" We'll be meeting Erin-san and the twins here?" Kiryuu asked and the church trio nodded.
" Hai. She'll be bringing along a friend who will act as our guide."
"What happened to you guys?" Irina asked in slight surprise after seeing the perverted trio's swollen faces.
"Whoa, no matter how many times I see it, it is pretty amazing." Xenovia remarked and the three raised a thumbs up
" Yeah. Injuries come along with the blossoming of youth."
" It was our mistake but there are no regrets." Issei said with a silly grin
" Looks like you have all arrived."
The group turned around and saw Erin waving at them. The twins were behind her and Kunou was holding her hand
"Oh, there you are, Kunou." Issei greeted and his friends rushed to the girl.
"What? Issei, you hit on a girl this small in Kyoto?" Matsuda was wide eyed
" She's small and cute -
*(Punch!)*
Motohoma was pushed away by Kiryuu's punch
" Wow, she's so cute." Kiryuu crouched down and hugged the girl. Kunou made an uneasy expression at this
" Let go! What an overly friendly little girl."
" Sugoi. She even talks like a little princess." Kiryuu squished their cheeks together making Kunou squirm. " Her character is perfect!"
" E-Erin-sama!" Kunou gritted and the Goddess retrieved her from Kiryuu.
" This is Kunou. She is an acquiantance of ours." Erin introduced with a smile
" Erin-sama, I thought I would guide you all on a tour." frowned Kunou as she hid away from Kiryuu.
"Yes. And sorry for having you join us at a time like this." Erin sheepishly said and Kunou just smiled at this.
"Not a problem. Mother would scold me if I could not fulfill a promise I made. There is no need to be reserved."
" Got it. Then please take care of us today."
The group started their tour and Kunou cheerfully explained some details. She walked in front of the group and made sure to narrate the highlights of a tourist spot.
The teens took pictures and had fun venturing the places. They decided to stop by at Arashiyama and a shop which is known for selling boiled tofu. Kunou guided the group to an empty table and prepared the orders.
"The boiled tofu here is the best."
Erin tried the food and Kunou observed her while eating.
"You're right. It's delicious."
" I could eat boiled tofu everyday." smiled Kunou
"Boiled tofu is excellent!" remarked Irina as she ate the food with delight
"Boiled tofu everyday, you must really like it." Erin said in amusement as Kunou stuffed several pieces to her mouth
"Ofz Krhoruse. Ish Deliczous!"
"Careful now." Erin sheepishly said as she wiped the corners of Kunou's mouth with a cloth
"In the end, mother's boiled tofu is the most delicious." Kunou remarked with a triumphant grin
"I see. Your mother's is the best."
Irina observed their interaction and when the Goddess locked eyes with her, she lightly flinched and averted her gaze. A faint blush adorned Irina's cheeks
" Here. Have some more." Kunou placed more tofus on Erin's plate
" Thanks, Kunou."
They continued their tour after enjoying the food. Along the way, they encountered Kiba's group who politely greeted them.
" What a coincidence. Hello, everyone." spoke Kiba.
" Hi, Kiba."
" You must be Kunou? I've heard of you from Azazel. Nice to meet you."
" I see.. you are also." Kunou smiled in delight. " Please take care of us."
" Well then. We'll be taking our leave. Maybe we'll see each other around at Togetsukyo bridge."
Kiba and his friends bid goodbye. Kunou and the others continued their trip and they were surprised to see Azazel drinking inside a shop. Rossweisse was beside him who was looking at him with a frown
"Azazel?"
" Oh, hi kiddos."
" Wait. Should a teacher be drinking in the afternoon like that?" Erin said with furrowed brows
" Exactly right!" Rossweisse abruptly stood up. " And in front of the students! But no matter what I say, he won't listen."
" Now, don't be like that. It is just a little break." replied Azazel in a carefree tone. "Erin-chi, why don't you join me here?"
" Azazel!" Rossweisse exclaimed in disbelief
" And Rossweisse, you need to be a little more flexible." Azazel took a sip. "That's why you can't find a lover."
" T-This has nothing to do with that! Please don't make fun of me!" protested the woman. " And stop saying that. I already have Erin!"
The Goddess internally face palmed while the non-ORC members wore an expression of amazement.
" Sugoi.. even with the teachers, Erin is popular." Motohoma and Matsuda mused
"Tehee. The charm of the blue-eyed princess never fails. Kaching ~ " Kiryuu said with a silly grin
" Is that so? I wasn't informed." Azazel said in nonchalance and Rossweisse glared at him
" Goodness. If you're going to keep drinking- " Rossweisse snatched Azazel's cup and downed the drink in one shot
" Rossweisse-sensei?" Erin deadpanned and the woman hiccuped after the drink she had
"She's drunk from one drink?" Matsuda said in shock and Motohoma started taking some pictures
" To begin with, alcohol wush my friend. Ever since I started workin' under that shitty old man Ohdin." Rossweisse began her drunken talk. " Dat's why...! Dats why! I can't get a loveeerr!"
Azazel sighed at this. He motioned for the students to leave.
" Hurry up and go. I'll deal with her complaints."
"Rheely? Azazel! You hav some gud qualities too!"
"Oy!" Azazel was slightly worried when Rossweisse drank a whole bottle of the liquor
"HeHe! Shaki! Ten moar orders!"
" Rossweisse-sensei went out of control." Issei remarked and the others nodded at this
" Hey, do you guys know? You shouldn't look back until you completely cross Togetsukyo Bridge." Kiryuu said with mischief while they were walking
" Why is that?" Azusa curiously asked
" That's because if you look back, all the knowledge you received gets returned." Kiryuu glanced at the perverted trio.
" It'd be all over for you three. You guys will become idiots that truly can't be saved."
" Hah! For once, Kiryuu is speaking some sense!" Tsubaki laughed and the trio glared at him and Kiryuu.
" Shut up!"
" Oh, there's one more." Kiryuu declared. " They say that if a couple looks back, they'll break up."
" No! I will not look back no matter what!" shouted Irina
" There are no couples here, though." Erin said with a confused expression. "I don't think that would affect us."
*(Dooom!)*
The group stopped in their tracks when the surroundings suddenly lost its color. A purple fog obstructed their view and they immediately became alarmed
" W-What is this?" Asia uttered as she looked left and right
" Dimension Lost. The power of a longinus!" Kiba exclaimed as he reunited with the group
" Azazel mentioned it at one point."
*(Flap!)*
" Are you guys all right?" Azazel asked after he landed on the ground
" Everyone other than us have disappeared from this area. It looks like we've been forced into another Dimensional Space."
" Masaka..."
" What's wrong, Kunou?" asked Issei
" I heard that mother was enveloped in a similar fog when she was kidnapped."
" Then this is......"
*(CHING!)*
" Watch out!" Erin shouted as she quickly summoned her wings. She blocked a rapid beam using her thunder shield.
She was sent back a few meters from the force of the attack and Azazel also took action to deflect another round of shots
Multiple silhouettes came into view and one figure stepped forward. He clutched a long spear-like weapon and stared amusingly at the group
"Nice to meet you, Governor-General Azazel." He glanced at the Goddess who landed on the ground
" And to you as well, Blue Dragon Empress."
- End of Chapter -