Location: The Gremory Ancestral Estate - The "Silent Hall"
Time: 8:00 PM (The promised dinner)
The room was lit only by floating candles of crimson fire. The table was long enough to seat forty, but only two chairs were occupied at the very end.
Raiden sat in a high-backed velvet chair, wearing a fitted black suit that Runeas had insisted he wear (or she threated to burn his trench coat). He was currently enjoying a dish that appeared to be the meat of a Behemoth, seasoned with spices from the Underworld's depths.
Opposite him sat Runeas Gremory.
Tonight, she looked different. The playful, seductive aura of the "elder sister" was gone. In its place was a weight - an atmospheric pressure that felt ancient. Her eyes didn't just glow; they looked like deep pools of blood that had witnessed the dawn of the Underworld.
"You're staring," Runeas said, swirling her glass of wine. The liquid was thick, almost like life essence.
"I'm analyzing," Raiden replied, slicing another piece of Behemoth. "The staff here treat you with fear, not just respect. And Sirzechs... the current Lucifer... he flinched when you walked in earlier. That's not how a brother looks at a sister."
Runeas smiled. It wasn't a pretty smile. It was a shark revealing its teeth.
"Perceptive. But then, you are a Sovereign."
She stood up and walked slowly toward Raiden. With every step, her shadow seemed to stretch, taking the shape of a massive, demonic camel—the sigil of the original Gremory.
"Rias. Sirzechs. To the world, I am their older sister, Runeas. A hidden genius. A recluse."
She stopped behind Raiden's chair, leaning down to whisper against his neck.
"But tell me, Raiden. Do you know the history of the 72 Pillars?"
"They were demons bound by Solomon. The original heads are mostly dead or sealed," Raiden recited from the library knowledge he had consumed.
"Correct. Mostly."
Runeas trailed a finger down his chest.
"I am not Rias's sister, Raiden. I am her origin. I am the First. The Progenitor. The one who signed the pact with the original Lucifer."
Raiden paused, his fork halfway to his mouth.
"So," Raiden mused, "I'm on a date with a fossil."
Runeas laughed, a low, throaty sound that vibrated in Raiden's chest.
"I prefer 'Ancient One.' I faked my death during the Great War and went into a slumber, letting my descendants play house. I awoke recently because I sensed a shift in the world. And then... you fell out of the sky."
She sat on the armrest of his chair, crossing her legs.
"I am the original Gremory. And I am bored, Dragon Lord. The current Devils are weak. Even my descendants rely on politics rather than power. But you..." She grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. "You have the hunger of the Old Era. That is why I want you."
"System Alert. Relationship Status Updated: Runeas Gremory."
"Identity: Progenitor of Gremory / Duke of Hell."
"Interest Level: Obsessive/Partner."
Raiden smirked, leaning back. "An Ancient Devil proposing an alliance? Or are you proposing marriage?"
"Let's start with an alliance," Runeas kissed his cheek, her lips burning hot. "Dominate this era for me, Raiden. Show these children what true power looks like. And tonight... well, the night is young."
Location: Kuoh Academy - Main Gate
Time: The Next Day, Evening
The atmosphere had changed. The sky over Kuoh Academy was painted a sickly purple. A barrier had been erected, isolating the school from the human world.
Raiden stood at the gate, looking up.
"Fallen Angel magic," he noted. "Sloppy. Full of holes."
He was about to step through the barrier when he heard a familiar voice screaming.
"Let go of me! Even if you cut off my wings, my faith will not waver!"
Raiden frowned. "That voice... the noisy marshmallow?"
He blurred, vanishing from the spot.
Location: The School Courtyard
Irina Shidou was in bad shape. Her exorcist combat suit was torn, revealing deep cuts. She was on her knees, surrounded by multi-winged Fallen Angels.
Standing over her was a man with sharp ears and a sadistic grin—Freed Sellzen. And hovering above them, sitting on a floating throne of light, was the Cadre class Fallen Angel, Kokabiel.
"Ah, the despair of the faithful!" Kokabiel laughed. "It tastes exquisite! Kill her, Freed. Take the Excalibur fragment."
"With pleasure, boss!" Freed raised his light-sword/gun.
Irina closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "Xenovia... Lord..."
BOOM.
A crater exploded in the concrete between Freed and Irina.
Dust billowed out. When it cleared, a tall figure in a black trench coat stood there. He was holding Freed's light-sword by the blade. The energy weapon shattered into glass-like shards in his grip.
"You're interrupting my walk," Raiden said, dusting off his shoulder.
Irina opened her eyes. "R-Raiden?!"
Freed jumped back, his eyes widening. "Who the hell are you?! You just broke a light construct with your hand!"
Raiden ignored the priest. He turned to Irina, crouching down. He tapped her forehead.
"I told you not to die, Angel-chan. You're ruining the ingredients."
Irina looked at him, her face flustered and bloody. "Y-You came? Even though I'm an enemy of the Devils?"
"I'm not a Devil," Raiden reminded her. "I'm a gourmand. And you owe me a crepe."
He stood up, facing Kokabiel.
"So," Raiden called out to the floating Fallen Angel. "You're the one who tastes like expired milk?"
Kokabiel narrowed his eyes. He sensed it immediately. The pressure radiating from this human... no, this thing... was heavier than the gravity of the earth.
"You..." Kokabiel descended slightly. "I heard rumors of a monster training the Gremory brat. I assume that is you?"
"Raiden," he introduced himself.
"I am Kokabiel! A leader of the Grigori! I seek to restart the Great War! I will kill Sirzechs' sister and take this city!"
Kokabiel summoned a massive spear of light, larger than the school building.
"Disappear, trash!"
He hurled the spear. It was enough energy to wipe the town off the map.
Irina screamed. "Raiden, run! That's a Cadre-class attack!"
Raiden didn't run. He didn't even dodge.
He opened his mouth.
[Gluttony: Devour World]
A vortex of black and purple void opened in front of Raiden. The massive light spear hit the vortex—and was instantly sucked in. It didn't explode. It didn't shatter. It was simply... eaten.
Gulp.
Raiden patted his stomach. "A bit spicy. Needs salt."
Silence descended on the courtyard.
Kokabiel's eyes bulged. "H-He... he ate it? He ate a Light Spear of that magnitude?!"
Raiden looked up, his eyes glowing with a predatory hunger that made the Fallen Angel Cadre feel something he hadn't felt in millennia. Fear.
"Is that it?" Raiden asked, disappointed. "I was promised a war. This is just a snack."
Behind Raiden, the Occult Research Club arrived.
Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and Issei. Also Xenovia, who rushed to Irina's side.
"President!" Issei shouted. "We're here!"
"Too slow," Raiden said. "I already finished the appetizer."
He pointed at Kokabiel.
"Issei. That crow is yours. I want to see if you can hit a moving target."
"Ehhh?!" Issei panicked. "You want me to fight a Cadre?!"
"I weakened him," Raiden lied (he hadn't touched him yet, just ate his attack). "Also, if you win, I'll let you touch Rias's boobs."
Rias turned bright red. "Raiden! Stop using me as currency!"
Issei's eyes turned into fire. "BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! DRAGON FORCE!"
While the battle raged, Raiden felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his magical communication device (a smartphone upgraded by Ajuka Beelzebub's tech).
Sender: Ravel Phenex
Subject: Intel
"Raiden-sama! I hacked into my brother's files like you suggested. Kokabiel isn't alone. There is a signature of the White Dragon Emperor approaching your location. Please be careful! P.S. I made those macaroons you like. <3"
Raiden chuckled. "Good girl."
He looked up at the sky. The barrier was rippling. Something white and powerful was diving toward them.
"Finally," Raiden muttered, electricity crackling around his fists. "The main course."
Irina was being healed by Asia (who had arrived with the group). She watched Raiden's back as he stared down the sky.
"He saved me..." Irina whispered, clutching her cross. "He's a heretic... he eats light... but his soul feels so warm."
"Irina," Xenovia said sternly. "Focus. We need to recover Excalibur."
"Right! But... Xenovia, do you think he likes homemade cookies?"
Xenovia facepalmed. "We are in a war zone, Irina."