CHAPTER 18
Author's note: As somebody suggested, here's a double update, named CHAPTER 17 and 18 respectively.
"Hm."
"What is it, Lucifer-sama?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing of great significance, Grayfia. Just a report from my cute little sister."
"If you don't mind me asking, what does it say, Sirzechs-sama?"
Two beings called Sirzechs Lucifer and Grayfia Lucifuge were discussing in the Maou's office. The former being elegantly nonchalant, recognised as one of the Ten Strongest Beings in this universe by reality itself. The latter was formal and stoic, dressed in a maid's outfit, while also being the wife and Queen of the former.
"Do you remember that my Ria-tan signed a contract with a magician named Issei Hyoudou just a few days ago?"
"Yes, Sirzechs-sama."
"Do you also remember a report that said some Fallen Angels had taken Kuoh Town's abandoned church for their base of operations, along with some Stray Exorcists?"
"Yes. But, am I to assume that these two are connected?"
"Correct. Apparently, one of the reasons these Fallen Angels became residents to the same town as my Ria-tan, was this magician, Issei Hyoudou."
Grayfia raised an elegant, silver eyebrow at the mysterious smile her husband was wearing. "And?" she probbed.
"It says here that Issei Hyoudou was presumed to be wielder of a Sacred Gear. At least, from the Fallen Angels."
"And you assume that it is not the case, my Lord?"
"Not exactly." Sirzechs sighed lightly, before turning to his wife. "Rias is aware that her arranged marriage is being pushed by our parents and the Phenex family as of late. Yet, she didn't reincarnate this magician in her Peerage and there are two possibilities for that. Either this magician is too strong for her to reicarnate as a Devil, or this magician wants to have some independence." he took a breath and returned his gaze at the report he had just read, his voice turning more serious. "This report here supports my second assumption on the matter. Apparently, the leader of the group of the Fallen Angels in Kuoh, Raynare, was captured by Issei Hyoudou, after she tried to kill him at the end of their date, for interrogation. I won't bore you with the details, Grayfia, but, from what Rias writes in here, in the end, Issei Hyoudou was the person responsible for this Raynare to go away unharmed."
Grayfia's eyebrow twitched at that.
"Though," Sirzechs continued as his eyes read the report again and again. "thankfully, it was only through an arguement and not a fight." he sighed in relief at that. Though, he would have to pay a visit to the human world to get to know this Issei Hyoudou. Just in case. And when Grayfia would have a day off, so he wouldn't have to worry about his ears lengthening any time soon. "It says here that the Fallen Angel's orders were changed through unknown means during her third day in Kuoh. She was to kill Issei Hyoudou. However, this boy defeated her without the use of a Sacred Gear; only with pure skill. At least, according to the report. So, to answer your question, I don't know if this Issei Hyoudou has a Sacred Gear. If he does, then Rias doesn't know what it is, or she knows and wants to keep it a secret for some reason."
Rias' brother sighed as he paused from his monologue and turned his chair to face his wife with the report in hand. All the while Grayfia just looked at him stoically.
"As if this situation isn't complicated enough, there is another person the Fallen in Kuoh are interested in. Asia Argento, bearer of Twilight Healing and a recently excommunicated Holy Maiden. She is to arrive at Kuoh in the next few days. Apparently, Azazel's original orders were to retrieve the Holy Maiden, but changed to extract her Sacred Gear for Raynare to keep, if she so wanted, and leave Argento's body to the church for somebody else to pick it up."
Grayfia's eyes widened just a tad to show surprise on what she had just heard. What the changed order for this Asia Argento entailed didn't sound like something Azazel would order his minions to do. After all, the man was known for his recent obsession with Sacred Gears and alive speciments wielding said trinkets.
Seeing her expression, Sirzechs continued his monologue. "According to the report, Issei Hyoudou protected Raynare's life by stating that she was manipulated to go to her death and, while Rias would be occupied with Raynare and her group, the culprit would go away unnoticed. I agree with his logic and even his plan." upon seeing his wife's confused expression, he elaborated. "He had Raynare report to her group that she had killed him and, then, try to contact Azazel to tell him directly what was going on. After that, she is to meet my sister, her Peerage and Issei Hyoudou to discuss what to do. Meaning that tonight will be the meeting between them. Although, I suspect that Rias will involve Sona, for the sole reason that the latter is kept updated."
Sirzechs sighed, again, as he finished his monologue. He heard Grayfia hum; whether in approval or skepticism for this Issei Hyoudou person, he didn't know.
Unfortunately, she didn't offer her opinion on the matter.
"That's enough paperwork for today, Sirzechs-sama. You may go and take a rest."
Fortunately, he was given a free pass for the rest of the day and his ears wouldn't hurt, particularly his left one.
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It was the end of classes for the Kuoh Academy students.
Issei didn't wait for Kiba to come and fetch him, opting to go to the ORC by himself.
According to his senses, he was right to do so, because he heard various boys and girls crying out their jealousy over a certain girl, from another school no less, being escorted by the 'Prince of Kuoh'.
On a side note, the brunet was glad that, for once, Matsuda and Motohama directed their anger towards another person than himself. It didn't matter that his friend was the Perverted Duo's target.
What he didn't expect on his way there, was to smell Sona and Tsubaki being in the ORC with Rias, Akeno and Koneko.
It made sence to him, though. After all, Sona shared her position with Rias as an overseer and protector of Kuoh.
The brunet didn't even knock on the door when he entered, not caring about the dubious gazes he got from Rias and Akeno or the disapproving ones from Sona and Tsubaki.
"Welcome, Ise. Please, make yourself at home." Rias told him kindly, trying to hide her irritated sarcasm.
"Hello, everyone." he ignored her and also ignored Akeno's teasing giggles directed at the redhead, who pouted like a child. Internally, he admitted that Rias was cute, but this wasn't the time.
The brunet's serious gaze fell on the nervous Raynare, who was in her 'Amano Yuuma' form, that was sitting at the same couch as yesterday, with Rias and Sona opposite of her. Akeno and Tsubaki were standing behind their Kings and Kiba was leaning himself on the wall beside the window and reading a book.
Koneko was being herself at Rias' right.
Issei was mildly surprised that his friend sent him a wave and a smile at his way as a greeting. Even Koneko acknowledged him with a nod, which he returned in kind for both cases.
Again, his eyes landed on Raynare, who, after seeing him, appeared to be a little less nervous and even sent him a weak smile, for a reason that completely eluded him.
Inside Issei, both Ddraig and Zangetsu facepalmed to hide their suffering.
He ignored them as he took a seat on the couch Raynare occupied, in a way that he had visual contact with everyone present, facing the Fallen Angel in the room. "So, what happened, Raynare?" he aked conversationally.
Raynare shook her head lightly. "I couldn't contact Azazel-sama yesterday, or even today, Ise-kun."
"Why is that?" Sona inquired stoically, not quite believing the Fallen Angel in the room.
Raynare shrugged helplessly as she answered honestly. "I couldn't get through the communication circle. An outside source must be interfering with my communication system."
Issei turned to face the two heiresses to gauge their reactions at that bit of information. Judging from their slightly troubled expressions, it seemed that the Fallen Angel next to him was saying the truth. Something that made him internally glad that his assumption of Raynare being one of the many victims taking part in a scheme that she had no idea about being correct.
A scheme he was able to uncover, albeit a very small part, thanks to his very sharp mind.
"Can you try again now, just to make sure you're not lying?" Rias practically demanded, even if it came out as a request.
In response, Raynare turned her head towards Issei and took the hair that covered her right ear away from it to showcase her point. Then, she conjured a violet circle, the size of her ear, that glowed dully for a couple of seconds, before abruptly shattering.
Akeno's, Tsubaki's, Sona's and Rias' eyes widened in surprise, for a moment, before they narrowed in suspicion, increasing Raynare's nervousness in the process.
Kiba narrowed his eyes as well, but didn't say anything.
Koneko stopped muncing for a second as she emotionlessly looked at Raynare, before she returned to her snacks.
As for Issei, the brunet was the only calm person in the room, excluding Koneko. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he had expected this to happen. After all, Raynare was being used as a convenient scapegoat, while also playing the role of a loose end. So, it made sence that the culprit wouldn't let her come in contact with her leader. So, in a sense, Raynare and her group were on their own, until Azazel was informed, in some way or another.
"Don't worry, Raynare." Issei's calm and reassuring voice drew the attention of the room. "The reason you're here is that we find a way for you and your group to leave this town in peace."
Sona, as usual, was the first to speak after a statement like that as she faced him. "So, Hyoudou-kun, what do you suggest?" she asked, purposufely avoiding to add that this was his idea in the first place.
The brunet was thankful that he had thought of this possibility to happen at lunch break, so he was ready to answer as he still faced the Fallen Angel. "You'll continue with your business as if nothing happened. If somebody from your group tries anything without your knowledge, we-no, I'll deal with them. That said, you have to contact Rias-san, should that happen, to let us know beforehand. The same goes for when you, or anyone of us, come in contact with Asia Argento. We contact each other first, then we decide on what to do." he explained seriously.
Even Sona blinked in genuine surprise. "Did you think this on the fly, Hyoudou-kun?! Don't get me wrong, but, even though it's a good starting plan, it's vague and full of holes."
Issei knew that and narrowed his eyes in irritation as he looked at the Student Council President. "It wasn't on the fly, Sona-san. I thought of it during lunch break, in case this possibility happened, which unfortunately did. Also, neither me, nor anyone in this room have enough information as to whom we're dealing with, or even their motives behind this scheme." he said as calmly as he could, trying not to fume due to his own words.
An excommunicated nun. Himself and a group of low-ranked Fallen Angels. The first two were both the targets and the collateral damage. The latter were the scapegoats and the loose ends that needed to be tied up. And what better way to put them in the territory managed by not one, but two Devil House heiresses.
God-fuckin'-dammit. He had too little information on this grand scheme and he had to play it safe. For all of their sakes.
Mainly the major three girls involved; Sona, Rias and Raynare.
The meeting didn't last much longer after his outburst.
After all, nobody in the room seemed eager to prolong this meeting any more than necessary, in case of agitating the fairly easily excitable brunet.
Rias and Raynare begrudgingly worked together on a communication circle between the two of them, albeit in silence.
Tsubaki and Akeno were content to just observe them in silence, with the latter being a little cold in her demeanor whenever she landed her eyes on the Fallen Angel in the room.
Issei took notice of that particular detail, but, for the sake of his sanity, he decided not to pry.
Kiba and Koneko were their usual side-character-selves, not taking part in the afforementioned event.
As the meeting came to an end, Sona stood up from the couch and, after biding her farewells to everyone but the brunet, she made her way to the door, followed by Tsubaki.
Everyone, even Tsubaki and Koneko, were surprised when she stopped just as she touched the doorknob and addressed Issei. "Hyoudou-kun. Tomorrow, you're eating lunch at the Student Council. Farewell, for now."
As the door opened and closed, signaling Sona's departure, an awkward silence ensued as all heads faced the visibly confused brunet, who stared at the door as if it would give him an answer as to what was Sona thinking by telling him that.
Raynare was the first to recover from the silence with an awkward giggle, which sounded cute in her 'Yuuma' form. "I hadn't taken you for a multidating person, Ise-kun~!" she teased to lighten the mood.
Thankfully, it seemed to cut the tension as another person took the message.
"Ara~!Ufufu~! I didn't think that Ise-kun was such a naughty boy~! I think this calls for punishment~!" even though she was tittering to play along, Akeno actually meant her words.
"Pervert." Koneko's harsh word was accompanied with a mild glare to express her disapproval.
Kiba just chuckled awkwardly, not willing to accidentally agitate his friend.
Rias resisted the urge to facepalm and settled to groan in exasperation as she hid her face in her hands, which covered her blushed in embarrassment cheeks.
"Haha. Very funny." Issei just deadpanned at the two girls, not falling for their teasing. Then, with a sigh, he stood up, ignoring the two brunettes' giggling as well as the whitenette's earlier jab at his integrity, and got ready to leave. "Do you need me for anything else, Rias-san?" he asked the redhead in a formal manner.
Rias was internally thankful for the change in the subject. She might be ok with her own nudism, but she was as innocent as a puppy on anything sex related. "No, Ise. From what I know, there won't be a contract for you tonight either. So, you may go home." she dismissed him in a gentle way.
"Ok." Issei nodded in acknowledgement and, after bowing his head, he left the same way he always did.
Rias breathed a sigh of exasperation, before her eyes landed on Raynare, who stared intensely at the door Issei had just left. "What is it, Raynare?" she asked formally to hide her irritation at the Fallen's presence.
Raynare turned her head to face the redhead, her expression all serious. "How does he do that?" she asked.
Rias' irritation died down at the question, because she understood what the brunette was asking about, which was something she wanted to know as well. "Issei hasn't told any of us, yet. That said, it is something that I myself am curious about." she answered honestly.
Raynare just nodded and left immediately after that. After all, despite co-operating with them, she didn't like being in the presence of Devils for extended periods of time.
Rias sighed, again, as she took a seat at her desk and got ready to start on her...ugh...paperwork.
It hadn't even been ten minutes from Raynare's departure when the newly-crafted communication circle buzzed on Rias' right ear.
Despite her annoyance at being interrupted, the redhead answered calmly. Though, she had a feeling it wasn't for something good. "What happened, Raynare?"
The reply was instant and to the point. "Gremory, a Fallen Angel from my group just got out to personally check on Ise-kun. His name is Dohnaseek."
Rias sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose, mentally cursing her accurate feeling.
"Great... Just great..."
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Author's notes: I've told you, guys, that this story is slow. I absolutely love you all for your support! Thank you all for your kind words!
I've done another proof reading recently on the chapters I have in my PC and I was left satisfied with how the story progresses. I hope you guys will be of the same opinion!
See you sometime next week! If I'll be late, I'll compensate like all the other times so far, so don't be disappointed if it happens!