Magical Trickster DxD (HS DxD Magician!OC-I with some X-overing)

Chapter 12: Cornering Someone for Something

The Occult Research Club-room was the perfect copy of what was represented in the show, thus I will not spend time to describe the peculiarly humongous size of the room or the fact it had a fucking shower in the middle of it.

While in the ‘Anime’ side of the story the fact a student could easily be pulled out of class and pardoned because he had to speak to an important character, I was fairly sure how things were unfolding right now was quite illegal by the school’s rules.

I never heard of a school that could allow students to be literally pulled out of a classroom mid-lesson and given as justification the fact ‘they were going to talk with a big name’.

It just was wrong and dumb by logical thought available and present. Just like the blasted shower in the middle of the room.

Seriously, who would really want to shower in front of people? And why?

Rias was someone that, from my understanding, doesn’t have any issue in showing some skin around, my mind reminding me how she would spend her nights sleeping ‘with’ Issei without clothes.

It’s a miracle the boy hadn’t regressed back to when he was going with his perverted ways because of this occurrence, but I was quite certain it had all to do with Asia.

The former nun seemed to be less worried about losing Issei to someone, it was a strange change in her attitude towards the brunet compared to the Canon that was almost difficult to spot on.

The blond would still seek the boy’s presence, happy to be around him much to my glee, but she wouldn’t exert herself in showing her interest about it by going too far.

My only theory connected to the first encounter and how the initial interactions weren’t as intense as in Canon: Issei didn’t get to give her a full tour of Kuoh Town until I was mid-training with Azazel and, without Raynare there to interrupt and cause a heroic rescue to save the blonde, Asia’s idea of the boy was… a little more personal.

There wasn’t much of a Knight in Shining Armor kind of idea in the girl regarding the boy she cared for and that offered her the chance to slowly learn more about him to a moderate pace.

Plus there was the fact Issei himself didn’t present himself as a teen that launched himself at every oppai he saw, thus mostly removing the chances of the blonde to get jealous about other girls and push herself to ‘catch his attention’.

That is why I could only suppose Rias was having a particularly difficult time with the brunet and Asia. In the show the redhead would have some sort of advantage over both ‘Kohais’ as she was quite resourceful and gave off quite the confident presence compared to both the boy’s and girl’s uncertain reactions to everything about the supernatural world.

With Asia standing on some strong foundation and becoming an important element in Issei’s life, the Gremory’s chances of teasing and playing around with the boy’s (now non-existent) embarrassing habits turned quite useless if not antagonistic.

The atmosphere at the club was quite tense for some reason and the club was divided in two visible sides.
Occupying both sides of the couch I was sitting in were a nervous Issei and the stoic-looking Koneko, the little Nekoshou munching at some candies as silence reigned all around us.

Kiba took one of the chairs near the center of the room, Rias was sitting in the couch to the opposite of the one I was currently seated and Akeno was humming happily as she finished preparing some tea.

I had long contemplated the fact they would reveal themselves there, but this theory was discouraged by the fact Sona wouldn’t allow that.

As I had said long before, the Sitri heiress still considered me part of some ‘honorary peerage’ as I was a member of the Student Council and giving up the ‘honor’ of revealing what was going on in the school’s backstage wasn’t something she was going to truly accept nor do.

So I knew that whatever was going to happen, it wasn’t going to be incredibly big or important plot-wise.
Finally the Himejima came to pass and, even through I politely declined her offer of a cup of tea, I was presented with a steamy one of it. Groaning, I held it close but didn’t sip at it until I could study its content.

The words shared the day before with Baraqiel were still ringing dreadfully in my mind and I knew that every possible attempt to ‘seduce me’ was now going to be something of be wary of while around her.

The girl sat near her buchou, smiling sweetly and waiting for something to happen. Without hesitation I glanced at the tea in the cup and I did notice an odd shade to it and I noticed that I wasn’t the only one suspecting some foul play going on.

Koneko’s eyes were fixed at the liquid, her candy-munching interrupted as she frowned at the cup. Her nose was sniffing at it and then, in a mere blink of an eye, her hand swiftly slapped the cup away, uncaring of the tea spilling on the ground and the container exploding in shard as it slammed on the floor.

Issei yelped in surprise but it was her reaction that surprised me the most.


“K-Koneko?!” Our attention shifted to the wide-eyed Akeno, the girl shocked, a little angry but mostly dismayed at how her plan had been ruined by the silver-haired girl.

“Koneko-chan… why did you slap Hoitsu-san’s cup away?” Rias’s voice showed some surprise and reprimanding tone. The girl looked a little more tense now that the King was interested on the matter and I decided to intervene just because it was my kohai suffering this double attack.

“I think Koneko-chan spotted a mosquito on the cup and since it was quite close to her-”

“I almost jumped at that.” The girl faked an apologetic tone and nodded towards my direction. “I’m sorry, senpai.”

“There is no need to apologize to me, Koneko-chan. Still, I think that was quite the excessive reaction and you should apologize to Akeno-san-”

“I-I am fine with that.” The Himejima interrupted nervously, causing me to frown at her. “I-I suppose accidents can happen a-and I forgive you, Koneko-chan.”

There was some barb in the usage of that honorific, but I guess that did screw some of her plans. I wonder if it was some aphrodisiac or something worse…

Thank the Gods I wasn’t going to deal with that ever again, since now her plan was clear to me and she knew it wouldn’t work with me anymore.

Rias seemed ready to mount a protest, as her lips parted to make space to some response to what was going on… then she stopped and seemed to think about this a little more.

“Ignoring what has just happened… I assume you wish to know why you got invited here this urgently, Hoitsu-san.”

I nodded. “That is correct, Rias-san.”

There was a brief smile then the girl turned to Koneko. “I’ve been told that you are now living alone, in your own house.”

I blinked at the curious beginning of something incredibly convoluted. “Yes, that is the case.”

“And how did you exactly ‘bypass’ your parents about this? Did you buy your new home and-”

“If you mean that ‘I avoided fighting with them’ with ‘bypass them’, then no, I did fight them about the subject.” I corrected quickly. “But in that very fight we managed to sort out the issues and have them accept my current plans for the future.”

The Gremory fidgeted in her seat as she thought about my words, then she continued. “But you did have to make something to get them to see your point.”

Sighing I nodded. “I had to show them results that my plans are starting well and they would be until I was careful around.”

… “What?”

“Actions matter more than words.” I stated calmly. “That is an unspoken rule of life that helps almost everywhere. If you wish for someone to understand and approve of what you want to do with your life then you need to prove that your idea is worth of consideration-”

“This is actually a… different case.” The redhead sighed, putting the chat in a stall as I narrowed my eyes at her sudden interruption.

I continued to stare at her for a little while, her sky-blue eyes darting away from direct contact and I sighed tiredly as I decided to push up the discussion.

“Are you dealing with an arranged marriage?”

True silence reigned in the club-room.

Issei looked quite confused, Kiba and Akeno looked shocked at the precise question and Koneko merely showed surprise at my words. Yet it was Rias’ reaction that won it all.

The heiress to the Gremory family went still, frozen as her eyes widened in evident shock, fear and dismay.
“H-How did you-”

“It was a mere theory of mine, taking under consideration the fact that you come from a traditional rich family.”

“B-But how did you know t-this was the case?” Kiba asked, breaking away from his shocked state.

“As I said, it was merely a theory, an assumption that was answered positively by the reaction of most of the occupants.”

“S-Still, that is something big, buchou!” The brunet looked incredibly clueless about some bits of the situation, but part of the disgusting mess was starting to sink in his brain.

He had all the rights to be like that, but I decided to focus on the matter at hand. First we solve this mangled debacle, then some explanation will be given by Rias and only Rias.

“Rias-san, I suppose you have a copy of the contract with you as you are directly involved with it.”

She nodded. “I do, but I’ve already searched for any clauses that I could use against him but-”

“There is none that would help.” Well, that sucks big time as I did kind of hoped that something could have been done about it, maybe avoid completely the Phenex Arc with some cunning planning but…

It wasn’t the case.

Which means that I would have to be ready to personally meddle if something strange happens and Canon derail for a reason or another.

“Have you thought of declaring the contract void since you weren’t signing it willfully?”

She blinked. “What?”

“You could mention that the pressure exercised by both family ended up influencing your decision and, against the chances of performing your pondering with the lack of a peaceful and free capacity, you were forced to sign such contract.”

I waited, expecting the girl to rebuke my idea as it was actually standing on some frail foundation. While the girl was this desperate to get out from the contract, she wouldn’t go as far to face the possible wrath of her parents about it-

“It could work.”

… “What?”

The redhead smiled. “It is a pretty weak excuse, I think that is why you seem this much surprised of seeing me agree to that… but I can plan something from it.”

I blinked once, then twice. “Could you elaborate?”

“My brother has already mentioned that he would support me in case I vouched a good and compelling case that he can get behind and my parents aren’t interested about the arranged marriage themselves, so convincing them should be easy...”

“And the issue is?”

Rias sighed. “There are some members of the close group of ‘friends’ of my family that might not see this in a positive light.”

“From my understanding, you have quite some time to deal with this.” She nodded at my affirmation. “Then you should focus on building up some backing from those groups and provide yourself a cushion for an eventual fallout.”

She nodded. “I will do that.”

There was a relieved smile and she relaxed on her couch. “Hoitsu-san, thank you.”

I snorted and she frowned. “I mean it. I would even reward you-”

“If you wish to do something then apologize to Asia, since you have been avoiding her since she joined a club that wasn’t yours.” I stated seriously. “If that was your attempt at befriending people, that was poorly-made.”

She flinched at my tone but nodded slowly at my request. “I-I can see your point. I guess I wasn’t particularly honest with her and-”

“I want you to also never try to bring her to whatever you are planning here.”

Tension sparked once more at the sudden threat, but I ignored the sudden frown from the Gremory. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Hoitsu-san.”

“Then let us speak within the hypothetical case.” I smiled at the fact the pressure I was feeling was actually bearable. “If I discover you tried to manipulate Asia once more, I will make sure to create some real opposition. And that, Gremory-san, is not something you truly wish to face, trust me.”

And with that weight finally delivered, I got up and started to walk towards the door that lead outside of the club-room.

“Where are you two going?” Rias asked with a mix of surprise and annoyance. Following me closely was Koneko and it was the silver-haired girl that answered the older teen.

“If you remember, Rias-buchou, I asked to be exempted from class for only a single lesson as today I have an English exam during the second hour of school. In ten minutes I have to be back to class and I don’t wish to be late for it.”

The redhead nodded at her excuse and turned at me expecting some motivation from me too. I shrugged. “I have class too, plus I think this discussion is over and… you have to explain stuff to Issei.”

“Yes, but-”

Click

The door closed behind us and I sighed in relief at the fact she wasn’t giving chase.

“Do you wish to be escorted to class, Koneko-chan.” I offered and she spent few moments to hum about it and then…

“Okay.”

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The rest of the school-day seemed to fly at how quick it went.

Kunou enjoyed her second day at the Academy, while I was glad to not get annoyed by Rias after that ‘little chit-chat’ we had earlier that morning.

It had seemed like the whole day was actually going to be a very normal one, without any major issues or problem to face and… I found it the annoying way that it wasn’t the case.

Just as we turned the corner for the small street that led to our home, Kunou squealed happily and rushed forward as she quickly spotted Koneko in the distance, waiting right by the entrance of the house.

The Nekoshou seemed quite dismayed by something or, once I noticed whom was waiting by her side, someone.

Akeno waved happily and smiled as I slowly approached, the little blonde frowning at the unknown individual and went to ignore her as she intercepted her senpai with a hug.

“What are you doing here?” I asked without hesitation at the still smiling Yamato nadeshiko.

“Hello to you too, Hoitsu-kun, I thought of passing by and see if you needed some help-”

“Pass.” I stated quickly and her smile only widened at the refusal.

“It isn’t something you can refuse~-”

“Watch me.” I gestured the two girls to get inside the house inside and, once I stepped inside, I was about to close the door behind me to keep the young woman out when she suddenly put her feet in and-

It blocked my chances of closing.

She didn’t move at first as I tried to deter her by carefully adding some little more force and get her to back down but-

“T-This is~ New~”

I completely forgot whom I was trying to deter with pain and… she was enjoying through it all.

I backed away from the door and she smiled deviously as she closed it behind.

“Ara, Ara, was I that much… scary there?”

Yes, yes you were, you crazy masochist.

She giggled at my lack of response and proceeded to slowly venture inside the house, her violet eyes locking onto the kitchen area visible by the end of the living room.

“Oh?” She quickly marched towards the shiny room, I followed her closely as she entered inside and stopped to stare at the large communion of modern appliances and various cooking utensils carefully put in the various cupboards and drawers.

Her eyes were shining through the whole time and I started to notice that I had yet to see Kunou and Koneko when I entered the house. I suppose the blonde could have gotten the older girl to follow her to her room, having mentioned that she would have wanted to show her senpai her room.

And so I was here, alone with the currently distracted ‘Priestess of Thunder’ as she studied the whole Kitchen in silence.

Finally she stopped to nod to herself. “I would like a kitchen like this for myself.” Then she turned to look at me, her smile changing in something quite mysterious and dreadful for some reason.

A chill went down my spine as she curiously approached the sink and she opened the tap.

The sudden burst of water caused her to yelp while also close the tap before causing too much of a mess to clean after and… her lips twitched in amusement.

“Oops.”

God-fucking-dammit. Why I had to deal with this perverted woman-

Why was I getting the attention of the more perverted ones?!

“Can you take me to the bathroom-”

“I am picking some towels and some pair of fresh clothes.” I interjected quickly, knowing that bathroom and perverts created the worst nightmare for those trying to keep the V-Card for the right moment.

She pouted and waited there as I quickly rushed upstairs to pick said objects. I was glad that she didn’t try anything with this much water wetting her clothes and rendering some feature visible.

It wasn’t a full sight, but I could see her cleavage and her toned stomach. I had a little blush because of that and the girl milked this opportunity by using the towels very slowly and very carefully.

Once she had the dripping water issue dealt with I left the kitchen for a while to let her change with the pair of clothes I had procured to her. The Himejima spent the same amount of time, if not more to complete this simple task and I was tortured by little teasing from her side.

“Hoitsu-kun, could you help me with the bra? I’m having trouble getting it off~.”

“My legs are tired, could you help me remove the skirt~?”

“Actually, could you give me a foot massage~? I would like a very extended one~.”

This is… mind-shattering.

My pride and virtue was put to a difficult challenge against someone that was professionally the perfect perverted woman.

Thankfully she didn’t make any first step nor pressed on with any of the blushes she could spot on my face and kept herself from passing over my ‘safe line’ of distance.

As Kunou and Koneko descended from upstairs and sat by the living room’s table, Akeno and I started to prepare something and… by something I mean the Himejima decided to take the lead with the preparation of the menu.

Miso soup was something I had the ingredients to make, but I was quite an inept in making traditional Japanese dishes, having most of my knowledge coming from Western cuisine.

Thus I was pretty much given a secondary role of support during the preparation, following the smiling woman as she gave orders over orders.

It was a quick process that surprisingly didn’t crash and burn as I had initially thought it would and the result was delicious.

Kunou and Koneko were both glowing happily while eating the content of the soup. Akeno didn’t try anything funny during the moment spent all together and few minutes later, both girls retreated back to the blonde’s room and I was left alone once more with the Queen of Rias’ peerage.

We were cleaning the empty plates when something unusual happened.

I was bracing myself for any eventual strike from Akeno, still giving enough focus to the plates I had to complete, when I heard the girl sigh tiredly. I glanced her way and I saw her stopping for a moment, eyes closed and I frowned.

“Something’s wrong?”

She looked surprised and almost jumped at my question before giving off a nervous look. “J-Just thinking outloud. Nothing to worry about.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Are you… sure?”

The Himejima blinked and nodded slowly. “I am fine.”

‘I am fine’. I gave off a perplexed expression and planned how to tackle this sudden sadness of the girl.

“And what if I tell you that I don’t believe it and I said that I could offer you a shoulder?”

There was some silence as she went still for a moment and then nodded to herself.

“I would say ‘good job’ and then ask to replace the shoulder with your bare back.” She replied, her smile twitching in weak amusement as I groaned at her surprising response.

“Cheeky, but I am trying to help you there.” I sighed and continued. “What got you this sad, Akeno.”

She tilted her head and then turned her attention back to the sink. “I… guess I was thinking about about my childhood.”

Oh.

“My mom was… quite supportive when I wanted to help her around with the house chores. It was fun when we were both doing those and...” She smiled sadly. “Right now I was reminded of those times, when she was… still alive and-”

Akeno bent a little over the sink and I sighed as I slowly spread my arms open at her. The gesture was caught almost immediately by her attention and she moved softly to press her head onto my chest.

The sobbing began a little muffled as Akeno pressed her face close to my shirt, the girl was crying quite calmly as I silently had one of my arms wrapping around her while my free hand started to carefully run through her hair, lulling her as she let out everything she was holding in.

Few minutes of this passed and I didn’t speak nor move further as she needed some time to rest.

Finally she started to sniffle a little, her head turning as she looked up with a small smile.

“S-Sorry. I stained your-”

“That’s alright.” I quickly reassured her with a small smile of my own. “How are you doing?”

She sniffled a little more. “J-Just a little tired now. But… I feel better.”

She moved out of the hug and nodded. “T-Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

As she used one of the unused towels to clean her face off the tears, the two other girls finally emerged from the kitsune’s room and sat prepared for the little Math session.

The study session that followed was quite interesting as Akeno decided to take a more active role than before by joining the group with her own homework, which I had to help with myself as I was the one sharing that burden with her.

It was livelier than usual and it got quite adorable when Kunou asked to the Himejima if she could sit in her lap to see better what was going on the table. The Yamato nadeshiko blinked and nodded as the little blonde settled on her legs and looked both at the hybrid’s and the Nekoshou’s homework.

It got real when Akeno patted her head with a smile and let out the strongest kind of Ara, Ara.

“Ara, Ara, aren’t you a smart girl?”

Kunou smiled and nodded at her ‘newly-named Neechan’.

It was around two hours later, with both girls having completed their homework that I escorted them by the door and out to the open.

“Thank you as always, senpai.” Koneko bowed a little.

“And as always, it’s just my duty, kohai.” I waved at her.

The Himejima merely smiled and nodded. “I hope that I could ask to join you all once more if I have the chance.”

“If you can come and don’t commit anything remotely lewd, then yes.”

She giggled. “Now, that is quite the difficult promise to maintain.”

“Please do and… remember to do that when you feel sad.” I whispered at her, the silver-haired girl on the side frowning at the secrecy.

Akeno blinked and hummed comically. “You mean… groping?”

I facepalmed really, really hard at that. Goddammit, you perverted woman!

“Hugging! Ugh, why are you like this?”

“Because I am special and… I know that you like me this way, why would I change?”

That very question caused me to frown at her, eliciting some giggles and then she suddenly blinked.

“Actually… there is something on your cheek. Let me...” She approached her finger softly touching my left cheek and then…

Chu~

I felt my face explode in red, my brain going a little blank for the embarrassing even currently unfolding as the Himejima pressed her lips on said cheek.

Kunou blinked in surprise while Koneko frowned at the action, both staring and giving their judgment to the situation from afar.

She pulled back with a content smile and nodded. “That is a ‘thank-you’ for being there for me… even through I didn’t deserve it.”

I nodded slowly and dumbly, causing Kunou and Akeno to giggle at it while Koneko cracked a quick smile.
Yet as I waved at them while they walked away from the street and turned the corner, I had in mind to return back home and wait for Baraqiel’s return.

But, much to my surprise and mostly to my dismay, as I turned to face the entrance door, I saw him looking from the corner.

The Fallen Angel was peeking from said corner, eyes murderously locked on my figure as his hands twitched furiously and cracking the surface he was holding onto.

He was giving me quite the…

ゴ
ゴ
ゴ
ゴ

Murderous glance.

I saw him disappear in a blur and I instinctively braced while yelling. “I have a good explanation!-!”

He appeared right in front of me, his hands squeezing at my shoulders as he gave me the greatest of glares.

“You will. After we start a special round of training without Tears of Phoenix. Only then you can explain, Hoitsu-kun.”

AW SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-

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AN

Today I’m supposed to do another 4k chapter for another story and do the ‘Standard one-shot’ for a HP competition. Hopefully things go well…

Quick assurance: Most of the Arcs are going to happen and the Phenex Arc will still happen, just in a different setting and with different events. That is what happens when the timeline is changed.

Also quick reminder: This scene is still a pending consideration about Akeno’s position and role as this could be the start of a close friendly bond with some perverted moments or I could make it a romantic thing. Thankfully I don’t plan any ships happening until a little later.

Lastly a small hint, I’ve plans for the character I will ship Kunou. It will be a shocking surprise but actually a plausible choice. He will appear quite soon too...

Future milestone: 696 Followers and Favorites.​

 

Chapter 13: Unexpected Role

Things were going quite well for me and those around.

Having Koneko and Akeno come for lunch and join in the study session together had turned into a normal occurrence much to Baraqiel’s chagrin and the ‘strange’ situations that the Himejima would cause once in a while would continue to persist.

Even through there was a sharp difference from the lewd tone she took early in her ‘chase’, some particular events would still continue to happen.

Hands touching during lunch, she would press her chest to ‘look over my shoulder’ or she would even go and try to get her shirts wet while using the sink of the kitchen. The girl ended up mastering the bursts of water, making it a precise hit on her shirt only.

It was the teasing that was left unchanged. The perverted ‘Oneesama’ was incredibly keen to point out some of the more ‘interesting’ details about a situation about herself or, in some cases, about me.

Nothing was committed explicitly in front of the two younger girls, yet I was quite sure that my little kohai already knew that something was going on between the Queen of the peerage she was part of and her poor senpai.

Speaking of the sweets-loving girl, I was happy to learn that she was quite confident about the future results of her Math test. The silver-haired Reincarnated Devil did show some rare smiles much to Kunou’s growing interest to see more of her senpai.

It was an adorable relationship both Kitsune and Nekoshou were developing, very close to a sisterly bond which Koneko was quite elated to have as she was somehow happy to be the ‘older sibling’ to the young blonde.

Training proceeded smoothly, with Baraqiel being a little more ‘aggressive’ in his approach after learning about Akeno’s frequent visiting and how she was ‘interested’ to me. I didn’t blame him for being incredibly protective, but I did blame him for making training a true walk through hell with his more violent attitude towards me.

It was around Friday that the Fallen Angel announced some news for the following day.

After finishing the last sparring session of the day, the man showed me a particularly long report, urging me to read it.

And I did and… I was a little surprised at what was supposed my official first mission for Grigori.

I blinked and then frowned at the details, turning for answers to Baraqiel. “Only one day and… where is this place?”

The address was strange, written in a language I was quite unfamiliar with and the man smiled.

“It’s going to be a mere escort mission as some talks happens in the meantime and you don’t have to worry about the location.” The Fallen Angel stated with a smile. “You will be helped around by your partner during the mission, he is quite acknowledged about Hell language.”

… “Partner?” I found myself questioning. “You are not going to come too?”

“I will be going for said diplomatic talks once this training session is over.” He answered while giving a lone nod. “My presence for this event is important and your presence will give some trust to the other side.”

“Are there going to be the Four Maou?” The Fallen Angel quickly nodded at my question. “So… this has to be a big thing and- do I know whom is going to be my partner?”

He merely smiled, then he spoke three words and I groaned.

“You know him.”

Which means that, since I knew just four people from Grigori and only one fit the bill, I was going to deal with Vali once again and while he had yet to go rogue, he was still going to be a pain to deal with.

“Can I have some more info? Like who is the contractor or-”

“All will be explained in good time, Hoitsu-kun.” Baraqiel sighed as he started to move towards his room. “Just behave and avoid making a bad impression.”

With those ominous words the Fallen Angels left the training room, leaving me to contemplate the situation from a very limited standpoint.

Whatever was going on between Grigori and Hell, it has to have to do with Khaos Brigade… or at least what was currently part of KB.

Qlippoth and Old Satan factions have already joined at this time of the story, same for the Nilrem faction as I had the pleasure to encounter a group of them and-

I wonder if I should contact Mephisto Pheles and inform him about the current situation of the magicians, maybe get his support early on for the eventual anti-KR coalition and avoid some major issues.

I should do that but right now I couldn’t because of the lack of info about the Grauzauberer. It wasn’t common knowledge in the lore where exactly it was sited, nor how it truly worked.

Maybe they would even hunt me down if they discovered me as I was a Magician, that was a thing now, but I was quite unaware what kind of ideological line they would have towards ‘newcomers’, a purist or a reformist one.

My little silent thinking earned me a minor headache as I slowly ended up theorizing where exactly Vali and I were supposed to be sent to.

Hell was smaller than the entire world, but it did have several interesting places. Places that were either ‘safe’ or incredibly dangerous to be spending time within.

Hopefully I wasn’t going to deal with any dangerous situation anytime soon and hopefully the Khaos Brigade wasn’t going to cause any problem during the talks, just like it had happened in Canon.

I entered my bedroom and blinked at the sight of a nine fluffy tails of golden waggling slowly as Kunou lied on the bed, eyes open and directed at the door while giving a patient look.

The Kitsune was wearing her Pjs and I was glad that there was nothing ecchi in the way she was positioned, no unnecessary skin showing and she looked mostly adorable like that. Like a puppy starving for affection.

I snorted, a small smile playing in my features. “I think you are getting quite spoiled, aren’t you?”

She pouted briefly, but didn’t shy away as I slowly slipped inside the covers and waited for her to start to move.

The blonde sighed in relief as her head nuzzled on my chest. I patted near her fox ears and she hummed pleased by the calm but careful ministrations.

With her eyelids half-closed, I decided to break the news to her now as things will get quite annoying in the morning.

“Tomorrow I will be out of Kuoh for my work.” Her sight was quickly locking on my face. “It will be just for Saturday, by Sunday’s early morning I will be back.”

She blinked, a little tense but not too much and she asked. “Just Saturday?”

“Yes, just tomorrow. I will call Asia and Issei early in the morning to see if they can come and keep you company, okay?”

Golden eyes glowed warmly at mentioning the fellow blonde and the funny brunet. “What about senpai… or Neechan?”

“I don’t have their number, but if they pass and wants to spend some time I don’t see any issue with that.”

She smiled and nodded, further snuggling close to the warmth. “Niichan?”

I hummed in response, half-asleep already and she giggled.

“I… love you.”

I sighed and pulled her head closer, kissing her forehead and smiling. “Love you too, Imouto.”

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It was quite early in the morning, I had set my travel bag on the table as I let Asia and Issei in, nodding at them. “Once more thank you to be there-”

“Nonsense, senpai. Issei and I will be more than happy to take care of Kunou and the house for today and...” The girl looked around, a little awed at the size of the place. “T-This house is really big.”

The brunet nodded in agreement and then turned back to me with star-glittered eyes. “This is what will happen if I continue working part-time?”

I shrugged. “If you keep up for a long time, you will be able to buy what you want, even a house.”

He nodded, happy with the answer as I turned to Kunou. “Remember to listen to Asia-chan and Ise if they say that there is something dangerous going on, okay?”

She nodded quickly. “I will be fine with Ise-nii and Asia-nee.”

I patted her head. “Good and..” I blinked towards the two distracted teens, a little devious plan forming inside my mind. “Do try to bring them together. Just some suggestions, nothing too much complex.”

The girl blinked and glanced towards her temporary caretakers and nodded slowly, a little mischievous smile appearing in her face. “I will try.”

I patted her head again and picked my bag. “I will see you all tomorrow then.” I held my free hand up to wave as I walked out of the door and I was greeted by the three waving back.

Closing the door behind me I started to make my way to the precise alley Baraqiel had told me to present myself to and much to my silent surprise the walk was surprisingly a short one.

I paused a moment before venturing towards what seemed to be a dead end, putting on my disguise as Hekishoku on. Feeling ready to go after putting the changed clothes inside my bag, I started to walk towards the frontal door and… waited for something to happen.

Looking around I found nothing in particular that could fit with anything magical or- Wait.

I pressed my open palm on the wall and… it was warm. Pushing some energy onto the construct, a glowing seal appeared and a beam shoot from it and hit my full body, coating me in light as… I felt shifting.

I lost my footing and tripped almost immediately in a rugged floor.

Groaning, I got up and the first thing I noticed was that I was now in a train?

There were some workers walking around, some guards and some normal people wandering through the various aisles of the moving thing. I blinked and turned to look if I could see someone familiar and… I did.

Standing right by the aisle directly in front of this… ‘Shifting’ section of the train, a caped figure was standing alone, giving me his back and… I decided to test Vali’s perception of things.

So I slowly made my way towards him, my feet coated in shadows and silencing the sounds from those and managed to poke at his shoulder to get his attention.

His head snapped my way, I could feel some initial anger, then surprise and realization and finally scowl. “So you are here too.”

His dry tone only made me smile more. “Aw, and I thought you would have missed me.”

He crossed his arms and looked away. “Why are you here?”

“I am your partner for this mission.” He glanced back and I nodded. “By the way, do you know where we are going? Baraqiel-sensei decided to say nothing about it and-”

“Gremory’s territory.” My eyes widened at the sudden answer. “We are supposedly going to guard the young spawn of Sirzechs and his maid.”

That… sounded quite strange. Why would they need us when- This doesn’t make any sense.

“And I am fairly sure that something else is going on.” The host of Albion continued to speak. “Yet Azazel was very secretive about it all.”

I frowned. “Well, I know that Baraqiel was supposed to be present for some diplomatic talk.”

Vali froze for few moments, then he turned around fully attentive at my words. “What?”

“He didn’t tell you, didn’t he?” He didn’t reply but from his previous reactions I knew it was the case.

“He should have told me!” He rebuked loudly and I sighed. “What? Do you think this is funny?”

“Quite the opposite, I think the situation is far more complicated than you think.”

… “Explain!”

Another sigh. “I know that… there is some internal rebellion brewing within Grigori and the passage of sensitive info is quite difficult.”

“You mean that he doesn’t trust me?” He asked shocked and I facepalmed.

“I am saying that people are preparing to support some bastards and that you, Sougyoku-san, are being monitored by some of those.”

He tensed up and started to look around. “Not now. Not during a mission. That is why Baraqiel didn’t say anything about keeping quiet about what was going on.”

“But shouldn’t Azazel know where the traitors are?”

“If the big boss pull some shady act, people part of this rebellion will know and plan something earlier than established. Grigori isn’t ready for a civil war, not yet at least.”

His shoulders relaxed a little. “That sounds… smart.” Vali admitted, turning his masked face to the rest of the people enjoying the ride. “Still it doesn’t explain why we are here.”

“Indeed.” I agreed, nodding even. “And sadly, I am completely unaware of the reasoning behind our presence today.”

Just as we continued with our discussion, the blue-masked youth noticed the digital sign blinking and sighed. “We have arrived, get by the door on the right side.”

I frowned but complied, noticing a large button to open said door and, as it slid open, I stared at… the massive territory owned by Rias’ family.

Yet there was a small but considerable issue now that I thought about it and said issue was… the fact we were flying. The whole train was flying. “How am I supposed to-”

Thud

“W-WHAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

One moment I was grasping at the sides of the new opening, then I found myself free-falling as the host of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gear decided to sparta-kick me out of the train.

Of the many things I’ve trained, of the several spells I’ve learned about with both Azazel and Baraqiel, none prepared me to deal with this particular situation.

I slowly started to turn over and over, my breakfast starting to beg some evacuation but I managed to hold over. Squinting my eyes, I saw Vali following my falling with two Dragon-like wings on his back.

Help me!

He slowed down a little, I could perceive the smug at the fact he was going to pull me out last minute.

HELP ME, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!

Finally the young Lucifer snorted amusingly and quickened his flight, catching me before I could turn in a human omelet and started to get us towards the large gates that led to the central mansion sited within the territories.

We landed and I spent few moments breathing in and out to normalize my poor lungs, ignoring the chuckles coming from the Dragon-kin and the arrival of various members of servitude, an army of maids and butlers went in two lines, one for each sides, and bowed slightly as the gates opened.

“Uh, quite the welcoming party.” My comment was met with a nod by the fellow member of Grigori and we slowly started to make our way inside the large courtyard that led to the massive mansion in front of us.

Once we stepped inside the large house, we found ourselves staring at a particularly old butler.

“Welcome to the Gremory’s Household. I am Horace and I shall be your guide to the room where the young Master and Lord and Lady Gremory are currently in.” He bowed a little and I nodded appreciatively.

Vali ignored him, but the elder seemed to not mind the young man’s attitude and proceeded to lead us through part of the large mansion, some of the windows showing some inner courtyard and the overall aesthetics were… impressive.

It was actually my first time entering the house of someone very, very rich and so I took my time in looking around the rooms we were passing by.

Finally we reached a humongous living room with two long dining tables, two big fireplaces and several couches of various dimensions.

Right by one of the fireplaces a small red-haired child was playing with what seemed to be a box of… Lego?

Now that I looked closely, it was a different company but… the toy was similar. I tried to discern the constructions completed but, before I could focus on that properly, I saw the boy stopping and looking to stare who had just entered the room.

He then got up from the carpet he was previously sitting on and slowly approach us.

Short red hairs, his eyes a shade a little lighter than his locks, the young child of Sirzechs and Grayfia smiled in a friendly way.

“Nice to meet you, I am Millicas Gremory. Could I ask about your names?” And polite too, just like in the show.

I crouched a little and smiled through my mask. “My name is Hekishoku and it’s nice to meet you too, Millicas.”

If I remember correctly, the boy appreciated being addressed in an ‘equal’ way and I nailed my response by his smile widening at the way I addressed him.

The old butler coughed. “I think you should address the young Master in a more formal manners, Hekishoku-san.”

I blinked and turned to stare at the old servant and returned to stare curiously at the boy, a little deflated at the words of the butler.

“So, I saw you were playing with those blocks. Can you tell me what you were building, Millicas-kun?”

His eyes widened and he nodded as he took the hand I offered to him and led me back to the fireplace much to the old man’s dismay.

Kids need to be kids and… it’s been a while since I played with some lego-like blocks.

And then I saw them sitting in two close couches.

Venelana Gremory, née Bael, was a beautiful woman. There weren’t enough adjectives in the English vocabulary to describe the attractive figure the lady had and I was forced to look away almost immediately to avoid blushing madly at the sight.

Zeoticus Gremory looked like a professional businessman with a kind edge on his expression, probably because of the fact he was in the proximity of his grandson.

The two current leaders of the Gremory family looked happy and… fine. They were there babysitting their grandchild and… they were still strong enough to protect him.

...Why were we there then?

I gave a quick bow to both respectable members of Devils’ society and they returned the gesture with a nod.

It was right in that moment that the dots connected and… I knew what was going on.

There were diplomatic talks happening right now and… Vali and I were ‘guests’ to the mansion owned by the parents of one of the Satans. We were supposed to stay there until the talks were concluded thus…

We weren’t guarding anyone today.

Today, much to my dreadful realization, I recognized that this was a classic hostage situation, one that served to build-up the trust between Fallen Angels and Devils.

I blinked and started to quietly listen Millicas as he described his buildings, my mind focusing on a small detail about this all.

While I could accept the situation as it was a necessity, what would Vali’s reaction be at the idea that Azazel had knowingly used him as an expendable piece in the big chessboard?

I could only hope that, during our stay, he wouldn’t understand what was going on just like I did and maybe, just maybe, this mission will end up being a breeze…

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AN

Millicas, Zeoticus and Venelana will be expanded upon next chapter. I decided to make this little mission three parts long for good reasons and…

Yeah, shit will hit the fan once more…

Lastly, I found Kunou with her uniform!

Future milestone: 696 Followers and Favorites.​

 

Chapter 14: Clashing Forces

I hummed quietly as I started to play around with the blocks Millicas was offering.

Currently the general plan was to create a massive 250 blocks high tower, make some courtyard all around it and then go for a small hospital.

“Hmph.” I blinked on the side, seeing Vali as the teen continued brooding in one of the couches, relatively away from the two leaders of the Gremory but decided to keep to an acceptable distance to where I was.

A power-play? Again?

I guess that this was more of him picking the ‘lesser evil’ inside the room and just deciding to keep close in case of any strange situation happened.

It was a pretty awkward disposition, but from the lack of annoyed reactions from both grandparents I just decided to roll with it.

The small red-haired boy blinked, eyes focused on the foundations of the tower and the developing inner-works.

Yes, I was literally spending time and effort in getting the insides of an imaginary tower to appear as ‘realistic’ as possible. I wasn’t a Lego madman, but this time I was actually enjoying the eager interest of the young Gremory while leading the operations.

It was around twenty minutes in the work that Millicas decided to start some questioning.

“Hekishoku-san?” Red-eyes glanced my direction briefly to see if I caught his call and he returned back to the building once he saw me nodding. “I know this might sound improper but… you are not a Devil, aren’t you?”

I paused just a single moment, blinking and then nodding once more. “That would be correct, Millicas.”

I could see the child getting intrigued by this very small details. “But you also are not a Fallen Angel?”

Nodding again, I decided to give some more details. “That is correct too. I am a Magician.”

Red eyes frowned at that answer and the boy stopped once more. “A Magician?”

“A Magician is someone that is specialized in the use of Spell-craft. There are Devils and Fallen Angels that deem themselves as such, but the backbone is made by humans with high magical attitude.”

The child looked in awe at this discovery. “So they could work well with a Bishop piece?”

...Oh right, Millicas did state in Canon that he was already planning how to compose his future peerage this early.

I gave him an uncertain nod as I wasn’t that much keen in studying how really the Rating System worked. I was so much focused with how things worked that I generally ignored what kind of rules it make use of.

Even through Canon explained it well, I generally skipped those parts because… I wasn’t that much interested in something related to Chess.

I didn’t despise the game, it was more of a dislike caused by the fact I failed to memorize how the pieces moved on the board and by the fact people seemed to have some obsession with it and compare it to real life.

“I… think so, yes.” I answered. “If I remember correctly Bishops are those who have large magical reserves-”

“And are mostly revered as support units in a Rating Game.” The boy nodded in agreement and I smiled at him.

“You are quite interested in Rating Games?” Another nod, this time some child-like glee present as he looked like a boy talking about his favorite sport team.

“Yes. I wish to get a powerful but balanced peerage.” He blinked as I started to pat his head unconsciously, but then he nodded at the gesture.

“I bet you are going to win some of the tournaments if you keep this determination up.” I commented quietly. “But do remember to be careful about every matches.”

“I will.” He proclaimed quickly, blushing a little at the sudden outburst. “I-I mean-”

“No, that’s alright. That is the determination I am talking about.” I interrupted, still patting his head. “That is what will lead you to some victories in the future.”

He blinked once, then twice. Finally his smile returned and he nodded again. “Thank you for your kind words, Hekishoku.”

“You are welcome, Millicas.”

We shared a chuckle as we returned back to the construction block but I managed to catch a glimpse of Rias’ parents glancing at the scene with a pleased look.

Vali merely glanced at what had just happened, possibly thinking little of it and surely going to forget it few minutes later.

“It has to be quite difficult for a human to keep up with the standards of Grigori.” Zeoticus finally asked after so many minutes of quiet watching. “Azazel must consider you highly to have you partnered with such...”

He glanced at Vali, the host of the Vanishing Dragon ignoring such action.

“Peculiar individual.”

I nodded, understanding the curiosity. “I was found by Azazel-sama.” I explained. “And he trained me for the first three days after I joined Grigori.”

“You have to have left quite the impression to get Azazel-san’s interest.” Venelana pointed out. “The man might be eccentric, but he would be this earnest only with those that manages to catch his attention.”

“I did ‘win’ against a rogue Fallen Angel back where I live and he was impressed by my ‘potential’.”

The woman giggled regally. “That man, he can be quite the mysterious leader once in a while.”

“Indeed dear, but I find it interesting that he decided to send Sougyoku-san too for the occasion.”

… “E-Excuse me but, what?”

The Lord Gremory blinked curiously at my confused reaction but continued to explain.

“After hearing what happened in Kyoto, I asked to Azazel if I could engage the ever-mentioned by Yokai faction, Hekishoku-san, to babysit my young grandson.” He paused a moment, then sighed. “He stated that he would accept the request only if I had Sougyoku-san to join you for the task.”

I blinked, my confusion hardly vanishing with those words as my brain had to deal with the conflicting ideas of ‘being a hostage for the diplomatic talks’ to ‘merely be a babysitter because I caught the interest of a nobleman’.

Paint me as clueless as Vali was right now. He looked annoyed, very confused and incredibly pissed at the idea Azazel decided to attach him to a mission that I was supposed to be the lead figure.

Blinking again, I slowly turned at the teen causing him to look back in kind as my mind did formulate a very interesting detail from that development and revelation.

“So, because I am the leading one in our partnership, at least in this mission-” I started to explain my sudden realization. “Does that make you… my sidekick?”

Vali kept quiet for few moments, his arms then crossed close to his chest and he spoke. “No, I am not.”

“Yes, you are.” I pressed on. “And I believe that Azazel-sama did this on purpose.”

“I am not and he has to have done it on purpose.” His tone turned stronger at the beginning before reluctantly agreeing to the second section of my rebuttal.

Just before I could keep up with the teasing, the doors of the large living room opened to make way to a familiar figure.

Millicas looked away from the half-completed building of blocks and locked onto the woman walking inside, smiling and standing up to rush for her.

The silver-haired lady paused, accepting the hug from her son and showing a small smile, a contrast to her previous stoic expression.

Grayfia Lucifuge, the wife of Sirzechs Lucifer and sister-in-law of Rias Gremory, looked prim and proper with her maid outfit and I now had reason to believe it fitted her perfectly.

It was the strange allusion to Sakuya Izayoi and the overall regal air that she had around herself that made it quite an opportune kind of dress.

The hug ended and she finally glanced at the other guests of the room and proceeded to walk slowly towards… the two grandparents of the child.

She ignored Vali’s presence, mine too, and bowed slightly their way. “Lord Zeoticus, Lady Venelana.”

“Grayfia. We didn’t expect you to come back to the mansion this early. Did something happen at the talks? Is everything alright.”

She gave a slow nod. “The talks are proceeding smoothly. I decided to leave as the discussion was turning to some sensible topics and Sirzechs-sama accepted my request to leave earlier than planned.”

Then the woman turned to glance my way, I was now standing up from the carpet and looking at her as she let out a minuscule scowl.

I flinched at that reaction, knowing how her expressions meant much more than they appeared. “I do remember asking to not have any strangers to babysit Millicas. Yet, just like Azazel had informed me an hour ago, you decided to still go with this decision.”

Their smiles suddenly turned nervous and I felt the need to apologize about this.

Thus I bowed slightly and spoke. “Grayfia-san, I’m sorry if my presence-”

“Please, spare me the apologies, Hekishoku-san. We both know the fault isn’t yours in this situation but...” The maid frowned. “I wish to know what kind of individual I am referring to. Right now I’m seeing just someone with a mask and with a fake name after all.”

I blinked and nodded. “I can see the issue, but I can’t divulge my identity and-”

“I thought about offering the classic customary glass of wine to any guests of the house of Gremory.” In her hands was a large red wine bottle and I narrowed my eyes at it.

I wasn’t in the mood to play the ‘get me drunk to make me spill my secrets’ and I wasn’t a fan of alcoholic beverages whatsoever as my tolerance was pretty low.

“I-I don’t want to impose-”

“It’s a must. As a guest you should abide to the rules of this house and… It would be improper if you refused.”

She was pushing me to a corner and I knew that I wasn’t going to receive support from anyone in that situation. I was in the worst predicament but it was right as I continued to despair that the solution to this issue manifested in my brain.

I blinked and smiled. “I suppose that I shouldn’t be shying away from such kind offer… but I hope you understand that I would prefer to not be the only one making use of this expensive bottle.”

The maid stood quiet for a moment. “You wish for me to join you? Even through I am asking you as a Maid of the Gremory house?”

“I think you are inquiring as Millicas’ mother rather than the role you mentioned, Grayfia-san.”

Her lips twitched, knowing full well that she did leave that small opening for me to exploit. Now she had to deal with whether or not honor her own trickery and… the woman sighed.

“I suppose it would be fair if we both discussed in an equal manner.” The maid conceded much to my partial glee. At least I had a chance of having her drunk and confused before she can get me on that state.

We sat in two opposite small couches a small glass table between us where the bottle was placed with two small glasses.

Venelana stood up and took the hand of the confused Millicas in her own, leading him out of the room as she didn’t want the boy to see this unfold. Grayfia nodded gratefully at her mother-in-law and she continued to focus on me.

Zeoticus merely stared with some interest while I could perceive Vali’s curiosity coming from several couches away. Hopefully I can hold from any external assault as I focused on the woman.

The lady poured the red content of the bottle within the two glasses and I noticed quite the difference about the whole ‘equal’ deal we had struck just now.

While my glass was almost full with wine, hers wasn’t even close to half its capacity. The woman had a poker face and brought her glass to her lips, sipping slowly and annoyingly.

Eyes narrowed at that challenge, I decided to return fire with fire. Picking my glass in my hands, I started to sip at it softly, quietly and, most important of them all, the slowest possible.

Her red eyes glinted at some dismay at the fact I wasn’t going to fall for such a crappy attempt and the woman decided to break away from trying and literally poured some more wine in her glass, normalizing the competition and making me start drinking normally.

We both downed the content of our glasses and stared back at each other.

Our faces were slowly turning red, our eyes dilating as the alcohol kicked in pretty swiftly. My brain started to feel lighter and I found myself wobbling a little, just like the woman in front of me.

“I-I guess we should s-start talking about Millicas- hic!” A hiccup suddenly left her lips as she was talking, her eyes showing some embarrassment and I felt my lips twitch amusingly at the adorable sound.

I opened my mouth to speak about the boy but I was interrupted by my own hiccup. “Hic!”

… “Hehehehehe~”

The woman’s smile twitched back to her face and she had to press her hand on her mouth to keep herself from giggling at my little chuckling.

Boy, this shit shure ish…. Shupa-stronk~!

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Vali Lucifer continued to silently stare at the slow but visible drunkening of the one he knew only as Hekishoku while challenging the fortitude of the current Lucifer’s wife.

It was kind of surprising to see a woman of her standards slowly descending in a state of open expression, the silver-haired maid humming amused as the fellow teen chuckled once more while melting in his seat.

“I-I-I was shaying that my shon ish-”

“G-Good?” Hekishoku guessed. “Cute, a-adorable, shmart?”

“Y-Yeah-” Finally a giggle pierced through her frail attempt to keep her composure under the influence of alcohol. “N-No, I shouldn’t b-be gi-giggling.”

“Why nyot?” The only human in the room questioned. “I-It was adorable, heh! I byet your hubby lovesh them.”

Her face reddened even more. “H-He doesh.” She admitted and nodded. “B-But we are shupposed to b-be talking a-ab-about M-Millicash.”

“Oh?” Hekishoku nodded multiple times. “Yesh, Millicash is shuch a good kid. He is shmart, polite and… shmart.” He giggled. “I r-repeated shmart tw-twi-two timesh.”

She giggled again, this time seemingly forgetting about trying to avoid such thing from happening.

Vali blinked at the strange scene, glancing at the other individual in the room and finding the Lord Gremory smiling while filming all of this with a large camera?

The owner of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gear frowned but decided to don’t do anything about it. After all the scene there was worth letting some copies… spread around.

“H-He ish very precocious a-and I sho proud of him.” The woman remarked, relaxing on the couch. “B-But I think I-I am not doing a-a… a good job.”

Now that was… strange to hear. Grayfia Lucifuge had seemed so much confident in greeting her son and Vali was fairly sure that there was no way that the little brat was unhappy with her own mother’s behavior.

“T-That is b-bullshit, yeash!” Red eyes narrowed at the foul response. “Millicash adoresh you, he ish shuper h-happy when you a-are around!”

“B-But he doeshn’t have any friend to play with-”

“Then o-once he ish old let him go to a normal school.”

The maid looked hesitant at that suggestion but decided to inquire more. “B-But wouldn’t he be bullied? Wouldn’t h-he shuffer?”

“I-If that ish what you ar-are scared for, then y-you could get him t-to the shame school as her auntie. I-I think I remember hearing tha-that Riash-shan went to a normal school, dunno which o-one tho.”

She blinked and hummed quietly as she thought about the detailed answer, then nodded. “That- That could work- but what about w-when he ish home?”

“What a-about it?” Hekishoku asked quickly and the woman sighed.

“I-I am shtill too strict- S-Sirzechsh think I should ease up a little-”

“Y-Ya’re doing fine.” He interrupted quickly. “Y-Ya don’t have nothing to worry about!”

“W-What if I- U-Uh?”

The masked young man snorted and slowly got up from his couch, making his way to the confused maid and… placed one of his hands on the top of her head.

“Y-you are a dummy.” He said softly. “B-but you are a-a good mom, sho never heshitate anymore, ‘kay?”

She blinked, red eyes slowly lifting to stare at the mask, confused, surprised and mostly relieved as the small action was finally registered by her brain.

Grayfia smiled and giggled. “Y-You are d-doing it wrong. S-Sit back down.”

The teen didn’t oppose being pushed back onto his couch as the maid wobbled towards him and slowly removed the hood of his cloak, exposing his… light-brown hair.

An aspect of the fellow member of Grigori was learning just now as the woman hummed a lullaby as she started to ruffle his hair softly.

“Y-you need to be a tad bit more careful or you can hurt p-people.”

“I-I am jusht drunky, I-I am good at thish normally.” His muttering slowly dwindled as he quietly let her ministrations silence him.

“I’m s-shure you are.” The woman giggled. “B-but you do remind me of S-Sirzechsh’s little Riash.”

“Uh?” was the most intelligent thing the boy could ask and the maid let out a grin.

“Riash wash cute, she shtill is, but few yearsh ago she was a-adorable and she liked being patted in her head.”

“She doeshn’t want anymore?” He seemed skeptical at the woman’s sad nod. “Th-then she ish losing a lot! Y-you are good, Nee-I mean, Grayfia-shan.”

She paused a moment and gave a weird look to the human. “Y-You want to call me Onee-san?”

He looked up. “I-I think it fit better Neechan, c-caushe you are pretty.”

The woman blushed but nodded at that. “Uh… can- can I call you Otouto, then?”

There was a brief silence and Vali took this to re-valuate everything until now.

Somehow, a mid-ranked member of Grigori was getting cozy with the wife of Sirzechs Lucifer and… he was succeeding big time.

This was surreal and illogical- yet alcohol was making things happen before his eyes.

“I-I mean, if you wish-” She giggled and nodded, continuing with her ministrations.

The situation with both still drunk and lacking common sense would continue for two more hours, by lunch-time the maid and the moron would present with everyone else for the lunch prepared by servants and both would voice out some minor headache from their idiotic competition.

At least nothing bad for the talks had happened to them… yet.

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AN

Some explanations before getting lynched by some:

1. Grayfia is canonically a light-weight about alcohol and she is quite quick to forget this very flaw of hers;

2. Her insecurity about motherhood is actually mentioned in the Light Novel, but it’s never given too much scene about;

3. Zeoticus, just like Sirzechs, likes to tease his daughter constantly, thus why he has a camera at hand, always;

4. The third part will be by dinner time and will include the Satans, so expect lots of randomness from the likes of Sirzechs and Serafall.

Also yes, I did just make Grayfia a possible older sister to MC. It’s quite strange when this is one of the few instances this happen where the MC isn’t related to her. Leshrug!

And with that I go back to bed.

Future milestone: 696 Followers and Favorites.
​

 

Chapter 15: Dining and Denying

My head was hurting so much…

Seriously, why did Grayfia went ahead with that stupid idea of hers?

I had expected to be granted a quick leave once the talks concluded, which happened around dinner-time, but Azazel decided that accepting the ‘humble offer’ from Sirzechs to spend the dinner at the mansion was a brilliant idea.

I barely held the groan building up in my throat as the minor hangover I was experiencing continued to knock at my poor brain.

Baraqiel was giving me quite the disappointed look but kept himself from lecturing me about accepting alcohol in general, while the Governor-General of Grigori was enjoying my current suffering from the way he was sending gloating smiles my direction.

Vali was silent, but strangely enough seemed to be purposely avoiding even glancing at me during that particular instance.

To make things a little more complicated for my cover, among the people dining in that very room were the ‘second-in-command’ to Grigori, Shemhazai, Sirzechs Lucifer and someone I was fairly familiar with back at Kuoh Academy.

Rias Gremory looked particularly tense at the fact this dinner was more important than any previous ones, fidgeting in her chair but surprisingly keeping a good composure about it all.

I was offered a teacup by one of the butlers, the servant stating that it contained something to help with my current suffering. I saw a maid approaching Grayfia too, the woman surprisingly looking just a little annoyed by the hangover rather than truly in pain as I was.

I quickly drunk the content and the effect was almost immediate. My mind regained some more perception over the situation and my logical side was restored to full, my approaching migraine vanishing instantly.

I blinked and looked back at the teacup. “That was… interesting.”

“I know, right?” Sirzechs asked with a smile. “It’s something Ajuka developed a few centuries ago to solve the deadly hangovers the stronger blends of alcohol available in Hell cause. That man is sure a genius in everything.”

I nodded in agreement at the praise directed at the Beelzebub of the Four Satans. In the Canon Ajuka is rightfully considered the smartest individual in the universe and incredibly powerful, very close to Sirzechs in terms of strength, and the few inventions mentioned in the series were quite an appetizer for the modernity he brought to Hell.

I had yet to fully study the list of objects and innovative upgrades the Devil brought to this part of the world, but I was quite interested to find out what differences there were between Earth and Hell.

“A pity the little nerd couldn’t join this delicious dinner.” Azazel commented, finishing to eat the first dishes right in that exact moment. It was curious how both individuals were researchers but the Fallen Angel considered Ajuka the nerdiest. “Speaking of him, Hekishoku-kun.”

I turned to look at him. “Catch!”

Frowning I saw nothing being thrown at me but, just as I opened my mouth to question what was going on, a sudden weight slammed on my stomach and forced me to fall backward with the chair.

The leader of Grigori chuckled, Baraqiel sighed tiredly and the rest of the table looked quite intrigued by what had just happened.

I slowly went to pick up the chair and pull it up, giving a deadly glare to the smug-looking man.

“R-Really?”

He snorted. “Get up and don’t whine, I know that I didn’t hit you that hard.” I complied as he continued to speak. “By the way, check that box out too.”

Frowning as I returned to my seat and started to inspect the curious smooth box made by black wood, eyes fixed on the small piece of paper seemingly glued to its top. It looked like a seal but… I don’t remember any that looked like that one.

“Uh… what is it?”

Azazel smile widened. “It’s a gift from the bottom of my heart.”

At those words I slowly stood up. “I think I will take a quick leave. I suspect this is a bomb-”

“As much as that would actually make sense, I can assure you this isn’t the case, Hekishoku-san.” Shemhazai interrupted calmly, nodding reassuringly at the rest of the people by the table.

The Governor-General huffed at the two indirect jabs given with such precise succession but let his friend speak.

“This is a little creation from our research team and before you ask yes, the reason we are giving you this for the occasion is because it was discussed in the talks and the Satans are aware of what it is.”

… “Any other details? That explanation was vague-”

“Sadly it was decided to not give you any other information about this gift. Consider this a reward for your good service in Grigori.”

“I feel like there is more to that and-” I turned to Azazel. “Was my identity-”

“You are still a mysterious being of unfathomable potential, brat.” The man replied instantly with an annoyed edge.

I sighed in relief, at least I didn’t have to worry about that… yet.

“Indeed it is quite curious that you wish to keep your face hidden even after the impressive feat you managed to obtain last week.” Sirzechs said with a curious glint in his voice. “One would think that the one that faced quite a large number of Magicians and protected the daughter of Yasaka-san would have bragged about this.”

Blinking, I hummed quietly. “I’m fine with my anonymity.”

“That is so strange. Forgive me, but don’t you crave anything like money or… women.” I sighed at his words, the man getting nervous instantly as he noticed his wife staring at him with an odd look.

“I’m quite content with my life and… I will be honest and say already that I don’t want to use fame or glory to replace some honest hard-working.” I admitted with some minor hesitation. “I also think that I would risk those around me if my real name was attached to what I do with Grigori and… that is not fine.”

“A noble soul.” Zeoticus commented. “It is a rare trait from someone young.”

“And also quite familiar, dear.” Venelana nodded in agreement. “Why, I do remember a young man many years ago trying to accomplish the same but ending up becoming quite well-known everywhere.”

I frowned at that curious statement, then I saw the brunette turn at Sirzechs and I connected the dots as the man sighed at that comment. “It was because it was also convenient in avoiding some pretentious marriage contracts and, from how things turned out to be, I think I got the best deal possible.”

For some reason Grayfia was giving attention to Millicas, the boy confused as his mother patted his head with a minuscule blush visible on her cheeks.

I returned to stare at Sirzechs and I found him staring back at me with a suspicious look.

“By the way, Hekishoku-san, what is your relationship with my wife.” I could feel him focus his energy, channel it to add pressure on me. There was Killing Intent for fuck’s sake and I had to stop a moment to avoid hyperventilating.

My mouth was drying up and I felt my throat tensing up, no words could leave my mind and I felt a little chocking.

This was the power of a Satan?!

Just as suddenly it happened, it also disappeared quite quickly and I found myself bringing my breathing back to normal.

“Owie- Gwayfia-chwaa-n~!” The maid had a small scowl as she continued to pinch strongly Sirzechs’ left cheek.

“You should be doing that to him, dear. After all, this is my Otouto we are speaking of.”

…

…

“O-Oneesama?” Rias was the first to recover from the words leaving the silver-haired woman’s mouth and the girl’s eyes darted between the now composed Grayfia and me, busy with having my hands pressing on my mask to try and silence the nagging coming from Azazel-

“How did you do that, brat?! I want the full story now.”

-Vali’s smug air while looking my general direction, Baraqiel’s curious look and Shemhazai’s interested expression.

“Hekishoku-kun and I came to a small agreement during our moment of… little-thinking.” The maid started with slow but calm tone. “We decided to address ourselves as siblings for the sake of some common ground.”

“So you...” Sirzechs looked confused for a moment, then realization struck. “You wish to compete with me to whom is the best older sibling, isn’t it?!”

… “No.”

The dry reply quickly deflated the Lucifer, the man staring at his now empty plate. “Oh.”

The woman turned to look specifically at me and smiled tentatively. “May I address you as Otouto, Hekishoku-kun?”

I mean, you did previously but… wasn’t that just alcohol speaking and…

Dangit, this escalation wasn’t really planned.

A blink, then two and then I sighed. “I… I wouldn’t mind if you did, Grayfia-neechan.”

Grayfia smiled at that.

…

“BWAhahahahahahaha!” The boisterous laugh from Azazel was the catalyst of my sudden blushing, the man looking positively entertained by my answers and the rest of the table looked quite surprised but not unhappy about what had happened.

Millicas’ eyes went wide at this development and he looked at the silver-haired woman questioningly. “Mother, does that mean that Hekishoku-san is my… uncle?”

“Surrogate uncle. Yes.” The maid answered quickly and curtly and I groaned even more at the situation.

Sirzechs slammed his closed fist on the table. “I demand proof of how this happened!”

As if on cue, his father revealed the silver-colored camera. “I have recorded it.”

Wait, what?!

“Lord Gremory, it’s the utmost need for Grigori to obtain a copy of that video-”

YOU WILL NOT!-

“I will make sure to provide one then. I hope this is for research-” BAM

Zeoticus’ head landed on his empty plate, a conspicuous bump forming on top of his head as his wife retreated her still-smoking fist. “Forgive my husband, he is quite extreme with his recording hobby.”

Grayfia nodded. “I understand the plight.” The maid agreed, bringing her own smoking fist close for her to blow over as Sirzechs was posing just like his father, even the large bump on the back of his head was there too.

The Governor-General of Grigori paled a little, letting out a nervous chuckle. “I-I think that I will wait for a while to a-sk, uh?” He turned to see who was tugging at one of his shirt’s sleeve, my hand grasping tightly as the man looked confused.

“W-What do you want, brat?”

I didn’t reply, merely lifting my free hand up and letting some electricity dance around my fingertips. He frowned, a little uneasy at the little light-show, and looked at the rest of his friends.

Both Baraqiel and Shemhazai blinked and turned away from him, some sweat rolling off the leader of the Fallen Angles and… then he looked at Vali.

“V-Sougyoku-kun, I request your help with-” The holder of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gear stood up and approached, taking hold of the other sleeve and… Azazel’s eyes widened as he felt his energy halved.

Vali turned to his fellow masked ally and nodded. “You may proceed, partner.”

I nodded respectfully at him. “Thank you for your support, partner.”

As the man tried to plead some mercy, several volts quickly superseded his attempts electrifying him for a while and then-

Thud

The man’s face landed perfectly on his plate, smoke leaving his body as I nodded at the fitting payback.

Meanwhile Rias Gremory continued to chat amiably with her nephew, Millicas glancing only briefly as this strange things happened around them and… This was actually fine. For both, this was how dinners normally devolved and they had long accepted it.

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I yawned quietly as I continued for my slow walk back home.

Once Azazel had woken up from the punishment I had administered to him and having been reprimanded by Shemhazai for being overly-unruly during the dinner, the Governor-General decided to merely have me shifted back to where I left Earth, back in the now-dark alleys where once there was the teleport seal.

The bag with my things was still there and I didn’t waste time to change back to my normal clothes, starting to quietly wander out of that small place and back to the main street.

There were few lights still working and the path was hardly visible at this time of the night and thus I decided to not invest too much time looking around.

There was no one wandering like I currently was and that meant less annoyances to deal on my way back home.

But just as I turned one of the corners I had to take to reach my house, I found myself staring at a very, very bad sight.

Several meters from where I was currently standing, a little black-haired goth girl was looking my way, patiently waiting… for me.

I blinked once, then twice as I tried to find a way to avoid this particular confrontation with Ophis, unaware about why she would approach me of all people and now of all time.

So I decided to go for something simple, turning towards the main street and crossing it, my objective being the parallel sidewalk and, much to my relief and dread, the girl didn’t decide to teleport on that section of the road to block my path but she wasn’t even where I had seen her at first.

“You are Hekishoku.” She stated with her calm voice.

I ignored her and continued to walk. The girl followed from behind, continuing to speak while doing so.

“I wish to recruit you and Vali Lucifer to my group.” She muttered blankly. “I wish for you to-”

“I’m not interested.” I interrupted with the same calm the Infinity Dragon was displaying and she hummed at my words.

“I can offer you money, power, a chance to revenge or even lust.” I flinched at the very idea that this being was genderless to begin with. Just like ‘she’ could be a little girl, ‘it’ could turn in an old man. That very image wasn’t enticing and refusing such deal was actually easier than I had thought.

“I’m content with what I have.”

The humming ceased. “Everyone wants something more.” She said with such certainty. “What is that you crave the most? What is what makes your heart quiver in need?”

I stopped, waited few moments and slowly turned around, one hand still holding the medium-sized box from Azazel as I addressed the little girl.

“I wish to have my own peace from your petty war, Ophis.” I stated sternly. “I wish for you to not disturb my ‘silence’ because you are not strong enough to retake yours.”

I felt the need to tremble, knowing that a bad reaction from her would see me dead instantly.

Yet Ophis gave a wide-eyed look as I turned around and continued for my walk back home, this time the being didn’t gave slow chase but… said those last words before vanishing completely.

“You are interesting, Hekishoku.”

I shivered as the words sank deep in my brain and I was glad that I didn’t meet anyone else on my wandering.

In front of my doorstep, I pressed the doorbell’s button momentarily, just enough to wake up the two guardians I had left behind in case they had fallen asleep.

I heard something crash, some ‘eeping’ and then loud footsteps and the door was opened by a red-faced, disheveled-clothed Issei Hyoudou.

I blinked at the following surprised outburst.

“S-Senpai. You are back!”

I nodded, curious about what happened to him. “I am and… I suppose you and Asia were sleeping until now, weren’t you?”

“We were just a little tired and- Kunou-chan said that she usually sleep in your room-”

“I’m her official pillow.” I interjected. “But I think I am fairly interested in how you two were sleeping there.”

“W-We weren’t doing anything wrong- just sleeping in the long couch-”

“Are you both clothed?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, but-”

“Then I’m fine with that.” I nodded at him.

“We’re sorry if- Wait, you are ‘fine with that’?”

I shrugged. “You were just cuddling, I don’t think that is a grave crime against humanity.”

He relaxed a little. “Oh.” He blinked. “Oh.”

“Maybe you should tell Asia-chan that she doesn’t need to rush anything to prepare herself?”

The blonde has to be in a panic right now, poor girl.

He nodded. “I probably should- Wait, you’re right!” He rushed back inside and I sighed tiredly while entering inside, closing the door behind me.

I heard some rumbling in the living room and I slowly ventured there to see what was going on.

The brunet was chatting with Asia, the girl looking still fairly tense, and she noticed me entering, eyes widening.

“S-Senpai, we didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know, there is no need to worry nor apologize.” I raised my hands up to gesture both to calm down. “It’s normal for two teens to cuddle together while sleeping.”

“B-But we were supposed to watch Kunou-chan-”

“Ise said that she is in my bedroom, so there is no need to watch over her right now.” I assured both of them once more. “Plus I think it would be fine if you stayed today.”

… “Y-you mean spend the night there?”

“It’s very dark outside and I would be irresponsible to let you both walk back home this time of the day. The only thing I’ve to ask you both is to call Issei’s parents to confirm this.”

The blonde blinked. “Oh.” Then she smiled. “Thank you, senpai.”

I nodded but, just before I could leave the room to see if Kunou was awake or not, the former nun stopped me by grasping at my arm. “Uh, Asia-cha-!” I stopped, eyes going wide open as I noticed the pout on her face.

“Senpai, why didn’t you tell us that Kunou-chan had fluffy tails.”

...Oh, I did forget-

“Answer!”

I blinked at the miffed blonde, the boy looking at the exchange from afar, knowing that intervening would be the worst thing to do in this scenario. “I… might have forgotten to tell you about it?”

Her stare intensified and I did feel a little nervous at the anger she was conveying in those orbs of hers.

Then, just like nothing happened she let go and looked away, her slighted expression still present on her face and making me tense a little.

“Wait, are you mad about it?”

She literally glared at me. Asia Argento, the sweetest soul in this whole series, was giving me a glare.

I think I died twice in that split second and I was quick to pull her in a hug. “I’m sorry-y!”

The blonde didn’t reply, but she did accept the embrace and completed it. We stood there for a while and then… she melted.

“See-npai, next time you have to tell us about that.” She pressed her face on my shirt. “Fluffy tails!”

“I’m sorry, Asia-chan. Next time I will tell, okay? Will you forgive me this time?”

She hummed a little and then she nodded. “Just this time.”

“Thank you, Asia-chan.” I said while ruffling her hair a little, causing her to giggle. “Now, go back to cuddle Ise or he might starve for affection."

Both blushed madly at my teasing but I decided to not press this advantage, merely bidding them a goodnight as I ventured right to my bedroom.

I peeked my head to see how was the situation inside and I looked just in time to see the little Kitsune yawn adorably while sitting on the bed. Her eyelids were close to drop but she seemed to look more awake the moment she spotted me, a small smile finding its way on her face.

“You are back, Niichan.” Her tone was soft, but happy and I nodded with a big smile of my own.

“Just returned and… I hope you spent a good day while I was away.”

She nodded and then started to tell about her day as I went to the small bathroom connected to the bedroom to change in my Pjs.

Koneko and Akeno did pass around to visit, both staying until dinner-time, mentioning some important thing they had to do before going home but still playing around with Kunou.

The little Kitsune was actually the reason why both Issei and Asia looked more comfortable with each other, having been slowly mentioning how they both looked like a happy couple and how I would approve of it.

It was strange to know that ‘my approval’ was actually a relevant point to give it a try for the two teens, but I guess that after having been their lives’ Cicero for a little while now they could have found my acceptance a good way to see if something could actually be tried or not.

The result was spectacular and I did praise the little girl about it.

Once I was under the sheets, Kunou snuggled closer and as she tried to close her eyes her nose picked something wrong.

Eyes snapping wide-open and causing me to look concerned at her reaction, I saw her sniffing the shirt of my Pjs for a little longer… then she frowned.

“You… stink.”

I blinked, confused, then I remember and looked up. “Oh, that is the wine...”

Her golden eyes snapped right onto my face at that comment. “Wine?”

“I was offered a glass of strong red wine. Early today and… I guess the scent remained until now.”

She squinted her eyes annoyed. “Will it go away?”

“Tomorrow morning I will take a bath and I will be fine.” I carefully caressed her fox ears and she looked happier. “Don’t worry.”

She hummed quietly and snuggled back, once or twice looking disgusted by the bitter smell of the alcohol and causing me to curse inwardly at not having gone for a quick bath before going to bed.

Sadly I was incredibly tired after a full day spent by the Gremory Mansion and thus I decided to push the solution to this little inconvenience to Sunday.

I sighed in relief at the idea that tomorrow was going to be a day to rest and recover, maybe even plan for the rest of the remaining month before the Raiser Arc started and… I closed my eyes and let my consciousness slip away to properly fall asleep.

But just as Hoitsu began to rest together with Kunou, someone blinked curiously as they continued to watch the house from afar, intrigued by what they have just seen before vanishing away, promising to visit once more, this time in the morning.

He was just… interesting.

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AN

There is a peeping tom! But who are they? (Wink Wink)

So, little crackish at the end of the first part of the chapter and I did it willingly. I know it was anime-sque and… this is kind of a story with some Anime logic until a certain point and those moments will not be a normal thing (worry not, maybe I will still do some Omakes with that style).

Ophis is trying to recruit MC and Vali and, while writing her ‘Jehova’ tactics against MC will be hilarious, I think I will cast some surprise at how Vali will react to the recruiting attempt.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites. (Someone asked to put a little Stitch EE so… why not?)

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

 

Chapter 16: Our Happy Places

Sunday was a good day to be spending some time away from the possible, terrible ordeals that happened during weekdays.

Baraqiel had returned early in the morning and was still sleeping back in his room as I decided to pass time before lunch to actually study the box I had been offered by Shemhazai and Azazel.

Issei and Asia had left the house mere minutes ago, still blushing a little at the fact I now knew what stage their relationship was now, but happy enough that there was no excessive teasing nor any opposition to this development.

With just Kunou joining me with this experiment of mine, we were both sitting by the table and staring down this mysterious container.

It looked a very expensive but normal box, nothing particularly weird about it except for the strange seal glued on top of it.

My first attempt to try and ‘unseal’ the box was to push some of my own energy in the seal, getting only some glowing from the kanji and nothing else. I tried to forcefully open it by prying it open with my hands and avoiding touching the seal and, unsurprisingly enough, it didn’t open.

I stared once more at it and then tilted my head forward to study more the seal. I had yet to study proper Japanese spell-craft, but I was fairly sure I had seen this symbol somewhere in Kyoto.

Kunou’s golden eyes widened a little, realization striking the moment I voiced out this little thought of mine and the kitsune gave it a better look.

“This is a blood seal.” She stated confidently, then looked at me with a some worry. “It is generally used to deter people from obtaining what is inside their containers.”

“You think it’s dangerous?”

She nodded quickly and I hummed, contemplating what I should do about it. “Ku-chan, get to the couch. If it’s dangerous then-”

“I-I don’t want you to get hurt-”

“Shemhazai-san said that it wasn’t, but if it is I wish for you to take cover. Whatever it is, I will handle it, trust me.”

The girl looked hesitant, unwilling to leave me in possible harm’s way, but nodded begrudgingly and slowly went for the couch.

My full attention was now directed at the box and, creating a sharpened Silver Line, I proceeded to make a small cut on my finger and let some blood drops to fall on the paper.

The effect was instantaneous, the paper glowing brightly once more, this time its intensity way more than before and…

Click

It clicked?

I blinked as the upper side of the box softly sprung up and nothing happened.

I blinked again, this time waiting a little more and… yep, nothing happened. I finally stood up from my chair to stare at what was inside the box and I frowned at the black-themed small object I was currently staring at.

Partly camouflaged by the shade of dark similar to the one of the box, I had to slowly and tentatively pick up the small thing to get a better look over it.
It was a… finger-less glove?

It looked just like the ones the special units of a Police Force used but… only one of them?

Continuing with my careful study of what seemed to be a glove with some low-tier seals I couldn’t actually get any idea how they work, I thought this was some-sort of a prank.

I looked at Kunou, the girl blinking confused at my shrug directed at her. “Is it safe?”

“I think so? I can’t feel anything even remotely dangerous from it but I’ve yet to wear it, I guess.”

She tensed again as I slowly put the glove on my right hand, the process was uneventful, yet the sudden foreboding feeling that something was going to happen felt stronger for some reason.

Finally I completed the minor task and… I felt weird. My eyes narrowed over the simple thing as I tried to understand why I felt like it was trying to pull something.

It was the same sensation one had when trying fish, pulling the fishing pole to catch a particularly big prey. It felt like it, only… deeper.

Difficult to explain but still I wasn’t feeling particularly endangered by this situation. I waited few more moments, the feeling not diminishing not even a single moment and I was quick to say that… this could have been like an… extra magical battery?

Maybe the thing it was trying to ‘yank away’ was energy and the reason why it felt this much ‘deep’ was because giving energy to the Core generally left a similar emotion.

I turned again to stare at Kunou and shrugged. The girl seemed to relax, sighing in relief that nothing was happening and she moved out of the couch.

Just as I was about to call this experiment as it really was, a disappointment, the window behind me crashed loudly.

Reacting quickly, I spun around and stared at the possible aggressor and my eyes went wide open as I stared at a large light-gray orb mere moments from slamming into me. I brought my arms up, ready to tank the hit and-

“Niichan!”

An unholy light blinded all around me and I felt my knees weakening at the sudden pressure hitting my arms, the glove burning for some reason as I gritted my teeth at the duress I was experiencing.

I gasped a little as the burning glove started to seriously hurt, my hand cooking.

Finally the light vanished, instantly and unexpectedly, and I finally dropped to one knee while holding my hurting hand close to my chest as I waited for the searing pain to subside.

Kunou rushed quickly, crouching to see the extent of the damage and she blinked. “N-Niichan, the glove-” She paused, looking a little bit scared at what was on my hand.

Gone was the previously modern military glove, now a medieval onyx-shaded armored gauntlet replaced it still steaming from the previous bout of heat.

There was a small gray rhomboidal crystal embed in it and… it was glowing.

“That was… quite unpleasant.”

I blinked at the strong voice and I saw the girl’s fox ears twitch nervously at it.

“Uh… hello?”

There was a brief pause and, for a moment, I thought it had been just my imagination playing tricks-

“Hello, young human.”

I frowned. “May I inquire about your name… sir?”

A sigh left the crystal and then the voice spoke once more. “I suppose from your shocked expression, you are not responsible for this annoying contraption.” He said while ignoring my question.

“I was given this construct by my superiors. I don’t know what it is nor what it actually did.” I admitted honestly.

A hum, then another sigh. “This gauntlet contains a powerful quarantine seal. It is regulating the regeneration of my energy from my current soul and… I suppose it partly brought me back to life.”

I stopped a moment to think whom I was dealing with. A creature that was once dead and was now contained within the Gauntlet.

“Sir, are you a Dragon?”

There was a pause, no reaction from the crystal but then I received a response.

“Indeed, I am a Dragon, young human. A powerful being that once fought against Gods and paid for my arrogance. I am weak now, dull. I am just a shadow of my former self.”

“That sounds terrible, sir.” I commented. “By the way, I am Hoitsu Sakakibara.”

“Hoitsu? This is the first time I hear of such name, different from those that I have heard during my lifetime...”

The cryptic tone was starting to get annoying now and I sighed.

“I know that I shouldn’t be pushy, sir, but I need to know your name to properly address you.”

Another pause, this time a little more longer. I glanced at Kunou, the girl looking confused but also terrified by the Gauntlet for some reason. It wasn’t because she knew what kind of danger she was looking at, but because her instincts recognized that something was wrong with it.

Then the crystal broke the silence.

“I was the Nemesis of Ra, I was known as the Primal Eclipse Dragon and a God of Chaos.”

I paled as he continued to list his former titles, each of them reinforcing only a single name in my mind and then he finally answered the now scary question.

“I am Apophis, Hoitsu Sakakibara, and I think we have a lot to speak about.”

Few moments later I was lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling, having accepted the request of the Evil Dragon of answering his questions the best way possible.

Kunou had slowly accepted napping above me, her head carefully turned on my chest as her eyes continued to stare cautiously at the gauntlet currently placed away from her as my free hand continued to caress the top of her head.

“New mythologies? I knew that the world was bigger than many thought, but to have more than three grand religions wasn’t certainly something I was prepared to.”

“It gets even more difficult if you consider that all of them have been detached from Earth’s societies since a few centuries ago.” I continued with my explanation.

Apophis’ knowledge of the world was limited to before the end of the Egyptian dominance in the Western side of the world, thus learning that the world was now inhabited by so many different religious group was a shocker for the Dragon.

Yet I think the worst thing to learn about was that the Egyptian mythology was mostly extinct after so many centuries of being replaced by Islam and Coptic.

“Tragic, you mean. But yes, it’s quite difficult to understand why they all decided to part ways with other humans.”

“I think it was… because of the Christian religion, if I remember correctly.”

“You mean the ones that follow the only God and shattered in three factions?”

“That is correct, yes.”

“Could you elaborate on that? I think there is some context that could be important to know about.”

I sighed but nodded. “There was a massive War several millennia ago, the entire world was turned in a battlefield and the results was a major loss for everyone.”

“No one won?” There was some surprise in his tone and I nodded again.

“The God of the Bible was killed, Grigori lost several powerful officers and Hell had to deal with a brutal civil war.”

“A war without victors? That sounds like a terrible waste of time.”

“I mean, yeah… but it did bring some stability. Now with a pacifist leadership in Hell, Heaven lacking the power to enforce its precepts fully and Grigori sitting by the fence and doing nothing bad, peace talks might as well happen quite soon.”

There was a moment of pause, then the topic shifted.

“I can feel that you have two different kind of energies in your body.”

“Normal and Light-type, yes.” I hummed quietly. “The latter is the result of a slow integration of the energy of the last spell of a dying Fallen Angel.”

“It doesn’t hurt for some reason to be near it. Maybe it is the Gauntlet itself preventing any of it from harming me.”

“That could be a possibility, yes.” I agreed. “But I wanted to ask. Do you know why Shadow-type spells are generally too weak?”

“Excuse me, what? I’m quite adept with Shadows and I can assure you that the power behind those is worth enough to keep up with the Light.” He seemed particularly miffed by it.

“I mean, the spells are deadly useful in hiding or boost speed and help with stealth, but I have yet to find anything that deals some serious damage to any opponent.”

“You seem to forget that you don’t have any Demonic, nor Dark Magic that can help you unlock the stronger segments of Shadow-craft. You are but limited by your current state as a human.”

I sighed. “Then I guess I will give up on that regard-”

“What do you mean, Hoitsu? You don’t wish to ascend? To become better and-”

“I prefer to be human.” I replied softly, the little crescendo from Apophis dying the very moment I spoke.

There was some silence, silence to think for the Dragon and silence for me to get some pleasant rest in that couch.

“You would give up the chance of becoming one of the most fearsome beings this world could produce… because you ‘prefer to remain human’?”

“That is correct.” There was a sigh at my clear answer and the Dragon decided to ask some more.

“But why not? What would it cost to you?”

“Possibly any chance to have a normal life when I will want one.” I answered a little annoyed at this pestering. “Power attracts power and… I’m already having trouble trying to keep my identity hidden from the big ones in the large chessboard.”

“While I understand the logic, I do consider it weird that someone as young as you are would ignore the benefits that would come with the decision of becoming ‘more’.”

“It’s not that I ‘ignore the benefits’. I just think about the price of said decision, how much would it impact on my life and then, maybe, I will consider the benefits.” I sighed tiredly.

“Confusing and strange, but I guess that this is how you view things and people around you.”

I opened my mouth to explain that he mistook my capacity to decide with my overall way to live my life when the doorbell rung quick and once. I glanced at the entrance, Kunou looking curious at the same direction I was looking at.

“I don’t think it’s Ko-senpai or Akeno-neechan.” The blonde stated quietly.

“Stay there.” I told her as I moved out of the couch. She nodded while trying to get a spot to see whom would appear by the doorstep.

I was by the entrance when Apophis spoke once more, this time in my mind. ‘The one on the other side is way stronger to you. Don’t try to anger them.”

I nodded slowly as I opened the door and… saw Ophis waiting outside. Arms crossed near her chest, a visible pout and irked expression, I frowned at the surprisingly annoyed Infinity Dragon.

“What are you- Gah!”

I jumped away as something incredibly sturdy hit my leg ruthlessly, almost falling on the ground as the girl retracted her shorter limb and huffed, entering the house unceremoniously and walked towards the living room.

Kunou blinked in surprise at my pained face and narrowed her eyes at the young girl stomping inside the house.

Ophis stopped just a moment to glare at the blonde, being matched in intensity by the kitsune in terms of anger and… she slowly walked and took a seat in the couch, confusing Kunou.

Groaning, I made my way back to the living room and I was greeted with a strangely restrained dark-haired girl facing some quick-paced lecturing from the little blonde.

“You shouldn’t hit Niichan.” The kitsune reprimanded.

“I’m angry at him-” Ophis tried to explain.

“Did he hurt you to cause you to hurt him?”

“No, but-”

“Then you are in the wrong.” Kunou interrupted once more, uncaring of ‘who’ she was interrupting. “If you are angry, you say that to them. You don’t hurt them.”

Ophis lowered her head and nodded. “I didn’t mean to-”

“Apologize to Niichan now.” The kitsune demanded from the apologetic Dragon.

The goth girl blinked few times and then looked at me. I frowned at her and she blinked once more.

“I… sorry.” She said with her usual monotone voice, causing Kunou to huff.

“Mean it!”

“Ku-chan-” The blonde glanced at me with a serious look.

“Niichan, she kicked you.” My eyes went wide at what was going on and merely settled with a dumb nod her way. The girl smiled appreciatively and then returned to Ophis.

“Apologize meaningfully.”

The Infinity Dragon actually flinched and stared at the floor. “I’m sorry...”

I think my brain just died for a moment, did I just hear her apologize with some emotion?

‘I- does your little sister have some sort of mind-control power or-’

Nothing of that sort, no. But this… this is unbelievable.

“I-I accept your apology, but why are you angry at me?”

Ophis blinked and stared up, straight at my face. “Vali said no to my offer.”

“And that is my fault? That he refused?” I found myself confused, but the girl sighed at my words.

“He asked if I had asked you this and if you accepted it, since I did mention that I found both you and him interesting. I told him the truth and he refused completely, even when I offered him the power to challenge God.”

I admit I was shocked by this development, knowing that Vali and I had yet to truly get to a point of mutual trust, but I think his reasoning depended on my capacity to pick the best decision. If I, someone clearly weaker than him refused the offer from Khaos Brigade, something had to have forced me to refuse adamantly at any attempt.

‘This Vali has to at least respect you to value your opinion on the matter.’

He is a broody thing, but he is still good… maybe.

“But then why didn’t you lie to him?”

“I had no particular reason to lie.” She replied quickly. “Why would I’ve needed to lie about it if he seemed to not consider you much.”

I flinched at the truthful words and nodded. “So he decided to base his refusal from mine?”

“Yes and… that is annoying.” She huffed, slouching on the crouch. “What is your ‘silence’, Hoitsu?”

I blinked and stared up to the ceiling. “You mean what I told you yesterday?”

She nodded. “What is your ‘silence’? you said the word as if you knew about mine well enough to compare it to yours.”

“It’s my current peace.” I replied without hesitation. “The opportunity to never be disturbed by those I don’t want to be disturbed by, the chance of being content without any worry of losing what I have.”

I waited and prayed. While I had some idea about what Ophis meant with ‘silence’, it was never fully explained in the Canon.

My theory came from the fact that Great Red’s arrival caused her ‘silence’ to be disrupted and knowing that the Dimensional Gap was lifeless except for her until the intrusion of the Apocalypse Dragon, I knew that she meant the supreme control over her birthplace.

She didn’t answer at first, looking still and distracted by what I just said. Few moments passed, then her body tensed and she looked once more to the floor. “So that’s your ‘silence’?”

I nodded and Ophis hummed. “That sounds… pretty.”

I smiled. “It is.”

She nodded and stood up from the couch. “I guess I should be going. I have some errands to do and-”

“If you want you could join us for lunch.” Kunou asked out-of-the-blue, glancing my way for permission and getting a nod in return. “Niichan is good at cooking.”

The Infinity Dragon paused and seemed to think about it. “Maybe another day.” She looked at me. “If I can join you?”

I shrugged. “I don’t mind, just remember to give some notice first.”

A quick nod later, she turned back to walk towards the entrance door and I followed her by the doorstep.

“Before you go, can I ask you something, Ophis?”

The Dragon stopped and turned, quietly waiting for my question.

“Did you tell… anyone about the fact I am Hekishoku?”

The goth girl blinked and shook her head. “I don’t have a reason to tell them about that.”

I frowned and felt some relief at the fact I will not have to make some proper preparation for some assault from anyone from the KR.

“Okay. See you later, Ophis.” I saluted and she paused again, glancing back before nodding and returned to walk out of the entrance.

“Yes, later.” She muttered and then vanished, leaving me to stare at the spot she once occupied.

I closed the door, falling on my knees and letting out some breathing at the fact I had survived Ophis.

While I have been able to keep a calm composure through the whole ordeal, the idea of being in the proximity of someone her caliber had been nagging my mind for the entire situation.

One small mistake and I would have been dead. There wouldn’t have been a fight, the sheer difference between her and me was far too vast to offer me a chance to survive that kind of predicament.

I sighed and saw Kunou approaching. “Niichan? What’s wrong?”

She crouched again to check on me and I slowly pulled in an embrace. She tensed at the sudden hug, but she melted few moments later and completed it.

“Ku-chan. Next time you are near Ophis, you have to promise me that you will be careful around her.”

She shifted a little. “What do you mean, Niichan?”

“Ophis might look like a girl your age and appear quite reserved and naive… but she is a being much stronger than me, you and… even your mom.”

She tensed again. “What?”

“Just promise me that you will not engage in any discussion that might result in her getting angry, okay?”

She slowly relaxed back. “I… I will be careful, Niichan.”

“Thank you.” I repeated, accepting her meaningful words.

As the two continued in their embrace, Ophis stared through the door with a blank expression what was happening and… she sighed. Looking at her hands and reminding herself that there wasn’t anyone there that could truly understand her, she turned around and truly vanished.

It was time to see how Rivezim’s work was doing and… maybe catch some sleep. Yet, although she tried to ignore the scene she had just seen, part of her was now curious about something.

How does a hug work?

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AN

I think Ophis will be an interesting complex thing to unfold, mostly because her personality and full self was never given a complete explanation. There might be some instances of some of her quirks and how she react to some characters, but it is rare to see glimpses of her mind.

I bet someone wasn’t considering to see this kind of ‘boost’ to pop-up this early on, Apophis being quite unknown to some of the fans as he has yet to be shown in the Manga and the Anime.

Although he is regarded as an Evil Dragon, his personality in the series is quite the opposite from what many would expect from the Nemesis of Ra, being a Dragon that place logic before battle-lust and… he hardly makes anything terrible in his presence in the show. The only reason he is considered ‘Evil’ is because he was back during the Egyptian dominance in Western Civilization. Yet he is an Eastern Dragon with a serpentine body… mhhh…

Also before anyone burst a vein at the sudden power-up, the Gauntlet is not a Sacred Gear and Apophis doesn’t have his power unlocked (yet). A better explanation will be provided next chapter by Baraqiel but I can already say that it will not give the MC any major advantages until much later in the story.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

 

Chapter 17: Chit-chat with the Phoenix

Baraqiel didn’t look much surprised to learn that I did manage to open the box, praising only the fact I ended up making a pact with Apophis.

His only surprise was the fact that, of all deceased Dragons with their souls still wandering around, an Evil Dragon had to be picked out from this ‘lottery’.
Before training a full explanation was given about the ‘Gauntlet’.

The Mystic Hand of Power was a unique object created by Azazel’s and Ajuka’s combined efforts in researching a new mean to counter the existing Sacred Gears and Artificial Sacred gears, capable of storing the soul of a powerful being and filter its regenerating power within the minuscule seals that were engraved within the corners of the rhomboidal crystal.

I had to squint my eyes very hard to spot those signs and I quickly asked to the man why I hadn’t been able to feel those while wearing it.

The answer was simple but… incredibly difficult in practice. While Azazel was a master in creating magical seals, one of the main issues he would always found in creating new things related to runes and seals was the limited space available.

Ajuka found a way to overcome this issue by creating special machines that were able to carefully cut the crystal without making any dangerous mistakes in the process.

Another issue was how to avoid the ‘corruption’ of the user’s soul. While gaining Dragonic traits was regarded as something mostly positive, the dangerous flaws a Dragon had were not something many wanted to have around.

Greed, Pride, Wrath. These three things were bolstered within a Dragon’s soul and it was one of the reasons why there were very few Artificial Sacred Gears that were connected to Dragons (Vritra’s ones having dilutes aspects of the Dragon’s soul), the users being unable to properly adapt to the hefty requirements of slowly assimilating the more dangerous parts of a Dragon’s personality.

Issei and Vali were blessed by the fact their Sacred Gears were created with the capacity of removing such influence from the User and only giving out the worst traits only when the Juggernaut Drive was activated.

The Power Gauntlet has a completely different system compared to the Sacred Gears, Apophis being mostly detached and deterred from trying to create a magical/physical connection with me as the seals prevented him to act upon this.

While he was stored within the crystal without any of his former power, he was starting to generate energy from his soul, an attempt to regenerate his core’s full capacity that was slowed down by two factors both created by the seals: A quarter of his power was being constantly filtered to my core, encouraging it to grow faster and expand even more than previously expected; A small fraction of what was left by this initial drain was then used to sustain the entire array of seals, making the Gauntlet a self-sufficient system.

Further questions about the potential of the Gauntlet were answered curtly as Baraqiel was mostly unaware of the full potential of this unique thing.

He knew that things like Balance Breaker were not integrated within it and that one of the functions described allowed the possibility to actually summon Apophis in its full dragonic form.

Of course said function could be activated only by me and, even through I was in amiable terms with the Serpentine Dragon, I was unsure that deploying him now without his strengths would have been a hindering factor or even a good way to get backstabbed.

Paranoia, take the wheel~!

As our chat continued, the topic started to change to some others that were particularly important for me.

“What is the situation about Kokabiel’s rebellion?” I asked to the Fallen Angel. “It’s been a while since I heard the last news about what Azazel was doing about it.”

The man sighed. “There had been some quiet moving of some groups of the various cadres in less important bases, but the process is still going to take few more months before we are fairly sure that we are ready.”

And that was bad. Kokabiel wasn’t going to offer ‘few months’ and will be attacking Kuoh in more or less two months from now, which means that the quicker he is defeated the better the chances of avoiding open rebellion will be.

The rogue elements will still be dealt with after Kokabiel was removed, knowing that they will try to flock at the Khaos Brigade and cause some serious damage at the Coalition in the upcoming war.

Hopefully the KR will be weak enough to be fully stopped by the time they will ‘reveal themselves’ in three-four months from now.

Anyway, after thinking about this little planning I decided to inquiry about the training for that day and I was replied with a fist slamming on my face.

Falling on the ground, I felt still dizzy from the sudden punch, narrowing my eyes at the smug look on Baraqiel’s face.

“Today we will pick up the pace as the next few weeks will be quite the interesting ones.”

‘Is he usually this serious?’

I blinked at Apophis’ words. I think he is a little more serious than usual, now that you point it out.

And indeed the Fallen Angel proceeded to go several steps beyond his usual pacing, ending up to draw the training session up to two hours longer than usual.

The man smiled eagerly at pummeling the shit out of me, but I was glad to see that my attempt to survive that onslaught weren’t as meek as I had initially thought those would be.

Nodding at his praising and slowly walking away from that demolished training ground, I made my way back to my bedroom and, few minutes later, I found myself cuddling close with Kunou. The fluffy tails and her warm, soft body were enough to bring some comfort to my sore body and the girl seemed glad to get some long sleep compared to the one of the day before.

Monday was going to be quite normal, hopefully.

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Yawning at the growing stack of paperwork I had to deal today, I glanced at the clock attached to the wall with a tired look.

Monday was as uneventful as I had hoped, the day passing without any major issue or problem regarding the supernatural world and leaving me some time to enjoy this period of normalcy in peace as I prepared for the approaching Arcs.

The interesting detail about this whole situation was the fact that the ORC had yet to make another appearance, keeping quite neutral and quiet about the whole ‘arranged marriage’ thing and staying away from me most of the time.

Akeno and Koneko confirmed their interest in joining Kunou and I for lunch, something I was already sure of and merely nodded absently.

Trying to finish the white mountain of paper with the use of my shining pen, I ended up alone in the Student Council’s classroom, part of the Council have gone to deal with some issues with the Swimming Club regarding the pool being vandalized, while the section made by the assistants and other younger members like Saji went back home as usual of this time.

Another yawning left my lips as I finished another group of this endless madness of paper and ink, but this time my little monotony was interrupted by someone knocking politely and softly by the door.

I glanced up at the already open door and stared at the young man waiting there, smiling a little and nodding my direction.

With blond locks covering his head and partially hiding his dark-blue eyes, I blinked at the curious individual wearing old-style noble clothes. It wasn’t the ‘ancient’ kind of old-style, more like the early 20th century kind of style some aristocrats would have when donning their clothes, a little militaristic but still sober enough to not get annoyed by it.

“I’m sorry to disturb your activity, sir.” The blond started, sounding quite apologetic. “But I wished to ask if I could request some assistance in finding a club in this school.”

I nodded slowly. “Sure… but may I ask you first which club are we talking about?”

“The Occult Research Club...” He blinked thoughtfully. “I think that is it’s name, my only interest is to have a chance to speak with the club president-”

“Rias Gremory?” I interrupted quietly, my mind slowly connecting the dots and forming a name out of the individual in now looking partially surprised at my reply.

Ruval Phenex nodded with a smaller smile. “Yes, that’s her name. I can only suppose that you know about her thanks to your job in the Student Council.”

“Initially yes, but then one of my Kohais decided to join her club and thus I had the opportunity to speak with her on some limited basis.”

The Devil blinked. “Interesting. Then I suppose you could lead me to the classroom that hosts the club as the matter I wish to discuss with her is quite urgent and important.”

I nodded once more, my mind losing some time as I was still trying to understand the mere fact that this polite individual was the brother of the birdbrain that wanted to marry Rias.

I know that some siblings have different personalities and sometimes even opposite ones to each other, but this was turning out to be quite… confusing.

To think that a bastard could be related to this prim and proper nobleman was mind-boggling even more now that I was dealing with Ruval.

It was by the time that I closed the classroom’s door behind me that the blond remembered to introduce himself.

“I almost forgot-” He bowed once more, a regal smile in his place as if an act done and redone. “I am Ruval Phenex.”

I nodded. “Hoitsu Sakakibara.” I stretched my hand towards him and I waited, noticing almost quickly a lack of reaction at my sudden attempt to interact with the man.

He blinked at the hand and then nodded in realization. “Oh, forgive me, I wasn’t expecting to find someone polite and-”

“You could say that prejudice is quite overrated, Phenex-san.” We shook hands. “But I think I should start to lead you to the club-room. You did say it was quite an urgent matter.”

He nodded and soon I started to walk through the Academy’s hallways with the blond on tow.

The walk was brief but the resulting closed door with small sign saying ‘Closed’ left us both particularly confused. “Generally the clubs end a little later than now… I suppose they had something important to skip it and-”

“It’s fine, sir Hoitsu.” The heir to the Phenex family nodded, his expression filled with some dismay but he still looked calm. “I guess I will try another day and-”

If Ruval ended up missing the chances of talking with Rias, whatever the motivations driving them and whom he wanted to support, the redhead would end up missing the opportunity to gain some ally for her current plight.

I sighed, knowing that this will surely come to bite my ass and then spoke. “I know that I shouldn’t be meddling about private affairs, but I do find myself inquiring the possibility those private affairs are somehow related to the ‘arranged marriage’ situation she is dealing with.”

The Phenex paused a moment, frowned and nodded slowly. “That is...” He didn’t finish this first sentence. “Did she tell you this?”

I nodded. “She wanted to know how to deal with the situation since she didn’t want to go ahead with it all.”

He smiled. “Interesting. Then I can only guess you know about the importance of the marriage’s contract.”

“I do.” I replied quickly. “But I think that there are some details that I find… strange. Same with your brother, I have to admit.”

He raised an elegant eyebrow at that last comment but still nodded. “Truly? Would you mind if I wanted to further address this matter on a more private location?”

I nodded and soon I took him by the former teachers’ lounge, a place that was still taken care of even after decades of being left untouched by the staff.

The place had a working fridge, a coffee machine and the water bottles there were refurnished weekly. It was a strange expense, but some of the older students appreciated this place to spend some time to study.

I opened the door and invited the Devil inside so we could spend some time talking about Raiser.

We sat on two of the four couches, one at the opposite of the other, and soon the interrogation started.

“Before we begin I would like to ask the utmost secrecy about this encounter.” The heir to the Phenex clan stated. “I don’t want my intervention to be known to anyone unpleasant.”

I nodded. “I can accept that but only if the same courtesy is extended to me. I don’t wish for people to know about my knowledge about… the 72 families and much more.”

He looked surprised. “So you know more than just the marriage?”

I merely nodded and that seemed to calm him a little.

“Then I guess you know even more about why this is truly important for the family. The Phenex clan require some powerful blood to bind the Gremory and our family together.”

“I know that pure-blooded Devils are still suffering from some issues about procreation, but I don’t think there is the need to promote an arranged marriage with both clans having seconds in their respective lines.” I replied, gaining a nod towards me.

“That is indeed correct, the ‘emergency’ that was repeated to motivate this marriage is actually a smokescreen for anyone plotting against us. An attempt to not be called out while we tried to form a strong alliance.” He explained with an empty smile. “I did ask father to be more subtle about this in the contract…”

“But the problem isn’t the writing style used by Lord Phenex. I think the issue is that one of the clauses was breached by your brother prior to its creation.

He frowned, his smile disappearing. “Could you elaborate?”

I nodded, a small smile forming. “I had the chance of glancing at said contract and I found, just as I expected, that the ‘Virginity’ clause is not directed only to Rias, but also to your brother.”

There was some tense air now within the room as I knew the man was trying to remember the content of the contract.

‘I thought you didn’t read any contract. You did say that when explaining to me the situation’ Apophis butted in and I found myself smiling even more.

And that is the thing, I didn’t actually read any contract, but by the end of this discussion, Ruval will have a ‘nice chat’ with his youngest brother.

‘Oh? How exactly are you planning to do that without evidence-’

“But I think that was unavoidable with the little harem he got.” I mentioned loudly enough for the Phenex to break out from his thinking.

“Did you just say ‘Harem’, sir Hoitsu?” His jaws were dropping as I nodded.

“Why, his peerage. Of course that would explain why he never trained them properly and… why they are all women with an affectionate loyalty to your brother.”

More nails for Raiser’s coffin? More nails, indeed!

“H-He is just a loving Master trying his best to keep everyone in his peerage happy-” His tone was hesitant, possibly because he knew he was climbing on some mirrors there.

“But training? Isn’t that also important?” He didn’t protest this questions. “What about the fact he has 14 females in his own team?!”

There was no reply, Ruval looked particularly distracted because of what I had just told him, but I knew that my work was only half-way completed. There was something missing, something that would easily close Raiser’s chances of not getting some beating by his older brother.

“And I find it curious that the Phenex family would accept something even close to incest.”

The mere mentioning of that word caused the entire room to become the chilliest place on Earth, the blond staring right back at me with a furious look. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not referring to everyone of your family, Ruval, but rather I was referring to Raiser.” I was putting quite the effort to not tremble at the Killing Intent I was being washed with. “I mean, what kind of rumors would come out from the fact that from his harem/peerage his bishop is actually Ravel Phenex?”

… “C-Could you repeat that?” The pressure disappeared altogether, the man looked shocked and paler than before. “I- What do you mean my little sister is in his peerage, Sir Hoitsu?”

“That she is currently his Bishop in his peerage. She is something of the strategist of the team… considering that Raiser is busy with something else-”

He lifted his open palm up for me to stop. “E-Enough.” He seemed particularly shaken, just like I wanted him to be. “I- This will require some investigation.”

“Please do, Ruval. I think it’s time for someone as honest as you are to do something about this indecorous attitude.” He nodded, getting up from the small couch as I followed him to the door.

“Could you please escort me back to the entrance? I think this visit could be concluded there.”

I nodded. “Of course.” My tone was smooth and comforting as I led the young man back to the Academy’s entrance. Just as we arrived to the glass doors, I spotted from afar a large car with obscured windows waiting by the gates.

I waved at the retreating Phenex, my smile widening at the idea I had purposely destroyed a bastard’s life as it was fit and-

An-And-

‘Hoitsu?’

I was shivering a little, eyes wide open as I continued to stare at the car.

‘What is going on? An enemy or-’

My heart started to beat faster, unmerciful as I felt it, a monster lurking and waiting for my death, for my annihilation and-

‘Ohi! Why are your eyes red?!’

It was instantaneous, I felt my feverish state vanish instantly at the sudden yell from deep in my mind. I blinked at the comment and… I turned around, walking inside the school.

What was that?!

‘You are asking me? I am the one trying to make sense what got over you for few moments.’

Maybe the seals are… a little loose?

‘That wasn’t something from me, Hoitsu. Just go and ask Baraqiel for help, there is something… familiar with what you did there but… I don’t know.’

Gulping nervously, I went on my way back to the Council’s classroom, ready to finish the paperwork, go back home and then get some rest.

Whatever just happened…

It felt like I was a completely different person!

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Ruval sighed as the door of the car closed, the driver starting to move the vehicle away from Kuoh Academy as the Phenex tried to sort out the thoughts after what had just happened there.

Hoitsu looked like a trustworthy, down-to-earth kind of person that wanted to achieve great heights. Someone that looked similar but also different from the man sitting right on the opposite row of seats, having some trouble with the roof’s height and his own.

Sairaorg Bael huffed while trying and failing to find some balance in that uncomfortable suffering he was dealing with by being there.

“You know you could have asked for a ‘taller’ car, Scion Bael.” The blond mentioned, his mood still damp after the talk he had ended that visit.

“Maybe I like the challenge this situation is offering.” The bulky individual stated readily, getting a dry glance from the Phenex.

“Or maybe you are too prideful to accept you can be dumb.” Ruval stated quietly, getting another huff from the Strongest Youth.

The reason this visit had happened was mostly because of Sairaorg himself. Having heard from his aunt about the situation, the Imperial Purpure decided to see if the words about Rias’ marriage were true.

Out of curiosity, the heir to the Phenex clan decided to join in with this little research and, while he got quite the harsh news that he was still digesting, he now knew that the concern from the bigger man was justified.

“By the way, Ruv.” The fighter started, giving a serious look. “Who was the dude by the entrance, the young man that led you out?”

Ruval frowned and blinked. “That was Hoitsu Sakakibara. I would say he is a knowing bystander of these grounds that has quite the knowledge over the political landscape of Hell.”

Sairaorg nodded at the brief description, yet he looked still interested. “But do you know what race he is? Is he a Devil, a Dragon or-”

“What are you talking about? Sir Hoitsu is a mere human and I can assure you of that having been able to study his energy pattern.” It was ridiculous to consider that student to be something different than human, he was far too weak to be-

“I think you were distracted but, his power spiked briefly and… I admit I am impressed at how close he was to my current level.”

… “I think I didn’t hear you correctly, did you just say that his power ‘spiked’ close to your own?”

“That is correct, Ruv.” The bulky man continued. “Few moments ago I wanted to jump out of the car and fight that impressive individual but...”

There was a strange pause, then the Strongest Youth explained. “But it all vanished the moment he glanced at me. It was a strange occurrence but… I think my mere sight did threaten him away from revealing his power.” Now Ruval gave him a serious look, those comments starting to leave him concerned.

“Do you think he wanted to attack me?” The legitimate question was met with a negative shake of the man’s head.

“There was something happening for his power to unfold, he looked wicked for a moment, then he looked confused and mortified.”

“Mortified?” The Phenex pressed for more details.

“He looked like he didn’t want to ‘flex’, but he did it all the same. It was like he was lost in a sick daydream and then woke up from it the moment he felt me.”

“So you don’t think he is a possible enemy?”

“Dunno.” Sairaorg replied quickly. “From what I saw I can say very little about his overall attitude. Did he seem anytime trying to harm you or something?”

“Actually… no. He seemed quite courteous and helpful. Until you said that I couldn’t spot anything unnatural about him.” Ruval stared once more at the Bael and the man nodded.

“I guess I will have to see him personally to draw a proper judgment but… not now. It is far too early and… there is still much to do.”

The Phenex nodded, closing his eyes as he decided to get some rest.

His future encounter with his family will be…

Fiery.

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AN

Something is indeed wrong with Hoitsu but… what could it be?

There is an original plot that will replace some bits of the story, after Kokabiel, and nobody will expect the antagonist for that arc. (P.S. It’s not Hoitsu!)

Expect deceptions from everyone and everything, expect novelties and old stuff resurfacing and… expect something unfair but smooth.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

 

Chapter 18: Of Happiness and Dread

The walk back home was surprisingly tiring.

My body felt just like when I was trying to get the Light-type integrated in my Magic Core, the only differences being that I was facing a minor case of running nose and what I could only assume were the symptoms of a common cold.

Passing by the nearest pharmacist, I was quick to get a medical mask and the proper medicals to treat this sudden sickness which I was clueless about its causes.

While I knew that in that brief moment of fever spurned by feeling a sudden powerful energy triggered something within me, I was completely unaware what exactly had happened back then.

I could feel the entire energy contained in my Core fully manifest in that exact instance, a sudden flex that over-exerted my whole body, my bodily temperature spiking with the same speed and leaving me a little bit tired, confused and with a headache.

Groaning, I dodged another light pole, my perception of things hindered by a small sense of dizziness developing and further making my return quite difficult.

There were moments I had to pass around a large crowd of people, my headache worsening as I felt my sense of direction deafened by the heightened sounds of the urban life going around me.

‘Still, it’s quite curious what had happened back at the entrance of the school. I couldn’t feel anything close to a possession or some attempt to mind-control you from external energy and yet your sudden change of attitude looked just like someone took over you.’

It was worrisome that even Apophis was unknowing about what caused this phenomenon to happen, that sudden rush of anger, fear and primal need to either fight to the death or run away from the monstrous threat hidden in that vehicle.

And that is ignoring the foul thoughts I had over the situation with Ruval. While Raiser warranted cruelty well-equalized over his own ‘sins’, I still felt that the reasoning at a certain point during that discussion switched from justice-making to sadistic pleasure.

That wasn’t part of me, the only times I could possibly get this blood-thirsty was when the subject in question had committed something heinous and beyond anything forgivable.

Yet this rage was still there, the boiling sensation present inside my chest but lacking a clear target.

I sighed in relief once I unlocked the lock of the door, slowly pushing it open as I ventured inside and-

“Niichan!”

Oof!

Kunou smiled as she tackled me, almost sending us both to the ground with the suddenness and the strength behind that embrace.

A small smile appeared, hidden behind the mask as I started to pat her head. “Ku-chan.”

She giggled and started to get up, her face twisting in surprise and concern once her golden eyes fixed upon my face.

The girl blinked. “Niichan, what is wrong? Are you sick?” She started to straddle onto my shirt and I sighed.

“Just a minor cold. Nothing dangerous, but I think you shouldn’t be this close to me right now or you might get it too.” She nodded, still looking a little bit worried as she took two small steps away.

I saw two individuals peek from the doorstep that led to the living room. “Do you need to rest, senpai?” Koneko’s usually stoic look was replaced by some concern, then I glanced to the other head peeking and-

“Oh, you have a minor cold, Hoitsu-kun ~?” A chill went down my spine as those words left Akeno’s lips, her eyes narrowing in an intrigued light at this development.

The good news of this situation was that Koneko didn’t have any exam for this week, thus letting her enjoy some free time she wanted to spend around Kunou. If before the two had been close, now they looked inseparable and I could easily see that the silver-haired girl had become something of a big sister for the Kitsune.

The Nekoshou enjoyed the moderated questioning of her kohai and the blonde herself was glad to have someone close to her age helping her around with homework and other curiosities.

With the two young girls closing up to Kunou’s room, I was left to deal with an opportunistic woman like the Himejima.

Akeno might have ditched after a while her sillier and more extreme attempts to get my attention and win the intense chase, but if I knew enough of girls with her peculiar mindset then I was fairly sure that I was going to get ‘nursed back to health’ by her.

Not only it was a good intervention that helped her score some good points for my graces, but also offered a chance to get to explore the intimacy a nurse had with her patient.

There was also the fact that ‘small accidents’ about peeking over some clothes and other indecent things were ‘easy to justify’ if ever caught by said patient.

I was going to deal with quite the issue if I wasn’t careful around her.

‘She looks quite beautiful, I would even dare to say she would be the ideal woman if you give her even a small chance to prove it to you.’

I snorted inwardly at the dragon’s comment. You mean the very daughter of the man that is training me? The woman that enjoys whipping people around to a sexual degree?

‘A little bit of whip isn’t-’

I will ignore the crap you were about to say, Apophis.

The being huffed. ‘Not an issue, yet I still stand by my ideals.’

Is there even a dragon that isn’t even a little bit a pervert?

‘It’s all about perspectives, Hoitsu.’

Archiving this little chit-chat away to never be brought up to my poor mind, I found myself being attentive of the girl’s actions around me.

Surprisingly enough, the Himejima held her hand from action during the preparation of the lunch, twitching once or twice while glancing my way but doing nothing worth of suspicion.

A quiet but happy time lasted for the entire lunch, Koneko mentioning how she had slowly tried to integrate the way she studied math with other subjects she was struggling with and how the results had been quite positive.

Just as I expected this situation to end up with me dealing with Akeno alone, Kunou decided that today it would have been a good day to break this habit.

Sitting on the large couch in front of the flat TV this house had, we decided it was a good opportunity to spend some time watching something new.

Thus I decided it was time to test a theory of mine about the Nekoshou’s possible interest and… hopefully I will survive through this.

Taking out a small DVD case, I put on the Blu-ray device the small disk and waited for the TV to load it.

The screen turned black as a familiar opening began.

Few hours passed and I slowly recovered from by sudden bout of sickness, my skin regaining some healthier color and my body feeling less sore and tired.

Still I was unsure if Phantom Blood would have gained some interest from the girls but right as the credits of the last episode rolled in, I found myself comforting a sobbing Kunou as the kitsune latched at me for some reprieve.

While there was a general liking for the protagonist that was Jonathon Joestar, the blonde was the one that got the most attached to him. Since they both shared similar backgrounds, the little girl found herself cheering for the first Jojo almost as quickly as he was introduced.

The adventure, the various characters that were befriended or beaten and finally the bitter finale for that chapter of the Joestar’s family.

Patting her head, Kunou had her face buried deep in my shirt, incredibly angry at seeing her new favorite character pass away like this.

“Kunou-chan, there is no need to cry. After all this is just the first part of the series and… I am sure there could be other good characters.” Akeno shifted in her seat and slowly took the blonde out of my hold and into hers, the little girl looking surprised with her eyes going wide as she was softly hug by the Himejima.

The difference was the kitsune now had some extra pillows to rest her head, which she accepted without much of a fuss, resting a little in that hug.

I stared at the scene, at how content the older female looked while carefully keeping the blonde in her embrace and.. I felt someone tugging at my sleeve.
I blinked, turning to see Koneko looking quite distracted and nervous. “Do you need something kohai?”

The girl didn’t reply, her eyes carefully lifting to stare mines for a brief instant, then she moved.

Eyes going wide open, I looked down at the sudden soft hug I was receiving. The silver-haired girl was tense, as if she had completely forgotten how one was supposed to initiate an embrace and looked ready to retreat from the seemingly failed attempt.

‘Why she seems this hesitant? It’s easy to see that she want to be close to you in a familial way.’

Her sister went ‘mad’ with power and left her after killing most of their family and leaving her to deal with the following fallout.

‘That is quite the sad story.’

She opened her mouth while slowly moving away, trying to apologize for the sudden embarrassing situation she froze the moment my hand reached for her head and my other one went to bring her back in the hug.

Her tension deepened just a little more, eyes going wide a little at the returning embrace.

“It’s fine, Koneko-chan.” I whispered quietly. “I am not going to hurt you.”

My words slowly sunk deep in the girl’s brain, an acceptance to her need to be close to someone, the need to have some nostalgic happiness back in that simple gesture.

Her eyes closed, head slowly tilting to my chest as she nuzzled a little to enjoy the relative closeness.

Some moments passed, the Nekoshou enjoying every single instant of that little hug and then our little peace was interrupted by someone tackling us both.

A golden missile jumped between us and infiltrated the embrace, Kunou giggling a little while basking in the warmth of both. I looked up at Koneko, the girl snorting at the sudden intrusion but refusing to budge at it, conceding to this group hug.

I was glad to see that the silver-haired girl was finally showing a little more of herself around others and I was blissfully unaware that someone was plotting right behind me.

A chill went down my spine the moment I felt two soft cushions pressing on my unprepared back, a pair of soft lips reaching for my ear. “Ara, Ara, is Hoitsu-kun enjoying the hug of three maidens ~?”

My cheeks reddened instantly, and my entire body tensed at the sudden glomping of the giggling girl behind me.

Kunou looked confused at my sudden blushing, while Koneko glared at the Himejima for ruining that innocent moment. There was a simple smile well wide on Akeno’s face, but I soon learned the worst had yet to come.

Her hands hovered above my shoulders and reached for my face before I could react to it all.

“Nwo!” The young woman started to pinch my cheeks, some giggling fleeting her mouth as she continued to painfully play around.

“W-Welp!” I tried to call for support, but the only thing I got from the small blonde bundle latched at me was giggles, Koneko having turned to the side, trying to be neutral about this but failing to hide with her hands the amused smile twitching in her face.

The terrible torture lasted two more minutes and I my cheeks were now glowing red once more, this time in a show of pain.

“I’m sorry, Hoitsu-kun, maybe I shouldn’t have been that much harsh with the pinching.” The Himejima said with a mock-apologetic tone. “Maybe I should redeem myself by doing something that will make you laugh.”

I frowned at those words, but as I tried to respond I found her hands descending to the sides of my torso and start to tickle it mercilessly. She giggled again, expecting to find an instantaneous reaction out of me.

I couldn’t blame her, everyone would laugh at being tickled the normal way. But sadly that figure is wrong as… only a majority of everyone laughed at being tickled.

And I wasn’t part of that.

Few seconds passed as she continued with her ministration, possibly expecting me to be holding back from letting out my chuckles… then I turned around and I glanced at her with a vindictive smile, my cheeks still hurting.

She stopped, her jaws dropping and looking suddenly quite nervous. “N-Now there is no nee to-”

But it was too late. Kunou shifted onto Koneko’s lap as I fully turned at the panicking Himejima and started to return the favor immediately.

I pinched her cheeks, the girl looking comical as I stretched the pinching a little, making her look even funnier. “So, is this fun?”

She couldn’t reply because of my ministrations and then… I switched to the tickling.

I admit that at that point, things escalated a lot. Since she was being treated with the tickles, her body obviously tried to move away from my fingers, forcing me to follow her as she slowly made her way towards the end of the couch and-

Thud

We both fell on the ground. I spun around, catching her before she could truly hit the floor, using my own body as a pillow.

Sighing, I stared at her face, part of it hidden as she was pressing it on my shirt. My entertained expression shattered in confusion the moment I saw her entire face burning red, her breathing was erratic and she looked a little dizzy.

What was wrong with her-

‘Wait, if she is Baraqiel’s daughter, does that mean she is also a-’

Shit!

I had completely forgotten about the masochist trait the woman had inherited from her father, thus everything I just did until that point led her to-

OH MY GAWD, NO!

I looked away quickly, face exploding in red as I realized why she looked this happy.

“T-That was… amazing.” Akeno finally spoke, her tone strained as she was recovering from… that.

I looked back at the couch, Koneko looked as confused as Kunou was and I felt blessed by the fact only the two adults in the room knew what was going on.

Goddammit Akeno…
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Baraqiel was clueless about what had happened few hours ago by the fact he looked perfectly calm and normal when he entered the training field.
If he had, I would haven’t had the time to even think about the possibility of him knowing or not because the punishment would have been administered swiftly and mercilessly.
So, before the session would begin, I decided to explain him about what had happened back to Kuoh Academy minus the encounter with Ruval. I preferred for that to be a secret, especially with the heir to the Phenex family knowing if the information had been revealed by me or not.

“A sudden and unconscious burst of energy? You mean that your body obtained new power without reason?”

I shook my head at the queries. “I know it was from my Core, but I don’t know how and why it happened so suddenly. It felt like I wasn’t controlling my body anymore at a certain point and Apophis said my eyes went red-”

“Stop.” My voice died down at the order, the Fallen Angel approaching closely, his open palm pressing on my chest and I quickly felt some energy coating my whole form.

The process lasted more than two minutes, the light covering my body mildly warming during it all.

I blinked in surprise at the unplanned analysis spell, kind of confused and worried by the fact he didn’t bother to warn me before going with this but I stopped myself from asking as I knew whom I was referring to.

Whatever got the man this worked out and panicking, it had to be important and-

“A sliver.” He sighed in partial relief. “To think that it would found its way here in your body of all places… there is still some time to act but...” He paused again and turned at me. “Tomorrow you are skipping school, kid. We have important places to go to.”

I frowned, more confused by the Fallen Angel’s stressed expression and tone at saying those words.

“What do you mean- What kind of place-”

“Sadly, I can’t disclose where we are going, but the people we will ask help from are good ones.” He replied quickly, leaving much of the whole situation unknown to me.

That wasn’t giving me enough and I was getting particularly tense now that I knew that something was indeed wrong with me. “Good enough to not get back-stabbed or good enough to make a good job?”

Baraqiel merely smiled. “They are former students of mine, I can speak volumes about their capacities and you will like them.”

I sighed and nodded at the strong defense the man had over this group of people. My mind was racing to try and find whom could fit with a group of people which Baraqiel had taught too.

Not anyone I particularly know from the anime series, yet there was something that sounded familiar about the manga.

There was also a blurred picture forming from these lines but I couldn’t get a clear one, only blurred.

Nodding at his orders, I decided to move to the training part of the discussion. “So that means we shouldn’t train today or-”

The Fallen Angel laughed at what I was trying to say, forcing me to shut up and frown at such reaction. “You seriously think I would skip a day to get you prepared for the future?”

Laughs subsiding, the man presented three large books and passed all of them at me.

The moment the tomes reached my waiting hands, I felt a cloud of dust forming from the minor impact, causing me to cough a little. “W-What are those meant for?”

“I think you have reached a good level of physical training, but your body is still limited without the help of something a bit more… mystical.” He explained, still smiling as he went to take a seat on the side.

Meanwhile I took a glance at the title of the top book in the pile and blinked in surprise.

“Senjutsu?”

Baraqiel only smiled, leaving me to understand what I was supposed to do with something like this, knowing full well that a false step with the meditation and… I was going to lose control.

He had to pick a technique about self-control now?!

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AN

You know what I mean about when I write short chapters? A fight is coming soon!

I admit I went a little fluff there, that is why there is little content in this chapter, but next one will contain a very interesting fight and chase with people from the same universe.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

 

Chapter 19: Fighting for the Right Darkness

If someone were to ask to a young Tobio Ikuse that he would have ended up working most of his waking hours serving to a bar after facing so many threats, the answer would have been fueled by confusion.

But now that he was one of Grigori’s top fighter and led a modest-sized group of strong people, the God of Blade was more than happy to have a place to find some rest away from ‘real work’. Starting as a barista had given him some new challenging time, but the hard-work paid well and he managed to find his little haven away from the constant fighting.

It was a peaceful bar, the Black Dog was meant to be used as a place to rest for him and his team, their headquarters just around the corner. The establishment was provided by Azazel, the man deciding to reward Tobio for his loyalty and good work with the Fallen Angel.

After finishing cleaning the umpteenth used glass in his hands, the young man let out a yawn, the night before having dealt with some slime infestation forming in the attic of the building. It had been a surprise, then Azazel let out that he might have forgotten to fully freed the building from the prior administration that monitored slime’s growth.

It was early in the morning, and there wasn’t any client at this ‘unholy’ hour while he finished to clean the last few bits left on the counter.

Jin was stalking around, the large shadow-like wolf stopping once or twice to sniff around the various empty tables around. The big mutt had whined more than a few times that the lack of serious brawls was leaving him even more annoyed than usual.

And Tobio couldn’t fault him.

While he enjoyed being away from danger and listen to some interesting and unique stories of the recurring clients to the Black Dog, it was also true that some serious fight wouldn’t have been a terrible thing for him to experience once in a while.

Then there was also the fact most of the old group from Nephilim Institute had grown distant with him, several of them either diverting their full attention to their work in their important jobs, while others had different responsibilities to deal with, responsibilities far away from Grigori.

He sighed, remembering the interesting promise Suzaku proclaimed few years ago.

The Marriage Proposal that the girl had decided to give to him had remained burned in his brain, but he had from the very beginning make sure that nothing from his attitude would move towards that direction.

It wasn’t because he didn’t like her romantically, nor the familial bond between them hardly mattered with his biology adapting to his Longinus and rendering their blood relation almost null.

It was all about the fact such commitment wasn’t something he knew he could face at that age and with so many worries in his head.

The Institute and Grigori were still recovering, he had yet to fully grasp the final potential of Canis Lykaon and he received similar attention from other girls in his classroom.

A confusing mess that ended up persisting until graduation and his official enlisting in Grigori’s ranks.

Missions had drown him away for few months, then after his promotion a small team he nicknamed ‘Slash Dog’ was created, then it turned in a pseudo-cadre and…

Tobio regretted how things turned up with his limited and lazy attempt to avoid that kind of attention on him, many of those that cared for him either hurt by his ignoring attitude or merely went through a path distant from his.

The bartender sighed, his mind reshuffling to happier thoughts as he tried to focus back on reality, noticing just now the glass almost slipping from his hold. It’s been two years since he had last seen Sae and three since she had seen Suzaku.

For now the present will do to keep him from his regrets and-

Jin tensed up a little, his search stopping instantly as his head snapped to look at the door. Tobio’s eyes frowned at the strange and sudden change of mood, trying to understand if the large wolf-dog was perceiving a threat or not, the only absolute thing being that there were few energy patterns slowly making their way towards the Black Dog bar’s entrance.

Putting the glass down and freeing his hands, the young man waited, his body slowly taking in a minor guard stance as he saw unrecognizable figures slowly opening the glass door and triggering the door-bell, which announced their presence to the occupants of the building.

The two individuals entered calmly, their sight almost instantly locking onto him as his own eyes widened in shock at whom he was looking at.

Green eyes narrowed at him, an older Sae Toujou huffed at the lack of response from the Ikuse at their arrival. Her hair was combed short, and her body had developed in a slim but somewhat athletic form.

Suzaku brought a hand over her mouth as an amused giggle escaped her mouth. “Ara, Ara, It would seem like Tobio-kun is quite awed.” Her voice was melodious as ever and her beauty had bloomed even more since he last saw her. Her curves were a little bigger, but still she had that hourglass figure that she rocked back during their time at the Nephilim Institute.

“S-Suzaku-nee and Sae-chan?” The bartender asked distractedly, causing the Head of the Himejima clan to pout.

“Tobio-kun, you know that you can call me ‘Suzaku-chan’, right? I am going to be your future bride after all.” The light-heart correction spurned two full blushed for the other two individuals there to listen.

“B-Bride?” Tobio asked again, surprised by the goal still living after this much time of being distant from each other.

“Y-You aren’t his future bride, Himejima!” The brunette replied a little angry. The soft bickering was actually one-sided between the two, Suzaku nodding quietly and waving at her while looking away with a smug smile.

“Sure, sure~.” Another giggle further irked the researcher at Grigori while the young man couldn’t help but smile at the nostalgic scene.

It’s been a while since he has last seen this two sharing the kind of scene he was looking at. There was a time it was a sign of annoyance back at school and during his early years, but now after so much time it was just… funny.

“And don’t think I’ve not seen your smirk here, Tobio-kun, I will take care of your after I finished with her-”

“Oh, and you will use kisses and hugs to fight the cruel smile off his face?” The teasing was light at best, but the effects were easily devastating for the easily irked Sae Toujou, the blush intensifying on her face as she returned to focus back to the Himejima.

Some time passed but soon the two were sitting by the stools near the counter.

Questions about health, family and current life situation was filtered to the three long-standing friends, but it was one question in particular that got them pause a moment to think about.

“You mean that Baraqiel didn’t tell you? I would have thought the man would have spoken to you first about this little meeting after so many years to formalize it.” Sae pointed out, only to be met with a long and tired sigh from Suzaku.

“I think the reason is within the words he used while calling us. Did he mention that he was bringing his two new students with him for the occasion?”

The brunette blinked. “He… did?”

“And did he also mention that one of them would need some important ritual to cleanse away a dangerous element forming within his soul?”

“He di- Wait, what?” Sae’s eyes went wide, same for Tobio as the young man stopped finishing cleaning once more, this time a little panicking.

“You mean that Baraqiel is bringing someone that could potentially trash the bar and-” His panicking increased, the owner of the establishment quickly trying to put the exposed bottles and glasses out of possible harm’s way, in drawers or behind shelves but-

“We are here!”

The booming voice that only a particular Fallen Angel could muster was preceded by a thunderous noise, electricity burning part of the carpet at the man’s feet.

Tobio slowly turned around, a nervous smile on his face as the three former students of Nephilim Institute noticed that Baraqiel wasn’t the only one there.

Shaking a little under both his arms were two masked individuals, a mask of green and one of blue.

“Next time, we pick the train.” The green one stated, his tone showing some motion sickness at the sudden teleportation.

“It’s not that terrible, Hekishoku-kun. Am I right, Sougyoku-kun?” The Fallen Angel asked with a hopeful tone directed at the aforementioned ‘Sougyoku’, the blue-masked teen.

“I saw rookies...” He paused a moment, hands pressing on his mask. “-D-Do this better than you, Baraqiel.”

“Oh.” The man was saddened by the lack of support. So sad that he dropped both cloaked teens at once.

Thud
Thud

“Why?” Hekishoku asked while holding his stomach, only to be totally ignored by the Fallen Angel as Baraqiel focused on his former students.

“It’s good to see you three here. And I’m glad to have arrived before you could leave, Tobio-ku-”

“You aren’t going to cause any destruction to the bar, sensei. I don’t know what is going on, but I am not paying for any reparations.” The Ikuse firmly stated, gaining a giggle from Suzaku and a sigh from Sae.

“Don’t worry, brat. I just wanted to see you all while also dealing with this little inconvenience.” He turned back to the now standing masked boys and nodded. “Speaking of which, I present you my current students.”

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So this is the Black Dog bar? I thought this was supposed to be smaller than this size.

Getting woken up by a giddy Baraqiel early in the morning had been an atrocious experience that I will make sure that will never happen ever again. Being forced to rush through my morning cleaning and to put the Hekishoku disguise, I had just some moments to say ‘Good Day’ to Kunou before being whisked away with the Fallen Angel.

Just like every time I tried to be teleported, I met the ground with my face, cue some groaning and dizziness at the brief warping around me.

I thought this was supposed to be the place, since the man had spoken only about going only there and nowhere else before. Sadly, I was proven wrong when we found ourselves staring at a surprised Vali, the boy was masked but I could see his body tensing at our sudden appearance.

“B-Baraqiel, what are you doing-”

“Change of plans, Sougyoku-kun.” The man interrupted. “This way is faster.”

Without any of us could protest the Fallen Angel’s logic, he picked Vali and put him under his free arm, energy coating us once more as we all shifted away from that deserted street.

Recovering from what followed next, I tried to scan around the establishment, finding it interesting that we had to come here of all places.

While Slash Dog was a powerful fighter proficient with magic, I was quite sure he wasn’t an expert in ‘helping’ with whatever situation I was dealing with. Yet, just as I finished looking around and found Baraqiel making way to show Vali and me, I had to take a large glance at the curious and voluptuous woman in one of the stools.

I could see Sae Toujou staring weary by her side and Tobio Isuke over the counter looking at us with a curious look.

But it was the intense and fixed look of Suzuku Himejima, the current head of the Himejima clan, that was scaring me in that exact moment. It was directed at me, not at us, but at me of all people present there.

‘She looks familiar to the other girl, the daughter of Baraqiel.’ Apophis mused in my mind and I sighed inwardly.

That is Akeno’s cousin. She is the current leader of the clan and strongest holder of the Vermilion Bird.

‘That is good to know… but I think it’s happening again.’

You mean the- Uh-

Red eyes narrowed, her lips pressing together as she seemed to be reflecting about something about me, since her attention was fully taken by me. I felt nervous, incredibly so as she slowly got up from her seat and started to walk towards me.

Oh God, is that what you were talking about?

‘Yes...’

I was trembling a little, my mind burning the more steps she took to approach me and for a moment I questioned bailing out from that situation.

Yet I stood my ground, shivering, feeling feverish but waiting for her to arrive. There was something wrong, something incredibly wrong that was tried to control my actions and I had to muster my whole being to keep the probing out from gaining an upper hand.

Finally I felt her hands carefully grazing my neck, her face staring softly at my face, a small but kind smile on her face. “Are you in pain?”

Her voice was a little relief through that terrible predicament I was dealing with and I nodded shakily. “I-It’s li-like a fever.”

She blinked. “I bet it’s the same for both body, mind and… your core?”

I frowned behind the mask, eyes then widening when I indeed noticed that my core was burning a little with energy. My whole figure was glowing white as my whole magic was manifesting at the ‘threat’ I was going against.

“Worry not, Hekishoku-san. I will make sure that whatever is torturing you is dealt with as quickly as possible.” The priestess stated, looking then back to the bartender. “Is there a room we could use to perform the ritual, Tobio-kun?”

The man looked confused for a moment, but then nodded at seeing the woman giving such a serious look at him. We were slowly escorted to the upper floor of the building, a large area that seemed to have been left unused for a long time now.

The room looked to be a normal European-styled bedroom with a small bed, a medium-sized wardrobe and a wood desk on the side. I couldn’t resist being put on the bed, the woman asking everyone to leave us both alone as she started to treat my situation.

Considering the universe I was in and knowing how a relatives of hers would behave in this situation, I was almost ready to call an attempt to my V-card, but then again I considered that this individual in particular had more reasons to not do such things. Suzaku was more interested in Tobio, her moral compass being one of the purest compared to the entire cast of characters of the DxD series and she was extremely devoted and careful with her job as priestess of the Himejima clan.

I relaxed a little, glad that my mask was still on but kind of bummed that this was going to end up being a simple situation that would see me stuck in bed for-

“May I ask why you are staring at me so much, Hekishoku-san?” I tensed a little at being called out, a little blush adding up to the feverish one.

“J-Just t-thinking about s-someone t-that looks like y-you, Himejima-san.” I admitted, causing the young woman to pause briefly as she finished setting up the objects required for the ritual.

“Indeed?” She asked curiously, glancing back at me. “I hope you are in good relations with her.”

“K-Kind of.” I sighed. “She c-can be just… annoying o-once or twice i-in a while.”

Suzaku giggled. “I guess many girls that be that way, but I do feel like you are still fond of her.”

“S-She means no harm, a-at least not for ill intent.” I continued. “B-But yeah, she c-can be nice when s-she wants to.”

“That’s important, you know?” The woman added as she returned back to my side. “Sometimes those people just need some more love.”

I snorted, ignoring the surprised blinking of the Himejima as I contemplated giving Akeno some extra ‘love’ during a normal instance. She would take it as an invite to bring me to bed and seal the deal rather than me being a helpful hand in time of needs.

“That much difficult of a person?” She sounded interested now and I nodded.

“Can b-be that, yes.”

Some silence followed, the sleeve on my right arm was rolled up as Suzaku slowly started to press her index over my skin starting to softly pressure the coils stretched in the limb through the entire length of the arm.

The action served to manually force the energy to back away from there and back to my core and, completing this section, she moved on the other side of the bed, doing the same.

“I wish to tell you already that a purification contract like the one Baraqiel requested restricts me from revealing your identity and anything you wish to say about it.” The priestess declared as she finished with the other limb. “I need to access to your face directly, so I can put you in a safe sleep while I work on the purification ritual.”

It was an acceptable request, having read briefly about rituals of that kind before going to bed the day before. Some important rituals required the subject to be put on rest, thus allowing the exorcist to finish their duties without any issues that could be created by the subject themselves.

Thus I sighed, slowly helping the woman to remove the mask and… frowning as she wasted some time staring at it.

She blinked, a little surprise from the look of it and then I let out a fake cough. She blinked again, this time getting back to reality. “Sorry, just… not expecting someone as young as you are to be already working with Grigori.”

“I-I am can be p-pretty sturdy and s-strong.” I reasoned, my tone a little whiney. Then I decided to make use of that little opening offered by the ritual contract and sighed. “A-Also the girl I was t-talking about… is related to you.”

The Himejima paused just a moment while placing the mask away. “You mean that you know-”

“She is the Queen of Rias Gremory’s peerage.” I interrupted quickly. “I know that you are seeking reconciliation with her, but I wouldn’t advise trying to tackling the issue directly.”

“That… that is some beautiful news.” The woman admitted with a smile, eyes glowing a little happily.

“I-If you need to pass h-her a message, j-just contact Baraqiel and p-pass him what letter y-you wish to s-send her.”

She nodded again, thankful but now shifting her focus back to the spell to make me go in my ‘happy place.’

“B-By the way, my name is Hoitsu-” My eyelids got heavier suddenly and I let out a brief yawn. Hoitsu… Sakakibara.”

Suzaku giggled. “Nice to meet you then, Hoitsu-san… and sweet dreams.”

Darkness took me moments later.

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My eyes stared at the wood table with a light above flickering every once in a while.

I was sitting on some-kind of chair, that I couldn’t recognize the material that it was made of. The place was damp, I could see some puddles of water in the irregular ground around me.

Looking around, I tried to understand where I was exactly and why this place felt familiar.

“2009, school trip to the local caverns near our hometown.” A voice echoed in the darkness, forcing me to try and pinpoint it. “We were eleven-years old and incredibly bored by most of the things we would learn at school. The caves were an interesting place where to go after we first visited.”

“Those had been abandoned for years, only I would end up visiting in the weekends to draw- but how do you know this? Who are you?” I looked even more frantically, but finally I heard something else.

Loud footsteps breaking the cacophony of silence, I saw a figure slowly making his way from the shadows and walking towards the chair opposite to mine.

The lone light started to reveal small parts of this individual, starting from the elegant shoes, then the dark-black pant and finally the black jacket that opened to a white shirt and a dark-purple tie that was perfectly made around the familiar man’s neck.

My eyes widened, my face paled and the familiar stranger didn’t seem fazed by my reaction as he calmly sat down and turned to stare at me with a composed look.

He blinked, his dark-brown eyes partially hidden by the light reflecting on his glasses. He looked quite regal, but also tired and annoyed by everything in general.

“I know that you have several question about my current appearance, Hoitsu Sakakibara, but sadly the time available for us is extremely limited and it’s crucial for you to hear what is going on here.”

I gulped nervously, there was a demanding but polite tone in his voice and I decided to see what I was talking too.

“If I have to give myself a term that perfectly describe what I truly am, then I think Your Soul’s Shadow is the appropriate denomination. But if I have to be simplistic, I am your dark side.”

“My… dark side?”

“Your ‘truest enemy’, your final opponent, your permanent rival and… the other side of the medal that is your soul.” The young man explained some more. “I am what many would fight in this dire situation, being that the thing that is currently rotting away at your morality is a dark side of sort… but it isn’t your original one.”

“Okay, what the fuck are you talking about?” I asked from that insane explanation. “I know that you are interested in making some complex speeches, but from my understand we are in a limited window of time.”

He nodded, eyes widening but a small smile finally appearing. “That is correct, I suppose I could go ahead and paint out what is the guilty part in this dreadful predicament.”

A small projector turned to life as light splashed on the wall on the side, a strange figure caught in the picture. It was coated in darkness, eyes glowing a pure white as its teeth pointy and hungry.

“The Dark Side of an individual is created out of ‘dark emotions’ and energy unconsciously used to filter those out of their mind. Generally speaking, the energy then accumulates and grant autonomous consciousness to the accumulated emotions, creating a fragment of the soul that is meant to exist in a normal circumstance.” He stopped and sighed tiredly while staring at the projected image.

“With me already existing and being already mature, the energy required to ‘give me intelligence’ was much less than usual, but the soul failed to recognize that a Dark Side was already present and… created a new one, a childish one, one that strives to destroy and never recognize its worth and importance within your body.”

“You mean that… there are currently two Dark Sides in my soul?” What the fuck was going on here?!

“Wrong, but legitimate question.” The man nodded and continued. “There can be only a Dark Side in someone’s soul and the resulting threat to us is… a tad bit more complicated and BS than you might think.”

“Try me.” I quipped swiftly, unaware of the regret I was going to deal with after hearing the answer.

“Do you know how Dragons are formed?” He asked rhetorically, making me slouch and stare in shock at him.

… “What?”

“You have dealt with quite the stress in the last few months, your very core furnishing this new dark creature within your soul with fresh energy and, given enough time, it managed to fully create itself within your soul, ready to break free and wreck havoc left and right.”

“Dragons are formed from large amounts of energy and certainly not within humans-”

“Not normal dragons, that explanation is valid only for normal ones.” He replied flippantly. “There is only a single case, a theory we once heard of and we found ourselves agree to back while browsing around this fandom. It was stupid but also held some merits...”

My mind went through a rush, trying to figure out what the doppelganger was talking about, but failing to grasp anything remotely helpful for the situation.

Then my eyes widened and all color left my face as I did remember that theory I had thought about as a strong possibility.

“I bet you know now, don’t you?” The young man sighed. “If the God of the Bible was revered as something infinite and unbeatable, how exactly did he get tired from ‘deploying thousands of seals’ upon Trihexa? Where did Trihexa came from to start with?”

… “From God.” I replied blankly, a single clap of hands confirming my answer.

“Indeed! A single moment of weakness at the wake of the Great War and the Apocalypse Beast was created.” The being looked happy at the reply, but sobered up quite quickly.

“Then the reason Baraqiel said that he felt a ‘sliver of it’, was it because-”

“He could feel something similar to Trihexa, possibly thinking of some connection between it and us but… we know that could be a long stretch even for a theory.” He interrupted again, this time a grimace on his face.

“Then what is currently causing my feverish state and the sudden drain of my core is that bastard?” He nodded and I groaned. “But then a ritual wouldn’t work, we need to inform Suzaku-san!”

“If we wake up, we could end up accelerating the awakening and that is… pretty bad.” The young man countered calmly.

“Then what are we supposed to do?” I asked loudly, making the elegant man flinch.

“Fight it here where it is still vulnerable?” He shrugged. “I mean, we would be playing home and it would work and… that is why I brought you here.”

I blinked in confusion and the counterpart sighed. “Look, I know it sounds like a trap of the non-Astolfo kind, but we are stuck in a crazy new world and with very few people to rely on. I don’t ask you to abandon yourself to my cooler side, but I wish that you consider the fact I don’t wish to control your body, I seek to help you.”

“Why would you refuse that? Why refuse the chance of be free?”

“Because I wouldn’t be free? The moment someone notices that I am ‘free’, I would be jailed and put under test to see if you could either be brought back or if this phenomenon could be done once again with other people. That isn’t freedom.”

“So you wish to… ally with me?”

“To treat me as an equal would be an unfair thought.” The Shadow admitted with a sigh. “I am the still minority to your absolute majority, soul-wise, and I would prefer something similar to the Ichigo-Hichigo’s King-Servant kind of relationship without the angsty and the rabid undertone.”

“What?” I asked in confusion, but just as the word left my mouth the entire cavern started to collapse on itself, forcing me to close my eyes in sudden fear.

It took me just an instant to notice that none of the rocks starting to fall from the room had gone down on me and that I felt several gusts of winds gracing my clothes and face as I was descending from a very high altitude above my hometown.

I saw my doppelganger free-falling at the same-speed I was, grinning while this was happening. “Pick your choice, my Liege, let me lease you my strength against-” ROAR! “-Jeez! That bastard is truly causing some issue over there.”

My eyes followed the direction his finger was pointing at and widened when I saw the monstrous creature madly destroying everything on its path. Just like it was described in the Light Novel, this pseudo-Apocalyptic Beast had numerous heads and wings from several different animals in it, slashing, biting and stomping as it tried to cause the most damage possible.

An abomination even among Chimeras.

“How do we fight it then, partner?”

The Shadow’s smile widened big time as he turned his head at the monster. “This is your world and it can’t use any of its possible attacks other than physical. Have some fun while I support!”

What was that supposed to mean?

I shook my head as I focused on the first issue I had to deal with: I was still free-falling.

My head turned back to the young man and… my jaws dropped when I saw him pull out an umbrella and open it up, only for his fall to be literally slowed down to a slow and acceptable speed while he waved my way.

This is your world!

I hope this isn’t some BS mind-scape kind of thing…

Sighing for a brief moment, I slowly adjusted myself and pushed myself forward.

The effect was instantaneous as I started to fly right in the directions I wanted. Eyes glowing in child-like wonder and mind rebooting at the insanity I just pulled, I spent some moments to contemplate this situation and… I returned to focus on the Beast.

I landed on some destroyed concrete ground, the formerly clean highway now shattered and destroyed. Eyes set on the humongous monster, I crouched a little, hands drawn to one of my side and forming a sphere as I started to chant a very familiar and more-than-needed word.

“Kaaa-

meee-

haaa-

meee-”

I could feel the blue sphere of pure destruction fully formed and I saw the creature stop to look back at me. ROAR!

It started to rush, quickly, madly and panicking as I finished my chant and unleashed unholy fury over it.

“-HA!”

A blue wave of energy was released from my palms slammed rapidly against the approaching monster, clashing against its momentum and starting to push it away from me.

I wasn’t feeling any strain, but I could feel something akin to energy flooding my body as ended the first attack on the list.

A large section of its large body sported now a gaping hole caused by the Kamehameha passing through it and going beyond.

Its roars were now softer, pained and its moves looked unfocused. It was already weakened!

Just as I was about to go for my second attack, I saw a magical circle encircle the recovering beast, causing it to lash out in fear and fury away from it. Or it would have been the case if several black-colored chains didn’t keep it still for a while.

That is Suzaku-san’s trying to purge it. You should weaken it even more without moving it from the current position.

And that meant getting closer and deal with it personally. I groaned as I knew that now I had something to worry about in that dream-like situation.

Flying again, I rushed towards the head that were trying to break the chains away and was opposed by a lion- and a snake-like ones.

I quickly lowered myself below the reptile one and punched its chin, while kicking the feline one away and launching an explosive blast at its neck, severing the first of many heads.

A sudden rush of attacks between wings and heads started to keep me busy and attentive, the difficulty rising the more of those joined in for the macabre dance.

Sever this, explode that, punch those. The combination wasn’t something accomplished in the same order, but the results were nothing to scoff at.

After several minutes of intense focus, I noticed a detail I had ignored for a while. The more heads and wings I cut, the more of those would appear to replace them and… if there were several animals mixed with it, it wasn’t excluded that a Hydra’s ability to regenerate was there too to cause problems.

Thus I stopped attacking, my attention shifting back to a possible weak-point I could exploit as the chain was starting to crack under the pressure and the seal was far from completed.

I dodged several biting attempts while in this search and then I found something interesting. Deep in that mess of necks, I could see something trying to pass unnoticed but still stealing some glances my general direction.

Approaching closer, my eyes widened in surprise as a lick of fire tried to consume me before I could get a proper look at this strange spot, forcing me to dodge around and… see a monstrous one-eyed dragon-head still glaring my way.

Was… Was that the main head?

A furious roar, the very one that had echoed until now left the open maws of the beastly face, forcing me to bring my arms up to resist the powerful gust of fire following it.

A bubble-like barrier formed around me, diverting the flames away until those ended completely.

“My turn, ugly fuck!” I brought my hands up and slowly created the very technique that should have featured in a very good movie.

“Big Bang-!”

Warm energy started to accumulate in a large orb of cerulean light, going beyond the time the normal Kamehameha had needed to form and several heads and wings rushed my way to stop me from completing the attack.

But sadly for the abomination… it was too late.

“KAMEHAMEHA!”

The world around me exploded and I was suddenly slammed away from the beast’s body, yanked away in the air as several heads slammed on the ground while the seal glowed brightly and engulfed the whole monster before it could regenerate from that powerful blow.

I landed several meters away, staring at the light purging the beast and erasing it in white mist.

“That was some good work, King.” I blinked and turned around at the approaching doppelganger, a small odd smile on his face. “Yet I would have preferred that you ‘restrained’ yourself rather than go nuclear on that fiend.”

… “What?”

“Who do you think is going to fix this stuff now?” He spread his arms to gesticulate the city around us or… the quarter that managed to survive the devastating attacks I had unleashed upon the monster.

“I’m… sorry?”

The man snorted and merely facepalmed. “Just… next time we get invaded by some apocalyptic leech of the headache kind, I would prefer just ‘a little bit’ of restraint from you, King.”

“If you want, I can help-”

“It’s not needed.” He sighed and smiled once more. “No need to spoil the victory here and deny you the chance to get back to the real world to not cast some suspicion and… have fun.”

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I found myself brought back in the soft mattress that I had left from in the real world, eyes blinking a little to adjust to the light of the room and… I saw Suzaku looking a little drained. Breathing a little erratic and posture a little bent as some sweat had formed in her forehead.

Red eyes looked at me and I smiled at her nod. “T-The ritual is done and… this ended up being more difficult than I thought it should have been. How are you feeling?”

“A little sore but… I feel better.”

‘You seem radiant. Are you sure everything’s alright?’

I’m feeling great!

He is just giddy because he blasted the issue that was causing the sudden fevers.

‘That is good to kno- Who are you!?’

You mean me? Well… there is a lot of explain and I’m technically fixing the chaos left behind by the battle but I assure you Hoitsu will tell you everything.

It’s kind of weird but… We have a new voice here.

‘What?!’

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AN

6k of pure chapter. I told you the short one was a prelude to a massive one.

Also some brief explanation: I have planned some better reasoning about why MC’s Dark Side is this ‘nicer’ compared to many others and it will be given… in two chapters from now.

Next chapter will conclude the visit at the Black Dog bar and I’m considering putting a real fight there, but I’m still considering.

Lastly, the day after tomorrow I will upload an Omake. I thought that I would have been able to upload yesterday, but I got busy bc of RL stuff and couldn’t do much about it.

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.

 

Chapter 20: Fairly Unjust

I hummed a little as I slowly led the tired Suzaku Himejima out of the small room where the ritual has happened, the young woman still tired from the draining process and requiring some assistance to move around.

The priestess was thankful for the support and I was smart enough to not lose myself in watching her sweaty form. As much as she was extremely beautiful, the mere idea of ogling now of all times felt not only disgusting but despicable and dishonest.

Thus most of my attention was directed at cautiously move around the creaky wood ground of the hallways that made the upper floor of the establishment. Now that I had this little issue solved, I was quickly noticing that things felt much clearer than before.

My sensor capacity felt distinctly heightened, my body felt revitalized and my core seemed to purr contently while I first tried to check if things were now alright, electricity cackling within my fingertips for a moment before I got off the bed.

We finally descended through the staircase that led back to the first floor of the bar, the sight to the large room that housed the various clients hidden from the end of the stairs by a simple wall with a connecting door by the far left side.

Once this was opened, I was graced with a scene I had not expected to see back to the bar.

Vali was trying to claw at Tobio while at the same time dodging an attack from the black sword his opponent was holding in his hand, the man’s body was covered by the Balance Breaker of Canis Lykaos and he had an irritated snarl plastered on his muzzle.

I blinked at the scene, but my confusion was diverted away back to the Himejima when she sighed tiredly. “I think I now know who is your companion.” The comment wasn’t made out of feeble evidence, the holder of Divine Dividing was using Albion’s wing to bolster his current reaction speed against the clearly faster Ikuse.

“I should take you to safety first...” And then I will deal with what was going on over there.

The woman nodded and I proceeded to slowly go through the corners of the little battlefield of broken tables and chairs while eyeing the counter, Baraqiel shaking his head at the two brawlers while Sae was groaning in her hands.

Once we were there, Suzaku smile and nodded thankful as she took a seat back in one of the stools, giving me the chance of ask to the Fallen Angel what was going on.

“Sougyoku-kun decided to poke fun at Tobio-kun and ended up bringing a sore memory of my former student.” There was a minor flinch on the man’s face at the mentioning of that predicament, causing me to frown in renewed confusion.

A sore memory? Maybe something that had yet to appear in the Slash Dog series?

The LN was still leaving some questions about how things ended up like they were now, but whatever got the bartender this worked up it has to be something incredibly delicate. Tobio is far too chill in normal situations to be enraged by anything simple.

“The moron should learn to let go.” Sae continued. “I’m still here and it wasn’t his fault.”

I tilted my head on the side, trying to understand the few words from the childhood friend of the Slash Dog and… I returned to watch the fight.

Tobio looked particularly winded, but not even close to concede a defeat, while Vali looked quite weak as of now, his reaction time sloppy and his ragged breathing that we could hear from this far were signs that he was close to collapse.

“Why isn’t he using his Balance Breaker?” I asked softly, confused at the lack of the white dragonic armor.

Baraqiel sighed. “He did try to use it, but Tobio-kun’s speed and claws shattered it before it could fully form.”

The limited space offered little opportunity to pull a proper Balance Breaker without getting intercepted by the semi-rabid steps of the werewolf-like enemy. Jin was also stalking around and giving support with his own sword where he could, further aggravating the Vanishing Dragon’s chances of getting some counterattack going.

“Why would he even try to go for a fight with someone he knew he was losing to?”

I turned at the sudden silence and blinked in shock as I found myself looked at with a deadpanned look from the three senior members of Grigori. Then I realized and sighed. “It’s his cockiness, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I reckon your partner is quite… an idiot in this kind of situations.” Sae muttered, shaking her head in disappointment.

I shrugged helplessly as I had little control over the boy, but as I was about to ask something else a yelp caught my attention, forcing me to look back at the small battlefield.

Dark-red fire started to consume a portion of the destroyed floor, Vali was holding his left arm close to the chest and I could see some smoke coming from it, the owner of the Canis Lycaon snarling aggressively as his pace grew faster, more feral than before and giving even less mercy to the clearly disadvantaged Sougyoku.

‘He isn’t in control anymore.’ Apophis was correct, the once well-planned stance was now fading into something animal-like, mindless.

We should help him-

Or maybe let the others intervene? We aren’t certainly ready to face anything like that yet.

“Tobio, stop!” Baraqiel had his wings deployed and seemed ready to jump in action, but just as he was ready to stop this mess from degenerating further, Vali was brought down on the floor with a powerful slam, the bartender’s claws poised up above his head and ready to strike down his ‘enemy’.

But just as the killing blow descended upon the barely awake Vanishing Dragon, several strings of light appeared and latched onto the lycan-like body, tying it down while Tobio started to struggle to get free from my intervention.

I started to walk slowly towards the groaning Vali, crouching to pick him up and then made my way back to the stools, placing the injured moron on two of those and ignoring his confused stare and the surprised ones from the other three by the counter.

“Sensei.” I looked at the Fallen Angel. “I have to deal with Tobio-san, alone.”

The man’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about, brat? You can’t win-”

“I don’t need to win. I only need to stall him enough for Tobio-san to calm down enough to drop the Balance Breaker and I’m quite sure that having you to help will only make him feel threatened.”

I pointed at the glass ceiling and at the sky. It was darkening, one of the aspects of Canis Lykaon was render the skies to darkness, which was going to cause some issue if it continued or worsened.

Stretching a little, I went back to where I had found the downed Vali and looked up at the growling bartender. I blinked a little nervous about facing someone like goddamn Tobio Ikuse at his prime, glancing momentarily to the side as I did notice Jin stalking around us.

“I don’t want to hurt Tobio-san. Just need him to calm down, he is angry and… he is scaring his friends.” The large wolf-like familiar paused just a moment, glancing by the counter and saw Sae looking particularly scared at how her childhood friend was behaving.

The dog sat down, the sword on his teeth vanishing as he seemed to retire from the battle that was resuming now.

With a final roar, the owner of Canis Lykaon broke the last of the Silver Linings I had over him and he was quickly rushing for me, claws ready to strike and blade in his other hand prepared to defend.

I dodged the approaching attack, sliding by his side and slamming a fist upon his ribs… only to have my punch bounce away, knuckles hurting just a little.

‘His armor is impervious to physical attacks. Start using magic against him.’

Nodding to myself, I quickly set down some Light Mines while jumping away from the recovered opponent. Tobio roared again, this time in pain as three consecutive explosions sent him flying several meters away.

He slammed on some chairs and tables, wood splinters propelled from his impact but bouncing away from his armor. Growling, the man’s claws glowed a dark hue and I felt panic rising as I remembered one of his more obscure abilities.

Jumping high and far away from the ground, I saw thousands of black swords emerge from my shadows, moments away from tearing me up.

Nigh Haken was a scary ability, one I will have to be careful while fighting him. Still, it was better than deal with Ame-no-Ohabari and its flames, my Light Static being unable to properly disperse cursed fire and leaving me with nothing to deal with it.

But just as I found some relief away from that close call, I found myself slammed down by a large claw pushing onto my crossed arms.

I had just the time to groan, Tobio picking me up and bringing my face close to his muzzle. He opened up and showed his sharp teeth, while snarling and preparing to take a bite out of me.

Without even thinking twice about it, I let my Light Static course out of my body and into the close monster-like berserk, the Ikuse whining at the sudden pain and reacting by letting me go and… kicking me brutally on the stomach.

I slammed through several chairs before rolling down on the floor, my breakfast trying to get out of my mouth but failing as I put a hand under my mask to press my lips close, feeling the acidity leave a foul taste on my throat.

He doesn’t look to be recovering from his furious state.

‘He actually looks to be focusing more on his attacks, an animal wouldn’t have gone through that ‘complex’ strategy to get you. Using the swords to lure you in a position you can’t defend yourself in.’

Still that is kind of bad because I don’t think I can hold for long. I need some help but-

Quit your nagging, Hoitsu. You asked for the fight and… I think I can help you somehow.

I thought you couldn’t do much with the abomination taking most of the energy.

I still have the one that helped me in forming a consciousness and… I think we can pull something like the Vizards in Bleach did, minus the mask.
‘Vizards? Bleach?’

I am talking about ripping off some ‘transformation’ from a fictional animated series which has to do with someone synchronizing with their own inner darkness.

I do remember that Ichigo couldn’t go further than the mask tho.

That is because he had a dipshit as his own dark side. You have me and… I ain’t a Hollow, thus let’s see how this works, shall we?

I sighed, paling a little as I saw Tobio jump up above and directing his fall towards me, maws first.

Fine, but I hope you know what you are doing.

I felt something vibrate happily within my core and then time slowed down just a little, dark smoke starting to leave my arms, my legs and the sides of my face and… I smiled at the sudden energy recharge for my reserves.

The Isuke seemed to notice immediately the strange change, a bit confused as his mid-air stance soften a little, his eyes widening in realization as I rushed towards him with a quick burst and slammed my fist right on his chest.

‘It… worked?’

While previously the armor had rendered direct physical attacks useless, the energy flooding my coils were now reinforcing my limbs and my overall physical attributes. I was surprised myself, so much that I had to ask some more explanations about this.

What did you do?

Do you remember why Touki and Senjutsu are incredibly difficult to learn?

...Because both require time to-

Because both can cause the weakening of one’s self and the strengthening of their own dark side. But what happens if the Dark Side refuse to accept the negativity? Look at the smoke.

I complied, eyes directed at it as I had some time before the owner of Canis Lykaon recovered from that powerful attack. What about it?

‘It’s negativity.’ Apophis replied. ‘You are filtering out the negativity within the natural energy Hoitsu is absorbing.’

Correct~! But sadly this form isn’t eternal and I think you will last two minutes of staying in this form so… finish this off already?

I nodded to myself and narrowed my eyes at the still aggressive bartender, a howl preceding another rush towards me, this time several Silver Linings wrapped around his legs and forced him to trip down on the floor. More strings joined up and soon he was elevated away from his own shadow, enough light ropes keeping him stuck still as I advanced swiftly towards me to end this fight once for all.

My fist tightened a little more as I jumped and cocked for another punch, planning to make this the final hit. “Take this, Tobio-san!”

I slammed my closed palm upon his Linings-covered chest with the strength I had mustered, the impact tearing all of the Linings and sending him diving onto the ground like a big bullet.

The entire building gave a temporary shake as dust started to cover the ‘exploded’ section of the establishment.

Legs wavering, I fell on one knee as the form I had finally collapsed, my Core a little strained but still working at optimal levels and without lasting damages on my coils.

I was sure that I had managed to beat him once for all and yet…

Deflating at the sounds of footsteps approaching, I tried to stand up, only ending up to fall on my butt as a figure emerged from the still fluttering dust.

The werewolf-like armor stared at me silently, Tobio’s posture relaxed for a moment and lacking any of the feral aspects I had to deal with until now.

“That… hurt.” The armor disappeared in dark-purple particles, the bartender holding his chin while caressing it, the spot in question red and a little swelling. “Did you have to hit that hard?”

I breathed in and then out. “You know that you were in a berserk state, right?”

He nodded. “Yeah, but-”

“And that you were hardly holding back there?”

“Well, kind of but-”

“I had to hit you with my strongest attacks to get on your protected self a mere swelling, and let me remind you again that Canis Lykaon BB’s armor isn’t something that I could normally hit physicially.”

“About that-”

“And you ask ‘Why I had to hit you that hard’?!” He flinched a little at my words and he looked down to the ground, not daring to interject any further at the fact I wasn’t showing any leniency at that stupid question.

I slowly got up from the ground and started to limp towards the counter, ignoring Tobio’s attempt to help me with this task and eyeing only an individual in particular. Someone that was the prime responsible for this situation which I felt bitchy about and he looked better than before.

Tear of Phoenix from Baraqiel, I deduced as I was finally close enough to my target.

Vali looked confused, clueless of the troubling storm riddling my logical thoughts as I decided to seek an apology by other means.

While my arm was sore and my knuckles were still hurting, I felt better in punching the Vanishing Dragon right in the guts. The effect was instantaneous, the boy crouching a little and backing away from me as I went to walk towards the waiting man.

The Fallen Angel looked surprised, confused, suspicious but very relieved that I was still alive and well. “Do you need a flask?” I nodded and accepted the small bottle.

“I know that you want to ask about that, but for now I will say it has to do with Senjutsu, not ‘whatever issue you found yesterday’.”

Baraqiel looked skeptical but nodded slowly, accepting only because I looked still normal from the looks of it.

“Ara, Ara, Tobio-kun got quite the bruise on himself.” Suzaku looked to have recovered from the ritual, the woman smiling regally at the now blushing bartender while ignoring the huffing from Sae.

“You should have been more careful with Sougyoku, Tobio-kun. By the way, what did he tell you to get you this much angry.”

The owner of the Black Dog bar blinked, then directed a deadly glare at the groaning holder of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gear, sighing the moment he saw the others staring at him. “Nothing that will get me… next time.”

Then he turned once more to stare at me. “I want to apologize for… almost killing you there, Hekishoku-kun. If there is something I can do to gain forgiveness, please, just ask.”

I blinked, ready to refuse this but… then I glanced at the priestess and at the researcher, a small plan hatching within my mind.

“I think I have the rightful punishment but also the proper reward.” I nodded with a smile. “But before I truly say it, I wish to know what is Sae-san’s relationship with Tobio-san.”

The brunette blinked in confusion. “We are childhood friends-”

“With all due respect and without meaning it as a tease, would you mind if I demanded that he gave you and Suzaku-san free massages?”

… “W-What? Th-That sounds incredibly perverted and-”

“I know that the teasing material would be immense, but I do notice that you are interested in something serious with Tobio-san and… I think you wouldn’t like to be excluded if I did that only with Suzaku-san.” I interrupted, once more bringing more reasoning out for this and I noticed her hesitating from responding. “Plus, if he tries anything perverted you could just tell me and I would come back here to give him a beating.”

The bartender sputtered at that. “T-That sounds incredibly lewd a-and I don’t want to importunate Sae-chan and Suzaku-nee-”

“It’s Suzaku-chan, Tobio-kun, and I think the ‘punishment’ is quite fitting for my needy sore body.” She turned to her fellow female with a smile. “Sae-chan, I promise you that I will not tease you about this if you just accept it.”

The confirmation of no teasing, plus my sugar-coated words seemed to do the trick as the young woman sighed tiredly. “Fine, but I hope you will uphold that promise in case he did something perverted.”

“I will get back on training and reach Tobio-san’s level in no time. Plus, I will have Sougyoku-kun’s help in any future fight with him.” I turned to look at the grouchy-looking Vali. “Am I right, partner?”

He didn’t reply at first, giving me a deadly stare before sighing. “If we combine our strengths… it could work.”

I smiled widely at that comment and nodded his way. Finally some progress!

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We continued to chit-chat amiably for an hour or two, finishing around lunchtime.

Since I had left no one back at home to keep care of Kunou, I had to return quickly and so, after leaving Vali in the spot where we had found him earlier that day, Baraqiel left me by the door’s entrance before leaving for a quick walk to the pub.

It would seem like there was going to be a serving of a special beverage by lunch and thus he didn’t want to miss it.

Removing the mask and cloak, putting both back in my backpack, I opened the door of the house and walked inside. Quick footsteps preceded the Kitsune’s arrival to greet me but, while I had expected a happy look on the girl’s face, the moment she turned the corner I saw tears falling from her eyes.

“N-Niichan! T-They took her!” She hugged me tightly and I panicked a little, returning the embrace.

“What do you mean, Ku-chan?” I asked, a little confused at her scared tone. “Who took who?”

She merely sobbed on my sleeves and I heard more footsteps approaching from the living room. Issei emerged from the living room, shoulders sagging and his face gloomy while he continued to stare at a small piece of clothes. A light-green string that was usually used to tie women’s hair and…

“Do you like it, Senpai? Issei-kun bought me this as a gift and I love it.”

No…

“S-Senpai.” The brunet’s voice was broken. “I- They- He took her.”

...No, no!

I- This wasn’t possible. There isn’t a chance in hell Rias would have let Raiser take Asia, not even the marriage threat would have worked.

“Does Rias know about this? Did she tell you how-”

“SHE LET HIM GO WITH HER!” I paled at his outburst, his hands going to his head as he trembled a little, tears falling down as the realization struck fully.

It would seem like you forgot one small detail in that plan of yours.

...And that is?

Asia-chan… she isn’t close to Rias as in Canon and her connection to Grigori is unknown to many.

I-I should have-

What? Planned for some smuggling? Created a bunker only for her? Trouble would still come to her and the only fault I can attach to you is the fact you didn’t train her for the occasion. She should have been prepared for this scenario-

I- What I am supposed to do then-

Calm down and think. Asia is still Grigori’s responsibility and if some bird-brain plan to make an hail-mary by using her then we have all the good reasons to crash his castle already.

Then my mind moved back to Rias, the Gremory should have done something about it and- and-

Focus on Asia first. We will deal with that bitch later when we have time and everyone is safe.

…You are oddly fine with letting some bashing go.

I know that there is a time to punish and there is a time to focus on what it matters and you know it too, it’s just that your anger is hindering your logical thoughts and I am not influenced in any way.

Without wasting further time, I reached the telephone and called the Governor-General.

What followed was a lengthy call that lasted two full hours, the man wanting full details on the situation and proposing different plans before settling for a plain and simple ‘door-knocking’ after consulting with the Four Maou and gaining their approval.

A full day would have to pass, but once things were approved some vindictive actions for meddling in Grigori’s affairs in broad daylight.

And while the situation seemed to be shifting back to a favorable fate, my mind couldn’t help but still linger around a question in particular.

Why did Rias let Raiser take Asia?

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AN

Another fighting chapter, a sudden twist and my, oh my I finally dropped the infuriating thing Rias was supposed to do. While right now it seems quite illogical for her to do so, the explanation will be furnished next chapter.

Also, before dropping going for the next section… here is something I have also promised:

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Omake: Kunou’s first heat (with a twist!)
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Of the many things I had to deal in my daily life, from fending off monsters and aiding Grigori with the mission I was sent to complete, the very predicament I was forced to deal with right now wasn’t something I had expected.

Kunou was red-faced, her breath incredibly ragged as she latched onto my my arm, nuzzling her upper body in an attempt to seemingly scratch an itch.

I was horrified to find the girl in a pool of sweat waking up early in the morning but I managed to get her a little better by turning on several cooling devices, the girl pleased at the help to deal with the sudden warmth but still suffering from her first heat.

I discovered what this meant by Baraqiel’s explanation. Differently from common animal knowledge, Yokais with animal-like traits had a kind of heat based upon their own magics. Some of those were also a sudden cold or even feeling energetic over the days of the heat, but most of those were solved with sexual activities proposed by their partners.

With Kunou being a young teenager and this being her first heat, the situation had required some drastic planning to properly solve this in a family-friendly way.

Massaging her shaking shoulders, I brought my mouth near her ears and whispered. “C’mon, Ku-chan, you just need to take the aim and blast that away.”

“B-But what if I miss a-and I don’t know, I’m so nervous.” I patted her head, trying to calm her a little as I pointed at the fake targets from afar.

“It’s not important that you get it right the first time, just keep trying until the target gets caught in flames or explodes.” She hummed, trying to lock her golden eyes on the various targets that I spent some time spreading around the empty junkyard for the girl to practice around.

Some were dressed the same way as the magicians that had given chase to her back in Kyoto, thus helping also to face that little fear of hers.

Finally she nodded and took the aim with her open palms, her hand warming up as they glowed golden, small circles with seals appearing in front of them and-

KA-BOOM!

The first explosive spell hit the center of the large ‘army’, decimating most of the first, second and third line. She blinked, then eyed her hands and finally tried again.

KA-BOOM!

KA-BOOM!

KA-BOOM!

Her tails were waggling madly as a giggle continued to resonate the more explosions she created. I patted her head and smiled at the incredibly powerful blasts my little imouto was creating thanks to her over-charged core.

The fun explo-fest continued for three more hours and I had to urge some pauses to place new targets for the fox-eared dynamiter with lots of energy to waste around.

At a certain point, I joined the little girl’s fun by using my own explosive spells and destroying some old cars in the process.

By the end of this ‘bonding session’, Kunou and I had a smile plastered on our faces, walking away from the now empty lot of land, we decided that an early return back home to enjoy some delicious lunch was now the main objective with the girl’s heat dealt with.

Meanwhile, not too far away…

“T-That was Kunou-chan?” Asia asked in visible awe while watching the brother-sister duo leave the burning, destroyed junkyard.

“Y-Yeah.” Issei Hyoudou wasn’t unsure if he should have taken that sight with the same awe as the blonde by his side or be dreaded by the destruction capacity the little chibi was showing there.

The former nun turned to look at him with a determined look. “I want to make things explode too! Will you help me, Issei-kun?”

His common sense was there to remind him of the potential effects of such endeavor, knowing that if the police ended up seeing them do anything even a little explosive, things would end up poorly for them.

But with that angelic smile and that adorable set of eyes begging him to help, the gentleman side within his head supplexed the common sense and supported the proposition.

And thus Issei Hyuodou and Asia Argento ended up buying a fairly impressive amount of fireworks that they set off by nighttime.

Kuoh Town enjoyed some unexpected beautiful colors painting the night, but the police spent few more days trying to find the responsible ones that caused such unregistered act.

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I bet someone got in Protecc mode because of the title, but it was I, Explosive Fluff, and not anything lewd!

 

Chapter 21: Drastic Blitz

The first few hours at Kuoh Academy started incredibly tense.

Issei had slept in one of the couches of the living room at his request and, after cooling a little off from the grave news he delivered, I found myself worrying about the brunet’s somber and frail state.

Giving an extra eye over what he was doing, right by the time I had finished the call with Azazel I ended up telling the boy about the situation. Minor relief washed upon his empty expression, a bare light against that dark depression that had taken over him.

One would easily be confused by the fact he was suffering this much by Asia’s kidnapping, but the context and past’s ramifications played a major role in the terrible mood the holder of the Boosted Gear had been left in.

Having already been ‘betrayed’ by Raynare early on his life as a Devil, seeing the one that ‘saved’ him decided to offer someone he was starting to love romantically to ‘solve her own problems’ was the worst kind of back-stab one like him could ever endure.

Entering from the glass doors of the school building, the boy seemed particularly lost, barely caring for the usual whispering about his previous attitude as pervert. This reaction causing the rumors to stop abruptly for a moment, confusion and shock spreading through the various crowds watching his slouched walking and his empty stare as he walked back to his classroom.

Some started to question this strange situation, voicing a possible tragedy happening to his family or something of that terrible kind. But no one dared to approach him, the brunet appreciating as he had voiced his wish to spend a few days without being annoyed by others.

Something that cemented my concern of his closing up. While Issei was a pervert in the Canon, he was a social inept, a loud bark without a genuine bite within him while speaking to women. Some suggested that it was about Raynare’s attempt at his life that scarred him for a long time, but I wasn’t part of that group.

The Fallen Angel sure had an effect on him, having left him quite wary of dealing with beautiful women more powerful than him, but it was the real issue was… a lack of understanding about women.

From the fact he was incredibly shy around Irina and the fact he did have some romantic feeling back when he was a child directed at her, it isn’t difficult to see how learning about women (in a perverted and depraved way) was his first and strongest attempt to understand those feelings and the necessity to gain friends in the process.

Then said understanding became an obsession and finally it became part of his overall personality.

But this ‘Issei Hyoudou’ just recently started to rekindle that interest in understanding women. With Asia by his side and both showing reciprocal interest to each other, the boy took more care in learning how to romance. While the advice he would ask from me would be mere questions about specific sections of the subject so difficult for many men, his commitment proved more than once to be genuine for the blonde.

I will definitely keep an eye over him while I dealt with this difficult day.

Personally leaving Kunou to her classroom, I swiftly to my own class, wishing to not encounter none of the people I wished to have nothing about today and I was blessed by the fact I was one of the few first students to enter that room.

Time passed and the rest arrived, Akeno was the first to arrive, her usual smile missing as her mouth was a thin line from the moment she entered inside to the point she was taking a seat by her desk.

Rias entered a little later, I felt a quick glance my way but I was distracted by more important papers than the redhead that looked incredibly tense.

They were both nervous the moment the King of the peerage picked her seat, close to the Priestess of Thunder.

I merely glanced their way the moment I knew they weren’t going to notice my staring and my eyes were quick to catch the tension between the two. It was surprising to see that large of a rift between the two friends, but I guess that Rias was already suffering her decision within her own group.

Two hours passed, the situation escalated just a bit with the Gremory trying to get Akeno’s attention on her, failing as the Himejima continued to keep a devoted attention to the blackboard and to the lesson unfolding in those hours.

Two more hours were spent in the classroom, the bell rang and I was glad that I had been spared by Rias’ pitiful attempts to reconcile with others.

Without wasting anymore time lest of getting intercepted by the very girl I was trying to avoid, I was quickly making on my way to the Student Council’s classroom.

Being the first there, I decided to burn some of the stress by rapidly completing my paperwork, ignoring the fact I was going to an inhuman pace in the process as I was alone in that place at that hour.

My mind was going miles per hour trying to get everything done, my brain recklessly going through some melting issue as my attention and worries were directed elsewhere from that particular situation.

I had gone through more than half the tall stack of paper when I heard someone knocking at the door before Sona peeking from the small opening she created by opening it a little.

“Hoitsu-san, I see that you are here earlier than usual.” Her tone seemed calm and I nodded.

“Decided to invest some dutiful time in my job, Sona-san.”

The girl blinked, there was a brief note of surprise in her eyes, then she sighed and looked particularly uneasy as she spoke once more.

“Actually, I need you to come with me. It’s… important.”

I stopped, a frown appearing to match my current scowl as I glanced up from my work to stare at the nervous-looking president. “Something’s wrong?”

“You… could say that.” She stated cryptically and I decided to see what was going on.

Quickly noticing the lack of Tsubaki in that instance, I felt some confusion turning in suspicion and said emotion grew more by the time I realized where she was leading me to.

The Sitri knocked at the door of the Occult Research Club’s classroom, waiting patiently as someone came to open at us. Akeno’s violet eyes widened at seeing me before quickly daring away in mortification.

Silently she made way as we both entered the classroom, my eyes instantly taking notice of the fact the entire room was filled by both Rias’ and Sona’s peerages. Issei was there too, but he looked reluctant about his presence there.

‘This looks like a trap.’

This is a trap, Apophis, but the question that I have to ask is… who is really the one trapped here?

I waited patiently near the door, deciding against moving away from it.

The redhead was sitting alone in one of the single couches, looking quite nervous but still trying to bring out a confident appearance. “Good, you are here, Hoitsu-sa-”

“Don’t use my name, Gremory. I am not in the moods for some games here.” I interrupted coldly. “Why am I here?”

I had to muster some major effort to held back my rhetorical and derisive tone as I did knew what this could have been about.

‘Don’t make the first move, let them make a mistake and capitalize on it.’

I know.

My sudden intervention unbalanced the girl, the redhead pausing a moment to sigh and try to regain her composure. “Ok… I know this might sound strange but we have to talk about why Asia Argento is no longer within Kuoh Town as of yesterday.”

I blinked, unholy fury building up within my chest, swelling more and more at her attempt to sound cryptic in that fucking moment. It wasn’t the right instance to be having that tone!

She closed her eyes. “We… are all Devils, Sakakibara-san.”

Just like in the show, everyone but Akeno, Koneko and Issei revealed their Demonic Wings to prove this statement. I glanced at the silver-haired Nekoshou, the girl having a distant but guilty look as she continued to stare at her legs in silence.

“Asia-chan was offered a position as the Bishop of an important Devil House and… I decided to accept for her sake.” Rias continued to explain, blue eyes avoiding meeting mine while she spoke. “While the one that took her was despicable, the nature of the contract offered to her was beneficial and thus… I gave my blessing to it.”

I was about to call the BS at that point but as the entire explanation reached my brain, sinking deep, I froze in cold realization. My eyes widened, but not for the kind of surprise they were expecting.

My mind burned while putting together the scene and motivating how this could be possible.

Raiser had his Bishop positions in his peerage already taken by part of his ‘harem’ and he couldn’t have known about Asia without having someone spying in Kuoh, which he didn’t have. So the one that told him about her had to be someone that knew about the blonde and… wanted her.

An important Devil House. That was how Rias has described the ‘group’ that had taken the girl and-

No, she wouldn’t have done something as dumb as that.

It was already a shit-fest with the fact Asia was and still is part of Grigori and, if forcefully converted with her contract still valid it would warrant the new Great War.

But I decided to still ask while hoping to be granted a negative response to this horrible scenario. “The Devil house, it’s the Astaroth?” Curt and decisive, my words cut deep through the meek explanation that had been going on while I was thinking about this stuff.

The Gremory paused, a little surprised at my accurate and precise question, but much to my dismay nodded with a frail smile. “I-It is?”

The room’s temperature went down several degrees and everyone seemed now to be staring at me in shock. I blinked, a sudden breeze coating me as some dark smoke started to come out from my body.

Ok, what did you do?

Honestly? Nothing. That is actually you tapping in that form with me being forced to join in. I guess we both are that angry.

‘Your cover might as well have been ruined now.’

It was ruined, there was no doubt my the panicking glances I was getting right now, but knowing that I had the chance of gaining some momentum distant from this development, I took the opportunity and went with it.

“So you mean to tell me that, not only you gave a member of Grigori, that you had nothing to do about I might add, but you also gave her to someone that is a possible member of a rebellious group?”

Sona frowned at my words while Rias seemed completely blasted by those accusations.

“Hoitsu-san, I think you should add some more details about those words. And I notice that you have a perfectly functional Magical Core on you.” I grimaced at the fact the heiress to the Sitri Clan didn’t let go of that particular revelation but I kept my focus on the accusations.

“Asia-san was excommunicated after aiding a Devil with her Twilight Healing. After being forced out of the Church, she was accepted in Grigori, to be aiding the small cadre ailing in this city as a garrison force.” I paused a moment, then sighed. “The Garrison force went rogue at the chance of using the powers of the Sacred Gears but were intercepted and forced to surrender before any damage could have been dealt to the city.”

“Let me guess, Asia is still part of Grigori even through the cadre here was dismantled.” I nodded at Tsubaki’s assumption which she sighed about it. “That means that what just happened yesterday could potentially cause another conflict between Fallen Angels and Devils.”

“And Heaven is not going to pass up the opportunity to jump in it too.” Sona concluded with a grimace. She turned to look at Rias. “Why did you even offer Asia-san to Raiser? Shouldn’t you have been a little more concerned about the fact that he wouldn’t have given up the marriage contract without a proper reason?”

“The contract he gave me spoke of giving Asia love and affection-” She tried to plea, but I interjected.

“Which in Diodora Astaroth’s case are twisted to a demented degree. Have you seen the state of his peerage? That what his ‘love’ is about.” I sighed. “Your crimes will be dealt by your brother, Gremory.” She paled at the mentioning of Sirzechs, having already sent a letter to him to explain what was going on.

I turned to look at Issei, the brunet frowning and waiting but my glance was taken by a stranger sight. Two fluffy white cat ears were now showing atop Koneko’s head, her wide golden eyes now had vertical pupils just like a feline.

It is the form. It might have the same undertone of the Senjutsu and that is triggering some minor PTSD. But don’t stop there, we’re already going on a limited time.

I nodded inwardly, knowing that while Diodora might have done nothing to Asia the day before because… it wouldn’t have been majestic enough for his ego, the same couldn’t be said today.

“Issei, you are coming with me.” The boy looked surprised at the sudden request but complied as he got up from his seat and started to walk towards me.

“He isn’t going nowhere.” Rias finally recovered, her face burning red in embarrassment and fury. “As my pawn he-”

“With your ill-conduct all your contracts are now under review by the Four Maou.” Sona interjected, glancing sadly at me. “He is free to go.”

“B-But-”

The door closed behind us and as we started to run towards my house now that there was still people confused about this all. Just few moments later of rushing through the few hallways between the ORC and the entrance, I heard several footsteps coming right behind us.

I glanced behind and sighed a little annoyed the few individuals giving chase, Tsubaki, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko and Tomoe slowly gaining on us. While Issei might have trained his Sacred Gear, I doubted that he had developed much his new Devil body and, knowing that I can’t leave him behind, I had to apply some extreme solutions to this new issue.

“Ise, I want you to know that this isn’t meant to be taken in a weird way, but I need you to jump on my back.” The brunet instantly looked hesitant at that request, looking skeptical about the improvement said thing it would do. “Just do it, or we are screwed.”

The boy had still some doubt but, sensing that they were going to be caught on very soon by the Knights and the Nekoshou. “O-Ok!”

He stopped a brief moment and jumped behind me, my hands waiting as I caught him quickly and swiftly balanced my footing before going full power on this chase. The moment I was certain that the Red Dragon Emperor was secured in my hold, my legs started to pick more and more pace.

Soon I was going at the same speed as the pursuers and finally I was going even faster than the Knights and the Queen. But as Kiba and the other two members of Sona’s peerage slowed down because of the corners along the way, Koneko still managed to keep up with my insane speed.

It was while I turned the umpteenth corner that I finally realized what was going on with the girl. While I had considered her ears to be aesthetics and inconsequential to this chase, I now felt a different pattern in her usual magic.

She is using Touki unconsciously! That adorable girl truly wants to get to her big brother, doesn’t she?

‘I’m impressed that she unlocked such power in this limited amount of time. I thought this Touki required intense training and propensity with Senjutsu.’

There are special cases where the ‘Fighting Spirit’ is awaken by the particularities of the user’s race. Being a Nekoshou, Koneko does have a stronger attitude with physical training and the Rook piece within her boosts this to an absurd level.

I turned another corner and I saw the familiar glass doors that led to the gates. We were almost there!

“SENPAI!” The silver-haired girl yelled as she further increased her pace, making me panic just a little the moment I vaulted the doors, glad that there was no one around by the entrance.

“W-What are we going to do? She is catching up!” I nodded, gritting my teeth as I noticed the tall trees in the courtyard between the entrance and the gates.

“I have a plan!” Three Silver Linings stretched strongly from the tips of one of the trees and ended in my newly-freed palm. “Ise, prepare to deploy your wings at my command!”

“Wait, wha-”

YOOIIIIIIIIIINKKKKKK!!!!!

“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH-”

I underestimated the power being the elastic strings of light, the subsequent propulsion to my yanking causing a massive force in a diagonal, forward way, overshooting us beyond the gates and above some buildings. “Now!”

The boy in his panic deployed the wings unconsciously and soon our air rush was slowed down a little as we approached the roof of one of the small buildings near the school.

Reinforcing my feet using the remaining energy in my Senjutsu mode, I managed to cushion the fall’s damage and survive the impact while leaving a small crater around me.

“T-Th-That was insane, s-senpai!” Issei was trembling madly behind me and I sighed.

“It was, thankfully this was the worst of our little chase.” I replied carefully and, as he seemed ready to respond to that with a dry remark, he found himself thinking about something important.

“W-Wait, you mean that it’s not over yet?”

“Koneko knows where I live and we have to go there to reach Hell. So hold on tight ‘cause I will be pulling some mad Joseph Joestar’s strats right now!”

I took a running start for the big jump, the brunet still latched on my back begging loudly to not do this and yet…

“-AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!-”

We were flying away, Hermit-Purple Style!

But as the two protagonists made their way through the city from rooftop-to-rooftop, a small but determined Koneko Toujou was swiftly making her way through alleys and empty streets in that important chase. She had lost a sibling already-

She wasn’t going to lose another one!

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AN

Some were expecting bloodshed, some were expecting some harsh punishment, but the best they got was a super-chase and some minor revelation and, no, they don’t know he is Hekishoku… yet.

Why did Raiser ditch the contract with Rias in exchange of having Asia given to Diodora? There are parts of the plots left untouched.

Next chapter will show their entrance to hell and… the crisis unfold to something far worse than the MC expects!

Also short chapter? You know the drill, lads and gents!

But this isn’t over yet!

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Secret Omake 1: His Name.
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I yawned and looked at the ceiling in an effort to gain some sleep after that massive day.

Kunou was straddling tighter than usual, some wet spots on my shirt right below where her eyes were showing some of the tears that had fallen while she was sleeping. She was peaceful now, but still some nightmares managed to get through her quiet rest, disturbing it and making her upset in her own dreams.

I sighed, the news of Asia’s capture still keeping me up and nervous about what to do. I had been planning a lot of things in the last few weeks, trying to prepare for the things that will happen and… I still felt unable to keep up with everything.

‘That is because you are a mortal.’

And a lovely moron that wish to protect the treasure around him.

Uh?

Please, don’t tell me you never considered how beautiful our current disposition is. We got friends, surrogate family and a good relationship with our bosses.

Yet it all feels so… undeserved.

‘What are you talking about?!’ Apophis interjected a little irked. ‘You have given them affection and they are returning theirs to you!’

It just feels like… I’m cheating. Because I know how they feel about it and-

Oh, shut up, you utter dumbass. You mean to tell me that knowing about their personality helps you around and makes your life easy? They will still behave differently if they spot on you something about that.

But I-

I wasn’t finished. Kunou approached you and you certainly didn’t make use of your ‘knowledge’ to seriously bond with her. Either fate or luck caused you to get together, same with Koneko, Azazel and the others that trust you.

But still-

‘I think he means that whatever you know about them, however you know about it all, you still had to show your true self to bring them closer to you. Getting close to people is a mutual opening of people’s souls, not just a one-sided decision from one or the other.’

You both… are making compelling cases.

I blinked, once more at the ceiling, feeling Kunou nuzzling at my chest once more.

See? In a relationship, may it be platonic or romantic, people are meant to give to each other, never expecting to return but always trusting to have their love noticed and respected. Kunou considers you a brother in all but blood and I wouldn’t be wrong in saying I would expect that from Asia too.

...What?

The girl was lost and while you knew that she was easy to mold at your whims, you decided to help her properly by giving her a safe place at Issei’s home and a purpose with the Theater Club.

I kept her in the dark about God’s death-

Because that would have left her hurting. Because that would have been cruel of you without a proper level of trust and caring shown before revealing such thing. You might call this manipulation, but you certainly have been careful to avoid directly interfering with her everyday life and didn’t certainly pushed her to love Issei.

...Are you sure you are my Dark Side?

‘I admit that you sound quite genuine in that pep-talk.’

Che, just trying to point out to my ‘other me’ that he has dealt with worse situations in our ‘past’ and that he should remember that we know how to deal with that dumb guilt of ours.

I-Indeed. But I think that was very kind of you and… Thank you, Shiranai.

Well, if that is done I will go back to- Wait, what did you call me?

I mean, you didn’t give a name and… I decided to give you one.

That is… strange. Sure, Shiranai? I am the ‘Unknown’ now?

‘Nobody but us and Baraqiel and Suzaku knows about you, so yes that is fitting.’

Geez, I guess I will be using that name then. Just don’t add any honorifics or-

Why not, Shira-tan~?

I fucking hate you and everything you stand for, but Gods I hope that seriously don’t become a thing.

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AN

Final words: Shiranai is now properly introduced and I have some words to say about ‘Volume 3’ and ‘Volume 4’.

While Volume 3 will happen as Canon… it will not be the main focus of this story. If you remember correctly, I might have mentioned some… x-overing and I will detail a little more very soon. Nothing like dimensional hopping mind you, but I will… do some fun stuff and I will set up a poll in FF. Why there? I hate dealing with some of the Forum’s polls as the websites’ style doesn’t allow the same freedom as in FF.

So yeah, prepare for some fucking nuking very soon. XD

Future milestone 1: 626 Followers and Favorites.

Future milestone 2: 696 Followers and Favorites.