The ORC returned back to the Vermillion Household where Archaea welcomed them warmly. On their return, Erin decided to talk to Michael regarding about Diodora's peerage.
The Goddess was hoping to ask on whether there is a way for the girls to serve back under the church and help them overcome their trauma at the slightest. Irina volunteered to accompany the Goddess saying that it is part of her responsibilities as a representative of the church.
" Sugoi. This is good, Akeno-senpai." Issei said as he munched on his meal.
"Issei-senpai is right. What made you choose this dish though?" Gasper curiously asked.
" Ara, it's just something I made after I learned of Erin's favorites." chuckled Akeno as she watched the members enjoy the food.
" I see...."
" Buchou, what's wrong?" Akeno asked once she noticed the red head halt in her actions. The latter was suddenly down making Akeno a bit worried.
" N-Nothing. I just remembered something." Rias replied with a small smile.
"So mean.. Lord Odin is so mean!" Rossweisse mumbled between bites of her meal.
" Eto.. Don't talk too much, Rossweisse-san. You might choke on your food." Asia said in slight worry.
" I thought he came to pick me up but then he suddenly sent me to battle!" sulked Rossweisse as she dropped her face on the table. "Even though I worked so hard. He left me behind again! Wahh!"
" I'm sure he'll come and pick you up." Kiba said sheepishly in hopes of consoling the girl.
" Can't you just return on your own, Rossweisse-san?" Xenovia asked
The said woman cried harder at the question.
" I cant. If I, his bodyguard, goes home after our great father returns, I would be viewed badly. People would yell "What kind of nerve do you have returning after Lord Odin?" And I'll probably get demoted."
" Ano....."
" I felt bad leaving her in the Underworld." Rias sighed as she explained the situation to the confused members. "So I took her back with us."
" I'm just a woman who can't do her job! A virgin! My age equals the number of years I've been alone! Wahh!"
" That Norse God should come and pick her up already." spoke Xenovia.
" He is so irresponsible." added Koneko.
" Ohayo! We've returned!" Irina announced cheerfully as she entered the house followed by Erin and the twins.
"Hi, Irina-chan. Hi Erin." Issei greeted and the girls returned the greeting.
" How did your talk with Michael-sama go?" Rias asked.
" It was splendid, Rias-san." answered Irina in the same hyped tone. " Erin-san managed to convince Michael-sama. Those girls would undergo a process which would wash away their troubles and bring them back to the church."
" That's great." Kiba said with a smile.
" Ooh, what's this delicious smell we have here?" Tsubaki asked as he raced to the kitchen.
" Ara, I prepared your own dish as well. Tsubaki and Azusa."
The fire wolf made a fist bump in the air while his twin made a small bow.
" Thank you, Miss Akeno."
" No worries, fufu."
Erin entered the dining room after checking up with Archaea and Sebastian.
" This looks good."
" Fufu, I reserved a dish for you, Erin. Come and sit here."
The Goddess complied and she sat opposite to Rias who was in low moods.
" It's delicious."
" Thank you." Akeno smiled as she sat next to the Goddess.
"Awoo!"
" Rias?" Erin asked with a raised brow as she glanced at the red head who seemed out of herself.
"Ah-Yes?"
" Is something wrong?" The Goddess was slightly worried after seeing Rias' unresponsive mood. The red head didn't even notice Fenrir beside her.
"Hai. I am. No worries." smiled Rias but the Goddess wasn't convinced.
" Anyways, about school."
" Erin's right. What are we going to say about our absence?" Issei asked sheepishly.
" I already informed the school that we went overseas for a practice match." Rias replied. " So you can just reason out that you aren't able to return quickly because of the weather."
Erissei shared a dumbfounded look
"That's such a forceful excuse."
" What kind of occult club even conducts practice matches?"
" Our Occult Research Club." Rias confidently replied and Erissei just went along with her words.
"Rossweisse-san." Erin glanced at the woman who was in a sulky mood. The Goddess already had an idea on what brought the latter to tears.
" Don't worry about it. You can stay here for as long as you want." said Erin with a smile.
" About that, Erin.. I actually have an idea on what to do in case Lord Odin doesn't retrieve her back."
" Oh, what might that be?" Erin curiously asked.
" It's a secret." replied Rias with a wink as she patted Fenrir beside her.
_________________________________________
The members participating in the Sports festival practiced their skills. Asia and Issei mastered their coordination for the 3-legged race while Xenovia and Irina watched over them.
Erin and the twins beat their record time in swimming. Fortunately, the Student Council managed to restrain their fans club and the trio were able to practice in peace because of this.
"Looking good."
The Goddess removed her googles and was surprised to see Azazel. The Fallen let out a small wave as he approached closer.
" Azazel? What brings you here?"
" Nothing much. I just decided to take a stroll and check on things."
" And Kuoh Academy was one of the places that came to mind?" Erin said with a raised brow making Azazel chuckle.
" Well yeah. And the fact that I wanted to talk to you about something."
The Goddess came out of the pool and motioned for the twins that they can leave without her.
" Okay. I'll just go and get changed."
Azazel waited for the Goddess to finish. They then took a stroll around the campus where the Fallen started their conversation.
" Actually, I talked to the Dragon inside of you while you were unconscious."
" You talked to Voltaire?" uttered Erin in surprise.
" Yeah." smirked Azazel. "And about the form you and Issei unlocked. That was a forbidden and dangerous move. It decreases the lifespan of the user and may eat away their life force."
" I see.." Erin looked down. " Have you told the others about this?"
"Well, I didn't." Azazel sighed "You can imagine their worry if I disclosed that info. Not to mention, there's a possibility that you might get deported if Asia didn't successfully heal you."
" You're right about that. I kinda lied about the damage I suffered from my family too." Erin sheepishly said.
" Have you told Issei about it though?"
" I'm planning to tell him when I get the chance." replied Azazel as they saw the boy practicing with Asia.
"I'm wondering why something that dangerous was invoked. Voltaire told me that it was caused by negative feelings. However, he also said that something was controlling you during that time."
The Goddess stopped in her tracks as she faintly remembered the scenario.
" Right... During that time, it felt like I wasn't in control of my body and it's like I was unaware of my actions."
" So you have no idea what it could have been?" Azazel asked as he glanced at the Goddess.
Memories from the past flashed in Erin's mind which made her adorn a conflicted expression. Azazel noticed this and just placed a hand on her shoulder.
" Well, if nothing comes to mind, then let's just let it be."
" Azazel..."
" Don't worry about it too much." smiled Azazel as he waved goodbye.
The Goddess watched his retreating figure and released a sigh.
"I have a faint idea..." She looked at the ring on her hand. "But did my memories really controlled me that much?"
" Erin-senpai!"
The Goddess looked behind and saw Koneko approaching her.
"Oh, Hi Koneko-chan."
" Senpai, have you seen Gasper?"
" Gasper?" Erin shook her head. " I haven't. It was only Asia and Issei whom I noticed on the school grounds."
"I came to pick up Gasper so we can practice the bread-eating race."
" Want to look for him together?"
Koneko nodded with a smile and the two started walking.
" Maybe he is staying at the clubroom. Gasper is fond of the indoors, anyway."
*(Vaccum Noises)*
" Erin-san said that I don't have to worry and that I can stay here for as long as I want." Rossweisse happily said as she cleaned the living room.
" But I can't allow myself to be a freeloader. I have to clean, at the very least."
*(Static Noises)*
" Oh? A message from Valhalla?" A communication circle appeared and Rossweisse became cheerful. " Yes! Lord Odin finally came to pick me up!"
Her cheerful expression was wiped off once she heard the urgent news. She hurriedly rushed outside the house so she can reach Kuoh Academy in time.
Meanwhile, Gasper peeked behind a door as he cautiously looked around. He was staying at an empty room on the 1st floor, just below the club room.
" It's almost time for Koneko to arrive. Where could she be?"
He caught sight of the Goddess who was about to climb the stairs.
" Oh, Erin-senpai!" He cheerfully greeted and the said Goddess stopped on her tracks.
" Are you going to the club room? We can go together if you- Huh?"
The vampire was confused as he noticed something strange about the girl. Erin approached him and gave off a smirk.
" E-Erin-senpai?"
*(CHING!)*
The Goddess raised her hand and Gasper lost consciousness as he fell to the floor.
"You're a waste of time. You're not my target." glared the 'clone' as she advanced to the club room.
When she reached the room, the clone saw the red head looking through some files.
" Oh, Rias!" She cheerfully greeted which made the girl look at her.
" Erin? Did you finish practicing for the sports festival?"
" Hai. I came to pick up my school bag." replied the clone with a glint in her eye.
" Oh, so classes are already over. I didn't notice the time." Rias sighed and the clone approached her behind the couch.
" What are you doing here anyways?"
" Nothing much."
" Are you worried about something?" asked the clone as she stared intently at the red head.
"I have no worries."
" Well, that's good but... sometimes, you look like you're feeling depressed."
Rias flinched and the clone feigned a surprised look.
" Oh, sorry. I said something weird."
" No. Thank you for worrying about me." Rias smiled at the clone. " I'm fine."
The clone internally smirked and she took a seat next to the red head.
" I may not be of any use in this situation. But Rias...."
She placed a hand on the red head's shoulder.
" You're forcing yourself a little, aren't you?"
" H-huh?"
" I know.." the clone switched her hand to Rias' face. "Even if it means lying to yourself, you always try so hard." she locked eyes with the red head making the girl blush, revealing her inner conflicts
*(Hug!)*
" E-Erin?!"
"You don't need to think about anything." The clone said in a low tone while Rias was wide eyed at the moment. "That's right. I understand everything about you."
The clone separated from their hug and touched Rias' face affectionately.
" Even your feelings." She whispered making the red head gasp.
" Erin......"
" I understand it all." said the clone as she closed their distance and kissed the red head.
Rias closed her eyes and pulled the clone closer. She was unaware of the dark aura surrounding them and the clone's hidden smirk.
- End of Chapter -