Dragon Across the Multiverse (Si-WC)

Chapter 16: Don’t Mess with Ciel, She’s Scary

Takagi Estate — Souichiro POV

Fast.

One moment, Souichiro had been engaged in conversation, quietly measuring up the teenager who’d brought his daughter home alive. The next, things had turned south—fast—when one of his men made the bold, idiotic move of attempting to confiscate the group’s firearms.

Suspicious. Extremely suspicious.

Those weapons didn’t look standard-issue; they were modified, personalized. That meant military, or worse—underground sources. Whoever this "Akari" really was, he had powerful connections or terrifying skills… maybe both.

Then one of the girls had stepped forward, loudly arguing with the man. It was a tense moment, but not beyond repair—until it happened.

Akari moved.

In one breath, he was standing with his group, calm and collected. In the next, he vanished—reappearing beside the soldier, blade drawn and pressed against the man’s throat with terrifying precision.

Souichiro’s eyes narrowed.

It wasn’t just the speed that disturbed him. It was the sudden transformation. Gone was the relaxed, almost too-easy smile. What remained was cold steel—emotionless, composed… deadly. A predator baring its fangs after pretending to be tame.

How was a boy this young so composed? Even some of Souichiro’s own men, hardened through violence and fear, still jumped at the chaos outside. The walking dead had shattered the psyches of countless men and women. But Akari?

He walked like death was an old friend.

He spoke like the world’s collapse was background noise.

And his eyes... no teenager should have eyes like that. They weren’t just mature—they were almost ancient. Detached. The kind of eyes that had seen death too much and were no longer bothered by it.

An assassin, maybe. Or something worse.

Souichiro’s instincts, honed through years of politics and battlefield experience, screamed at him. Danger. But alongside that, a father’s worry gnawed at him.

Saya was too close to this boy. He could see it with a mere glance that she trusted him too implicitly. Looked to him for reassurance and felt safe around him.

That trust needed to be tested. Whatever this Akari was, Souichiro had to know. For his daughter's sake.

He stepped forward, every inch the stern leader he was known to be, his gaze sharp and unrelenting.

“Lower your weapon.”

He realized too late—

That was a mistake.

=====

Back to Akari’s POV

‘Yeah, knew we wouldn’t get along.’ I thought with a flicker of annoyance, keeping my expression blank as I glanced at Saya’s dad from the corner of my eye.

“Hoh.” I raised an unimpressed brow at the man, still holding my blade steady. “Bold words. You understand the weight of what you’re saying?”

His eyes narrowed further, voice cold and firm. “I will not repeat myself.”

Scoffing, I fully turned to face him. “First off, I’m not one of your lackeys. Your ‘demands’ mean less than dirt to me.”

His eyes flared, but I didn’t give him a chance to respond.

“Second—this bastard’s head is still attached to his shoulders only because I didn’t want the others to see this side of me just yet—and more importantly, because I didn’t want to upset Saya.”

At the mention of her name, I glanced at the others. Most looked shocked. Understandably. Except for Ciel and Saeko, who had already moved, hands casually resting on their weapons, ready to back me up.

Saya? She only blinked. No anger in her expression. No fear either. Just… watching.

“Earlier,” I continued, gaze locked on Souichiro, “I asked a question you didn’t answer. So let me give it to you straight.”

I tilted my blade slightly, the glint of the edge catching the terrified man’s attention. He whimpered as I shifted my focus to him again.

“This piece of shit just tried to kill us. He didn’t raise a gun—but he tried to take ours. And in the world we live in now, that’s the same damn thing.”

“…K-Kill us?” Rei asked, still trying to process. Saya and Saeko, though, their eyes widened—understanding dawning in an instant.

I nodded at them. “Sharp as ever, you two.” I offered a smile, and they both blushed slightly—though neither relaxed.

Seeing the rest still confused, I elaborated.

“Right now, things like law, order, money, old positions—they’re all meaningless. The only thing that matters out there,” I gestured toward the outside, “is survival of the fittest.”

“And how do you survive in a world crawling with the dead?”

I gave them the answer flatly. “Weapons.”

Turning back to Souichiro, my tone dropped.

“I responded the only way a leader should. I protect my people. We never agreed to join your group—and we don’t answer to you.”

Then, to the man still frozen at swordpoint, I shifted my grip just slightly, just enough to make him pale.

“So now that we’re all on the same page—drop our weapons... or lose your head.”

A pause.

“You have three seconds.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the man dropped the duffel bag like it was on fire. The heavy thud echoed through the hall.

“Good choice,” I said simply, sheathing Kotetsu with practiced ease before picking up the bag in one hand like it weighed nothing.

“I’m heading out to check the Humvee—make sure everything’s still in order. We’re leaving tonight,” I told the group as I turned to leave. “Get some rest while you can.”

I didn’t spare a single glance at Souichiro as I walked off. He’d already taken up enough of my time.

Behind me, I heard murmurs—girls whispering among themselves, likely making decisions about their future. I didn’t bother to listen in. I already had a good idea of who planned to stay.

Just as I reached the door, I paused. Glancing over my shoulder, my eyes met Saya’s. She looked torn, nervous, eyes slightly wide and shimmering with emotion.

“Saya,” I called softly, drawing her full attention. “Now that you're home, I’d understand if you wanted to stay here. With your parents.”

I held her gaze, letting my voice drop into something gentler.

“Just know—we wouldn’t hold it against you.”

Her lips parted slightly in surprise, her body stiff, as if she hadn't expected those words.

“But,” I added, my expression softening into a small, genuine smile, “if you do want to keep traveling with us… we’d be happy to have you.”

A pause. My smile widened just a little.

“I would be happy to have you.”

With that, I turned and walked off—missing the deep blush that bloomed on Saya’s face and the small, knowing smile playing on Yuriko’s lips.

Of course… it was never going to end that smoothly.

“Did you really think I would let you walk away after threatening one of my men and then having the audacity to coerce my daughter away from her family?” a cold voice called out behind me.

I stopped mid-step, sighing through my nose in irritation. Of course he wasn’t done.

Turning back slowly, I leveled a flat glare in his direction, no longer bothering to hide my disdain.

‘Knew it,’ I thought, picking apart his emotions without even trying. Despite the angry tone, he wasn’t genuinely enraged—just posturing. A little paternal instinct that naturally came toward any punk that his daughter was interested in mixed with a healthy dose of male pride and insecurity. He was testing me, nothing more.

I dismissed him with a mental shrug. A dick-measuring contest to stroke his ego. How utterly human.

‘Humans and their egos,’ I mused dryly, not even blinking anymore at the thought. It had been a long time since I’d truly thought of myself as one of them.

When you had to constantly suppress over 99% of your senses just to function in society without hearing every conversation on the planet or watching the world move at a snail’s pace... you stopped feeling human.

Superman had the right of it. Earth felt like it was made of glass beneath my feet. Fragile. Delicate. Breakable. The only difference was I could tune the world out at will unlike the boy scout.

I exhaled and gave him a half-lidded look of mild amusement. “What do you want, old man?” I asked, not even trying to mask the mockery in my tone. “If you’re itching for a beating, just say the word. No need to play tough.”

Souichiro’s eyebrow twitched at my words, but he kept going.

“A duel,” he proposed, voice steady. “If you win, I’ll overlook today’s incident. You and your group may stay here as long as you like without needing to join us. Additionally, I’ll have supplies prepared for your journey—should you choose to leave.”

I almost scoffed. He was offering nothing of real value. Supplies? I had a literal city’s worth of resources stored away after absorbing everything from Raccoon City. I could feed this entire estate for months if I felt like it.

“And if I lose?” I asked, arching a brow, unimpressed.

“You and your group become part of our collective, effective immediately,” he replied with a smug little smirk, clearly trying to provoke me.

This time I didn’t hold back the scoff. “So basically, I gain nothing from this stupid duel,” I said flatly, sneering slightly. “Why the hell would I agree to those terms?”

Before he could answer, someone stepped forward, her presence cutting through the room like a blade.

“Master, I will not let this continue,” Ciel said coldly, already drawing her weapon.

Her expression was icy, her tone sharp, and for the first time, Souichiro looked visibly uneasy—instinctively taking half a step back.

“I’ve remained silent out of respect,” she continued, eyes boring into him. “But I won’t allow this man to insult you further. Let me take your place in this farce and teach him the manners he clearly lacks. It seems he’s conveniently forgotten that you saved his daughter’s life in the middle of an apocalypse.”

I sighed, feeling some of the tension drain from my shoulders. “Fine. Do as you wish.” I turned my attention back to the fool in front of us. “Ciel will represent me. I’ll accept the outcome, whatever it is.”

“You’re letting a woman fight in your place?” Souichiro asked, incredulous.

My lips twitched, just barely being able to hold back a bark of amused laughter. Not from the comment itself, but from the sheer stupidity it took to underestimate Ciel based on her gender alone.

Sure, maybe that was standard in old-school Japan, in regular humans, or in his military mindset, but the moment you added magic, ki, or the supernatural into the equation? That kind of logic went out the window.

Still, whatever. He’d learn.

Instead of responding to his ignorance, I turned to Ciel with a grin. “Try not to break too many bones, alright? No need to get the rest of his goons upset.”

“Understood, Master~” Ciel replied with a bright nod and a thumbs-up—adorable contrast to the aura radiating off her.

Satisfied that this nonsense was finally being handled, I turned and continued toward my original destination, leaving behind a stunned room.

In their eyes, Ciel probably looked delicate compared to the tank of a man she was about to fight. They had no clue she was the second-strongest being I knew, even stronger than the True Dragons back home.

A few steps away, I caught her voice one last time.

“Well then, shall we begin?” she said lightly. “I’d rather not waste time on silly games. I’d like to return to Master’s side as soon as possible.”

While most footsteps echoed in the opposite direction, I heard a single pair coming my way—but I paid them no mind and kept walking.

=====

Minutes Later

Reaching the garage where the Humvee was parked, I checked our inventory carefully. After a few tense moments, I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Everything was still there.

“Are you going to say anything, Yuuki, or just stand there ogling me?” I asked aloud, seemingly to no one.

A moment later, a familiar giggle answered me.

“Fufufu~ I couldn’t help myself,” Yuuki purred as she stepped up behind me, wrapping her arms around my torso. “You were so manly back there… I had to stop myself from jumping you in front of everyone.”

Her hands slipped under my shirt, caressing my abs with unrestrained desire.

“Behave,” I said with dry amusement, not bothering to remove her hands. “What’s your answer, Yuuki? Are you sticking with us or staying here?”

I’d asked her that after our time together at Rika’s place. Her answer then had been… vague. Said she’d stay as long as I protected her. But it hadn’t sounded like true conviction.

To be honest, whether she came or stayed didn’t matter much to me. Yuuki hadn’t exactly left a strong impression.

“Mmm, how mean~” she pouted. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten the promise I made after you ravaged my body?”

I gave her a flat look. She sighed and hugged me properly this time.

“I’ll stay,” she finally said, tone more serious. “I don’t know what it is about you, but something tells me I’d want for nothing if I stay close.”

Her seductive grin returned as her hand trailed downward and gave my junk a teasing squeeze. “Besides, I think you’ve ruined me for other men~ I’m never going back to dating some sweaty jock after experiencing what you have to offer.”

She even licked my cheek like some kind of fox in heat.

“Have it your way.” I shrugged. Her answer didn’t surprise me. With all my cheats, abilities, and sex perks, it wasn’t even a contest. A Succubi wouldn’t be able to handle me if I went full out—let alone regular girls.

“But calm down for now,” I added, stepping away from her grasp. “We’ve got work to do. We’re leaving this house soon.”

“Boo~ You’re no fun. You owe me later, Akari-kun,” she pouted, walking off with a smirk. “Don’t be surprised if I jump you when you least expect it~”

I wasn’t too concerned. Once we returned to my personal world, there’d be plenty of time—and space—for all of that.

With that, I got to work.

=====

Back With the Others

“I-Is this really happening?” Rei asked no one in particular as she stared nervously at Ciel and Souichiro, both standing in the center of the hall, preparing to fight.

“Go Ciel-chan!~” Shizuka cheered from the side, waving her arms in the air—causing some interesting movements from her massive chest.

“Go Onee-chan!”

“Wuff!”

Alice and Zeke added their own enthusiastic cheers.

“I wouldn’t worry too much, Miyamoto-san,” Saeko said calmly, watching the standoff with composed grace.

“What do you mean, Busujima-san?” Rei asked, turning toward her.

“By now I’ve had the opportunity to observe Ciel-san in a fight,” Saeko replied with confidence. “Takagi-dono doesn’t stand a chance.”

She smiled gently at the group gathered beside her. “Besides… isn’t it a woman’s duty to support her man? Akari-kun believes in her, and as one of his women—I’ll do the same.”

Her bold statement made several girls blush—Saya most of all.

“Sh-Shameless!” Saya muttered, flustered and red-faced… but noticeably more relaxed.

At that moment, Souichiro stepped forward and addressed Ciel.

“Are you sure about this? I won’t hold it against you if you withdraw and let your Master take your place,” he said calmly trying to sound gracious but only irritating Ciel further.

In response, Ciel raised the bokken she’d chosen for the duel in a graceful stance.

“Start already,” she said flatly.

Souichiro sighed but accepted her defiance, gripping his own bokken tightly in both hands as he got into position.

A tense silence followed.

Then—without warning—Souichiro lunged forward with a powerful overhead strike meant to end things in one clean blow.

It did end in one blow.

Just not the way he’d intended.

With a blur of motion, Ciel disappeared from view. A heartbeat later, she reappeared behind Souichiro, her bokken lowered at her side.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then Souichiro collapsed forward, unconscious before he hit the floor. His eyes rolled back, a small trickle of drool escaping his lips.

“Daddy!” Saya cried, rushing to his side with her mother Yuriko in tow. They knelt beside him, searching for a pulse.

“Don’t worry,” Ciel said calmly, walking up. “He’s alive. I merely knocked him out.”

Seconds later, Yuriko found a pulse and sighed in relief. Saya followed suit, clearly comforted.

“Such beautiful swordsmanship,” Saeko murmured with admiration. “I could barely follow her movements…”

Rei, finally smiling again, turned to Saeko and nodded. “You were right to believe in her.”

“You’re so cool Ciel-chan~” Shizuka yelled in excitement all the while clapping loudly along with Alice.

Meanwhile, Yuriko looked at her daughter with a warm smile. “You’ve made some wonderful friends, Saya. I’m happy for you. I approve.”

“W-What are you talking about, Mama!?” Saya blushed furiously. “Akari and I are just friends!”

“Fufufu~ I didn’t say anything about Akari-kun, dear,” Yuriko teased, her chuckle sending Saya into full meltdown.

As for Ciel, she left the room quietly, a smug smile on her face at putting the weak human in his place for disrespecting her beloved Master. She had one thing left to do—report to her Master hoped he praised her.