"I have all the pieces available," he replied calmly. "I don't have any servants yet, so all the pieces are free."
Thalia frowned, intrigued by the response. "You don't have any servants yet?" she asked, a touch of surprise in her voice. "Why not?"
"Because I'm being extremely selective with who I reincarnate," Kaito explained. "I want powerful and loyal people in my Peerage. I'm not interested in quantity, but in quality."
"I see," Thalia said, crossing her arms and watching Kaito closely. "But if you want me to be part of your Peerage, there are some rules we need to establish from the start."
"What rules do you have in mind?" Kaito asked, maintaining his calm demeanor and showing genuine interest.
"First and foremost," Thalia began, her voice firm and uncompromising, "you will not touch me without my permission."
Kaito nodded, acknowledging the seriousness in her tone. "I completely agree. Mutual respect is fundamental. I won't touch you or demand anything from you without your consent."
Thalia seemed satisfied with the answer but kept her expression serious. "This is important to me, Kaito. If we're going to work together, I need to know that you understand and respect my boundaries."
"I understand," Kaito replied, his voice soft but firm. "As I said, I want my Peerage to consist of people who trust me and who can trust each other. Respecting your boundaries is part of that."
Thalia relaxed a bit, but there was still an air of caution around her. She looked around the room, as if considering the atmosphere before continuing.
"Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?" Kaito asked, waiting for Thalia to express any other concerns or conditions.
"Now, there's something you need to know about me," Thalia said, her voice taking on a more serious and solemn tone.
Kaito noticed the change in Thalia's posture and prepared to listen attentively.
"The reason Ares is interested in me," Thalia continued, her voice low and laden with tension, "is because I am the bearer of the Boosted Gear, one of the thirteen original Longinus."
Kaito remained silent for a moment, processing the information.
"The Boosted Gear... one of the original Longinus," Kaito murmured, clearly impressed. "That explains a lot. Now it makes sense why Ares would be so interested in you."
Thalia nodded, her eyes fixed on Kaito's.
"The Boosted Gear gives me the power to continuously double my strength, without limits. It's an incredibly powerful ability, but also dangerous. That's why Ares wants to control me. He knows that with this power, he could cause unimaginable destruction."
"That would indeed be useful for a god of war," Kaito said.
"It doesn't matter," Thalia said. "I don't intend to join Ares. In fact, I want to drive him out of New York."
"If you join me, we'll be one step closer to achieving your ambitions," Kaito said with a firm and determined tone.
"If I join your Peerage," Thalia began, her voice firm and full of determination, "I want to be the Queen."
Kaito reflected for a moment.
'She's a demigoddess, and on top of that, the bearer of a Longinus... The Boosted Gear,' he thought. 'I won't find anyone stronger than a demigoddess with a Longinus. She would make an excellent Queen for my Peerage.'
"That's fine with me," Kaito replied. "Now, how do you know about the functions of the Evil Pieces?"
"Ddraig told me," she said, as if it were obvious.
"Ddraig?" Kaito asked, intrigued.
"Yes," Thalia replied, nodding slightly. "Ddraig is the spirit of the Boosted Gear. She's the one who explained to me about the Evil Pieces and how they work. She knows a lot about the underworld and its secrets."
"Can she show herself to me?" Kaito asked, intrigued. "I'd like to meet her, if that's possible."
With those words, a red light began to shine around Thalia, and a red gauntlet materialized on her left hand. The intense glow of a green light emanated from the central gem of the gauntlet, and Kaito could feel the powerful presence of Ddraig.
"So, you're Ddraig," Kaito said, looking directly at the gauntlet.
"Yes, I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor," said the powerful voice emanating from the gauntlet, accompanied by an intense glow in the green gem.
"You seem very proud of yourself," Kaito said, a provocative smile forming on his lips as he observed the bright red gauntlet on Thalia's hand.
The green light in the gauntlet's central gem pulsed intensely, reflecting Ddraig's response.
"Pride is something that comes naturally for someone like me," Ddraig replied, her voice resonating with power and conviction. "I am the Red Dragon Emperor, one who has faced gods and emerged victorious. Not many can say the same."
"Well, I hope you can maintain that pride when you're by my side, Ddraig," Kaito said, a teasing smile appearing on his lips.
"Ddraig isn't easily intimidated," Thalia commented, a note of amusement in her voice.
"I can see that," Kaito responded.
Ddraig snorted in disdain, the green light in the gem flickering rapidly.
"Thalia, are you ready to become a Devil?" Kaito asked, his eyes fixed on Thalia's, deliberately ignoring Ddraig's irritated presence.
Thalia nodded, a determined expression on her face. "Yes, I'm ready."
The green light in the gauntlet's gem pulsed again, this time with an intensity that showed Ddraig's irritation at being ignored by Kaito. "Do you dare ignore me, Devil? Do you think you can simply dismiss me?"
Kaito paid no attention to Ddraig's irritation. He calmly turned to his backpack, which was on the floor beside the armchair, and began to open one of the compartments. From inside, he pulled out a small black box, decorated with golden details, which contained the Evil Pieces.
"Let's begin," Kaito said, his voice firm as he opened the box, revealing the glowing pieces inside. "You, Thalia, will be my Queen."
Thalia observed the pieces closely, feeling the powerful aura emanating from them. She knew that accepting an Evil Piece meant much more than just gaining power; it was a commitment, a deep connection with Kaito and the destiny he was forging.
Kaito picked up the Queen piece, which shone intensely with an energy that seemed to pulse with life. He looked at Thalia, waiting for her final confirmation before starting the process.
"I'm ready," Thalia said, her voice full of determination and a slight tension.
Kaito nodded and approached Thalia, holding the Queen piece in his hand. He extended his hand, bringing the piece closer to Thalia's chest, and she looked directly into Kaito's eyes.
The piece began to glow even more intensely, and a faint energy began to circulate around them. Kaito channeled his demonic mana, activating the power of the Evil Pieces.
The green light in the gauntlet's gem flickered frantically, showing Ddraig's presence, who, despite still being irritated, now watched the process attentively.
With a gentle gesture, Kaito pressed the Queen piece against Thalia's chest, and a wave of energy enveloped them both, connecting their essences. Thalia felt the demonic energy flow through her body, merging with her own, as the Queen piece integrated with her.
The transformation was smooth, but powerful. Thalia felt her strength increase exponentially, her bond with Kaito solidify, and Ddraig's power harmonize with her new demonic form.
"It's done," Kaito said, stepping back slightly as the energy around them began to diminish.
Thalia took a deep breath, feeling the new power coursing through her veins. She looked at Kaito, a mix of confidence and gratitude in her eyes.
"Now, we're ready," she said with a slight smile. "Let's show the gods what we're capable of together."
Kaito smiled back, satisfied with the result. "Yes, we will."
"Oh, please, spare me the melodrama," Ddraig said, her powerful voice resonating through the room. "Let's get to the point."
"For someone who stayed silent for so long, you now seem like you can't stop talking," Kaito teased, a mischievous smile appearing on his lips.
"How dare you speak to me in that tone, Devil?" Ddraig's voice was filled with indignation, as if the pride of an ancient dragon was being tested.
"You better get used to it, Ddraig. I'm not easily intimidated," Kaito replied.
"Enough, both of you," Thalia interrupted, her firm voice cutting through the growing tension between Kaito and Ddraig. "We have more important things to do than argue."
"You're right, partner," Ddraig grumbled, reluctant but still proud. The light in the gauntlet dimmed slightly before calming down.
"I'll show you the city," Thalia said, ignoring the banter between Kaito and Ddraig. She stood up and gestured for Kaito to follow her. "It's better to know it well if you plan on staying here for a while."
Kaito nodded, standing up from the armchair and following Thalia to the door.
"I think it would be good to take a walk, to get to know the place better," he said as she opened the door.
"Let's go, we don't have time to waste," Thalia said, already heading out the door, with Kaito right behind her.
As they left the room, Kaito looked down the hallway and noticed the quiet movement of the inn. The environment was silent, except for their footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.
To read 15 chapters ahead, go to
pat reon.com/22Mirko22