"Sephiroth Graal... no wonder they put a restrict choker on her, that's a Longinus Sacred Gear," Sirzechs muttered after hearing Valerie story. The latter had cried her heart out when she realized she was finally saved, so much stress must have accumulated in her. Not being able to do anything despite having such a powerful and versatile Sacred Gear, that hopelessness would've destroy even the most optimistic people. He had wondered how the vampires had been very active in mortal world, but it's all coming together now.
"How could they do that to their own people? Especially that bastard of a father," Serafall muttered with a frown. If someone in her controlled region gained a powerful tool, she would've recruit them to be in her little sister peerage or works for her. But if they refuse, she wouldn't force them. Even Satan has standard.
"Well she's a dhampir. For a race that cares too much about the hierarchy, it might looks like she gained something that's undeserved for someone like her, or that's what they may think," Sirzechs replied. For a devil, it's like a Half Devil somehow gained the clan signature power while the actual pure-blooded Devil didn't inherited it. Envy wasn't something the two Satans are unfamiliar with, they weren't born into their positions after all.
Kousuke who had lend his shoulder for Valerie to cried on was all too familiar with her circumstance. As a summoned Hero, he had to prove himself worthy of his title from the day he was summoned. He didn't asked for it either, it was forced on him without his consent. The constant doubt was what fueled him to get stronger, yet even that wasn't enough. The kingdom that summoned him was destroyed before his eyes, and he the Hero couldn't do anything.
Maybe if he had awakened his blessing early on, he might have been able to averted the destruction. But regret is a constant mistress plaguing his dream even to this day, which was why he could only move forward and help the less fortunate people like Valerie so that they won't have to go through what he had gone.
"I'm Igarashi Kousuke, what's your name?" He asked once the girl calmed down a little bit. The choker on her neck had removed by him, it wasn't anything difficult since it only restricted her movement. He was used to handling curses tool even back in Otherworld. After all, they are good tools if one knows how to use it the correct way.
"...Valerie Tepes." She responded after a short while.
"Then Valerie, do you have anywhere else you'd like to go now that you're free?" He said. He didn't mention her family after knowing her story, why would she wanted to go back to the place that had sold her to the devils? With her Sacred Gear, she just needs some time to train and she'll likely be able to protect herself in the near future. That's Longinus for you, it's just as much as cheat as his Enchanter power.
Valerie appears lost for a moment. She never considered there would be a day that she became free. If anything, she even thought this might just be a dream. A knight in shining armor coming to rescue a damsel in distress, it was the dream of every young girls. Valerie was no exception.
But then a certain boy appeared in her mind.
"I... I would like to find my childhood friend, we were separated a few years ago." She muttered. She didn't know his situation, but it's likely much better than whatever she had gone through. Or at least that's what Valerie wanted to believe. If he was also going through something elsewhere, then her suffering might be for nothing.
"I see, then do you mind telling me their names?" Kousuke asked. He had a hunch it was the shy dhampir who can now talk properly, albeit a few feet distance and having to wear the blindfold at all time. For Gasper, that was a minor inconvenient.
"You might not know... but it's Gasper Vladi, he looks like a shy boy last time we separated but maybe he'd be all grown up by now."
"...Gasper? Is it the same boy who's also a dhampir?" Sirzechs asked. He didn't expect to hear the name of his little sister's bishop coming from her. But then, it made sense considering she was also a dhampir. The two might have gotten close to each other in the past, probably stemmed from the same circumstances.
"...Yes! Is he okay?!" She said, this time with a little of force in her voice.
"Yes, my little sister found him while she was traveling around the world a few years ago. He was injured and from her words, he was quite literally falling from the sky, but she saved him and now he becomes part of her peerage." Sirzechs explained. Valerie relaxed her shoulders at his words. Fortunately her worries was unfounded, and Gasper seems to have found somewhere to called home.
"Don't worry, he might developed some fear of talking to people but Gasper is doing well now," Kousuke added. "I'm sure he will be happy to see you as well."
Hearing his words, Valerie lunged towards him and once again cried into his shoulders. At this point he just let her be while gently pat her in the back. She deserved this much at least after what she went through.
On the other hand, Kousuke exchanged eye contact with Sirzechs and the latter nodded. They will have to cut short the tour for now as there's a pressing matter for each of them—Sirzechs needs to know who was behind this secret base, though he already had a hunch. Serafall was more curious about the Sacred Gear, but she too understand it would be better to ask something like that later.
"Then do you want to come with us? I can take you to him, I'm also quite close to them," he asked. He was planning to do it anyway, but a small act of courtesy wouldn't hurt. When Valerie separated from him, Kousuke could see a faint blush on her cheeks. It seems she must have realized how close she was to him, but he simply smiles, finding her reaction quite adorable.
"Yes... I'd like to meet him."