The crimson princess

Pov Dia,

I was on a remote sandstone island, and standing before me was a person I already hated with every fiber of my being.

He was the bearer of Regulus Nemea, and around him lay dozens of corpses of all ages and genders.

Dia: "How can someone like you live without remorse?"

Him: "I am the most powerful chosen in the world, and now you are going to die."

The armor on him trembled as if to deny his words. It was clear that Regulus Nemea opposed the actions of its bearer.

I realized I would have to proceed with the plan I had originally devised.

I released my PDD and charged at him, delivering a devastating attack that severed the Longinus from his soul.

Once separated, I destroyed his soul until it was no longer bound to him in any way.

Dia: "And that's one less asshole on this planet."

Regulus, now in his golden lion form, bowed before me.

Regulus: "I can never thank you enough for what you've done. He committed too many atrocious acts for me to feel any sympathy for him. He even forced me to assist him in his dark schemes."

Dia: "Don't worry; we don't get to choose our bearer, and it's not as if your power is inherently meant to do evil. But it amazes me that you are so aware of the world around you."

Regulus: "I think most of the souls within the Longinus have long since repented. I realized my mistake and vowed to fight for justice alongside my bearer, but as you can see, that hasn't been the case in recent years."

Dia: "That must have been hard for you. Now that you're free, what are you going to do?"

Regulus: "I think I'll enjoy my newfound freedom for a while before trying to find a new bearer—one I consider truly worthy this time."

Dia: "I have a proposal for you. For the next century, don't accept any bearer, even if they seem worthy. At some point soon, I will introduce you to someone who has the potential to be your new master. If you don't judge them worthy, you can refuse, and from that point, you'll be completely free. However, if you do find them worthy, you'll serve them and help them achieve their goal—their dream. What do you say?"

Regulus: "You have freed me from this bearer and offered me the opportunity to choose my next master. I will not refuse this offer."

I was happy because I had already planned to introduce him to Misla, and I was sure Regulus would approve.

Few days later,

I was with Rimuru and Sera at the Sitri hospital because he had just accepted a special patient.

Dia: "So, to sum up, a member of the Leviathan family is in the room next door, and she's suffering from sleeping sickness?"

Doctor: "Indeed. She has been in this state for some decades, but her family finally decided to entrust her to us."

Sleeping sickness was one of the Devils' greatest fears because there is no known cure for it. However, Rimuru might be able to wake her up, even though she hadn't tried yet.

Doctor: "They told me that if, by some miracle, she wakes up, she can stay with you."

I thought about Sera's peerage, which would now have a second Leviathan among its ranks. I found it fitting.

Dia: "We'll try to cure her, but we can't promise anything."

Strangely, Rimuru discovered, upon analyzing her, that she had a Sacred Gear within her body. It was at the level of a Longinus, though it wasn't listed among the twelve known ones.

Dia: "I'm sure Azazel will want to know about this."