Chapter 47:
– Valerie –
I woke up the next morning feeling strangely peaceful and refreshed, especially considering everything that had happened yesterday. The first thing I saw brought a small grin to my face.
Rose, curled up beside me, sleeping quietly with a serene expression.
Her chest rose and fell gently, drawing my gaze down to her small, perky breasts, a perfect handful with pretty pink nipples that stood out against her pale skin. She looked so innocent and vulnerable when she slept—so different from the terrified young woman who'd fought bravely the day before.
Just behind Rose was Seras, protectively curled around her, arms wrapped around Rose's waist as if afraid to let go. Seras had always had a protective streak, and it seemed to have intensified around Rose. The blonde vampire slept soundly, breathing slow and steady, her chin resting lightly against Rose's messy hair.
It was cute to see my… girlfriends… getting along so well. I wasn't sure if I was quite ready to officially be using that term, but maybe it was time.
I took a slow breath and enjoyed the warmth of the moment. Behind me, Narcissa lay pressed gently against my back. Her soft, full breasts flattened slightly against my shoulder blades, her breath tickling my ear in a soothing rhythm. Her hand rested on my bare hip, almost possessive even while asleep.
Last night had ended quietly somehow.
After all the violence, we needed something gentle, peaceful. Narcissa's idea of enlarging the bathtub for us all to share had been perfect. Relaxing together in the water was exactly what we'd needed.
There had been some playful teasing, plenty of ogling, and hands exploring beneath the water's surface, but in the end, we'd all been too tired for anything more intense. We'd dried off quickly and climbed into my bed together, holding each other close as sleep quickly took us all.
Now waking up surrounded by three beautiful women made it even better. Something I could definitely get used to.
Still, I knew I couldn't stay in bed forever. As much as I hated it, duty called.
Lady Integra would no doubt need to talk. We had things to deal with, fallout from the battle.
Slowly, carefully, I began to extricate myself from Narcissa's gentle embrace. She mumbled something sleepy and tried to hold onto me, but I managed to slip out without fully waking her. Narcissa shifted slightly, and settled back down against the pillow.
I stood up and stretched quietly. My own perky breasts bounced softly as I moved. I cast another glance at the sleeping trio, a fond smile on my lips as I quietly padded toward my bathroom.
…Twenty minutes later, I dressed in something comfortable—dark jeans, a simple white shirt, and my favorite red leather jacket. As I slipped on the jacket, the comforting weight of my enchanted revolver tucked in its hidden holster made me feel extra secure.
I loved my gun.
I stepped out into the hall and softly shut my bedroom door. The hallway was quiet, but my heightened senses immediately picked up dozens of new scents. The strong smell of bleach and cleaning agents hung in the air, stinging my sensitive nostrils and making me grimace slightly.
Alongside that were unfamiliar human scents—cleaning crews, most likely.
Integra had clearly wasted no time bringing in people to deal with the aftermath.
My chest tightened painfully at the memory of all of our fallen soldiers, friends I'd trained and fought alongside. I'd done my best, saved as many as I could, but it didn't feel like enough.
It would probably never feel like enough.
Sighing softly, I drew my revolver from under my jacket, using it to channel a quick, simple charm to reinforce the silencing wards on my bedroom door. It would ensure the three women sleeping peacefully inside wouldn't be disturbed. Satisfied, I holstered my revolver again and turned away.
Making my way down the hallway, I nodded briefly to a cleaning crew passing me. They looked exhausted, faces drawn and serious, moving quickly to get their grim task done. The whole manor felt different today, heavy with sadness and mourning.
—
I gently pushed open the heavy wooden door to Integra's office and stepped quietly inside, shutting it softly behind me.
Inside, Lady Integra was standing stiffly behind her desk, phone gripped tightly in her hand. Her expression was severe, brows furrowed sharply, eyes narrowed in anger behind her glasses. She looked exhausted, with visible dark circles shadowing her usually sharp blue eyes. Her normally neat platinum-blonde hair was slightly disheveled, strands falling out of her usual precise style.
"No, you listen to me!" Integra snapped into the receiver, voice low and sharp. "I don't care what the Prime Minister thinks of the risks! My people were the ones slaughtered yesterday, not his. If he wants this country to be secure again as soon as possible, he will do as I request. I expect the additional forces here within the hour or there will be serious consequences. Am I clear!?" She paused for just a second, listening, before slamming the phone back down onto the receiver with a loud, frustrated bang. "Idiots…"
I gave her an awkward smile, stepping closer. "Morning, Integra. Glad you made it through yesterday okay."
She glanced at me sharply, the stern expression briefly softening for just a moment, before her usual disciplined mask snapped right back into place. "I am Sir Integra Hellsing," she said firmly. "It will take more than a few vampires to bring me down!"
I sighed, leaning casually against the wall. "Devils helped the attack, too. Let's not forget them."
"Yes, of course. Devils too," Integra growled bitterly, eyes flashing dangerously as she lit one of her cigars with angry movements. She inhaled deeply, then blew out a tense stream of smoke. "Hellsing is here to protect Britain from monsters, Valerie. But even I didn't imagine devils and vampires forming an alliance against us."
She took another slow draw on her cigar before adding thoughtfully, "Although I suspect this attack was meant as a probe, to test our defenses. A prelude to something bigger."
"About that," I said carefully. "I absorbed the memories of one of the devils who attacked yesterday. I think you'll want to hear what I found out."
She fixed her attention on me instantly, cigar poised between two fingers. "Go on."
I straightened up, stepping closer to her desk, and began my explanation. "They were from the Naberius devil clan. Apparently, they specialize in experiments—capturing and dissecting supernatural creatures. They were specifically targeting me yesterday because of my Sacred Gear… But they were hired by someone else."
Integra raised an eyebrow sharply. "Explain."
"There was a human behind this attack, too," I continued. "A man with a very distinct German accent. He made a deal with the Naberius devils, giving them information about us specifically—about me, Seras, and Alucard. From the memories I got, this wasn't just random. It was planned. They were deliberately testing our defenses, just like you guessed."
Integra's grip tightened on her cigar. Her expression darkened further, eyes turning icy as her voice came out low and furious. "Nazis... I can't believe they're still around."
I blinked in confusion, giving her a puzzled look. "Nazis?"
She took a slow breath, visibly controlling her anger before explaining sharply. "My grandfather—the previous Lord Hellsing—once commanded Alucard. During the second World War, they fought Nazi vampires. We thought they'd been wiped out decades ago. Clearly, we underestimated them."
Integra leaned back in her chair, running a tense hand over her face as she muttered darkly, "Now it seems they've formed an alliance with devils. That complicates things immensely."
We stood there in tense silence for a moment, both of us processing the gravity of the situation.
I cleared my throat quietly, breaking the silence. "I might have an opening on the devil side at least. Yesterday, another devil—Sairaorg Bael—and his queen helped us during the attack. They took out one of the Naberius devils themselves. Sairaorg mentioned he wanted to speak with me privately about something important today. I could use that opportunity to ask him more about the Naberius clan."
Integra's eyes flicked up, interest clear. She nodded slowly, thoughtfully. "That's good, Valerie. Very good. Make that your priority. Everyone else needs to stay here at the mansion. Our defenses are compromised, and we need all hands helping with cleanup and security."
She took another slow drag on her cigar before fixing me with her piercing gaze. "Be cautious when you speak with Sairaorg, Valerie. He may have helped us yesterday, but devils always have agendas. Trust, but verify."
"Got it," I said with a firm nod.
Integra leaned back again, slowly exhaling a stream of smoke as her expression softened slightly. "And Valerie...thank you. You did well yesterday. Many more would have died without you."
I felt my throat tighten slightly, her rare words of praise warming my chest. "Just doing my job," I murmured quietly, giving her a small, respectful nod before turning to leave.
—
…Selene had been kind enough to lend me one of her motorcycles for the trip. Yeah, she had more than one—each sleek, powerful, and obviously expensive. My new mother figure had good taste in rides…
The ride was long, about two hours of roads and countryside, just me and the wind whipping through my blonde hair. I felt the stress from yesterday melting away as I focused on the road, engine rumbling between my thighs.
Finally, I pulled up near a small stretch of secluded beach. It was a gloomy, typical British day.
I killed the engine and swung my leg off the bike, taking a slow breath of the salty air. It felt good to just breathe without the scent of blood and bleach everywhere. Walking a little further down the sand, I checked my surroundings again carefully. Not a single soul. Good.
Pulling the Bael summoning flyer out of my jacket, I bit down on my thumb. I let a couple drops of blood fall onto the summoning flier, then tossed it onto the sand in front of me.
The paper immediately lit up with deep crimson magic. The red glow intensified gradually, pulsing softly until suddenly it flared brightly.
A magic circle formed swiftly, illuminating the gloomy beach for just a moment.
Thirty seconds later, the crimson glow faded, and standing before me were Sairaorg Bael and his queen, Kuisha. Both devils glanced around briefly, surveying their surroundings cautiously before settling their eyes on me. Sairaorg broke into a warm smile, stepping forward and nodding respectfully.
"Valerie," he said. "I'm glad to see you're alright after yesterday."
Kuisha stepped closer as well. "Yes, very glad," she echoed politely, giving me a faint, genuine smile.
I returned the smile, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. "Thanks. And thank you again for yesterday. Your help meant a lot."
"It was the least we could do," Sairaorg replied calmly. "Oh, and speaking of yesterday—Kuisha and I took care of the chimeras you left in London. They were still wandering aimlessly through the streets."
My stomach dropped. Oh, shit. I'd completely forgotten about those monsters. I'd been so focused on making sure everyone else was okay that the chimeras had totally slipped my mind.
Good thing the Imperius Curse lasted long enough to keep them docile. "Damn," I muttered, embarrassed. "Sorry about that. Thanks for cleaning up my mess..."
Kuisha waved my apology away gracefully. "No need to worry, Valerie. It was simple enough. Fortunately, no one was harmed."
Sairaorg nodded again, his expression becoming more serious. "Now then, yesterday I mentioned there was something important I needed to discuss privately with you."
I took a slow breath, preparing myself. "Yeah, you said that."
His violet eyes met mine steadily. "I know you possess a Sacred Gear."
Instantly, my stomach clenched tight, and I grimaced visibly. That wasn't information I wanted spreading around. "And how exactly do you know that?" I asked warily.
He hesitated just a fraction of a second. "I know specifically which Sacred Gear you have, Valerie…"
My eyes widened, and my voice came out sharper than I intended. "How the fuck do you know about that? Who else knows?"
Sairaorg raised his hand quickly, his voice reassuring. "Calm down, please. No one else besides myself, my cousin, and perhaps her older sister are aware of this. Your secret is still safe."
I folded my arms across my chest defensively. "Which cousin? And who's the older sister?"
His lips curved up slightly. "Rias Gremory is my cousin. And her elder sister, Sylvana, might be aware as well."
Oh. I felt my face heat up slightly at the mention of Sylvana. The beautiful older redhead devil I'd met at the bar, and her silver-haired queen maid who definitely knew how to use those magic fingers…
I cleared my throat, trying not to get distracted by the memory.
"Alright," I muttered grudgingly. "That's…not as terrible as it could've been, I suppose. But still, how did Rias find out?"
He shifted his weight slightly, his expression softening. "Someone you knew personally told her, actually. Someone from your past."
I froze, a sudden chill running through my spine. "Who?" I demanded softly, fear creeping into my voice.
"Gasper," Sairaorg replied gently. "Gasper Vladi."
For a moment, everything around me faded. My heart slammed painfully in my chest.
Gasper? My little brother? My knees felt suddenly weak, and I gasped softly, my voice trembling. "Gasper is…alive? You're sure?"
Sairaorg nodded, his expression gentle and sympathetic. "Yes. Rias found him after he'd been executed by the Tepes clan—half-buried and barely clinging to his life. She resurrected him as one of her bishops. He's alive and safe now, Valerie."
I stared at him numbly for a moment as the full weight of his words sank in. A sharp ache twisted in my chest, relief and happiness flooding through me all at once. Tears prickled at the edges of my vision before I even realized it. "Gasper…" My voice broke slightly, a shaky whisper. "I thought he was dead. All these years…"
Kuisha watched quietly, respectful and sympathetic, as a few tears slipped down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry to shock you like this," Sairaorg finally said quietly, voice softening. "But I believed you deserved to know."
I quickly wiped at my eyes, trying to regain my composure. "Thank you," I whispered, voice still unsteady. "You have no idea how much this means to me…"
He nodded gently. "When you're ready, I can help arrange a reunion. Rias cares deeply for her peerage, and she'll be happy for her little vampire that she considers as her little brother–sometimes sister," he added.
I chuckled. Gasper did always think women's clothing was cuter…
Sairaorg stepped closer, his expression growing more serious. "Valerie, there's one more thing—something personal. I have a request to make."
I turned to face him fully, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Alright. I'm listening." Temporarily putting Gasper out of my mind. Though it was very hard. I really wanted to see him again. We only had each other, all those years locked away in the dungeons.
He hesitated just for a brief moment, taking a slow breath before speaking. "It's about my mother. She's been sick for a long time—years, actually. She suffers from the Devil's Sleeping Sickness."
I frowned, confusion clear on my face. "Sorry, but I've never heard of that. What exactly is it?"
Kuisha spoke up, stepping forward slightly and clasping her hands gently in front of her. "It's a rare and mysterious magical illness. The victim falls asleep suddenly and can't be awakened by any means. They're alive, but they end up slowly withering and dying over the span of decades or centuries..."
I considered her words carefully, my eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "And you've already tried—"
Sairaorg cut in. "We've tried every damn cure, ritual, spell, and miracle medicine we could get our hands on. Nothing worked. My mother has been unconscious for almost a decade now."
"That's...horrible," I murmured softly. "I'm really sorry to hear that."
Kuisha continued, her voice gentle but firm. "That's why we've been looking into Sacred Gears, specifically ones with powerful restorative abilities. We did extensive research. All of our sources—ancient texts, divinations, expert opinions—pointed to a single, conclusive answer."
I grimaced slightly, already guessing where this was heading. "The Sephiroth Graal…"
"Exactly," Kuisha confirmed and nodded. "Your Sacred Gear. We believe—no, we know—it has the power to restore his mother and wake her up from this illness. Your Gear is literally her last and only hope at this point!"
I shifted uncomfortably, my stomach knotting slightly at the idea. Using my Graal to heal wasn't the issue, it was the risk of exposure that made me hesitant.
"I mean…yes, you're probably right," I finally admitted, but cautiously. ...But you're asking me to reveal my greatest secret. Do you realize how dangerous that is?"
I'd been told to never reveal it except to people who were very trustworthy.
"I do," Sairaorg responded immediately. "Believe me, I understand the risks. Which is exactly why we've kept this information completely confidential. If you agree to do this, no one but the three of us will ever know. My mother will recover, and your involvement—your Sacred Gear—will remain secret." He paused, letting that sink in. I stood still for a moment, absorbing his words carefully. Sairaorg then sighed quietly, looking even more serious as he continued. "And frankly, right now secrecy is more important than ever. There's been some recent trouble again among certain pantheons concerning Sacred Gear users."
"What kind of trouble?" I asked.
Sairaorg frowned darkly. "Another wielder of the True Longinus has appeared recently. They attacked and nearly killed one of the Greek gods, following in the footsteps of the last Red Dragon Emperor. Ever since then, many pantheons have renewed their crackdown on Sacred Gear holders. Restarting the witch hunts…"
I blinked in surprise. "The Greeks? Are you saying they started the whole Sacred Gear witch-hunt all started from them in the first place?"
Kuisha nodded quietly. "Primarily, yes. It's true other pantheons participate too, but it's mostly driven by the Greek gods. They're incredibly paranoid, especially about anything that could potentially kill one of them. And they have a long history of creating demi-god children—powerful, disposable soldiers—to hunt down and kill anyone they see as a potential threat. Sacred Gear users are often at the top of their hit lists."
I snorted softly in disgust. "Of course. It figures the Greek gods would be real and just as crazy and paranoid as their myths suggest…"
And probably rapey too… Hide your goats everyone.
I suddenly wondered what demi-god or even god blood tasted like…?
Sairaorg took a deep breath. "Listen—I know what I'm asking is a huge risk. But please understand, you're my only hope here. My mother doesn't have much longer before even your power can't reach her. If you agree to do this for me, I swear on my name, my family's honor, that absolutely no one else will ever find out."
"…Is that so? The honor of a devil isn't exactly known to be trustworthy, though."
The voice came from directly behind me, smooth and clear, sending a shiver down my spine—but not from fear. My heart sped up slightly, recognizing that familiar voice.
Slowly, I turned around to face its source.
Gabriel stood there, looking just as beautiful and striking as the last time I'd seen her. Her soft golden hair spilled elegantly around her perfect heart-shaped face, framing bright blue eyes filled with warmth. Her lips curled upward into a gentle smile when her gaze met mine.
My eyes instinctively traveled downward, taking in the pristine white toga that hugged the luscious curves of her body. Her full, ample breasts pushed gently against the white fabric. I stared openly for a moment, momentarily speechless at her sudden arrival. "Gabriel," I finally managed softly, a small smile forming on my lips. "It's… been a few days."
What was she doing here, suddenly? Had she been following me.
Her gentle smile widened slightly, and her blue eyes slowly roamed over my body, from my face down to my feet and back again, lingering appreciatively at certain places. Her gaze held mine warmly when it returned. "It has been a few days," she replied gently. "Hello, Valerie."
I noticed both Sairaorg and Kuisha stiffen visibly, their postures suddenly tense.
Sairaorg's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing in wary caution. Kuisha had shifted slightly closer to him protectively, eyes fixed carefully on Gabriel with polite respect but clear unease.
Gabriel calmly regarded the two devils, her expression politely neutral but firm. "Forgive my intrusion, young Lord Bael, but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. I understand your desperation, but it's not safe nor appropriate for OUR Saintess to take such dangerous risks, especially traveling to the Underworld…"
XXX
Valerie is suddenly so popular…