How could different worlds conduct trade?
Answer: There is always some form of hard currency. Just as between cosmic civilizations, energy itself is hard currency.
Patchouli approached Rias and proposed the idea of a trade. The current head of the Gremory family was not Sirzechs, the Transcendent Demon King, but the father of Sirzechs and Rias. Upon hearing Patchouli's proposal, Rias's father, after some thought, did not refuse.
Seeking goodwill did not mean limitless appeasement. That would harm the Gremorys' interests and dignity, and it was not something Patchouli herself wished to see—even if she was the beneficiary. Any wise person knew that taking too much advantage was never a good thing. Patchouli did not intend to exploit them.
What she offered for trade was a Pseudo–Philosopher's Stone. Refined from life force, though Patchouli disdained such methods, the form it took—storing vast quantities of mana—was indeed considered hard currency in many worlds.
Thanks to Zeroy's exploits, Patchouli had a mountain of unused Pseudo–Philosopher's Stones, and now they finally had their use. So long as she erased the traces of living aura from them, no one would ever know these stones had been forged with countless lives' blood.
For such a trade, the Gremory family was indeed very interested. High-density mana crystals had uses in many fields, truly a universal currency. Therefore, the deal was a success.
Patchouli soon returned to the library. While Zeroy still slept, she immediately began creating further copies of texts.
"..."
"...That's enough for now."
The witch of knowledge let out a small yawn. Her tired eyes and aura of cold detachment had grown even more severe from exhaustion. Since most of the unduplicated volumes were neither rare nor powerful, replicating them was relatively easy. Within just a few hours, she had produced many copies.
Three days and nights of sleepless, intense reading, followed by hours of high-speed duplication—after all, the sooner she finished, the sooner she could devote herself wholly to supporting Zeroy, without Zeroy worrying about her. Even Patchouli was now weary.
"Time to sleep…"
The duplicates weren't entirely complete yet, but there was no urgency. Patchouli drifted over to Zeroy, then nestled herself into Zeroy's arms. As if that were not enough, she leaned closer still, until she rested at an intimate closeness against Zeroy.
"Good night…"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Lady Zeroy really is a sinful person," Kuroka muttered quietly, lying beneath a pile of books as she watched.
"Sinful?" Shirone lifted her little feline head, puzzled, glancing at her sister.
"It's nothing. Come, Shirone, let's go practice senjutsu outside. Let's not disturb the two ladies' rest."
"...Alright."
...
Since Patchouli had taken such action, what happened when Zeroy woke was hardly unexpected. Upon waking, she found a soft, fragrant witch in her arms. Still half-asleep, she reflexively hugged closer, nuzzled, even gave a squeeze. She couldn't help it—she wasn't fully awake, and the sensation of holding that witch was truly extraordinary. Her actions even hinted at treating Patchouli as a pillow.
Fortunately, she realized in time, stiffening suddenly—
"—!?"
Why was Patchi in my arms!?
Zeroy instinctively wanted to toss Patchouli aside and bolt far away. Thankfully, before acting, she stopped herself, instead carefully and gently setting Patchouli down, pulling away without waking her.
Once she'd put distance between them, she calmed down. She glanced at Patchouli's serene sleeping face, then at her own hands, and let out a long, silent sigh.
It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened. She had fallen asleep, Patchouli had grown tired and lain beside her. Sleep naturally brought movements; it was normal. Whether she or Patchouli had initiated it didn't matter; in the end, they ended up holding each other.
Undoubtedly, this was another case of unintentionally taking advantage, all because she lacked defined preferences.
"... Better go for a walk."
Zeroy rose and headed out of the library, her retreating figure tinged with a sense of desolation and awkwardness. She wanted to find something proper to do, to distract herself. Yet the Longinus for simulations was with Patchi, and she couldn't wake her just to borrow it. Nor could she go challenge strong foes; that was something she had to do together with Patchouli.
"..."
After Zeroy left, Patchouli awoke, frowning tightly as she stared in the direction Zeroy had gone.
"..."
"Zeroy, you're awake. Did you rest well?"
Just outside the library, Zeroy ran into Rias.
"Mm… well enough."
"Forgive me. Until now, neither you nor Patchouli have even been shown your rooms. I'll take you there right away."
Rias's tone held apology, mingled with helplessness. It wasn't that the Gremorys had been neglectful. She had intended to take them to their rooms from the start and had tried multiple times after. Yet each time, both had refused, preferring to remain reading.
"…Alright."
Thus, at last, Rias could guide Zeroy and Patchouli to their assigned quarters.
"What about Patchouli? Didn't she come with you?"
"She's still asleep. I didn't want to wake her."
"I see." Rias nodded. She had visited the library earlier and found them asleep then too.
However, she hadn't disturbed them, deciding instead that once they awoke, she must take them to their rooms. Whether they had collapsed from exhaustion or had simply chosen to rest in the library out of ignorance, it was important to show them their quarters as soon as possible.
"Still, Zeroy and Patchouli, you two really are close, aren't you?"
Together, in the midst of scattered books, they had clung to each other as they slept. That sight, Rias almost wished she could capture in a photograph to keep. The scene, the composition, everything felt just right—and above all, the two protagonists were stunning beauties.
"Uh…"
Faced with that remark, Zeroy chose to dodge, changing the subject.
"By the way, Rias, I'd like to ask a favor. Both Patchi and I want to challenge strong opponents. Do you have any suitable recommendations?"
...
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