The Knight was sitting at it's table, studying when the alarm clock rang, signaling it was time to leave it's apartment. So, packing itself up, it took the phone it received, all the books and necessary supplies, before walking out of it's apartment, a figure already waiting in front of it. Shirone or perhaps Koneko was standing in front of it.
"Good Morning, Knight," She greeted with her lips curled slightly upward.
"… Good Morning, Shirone," It said back and locked the door behind it.
"May I make a request?" She asked, while the Knight nodded.
"… Depends on the request," It replied.
"Could you call me Koneko around others, but Shirone when we are alone, at least for now?" She asked.
"… I don't mind that, Shirone," It replied, the girl looking a bit relieved. "… May I ask why do you wish to do that?"
"Well… I think it would be odd, very few people know of my true name and… I am not sure if I can trust Rias anymore…," She admitted.
"… I see," The Knight replied. "… Hard to say. So, it's best to be careful, no?"
"I agree," Koneko replied and sniffed something, an unknown scent on the Knight. "Did you meet somebody yesterday?"
"… Meet? In a way… A cat walked up to me, I fed it and then left it outside," It replied.
"A cat…? You left it outside? Why?" She asked, her head tilted to the side. Being a nekomata, she liked cats and leaving one outside was not something she appreciated.
"… I didn't have much of a choice. Cats are not allowed at the school, not good at taking care of animals, would rather not as well," It replied.
"I see…," She replied, well, she could understand Knight's point of view at the very least. "Well, at least you fed it."
"… I did," The Knight confirmed, the two lapsing into silence.
In the meantime, a certain black cat was following them from a safe distance. When she first saw her sister, her first urge was to rush and hug her, before running away as fast as she could. However, she was able to control herself, if barely. Just seeing her sister was a reward enough for the mission she received and the smile on her face, it was touching to see that she could still smile. The last time they met… Shaking her head, she refocused on the duo.
As much as she wanted to try to get closer to the boy, she was afraid Shirone would recognize her. Besides, she didn't know anything about the boy just yet. She couldn't sense a shred of magic, in fact, she couldn't feel anything, which didn't make a whole lot of sense. Why would Ophis be interested in him, she couldn't say, but she would find it out sooner or later.
As the duo walked, more devils joined the fray, including the one she saw yesterday and one more she heard about, Sona Sitri, the sister of current Leviathan. If she was there and had her own peerage, getting Shirone out of here would not be easy, she had to confirm the number of devils and their power, before she could come up with a plan. The rest of the walk was spent in relative silence, until Sona's phone rang. She excused herself, her eyes spreading wide open, as she listened to what Rias' had to say.
"Is there something wrong, Sona?" Tsubaki asked.
"You could say that, Tsubaki. Everyone, we are going straight to the Occult Research Club once we reach the school, that includes you too, Koneko," Sona ordered.
"… Did something happen?" The Knight asked, while Sona nodded.
"… Yes, we expected a reaction, but nothing so drastic. Four Satans have decided to pay us a visit, all because of you," Sona explained, all but Knight looking at her in shock.
"President, is that true?" Momo asked, genuinely worried.
"It is, Momo," Sona confirmed. "Knight, whatever happens DO NOT do anything that would make them think badly of you, understood?"
"… I understand, President," It replied, while Sona sighed.
"That's all I am asking," She said. "Why did it turn out like this…?"
Four Satans were here…? Cold Sweat ran on Kuroka's body as she realized just how outmatched she was right here and now. Not only was this territory of devils, not only a high-class devil like Sitri, but even Four Satans themselves were here? There was no way she could save her sister like this, but that did bring a valid question. What did the boy do that would bring the attention of the Four Satans? She had to know.
She sneaked around, masking her presence as the group made their way to a mansion-like building located on the campus. She had to be extra careful, as she could sense magic around the campus, which she was able to bypass thanks to her magic, including Youjutsu. She was able to make her way to a room, where she spotted a large amount of devils, making her nervous. Luckily for her, she was able to find herself a spot that would let her eavesdrop on the conversation.
In the meantime, the Knight along with the rest of it's group made their way inside, the rest of the devils it knew already waiting there, along with Asia, who looked a bit nervous. Joining them were four individuals, who it recognized as the Four Satans, judging by all the memories it acquired thus far. They all turned direction towards it, as if judging it, not that it cared. Though, its attention turned to one of the Four Satans in particular.
"May I ask why a human is joining us?" Ajuka asked, not sensing anything particular about the Knight.
"Lord Beelzub, the Knight here is the one responsible for reverting the process of Evil Pieces and he is not a human, but something called a 'vessel'," Sona explained with a bow.
Kuroka froze at that moment, not able to believe what she just heard. The boy was able to revert the process of Evil Pieces? That's… incredible. If that was correct, the boy could help her save her race, her species, her sister… She mustn't let him die, no matter what, he was too important to her and her sister. But, how did he do that? She had to figure out or at the very least see it with her own eyes.
"Is that so?" Ajuka asked. "Regardless, I believe introductions are in order. I am Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the Four Satans and you are…?"
"… Knight, Arthur Knight," It replied with the same dull expression on its face.
"So you are the famous Knight Rias told me about," Sirzechs said, everyone turning towards him. "I am Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the Four Satans, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Sirzechs then walked up to the boy and extended his hand. Knight looked at it, then looked at the devil in front of it. Sirzechs Lucifer was not someone it trusted, in fact, it wanted to do nothing more but smack him with a dream nail and figure out what happened with Koneko and possibly other members of Rias' peerage. However, after what Sona just told it, it was best it played along and returned to handshake.
"… The pleasure is mine, Mr Sirzechs," The Knight replied, while Sirzechs grinned in response.
"Not Lord Lucifer? I already like you, you have got guts," He said, before letting go and taking a few steps backward. "Serafall, if you could?"
"Already on it!" The girl said, pointed her wand at the Knight and asked. "Tell me, can you turn a pure-blooded devil into something else?"
"… Not sure, didn't try it, don't intend to," It replied.
"Knight, language…," Sona hissed, while Knight nodded.
"Is that so? Well then, what is your relationship with Sona?" She asked.
"… I am a member of the Student Council, an acquaintance and another chess player, nothing more nothing less, Miss Serafall," It replied.
"A chess player you say? Did you win with her by any chance?" She asked.
"Knight, wai…!" Sona began.
"… I beat Sona once," It confirmed, Serafall freezing at the confirmation.
"You… beat Sona in chess?" She asked, while the Knight nodded. "…My sister is going to get married!"
"...What?" It asked, while Serafall began crying.
"Knight, listen, it's not how it is," Sona began. "I made sure that only those who could marry me were those who beat me in chess, but they also have to be devils."
"… So, we are not getting married?" It asked, while the girl nodded.
"We are not," She confirmed, while blushing heavily.
"Wait… you're not taking Sona away from me? Yay!~" She stopped crying immediately. "Alright, I was worried about it for a moment, but Sona's right, you're not a devil."
"… I am not, Miss Serafall," The Knight confirmed.
"Muu! I don't like being called that, call me Levi-Tan!" She demanded.
"Sister…," Sona begged, knowing the antics of her sibling.
"… Very well, Levi-Tan," The Knight said, silence running through the room. The Knight titled it's head to the side and asked, "… Did I say something wrong?"
"You actually did it…," Serafall said, before she squeaked like a little girl and grabbed the Knight by it's hand. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Everyone is so stiff nowadays, not sure why. Now I am actually a bit disappointed you can't marry Sona!"
"Sister!" Sona protested, her face red from the embarrassment.
"… I see, Levi-Tan," It said, while the girl smiled even further.
"I like him already!" Serafall said, giggled and with a twinkle took a few steps back. Sona looked with a horror on her face at the display. "Now, Falbium, your turn!"
"Falbium Asmodeus, let's just get this over with, so I can take a nap," The man said.
"Right, let's get to the matter at hand," Sirzechs said, amused by what just transpired. "Tell us, how did you revert the process of being turned into a devil by Evil Pieces?"
"… I won't say," It replied, Koneko and others stiffening at the way he refused the man.
"Huh… That's not what I expected to hear," Sirzechs replied. "I hope you realize that is not the best answer, do you?"
"… I do, but… Why do you want to know? Why should I explain it to you?" It asked.
"Miss Sitri and Gremory might have already mentioned it, but your ability to revert Evil Pieces is simply too important to be ignored. Many devils who went stray or were abused by their masters would love to get a second chance at life, perhaps even taking revenge on those who abused them. It doesn't help that even now there are still many mistreated reincarnated devils. It could lead to a civil war, do you understand now?" Ajuka explained.
"… I do," It replied.
"Excellent, so we can expect full cooperation from now on?" Sirzechs asked, while Knight shook its head.
"… No, why should I cooperate with you?" It replied, Sirzechs chuckling in response.
"You know, I would actually call it brave, but I am not sure you see a problem here," Sirzechs began. "Let me put into a perspective, Knight. If devils of the Underworld found out about your ability, there is a very high possibility you would be killed in your sleep by some corrupt noble or somebody else, do you understand that?"
"… I do," The Knight replied. "… What do you expect me to do with that?"
"Well, as it is, there are a few options. In fact, one of the simplest solutions would be to simply get rid of you, thus maintaining a status quo," Ajuka began, gasps escaping from everyone around the room.
"You mustn't kill the Knight!" Asia protested, only to shrink as everyone towards her. "Umm… He is not a bad person."
"And who might you be?" Ajuka asked.
"Asia Argento," She introduced herself with a bow.
"You're not a devil, are you?" Sirzechs asked, while the girl nodded.
"Asia is not a devil, but is a witness of the act and knows of the supernatural," Sona explained.
"I see, regardless. That was just one of the plans, one that we wish to avoid," Ajuka explained and turned towards the Knight. "However, as it is, we can not simply let you revert Evil Pieces whenever you feel like it, Knight."
"… Why not?" It asked.
"Outside of what I mentioned before, we can't guarantee your safety. Make no mistake, we are not against the idea of it, but we need time to be able to implement procedures, which won't result in your death or in the civil war for us," Ajuka replied.
"… Then what do you expect me to do?" The Knight asked.
"Wait, we wish for you to wait until we can get this whole thing under control," Sirzechs replied. "So, what do you think?"
"… I see," The Knight replied. Well, it supposed having others hunt it down would be problematic for Shirone and others, so it supposed it didn't have much of a choice. "… How long would I have to wait?"
"About a year or so, give or take, maybe less," Sirzechs replied. "Now then, what is your answer?"
"… On two conditions," The Knight said, the Four Satans looking right at it.
"You expect us to comply with your demands?" Sirzechs asked with a chuckle. Balls of steel right here and now.
"… I do, you want something from me, in exchange, I want something from you as well," It replied.
"What conditions are we talking about?" Ajuka asked.
"… One, I wish to be allowed to revert reincarnated devils or anyone else in this room, should they desire to do so," It began, Koneko and Asia glancing at the Knight.
"That's rather specific, why do you want to do that?" Sirzechs asked, as he tried to figure the reason behind that.
This was rather odd, why would the boy ask for something like that? It's not like the devils here were abused were they? He doubted Rias and Sona would do that. After all, he made all the arrangements to get Rias some powerful members, with a bit of manipulation sure, but it was for his little sister, surely she wouldn't object? Besides, if Rias members were to be released from servitude, her odds of beating Riser in a rating game would be slim to none, if it all went according to plan. Did the boy know something? No, he shouldn't, unless...
"… Personal reasons," It replied, Sirzechs looking right at it.
"Alright, what are the other conditions?" Ajuka asked.
Well, there was one other condition, it really wanted to ask for, dream nailing Sirzechs. However, that didn't seem like the best idea. The problem with dream nailing living things was that often they became aware of their mind being read, especially stronger beings. The only exception was when they were asleep, like it happened with Dung Defender. However, it simply couldn't ask to dream nail one of the Four Satans. The consequences would be dire, but instead, it needed a way to find him asleep, meaning, he needed to rest in the same building as Sirzechs or as close as it was possible.
"… The other conditions? All I want is to be able to think this through, a year is quite a lot of time after all. I would like to make a decision regarding this arrangement tomorrow, need to think about it some more," It said.
"That seems reasonable, in exchange, we would like to make two conditions of our own," Sirzechs said.
"… What are your conditions?" The Knight asked.
"Well, first of all, we would like to witness an evil piece reversal on a devil we brought," Ajuka began. "As for the other one…"
"We would like to witness how you fare in combat," Sirzechs said, everyone turning towards him.
"… In what way?" The Knight inquired.
"Nothing reckless, I just want you to spar with me, see if you can land a single hit, no strings attached, I won't even fight back, just dodge, 5 minutes for you to do so," Sirzechs said.
"Brother…," Rias began, worried about the Knight.
"Don't worry, Ria-tan, I am just curious about something," He said, making Rias pout before turning towards the Knight. "So, what do you say?"
Actually, that was a good condition for it as well. It wanted to test itself in a fight against someone stronger and one of the Four Satans seemed like a pretty powerful opponent. Granted, he was handicapping himself, but the Knight would do the same. After all, it had no reason to showcase anything of it's arsenal, be it charms, spells or nail arts. Although, it's competitive spirit was ignited. It remembered fighting against Grimm and dying so many times, before it learned his pattern. However, thanks to that and many other opponents, it's reflexes were honed to perfection, or as close as it came to that. Sirzechs was powerful, but it was experienced, so that made it curious how did fare against someone of such calibre.
"… I accept both," The Knight said, relief spreading through the room. Although Momo, Koneko and Asia were a bit worried judging by the looks on their faces.
"Excellent, so, I am assuming we will do that tomorrow?" Ajuka asked.
"... We can do it now, both things, that way, we can simply sign the deal tomorrow," The Knight replied.
"That's appreciated, Mister Knight, now then, Sirzechs, could you bring the stray devil here?" Ajuka asked.
"Already on it," Sirzechs said and with a bit of magic summoned a cage with a stray devil of male origin, along with Grayfia to the room.
"Good Morning, everyone," Grayfia greeted with a bow. "Here is the stray devil, you requested, Lord Lucifer."
"Thank you, Grayfia," Sirzechs said and turned towards the Knight. "Now then, Knight, show us your power."
"… Understood," The Knight said and walked past the devil, who looked like a half-human, half-goat. At the same time Kuroka was able to peek through the keyhole, interested in the process herself.
In response, the devil leaned further into the cage, terrified of what it saw around it. However, one look of Grayfia was enough to make it pause, while the woman unlocked the cage, the Knight stepping inside. Everyone began watching intently, as the Knight plunged it's hand into the devil, stopping its movement. He began channeling both the Void and soul, the devil reverting in front of everyone eyes into an average human male, which then collapsed unconscious on the floor. On the other side of the room, Kuroka's jaw almost hit the floor, her heart fluttering with hope.
"How…?" Ajuka muttered.
He focused all his senses on the display and despite his best attempts could feel almost nothing. There was some energy, a very faint one, but he couldn't tell what it was or what it did. This whole procedure didn't seem possible and yet it happened in front of his very eyes, leaving him confused. Nothing his research had done ever indicated of such a procedure. Just the very idea of forcefully removing an evil piece could tear a soul in two, but somehow the boy was able to circumvent something that not even he was able to do.
"Woah…," Serafall said, as surprised as Ajuka.
"So that's how…," Sirzechs muttered.
"Curious …," Falbion added, his eyes betraying just a tiny bit of interest.
"… Done," The Knight said and turned towards them with an evil piece in its hand. He then walked up to Ajuka and presented him with the piece.
In response, Ajuka scooped it up, while biting his lip. "Thank you, that was… a very learning experience."
"… You're welcome," The Knight said. "… Now then, the second condition?"
"Ah, yes, that. Don't worry, we will set up a parameter where we can fight safely," Sirzechs said. "I hope you're ready, Knight."
"… We will see," The Knight replied, both of them itching for a fight.