Igor would never say this out loud, but Shiva was…cool. He was always so stoic as if nothing could ever faze him.

“I think I understand, aunty.”

“Fufu~”

She seemed to have seen through his thoughts.

“Maybe you do, but you will gradually understand in the future. Until then, I look forward to the end of this year. I have so many things to teach you.”

.

|DxD|

.

Alone in the kitchen, Parvati looked at the spot where Igor once sat. Over an hour had passed since he woke up and after a brief conversation, he finally departed for Japan. For Igor, his conversation with Parvati was somewhat normal, if not weird. He would never imagine that the simple questions he was asked would completely disclose his state of mind to Parvati.

[Such a poor child…]

The clock had marched on, but Parvati couldn’t move past that one simple conclusion. Her eyes could see through many mysteries and secrets. The moment Nandi brought Igor here, she had seen the deep well of pain and insecurity hidden behind a very thick veil. There were some things she couldn’t see, but she saw enough to know the depths of his scars.

[An orphaned child that endured decades of loneliness. To lose your entire family at such a young age…how much was he affected?]

His past was very clouded, but she knew he had parents and a younger brother…and they were all murdered. There was never a lack of orphaned children in history, but only Igor was forced to endure decades without receiving any companionship…a guiding hand.

“Husband. I know you have an answer, but I would like your confirmation once more. Do you truly desire to let him take over your mantle?”

Out of the void, a purple haze formed before Shiva appeared behind her. His expression was stony, though it was unknown what was going through his mind.

“Yes.”

As a man of few words, he did not elaborate any further. Rather, he was curious about something.

“Why do you ask, my wife?”

“...”

Parvati couldn’t help but think of the darkness she saw. With Igor’s personality, that darkness would be restrained, but it would always be there. The relationships he’s forged had prevented it from festering, but no relationship, no love could compare a family’s, to a mother’s.

“He’s still a child, husband. I…want to nurture him.”

His mind had not completely solidified into that of an adult. He was still a young teenager. There was still time to give him the love he desperately needed, a love she could give.

“Do you speak as the Mother Goddess, or as Parvati. Because if it is your divinity that makes you feel like this, I suggest you do not interfere.”

This ‘suggestion’ was a command. Shiva was well aware of how sympathetic his wife was. If this was a sudden decision encouraged by her divinity, then the impact on Igor when he finds out would be too much.

In fact, it might even drive him away, something Shiva did not want to see at all costs.

“Parvati.”

“No, husband. I will not lie and say personally meeting him did not influence my thoughts, but I’ve been watching him ever since you mentioned him three years ago.”

Her fists clenched slightly.

“The death of Shuri Himejima, the one person he truly and utterly let into his heart, nearly broke him. She was his second mother and she died in his arms. If you did not appear, husband, I would’ve gone myself.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The killing intent boldened by the power he released that day was felt throughout the whole world. While the others could only feel his power, she could hear his cries, his grievances, his unwillingness.

“Husband. He has never forgiven himself for her death. It is also why he hesitates to come here for training. Not because he wants to spend time with his family, but because he has a deep-rooted fear that if he disappears, something will happen again.”

She looked up to Shiva with budding tears in her eyes.

“Husband. If he loses someone else, he won’t be able to endure it. At that time, the darkness in his heart will be too big for anyone to stop.”

The supernatural world was cruel. Even with extreme longevity being readily available, one could never guarantee when their loved ones would be killed.

“I promise I won’t interfere too much. I just…the world has been too cruel to him. I want to give him the love he deserves so that when he grows up and becomes a man, he won’t lose himself to the darkness in his heart.”

Perhaps it was a childish thought, but Parvati truly felt Igor’s pain. The only reason she could never act before was because she did not wish to interfere with her husband’s evaluation of him. But since Shiva had accepted him as an heir, there was very little that restrained her from giving him everything he deserves.

“...”

Shiva could not help but smile at his wife’s compassion. No matter how tainted the world was, she always had such a loving heart. Placing his hands on her shoulder, he casually remarked.

“He’ll be troublesome.”

“I know. I saw it today.”

“Really? What did he do?”

“Fufu~. You should’ve seen him, husband. I never expected him to be so rowdy in person. He reminds me of our eldest son when he was still a child.”

“I can imagine...”

Shiva could tell his wife was just casually venting. But he could see it in her eyes. Somehow, some way, there was already a trace of affection in her eyes as she recounted Igor’s actions.

“...”

It didn’t make sense nor would he try to make it make sense. As long as it was beneficial to his heir, then he would allow it.

[My heir?]

His mind froze when he realised how he casually called Igor his heir in his thoughts.

[Hehe. It seems I’m not the only one who’s been affected.]

.

|DxD|

.

Igor was on his way back to Kuoh after escaping that evil woman’s clutches. As the self-proclaimed number one warrior, her actions could be said to have violated his dignity immensely. Even worse, she bribed him with food…and it worked!

Such humiliation couldn’t go unpunished, but he had to let his grievances go.

“Goddamnit! If you weren’t Lord Shiva’s wife, I would’ve beaten you into the ground!”

It was a deluded thought, but it was the only way he could comfort himself. At the very least, he believed he could counter if he fought alongside his tenant.

“Right, Triny? We could definitely beat her.”

[...]

“?”

Stopping mid-flight, Igor spoke once more.

“Triny? You there?”

[...]

Once again, silence greeted him.

“Tri-”

[NOW you remember me?]

“??”

When did he ever forget her?

[You almost died!]

The little lass could no longer restrain her grievances.

[I could’ve helped you but ‘Nooo’. You wanted to beat him yourself. Well look where that got you!]

“...”

Igor wasn’t too sore about losing. It was just a fight and he learned a lot about his own capabilities and limits. Now he knew what to work on for the remaining yea-

[STOP SHRUGGING IT OFF, IDIOT! YOU ALMOST DI-]

“You’re pushing it now. Don’t yell at me.”

He quickly and calmly, shut her down. Ever since a young age, Igor never liked being yelled at. Yelling at someone indicated anger. Anger caused one to say words that could never be taken back, words that would remain in the receiver’s heart forever.

“If you have problems, talk them out properly, Triny. Don’t yell at me like I’m your dog.”

After she called him an idiot, he couldn’t and wouldn’t endure it any longer. Without even understanding the reason for his actions, she called him an idiot.

“Listen, Triny. Do you want to know why I did not ask for your power? There was no need. Atid isn’t my enemy. If he was my enemy, I would’ve borrowed your power instead of using such a risky transformation where I lose control of myself.”

His full-power state was very risky, yet also had boundless potential. He could never use it in the time chamber because he would be overwhelmed by the desire to fight Aurelia. He could never be sure if he would stop himself from killing her if that happened.

“Before everything else, I am a warrior, Triny. Understand that. My priority as someone who aspires to be the strongest one day is to find my limits and push against them. Fighting against Atid helped me understand what I’m capable of and what I need to work on.”

[...]

As Triny remained quiet in his head, Igor couldn’t help but sigh. He had to remind himself that to some extent, his actions were indeed worrisome and she was only worried about him.

“I’m not an idiot. I still want to live a few thousand years, you know? Maybe have a dozen children and bring honour to my ancestors as well. I still want to see which scum Akeno and Asia will marry once they grow up and I need to be alive to see that. So don’t worry too much, alright? I’m not dying anytime soon.”

[...]

There was silence as Igor continued to fly further. He was concerned that Triny would not accept his words, but her sudden response nearly made him chuckle.

[Hmph! Do what you want and see if I care. If you die, I’ll possess your body and make you walk naked on the streets!]

“...”

Well…that was a low-blow. But as long as she’s back to normal, he could tolera-

[I’ll make you kiss other men too!]

“?!?!”

.

AN

.

Shameless promotion. If you’re willing, you can read up to five chapters on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n. Until the next chapter and thanks for reading.