The Black Lily.
It's been about fifteen minutes since the meeting started, and the conversation still hasn't started. Not because I don't have any questions or anything, but because I just don't know where to start.
Dealing with an embodied concept with a mind and will is a lot of fun, judging from my experience with the Ophis. Though, given the current circumstances, I'm more likely to be dealing with a flirtatious mature lady than someone... abnormal. And the slight smile on Death's face kind of hints at that.
- Now, now, don't be shy, Romani. I don't bite," she said, deciding to start a conversation, "Although I'm not used to waiting, I have a busy schedule, you know.
- So you're a busy person, Lady Death," I said, tilting my head to the side. "In that case, what have I done to deserve this level of attention? More specifically, what did Zelretch tell you about me that would interest you?
- The Touch of Heaven, of course," she smiled sweetly as she studied me with her gaze, "True magic that can affect souls? Pretty intriguing. When I first heard about it from him, I thought it was one of his pranks. But...
- But?
- But now that I've seen your soul with my own eyes and what it is, for the first time in ages, I'm intrigued.
- Hmm? Would you mind telling me exactly how you see my soul?
- The soul of every living creature is a small flame of light. It's like how people see the stars from the surface of a planet. Yours is like a black hole. Huge, volatile and devouring. The stars simply can't compete with you and have to submit to you in silence.
I raised an eyebrow. The analogy is... odd. Huge? I suppose she means powerful, but it gets more complicated from there. The inconstancy might indicate a change in me, but what kind of change? In the time I've been using 3rd magic, I haven't felt any change in myself. The only part of me that could indicate this is the loss of past life memories.
Regarding the third adjective? It could refer solely to 3rd magic. And I have no idea what it is exactly.
- What do you mean, "devouring"?
- Hmmm..." she hesitated, tapping her index finger on her chin, then pointed at some guy sitting at another table, "Apply your magic to him. Nothing drastic, something ordinary will suffice.
I just shrugged and did as she asked, making do with just a soul reading. And there was nothing interesting there. Ordinary childhood, ordinary friends, ordinary job. There was nothing to latch on to. Then he shifted his gaze back to Death... whose eyes naturally glowed at what he saw. Intrigue and childlike interest danced in her abyss-black eyes.
- How interesting! - exclaimed Death and, jumping up from her seat with bullet speed, brought her face close to mine, from which the distance between us was just millimeters - Really interesting!
- Uh...
- Do you realize what you've done, Romani?! I'm so horny now!
- Lady Death?
- I want to dissect you right now and find out how your magic works! - With a crazy grin on her face, she ranted, making my soul naturally leap to my heels. You don't mind, do you?! Right?!
I'm... I'm scared. I'm definitely scared. And Death isn't really listening to me, I can tell. Any more and she'll do what she said she'd do. And this is the one who gave the impression of being a proper lady? So dealing with concepts is a pure headache. Even Goetia was silenced by shock. I think we'd better reschedule our conversation for another date.
In that case...
My body flared up, revealing Solomon instead of Romani, and the rings on my fingers glowed.
- It's time for the coronation, he's the one who starts everything," I began to activate the Noble Phantasm quickly. Death's mouth drooled, at which the feeling of fear for the safety of his carcass intensified - Ars Paulina.
The next moment I was in the Temple of Time on Solomon's throne and I sighed in relief, closing my eyes and relaxing.
I don't even want to imagine what awaits me the next time we meet. Death will probably eat me up when my carcass catches its eye. But I have a very pressing question about her reaction.
What exactly did she see when she used the 3rd magic? And it's definitely not something trivial, judging by her reaction and... scary face. I'll have to ask Zel-
- It's beautiful! It's your soul, isn't it! - I heard an excited female voice dangerously close to me, making my blood run cold- I want you more and more, Romani Archaman!
I slowly turned to the side, where I was immediately met by an abyssal gaze that shone brightly with excitement and interest. The same one that had scared the hell out of me. Death drew its face closer and closer to mine, and I panicked.
After all, not even True Magic could help me with her, so how do you "kill Death"? Well yeah, well yeah, what did I do to save myself? Heh. I did something I will definitely regret.
In one swift movement, my hand grabbed her head and pulled her even closer, causing our lips to touch, and her eyes to go wide.
- What have you done, Romani?! - Goetia screamed in panic in my head.
- Insane!" the demon Gremory backed him up.
- Well, the Magician certainly has balls, doesn't he? - added the demon Agares, puzzled.
Was I reckless? Definitely, yes. Do I regret what I've done? Definitely not.
When her eyes returned to their normal state, and I thought I was done for and was about to pull away, suddenly, a pair of slender arms encircled my head and neck, pulling me closer to Death, and her tongue invaded my mouth and began to do... wild things.
By now my eyes went wide with shock, as this was the kind of shit I definitely wasn't expecting. Death dominated me and wouldn't let go. At one point she sat down on my lap and just enjoyed the kiss... unlike me, I guess.
After what seemed like an eternity, she broke the kiss, forming a thin stream of saliva between us. She had a very flirty smile on her face, and her eyes stared intently at me.
- Well, well, well, you surprised me, Romani Archaman. No one has ever tried to kiss Death herself, much less in such an aggressive way," she smirked, licking her lips, "At first I just wanted to study you, but now...Now I have slightly different plans. You want to be my boyfriend?
Fuck...
In an aggressive way?! I wanted to save my life, damn it! Where was that my plan?! Why would I want to be your boyfriend anyway?! Can I have the innocent hugging Ophis back, please?!
-0-
The Clock Tower.
I burst into Zelretch's office and, stomping my feet loudly, walked over to his desk where he was telling Luna something. He turned in my direction and an extremely annoying shit-eating grin appeared on his face.
- Oh? How did it go? - The bastard asked snidely - Did you enjoy it?
- Shut the fuck up! - I growled - You knew it would turn out like that, didn't you, you bloody bloodsucker?!
- Definitely liked it," a woman's voice sounded under my ear, "You were right about him, Zelretch. I liked him a lot.
- Glad to be of help, milady," the vampire rose from his seat and bowed respectfully to my companion, giving me a mocking glance at the same time.
Ah, yes. Death was hanging on my shoulder and smiling sweetly, showing her contentment with the situation.
Of course, her question in the coffee shop was rhetorical, and I had to just accept that. The alternative choice? Pursuit by the most powerful entity in this world. And I'm not self-confident enough to resist it. And Death knows how to wait. And she gets what she wants.
- Oh? - she said in surprise, glancing toward Luna, who was looking at Death with childlike interest - "What an interesting child. You're not afraid of me?
- No," Luna shook her head and smiled, "Why be afraid of something that everyone will eventually meet?
- What a clever girl," Death smiled and walked over to her and stroked her head, "Would you like to be our daughter?
My eyes rounded with shock and I stared dumbly at Death. My hearing picked up a rather loud giggle from Zelretch's side, to which my eyebrow began to twitch.
"Our" daughter? Didn't we agree to only date, hmm? Oh, yeah. We didn't. The mighty Lady Death decided all of this for both of us.
I seem to recall mentioning that, but I'll say it again.
I want to go home. Definitely. And away from this madhouse. I mean, even in DxD, I felt a lot more comfortable.
-0-
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