The Insurrection of the Inept Hero
Chapter 104: Changes

About 4 months passed, meaning it was now December. It was safe to say that it is now winter. I know because a snowstorm just hit yesterday and Maroon city was filled with snow.

Everything was pretty quiet in the guild as everyone either stayed home or went out to do some quests. I was chilling in Celestia's room, sipping on some hot tea and going through some documents she assigned me to do. Well, Celestia's clone, not her original who stayed back, huddled in her library.

Akane and Katrina went out to do some quests as Katrina was still not used to adventuring and most of the outside world. I decided that Akane was the best woman to accompany Katrina since they have a kind of sisterly bond.

Ravyn went out shopping for winter clothes since it was going to get colder from now on. I was told that the temperature during winter could dip below -200 degrees celsius.

It hasn't gotten to that point yet, but it will eventually. It's a good thing hot drinks exist.

"Here you go, Nero," Kiyomi said, pouring tea into my cup before serving it to me.

"Thank you," I responded calmly.

There were also some changes that have happened, some of them were physical changes in my body. But first I'm just gonna point this out about my stats. I...

-have not been leveling up... and I also haven't been giving levels to the girls either but there was a reason for that. The reason I haven't leveled up was because... I just didn't feel like fighting. Almost as if I just became a pacifist...

Alright, the truth is I'm just too lazy, but I've been helping Celestia out with some important guild business.

For the reason I haven't been helping the girls leveling up is because something was happening with my digestive system. Seems that artificial demons are unable to consume blood after awakening their demon blood for half a year. I almost suffocated after drinking the blood of an Ice Dragon's. For now, I just need to wait two months before I can resume that business again. Though I haven't been helping them, they could already level up themselves as they have the Passive Skill Ameliorate now.

Anyway, to the physical changes, I think I've already mentioned that my nails have changed colors. This happens when an artificial demon is born and I myself am an artificial demon. I've been attempting to replace more information on artificial demons but so far I haven't been able to replace anything. Even asking Yukie, I didn't get any info because she wouldn't tell me anything, which is a little suspicious since she has to know everything about demons as she is the Qliphoth which is supposedly the devil's tree.

I asked Celestia if she could replace any information on this topic and she said she'll see if she can replace any. With the library of hers, I'd say it will take her a while.

Anyway, changes to my body, yeah. My voice has become calmer and slightly deeper. I didn't notice this at first, but the topic was slowly being mentioned by everyone around me. Celestia said it might be an effect of me awakening my Altima and I think so too. Though to think I became a demon this whole time without even knowing…

Guess it is safe to say that I am not human anymore even though I still have the human anatomy, on the outside of course.

Yes, I still have human flesh but when I transform into my Altima, it becomes black. The only part of my body that didn't have flesh was my head. Yeah, it was completely bare. Luckily, it looked kind of cool, giving off a sinister feeling. The eyeholes were completely black. No matter how much light I shined into it, it was completely black. The only thing that happened to me was I almost blinded myself.

Oh right, I can manipulate divine energy now. Though I'm a little disappointed that it lacked in usefulness… well, to me. Ravyn and Katrina could perform many moves with divine energy while all I can do is create a singular ball of light. I'm just too lazy to be honest.

Aside from darker shadow trims and longer hair, everything about me was still the same. I had to revert to tying my hair back again. Yeah, my hair grows kind of fast, but it declines when it is able to graze my shoulder.

I would cut it now, but I'm too lazy so I just leave it tied back into a bun.

"Fufu…" Kiyomi sat in the spot next to me on the couch and snuggled up next to me. I shifted my attention and patted her head.

"Nero… you look better in these clothes." Kiyomi pointed out.

I looked down at myself and smiled. Since it was winter, I decided to change my outfit. I was now wearing a black wool turtleneck sweater, black cargo pants, and a black scarf. I also decided to change my boots as I was getting a little tired of wearing them, so I just switched to wearing plain black boots. I also discarded the gloves, simply because I just got tired of wearing them.

"Nero…" Kiyomi said my name and I glanced at her.

"Yeah?"

"About your marriage with Katrina… I wonder…"

…I hope this isn't the talk that girls do about saying something to a boy in which they have no idea what they have done but think that they have done something. Even after all this time, I am still not prepared for this kind of conversation. Please don't be it, please don't be it, please do-

"Is there a possibility that we can get married?"

-please don't be it, please don't be… wait what?

"What did you just say?" I asked.

"I-I mean, we can talk about it later but…"

Her face was becoming redder and redder and I think I was also blushing as well. The smile on her face was slowly turning into a frown. I should say something…

"W-well, I don't really like to talk about marriage since I'm not really interested in that."

"But isn't your marriage with Katrina in 8 months?"

"Well, yeah... but I was kind of forced into it."

"I-I see…"

Kiyomi's frown slowly faded away, but it wasn't the smile she had on her face. I looked up at the ceiling and thought for a second before returning my attention to Kiyomi.

"If I was able to set the wedding on another day, then I would do it after I marry you."

An embarrassed expression quickly appeared on Kiyomi's face, her face being bright red. I chuckled as she pouted and leaned on my shoulder.

"Do you mean it…?" She asked.

"…of course. I would never lie to you."

I promise that you will be the first person I marry Kiyomi… I would never lie to you… after all you are the person I trust the most.

I leaned my head on Kiyomi's and I heard her gulp and shift around. So cute…

Kiyomi eventually pulled away as she took a sip of some tea. I smiled as I stroked her head.

"Kiyomi," I said.

"Y-yes?" Kiyomi asked.

"Why don't you revert to your Kitsune form? I like you in your original form."

"B-but Nero, what if someone walks in?" Kiyomi muttered as she blushed harder.

"It's alright," I said, placing my hand on her leg and slowly making my way up her skirt. "I'll tell you when to revert back to human form."

I nibbled on her ear and she let out a silent moan. Our faces met and we were about to share a kiss until Celestia barged in.

We quickly fixed ourselves and sipped on some tea. Celestia yawned as she passed us. We assumed she didn't notice until she said-

"Please do not get intimate in my office. I don't want to clean up after you."

She said it with a smug face too. It was probably because of what happened four months ago when Layla said that she heard us. Well, technically she went through my memories but she claimed she heard it. Despite that, Celestia got a laugh out of that and now she brings up the topic whenever she has the chance. Well, it's all fun and games until I mention she's a virgin.

Yeah… I should stop saying that both from my mouth and in my head since she could read my mind.

Speaking of reading minds, I've attempted to have Layla teach me how to read minds and scan through memories like Celestia could but it seems that I was unable to learn it no matter how hard I tried.

I looked over at Celestia and she glared at me before sighing and sitting down in her chair.

Huh, strange… usually she would start scolding me and beating me if I ever mentioned that, but she's changed after that event.

From Layla, I heard that Celestia had something against one of the Margo Family's ancestor and has been waiting for one of them to suffer. Guess she's decided to go soft on me for doing her a favor.

…did you developed feelings for me Celestia~?

Celestia grit her teeth and began shouting at me.

"D-d-don't get so cocky just because you did something for me! I only decided to be nice to you for now!" She pouted after she blushed in reaction to my thought.

Heh, I've also developed a kind of sixth sense whenever Celestia reads my mind so I tend to know when she is invading my mind, a good thing I know how to counter her back.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Hmm? Come in." Celestia said and the door opened with Holly standing at the entrance.

"What is it, Holly?" Celestia asked.

"Well, someone is here for Nero." She replied.

Everyone turned their attention to me and I scratched my head, confused.

"Who is it?" Celestia asked her again.

"Well... it's Earl Rainlaw."

"Rainlaw? I see..."

Celestia closed her eyes and nodded before looking over at me.

"Lucky you." She said, and I just tilted my head, puzzled.

...what?

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