I Am A Villain

As the light faded I found myself standing in a desert… there was nothing nearby and the system wouldn't tell me where I currently am.

'Might as well explore…'

And so I started my journey walking alone in the desert for 2 months, until I saw some travelers. They tried to rob me and it didn't end well for them. Seeing as they were wearing turbans and holding swords I first guessed I was somewhere close to Egypt. I know there are still bandits that dress like this even on modern days so I couldn't be sure.

I killed them by engaging in a sword fight, though little by little my sword was being chipped and broken. It was hard pressed to block another strike. I would need a new weapon but finding one here would be difficult.

I could roughly understand where I was. I was indeed in Egypt, relatively close to the sea that connect to Europe. As Europe was the part of the world I knew best, I decided to go there. It seemed to be the medieval time and I couldn't exactly tell what year it was, I had too little information.

…

It took 8 days to arrive on the city and 3 more to find a boat that would take me to Europe.

…

Misfortune stroke again as we encountered a storm, 5 days down the trip. The ship barely made it through. We lost 10 sailors and 3 passengers during that storm.

…

After 1 month we finally made it to Italy. It was easy to make some guards disappear and gain enough knowledge to know where to head next. The capital of Rome was my intended target. Information brokers and whispers are everywhere, especially in the capital.

…

'It has to be a joke right? Either way right now I have nothing to lose. Let's see if the legends are true.'

I had just heard the news of a new king rising on what was supposed to be England.

'If it truly is King Arthur Pendragon be it a he or she it should prove enough to see whether there is magic or not in this world.'

Thinking so I ran. I ran and ran for days to end, without getting tired I could run forever without needing rest. Given my astounding physical abilities I was much faster than a car so I should be able to arrive in a harbor in France by the end of this month.

I had to stop a few time to get directions but overall it wasn't so bad. If I wasn't running around, practicing parkour along the way this would have been extremely boring. I also tried Naruto style running and… it was not very effective.

…

I hitched a ride with a merchant who was kind enough to lend me his body. Nobody would miss him. During this period of time people were killed just like grass and many more just disappeared.

Finally arriving in England, there was no big difference. Same kind of people, almost the same clothes, only the language was different but that could be fixed easily with one or two meals.

…

Before me was what was supposed to be Camelot. The castle of King Arthur Pendragon… he or she I don't know. What I do know is that Excalibur, the sword of promised victory was inside the castle. The reason why I was so sure? The tremendous amount of power coming off from that castle. I could always be mistaken and that it was the aura of King Arthur or Merlin himself. This castle was not a place I could step on as I wished.

I had to wait a few months to see King Arthur marching out with his army.

'Time to see if it is a he or a she.'

As I activated my X-Ray vision I was not surprised to see that the dear king was covered with magic. He was being protected by something… or someone.

Zero: "My best guess would be on the guardian angel, you… Merlin."

I said as I turned around to where my bonfire was. An old man sitting next to it.

Merlin: "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You clearly know who I am but I don't know you."

Zero: "You can call me Zero. A traveler."

Merlin: "A traveler wouldn't be so intimidating. Every part of my body is telling me to stay away from you."

Zero: "Are you sure it's good to let me know that you are being intimidated from me?"

Merlin: "While it is true that I am intimidated that has never stopped me before. If I backed down every time I was intimidated I would arrive at this point in life."

Zero: "So what do you want old man?"

Merlin: "Shouldn't I be asking that? You clearly came here with a purpose. While it may have been curiosity at first, camping out for so much time it is clear you are waiting for a chance."

Zero: "And what chance might that be?"

Merlin: "It might be the king, but you would have already attacked if it was so. It might be me, but still you wouldn't waste time talking… so there is only 1 option left. You are here for the sword, meaning you know the power it holds."

Zero: "You indeed can't underestimate someone just because they are old, you should fear them for that instead."

Merlin: "You are overestimating this old man."

Zero: "Be it either case you would have already attacked me if you knew what's best for you… meaning you want to either discuss something or make a deal with me."

Merlin: "You are indeed correct."

Zero: "So what is this deal you want to make?"

Merlin: "I want you to provide safety for Arthur for the rest of his life. I am already nearing my limit and will perish soon, you on the other hand shouldn't have that problem. I can sense the vitality in you is much, much higher than Arthur who is a peak human. This shouldn't be much for you right?"

Zero: "While that may be so, what do I gain from this deal?"

Merlin: "At first I would have offered to teach you magic… but I do not have enough time left. I am on good graces with several gods, so tell me one thing you want and I'll see to it."

Zero: "Can you find the body of a dragon for me?"

Merlin: "A dragon's body dissipates in the world once he dies so I can't provide that."

Zero: "What about bodies of one of the 3 factions higher ups?"

Merlin: "While I have a good relation with the angels I doubt that would be acceptable to them. I can however provide some low level fallen from a friend of mine"

'So dragon's do exist. So do gods, angels, devils and fallen angels. This must definitely be DxD. That fallen friend must be Azazel, he is the only one that loves magic research so much as to make friends with a human.'

Zero: "Very well, I accept this deal."

'This is the most dangerous world I have been in yet, for the coming years I will have to protect King Arthur… wonder if I'll be mentioned in history when the plot actually starts? What would my title be?'

[A.N: I doubt you need a more obvious hint to give ideas for a title to Zero. We'll be staying here a while after all.]