Alright, back again faster than before.

Not gonna make this long and just let you read the chapter

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That is all

Cameras were going off, lights flashing one after the other. All that was heard was the constant clicking of buttons and flashes of lights as a horde of male students pushed and shoved each other to get a shot of someone on a stage.

Upon closer inspection, one could see said person spinning, twirling, jumping, and posing for the camera. It was a young lady looking very giddy as she did her best to look at each and every camera with a new pose too. She was a beautiful, young-looking girl with long black hair tied into twin tails. She had blue eyes that resembled crystals and slightly pale skin that only seemed to heighten her beauty. Her body was almost that of a childs but she possessed large assets that drove the hormonal teen boys wild, their eyes never leaving as they jiggled in her tight clothing. The woman was dressed in a pink colored Magical Girl outfit, consisting of a pink shirt, skirt, gloves, and boots. She also wore thigh high black and pink stripped socks and weilded a pink wand to match, waving it around as she continued her impromptu photoshoot.

But, just before it got too intense, someone quickly came in to put a stop to the commotion. Another teen boy, this one with dirty blonde hair and grey eyes, stepped in front of the young woman, blocking her from the cameras.

"Alright, that's enough!" He shouted, sounding very irritated.

"Out of the way, Student Council!"

"Yeah, beat it!"

"You're ruining all of our shots!"

The crowd became angered at the young man's interference but the blonde didn't waiver in the slightest. He folded his arms and, in fact, only seemed more annoyed by the horde of males.

"Get out of here. It's an important day and we don't need this kind of commotion going on! Get back to class!" He chastised, pointing towards the door. The group grumbled incoherent curses as they finally conceded and began to disperse. A few threw some shouts of encouragement to the magical girl before the gymnasium was finally cleared out.

The remaining young man sighed in relief. Things could have been a lot messier but that must've been the power Sona and her group held as the Student Council.

"And you, please don't wear that kind of costume," the blonde stated, turning his attention to the magical girl. As soon as he did, he noticed that he'd never seen the girl before and crossed his arms again. "Wait, would you be a parent perhaps? You know, there's a dress code, even for parents and guardians."

"But this is my uniform," the girl responded with an innocent look on her face. The male just shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"So troublesome..." He muttered. It was then that he sensed another group had entered the room. When he turned he saw Rias Gremory and two of her peerage members with her. Akeno and Kiba were at her sides, the group taking a few seconds before finally reaching the foot of the stage.

"Ah, Rias-senpai," he greeted with a bow.

"Saji, what happened here?" Rias asked.

"I was just showing around your family before I came in here and stopped...whatever was going on here," he answered, jumping down from the stage. It was then that the sound of laughter reached the young devils ears and they all turned to the side entrance of the gym.

"So, it was Sera-chan making all of this noise," an older gentleman joked as he walked in the room. He had long red hair with a matching goatee and blue eyes that were very similar to Rias. Behind him, Sirzechs and Grayfia followed, the former equally amused as the gentleman. The latter held a monotone expression but inside was sighing from the Maou Leviathan's antics.

"Ah, Zeo-tan!" Serafall exclaimed from behind the Pawn. "I'm super excited that you and Sirzechs-chan got to be here as well! Did Ria-tan tell you? Because So-tan didn't and I'm super mad! But I still love her so I cant be too mad!"

"Ahaha, still as exuberant as ever," the head of the Gremory household laughed out. The young woman always tickled him with her playful personality. "Tell me, how did you get away from your escorts, hm?"

"It was very hard Kui-tan and La-tan were so strict with me and wouldnt let me explore! I was lucky Dragon-kun was there or I would've never met those nice photographers," the young woman complained. She even went as far as to shed a few small tears and whimper to gain the groups sympathy.

"Its incidents like this Lady Serafall that give us a reason not to let you wander off," another voice spoke out. The group all turned to another entrance way, opposite the building.

Kuisha and Ladora slowly walked towards the group, the female Maou sweating as the duo got closer. The former had her arms crossed and didn't look all too pleased. "It was lucky for us to spot the group of boys walking out, talking about a magical girl. You have much to do before the days over."

The heiress's eyes widened as she remembered the two new additions. They had intervened in the fight against Kokabiel. Of course, if it wasn't for them, Rias would probably not be standing here today and would either be a slave or dead at the hands of the war-monger. It was also the girl who had saved Issei the moment Kokabiel was defeated. All while she stood back and did nothing.

Issei. The person she had traded because she deemed him weak. The guy who saved her from her marriage by a fluke and holy water. The perverted idiot who only cared for oppai. For him to achieve such a feat, was it really just luck that he had beaten Raiser that night? Had her gut been wrong? Was she the weaker one now?

"Mouuu~, but I was having fun..." Serafall whined, breaking the Gremory's thoughts.

"We are not here to have fun, we have to greet the angels soon Lady Leviathan. Or have you forgotten your duties," Kuisha stated with a sigh.

"A little here and there is okay though! Dragon-kun would totally agree with me," the Maou replied with a childish smile.

"As long as you handle your business first and foremost, Serafall-sama." A new voice joined the fray from behind the Queen and Rook. Turning around, everyone saw the former resident of Kuoh walking in. "We are short on time, however, and we must take off soon, so I'm sorry to say but the fun is over."

Issei walked into the gym, coming to stand by his companions side. He had a refreshing smile on his face and looked to have confidence with his stride. The group of devils all stared at him, more specifically between him and Rias. He paid her little to no mind but the young redhead had yet to take her eyes off him since he walked in. His aura and stature had both changed since he left and he seemed more mature too. It was almost like he was a different person.

"Issei..." She muttered, finally able to get a word out. It was the only thing that came to mind.
The brunette glanced over to her. He then smiled an all too familiar smile. "Gremory-sama." Issei bowed to her before he turned to the Magical Girl. "Lets go Serafall-sama, the meetings in twenty minutes."

Sirzechs shared a look with his father. Their eyes had met for a brief moment but the reasoning was clear to both of them.

Both saw the way that Rias had looked at her former Pawn. She had bit her bottom lip and lowered her head after his greeting. Actual signs of regret were clear on her face and the young hothead of the Gremory clan was left standing there, guilty and upset for reasons too obvious to anyone who witnessed the exchange.

Issei's reaction to her was complete indifference. He spoke to her with absolute formality. No signs of affection, disdain, or any real emotion for that matter. He wasn't happy, sad, angry, or anything. And it was the fact he showed no hospitality or negativity towards Rias that made her feel worse.
But the true icing on the cake was the smile. The heiress knew that smile all too well. It wasn't a real smile but one many used as a professional courtesy. It served no purpose but to create a mask of friendliness. The reason she knew was because she used it almost everyday. But to have it used on her...it wasn't a good feeling.

-XOXOXOXOX-

Once outside the gym, Issei released a heavy sigh. He slouched over and placed a hand over his left eye as he shook his head. His heart was racing and his breathing was quick and short. He tried to calm himself, looking the complete opposite of what he was moments ago.

Now alone outside of the meeting room, Issei let himself go. After his small exchange with Rias, he hadn't felt the same confident kid he portrayed before everyone else. And now, that he was by himself, it all came in full force. His typhoon of thoughts and emotions had returned after holding them off as long as he could. All he could was shake his head, trying to rid the thoughts from his mind.

"That was tougher than I thought," he muttered to himself.

[Im surprised that girl shook you up this much, partner. You claim it will be okay and yet she still has some place in your heart.]

"It's difficult, Ddraig. Being so close to her, hearing her voice, seeing that look in her eye... Things were not how I thought they'd be. I...I don't know how to feel."

[Does she really mean that much to you? After abandoning you when you saved her from a life with a man she hated? After she called you weak and traded you for two women who beat you daily till you bled? After she took you away from the priest girl, after you risked your life to save her from the fallen angel? Can you really say you still love her?]

"..."

[That wasn't rhetorical.]

"...I-I don't know. Its difficult, okay?" Issei tried to dodge the question but the dragon wasn't going to allow that.

[Issei, I told you to forget the past-]

"Its not that easy, Ddraig. Not with her," Issei interrupted sounding annoyed.

[And why is that?]

Issei hesitated for a moment. He closed his eyes and threw his head back. The air around him grew heavy. All the weight from before returned to his shoulders as doubt began to cloud his mind.

Slowly he opened eyes coming to stare at the ceiling above him. These emotions were fresh and old. They plagued his mind as he rocked his head against the wall. Even after the battle with Kokabiel, when he thought he could keep his emotions in check. Maybe he was distracted with his fight and his concerns for his friends took over at the time. Now, he couldn't control them and they were slowly eating away at his mind.

He sighed again.

"She saved my life," he whispered out, sounding tired. "I was killed because of something I didn't know I had. But she saved me, gave me new purpose, gave me something to actually fight for. For once I felt like I could belong to something and not be a loser."

[...]

"But to be ripped from the people you wanted to call family. To be casted out by the woman who saved your life and began to heal your heart... Its not something I can just let go..."

[I see... And this is how you truly feel?] The boy nodded his head. [Hm, maybe I can try to understand your reasoning then. You had let your guard down and started to open up to people. But before you could even start healing, another knife was stabbed into you. And not only that but it was twisted.]

"Yeah."

[Then I can say this reaction is justified. But you still have Sairaorg and the others.]

"Yeah I know but it takes-"

[Time, yes I get it. But it is time we no longer have partner. Kokabiel was only the beginning and the more you hold on to this the more likely you'll die.]

Issei lowered his head again. "Then tell me, what can I do Ddraig? How do I beat this!?"

[You have to heal.]

Issei paused from the answer. He looked down at his hands, clenching and relaxing them several times.

[You are the only one who can beat your demons. But your friends are the ones who can help you along the way. Appreciate that you have them, for there are many of my old partners who were alone and were driven insane.]

Issei swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I trust them, Ddraig, but...can I really get over this?"

[That is for you to decide, partner.]

-XOXOXOXOX-

Issei walked into the meeting room. The people inside turned to him, two seated at a table and four against the walls. On one side Serafall sat with Kuisha and Ladora close behind her. The latter two greeted him and the Queen motioned him to join her side. He did without a word and turned his attention to the three opposite the table.

"And so our final member has joined us," the one sitting at the table spoke. Behind him, the familiar faces of Irina and Xenovia stood. His childhood friend waved towards him while the bluenette nodded her head in acknowledgement.

The young man in the seat smiled gently at the brunette. He had long blonde hair and gentle green eyes. He was very handsome, and exerted this feeling a friendliness. Behind him, twelve white wings sat on his back, giving away that he was an angel. But not just any angel, a Seraph. It was the highest level any angel could hope to achieve.

Issei was in awe as he looked at the wings. Two more than Kokabiel and the war-monger was stronger than Issei. That meant this anger was much stronger and way out of the boy's league. But despite the difference, the holy aura he was emitting was warm and welcoming, showing the angel had no hostility towards the Pawn or his allies.

"My apologies for the delay. Im Issei Hyoudou, it is a pleasure," he greeted with a deep bow.
"Yes, you would be the one I heard about then. I am Michael, the current leader of Heaven. You have gained quite the reputation defeating Kokabiel, young man," he praised.

"It wasn't me who beat him but your words are truly kind," Issei replied. He was thankful for Kuisha and Sairaorg's assistance when it came to speaking during political meetings. His King was an heir so it was inevitable that he would learn proper etiquette and now it was paying off.

"You're very humble, Hyoudou-kun. My two subordinates tell me you, quote unquote, "kicked his ass up and down the battleground", so to speak," he joked, even using his fingers to create air quotations marks.

Issei turned to the duo. Irina laughed awkwardly and Xenovia looked away with a heavy blush on her face. It was obvious who said it and Issei couldn't help the awkward smile appear on his lips.

"Is that...so..."

"Indeed. When I was told you'd be escorting Lady Leviathan, I thought it lucky for me," the leader then added.

"Mm? Why is that?" Issei asked looking confused.

"Because of you," Serafall spoke up. Issei cocked his head to the side in confusion. The Maou didn't see it but took his silence as a cue to continue. "Before you arrived we had a small discussion about the recent events. The angels have come to a conclusion that they would like to make a peace offering towards us. More specifically you."

"Me? But I've done nothing to deserve such a thing," the brunette replied. "I didn't do anything that would bring about peace."

"Actually, you've given us a necessary reason to finally bring it about," Michael cut in. "If it wasn't for you, Irina and Xenovia might not be here. They are two very devoted followers of the Lord, even after learning of his death. And for you to risk your life and save them, two individuals who aren't even apart of your faction, I couldn't thank you enough. You have shown that it is possible to spread kindness even as we stood on the grounds of a possible war."

"Ah- But still, I am undeserving. Anyone would have done the same in my shoes," he replied, waving off the praise.

"Even still, we in Heaven wish to give you this gift. Please accept it," the archangel insisted.

Issei was going to retort again but before he could an elbow jabbed him from his left. He looked to see Ladora looking back at him. The dragon nodded his head without a word. The boy easily understood and sighed with his hands up.

"Alright alright. I accept, Lord Michael. Thank you."

The blonde man smiled and rose from his seat. He held out his hands before a bright lightened shined from both his palms. It came and went quickly, revealing a large sword in its place. It was a European-styled sword with a reddish-purple grip and a golden hilt with stylized crosses at the edges of the guard. It radiated holy magic throughout the room, almost as if it was searching.

Issei and Ladora's eyes widened the moment the sword appeared. Something else flooded from the blades aura and it reacted with their instincts, telling them to be careful around it.

Michael saw this and smiled apologetically. "Maybe I should have warned you first. This is Ascalon, one of the holy swords that we have kept safe for quite some time. It has dragon slaying properties after slaying a powerful dragon in the past, so I can understand your caution towards it."

"Lord Michael...I could never accept such a gift. Even if you say so, I couldn't-"

"Hyoudou-kun, the council and myself decided this. If anyone is worthy enough to wield it, you are the one."

The Pawn was still hesitant. He looked to Ladora and Kuisha, both nodded. He then turned to Serafall who smiled and nodded as well. Then he looked across the room to the two exorcists. They nodded as well. He looked back to Michael, who was still smiling that gentle smile.

"Please, Hyoudou-kun, accept our gift."

Issei swallowed hard. He slowly moved across the room, his eyes on the blade the entire time. Each step he could feel the blades power pulse, filling him with its warm radiance.

Upon reaching it, he could see his reflection in the steel. The dragon slaying properties still made him wary but other than that it almost felt as if the blade was inviting him to touch it. Its holy aura made no disdain towards his devil traits and, in fact, almost seemed to welcome him as a whole.

He slowly reached his hand out, hovering it over the hilt. A bead of sweat slipped down his face, showing how nervous he actually was. The blade was yearning for his touch as the aura seemed to beg him in.

'Ddraig...?'

[Focus on the blade. It will respond in kind.]

It was a short reply. Issei shut his eyes and took the chance, grabbing the blade. The Boosted Gear shined onto his arm and began to glow a bright green light. Ascalon responded with a bright light of its own, filling the room with a clash of green and gold. Issei could feel the wavelength of the sword and matched it with his own, feeling as the powers communicated with one another.

It wasn't long after that the lights slowly started to die down. The sword vanished from the boy's grip and the gem on the back of the Boosted Gear glowed in an arrangement of colors. Then the blade appeared, attached to the gauntlet.

"They...They merged!" Issei revealed once he opened his eyes. Everyone else followed suit and marveled at the combination. They all could feel the new wave of power surging through Issei and could tell that he had become stronger from it.

"Well then, my job has now been completed," Michael spoke up. The group turned to him. "We have discussed all that we can for now and I have fulfilled my task of giving Ascalon to you. Now we must take our leave and prepare for the meeting. So I must say, farewell."

With that, the angel and exorcists made their way to the door. Michael was the first to leave, Irina waving to Issei once more and Xenovia following suit, albeit awkwardly. The trio then left, closing the door and leaving the devils alone.

"That went well," Serafall spoke up first. She stretched with a happy hum, sighing as she relaxed into the chair. "Dragon-kun, you've really made an impression on everyone, huh?"

"Eheheh..." Issei could only chuckle bashfully and scratch the back of his head with his free hand.

"It is truly amazing that you were given a holy sword," Kuisha added. She stepped closer, being careful to hold the blade in her hands. Ladora also came closer but didn't touch as he was still cautious of the dragon slaying undertone the blade emitted.

"Guess that means I'm lucky, huh..." Issei said.

"I'd say you're special, Ise," the Queen retorted. Issei blushed at the comment and averted his gaze from the young woman.

"T-Thanks, Kui-chi."

"Mouuu, so cute~," Serafall gushed from the side. Both devils in question blushed and avoided making eye contact with anyone. It only made the Maou's smile grow wider. "Well, we'll save the teasing for later. For now everyone get some rest. We must prepare for the meeting so chop-chop."

""Hai!""

Alright, hope you enjoyed the read.

Now, first things first. Everyone seems to have their concerns with the OC's. And here's where I'm going to break this down. These two are the only OC's I'll be introducing because even I don't like using them often. One I already planted the seeds for, the other will begin to be built soon. Both of them will not be joining Issei immediately as I have plans to build on their characters and actually make them relevant. For even in this story, with its bountiful source of options, most I have no plans to join with Issei OR they're just as underdeveloped as an OC would be. But not to fret as I am a man of compliance and I will make some accommodations for you lot.

Next, Rias. The amount of reviews or PM's that I've received that want Rias to either suffer or submit to Issei is ridiculous. I say I don't want to bash her and the ideas you give makes it seem like that. She's not a main character in this story, half the focus won't be on her. The reason you like my story is because its unique and because I focus on characters outside the circle. So i won't focus on Rias and her regret for she has no reasoning besides a side arc for Issei. Period.

Now, onto the next two reveals of Issei's peerage

Issei's peerage:

Queen: Ingvild Leviathan

Bishops (x1): Alice Nakiri

Bishop (x1): ?

Rooks (x1): Rossweisse

Rooks (x1):

Knights (x2): Aria Lustfall (OC by Revan the Edgelord)

Pawns (x3): Arun (OC by Revan)

Pawns (x5): ?

There. Roseweisse is back and I shall integrate her back into the harem. Like i said, I'm a man of compliance. Now, the rest have been decided and will slowly be revealed. So be patient.

With this, I have nothing more to say. Review, smile, eat a cookie.

Ciao~