Happy Long Weekend Everyone!
So, this chapter is slightly shorter than my offerings have been lately; I can only say that it got to a perfect stopping point and refused to go further despite my efforts. Apologies for that, I will try to put some more meat on the next chapter in recompense.
As you may suspect, this is mostly a talky chapter. A battle every chapter would be fun, but it's not feasible; we would have no idea why people are fighting or how they got there. Thus, as I have mentioned before, chapters like this act as caulk to fill in the cracks and set the stage for large events to come. Therefore, feel free sit this one out if you don't like talky talk and would rather have some rip snorting action.
The reviews were excellent this past week, though I have noticed a trend that good reviews seem to follow battle chapters. With that in mind, maybe we'll have a little more Michael Bay going forward.
Please ignore any errors you come across, as I'm still saving up to hire that professional editing team.
As always, please enjoy yourself.
The "knock out" room was a mess of bodies; it was quickly apparent both peerages had sustained significant injuries during the contest. Riser had been swiftly whisked off to be seen by a team of private physicians, leaving his wounded peerage behind to suffer. Sasuke couldn't resist a grimace of contempt at the Phenex family's gaff; it was shameful to not take care of your own soldiers after battle.
In stark contrast to Riser's peerage, the Gremory peerage was seemingly in the peak of health as they excitedly discussed the match. Sasuke had originally assumed they were still injured given their ripped clothes and evident bloodstains, but it appeared Asia had been busy. Lione was the first to see Sasuke's approach and immediately rushed over to help relieve him of his precious burdens.
Surrendering Rias to Lione, Sasuke gently deposited Akeno on a nearby mat and gestured for Asia to immediately begin healing her.
"Wait! Rias-sama should be healed first!" Lione interjected rather sharply.
Sasuke looked at the two girls and raised an eyebrow at Lione, his unspoken point on their respective conditions obvious. Rias had some minor cuts and bruises and was suffering from extreme magical exhaustion; Akeno looked like she had been through hell. Her bruised face was barely recognizable due to the horrendous beating Riser had given her and her form sported multiple deep lacerations.
Lione colored slightly before continuing belligerently.
"I'm not blind Sasuke, I can see that Akeno-chan is more heavily injured than Rias-sama. Even so, she would be the first to insist that Rias-sama receive treatment first."
"Just as Rias would likewise insist that Akeno receive treatment first due to the severity of her wounds. From what I have come to understand of Rias, she would likely demand Akeno receive healing first even if their positions were reversed. It is one of her best qualities, and also one of her greatest vulnerabilities." Sasuke concluded blandly.
Lione made a frustrated noise and conceded the point, allowing Asia to rush over and begin healing Akeno.
Sasuke frowned as he saw Asia's condition; she was pale and out of breath, obviously pushing herself to completely heal the other three members of the peerage. While her stamina needed some work, her abilities were nothing short of priceless. Sakura's healing capability had been impressive and saved many lives during the war, but it paled in comparison to the sheer denial of reality that Asia's "Twilight Healing" afforded her.
From what Sasuke understood, healing varied considerably on this world. Obviously, the mundane human healing was quackery at its finest; massively overcharging patients to perform crude surgeries that worked half the time. Human magicians were able to heal wounds, but not replace limbs or exhaustion. Devils were similar in that they could heal grievous wounds and replace limbs, but very few could restore stamina. The potions used by the Phenex team were likely some of the very few items in the Underworld able to replicate the innate healing abilities the Phenex clan were famous for.
Fortunately, most of Riser's peerage were too distracted by their grievous wounds to bother staring at the healing Asia was performing. Sasuke had given her careful instructions before the match that she was not to do anything noteworthy such as restore limbs or anything that would draw too much attention. Luckily limb replacement had not been necessary, though Sasuke kept a guarded eye on the rooms' other occupants as Asia restored Akeno to health.
Akeno let out a relaxed sigh as she drifted off into a painless sleep, even as Asia passed out from exhaustion. Sasuke blurred over and caught her, gently carrying Asia in a bridal hold as he addressed the assembled Gremory peerage.
"Unfortunately, it appears that Asia-chan is at her limit. All of you should be back in working order with the exception of Rias; I'm certain that her parents can afford a private healer for her minor wounds."
Lione looked as if he was ready to explode with indignation until Sasuke gave him a flat look. Lione shuddered and immediately stopped his antics; he had seen that look before during training. He likened it to the same look a snake gives a mouse right before it strikes, and the results typically mirrored the analogy.
"I would have preferred to meet a few of the high-level devils with Rias, particularly Beelzebub, but it appears that is not feasible at the moment. When Rias is healed, tell her we will meet as per usual this week in the Occult Headquarters to discuss the events of today."
Lione nodded in a surly fashion as Kiba interjected calmly.
"That was why you insisted your name be on the servants list so adamantly; so that you could save us when we failed." Kiba finished with a rather conflicted expression on his face.
Sasuke smirked.
"Fortunately, when Sona and I were reviewing the rules we came across a loophole I couldn't help but exploit. I calculated that you had roughly a ten percent chance to take the match by surprise, which you almost accomplished. After Riser had his team use their recovery items, I knew the match would only fall in your favor if I pushed it along."
Koneko frowned.
"Doesn't this go against your plans to not draw attention to yourself in the underworld?"
Sasuke looked at Koneko nonplussed; it was one of the very few times she had addressed him directly, and a fair question to boot.
"Indeed; my intervention in the match will make my job that much harder in keeping both Issei and Asia out of these Lords' greedy clutches. I deemed it necessary though, in more ways than one. It wouldn't do to have Rias married to a known sadist; she would no longer be a useful tool in my arsenal at that stage."
Sasuke received cool looks from the Gremory peerage at his mention of Rias as a "tool". It was just as well though; if he sowed seeds of doubt at the highest level, any information that leaked would describe their relationship as questionable as best, thus making it less likely for others to use Rias as leverage against him.
Sasuke continued while ignoring the looks.
"I was going to be on the radar of these devils just by showing up with such a well-known figure as Rias. If I hadn't shown my teeth so blatantly, they would be encouraged to try and harass me in an attempt to gain leverage over Rias. After that performance, I'm fairly certain that only the strongest would attempt such an endeavor, and fortunately most of them are wise enough to avoid poking a sleeping dragon."
Most of the peerage paled, no doubt remembering Riser's screams as he was roasted alive in Susanoo's clenched fist.
Sasuke nodded to the Gremory peerage as he made his exit. Issei had been left at home, despite his grumbling about missing out on all the gorgeous devil girls. While Issei's safest place was usually under Sasuke's watchful eye, it was necessary to be separated in order to keep Issei off these people's radar. Bad enough that he had been forced to bring Asia for the match, but at least the odds of Riser's half comatose peerage noticing anything unusual about the healing were slim to none.
As Sasuke made his way to the public portal back to earth, a voice called out to him.
"Hello there boy, could I take a moment of your time?"
It took Sasuke a moment to register that he was being addressed; it had been many years since he had been referred to as "boy".
Turning around slowly, Sasuke stood face to face with what he could only assume was a Gremory; the trademark red hair was a dead giveaway.
"Can I help you?"
The man grinned and nodded somewhat foolishly.
"I wanted to shake the hand of the human brave enough to rescue my sister. For a minute there I was about to blast the little turkey into paste before you stepped in and likely saved my political career. May I know the name of the young man I now owe quite the favor to?"
"Sasuke Uchiha; I take it you are Sirzechs Gremory, Satan and leader of the Underworld?"
The man comically slapped a hand over his face in an overly dramatic fashion and began babbling.
"I can't believe I forgot to introduce myself! Please don't tell my wife, she'll beat me again!" Sirzechs looked at Sasuke with a pleading puppy dog stare.
Sasuke smiled thinly.
Naruto's second sensei Jiraiya had been a master at the disarming game. By pretending to be a womanizing buffoon, he typically drew his audience's amusement or contempt in large enough quantities that that they forgot to see him as a real threat. In many cases, it was the last mistake they ever made.
"Normally I would be more than happy to play this game with you, but I am short on time currently. So, let's drop the part where I pretend to believe you to be an eccentric idiot and you tell me what you really want."
Sirzechs frantic look immediately disappeared even as his gaze sharpened and he shot Sasuke a shrewd look of calculation.
"Blunt boy, so blunt. The fact that you know so much about the game makes me even more interested in you, putting aside the fact that you have more power than any human alive."
"Perhaps you underestimate humans; didn't God entrust the sacred gears to them?"
"It is precisely because of their weakness he felt it necessary; I'm sure he would have reconsidered his stance if a monster like you had existed back then."
Sasuke smirked.
"Here nor there; if you have a question ask it, else I must leave."
Sirzechs gave him a knowing look.
"I sense anxiety in you, though obviously not for yourself. Your display in the arena makes me think there are few individuals in the world that would cause you to truly sweat. Perhaps your concern is instead for that young lady in your arms?"
Sasuke shot him a dangerous look as he chuckled.
"You have nothing to fear from me; I was merely making an observation. I would suggest you depart quickly if you are trying to hide her from my kind, though I must ask a question before you go: Why did you help my sister? What do you seek to gain from this?"
Sasuke pondered his possible answers.
He feared the truth to be premature, yet he felt that lying to this devil would be a bad long-term strategy. He knew that he would need to craft a "Devil Lord" persona for most of the populace to accept his marriage to Rias, but such a task would be infinitely simpler if he had an ally in Sirzechs. Any endeavor was infinitely simpler if you had a man or woman on the inside of whatever organization you were trying to infiltrate. If they were highly placed, the risk factor similarly continued to decrease as their position in the organization went up.
With that in mind, Sasuke decided to roll the dice.
"In exchange for my aid, Rias has agreed to consider a political marriage with me."
Sirzechs' face immediately darkened, his aura becoming heavy as the shadows seemed to draw nearer.
"Oh? And did she willingly agree to this or have you forced her into choosing between yourself or a monster like Riser?" Sirzechs growled in naked threat as his killing intent was released on Sasuke, causing Asia to tremble like a leaf as she murmured restlessly in her passed-out state.
Sasuke didn't bat an eye; Sirzechs was powerful, but his killing intent needed some work if he wanted to compete with the likes of Orochimaru or Madara.
"Not at all; I fully accept that the relationship will be platonic. I will require very little from her in exchange for agreeing to be her stand in husband until the time comes that she chooses a true spouse."
The look of wrath subdued slightly.
"I find it hard to believe your words; what young man in his right mind would agree to marry a beautiful woman and never be with her in that way? Unless…"
Sirzechs raised an eyebrow, his insinuations obvious.
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Just because I don't throw myself at beautiful women does not mean that I lack all interest whatsoever; in the event that Rias did some growing up in age and temperament and one day decided to consummate the relationship I wouldn't be opposed on principle."
Sirzechs snorted.
"Right. You'll forgive me if I don't take your word on that. More importantly, you seem to be showing your cards fairly blatantly. Why shouldn't I just kill you now that Rias is free of young Phenex?"
Sasuke smiled coldly.
"You are welcome to try, though I know you are not foolish enough to test me here. Our battle would kill countless civilians, and you don't strike me as the kind of man to disregard such things."
Sirzechs chuckled.
"Very well, you've called my bluff. I assume that since you are bringing me into your confidence on this you need something from me?"
Sasuke nodded.
"We plan to approach your friend Beelzebub to see if he can replicate a Devil Lord's aura; a word from you could make that much easier."
Sirzechs stroked his short beard thoughtfully.
"So, you plan to impersonate a Devil Lord in order to gain enough standing to marry Rias? I'm guessing one of the old Pillars, nothing else would do to win public approval for her hand."
Sirzechs shot Sasuke a wry look.
"Ironically, Beelzebub is fascinated with obscure ideas like this and doubtless would have attempted your request even without my prompting."
Sasuke's cheek twitched as he realized he had given away the ruse for nothing.
Sirzechs saw Sasuke's expression and grinned.
"Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. I'll even help you get it done."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow in obvious question.
"As to why I would be willing to stick my neck out to assist with this farce; it is entirely for Rias. While I'm grateful to you for saving her from Riser, I don't know you. You give assurances and speak of grandiose schemes, but all I have seen so far is an impressive display of power. Only time will tell the true story of your sincerity."
Sasuke nodded.
"Well, that's everything for now. We will talk about this again, but for now leave everything to me. I'll arrange for Beelzebub to contact you when the dust has settled on all this nonsense. In the meantime, watch your back. I wouldn't put it past old man Phenex or some of the ambitious houses to test the waters by trying to attack you."
Sasuke simply turned and walked towards the portal, the conversation finished in his eyes. Sirzechs watched with curious eyes as the boy tightened his hold over the buxom blonde cradled to his chest and stepped into the portal without a single backwards glance.
Sirzechs took in a deep breath and exhaled. There was a lot of work ahead of him; it would appear the game was afoot.