by Tj Dixon
If she wasn’t so cute with her short blonde hair, soft pale skin and lovely blue eyes I’d be angry. She’s a bit tall for a dwarf, but she’s not too tall. She’s slim too. She’s wearing an open black leather jacket, pale grey shorts and white bandages wrapped around her chest. If she didn’t open her mouth she’d be really cute. I suppose you can’t have everything though.
“General Karina over there will be coming with me and yes I am King Grunti.” I tell her.
“Fine.” The girl says and ports us both without needing to get any closer to either of us.
We port into what appears to be a throne room. The throne, if that is what it is, is made from simple black stone not as strong or flexible as the stone we work with in Nirvali. It is however large and on the throne sits a very impressive looking lizard man with blue fiery eyes. As in blue orbs of fire where his eyes should be. His white claws look sharp on his hands and his feet. His green scales look far stronger than any armour I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t want to get attacked by this guy.
On the lap of the lizard man is a small black cat girl that looks like she came straight out of a Nippon picture book. On his right is another lizard man who looks very similar except that this one has red fiery orbs for eyes instead of blue ones.
To the right of the lizard man is the elf Dairon with a cute little faery sitting on his right shoulder. The faery has red silk shorts and shirt that match her red eyes and hair. Elucia with her cool blue hair and blue eyes stands to his right and on her right are five skinny elf girls. They would be cute if they put on a little weight. Their short light brown hair and pale green eyes are nice as is their pale skin with a slight hint of silver. Don’t tell me that bloody elf king has got himself a harem!
On Peter’s left are three girls wearing a plain white dress with a side slit from the shoulder all the way down. Their dress is tied together with a red silk sash just above the waist. Under the dress instead of shorts or panties they are wearing a white cloth wrapped repeatedly around their waist like a bandage.
Closest to Peter is a green haired girl with purple eyes, then a very pale girl with blonde hair and yellow eyes and third is a cat girl. The cat girl has skin, fur and hair that are a cross between blonde and ginger and has green eyes. She’s not especially cute but she is certainly distinctive and the other two are cute.
“Welcome to our temple.” The lizard man says and it takes a moment to recognise his voice.
“Are you Peter?” I ask.
“Yes.” The lizard man answers.
“What happened to you?” I ask.
“A lot, but to put it simply I remember who I am and this is my true form.” Peter tells me.
“I thought your true form was a powerful demon. This is a bit different to what I imagined though. It seems your soul is closer to an angel or a god now.” I tell him.
“I am both an angel and a god.” Peter tells me.
“That’s great. So have you started building your harem yet now you remember who you are?” I ask.
“Your majesty…” I hear a quiet and very familiar voice behind me.
“Lucy!” I exclaim and turn to see that lovely mini human. Her smooth pure white skin, short green hair and little blue eyes are just as I remembered them. So is her tiny body, though the green cloth wrapped around her waist and breasts aren’t what she was wearing when I last saw her.
“So how is Imogen doing?” Lucy asks.
“She’s having a great time as my second wife. Are you jealous?” I ask.
“Of Imogen?” Lucy asks.
“Yes.” I reply.
“No.” Lucy says firmly.
“You really haven’t changed.” I tell her with a grin.
“It’s not been long enough for me to change and even if I did change I still wouldn’t be jealous of Imogen. Anyway, the H word is forbidden in front of Peter.” Lucy tells me.
“Much as I’d like to chat, I have important business to deal with, so what’s this help you want?” I ask Lucy.
“Peter’s the one who wants your help, not me.” Lucy says with a shrug.
I turn and notice the girl who ported me here is nowhere to be seen. I didn’t get the impression she liked me. At least she brought Karina and me here so we didn’t need to waste time researching how to get here.
“So what help do you need?” I ask Peter.
“I’m going to be fighting in the ice hell, so I was hoping you might be able to make something to help. More importantly though you helped separate the elven Envoy from its elven host. I need to separate the rest of the Envoys from their elven hosts. I should be able to defeat them in their physical form, but I don’t want to have to kill their hosts. Especially Dairon’s sister. In fact against all of them at once still in their hosts plus Azrael and the rest of his angels I’m not certain of the outcome.” Peter tells me.
“I’ve thought about those monsters quite a bit in my spare time, so I already have something that should be of use. I can’t stand the thought of innocent elf girls forced to do the sorts of things Miki was forced to do.” I tell him.
“What did you come up with?” Peter asks.
“It’s a simple device, though you wouldn’t understand how it works even if I explained it. Basically you just send a little power into the device and any of those monsters within about a mile of the device will be forced out of their host and unable to enter a new host until the device stops working.” I tell Peter.
“I’m glad I asked for your help.” Peter says.
“I’ll give it to the girl who brought us here when she takes us back. As for the ice hell if I think of anything I’ll have Imogen let you know.” I tell him with no intention of spending any time on it. He doesn’t look like he needs my help anymore. After all he seems to have his own personal harem now. I would be jealous but I’m happy with my own. Actually mine may be smaller but I like it better than his.
“Thank you King Grunti.” Peter says.
“Don’t worry about the thanks. Just send me back home already.” I tell him.
“Your majesty, shouldn’t we discuss compensation and any additional help we may be able to provide?” Karina asks.
“I don’t need compensation. I want those Envoys dead too. As for any extra help I don’t think it’s needed.” I tell Karina who does not look happy. She doesn’t protest though.
“Sor, send them back.” Peter says.
“Happily.” Sor says sounding relieved from just behind Lucy. Was she hiding with magic or did she just port away and port back again? Either way she ports us back to my studio in Nirvali.
“That was quick.” Imogen says sounding a bit annoyed as she looks up briefly from the latest volume that I’m dying to read.
“Did you help Peter?” Miki asks.
“I’m just about to.” I reply and look around the studio. “Ah, there it is.”
“Where?” Sor asks.
“Just a moment.” I say and grab the green emerald from the shelf. I double check that everything is still working by giving it a quick shake. It whistles at just the right pitch. “It’s working.”
“Thanks.” Sor says and ports it into her hand. Then she ports away.
“At least she’s polite.” Lupine says.
“That reminds me. I haven’t thanked you yet.” I tell Lupine.
“Thanked me? For what?” Lupine asks nervously.
“Don’t worry about the details. I have a special job for you.” I tell Lupine.
“Will I like it?” Lupine asks even more nervously.
“I don’t know, but I look forward to seeing you complete it. I have a few things to set up first so we can arrange it later. For now I have some reading to catch up with.” I tell her.
“What about helping Peter with the ice hell problem?” Karina asks.
“The story might help inspire me.” I tell Karina.
“That’s just an excuse.” She says. I should have known she wouldn’t buy that excuse.
“No it’s not.”
I tell her quickly and add another lie. “This volume is set in a similar environment to the ice hell.”
“How did you know that?” Imogen asks looking up again from the picture book.
“What, it really is?” I ask. Karina glares at me. “But it really is though, so what’s the problem?”
“It doesn’t change the fact that you were lying.” Karina points out.
“Lying or not there might be something in this that would help inspire me.” I tell her. “Anyway I’ve already resolved his main problem.”
“Fine, read the picture book but make sure you really do consider his ice hell problem. Also, don’t refuse compensation again. It may sound noble of you, but the compensation that you’re refusing is for the city and its people not just for you.” Karina reminds me.
“It probably would have taken ages to work out.” I complain.
“I knew that was the real reason. I can stay behind to negotiate next time.” Karina tells me.
“Fine, you do that. Now let me read in peace.” I tell her.
“Will the bad people be punished?” Miki asks.
“Yes. That device was to save the others like you. Peter will then kill all the evil monsters that were possessing them.” I tell her.
“Thank you Grunti!” Miki exclaims and throws her arms around me. Being hugged like this isn’t bad, but I want to know what happens next. If it was anyone else I’d just tell them to leave me alone, but no matter what I can’t bring myself to be that harsh to Miki. I consider my options.
“I need to read the next volume or I won’t be able to come up with something to help Peter.” I tell Miki.
“Let’s read it together.” Miki suggests heresy.
“It’s volume seventeen. If you want to read it you need to read the other sixteen volumes first!” I scold Miki.
“Ok. I’ll read them, so please wait for me to catch up.” Miki tells me happily. Why did I have to scold her? Why??!!!!!
“I’ll read it again with you when you’re caught up.” I tell Miki.
“But it’s more fun the first time. I want your first time reading it to be with me.” Miki tells me.
“Fine, I’ll read the other volumes with you too. That way it will be fresh in my mind before I start seventeen.” I tell Miki.
“Yay!” Miki cheers.
“Imogen, if you’re going to teach her ‘genki’ at least teach her to cheer properly.” I complain.
“Don’t disturb me! I’m busy.” Imogen complains.
“The rest of you unrelated parties, get out of here!” I yell as I notice everyone staring at us.
“At least leave Lupine here.” Karina protests.
“Fine, as long as she doesn’t speak or distract me from my vital work.” I reply. Karina sighs but nods.
“Vital work?” Miki asks.
“Educating you on the wonders of this story.” I explain.
It takes a while to catch Miki up but I have fun reading the whole story again and thankfully Imogen doesn’t spoil the next volume. She’s not that cruel even if she’s happy to joke about it. As I’m reading the latest volume though I really do find inspiration. Imogen must notice my expression because she grins and interrupts the story.
“You noticed too then? So can you make them?” Imogen asks with that huge grin plastered all over her face.
“It will be challenging, but seeing them for real will be worth the effort. I mean helping Peter will be worth the effort.” I say quickly correcting myself.
“You just want to see them for real, don’t you Grunti?” Miki asks.
“Yes, but they’ll definitely help Peter.” I tell her.
“I want to see them too.” Miki says.
“I’ll definitely show them to you!” I tell Miki happily.
Chapter 13 (Peter)
“I really am sorry.” Aventurine apologises yet again, looking up at me whilst I sit on my throne.
“I’ve already told you there’s nothing to be sorry about. If you keep on apologising I’m going to get annoyed.” I tell Aventurine.
“I’m sorr… Ha, ha.” Aventurine laughs nervously.
“Anyway return to the others. I have a few more preparations to complete before I leave.” I tell Aventurine.
“You’re really going to invade hell?” Aventurine asks.
“It’s not the sort of thing you joke about. Defeating Ferdinand and conquering his realm is essential if I am to kill Azrael.” I tell Aventurine.
“If anyone else said they were going to conquer hell I would think they were crazy, but when it’s you I know that you’ll succeed. Good luck Peter and I’ll see you when you get back.” Aventurine says and ports away.
So both Aventurine and Asuna rejected me. It’s frustrating that I had to refuse Cherry. Neko’s offer though was unexpected to say the least. I could ask more of the girls from the club and I might get another girl to accept my request, but they are my friends and comrades. I don’t want to randomly ask my friends for such a huge a request.
I asked Aventurine because we already had a connection between our souls. I asked Asuna because I was confident she would accept. I was wrong, but at least Asuna seems to be treating her life with a little more respect now. When I first met her she’d have accepted for sure.
I have three miko, which may not sound like much but the connection between our souls is far greater than normal. There is still a limit to how much power three people can give a god regardless of the strength of their soul link. The problem is their souls aren’t that strong. They are stronger than average human souls and there is little difference between humans, cat people and half goblins as far as their souls are concerned. Even the strongest of human souls though is weak compared to even the weakest of angels, let alone gods.
“Midori, come to my room.” I say and get up off the throne. I could shift but I try not to shift everywhere. Even if it’s just walking from my throne, through the illusionary wall and into my room like this I should at least keep my body a little active. Not that this counts as exercise of course. I’ll get plenty of that in hell.
“Peter!” Midori calls out cheerfully as I enter the room.
“Midori, I’m sorry that I’ve been so busy lately. It must be boring being stuck around here like this.” I say.
“As long as I know that I’m helping you I’m happy.” Midori says and puts her right arm around me. She presses her body against me. I can’t really feel it because of my scales but she seems to like to be close. The closer she is the more power I get from her so it works out just fine. “Of course I’m happiest when I get to see and touch you though.”
“I’m glad. Right now though I need to kiss you. Is that alright?” I ask.
“Of course it’s alright but try not to bite me, ok?” Midori says with a grin.
“Actually I have to bite you a little.” I warn her. “It shouldn’t hurt much though.”
“I’m prepared.” Midori tells me.
“I’m going to strengthen your soul. Since I only have three miko it’s important that you can each provide me with as much power as possible. You mustn’t use magic for at least a few hours. Of course it’s best that you don’t use magic anyway unless you have no choice.” I tell Midori.
“I know. If I use my mana then I can’t give it to you.” Midori says.
“Yes and I’m going to be fighting some far more powerful enemies soon.” I tell her.
“Did the goblins give you much power?” Midori asks.
“Yes, but I’m going to use some of that power to strengthen each of your souls.” I tell her.
“It feels odd knowing that I’m using goblin souls when I’m a half goblin myself.” Midori says.
“It’s not a problem is it?” I ask.
“No. You may think I’m being a bit evil, but it feels good. Like I’m getting a little revenge.” Midori says.
“I have no love of goblins, but killing as many as I have didn’t feel good. At least they can reincarnate as something cl
eaner now though.” I tell Midori.
“What does it feel like to purify a soul?” Midori asks.
“Like drinking a dirty, poisoned river to make it clean.” I tell Midori.
“Like drinking the whole river?” Midori asks.
“Yes.” I tell her.
“I can’t imagine what that feels like.” Midori says.
“I hope you never can. It isn’t pleasant.” I tell her.
“Are you ready for me to kiss you?” Midori asks.
“Yes.” I say and Midori kisses me.
It’s a bit weird kissing a human in my angel form. My mouth is filled with sharp teeth, fangs really, intended to tear apart a person’s flesh, bone and soul at the same time. I gently pierce Midori’s lower lip and at the same time her soul. Midori winces but that’s the hardest part. I lick her lip with my lizard tongue to heal her lip and then allow the flow of mana to enter Midori’s soul. Midori seems dizzy so I hold her up under her arms. Then she faints from the sheer amount of mana flowing into her.
I pour a lot of mana into Midori’s soul before stopping. When I do finally stop I seal the slight gap in her soul by covering it with our soul link. Then I stop the flow of the soul link. Of course I could have sent mana into her soul through the soul link, but that wouldn’t have strengthened her soul. It would have simply returned to me through the soul link or if I cut the flow of the soul link after I was done it would have burned her soul. It might even have killed her.
I place Midori on the bed to rest and lie beside her. I just used a ridiculous amount of mana but it was worth it. When Midori recovers she will be able to provide me with vast amounts of mana. As I examine her soul though I realise she’s no longer a miko.
“So that’s how you create an angel.” I think aloud.
“Wasn’t that what you were trying to do?” Kuro asks.
“When did you get here?” I ask with a yawn.
“I was here the whole time. I thought you knew. You’re not on form today. Those girls’ rejections must have had more of an impact on you than I realised.” Kuro says.
“It can’t be helped. Midori, Hermes and Neko will be enough.” I tell Kuro.
