Chapter 85 - Oh... It's Her.

Gerard wheeled around at the sound of his name.

His expression was blank at first. Recognition did not come immediately. Chelsea could not really blame him. The last time he had seen her, she had been a tiny demon child with oversized eyes, black wings, and black horns.

Chelsea, however, recognized him after only a few moments.

The man still looked insanely handsome.

“Gerard!” she called again.

She hurried the remaining distance toward him.

“I guess you probably wouldn't recognize me,” she said. “It's me. Chelsea.”

His eyes widened. For a moment he simply stared. Then his face broke into a grin.

“Kid. Look at you.”

His gaze traveled over her horns, wings, and new stature, but he was careful in a way Chelsea immediately noticed. Most men either stared too long or tried too hard not to stare at all. Gerard somehow managed neither.

“You got your adult body.”

Chelsea laughed. “I did.”

“Well damn,” Gerard continued. “I leave you alone for a little while and suddenly you're all grown up.”

He pulled her into a quick hug, then let go without making it strange.

“I'll be honest, I'm surprised you're alive. I thought the radio silence meant the worst.”

Chelsea's smile softened. “Yeah I’d assume something similar.”

The others had already started making their way over, curious about what had gotten Chelsea so excited.

“Oh, right.” Chelsea stepped aside. “Gerard, this is the Valkyr of Passion, my girlfriend Ivy, and my mother Adriane.”

Passion gave a polite nod. Ivy offered a friendly wave, while Adriane studied him with obvious interest.

“Everyone, this is Gerard. He's the inadvertent reason I am...” Chelsea gestured broadly toward her horns and wings. “All of this.”

Recognition flashed across Adriane's face.

“I heard a lot about you at the beginning,” she said. “Chels mentioned that when she switched gods, you couldn't be switched with her.”

“Well, that explains it,” Gerard replied. “I've had absolutely no contact with any gods since that last meeting.”

His attention drifted back to Chelsea.

“I do have a question, though. You're the first white demon I've seen.”

Chelsea spread one of her fluffy wings.

“My class.”

Gerard reached out and poked one furred wing, then immediately pulled his hand back as if remembering it was still part of her body and not something on display.

“Your class made you fluffy?”

“I became a Valkyr.”

Gerard's eyebrows climbed. “Oh wow. That's actually really impressive.”

Chelsea brightened immediately.

“Thank you. Most people seem more interested in the demon part than the Valkyr part.”

“Come with us,” she continued. “We're heading home to get cleaned up before a meeting.” Then a realization hit her. “You've been living in the demon kingdom this entire time.”

“Unfortunately.” He smiled while nodding.

They left the guild hall together.

The walk back quickly became entertaining. Within the first block, three different people greeted her by name. A merchant thanked her for helping secure a permit. A mother thanked her for visiting the ‘poor children’ at the orphanage. A guild adventurer waved and shouted something about wanting to take part in her reading classes.

By the fourth interruption, Gerard was openly amused.

“You really settled into this city nicely.”

“It's strange, right?” Passion asked.

Gerard shook his head. “Not even a little. I've spent the last several months living among demons. Compared to that, this place feels like paradise.”

His attention shifted toward Chelsea’s mom. “So you're Adriane Wixx?”

The way he said it sounded less like a question and more like confirmation.

“I am.”

“Can't say there are many fan clubs of yours back in Dryscape.”

Adriane snorted. “My father was a very twisted man. I wouldn't expect the Wixx name to be spoken favorably there.”

A little farther down the road, Gerard looked at her again.

“I'd love to spar with you today. Technique over power, obviously. I’m still adjusting to reach, weight, and a few other annoying details.”

Adriane looked surprised by the request.

“I heard you're one of the best S-rankers and swordsmen on the continent,” Gerard continued. “I'd like to see how good you really are.”

After a few seconds of thought, Adriane nodded.

“Sure. Why not? Chels says you're supposed to be skilled, so I'm curious.”

By the time they reached the manor gates, Gerard's attention had shifted entirely.

The guards opened the gate.

Gerard slowed to a stop and let out a low whistle.

“This is where you live?”

Chelsea looked around. “It's just a house.”

He scoffed and shook his head, “Kid, this is not just a house.”

“Okay, fine. It's a very large house.”

His eyes drifted across the grounds before settling on a familiar sight.

“You have ducks!?”

Chelsea followed his finger and laughed. “Yes.  Though they are here by their own choice.  We didn’t buy ducks.  They just come and go.”

“I'm so jealous.”

Passion found herself nodding in agreement.

They were escorted inside by the butler.

“Feel free to visit the field out back,” Chelsea said. “I need to go bathe.”

She made it three steps before stopping.

“Actually, I need advice. Dress or armor? Remember, whatever I put on is going to be stupidly flashy.”

Passion had already noticed that her rare gear seemed incapable of being subtle.

Gerard considered the question.

“Go with the armor,” he said. “The king isn't expecting to find his daughter here. Armor gives people a role to look at before they look at the woman wearing it. If he sees a Valkyr standing beside Adriane Wixx, he'll assume you're some adventurer. If he sees a young woman in a dress standing beside her, he's going to start asking questions as to why you’re there.”

Chelsea thought it over.

“That is actually a really good point. Armor it is.” Then another thought struck her. “Oh, and we have his daughter.”

Gerard stopped walking.

“The king's daughter?”

Chelsea tapped the side of her head.

“She’s in here.”

For several seconds, Gerard simply stared at her. “You have the king's daughter living in your head?”

“Long story. Actually, several long stories. I'll be right back,” Chelsea said.

Gerard watched her head toward the stairs, then looked at Adriane, Ivy, and Passion.

Chelsea found Gerard relaxing beneath the shade tree in the backyard.

He had and appeared perfectly content doing absolutely nothing. His eyes were closed, and one arm rested behind his head.

Chelsea approached slowly.

She was wearing her full armor, dragon helmet included. She conjured a spectral javelin in one hand. Shield in the other.

Unfurling her wings, she stretched them wide and crept forward as quietly as possible.

“Hey there, kid.”

Chelsea stopped. “You didn't even look.”

Gerard finally opened one eye and looked her over.

The disappointment vanished immediately.

“Looks menacing.”

Chelsea brightened and removed her helmet. “You think so?”

“Oh, for sure. If I saw you walking toward me in that armor. Scary...”

“Excellent.” She took a seat nearby.

His voice changed to a more curious register. “Oh, before I forget, what did you mean about Celeste being in your head?”

“One second.”

Chelsea opened her status and switched titles.

Gerard watched the process happen as he read her titles changing above her head. He gave a light chuckle.

Chelsea adjusted her titles and settled back.

“I've been working with her this past week, but I should warn you she's still a little prickly.”

“I've been living with demons for a month,” Gerard replied. “My standards have morphed.  Prickly sounds delightful.”

A moment later, Chelsea's posture shifted.

“My father is here!?”

Gerard sat up slightly.

“Celeste?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Yes, Celeste. Were you expecting someone else?”

She immediately looked around the yard.

“Where is he? Can you take me to him?”

“I am supposed to escort you to him,” Gerard explained nodding. “Though he requested to see you alone, and something tells me Adriane Wixx isn't going to allow that.”

“No.” Celeste folded her arms. “That woman is a plague.”

Gerard laughed.

The princess ignored him. “So you knew Chelsea before she arrived in this world?”

“No. We just come from the same world.”

He studied her for a moment.

“Were you not present during the dreams with Magalesa?”

“No. I am not present for any of Chelsea's dreams.”

“How have you been holding up?”

“Chelsea is disgusting. Everything she does is disgusting.”

“Yet you're still alive and well and here to tell the tale.”

“I don't have a choice.”

Despite the complaint, her tone softened slightly.

“She has been letting me control the body more this week. That part has been acceptable.”

Gerard nodded.

Celeste hesitated.

Then she straightened her posture again.

“Since we're discussing important matters, there is something I would like to ask. I require assistance with a personal matter.”

“That depends on what it is.”

The princess lifted her chin.

“Chelsea is a disgusting Sapphist, but I am not.  Can you fuck me?”

Then Chelsea abruptly took control back.

“And that's enough of that.”

She buried her face in her hands.

“Sorry, Gerard. She has been very determined to solve that particular problem lately.”

Gerard nodded solemnly.

“Understandable.”

Chelsea let out a long sigh.

“Honestly, I don't even know why she keeps asking people.”

Gerard looked toward Chelsea.

“Can she still hear me?”

Chelsea nodded.

“Sorry, princess. I have a strict no-sex-with-demons policy. It’s bad luck, you know.”

Chelsea laughed so hard she nearly dropped her helmet. Chelsea shook her head.

“Come on. We should head inside.”

They stepped back into the rear entryway.

Ivy was already waiting, dressed in the new red mage robes they had recently commissioned for her. Passion wore her usual Valkyr equipment, looking exactly as she had every day since arriving. Adriane stood nearby wearing a blue dress with her hair tied back using a matching ribbon.

Chelsea slowed.

Then she looked at Adriane again.

Chelsea narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Before she could ask, Gerard spoke.

“Adriane, that dress looks incredible on you. It really brings out the color in your eyes.”

Chelsea's eyes widened.

Adriane visibly froze for half a second.

“I-uh...” Adriane tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you.” A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Had Adriane specifically chosen that dress because Gerard was here?

On the other hand, Adriane almost never cared what she wore unless the occasion specifically required it.

Chelsea was still trying to solve the mystery when she noticed Ivy staring at her.

Chelsea slowly raised her eyebrows.

Ivy looked at Gerard.

Then Adriane.

Her eyes widened.

Chelsea gave the tiniest nod imaginable.

Ivy stared at Gerard again. This time she seemed to actually evaluate him. The elf's expression shifted from confusion to consideration. Then she leaned toward Chelsea. “...I get it,” she whispered.

Chelsea had never walked out of the city gates before. It felt strangely exciting.

For a month, Junstruce had been her entire world.. Standing beneath the massive gate and looking out beyond the walls felt different. She had left for quests and such but everytime was using one of the teleportation pedestals.

She approached one of the guards and offered him a bright smile.

“Excuse me. If it isn't a bother, could we pass through?”

The man immediately straightened.

“Y-yes, of course, Miss.”

He stepped aside and motioned them through.

“Please be careful out there. There are some dangerous animals.”

Chelsea's smile widened.

“That's so kind of you to worry. Thank you so much.”

The guard looked oddly flustered as they passed.

“Huh,” Gerard said.

Chelsea glanced over.

“What's up?”

“That was... weird.”

“The guard?”

“The way you spoke to him.” Gerard scratched at the side of his jaw. “Were you using some kind of ability?” 

Chelsea thought about it. “Maybe. I have Attract. It triples my Charisma when talking to men. If somebody has really low Charisma, I think it hits them pretty hard.”

“Ah.”

Gerard nodded. “Maybe that's what I felt. There was definitely something.”

“That and Chelsea is entirely too nice to everybody she meets,” Adriane added.

“I am not.” She waved a hand at her mother.

The looks she received from the entire group suggested otherwise. Chelsea chose not to acknowledge them.

The caravan came into view a short distance away. Her stomach immediately started doing flips. She was ready for this meeting to be over.

It had been hanging over her head for weeks. Every time she thought she had made progress with Celeste, the princess would find a brand new way to make things difficult. Chelsea had tried everything she could think of and nothing had worked.

As they approached, Chelsea found herself staring.

Demons. Actual demons. Real genuine demons.

The guards surrounding the caravan wore matching equipment and carried themselves with the confidence of trained soldiers. Chelsea's attention immediately went to their wings.

Some were broad while others were narrow. There were some that were furry but black like hers. Others looked almost leathery.

She wanted to ask questions so many questions.

Beside her, Ivy looked significantly less excited.

The poor elf had the expression of someone walking into a room full of wolves while hoping nobody noticed she was made of meat.

“I have returned with the S-rank adventurer who accepted the quest,” Gerard announced.

The guards stepped aside without argument.

One of them pulled open the entrance flap of a large tent while Gerard led the group forward.

“You're back fast,” a woman's voice said. Chelsea looked over. A female demon stood near the entrance. “Is this her?” the woman asked. “It doesn't look like her.” Chelsea blinked.

The woman was wearing a black outfit made from some material Chelsea didn't recognize. It fit… well… was this a succubus? It fit the descriptions everyone had given her.

What caught her attention most, however, wasn't the outfit… or lack thereof.

It was the tail.

The woman's tail moved constantly. It was wild or random. It flowed behind her with little motions that somehow seemed deliberate.

Chelsea found herself staring. Her own tail didn't do that. At least she didn't think it did. Maybe it did when Celeste was in control. All Chelsea knew was that she suddenly wanted to learn how.

“It's her,” Gerard replied. “Please let us pass.”

Chelsea continued staring.

The tail flicked, curled, then slowly swayed the opposite direction. How was it doing that?

“It's not polite to stare.” The woman spat at her.

Chelsea's eyes snapped upward. “Oh! I'm sorry!”

The demon woman looked thoroughly unconvinced.

“Doesn't sound like her either.”

Gerard smiled.

“Oh… It's her.”

The woman looked from Chelsea to Gerard and back again.

Then she shook her head and stepped aside.

“I'll take your word for it.”

She stepped aside and they passed into the tent where the king was waiting.