Chapter 35: Cast Down Your Kings (Part 8)

Serafall reflected that this mission had thus far turned out to be nothing like she had expected it to be. Granted, she hadn't really been sure what was going to happen when she and Sirzechs had gone marching off alongside someone as insane as Harris Xavier, but…suffice to say several weeks of quiet scouting and reconnaissance of the family whose son she was supposed to seduce and marry followed by a few days of relaxation and steadily growing boredom hadn't been what she'd envisioned in the slightest.

And apparently it wasn't what Grayfia Lucifuge had imagined either, the silver-haired Devil glaring at her and Sirzechs as if they had caused some kind of personal offense.

"And what of your observations of the Leraje? Have you anything to report? Have they discovered your activities or made any movements based on your revealing of our presence?"

"Don't you think you're taking your duties as Lucifer's watchdog a little too seriously? I think this is the third time in twice as many hours you've asked us that."

Sirzechs' idle words that barely contained his obvious annoyance were quickly followed up by the raven-haired Devil, idly spinning her removed breastplate on a small jet of water as she complained, "And can you not give us a bit of credit? We've been involved in campaigns and real combat before, we're not completely hapless newborns on the field of battle, Lucifuge."

"Bold words when you are barely two decades my juniors. And among my clan I am extremely young indeed."

"Don't go confusing youth with inexperience. We've actually been in more than a few fights for our lives. What have you experienced, waiting on your master's every whims inside a gilded palace?"

The confrontational words had slipped past Serafall's lips before she could stop them, Grayfia's lips pursing as she coldly replied, "Drawing upon my experience inside a 'gilded palace' I would suggest you mind your tongue. We Lucifuge are simple extensions of our master's will, speaking and acting with his express authority. Your criticisms are one small step away from deriding Lord Lucifer himself."

Sirzechs and Serafall shared a glance.

"And what respect should we show, when it doesn't seem to actually serve any purpose?"

The redhead's neutral words had Grayfia glaring at him, Serafall electing to add fuel to the fire as she helpfully pointed out, "Your master decided to throw our families onto the chopping block when we decided to do him a favor by NOT having Xavier get his attention by no doubt causing some eye wateringly ludicrous feat of destruction. All that and more only to be treated as traitors, Lucifuge."

The shorter Devil didn't bother hiding her annoyed sneer.

"So no, we won't mind our tongues when apparently it matters little what say or do. Why bother being polite to an attack dog - cultured and well bred or not - if its only desire is to sink its fangs into the master's prey?"

"That is not-"

To the pair's infinite and genuine surprise Grayfia took a moment to take a deep breath, grimace briefly coloring her features before she more plainly stated, "I understand your reticence and annoyance, as well as why you feel as if your service has been for nothing. But I ask that you at least make the attempt to rectify that or provide me with ample reason to countermand my lord's designs. And you will not do that by letting Harris Xavier run wild as he's currently doing."

The younger Devils shared expressions of mutual resignation and amusement in equal measure.

"And what, exactly, would you have us do that everyone else he's run across hasn't already tried? I wouldn't even know where to begin in trying to tone down his actions…and it doesn't help that it's impossible to gauge his strength. He could be quite weak or overwhelmingly powerful, he's never made it apparent one way or another."

Rubbing her forehead in what the duo assumed was an extraordinarily rare display of frustration and stress the silver-haired Devil bluntly stated, "Well you had best start working on a solution to that problem, them. Are you even aware of what he's been up to these past few days?"

"I thought that was your task?"

Ignoring Serafall's pointed comment Grayfia continued on with, "Setting aside the fact that he seems to enjoy taking every free moment he has to fuck his companions or randomly disappear with them rather than keep in contact or carry out additional duties he also seems to have mistaken Lucifer's orders for me to observe him as a suggestion rather than an order. I know he has met and spoken with humans on more than one occasion and while these little escapades might be more base hedonism on his part there's also the possibility that he's using them as an excuse to perform clandestine or subversive activities without us knowing one way or the other."

Serafall and Sirzechs shared another meaningful glance, certain beyond words that's what Harris was doing.

"And need I even bring up his obviously close relationship with that Angel? Despite the safety and security of his livelihood and that of his companions being on the line he apparently thrives on making things as difficult as possible for me."

Frustrated eyes glared at them with no shortage of ire.

"You wish to ensure your family remains safe and prosperous? Allow me to reiterate…reign that bastard in."

While briefly cowed by the clear agitation Grayfia was showing the pair ultimately remained silent.

After all, what were they supposed to do? While Grayfia may or may not have an honest trial and evaluation on the mind her master certainly didn't and he was the one making the final call, they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Harris had been the cause of this entire mess, yes, but he was also the only one who could get them out of it, since miracles were apparently a hot commodity for the man.

Turn him in and hope for the best from Lucifer? Foolish in the extreme. Tag along for the ride Xavier had dragged them into? Still foolish but so far he hadn't been the one to disappoint and betray them…just play his cards frighteningly close to his chest.

At this point - galling as it was - they just had to hope for the best.

"My apologies, Lucifuge. I didn't know our little jokes and schemes had left you so agitated."

As if summoned by disquiet and irritation in regards to his very existence Harris chose that moment to show up, followed by Robin as the woman gave the trio a friendly nod.

"As if you were unaware."

"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I'm not here solely to torment you, the Extra Legions are one their way."

Following the man's pointed finger the Devils did indeed spot the first signs of their 'reinforcements', a couple hundred distant figures flying towards them fairly close to the ground and pulling up short before landing in a rough approximation of military formation, several ranks deep as one of them stood at the forefront of the ensemble, standing not quite proudly but at least resolutely.

"Huh. They're not nearly as ragtag as I imagined."

Trailing behind Robin as she took the lead in approaching them Harris examined the host with a curious eye, noting that their equipment was of reasonable make and repair. All metal and functional armor or weaponry, nothing as ridiculous as wooden spears or stone swords that would have crossed over into the line of cruel absurdity. Instead what he noticed was the sheer breadth of races and denominations located within, as if someone had decided to throw together all their mythical toys into one basket just for shits and giggles.

"Did I get transported to Arknights by mistake?"

Animal features were on heavy display, ranging from simple horns, ears or tails to outright feathered wings or snake-like lower halves as he figured that - as the name implied - these were the castoffs or mildly more valuable slaves of Devil society, the ones who wouldn't or couldn't return to other factions and had to eke out the mildly respectable existence of cannon fodder rather than slaves.

"The perfect breeding ground for a nice, malleable force to work wonders with. Do your thing, Robin."

Said Dragoness marched forward, the lead man - a towering and dour specimen that sported one Fallen and Devil wing apiece - steadily meeting her gaze before rumbling, "I am Bardock, leader of the 5th Legion and-"

"Hey there~! My name's Cherry, the real leader of the 5th Legion!"

Harris raised an eyebrow as the 'ragtag' showed its face in record time, what could only be described as an oppai loli Succubus bouncing forward in revealing armor as she beamed at Robin, Bardock abruptly looking as if he was a half-second away from killing something. Or someone.

"You see, he pretends he's the leader but I'm in charge of logistics and therefore make the calls around here."

A harsh shove by the hybrid sent the Succubus tumbling as he growled, "We have no logistics you worthless scavenger. Fucking half the Legion in a failed bid to usurp my position doesn't count as taking tally of our resources."

Picking herself off the ground with a supremely unconcerned air Cherry cheerfully replied, "I'm just picking up the slack since our supposed 'leader' wasn't ensuring the morale and mental wellbeing of the troops, that's all."

Laughter and jeers left the assembled ranks, everyone clearly eager to get in on the joke as they shouted, "Yeah, Bardock? Why don't you 'put out' more effort, huh?!"

"We're fighting and dying for your ambitions and pride? How about a little compensation?!"

Just as many were quick to sneer or chuckle from the opposite side of the argument, some roaring, "Hey, at least the Prefect doesn't leave our dicks burning after a midnight visit, does he?"

"Turns out that nasty discharge wasn't Solomon's Rot but just second hand Succubus!"

"Hey fuck you! I'm clean, you jerks! Can't say it'd matter if I was dirty or not with a cock like yours, though. Thing that tiny hasn't even tasted fresh air, let alone pussy like mine~!"

Raucous laughter permeated the Legion, Harris smirking at Serafall and Sirzech's uncertain and awkward gazes while Grayfia looked outright scandalized, as if what she was hearing was an affront to every sensibility possible.

He had been dogshit at and a major offense to every military regulation and practice regarding discipline and working as a team there had been so this little display of informality and casual disregard for the rules made him feel right at home amidst the jokers and misfits.

"I would have run a good, functioning military unit to tears with general incompetence if they'd been assigned to me. Thankfully that's not my burden to bear this time around."

Taking a single step forward Robin clapped her hands, predictably getting no one's attention as she took the next logical step and withdrew a Wind tome from her coat, firing off a burst of concussive force that almost flattened a fair few of the Legion and silenced the calls and laughter, eyes landing on her with a variety of hostile intentions.

Not that she so much as missed a beat, stowing away the tome and authoritatively announcing, "Greetings, everyone. My name is Robin and for the foreseeable future I will be your commanding officer. Contrary to what you have no doubt experienced in the past I also intend to ensure you live as long as possible so I would appreciate it if-"

"Words don't mean shit, princess. We've been fed a steady diet of speeches and lectures our entire lives and I can assure you they leave one feeling a little empty on the inside."

Bardock scowled, his interruption immediately followed by a growl of, "Who the fuck are you anyway? We were told we were going to be meeting some idiot who pissed off Lucifer, not his glorified librarian that probably moonlights as his half breed paramour."

Harris had to hide his laughter at that particular comment, knowing full well the man was going to pay for it. Instead he watched as Cherry peeked around the armored man, narrowing her eyes while idly stating, "Forget her, aren't those the Sitri and Gremory kids? Great, more bluebloods we have to deal with. And unless my eyes deceive me that hot, silver-haired, fine piece of ass is Lucifer's loyal sleeve. Geez, what did we do to deserve this?"

While Serafall and Sirzechs weathered the suspicion with remarkable stoicism Grayfia seemed more agitated by the Legion's words and hostile attitudes, narrowing her eyes as if in preparation for a fight that would probably end poorly for her. It was hard to gauge just how powerful the canon cast was when they were still technically in their 'early' years.

Apparently she felt confident enough to step forward, bluntly stating, "As poor and low your status and standing may be you are still servants of a Satan. If nothing else, you should act with pride befitting of that role."

There was a tender silence, one in which the Legion stared blankly at Grayfia…and burst out laughing at what Harris assumed was the funniest shit they had heard in a long time. Even Grayfia seemed to realize just how hollow those words would have sounded, pursing her lips together in a sort of pinched resignation.

"Well, some are amused but I spy with my little eye more than a few gazes that are of a less consensually amorous nature than is safe for children's programming. Guess I can't blame them, if a personification of my shit life was preaching to my face payback would be on my mind too."

CRACK!

But before anything could escalate or turn bloody Robin yet again took control of the situation, more than a few ears ringing as she promptly sheathed her Levin sword, still crackling with electric discharge as she calmly announced, "I'm your leader because I have the qualifications to be one. And if any of you have issue with that then I'm more than happy to prove my worth."

A confident, supremely self-assured smirk appeared on the draconic woman's lips.

"After all, one of my greater feats has been leading a ragtag group of people from all walks of life to an underdog victory against an ancient Dragon that could arguably be labeled as pure malice."

Eyerolls and scoffs were found aplenty, Bardock striding forward and staring down at Robin as he growled, "Who do you think you're fooling, little girl? You feel no more impressive than a second rate Human charlatan, let alone some grand strategist that you claim you are. Do you really want to go down the route of proving your worth through whatever means we see fit?"

"The means I see fit. But stubborn ones often need a more direct form of convincing, it seems."

Bardock looked out of the corner of his eye in Harris' direction, addressing him for the first time as he asked, "And what about you, tough guy? You that idiot Lucifer was mad about?"

"Don't look at me, she's the one in charge."

The shapeshifter casually deflected the question as Bardock spat on the ground, grumbling, "Fine, twist my arm a little and-"

With almost no warning whatsoever the Devil took a swing at Robin's head, the tactician smoothly weaving out of the way before casually remarking, "Oh, before I forget, that Dragon I was talking about? The spoils of battle I received from bringing it down were its body and power becoming my own. Observe."

Black and purple flames sprouted to life all along the woman's body, engulfing her like a tidal wave of malice as the ethereal fire grew and grew and grew, the Extra Legion staring gormlessly at the gargantuan figure appearing above them.

Long, serpentine body. Massive, lethal horns. Multiple feathered wings. An aura of pure evil and threat that made Harris happy he was on Robin's team instead of against it?

"Hoo boy that is a sight to see."

While not quite as massive as the original Grima had been - his companions weren't quite at full power, after all - Robin was still utterly fucking huge as she loomed high overhead, gradually lowering her neck until glowing, crimson orbs stared down at the Legion with imperious detachment, flaring nostrils that reeked of decay and murder a scant meter away from a pale and wide-eyed Bardock.

"Is this qualification enough for you, Devil?"

A truly bowel-loosening rumble emanated from the Dragon, the hybrid simply nodding once as Cherry had been quick to retreat back into ranks, the rest of the Extra Legion standing at attention with stiff backs and what he imagined were clenched assholes.

"Good."

And with that simple statement Robin returned back to her normal body with a more subdued inferno of fire and flame, rolling her shoulders as she motioned for Bardock to follow - the man hastily obeying - as she casually stated, "Now introduce me to the rest of your Legion. I want to meet and become familiar with the faces I'm going to be commanding."

"Yes ma'am."

Harris nodded in approval at the Extra Legion's behavior, knowing that it was going to make their lives easier. They were belligerent and prideful in their own brash way, sure…but when push came to shove they had folded like a house of cards and chosen survival over potentially pissing off the massive and terrifying Dragon.

Glancing towards his three 'allies' who had thus far remained quiet Harris had to resist the urge to burst out laughing at their expressions. Sirzechs and Serafall looked as if he had grown a second head and told them they could fly solely by flapping their arms, Grayfia looking as if she had both bit into a lemon and passed a kidney stone at the same time.

"Guess I can't blame them for that. All they've seen of me and Robin thus far is sickeningly cute affection and more than a little fucking. And then she goes and turns into a titanic beast of destruction and madness and they realize I've got something like that wrapped around my little finger."

Naturally he just offered them an unconcerned shrug and turned back to watching Robin go about interacting and speaking with the various members of their new military force, some of the tension of her previous reveal vanishing as they ragtag group seemed to realize she was actually quite personable and charismatic when not trying to scare the shit out of them.

"Already building those C-rank supports, Robin? Some things never change."