Igor looked on in contemplation. A part of him wanted to see Touji, but meandering into the church was not part of his intent. Too many complications could draw him into political whirlpools he had no wish of stepping into.
So he gave one last look, shook his head, and walked away. He could always meet Touji another time.
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|DxD|- Chapter 92- Labourer
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Igor's path took him to the town's outskirts where dirt roads and big vehicles became more common. He walked along a stretch of road where many small businesses operated. From carpenters and pawn shops, to hardware stores and mechanics, none lacked customers.
Igor moved from the paving to the gravel and stopped outside a garage. Several vehicles were parked outside, and inside, mechanics were hard at work. He watched them work and pace about in silent interest.
All around him, people were hard at work with their normal lives. Truck beds rattled with each brick loaded on them. He heard muttered curses from men complaining about their jobs. Forklifts beeped with crates of goods carried into warehouses.
He had an admiration for those in manual labour. Their hands shaped the world, and he too had an aspiration to shape it like them, to shape the entire supernatural world and abolish the hegemony of the gods.
"How long will that be? I wonder…"
Igor muttered and turned away. Perhaps in two or three-hundred years, he'd reach the heights of his ancestors and face the world without fear. The time was frightening to look at, but he had the gift, and he had the means. All he needed was will, and he had that in droves.
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|DxD|
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Eight years had passed since Cleria became Kuoh's overseer. In her tenure, not only had the town prospered, but stray devils no longer frolicked wantonly. The people no longer suffered, but history could never be changed.
The sun steadily rose and afternoon approached. The countryside was lush with plains carpeted by endless snow. Hardy fields of crops still grew in this winter season on many farms.
Two years ago, a tragedy had befallen this community of farmers. A man and his pregnant wife were ruthlessly murdered by a depraved cannibal. The murderer was killed and the family was buried, but the story still remained, the pain yet to fade.
Igor stood before the grave, calm as always. A faint ripple spurred in his heart, for he remembered that day. It was May, hours before the sun spread its rays. It was a cold night where a bloody scent reigned.
Varangar was the name of the stray who took the lives of an honest couple, even feasting on the unborn babe. For him, it had been seventeen years since then, and it still drew a frown from him.
Igor bent the knee before the grave. It was no longer the crude one he dug, but fully adorned with white marble and decorative pebbles. On the headstones, three names read.
"Suzuki Maria. Suzuki Tonbo. Suzuki Hiro. Mother, father, and son all rest together, and may you find eternal peace."
He closed his eyes and bowed his head in respect. No matter how powerful he became, he must never become a monster who saw lives as grass. He couldn't protect everyone, but he could not become a murderer who killed in cold blood. Because if that happened, he would be no different from the vermin he fought.
Igor slowly stood up and gazed at the house. It had been renovated and a new family of six lived on this farm. He could sense they shared blood ties with the dead couple, perhaps siblings or cousins at best.
He had no wish of creating a scene, so he vanished the moment the door opened. A child of four years old sped out with his toys. He was wild and joyful as his hands flew around a toy plane.
"Vrooom! Vrooom!"
"Hayato! Close the door when you go out!"
"Oh. Sorry mom!"
Young Hayato turned around and closed the door, unaware a visitor had visited his uncle's farm. He sprinted past the grave towards the barn. Playing with the cows was always fun for him.
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|DxD|
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Igor saw himself as a warrior, an avenger with no fear of arrow or blade. His own efforts had forged him into a noble existence far above the him of yesteryear. So by all means, if he could face an array of swords without fear, a few gazes should mean nothing to him…except, they did.
Igor regretted having such enhanced senses. A few gazes were before him, but he felt dozens behind him. He swivelled his head and caught many people suddenly making themselves busy. A man found his steering wheel very interesting. A woman fiddled on her phone, and another read their book.
"..."
Igor found this annoying. It certainly wasn't like this when he dropped Akeno off. He was outside the gates of Kuoh Elementary. Vehicles were parked and waiting for school to come out. It was warm at this time of day, warm enough that people could gawk at him instead of fighting the cold they rightfully deserved.
Igor didn't know why he became an object of attention. He certainly wasn't handsome enough to warrant it. And there were more than a few people with blonde hair, so he wasn't really unique.
[Is it my hair?]
It was perhaps the only thing he changed. He'd let it loose until it fell all the way to his waist. He was proud of it for it was cultural for his people to have their hair long. But, it was not lost on him that in a way, he did, maybe…subtly, resemble a woman.
"..."
*Vein Twitch!*
Igor lowered his head and suppressed this injustice. This was a warrior's hair, and no one could change his mind about that.
"Hmph."
He found a tree to lean on and waited. For every pair of eyes he met, he delivered a subtle glare. He was not above fighting anyone who saw him as feminine. His hair made him handsome and that was that.
Igor perked up when the gate rolled open. He spotted the security guard who shrank beneath his gaze. Igor wasn't offended for he knew his figure was a bit…intimidating. Rather, his focus was on the little bundle of energy scurrying through the corridors. Only one person dared to leave class before the bell rang, and Igor smiled at the thought of her approaching figure.
He pushed himself off the tree and walked to the gate. His chest would be slammed into, but it was a small price to pay to see her smile.
Chapter 92
END