(Tatsuka's POV)
Once I finished burying my opponent's bodies and clean their blood off my lawn, I plopped down onto my couch, dirtied, bloodied, sweaty, and feeling completely wiped out all at the same time.
"Hoooh! Man..." I sighed tiredly.
I saw Asia approach me from the corner of my eye.
"Umm... are you okay, Tatsuka-san?" She questioned timidly.
"Yeah..." I answered as I release an exhausted breath. "I'm fine. Just... need a moment."
"Oh... okay." The girl nodded and walked back to her seat.
I stayed still on the couch for a few seconds, not saying a single word.
"Well, there you go, Tatsuka. Now that you've settled in, how do you feel after having your first kill? Or rather... kills?" My inner voice asked me.
"I feel... fine." I answered. 'Of course, I'm horrified, too. But killing those girls feels like the more humane thing to do rather than letting them live. Burying them afterward feels like a sad affair, as it should be, and I certainly won't lose any sleep over that bastard."
I then slowly looked at the blonde.
"...So..." I started and released one final breath. "I bet you're wondering on what's going on, how did I turn into that guy you saw, and what is that snake..."
I pointed at the bottle on the table.
"Right?" I asked.
The ex-nun nodded her head.
"All right." I said with a nod of my own.
"Since you've been watching, I'm sure you recognized the guy I'm fighting with...?" I questioned.
"Yes." The former nun confirmed with a soft voice. "He was the Devil I'd healed back in the Vatican..."
"Right." I nodded again.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush here this time, Miss Argento. So I hope you prepare yourself for what you're about to hear." I warned her before continuing.
"That was Diodora Astaroth. Now former, heir apparent to House Astaroth, younger brother of Ajuka Beelzebub," I saw Asia widened her eyes at that. "And one of the many, evil Devils out there."
I paused to let my words sink into her.
"He was known for taking and defiling church-going girls like you and those girls he was fighting alongside with. Twisting them, breaking them, and corrupting them until they become nothing more than a mindless slave for him." The former Holy Maiden blanched and paled.
I continued.
"That injury you healed? That was done by himself in order to get you excommunicated from the Church. And not only that, the Fallen Angel that sent you here has a nefarious plan in mind as well." The girl looked baffled.
"So... in conclusion, Asia Argento..." I stared at her with a serious face.
"You are very, very lucky that I got rid of those Fallen and found you before him. Otherwise, you might've suffered a fate worse than death." I told her.
She swallowed.
I went silent for the next few seconds, watching as the horrified face on the girl settles into a hopeful one.
"If... if I was tricked, then... does that mean... I can go back to the Church...?" The former nun asked hopefully.
'The Christian Servants are going to hate this...' I thought with a grimace.
"Unfortunately, you can't. They won't let you." I bluntly answered.
I mentally winced.
'I bet they're all malding on my ass right now.' I thought.
Asia's face fell.
"But... but why?!" She demanded in a devastated voice.
I keep my face calm.
"It's because of your Sacred Gear." I told her as I pointed at her finger.
The former nun looks at it and summoned her ring.
I elaborated.
"When it was found out that it could also heal Devils, you were permanently barred from becoming a member of the Church due to the possibility of you influencing other believers' thoughts. And Heaven does not need that right now due to the effects of their last war." I explained.
Distraught, tears started welling up in the girl's eyes.
"Dear God..." Asia said in Italian as she sobs.
'Ahh... boy.' I deadpanned as I uncomfortably watch the blonde cries her heart out.
'What should I do...?' I thought.
"...Hey, don't cry. Even if you're exiled from the Church, that doesn't mean you are not allowed to continue in believing God's teachings." I comforted her awkwardly.
'Man, I feel like Mandri right now...' I thought with a sigh.
Thankfully, my half-assed words seemed to work perfectly on her somehow as I saw her slowly calming down.
"...You're right." She said after a few sniffles.
I sighed again.
"Miss Argento, do you remember when you asked me why I wear this glove all the time and I answered with, 'I have a terrible scar on the back of my hand'?" I asked as I tried to distract her by moving on from this conversation.
She nodded her head.
"Well..." I took off said glove.
"...I lied." I revealed, much to the girl's confoundment.
"Look." I tells her as I showed her my two remaining Command Spells.
She stared at them with curious looks.
"These are called Command Spells. They are how I was able to turn into that man you saw earlier. And before you ask... no. They are not a Sacred Gear." I explained.
'Though, I guess mine does act similar to one.' I thought before continuing.
"You see how the marks are separated from each other?" I asked.
She nodded.
"That means I can transform again for another two times. Usually, there are 3 markings, but since I already used one of them, it's gone till the clock reached midnight. Every twelfth AM, one Command Spell will be recharged without fail. For example, if I transform at exactly 11:59 PM, that used Command Spell will be ready again the next minute." I told her.
"I... see..." Asia said in a daze, her previous sadness forgotten.
She snapped out of it soon after.
"So... who was he...?" The girl asked.
"To be honest with you... I don't know either." I answered truthfully.
"Huh?!" The ex-nun looks at me, surprised.
"Today was the first time I saw him." I explained myself to her.
Asia pursed her lips.
"Tatsuka-san..." The blonde began.
"This Command Spells of yours..." She said slowly.
"...what does they do, exactly?" The girl questioned.
I bit my lip.
"...What I'm going to say next might be really shocking to you, Miss Argento. So please be advised." I warned her again before starting.
"I'm sure you know about King Arthur Pendragon, right?" I asked.
The former nun nods her head.
"Of course. Everyone at the Church always talked about him and his sword, Excalibur." She told me.
I nodded.
"Yeah... truth is... I could transform into him, too." I revealed.
Asia stared at me for a couple seconds.
"...Pardon?" She said in Italian.
For the next few minutes, I explained to the Christian girl about the powers of my Command Spells, the Servants, and how I came to be in this World.
By the time I finished, Asia was looking at me with her mouth hanging low, face stiff and unresponsive like a statue. She had been like that ever since I told her about some of the Christian Servants.
I stared at her.
"Miss Argento?" I asked.
"..." She didn't respond.
"Miss Argento." I tried again.
"..." Still no response.
I leaned towards her and snapped my fingers in front of her face.
"..."
I sighed loudly.
This... might take a while...
'Man, I need sleep.' I thought tiredly.
(Rias' POV)
I sighed in exasperation.
'What a mess...' I thought exhaustedly.
Another day have passed, and I am currently sitting on the couch inside my clubhouse, wearing casual clothing, arms underneath my breasts and legs crossed.
'Just what is happening to our territory these past few days?' I wondered to myself.
First, it was those Fallen and the ninja girl Issei was talking about. Second, the Stray Devil, Viser. And now, the death of Diodora Astaroth and his peerage.
News of the heir apparent had leaked and spread like wildfire in the Underworld.
When I heard of it from my Brother, I was shocked. Even more so after investigation said that the last known location the Astaroth heir went to before his death was Kuoh. My and Sona's territory.
Further investigation led by the Astaroths would've been conducted here in this town if I hadn't insisted on them to let Sona and I be the ones who finds the cause of their heir's death since he apparently died in our territory. In addition, we were tasked to find his and his peerage's corpse and bring them to the Underworld, if possible.
I already have a sneaking feeling on how they died. Yet, I am unable to discern on why they did.
Since our goals were aligned, I had asked Sona to conduct a full search on the town along with my peerage to find this elusive ninja girl Issei was talking about, who I highly suspect, is the one who had killed Diodora and his peerage.
And just like that, the mysterious ninja that saved my Pawn's life and drives off the Fallen Angels for us have become a wanted criminal overnight.
(BUZZ—BUZZ!)
My phone turned on and vibrated on the table.
I leaned forward and picked it up.
"Yuuto?" I looked at the screen in surprise.
'Don't tell me... he found her already?' I thought before reading his message.
I widened my eyes.
I quickly text back.
"Got it."
I stood up and ran towards my family's sigil in the center of the room.
A second later, I arrived to where my Knight is.
I looked at the modest-sized house.
"So this is the place?" I asked as I walked in front of the gate.
"That is correct, Buchou." Yuuto nodded his head before adding.
"You can sense the residual traces of Demonic energy coming from the lawn, right?" He asked.
"Indeed I can." I replied as I stares inside.
"Not only that. But Buchou, please look at the grass." The blond told me.
I did what he asked me and saw scorch marks, patches of dirt, and small craters everywhere.
"Signs of battle. A lot of them. And, to your left, please?" I turned my head and saw two freshly digged spots besides each other. One big, and one small.
"Graves. Most likely Diodora Astaroth's and his peerage's." The blond-haired Knight finished my thoughts.
I looked at the nameplate besides the gate.
It says, "Rikka".
I spoke.
"Have you texted the others?" I asked him.
"Already did." Yuuto says as he put away his phone
In that moment, a Sitri's family sigil appeared on the ground.
Coming out of it crossed arms, was my childhood friend, rival, fellow King, fellow heiress, and Student Council President.
The short-haired girl looked at the nameplate.
"This place...!" I saw Sona widened her eyes slightly as she moves closer to the gate.
I speak up.
"Judging by your face, Sona. You know of the one who lives here?" I ask.
The Sitri coughed and quickly fixes her expression.
She nods.
"Yes. I do." She answered calmly.
"Who is it? I questioned her.
"Let's... wait until the others are here first." The bespectacled girl told me.
I nodded.
"Alright." I answered and put my arms underneath my busts.
A few minutes later, the first to arrive are the Queens, and Sona's Knight. Akeno, Tsubaki Shinra, and Tomoe Meguri.
"Kaichou." Tsubaki starts as she stared at the house.
"Isn't this place...?" She turned to her King.
Sona nodded.
"That's right." She confirmed.
The vice-president nodded and didn't say anything else.
Akeno and Tomoe looked confused, while I got even more curious.
The next to arrive are the Rooks, and my Pawn, Koneko, Issei, and Tsubasa Yura.
"Buchou! Kiba! Did you find her-ow!" Issei yelped when the small girl kicked him in the shin.
"It's night. Be quiet." The Nekoshou chides him shortly.
"Sorry...!" The brunette whispered.
I smiled at their antics.
"Koneko. Issei." I greeted.
The white-haired, cat girl sniffed and looked inside the gate.
"Devil's blood." She said.
"As expected of a Nekomata." Sona praised her. "Their sense of smell are amongst the best in the Supernatural World."
Koneko walked in front of the gate.
"How is it, Koneko? What else do you smell?" I asked the small girl.
"...Two Humans. One male, and one female." She answered.
We all tensed at the last one, knowing what that means.
We looked at each other and nods.
We then waited for a couple minutes more.
Finally, we were joined by Sona's Bishops, Momo Hanakai, and Reya Kusaka.
"We're here, everyone!" Momo announced.
"Sorry if we're late!" Reya apologized.
Sona just nodded and gestured them to the side.
A few more minutes later, Sona's Pawns, Saji Genshirou and Ruruko Nimura finally showed up.
"You two are way too late." The short-haired Devil stared at them with a stern gaze.
"What do you both have to say for yourselves?" She asked.
The two gulps nervously.
They bowed deeply.
"Forgive us, Kaichou. We will make sure not to keep you waiting ever again." They apologize sincerely.
Sona sighed.
"Forget it. We have more pressing matters at hand." She waves them aside.
I spoke up.
"Well, Sona." I started. "Now that everyone's here, what do you know of the owner of this property?"
Sona looks at me.
"It belongs to one of our 2nd year." She answered.
I was surprised by that information. Everyone else is too, judging by their reactions with the exception of one Tsubaki Shinra.
"What?!" Issei, Saji, Momo, Reya, Tomoe, and Ruruka cried out.
"Oh, my, my. I certainly didn't expect that." Akeno smiles as she giggles.
Yuuto, Koneko, and Tsubasa only made a small noise and widened their eyes a little.
I stared at Sona.
"Who is it?" I asked
Sona stared back.
"Rikka, Tatsuka." She answered.
I furrowed my brows as I tried to remember the student with that name.
I then shook my head.
"Never heard of them." I said.
"I'm not surprised. He mostly kept to himself and never draws any attention." The short-haired girl replied.
I frowned.
"Since you're the one who knows about him, does he have anything that's interesting?" I asked.
My fellow King shook her head.
"From my knowledge... no." The Student Council President answered.
Tsubaki continued.
"He also lives by himself, if I remember correctly. If Toujou-kun said she smelled a Human girl inside, then we can assume that he's involved with Astaroth-san's killer." She said.
Momo interjected.
"Or! He's just hanging out with his girlfriend." She 'helpfully' said.
Tsubaki paused before coughing.
"That is a possibility." She replied cooly.
I heard Issei grumbles.
"Damn, someone in my year who I absolutely know nothing about was able to get a stable girlfriend. This sucks..." He complains quietly.
"You can do that too if you stopped your perverted tendencies, you know?" Saji told him snidely.
"Neve-ow!"
"Oof!"
Koneko kicked Issei again while Ruruko elbowed her partner.
"You two, shush!" She hissed at them.
"Sorry...!/Sorry...!" They apologized.
I looked at my small Rook and spoke.
"Koneko, do you still smell the girl inside?" I asked her.
The Nekoshou paused and sniffs the air before nodding.
"Right." I then turned to my Queen.
"Akeno. Put up an illusion barrier mixed with your lightning around the perimeter." I ordered her.
The sadistic girl that is my best friend smiles.
"Of course, Rias." She unfulfilled her wings and flies up into the air.
Once she's done, I walked to the doorbell and pressed it.
(DING—DONG!)
"That's it?" I heard Sona questioned in incredulity.
"Why, yes." I smiled as I looked at her.
"Is something wrong?" I ask.
She sighed.
"With all of us present, you'd think you would do more than just ask Akeno." The bespectacled girl says to me. "And ringing the doorbell? Really? Rias, we are likely about to face someone who can beat a High-class Devil with a full peerage, and the best move you think you should do is that?"
She criticised with a raised eyebrow.
"On the contrary, Sona. I would prefer not to fight someone of that caliber if there are other ways to sort things out." I explained to her.
(CLICK!)
I then heard the front door being opened.
Akeno landed beside me and retracted her wings.
"Quick! Everyone, act normal!" I ordered the group and relaxes my body.
(Tatsuka's POV)
'Well that didn't take long at all.' I thought as I knowingly stared at the Devils outside of my gate.
I moved my eyes up and saw that they put up a dark barrier around my area.
Like yesterday, I was in the middle of teaching Asia Japanese when we heard someone rang the bell. Again.
'Might as well get this over with.' I thought and walked up to the group.
I saw Rias smiles and opened her mouth.
"Hello, Rikka-san-" I didn't allow her to start.
"You're here because of Diodora Astaroth, aren't you?" They all tensed up in alarm at that but grows confused when I opened the gate for them.
"Come in. I'll explain inside." I said with a straight face.
They looked at each other uncertainly.
Rias stepped forward and enters my property followed by Sona, and soon after, the rest of the peerages.
I closed the gate and turned back around to see them staring at the two makeshift burial spots.
I decided to speak up.
"Yes, they're there." I confirmed their suspicions. "And the reason why they are separated from each other, will be later told in the house."
Rias spoke.
"We were tasked to bring their corpses back to the Underworld." She said.
I shrugged and gestured my hand towards the graves.
"Why, be my guest, Princess." I told her before walking back to my house.
I pushed open the door and saw Asia behind it.
"Who are they, Tatsuka-san?" The blonde girl asked curiously.
"Just Devils from my school." I answered and saw her tensing up.
"W-What?!" She said in shock.
I eased her.
"They're good. I promise." I assured before walking back to the living room and sat on one of my recliner.
Asia followed after me and mimicked my action across me.
"Pardon us..." I heard one of Sona's peerage says before Ruruko, Tomoe, and Koneko stepped in the room.
I turned to them.
"Sit." I ordered.
They did just that on the couch while continuing to cautiously stare at me.
I closed my eyes again and leaned back into my seat with a sigh.
"So..." I heard Ruruko starts.
I opened my eyes and saw her looking at Asia.
"Who are you? Are you Rikka-senpai's girlfriend or something?" She ask curiously.
"G-Girlfriend?!" The ex-nun stammers and blushes. "N-No! I'm his... tenant..."
The girl answered nervously.
"Tenant?" Tomoe questioned.
I decided to help the blonde out.
"Let's save the questions for when the rest of you are here, okay?" I said to the trio.
"Oh, okay..."
"Sure."
"..."
The three agrees.
Asia smiles gratefully at me and I nod my head slightly.
We all then waits patiently for the rest of the group to come inside.
After a few minutes...
"...Excuse us."
(CLICK!)
...the 7 girls and 3 guys walks in the living room.
"Argento-san?!" Issei widened his eyes in shock when he saw the ex-nun.
The blonde-haired girl looks at him.
"Ah, you're Issei-san, right?" Asia smiles at him as she said in Italian. "It's nice to meet you again. I had no idea that you were a Devil all this time..."
I blinked in confusion.
"Ah, yeah. I'm new. Sorry if I'm not what you think I am..." The brunette boy said awkwardly with an apologetic look.
'So they'd met each other just like in canon, huh?' I thought as I got the gist of their conversation.
'N-No!" The former nun shook her head. "It's fine! I won't judge you for that..."
"Argento?" Rias looks at her Pawn.
"You mean, she's the nun that you were talking about?" She then turns to me with an inquisitive expression.
"What is she doing here?" She questioned.
"First..." I pointed at the dining room in front of me.
"Go sit over there. However, there's only 6 chairs, so 4 of you had to make due with the floor." I tells them.
The ten Devils looked at each other.
"I'll be down here, then." Kiba finds a good spot and lowered himself.
"Me too!" Saji did too.
"Eh? Then I guess, I too." Issei followed their example.
"You all, please go ahead." Tsubasa smiles at the others and go with the boys.
The six remaining Devils, Rias, Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, Momo and Reya nodded appreciatively and walked toward the chairs.
Once they sit down, I began.
"So I'm sure you guys wanted to know why Diodora Astaroth and his peerage were buried on my front lawn, and why were they separated, right?" I asked them.
I watched the reactions of each Devils.
Rias, Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, Tsubasa, and Kiba nodded while Issei, Saji, Momo, and Reya looks rather haunted.
The three Devils who came here first looked curious.
I answered.
"Well, to put it simply... I killed them." I revealed, dismissing their doubts that I'm not their killer.
Everyone else except Asia looked shocked and alarmed.
"And he's a trash, through and through, while his peerage, were not." I continued.
"How? And what do you mean by that?" Rias asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"I'm a mage, Gremory-senpai." I answered plainly. "And Diodora Astaroth was a very cruel and twisted individual. Did you ever wondered why his peerage dressed like Holy Girls? Well, that's because he had a thing for that. The bastard likes to find a new toy to manipulate and play with, and then discard them once he's grown bored enough. Also, he was a part of the Old Satan Faction, so no loss there, right?"
I watched as some of them widened their eyes in shock at that while others had a confused look on their faces.
Sona narrowed her eyes at me.
"How do you know of all this?" She questioned in suspicion.
I stared at her unflinchingly.
"I know things, Sitri-kaichou." I told her with a small smile.
She stares at me for a few more seconds before continuing.
"You said you killed them..." The short-haired King states as she taps her finger.
"...how did you do it?" She questioned.
I let out a coy smirk.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" I teased her.
The Student Council President stopped her tapping and glares at me.
I remain completely unaffected.
"Oi, show some respect to Kaichou!" Saji yelled and everyone looks at him. "And answer her question!"
He demanded.
Sona sighed.
"Saji, that's enough." She told him.
"What?!" He looked at his King in shock. "But Kaichou!"
"Saji, be quiet, or else..." The bespectacled girl narrowed her eyes at her Pawn.
With a great deal of hesitation, the boy slowly backed down.
The Sitri heiress turns to me again.
"What about her?" She looked at the former Holy Maiden in her seat. "Who is she?"
I answered.
"Argento-san here was a nun from the Vatican." I explained. "She was kicked out from the Church due to to that bastard, Diodora Astaroth revealing that her Sacred Gear can also heal Devils."
I saw the aforementioned girl look down at the reminder and everyone else turns to her in surprise.
"She's here in this town because she received help from the Fallen Angels. I found her at the old church and decided to take her in." I saw Rias widen her eyes at that.
The redheaded Devil spoke.
"Are you... also the one who took care of those Fallen?" She questioned slowly.
I nodded my head.
"That's right." I confirmed.
She stares at me in awe.
"You must've been one powerful mage, Rikka-san." She marveled. "Which organization did you hail from?"
She asked.
I shrugged.
"Not really. If you ask me, I'm weak enough that I don't even think I could be qualified as a mage. And no. I'm not tied to any group or anyone." I answered casually.
"Truly?" Rias and everyone else minus Asia looks at me in shock.
"If that is so, then that would explain how I wasn't able to detect any traces of magical energy from you." Sona said. "But that didn't make sense. If you are indeed that weak, then how are you able to defeat Diodora and the Fallen?"
The girl questioned in befuddlement.
I shrugged again.
"Through other means, of course." I tells her.
I saw Rias perk up at that.
"Is it a Sacred Gear?" The redheaded She-Devil tried to guess.
I smiled coyly again.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" I repeated what I said to her friend.
She pouted.
Sona shook her head.
"Regardless, Rikka-san. Do you understand what you did?" She questioned me.
"About...?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You, killing a heir of one of the 72 Pillars of the Underworld. With that charge, you could be sentenced to death." The Sitri heiress told me seriously.
Some including Asia widened their eyes at that.
I snapped my fingers just before chaos could happen.
"I think I know just the object to prevent that." I smiled confidently. "Wait here."
I stood up and head towards my room.
I picked up the bottle containing one of Ophis' snakes and walked back down.
Everyone except Asia looked at the bottle in my hand with a confused expression.
I placed the bottle in front of the two Kings.
"Have you ever heard of Khaos Brigade?" I asked them while still smiling.
(Rias' POV)
A week had passed.
I stared at the Rikka household once more. Alone and by myself this time.
I sighed and pressed the doorbell.
(DING—DONG!)
I did not need to wait long before I saw Rikka-san opens his front door.
He approached the gate.
I let out an apologetic smile.
"Hello, Rikka-san. Sorry to bother you. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?" I asked.
He stopped in front of me.
He kept his silence for a few more seconds before finally speaking.
"Let me guess..." He started. "You want to form a pact with me to help you with your Rating Game against your fiance, Riser Phenex."
He said.
I dropped my smile at that and looks at him, baffled.
"How did you...?" I stared at him in disbelief.
The self-proclaimed weak mage let out another coy smirk as he opens the gate.
"Like I said, a week ago, Gremory-senpai. I just know things." He reminded smugly. "Come in."
He stepped aside.
I walked onto his lawn and he closed back the gate behind me.
He then leads me into his house.
"Oh! Gremory-san! Good evening." The former nun, Asia Argento greeted me from the kitchen.
I stopped and smiled at the blonde-haired girl.
"Good evening to you too, Argento-san." I greets back.
"Would you like me to make something?" The religious girl asked curiously.
I shook my head.
"No, that's fine. I won't be long at all." I replied.
Asia nodded.
"Okay."
I then walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.
Rikka-san spoke first on his recliner.
"I'm going to get straight to the point, Gremory-senpai." He began.
My heart started to beat faster in my chest due to my nervousness.
"...I'll agree in forming a pact with you." I immediately calmed down after that.
I breathe out a sigh of relief as a weight was lifted off of me.
"However!" My nervousness instantly came back.
I stared at the mage anxiously.
"It needs to be a temporary one. Once the match is over, I'll expect you to send me back home and break it off. Understand?" He stared at me seriously.
I nodded.
He continued.
"Second, I would like to bring Argento-san with me." The 2nd year student said.
"Huh?" The aforementioned girl sounded behind me when she heard her name being mentioned.
"That's fine. As my mage, you are allowed to bring anyone you want, so long as it is within the number limit." I agreed again.
"It's likely that I do not need her, but hey, it's better safe than sorry, right?" He shrugged.
"Hehe... right..." I giggled nervously.
"Lastly..." My heartbeat went up again.
I swallowed.
"...What is it?" I asked him.
"Once our pact is over, I would like to ask three favors from you. When I'm ready to cash one of them in, I'll call you." He picked up his phone from the table.
"...What's your contact number?" He asked.
I tell him.
"It's..."
Once we exchanged numbers, I saw the mage stood up.
"So how do we do this?" He questioned.
I stood up and approached him.
I then offer my right hand to him.
He stared at it.
"So it's like that, huh?" He reached out with his left, gloveless hand.
I blinked in surprise.
I slowly switch hands.
I always wondered what's underneath that glove of his. Could it be... that's where he kept his secret weapon of his...?
We shook hands and I poured my Demonic energy onto my palm.
(Tatsuka's POV)
A red glow appeared underneath our palms, and once it's gone, we retracted our hands back.
I stared at the new sigil engraved on my palm.
"Huh." I said before sitting back down.
I look up to the She-Devil.
"So when's the match? 10 days from now?" I tried to guess using the canon number.
"...Tomorrow." She unexpectedly answered.
I paused.
I completely did not expect that.
"...Oh, I see. Haha!" I realized what she intended to do and laughed slightly in amusement.
"You want me to carry you to victory!" I grinned at her.
The redhead blushed a little, further proving my suspicion correct.
"That's right." She confirmed with a nod. "I hope you don't mind..."
"Not at all..." I shook my head. "So I guess that means we're done here...?"
"Yes..." Rias nodded.
"Alright." I stood up again.
"See you tomorrow, then." I said to her.
The Gremory heiress began to leave and I escort her outside.
"Come to my clubhouse on 11 PM." She told me once she's out of the gate.
I nodded my head at her.
"Got it." I replied.
(Rias' POV)
I'm on the couch with my best friend and Queen, anxiously waiting for my contract mage to arrive.
It was the next day near midnight, and my match with Riser is close upon us.
The rest of my peerage are here. Yuuto, Issei, and Koneko. All of them are armed and ready, complete with a determined expression.
I looked at the clock.
23:30 PM.
'10 minutes left.' I thought worriedly. 'Come on, Rikka-san. Come quickly!'
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I turned to my left and saw Akeno looking at me with a comforting smile.
I weakly smiled back at her and nodded.
A full 10 minutes later, there is still no sign of the wizard and his nun.
My heart drops exactly the same time when my Sister-in-law, Grayfia appears out of a special magic circle.
"Is everyone ready?" She questioned with that unexpressive face of hers.
I spoke out in a panic.
"W-Wait! The people I told you about aren't here yet! Give them a little more time!" I pleaded.
The silver-haired woman nodded, much to my slight relief.
"Very well. But for the next five minutes, if they still haven't arrived, we will be leaving without them." She stated.
I nodded my head.
'Let's hope it does not come to that.' I thought with a grimace.
As much as I trusted my peerage and their abilities, we are just not ready for a Rating Game. Issei over there is more so considering he's only been a Devil for about a week.
The reason why I pushed the match's schedule ahead of time is as Rikka-san said. I wanted him to win for us. He simply has something on him that none of us have, and that is experience, and a secret power that lets him fight against multiple enemies by his lonesome and won. If I went on without him, it wouldn't be a fight for my peerage. No. It would be a complete, and total slaughter.
Another minute passes, and there's still no sign of the mage.
My hope began to dwindle and dwindle for every second passed, until suddenly...
(KNOCK—KNOCK!)
Like a bullet fired from a gun, I sprung up and ran across the room towards the door.
(CLICK!)
I pulled it open and saw Rikka-san and Argento-san standing there.
I glared at the former.
"What took you so long, you jerk?! I thought I told you to come exactly at 11!" I yelled at him angrily.
The asshole mage just shrugged his shoulders.
"I overslept. And we had to walk." He said simply as if he didn't just almost broke his pact with me.
"Lady Rias. Is that them?" Grayfia asked.
I took hold of the mage's arm and dragged him inside.
Argento-san followed behind and closed back the door.
(CLICK!)
"Yes...! That's... right...!" I throw the wizard forward, making him stumble and almost causing him to fell down to the floor.
Much to my irritation, he recovers easily and begun to act as if things were normal.
"Argento-san. How are you again?" I heard Issei talks to the ex-nun.
"I am fine. Thank you for asking. How about you, Issei-san?" The blonde girl asks him curiously.
"It's nice to meet you again, Rikka-san." Yuuto greeted the teenage wizard politely.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. You too." The aforementioned teen nodded his head.
Grayfia cleared her throat before speaking.
"Everyone. Listen well." The Devil known as the Strongest Queen raised her voice.
We all including Rikka-san pay attention to her.
"Once you step into that circle, all of you will be transported to a disposable space dimension used for every Rating Games. This unofficial match will be watched by the Phenex, the Gremory, Lady Sona and her peerage, and the Four Great Satans through a broadcast. So please, do keep that in mind." She says.
We all widened our eyes at that last bit.
'What?! Why?!' I thought in shock. 'Brother I could understand. But the other three?! Why did they decide to watch?!'
I then realized something and looked at the self-proclaimed weak mage who only raises his eyebrow at the information.
'Don't tell me... he's the reason.'
It makes total sense. A seemingly run of the mill mage who knows the inner workings and plans of the Old Satan's group were guaranteed to catch their interests. Hell, anyone's interests, really, if what he say is true...
Grayfia continued.
"As for me, I will be serving as the announcer and the referee. Now then, please follow me." My Sister-in-law walks back into the magic circle and disappear in a flash of light.
We all did as she says and stepped into the circle as well.
(FLASH!)
(Tatsuka's POV)
I blinked my eyes and looked around.
If one weren't paying attention, they would've thought that the circle was nothing but a light show, but if they were to look out the window, they would've seen a white void on where the sky usually are.
Also, MILF Sakuya Izayoi is missing.
The PA System suddenly turned on, and the aforementioned woman's voice rang out through the clubhouse.
"...Hello everyone. My name is Grayfia, the Housekeeper for the Gremory, and Lord Lucifer's Queen. Today, I will be the judge for this unofficial Rating Game between Rias Gremory of House Gremory, and Riser Phenex of House Phenex. By..."
I tuned the rest out and looked at the redheaded Devil.
"Gremory-senpai." I began as I approached her.
"Hold out your left hand like yesterday. I want to try something." I tells her.
The girl looks curious and did what she's told without asking.
I grabbed her and raised my right hand to my cheek.
"By my Command Spell..."
The first part of my CS appeared above my glove and everyone stared at it.
"...Henshin."
The number 151 raced through the forefront of my mind before my vision flashed red for a moment and the number was replaced with an 'error'.
I looked at my covered Command Spell in surprise.
"...Henshin."
I tried again and the first part of my CS appeared once more, showing to me and everyone that it wasn't used and the number 83 raced through my mind.
My vision went red and the number was replaced with an 'error' again.
Everyone looks at me strangely.
"Uhh... Rikka-san. Are you alright?" Issei asked me in what seems to be genuine concern.
I ignored him and tried again.
The number 151 appeared. My sight went red, and I got an 'error' again.
I let go of Rias' hand and said aloud.
"So that method also works." I realized.
"Work?" The brunette replied incredulously. "It seems to me that you're trying to become a Kamen Rider and failing."
At that, everyone (minus Asia who simply looks confused) couldn't help but laugh a little.
I ignored them.
(DING—DONG—DANG—DONG!)
The fake school bell rings, signifying the start of the match
I slowly turned and walked towards the door.
"H-Hey, Rikka-san, where are you going?!" The redheaded heiress calls out to me.
I stopped just before I could open the door.
I turned my head and looked at her.
"To win the Game of course." I answered the girl plainly.
"But... don't we need to talk strategy first...?" She questioned.
I shook my head.
"Nah, don't need one. You all can follow me if you want. Or stay. I don't care." I pulled the door open and walked out of the clubhouse.
"W-Wait! We're coming with!" I heard Rias and the rest of the group running after me.
We make our way out of the forest surrounding the replica clubhouse and into the school's backyard.
We all stopped and scanned around the area.
When we realized that no one is here, Rias spoke.
"Okay. Now what?" The redheaded Devil asked me.
I didn't answer.
'Hopefully, Fate will give me a Servant that has a strong NP.' I raised my right hand up.
"That again?" Issei voiced out with an unimpressed tone.
Once more, I ignored the pervert.
'By my Command Spell...'
The first part of my CS appeared.
"...Henshin!"
The number 351 raced through the forefront of my mind.
I flashed golden as usual.
However...
A certain purple swirl filled with glittering, beautiful stars light up my vision and continued my transformation sequence.
'Holy...' I thought in awe as I realized who I'd just called.
When the light show dissipated, a very special Servant stood on where I was.
"H-Huh...?!" I 'heard' Issei cried out.
"R-Rikka-san...?" Kiba uttered in disbelief.
"Oh... my..." Even Akeno sounded awestricken.
"T-Tatsuka...-san..." Asia's voice are filled with amazement.
"W-What...?! What is this?!" Rias exclaimed in shock.
The Servant opened her ruby-red eyes.
'Huh. I guess Fate wants me to kick Riser's ass today.' I thought to myself, still impressed that I managed to summon her again. And at the first try, too. Last time, it literally took all of my Quartz to do it.
"...It is nice to finally converse with you, my Master." She says to me in a soft-spoken yet graceful tone.
"Huh?" The group minus Asia sounded behind 'us'.
'We' ignored them.
"...Yeah." I 'nodded' my 'head'.
"Me too, Arche..." I replied.
"Arche...?" Arcueid Brunestud-no. Archetype: Earth in her 3rd Ascension form blinked at that.
"Rikka-san..." Rias started as she walked forward beside 'us'.
"...Is that you...?" The She-Devil asks in wonder.
'We' turns and stared at her for a second.
"...You are mistaken, Rias Gremory." The Princess of the True Ancestors answered gently yet firmly. "I am not my Master. Though he is inside me at the moment, I am simply one of his many Servants living within his Command Spell."
"Servants...?" Rias questions in bewilderment.
"Inside you? Oh, my..." Akeno voiced out naughtily.
Archetype: Earth looked around.
"...What an interesting location we are in." She says. "But for this World's version of Texture, it is rather boring-looking..."
"Arche..." I 'began'. "Sorry, but can I ask you to fight against Riser and his peerage? It's fine if you don't want to. You can still use your Fourth Skill on the Devils."
"The Phenex descendant..." The Princess closed her eyes.
"Y-Yes...?" Rias replies cautiously.
"What about him?" She asked.
Arche ignores the redhead and opened her eyes again before speaking.
"Very well. This shall not even take a minute." The youngest daughter of the Crimson Moon declared.
(Rias' POV)
I was startled when the beautiful woman Rikka-san transformed himself into disappear in a flash of light.
I and my peerage tries to look for her when suddenly...
(BOOM!)
...a huge explosion occurs from within the fake school.
We turned our heads toward the building in surprise.
An announcement from Grayfia sounded soon after.
"Lord Riser's 1st, 2nd, 3rd Pawn, and first Rook retires!"
After that, a massive earthquake suddenly began, causing all of us to cry out in shock and lower ourselves on the ground as to prevent falling.
The shaking grew more intense, and huge cracks starts to form around and on the fake school.
The school replica began to slowly crumble, piece by piece, and section by section.
We heard Grayfia's voice again. This time, from the sky instead of the PA System.
"Lord Riser's 4th, 5th, 6th Pawn and second Rook retires!"
The earthquake stops, but a sudden volcanic eruption jutted out from underneath a different part of the school.
"Lord Riser's 7th, 8th Pawn, 1st, 2nd Knight, and first Bishop retires!"
'This is insane...!' I thought in disbelief. 'How does she have this much power?! It's as if...'
I paused my thinking as a hurricane mixed with a very severe thunderstorm start to form above the school.
'...as if she's Natural Disaster itself...' I realized.
"Lord Riser's Queen have retired!" Grayfia's voice rang out.
The hurricane-thunderstorm mix then turns into a heavy ice storm.
Dozens of giant ice spikes began to sprout and cover the entirety of the school replica.
"...Lord Riser's second Bishop have retired!"
My heart lit up with hope after that.
Could it be...? Will this be the day that I finally broke off my engagement with Riser...?
A blinding light appeared from the school, followed by many beautiful, glittering stars.
"...Lord Riser Phenex has retired! Winner: Rias Gremory of House Gremory!"
And just like that, I won by basically being a bystander.
Not even once did I ever see Riser's flames coming out of the fake Kuoh Academy.
The storm stops, and the ice covering the school began to crack, and...
...explodes into beautiful, tiny crystals.
I stare in awe at the sight.
(Tatsuka's POV)
'We' stood inside the now ruined school replica.
"Thank you, Arche. Now, will you please give me back my body?" I 'ask' the Princess.
Arche remained silent for a couple seconds.
She then opens her mouth.
"...No." The True Ancestor replied curtly.
"I know you're going to say that..." I 'sighed'.
Servant featured in this chapter.
Profile.
Class: Moon Cancer.
True Name: Archetype: Earth/Arcueid Brunestud.
Gender: Female.
Species: Servant, True Ancestor.
Planet of Origin: Earth.
Alignment: Chaotic/Neutral Good.
Height: 167cm. (5.5ft)
Weight: 52kg (115lbs)
Likes: Moonbathing, Humanity/Shiki Tohno.
Dislikes: Pollution, the inability to dream/blood, lateness, Dead Apostles, sunlight.
Parameters.
Strength: B. [A~A+] (Ultimate One)
Endurance: B. [A~A+] (Ultimate One)
Agility: B. [A~A+] (Ultimate One)
Mana: A. [A+~A++] (Ultimate One)
Luck: B. [A~A+] (Ultimate One)
NP: EX.
Class Skills.
Magic Resistance: A+.
Tatsuka's analysis: As the origin source of the Earth's natural phenomenon, Arche has high immunity toward magics that uses the planet's laws and physics. However, things that isn't natural or not from her planet are able to hurt her.
Item Construction: A.
Tatsuka's analysis: True Ancestors are regarded as incarnated Nature Spirits, which means they have the ability to use Marble Phantasm. As the Princess of the True Ancestors, Arche is able to create anything that she wants. Creation ranges from a tiny stick, to a massive structure.
Territory Creation: E-. [EX] (Other World)
Tatsuka's analysis: As the Brain/Soul of the Planet Earth, Arche considers the entire World to be her playground. However, since this World is not hers nor mine, this skill have become highly restricted. This restriction can be lifted by using her Noble Phantasm.
Independent Action: A+.
Tatsuka's analysis: Due to her 3rd Skill, Arche is able to support herself without my help, allowing for continuous manifestation.
Personal Skills.
Ultimate One: D.
Tatsuka's analysis: After using her Noble Phantasm, Arche can freely modify two of her parameters by one rank or add two to a single parameter.
Rainbow Mystic Eyes: A.
Tatsuka's analysis: Arche possesses a Mystic Eye that can strongly restrict her opponent's movements, weakening them, and increases her own attack power.
Breath of the Planet: C.
Tatsuka's analysis: Arche is able to restore her Magical Energy to a 100% and empower herself by simply taking a deep breath. Given the abundance of Mana in this World, and how fast they replenishes themselves, it's unlikely that Arche will run out of fuel to consume.
Funny Vamp: EX.
Tatsuka's analysis: A special Skill acquired by Arche due to a 'Certain Mistake'. This Skill grants great luck to all her friends and allies, even more so to those who's alignment is Good. It also re-energize them if she had already used her NP.
Noble Phantasm.
Marble Phantasm: Imagination Realisation.
Rank: EX.
Classification: Anti-Army/Chaotic.
Maximum number of targets: 100.
Tatsuka's analysis: Arche temporarily transform herself into a condensation of Magical Energy, which her past self uses as a portal to shoot chains across space-time and hits her foes with immense energy provided by her World, turning the land around her into her home, and restores the energy of Humans. In her 2nd Ascension, Arcueid simply turns herself into a meteor, crashing down onto her enemies with the same effects following her after. This NP is also highly effective against those of the Chaotic alignment.
AN: Does anybody want to be my Co-Creator on Ao3?