53: Was it just a dream?

It was, an infinite darkness.

As far as the eye can see, there was only darkness.

No matter where you went, no matter how long you waited, there were no signs of light at all.

For a second I thought I found myself back in the Demon God's realm. But… this feeling isn't the same. Whenever I am there although I can't see anything I know which way to go to reach Tenebria. But this time it's different. It feels like I am walking through spider webs. My body is heavy. Is this some sort of dream? My senses are all scrambled.

~Your real self~

What was that? A voice? I could clearly hear a voice in this darkness.

~Are you ready to let it out?~

There it goes again. What's it talking about? I tried following it but I couldn't find the source. Soon after, I heard some footsteps. As I try my best to focus I could see the silouete of a maid. It was Grace. I'd never mistake her. I run as fast as I could towards her. When I get close enough I call out for her.

"Grace! Wait up!"

She stopped, but turned around violently, raising her scythe at me.

"Don't call out to me so casually."

"Grace, what's gotten into you?"

"I don't know who you are or how you know my name, but a filthy human has no business with me!"

"Grace… this joke has gone far enough? It's me! Mil…"

But before I could finish the name the tip of her scythe reached my neck.

"Do you take me for a fool? I know my mistress very well. It is you who needs to stop with the jokes. A filthy male isn't worthy to utter her name."

"Male… but I am…"

As soon as I say those words… I noticed that my voice changed. It wasn't my loli voice… I lower my eyes and try looking at my body. I realized… I wasn't a loli anymore. I was my old self again. Ryusei Homura.

"Grace… you have to believe me… I am Milla…"

In the next moment she swung her scythe around and stabbed my chest.

"Guah…"

I spit blood. I could feel the pain. My flesh was burning.

"You aren't a human on my mistress's list, so it's safe to kill you. After all, you deserve it for talking such nonsense."

I fell on my knees. It was the same feeling I had when Ren killed me. I was drowning in my own blood. What's going on here? Why is this happening?

As Grace turned her back to me and started walking away I was lying on my belly on the ground. I couldn't move. I couldn't call out to her anymore.

~I see. Interesting. So this is who you really are. Nothing more than… a fake.~

That voice again… were was it coming. This is definitely not Tenebria's voice. But it still belonged to a female. Ah… my head feels like exploding… I can't… take this anymore…

------

"AAA!"

I forced my body upwards.

*Pant… pant…*

I was literally sweating like a pig and gasping for air. I scanned my surroundings. It was my usual bedroom. Next to me Shiori was lying asleep. She was probably tired from last night since she didn't wake up from my scream. That's one thing she has in common with Odin. They are both heavy sleepers.

But… what the hell was that all about? Was it just a dream? It felt so real. I could literally feel myself dying. I scanned my body from head to toe. Yup. It was my loli self alright with no signs of injuries. I don't understand what I just saw… but that dream raised a huge question mark in my head.

Grace stabbed me. Grace was loyal to Milla Walpurgis, not to Ryusei Homura. If I were to ask Grace, would she say that she's loyal to the body, or the person inside it? This dream got me thinking. Would Grace betray me and part ways if she were to find out that the real Milla is gone? She doesn't need Ryusei. She needs Milla.

No. Stop thinking like that. I know Grace better than that. She wouldn't kill me. And besides, she can't kill me even if she wanted too. I've surpassed her for quite some time now. But that's not the point. Grace was with me for quite some time. She respected me, she loved me. Those feelings won't just fade away. I need to calm down. It was just a dream. Right?

Yet that voice I kept hearing… What's up with that? Damn. Even now my head still hurts like hell. That voice… it was almost like it was trying to analyse me. Ah… I can't take it anymore. Forget about it. I'm not in the mood to think this over right now.

I turned to look at Shiori again. After that intense workout I let her sleep. She was so cute. She even mumbled my name a few times in her sleep. I made sure to get rid of that strap-on dildo afterwards. I don't want any of my girls to get the taste of dick. They need to keep the mentality that yuri is best. I even made Shiori cum a few more times with my hands and tongue and various play scenarios. As I was looking at my cute fox girl, the lamia Cleo entered my room. She wanted to tell me something but I hushed her down so that Shiori wouldn't wake up. I exited the room to see what Cleo wanted.

"I thought I told you guys not to disturb me for a while. This better be important."

"Forgive me, Your Highness. It's just that I have some news regarding the human army. They have almost reached Mistveil mountain, but it seems they will be intercepted."

"Someone is trying to engage them? Who?"

◇　◇　◇

The humans led by the Pope and Melina were steadily marching towards Mistveil mountain. Every monster they encountered on the way was destroyed by Melina.

One of the soldiers approached the Pope and asked:

"Your Eminence, you didn't tell us what is so important about this mountain you speak off? Shouldn't our priority be whipping out the demons?"

"Trust me, my child. I have seen it in a vision. The Goddess has called out to me and showed me that our success goes hand in hand with the treasure that is being kept in that mountain."

As they were moving along, Melina who was in front of the army suddenly stopped. The Pope frowned his eyes. He issued a command that if something dangerous would get in their way she should stop so that the army would know. A few seconds later the earth shook. A short shake. 3 seconds later… another shake.

"What's this? An earthquake?"

It's no earthquake, you morons!

As the Pope was having those thoughts amongst the mist a figure could be seen approaching them. It was the cause of the so called earthquake. With each step it took, the ground shook. The Pope looked at it and then he made an evil grin before shouting:

"I must say, you know how to make an appearance! I was actually wondering if you would ever show up, Lord Ornis Balmund!"