Chapter 4
The place for the duel was a clearing behind the old school building. Akeno set up a barrier around them so no one notices the battle
"Personally, I don't have anything against you not wanting to join Rias-senpai's peerage , Emiya-san. But you know, my priority is to enforce my master's will. So I would like no grudges between us regardless of the result of this match."
"I can see your loyalty is genuine, but as I said, I'm not planning on losing" Shirou replied
"This match will be decided when one of the two contenders admits their defeat or can't fight anymore. Are you ready?" Rias announced
Hearing Rias' voice, both combatants fell in silence. Their eyes sharpened while they waited for the sign. Kibas grip on his sword tightened as he pointed one of his lesser swords at Shirou who flicked out his hands and the short twin swords that his Archer counterpart liked to use appeared in his hand.
"FIGHT!" Rias gave the signal
The next second consisted of the two staring each other down trying to find an opening to exploit before they charged at each
Sparks flew as Yuuto's sword deflected Kanshou and Bakuya before he slashed down with his own attack,
Shirou shifted a step to deflected with both his swords. He stabbed out with both the swords in an upward arc and Yuuto blocked it with the flat of his sword, which pushed him backwards. He then moved to the side to avoid Shirou slashing at him with a downwards swing of the swords, before ducking beneath the outwards swipe he followed up with and deflecting the next attack with his sword Shirou staggered slightly from the interrupted momentum before he regained his balance and went at Yuuto again bringing his swords in an X
Yuuto's sword clashed with Shirou's dagger and they grinded together.
The attack that Yuuto blocked breaks through.
"..!"
Yuuto twisted his body to dodge it barely as it still slashed his shirt missing flesh by a hair's breath
Yuuto had to then jump backwards to avoid the follow up attacks,and checked his sliced blade calmly before tossing it away.
" You'll need a better sword than that to beat me." Shirou taunted
"Oh, I don't have just one sword better than that." Yuuto smirked as he tapped into Sword Birth and in accordance, swords sprouted up from the ground around himself.
"!" Shirou jumped back to dodge the demonic swords growing at his feet
Yuuto dashed forward, creating two swords with fire and ice properties as he charged at Shirou, who quickly blocked Yuuto's double slash from different angles, yet the elemental explosions from both chipped the swords and pushed him backwards, his clothes slightly scorched/frosted.
Shirou quickly remade his yin-yang swords
"Trace overedge !" Shirou shouted utilizing reinforcement to completely transform the blades into longswords making their once pristine edge to become ragged and rough
The next few minutes they exchanged blows while Rias Aekno and Koneko looked at them attentively.
"I can't believe that Kiba-kun is getting pushed back" Rias frowned thoughtfully "Emiya-kun seems like a good material for a knight too"
"Normally, Yuuto-kun would have the advantage in a fight against a magician." Akeno joined in "With his speed, he would be able to cross the distance before the magician utters a word. But, Shirou-kun doesn't act like normal spell caster, and he seems more like a swordsman."
"Cooking-senpai is strong... " Koneko said in a monotone voice
"Gurk" Kiba blocked another slash aimed at his shoulders sending a ripple of pain though his body 'This holy aura just where is it coming from how is he using it'
Though they seemed to be evenly matched at first Kiba's blades started to chip away and body is starting to get hurt from the holy aura the more they fight.
"Now that I look at it more closely, I can tell that sword is really a masterpiece." Kiba noted as the clashed "It isn't a demonic sword, nor a holy sword. It's just a really well-crafted sword, but I can say it is really beautiful."
"!"
His swords shattered into pieces after the last clash
Pressing the advantage Shirou jumped forwards to perform an inwards crossing X attack, only for Yuuto to pull out a sword from the ground to catch both blades, before swinging down at Shirou with another pulled up from behind himself.
"Tch" Shirou had to release both swords to avoid getting cut, once again tracing them to toss them like throwing knives at Kiba who deflected them
"Haaaa!" Shirou traced Kanshou and Bakuya again rushing against Kiba
They both crossed swords again grinding for control when
"BEHIND YOU LOOK OUT !" Rias shouted
Yuuto glanced at the corner of his eyes to notice the two twin swords he deflected earlier heading towards his back
'A pincer attack!' Yuuto realised in horror while his mind raced to find a way to move as as the swords came closer and-
Yuuto felt the air whip past his face as he found himself flying in the air high with his wings
Yuuto pulled out a larger broadsword and descended swinging it down at Shirou it with enough force to crack the Earth, raising a cloud of dust.
The dust cleared to show Shirou having blocked the overhead strike with a two handed green sword
"trace on"
Kiba was forced to disengage as several swords materialized mid air and shot towards him
Shirou pushed back to his feet and jumped towards Kiba
"Clang!"
Kiba blocked the worst of the attack with the flat of his broadsword but the force sent him crashing towards the ground
"A holy sword!" Kiba yelled in a half angry and half pained voice as he created holy eraser in his palm
with a yell, Shirou unleashed a series of rapid-fire slashes and stabs which Yuuto couldn't quite block all of, cutting cuts on his arms and wings. Shirou then pulled the sword back, infusing it with a bit of Mana...
"Let's see if this works!" Shirou swung his sword towards Kiba direction
An arc of pure light erupted from the sword Kiba attempted to block the attack but
"!"
The attack overwhelmed his holy erasure and slammed into him
Kiba gasped as horrible pain shot through him making him collapse on his knees
Shirou stood over the fallen Devil, he pointed the tip of Durandal barely an inch from Kiba's throat.
"Do you yield, Kiba-kun?"
A dark look passed over Kiba's face as he meet Shirou's eyes for a moment, his gaze was angry and unyielding, a fierce defiance burning within him.
Then, with a visible effort, the tension in his jaw relaxed. A small, almost imperceptible nod followed.
"I... yield"
Azazel's Blazer Shining Aura Darkness Bachelor Pad...
Rias Gremory had no idea if she should be elated, disappointed, or suprised out of her mind, or a mixture of all three, right now.
Not only the boy she had taken an interest in turned out to be a mangus with high magic power, but he was also an extremely skilled swordswoman who could defeat Kiba and can also as he explained use his magecraft to create holy and demonic swords
He was an individual many top tier devils like her would have fought over to having in their peerage
And she had to say it again... He... was... just... human!
She could already imagine how powerful he could be if she turned him into devil! She would for sure be freed from her arrangement then!
But for all her elation, her following disappointment was just as great if not greater, when He defeated Kiba and won the bet
Now as a suprise his favor was for her to meet his caretaker who would be 'worth her time' as Emiya assured her and a bet had to be honoured so she followed him to his home and utterly blown away
At first glance, it appeared to be a simple bachelor's pad, complete with a bar, assorted games consoles piled neatly near the wall-mounted television and, she noted rather interestingly pornographic magazines and other illicit types.
What truly set her on edge, however, was the lingering feeling of power permeating the structure. It didn't feel threatening, simply overpowering, and whatever it was, it was something very powerful, which made her wonder just who this 'caretaker' Emiya claimed to be living with could be.
She trailed off in surprise at the sight, of all things, a King Charles Bible resting on a shelf nearby. A shelf, she was surprised to note upon further examination, that contained copies of almost all the holy texts from the Abrahamic factions, and even examples from other faiths, all in pristine condition and, to her shock, all 'First Editions', though it was clear they'd been read through several times.
"Yo." A man called out, waving lazily at Shirou from his spot on the couch, an open bottle of bourbon a shot glass placed before him "You're back late…something hold you up at school?"
"Actually I got someone who you would like to meet Azazel" Shirou pointed to Rias
The was a beat of silence
"EEEEHHHHH !?"
That was the most akaward and tense meeting of her life Rias decided
Seriously how on earth did this random human end up with Azazel the Most Sinister Fallen Angel ,the Founder and Governor General of Grigori as his caretaker anyways ?
Thankfully on the bright side they didn't speak much and she needed to only agree to convince her brother to have a meeting with Azazel regarding the peace treaty he was pushing for
Honestly she just mutely nodded and agreed with few polite words for everything Azazel said while her mind was struggling with the fact that she was casually meeting with the leader of the fallen who was lazing around in their territory because he decided to be a caretaker for a stray mage he enrolled in their school
"Buchou you seem to look rather distracted " Akeno's voice broke Rias out of her musing "Are you still sore that you lost the bet ?"
"Don't remind me " Rias grumbled "He would have made a great knight too,tch"
"On the bright side we got ourselves a good pawn today didn't we ?"
"Ah! Right" Rias nodded " with that powerful sacred gear which required me to use all her pawns to revive him...I guess he is a great addition "
"Ufufu looks like things are getting interesting "
"EMIYA-KUN!" a loud shout made Shirou jump
"...Is something wrong Asagiri-san " Shirou asked the brown haired girl wearing glasses Akari Asagiri
"It's Kiba he specifically invited Issei-kun to follow him again!This is the second time!"
"So?" Shirou blinked
"What do you mean so he stole Kiba-kun!"Akari pointed at him "and he already has seduced Aisa-chan !"
"I don't really think that's the case though more likely Kiba just invited him to his club" Shirou said honestly how Issei was recently having such good luck with girls was beyond him "Plus Issei-kun is only interested in girls you know "
"E-emiya-kun...it can't be y..y..you broke up !" Akari stammered before heading towards her friend group "Emiya-kun and Kiba-kun broke up !"
"Ehhh for real !"
"Nooo! I liked the Shirou X Kiba more that prevy Issei X Kiba!"
'These girls are saying weird stuff again' Shirou sweat dropped 'but still why would they be interested in Issei anyway?'
Next day
In all fairness Shirou knew that whatever was the business with Issei it was not his business but still...
Hyoudou Issei is an enemy of woman and the fact that he might be secretly a satanist with a devil contract with Rias and is dating a nun definitely raised concerns...now that Emiya thought about it Issei having girlfriends started making a lot more sense there is no way a pervert like him could ever get one unless a god or a devil helped him
"Although it doesn't seem like he is doing anything bad till now"
Shirou had dumped school to follow the pair from the distance with help of his reinforced eye-sight but what he saw shocked him.
Issei...Issei...Issei took Aisa on a classic date...
They went shopping, eating, playing Arcade and he even won her a gift ... In some ways it reminded Shirou of his date with Saber.
'I can't believe that a pervert like Issei would be so pure..." as he saw Issei and Aisa walking down the street
"Ouch." Issei almost tripped over and Aisa worriedly asked him what's wrong
Shirou reinforced his hearing to listen better
"...Ise-san, are you injured? Is it from yesterday..." Asia's expression gets cloudy as she bends down and starts to check Issei
"Can you please lift your trouser up?"
"S-Sure."
Issei lifted trousers to expose his calf there was a faded wound mark is still there.
Asia then places her palm there.
A warm and gentle green light shines on his calf.
"How is it?" Asia stops her light, and she urges Issei to move.
"This is amazing Asia. I don't feel uncomfortable anymore! I don't feel any pain at all!" Issei said after running around a bit.
Asia smiles happily in response
"You are amazing, Asia. The healing power, it's an incredible power. ...This is a Sacred Gear, right?"
"Yes, it is."
"Issei knows about that ?' Shirou was surprised "like I thought he is definitely having some relationship with the occult club "
"To tell you the truth, I also have a Sacred Gear. Though, it's not much of a use. Right now, that is."
Shirou put on a shocked face after hearing Issei's confession
"Ise-san, you also have a Sacred Gear? I didn't realise it at all." Asian asked equally shocked
"Hahaha, I don't even know its effect. And to compare it, Asia, your power is amazing. This can heal humans, animals, and also Devils like me, right?"
Aisa put on a complicated expression, then a sad face.
Soon after, tears starts flowing out from her eyes.
Shirou cut off his reinforcement as Issei comforted Aisa who's seemed to be telling him something. He had no reason to eavesdrop on a private conversation
'Well it looks like Issei isn't trying anything bad with her maybe I sho-' Shirou's thoughts were interrupted as A slender girl with silky black hair and black wings descended near the pair
Now that Shirou can get a better look at her that fallen was a very familiar girl
Amano Yuuma-chan. Issei-kun 's ex- girlfriend and currently a very amused looking fallen angel
Chapter 5
Y-Yuuma-chan...?" Issei said turning pale
"Heh. You survived. And as a Devil? Seriously, that is the worst." Yuuma sneered
"...Raynare-sama..."
Asia calls her by that name.
'Raynare? Yeah, that's right. I totally forgot.' Issei blinked 'Amano Yuuma is a Fallen Angel. That's right. I almost forgot about that...I see, so it's the Fallen Angel Raynare. So that's her real name."
"...What does a Fallen Angel like you want?"
"I don't want a filthy low-class Devil like you talking to me." Raynare said giving Issei a look as if she is looking at something very disgusting.
"That girl. Asia, is our personal belonging. I am here to take her back, Asia, you know it's useless to run away don't you?"
"...No. I don't want to return to that Church. I don't want to return to the people who kill other people. ...Also, you people did things to me..."Asia replied back with disgust.
"Please don't say that, Asia. Your Sacred Gear is essential for our plan. So please come back with me? I also took the time to look for you. Don't make trouble for me." Raynare said softly as if she was talking to an ignorant child
Raynare took a step causing Asia to hide behind Issei. Her body is shaking with fear.
"Wait. Can't you see she doesn't want to? Yu-, no Raynare-san, what are you going to do with her after taking her back?" Issei took a step forward to protect her.
"Low-class Devil, don't call me by my name. My name will get filthy. What's between us doesn't have anything to do with you. If you don't go back to your master's place quickly, you will die, you know?" Raynare spat gathering light in her hand.
'Is it the spear? I was killed once because of it.'Issei realised with growing dread 'I need to make the first m-'
"WAIT EVERYONE PLEASE CALM DOWN!" Shirou yelled and he skidded to a halt between the two
"Who!?"
"Huh!? Fake Janitor!?"
"Look Amano-san I get it you are upset that Hyoudou-kun is double timing you.."
"Eh! Hold on what the hell you are you talking about!" Issei shouted with a tic mark
"Didn't you introduce her to me few days back saying that she's your girlfriend "
"G-g-girlfriend !?" Aisa sputtered looking hurt
"W-w-wait Aisa I can explain "
"Aisa you won't find any happiness with this pervert you should find yourself another man"
"You bastard! I faithfully love Aisa with all my heart I swear to god-OW" Issei winced at the pain that shot through him
"While this little drama is quite nice I will appreciate if you move out of my way exorcist" Raynare said in a slightly amused tone "I am here to just retrieve my property and if you hand her over quietly I will let you both live"
"Like hell I will S-Sacred Gear!" Isseibshouted towards the sky loudly as lights cover his left arm and forms into a red gauntlet.
Raynare gave a shocked expression for a moment and then started to laugh.
"I was told that your Sacred Gear was a dangerous one before from the higher-ups, but it looks like they were totally wrong!" The Fallen Angel laughed
"What? What's so funny?" Issei asked hotly
"Your Sacred Gear is one of the common ones. It's called the [Twice Critical]. It doubles the power of the possessor for a temporally time, but having you double your power is not a threat to me. Truly, a fitting object for a low-class D-."
"Wait...you were ordered to kill him by who ?" Shirou interrupted
"why should I answer you ?"Raynare hissed
Two large metallic wings made of swords emerged in answer
"As a member of the Grigori I need to confirm the validity of your mission...you see quite a few of our members have gone rouge and causing trouble so..." Shirou lied hoping that she fell for it
"A member of Grigori tch...my orders came directly from Azazel"
"That's a lie Azazel will never give such orders" Shirou narrowed his eyes "besides he's more likely to ask you to capture Issei alive so that he can experiment on him"
"That's scary! what sort of mad scientist do you guys work for?!"Issei shouted
"No need to worry with a low level gear like yours he probably won't be interested in you" Shirou reassured
"I don't know if I should be insulted or relived at that " Issei deadpanned
"STOP IGNORING ME!" Raynare finally had enough of these two annoying idiots getting in her way
Shirou nonchalantly batted the spear aside with Kanshou which he traced in an instant
"Issei take Aisa to somewhere safe I will deal with her " Shirou ordered as he faced the fallen Angle
"You better not die you bastard !"Issei yelled as he picked Aisa bridal style and ran as fast as he can
"Don't worry she's pretty weak! I can handle her "Shirou yelled back with brutal honesty
A tic mark appeared on Raynare's face
"DIE !"
Shirou casually defected both light spears before dashing infront of her
"!" Raynare attempted to fly up but Shirou slammed her in the abdomen with the hilt of Bakuya knocking the breath out of her lungs
"Ghaakk" Raynare collapsed to her knees struggling to get up and-
A beautiful ornate hilt flashed before her vision followed by a dull impact and then darkness took over
"Sacred Gear! Activate! You can double my power, right!? Then activate!" Issei shouted as he remembered that he has a sacred gear
Then the jewel on the gauntlet starts to glow.
[Boost!]
A sound is made. Next moment, he felt power flowing into him and he picked up pace putting more distance between him and the park
" That's good enough for now... I need to find a safe place for Asia!" Issei said oblivious to the beet red nun in his arms
'But where to? The school? I can't. I can't cause trouble for Buchou and house? How shall I explain it to my parents?' Issei gritted his teeth'...Damn it. Even though I'm her friend, I don't know where to take Asia!'
"ISSEI !" a familiar voice shouted from above causing him to stop
"Emiya !" Issei shouted half happy and half jealous at the descending angle
"Man you ran so far that it took me ten minutes to find you guys" Shirou complained as he landed down
He still was getting used to flying even with Azazel showing him the ropes not to mention that he lacked basic mana sensing
"Yuu-no Raynare what about her ?"
" I knocked her out she won't be troubling us for a while " Shirou answered "...hey you guys don't mind coming to my house we can talk about your...problems there "
(Later)
Shirou led Issei, and a very bewildered Asia, through the streets until they reached a large, imposing-looking mansion that seemed a bit out of place in the quiet neighborhood. He punched a code on a keypad, and the heavy front gate swung open
"I am home!," Shirou said opening the mansion front door
The interior of the house was a complete contrast to its unassuming exterior. The living room was enormous, dominated by a massive flatscreen TV.
A man with black hair and a single, stylish fringe, was sprawled on a massage chair in front of the screen, a Game Boy in his hands. A half-empty bag of chips sat on his chest.
Around him, the room was a bizarre mix of treasures and junk, but with a strange order to it. A pristine collection of Game Boys lined one wall, while opposite it, a section of floor-to-ceiling shelving housed a meticulously organized collection of ancient holy texts, their spines labeled with perfect calligraphy.
"Shirou, what's up? I was just about to beat this level," Azazel said, his eyes still glued to the screen.
"I have something important to speak," Shirou replied "I ran into some of those rouge fallen today"
Azazel finally looked up and fell on a His eyes widened, and the Game Boy clattered to the floor.
"No way..." he whispered, his eyes fixed on the gauntlet. "That's... that's a Longinus! The Boosted Gear! It's actually awakened!"
"Aah!" Issei jumped as Azazel suddenly appeared right in front of Issei, his face a mixture of pure excitement and madness
Whoa! What's with you?! What's so great about this low-class gear anyway? Raynare said it was a joke!"
"A joke?" Azazel blinked looking at Issei like he was stupid "That isn't some low-class object. It's a Longinus—a God-Class Sacred Gear. Its true power is to boost your strength to an infinite level. You have to live long enough to learn how to use it, of course, but it's one of the most dangerous and sought-after items in all the supernatural factions."
"Infinite...?" Issei sputtered, looking at the gauntlet in a new light.
"The Sacred Gear that doubles the user's power every ten seconds! This is incredible! I've been studying the lore for centuries, but to see it in person... and to have it freshly awakened, with no prior uses to mess with its data..." Azazel continued oblivious to Issei's suprise "wait where's my sketch book and my magic scale measurement "
"A sacred gear that provides infinite power... that's why that fallen tried to kill you" Shirou noted painfully remembering a certain holy grail that can grant any wish
"What !?" Azazel blinked
"It started like this..." Issei started to explain
(Few minutes later)
"Someone ordered an assassination for a Longinus user and had the gall to do it under my name?" Azazel growled "Who was it?"
"A low class angel named Raynare," Shirou explained. "She lied about you giving her the order."
"As if I'd give an order that stupid." Azazel scoffed. "Whoever sent her is a jerk. They almost ruined a priceless research opportunity! I've been wanting to study this Sacred Gear forever, and they almost ruined it just to spite me."
"Either this means that Issei-kun life is still in danger...and maybe his family too"
"My family too?!" Issei paled "No... no way... She'll go after them?"
"She'll use them to get to you...my fallen can be very ruthless at times"Azazel sighed "speaking of which your girlfriend was a part of this group too right "
"Aisa has nothing to do with them she just got tricked into joining those assholes right Aisa..huh what are you doing?" Issei looked over at Asia, who was no longer cowering behind him. Her attention was captured by a small, ornate display case. She stared intently at a parchment inside.
"What's that, Asia?" Issei asked.
"It's a page from the original Sacred Bible of Abraham," Asia said in awe. "This is one of the very few pages that weren't destroyed. It speaks of the Longinus, and how they were gifted by God to humanity."
,.
"Ah, a fellow connoisseur! That particular page is very rare. It's said to contain some of the original text of God himself. The Church claims to have the only copies, but I have my own sources." Azazel looked over at Asia and smiled warmly "...I understand that you have nowhere to go?"
"A-ahh er you see" Aiso stammered
"I am aware of your Sacred Gear, the Twilight allows you to heal the wounds of both devils and fallen angels, a gift given by God. It's a rare and powerful ability, one that my subordinates were hoping to exploit. For their actions and the pain they caused you, I am sorry." He gave her a genuine, albeit quick, bow of his head. "I can offer you protection here. No one will hurt you."
"Wait for real !?" Issei blinked "so easily "
" Grigori accepts all strays, outcast and lost souls who have nowhere to go " Azazel explained with a smile
Issei looked at Azazel, a new respect in his eyes. The leader of the Fallen Angels wasn't so bad after all.
"Now about you red dragon emperor...I propose a deal "You're a very sought-after person now... but no worries!I can promise you protection from anyone who wants to harm you but in return I get to run some harmless tests on your Boosted Gear."
Issei's brow furrowed. "Tests? What kind of tests? What's in it for me?"
"Very harmless ones trust me as for your protection you'll get a personal bodyguard. The best maid girl I have available." He snapped his fingers, and a girl with two black feathered wings and a maid outfit materialized.
"Ehhh!? Who... Azazel -sama!" the cute maid looked terrified and confused
Mittelt's eyes went wide with panic as she recognized Issei. Her hands trembled. "Huh this that d-d-de-"
"Yes,this is the Red Dragon Emperor!you have a pretty sharp eye!" Azazel said, cutting her off, completely oblivious to her panic. Mittelt, this is Issei. You'll be protecting him."
"Y-yes, sir." Mittelt gulped
"her boobs are a bit small but she kills that slim figure in that maid costume right!?" Azazel whispered to Isse
Issei's eyes bugged out. He looked from Azazel to the cute loli Fallen Angels and back, his face a mix of fear and perverted glee.
"It's a done deal!"
Chapter 6
'Raynare that idiot !...what the hell was she thinking trying to kill the boosted gear user and kidnap a girl under Azazel sama's protection!?...And she had to drag me into this mess !' Mittelt gave a glance at that devil boy Azazel -sama had told her to guard '...Not that I like babysitting a devil but...If I do this job properly Azazel -sama will give me a promotion and having the red dragon emperor indebted to me isn't a bad thing'
'Sorry Rayane-chan but you bought this on yourself '
'She seems to be in a good mood...maybe she likes me?' Issei thought cheerfully 'I always wanted a cute obedient maid type for my harem'
'This is the best day of my life ' they both thought simultaneously as they made their way to Issei's home.
"Good evening. My name is Mittelt," Mittelt curtsied to Issei's stunned parents "I'm Issei-kun's new maid. My master is a great friend of his, and he sent me to accompany him."
"See so can she stay here please she's uh... really good at cleaning and..."
"Eliminating pests" Mittelt finished for Issei.
"Yeah that too..." Issei laughed awkwardly.
"A maid! Miki, look at this! A personal maid for our Issei!" Gorou shed tears of joy. "My son has finally become a man."
"Oh, what a good boy you are, Issei! Getting with a pretty girl like Mittelt-chan!" Miki cooed. "I can finally become a grandmother!"
"Wait there that other girl..Rias right!?" Gorou interrupted.
"I will have more grandchildren!"
"This is Azazel-sama's will...this is for the sake of Giriori...endure it " Mittelt gave a forced smile.
The next morning at Kuoh Academy, girls shrieked and covered their faces with their hands.
"I don't believe it!" one of them screamed. "He has a maid! The pervert Harem king has a maid"
"Ehhh he got another girl !?"
"Did he dump Kiba-kun!?"
"Nooo! I just finished making my EmiyaXKibaXEvil Issei love triangle manga damn you !"
"What the fuck, man!?" Matsuda yelled. "How did you do it you traitor!"
"Curse you to hell you bastard" Motohama joined in
Issei puffed out his chest and held his head high. "What can I say? I am a man of culture." He smirked. "This is how a true man gets his harem!"
Mittelt watched the chaos, a vein throbbing in her forehead. Her hand tightened into a fist. 'Stupid devil. He's embarrassing me in front of everyone ' She had to control herself. She was a professional. She would not kill them all... Not yet.
"Hyoudou-kun! Buchou wishes to speak with you" Kiba approached Issei and gave a wary look at the fallen "And your maid"
"What are you her butler?" Issei asked tiredly
"I live to serve Rias-sama "Kiba smiled in response
"No way this..."
"He's not dating Kiba-kun but Rias-senpai!?"
"Eehhh one of the three great onee-samas!"
"I am writing a new manga !"
"How many times do I have to repeat myself? Using Aisa as a bait is the best way to quickly find their location."Rias Gremory's scarlet eyes narrowed in annoyance
"No!" Issei shouted, standing up. "You can't do that! Asia is a human!"
Shirou took a step forward. "I agree with Issei. We can't put a human in that much danger."
"Remind me again who let Rayane escape and get us in this situation in the first place "
"Come on I already told you that was a honest mistake I was just more concerned on bringing Issei-kun and Aisa-kun to safety more"
Mittelt stared annoyed at the three arguing back and forth
They both had visited the club after Kiba told them to and the crazy Red hair and her peerage tried to kill her !
Turns out Rayane had previously posed as this devil boy's girlfriend and assassinated him and the peerage thought that she was doing the same
It took Issei explaining the full story to the Gremory princess to stop her from blowing Mittelt into nothing
She then promptly summoned Shirou and Aisa and they spent the next hour arguing
Rias wanted to go and kill all the fallen angels immediately while Shirou was trying to convince her unsuccessfully that Grigori was planning to handle the issue then managed to get her to agree to co-operate with him to capture the fallen
Right now they were arguing over using Aisa as a bait
"Let me be the bait ! Yu-no Raynare will definitely not pass a chance to capture me once she learns about my gear" Issei tried to convince Rias
"Are you really that stupid? You will definitely be killed if you go. You won't be able to come back to life anymore. Do you understand?" Rias said frustrated at Issei's idea
"Then there's no guarantee of Asia's safety !"Issei argued back
"Your actions will affect not only me but also the other members! You are a Devil of the Gremory group! You need to be aware of that!I can't sacrifice you like..."Rias trailed off trying to find the right word
"I am a pawn it's no big deal " Issei told her with a serious expression "That's why I will be the bait"
"I can't do that! Why don't you understand?"
"I... I'll do it," Asia said, her voice small but firm.
Issei and Shirou both stared at her, stunned.
"Asia, are you crazy!?" Issei exclaimed
"Sorry...but...all this time all of you have been so nice to meet and protecting me even though all I did was cause trouble for you," Asia replied trying her best to not start crying. "That...why I want to help you...even if it means putting my life in danger!"
"Aisa-chan..." Issei trailed off
Rias looked at Asia, then back at the group. "The plan is set then. Asia will be the bait. We'll be hidden nearby. When Raynare shows herself, we'll spring the trap. We'll take her down."
" We'll split into two groups. The first group will trail Aisa-kun and inform us of the location of the fallen then they will engage the enemy disrupting their ritual until the second group which is our main force arrives." Shirou said
"I want to be in the trailing group " Issei immediately volunteered
"I don't know much about Asia-san, but you are my comrade. Also, I personally don't like Fallen Angels and priests. I detest them." Kiba joined in
"...I'm going as well." Koneko finally spoke
"Wha-, Koneko-chan?" Issei looked at the petite girl in suprise
"...I feel uneasy for only having you two go."
'Koneko-chaaaaaaaan! I can't tell what's going in her mind since she doesn't show any expression, but I feel like I just witnessed her kindness hidden in her!
"I suppose I should accompany you too I am your bodyguard after all" Mittelt spoke up
'Yessssss! Mittelt-chan too !'
"I'm touched! Right now, I'm so deeply touched, Koneko-chan! Mittelt-chan!"Issei became emotional at their words
"H-Huh? But I'm going as well...?"Kiba sweat dropped
"I know, Kiba. Thank you." Issei waved him off "Then let's go for a secret mission with the five of us!"
"Not so fast..."Rias said coolly "Issei-kun I need to talk to you for a while "
"Eh!?"
The sky is already dark, and it's already time for the street lamps to be on.
the closer the group got to the Church, the stronger Issei started to have a bad feeling making him shift and sweating from all over his body.
"Geez stop figiting so much it's not that bad " Mittelt scolded annoyed at the three devils disguised as exorsists "Issei put that mask on properly "
"Easy for you to say this" Issei grumbled adjusting his mask while pointing to the cross hanging from his neck "hurts so much….Why are we even doing this? We already know their location "
Mittelt had made a big act of contacting some of her 'underworld connection' in order to get information about the fallen angels and also managed to broker a deal with Rayane.
Apparently convinced at her efforts she was currently the defacto leader of the baiting group
Right now the entire baiting group was disguised as exorsists with black trench coats,leather boots, crosses(that hurt like hell),wings and facemasks
"We are baiting, you idiot. Raynare wants Asia-chan and her healing Sacred Gear. We are acting like we've already captured her and are offering to sell her. That fool will be so greedy she'll walk right into our trap." Mittelt scoffed "Oh and Aisa..."
"Y-y-yes !"
"Good keep that scared expression on" Mittelt ordered
They opened the door of the church and stepped inside the candle lit sanctuary.
It looks like an ordinary sanctuary except the statue of the Christ on the cross had it's head destroyed and that several exorsists
"So you are finally here Mittelt" a sweet seductive voice spoke
Three fallen descended on the alter
"Yes I am and I got that little girl you were looking for Raynare " Mittelt said pointing her spear at Aisa's throat "Now let's talk about our deal shall we"
"How rude trying to haggle with me even though I was so kind to you" Raynare said acting hurt
"Stop lying we both know that you don't care about me...you use me and I use you that's all our relationship is" Mittelt scoffed "besides for what I have done I deserve more than just you saying a few good words about me to Azazel-sama"
"Then what do you want ?"
"I want you to take me with you when we meet Azazel-sama and tell him what good job I did "
"And If I refuse?" Raynare narrowed her eyes
"I will just poke this little girl with my spear and you will never get your sacred gear" Mittelt gently pressed her spear on Asia's skin
The whole atmosphere became tense as the two faced off
Koneko stamped Issei's foot to stop him from blowing their cover
"Fine then I will take you with me and say a few good words too" Raynare said
"Good she's yours " Mittelt dispersed her light spear
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
Then a clap echoes through the sanctuary. As a white haired priest danced joyfully
After the bargain business was over Mittelt left with the other two fallen to stand guard at the back of the Church while the three devils went down hidden stairs under the altar to a secret place where Raynare orded them to guard the door behind which they have started with the extraction the ritual
"Rejoice! Finally our hard work paid off So emotional!" Freed laughed for How truly fitting for that false saintess to lose her sacred gear...a bitch like that who would even heal Devils! She pissing me off! I hope she will die! Actually die screaming and repenting her sins ! You trashy Deeeeeeeeeeeevils!"
After expressing joy and excitement, freed screamed in a rage before calming down
"Phew that felt good...Hey! Why are you guys so grim like a grave ha! Grim and grave you get it like the grim reaper..."
All the sensible exorsists and three devils pointedly ignored him while trying their best to not punch him in the face repeatedly
Suddenly, one of the blond-haired exorcists' pockets started ringing. He pulled out a small mobile phone, answering it with a grimace. After a moment, he glanced at the other exorcists
"Is there anyone here by the name of Freed?" he asked, his voice flat.
"That's me! I'm the one and only! Who wants to talk to me?!"Freed asked with a manic smile
"My girlfriend. She says she wants to talk to you."
"My girlfriend!? What's her name!? Tell her to say it again!" Freed shrieked in ecstasy.
"She says…" He looked Freed straight in the eye, and his face hardened. "Go to hell, you shitty bastard!"
"Sacred gear !"
"Promotion, [Rook]!"
Freed only had a second to realise that he was tricked before a red gauntleted uppercut sent him crashing towards a pillar
Issei tore off the cross and wig with a satisfied smirk
"Let's go!"
Chapter 7
Honestly Raynare was so stupid that it surprised her
She didn't even bother to look past Aisa to notice that three devils had sunk in her territory not that she could even if she wanted
Azazel-sama's caretaker boy had got quite a few useful items for their mission including presence concealing bracelets,a tracking orb and anti-magic handcuffs
All she had to do was activated the orb and make a missed call to her boyfriend the red dragon boy below and act like she was talking for the next ten minutes until a teleportation circle flared up
"Oh they are here at last..." Mittelt said as a group of devil's and..
'Eh the caretaker boy is an angel !?' Mittelt blinked at Shirou's wings and especially the halo on his head
"About time you guys go-I mean Ahhh why are you here you stupid devils"
"You are really bad at acting " Rias commented dryly
"Shut up!it all your fault for coming so late and making me forget the lines!"
"Speaking of which didn't you say that there are two other fallen apart from Raynare "
"They are patrolling the area but with that entrence you made they will be he-"
Another teleportation circle flared up and two fallen angels emerged
One was middle-aged-looking man with short black hair and dark blue eyes wearing a pale gray trench coat over a white dress shirt with a matching ascot, black pants, a pair of black gloves, and a black fedora while his partner was a tall and buxom woman with brown eyes and long, navy blue hair wearing a maroon, trenchcoat-like top with a wide collar, a matching miniskirt, and black heeled shoes
"We meet again Lady Gremory" Dohnaseek smirked "you should have stayed out of our affairs "
"An angle siding with devil?.. how annoying two of the most annoying pests here together !" Kalawarna short a dirty look at the group
"Well since you all are gathered here Aneko "
"As you wish Buchou !" there was brief a flash of light as Aneko changed to a typical Miko attire
"Ufufu! I am really going to enjoy hearing you crows sing "
Few dozen magic circle appeared all over the area as black clouds gathered above
"You this was your plan all along !" Kalawarna hissed as she flew up
"Don't think this-AAAGGHHH!"
Mittelt's light spear pierced through Dohnaseek's back sending him crashing down
"You traitor!" Kalawarna shrieked, a ball of light gathering in her hand.
But before she could attack, Akeno's lightning struck. A dozen bolts of pure, raw electricity shot down from the magic circles above, frying the fallen angel
"You...why?...why are you..." Dohnaseek whezzed out
"A scumbag who dared to cause trouble for Azazel-sama has no right to question me" Mittelt snorted
"W-w-what !?"Dohnaseek's eyes widened in terror
"Oh you didn't know ? Raynare-chan was lying about this mission being given to her by Azazel-sama not only that she pissed him off by first trying to kill the red dragon emperor who is his..." Mittelt paused remembering Issei and Azazel discussing about pron magazines last night "...friend and second for slandering him by using HIS NAME for her actions "
"You are lying!" Dohnaseek whezzed gathering light in his hand as he tried to stand
Click!
Shirou handcuffed him from behind causing the light to dissipate
"My magic...you what did –"
"Anti-magic handcuffs " Shirou replied "don't bother resisting it's specifically designed by Armaros to seal all magic power of the prisoner "
"That's pretty useful"
"Yeah... Azazel gave me a earful about using them properly and importance of capturing rouges for interrogation "Shirou looked over to the other fallen "Hey is she okay !?"
Mittelt gave Kalawarna a kick inciting a moan
"She's alive" Mittelt declared
"Ahh...how sad it's over so soon I really wanted to play a little longer " Akeno sighed in disappointment
"Sacred Gear! Activate!"
[Boost!]
A sound came out from the green jewel as the power flows into Issei allowing him to send another priest flying with a punch
"That's the last of them" Kiba said sweeping his sword to remove the blood
The hidden passage they were in was a single passage with doors in both side of the wall
"Hey do you think we have alerted them with the fight and all"
"Unlikely in most rituals the user first casts an soundproof ward so as to not let noise disturb their focus or affect the chanting "
Siff...sniff Koneko sniffed The air
"Possibly at the end of this passage... I can smell that person..." Koneko said pointing to the far end
'So Asia is there.'Issei thought 'Wait for me, Asia. I'll be there soon!'
When we went further in, a big door appears.
"Is that it?"
"Raynare took about half the Exorcists inside...this fight will be harder considering the fallen angel against us...are you ready?" Kiba asked
Koneko-chan and Issei nodded at Kiba.
"Okay. Then we'll open the door—"
With a large noise the Door opened to the inside of the ritual place
"Wh-who?...Devils!" Raynare, stammered from the end of the room.
The room is full of priests. They all have a sword handle that makes the blade of light in their hands and all of them were guarding the girl who is attached to the cross
"Asiaaa!"
"...Ise-san...you came"
"Yeah! I've come to save you!"
"I won't let you interfere!"
"Damn Devils! I will destroy you!"
[Boost]
"Move! Shitty priests! I don't have time to bother with you all!" Issei punched one of the priests away.
Kiba drew his darkness-sword while Koneko kicked another priest in the face breaking his teeth
"Looks like I will have to go full throttle from the beginning. I hate Priests. If there are this many, then I won't hold back to devour your light." Kiba's eyes became sharp as his darkness sword emitted very dense killing intent.
Kiba's sword devours the light of the priest's sword, while Issei and Koneke beat up the priests who have lost their weapon
"NOOO! THIS IS THE POWER THAT I CRAVED FOR A LONG TIME! SACRED GEAR! I WON'T LET YOU SHITTY PIECES OF SCUM STEAL IT !"Raynare screamed snapping out of her surprise as she summoned a spear of light and threw it at the nearest devil
Koneko twisted her body but the spear of light cut a burning line on the side of her ribs even with the defence of a [Rook, Koneko wasn't able to defend against it.
"Koneko-chan"
"I am alright it's just a scratch" Koneko gritted out
"DIE!" Raynare threw another spear but Kiba blocked the strike with his darkness sword
"My light spear disappeared?"
"Holy Eraser this is my sword that can devour holy power" Kiba replied "Hyoudou-kun! Our formation is at a disadvantage while we are protecting that girl! So go upstairs at once! We'll make the path for you! Now, hurry!"
'He's right. There are still a great number of priests left, so there will be a limit to fighting this Fallen Angel here while protecting Asia.' Issei realised ad he caught a priest in the face with his gauntlet and slamming him down the floor
Issei made his way to the cross and carefully untied Aisa free and held her in his arms.
"I-Ise-san"
"Don't worry Buchou will be here soon with reinforcement till then we need to go somewhere safe"
"GIVE HER BACK YOU WORTHLESS DEVIL!" Raynare shouted while trying to skewer Kiba
Issei glared at Raynare, and then left the place carrying Asia.
"Koneko-chan, we will make an escape path for Hyoudou-kun! Urk"Kiba blocked another stike from Raynare
"...Affirmative."
The two of them started to take down the priests who are trying to get in Issei's way allowing him to get to the entrance of the ritual room right away.
"Kiba! Koneko-chan!"
"You go ahead! We will handle here!"
"...Please go quickly."
"But!"
"Just go!"
'Damn! Kiba! Koneko-chan! Both of you are showing off too much!' Issei thought frustrated '...But now I will have to rely on them. My senior Devils. There's no way they will die in a place like this!'
"Kiba! Koneko-chan! When I get back, call me "Ise"! Definitely! We are comrades!" Issei shouted as he left the place and went straight to the passage at once.
The sanctuary was eerily silent despite the battle raging below
"The door is just right there once we get out we will be safe" Issei reassured Aisa "We will Akkk"
"Ise-san!" Aisa shouted as a light spear pierced Issei
"ha..ha..you damn insect " Raynare huffed as she landed down after flying up the trapdoor
There was a blood cut on her side and she was breathing hard
"...Shit. You are nowhere close to the Yuuma-chan that I remember." Issei gritted as Aisa healed him
"Fufufu, You really thought I even cared about you"
"...You were my first girlfriend."
"Yes, watching it was very cute. It's fun to play around with guys who have no experience with a woman."
"...I was serious about taking care of you."
"Ufufu, yes, you did take care of me. When I was in trouble you managed to take care of it right away and made sure I didn't get hurt. But did you know that I did all of that on purpose? Because it was funny to see your face when you were in panic."
"...I made sure I planned our first date carefully. To make sure it would become a great date." Issei shakily stood up
"Isse" Aisa looked at him
"Ahahaha! Yeah! It was an ordinary date! Thanks to that, I was very bored!"
"...Yuuma-chan."
"Ufufu, I chose that name so I can kill you at Dawn. Wonderful, isn't it? Right, Ise-kun?"
"Raynareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
(?)
It was burning a red hot flame
'I have so much hatred within me that my gut is turning black.'
'I don't know anyone who is a bigger scum than her...She is truly the one who is fitting to be called a devil.'
Disgust.. betrayal...pain and anger mixed together
'Someone like her...I won't forgive I never will !'
"—Desire. Sacred Gear is driven with the power of desire. And it also determines the power for it as well."Then Buchou's words come into my mind
The raging flame that seeks to destroy the enemy in front of him
—Even though you are a Devil, your will to desire hasn't been lost. The stronger you desire, the stronger your Sacred Gear will respond to you
'I need it I want to beat her with my own power !'
"So you finally got a purpose eh partner...very well then let's show this little crow the wrath of a dragon "
"Raynareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Issei screamed
"Ahahahahaha! I don't want a rotten brat like you calling my name!"
[Dragon booster!]
The Sacred Gear on Issei's left arm activated as if it has responded to his shout. The jewel in the gauntlet makes a bright shine as a mysterious mark appears on the gauntlet.
Isse dashed forward throwing a first at Raynare dodges it easily.
"I will explain it so even a dummy like you can understand. It's a simple power difference. I have a power of 1000. You have a power of 1. You can't shorten the gap between us no matter what. Even with the ability of that Sacred Gear, the power doubled is only 2. It's futile! How can you win against me!? Ahahahahahahaha!"
[Boost!]
Another sound from the jewel. The mark on the jewel of the gauntlet changes from [I] to [II].
"Uoooooooooo!"
Issei went charging at Raynare while concentrating his overflowing power to his fist.
"Heh! Did your power increase a bit? Still, it's not enough!"Raynare sneered dodging the attack again.
Next moment, lights gather to Raynare's hand and it forms into a large spear.
"I put a lot of power in it! Eat this!"
ZUDON
"Guaaaaaaaaaah!" Issei screamed as the spear of light pierced his abdomen intense pain flooded through his body even so he grabed onto the spear immediately.
Zzzzzzttt The sound of my flesh burning echoed in his ears.
"Guaaaaaaaaaah!" Issei gasped 'Hot! It's burning hoooooooot! Is it because it's made up of light!?... my hand...It's burning my hand '
"Ahahahaha! A Devil trying to pull that spear out is foolish! To Devils, lights are intense poison. Just touching it will make you burn. That is the ultimate pain that Devils can taste! For a Low-class Devil like you, it's—" Raynare starts to laugh at Issei's attempt to pull out the spear
"Nugaaaaaaaah! Issei pulled out the spear as tears and drool comes out of his face
Splash.
After losing the thing that was blocking the holes on his abdomen, blood started to gush out from the wounds.
""...Quite remarkable. A Low-class Devil pulling out the spear of light made by a Fallen Angel. But it's futile. My light isn't flashy, but has a high killing ability against Devils. Getting hurt even once will be hard to heal, even for a Middle-class Devil. For a Low-class Devil like you, this is the limit. Fufufu, you can't look down on the damage caused by the power of light, you know? Especially my light."
[Boost!]
"SHUT UP!"
"—! I-Impossible! Your body isn't in a condition to move! Because of the damage of light—"
'My legs can move. Even so just moving it by a millimetre gives me intense pain'
[Boost!]
Raynare barely managed to dodge the next punch
'It hurts. My whole body hurts. But I can move. I can still move. I just have to endure it until I hit her once.'
[Boost!]
The next blow managed to scarp the side of her face even as she formed another spear
"STOP IT... STOP HURTING ISSEI!" A loud cry rang out
A large light emerged out of Asia's body illuminating the entire sanctuary
'Such a bright light. It's dazzling' Issei thought unlike the light of a Fallen Angel, this light didn't give damage to him but instead it felt peaceful 'It's a green light... like Asia's eyes and it looks so beautiful...It feels like her kindness is inside her light'
Issei could feel his wounds healing and his pain replaced with warmth
"T-t-this is this the power of Twilight healing!?...tch " Raynare gave a ugly look as a light spear appeared in her hand
'This crazy bitch!' Issei moved just as the light spear was thrown at Aisa
Skzzzz!
The spear pierced his body and dissolved harmlessly
"Eh!?..it doesn't hurt ?" Issei blinked 'no...it did pierce me but then I didn't get hurt...did Aisa heal me so fast that I can't even feel the pain !?"
"Aisa you are amazing!" Issei told Aisa
"Eppp T-t-thank you!" Aisa squeaked
"Why..why is it only healing a worthless low class devil like you" Raynare asked gingerly touching the sword wound Kiba gave her earlier
The green light illuminating the whole sanctuary for some reason did not heal the fallen angel it was almost as if the light was rejecting her
[Boost!]
[Boost!]
"Why?... it's a pretty obvious why it's only healing me " Issei slowly walked towards Raynare who has a shocked look on her face"Because Aisa-tan is MY GIRLFRIEND... Of course she will heal me!"
"You what nonsense are you sprouting!?"
"Hey, Ex-girlfriend. I've been through a lot because of you." Issei made a posture to punch even if he has no experience in fighting... it didn't matter all he needed was to hit her once.
'My target is the shitty Fallen Angel that is in front of me. I'm definitely going to hit her. I'm absolutely not going to miss it.' Issei clenched his gauntlet fist
"Hey, my Sacred Gear. You still have the power to punch this thing in front of me, right? Then let's finish it."
[Boost!]
The green jewel shore even brighter as overflowing power flowed into his body
"...Impossible. What is this? Why is something like this happening...? Isn't that Sacred Gear supposed to be the [Twice Critical] which doubles the power of the possessor? ...It can't be. It's not possible. Why has your power surpassed mine...? This wave of demonic-power I'm feeling... is that of a Middle-class...no, that of a High-class Devil..." Raynare once again formed a spear of light in both her hands.
BUUN.
They just harmlessly bounced off Issei making Raynare's face gets even paler.
[Boost!]
"Just so you know the name of my gear is the boosted gear "
"B-Boosted Gear... One of the [Longinus] ... No you are lying! " Raynare threw another spear that had no effect
[Boost!]
"Die just die for me you shitty devil " Raynare tried to stab Issei
"Not this time" Issei caught the spear with his hand and crushed it
[Boost!]
'What overwhelming power...no I can't I can't fight it my spears are useless because of that devil loving girl...run! I need to run!' Raynare unfurled her black wings, and tried to fly away.
TAP
Issei went up to her at the same time she's about to fly, and grabbed her arm.
"I won't let you get away, fool."
"Damn yoooooooou! Low-class Deeeeeevil!"
"Uoryaaaaaaaa!"
[Explosion!]
The gauntlet released all of its energy. All the strength gathered in Issei's left arm,concentrated on his fist.
HIT!
that fist to punched straight and accurately at Raynare's face
"Gakkk" Raynare made a odd sound as the fist is dug into her face and pushed even further
"Blow away, you shitty Ex- Angel!"
GASHAAAAAAAAN!
The Fallen Angel was sent flying and crashed into the wall while making a big hole in it causing dust to spread everywhere.
When the dust disappears, there is nothing left in the direction Issei punched Raynare towards.
The hole continues till outside of the building where Raynare is on the ground unconscious
' I'd finally paid her back... That punch felt so good.' Issei collapsed on his knees
"ISE-SAN!" something soft hugged him
"...Asia" Issei weakly said looking at the girl who was smiling despite the tears flowing from her eyes "Even though it looks pretty odd smiling and crying at the same time...Aisa-tan is still pretty cute"
Aisa said something incoherent as her face turned red as a tomato but Issei didn't pay attention instead he just relaxed on her lap pillow
Chapter 8
Slash !
Mittelt carefully sliced the dead exorcist who she accidentally stabbed in the throat
'tch annoying idiots can't they just surrender quietly instead of jumping around with those toys' Mittelt thought as she scooted away from the dead body 'If anyone asks I will tell them that it was the sword devil or sword angle who killed him'
'It looks like we are done here but Kiba where is Issei,' Rias asked
"I told him to take Asia and get her out. It was the safest choice… but Raynare broke off and followed them."Kiba swept the blood from his blade, his knuckles whitened on the hilt. "That's my mistake. I should have stopped her slipping past."
"Don't be too hard on yourself Issei can handle one fallen angel " Rias comferted him "He's my pawn after all "
"Ara, ara~ if we wait any longer, there won't be anything left of that Fallen to shock." Akeno's lips curved, but there was no amusement in her eyes
Just one sec...done "Shirou finished trying up the last exorsist with a rope
The first thing that the group encountered as they emerged through the hidden doorway, was the light...the green light illumiating the whole Sanctuary
Asia stood in the middle of the sanctuary, hands clasped tight against her chest, her golden hair almost burning under the radiance she poured out. The light spread in a wide dome, touching every corner of the ruined hall.
"!" Koneko blinked as the wound on the side of her ribs healed
"…That girl," Rias's gaze flicked once toward Asia, "Is this her Balance Breaker ?"
"Hey, Ex-girlfriend. I've been through a lot because of you." Issei's voice brought the group back to earth
Kiba's hand tightened on his sword. "Ise—he can't take her alone—"
"Trace on" Shirou traced the twin swords again "If we strike together, it's over faster—"
"No...Stand down." Rias stopped the two
"Huh !?"
"President !"
"…This is his fight. If you jump in, you strip him of the pride of winning it with his own hands. Don't rob him of that." Rias told them never taking her eyes of Issei
But.." Shirou protested
"After everything he's endured under that Fallen he deserves to return it back to her do you really want to take that from him?"
Kiba's grip tightened, then eased off the hilt. Shirou clicked his tongue but lowered his stance.
"Good," Rias said, softer now. "Let him finish it."
Inside the glow, Issei advanced. His uniform hung in tatters, but his body was unhurt. Each step echoed with the crimson pulse of the gauntlet.
Raynare shrieked, hurling a spear of light. It fizzled out before reaching him.
[Boost!]
He kept walking.
Another spear—caught, crushed in his fist.
[Boost!]
Raynare tried to fly away but Issei jumped up and caught her by the wing as his gauntlet glowed brightly with power
"Damn yoooooooou! Low-class Deeeeeevil!"
"Uoryaaaaaaaa!"
[Explosion!]
"Blow away, you shitty Ex- Angel!"
GASHAAAAAAAAN!
The Fallen Angel was sent flying and crashed into the wall while making a big hole in it causing dust to spread everywhere.
Issei landed down looking at the hole he punched the fallen angel in before collapsing on his knees
Aisa rushed to hug him cutting off the healing field and gave him a lap pillow
"Huu...I guess now the mission is complete" Rias smiled at the scene
Freed twitched awake, blood dripping into his eye. His head throbbed where the Devil's punch had smashed him into the ceiling.
"…Shit...that damned fucking shitty devil… hit me harder than I thought."
He glanced around. The exorcists who'd come with him were scattered across the corridor, moaning or out cold.
He wiped his mouth, smearing blood with the back of his hand, and staggered against the wall. His laughter came out harsh, unhinged.
"Wow, look at this. All my buddies down for the count. What a joke. Guess the holy army wasn't so holy after all, huh?"
From deeper in the corridor came the sound of chaos—walls breaking, screaming, the dull roar of gunshot and spells being thrown.
"Useless trash. Can't even hold the line for five minutes."
Trying to stand made his knees buckle. He hissed through his teeth, pressed a hand to his bleeding side, then spat on the floor.
"Tch... I can't fighting like this. Screw that. I'll just find a nice little hole and wait it out."
He stumbled a few steps, boots slipping in the mess, then grabbed the handle of a side room and pushed the door open, slipped inside, and shut it quietly behind him
Few seconds later Rias and her group would pass it while on their way to find Issei and Aisa and nobody bothered to check.
Freed would quietly escape an hour later
"Good work. You actually beat a Fallen Angel." Kiba told Issei
"Yo, you are late Casanova." Issei grinned
"Fufufu, Buchou told me not to interfere."
" Buchou did?" Issei blinked
"That's right. I believed that you were able to beat the Fallen Angel Raynare." Rias-said walking towards him smiling while wavering her crimson hair.
"Buchou? Where did you come from?" Issei blinked he was expecting her to come from the front door with reinforcement like one of those action movies
"From the basement. I finished my business, so I used the magic-circle to come here. It was my first time transporting to a Church, so I was nervous." Rias said with a sigh.
'I see. So that's why she came from downstairs with Kiba and the others.' Issei thought '...Then all of the Exorcists are annihilated. Since they had Buchou as their opponent, they had no chance of winning.'
"Looks like you won safely."
"Buchou... Hahaha, I won somehow."
"Fufufu, excellent. Just what I expected from my servant." Rias taped Issei on his nose.
"Good thing you did you reckless idiot! If you died do you know how much trouble I would be in ?" Mittelt complained
"It's nice to know you care about me Mittelt-chan..."Issei thanked the fallen angel
"E-e-eh!?..S-shut up it's not like I like about you or anything I just fullfilling Azazel-sama orders hump" Mittelt huffed red faced
There's no way in hell she likes this baka-devil even if he did look cool back there
"Ara ara. The Church is in a mess. Buchou, is it alright?" Akeno-san said with a troubled face.
"...Is something wrong?"Issei asked Buchou timidly.
"Church's belong to God or religions related to him, but there are cases like this where it is used by Fallen Angels. In cases like this, if we Devils damage the Church, there will be times when we get targeted by assassins. For revenge and payback." Rias answered looking at the vandalized cross
—!
'S-Seriously?'
"But it won't happen this time."
"Why is that?" Issei blinked
"This Church was originally an abandoned one. So a certain group of Fallen Angels had come here to use it for their own greed, and we just happened to have a fight in a place like that. So we didn't step foot on the enemies' actual territory to have war. So it's just a small fight between a Devil and a Fallen Angel. This happens every time. That's what happened." Rias explained
"Buchou. I've brought it." Koneko's voice cut in while making a sound of dragging something
She appeared from the broken wall, and what she is dragging is a black wing, Fallen Angel Raynare.
"Thank you, Koneko. Now then, let's wake her up. Akeno."
"Yes."
Akeno-san lifts her hand up. Then water appears up in the air.
SPLASH!
"Ha..ackk!" Raynare coughed opening her eyes slowly.
"How are you doing, Fallen Angel Raynare." Rias asked rather cheerfully
"...The daughter of the Gremory clan..."
"Hello, my name is Rias Gremory. I'm the next heir of the House of Gremory. It will be for a short while, but nice to have your acquaintance." Rias gave her a smile causing Raynare to glare at her.
"...You think you've got me, but too bad. This plan was kept secret from the higher-ups, but there are other Fallen Angels with me. If I get in danger, they will—"
"They won't come to help." Mittelt interrupted
"You betrayed me!...Mittelt!"Raynare's face twisted in rage "You sided with these devils to betray me !? You traitor "
"Me? A traitor? Don't kid yourself. You're the only traitor here." Mittelt scoffed, running her fingers through her hair "Fallen angle Raynare for acting on your own without permission in the territory of a devil attacking and manipulating fellow members of Grigori and smearing the name of Grigori for your crimes you are the shitty traitor who I have captured as per Azazel-sama's orders"
"Lies!"
"First you act on your own causing trouble in a devil territory own by two of the four Satans causing unnecessary friction between Giriori and the devil fraction "
"I did what had to be done—"
"Second — you formed your own little army." Mittelt's tone was flat. "You gathered Fallen and Exorcists under your wing without the knowledge of Giriori as you admitted just now."
"That-I.."
"You attempted to kidnap, murder and steal Twilight Healing of Aisa Argento a fellow member of Giriori under Azazel-sama's protection " Mittelt continued ignoring that Aisa was made an official member just yesterday
"Wait.. I didn't !?"
"Ah you also dared to lie and use Azazel-sama's name to try and kill the red dragon emperor who is affiliated with house Gremory...but I guess I should thank you for that since because an idiot like you tried to kill the red dragon emperor I was handpicked by Azazel-sama to be his bodyguard...I wonder how well Azazel-sama will reward me for doing such a good jwork fufufu!" Mittelt laughed at Raynare broken look
"No...this can't please...I only wanted to do it for...for...Azazel-sama and Shemhaza-sama"
"We made a deal remember? Now be a good crow and tell Azazel-sama how nicely I captured you "
"I don't think so." Rias said walking close to Raynare."I will have you disappear, Fallen Angel-san."
It's a cold tone. It's filled with killing intent.
"Y-You can't be serious!? I didn't I just wanted to be loved I..."
"To live your life for love is beautiful. But you are too tainted with dirt. You have no elegance. And I don't allow that." Rias aimed her hand towards Raynare.
"Save me! I-I can't die here!" Raynare screamed at Mittelt "Y-You are a Fallen angel, aren't you!? You are supposed to save me! I'm an Fallen Angel! I—"
"Oi you are not killing all the fallen are you? We need atleast one alive for interrogation " Mittelt asked completely ignoring Raynare
"You can keep the other two...I just want to get rid of this one for hurting Issei "
Raynare turned to Issei with sorrowful eyes
"Ise-kun! Please save me!"Raynare once again acted like Yuuma-chan trying to beg for help from Issei "This Devil is trying to kill me! I love you! I love you so much! That's why, let's defeat this Devil together!"
"...I was stupid for feeling even a bit sorry for you, Yuuma-chan. No, shitty Fallen Angel." Issei looked at her once before turning away "Goodbye, my love. Buchou, I'm at my limit... Will you please..."
Hearing that, the Fallen Angel's expression froze.
"...Don't try to flirt with my cute servant. Blow away."
"WAIT.." Shirou stepped in between Rias and the fallen angel
Rias tilted her head, crimson hair swaying. "You would block me, Emiya Shirou?"
"She's finished," Shirou said, voice tight. "Her plans are broken, her army gone. There's no need to kill her now."
"This is my territory. She harmed my servant, threatened my peerage. That grants me the right — no, the duty — to end her. That is how devils answer an insult." Rias' smile thinned making her look more predatory as her hand glowed with destructive power.
Shirou's chest tightened. He knew Raynare deserves it, even so — the cry of someone begging to be saved. It didn't matter if it was false, it didn't matter if she had earned this end. His body moved because it always had.
'A cry for help, and I can't ignore it. That's who I am.'
"She's beaten," Shirou pressed. "Killing her now changes nothing..., it won't undo what she's done...to Issei It would just be blood split for no reason"
"Naïve." Rias' eyes narrowed. "Mercy to the wrong enemy is weakness. And weakness costs lives."
"You will kill her just for the sake of your pride ?"
"…How very interesting," she murmured. "You would stand against me for her sake. Do you know what that means, Shirou?"
For a moment, silence cut through the ruined church. Then Rias' expression softened, the threat in her aura ebbing.
"Since that's what you want then Emiya Shirou you must satisfy my pride in another way.?"
"Alright sure !"
"It means you owe me." Rias said cheerfully "I could have killed her. By right, I should have. But for you, I'll stay my hand. In exchange, Emiya Shirou—you are now in my debt."
"Ara...so that's what you were after Buchou"
"Aneko!There was no need to spill it!" Rias pouted "Ah! You agreed you can't back now "
Shirou's eyes widened, the realization striking cold.
" you played me…you really are a devil "
"Oh you just realised now ?" Rias smiled, amused "You see? I didn't need her death. What I wanted was your favor. And now I have it."
Chapter 9
It has been two days since the whole fallen angel incident
The three main fallen angels and most of the exorsists were interrogated and locked up in specially designed anti-magic prison in some remote location monitored by the Girigori
And also one of the involved victims chose to leave Giriori
"Are you sure you won't regret it?" Azazel asked the young nun
"No, thank you very much..for the kindness you showed me but... No matter what situation I am in, I'm happy as long as I am with Ise-san."Asia shakes her head.
"Ah young love...I see. If that's what you want, I won't stop you."
"T-t-thank you so much!"
Aisa left to join Rias 's peerage as her bishop and to stay with Issei
After the interrogation, Mittelt was praised for her work. She received recognition for exposing Raynare's crimes, was acknowledged as having completed Azazel's orders flawlessly... which made her something of a star among the lower ranked fallen angels
The reports were finished, the prisoners secured. Azazel leaned back in his chair
"Well, I'll give credit where it's due." His golden eyes slid to Mittelt. "You handled yourself well. Tricked Raynare, kept Twilight Healing safe, even helped in capturing one of our own gone rogue. That's more than I expected out of you."
Mittelt smirked, tossing her hair back—but the heat in her cheeks betrayed how much the words landed.
'Finally I will get my-'
"As of today, you're officially assigned as permanent bodyguard to Hyoudou Issei. Keep the kid alive, and you'll have my ear the next time promotions come around."
Mittelt stiffened, forcing her grin to hold. "…Of course, Azazel-sama. Leave it to me."
—
Two days later, her resolve was already cracking..
Asia bowed politely at the doorway, clutching the small bag she carried.
"M-my name is Asia Argento… P-please take care of me."
For a heartbeat, silence hung in the Hyoudou living room.
Then—
"Our boy brought home another girl!" Miki shrieked, grabbing Gorou by the arm. Tears sparkled in her eyes. "It's finally happening! He's growing up!"
"A-ah! I-I'm not—" Asia stammered, face scarlet.
"Future grandchildren's names…" Miki was already muttering under her breath, jotting something invisible in the air with her finger. "If it's a girl, maybe Mika… if it's a boy, Goro Junior…"
"Asia-chan, welcome, welcome!" Gorou's voice cracked with joy. "You're family now!"
"P-please, it's nothing like that—!" Asia covered her face with both hands, overwhelmed.
'If I survive this family without going crazy, I deserve a damn medal.' Mittelt's eye twitched
Life went like normal...well as normal as it could be
The rooftop had become Shirou's quiet corner. The view stretched wide—the town, the clouds, even the church cross in the distance. It wasn't the same as Fuyuki's riverside, but there was something peaceful about eating high above the noise.
Or at least, it should have been peaceful.
He felt the stare before he saw it.
Turning slightly, he found a small girl crouched not too far away, her golden eyes locked on his lunchbox. She wasn't even trying to hide it—her gaze was hungry, steady, and she was dooling at the edge of her lips.
That reaction... Could it be... she wanted to have some of his bento?
That face she was making was too much adorable... It triggered a nostalgic feeling for Shirou even if he couldn't understand why.
"Koneko-chan ?"
"Ack!" Koneko blinked realising that she was caught
"…Hungry?" he asked causing her to nod vigorously
"You can have some if you want. There is plenty for the two of us."
Toujo Koneko hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, she ended up approaching him.
Shirou just brought out a pair of spare chopsticks and offered it to her
Koneko took the chopsticks, and, she dug into Shirou's bento. After staring at the food for a few seconds, she slowly put it in her mouth.
After savoring it, her entire body winced. Her eyes widened, and she... purred? For some reason, she sounded like a cat while she was finishing savoring and swallowing the bite.
'That looks it was like... like Saber...'
Saber used to watch him like that sometimes, when she pretended she wasn't interested in seconds.
He wondered how she was doing did she disappeared after destroying the holy grail...what about Rin how did she cover up his...death?..Taiga... Sakura how would they be...
"Huh?" Shirou blinked as his chopstick hit the bottom of the bento. He was sure there was still a lot of rice but now there wasn't any trace of food there...
His eyes darted to the little girl at his side. She was happily chewing what little remained of his food.
Did she just devour all the remaining food in his bento in a few seconds?
"Delicious..." She mumbled shamelessly after swallowing. There were even some grains of rice and sauce over her cheeks.
"Hah..." He sighed in defeat. He would have to pay a visit to the cafeteria...not that the food was bad but it wasn't good either
"Let me clean the food on your face. You don't want to show up in your classroom like that, right?"
Shirou took out a handkerchief and brought it close to her face. Koneko flinched and nearly jumped, but in the ended she conceded.
"Kind senpai..."
"There you go."
After cleaning her face, Shirou wrapped his bento and set to go to his classroom. But before he took the first step, he felt an intense glare on his back.
After turning around, golden eyes met yellow ones. The two stared at each other for a few moments without moving a muscle.
It was like Koneko wanted to say something, but she was ashamed to do so. And Shirou could guess what she wanted.
Again it reminded him of everytime Saber looked at him when she was hungry and wanted to eat something
"I don't mind bringing more than one bento from now on."
At that moment, a large smile appeared in her always stoic face, and her eyes shone with excitement.
"She acts like you Saber"
Of course there was also that favour that Rias called upon
"So she asked you to be her stand-in knight for the rating game? I got to admit, she got you good," Azazel said, leaning back
"You don't have to run it in you know..." Shirou grumbled
"Still you could have taken up here offer to become a devil" Azazel sounded disappointed
"No...you just want me to do that for your sword project"
"Blazer Shining or Darkness Blade is the most powerful sword that will ever existed capable of perfect balance between light and darkness only a wielder who has affinity to both can bring out it's full potential!"
"Still no I already have a LOT of swords "
"Here I thought you and that crimson princess were good friends..." Azazel sighed again dissatisfied
"I am not sure about that I mean I do like being friends with her sort of but I don't trust her... it's like you know that someone is nice to you and can be your friend but she is also the type who tries to harm you or take advantage of you...you just can't make your mind up about them"
Somewhere in another universe Tohsaka Rin sneezed
Originally, Rating Games were brutal, bloodier sport where devils of high nobility sent their best warriors to fight to death... infact it also inspired the Romans to create the original gladiator games" Azazel explained
"No need to worry though nowadays the games are far less lethal and more like a video game..." Azazel assured the worried teen "Anyways who is she going against?"
"I think his name is Rider Phenex..."
"Riser Phenex...Hahahaa" Azazel laughed obviously finding it funny "so that's what Sirzechs was talking about..."
"Er.." Shirou blinked feeling as if he was missing something
"Well since that's the case let me send a small present with you for the ruin Princess "