Its back baby. With another chapter from your Amazon Senpai. Aren't I the best, come on, praise me.

Anywho, enough with the high horse shit. Hope you guys enjoy the chapter. I'll be at the bottom with more notes if you need me.

"Azazel, why did you stop me?"

Issei turned to the fallen with a sharp glare. One that still held that intense fire behind those hazel orbs. Azazel swore he saw a hint of green.

"Woah kid, easy, I'm not Vali. I'm not going to hurt your woman," the Governor replied with raised hands. He even looked back at Kuisha, mentally approving the Sekiryuutei and his tastes.

"She's-." The brunette tried to snap back but paused. He realized his thoughts had led him to think and say a few possessive things about his fellow member. But he didn't know how Kuisha felt and had been talking as if their feelings were mutual. His eyes flashed over to Rias who was looking over Gasper and he remembered how, even in the end, gestures weren't a confession. That kiss that fateful night proved that fact. He then looked back to the blonde Queen and felt his heart tightened in a vice. Could those gestures simple be the same? Something that would be seen as simply platonic. "She's not my woman..."

The Pawn lowered his head with his hair shadowing his eyes. After beating the White One with ease, now, he looked completely defeated. His downtrottin mood was met with boisterous laughter and a hand placed firmly on his shoulder. He looked up at the Governor who looked to be amused by the conflicted boy.

"Hahaha, you've got a lot to learn about women," he said cryptically, squeezing the brunette's shoulder. It went over Issei's head as he cocked an eyebrow. "Listen, not all of them are the same. Some may surprise you in ways you wouldn't expect."

"You're dodging my question," Issei spoke up, trying to get the topic off of him.

"Heh, you caught my ploy," Azazel said, retracting his hand. "What you were about to do... Call it reassurance."

"'Reassurance'? For what?"

The Governor's expression then grew serious. "So that you don't do something you regret."

Issei went to speak but bit his tongue just before he did. Those words made him pause before he opened his mouth. The seraph noticed it and nodded his head.

"Smart boy. I understand you're trying to protect your friends but what you were about to do wasn't that," Azazel stated, folding his arms. "You had him beaten, there wasn't much he could do after that. Vali is strong but Ascalon is a very powerful sword that was made to fight dragons. The mages with Katerea, you acted in self defense against. Vali, you knew you had already beaten him."

"He deserved it! I acted in self defense against him as well!"

"Did you..? Or were you really looking for a reason to plunge that sword into the retreating enemy?"

Issei knitted his brows. Then, they started to relax as he started to think rationally. As he thought more on the fallen angel's words, the more they made sense to him. Anyone who has ever killed out of aggression has never been the same afterwards. Hell, killing in general changed a person. And, now that he thought about it, he slowly realized that Vali was beat. He saw hatred in the half-devil but also fear. His fellow dragon would be cautious from this point forward and wouldn't challenge him the same again. As long as Issei could avoid senseless killing, then he could admit he overstepped a line this time. He was lucky for the fallen angel's concern.

"I see what you mean. Thank you, Azazel." He said in response.

"Forget about it. Pay me back by letting me see more of that new form later on. It caught my interest and that, in itself, is quite the compliment." Azazel started to walk away, waving a hand lazily over his shoulder. A magic circle appeared beneath his feet, starting to glimmer in what was teleportation magic. "I'm heading home, kid. Try to stay out of trouble till we meet again. Oh, and do make sure to think over what I said."

Shin!

With that, the magic circle lit up and faded away, taking the Grigori leader with it. The other fallen angels did the same, leaving the angels and devils to their own devices.

The next to come towards the Pawn was the leader of Heaven.

"Issei Hyoudou," he greeted with the same kindness from their first encounter.

"Lord Michael," the boy replied with a head nod.

"I must say, that new form is something to behold," Heaven's leader said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you. I don't know how it happened but...it felt right shedding that armor," Issei said, finding momentary difficulty in how to describe what he experienced from the change.

"I see. It is something that none of us have seen from any of the past Boosted Gear wielders. I can only hope you continue to use it to do amazing things," the archangel encouraged.

"Your words are too kind. That attack against Vali only worked because he underestimated me and because of Ascalon," Issei replied. He'd rather not have what happened from Kokabiel happen again. He got lucky, that was it. He still had a lot of training to do before he reached his goal and people getting the wrong idea would cause future problems he didn't want to deal with at the moment. If not at all.

"Hyoudou-kun, Ascalon is a powerful sword, yes, but it's true power lies within the wielder themselves," Michael spoke sage-like. "Someone of the Hakuuryukoi's strength could take multiple strikes and still be able to fight. But for you to have him retreat with the little you did, it speaks volumes of your connection to the holy sword. It was the best decision to give it to you."

Issei's eyes widened at the kind words. The leader of Heaven believed in him. His smile was genuine and his words were very comforting. It was almost unbelievable that they were supposed enemies before. But it seemed he, along with the other leaders, truly wanted this peace to work. Such actions as gifting him the sword and working together against a common enemy made it easy for even a simpleton, like Issei, to understand.

"T-Thank you, Lord Michael."

"You are very welcome. May you continue on your path to a higher resolution in life."

Issei nodded his head vigorously. Looking back at the angel, Issei then noticed something move behind the leader. When he saw what it was, more specifically who, he thought on something before looking up with added resolve.

"Lord Michael, if you would please hear the request of this lowly devil..."

"What is it, my son?" The archangel showed intrigue after noticing the look in the Pawn's eyes.

Issei motioned him closer, Michael complying. He leaned in and whispered something into the leader's ear. The angel nodded every few seconds before his eyes finally widened. A smile quickly followed as he pulled away.

"I see. I do believe it is something within my power. Is that all you truly desire?" He asked. The boy nodded immediately and his smile widened. "You are truly kind, Issei Hyoudou. If I heard you that night, I would have rescued you myself without hesitation."

"Your words comfort me, Lord Michael. But I feel it's my obligation to do so. I can only imagine all that she's been to up to this point."

"Yes. And I still regret what I had done. But I'm glad to know that she has someone like you watching over her."

"Thank you."

They shared a smile.

"Well, it is time for me to return to Heaven. I do wish you luck in all that you do, Hyoudou-kun. And hope that, with this alliance, we all grow closer and stronger together."

"Likewise."

And with that, a bright golden light enveloped Michael and all of the other angels. And, like Azazel, they were gone once it faded. All that was left were the devils.

Issei made his way over to the one person he had been meaning to talk to. It had been some time and he was sure she had a lot to say to him now. Especially with all that's transpired.

Step!

"Asia.." He said softly, stopping a few feet away from her.

The former nun looked back at him. She had been waiting patiently to talk with him since she heard of his return during Kokabiel's attack. Then when he appeared at Kuoh Academy during the parent's visitation, she grew upset that she missed him again. And now, she had waited the entire meeting and the invasion, to finally be able to speak with him.

The Bishop had finally witnessed how much the boy had changed. Not just with his strength but mentally as well. He wasn't as perverted anymore, nor was he childish. He had matured and had goals that someone could actually be proud of. Other than himself, of course.

And all of that made her realize just how far he got from her. Both in power and as a person. She had been training diligently to try and be more useful but she could only do so much with her fellow peerage members. And even with all of that, she still found herself leagues behind the one she was trying to aim for.

It made her question if she really deserved to be by his side. So, when he opened his arms and smiled at her, she felt her legs grow weak and her eyes sting and moisten. She leapt towards him without a second thought and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Issei...san," she replied carefully. His smile widened and he nodded.

Drip!

Her tears started to spill as she saw that same warmth from the day she was revived in the church. She dug her face into his chest, uncaring of the fact he still lacked a shirt, as she cried. The brunette didnt seem to mind it as he simply soothed her by rubbing the top of her head.

"I know... I'm sorry for ignoring you all this time..." He said gently.

Issei hadn't realized how much he missed her. How much he missed the one he swore to protect at all costs. The one he risked everything to save. The one who called him her first friend. The one who accepted being a devil just so she could be with him.

He never blamed her for what happened to him. He didn't blame her for not saying anything that fateful day he was traded. Even he knew at the time, her words would do nothing to sway Rias at the time. So he couldn't be angry at her, not like he could anyways. He could never be angry towards Asia. And with the way she hugged him, the way she was shedding those tears, the way she clung to him, it only solidified it. She missed him too.

"I'm sorry, Issei-san... I'm sorry," she continued to cry out.

He just held her, soothing her the best he could.

"I know, Asia. I'm sorry too."

-XOXOXOXOX-

DOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN

The building shook violently, breaking Issei from his thoughts. He looked back to the ending of the meeting again. He had been thinking about it since that day, focusing on everyone's words. The words of his superiors made him really question where he was at and how much stronger he would have to get. He wanted to stand on par with them and possibly surpass them one day, a goal Ddraig was quick to get behind. And, with that in mind, he decided to up his training.

His training with Ladora and Gandoma had become much more intense. Ladora now used his dragon form and Gandoma solidified his defenses by summoning the rocks beneath him as reinforced armor. They would then begin a spar, two on one of course, till Issei's Scale Mail shattered. Then he was to resummon it and they would start again. He was able to do it two more times but was extremely exhausted afterwards. They were on a limited time, after all and Issei was doing his best to first master the Scale Mail before trying to utilize his new form. It was still an unstable state and he needed to grow stronger first.

Liban and Beruka had also upped their training regimen with the Pawn. Now, with Ascalon, they had no fear of shattering the boy's blade in their duels. They made sure to advise against using his Scale Mail form so he wouldn't become reliant on it. As much as Issei hated that, they made a valid point that he wouldn't always have his armor as a secondary defense. So, it was better he got use to defending and deflecting attacks without having to fall back on the armor to protect him.

Finally, Misteeta and Coriana would finish off his training. After Issei's new evolution, they noticed an increase in his magic reserves. With this, they immediately began to have Issei meditate and learn to tap into the new reservoir of energy. It was also unstable, having come from his new evolution, so they couldn't do much but it was something that, with time, could turn Issei into an unstoppable force on the battlefield. With careful instruction, they made sure he only got used to the feeling of the new power flowing through him but advised against him doing anything dangerous with it.

Everyone was excited for the brunette. His rapid growth was extremely motivating to the group and no one wanted to be left behind. So, not only did it increase the morality of the team but also increased the overall strength of the entire peerage. No one would allow themselves to be beaten by the other and they grew as a unit, training together.

DOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Another explosion broke the boy's thoughts. He really needed to stop daydreaming. At least in situations like this.

"This is why I didn't want the us to gather before the meeting..." Issei heard Sairaorg complain.

The peerage had originally decided to stand outside until the situation resolved itself. But, with the arrival of the Gremory and Sitri heiress's, Issei could assume his King had enough. So, now the three Kings and their peerages made their way into the banquet hall to see how much trouble the ones inside had caused.

The Sitri and Gremory groups both had wide eyes as they took in the destruction of the room. Tables were destroyed, chairs were broken, and the decorations on the wall were either ripped, burning, or smoking. All in all, the place was a complete mess.

At the center, devils looked to be split in half and glaring at one another. One side had human-like devils while the other had more goblin-like devils. The pointy ears, jagged teeth, and even a wart or two on some.

Leading on both sides were two devils. Both Kings, like the Sitri, Gremory, and Bael.

On the former's side, a young woman with blonde hair and red eyes sat at a table. She sipped on a cup of tea calmly while the chaos ensued around her. She seemed mostly undisturbed by it all, albeit a look of irritation on her face.

Across from her, on the latter side, a delinquent stood against her. He had dark skin with blue hair. And he wore an outfit that Issei swore looked like a unicorn took a shit on. No one in their right mind would be caught dead in it. And he was wearing it, and alive, so what did that say about him.

Oh, they're arguing.

"Zephydor, you're causing a disturbance. Honestly, you need to calm down," the girl berated. She wore glasses and they had that ominous glare that would make any man freeze in his tracks.

Of course, her fellow devil was unaffected by it. "Shut your mouth, bitch Agares. You're all hot shit because your family is second to the Great Kings huh? Is that why you reek of virgin?"

"Such vulgarity comes from your mouth. Maybe I should fuse it shut!"

"Is it because of this attitude that you can't get a man? If you'd ask nicely, maybe I can show you the wiles of adulthood."

Issei didn't like this guy. Although, it seemed no one really did. But he really didn't like him because he spoke so perversely. Was that really how he was before?

[You have no idea...]

'Shut it! You've been quiet for a long time, stay quiet.'

Sairaorg stepped forward, catching the brunette's attention. The heir cracked his knuckles and neck, his eyes narrowed. Guess it was time to end the debacle.

"Zephydor Glaysa-Labolas, I'll ask that you not speak to my fiancee with such a tone," the Bael heir spoke up. There was no room for an argument in that sentence. It wasn't a request, it was an order.

"Hehh, you two...? Haha, it makes sense then. You both always seem to have sticks up your asses, so it's perfect!" The dark skinned teen seemed to not pick up on the tension building. Issei could see the look in his King's eyes and was quite surprised to see such a look of anger. He could tell his master didn't take kindly to someone mocking someone he cared about.

"I'll kick your ass then take Seekvaira and show her what a real man-"

GOOONNN!

CRACK!

The goblin devil couldn't even finish his sentence. The moment he spoke of the Agares heiress, Sairaorg moved and buried his fist deep into the boy's gut. He was further embarrassed when the heir sent the delinquent flying into the wall.

It was obvious Zephydor had lost consciousness by the fact his eyes were rolled into the back of his head. His peerage was forced to remove him from the wall and carry him off to be treated. The Bael had barely held back and might have broken a rib or two. But it was better than what he originally wanted to do.

"I take it you have nothing to say?" He asked, turning to the blonde heiress.

"No, he was bothering me and I simply wanted him gone. Thank you," Seekvaira replied, setting her teacup down.

"Alright. Have everyone repair the hall. I'd rather not have a mess before the Maous and elders arrive."

Seekvaira nodded her head. "As you wish, my love~." The little teasing tone she had made one of Sairaorg's eyebrows twitch. But he then closed his eyes and smiled.

-XOXOXOXOX-

"Seekvaira Agares of the Agares Household. Rank, Archduke."

"Rias Gremory of the Gremory Household. Rank, Duke."

"Sona Sitri of the Sitri Household. Rank, Prince."

"Sairaorg Bael of the Bael Household. Rank, Great King."

"Diodora Astaroth of the Astaroth Household. Rank, Duke."

"Good, with introductions out of the way, we can finally talk freely," Sairaorg said with a grin.

"Yes, we had quite the...interesting start, so to say," Diodora added.

"I agree. But I'm to assume Zephydor won't be a problem for the remainder of this meeting?" Seekvaira asked.

"No, he is unconscious and doesn't look to be waking up any time soon. So he was sent home," Sona informed, pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.

"I see," the blonde replied, doing the same.

"Still, we must take it easy on him. His family is going through a recent lost, if I remember correctly," Diodora spoke up. The other young devils looked as if they remembered too.

"Ah, yes, that is very true. The death of the former heir might have taken a toll on him," Sona thought aloud.

"Then I may be able to excuse his attitude tonight. But only once. That delinquency will not be tolerated by the elders or myself," Sairaorg stated with a firm fist planted on the table.

"Ah, so you kids have been quite busy, hmm?" A new voice joined the fray. Everyone turned to see Sirzechs smiling at them and their eyes widened.

""Maou-sama!""

-XOXOXOXOX-

After the meeting had concluded, devils started taking their leave. The Maous and elders were first, seeing as they still had many tasks left to complete. Diodora and Sona weren't too far behind, the latter wanting to get an early start on her training for the upcoming Rating Game against her best friend.

Issei had found himself wandering off. It had been difficult for him since his return to the Underworld. More specifically, the words of a certain Governor.

Azazel had spoken to him about his relationship with Kuisha. But it left the brunette more confused than at ease. And why shouldn't it, it seemed that women didn't take kindly to him at all. At least, once they got to know him.

Since he started high school women hated his guts. Teachers, students, faculty, moms, sisters, there wasn't a single female who found interest in him but to see what his head would look like on a pike. But the Pawn would chalk that up to his perverted tendencies. Looking back at it, he did come off as stalkerish and creepy. In all honesty, he should have been arrested.

One of the main examples, however, was when Yuuma-no-Raynare had shown up... After she had asked him out, Issei made a promise to himself. He wasn't going to do anything perverted on their first date. No leering, no groping, no creeping, none of that. He was going to be a gentleman. Much like Kiba, in fact.

And, lo and behold, by the end of the day he had a light spear stabbed through him. He was called boring and drab and was left for dead in a park. That should have been it.

No, of course not though. Rias had revived him and made him into her Pawn. He called out for someone to save him and...she did. She knew of his perverted tendencies, who didn't, but allowed him to indulge in them nonetheless, albeit with a grain of salt. She even went as far as to save his friend, revive her, and rid him of the woman who broke his heart. Issei had assumed those actions were Rias's way of showing that she accepted him. And from that point on his heart had started to heal.

The brunette began to train and grow stronger, all with the idea of pleasing his master in mind. Hoping she would notice him and smile that same smile that gave him life once more. That she may be proud of him and never regret her decision.

Then, Raiser came along. He claimed her as his fiancee and those of the devil world accepted it. Seeing the freedom she usually displayed be slowly sucked out of the woman he had come to adore, it enraged him. He saw the displeasure on her face and how no one seemed to care or be able to do anything about it. His words had carried no weight either.

But they were given a chance to help her. Issei prepared himself to fight for her as she had for him. To rid her of such an awful man that was Raiser Phenex. And, for the first time in Issei's life, he hated a fellow pervert.

Then they failed. No, Issei had failed.

The boy told himself that he didn't try hard enough. That he didn't give it his all during training. That everyone was counting on him and he let them all down. Because he was weak and just a mere Low-class devil.

So he sacrificed a piece of himself. He sacrificed his arm, just to have a slim chance at saving her. He sacrificed his heart to her, hoping to communicate his admiration towards her in this last burst of effort to free her. And he sacrificed what was left of his already shattered pride in an attempt to make sure no one tried to come after his master again.

And he won.

Issei beat Raiser. Despite using a cross and holy water, he had won. He saved his King, he saved her freedom, and he saved that smile. And he was rewarded with a kiss that meant more than anything in his life. A kiss that he had hoped would lead to what he had been wanting for all those years.

Love.

Love that showed he belonged somewhere. With someone. To be with till the end of time.

Issei simply wanted to be loved.

The only reason he spoke of a harem as he did was because he wanted a lot of it. His parents weren't the kindest when he was younger and he was starved of what one would call love. His grandfather was the only one and he told Issei of this mysterious emotion that gave people the power to change reality itself, all for the sake of this one other person. Issei wanted to have that kind of love with many others and it morphed him into the harem king dreamer he once was.

But, all those dreams had come crashing down in smoke and fire. He came to the club in bright spirits to leave in low depression. His master, his savior, had called him out on luck and cheap tactics and wanted nothing to do with him. So she cast him aside, traded him away to try and right what she thought was wrong. And, with such an action, had unknowingly shattered Issei's still mending heart into dust. But with it, his aspiration of any female actually finding any affection towards him had been imprisoned in the recesses of his mind.

"Issei..?"

"-!?"

He had been caught off guard again. His daydreaming was becoming a real problem. He turned to the person behind him and was quite surprised at who he saw.

"A-Akeno...senpai..?"

The beautiful woman was dressed in a stunning, elegant kimono. It fit her perfectly and embellished her beauty flawlessly. Issei would be speechless by the attire if not concerned by the worried look he saw on her face.

"Issei..you're..."

The Pawn was confused until he finally felt a wetness on his face. He reached up to his cheek before pulling his hand back to look at it. A few droplets of a clear liquid sat at his fingertips before sliding down and dropping off.

Drip!

And then he realized it and his eyes widened.

Issei was crying.

Alright. This is one of the bigger chapters I've done in some time. Its been really fun to write and I can say that the fire grows stronger each day. So hopefully I can continue to excite you with where things are going.

The next arc will officially kick off next chapter and it will be a divergence from the usual shit. Its not a training arc...sort of, and it will definitely be one you dont want to miss.

Also, how bout that Seekvaira and Sairaorg loving. What better way to give the best Aniki ever some sexy time than with the tsundere princess who has to stay strong against his charismatic leadership.

As for Asia, her reintroduction is small here but will have its time to shine coming later down the line. The cliffhanger with Akeno is a surprise to all, even my close circle, until the next chapter is out. Which should be around the beginning of November.

Uhh, Happy Halloween I guess. Don't eat too much candy. And join my discord if you feel, its a few chapters back for the link.

Anyways, check out my other stories if you haven't. Review on this bad boy, I love to read your comments guys. And Senpai is always watching.

Ciao~