DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

High School DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD Series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK.

Please support the official release.

Chapter 26: Guarded Party

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
Also Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

When the message I got from Azazel mentioned a party for the engagement of someone in the Underworld, I thought it would have been an effort from the Gremory family.

Kind of cliche, but it was the first thing that jumped to mind. The thing is that this wasn't the case. The invitation was extended by the Phenex Family, but while Raiser was involved in half of the affair, the other half was a bit of a surprise. The symbol of the Agares clan took me by surprise nonetheless as it wasn't one I thought I would have ended up seeing this soon, but it made sense that the Phenex would have tried out their hands with someone else of the 72 Pillars to actually hook Raiser with.

I just didn't think of Seekvaira being an option. Azazel's explanation shed some light on why this union was even within the realms of possibility: Seekvaira was meant to wear the pants in the relationship. In fact, one could say that this whole ordeal felt a bit like a 'revenge' from the bespectacled girl towards her 'beloved one'.

While the message lacked the full text, it was summarized in a few lines: Seekvaira was going to be the main contribution of the union thus Raiser was to take her last name rather than the opposite, she would be able to call the shots in some of his displays of attitude, and she was... going to allow him to keep his pseudo-harem of a peerage.

The last bit left me quite confused on why the girl would do that, but then I realized it was a power move to always have something to use against Raiser in case he 'disobeyed'. The entire concept was absurd, hilarious but also... fitting. Despite their many differences, these two could eventually end up forming a good and honest team, especially since there was some gold hidden in the deep layers of shit that currently made Raiser's crappy attitude on everyone that had tits, pussies and that was hot in his brain.

However, I forgot to mention why I was being involved in all of this. After all, Grigori shouldn't have any reason to be dealing with Devils' private affairs... unless one of ours was urged to take part to this event. Reval Phenex, I remembered only through the content of the message, was in a relationship with a Fallen Angel. From Grigori. And these two had a bit of an awkward reputation because of the uneasiness between our factions.

My mission was to be part of the guarding staff that would protect the duo. Technically-speaking, my presence there was formal as Reval's peerage was, by what Grigori knew about, more than strong enough to handle the job on their own. But it would sound quite horrible if one of ours was left without some 'native' protection during this sort of event.

So, I had been invited by the Phenex Clan to have the same level of relevance as their second oldest child's peerage. Not a big deal to me since it was supposed to be me just staring around and doing nothing that would warrant any issues unless provoked. An easy payday for sure, but I had ignored one thing that was instantly reminded to me just within the first hour of the event.

I couldn't eat food, I couldn't drink anything (all because everything here was deadly for normal humans, Ophis-boosted or not) and... Rias was here too. I remembered that all major families were supposed to be there, thus Rias being here was expected. Same for most of her peerage as I could soon see as she walked up to me for a greeting.

"John-san, I didn't think I would have found you here too," She welcomed happily, making it clear through her cutey mannerism that she had been told of this before the event.

I had to keep my eyes up to her face due to her provocative red dress. So revealing, not too much, but definitely meant to get glances on it.

"Well, the invitation came as a surprise and I am not exactly here for mere courtesy."

"I have heard. You are here as part of the guard for Levia-san's protection."

Levia was the name of the fallen angel hooked with Reval. I nodded at this, and before I could add more to this, Akeno decided to approach too.

"John-san, it's been a while."

A bit of a husky tone, which stood out a lot more since her dress was less sensual compared to Rias. Despite the fact it covered a bit more bits, it was a pleasant sight for many people that loved her exquisite frame. Curious to see her wear red too though.

"Have you given a try with the wine? It's quite delicious," Rias offered, and I wasn't truly sure if this was an attempt of getting me drunk or not so-

"I am afraid my body wouldn't handle it well. I don't need to remind you that wine prepared in the underworld could be quite... troublesome for humans."

A red hue manifested on her cheeks, genuinely showing how she had forgotten that detail. "O-Oh right."

Akeno giggled. "Rias is a bit excited so she is not truly at her best mindset. In fact, many here are quite delighted with how things turned into."

I could see that her smile held two meanings which I was quite sure were what drove her to be so 'happy': 1) Her boss was not getting hooked to any unknown individual and 2) the one that was being hooked to an unknown was someone that would whip the stupid out of Raiser.

"I have noticed yes. But I believe that you two shouldn't be lingering around for long. After all, we are trying to limit interactions between guards and other guests to avoid any issues."

The redhead deflated a bit. "It's alright. We were just greeting and... I hope you enjoy the feast, John-san."

I slowly nodded at this, and I couldn't help but smile as Rias retreated, looking like a child that had been denied cake. Akeno looked less 'distraught' by the news, more than happy to just stand back and watch as my work resumed shortly after. There were so many people around and I had to keep my eyes on them just in case anyone tried to get too close to our wards.

Two more hours went by, and I used my little break from the shift to eat a snack I had brought with me. An emergency meal in the form of two Nutella sandwiches in case I had to eat something more 'softer' compared to the stuff offered by the event itself. It was right as I was finishing the second one that someone approached me.

"Apologies, could I take some time off you for a talk?"

I looked at the source of the question, and tensed up a bit as I recognized the figure as Grayfia Lucifuge.

"Sure."

The 'maid' nodded. "Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you are John Bukharin."

"I am, yes."

"And it would be correct to say you know Rias Gremory from before this feast."

I nodded. "She is one of the warden of Kuoh Town on the side of the Underworld's control. I am the head of the Grigori Garrison in the place."

"I see, I thought I heard of your name before and, if I may be bold to inquire, I am aware that you are also... single?"

That was an oddly specific question, jumping from one to ten really fast. Still, I had a good answer to that.

"That would be incorrect, no. I made it public many times I have a girlfriend."

Grayfia nodded, somewhat relieved by the news... but I wasn't done just yet.

"And we are also planning to marry quite soon."

That was a curve ball for the maid as she gave me a stunned look.

"A... marriage? I thought... I am sorry for sounding a bit shocked, but I wasn't aware that you were planning to already marry. You look quite young."

"My girlfriend and I have been together for a long time now, and the question kind of came up. We just decided to give it a try."

"Marriage isn't something that should be 'given a try'-"

"I meant more on the offical serious aspect of it. I think we already had most of the logistics down when it comes to that. We live together, we split chores and we have our own jobs to deal with," I interrupted quietly. "I am sorry if I came off as a bit careless over that topic."

"It's alright," Grayfia assured. "I am actually relieved to hear this. I am sure you understand that Lord Sirzechs may feel a bit distressed to know his younger sister is getting closer to a potential single young man."

"I actually do since I am big brother myself. I wouldn't say I share the same 'intense' bond as Lord Sirzechs has for Rias, but I understand he may get overprotective for her sake," I reassured the female Devil, doing my best to not paint him as a siscon in front of his wife of all possible people.

She retreated after this interaction and I went back to handle my shift. Nothing much had happened while I had been away, and the big part of the event soon happened when the new couple recited their vows. It was no standard marriage, especially when Raiser looked quite nervous while reading his lines as he knew, through those recited by Seekvaira that he had been put a leash around his neck.

Was this bad? Perhaps for his pride. Seekvaira wasn't inherently a bad person. She may hold a grudge at him, but it wasn't the sort of hate that would really hurt him at all. The only thing that was going to get bruised was the little ego he had over his 'cool' self.

The last hour of the event was soon nigh, and I prepared to make my leave as soon as I was given the request to do so... but I was given a peculiar last task. A certain blonde had shown some displeasure at what was going on and while she kept tame at first, she had gotten a bit 'feisty' by the time the promises were exchanged.

Which is why part of the guards were not keeping an eye on a very furious and annoyed Ravel Phenex, the girl trying her hardest to be 'let go' and to go and 'do her duty as a sister and save her brother'.

I could see the Peerage's members struggling to keep Ravel from still going after Seekvaira's life, making this bit of the event a bit awkward but... I had to ultimately jump in as she was starting to employ a bit too much heat.

"Lady Ravel, I suggest you stop now," I started calmly, trying to not come off as too strong about it.

A bit of a mistake as she snarled at me. "And allow this travesty to go on!? Never!"

"Then you should stop before your brother gets punished in your stead."

That had her pause a moment.

"W-Why would they punish him-"

"Let me ask you this, if you were annoyed by your new sister-in-law trying to stop a planned marriage from unfolding and hurt the guests around, how do you think will Lady Seekvaira react to this?"

...

"Let me ask you this, are you a savage, Lady Ravel?"

"N-No."

"Then you don't behave like one. If you have some displeasure over this circumstance then you should keep it to yourself. An intervention should happen if your brother is truly being hurt by this beyond his feelings on the matter."

She gritted her teeth at this, clearly seething at my harsh words but... soon her shoulders sagged as she looked depleted of all energy, unwilling to contemplate any aggression against her future sister-in-law.

The event was soon wrapped up, I made a fair amount of money out of this task and I went home with the relief that Sirzechs now knowing I wasn't going after his sister. I took it as a win... unaware that little Ravel was now curious to know who just chided her into quietly accepting defeat.

AN

A bit of a party with a few familiar and non faces.

REVIEW Q&A!

Billy Reb: Classified.

Houtengeki-Fan: 1) Yes;