Chapter 51: Among Gods, Buddhas, and Dragons
"Rias Onee-sama... Why are we here?" A blonde-haired teenager dressed in a Kuoh Academy uniform followed Rias closely. She was Asia Argento, a former nun Issei had met just a few days ago and was able to recruit. She was kind and someone Rias felt immediately at ease with.
"Asia-chan, we're here because it's our first stop. This trip isn't just to collect some things, but also to gain some experience."
"Experience?" Asia tilted her head adorably.
"I'd never ask you to fight when you've just joined the family, and you're more of a healer than a fighter. However, I'd like you to see a little more of the world. This way, you'll know more and gain some experience learning new things."
"Um... I'll try my best!" Asia raised her fists, and Rias smiled at her.
"But..." Asia stopped and looked around. "I still don't understand this place..."
The place Asia was talking about was a large forest surrounded by various plants and herbs; they weren't special, but they did make the place richer in flora. Asia could also see a cave up ahead; it was huge and dark.
"Mm?" Rias narrowed her eyes, noticing a person near the cave. She didn't respond to Asia, but instead approached a little faster.
"You guys are so annoying..." a deep voice reverberated from the cave.
"Huh?" The person who had noticed Rias turned around and raised his eyebrows, a little surprised to see her in the same place as him.
"Grigori Governor-General, Azazel. It's a surprise to see you here."
"Hahaha! Are you surprised?!... What about me, seeing Princess Gremory in this place?... I think I'm the most surprised?" Azazel laughed, but he still looked at Rias with interest, curious to know the reason for her being in this place. After all, he had never heard of her leaving Japan. The only trips she had made since settling in Kuoh were from the Underworld to Japan or vice versa.
Rias looked at him before ignoring him.
"Great Dragon King, Fafnir, come out now! I want to talk about a deal!"
"Gah! Another one?! They're so annoying, they won't even let me sleep peacefully!"
Loud sounds were heard from the cave before a massive golden dragon revealed itself. It was a golden western dragon that stands over 10 meters tall, lacks a pair of wings growing from its back unlike the usual western dragon, and has a horn on the tip of its nose.
"Uwawawa," Asia began to mutter, a little frightened at the sight of a massive dragon.
"Hum!" Fafnir made a strange sound when he saw Asia. He slowly approached and lowered his head so his eyes were level with hers.
"Miss..."
"Y-yes?" Asia gulped nervously.
"Could you show me your panties?"
"Huh?! EEHH!!" Asia cried out, bewildered and surprised.
Rias blinked, and Azazel simply laughed out loud.
"Fafnir, can we talk about the deal?" Rias asked seriously.
Azazel looked at her with interest; he had come to speak with Fafnir about a contract. However, he was now more interested in Rias Gremory's motives. Azazel was one of those who watched her battle against Riser Phenex and his peers, gaining interest in Rias Gremory's goals. Therefore, he was now watching with interest and wouldn't interfere.
Between a contract with Fafnir to complete an artificial Sacred Gear prototype and learning Rias Gremory's motives, he now felt much more interested in the latter.
"Mm... Deal? What deal are you talking about, girl?" Fafnir raised his head and stood to his full imposing height, looking down at Rias.
"I want you to be the guardian of a special place. In return, I will grant you food, comfort, and a wish within my power," Rias said, extending her hand. "All I ask is that you protect this place."
"A wish, you say?" Fafnir narrowed his eyes slightly. "What could you give me that someone else can't? I could very well ask Odin to give me something, and he wouldn't disagree so much."
"You're right; but do you have a purpose in this place? That protection will be tied to this place I mentioned, but also to the people within it. Simply put, you will be a guardian of the people and a future generation. As long as you don't destroy anything, you will be able to fly freely in this place."
"You will be a protector."
Fafnir lowered his head again and looked at Rias closely.
"I want... that lady's panties and many more. I want all those treasures!" Fafnir finally exclaimed, excited to have his "treasures."
Rias wanted to sigh, but fulfilling that wasn't a problem; she could just buy a bunch of them. Maybe even buy a whole shop or a panty factory for Fafnir.
"Fine... I'll give you what you wish," Rias smiled before looking Fafnir in the eye, nodding at him.
"However..." Fafnir looked at her, now very curious. "What is this place you want me to protect?"
Rias smiled toothily and raised her arm, pointing a finger at the sky. When everyone looked up, they saw an island appear. It seemed to have a barrier that made it invisible, and as it appeared, it almost seemed illusory. Huge trees and even some not-too-large mountains could be seen.
Azazel's jaw dropped slightly.
Rias was smiling proudly. The island had a name: Four Seasons Island. It was an island that had biomes in all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The island didn't cost much in the shop; after all, it was just a piece of land. And, compared to skills, techniques, or weapons that could destroy it, it was much cheaper. Rias had to ask Harry and Naruto for points, but they were fine with it.
As for the barrier that made her invisible, that was simply her own doing. It wasn't too difficult to make a barrier that masked something. It had no defenses, that was all; it wasn't even invisible per se, but rather blended in with its surroundings.
"I want you to protect the island from the four seasons. Also, at the foot of one of the mountains, I've planted a dragon apple tree if you want to eat them."
"Oh! Ohh~!" Fafnir was delighted to hear this. Although not all dragon races needed the fruit to survive, it was a delicacy for most of them.
Azazel frowned slightly. Despite having heard everything, he had no idea what Rias was thinking or planning. All he had was "a future generation," as she called it.
So, shamelessly, he decided to ask.
"What are you planning, Princess Gremory?"
Rias simply leaped forward to stand on Fafnir's head. She remained on her back, but moved her head slightly and glanced at Azazel. The Governor-General of the Fallen saw a slightly excited and terrifying smile.
"An eternal place for all kinds of people," with those words, Rias gently tapped Fafnir to signal for him to fly.
"This girl..." Azazel narrowed his eyes slightly at Rias's retreating figure. "She'll definitely cause chaos in the world."
When Rias, Fafnir, and Asia arrived at the four-season island, they landed, and the dragon immediately went to its cave.
"What will we do now, Rias Onee-sama?" Asia asked curiously, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Seeing a huge dragon really unnerved her. But that was one of Rias's goals; I wanted Asia to see amazing things so she wouldn't freeze up the second or third time.
"Now?" Rias laughed a little creepily; she was really enjoying her trip. Besides, everything she had planned was for the rise of Aeternum in this world.
"Now... we'll go talk to an old monkey and steal from a Buddha."
Asia immediately paled.
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