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Chapter 25: Politicking and the Next Step

One would think that after dealing with the first attack of Khaos Brigade some celebrations would have been a must for a society like the one in Hell.

We were all rallying by the courtyard in front of the main entrance of the humongous house, my eyes widening a little at seeing Sairaorg and Ruval there too, the strongest of the two giving me a challenging smile as if promising some 'sparring' in the near future.

He is a man of action after all.

This very sentiment of calling the day off seemed to be pretty much what everyone wanted to do, especially to stop thinking at the issues relative to the reconstruction of the damaged mansion and at the proper trials for those that were captured, but soon the situation changed completely when a small group of four red knights appeared via a gold-like seals glowing from the ground.

Two were leading while wielding halberds while the others where wielding shields and swords.

"Hoitsu Sakakibara, your presence is required by Lord Bael at once." One of the four spoke, a masculine voice that showed no hints of emotions nor hesitation.

Everyone looked confused, some more than others, while a small part made by the Satans, the leaders of Grigori and the older Devils seemed to be wary of what was going on.

The Bael Clan wasn't certainly someone that invited people randomly, especially with such event just ending now and with me being… undesirable for being a human.

I think the big question is if they are referring to Zekram Bael or his son in this occasion?

Possibly the 'actual' Lord by orders of his father. I don't think someone like Sairaorg's father would actually grace me with that kind of 'privilege'.

Glancing back to try and find Azazel, the man actually preceded me by taking hold of my left shoulder and appearing by my side. "Sadly this young fellow is not under Hell's jurisdiction and your Lord can't advance any invitation without passing by me."

The cool refusal caused two of the knights to look doubtful for a moment, glancing at each other before one of them spoke once more, his tone now grave and deadly serious.

"Lord Zekram wishes to speak with the young man. It's a matter of utter importance and he has suggested that said importance is beyond any possible wars."

There was a sudden spike of tensions as the chief of the Fallen Angels was stumped first and foremost by the last words. I couldn't exactly blame anyone looking shocked by that phrasing, as Zekram was the one making sure a second War wouldn't ensue.

He was the one that killed Cleria Belial for discovering the true function of the King Piece, of the manipulation attempt from the Old Devils to control Hell forever. So it was either I was going to be killed out in his own house or I was going to be possibly bought by him to join his clique.

Both terrible predicaments with the latter outcome being far worse than the former one.

But I could recognize a dead-end when I saw one and thus, letting out a long sigh, I turned my attention to a confused/concerned Kunou.

"N-Niichan, where are you going?" Okay, her voice was just- I should run and- Another sigh, I patted her head and brought her close enough to plant a kiss on her forehead after removing her mask. "Ku-chan, I need you to stay with Ise and Asia while I deal with some old geezers. I will be home before dinner."

The blonde looked unsure about believing or not to that promise but… she nodded, looking quite uncertain herself. "J-Just be careful?"

I chuckled. "I will be super-careful."

A small smile. "Okay then." I ruffled her hair just for a few moments before turning back to the four knights and-

"What about me, darling?" Kuroka latched at my arm much to my chagrin. "Are you going to give me a kiss too? If so, in the lips and with some tongue, pretty please-nyah~!"

I flickered her in the forehead, causing her to mewl in annoyance as I gave her a deadpanned glance. "You have stuff to do, like fixing what you want to fix."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "O-Oh, right?" She nodded but didn't budge yet. "Still, not even a treat to console me while you are away?"

"It sounds like an intriguing offer." I mused loudly, causing her to frown at the sudden change of mood and, as she was about to call BS, I quickly delivered by 'killing blow'. "[But I refuse!]"

Her eyes widened, the Nekoshou gawked quietly at that unexpected Jojolity, but she detached her arms from mine and pouted angrily. "Don't expect to find a bed once you get home."

I started to walk towards the knights, confused at that odd threat as she hardly knew where I lived-

Could she be-

Oh my, that would be… exhilarating.

"W-Wait, I didn't invite you and-"

But the moment my feet touched the seal, I found myself whisked away from the courtyard and… some places' indoors.

Of course my face had to be the first thing that came in contact with the floor of said location, but after experiencing this for a long time now I was quick to return up and standing. My eyes were swift in scanning the large room, the highly decorated tall windows, the various paintings put in the walls and the big throne at the end of the room.

Two men, the youngest sitting on the 'royal chair' while the oldest, giving me a fierce and analytical stare was standing by his… kin's side?

I knew that the two were Zekram and his son, the Lord Bael and Sairaorg's father, but the anime nor the manga had ever shown the two and… I have to say that now I knew the main details of their family.

While the current leader of the clan had cyan eyes and the former one had orange ones, they were both brunets… just like Venelana and Sairaorg himself.

The guards that had 'escorted' me knelt in front of the throne and, seeing the Lord gesture them to leave, they complied instantly and… there were only the three of us there.

I glanced around and indeed the room lacked any other individual guarding the Lord's safety and I was quick to point that to the idea the clan was mostly too prideful to accept 'help' of that sort.

The Castle was filled with Elite Guards, but those were mostly garrisoning the walls in case the 50 or more magical barriers defending this unbeaten fortress came crashing down, which was highly unlikely and nigh-impossible with today's strongest magicians.

I returned to stare at the two 'heads of state', my eyes widening a little bit as I saw Zekram now standing in front of me, a strange smile on his face.

"You are Hoitsu Sakakibara." The old man stated. "The human from Kuoh Town that managed to… become this."

I frowned at the second part, but kept quiet as he sighed and glanced at me with a curious look. "Your curious form, the one that you defined 'Senjutsu', can you show it here… now?"

...Why am I feeling tense from that request?

Because for some reason some pragmatic old bastard is trying to understand something, maybe 'try' something to determinate something out of you.

'This man is powerful, his eyes are sharp and attentive, but I can't get anything that should get us worried. Still caution is always advised in these situations."

I gulped nervously and nodded, soon smoke rose from my body and my eyes turned from dark brown to red.

There was a silent pause, Zekram's eyes widening in awe while the younger Bael looked intrigued while continuing to look blankly at me.

"This… this is just like I had thought." A single gleeful smile, then he turned to his son. "Do you remember the tales of him? Of his infamous stance, his unique energy pattern and… that deadly stare."

I tilted my head on the side in confusion at that description.

Him?

I think he is comparing us to… someone that is dead. And my current guesses are one worse than the other.

He snapped back around, advancing two more steps and then… he frowned. "But something… is missing." The Elder Devil mused loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. "Something that- Yes, that would work."

W-What would wo-UGH!

My everything was covered in red, a sudden blast of heat, of pure and harsh pressure was applied on my skin, on my bones and on my core.

The pain was immense, but my throat was dry, my eyes were in pain as my tear-ducts were forcefully dried out and I felt my entirety burn horribly.

There was a white noise aching within my ears, devouring at my sanity and only my heart-beat remained as something that fought against it.

It was rising to a quick pace, my heart drumming painfully within my chest and soon I started to feel it.

The red soon disappeared as pitch-black darkness replaced it… yet I was still awake, I could still see my own body in that strange place and… I blinked once more to prove that this wasn't a dream.

But this wasn't a new room, I was still back to the Bael's throne room, the red light was still here but was now clashing against the dark mist rushing out of… me.

Another blink, I felt my entire body going light with pure and raw power and then… the clash ceased and I found myself staring at a surprised but amazed Zekram and at a less-than-happy and panicking Lord Bael.

I took a breath of air as my 'Senjutsu' form ended, my legs failing as I found myself kneeling, my chest heaving up and down as I tried to make sense to what has just happened and why my whole body was in pain.

I-I don't know how- but you Core- Your magical core is-

'For some reasons you absorbed part of that powerful attack.'

What?!

I was busy purging the negativity, but the sudden outburst of that Power of Destruction spilled in the Core, and it will soon cause issue to our Light-type energy.

What do you mean and- POWER OF DESTRUCTION?!

My stare turned to the recovering elder and I narrowed my eyes at me. "Y-You tried to kill me!"

His smile widened. "Kill you? Of course not. You just… recovered something you are the rightful owner."

What is he talking about!?

The Dark-type energy is stabilizing and… I think it's being assimilated within the Core without issues. It's becoming part of us, but that would turn us in a Devil. I… I think I can do something.

W-What-

This is going to hurt… a lot.

A searing and burning sensation spread through my body, as if lava was being filtered through my veins and I felt something changing within my core.

I was quickly returned to my 'Senjutsu' form and a sudden burst of smoke completely blinded me as I felt my core burning some of my energy away. The process lasted two full minutes of agony and, once it was over, I found myself once more on the ground, this time feeling… oddly better than before.

D-Done.

'Impressive.'

W-What did you do?

'Shiranai just purged some of the excessive amount of Dark energy, placing a remainder of it within an isolated section of your core and… it shouldn't be clashing with your Light-magic anymore.'

T-Thanks then.

Y-You are welcome. Don't use the 'Senjutsu' mode for some time now, I don't… think I can help you with that for a while.

"T-This is even better." My attention snapped back at Zekram, the founder of the Bael Clan looking like a kid receiving two gifts at Christmas by the same individual. "Y-You are like him. You are like Lord Lucifer a-and."

...What in the goddamn fuck?

This- No, this cannot- but-

The Old Devil stood silent for a moment, thinking about this development and then nodding. "This… this makes things even more complicated than I had long thought."

He seemed to snap out of his reverie moments later, smile vanishing too as he bowed my way.

"T-To think I would be graced to find a noble successor, someone that could finally restore a pure dynasty to Hell and-"

"W-Wait a minute, what is going on?!" I finally demanded, the elder pausing once more and nodding at my request.

"You are capable of holding Light, Dark and Human energy without being turned in any other races but your original one. Like Lucifer once could before his fight with the long-dead deity."

"I-I'm not going to rule over Hell!"

The old man frowned. "You should! It's your right and-"

"I don't want to rule. Plus what would happen if Heaven went in a fit at this revelation, what if they decided a new War is worth enough to kill the 'new spawn' of the first traitor?" I rebuked quickly.

"I have to agree with Lord Sakakibara, father." The youngest Bael finally spoke, looking sympathetic to my situation, if only because he wanted to rule Hell alone and in that Status Quo. "While he has the potential to become our greatest ruler, he is far too young and inexperienced to lead us in a Second Great War. If he was crowned so suddenly, not only we would face some social disorder but also deal with a conflict we are not prepared to face."

The elder nodded at that assessment. "I suppose that I was letting my own loyalty blind me once more." He motivated. "But still, we can't just ignore the presence of our Lord's proper heir and we shan't certainly forget to swear fealty to this young man."

Why the fuck I'm dealing with this situation now of all times?!

Damn Diodora and his idea of broadcasting the fight. Now we got this political issue to deal with and some old fanatics to satisfy.

"I-I think I need some time to think? C-Can I go home?"

Zekram frowned but nodded at my request. "If Lord Sakakibara requires some time to think, then I shall not indulge any further with my antics. Please do step on the circle and I shall send you back to Kuoh Town."

A golden circle appeared right between me and him and I walked on it without hesitation, my brain soon to burst like a watermelon if this madness continued to unfold.

Soon a blinding light took me away from Hell and back to Earth, my feet surprisingly not tripping on the ground itself as I found myself staring at one of the fountains back in the park in Kuoh.

I yawned tiredly as I closed the door behind me, slowly walking in the main hall as I lazily glanced at the living room. I could hear some noises happening in the upper floor, but my brain had yet to recover to the insane shenanigans I just survived, my main objective being quiet and peace for the rest of the day.

Sadly once more I found myself disappointed by life as I saw Azazel sipping some coffee from a cup he was currently holding. He paused mid-sip, one eye open as he glanced my way in a surprised tone.

The Fallen Angel stood up from his chair and walked towards me. "You are back, brat." His tone was neutral, just some hints of worry right at the edge. "It's been what, two hours since we last saw you?"

I sighed and nodded. "I returned an hour and a half ago, but decided to take a slow walk around to deal with the stuff I just learned about."

"Important stuff if you had to take so much time to think about it." He mused loudly. "But from what I see, you seem ready to fall asleep anytime soon and… I will bother you just with the more essential information about what happened while you were away."

We both reached for the table and I sat in front of him as he took just another sip of his beverage before starting to talk.

"We decided to make some quick trial for Rias." My eyes narrowed at this summarized explanation, but I nodded at him to continue. "Putting forward that she was guilty of being an accessory was the easy bit, it was picking the right punishment that caused it to be a particularly long 'quick trial' and we ended up settling with a detailed compromise."

"You aren't angry and I feel like it isn't certainly prison for her."

"She is too young and her influence as an Heiress makes her quite untouchable in some instances, in this case the punishment was moderated to a full year of house arrests and her peerage will pass until this sentence is completed to Sona Sitri's partial control. While she is the official leader of the Gremory's peerage, they are still free to decide if joining the Anti-Stray Devil raids or not."

"Sounds… incredibly mild." I thought out-loud. "I thought there would have been like two years, maybe three."

The Governor-General of Grigori sighed. "Trust me, there was a solid front about increasing that time but… the Bael Clan was absent from that sitting. Do you know why?"

...Should we tell him?

He covers your ass in the worst of the situations and he cares for us. Maybe? I mean, shouldn't he be that careful to not misjudge a situation at first sight?

'I think you should tell him. It's a fairly big secret and it could destroy your current standing if you don't tell him.'

I sighed gravely and nodded. "Zekram Bael said that my 'Senjutsu' form reminded him of someone else."

The Fallen Angel blinked. "'Reminded him of… someone else'?"

Another nod. "I- He said that I was- I was-"

"Lucifer's successor?" Azazel interrupted quietly.

…

Did he just-?

I think that it is the case.

My eyes widened. "Y-You knew about it?"

"From the very moment I saw the state your body turned into when you absorbed Light-type energy." The man mused with a sigh. "I thought it was initially a coincidence, but then I saw your determination and… I was reminded of him when I started training you."

I blinked in confusion, but decided to not speak about it.

"It was before… he was truly turned in a Devil. During the Primordial War where he challenged God in a true fight. Before he lost and… become something else." The man said with a quiet tone. "He was scary bastard during the Rebellion, he would fight without any sign of fear or doubt and… and he was incredibly caring for his comrades before fully falling from Heaven."

"So…" My throat was sore, I wanted to sleep about this mess of a revelation. "Heaven will seriously seek to kill me?"

"Michael and Gabriel wouldn't because they knew Lucifer personally before his True Fall and will… have quite the weird reaction at meeting you." Azazel sighed. "But some Angels will not hesitate to hunt you down and end you before you become a threat to them."

"Seriously, why is my life such a mess? Now not only I have to deal with the aftermath with some people in Kuoh Town, but I have to deal with this Devils' affairs too." I closed my eyes and slouched on the chair.

"Mhhh…" Azazel tilted his head on the side, humming thoughtfully. "So you would say no if I had some important mission for you?"

I cranked an eye open and glared at him. "Not this early and-"

"It's a long-term one outside of Kuoh Town. A recruitment campaign of sort."

"There is Kokabiel that-"

"Fuck him, I will have Vali kill him. You need to get out of here for at least a month and… I have thought of forming something to fight back the Khaos Brigade." He groaned tiredly.

"Then why are you telling me to recruit people? Shouldn't you be nagging at the Satans and to Michael about it-"

"I will do that, but this can't wait, especially with the intensity of those attacks. We need a new group, semi-dependent to Grigori that will hunt down the KB before they can strike truly." Azazel interrupted once more. "I want you to lead this group, this Omega Initiative, and counter the plans of those wishing to cause mayhem across the world."

"And I have to ask then, how should I recruits people if I don't know where-" He passed a piece of paper across the table. "-To go- Okay, what is that?"

"A week ago Tokyo was subject of a brief battle between a Yokai-led terrorist group called Fairy Tale and a large coalition of fellow Yokais led by the two former Dark Lords. Yasaka was particularly busy with the aftermath as part of the Yokai world wished to open up to humanity and… that led to some sudden secession of the Yokai world."

You got to be fucking kidding me.

T-This could be a coincidence- I mean, we got a parody of Dragon Ball and a man like Satoshi so-

"Tomorrow morning I will have some more equipment for this first task in the long-term mission, there will be some paperwork to compile later on and some objects you shouldn't touch until you read the manuals- I think I should also add that the place is filled with young Yokais that have little control over their… instincts, thus some might be hostile early on."

He clapped his hands once as I continued to stare silently at how nice the texture of the table was. "I guess I will leave you to your rest. I don't wish to cause any brain damage, especially now that you need to take care of the ladies waiting upstairs."

I continued to contemplate how good this furniture was.

Seriously who would have thought that-

The door finally closed and my mind shifted back on the very real issue.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! Why do I have to deal with the Rosario + Vampire cast now? WHY DO THEY EVEN EXIST IN THIS UNIVERSE?

I mean, it's not that far-fetched that their logic could apply to this world. Plus both are mostly similar Harem-genre series so-

"NIICHAN!" A golden and fluffy Chibi-kitsune-sized bullet blitzed mid-air and slammed onto my waiting arms. "You are back!" I smiled and chuckled at Kunou's excitement but, as I was starting to pet her, I heard more footsteps coming from the stairs.

Wait, didn't Azazel say something about 'Ladies' as in plural-

"Hoitsu-nii!" Cue the silver-haired Nekoshou following her kohai's example and joining in by sitting on my lap, much to my legs suffering.

I sighed but still smiled as I noticed their relieved expressions at my presence, acknowledging that since it was only those two, I could still make it through the day without any issue-

Two soft and curvy orbs pressed on the back of my head and I heard a familiar giggle, causing me to close my eyes in silent defeat.

"Hello there, Darling~"

...And Kuroka was there too.

AN

We reached 626 Follows in FF! Yay! Next stop the legendary 696!

Also I bet nobody expected that little twist for Volume 3! Yes, road to Yokai Gakuen!

Quick timeline explanation: Volume 3 happens just a week after the final fight in Capu 2 (The manga, not the Anime sad adaptation). And the first task? Two individuals seek asylum as they are being currently hunted down by… shady individuals!

As I said before, I don't plan to incorporate full stories within this fanfic but characters will join up this Omega Initiative. It's like Avengers, but Anime Style and… realistically possible.

I will add in every AN the new member of the Initiative, starting with our current members at the formation of such group:

DXD:
-Hoitsu Sakakibara (Human/Leader);
-Kuroka Toujou (Nekoshou/Second in Command);
-Kunou Sakakibara (Yokai Kitsune/Member);
-Koneko (Shirone) Toujou (Nekoshou/Member);

Future milestone 1: 696 Followers and Favorites.

P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

REVIEW Q&A!

Evyplayz121: There will be some punishment for Raiser and his peerage, but it will be known only a little bit later. Also the reason why I manage do to stuff even without 10k long chapters is because I prefer to focus on the action and little on the descriptions of places and people. It's an odd style, something I was even reprimanded for, but the reasoning behind this choice is because I think the reader want a quick-paced and a story they can develop with their imagination by reading it. Some characters like my SIs are sometime purposely left not-described as some readers can paint them how they ideally would want their protagonist to look like.

User may be a smug prick: Dante just called. He says that punning that much warrants a tenth circle of Hell. (But yeah, that sounds fun. xD)