Chapter 8: An Orphan Dog.
"M-my name is Ravel Phenex. I'm under your care!" The blonde girl bowed her head in respect.
"Okay, what the hell just happened?" Danhauser hasn't looked away from the blonde girl after the moment he walked outside of his classroom. He tried to form theories of why a young lady like Ravel is standing in his way when her time of recess hasn't begun yet.
Then it hit him. The small hint of Diehauser had given him since yesterday, just when he'd officially Knighted Siegfried. Defiantly, the Emperor had talked briefly about this topic, something unusual is going to bloom on his school, and now, here it is, a cute girl with manners waiting for his presence. He wasn't the only one facing this anomaly. All those from his class are facing the same routine, yes, including the ever so grumpy Sairaorg Bael in the flesh.
Danhauser knew why this affair is happening. If Lord Belial was speaking the truth, then this is Bael's handiwork. Purpose? It was evident for those whose mental age is similar to an adult; thankfully, Danhauser's brain is the one of an adult.
It's following the same steps as the party where he'd participated with his mother, where the Lords and Ladies of their corresponding Clans were immediately offering their offsprings' hands to a different House to increase their population. An admirable feat if you don't dig deeper into the subject. Danhauser doubted they were just trying to save their race from extinction. There must be something else inside their wrongdoing minds. It can be a lot of things, from increasing their territory, earning a name around the Underworld, great grandsons, and so on. All in all, the Elder Devils are so damn stubborn.
"It seems that welcome party was, without a doubt, a step closer to arrange the marriage rite." He was surprised when Diehauser granted permission about this subject; he knew he wouldn't follow the Old Devil's perspectives, far from it. Maybe he just got stuck on the part of "saving our race from annihilation." Does that mean that he's officially hooked with Ravel? Or they're going to eventually throw him another girl around or young of his age? Or maybe they're testing new things, and if it works then, they'd add it as another feature for Hell. The outcome is so obvious anyway, so what gives?
What made him hesitant about it is that he's a grown man trapped in the body of a child, marrying someone around Ravel's age is eccentric. But this is the Underworld, the dark side of the earth, where the fucked up things pretty much is a Tuesday for any Devil.
Danhauser sighed and shook his head, once again gazing at the cute young girl who may be four years younger than him. Ravel's face is still hanging low, and she was getting fatigued for keeping her balance in check.
"You don't have to do that," Danhauser stated, gesturing at her tiring stance. "We're classmates; you don't have to treat me as if I was your King."
Ravel broke the bow, looking at Danhauser's gray eyes with her dark blue ones while fidgeting. "That's not true. Y-You're two grades above me. You're my mentor. I don't want to give a wrong impression…!"
"Dear Maou she's adorable." Danhauser kept his smile in check at the girl's determination and shyness, every time she stuttered her replies was a sight to behold. It could also be that the Phenex girl is one of his favorite characters in the Light Novels and Anime.
"You know my name right?" Danhauser asked, curving an eyebrow. "Or should I introduce myself?"
Ravel stared down at her tiny hands as if she was expecting an answer, then glanced back at her mentor. "My teacher told me your name. Your name is Danha…umm." She pouted, tilting her head to the side, trying her hardest to remember her mentor's name. "Danhuazer Belial?"
Danhauser laughed softly. "Close enough. It's "Danhauser," but since you're struggling, you can call me 'Dan.'"
Danhauser could feel her timid aura flowing around; which made him wary, in the Novels she's known as someone who can stand her ground when it involves socializing. Here, is the other way around, at first he thought that she has a crush on him, making him scoff at the mere thought and jump to the next conclusion. Maybe she's scared? Knowing that she's talking with the member of a House that raised the Emperor of the Rating Games proudly?
Seeing her wince and nod shyly while uttering an "I'm sorry," made Danhauser blurted out quietly. "Why're you so tense? I don't bite, you know."
"This is my first time talking to a boy, who is not my older brother…" Ravel trailed off, kicking the ground awkwardly.
"I see." Danhauser nodded in acceptance, suddenly rubbing his neck. "If it makes you feel better, you're the first girl I've talked with, who is neither my mother or cousin."
"Ah." She offered a small smile.
And that's it; silence suddenly clamped into the conversation. The two flushed, embarrassed, and looked away. A good way to make their first impression.
"Hey, uh." Danhauser started, drawing her attention. "Do you mind if we find a place to rest? I don't want to spend my time standing around."
The blonde shook her head. "I don't mind, I'll follow you."
Danhauser held back a sigh and started moving, the Phenex girl following from behind, the sound of quietness shattered by the screams of happiness coming from the children playing around. He loves silence but hates it when people are accompanying him, always afraid that he may bore them to death is something that left Belial heartbroken, so, he was thankful that the teenagers filled the atmosphere with their joyful screams.
He wished Bova was here to keep him company; the dragon doesn't mind his quiet nature.
"So, by any chance, do you know what your teachers are planning?" Danhauser asked, taking a seat beneath the tree. He was aware that the reason of why, but what he wanted to know is the excuse they'd used for Ravel's generation.
Ravel carefully took a seat next to him while trying to find a good reply for his answer, in the end, she shook her head, hugging her knees. "I don't know… but I'd guess they just want us to meet new people." She looked at her mentor curiously. "Do you know why?"
"No, I don't," Danhauser lied, looking away from her dark blue eyes. "Maybe you're right, perhaps just a unique way to meet new faces and create friendships."
"Maybe," Ravel parroted, resting her chin on her knees. "Umm…" Ravel once again, felt awkwardness when the silence began widening. "In the future are you planning to join the Rating Games?"
Danhauser spared her a glance; he knew why the unexpected question. Since he's a Belial, everyone from children to adults thinks that it's a belief for his House to participate in the Rating Games and have your name written on the Top Ten best rankers and even inherit the title of "Champion."
"I… don't know," Danhauser admitted, breaking the eye contact. "It's a new experience, and it could be fun, but…"
"But?" Ravel recited.
"But…" Danhauser bit his lip; his voice went quiet after that and trembled just a little. Is a blessing being a Belial, yet a curse, they're known for their flawless victories in the Rating Games, to the point that if a Belial plays in one, even if it's its first time competing on one, the seats immediately are going to be occupied by a horde of Devils. The audience expects a great fight and a victory coming for the gray-haired Devils.
If he participated in one, what if he loses? The laughter and verbal harassing spreading around the stadium would make his knees tremble. He doesn't care that much if all those insults took aim at him, but what made him worried is that they'd involve his Clan and future peerage in the mix. To fail in something and affect not only the House of Belial but the Malebranche as well when it's all because of his stupid actions is something that Danhauser couldn't let happen again.
"I'm scared." Danhauser nearly said it but rolled back his tongue just in time. He looked at his junior. Ravel looked nervous and concerned, afraid of having touched a nerve. "How stupid am I acting right now?"
"Nevermind that." Danhauser sent her a forced smile, hoping that she'd buy it and calm her down. "Hey, a little bird told me that your eldest brother is in the Top Ten? Or am I wrong?"
Her eyes suddenly gleamed like stars, her attitude, her voice, and even her aura changed into egotistical. "Of course he is! Big Brother Ruval is the greatest of greatest, and no one can say otherwise! Ever!"
Belial held back a chuckle at her arrogance. He knew about Ravel's great devotion she has to her oldest brothers and her housecarl; it's something that he liked about her. Even if Riser's an asshole in the Light Novel and Anime, Ravel still loves him dearly; this is something that most Devils needs to learn about how to treat each other.
"I'm looking at you, Sairaorg's and Magdaran's father," Danhauser's frown quickly turned into a grin. "Really?" he'd only saw her smug face spreading widely, nodding proudly. "Hm. I think my older brother, Diehauser Belial, thinks otherwise."
Her eyes suddenly widened in realization, her facial expression changing along the way. "W-well—!" She stuttered, blushing when she heard snickers coming from her mentor. "S-stop laughing, this isn't funny!"
"Yes, it is!"
"No, it's not!" Ravel pouted, she bolted upright and pointed an accusing finger at Danhauser. "Admit it! Y-You're just scared that my brother can defeat yours!"
"You think your brother can beat mine?" Danhauser boomed a fake laugh, similar to that of a cliché villain. "Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes, yes! A thousand times yes!" Ravel stomped the floor furiously, gathering a small cloud of dust under her feet, her princess' demeanor gone.
"Okay, I believe you." Danhauser acknowledged her, nodding.
Ravel stopped her actions, blinking. "Really?"
"No."
The look on Ravel's face was priceless in Danhauser's eyes. She also looked none too elated with his teasing methods. "You're not funny."
Danhauser gasped, moving a hand towards his chest. "Don't say that, Ravel. Please forgive me."
Ravel puffed her cheeks and folded her arms; the glare was still there, it's like she's trying to shoot a laser beam to disintegrate her nearest target.
"I was only joking, Ravel," Danhauser assured her, smiling awkwardly, seeing that the young girl hasn't laid down on the grass yet, he added. "Your brother is obviously strong, hence the reason they'd consider him as a Hero around the Underworld. Ruval, of course, deserves a spot on the Top Ten."
It wasn't a lie. Ruval Phenex, to still be a High-Class Devil and make a name for himself and his family? Is a feat that Danhauser is jealous of, he thirsts for that, not because of all the fame he'd hold once he reaches the Top Ten, but for the sake of giving a greater name to his family.
Even if his Uncle and Brother had already come to the pinnacle of fame, he also wants to be on it, even if it's the lowest one, just to prove in his previous and new life, that he, Danhauser Belial, the former human can shine among the other stars. And prove that he's allowed to exist.
"…Hmph!" Ravel made a sound with her mouth closed, voicing her annoyance. Nonetheless, she took her seat once again. "You're lucky I started liking this part of the school!"
And just like that, a friendship bloomed.
Danhauser had a great time talking with Ravel, even if they were small chit-chats of different subjects, he'd even dare to say that, he'd entertained Ravel good enough. He was somewhat disappointed when recess concluded since the blonde girl is one of his favorites characters in the series, he'd wanted to know her more. Hopefully, this event is going to turn into something normal.
Since school was over, Danhauser wandered around the school's grounds alone to know more the place where he'll get stuck for the meantime; he was also waiting for someone from his family to pick him up. He would walk towards the train station by himself, but mother and older brother immediately neglected the suggestion.
"Ah, there's Sairaorg." Danhauser spotted the familiar figure sitting alone, also waiting for his mother, Misla Bael, to appear from the gates and fetch him back to the countryside of the Bael territory.
Danhauser wavered, insecure of whether to keep him company or take another look at different sections of the school. Sairaorg, however, glanced up and after noticing him, he sighed and kept counting his fingers.
"I'll take it as "do as you wish."" Danhauser heaved a suspire and slouched down beside Bael.
…
"And here I thought that you'd eventually moved on…" Sairaorg started, grunting, recalling their last conversation.
"What makes you think I haven't?"
"You're always sitting on that tree by yourself," Sairaorg answered.
"Well, you're always welcome to keep me company." Danhauser offered, he may sometimes be a hypocrite, but, does he cares? No. Not at all.
Sairaorg only grunted.
…
"So…" Danhauser trailed off, trying to draw a different topic, randomly looking at various directions. "Who was your junior?"
Sparing a side-glance, he went back to his fingers, stretching them. "A blonde girl from the second year, she speaks a lot."
Danhauser smiled lightly. "I have the sneaking suspicion that you didn't like her."
Sairaorg frowned. "… I'd never said that. I just found her annoying, but I guess I'll have to get used to it…"
Danhauser curled an eyebrow, looking at him. "What do you mean?"
Sairaorg returned the stare. "There's the possibility that the school may or may not allow children from different grades share the same recess. I heard it from Magdaran who'd heard it from our father."
"Interesting," Danhauser hummed, glancing back at the horizon. Sairaorg is someone who seems not to hold hatred towards other children, after all, Belial, wasn't kind when he'd criticized him due to his depression. Yes, he'd received a few passing glares here and there, but he didn't saw them as an 'I hate you with my life, kill yourself' stare. He couldn't put the finger on it.
The two suddenly heard an explosion of feminine giggles, looking up they spotted from far away from them a small group of girls. At first, he'd thought that they were laughing at Sairaorg, but then he'd noticed that they weren't paying any mind at Bael and Belial. What made the gray-haired Devil curious is the well-known hair and faces of two specific figures.
"Is that Rias?" Danhauser said aloud, spotting the red-haired figure, talking with a girl with ebony hair styled in a short bob cut and clean glasses. "And that's Sona, I presume. They look a year younger than Sairaorg and me. They slightly resemble like their future selfs." The same sentiment goes for Sairaorg. He would say the same thing for his new body, but knowing that he didn't hear of any "Danhauser" in canon, he couldn't make an opinion of his appearance. He looked similar to a young Diehauser, yet, he looked older for the body of a thirteen years old teenager.
Sairaorg growled. "Yes, she is." His glare darted away from his cousin. "Also known as the most popular girl in the school…" He scoffed, somewhat disgusted. "Give me a break…"
Danhauser raised a brow at his tone of voice. "You… you don't sound happy for her."
"It's because I don't like her."
Danhauser's eyes widened slightly at the revelation, "Okay…" Clearing his throat to hide his shock; he hesitated to ask. "May… I know why?"
Sairaorg scowled at him, making Danhauser mentally wince at his reaction. He couldn't help it. He remembers reading how they were close as family; even Bael was there for her when Issei died by Samael's venom. He wanted to know why he's sending vibes of grudges towards Rias.
He has an idea, but he doesn't want to roll with the theories, yet.
Thankfully, Sairaorg aimed back his sharp gaze at Gremory. "… I'll assume you know how I lack Bael's Power of Destruction and demonic power?" He started dryly, earning a nod from Danhauser. He now understood the problem. "Well, she and her brother received it."
"He's jealous." Danhauser mused. "Let me guess; you think it's not fair that a Gremory acquired the Power of Destruction and you, a Bael, has earned nothing?"
Sairaorg gritted his teeth, nodding firmly. "Exactly, but that's not the only thing that makes my blood boil… it's just…!" He pulled his hair slightly. "I'd visited her mansion once just because my mother wanted to bother her family-in-law. When I'd met her and her two Peerage members, I'd never seen her use her power, at all, plus her demonic power wasn't amazing neither!"
"She doesn't practice with it?" Danhauser speculated, earning another nod from the frustrated child.
"It's like she was spitting me right in the face!" Sairaog exclaimed, somewhat loudly for Belial's approvance. "If I were in her place, I would try to understand such power and fiddle with it!" He looked at Danhauser dead in the eye. "Please tell me you know what I'm saying."
Danhauser took a deep breath. "I can see where you're going." He started, seeing how Bael hasn't looked away from him, waiting for his opinion. "You, someone who lacks Power of Destruction and finds out that someone who is not from the Bael Clan has the blessing, but doesn't train with it makes you angry." He paused. "But you know what else I think? I think you'd do the same thing in her shoes if you had a taste of Bael's Clan trait."
The black-haired child gasped, followed by a threatening growl. "No, I wouldn't!"
"Yes, you would, Sairaorg." Danhauser shot back. "I admit it; perhaps you'd use it a few times, but train with it to master it as Maou Lucifer himself? I doubt it. The reason why you'd think like this is that society's remarks altered you, their laughter; their mockery, they changed your mind completely." He signalized at the distanced Rias. "She's two years younger than us; she's still an innocent flower and hasn't seen the real face of this world like us. A child who has never experienced acceptance and a child who never has experienced rejection have different mindsets in life."
Energy. Power. The Devils are addicted to it. Their lust was enough to eradicate half of the Pillars of this world. They haven't learned their lessons it seems. A good example is Ravel's brother, Riser Phenex, the birth of his arrogance came from his meta-like regenerative abilities, that's when the seeds began to grow immediately. Bael Clan has already pierced the skies with their blustery; they have royalist blood and power that can annihilate anything from their sights.
Sairaorg's painful childhood caused by his father and the whole Underworld led him to learn and understand compassion, something that the Bael Clan and most of the Devils do not have. The purest sign of this trait especially goes for his mother, Misla Bael, the woman who took all the bullets she could for his defected child and the one that who would always advise him to keep his chin high. Sairaorg's kindness also extends to his younger half-brother, Magdaran Bael, even if the latter also treats him like trash.
In truth, Sairaorg's younger brother is neutral with his older brother. He's just scared of getting on the wrong side of his father; he thirsts for his father's approvance, and he's going to do anything to earn it, to the point of breaking Sairaorg's mentality with old and used insults.
Sairaorg clenched his fists and suddenly, laughed bitterly, slowly standing up. "I don't even know why I'd told you this, foolish from my part." He rubbed the bridge of his nose, the sour snickers still souring his mouth. "It seems that whenever I express myself is just wrong and stupid for the Underworld, fine then! Turn me into your damn villain! As if I care!" He shot a glare at his listener. "Listen, I'll get stronger, no matter what! With or without Power of Destruction!"
"You like to draw yourself as the victim, don't you?" Danhauser thought, he understood why and he doesn't hold any sorts of grudges because of it."Why do you want to get stronger?"
Sairaorg blinked at the question. "What do you mean?"
"Why do you want to get stronger? Is there a reason behind it?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Sairaorg frowned, seeing Danhauser slowly stand up from his seat and dust himself up. "Those who laughed at me, those who treated me like crap, I'll teach them a good lesson."
"What else?"
Sairaorg pursed his lips, and with resistance, he mumbled. "That… that's it."
Danhauser hummed, scanning his classmate from head to toes which made Sairaorg unnoticeable tense. Finally, he spoke. "You know, I still remember our previous conversation. Hadn't you said that you don't want to fall on their level?" He knows that sooner or later, Sairaorg is going to use his fists when the times comes, after all, he's going to challenge Magdaran Bael for the rank of Heir of Bael, thus taking a step closer to his ultimate goal, become a Satan. He wants to do something significant... That would definitely carry on into the future.
"…"
"I think you're lying." Danhauser drawled, carefully choosing the right words to keep composed the next Lion King. He believes that right now, he's stronger than Bael and all thanks to his harsh training, in case if a brawl submerges, he's going to win. "You're a real person; you wouldn't go out there to get revenge for those that mistreated you."
…
Sairaorg snorted from his nose and once again, slumped down. "Lying doesn't suit me, right?" He laughed tiredly, rubbing his forehead.
"Not really." Danhauser agreed, also dropping to the floor. They sat in silence for a while. "So what's up?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Teenagers around our age, especially Devils, wouldn't think about exercising at all," Danhauser said, stretching his arms. "What's the reason? Or is the same thing we'd discussed a month ago? Because I never thought you'd take my words seriously."
"What's yours?" Sairaorg shot back.
"So it's a different purpose, huh." Danhauser thought, lowering his limbs. "How can you tell I'm training?"
Sairaorg scoffed lightly, arms folded. "I can say that your demonic powers increased slightly."
"Ah, I see." Danhauser bobbed his head, clearing his throat, he continued. "Alright then, go ahead."
Sairaorg frowned. "I…I don't think I'm following…"
"Take a guess why I'm also training."
Sairaorg's frown deepened. "That's it? We're just playing a game of guessing?" Witnessing Belial's nod, he grunted. "Easy. You're a Belial; you want to be the next Champion of Rating Games. You want to take your brother's throne. Or am I wrong?"
Danhauser looked up to the fake sky and glanced back at Sairaorg. "I admit, the thought of becoming a Champion had crossed my mind for a while now." He agreed, chuckling. "But that's not the reason for it. In truth, I want to survive."
"Survive?" He parroted. "Survive what? Underworld's society?"
"Survive the future." Noticing Sairaorg's perplexed expression, he continued. "There is no tomorrow. At least not one that is guaranteed. As we grow, we learn to fear the unknown. That alone should scare you."
He knows the future events, yet he doesn't, it already changed the moment he'd awakened from his coffin, it also adjusted the moment Danhauser had recruited Siegfried, he doesn't know if altering the timeline was the right thing or, the bad one and that alone made him worried. Because even if Danhauser doesn't want to shit on Canon's script, he's going to do it, unintentionally or intentionally, regardless of what he says. That's his curse.
"I…I see your point." Sairaorg looked down at his shoes. "It's also ambiguous and comes with inherent risk."
"Yeah…" Danhauser trailed off, coughing on his fist. "Anyways, it's my turn." He maneuvered his eyes in different directions, hoping to find the right answer written before him while unwittingly spotting Rias' small group is shifting to a different location. "I…think that you just want to make your mother happier, and make everyone eat their own words." He directed his gaze back at the defected boy. "Am I right or am I right?"
Bael heaved a sigh. "Correct."
.
.
.
Suddenly, Sairaorg chuckled. "I-I like this." He shakily smiled. "Talking with someone casually when it doesn't involve insults towards my infamous flaw feels so… nice." This feeling's weird for him but in a right way. His muscles relaxing during the flow of their conversation, he seemed like time stopped around them, granting them free time to talk about stupid things, without worrying what their surroundings thought of them negatively.
"I know right?" Danhauser nodded, looking around, it seems that their respective parents are taking their damn time to pick them up. "I'm someone who doesn't like socializing with people… but lo and behold, I'm speaking with you."
"Yeah…" Suddenly, Bael felt a wave of regret, now and then stealing a few glances to the person beside him, he gulped. "I-I'm sorry." He murmured, looking down at his feet guiltily. "For the first time, we talked… I'd treated you poorly and compared you to the rest of the bad Devils when you'd just wanted to speak with me, and for that, I apologize, sincerely."
"… A Great King shouldn't beg for the King's forgiveness." Danhauser sighed, shrugging. "All good, though. I'd never held ill will toward your presence. I understand why you were hostile to me back then." He paused, humming. "In fact, I should be the one atoning for my actions."
The black-haired Devil smiled weakly. "You're forgiven."
.
.
.
"So…" Danhauser trailed off, scratching the back of his ear, just like the start of the conversation, the atmosphere morphed into one of discomfort, they're already out of interesting topics to communicate with one another.
"Tomorrow under the tree?" Sairaorg suggested, shuddering at the lack of response from the gray-haired devil. "W-well, if you want… I-I will not force you."
Belial blinked at the proposal, slowly breaking into a smile. It seems that he succeeded in shattering Bael's shell, even if it was just for a little. "Sounds good."
The look of happiness he's wearing was somewhat heartbreaking. Sairaorg jumped from his seat, grinning goofily. "G-Great!" He brought a hand up, prepared for a handshake. "I-I never heard your name, so I'll introduce myself first, even if you already know me." He took a deep breath. "My name is Sairaorg Bael, a pleasure meeting you…?"
He was surprised, how quickly he opened up. He thought that it'd take a lot of time to bring the smallest crack on Sairaorg's shell, but with this scene alone, proved that Bael was yearning someone to speak with, someone that wouldn't push him around just because he's negatively different from others. Someone that he could call for the first time in his life a "friend."
Danhauser smiled and accepted the handshake firmly. "Danhauser. Danhauser Belial. A pleasure meeting you, Strongest Youth."
"And this is the last one!" Danhauser huffed, slamming the brownish box on the table of his room, using his arm to clean the sweat around his forehead, he sighed, relieved. "Never expected a lot of boxes, damn."
"…" Silently, Siegfried moved beside his master and peeked inside the cardboard while carefully pushing the laptop away from the mess. "What are those, master?"
Danhauser merely took one of the items inside the box, tossing it to his first Peerage member. "They're flyers, Sieg."
"Ah, I heard of them." Siegfried jumped slightly, startled by the gruffed voice of the second guest, much to his shock, it was a dragon. "Father told me it's to make contracts with others creatures, especially humans, right?"
"Exactly, Bova." The gray-eyed devil nodded, sighing tiredly. "Since I already have a servant, we can commence by spreading those flyers to humanity."
"I still can't believe that you have as an ally a Dragon." The former human commented, eyeing the creature beside him carefully.
Bova returned the hard look. For an odd reason, his scent is weird, he smells like one of his race, yet he smells like he bathed in the blood of a Dragon.
"Who is this? Bova thought, folding his robust arms. He only knows that he's his rival's teammate that goes by the name "Sieg."
"Well, believe it, because he's going to come here. A lot." Danhauser chuckled, sparing a glance at the purple Western Dragon. "Glad to see you again, by the way."
Tannin's son only nodded.
"Anyways," He trailed off, glancing back at his servant. "As I said before, those are flyers, and Bova had already explained its function."
"Indeed he did," The Ex-Exorcist agreed. "Is there a reason for its use? How does this help the Underworld?"
"You see, Angels needs humans prayers to stay alive. We, the Devils, need their greed to survive." His master explained. "It's like the job everyone has in the Underworld to make sure our race doesn't face extinction."
"I thought the Belial's main work was politics?"
"That's my brother's job as a Lord of our House," Danhauser stated. "And as the heir of Belial, I'll take his role in the future." He cringed, still afraid of taking Diehauser's position as a Senator. "For now, the least we could do is give a good name to our House by spreading these and getting them sign up with satisfying reviews."
"Our family?" Siegfried repeated, eyebrow lifted.
"You're part of my Peerage, of course, you're also part of my family, too. Even if it sounds cliché." He sighed, glancing down at the separate boxes. "With these, we're going to get also paid and find our next Peerage members finally."
Every determined time a train filled with treasures stops in front of their entrance to give their usual payment which involves: Diehauser's work in the politics, his father's half to help the family and their favorable contracts with humans. He saw it, with his own eyes, how they extracted the all the wealth to a secret chamber where different types of riches are hidden, too, just in case if someone idiotic enough decided to attack their territory.
Of course, the train is not exclusively for The House of Belial. If Danhauser heard right, it has a strict path, starting from the House of Bael and finishing in the House of Dantalion, and all their delivery is supposed to end in one day. How they make it so fast, it's a mystery for everyone.
All in all, Danhauser hadn't received jack shit that day. Which his uncle, Malacoda, in return, made fun of it, much to his chagrin.
But that stops now.
"Wait, you already know who you're going to recruit next?" The Knight asked incredulously.
" I know three potential members." Danhauser shrugged his shoulders.
"For real?" Bova asked, finally joining the conversation. He was distracted on glaring Siegfried's back that he forgot the main reason why he's here.
"Yeah."
"That's… That's quite fast," Siegfried praised. "It's not that easy to find rookies for your growing ranks.
Bova only nodded, completely agreeing with the reincarnated Devil.
"Well, they don't know about me yet," Danhauser commented, scratching his ear. "If I play my cards correctly, then in a few weeks we can have two of them already in our team."
"And who are those two, if I may ask?"
Danhauser grinned and winked. "Can't tell you the names, but I can say something interesting." He paused, taking Siegfried's and Bova's silence as an allowance to spoil them. "Those two have Longinus-Tier Sacred Gear."
…
"Holy shit…" Bova cursed, eyes wide as dinner plates, his body frozen right on the spot.
"Indeed." Siegfried gasped, sharing the same baffled look as Bova, mutually coinciding in their choice of words. "Forgive my French, but, holy shit."
Belial laughed, waving off their expressions. "All good. Just don't say it in front of mom." He stood quietly for a few seconds. "Please."
"And the last one?" The swordsman asked. "Who is he or her?"
"That one is going to take a few more to earn her trust." Danhauser sighed out. "I met her today during my time in school, cute girl with blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She's going to be my Bishop."
"So the first girl in our squad." Demonic Sword User hummed, crossing his arms. A small smile formed on his face. "I can see that you'd planned this for a long time. An amazing feat if I do say so myself. Glad I did the right thinking in joining your cause."
"Well…" The Devil scratched his head, embarrassed by the praise. "It's… not that great, but thanks." Mumbling the last part, he turned serious once again. "All right, this is the plan. We'll go in two separate towns. I'll go to Kuoh." He addressed his only servant. "Sieg, I need you to use the laptop and search the most known high schools in Japan."
Nodding firmly at his master's order, he walked towards the portable machine, summoning the best friend of any person with any kinds of doubts, Google. "Leave it to me."
"What am I going to do?" Bova spoke, looking at his rival with a scowl.
"For starters, thanks for offering your help." Seeing Bova grunt shyly a "no problem" under his breath, he gestured at the boxes. "I need you to help my servant on spreading the leaflets of my Housecarl."
Bova's scowl deepened. Not liking the idea of giving company to the silver-haired Knight, he quickly shot a discreet glare at the distracted Knight before facing his rival. "I don't like him."
Danhauser moved an eyebrow up at the blunt reply. "First Sairaorg and now him?" He hissed, nodding at Siegfried who's quietly rambling at the slow Internet access.
"His scent… is weird." Bova slowly pronounced, his slitted eyes sharpening. "He smells like a Dragon, yet he smells like he'd slew one before."
"Ah." Danhauser immediately understood Bova's distrust toward the red-eyed Knight. Since Siegfried has Twice Critical, which is a common, recurring Dragon-Type Sacred Gear, but in a sub-species shape, plus former wielder of the Sword of the Sun, Gram, a dragon-slayer weapon.
"You'll have to ask him, but later," Danhauser said in a hushed tone. He could answer for him, but perhaps if the two talked a little, they would get along fine. Not as best friends, but trust each other's back is more than enough to satisfy Belial.
Bova only grunted.
"Master, which high school you're trying to find?" Siegfried asked, looking up from the laptop's screen, oblivious of the two talking behind his back.
"Ryou something." Danhauser rubbed his forehead, trying to remember the word completely and correctly. "Hadn't you found something close to that?"
Siegfried squinted his eyes and resumed his work. After a few clicks and scrolling, he found the one. "I think I've found it. Ryoukuu High School?"
Danhauser's eyes widened, and he quickly snapped his fingers. "That's the one. Town's name?"
"Just like the school, Ryoukuu Town."
"Excellent. I want you to go with Bova there to the High School and hand out the flyers." Danhauser ordered, eliciting a nod from Siegfried. If the Knight didn't like the idea of teaming up with the Dragon, then he did a damn good job on hiding his displeasure.
"Anything else?"
"If they ask who you guys are, tell them you're magicians." Danhauser shrugged his shoulders. "Just to play safe." The last thing Belial wants is to hear from Siegfried that one of the many students dropped a drama of getting assaulted by a Devil to the point it would spread to their surroundings and bring unwanted attention.
"Good thing I look human, then," Bova deadpanned.
Danhauser scoffed and waved off his statement. "Say you're wearing a dragon costume."
"What makes you think they'd fall for that one?"
"Uh, Just trust me. I'm an engineer."
"…If they somehow buy it, then I'll be hesitant entrusting my back to my future teammates." Siegfried heaved a sigh, closing the laptop.
"Fine then," Danhauser rolled his eyes. "Change your size into your miniature Dragon form and act like a damn Dragon Komodo." Then he turned to Siegfried. "You just need a leash to act as if Bova was your pet."
"Komodo Dragons don't have wings," Bova retorted, waving his draconic wings.
"They're not purple either," Siegfried added his two cents.
"Well, if they ask say he was different from his family and thus discriminated by the rest of Komodos Dragons. Saddened, he ran away and found you. End."
Siegfried whistled. "The lore thickens."
"I still have doubts this is going to work." Bova shrugged his thick shoulders. "But oh well, it's worth a shot."
"Please, teenagers nowadays are going to take a damn selfie with something they hadn't seen in person.You'll be fine." He clapped his hands twice. "Remember, don't give a lot of flyers in the town, only to the students. We are only two Devils, and it's going to be too much for us to handle alone."
"Hence the reason for why we need more allies in your Peerage." Siegfried's descendant mused, nodding. "Consider it done."
"What's a selfie?" Bova asked.
"Great, questions?" Ignoring Bova's curiosity he waited for their reactions. He saw two shook their heads simultaneously. He smirked. "Good. Time to work, team."
It was an ordinary day in the human world, warm, but not enough to put Danhauser in a thirst for cold water. The only occasion where Kuoh Town is going to face the snowfall is the obvious, Christmas Eve, well, in all honesty, Japan would defiantly snow. It's going to be an exciting day, because, in his former life, he never had seen a single snowflake with his own eyes. The only time he'd saw one was behind the TV's screen, and that's it.
He'd Finished delivering the flyers outside Kuoh's Academy gates, which he was successful in convincing a few students to accept the small sheet of paper. While he was doing his job, He'd heard a few students whispering. They'd compared him with the Headmistress of the Academy: Cleria Belial, or more known in the human world as "Claire Bellabel." They weren't wrong with their theories.
He was proud of his efforts. His cousin, Cleria, offered to distribute the flyers to the students while they were listening to the teacher's rational explanations. He refused. He doesn't want to depend on the help of his family too much, by having Diehauser train him with hand to hand combat and now his uncle, Malacoda, showing him the arts of the King of weapons, the Spear, is more than enough. He desired to show himself that he can do things too, by himself.
"So mission accomplished, soldier?" Cleria jokingly said, resting on a chair. Taking a deep sniff to enjoy the aroma.
"Yeah." Danhauser also took his seat; he picked up the menu and started reading, hoping to find something to satisfy his stomach. "Now I just have to wait."
Cleria hummed, looking at her cousin before glancing around the place. School's time reached its end, followed by students immediately walking away from the center of education and since she'd finished her duty Cleria had decided to invite Danhauser to her favorite coffee shop.
The place wasn't out from the world, but it was beautiful enough to catch the client's attention. Red walls and chestnut brown tables throughout the small area. The sound of small-talk filled the air along with the smell of vanilla. The friendly ambiance and the excellent service the workers radiated on this place made her feel like she was at home.
The thought of retreating from high school and build her coffee shop did cross her mind. But she doesn't have the courage to do that, yet. Plus the exorcist roaming around Kuoh's streets made her skin crawl. Imagining having an Exorcist as a client would make the atmosphere tense, and of course, awkward.
"Something's wrong?" She heard Danhauser speak, blinking she looked at the young Belial.
"Eh? No, why?" Cleria blurted out, once again relaxing at the smell of baked bread.
"Well, you hadn't picked up your menu yet…" Danhauser trailed off, nodding at the list of food lying on the table.
She shrugged a single shoulder. "Well, I come here every time, so I already know what I'll be ordering." She smiled, taking off her gray suit jacket, leaving her only on a white button front blouse. "So? Made up your mind what to eat?"
"I'll go for a coffee," Danhauser answered, seeing how Cleria raised a brow. "What? For your information, I'd already drunk coffee before."
"Oh? Where and when?"
"The maids made one for me." He lied, he'd took a sip of coffee in his previous life, and since then, he'd started loving the drink.
"If you say so…" She trailed off, jumping to her next question. "Hey, Danny?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you training?" Cleria asked. She'd been curious about this subject, but unfortunately, she didn't have the chance to ask her personally, so she went to the nearest targets for her: Diehauser and Calcabrina. Unfortunately, they didn't know either of why wash your body in sweat and bruises.
"Well, I want to sharpen my abilities," Danhauser answered nonchalantly, but deep inside he was getting nervous.
"But why?" Cleria let her persistent side take hold of this conversation. "You're training like you're going to war."
"Why would you assume that?"
"You're training hand to hand combat with Diehauser, demonic power, Worthlessness, Malebranche's housecarl trait, and training how to wield a spear by our Uncle." Her eyes suddenly softened. "Don't… don't you think it's too much?"
He frowned at her concern, slowly shifting around the chair to address the beautiful woman properly. "I still can't grasp the problem?"
Cleria groaned in her hands, slowly leading them back to the table, she was feeling already nervous talking about this topic. "You're a child. A teenager, someone around your age should just go outside and… enjoy life, you know?" She glanced around the small restaurant, trying to spot any nearby waitress to ask for their orders.
"… Honestly, I don't like the outside world." He replied truthfully, looking at the huge glass beside them, hoping to spot his future peerage member from his seat. "I always preferred embracing solicitude than going out with friends. Of course, If I somehow make friends, I'd try to go out with them, I just have had to hope it doesn' take too long."
"Okay, but what about your training?" Cleria played with her thumbs. "Maybe it's too much for someone around your age? If I were you, I'd try to get the hang of something first and later jump to the next session, you know?"
"I like training," Danhauser answered, shrugging, smiling awkwardly. "And it's also the only way I can 'talk' freely with Diehauser and now my Uncle, too…" He hates small talks, and even worse when the dull silence jumps to add its opinion.
"…" Cleria stared for a good while, not even noticing the waitress standing beside them, nervous at her frozen state, luckily, Danhauser just asked for the two, a cup of warm coffee.
Finally, she laughed wholeheartedly, letting her clenched fist slam on the table, startling the young Belial.
"H-hey." He glanced around, seeing how a few random clients are shooting them curious and annoyed looks before quickly getting back to their business, wishing mentally for the woman to shut her trap. "You're… you're making a scene."
"A-alright. I'm alright." Cleria took a deep breath, before slowly exhaling heavily. She smiled warmly at Danhauser. "And here I thought you were different from Diehauser."
"…Really?" He asked, eyeing her carefully, surprised to be compared to the Champion himself.
"Umhum." Cleria hummed, pointing her index finger at him, playfully spinning it. "He also has a joy for training. Plus he also lacks friends."
"What makes you think I don't have a lot of friends?"
"Do you?"
"Well, no," He admitted, sighing. "How many friends he has?"
"Without counting our family and his Peerage?" She made the peace sign. "Only two and they're called Rudiger and Tannin." She sighed, smiling sadly. "I told him to at least make friends with the other senators, but he didn't do it. I was an idiot back then. I'm glad he'd ignored my words."
"The last thing I want to hear is one of those corrupted bastards toying with him as a puppet." Cleria bit her lip. She knows Diehauser very well, he's terrible talking with other people, but when it involves in work, Diehauser shines way better than those wannabe politicians.
Unfortunately, the Emperor, even if he's an influential, well-known figure whose name could make a Stray Devil faint, he's a pure and naïve person from the inside. Even if his age already has three digits on it. He thinks that the people he's working with are doing their best to keep the Underworld safe from harm, no one wanted to shatter that innocent dream of his, except a woman, Calcabrina Belial, who'd tried to warn his child about their true intentions. Diehauser, of course, ignored her ranting.
"Or maybe they're already toying with ." Cleria rubbed her temple, holding back her anger. No matter what they'd say, Diehauser is a thick headed. They can't even express their logic in public, or else, they'd send someone to kill them. Or worse, extinct their Clan.
But even then, stubborn or not, his family doesn't want to see Diehauser's innocence wither away. That's perhaps one of the many things that make the House of Belial unique among the others.
"Huh." Danhauser glanced down at the table, tapping it. He had the odd feeling that Diehauser wasn't truly a social person, especially when he doesn't have the time to make friends with all the politics business over his shoulders.
"You truly changed. A lot." Cleria smiled sadly, shattering the silence. She doesn't know if it was right or wrong, but at least he's still breathing. "I'll go to the bathroom." She stood up from her seat. "I'll be back, don't leave your seat!"
He watched her go with half-lidded eyes, before aiming his attention to the window, blinking as he saw the children playing with happy looks on the park, one of them being an exception, the brunette boy looked as if he was waiting for someone.
He also looked oddly familiar, but Danhauser hadn't visited Kuoh, until now.
Then it hit him.
There he is, looking three years old youngers than Danhauser with his spiky brown hair, and light brown eyes, his presence shining among the rest of teenagers running around the place.
He'd found him. Issei Hyoudou, the user of one of the Mid-Tier Longinus Gear, the Boosted Gear.
He slowly stood up, mouth agape and eyes wide as saucers. Danhauser slowly strolled to the exit, not caring about the warm drink anymore. Before pushing the doors open, he spared a glance behind his shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
He opened the door as wide as possible and stepped out from the building. Carefully walking the streets, he doesn't want to appear suspicious.
As he slowly approached Issei, he started to get nervous. "So how do I begin? I say hello and play with him, right? Is he a pervert? If so, then I can talk about boobs to earn his trust."
He looked up, and to his shock, Issei was looking at his direction, head tilted to the side.
…
Suddenly Issei grinned goofily and rushed forward, making the young Devil take a step instinctively backward.
"Shit. Issei's coming to my direction, but why?" He'd never visited Kuoh Town until today, and obviously, he didn't have any sorts of contact with the brunette nor with his family.
Unless…
His train of thoughts took an end when he felt a small force push him to the side, tripping him slightly.
"Watch it!" Danhauser snapped, glaring daggers at a familiar chestnut-haired tomboyish girl.
"Irina Shidou." Danhauser mentally called out the name, seeing how the two met in the middle of the park, not wasting their time to drain all their energies in the hyperactive childish games.
He stood there, seemed motionless for eternity, just by her sheer presence alone, he'd lost the opportunity to make the Red Dragon Emperor as his servant.
"Damn it all… Damn it fucking all…!" He mentally cursed, fists clenched, it took him weeks to plan EVERYTHING accordingly, and just like that, his tactics wiped away by this cheerful girl alone.
"Now what's your move, young one?" The man beside him asked, hands behind the back, watching the two children with slight amusement. Danhauser doesn't shot him a glance, he already knows who's this man, yet he doesn't know him, the small spotlight he'd received during the canon was the main issue that made it impossible to stand against him. If you don't know your enemy, but know yourself, then fear the result of a hundred battles.
Touji Shidou. Irina's father, a prominent member of the Protestant Church and the one behind Cleria's execution. In other words, the antagonist of his new life.
Danhauser is pissed. How? HOW?! After he'd planned everything by just his sheer presence alone, he blocked him so badly. He knew about his presence still being in Kuoh, but he, sticking his nose where it's not his business? It pissed him off a lot. He wanted to punch his teeth's out of his mouth.
"Deep breaths, Dan. Deep breaths." Belial let a sigh massage his throat, facing the man."What are you saying?" Danhauser asked, feigning innocence. "I just want to play with the other children."
"Play?" Touji repeated, scoffing, not casting the young Devil a brief look. "Please, don't take me as a fool. I know what were you planning, Devil." He rolled his wrist, finally facing the gray-haired devil, a warning look on his features. "You Devils are only seeking to steal your victim's souls, and later, turn them into your slaves. You're not a difference."
"I suppose the same could go all religion..." He allowed himself a faint smirk when he caught a ghost of a twitch blighting his facial characteristics. He dropped the act of naiveté."I could ask you the same thing, exorcist. What're you doing?"
The elder shrugged, facing his cute angel. "Giving the situation you're currently in, I don't think you have the rights to demand answers."
"What?" Danhauser blurted out, eyeing his surroundings carefully. He knows what's happening, since this man, Touji, is the leader of all exorcists around here, he's of course, guarded by his soldiers, those orders also goes for Irina and indirectly, Issei.
They know Danhauser's here, and he doesn't know where they are.
"Now you understand in what hole you'd fallen?" Touji's voice reached Danhauser's ears; swiftly he threw him a glare. The man just smiled in return. "Checkmate."
"You have me surrounded, so what?" Danhauser growled.
"The thought of my allies shooting you down doesn't frighten you? Or it hasn't crossed your mind, yet?"
"Ask that question for yourself." Danhauser snapped. "How would you feel if you kill a child? A bad way to spread the peaceful word of your Religion." He doesn't have anything against the Catholics since, in his former life, he was also a follower of God. He just wants to break him up.
"A child who is a Devil." Touji reminded him.
"A Devil from an influential family." Danhauser countered back. "Indeed, lay a finger on me, and it's not going to end very well for you and your agents." That's how Kuoh works in his timeline. It's just neutral ground that belongs to the humans, not devils nor angels, nor fallen angels. Touji cannot raise his weapons on Cleria or Danhauser, not even if the Archangel Michael says so. Likewise, The two Belial's can't either attack the exorcist, even if Great King Zekram or Lord Bael wants them dead. Heaven and the Underworld must come to an agreement to raise the flags.
In other words, if Touji retreats from Kuoh, Devils can reclaim it. If Cleria leaves, it belongs to the church.
Touji hummed, scratching his chin. "You're smart. You're different from other Devils I had met. I just hope you understand that that threat goes for you, too."
Belial grunted, turning around and ready to leave. "Whatever." He has another day to recruit Issei; it doesn't matter.
Before he could continue on his way, Touji talks once again, loudly. "….I'm interested, what made you go for that child?"
Danhauser stopped. "What?"
"You heard me." Touji coldly said. "I know him and his family for a long time. He doesn't know how to fight; he lacks control over magic, and swordsmanship, too. Devils are known for pursuing compelling characters, so, why him? Or am I missing something?"
"…"
"Nothing?" Touji turned around, arching an eyebrow. "Should I share my speculation?" Not waiting for his response, he threw the bomb. "The boy has a Sacred Gear, isn't it?"
"…" It was difficult. The act of preserving a stoic facade after being spotted so easily made him anxious, but mostly angry of getting discovered so FUCKING easy. He just stood there, glued on the grass, keeping his breathing in check, just staring back at those trained eyes of the Exorcist.
Slowly, he saw a smirk emerge from his face, an expression that doesn't match with his appearance. "A Longinus, perhaps?"
He'd kept his emotions locked to the deepest part of his body, or well, that's what he thought at first, but after witnessing Touji's smirk stretching ever so slightly, he knew he fucked it up. Hard.
Touji peeked up, his smirk turning into a forced and welcoming smile. "Ah, Claire, beautiful as always with that suit of yours. I presume you're here to pick up your child…?"
"…" Danhauser felt a soft hand resting on his shoulder; he didn't turn around to guess who she was. It was Cleria. "He's not my child, Sir. Just the son of a friend of mine."
Touji tilted his head, a look of confusion running over his features."So you're working as a baby sister too?"
"No, just returning a favor."
He nodded in acceptance. "Understood, I apologize if comparing you to the child offended you in other ways. It's just that you two have the same racial traits. A male carbon copy of you I dare to say."
Cleria faked a friendly smile. "We get that a lot." Her smile stretched lightly. "That girl over there has a lot resemblance to you, daughter of yours?"
"Hmm?" He spun around to catch a glimpse of Irina playing with Issei, before facing Cleria once again, shrugging. "Not at all. Never saw her in my life, I was just doing my usual routine in this delightful park."
Cleria laughed dryly, not buying it. "Of course you were, sir, of course." Squeezing Danhauser's shoulder, she walked away without bidding her goodbye. A tense silence following the two gray-haired Devils.
.
.
"I…"
"Not a single word, Danhauser."
Danhauser exhaled, noisily. "Fuck me."
"So… punishment of sorts?" Siegfried broke the thin ice, sitting beside his master.
"Nope," Danhauser frowned, before adding. "Well, if you count that I'll be staying at Cleria's side and yours every time I visit Kuoh, then sure. That'd be my punishment."
Danhauser had walked on a minefield that day. A massive thunderstorm. He'd felt the wrath of the Emperor Belial and Lady Belial; it was his first time getting scolded. He'd just damned wished there wasn't a second time.
He'd been nervous; they're intimidating and taller than him. In all honesty, he'd understood why they had gotten angry and yelled at his face for those stupid actions.
He could've asked Siegfried and Bova to keep him company.
He could've waited patiently for Cleria.
But he had his reasons; he'd just needed time to explain everything.
And luckily, they understood. After Danhauser had explained everything to them, Calcabrina fulfilled her role as a mother and started her rant, especially when he brought up about Issei's Sacred Gear. He never mentioned it was Boosted Gear, since they'd be suspicious of him guessing out, since Rias in the Anime knew that Hyoudou had a Sacred Gear, then he'd assumed that it's an essential trait for all Devils in general.
Calcabrina was the most worried during the scolding. She doesn't want to lose her baby for the third time. Ever. Of course, she took the matter way deeper than Diehauser, who, during that occasion was wearing his cool mask and act as the voice of reason. She didn't care if that kid had all the Longinus in his grasp, she would always choose her son's safety over some God's Artifacts. Always.
"Am I turning greedy?" Belial bit his lip; he didn't want a Peerage to shine among the rest in the Rating Games, he just intends to survive this chaotic world, and he's giving them a chance to choose, if they don't want, well, they're free to go, and nothing will happen.
The worrisome thing about the Exorcist in Kuoh is that there's no way to identify them, as previously Malacoda had stated. They can camouflage with the community so easily; the Exorcist could be the man who paints your house, the man who maws your grass, your neighbor, a teacher in Kuoh.
Or even your lover, and still, you wouldn't know. Since Exorcists don't have a demonic aura coating their bodies, or the angelic one, the one that Angels and Fallen Angels have.
They're just humans. God's devotees. Men and Women who offered their future to protect the innocent from creatures of the dark.
"Why you didn't want me to come?" Siegfried asked, frowning. "You know that my duty is to protect you, right?"
"Because you were a former exorcist," Danhauser answered easily. "And a famous one. Even if they may have written your status as 'K.I.A.', you are still well-known among their headquarters. Just for safe measure."
"True." Siegfried agreed. "But they'd eventually find out since I have to follow you now to Kuoh from now on."
"We'll discuss that later." Danhauser jumped to the next topic. "Since Bova had to leave earlier, I want to hear your progress."
Siegfried nodded, clearing his throat. "We'd rightly passed the flyers with flying colors. I have to say, Bova acting as a Komodo Dragon brought the teenager's attention and that had made the work less exhausting."
Danhauser smiled meekly. "See? I told you it'd work." His smile dropped. "Now, same here. I'd succeeded on handing out the flyers and had a small chit-chat with an Exorcist. Their leader."
"Now what?" Siegfried asked, his red eyes glinting.
"Now you'll take a rest," Danahuser ordered, laying his back deeply on the wall. "I'll do all those contracts by myself."
Siegfried's eyes widened. "What?! I-I can't let you do that! That's my job! Not yours!"
Danhauser rolled his eyes. "Fine. We'll split the jobs, does that sounds right for you?"
The silver-haired Knight nodded, satisfied. "I can get along with that. Something else?"
"Actually… yes." Danhauser glanced to a nearby painting. "So far… how am I doing as a King? Should I change something from my way of acting…?"
The Hero Descendant blinked at the question; it was hard to hear it, similar to a murmur. "Well… it's been a day since you'd reincarnated me into a Devil and I don't have much to say…" Siegfried trailed off, biting his lip. "But yes, there's a thing I'd like you to change."
"I'm open to suggestions…"
"Next time. Please let me know when you're going to do something so reckless." Siegfried implored. "Even if I've openly admitted that I'd joined your team just to reclaim Gram from that bastard's hands, it doesn't mean I'm just going to turn a blind eye to your safety. Because what you'd done back then was honestly stupid. Even if the Exorcists can't put you down."
After hearing his Knight's scolding, Danhauser couldn't help but groan in his hand. "Damn… You sound like my mother." He dragged his hand away from his face. "But okay, next time I'll make sure to keep you in the loop."
Siegfried smiled, contented. "That's all I ask, master." He nodded to the closed doors. "Now, how about some sparring, hm? We could hone our skills together."
Danhauser shrugged. "Lead the way."
A week has passed since Danhauser had met with Touji. Every time the two Devils would teleport to the call of their contractor. Most of them involved tagging Bova along since the teenagers weren't satisfied petting the Dragon, much to Tannin's son dismay. He'd made a mental note to offer Bova a part for his Peerage, maybe he'd accept.
In school, he knows sees Sairaorg making the first move by joining him on Danhauser's favorite spot, even if he takes shy steps, it's better than nothing. He's also someone great to talk around, a pity that not all the Devils could care less about that. Bael still holds bitterness towards Rias' presence, but maybe that'd change eventually.
Since that day in the park with Irina's father. Danhauser had been worried. He knows that Issei has a Sacred Gearthe one that houses the Welsh Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch.
Is Touji going to recruit Issei to the Church? Did he'd just fucked up canon that badly? Touji can take the brunette to England since his daughter is a close friend of the Red Dragon. He doesn't know if shitting on the timeline like that is a good thing or a bad one.
"Irina, even if I liked you in the series. Your father is an asshole. Nuff said." Danhauser grunted, a wave of nervousness ensnaring him tightly.
"Dan."
If Issei joined with the Catholic what'd change? Him getting training just as Dulio? Him not sacrificing his arm to Ddraig? Him not saving Rias from Riser's arranged wedding?
"Dan. Are you listening?"
Issei's not becoming a Harem King.
"Holy shit." Danhauser cursed inwardly. "I think I screwed it up just a little…!"
"Dan!"
Having his name screamed right on his back surprised the young Devil almost falling to the floor if he hadn't pressed his palm against the wall. Turning around, he found himself staring at the huge figure of his brother, Diehauser, whose eyes are tweaking with slight annoyance.
Danhauser smiled sheepishly, followed by an apologetic look. "Sorry brother. I was daydreaming." He scratched his neck.
"Apparently," Diehauser sighed and shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Your Knight, Siegfried, said that there's another contract pending. He wants to know if you're going to take this one or not."
Danhauser held back a sigh. The main reason why he'd ordered Siegfried and Bova to spread those summoning cards in that particular town is to find their next teammate, but unfortunately, no progress thus far. He'd told Siegfried the name of the boy and the girl, but absolutely nothing.
He knows that he's in that town, sick, the man's girl friend is always going to drop a visit and cook for him, but now she's going out on a school trip. On the fourth day of that trip, everything goes to shit.
"Sure, I'll do it," Danhauser answered, pocketing his hands and standing beside his brother, ready to follow him.
The Emperor merely nodded and took the lead, Danhauser following his steps carefully. Maybe he's not finding his next chess piece, but at least he's helping the House of Belial with the essential tasks.
"Oh well, let's just get this over with."
The girl pouted.
No matter how much she rambled with this! The simple flyer won't work! She'd took it from a handsome silver-haired boy that has a Komodo Dragon as a pet, how? She doesn't know. The brunette girl just wanted to summon the 'Magician' to seek for his assistance.
She's going to a sightseeing tour with two hundred thirty-three teenagers, and today she's supposed to be at the airport with the rest of teachers and students! But she couldn't leave her childhood friend alone, especially when he's dead sick!
She'd always believed in magic, hence the reason why she's giving the small piece of paper a shot. Her friends always made fun of her because of that. They'd say magic doesn't depend on their world; it's just pure fantasy to entertain the toddlers. She just ignored their teasing.
"Why isn't it working?" The girl grumbled, moving the flyer as if it was a small paper fan. "I even made a small cut on my thumb to activate the supposed the spell that the magician had told me before!" At first, she thought she'd cast the chanting correctly since the brochure brightened to a color similar to dark gray, but the light soon disappeared after that.
"Great…!" The girl exclaimed sarcastically, sucking the blood from her thumb. "I'd just wasted half an hour by doing this!" Before the frustrated teenager could throw the circular paper, a bright gray flash appeared beside her, stopping her from incoming movements. After a few seconds, the light ceased from the town, leaving something behind in return.
"…I'll make the assumption you'd call for my services?" She glanced at his direction, frowning.
"You're… you're a different magician." It wasn't a question, but a statement. She carefully began studying him from head to toes.
"He's working under me," Danhauser waved off her question. "We'd just split our jobs."
"Ah," the girl nodded in acceptance. "Well, before we start I should give you a name." She coughed into her fist, grinning. "My name is Sae Toujou! Pleased to meet you!"
The Devil's eyes widened unnoticeably. "Sae?" He slowly repeated her name.
"That's my name! Don't waste it!" Sae winked playfully. "And what's yours?"
"Finally, I found them," Breaking from his initial shock, Danhauser shook his head and took a slight bow. "Eliphas Levi under your service. Miss Sae."
"Ah, not only a Magician but a gentleman, too!" Sae praised him, before diving to the important topic. "Anyways, I'm in a hurry. See the building behind me?" She jumped to Danhauser's side, letting the 'Magician' watch the building properly.
It wasn't something outside of this world, just a rectangular yellowish building that towered all the houses surrounding it. It wasn't big enough to scratch the clouds either, but large enough to catch for a few seconds the attention from stranger's passing by the town.
"So there he is, my next Peerage member." Danhauser was struggling on keeping his mask of stoicism. He turned to the shorter girl. "What of it?"
"You see, on the last floor is located my best friend's room." Sae started, suddenly puffing her cheeks. "We were supposed to go a school trip with a lot of students and teachers, too. Unfortunately, he caught a cold, and I have no one to take care of him while I'm away!"
"What about his parents?" Danhauser asked, keeping his eyes on the building's entrance.
Her expression turned grim. "I…I don't want to talk about that."
"I see. What about yours, then?" Danhauser went for the next question, shifting his hands inside his pockets. He'd known about the death of the boy's parents.
"They can't. Work is weighing them down." She sighed sadly. "They can't even take me to the airport." Sae's smile once again bloomed. Danhauser found it cute. "That's why I need your help! You don't have to necessarily stay inside his apartment room to watch over him, as long as you cook him something to fill his stomach, then that's more than enough."
Danhauser hummed and rubbed his chin, nodding. "Alright. I'll take care of your boyfriend while you're absent."
"Great! Thank you so—! B-b-boyfriend!?" Sae's face suddenly flushed bright pink. "H-h-he's not my boyfriend you boob! Just an important person in my life!"
"Isn't that supposed to be a boyfriend?"
"CHILDHOOD FRIEND!" Sae immediately swapped her words of choice. "H-he's my childhood friend! Yes! That's it!"
Danhauser had deadpanned at the red-faced girl before he shrugged. "If you say so."
"…" Sae nodded shyly and awkwardly began walking away to the airport, but a hand on her shoulder pinned her in place. "Eh?"
"I can't let you go there." Danhauser kept it blunt, surprising Sae. "I recommend you to stay with your friend."
Sae blinked, twice and just for safe measure a third time. Finally, she chuckled. "I appreciate that you're worrying about me, but your job is to—"
Danhauser didn't let her finish, giving her a karate-chop to the side of her neck, knocking her out and quickly catching her before her face could land on the concrete.
"… I thought that wouldn't work." Danhauser muttered, shifting her into bridal style position. He glanced down at the unconscious girl. "Could you imagine how awkward that'd be?"
Not expecting an answer, he stopped in front of the doors made of glass, peeking to see if the receptionist is inside. "It's clear. Maybe he went to throw a nuke in his bathroom or something." He kicked the doors open softly and silently made his way towards the stairs.
"Last floor, huh?" Danhauser spoke to himself, looking how tall the buildings look from the inside, grunting he made sure Sae was in a comfortable position. "Well, it'd be worthy."
Thus he started climbing.
"I can't believe I'm not exhausted," Danhauser patted himself on the back, reaching the last floor. "This just proves that my training is bearing fruits. Yay."
He didn't waste his time to scan his surroundings; he just walked towards the only door in his sight.
"This is it." Danhauser rolled his neck, somewhat nervous, standing in front of the entrance. "It's going to be difficult to convince him since I have his crush resting on my arms. Knocked."
Finally, Danhauser knocked on the door by using his shoe.
.
.
.
"Is he asleep?" Danhauser scowled, repeating his actions, but this time harder.
"Coming!" He heard it, the annoyed reply followed by a sneeze and a snort. "Is it you Sae? Did you forgot your bag something?"
"It's not Sae."
.
.
.
"Who is it?" His voice sharpened.
"Someone that Sue sent out to take an eye out for you while she was on her excursion," Danhauser answered, clicking his tongue when he saw the door still locked. He's not convinced it seems.
"…You think I'll fall for that one?" The teenager scoffed, walking away from the door. "Go away. I don't have time for pranks."
"Sae is with me." Belial nonetheless continued. He heard his steps stopping. "She's, uh, unconscious."
There was a brief silence inside and outside the room, Danhauser hesitated to press his ear on the door. "This is my last warning. Go away, or else I'll call the damn police!"
Danhauser grounded his teeth. He's already tense on continuing this conversation. "He's making it more difficult. Is he forcing me to use my cards under my sleeve? Fine then." He harrumphed. "I'd be late saying this, but I'm sorry for your grandmother's loss."
…
The steps once again appeared, this time louder than before. "H-How'd you know about this?!" The teenager demanded between sniffs, anger filling his veins. "I'd never a single soul about it! Sae being the exception!"
"Open the door, and we can talk about it." The gray-haired devil responded calmly, making sure the brunette girl is loose within his grasp.
After minutes of hesitance, Danhauser started hearing the mechanical noises of locks getting unlocked. He gulped a chunk of saliva. "Now or never, I guess."
Finally, the door opened.
"Alright, you better speak or else…" The brunette trailed off, his brown eyes widening in shock, finally seeing the familiar student under Belial's arms. "What…?"
Danhauser kept a stoic face. "Now, can we speak correctly, Ageha's grandchild?"
Tobio met Danhauser's eyes and his spine immediately shivered. He began breathing with violence behind his surgical mask and his heart rate accelerated, that's when he noticed his heart started thrumming uncontrollably.
To his surprise the Devil cocked his head and laughed softly, sending another chill crawling on his back. "I can't believe it. It worked. My plan finally worked." Danhauser turned his gaze at the frightened teenager, sending him a small smile. "I can't believe I'd meet with you of all people. Tobio Ikuse."
"H-How…?" Tobio, former Top Fighter of Grigori, the Longinus User: Canis Lykaon, Slash Dog, voiced out weakly, body washed in cold sweat, staggering backward. He kept his distance away from the gray-haired teenager who has his friend since infancy grasped tightly under his grasp. His back collided with a wall, his chocolate-brown eyes following the movements of the Devil walking inside his room. "A-away…!"
Danhauser ignored his pleas, shutting the door with a soft push of his heel. He strolled toward the sofa, ignoring the panicked glare of Tobio, carefully laying down Sae.
"So, Tobio," Danhauser stood straight, turning around with a friendly smile. "I hope you're ready for a long talk."
Tobio clenched his trembling fists. "G-go…away…"
Danhauser drew an apologetic look. "I'm afraid I can't do that, yet." He took a seat beside the unconscious girl. "I have an offer that it could benefit both of us, but first I want to talk."
Tobio's jaw tightened. He was under the strings of this bastard; he could only do something.
Play his damn game.
"W-what do you want?" Tobio growled, trying to keep a fierce look. Ignoring the devil's peaceful words.
Danhauser's smile widened.
"Say, what do you know about the Supernatural World?"
Lurker: A muchos no les gusta la politica, incluyendome, y desafortunadamente en futuros capitulos vamos a ir mas a fondo sobre ese tema, desde el punto de vista de Diehauser. Gracias por la review! Saludos!
Is this what people call cliff-hanger? Maybe. Don't know.
Honestly? This story was supposed to be updated since four days ago. Yep. Sorry about that.
Anyways, I don't think I need to say who's Tobio Ikuse; I'll just say this. Tobio Ikuse is the main protagonist of Ishibumi's buried Light Novel, Slash/Dog. In 2014 he reinstalled the novel and now functions as spin-off prequel of Highschool DxD.
So yeah, the Ryoukuu, the excursion wasn't made by me, nor Sae Toujou. It all belongs to Ishibumi.
…
Well, I think you guys know what Chess Piece Tobio is going to use.
Thia chapter was more about meeting new faces and Tobio's appearance. I know some of you want some actions, but, patience, I assure you. The action soon is going to appear in future chapters.
Thanks for reading! Cheers!
Chapter 9: Worth it?
