

"Your hope has given me a new perspective, Igor. I want to see it happen." Touji turned to face him.

"So yes. I not only agree, but I'll help as well. Otherwise only God knows what you'll teach the children." … |DxD| - Chapter 107- A Fractured Couple …... Ever since Cleria established Kuoh Academy, the town had seen many visitors from all over the world come and set their roots in this small town. From business moguls to affluent investors, people sent their children to one of the most top-ranked academies on the international charts.

Over the course of the years, the new generation replaced the old, and a vibrant and carefree culture was formed. The youth were as diverse as their hair colours. Their mannerisms were less-restrained, and many were willing to express themselves. And so on this day, Touji and Gorou found themselves together on the park bench. This Monday afternoon was swarmed by a crowd of girls formed around the King of Kuoh. His hair was wild and unrestrained. His abs were rock solid, and his arms could crush steel.

They clamoured at their idol, intently listening to the words he exchanged with some of the girls brave enough to engage him in conversation.

"So, Touji? Is Igor using some sort of magic to make those girls like him?"

"Fortunately, no. The youth of today are just a bit more…what's the word I'm looking for—expressive."

"Expressive?" Gorou watched blandly. The pupils of those girls were practically hearts.

"They're short of jumping him."

"What can I say, Gorou? Girls will be girls." The two sat silently on the bench. Akeno, Irina, and Issei were playing on the swings with the other children. Their wives and Shuri sat together on a large mat beneath the trees. Everything was almost peaceful.

"So, Gorou. Are you ready to address the elephant in the room?"

"..." Gorou's expression did not change. His eyes remained on Igor, the boy who suddenly changed his life. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"How long would you have kept this from me?" Another second passed. Touji knew this would be a difficult talk, but it was time to be honest with his old friend.

"If possible, forever."

"Forever…" Gorou's lips curled upwards in a mix of amusement and shock.

"And here I thought our friendship meant something."

"It does mean something, Gorou. It means everything." They shared a moment of silence. Murmurs and laughter drifted into their ears. This was the beauty of life, of a normal life.

"If I could go thirty years back to change my path, I would." Touji began in a solemn whisper.

"The supernatural world is corrosive, Gorou. There is betrayal and filth everywhere. It's a world of savages and bloodshed. When I became an exorcist, I believed I would be fighting my lord. I only realised many years later that I was fighting to fulfil the agendas of those above. This world, Gorou…it ruins you." Touji continued grimly.

"I didn't want to dirty you and your family, Gorou. Our world is like an abyss. The moment you look, you become a fish that has bitten the bait. From then on, you cannot extricate yourself no matter how much you wish you could. I didn't want you to bear that burden."

"Yet here I am."

"Yes. Yet here you are." Another moment of silence came and went. Both men looked forward, showing nothing on their faces. Gorou appeared composed, but he knew the turmoil in his heart.

"Tell me about my son, Touji, about this dragon emperor thing. Igor said it was a Longinus."

"It's a blessing and a curse." Touji spoke bluntly. A Longinus could not be hidden.

"Your son possesses one of thirteen truly powerful sacred gears created by God. The one Issei has will contain one of two ancient heavenly dragons. The curse here is, it is almost impossible for Issei to ever have a normal life."

"He will be hunted."

"He will, Gorou. He will." Touji took a deep breath.

"Perhaps the most relieving part here is that Igor was able to sense it early. We can suppress the fluctuations that would've appeared as Issei grew." A part of himself wished Igor made a misdiagnosis. Finding such a powerful sacred gear on a youth barely seven years old was nearly impossible without a stroke of luck or a premature awakening.

"How early are we talking, Touji?"

"Eight, maybe ten years before the gear would show signs of awakening."

"Alright." For the first time since they sat, Gorou looked at Touji.

"So ten years from now, I become my son's character development."

"What?" Touji was confused and Gorou elaborated.

"Is it not a common trope in stories and legends? Because legends are true, right? The great hero, the protagonist of the story fights a great enemy. But behind the scenes, his parents are attacked and killed. In rage, the hero transcends his current limits and—""Stop, Gorou. Just stop. No one is dying."

"And how sure are you?"

"Gorou." Touji spoke warningly, but Gorou did not listen.

"No, Touji. Can you truly and utterly tell me without lying to my face, that you can guarantee the lives of my wife and self? Because apparently, when dragons and magic are involved, I don't think a little pistol will be enough."

"You will be protected."

"To hell with protection." Gorou firmly grabbed Touji by the shoulder. He leaned in close and spoke strongly.

"Touji. You are a man. I am a man as well. You must understand what I'm feeling."

"..." Helplessness, incompetence, and loss. Touji understood exactly what Gorou was feeling. To know there could come a time he couldn't fulfil his duties as a protector was crippling.

"Fine. If you are so determined, then I will be honest with you, Gorou. Starting at your age is difficult." Gorou was thirty-seven, a man seeing the last summers of his youth. He was unfit, and there was very little chance of pushing his body to the level of a Low-Class.

"The best I can do is get you to your peak of fitness and train you with firearms. If, and only if, we can awaken mana in your body, I will introduce you to seals and inscriptions. It won't help much, but it's something."

"Something…" Gorou muttered the word. He held little hope for much, but just having even some means was enough.

"Alright, Touji. I'll take it. So please help me."

"You're my friend, Gorou. I will."

END