Chapter 21 To the Gremory House We Go
I don't own DxD I'm just using the characters
The gang goes to the underworld. Get ready for some fun
"Can you guys stop that" Rias pouted as she sat on a chair on the Gremory family train. What was she pouting about? Well her new knight Xenovia was straddling her not so secret crush Issei Hyoudou and making out with him. The Occult Research Club was on the way to Rias's house in the Underworld and Issei decided to join them. In truth, Issei could've just gone to the Order of Draconis's base but Sirzechs seemed to want him to spend more time with Rias. Granted most of that was because of the fact that Rias was in love with him
A humored Issei stopped for a moment to lecture Rias, "Calm down Rias we're just kissing" Issei said nonchalantly before returning to Xenovia. Ironically enough, now that the Order's true origins were revealed it led to even more questions about his involvement in the Riser Phenex situation and Rias's interest would be a problem for him. The makeout session finally ended a minute later and Xenovia went back to her seat to relax.
"Since you guys are done making out, I want to tell you about what the plan is for the Occult Research Club" Rias said with a smile on her face. Sadly that smile was short lived when Yuuma got on Issei's lap.
"Sorry but I haven't spent much time with him recently" Raynare said with a wry smile before starting to kiss him again. Issei didn't mind, since it meant that he could have more fun at Rias's expense.
Rias realized that the two could do what they want and they'd pay enough attention to know what's going on. "Anyway, once we arrive we're going to stay at my mansion. At least until it's time for the meeting." Rias huffed.
"Well that's what your peerage is gonna do. As for us we'll be at the base" Azazel said much to Rias's annoyance.
"What do you mean by that?" Rias pouted clearly upset that Issei wouldn't be spending time with her.
"Well there's a base for the Order of Draconis in the capital city. We can visit you easily, but our time will be spent at the base. I thought your brother told you that?" Azazel explained.
Issei stopped making out with Raynare and smiled, "He probably didn't want to tell baby sis the bad news." Issei teased causing Rias to pout earlier.
"Nyaa what about me" Kuroka wondered. After all she was a member of the Order and part of Rias's peerage.
"That's up to you Kuroka. You can stay with us at the base or with the Gremory's at the mansion. My advice would be spend as much time with your sister as you can. I'm sure Bikou will come visit you" Issei said with a wry grin.
"Hmm what does Bikou have to do with anything" Rias asked innocently.
"Oh she and Bikou have been dating for some time" Issei revealed.
"Well I want to spend time with Shirone. Make sure to tell Bikou to stop by" Kuroka said with a smile.
"Will do now if you'll excuse me I have a fallen angel to make out with" Issei smirked before returning to a giddy Raynare.
"Geez" Rias pouted. The rest of the trip the young girl had to watch Raynare sit in a seat she felt she deserved.
(Scene Skip)
The gang finally arrived in Gremory territory and Issei Azazel and Raynare decided to at least accompany Rias to the Gremory mansion before going to the Order's base. Issei wasn't as impressed by the opulence of the massive territory since he had seen much better.
"This is amazing. I can't believe this all belongs to you." Xenovia exclaimed as they looked at the tier
"Yea it's pretty impressive. By the way Xenovia Kuroka you can get your own section of land in my territory." Rias huffed with pride
"Sounds like fun" Kuroka said happily.
"What do you think Issei" Rias said excitedly hoping to impress the young man.
"It's very nice Rias" Issei said nonchalantly much to Rias's disappointment.
Eventually the gang made their way to Rias's house. The house was every bit as opulent as one would expect and most of the gang was stunned. Naturally Issei wasn't impressed.
"When the door opened the gang was met by Grayfia. She was wearing her classic French maid outfit and had her trademark smile.
"Hello everyone my name is Grayfia and I am the maid of the Gremory household." Grayfia said in a calming voice.
'You mean Sirzech's wife who acts like a maid because it's easiest and doesn't cause stupid drama' Issei thought to himself. The gang all walked in and looked stunned at the opulence of the house. Of course everyone was interrupted when a young boy with red hair wearing what looked like a brown schoolboy uniform came down. Anybody who looked at him would've said he looked just like Sirzechs but younger.
"Mom is Auntie Rias home yet" the young man seemingly asked Grayfia.
"Hello Millicas how are you" Rias said happily as she made her way to greet her nephew.
"Uhh Rias whose this kid" Xenovia said confused.
"My name is Millicas Gremory. It's nice to meet friends of Auntie Rias" the young man said politely.
"You've grown pretty big kid" Issei said with a smile as he made his way up front to hug the young man.
"Hey big bro Issei how are you?" Millicas said happily as the young man ran over to Issei and gave him a hug.
"Issei do you wanna explain why my nephew calls you big bro?" Rias growled clearly not aware of his connection to her family.
The young man turned to Grayfia nervously and asked "Mom why is auntie Rias so angry?"
"Hold on a second didn't he just call Grayfia Mom" Xenovia interrupted. Xenovia's obliviousness was truly amusing.
"My my, what a commotion" a new voice said. If the young man from before was a younger version of Sirzechs the new woman was practically Rias's twin.
"Hello Lady Venelana" Issei said politely.
"It's been quite some time Issei." Venelana replied.
Rias was flabbergasted that Issei knew both her mom and nephew. "Hold on a minute Issei, how do you know my mother?" Rias said angrily.
"Wait that's your mom" Xenovia gasped.
"Everyone perhaps we should get all of you moved in. Then we can have Issei explain everything." Grayfia insisted.
(Scene Skip)
"Okay Issei time to explain what's going on" Rias said angrily. Somehow Issei knew Millicas and her mother. Yet she was certain she never met Issei before this year.
"The answer should be rather obvious Rias" Issei said calmly.
"Clearly it's not so spill!" Rias said loudly. Her frustration was obvious to everybody.
"Fine fine, here's the deal." Issei groaned in annoyance. "As you know, each holder of the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing are brought to the order as soon as possible. What you don't know is that the process isn't as simple as 'Oh he's the Red Dragon Emperor and he leads'. We're brought in as kids and the senior members of the Order help to train the new leaders until they are judged as such. Kokabiel trained me in battle, but your mother trained me in manners in politics. Unsurprisingly I met Millicas during that time. He calls me big brother because I would play with him after our lessons were over. I never met you because the lessons happened when you were at school."
"Sorry Issei I guess I was just grumpy. I couldn't believe you were so close to my nephew but we never met until this year." Rias pouted.
"Rias come with me for a moment" Issei said sternly. It was time for the pair to chat.
"Okay" Rias said nervously. Clearly Issei was angry about something and it needed to be addressed.
"Umm big brother Issei, is Aunty Rias in trouble?" Millicas asked nervously.
"Not at all. Aunty Rias and I are going to talk for a bit" Issei said with a smile.
Issei and Rias went to a private area to talk since he was certain things had become too crazy. "So Rias what's the deal. You're grumpier than usual and it's problematic" Issei said angrily.
"How am I supposed to feel Issei? Ever since the battle with Riser I felt like you were keeping me at a distance. You've known Xenovia for only a few months and yet she's comfortable enough to sit on your lap and make out with you. Anytime I try to talk you it seems like you always have other things to do. I mean you even slept with Akeno and yet you won't even have a conversation with me." Rias cried out.
Issei was afraid of this. Rias was indeed beginning to fall for him. It was the worst case scenario for Issei and he had to nip it in the bud. "Here's the deal Rias. I'm flattered that you like me. I really am. But a relationship between the two of us is a bad idea" Issei explained. He was hoping to turn her down gently and it was irritating.
"Why is it such a big deal" Rias complained.
"I was asked by Sirzechs to free you from Riser. That was something I did under the guise of the Order of Draconis."
"What does that have to do with anything" Rias pouted.
"Because how would it look if we started dating. The first thing that would happen is that people will question Sirzechs and his ability to rule. They could easily claim that his actions weren't fitting of a Maou by stepping in with Riser. I can't prove it but I'm positive the Khaos Brigade still has influence in the devil council."
"Fine fine so it's political." Rias said still upset.
"Politics are the main problem yes. You're a fantastic girl Rias, but us starting a relationship is a bad idea." Issei said calmly.
"Thank you for being honest with me Issei. You could've said hundreds of different things but you told me the truth" Rias said happily.
"No problem." Issei said calmly before he kissed Rias on the lips much to Rias's surprise. The pair even clashed tongues for thirty seconds before Rias pulled away.
"What was that for?" Rias blushed heavily. It was the first thing the two had done romantically in a long time. Not that she was complaining.
"Well I figured I owed you something for that beautiful confession. Sure we can't date but I imagine that will hold you over for now" Issei said with a smile on his face. He was a ladies man and he an
"Bye Issei" Rias said bashfully before the pair went to rejoin the group.
"Umm big brother is everything okay" Millicas asked nervously. The pair of them were gone for a decent bit and clearly the young man was nervous that something went wrong.
Issei smiled at the young man and rubbed his head with his right hand. "Don't worry Millicas, everything is just fine. Rias and I just had to talk for a bit." Issei lied slightly.
"Okay, so can you play with me now? It's been ages" Millicas said with a smile on his face.
"Unfortunately kiddo I gotta go" Issei said with a solemn look on his face.
"Why!"
"I've got work to do in the city and I need to get started as soon as possible. I'll come see you in a few days." Issei said with a smile. Issei didn't know if Millicas knew about the Order but he needed a good excuse.
"Okay" the young man replied. The simple trip was over and for Issei it was just the beginning.
(Scene Skip)
Issei sat in his office at the Order of Draconis base and he was thinking about everything that happened on the way to the Underworld and at the mansion. Rias falling for him wasn't part of his plan at all. In fact the mission had become a crap storm that nobody expected and that was sure to cause far more headaches down the road. A knock on his door came and to Issei's amusement who else arrived but Sirzechs Gremory.
"I heard you had quite a time at my house Issei" Sirzechs said sarcastically.
"Yes I did. Let's just say my mission was even more successful than we expected" Issei groaned. Al
Sirzechs sat down in one of the chairs and smiled. "I see, so Rias has indeed fallen for you." Sirzechs said regrettably. He knew his sister very well, and if she had indeed fallen for Issei it would be extremely difficult to get her to back off. Azazel teased him about the idea all the time when they were discussing the plan and even as it was happening the signs were there.
"That's the understatement of the millennium. Rias seems like she'd take on Ophis herself it meant I would see her in a different light. The fact I forgave her so easily for planning to kill me hasn't hurt my stance." Issei said calmly.
Sirzechs groaned since Issei wasn't far off. The fact that Rias went as far as she did just to get rid of Riser was something special. Of course the fact that Issei was naturally charming didn't hurt either. "I must admit we did underestimate my sister desperation. I never imagined that she would've watched the fallen angels kill you just to add you to her peerage" Sirzechs groaned. That was something that changed everything for the worse. Of course by then everything was already in place so it was too late.
"The mission is over and now we just have to focus on the next steps for the Order" Issei said dryly. At the end of the day, he did far worse during missions so forgiving Rias was simple.
So what will you do now? There's a week until the meeting and I know you need to attend that. How much time will you spend at the Gremory mansion?" Sirzechs wondered.
"Well I promised the kid I'd come visit him in a few days so I'll do that. Otherwise I'll probably go see Tannin to train" Issei thought to himself.
"Of course" Sirzechs said calmly before preparing to leave.
"Sirzechs wait a minute there's something I need to talk to you about" Issei shouted out. Serafall convinced him to tell Sirzechs in the end and considering the meeting was the next day he had to do something.
"What is it Issei" Sirzechs asked nervously. Sirzechs could tell that what he wanted to tell him was important.
"So here's the deal" Issei said calmly. He went on to tell Sirzechs about Diodora Astaroth and the fact that Kokabiel had told him about Diodora's connection to both the Khaos Brigade and to Asia Argento.
There was a part of Sirzechs that was furious that they didn't reveal this earlier but he understood why. The issue of Diodora was a devil issue and something that would be resolved by the devils. "Thank you for telling me this Issei; I'll tell Ajuka and we'll figure out what to do afterwards. As for Rias right now just be civil and if her affection continues to grow do what you have to do." Sirzechs said calmly before leaving.
Issei sat back and relaxed knowing that his work was just beginning.
(Scene Skip)
"Ddraig why in the world does everybody think we're idiots" Issei groaned as he sat in his bed. When he was younger Issei quickly developed a hatred for politics because he found that most of it was brown nosing and dealing with people who didn't care one bit about him. Now that his identity was out in the open he had to meet with a lot of devils and it was growing more annoying by the day. He was currently relaxing in his room after yet another meeting and the Youth Devil's meeting was the next day.
"I confess I've never had a host with an odder situation and that's saying something. Now that the Order has revealed itself those lessons in politics Sirzechs gave you will come in handy." Ddraig mentioned.
"Yea I know but seriously I could sense the deceit in their voices and it was painful. I can only imagine what they'd do if they thought I could actually join a peerage." Issei groaned.
"I understand what you mean partner. For years I wondered why the Gremory decided to keep the group a secret; now I understand his reasoning. Those old bastards would've abused our power and for the most trivial matters."
Issei's musings was interrupted by a knock on the door. After beckoning the person in he was surprised to see Irina had arrived at the base.
"Having fun yet" Irina teased. Clearly she knew about everything that was going on.
"Yea it's a blast. I swear I never want to sit in another business meeting again" Issei groaned as he sat up to talk with his childhood friend.
"It's your fault for not listening to Vali. He's familiar with all this stuff and he warned you how annoying they'd be."
"Yea yea I get it. So what are you doing here?"
"Well I just wanted to tell you that my transfer to Kuoh is now official and I'll be joining you as a classmate in a month or so." Irina said with a smile on her face.
"Uhh, I'm not sure if that's a good thing. With you Murayama Katase and Xenovia all in class with me the drama is going to become ridiculous" Issei groaned.
"Well that's your problem." Irina joked as she lay down next to him. "I'm curious though of the five of us who is your favorite" Irina asked innocently.
"The five of us what do you mean" Issei wondered although on the inside he was afraid to ask.
"Between me, Xenovia, Murayama, Katase, and Raynare who do you like the best?" Irina asked curiously. She had known about the trysts with the girls and she was eager to find out if she had to worry about any of them"
Issei deadpanned because he knew there was no right answer to the question. "Not telling because of the fact you're gonna get angry no matter what I say. Plus it doesn't matter who I like best. All of you are okay sharing me and that's all that matters" Issei teased himself. He had to admit these light moments with Irina were something he enjoyed. Although Irina's jealous streak was a bit of an annoyance.
"Pervert" Irina pouted. She was hoping that he would say she was his favorite. Then again she knew that Issei was screwed no matter what he said.
"Yea yea I'm a pervert, now get outta here Irina. I'm gonna need some rest because the meeting is tomorrow" Issei said calmly. With everything already on his plate this was going to be unpleasant. Irina soon left and Issei and Ddraig were alone to discuss a very important topic.
"So partner are you ready for the meeting" Ddraig wondered.
"Yes I am but this meeting is going to be very dangerous" Issei said nervously.
"You mean because there's no doubt that people are going to ask about your relationship with Rias Gremory."
"That's right. Since Sirzechs is planning to let the devils question us, there's no doubt somebody will ask me about why I was in her peerage for the battle with Riser."
"You realize you have to be extremely crafty or you could have big problems. You have to do it in a way that doesn't reveal that Sirzechs essentially used you as an assassin. After all that would be an interesting situation"
"Yes I know. Situations like this are why I utterly hate politics but this is my job and I gotta figure something out" Issei replied. He spent the rest of the night thinking of a solution and after finding one he went to sleep.
That's it for Chapter 21. This story has been a blast and I hope everyone's enjoyed it. By now everyone's realized how fundamentally different this is from the Savior and I hope you guys will come to enjoy both series.