This is part two to chapter 5. Please enjoy and leave Power Stones if you did.
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"Then... all of you are devils?" Asia asked with a slightly anxious voice.
"Yes, Asia-san, we are," Rias confirmed amicably, her legs crossed and her arms folded as she sat on the opposite sofa of the two humans. They were all inside the ORC room talking about what had transpired back at the old church.
The reason why she, Akeno, and Kiba had all shown up was because of Koneko. Back when the two of them were coming up with a plan to ambush the fallen angels, the cat-devil decided to call for backup just in case. Once she had hopped within a tree to execute their plan, she had texted Rias with her phone. After Issei had flew away leaving the remaining fallen angel and stray priests headed her way, they had teleported in to back her up.
So much for secrecy. And here Issei believed she wouldn't call for help after he pleaded with her. Still, her method was the best middle ground for letting Rias know and letting him go on his rescue mission.
It wasn't much of a showdown. The moment the Gremory group appeared, the fallen angel immediately shit herself and fled. It was the very same Raynare girl who approached him under a disguise that day after unlocking his powers. She managed to flee by using a beaten up white-haired priest as a decoy. That person must have been Freed who Issei knocked through the church window.
Him and all of the other stray priests were killed by them. Raynare and that other fallen angel Issei knocked unconscious were the only ones who escaped. Unlike Raynare, they weren't sure how the lolita fallen had fled because they were too distracted by the massive boom that happened near the church. It had taken all of them off their feet and left them all dazed. By the time each of them collected themselves and headed over to the blast, Issei and Asia were already out of the steaming crater left behind.
That's everything that happened from Koneko's side after they separated. Before Issei could try explaining his side, he'd first returned his modified vision back to normal and then tried explaining to Asia how unlike the man who tried kidnapping her, these devils were his allies who wouldn't hurt her. This is where they were currently at.
The blonde nun still looked a bit uncomfortable. She appeared naturally shy and that was only compounded by the fact she was around devils; horrible beings her religion despised. "A-and you're not going to hurt us?" She asked hesitantly, her eyes failing to make contact with any of them.
"I told you, it's cool. You don't have to worry," Issei comforted Asia again. The two were sat by themselves on the left couch across Rias as her servants stood behind her. Akeno and Kiba had friendly smiles, while Koneko's countenance was disinterested as usual.
"We're all friends here, Asia-san. Be at ease," Rias added on, leaning forward to grab the teacup her Queen had prepared. Her smile was tame as if she expected this sort of reaction. It could have been much worse and volatile, so this response brought Rias some joy. Taking a sip and resting the cup and saucer on her lap, her look became more serious as she turned to Issei. "What you did is reckless. You could've gotten killed."
The pervert immediately shrunk under her scolding gaze, an immense ball of guilt building in his stomach. "Y-yeah, I know... but I-"
"No buts. You put yours and Koneko's life in jeopardy all because of a whim. That is inexcusable, Issei-kun." The redhead frowned in clear disapproval. She heavily disagreed with the choices he made.
He knew this was coming and he'd take it like a man. But he had to at least say his peace first. He met her cerulean gaze with his own conviction. "I don't regret what I did. Maybe I would've if we died... but we didn't. What matters is that everything turned out okay."
"You couldn't guarantee that, Issei-kun. You know you couldn't... or at least shouldn't..." Rias trailed as a strange look overtook her. That sword was still very much fresh in her mind. She shook her head slightly, setting the tea down. "You know that contract was formed to protect you, no one else."
"I know... that's why I wanted to go alone." His expression fell again. He glanced over at Koneko who gave him a small frown. "But I guess I couldn't..."
Rias sighed, crossing her arms again. "I cannot control your actions, but please do not make anymore foolhardy decisions. You made Koneko do something she shouldn't have."
"It's my fault. If she's in trouble, please take it out on me," Issei bowed his head.
"Koneko is a member of my peerage, while you are not. Therefore, I cannot treat you as such," Rias answered pointedly. A small glint then appeared in her sharpened eyes. "However, as a member of the Occult Research Club, please expect your work to be cut out for you."
"Y-yes, ma'am," He replied dejectedly. He hadn't done much yet as a member and honestly wasn't quite sure what they even did here. Seems that wouldn't be the case anymore.
"We'll leave it at that for now. There are more important matters to discuss." As she said this, Rias uncrossed her legs and leaned her body forward from the couch. This action caused Issei's eyes to flicker down at the red lace hidden underneath her skirt, hidden away by the supple flesh of her thighs pushed together. A transitory look of desperation and desire split across her face before she quelled it. Those emotions lingered in the form of her lips quivering with unsteady breath. "Issei-kun, before all of us appeared... what were you holding before?"
That got the attention of all of them. Everyone wanted to know what that was about. Their gazes bore into him with deep scrutiny. Asia also looked at him inquisitively, equally invested and wanting to know more.
"A sword..." Issei said weakly. Just how was he going to get out of this one...
...Might as well wing it and see what happens.
"Yes, I know that. What I want to know is where you got it?" Rias elaborated, drawn in further by the intrigue. She could hardly hold back the desire to shake the information out of him.
"...I don't really know. It just kind of came out when I needed it?" His response was more like a question in of itself. It was the only real answer he could give while avoiding the subject of The Gamer.
"Can you do it again?" Her voice grew urgent as she leaned in further with anticipation. Issei subconsciously pulled his head back, feeling the pressure from their expectation build. His eyes scanned over the other devils behind the president again, searching for comfort. Unfortunately, not even Koneko could provide it. They all waited eagerly for his response... with the exception of Kiba?
He looked a little different than the rest, as if he were bothered by something. Weird...
No point in stalling any longer. He knew inherently that hiding something so powerful would be pointless. Something so strong couldn't be used without others noticing and they'd already seen it.
Holding out his right hand, Issei closed his eyes and drew on the sensation within. It was very different from the Boosted Gear. While the gauntlet felt similar to putting on armor, this one felt like he were opening massive pearly gates and drawing forth all of the power behind them.
A rush of pure white energy flooded out from deep inside his soul. It was more warm and soothing than any blanket could feel. His palm and fingers began to glow with the same light as the sword began its manifestation. It lit up the room with a flash as the weapon crystallized cleanly from the unnatural fire into The Flaming Sword.
The sword whistled quietly as white flames danced across it. The heat permeated across the room, warming each of them like a heater on a cold winter's day. Though the holy sword held the power to annihilate a Low-Class devil instantly just by them being near, the devils within the room remain unaffected. With the will of its user, the weapon remained harmless even to its polar opposites.
Asia beamed as her hands naturally folded together in a prayer, while the devils were utterly blown away. Unlike before where Issei had called the weapon away too quickly for any of them to discern it completely, the godly artifact was now in full view.
Rias immediately stood up in shock. "B-but how?! A real holy sword... and you can wield it?!" She stared in awe.
Akeno and Koneko were equally stunned. The senior girl stared in disbelief, making quiet sounds as she tried to formulate words while the junior girl remained silent, great confliction wavering across her eyes. What was most concerning though was Kiba, who glared at Issei with sheer hatred. It was such a significant change in his usual charming demeanor that it unsettled the pervert.
...No, it was Issei that Kiba was glaring at; it was the sword in his hand.