The Devil and the Chicken

Chapter 3: The Hermit

Arc: Monk of Destruction.


Glossary:

"Greetings." Normal speech.

'Greetings.' Thinking speech.

[Greetings.] Comms and phone speech.

{Greetings.} TV and Radio speech.


{START}


"So…" Issei began as he walked by Bazz's side "A Devil, huh?"

"Kid, if you are looking to make small talk about your new role, ask Gremory" Bazz cited, hands in his pocket and his bag slung lazily by his shoulder "You got a crash course on the supernatural as it is and wasting my time as it is"

"Not that part, did you not hear what I can become if I work hard and get to Ultimate level?"

"I heard you enough as it is, kid…" he grumbled.

They walked through the streets heading back home after just getting out of the ORC building, where they stayed almost an hour with them explaining to Issei about the basics and important notes of the Devils, their society, and Gremory's family. How he was brought back, what his role will be etc...

Along with some explanation with the Evil Pieces, the Devil uses to revive people (a topic that got him interested to listen intently), who can be anyone, no matter their species or position in the world. They are ordered like chess pieces as each of these pieces have their own perks and benefits.

King (An automatic piece given to the leaders of their peerages), Queen (Their most powerful piece and the most balanced of the pieces as well the ability to use the other pieces perks, the number two to the king), Bishop (Magical enhancements), Knight (Speed and agility but with their defenses being lowered, making them vulnerable to powerful attacks), Rook (Strength, defenses and offensive enhancement) and finally a Pawn (the ability to promote to different pieces inside an enemy turf or with permission), which is Hyoudou's position in Gremory's peerage.

All in all, a useful system the Devils managed to make to replenish their numbers following the Great War. Which can be exploited in some hands…

Weirdly enough, Issei is taking the information with stride. Not panicking or pissing himself with the revelation that God's enemies are literally real and now he is a part of them. In fact, the moment that really calmed him down and made him excited with the prospect of being a devil is the possibility that he might one day be able to create his own peerage like how Gremory has done with the ORC.

"Harem King!" Issei shouted in joy, much to Bazz's annoyance but did not comment on it, already too tired and too hungry to say anything "And you laughed at me! Calling it a stupid dream"

"It is a stupid dream" Bazz chided in annoyance "But whatever keeps you motivated with life…"

All in all, if Bazz can admit it to himself, today went smoothly than he expected. The kid is happy with the reveal, along with the possibility that his dream can finally come true made him happier. So he can't complain much, he got that part out of the way and Rias got her pawn.

"Dude, with my Sacred Gear I can make it all come true!" he brought his arms forward and on command, and with intense focus, a red light erupted from his hand. Slowly, a red gauntlet began to take shape, covering his hand and most of the wrist. Its green jewel located at the heart of the gauntlet shined through in all of its beauty "Boosted Gear! This beauty is my ticket to help Buchou and make me the Harem King!"

'One hour and already calling Gremory by her title… guess he accepted his role…' thought the foreign student.

Another revelation Bazz did not expect to find out compared to the whole Devil reveal, was the Sacred Gear Issei carried, the Gear that got him killed in the first place. So imagine his shock and awe (he had to hide it from Gremory) from the revelation. He understood why Gremory wanted the kid, but the Fallen Angel trying to kill did not make sense as of yet.

'The old goat would have tried to recruit the kid, not kill him…' he studied the gauntlet, while it did not look much as it did not cover his fingers or any other part of his body, meaning it's still a weak form. But it is not only a Sacred Gear, but it is also the Boosted Gear, which houses the soul of one of the Heavenly Dragons, that is enough to warrant worry by anyone 'There is more going on here…'

"Don't swing that thing around, someone might see it" cited the tall student.

"Oh right!" he flicked his hand, causing it to dissipated away "It's still pretty cool! Buchou said it's one of the most powerful Gears ever!" he said in pride before turning back to Bazz "Although, Buchou still wonders about your Gear"

He turned to Issei with a raised eyebrow "When did she ask that?"

"When you were talking to Akeno-san"

"Right…" he sighed, dropping his head in thought, thinking over how to explain this next part without confusion or revealing too much "It's not a Gear. It's just… a part of me"

Issei titled his head "Meaning?"

He sighed in annoyance "It's complicated, let's just say I can shoot out some energy beams and leave it at that. Explaining it takes some time and I am way too hungry and tired-"

"Kiyah!"

The two stopped their stride after Bazz bumped into someone just as they were coming up to an intersection. Looking down, they say a girl rubbing her back from the sudden fall. Quickly reacting, Issei went down to check on the girl.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

The girl turned up to look at Issei in shock, but it seems she did not understand him. Bazz noted her appearance. Blond hair, a natural one too, which is the first he has seen when he came to Japan. Her outfit, however, is what caught his shock

Her dress was dark blue or close to it. Covering her head with a white veil, and a silver cross that hangs outside by a chain.

'A nun…' Bazz realized it's been… two years or more since he has last seen a nun.

The girl, realizing what had happened, quickly turned to Bazz with a look of remorse "I am sorry! I did not see where I was going! Please, forgive me!" she spoke, her voice pleading with the tall student. She spoke in Italian, very thick Italian.

"No, don't apologize, Bazz did not mean it" Issei quickly went to her side, catching the blond-haired girl's attention "We should have been more careful where we were going"

Bazz turned to Issei in shock 'Kid… the Kid spoke Italian… fluently too'

He turned back to the girl, her blond hair was radiating even though it is covered. Her appearance reminded him of… of…

"KATARINA! RUN!" The mother pleaded with her daughter to run, and the young girl, blond hair shining brighter than the rest.

He aimed the arrow forward, hands shaking in anger, realizing the wrongness they were doing in this village.

Her hair was blond, her eyes were-

'No. not now. Not here' he chided in anger to himself, now it's not the time…

The girl shook her head "No, I am sure it is mine. I shouldn't have been lost in the first place…" she murmured sadly to herself before noticing a hand being offered to her by Bazz.

"It's my fault, don't blame yourself over something that is definitely not your fault," Bazz said in Italian, but compared to Issei, he had an accent behind it, giving her a small smile of encouragement while making sure to not frighten her, a trait he is aware he gives out to people.

Blushing red, she hesitated at first to grab his hand before turning to Issei, who was smiling in encouragement. After a few seconds of doubt, she took his hand and Bazz gently helped her stand up.

Cleaning the dust off her dress, she quickly turned to the two with a look of appreciation "I am sorry for disturbing you in the first place. I am simply lost after coming here" she admitted and pointed at the sign "I simply cannot read any Japanese sadly…"

Issei raised an eyebrow, confused "But aren't you talking Japanese- Ow!" he rubbed his arm in pain after Bazz punched him.

"What my friend here means, we can help you find wherever you are going," he said in a low tone. He finally realized why Issei spoke and was able to understand Italian, but it seems the brunette did not realize he was doing it 'Being a Devil has its perks…' turning back to the blond-haired girl, he asked "You were supposed to come here? Or in another town?"

"The train person in the booth told me this is Kuoh Town, correct?" she asked, and the two nodded. She smiled happily "Ah… finally. I am sorry but this is the fifth town I visited in my journey to come here"

"That's alright" Issei assured "Me and my buddy here can help you get wherever you are going! We can even give you a tour around town!"

The girl smiled happily, her eyes widen along the way "Thank you!-"

*GROWL*

"…"

"…"

"…"

Issei turned to Bazz.

"Wow, I did not know you were that hungry"

"That's not me, kid"

"Didn't you say you didn't eat anything at lunch?"

"I did, but that doesn't mean I am starving-"

*GROWL*

"Uhmm…" the two turned to the golden-haired girl, who was blushing in embarrassment "That would be…" another growl and her blush intensified "…Me"


{D&C}


"You didn't eat for five days!" Issei questioned in shock as he undid his burger wrap.

"I ate a few peanuts and one bottle of water the kind lady gave me" the girl answered as she sat on the chair opposite of the boy, in turning staring down at her own food before continuing "But I could not use any of my money because they are for my trip to come here. God is kind to me in this journey and with his kindness, I am hopeful this journey was not for naught"

Issei's eyes twitched but did not seem to notice it.

After the whole hunger and starvation thing that happened, Issei decided to drag them into a nearby fast food place that was recently opened. The Big Bang Burger, a popular food joint across the world that found its way to Japan. Around them were a lot of family and people picking out their orders, seated and enjoying their meal and chatting amongst themselves.

"Wow…" Issei let out a whistle "You are so awesome for going through that and come all the way here!"

The girl, who introduced herself as Asia Argento, blushed from the compliment before going back to her meal, praying in silence before beginning.

Seated beside Issei was Bazz, who was eating in silence as the two continued with their conversation continued between them. Mostly about the town and what it has to offer, her reason for coming here, and a little bit about herself, although that bit Bazz noted she did not seem too keen to diverge deeply further whenever the question how she ended up in Japan considering the country isn't exactly a Christian, and the Church isn't stuck that far into the 18th century trying to convert everyone.

That is a mess the Japanese people suffered enough back in the day.

Their conversation turned from talking about her to talking about Issei himself, from his school and joining up the ORC 'Jeez… kid sure trusts people quick…', all the while Bazz making sure Issei doesn't divulge too deep of what he is to someone who is basically a member of their enemies.

So far, Asia does not seem to be the fanatics or dinosaurs he has met before, she seems more open, kind, and very patient whenever Issei tends to talk way more than he should, so he gives her props for that.

"Uhmm… Mr. Bazzard?" Asia called for the foreign student's attention, who noticed some time has passed. Probably ran out of anything of note to talk about with Hyoudou, she turned to Bazz "Mr. Issei told me you are from Europe" she noted, which made the tall student give Issei a glare, not too happy with him telling people where he is from "I am happy to meet a fellow from the same continent so far away! And your Italian is really good!"

'Guess if you go far enough in this world you would consider people from the same continent to be the same as fellow countrymen' he thought, seeing it as a funny thing for someone to think about but he can't judge "I did a couple of business trips to Rome, so I had to learn the language. Venice too, but that was just for a night" Bazz answered, whipping his mouth with the napkin, he leaned against the chair, eyeing the girl. Compared to most people, she does not seem to be afraid of him or suspect anything judging from her smiling face.

"Oh!" she clapped her hands together "On a visit for the Church? I am from a smaller village so I never saw Rome or visited the Vatican"

"Ah… no… went with a… friend, wasn't exactly a good experience and let's leave it at that" he shook his head, not wanting to divulge too much on that part "But I am from Munich, born and raised"

She nodded "Ah! I thought you were English! But I am thankful to meet someone from somewhere familiar even though I never visited Germany. I heard it is a very beautiful place!"

"You never visited other places, Asia?" Issei asked, and Asia shook her head.

"No, I've stayed in my hometown all my life. This is the first time I've come this far from my country into a new place" she answered, tapping her fingers on the table in one hand while the other held the water bottle Issei bought for her "When I am done with my task here, I wish to visit Italia again, the real Italia, Rome, Venice, anywhere and sees the stories for myself. But if the Lord has other plans for me then I will be patient" she confessed, sounding… sad from her tone. Turning up to Bazz, she asked "So… have you ever felt… homesick? Mr. Bazzard?"

"…"

This was the first time someone actually asked him if he missed his home… even though she is asking about Germany, he heard something different, a different place came to mind.

Lichtreich

"No" he answered, his expression growing blank "Because if I ever go back there, I am never coming out…"

The two turned to Bazz with a shocked look.

Sighing and already feeling he turned the mood over, he stood up from his seat before giving Issei cash for the dinner.

"Ah!" Issei's eyes widened before waving his hand "No need for that, buddy! I paid for everything! You don't owe me anything!" he said, grinning and giving him the thumbs up "Consider this as payment for helping me out with the grocery last week!"

Bazz raised an eyebrow but shrugged internally, pocketing the cash, placed his bag on his shoulder, and turned to the exit.

"You are leaving?" Asia asked, feeling bad for asking him about his home.

"I have something to do" he answered before pointing at Issei "Kid might be an idiot but he knows the town better than me, so he can take care of you"

"Hey! That's a compliment and you know it!" Issei cited proudly, giving the girl a thumbs up in support.

"Welcome to Japan, sister" Bazz said to Asia with a calm tone "We are a long way from home, but I am sure you'll make do" he cited, giving her a small smile.

She smiled widely in return, warmly even "Thank you, I will pray for your safety, Mr. Bazzard" said the nun, clasping her hands together.

Issei's brows twitched from her action but did not complain 'Guess being a Devil has their setbacks…'

Outside was nearly becoming nighttime, it won't be long before most of the streets will be empty and people. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, feeling bad for making a scene over a simple question, especially when Argento did not ha, but nothing is simple with him, never has been since he left home.

'Girl deserves better than getting my crap… much better…'

Opening his eyes, he turned to the other direction and walked forward. Taking out his phone, Bazz reread the message he received before they got their food, a message that got him to overthink again, a message that made him angry when he reread it more than ten times to makes sure it wasn't a sick joke.

[When you are done with your little meal, meet me at the bar. We need to talk]

"Azazel…" he muttered the name, staring down the road ahead as he took the rapid stride where the park is located, it's been months… no, a year. A whole fucking year.

And now he decides to meet? After all the work he has done? No, he will make himself heard in this meet. Whether or not he leaves with his head intact, or he cuts his head off.


{D&C}


"Full name, Bazzard Black. Born in Munich in the year… 19XX." a white-haired girl began as she stood in the middle of the room, holding a piece of paper and reading its content "Nineteen years old, and his education simply states here to be in private schools until a few years ago when he signs up for a military school"

Seated behind her desk was one Souna Shitori, whose hands were interlocked together as she listened on to her servant's report.

It's been almost an hour, (Almost two days after the news Rias gave her) since she has given her orders to her peerage to look up at anything they can crop up about one Bazzard Black.

"Does it say what the name of the military school was?" asked the Student Council President.

The girl shook her head "No, Kaicho. Most of what I got has some missing details, namely his upbringing, his original residence in Munich, or any surviving relatives except for his benefactor who signed him up to the Academy last year…" she read the name "Who signed it as… Enoch"

"Enoch?" a blond-haired boy noted loudly.

"Enoch has many meanings behind it, it would be difficult for us to exactly pinpoint the origins of it as it has many interpretations" Tsubaki Shinra, who came in last after everyone else arrive after their classes, which shocked Souna because she is always the first one to arrive, noted as she looked over her own report.

"So…" the blond-haired read through his own report "This dude got like three pages worth of history?" he asked aloud before scoffing "I bet the bastard is apart of a gang in Germany and paid someone off to wipe it clean"

"Language, Saji" Souna scolded the boy.

Saji Genshirou, Second-Year student and Souna's Pawn in her peerage, nodded and saluted in the order "Hai! Kaicho!"

"Moving on and thank you, Momo" Souna nodded at Momo Hanakai, a second-year, and her Bishop. Turning to other members of her peerage, a blue-haired girl perked up as she held up her own report.

Tsubasa Yura, a second-year and her Rook, stood up from her seat and began showing her own report "From what I got, his fights with the other gangs in town all seem to be from his own strength, nothing says here about using any kind of power to do so" she noted, smiling as she read through it "Even says he has a very high tolerance of pain"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Saji asked.

"He got… wait let me list them… bat to the face, bottle to the head, nearly ran over by a car, ran over by a bike, hit in the face by a bike, thrown over a bridge" she listed, which made the other members of the Student Council feel a sweat drop at the absurdity and Saji turning white at how many he nearly got killed "And those are the ones I got from the people who are outside of the hospitals because he did the same thing to them" she noted before smiling "Bazzard has definitely gone through the mud in these fights"

"Focus Tsubasa" Souna scolded her Rook "But it is clear he doesn't use his powers as often as I thought, only when he faces a supernatural force"

Souna assigned Tsubasa (And is the first person she has given the assignment when she first got the news on his awareness about her) to look at Bazz's activity with the local gangs who tend to harass him, each time they try to hit him and he responds in full force but was never active in hunting them down, they always seem to hunt him down.

Compared to most stories of absurdity, this one remains the most consistent. Bazz always has troubled the local gangs for one reason or another (Either for his looks, his reputation, or the combination of the two) and he only fights back if they started, never the other way around.

And because of his actions, gang activities have lowered considerably around town, which is one of the reasons why the police did not arrest him as of yet.

"Yep! Saw him beat up this one biker group because they mocked his hair!" A reddish-brown haired girl noted beside Tsubasa, who helped her in the assignment. Tomoe Meguri, a second-year and Souna's Knight "Dude is not only a hunk but a badass even though he is a little mean when he told me to F off when I tried to talk to him! But was still cool when he said it!" she said in reverence and directed her sights to Saji "And you tried to pick a fight with the guy?"

Saji's mouth twitched in irritation, remembering his misfired attempt to pick a fight with Bazzard in the name of his King, only to fail miserably at the attempt.

"He- He- He had backup! That pervert Hyoudou has his back!" Saji said in embarrassment, Souna has already scolded him for what he did and revealing of how he missed the first punch and landing face-first on the concrete, breaking a front tooth in the process "If it was one on one with no backup or powers it would a whole different story!"

The other members of the club gave the Pawn an unimpressed glance.

"It's true!" Saji cried before turning to his King "Kaicho! Please tell me I can take this guy!"

"No, Saji. You cannot" Souna answered bluntly, not paying heed to the boy's cries as she read through a report being given to her "And I am not going to sacrifice you to prove that theory"

"You are too kind, Kaicho…" Saji collapsed down in despair while a member of Souna's peerage, Ruruko Nimura, another Pawn and a first-year, tried to soothe the boy's despair to no avail.

As her peerage resumed talking among themselves, mostly detailing how a fight between Black and Saji would end up and how long it would go (All ended up in favor for Black), Souna turned to another member of her peerage. Reya Kusaka, a second-year, and her Bishop, a recent addition to her peerage along with Saji.

"Anything to report on his background, Reya?" Souna asked her. While she gave Momo the task of his origins and anything on his background, she asked Reya for a deep dive into it, so the two shared the task in that part.

Reya, in her part, handed her King the report and shook her head "Sadly nothing much other than what Momo summarized" she respectfully addressed her King "All I got from his background all end up the same and not enough to fill a normal biography"

Souna's brows furrowed. She's been going at it since yesterday, to the point she couldn't even focus on today's classes because of it. This was not something she can just… let it go.

She still remembered when she woke yesterday morning and saw Rias's message that is simply read as 'Bazzard knows about us', that line alone could be interpreted in many ways, but she knows exactly what it means, something she has never thought it would happen.

Bazzard Black is not only aware of the existence of the supernatural and the Devils such as herself and Rias, but he has also been aware for a long time, making her question how this information can affect them moving forward.

'All this time he has dismissed me… was it because of my Devil heritage?' she wondered, she knows Bazzard enough that he treats everyone equally with the same amount of distaste, but from what Rias told her he seems to have been very brutal to the Fallen Angel that attacked the wielder of the Boosted Gear. Making him not only aware but capable in a fight. This is why she is shocked to find out that there isn't much about him in his background or his upbringing.

His powers are another mystery, from Rias's description, he uses his cross that he carries around to create a bow and arrows from it, but there has to be more to it than simply creating such construct and maintaining its form.

'Enoch... it also means Watcher... but that would mean' she shook her head, seeing it as a ridiculous idea.

She let out a tired sigh and leaned against her chair, feeling tired of thinking too intensely over this. Tomorrow they will have a meeting and she will have her answers.

'Unless that fool will once again avoid the meeting like always… then I will be using extreme measures'

Thinking about that possibility made her even more exhausted.


{D&C}


The Black Dog, a bar located in the entertainment area of the town (Which isn't much of an area other than the love hotel, everything else is just other bars) was quiet for the night. Possibly for it still being the first day of the week and people aren't flocking in any bars right from the get-go unless life has fallen hard on those individuals, so bars are there to help them relieve their stress away with a drink.

The Black Dog, while a recent establishment, is pretty popular around town for its very great customer service the bartender gives them as well as the owner of the bar being a massive party lover.

"Another drink, bartender" bellowed the only customer in the bar. Leaning against the leather chair and foot propped up over the circular table. He wore a white suit with a red shirt inside it, black hair, golden bangs, and black goatee, looking like he just came back from a delightful evening before hitting the bar. The man calmly turned his empty glass around as he waited for the bartender to come up and fill up his drink "Thank you, Tobio" he nodded at the bartender before drinking his glass "Say, how much I am paying you to listen to me rabble on?"

"Decently I suppose… you own this bar after all" the bartender answered stoically, dressed in a black tux cleaning another glass "Although I heard not as much to your subordinates"

The man bellowed a laugh "True! Shemhazai has been on my case for a month now because I postponed our meeting!" he took a sip before continuing "I'll probably get my ass kicked when I head back but I'll try to enjoy as long as I-"

*BAM*

"Can…" he murmured as he noticed the door opened violently. Sighing he turned to the bartender "Tobio, take the night off. It seems I would be entertaining a guest"

The bartender raised an eyebrow at the man before turning to the newcomer who stepped into the bar. Nodding, he cleaned the glass a few more spots before setting it aside, preparing to take his leave.

The man turned to the newcomer, who slowly marched up to him. Smiling, he raised a glass to the boy "Ah! Bazzard Black! Kuoh's diligent nineteen-year-old student! It has been a while since we last spoke- OOOF!"

Before he could say anything else, Bazz grabbed him by the collar of his suit and pulled him close before throwing him over the table in a brutal thud.

"And this is for the fucking chimera you made me clean up two weeks ago, Azazel" Bazz growled, eyes narrowed and shoulder tensed.

The world of the supernatural, while vast and housed with different myths and factions all over, three remained as many come to call them as The Three Great Powers due to their dominance and strength that has shaped the world to what it is today. Heaven, led by God of the Bible himself with his Four Archangels (Previously Five) with their army of Angels. The Archangels themselves serve as the greatest warriors in the world, rivaled by very few people. The oldest faction in the world and most dangerous faction because they are so zealous and loyal to their God, it would take the Devil's entire might to stop them.

Hell, or the Underworld, ruled the Devils and their servants, led by the Four Satans, among those four being the older brother of Rias Gremory. The Devils are arguably the most powerful faction in the world at the moment, not just in terms of strength but also in resources and army, which is important if the two decide to duke it out again. The Satans exist not just to govern the Underworld but to counter the Archangels' feared powers.

Then you have the third faction meddling in between those two powerhouses, the Grigori of the Fallen. Led by the Seven Cadres, with the leader overall called the Governor-General. They consist not only of Fallen Angels, but those exiled from the Church and even from other races. Hence their acceptance from those who 'fell' from their home.

And the leader of the Grigori is Azazel, the Blade Governor and arguably one of the most intelligent men in the world, rivaled by few and feared by many. Now laying on the table he once had his feet propped up before getting slammed on it

"Nice to see you too…" the leader of the Grigori coughed, the slam taking the wind out of him "Such violence…"

Tobio the bartender simply raised an eyebrow at the scene in front of him but did not lift a finger, seeing it as a normal instance. Bazz walked up to the bar table and sat on the stool, brows furrowed and too pissed to look at the Fallen Angel.

"Bazz-B" he greeted the tall student.

"Tobio" Bazz greeted the black-haired bartender "Still working with this idiot?" he asked, pointing at the Fallen Angel, said Fallen tried to sit upright.

"Sadly, but he pays well so I can't complain too much" Bazz scoffed but can't help but agree with the bartender "But do please try not to wreck the place too much. I only got the new paint job a month ago"

"Don't worry, it won't be long" Bazz cited as the bartender took his leave and closed the door behind him, leaving the two by themselves.

Azazel slowly got up and went back to his seat, all the while cleaning his suit, not seeming to be affected or disturbed by the table slam "You know I just got this suit cleaned up"

"Cut the crap you know why I am here" he bit back in response.

Unbothered by his tone, Azazel walked up to the bar behind the counter and started fishing for something "Because I sent you a message?"

"You want to go through that table?" Bazz threatened the Fallen Angel, who simply smiled at the threat and continued to look around the bar "I've been trying to get a hold of you for the past couple of months and all I got is Shemhazai telling me you are busy or getting your letters from Tobio" he turned to Azazel who went back to his seat. Remembering the letter he received last week for the job he did for the Fallen, usually, those letters are given to him by Tobio, unless he decided to send him a text message by phone.

"I have been busy, a lot of things came up these past few months that required my attention far more than anything else" Azazel began as he looked at the shelf, trying to find a specific drink "I couldn't even finish some projects I wanted to focus on because of it" he explained "Say, want to drink?"

"No"

Azazel's eyes widened after seeing something on the shelf "There! Found it" pulling it out, he put the bottle on the table in front of Bazz. "Back it, I am here in Kuoh on an important task"

"Going to dive bars and getting pissed drunk is clearly an important task" Bazz cited in sarcasm "I am sure the girls you slept with appreciate it too" crossing his arms over his chest, Bazz glared at the Governor-General "You are here on a vacation you bastard, all the while you are ignoring me"

"Aw~ you missed little old me this much?" he cooed at the tall student who responded with a glare "Calm now, I only jest. Say, do you have a girlfriend? I heard you and that Sitri girl are going out so I-"

"Fuck off…" Bazz seethed in anger "And what Sitri? The only Devil family here is the Gremory, and Shitori clearly is someone from a…." he slowly stopped talking after realizing something "Oh… motherfucker…"

Azazel chuckled at the boy's realization added with his confusion.

'Shitori… Sitri… holy fuck how did my dumb ass did not noticed it… that girl was keeping things under wraps, unlike Gremory…' he has been staring at it for the past year, he thought for the longest she might be a member of a new family or something like that and were friends with the Gremory's, but now he realized, much to his annoyance he was not only dealing with one heiress but two! 'Tomorrow will be a long session with that damn girl…'

"Interesting town, Kuoh" Azazel's voice brought him back "For such a small place, many supernatural elements congregate in this place. The only other such town in Japan other than Tokyo or other major cities is Karakura-"

"You lied to me"

Azazel raised an eyebrow, not expecting the low tone Bazz was giving him.

"That is?" asked the Governor as he tried to open the bottle.

"This town, you told me when I first came in this town there won't be any kind of supernatural" Bazz snarled in anger "But lo and fucking behold I come to find out this town is not only a Devil territory, is owned by not one as I thought, its owned by two fucking families who basically run the Underworld" Scowling at the Fallen, Bazz leaned back "And because of you I found myself back into the life I am trying to avoid after all that shit I did back home!" he shouted, his tone growing louder in each sentence "All because that Fallen Angel unit tried to stir shit around my fucking life"

"…" Azazel did not comment on the last part, continuing to try and open the bottle.

"You knew…" Bazz chuckled tiredly "You piece of shit… you knew about the Fallen unit, you knew about them long before I ever felt them. No… you knew everything about this town, most just me or the Fallen or even the Devils. You knew about why they are here because you ordered them to be stationed here" his eyes turned into an intense glare "Then let me ask you this because you know all about my life here and everything going on around town. Did you order the wielder of the Boosted Gear to be killed?"

"…"

Silence befell around them, with Bazz's accusation tone cutting through the air that can pierce to the strongest of people, but the Governor-General remained passive as he finally opened the bottle.

Bazz's glare intensified, the air around them growing hotter by the second "Did you order Issei Hyoudou's death?! Azazel?!"

"…"

Azazel sighed as he brought out two glasses and started pouring his glass, before finally eyeing the tall student "Before I answer your question, care to answer mine?"

His eyes narrowed but said nothing, giving the Fallen Angel the chance to ask his question.

"When you tried to save that boy, why didn't you use your full powers?" Azazel asked, which shocked Bazz "After all, you can go to the place where my foolish subordinate killed the boy before any of it happened. With your powers, you could have blitz your way over there and stopped it from happening. And yet? You opted to run there, instead of using your abilities' full potential"

"…!"

"Will you answer to me that your injuries you've sustained two years ago hampered you? I thought you weren't as you say… a coward?"

"…"

Azazel chuckled "I never thought I'll see the day, the proud Bazz-B to be simply a… weakling. He has left his mark on you-"

Before Azazel could finish, Bazz lunged forward to grab him by the neck, only this time the Fallen Angel dodge his hand and grab it. Pulling him close in a violent grab and hitting him face-first into the shelf behind Azazel, breaking a few bottles along the way. Not finished, Azazel grabbed him the leg and threw him across the room, hitting at the nearest wall in a violent thud.

Bazz quickly tried to recover but Azazel quickly lunged at him, shooting his leg forward and stomping him right on the shoulders, where the Fallen Angel Raynare left him a serious wound. Shouting in pain as the wound once again opened and started pouring out blood, Bazz attempted to move his free hand only for Azazel to grab hold of it by his other foot, stopping the attempt.

"Calm down there little archer. I am just trying to make a point here-"

Using his other hand, Bazz grabbed the closest part of his front jacket and pulled Azazel close, and delivered a vicious head butt, breaking his nose in the process after the sound of bones crunching echoed around the room. Seeing his chance, Bazz kicked the Governor-General on the chest to get him off of him.

Standing up slowly, Bazz glared at Azazel as he clutched his shoulder in pain, breathing heavily, waiting for the Fallen Angel to react back but instead, Azazel shook his head and wiped the blood off his nose, grimacing from the sound of his broken bone but seems nonchalant of the pain.

Staring back at the boy, Azazel sighed before going back to the table, grabbing the other empty glass (the first one broke after Bazz attacked), and began pouring on it.

"You've become slower"

"Fuck you" Bazz bitten back before grimacing from the pain on his shoulder. The tall teen is well aware that if the two of them went at it, he will lose, even if he wasn't injured he will still lose against the Governor of the Grigori.

"I've got my answer, so I'll give my own to yours" Azazel began, taking another shot of his drink before continuing "Yes, I have ordered a Fallen Angel unit weeks ago to be stationed here in Kuoh, without informing you. I take the blame for that and any injuries you might have suffered from them"

"Then-"

"For simply on a scouting mission" Azazel corrected "Their task was to observe the wielder of the Boosted Gear, not to engage him in any form unless if they want a war. Whoever gave them the order to attack and kill him wasn't from me"

"I was given a mission… a mission to watch and confirm what he has as proof that he is a danger. You might laugh at me and say he is not"

Bazz remembered those words come out Raynare, confirming Azazel's explanation. But that doesn't explain the other part…

Trying his best to keep his wound closed, Bazz leaned against the wall and calmed down, making sure to not move around too much as the Fallen Angel explained his side. Along with him calming down, Azazel felt the air that has been growing hot by the minute quickly dissipate.

"That sword wound on your chest is still hampering you I see" Azazel noted in observation and on instincts, Bazz's other hand went to his chest, as if a set of memories washed over him at a time he would rather forget it "Two years and not much has changed… amazing"

"Yeah… great fucking observation and reminding how I lost against him" he nodded at him "Continue, why did you want him observed?"

"Is there any other reason?" Azazel asked him as it was an obvious reason "I wanted to study him, with the circumstances of his Sacred Gears, there is so much to it than simply asking the user which is sometimes useless to ask about, even though I have one of the Heavenly Dragons under my care and studied if as much as I can, it's still not enough, it's never enough"

Bazz raised an eyebrow "You didn't seek to recruit him?"

Azazel chuckled, taking another shot of his glass "Of course not, I did not want to disturb the balance as it is, and even if I did, do you think Vali would let him be?" asked the Governor.

"Guess not…" Bazz muttered.

Azazel sighed, "Please, Bazz. Yes, I may have lied to you about Kuoh, about who is residing in this town, but there is a reason for it and you being here would be beneficial to you more than you think"

Bazz scoffed, "You honestly thought I would interact with the other Devils here? "

"I banked on it my boy" Azazel responded with a smirk "You might not think of it, but your kind always attracts the attention of others in this old world. So no matter how hard you tried to keep your head down, this life will find itself my boy" filling his glass once more, Azazel scrunched his nose in annoyance from the pain but continued drinking.

After finishing the glass, he turned back to Bazz, his eyes turning serious for a moment "So I ask my boy, do you trust me?"

"…"

He did not know how to respond, for the longest time he knew the man he always got half-answers or kept secrets away from his attention. While he did not care what he does, he cared enough if it affects him, so he made sure to the man that he hated being kept in the dark. But yet…

'He is the reason I am still breathing and now buried back there… the reason I got out of that place… the reason why I am here in this town because I asked him…'

"Yes"

After what felt like hours of thinking on an answer, Bazz answered lowly, which made the Governor-General smirk in pride. Getting off the wall, Bazz slowly walked up to the door after getting his answers (Most of it as he felt trying to get the rest of them would be mean a waste of time on his part because he realized how stupid his question sound like), still clutching his shoulder in pain, Azazel already had the sense to not ask someone as prideful as Bazz about his well-being.

"You care about the boy, don't you?"

"…" Bazz stopped walking, swinging his head at the Fallen Angel.

"I've been here for a month, and you've known about it and yet you've never sought me out, nor bothered to ask about me that often," Azazel remarked, which made the tall student's eyes twitch at his comment "You did not come here to ask about your situation, did you? You've come here just to confirm things"

"Well shit, no wonder people call you the smartest Angel in the world…" Bazz remarked in sarcasm "Astute observation"

"Now now, no need for sarcasm here" Azazel raised his hand before continuing "It makes one wonder where your interests are…"

"Fuck off, don't make this sound like anything you may think it is, you old fuck!" Bazz seethed and clutched his shoulder "I nearly had my shoulder fixed and now you went ahead and screwed it over again…"

"Next time try to be less obvious before attacking" Azazel noted before seeing the chain cross hanging by his pants "And did you use the cross I've made for you? I know it doesn't look like the chain cross you used in the past but I am proud to say I at least emulated it well"

"Like hell you did" Bazz fumed in response "Damn thing barely lets me create my arrows without getting tired and it's an eyesore"

Azazel laughed, taking another sip from his glass. Turning back to Bazz, his eyes became half-lid and his mouth turned into a straight line "As for why I haven't been able to answer your calls these past few months was because I am facing some problems within my organization"

Bazz raised an eyebrow at this disclosure "Got traitors?" asked the red-head "Your Crows have been very clear they are doing this for you when they targeted the kid, zealously so"

He remembered Raynare's screaming words, trying to explain that everything she was doing was in Azazel's name, an excuse he has seen it a hundred times, an excuse he hates with a passion.

"Possibly trying to discredit me, or they honestly thought the orders came from me, minus the zeal for I am well aware of my effect to people" leaning against the chair, Azazel held his glass, turning it left and right as the liquid inside moved in motion "The orders on the death of the Boosted Gear wielder were not mine, but someone within my organization, someone who can order my Fallen into acting this way. I will try and find the source of this problem, it is why I will be heading back to HQ after tonight"

"…"

"What I am saying here is this, while I am busy I can send someone to take care of this problem-"

"No"

"Come again?"

"On sending someone here to take care of your crows" Bazz explained "I'll take care of it, they hurt the kid, and I aim to finish this… no need for you to send in your Cleaner"

"Oh?" Azazel lifted an eyebrow and smirked, "Is this your way to pay off your debt after getting you out of Munich?" Bazz grunted in response, which Azazel laughed at "My invitation for you to join the Grigori is still open if you are tired in this school life you've chosen yourself to integrate with" said the Fallen Angel "It might help you keep your head down away from the eyes of them"

Bazz stared at Azazel, this is not the first time the Governor asked him to join his organization, after all, they accept anyone who has fallen out of her favor with those who they once served, and he was no different.

And his answer persisted to be no different.

"No" Bazz repeated before turning back to the door "I made a promise… this school life might look useless in the long run… but I am making the most out of it…"

"How so?" Azazel asked, curious. Still remembering the odd request Bazz asked him when he got him out of Germany about wanting to join a school, he never asked him as to why he particularly request he asked him that, but he nonetheless complied, and signing him to Kuoh was just the cherry on top to keep his ears to the ground.

Bazz sighed, silent and unsure of how to answer. His back was turned to Azazel, waiting for an answer to his curiosity.

"Because it's a choice I made," Bazz said quietly "And a choice I am honoring without shame… even if I feel its waste of time…"

He took the first slow step into the door, still clutching his shoulder.

The door shut closed, leaving a dead silence around the leader of the Grigori as he looked around the half-destroyed bar. Tobio will not be happy with this scene but Azazel will make sure to compensate that by personally fixing the bar before he leaves tonight.

"Nothing like a good magic spell, a hammer, a pretty girl, and a good drink to help with the fixing"

Filling the glass one last time, Azazel turned back to the door where Bazzard Black left, finding his answer about joining a school to be odd but understanding in its own right.

"You've come this far to avoid the Almighty… betrayed by the Balance and hunted by the Stars… and yet, did not hesitate to help someone you care even if it means planting their gaze back at you" Azazel raised a glass "Welcome back to the old world, Quincy, may you find your place in this world you are trying to avoid"

He took one last drink from his glass.


{END}


Author note:

No note just wanted to thank y'all for reading this small story.

And remember, I always welcome constructive criticism, it's always appreciated and my DMs are open for any discussion!

EndNote