Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DxD.
Chapter 22:
It's Always Gremory
'Thinking'
"Talking"
"Talking"
- Sakai Compound -
-Siras Lucifer-
As the Satan Lucifer, dealing with people outside of Devil Society is typically something she's been able to have Serafall deal with for the last few centuries; something she has been entirely grateful for…
Until now.
While Siras would consider herself an undoubtably charismatic person that the Low-Class and Mid-Class Devils look up to with admiration; anyone else who isn't part of Devil society only ever sees her as a walking abomination with the power to wipe out all but the most powerful of existences in the blink of an eye.
The Power of Destruction - a rather apt name in her opinion given its potential - is simple in concept but terrifying in execution. And after a lifetime of mastering it to levels even her own mother hasn't been able to achieve, Siras couldn't entirely fault people on their fear.
But that doesn't make things any easier for her now.
Even though she is technically stronger than her friends, the other Satans, she still found herself having to deal with the day-to-day running of the Underworld while the others got to enjoy more freedoms.
Ajuka and Falbium are the exact opposite of what she would call "people-persons", and with Serafall using her magical girl niche to win over the hearts and minds of those who aren't part of Devil Society; it's very rare that Siras finds herself traveling outside of the Underworld.
As such, having to now deal with someone not from the Underworld, and in a position where she's the one asking for a favor…it isn't exactly what she would consider a comfortable situation. It's the first time in a long while where she has to remember how to word things in such a way so that she doesn't come off as expecting obedience, but instead asking for help.
'At least I'm not doing this alone,' She thinks while glancing at her Queen and wife walking alongside her. 'Fia's had far more experience in these situations…and I can never thank her enough for agreeing to this.'
Having to explain - in great detail - to her stoic wife just what it is she's planned took more out of her than she thought.
It wasn't easy seeing the hurt in Grayfia's gorgeous silver eyes that captivate her even now, but eventually she was able to get her wife to come around to the idea. They both understood the risks of what would happen should they fail, and finding another way out would take more time than they had.
But it still hurt both of them more than either would care to admit, and left a slight distance lingering between the two that they haven't ever had to deal with before.
"Are you sure you want to do this, my King?" Grayfia asks during their walk up the stone path leading to Sora's compound. "I am more than willing to bear the burden of this plan entirely, if you aren't."
Hearing the devotion in her voice, Siras feels her heart warm at the unwavering love and support that her wife is showing in spite of the precarious situation.
"No, Fia. I can't let you do that." She replies resolutely; her eyes briefly turning to the silver-haired love of her life with a soulful gaze before refocusing on the path ahead. "This is my idea, and if anyone is going to deal with the consequences of it, then it's going to be me."
Sighing exasperatedly, Grayfia shakes her long, braided hair fondly. "Still just as stubborn as the day we met." Reaching out a hand to the side, she squeezes Siras's hand reassuringly. "Very well…but I'm here to support you no matter what happens. Even if you have to do that, I won't love you any less for it."
The "that" is left unsaid so as to not break the rather nice mood settling between them.
And yet it's presence looms over them like a slowly darkening cloud the closer they get to the compound.
"Do you think he'll agree?" She asks her King after a long moment of silence.
"Yes, if for no other reason than because of what he stands to gain from it." Siras replies with a faint grimace. "He's the only one who can do it without causing everything we've built since the Civil War ended to come crashing down around us."
And isn't that the kicker. Even with all her power, both literal and political, her only option is to turn to her younger sister's crush - a young magician, no less - and hope that he'll agree with her plan.
Because if he doesn't, Siras fears to even think of what will happen. What she'll be forced to do.
"So yes, I believe he will…"
Seeing the immaculate wooden main gate of Sora's home only a short distance away, the crimson-haired Embodiment of Destruction mutters faintly, "He has too."
-Sora Sakai-
There's a lot of things I expected to wake up to this morning, like a nice morning quickie with Juuichi or a slow teasing shower with Ichi; hell I wouldn't have been surprised to find a nude selfie from Aika, Rias, or Akeno waiting for me on my phone.
Which there were, by the way, from all three of them.
Aika went with the slutty school-girl shot; where she poses in her Kuoh Academy uniform, sans panties, while kneeling on the floor of her bedroom just slightly over her phone. Giving a great view of her glistening lower lips and hardened nipples peeking through her unbuttoned top. It took everything I had not to teleport straight into her bedroom as she added the message: "I miss sucking your dick between classes. Meet me after school?"
…I obviously agreed.
Akeno, going all out for her selfie, laid spread on her bedsheets completely nude as she fingered herself with one hand while the other held her phone overhead. The sight of her blushing face and the glistening sheen of sweat on her massive breasts tells me she was playing with herself long before she sent the photo. Likely waiting until she was about to cum before taking it.
Her added message of: "When are you going to give me something other than my fingers to fill my naughty pussy with?" would have sent me straight to full erection if I wasn't already there.
Last - but certainly not least - Rias sent a much tamer photo than the others. Nothing more than an after-shower selfie in the nude, with water dripping down her curvy body as her long crimson hair covered enough of her large breasts that only the slight pink of her tiny nipples poked through.
Of the three selfies, Rias's message was the most heartfelt of them all: "I know we haven't gone as far as either of us would like, but I want us to take our relationship at a steady pace. I want this to last…Us to last. So here's something to tide you over until we're ready."
Juggling relationships with three girls can be tough at times, but their different personalities and outlooks on life make for the most unique of experiences whenever I'm with them.
…where was I again?
Oh right, what I expected to find when I woke up this morning!
'It certainly wasn't to Ichi telling me that the newly gender-bent Siras and her wife/Queen Grayfia are at the front gate.' Normally such an arrival would trigger a notice from the Gamer's Barrier that would wake me up. But after some experimentation with it, I've been able to give Ichi access to control of who goes in and out as preparation for my trip to Kyoto.
It's entirely possible that something could happen while I'm not there, and if someone I know comes looking to my place for protection then I need a way to get them safely inside without having to race all the way back to the compound.
'Unfortunately, I overlooked the possibility that someone would come to meet me before I left; and that Ichi would play one of her little games on me.' In terms of gaining their own personalities, as the first one I ever used [Promotion] on Ichi's change in personality has developed the farthest.
Now every time she feels I'm slacking off or aren't putting as much effort into improving myself as I should - which can happen from time to time - my first Guardian Servant likes to come up with ways to force me into thinking quickly. 'Like, oh I don't know…letting the most powerful Satan in Devil history walk through the front door before waking me up.'
Grumbling at the small giggle I definitely heard Ichi give before she went to entertain our guests while I quickly showered, I throw on my usual kimono and straighten out my short white hair into something respectable before leaving to greet my guests. 'At least Ichi is having them wait in the conference room of the other building instead of sending them into the living room.'
"Good Morning, Lady Lucifer…Miss Grayfia." Reminding myself not to call her Lord Lucifer, I stare at the crimson-haired Devil goddess with a smile and a nod before doing the same with the silver-haired maid. Each time making eye-contact with them while casting [Observe].
Siras Lucifer - Level 500 - Embodiment of Destruction
Devil - Super Class
Affection: 41 | Obedience: 10
Thoughts: Determined, Resigned
…
Grayfia Lucifuge - Level 227 - Queen of Annihilation
Devil - Satan Class
Affection: 40 | Obedience: 10
Thoughts: Hurt, Determined
I expected a lot of things when I cast [Observe], but for their thoughts to be like that? Something's not right here.
"What happened?" I ask after we all take a seat at the long table in the conference room. Normally I would go through the usual pleasantries and small talk, but the looks on their faces and the information on their thoughts says this isn't the time for idle chit-chat.
Seeing the surprise on their faces at my question, I explain. "You both look like something bad has happened. And last I checked, the peace talks with the other Biblical Factions have been going well. Which makes me think this isn't a social visit."
Guessing by the difference in their thoughts, it's got something to do with either Siras's family or Siras herself.
"Is it Rias?" I can't exactly say I know it isn't her because I just got a naked selfie from her younger sister, so I have to cover all of my bases. Or maybe I can? I still don't know a lot about Devil society, so that could be something they're okay with.
"No," Siras replies with a small smile at the worry in my tone, before it drops into a frown. "Well…not exactly."
Momentarily pausing like she's starting to rethink whatever this is, she looks to her Queen for support. The two share a long look with each other until Grayfia eventually gives her an encouraging nod to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Siras looks back at me with a face that speaks of exhaustion. "It's my father. He's gone behind our entire family's backs and has begun talks for setting up another marriage contract for my sister."
"…"
"…"
'…you've got to be shitting me.' If I have to fight Riser again, I'm going to kill someone. Probably Riser, and then maybe Zeoticus for good measure. "He can do that? I thought those contracts were a one-and-done type of deal?"
I mean, I know absolutely nothing about these things beyond what I've already been told by Rias, but if these contracts can just be constantly restarted then there'd be no point in trying to get out of them.
"Technically, he can. But it's considered a massive scandal to do so after the first one is ended." Siras replies as her red eyes narrow in anger. "To do what he's just done sends a message to the other Houses - and the 72 Pillars - that he doesn't believe his Heir is worthy of taking control of House Gremory, and that he's willing to even sell the control of our entire House off to another House in return for someone else taking over the Lordship."
Clenching her hands together tightly, I can see her physically restraining herself from letting go of her tightly-controlled emotions at the thought of what her father is doing to Rias. She may have unknowingly been changed into a woman, but the love she has for her little sister - and her sis-con personality in general - have largely remained the same.
"To make matters even worse, he's put into the contract that he'll remove Rias' right to challenge her would-be fiancé." She adds with disgust. "Which is something that isn't done. Not since the time of the old Satans."
For a terrifying few seconds, her blue eyes flare crimson with raw demonic power before bleeding into pure-black orbs as the power of destruction radiates off her. An oppressive weight settles over the room as the Satan Lucifer's emotional state causes her control over her power to fluctuate.
The first time I felt the extent of her power, I was a lot weaker than I am now and couldn't even breath properly. Now, I'm able to struggle through it… if only barely.
Luckily, Grayfia is able to tank her wife's power like a champ and reach over to clasp her hand comfortingly; though she has to first coat her hand in a layer of ice to withstand the thin sheet of PoD coating Siras's skin.
With the strongest Satan no longer trying to unintentionally kill us all with her power, and Grayfia trying to gently calm down her wife who is staring at the burns on the maid's hand apologetically, I silently return the Gae Dearg I had clenched in my hand underneath the table back into my Inventory.
Whether or not the spear would work on her is something I'd rather not have to find out…but I will if necessary. Rias's relationship with her older sister be damned, I've come to far and built up too much a life around me to risk it all because Siras had a tantrum and accidentally or not wiped me off the face of the Earth like an insect.
As the mood in the room finally begins to settle down, I interject myself into their quiet conversation after a few minutes pass. "So why come to me?"
Turning away from Grayfia, Siras sighs. "Because what I'm about to ask you is something that only you can do. If I were to ask anyone else, it could potentially ruin Devil society and the fragile peace we've built between the other Factions."
"And that is…what, exactly?"
Fixing me with her stare, she replies with deadly seriousness. "I need you to kill my father."
- Later -
Watching Siras and Grayfia leave the compound, I continue staring out the front gate silently as Ichi comes walking up to stand at my side.
"Get a message to Ajuka," I tell her after a moment of silence, continuing to stare at the path as a wind blows through the bamboo forest and ruffles our clothing and hair. "Tell him I need a lot of raw ingredients; anything from flowers, to herbs, to seeds. I need as many unique varieties as I can get my hands on."
Nodding obediently, she glances at me from behind her white half-mask. "He'll likely want to know what it's for, and require some form of compensation in return."
'True. Azazel is not one to keep doing things based on favors. I'll have to dangle something interesting in front of him to get his compliance.'
Reaching into my inventory, I pull out three moderate [Potions of Restore Health] and hand them over to her. "Tell him that he can have three potions capable of healing most wounds in a manner similar to Phoenix Tears if it's done by the end of the week. If he asks what it's all for, say that I'm working on growing some more crops on the compound."
Taking the small potions, Ichi nods silently.
Am I particularly happy about having to reveal even a single one of my potions at such an early stage?
No… No, I'm not.
But things have now taken a distinct turn from what I expected, and I need to rethink several of my plans based on what I just had to deal with. 'I mean, honestly! It's like everything revolves around the House of Gremory in this Universe!'
Turning away from the front gate as the Oni Summons close it behind me, I walk back towards my office with Ichi following dutifully at my side. Her thumb rapidly typing away at a phone similar to the Gamer's Phone in my Inventory. 'And now I have to figure out how to kill Rias's own father without making it obvious that I was the one to do it.'
Quest Received:
[Father of the Wives]
Objective: Kill Zeoticus Gremory without being discovered.
Reward: [Massive Aff/Obe Increase with remaining Gremory family], [?], [?].
The obvious choice is to use an Artifact that I haven't shown anyone and likely will never show, which means it can't be anything I've already created.
Another option is to create some type of poison using my Potioneer skill, which will require a lot more practice with the Profession before I can make anything I'd be comfortable with testing. I'll only get one shot at it, and I can't go using something untested. And that's where the ingredients come into play, if I go that route I'm going to need as many items as I can get to try mixing together.
Much of my studying into the limits of the Potioneer Profession have shown that after a certain point, it becomes less about the unique quality of the ingredients as much as it is the quantity in regards to mixing multiple items together into a single potion or poison.
With the stores of ingredients I have in my Inventory, it's not going to be enough to get Potioneer up to a satisfactory level. What I can make right now is barely strong enough to affect a Low-Class Devil at best. Which simple isn't going to cut it.
Because whatever it is I go with, I have to make it strong enough to kill a High-Class Devil and Lord of one of the 72 Pillar Houses.
Even with Zeoticus being a lower level than myself, the man has lived for well over a thousand years and will have more than enough experience to back it up.
I'm not…entirely sure what the Gremory family's trait is, since the Power of Destruction from Venelana's Bael side have all but dominated the House of Gremory's publicity. But it can't be anything too powerful if neither Rias nor Siras have ever felt the need to showcase it.
Which leads me to wonder what Zeoticus's abilities will look like. Even asking Siras earlier couldn't provide me with a clear picture.
According to her, no one has seen her father fight in centuries. Whenever it came to training, it was always her mother Venelana who took charge. And with a powerhouse like the Bael family's signature ability backing them, no one has been foolish enough to challenge the family in a long time.
'If I go the route of trying to fight him, I can't use anything with Light because it'll point the finger towards the Angels or Fallen,' Waving good night to Ichi as she heads into her office while I enter mine, I lean back in my chair with a sigh. 'That'll just spark new tensions between the Factions - which is something Siras is trying to avoid by coming to me. So, it'll have to be a different element, or an Artifact with a unique power altogether.'
Rolling the thought around in my head, I wonder if it might be easier to just have him ingest some sort of poison. 'But I don't have anything unlocked that can do something like that…'
[Profession: Potioneer] - Lvl. 21 (Novice)
I think it's time I head back to the Workshop and get some serious Professions grinding in…after a quick stop at Aika's, of course.
For the next several hours following a quickie at Aika's, and a surprisingly fast reply slash delivery from an intrigued Azazel who looked like a kid in a candy store at the sight of my potions, I end up pushing myself through the late night and well into the early morning. Trying to figure out some type of potion, poison, or weapon that I can use to kill Zeoticus without anyone pointing their fingers in my direction.
[Profession: Potioneer] - Lvl. 53 (Adept)
Luckily, the metric shit ton of ingredients Azazel brought provided me with all of the quantities of ingredients I would need to really blaze through the lower levels of my Profession. The [Student] perk once again coming in big time with helping to speed things along nicely.
Eventually, I manage to gain access to a blueprint for a particular poison which will induce a replica of the Devil's Sleeping Disease but at a much faster rate.
[Poison of Devil's Sleep] (Major)
Causes the victim to suffer a slow death reminiscent to the Devil's Sleeping Disease.
With the disease being incredibly common for those around Zeoticus's age - with even Sona's father beginning to show early stages of it according to a message from Siras - it's the best thing I can come up with given the short window of time.
And it takes into account an issue that I wouldn't have even noticed had it not been for Ichi's insight.
Trying to go with an outright murder by Artifact or ability would send the Underworld into a tizzy over the abrupt death of a prominent Lord. Whereas a slow, methodical death over the course of a week or so by poison will draw far less attention, and even less chaos in the wake of his passing.
According to Gaia, who unsurprisingly has a better grasp on just how long it'll take for a poison made by the Gamer System to work, the Poison of Devil's Sleep will kill Zeoticus in exactly two weeks' time from the moment he's affected.
'Now the questions is: How the fuck do I get him to drink it?'
KNOCK KNOCK!
"Forgive me for intruding, Master." Ichi's quiet voice gently breaks the silence within the workshop, knocking politely against the wood door as she steps inside. "But the others are ready for today's trip into the Dungeons."
Sighing, I leave my thoughts on how to make Zeoticus drink the poison for later as I stretch out in preparation for another Dungeon run. My hope is to reach at least level 200 by the time I need to leave for my trip for Kyoto, but before that I need to get all of my other skills that have fallen behind to decent levels of their own before attempting to grind the higher-level Monster Dungeon.
'That gives me one week to deal with Zeoticus, and another two weeks of preparation before meeting with who I hope will one day become a very valuable ally.'
I've got a lot of work ahead, and not a lot of time to do it.
- Gremory Mansion -
-Siras Lucifer-
Returning back to the Underworld after meeting with Sora, Siras and Grayfia make their way to the House of Gremory's mansion - a behemoth of a structure several times the size of a regular mansion in the Human World.
A line of maids and butlers come out to greet their arrival, but the two give barely a glance in their direction as they head straight through the elaborate front doors and down the long, immaculately kept hallways before arriving at a set of marble double doors.
Knowing that the person waiting for them is aware of their arrival, the Satan Lucifer and her wife ignore the proper curtesy of knocking and open the doors without a sound.
"Ah, you're back!" A mature woman's voice calls out in greeting.
Seated in a plush leather chair with a cup of steaming tea in her hands, the flaxen-haired beauty who could easily pass as Siras's twin smiles at their arrival as she takes a dainty sip.
In spite of what she's recently had to deal with, Siras beams warmly at the sight of her mother; the presence of the only woman she's ever admired and looked up to has been a long-standing balm whenever things became stressful. "Hello, Mother."
"Lady Venelana." Siras's wife greets respectfully from her side.
"I trust things went well with Rias's paramour?" The Lady of House Gremory asks knowingly.
The reminder of what she has agreed to do causes Siras to show the slightest flinch on her otherwise indifferent face; an action she normally would never show unless severely stressed. And Venelana - knowing her eldest daughter better than anyone else in the world - spots the motion with a keen eye.
Smoothly getting up from her seat, Siras watches her mother practically glide across the floor before feeling her hand come to rest gently against her cheek.
"Remember, my darling. We do this not for ourselves, but for our House." Venelana reminds her, quoting a passage that has been passed down through the Bael family for generations. A quote Venelana's own mother told her right before being forced into a contract with Zeoticus. "It is never easy, the sacrifices we must make... but in time you will take comfort in understanding why it is necessary."
"…but will Rias understand?" She asks softly, allowing her real feelings to seep into her words. Because, out of all the issues she'll have to handle as a result of what she's just put into play, Siras's main concern will always revolve around her little sister. "Will she hate me?"
"No," Venelana mutters gently, using the thumb of the hand on Siras's cheek to brush the slight wetness gathering beneath her eye. "She will never hate you. If she were to ever learn the truth, she would be confused, perhaps even hurt…but she will never hate you."
Feeling the hand to fall from her face, Siras offers a weak smile as her mother proposes a request in a way that makes it clear it's anything but a request. "Now, why don't you take some time to get a bit of rest. I'm certain that you've been busying yourself at work far too much lately, and I refuse to let my daughter continue to overwork herself while she's under my roof. Satan or no Satan."
"…yes, mother." Knowing better than to try and fight her mother over these things, one of the four leaders of the Underworld allows herself to be ordered to bed like she's still a child living with her parents.
As she turns to walk out of the room will a still quiet Grayfia following her lead, the sound of her mother's voice causes her to pause at the doorway.
"And Siras?"
Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she asks. "Yes, mother?"
"Try not look to upset, dear." The older woman chides teasingly, "The boy is quite the catch. Had I been a few centuries younger…why, I might have even offered to share his bed myself if he asked."
Seeing the faint blush on her daughter's cheeks, Venelana adds, "Maybe I still will? After all, he certainly liked what he saw at the party…and a young boy like him, filled with all that youthful energy? He doubtlessly would love to learn some of the tricks I can teach him."
"M-MOTHER!"
Blushing heavily at the thought of her mother in bed with Sora, Siras huffs at the teasing - which she isn't quite sure is only teasing, given the thoughtful gleam in her mother's violet eyes - before storming out of the room. Her mother's laughter following her retreat as she tries to but as much distance between herself and the room as possible.
At her side, the redhead blatantly ignores the sounds of her wife's giggles in favor of staring straight ahead. '…she wouldn't actually try seducing Sora…would she?'
Knowing her mother…
Yes. She definitely would.
- END -
Author Notes:
And that's Chapter 22!
Sorry if this took so long to update. I had to quit the job I got in Arizona and find a new one in California that I've been going through recent training for.
I'm not sure how my updates will look going forward considering my odd schedule, but I'll try to keep posting new chapters every chance I get.
Hope you all are still liking it so far! Thanks for checking out my story.