"Did you tell Venelana we're coming?" I asked.
"I messaged her, yes." Artoria smiled, steadying herself with a little laugh.
I hoisted her up on my shoulders a few moments prior.
I hope we're not imposing.
There is the obvious 'Come here whenever you want' kind of invitation she's given on more than one occasion. But that's also something someone says when they're being polite.
But I'm probably just overthinking it.
The last time I was here, well…it was a rather uncomfortable dinner.
The food was amazing, though.
Ten out of ten, I might have put up with another 'dinner' of the same type if it meant the same food.
Normally though, I think I would have stayed away. Nothing against Venelana, that's for sure; I just normally wouldn't want to be around these parts.
But I suppose I was in a good mood.
And just as I thought before, her house was very nice.
The walkway up to her front door was filled with lots of beautiful flowers and plants; it was a well-kept garden, which I'm sure cost more than my actual house.
It was nice.
And it wasn't tacky. None of that flaunting wealth for the sake of it, bullshit.
Though, now that I think about it, Venelana probably has a hand in the gardening; that's something she likes to do.
"Do you think Venelana is going to be mad about how I handled Rias?"
"I think she will appreciate the effort you put in." Artoria leaned over my head; she had that warm smile of hers as she managed to kiss me—a kiss on the cheek from her position.
That's reassuring.
I don't want to damage our relationship due to how I treat her daughter. I was already mean the other time, so I can't let that happen again.
Regardless.
I squeezed Artoria's thighs, eliciting a little yelp from her.
She pulled on my cheeks with a cute huff.
This is nice.
Even if I was dealing with things I didn't want to deal with, it was a nice breath of fresh air in comparison to the more high-stakes issues I'm pushing to the side briefly.
Frankly, I sort of wish that the worst I had to deal with were awkward family moments at this point.
But, oh well.
Can't change things; there's no point in whining or complaining.
I set Artoria down as we got up to the door; it wasn't tall enough, and it would just be awkward to try and force it.
And I politely knocked.
I barely got through it before the door swung open.
"Hello, can Venelana come out and play?" I asked.
Though, the words had just left my mouth before said beautiful and amazing grandmother had pressed her lips to mine and grabbed me tightly.
"Heh~," I said stupidly as she released me.
She then grabbed Artoria into a tight hug.
I was sort of hoping she would do the same to Artoria too, but Venelana knew it was probably inappropriate at the moment.
Still, later, maybe.
"So, what's the occasion?" I asked.
"Don't ask as if you don't know." She giggled. "My daughter does keep in touch, you know. But come in, I can't let you just stand at the doorway."
That was said with about the same suggestion that one does with a gun to the head. She more or less pulled us inside in her haste.
"Though, Rias did say you were particularly heavy-handed."
"Trauma builds character." I responded.
She rolled her eyes and playfully poked my cheek. "Thank you. For everything. You didn't have to go out of your way to help, but you did anyways."
She wasn't being playful about it; I could feel the genuineness in her tone.
"You know there isn't much I wouldn't do for you." I felt maybe a tad bashful.
It's weird how easily she can bring that out of me.
"You're going to make me blush if you say and do things like this." She cupped her cheek and let out a small laugh. "I'm sorry, I barely said a word to you either, Artoria. I just pulled you in, and I was rude."
Artoria smiled. "I am not offended, nor do you need to feel bad. Hello Venelana, I hope you are doing well."
"I am doing very well." Venelana answered. "Especially after I heard the news that Sai's mother has woken up."
"That was like…not even thirty minutes ago."
"Oh dear." Venelana looked at me. "Do you think that hasn't already spread across the Underworld in that time?"
I scrunched my nose. "I guess it's fine; Sai is a nice guy; he deserves it."
"Yes, he's a wonderful boy, and his mother is a nice woman. Thank you both so much." She said again with that warm tone.
"There is no need to express your gratitude; it was a small matter for us to achieve." Artoria said politely. "We are happy to assist."
Rather than just repeat it again, Venelana grabbed Artoria into another hug, one that Artoria did not reject in the slightest.
I've said it many times, but I'm very happy that all my girls get along and like each other.
"You didn't say why you wanted to come over. If it's a social call, I'm always happy to have you all over; I have some drinks I made. If there's something you need, I'll of course do my best to help. Or, if you just want to be thanked personally." She whispered the last part. "I'm more than happy to show both of you how grateful I am."
Artoria flushed but also didn't outright reject her. "We simply came to visit."
I think I may have caught Artoria take a quick, maybe unconscious, glimpse down Venelana's dress when she was getting a hug.
Hmm hmm.
Hmmmmmm.
I won't say anything for now; it'll be fun to tease her when she's more comfortable about those kinds of things.
"I had free time, and you said someone wanted to meet me? And Artoria was happy to spend the day with me doing random stuff." I briefly explained how we ended up here. "Also, while I'm standing here and it's still on my mind, why did your daughter think it was a good idea for them to fight in their school uniforms?"
Her smile twitched a little. "I haven't had enough to drink to answer that properly."
Artoria gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
Being a parent is hard.
Sometimes, kids just do stupid things.
I fully expect myself to be asking questions to myself when Kunou gets older as well.
"I'll send some arm guards and leg guards over after I sort through what I have. It should be easy for you guys to alter them to fit properly."
They didn't need anything ridiculous. And I'm almost positive that they wouldn't allow anything completely idiotic. I knew the rules already forbade holy stuff, which is common sense and nothing I could argue against considering they're devils. But I'm fairly confident that if one of them showed up with a Divine Construct that was just given or lent to them for the purpose of that rating game, the opposite side could raise a very valid complaint.
Ergo, some properly made and purposeful arm guards and leg guards would be very good.
I'm sure I have more than enough with everything I've hoarded in my time in Skyrim.
"I'm thankful." She said it warmly again but ended up shaking her head in exasperation. "Her father decided to cut her off, for lack of a better word. But he didn't say she wasn't allowed to ask for anything. Just, she didn't have free rein to blow through money whenever she wanted on useless things. She seemed to take that as meaning we wouldn't help her at all. All she had to do was ask."
And devils are really weird about their peerages.
It's a big social taboo to force your way into a king's peerage matters.
Well, at the end of the day, I can't say I was less of an idiot when I was her age.
Maybe even a bigger idiot.
Well, in any case, I gave her the advice she needed to win. Whether she can take it to heart or not, that's completely on her. I can't and won't hold her hand more than I already have.
"Venelana, who are your guests?"
I turned my head because I didn't recognize the voice.
I recognized the hair color immediately, noting her being related somewhere in our bloodline.
But…she was a tad on the short side, which was odd considering, well…she didn't lose out to Venelana in the chest department.
Her long red hair was in two pigtails, and she was wearing a Kuoh school uniform…for some reason.
At first thought, I would assume she was some distant cousin or something? Someone who just joined the school wouldn't be a bad guess. But no, I could tell, she was old; you could see it in her eyes despite her youthful appearance.
Venelana had a strange look on her face too. It wasn't upset or impolite, but like…. I sort of felt like she was waiting for something to happen. "Ancestor, this is my dear grandson and his girlfriend."
Neither Artoria nor I missed her title.
"I am Artoria Pendragon." Artoria politely introduced herself.
She was also on top of things like that; as soon as she recognized the situation, she switched to proper etiquette. Even her mannerisms as she slightly bowed her head were obviously ones that came from years of practice.
"Wilhelm Henry Schweinorg, at your service." I introduced myself as well.
"How polite~" She smiled widely. "I'm Runeas Gremory. But you can just call me Old Gremory if you want; all the kids do."
Well, she seemed much easier going than I anticipated.
It's clear who Venelana wanted me to 'meet' now.
Compared to Zekram…well, I suppose she definitely fit the idea of the Gremory family. My own issues with some of their members aside, they were a more…casual family compared to Bael.
She stepped closer, as if to get a better look at me, her eyes looking me up and down, and she took a couple half steps around me.
She leaned in towards my ear for a whisper. "Do you like camels?"
…why did she ask that so sensually?
"I know what you're probably thinking. Old Gremory? She looks even younger than Rias! Well, of course, I sleep to maintain my beauty!" She declared. "And I'm not short! I'm the perfect size."
"Ancestor—" Venelana tried to get a word in, but she was cut off.
She leaned in again. "Fun sized~"
I think I need an adult.
Even Artoria was sort of…stunned into speechlessness.
Runes let out a laugh. "Don't worry, Old Gremory is just playing around." She spun around, and her very short skirt, even by school standards, lifted enough to see she wasn't wearing anything else. "I'm not coy in the slightest. Want to have sex?"
Artoria was the first to let out a noise of confusion and surprise.
"Venelana, help." I turned to her for assistance.
"Ancestor, please stop teasing them." Venelana said calmly and politely.
"Oh, I wasn't teasing." She responded with full seriousness and held up three fingers. "I have three things I love in life. Sleeping, Camels, and can you guess the third?"
"Is it sex?" I asked.
"It's sex." She said with a weirdly dry tone.
"Please do not proposition my boyfriend." Artoria stood firm after she regained her wits.
Runes turned to her. "I was propositioning both of you."
And just like that, Artoria was stunned into silence again.
I don't know if I should be horrified at how easily she could do that or impressed.
"Oh no, my button snapped." The top button on her shirt popped off.
…everyone knew it was intentional.
I was honestly completely unsure of what to even say. It was rare that I didn't have a witty retort or some commentary to respond with.
Hell, I'd be happy with a sarcastic comment or stupid joke.
But I was coming up completely blank.
Is this the difference in experience? I feel thoroughly defeated for some reason.
Though I did do a double take, I saw something familiar around her neck and, admittedly, nestled between her generous proportions.
Did she have the other half of the key that Zekram had?
Runeas let out a sigh. "Devils these days. If it were the old days, we'd have already been having an orgy."
Artoria choked again.
"Are you done, Ancestor?" Venelana asked.
"Meh." Runeas responded noncommittally. "I was hoping that at least this one wasn't as much of a prude, considering he's already doing it with his grandma." She poked my chest. "But I can't even get him out of his pants with all but throwing my sexy ass in his face. Did I lose my touch, Venelana?"
"I prefer relationships over casual sex." I finally found the words to reject her.
She paused for a second, looking at me, and her expression turned oddly warm. "Aww, that's sweet." She stood on her tiptoes rather fast and then kissed my forehead. It wasn't…sexually aggressive at all; it was more…grandmotherly? "This is why I can't hate you new Devils."
"I'm only a half-devil." I corrected it.
"Pah. Half Devil, Full Devil, Reincarnated Devil—what's with all that nonsense?" She said dismissively. "Does any of that stop you from lifting up my skirt and—"
"Ancestor." Venelana politely cut in. "Wilhelm is mine."
"Don't make it sound like I wouldn't invite you too." She grumbled. "Fine, fine, only you get to ride the family train then, I get it."
…. I had no idea what opinion to form on her, and it was concerning.
She all but threw herself on the couch.
With legs wide open, of course, and she wasn't wearing anything under her skirt.
I feel like I've met someone who has stepped onto levels of 'no shame' that I can only dream of.
Is this actually where I got it from?
Is it hereditary?
"Ancestor wanted to meet the descendant that had been making waves." Venelana steered the conversation back on track.
She lay down on her side, yawning. "Yeah~, didn't expect a Gremory to pop up that could throw hands with gods while I was sleeping."
"...it seems you've acclimated to modern slang." I snorted.
"The internet is great. I might stay awake a bit longer this time with how many fun things I've found."
…probably the porn.
"Well… Nice meeting you, I guess?" I was unsure of what to say.
Zekram did the same thing, but he was significantly more….
I don't even know the word for it.
Rational?
It was clear that he was more evaluating me, wanting something even. Runeas genuinely felt like she only wanted to meet me and nothing else.
Well, nothing like Zekram, at least.
Runeas did want something, and her popping open another button on her shirt was enough to answer that.
But at this point, I think she was just doing it because she thought it was funny rather than actually trying to seduce me.
"Unfortunately, I can't accept you into the Gremory family."
"...pardon?"
"No descendants of mine will go around fighting gods Cameless like some peasant." She said sternly. "Venelana, go to the camel stables and help him pick out his own camel, posthaste!"
"Why a camel exactly?" I was getting far too invested in this gremlin, but I found myself compelled to ask.
"A camel is the epitome of grace and elegance! Only when a man rides a camel can he show off his most charming and dashing sides!" She stood up, declaring without hesitation. "A Gremory must learn to ride a camel! It's our ancestral teachings."
"You're the ancestor." I pointed out.
"Which means I'm the authority, so you should listen to me." She nodded to herself. "Only when you're on a camel will you be able to show off the Gremory Bloodline properly!"
"Gremory Bloodline? I have the Gremory Bloodline." I looked to Venelana. "...does it actually have something to do with camels?"
Did I actually have a bloodline ability I didn't know about?
From the Ars Goetia, I knew that the Gremory Demon was connected to camels, but I didn't know it was…literal.
"Of course!" Runeas said proudly. "The Gremory Power of Destruction!"
I opened my mouth because I was confused.
I had many things to say.
"...what?" But that someone covered it all.
Venelana let out a long sigh. "She has claimed that the Power of Destruction is the Gremory bloodline ability."
"I'm sure Zekram loves that." I snorted.
Runeas's smile widened. "Let's do a head count. Venelana Gremory. Millicas Gremory. Rias Gremory. Sirzechs Gremory. All geniuses with their Power of Destruction! How many Baels do you know who are famous for their Power of Destruction?" She crossed her arms.
I wanted to raise a counterargument.
But she wasn't wrong.
Wow, she actually wasn't wrong.
I don't know any Baels off the top of my head with the Power of Destruction other than Zekram and Venelana's brother, who was…a disappointment in more ways than one.
"But I'm not a Gremory." I pointed out.
"But you're banging a Gremory, so that counts." She shrugged. "And you have my red hair; that's a Gremory trait. Therefore, Gremory."
"I'm—"
"Gremory."
"That's—"
"Gremory!" She declared without any room for argument.
…this is my ancestor.
"Now, to the Camel stables!" She didn't even wait for everyone before running out the front door.
The three of us just stood there for a few beats in silence.
"What the fuck just happened?" I asked.
"That would be the Gremory ancestor. Believe me, even Zekram can't handle her, which is rare." Venelana forced a smile. "Ironically, she's the one who schemed the fall of the original Old Satan faction that made way for modern Devil Society."
"I find that very hard to believe." Artoria chimed in.
Venelana sighed. "After the original Satans died, it was Zekram who picked up some of the reins and started pushing towards something like what we have today. But the Underworld was…well, calling it split wouldn't be right; Zekram and his were in the minority. Eventually, it got to the point through fighting that Zekram and Runeas were the last Ancestors remaining. Runeas at this point didn't pick a side, so many believed she was opposed to Zekram. And after some time, she suddenly started gathering all the ones who opposed him."
"Considering where we're at now, I assume something happened." I voiced my thoughts.
Venelana nodded. "She intentionally gathered them all just so they could round them up and deal with them quicker. She had planned it out far ahead of time; even Zekram didn't know about her plans."
"I wish to keep my skepticism." Artoria's lips twitched.
"The modern Old Satan Faction is barely descended from those ones. If it weren't for her, the Underworld would have been a much different place. There's a reason that Sirzechs took the position of Satan so easily in the wake of the Civil War that came centuries later." Venelana explained.
I'm sure that was extraordinarily less detailed than what happened, but I got the gist of it.
The Underworld is a mess of shit that I have no desire to stick my hand into.
I let out a sigh. "I suppose I can humor her for a little bit."
She didn't seem like a bad person…
I would take someone unrepentantly horny rather than a shitty person any day.
Before I could start walking, though, I felt a tug on my sleeve.
Artoria was looking at me rather bashfully too. "...me too." She said quietly. "Venelana said, 'You're mine,' but…you're mine too."
I could feel my heart flutter.
Why was she so cute?
[Line Break]
A/N
The original Gremory makes her appearance.
Wilhelm discovers that his shamelessness is hereditary.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
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