Chapter 10
Asumoto walked down the stairs of the old school building angrily, never looking back. The more he thought of what he heard in the meeting the angry he got. Like why the fuck where the Gremory's thinking still giving their daughter one last chance for freedom? They know it will end in failure, they know Rias doesn't stand a chance against Riser.
Unless...
Reaching the bottom of the bottom floor Asumoto speed walked down the hall till reaching a set of doors covered in yellow caution tape and chains. His hand brushed along the wooden doors. He knew who was behind this door and he knew if he was released he could help win the battle. However, the second Bishop of Rias would be the opposite of helpful, he was so scared he'd freeze up and be the first knocked out of the game.
He couldn't control his sacred gear which meant Rias couldn't control him. If he could control it, he would become a great asset to his master. But for now, Gasper Vladi would remain isolated from the world until Rias released him.
Rias...Thinking about the red head made his blood boil. She had used him for her selfish needs once again and this time was break off an important marriage. Guess she didn't care about the survival of pure-bloods.
Her kindness and compassion was a lies, she cared only for herself, like all Devils do. If she did care, she'd have release Gasper and help him control his Sacred Gear. If she was kind, she wouldn't have planned for Issei to be murdered and forced to be her Servant. She should have spoken to him and offer him to join, like what she did with Akeno.
While he was arrogant Risers words spoke truth; Purebloods were dying out and if they were to survive they needed to breed and that probably was what he saw Rias as, a breeding machine. The Gremory family mist be thinking it won't happen or didn't care since they were making her marry him.
Rias, on the other hand, would have none of it. If Asumoto was being forced to marry someone he hated, sure he'd be mad, if it wasn't important that is. Rias was getting married to help reproduce purebloods, so this was important.
"Asumoto-san."
Asumoto stopped when he heard Grayfia speak to him. The Strongest Queen put the meeting on hold to try and understand why Asumoto actions just now.
"Why are you being defiant to your master?"
"Excuses my language Grayfia-san, but won't fight for that bitch. She clearly doesn't care about her people, the purebloods, survival. She only wants what she wants."
"From what you've said, I am to understand you weren't listening. House Gremory and house Phenex felt the marrying of Riser-sama and Rias-sama would strengthen the bond between their families and, as you said before, keep the Purebloods alive. The Lord and Lady of both houses approve, however my master dose not."
"Sirzechs doesn't approve?"
Grayfia nodded, "Sirzechs-sama says Risa Rias-sama should be with who she wants to be with."
"Like how you switched sides to be with Sirzechs cuz you love him."
A tiny smile crossed the silverette lips. During the civil war she fought with the Old Satan faction but defected to the New Satan faction cuz Sirzechs loved her, the story was famous.
"However." Asumoto continued, "This is different. This is to unite two families and Rias is acting like a pouty child. She doesn't realize how important this is. Now she thinks beating Riser in a Rating Game will win her freedom? It's a lost cause, Grayfia-sama, she can't beat him. I already told her she's inexperienced, out skilled and outnumbered. He also has the Phenex tears to heal wounds."
"If you participate in the game she'll win."
"I told you I'm not participating. Even if Sirzechs forces me to fight I'll just disqualify myself. Now if you'll excuse me I have a kendo tournament to prepare for. Good day, Grayfia-san." With that the reincarnated Devil marched out the building.
Grayfia sighed, this boy was stubborn about not aiding Rias. Why was that? What made him hate her sister in law so much?
"I'm disappointed in you."
"I don't care."
"You shouldn't be so defiant to Buchou, Asumoto-senpai."
"Actually I can."
Rias eyes harden in displeasure at her Queen's attitude. Frist he refuses to fight in the Rating Game and he walked out on the meeting while it was still going. "Because of your actions from the yesterday, I have to fill in the blanks for you. We've been given ten days to train for the Rating Game and I plan to use those days to ensure we become stronger to defeat Riser."
"Two weeks? Heh, and I thought he would be kind by giving you five weeks, but clearly he wants to hurry and get in bed with you." He smirked at the dark look Rias gave him, "This isn't like exterminating a Stray Devil, Rias, this is a Rating Game, which you won't win. Two weeks won't be enough and you are seriously underestimating Riser and his peerage. You wouldn't stand a chance and you'll realize that once you lose which I've already said won't be a part of. I refuse to take part in my first Rating Game and lose because of your arrogance."
If Rias had been anger before, she was livid now, demonic energy was flowing off her at the cruel words Asumoto was saying to her. "You...you…"
"Good luck in your Rating Game." With those parting words Asumoto teleported away with a casual wave.
"Damn it!" Rias yelled as her magic exploding out in a wave, the anger she felt toward her Queen was unimaginable. She understood this marriage was important but she didn't want to marry Riser. He was, well there was no other word for him, a pig! He was arrogant and treated his servants like they were nothing but play things, which she herself would become if she was married to him.
"Should I go get him, Buchou?"
Hearing her Rook's question to bring back her Queen, Rias dispersed her magic energy before sighing angrily. "No Koneko, there no's point in trying to convince him, he's made his choice so I shall make mine by participating without him." "Is that a smart idea, Buchou?" Kiba asked, a hint of concern in his voice, "Without Asumoto-kun, we won't stand a chance."
Rias looked to her only Knight and smiled confidently, "Don't say such a thing, Kiba-kun. I know that we can win this."
'I doubt that.' Kiba said to himself. He didn't wanna argue with the woman who saved him but he agreed with Asumoto, they were outnumbered 10 to 1 and couldn't match the skills of Riser and his peerage. He was sure Rias knew too, as did Koneko and Asia. However, unlike Asumoto, they weren't gonna give up, they would show there defiance by training as hard as they could and take down as many of Riser's servants before losing.
"Pack your bags everyone, we leave tomorrow." Rias announced.
"Buchou," Kiba suddenly said, locking eyes with his master. "You told was when the time was right, you'd tell us about Asumoto. Well, perhaps now is that time, why did you revive Asumoto? He doesn't enjoy being a Devil." Asumoto's actions recently as well as yesterday prompted the blonde Knight to ask his question again; what was Asumoto's deal with her? Why did he hate her for saving his life? Maybe he'd get the answer today.
Silence enveloped the room as all eyes turned to the red haired beauty. That was a question that burned in everyone's mind, how, when, and why did Rias reincarnate Asumoto? The silence lasted a little longer before Rias opened her mouth to speak.
"I did say that," Rias answered with another sigh, "and you're right Kiba, perhaps now is the time. It's time I tell you how I found Asumoto."
"A rating game?"
"Against Riser Phenex?"
"And you're not gonna participate in it?"
Asumoto nodded to all their questions while drinking his soda. He had run into Raynare's fellow Fallen Angels after another day of kendo training and, to their great surprise and suspicion, offered to have lunch with him. He managed to talk them into accepting it after saying he'd pay for their meals.
A week had passed after Rias and the Gremory peerage left town to prepare themselves for the Rating Game. Asumoto, on the other hand, was preparing himself for the Kendo tournament which he knew was more important that a stupid Rating Game to decide whether Rias would get married or not. When news about his refusal to participate in the Rating Game reach the Underworld, no doubt caused by Riser since he heard Asumoto, it spread like fire across a forest with many questioning why Rias would revive such a defiant human. He also heard Sirzechs was surprised by the news and many nobles requested that he order the boy to participate or punish him for his defiance, but wouldn't take such action, knowing it would only make Asumoto hate them more. Instead he'd leave the samurai be and suggested to his sister she find herself a Queen to substitute for Asumoto, which Rias rejected immediately, saying she could win without him.
Arrogant he may be, the Strongest Satan was at least smarter than his brat of a sister. Her mistake to not have a substitute Queen was foolish and would cause her to loose quicker.
"And all of this is because your master is getting married to him?" Asked Kalawarner, resting her chin upon her interlocked fingers, "From what I remember hearing about him, he's an arrogant dick who loves nothing more than to dress up his servants."
"Well I don't know about that since I've never meet any of them." Asumoto replied, taking a bit out of the burger he ordered. "Nor will I since I won't be participating in that useless game."
"Which is what I'd like to know, boy. Why aren't you gonna fight for your master?" Dohnaseek asked as he adjusted his fedora.
"Aside the fact she tried to rape me to break off the engagement, this is for the sake of the survival of purebloods, and bonding of their two houses."
Millet almost choke on fry she ate. "R-rape you!?" She gasped once able to breathe again, "I can't believe she'd go that far just to get out of a marriage."
"Well if you were to marry someone like Riser Phenex would you do the same thing?"
Millet frowned but nodded yes at Kalawarner's question. "And that's why you aren't gonna fight? Cuz she tried to rape you?"
"As well as the other important reasons yes. Besides, what has she ever done for me? She turns me into her servant and makes me go around handing out fliers or doing contracts with idiotic people who want wishes that aren't impossible to grant, such as sex or unlimited power.
"Oh I think that first one is wish-able…" Kalawarner said eyeing the Devil, he was quite the looker, especially in the eyes, those silvery eyes seem to hold a lot of mystery in them.
"So what's been going on with Issei?" Asumoto asked changing the subject. "All I know is that he's on your side and you've made the old church a base."
"Well," Millet started a wily grin on her child like face, "We discovered he's the wielder of the Red Dragon Emperor."
Asumoto put on a face surprise face, "You're kidding? Are you serious?"
Millet nodded in excitement, "And we've been doing what we can to help Ise-kun become stronger."
"He may be a pervert but that kids got a good heart." Added Dohnaseek, "Have to keep telling him to stop eying the women when he's supposed to be training. I swear, if he doesn't shape up soon he's gonna get killed."
"Something we, especially Raynare and Azazel-sama, don't wish to happen. The loss of the Red Dragon Emperor will be a serious blow to our forces."
"You make it sound like as if you're gonna try to reignite the war." Asumoto gave a questioning look to the blue haired beauty at what she just said.
"War is hardly what I want." Kalawarner said with a wave of her hand. "I'm only saying that if something where to happen to the Red Dragon Emperor, a different faction would obtain its host."
That was true, obtaining one of the Heavenly Dragon's would be a huge advantage to any of the factions. Thought Asumoto he had played a part in Grigori getting Issei, he didn't care, he would be the replacement for loosing many Fallen in the war. Speaking of the war, Asumoto was sure that when word reached Grigori that they had the Red Dragon Emperor, a certain warmongering Cadre would try using Issei to restart it which prompted Asumoto to ask, "Tell me, has anything unusual been happening at Grigori?"
The three Fallen looked at each other before Dohnaseek answered the question, "Nothing of the sort. Why do you ask?"
"Just asking. I know that some within your organization, as well as others, don't enjoy the peace."
"If you're asking about Kokabiel-sama than yes, he is displeased about the ceasefire. I remember last time I was at headquarters he was arguing with Shemhazai-sama about gathering there forces and lunch a preemptive strike against the Devils."
"I'm glad he's not the governor general." Millet said with a dark look. "I'd rather repent for my sins then follow that mad man to war."
"You and me both. All he does is talk about war. I swear I'm glad I'm here and not back at base." Dohnaseek grumbled.
Asumoto looked at the trio with renewed interested. If they hate the Cadre and he tries to enact war, perhaps these three would join forces with one of the factions he'd try attacking. He'd worry about that later.
"So kid."
"It's Asumoto." Corrected Millet.
"Asumoto, what will you do once the Gremory girl is married? I mean are you still gonna be serving her or Riser Phenex?"
"Well if I remember, I believe Riser has a full peerage so I'll probably still be in servitude to Rias, unless my traded" He got up from the booth and stretched. "Well it's been fun but I must be going. Thanks again for joining me for lunch."
"So what will you do if you won't fight in the Rating Game?"
"I'll just sit back and enjoy watching Rias loose. Maybe this will teach her not to act so stupid."
"Wow, you really hate Gremory don't you?" Millet said with surprise.
"I do."
Tsubaki parried the swing Asumoto sent at her, the pole of her Naginata holding strong against the steel. For them it was just another day of sparring for the tournament and tomorrow being the day of the Rating Game. She had already heard the news about Asumoto but choice not to bring up the subject to respect his privacy, but after nine days of nothing but sparing and small talk, today would be the day she'd speak to him. Since she was friends with him, maybe she could convince him to help Rias. However, before so he would need a little scolding.
"Asumoto, you can't just defiant your masters orders."
"Why not? Cuz I did."
This caused Tsubaki's eyes to harden. If he was going to play hard then she would too. Activating the Knight ability, she launched jabs and cuts at the samurai who dodged and parried them with some difficulty.
"Your defiance has been a huge issue for Rias-sama as well as the Underworld. I heard some of the nobles wish to have you executed."
Asumoto clicked his tongue while blocking another strike to his shoulder. "As if Rias would let that happen, she would never let anyone lay a hand on her servants. The Gremory house cares about their servants."
"Which you should be grateful for. If you were part of another house you'd be punished or killed."
"So if I was in your peerage, Sona would kill me?"
Tsubaki glared at the samurai as she swung hard knocking him off balance and almost getting a hit on him. "She wouldn't. She also cares about her servants."
"Well if Rias and Sona care about their servants why don't they ask if they have problem?"
"Sona already helped us with our troubles and you won't let Rias-sama help because you don't like her."
"Pft. Or she doesn't choose to help. When has Rias ever tried talking to me about my problems? Hell, when has she asked any of her peerages about themselves? What does she even know about them aside being a servant to her? Nothing."
"But Rias saved you Asumoto."
"She saved me to gain power, Tsubaki. I will never devote my life to her!"
This cause Tsubaki to disengage from the duel and sighed. She removed her glasses to clean them while saying, "Asumoto, I care for you and so dose Rias. However your anger toward her is blinding you to see it, and I knew you'd be difficult. So I called someone who may help you better than I can."
Just as he was about to ask who it was, the doors to the gym opened. The newcomer was Akeno and by the look on her face she wasn't happy.
"Well?" She asked sternly once reaching Asumoto, arms crossed under her chest and a deep frown upon her face.
"Well what?" Asumoto asked, already knowing where this was going.
"You know what I mean Asumoto, you refused to help Rias. Why did you do that?"
Asumoto glaring at Tsubaki for bringing Akeno into this before turning his attention to Akeno. "Because she can't win. Riser Phenex is literally an immortal. His family are ancestors of the Phoenix bird. Add the tear of healing they produce and there unstoppable. Rias can't and won't win. She's going to get married either way."
He paused for air before continuing.
"More importantly, why are you defending her? You rarely speak with her which means you don't know her like I do."
"Or maybe you just haven't seen us speaking together cuz you're not with the peerage half the time."
It was true, during her many visits to the Gremory peerage Asumoto was nowhere to be found, either he was out preforming a contract or would show up just as she was about to leave. From her time spent with the Rias, Akeno had learned a great many things, such as her love of Japanese culture, what her family was like, as well as her fear of camels. Perhaps it was Asumoto who didn't know Rias.
Asumoto snorted, "Even so, you've never seen her arrogance and greed for power. Tell me, did she tell you about her attempt to rape me to get out of the engagement? Or what about her plan to have Issei murdered by the Fallen Angel to obtain him?"
Akeno's brow raise in surprise at the former human's words.
"Hm, by your expression you weren't told either of those. Not to mention she won't take it upon herself to help her first Bishop."
"But Asia—"
"Not Asia. She's her second Bishop. Rias has another Bishop, Gasper Vladi, a Dhamphir with a Sacred Gear he isn't able to control. And instead of helping the poor child, Rias, under orders of her brother, seals him away." A look of pain crossed the samurai's face, "Perhaps I should have released him to help take part in the Rating Game, maybe then Rias would have a fighting chance. So you see Akeno, Tsubaki, that is the reason why I won't fight for her, she's arrogant, greedy, acts like pouty child, and has zero knowledge about her own peerage."
Suddenly a red circle appeared on the floor with a familiar red flower on it and out Rias stepped, a deep frown upon her face. "Is that what you really? You think I don't know a thing about my own servants?"
"How—"
"I had my familiar kept a close eye on you while we were gone. I heard everything you just said now so let me correct what you said; yes I know everything about my servants. It's my duty as there master to know about them. I know about Kiba and Koneko's dark past, I know I'm not strong enough to help Gasper control his power, and Asia is just now opening up about her past to me. Their history is there's to share, but you…" She stepped forward staring in dead in the eye, "I don't know anything about you because all you do is treat me like trash. I wanted to wait and see if you'd open up to us, but that never happened, so I told the others everything about the night when I found you."
Asumoto's face darkened at the information.
"Don't give me that look. You let this happen because you never opened up to any of us. You won't open up to anyone just because you believe I revived you for power. Well I think I need to refresh your memory the night you died; I didn't reincarnate you for power, it was to save you, because you begged me to give you a second chance."
Asumoto's brow furrowed. "You're wrong! I didn't ask to be revived as your slave! You should have let me die with my family!"
…
…
…
…
"What?" The anger Akeno felt was replaced by shock at Asumoto's words. She should have let him die, what did he mean by that? "What do you mean? Why would you want to die? Does it have to do with becoming Rias Queen?"
Asumoto turned away at the question proving the girls point.
"You told me when you became Rias' servant it went deeper than that. What happened Asumoto? Is it somehow related to losing your family?"
She had taken a wild guess at the last question, feeling his family's death and Asumoto becoming a Devil where connected, and that question was correct. Akeno saw the Devils fist clenched and body shake, trying to stop whatever emotion was trying to come out. This was her chance to discover what happened to the swordsman and his family.
"Asumoto, you know where here for you. What happened?" Tsubaki asked with concern, when he didn't answer she added, "We promise we won't tell anyone."
The three girls waited if the brunette would reply and tell what happened.
"Asumoto-"
"Thursday, February 20th, 2014."
The two Devil's and shrine maiden became silent when Asumoto spoke. Perhaps now they would learn the truth about the mystery samurai.
"We had just finished a feast with the Hayashi clan and watched the stars after they left. It was an hour till midnight when it happened. We were unprepared for them... they came out of the darkness shouting and riding horses. My father tried to rally a defense but was too late, they broke through the gate and attacked. They spared no one! Men, Woman, and even the children! Only a handful of us remained and my father ordered me to...to...run."
Akeno's eye widened in horror at what she was hearing.
"And I did, for about two miles till the enemy caught up to me...We fought and I killed them but it was too late for me, the wounds were too great. I was dying." His fist started to shake again and eyes flickered to Rias, "Then you came along...your hair as red as my blood wearing that smug smile! I knew in that moment, before darkness took me, I would live again as a slave, and never see my family again!" Asumoto's voice cracked as he looked at Rias, tears in his eyes. "That's why I hate you Rias! You took me from my family and turned me into you're slave to gain more power!"
Without hesitating, Akeno approached the crying man and embraced him in a tight hug rubbing his back while saying soothingly, "Shhh, its ok."
At last she finally understood why he hated Rias and it filled her heart with sadness, this poor boy lost his family, his life, and freedom. Beneath her sadness, she could feel surprise but why thought? She already knew he was part of a Shinto clan. Perhaps it was because the Hayashi clan was mentioned in the story, which explained her uncle's strange behavior when she spoke about Asumoto to him. Iwamatsu knew Asumoto, but how and when she wouldn't know until questioning him. Speaking of questions, which clan was Asumoto from, he never told anyone his last name, and what about his story, why did it sounded familiar, where had she heard it before?
These thoughts would have to be pondered on later, she still had to convince Asumoto to trust and help Rias.
"Asumoto, do you really hate Rias for making you her servant?"
"Yes." He choked through sobs. "S-she took me from my family!"
"Asumoto, how long have you been a Devil?"
"Three years."
"Is that so? Then if you truly wanted to be with your family, why haven't you taken your life, why are you still living?"
…
Asumoto was shocked into silence by the girl's words. He said he'd rather be dead with his family, he had so many moments to take to take his life, yet here he was, still alive, talking to Akeno.
"You said your father told you to run, he wanted you to survive. If he survived the attack, how would he feel if Rias hadn't saved you from dying?" She felt him clench her sleeves but she didn't stop, she knew somewhere within his heart he was grateful for Rias, she just had to find the right words, "I'm sure your father was a good man and would want you to keep living, even if you are now a servant to Rias."
Asumoto listened to Akeno's words carefully, especially about his father. He knew his father better than anyone else in the clan, better than his brother. It was he who taught him combat, manners, honor, wisdom, and Shintoism. For him, one word told by his father meant a thousand things. So when he told him to run, it was to hide, to fight another day, to ensure the survival of the clan, to protect that place…
So was Akeno right, was his father tell him to run to live?
Yes.
His father knew they lost, he knew nobody would escape the slaughter, nobody but Asumoto. Not one attacker noticed him until he escaped the attack, which led to the chase, the fight, and his death and resurrection by Rias.
Rias…
Her smug smile never flashing through his mind, which made his firsts clench once more. He should be showing better manners to the woman who saved him but only treated her like trash, which his father, his family, would be disgusted with. In his defense, he didn't wish to be the servant of a spoil brat like Rias!
But she saved him, allowing him to live again…
…
Why did he think that just now, how could be bring himself to think that. Rias didn't saved him, she didn't care about his wellbeing. She only wanted his skills.
"Asumoto…" Rias said, sadness within her tone, "You have it all wrong. It wasn't smugness you saw, it was sadness's. Did you even see my face before you died?
There was a long silence followed by the question with Asumoto said nothing, only shaking his head which proved Rias was right.
"Perhaps you should speak to your familiar. She saw what happened. Also, I'm sorry for trying to rape you, and you were right with how I planned to recruit Issei, I should have acted sooner. You can believe what I say or not, the choice is your Asumoto, but I do care about you Asumoto, and hope that someday you'll come to trust me and the others. Now if you'll excuses me I must prepare for the Rating Game. Good day." Giving her farewells Rias vanished through the circle.
Asumoto was left staring at the spot she stood before recalling her words of Izumi seeing what happened. Was that the truth…was that what really happened?
Or was she just trying to get him to trust her?
There was only one way to find out.
He gave a sharp whistle and Izumi appeared upon his arm, a look of confusion on her feathery face. Izumi was his last hope in knowing if what Rias said was true, he trusted the hawk with his life and knew she'd never lie to him. Clearing his throat and drying his eyes he spoke to his companion. "Izumi, I must know something. The day I died, Rias found me and took pity on me, but…I'm not sure if what she says is the truth. She said you where there, you saw what really happened so Izumi, my friend, what happened?"
The hawk looked at him then to the Rias before returning her gaze to her master and begin speaking to him. To Tsubaki and Akeno all they heard were chirps, to Asumoto, he heard a voice. A voice only those who formed a contract with the hawk could hear.
"So, you final wanna know the truth huh?" She spoke to him in a calm tone, she shook her head and climbed up to his shoulder. "I keep thinking to myself if you'd ever ask this question, master." She paused before speaking again. "Yes. What everything Rias Gremory said was true. I watched you fight off those villains who gave chase after you, I watched you kill them, and drag your dying body through the forest leaving a trail of blood behind and collapse when you made it out. I saw Rias Gremory approach you, horror was on her face at the state you were in. You grabbed her wrist and by the movement of your lips you were begging her to save you. The look Rias wore was of pity and sadness. She said you will live again, but the price was to serve her." She watched her master's expression, go through different forms, neutral, anger, and surprise. "Master, your father wanted you to run, to live, and if that meant becoming Rias Gremory's Queen, then it would better than dying."
So…it was true, all of it…
Rias...
Izumi…they said the truth and he had denied. He led himself to believe a false thought that plagued his mind for years, blinding him to the truth. Blinding him to the kindness Rias showed him by saving his life.
"I see." Was all he said making the two girls share a look.
"So what will you do master?"
It was almost time for the Rating Game, almost time to decide her fate if she would marry Riser or not.
The answer, however, was inevitable of which one it was.
During the ten days of training, she had been thinking about what Asumoto told Grayfia when she left to speak with him after he marched out of the meeting. He said they were outnumbered, outmatched, and out skilled, which she scoffed at, but when thinking about it more and more, she began to realize Asumoto was right, there was no way she could beat Riser, especially not after two weeks of training.
She should have requested fourteen days of training, a request too late to make now.
Nevertheless, she wouldn't just give up like her Queen. She and her peerage would fight until the end. Her eyes glancing over her servants, Koneko was throwing punches and kicks, Kiba cleaning his sword, and Asia…poor Asia was just sitting on the couch scared of the coming battle.
As she looked down upon the wooden desk, Rias sighed.
If only they had a certain Dampier but that boy was too scared and couldn't control his power. Asumoto was right about that too, she should have helped Gasper more than seal him away. She sure that with his Sacred Gear they could turn the tide of battle against Riser, but like the training that was too late now.
"Asumoto was right." She said aloud causing her servants to look at her, "There's no way we can win this game and everyone in the Underworld will see me make a fool of myself because I was too arrogant to believe we could win."
"Don't say such a thing, Buchou, we all trained hard for this moment. Will make sure we win." Kiba reassured with a smile.
Rias smiled at the knight, encouraging as his words where, there was just no hope of winning. They would surly loose.
Suddenly there came a knock on the door causing everyone to look, and before Rias could ask who it was, the knocker came in revealing Grayfia.
"Is everyone ready?" She asked her red eyes sweeping around the four young Devils.
"We are." Rias said rising to his feet, masking her worries with a confident a look.
"Riser-sama, is ready as well. However, there has been a last minute change." She paused at the confused looks before answering, "Sirzechs-sama is concerned about the leaving of your Queen and has found a suitable one to replace him. I know what you said Rias-sama, but you can't patriciate without a Queen?"
Rias frowned, why was she being told this now? If she knew sooner she'd have chosen the former Dragon King Tannin as her substitute Queen to wreck Riser's peerage. "Well who is it?"
"You'll know once you enter the Rating Game. Unfortunately he is running late and will join a few minutes after the game starts. Which reminds me, he told me to give you these." From her packet the silver haired Queen withdrew a piece of paper and binoculars.
Rias looked on with a puzzled expression as she took the two items and read the note.
"Stay out of the battle. I'll take care of everything. That's an order."
Stay out of the battle!? What did he mean by that? And who was this Queen to give her orders!? When she meet them she would have a serious talk.
"The Rating Game shall start…now."
The Gremory circle appeared underneath Rias and her peerage and teleported them into the Rating Game.
"W-what happened, did it not work?" Asia asked looking around and seeing they were still in the clubroom.
"No it worked. Remember, Asia, the Occult Research Club is our headquarters for the game. Now you all know what to do." Rias had thought long and hard about how to fight Riser and the only tactic which could possibly work against him was a guerrilla warfare. Charging Riser head on will only lead to a swift defeat, so they would use hit and run tactics to pick them off one by one, starting with the weakest members until only Riser and his Queen remained. If they failed to cut the enemies numbers down, they would have to fall back to the base and hold out for as long as possible.
'Thought with how strong Riser and his Queen are, that won't be very long. Even with traps.'
"Should we do as the note says?" Kiba asked looking out the window to keep an eye out for any of the Phenex peerage. "I mean I admire this Queen's bravery but who would be crazy enough too taken on a whole Peerage by themselves?"
"I'm not sure." Rias said with a shake of her head. "But we shouldn't sit here doing nothing. Set up the traps around the base and send out your familiars to keep watch for the enemy."
""Yes ma'am!"" The Knight and Rook said departing with the orders there master gave.
Rias turned to Asia, the blonde was still shaking a little in her shoes forcing the King to place a reassuring hand upon her shoulder, "Don't worry, Asia-chan, everyone will be alright. Nobody's going to die in this game."
"B-but everyone's going to get hurt."
"Not if we listen to this Queen's note. I still don't know who it was my brother chose but if they are going to fight all of Riser's servants, then they must be really powerful."
Rias mind keep wondering on who the Queen was. Tannin was a big possibly, Sirzechs was as much against this marriage as Rias was and would obviously want his sister to have a powerful the Queen to dominate the battlefield, which the former Dragon King would do. Her cousin's was another good choice, however, knew very little about him or her and had no knowledge about their skill. Was it Tsubaki, please let it be Tsubaki, the Queen of her best friend was powerful in her own right with skills almost like those of her own Queen, but with the addition of magic and the Sacred Gear Alice Mirror. But she was sure even Tsubaki couldn't take on a whole peerage.
So who, who was the Queen?"
"Buchou, traps are ready…" Koneko said when re-entering the room followed by Kiba.
Just then there came the booming voice of Grayfia as the announcer, "Rias Gremory's Queen has entered the battel!"
A red circle appeared upon the floor and the silhouette of a man appeared within the light. When it faded the young Devil's stared at the stranger.
He, if it was a he, was wearing samurai armor dating from the 18th century by the looks of it. Its chest, shoulder, wrist, arm, and leg, armor plates were all colored crimson. Atop his head was a simple kabuto helmet with the Gremory symbol on it the center. The identity of his face was shouldered in mystery by the crimson demon face mask concealing. On his left hip was a Katana and Wakizashi, a Tanto on the other hip with a bag of armors. On his back was a stack of arrows with a yumi bow in the left hand, and a Jumonji yari spear in the right.
"Hello, you must be the substitute Queen." Rias said looked over the samurai carefully, pride filled her that the armor matching her hair and bore her clan's symbol. This Queen, whoever they were, was showing great respect toward her clan and herself for wearing Japanese armor.
…
That pride was quickly replaced with an embarrassed blush and a pouty face from the next heir of the Gremory clan. Sirzechs must have told him she was Japanophile!
"D-did my brother tell you about me?"
No answer came from the samurai.
"Are you going to fight for us?"
A nod was her only response before he bowed to them and marched out of the room.
"You know Asumoto-kun, you can stop pretending to act like a stranger to us." Kiba said with a kind smile.
"Gah!"
The crimson samurai almost lost his footing when Kiba spoke, his arms flaring around to prevent him from falling face first onto the floor. "H-How did you know it was me!?"
"I didn't. I just took a wild guess." Kiba answered still smiling.
The Samurai gave a long annoyed sigh and hug his head. "And here and I was hoping you wouldn't recognize me…" Laying the bow and spear gently against the wall he removed the mask and low behold, there was the familiar face of Asumoto.
"Asumoto…you came back." Asia said in relief.
Asumoto didn't reply to Asia, his gaze was solely kept on Rias, on his master. Placing the mask upon the couch he approached Rias, the only sound where his sandals sliding against the carpet. When he reached Rias, he dropped to his knees and bowed, head and hands where pressed against the carpet.
"Rias Gremory...I'm not sure if I can fully trust yet and though I still do not approve of some of your actions, such as the way you planned to recruit Issei or you're distant for the Fallen. I am, however, sorry for how I've treated you. I'm sorry for falsely believing you only wished to resurrect me for power."
But he would never be sorry for having Issei join the Fallen Angels.
A long silence fell over the room, everyone looked at the bowing samurai. Asia was on the verge of tears at the boy's sudden apology, Kiba smiled fondly, as did Koneko, thought it was a very tiny smile.
Rias couldn't hide thee proud and sincere smile as she looked down upon her servant, her eyes stared at his head which he refused to raise. He finally knew what happened and came to accept it. His attempt to surprise them had almost worked, almost, but she was sure that it was Asumoto within the armor, which it was.
"Rise Asumoto." The samurai did as commanded and lifted his head to gaze into his masters eyes. His silvery eyes held no hostel intent in them anymore, only regret. "Your trust towards me will grow in time. For now, I'm glad to see you back and apologizing, which I accept."
"Thank you." Asumoto said with a low bow before retrieving the mask, bow, and spear. "Now if you'll excuses me, I have a battle to win."