Ichirou’s POV

I will do everything I can to protect them. When I first saw Asagao fighting against Nil, I was surprised because such small figure holding up a weapon, a sword, to fend made exasperated. After that battle, I met Casablanca and Hibiscus and together with Asagao, we ventured through dangerous places.

Asagao desires to fight because she has need to and I am her means to do that. Also, Casablanca and Hibiscus were able to fight through hardship and trials. However, everything doesn’t seem right for me. Do they really need to fight?

Circumstances proved that yes, they need to fight and that’s what angers me. They get hurt, their feelings and mentality are tormented and strained and lastly, they are presented with decisions too much for them.

Do I treasure them because of who they are or this is merely what my justice dictates?

Whatever from those two, it is something I cannot fully accept. I even tried to stop and banned them from such acts but in the end, they are forced to fight. They are forced to learn new things every day about fighting and they are taking up their weapons and honing their magic. I cannot completely oppose to their desire to fight as they do it for someone and for a greater good.

What’s more, it’s really shameful of me to glance at them with a slight tinge of lust. It’s not good for anyone in this group and I don’t want to taint these pure girls. This and my world’s common sense and principles are overriding but I always take a look back and uphold what I think is truly correct.

When the three of them went missing, I was completely devastated.

My power overflowed like a large typhoon in the city and bathed everyone in bloodlust dyeing everyone in fear. I have caused a great mayhem because of my anxiousness. Thoughts that I am normally unable to think of crossed my mind and thought of what worse could have happened to them.

Upon finding Asagao and the twins in the middle of a battle against a large devil in the middle of the sea, relief washes over the anxiety and I felt crying but I defer. After I saved them, I want Asagao to understand what she has caused me and find out what truly happened.

My chest almost burst from so much worry that I feel like I am trembling inside. I want to touch their faces to check if they sustained any injuries or if they are hurting anywhere and give them a heartfelt hug but, I hardened myself and instead, showed a cold and strict attitude.

We defeated the large devil and Asagao and I reconciled with each other. I talked to the one responsible for such incident. I met Merissa or what everyone in the ship calls captain. I figured from her slightly pointed ear and stature that she is a dwarf and I am not mistaken.

At first, I want to direct my anger towards her and blame her but she was able to make her point and now, I am aware that I am partially responsible for what happened.

But I never thought that I would raise a flag with her…

In the next morning, we talked again about our circumstance so she would understand the root of my anger and what are we facing. At some point, I mentioned about the etherians and she became overly enthusiastic that she clings to me and rubs her body all over me.

She even asked me for a marriage and I get that she is serious.

It was a charming offer as the person herself is pretty adorable and has a dynamite body that I have to embarrass myself again by getting an erection. But I declared my refusal as Diyu’s crying face crosses my mind.

It was one thing that would always stop me from temptations. Her lips that pressed mine on that day will be remembered by my own sense like it just happened a minute ago. Her bright and dazzling face as I comfort her in the flower bed outside the demon capital. Everything will come back to me like they just happened a while ago.

It is something that will always remind me that as a man, I am shitty and undeserving of any woman’s affection.

And at the moment…

The horrid stench of rotting flesh of still living people permeates my nostrils. In front of us was a hell hole where people are crying in anguish and screaming in pain. What’s the cause of all this?

Acute Radiation Syndrome or simply radiation poisoning. It was actually caused by the sun that the twins created with the power bestowed by Asagao. Asagao…took it as her own fault…

One thing is that I am glad that Casablanca and Hibiscus aren’t here to know that.

But Asagao…is overwhelmed with guilt and attacked by enormous anxiety and despair. It pains me to see that there a lot of people who are now suffering but, even though its bias, it pains me the most to see Asagao breaking down like this.

All because she just wanted to help, all because she fought for all of them and, all because of her power. This is why I don’t want them to fight, this is why I want to protect them myself to shield them from excoriating pain of battle and psychological trauma and, this is why the idea of them fighting exasperates me.

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I want to beat the fuck out of Gants but his blame is proven true. Merissa could only look down as bitter tears slip from her eyes.

Without any word, without any warnings, I immediately lift Asagao from the ground where she is crying and carry he in my arms and with hastening stride, I take her outside of the room where she won’t see that place.

As we cross the doorway, I slam the door shut and gently cradle Asagao as I got on my knees. I look at her crying and disheveled face as she keeps sobbing. Her eyes lock gaze with me as if she was trying to find an answer from me.

“What…*sob*…What should I*hic*…do?! It’s because…*sob*…of me…!”

“Asagao, don’t speak another word. Everything is going to be fine.”

“*sob*…Ichirou….”

I place my left hand behind her head and gently hug her. I started stroking her hair as it what’s calm her the most. I can feel this poor girl’s shoulder trembles in face of confusing and fearsome emotion she is facing right now. As she keeps sobbing into my shoulder, her hand slowly clings to my clothes and grasps it as she bawls.

She already said that she is really twenty years old but it does not bother me. We both came from another world and just the thought of being encased in a body you are not familiar with of course she would be really scared and feel helpless. I was glad that she has was able to overcome her extreme shyness and began making friends, I was glad that she started speaking something about her own self with honesty.

Of course, I can’t help not to see her as a woman now and not the little girl that I talked with back at the Astlan Castle but, of all the emotions she can show me, this the least I wanted to see.

“Asagao…”

“I…I want to do something…*sob*…but…!”

“These kinds of tears, I am sorry…for letting you shed them.”

“No! Ichirou…I…*hic*…this…”

“I am yours. I am you pseudo-possession, your means to fight. You don’t carry this burden alone. I am here with you. I am here for you. I will take care of it so please, stop crying.”

I once again stare at her teary eyes that are like a cerulean diamond that glistens that puts any gem in comparison in shame. Her snow white-like face that is flushed slowly calms down but there is still tension. The pale and quivering lips regain its glossy pinkish color. Her trembling shoulders slight settled and her hands that were clinging to my clothes tightens. As if she found even the slightest solace, she wraps her arms around me and buried her face in my chest.

At that moment, I was mesmerized and charmed by her. It is not lust or anything and I definitely hope that it is not a romantic affection towards her. It’s not right that I feel that way for her.

“Will…you really?”

“Yes. I assure you that.”

“But…”

“No more buts. All you have to do is agree.”

“I trust you. Please… save them.”

“At your will, Princess Asagao Lionheart.”

Her face brightens in embarrassment and I broke out in a grin from what I said. She certainly does not want to be called like that. I did it to tease her for a little to ease the burden in her chest.

She parted from my embrace and I show her what I always do when she looks at me. A smile that reassures her that I will do everything I can.

.

.

.

I pleaded to Asagao that she waits outside. She reluctantly obeys me and worriedly sees me off as I shut the door again leaving her out. I don’t want her here anymore and if she needed to be here, I will make sure that there is nothing to worry about.

I saw the faces of the people inside the large room. Merissa stares at me with trepidatious expression and Gants is one that is stern. I can’t bear to look at Gants and proceeds to my plan.

I close my eyes and started concentrating…

After perfecting the image in my mind…I shouted…

“[Origin of Swords!]”

GACK!!

Conjuring that sword again drained me of everything I had but with Asagao in mind, I manage to hold out. But this time, I shall put myself to its utmost limit, to push myself for her so she won’t shed tears!

“[Excelsior!]”

I will perform a miracle!

A miracle that will bring back that smile on her face!

As the incomplete sword manifested in my right arm, I grasp it tightly and further push myself. This replicated sword, this imitation, this fake one, I shall do everything to bring out its power. Not just its appearance, but its miraculous power!

“AAaaHHhhcckckkKKKK!”

The spiritech limb started to show dents but immediately repaired. I fill it with more power to replicate the exact same thing. Cold sweat started streaming from my face and my back from so much pressure.

As much as possible, I don’t want to do this.

It burns what remains of my soul…

Since losing my soul weapon, the spiritech limbs, which Dylan attached to me, gathered myriad of spirits to close the empty space where a large portion of my soul should occupy. But it was just a temporary solution…

I have to get my soul back as soon as possible or I will die. My soul weapon, which is what my soul is, was stolen by Kran.

But this power to replicate the God Artifact Excelsior burns what little soul I have. If I have my soul as a whole, I might manage to summon the sword without much difficulty and without draining my soul. The weapons that I imitate are produced by the spirits and they use my own power as a medium to materialize it.

But something like replicating its power is the most dangerous part and no less, I am trying to imitate a miraculous sword that the gods in this world forged.

I am protecting what little flame my soul has but, I don’t want to disappoint Asagao.

How long can I stay by their side?

I want to protect them as long as I can until someone trustworthy came and take them. If I am not dead by that time, I will continue to protect them. I am the only one Asagao can use in her Divine Possession.

It’s getting harder to breathe. I feel like my inside is creaking and my head throbs in pain. Asagao herself does not know this ordeal about my soul and I do not want her to know. I don’t want her to constantly worry for me.

“AaaaAAAGCKKKK! Come out now!!!”

Before long, the sword in my hand started glowing in bright seven colors.

The sword is taking a right form now and the power is being imprinted in my mind as something I can use.

A miracle that gods can create…

Dazzling rainbow light illuminated the whole room and the presence of Excelsior alone brings soothing warmth.

“Okay, everyone…line up…I only got around five minutes. I shall heal all of you!”

For the next five minutes, I was tormented with pain. At first, everyone was skeptical but when I swing one slash on someone, they witness how he immediately recovers from his pestering wounds and how he freed himself from the pain.

I have to do everything I can…