Chapter 6: Opening Act (6)

"So we were probably pretty loud, huh? Sorry about that."

Not sounding particularly apologetic Harris looked on with amusement at a heavily blushing and mortified Charles, the Vampire boy having walked in on their spooning and completely bare bodies when he'd woken up, fresh off of the intermittent sleep he'd gotten after they'd been at it for several hours.

"Hmm, would you perhaps prefer a sleeping drought or something similar before we fuck in the future, young boy?"

Jaw opening and closing as a shy squeak slipped past his lips Charles quickly left the pair behind as he made tracks in the opposite direction, Harris and Merlin exchanging glances.

"Guess he's still a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to this kinda stuff, huh?"

"If he's as young as he looks doesn't that seem rather sensible?"

"True. You know I never got around to asking if he's actually as youthful as he appears."

Merlin giggled, draping her head over his shoulder and embracing his stomach with a graceful movement of her arms, musing, "That will have to be a topic perused at a later date, then. I believe today is the day we greet a rather unlikable Devil by the name of Beelzebub, is it not?"

"What, did I fuck you so hard your memory is hazy?"

"Who can say~? I suppose we have no other recourse than to repeat the same conditions and see if the results remain consistent."

Shaking his head at her playful comment Harris rose to her feet, stretching his back as Merlin lazily sprawled over their scattered clothing like a satisfied cat as he commented, "Some other time then. And preferably not when we're on the verge of a potential slaughter courtesy of an overpowered Satan."

A displeased mewl yet again reminiscent of a feline left the pale-haired woman, dramatically sighing as she complained, "Oh fine, continue to make sense. It's not as if I wanted to have a nice, relaxing morning full of passionate lovemaking."

"Don't tempt me."

"I do believe that's my job, master~!"

Heading to Gastofield's baths - a small and fairly plain stone pool carved out of the ground - Harris rolled his neck, lips curling upwards in a smirk as he did so.

"This deal is looking better all the time."

"I know we've mentioned this several times now, Charles...but if you want to part ways with us now is the time to do so. All joking and irreverence aside Beelzebub is a foe Merlin and I can't fight right now, if he and whatever entourage he's packing turn hostile we're going to be hard pressed to escape with our lives, let alone keep an eye on you as well. If you hang around with us...you're stuck with us and all the crazy shit we're going to do."

Shifting where he sat alongside them - crimson eyes darting and twitching with uncertain motions - the vampire looked genuinely lost and uncertain...before seemingly coming to a decision, deep breath leaving his fragile throat as a frightened but still resolute expression met the pair's.

"I said it before, my people won't want anything to do with me, not after I was captured and got those that followed me killed in the process. But if I travel with you, bear witness to your actions and learn from them…"

A tender shrug left the boy, gaze averting itself.

"Maybe I'll be able return with my head held high and something of value to show my kin, something they can respect other than the tiny, useless little boy that doesn't amount to anything."

Both Merlin and Harris nodded in acceptance of his decision, the male remarking, "Alright, then welcome aboard for real this time. And I wouldn't worry about actually getting into a fight with Beelzebub if I were you. If it comes to that it means my plan and understanding of how to deal with him were flawed from the very start and if you'll allow me to toot my own horn a bit here...I'm not wrong about scum like him very often."

Tilting his head in curiosity Harris only sent the Vampire a wink, responding, "Watch and learn. They're not far off."

Following Harris' pointed finger the vampire felt a small chill crawl down his spine, immature senses acute enough to pick up on the distant, titanic swell of power fast approaching their position, growing larger all the while.

"You good?"

"Y-yes."

"You're clearly not, but I approve of your guts nonetheless."

Smirking as he reclined on one of the pilfered chairs the Devils had been making use of - Merlin draping herself over the back of it like some overly confident jungle cat - Harris calmly watched the approaching group of five, idly wondering if he was going to be able to swindle this world's version of a tyrant as efficiently as he'd been doing so back home.

Only one way to find out.

The quintet finally arrived at Gastofield, flying around the perimeter of the fortress once as they no doubt investigated why so much of the garrison was missing, coming in for a landing without any openly aggressive moves to be found.

Harris found himself wondering about something rather removed from the current circumstances as they did so, however. Namely how the five before him were wearing plate armor. That hadn't been invented until the 1200's and unless his knowledge of the past was horrifically off the mark they were a couple centuries prior to that.

Then again, the clothing of most of the supernatural he'd run across so far had been quite the eclectic mix. Hell, the Valkyrie had been wearing a skintight bodysuit and that kind of fabric didn't come around for even longer still. Maybe the DxD world just operated on selectively fashionable rules, or perhaps Humans found out how to replicate the stuff from the supernatural themselves?

A slight tap on his shoulder courtesy of Merlin snapped him out of his meandering thoughts, the male belatedly realizing he'd been blowing off Beelzebub and his four cohorts for a good minute or so as he stared at their equipment.

"Whoops."

And the Satan himself was quite the interesting individual, standing tall with gleaming armor that left his chiseled chest slightly exposed, curved horns atop his skull standing proud while meeting the man's dark and calculating eyes caused an odd buzzing in Harris' ears, like a thousand distant flies were drawing close as his twelve wings slowly flexed and contracted.

Naturally, he offered a jaunty wave and rather irreverent greeting.

"Hello there."

"You are not the garrison of Gastofield."

While mildly disappointed - but entirely understanding - of why there was no 'General Kenobi' in response Harris would freely admit that the Devil got some serious mileage out of stating the obvious, idle observation both eloquent and threatening in its calm loquaciousness.

The Satan's gaze swept over the battered and empty fortress, further remarking, "Nor are there the prisoners that I was promised would be awaiting my arrival."

The dominating eyes once more settled on Harris, Merlin and a terrified Charles, the male doing his level best not to show even so much as a hint of weakness, regardless of the cold sweat that dripped down his back.

Focusing on the way the four guards - or hype squad, whatever they were - focused on Merlin with less than chaste gazes was a good enough distraction. That and the way she answered their attentions with a smug smirk, looping her arms over his shoulders before lightly nipping his ear in a blatant showing of affection and claim-staking.

"I'm sure that sent a clear message. Now to survive this."

Crossing his legs and hiking a thumb over his shoulder towards the still smoldering embers of Gastofield's former garrison he lazily responded, "Your soldiers are back there, currently having their ashes scattered to the four corners of the Underworld."

Allowing his grin to turn feral he joked, "We only wanted to attract a few flies, you see."

The quartet of guards stiffened, hands flying towards their sheathed weapons-

-and Beelzebub halted them with a simple gesture of his hand, tilting his head before asking, "And the prisoners?"

Languidly shrugging Harris said, "Couldn't begin to tell you. I set them free, naturally, but everything after that was on them. If they wanted to go home they were free to ply their fortunes at it."

He chuckled.

"Understandably, they didn't want to stick around here. Well, all but one slightly mad and overly brave soul, that is."

The tan-skinned man let his hand lightly set itself atop of Charles' head, affectionately ruffling his hair as the Devils looked on, Beelzebub silently listening to his words without further comment as the Vampire looked ready to pass out at their combined attention...but kept himself steady regardless, meeting the gaze of the opposing faction without wavering so much as an inch.

"Hm."

The noise that left Beelzebub's throat could have been anything from a grunt of displeasure to hum of amusement, attention yet again drifting back to Harris as the Satan idly mused, "Very well, explain to me something, stranger."

Any hint of humor vanished like a spring breeze.

"Why should I not impale you on the tallest spire of my castle from ass to mouth, have healing magic repeatedly cast upon you so that your agonized gurgles amuse me for as long as I wish to keep you alive? Why should I not have the Vampire exposed to sunlight everywhere but his head and heart, drawing out his incineration as an example for all those that would defy me? Why should I not take your woman as my own, do as I wish to her while your impaled form overlooks my rape of her body and mind?"

Charles began to shake, genuinely terrified at the possibility that maybe - just maybe - he really was in over his head, undertaking a journey he wasn't prepared to handle...and blinked, shocked beyond belief at the simple fact that Harris and Merlin looked bored.

Flicking her wrist in a cruelly dismissive gesture the Magus of Flowers calmly replied, "While flattered at your professed desire I feel compelled to inform you that only my master's cock will make me feel any semblance of pleasure."

She offered up a flirtatious wink to the impassive Satan.

"Sorry, but you're never going to compare~!"

Hot on the heels of such a blatant expressing of 'no thanks' Harris added, "And obviously it's because the three of us are infinitely more useful and valuable alive than we are dead, that's why we're going to part on amicable terms rather than one of animosity."

"Is that so?"

The trio of words were silken in their implied threat and thinning patience, Beelzebub's eyes narrowing an almost imperceptible fraction as instead of hurrying along Harris merely grinned, gesturing towards the fortress around them as he said, "Take a look at what we've done to the place, Beelzebub."

The Devil did as instructed, attitude suggesting he was doing them a favor.

"Dozens of your soldiers, dead without a single loss on our side. And not a single warning was sent out, you showed up completely clueless as to what had happened. Had your death been our goal this would have been the perfect ambush."

Beelzebub made no outward indication that he believed Harris' words, idly paying attention as the man continued with, "I released every single one of the prisoners and a few of the more grateful ones even offered safe passage to their various factions, a sign of trust and acceptance that means I could be the perfect infiltrator."

He smirked, finishing with, "If you can't think of a use for me then you're not trying hard enough. I would make for a very versatile associate."

"You speak the truth...but those are not feats any clever unknown or sufficiently talented assassin could not replicate. I would not label those as positives impressive enough to spare your life, to free you from my retribution."

The four guards made a show of reaching for their weapons and priming magic, Charles' breath catching in his throat-

"Oh? Quite the demanding boss, you are. I suppose you need something a little bit extra, now don't you? What year is it?"

Beelzebub yet again motioned for his entourage to halt their motions, bluntly responding, "It is year 782 AD, one day before the month of October is to begin using the Underworld calendar."

Openly grinning at the news Harris said, "Oh do I have an interesting bit of information you, then...King Charlemagne is currently waging his wars across Europe, correct?"

The first signs of interest began to glimmer in Beelzebub's imperious gaze, words soft and intrigued as he stated, "You would indeed be correct."

"Do you know what he's going to do next? Do you know what he's going to do to thousands of Saxons after they surrender to him, Widuking cutting and running and leaving them to their fate?"

Interest swiftly morphed into otherworldly glee, Beelzebub musing, "That is indeed interesting information to know of...it just so happens that the Christian King beloved by Heaven marches to such a locale at this very moment."

"Of course he does, I'm not wrong."

Beelzebub seemed to look at Harris for the first time since arriving, obviously deep in thought as the man commented, "I know information that could lead to the defeat of the King, completely neuter his campaign and grind it to a dead halt. True, he spreads Christianity...but is it a system of belief that benefits the devils? Paints you as trustworthy and figures of authority?"

Harris cut the air with the flat of his hand.

"Of course not. You are deceivers and betrayers to Heaven. Now obviously that makes you appeal to the outcasts and ornery people...but they typically aren't the majority, are they? I'm offering you the chance to strike a blow to Heaven so debilitating that it will be decades before they muster up such a brilliant figure to be the standard bearer once more."

Beelzebub's lips twisted into a grin-

-and he was just as quick to master himself, maintaining his cool while inquiring, "And what do you get out of this?"

"What, isn't that obvious?"

Harris grandly gestured to the broken and battered remains of Gastofield.

"I didn't kill all of your soldiers, put myself at your mercy with a face-to-face meeting and tell you of incredibly valuable information because I wanted to be glossed over and relegated to the sidelines."

His teeth revealed themselves in a shark's grin.

"I want in. To sit high among the ranks of your court and wield authority. Consider this whole adventure my credentials."

The Satan was quiet for the longest time, no discernible reaction or comment to Harris words forthcoming...and he promptly spun on his heel, striding back towards the walls of Gastofield as he motioned for his guards to fall in formation, the quartet hesitating for the briefest of moments before hastening to obey.

"Come tomorrow morning a platoon of my most loyal and ambitious will arrive. You are to lead them to victory and assure that this supposed defeat of Charlemagne comes to pass. There exists an already sizable faction of Devils locked in combat with Heaven's guarding forces...do take care that they don't seize the credit for aforementioned defeat."

'Wouldn't dream of it. And a whole day, hmm? You trust me not to simply leave now that I've convinced you not to murder us?"

The Satan scoffed, commenting, "After all you have told me? Besides, you are here now, are you not?"

Harris merely smiled, Beelzebub pausing in his stride to idly announce, "Do not fail me, stranger. Else you will find your punishment to be horrific beyond your meager capacity of understanding."

His twelve wings flexed outwards with a pointed gesture, the Devil not being so blatant as to crush them with his magic power but the display got the point across nonetheless.

Harris and Merlin merely smirked.

"Wouldn't dream of it. We'll be here."

And just like that the Satan took to the skies, guards in tow as the remaining trio watched them slowly disappear over the horizon...before Charles released a ragged breath, legs giving out as the boy stared at the ground with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"We...we're alive?"

"Evidently. You doing okay over there, kid? You look a little pale. Even for a Vampire, that is."

Feeling uncomfortably dizzy the bloodsucker hazily responded, "I...could do with some blood?"

"Sure, drink up."

Kneeling astride the shaken youth Harris bared his neck, the ruby-eyed male wasted no time in sinking his fangs into the offered flesh, greedily drinking and feeling himself calm as the life-giving fluid filled his throat with its sweet taste.

"Wait...is it more powerful than it was before?"

Briefly snapped out of his trance by the unexpected realization Charles was just as quick to dismiss it, riding high on the impossibility of surviving the attention of a Satan and the delicious flavor of Harris' blood.

Eventually drinking his fill the boy pulled away with a contented sigh, panic and apprehension swiftly bleeding away - no pun intended - as he met Harris and Merlin's amused gazes.

"Still sure you want to hang around, kiddo? Now that you've gotten a little taste of what we're in for, that is."

A slow, trembling breath left Charles but the Vampire stuck to his guns nonetheless, offering up a weak smile as he replied, "I've come this far, haven't I? But, I have to ask..."

Crimson orbs narrowed slightly in confusion.

"How did you lead Beelzebub around like that so easily? It's like you knew exactly what he needed to hear so as to not wipe us out where we stood."

"Well, in a sense, I did."

At the Vampire's confused look Merlin explained, "Master has a rather storied history with individuals of great power and few morals or scruples."

"Like she said. As soon as Beelzebub showed up and didn't make any move to avenge his dead soldiers or show even the slightest sign of regret at their passing I knew who I was dealing with...and the best way to get on board with someone like Beelzebub is to speak their language."

He pointed towards the final few embers fading away into nothing where dozens of bodies had once laid.

"Amoral, opportunistic and wanting to prove myself in the most clear cut and blatant way possible. And now?"

Harris smirked, eyes alight with glee.

"Now we have a free pass to Charlemagne's location where the next step of my little plan is going to come to a head, surrounded by Devils that - while they will undoubtedly despise us - will ultimately have to act as escorts lest Beelzebub have their heads."

Charles blinked, barely able to understand the sheer boldness of this strange man who had apparently hoodwinked one of the more dangerous individuals in the Underworld and openly proclaimed his desire to continue causing all sorts of trouble amongst those that wielded no shortage of influence and strength.

"So I'd recommend getting some rest before we head out tomorrow, we're gonna need our wits about us and are due for a busy day."

Grimacing the youth nodded in understanding, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Do, do you want something from the food we pilfered? I can go get some if you want it?"

Ruffling Charles' hair at the offer Merlin cooed, "Why that would be most appreciated~!"

Appearing excited at the opportunity to help out in any way possible - as well as find a few seconds to himself so that he could wind down - the Vampire ran off, Merlin turning to Harris as she purred, "You have grand designs for the Christian king, I take it?"

"Oh like you wouldn't believe. The massacre of Verden is going to go a little differently this time around and I'll be fucking over Beelzebub in the process. Which will naturally be all the sweeter because he knows my face, will know it was me who tricked him without so much as batting an eye."

He breathed out a pleased sigh.

"To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite movies...oh yeah, it's all coming together."

"Look sharp, here they come."

True to Harris' words almost thirty devils were quickly descending on Gastofield, the trio striding out to meet them as Charles - freshly rested and doing his level best to seem confidant and composed - followed in Harris and Merlin's wake, the pair stopping short of the lead Devil who landed no more than a few paces ahead of them, handsome features pinched as his long brown hair spilled over his armored shoulders.

"So you are the three we are to serve under."

Even the relatively short sentence carried within it no lack of disgust and frustration, Harris smirking wide as he couldn't help but twist the proverbial knife deep upon recognizing the devil in question.

"That's right, must suck for the son of a Satan to be relegated to serve under the whims of a total stranger, hmm?"

The Devil's expression turned murderous.

"Isn't that right, Shalba Beelzebub?"