Normal talk
Flashback
Demon
Chapter 13
Yubelluna was walking through halls of the school, her eyes looking for any sign of Rias or her the members of her peerage... her senses alert for any noise or movement.
Which building they were hiding in now, she wasn't sure. Her eyes had been on the battle, not on Rias Gremory - A mistake she'd soon rectify by eliminating Asumoto and disabling the Bishop.
She could tell the blonde girl wasn't a fighter. So there was no point in harming her. A simple sleeping spell would put her out of action. Thus leaving Rias no choice but to surrender and show everyone that her defiance was an embarrassment to the Gremory clan, herself, and especially Maou Lucifer.
Although he was the strongest Maou, Lucifer-sama would most likely receive insults about his sister being a brat for defying the engagement between herself and Riser-sama.
Why did Ladies Phenex and Gremory want this? Yubelluna asked herself.
Riser-sama should have been arranged to marry an heir that acted like a proper lady, like Seekvaira Agares, or Sona Sitri.
Rias should be thankful she's marrying her master and not someone like that that scoundrel Diodora. The heir of the Astaroth wasn't nothing like her master. Sure they were both arrogant, but Riser-sama cared about his servants and family. Diodora only cared for himself.
What Riser-sama said earlier about reincarnated Devil's being nothing but tools wasn't true. He did care about his peerage. But as of late he had been trying to act cool in front of people.
Yubelluna sighed. Though she was loyal to him, she really hoped that someday Riser-sama would stop putting on this cool attitude and go back to who he was before letting his pride and arrogance fill his head, kind and respectful.
Rias said Riser-sama was rushing this. Maybe she was right - maybe waiting till she graduated university was a better idea.
Maybe then Rias would understand. She was still young and needed time to love him, like she had.
If it didn't work out, maybe someday - hopefully, once becoming a middle or high class, the Bomb Queen herself could try to marry Riser-sama.
Her thoughts where suddenly interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from behind. Turning to the noise she raised her staff to prepare for who was approaching.
It had to be Asumoto. Only he was strong enough to face her and Riser-sama.
Wasting no time with words, Yubelluna fired a blast of magic at the opposing Queen. It soared down the hall toward its target, lighting up the darkness it passed.
On and on it went, till it crashed into the wall that was now nothing but a gaping hole.
The sound of a sword being drawn came from behind, forcing her to jump in the direction her spell was sent - twisting her body she cast another spell but found nothing there.
Suddenly a sharp pain was felt on her upper back! Running a hand along her back to see what it was that it her, she felt the shaft of an arrow. Growling in frustration, she wrenched it from her body and slammed her staff on the floor, causing a wave of flames to explode from the ground outward like a wave!
Like the last two spells that lit up the hallway, she found nobody fighting there.
Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, she leaned her body back just in time to see another arrow zoom past her, coming from her left.
Throwing her free hand out, she now fired an enormous fireball that consumed the whole hallway. It burned and destroyed everything in its path and exploded with the staircase.
This game of hide and seek was wasting her time! She thought. It had already taken too long.
This contest should had already been over, with her taking out her masters opponents - instead of walking around here and searching for them for nothing.
Destroying yet another wall, she lifted up to the sky and proceeded to bombard the school with spells.
After a minute or so she ceased her assault to survey the damage. Chucks of the school where blown to pieces by each explosion, with debris piling up at the floor of the half destroyed building. But still no announcement of Asumoto retiring, which meant he was still alive!
Even if she didn't hit him, she should have done this instead of searching every damn building for the samurai, she realized.
His hiding spots were now greatly limited and—...
"Yubelluna!" she heard a voice - his voice.
Her eyes darted to the right!
There he was - Asumoto - at a broken window, firing once again an arrow at her.
Like before - she evaded it and then kept her eyes again focused on the school, wondering where the enemy Queen could be now.
He still had many places to hide at. Perhaps blowing up the whole school would be better than continuing to try to locate him.
Suddenly the cry of a hawk reached her ears and the familiar of Asumoto came zooming past her!
So the pet had come to aid its master, well it won't be doing so once she was finished with it.
Turning her attention to the familiar, Yubelluna tried to shoot it down with her spells. But the damn bird was proving to be much faster than her. She couldn't get a good shot on it.
Her new opponent came diving at her, beak opened as she screeched in defiance at the Bomb Queen who tried in vain to burn it in midair.
Izumi came flying back, slicing her talons across the woman's left shoulder, earning a grunt of pain!
Her gaze was kept solely on the hawk as she flew higher and higher into the sky, its tiny figure fading into the black and green sky.
Was it coming back to attack again or did it realize attacking her was useless?
Remembering the samurai was still in the school, the Bomb Queen turned her attention back to the ruined building to finish to obliterate it and its occupant.
"Banzai!" was the sudden call from somewhere above her.
Yubelluna turned to the source of the shout.
High in the sky was Asumoto... and he was coming straight at Riser-sama with his polearm.
Her attempt to fire a bomb in his face was thwarted by the hawk suddenly reappearing and grasping her staff with its talons and pushing it away, to allow its master a straight shot to Yubelluna's Master!
Asumoto floated in front of Riser with his naginata at the ready. He knew, taking on the Phenex and his Queen at the same time would be foolish.
However, if what he was about to do going to work he would only need to face at least one of them. And he was far from in the best shape.
So he decided to go straight for the King.
"Riser Phenex! I challenge you to single combat!" he declared loudly for all to hear. "I am the last line of defense holding you back from victory.
I'm also right here for you to punish me for hurting your sister! Both you shall achieve, if only you beat me one to one. So what do you say Riser, do you accept my challenge or hide behind your servants like a coward!?"
He had still some strength left - but he was far from being at his peak, Asumoto thought - and this was the safest way to end this quickly. And maybe the only one left for them.
Riser's eyes bugled briefly at the samurai's words, with flames seeping out of his clenched fists.
A coward!? He thought.
First he talks badly about his fiancée, then he hurts his little sister... and now he has the nerve to call him such a coward!?
Riser Phenex was not a coward!
Now was time to fulfill his promise of killing this prick!
"I accept!" he said, a hint of anger in his tone. "Yubelluna! Ravel! Stay out of this!" he told them. "I'll shut this prick´s mouth forever!"
Without warning he threw his hand out, which unleashed a blast of fire at the reincarnated Devil. His attack, although fast, however hadn't caught the samurai off guard.
He dodged it with ease and charged the Phenex, polearm already being swung.
Riser pulled back quickly. His gaze kept on the tip of the blade that was inches away from his face.
Something was up with his weapons, he knew. Each servant that received a hit on him seem to emanate steam from their bodies.
Riser was no fool. This boy had clearly used some sorta of holy power to empower his weapons. But if it was using holy powers why wasn't it hurting Asumoto himself? Holy objects hurt Devils. Perhaps he was using barrier magic on his hands, to either nullify or negate the light power.
Another question was where had he obtained such stuff? Did he dip it in holy water? Did the weapons have traces of Macedonian silver in them? Or where they crated out of Damascus steel?
No, none of those theories couldn't be possibly. This man was Japanese. Macedonian Silver and Damascus Steel were impossible to obtain, due to the Greek Faction saying silver was rare to find and The Muslim Factions would not dare trade with the - as they called the two non-holy Biblical Factions - 'infidels' their previous steel.
He couldn´t have any holy powers within him. So where the hell did he obtain light empower weapons!?
Akeno frowned as she watched Asumoto fight Riser. She hadn't told him, but his weapons had been empowered by the magic she inherited from her father. As much as she resented her Fallen Angel powers, there was no choice at the time. The Rating Game could have started and she had no sealing tags to apply to the weapons, nor holy water.
So with much anger, which she didn't show to Asumoto, she had poured light magic into them instead.
She wasn't sure how long the battle would last so she poured lots of her magic into each weapon and that precaution proved efficient. The magic hadn't died out yet, which meant if Asumoto ended the battle soon the magic could still possibly linger for a while afterwards.
However, ending the game was proving more difficult for him than she had expected.
Riser kept moving away from Asumoto each time he tried to strike, a suspicious look in his eyes at what sorta of magic was used on his opponent´s weapons.
The Third son of the Phenex clan was powerful and could regenerate from wounds. But that's what the holy power's she infused into his weapons where for, to prevent him from regenerating quickly and if Asumoto could get some solid hits on him, he may be defeated.
Yet another strike by him was another dodge by Riser. This could go on for minutes, until the Phenex finally went on the offense. Which he may do by trying to tire out Asumoto first. But that wasn't working very well. The brunette was nowhere close to exhaustion.
Another near hit on Riser emanated a growl from him and he pulled back greater distance, to try and blast Asumoto with fire. However, the Gremory Queen was too fast, each fireball was a total miss.
"Why isn't he using any arrows?" Ruruko asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Akeno asked, finally speaking for the first time since arriving at the Student Council club room. "He's low on arrows, so he can't use long range attacks on him. Plus Riser could easily destroy or dodge them. If he wants to win he has no choice but to get in close. But that shouldn't be a problem for him, since he's proficient in melee combat as we have seen."
After watching the many fights Asumoto encountered in the Rating Game, she had a fairly good idea as to why he was called the strongest Queen out of the rookie six.
It wasn't for a Sacred Gear or incredible power - but skill. Throughout the Rating Game he had been switching between the Knight and Rook trait, as well as using the terrain to his advantage, to preform hit and run tactics to pick off Riser's servants one by one.
Even though he had the Bishop trait, he had told her his efficiency was in swordsmanship, not magic.
For a good two to three minutes it was the same event; Asumoto would try to get close, with Riser retreating and casting a fireball that Asumoto dodged. Akeno watched him stare down the Phenex before sighing, guess he realized this wasn't working either.
"Riser!" Asumoto said as he lowered his polearm, "this isn't getting us anywhere. I say we end this like gentleman." With a flap of his wings, he gently decided down to the ground, sparing a quick glance at Yubelluna and Ravel in hopes they wouldn't try attacking him - before refocusing on their King, who looked down at him with a deep frown.
"Come down here and let us end this!" the Queen shouted.
Riser was silently staring at the samurai.
He wanted to end the battle like this, with one final attack to decide whether Rias would be married or not? Either he was trying to be cool or just plain stupid, whatever the reason was, it would be futile since he would be obliterated!
With a smirk of triumph as if he had already won, Riser focused a good portion of his magic into his hand that started to take the shape of a large two-handed flaming broadsword!
He was going to end it, as the boy said; as gentleman! And if Asumoto where to die from the power behind his attack - it would be his own fault, not his.
Asumoto stared at the flaming sword within Riser's hand. If he was any other samurai, he'd be excited by the fact he would survive or die by Riser's blade - show loyalty to Rias for saving his life, and above it all... that he followed only Bushido.
But he did not.
How could he be samurai if he followed Shintoism over Bushido? Because aside Shinto being the oldest religion in Japan and worshiped by all long before Bushido was created - his family - his samurai ancestors still practiced the art of Shinto to ensure the survival of Shintoism. And he wouldn´t let this tradition die with him.
Slinging the polearm onto his back, the samurai's hands slipped to Souruītā, left hand on the sheath and the right firmly grasped the hilt.
This was it... the final battle to decide the fate of Rias Gremory!
Asumoto bent his knees, inhaled a breath... and then jumped! Putting all his force into his speed to close the distance as fast as possible. He watched Riser spread his wings and dive at him, his sword pulled back, ready to cut and possibly burn him!
"Asumoto!" he shouted.
Asumoto said nothing in return to Riser's words. This wasn't some cliché anime fight - this was the real deal and shouting you're opponent's name wasn't gonna make you stronger, it'd only make you look stupid.
Closer and closer the two drew, everyone watched with baited breath, wondering who would stand... and who would fall!
Finally in range, Asumoto acted! He tightened his grip on Souruītā and drew him from the sheath, the magic Akeno infused into it shining brightly, as it was swung at Riser's abdomen!
Riser on the other hand, swung downward onto the samurai, hoping to remove an arm as a reminder to never challenge him again!
There was a flash of fire and light as they passed one another!
Asumoto stayed hovering in the air, but Riser kept going toward the ground... in a shower of blood, fire and smoke.
The Phenex heir was sporting a large deep slash that gave the impression that he was nearly cut in half! His regeneration powers refusing to heal the wound. The pain was so intense he couldn't flapped his wings, nor speak a word. All he could was fall until crashing face first to the ground with blood falling around him.
As for Asumoto, he looked as if he just came out of a burning building! His armor was once more burnt. But this time piece of it had been melted by the heat of the flaming sword.
It had however done more than just melting his armor. It had easily sliced through from the shoulder to his hip - leaving Asumoto with a deep burning wound, which was pouring blood out like a fountain.
"If Twilight Healing can't heal this, then I guess I will get a new scar,' he thought, while letting gravity pull him back down the earth.
He tried to soften his fall with his wings and Rook trait - but neither worked, leaving his landing harder than he wanted, which caused more blood to flow. He stared at the downed blonde. His body looked lifeless, but he knew the man was still alive. It would take more than a simple cut to kill him. Nevertheless, this was his chance to finish him off!
Struggling to stay on his feet, he walked toward Riser - his sword scraping along the dirt, while globs of blood formed a trail with each step he took closer to Riser.
This game wasn't over until he delivered the true final blow to Riser Phenex!
At last he reached the wounded Pureblood, who looked up at him with a defiant glare.
"You…. have….. lost!" Asumoto panted through breaths, as he raised his sword to win the game.
"Stop!"
Silver eyes widened as Ravel Phenex jumped in his way, arms spread wide to shield her brother from any more harm!
"Can't you see he's beaten!? There's no need to continue this! Please Asumoto, have mercy!" Ravel screamed, her eyes wet with tears.
The only daughter of Lord Phenex knew she wasn't a fighter. But she would do anything to ensure her brothers safety, even if it meant putting herself in harm's way to protect them!
"I hear by represent Riser Phenex's surrender to Rias Gremory!"
She could have had Yubelluna attack Asumoto or use her Phenex tears to heal her brother to win the game for them.
Instead the young blonde chose to end it. There was no point to continue anyway, Asumoto had taken out nearly their whole peerage by himself, as well as defeat her brother in single combat, proving the battle was won for Rias.
"Riser Phenex has surrendered! Rias Gremory is the victor!" Grayfia announced.
Asumoto looked to the sky, playing her word over and over in his head.
Rias Gremory is the victor!
They won… they finally won this stupid Rating Game. Rias was free from the engagement and they could put this behind them!
"I… a-accept!"
Before he knew what happened next, Asumoto's vision went black.
"Color me impressed Rias. The title your Queen has truly isn't one of exaggeration."
"Does that mean you'll reconsider challenging me in future Rating Games, Sona? Are you scared of my Queen's skills?"
"Hardly. Your bout with Riser has given me the strategies and ideas needed to beat him when we face off."
Asumoto could hear the voices whispering, but didn't care what they were talking about. He didn't have a clue where he was, or how he'd got there, or what he'd been doing before he got there. All he knew was that every inch of him was aching as though it had been beaten.
"I still can't believe Twilight Healing isn't working on the wound Riser gave him."
"Pieces of it where cauterized from the heat so something like that can't be healed all the way."
"I'm sorry Buchou. I tried my best to heal it."
"Its fine, Asia. I'm just glad you were able to seal the wound before he bled to death."
Bled to death!?
Asumoto's eyes snapped open. He was lying in a hospital room. The Gremory team was gathered around his bed.
Sona and Tsubaki were also there, the later smiling in relief that he woke up.
"Welcome back, Asumoto," Tsubaki greeted pleasantly, "How are you feeling?"
It was as though Asumoto's memory was on fast forward. The Rating Game... Riser... Ravel begging for mercy... and the announcement of victory...
"What happened?" he said, sitting up slowly... but laid back down, when a sharp pain shot through his body.
"We won," said Rias. "Ravel represented her brother's surrender. You beat Riser, but collapsed afterwards. Which was foolish of you to do! What were you thinking fighting him alone!?"
"You said I was the last line of defense," Asumoto countered with a frown. "Besides going after Riser was better than fighting his Queen and then needing to deal with him later anyway. I'd have run out of energy fighting her. Plus the game wouldn't have ended unless I defeated him."
"Yes that is true. But that doesn't mean to take him alone! You could have had me back you up! He nearly killed you with that attack! It broke through your armor and cut all the way to the bone! If that was a normal sword, you'd have been missing a good portion of your left side! You're lucky the flames of that sword cauterized pieces of the wound. And you should be thanking Asia for healing it up, otherwise you'd have died."
Asumoto pursed his lips together.
Yes, it was foolish to fight Riser alone but he couldn't risk Rias coming to confront him. Otherwise she'd have lost. Plus he was the strongest member of her peerage. Only he had a chance of standing toe to toe with the immortal.
"It wouldn´t have made a difference," Asumoto responded. "If we tried that, Riser´s Queen and his sister would have gotten involved as well. It would have been the same situation."
"Anyway," Said Sona, "You've once again impressed me, Asumoto-san. I shall never forget your performance in this Rating Game. Nor shall the Underworld."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you're performance in the Rating Game is the talk of the Underworld right now. Taking on a whole peerage alone and eliminating nearly all of them, including the King, is quite the feat.
You've also caught the attention of Maou Falbium Asmodeus. He wanted to personally congratulate you on the tactics you used against the Phenex Peerage. However, his duties as a Maou prevented him from visiting you. Which reminds me, you've been out for about two hours since the game ended."
Asumoto laid his head on the pillow. So Maou Falbium enjoyed the tactics he employed during the Rating Game eh? Guess that meant he didn't fall asleep.
"So, I guess Asia healed you too?" Asumoto asked looking at Kiba and Koneko. The damage they sustained in the Rating Game must have been brutal, but thanks to Twilight Healing not a single cut or bruise was spotted on their bodies.
"We really should thank that Fallen for exchanging Asia for Issei. I'm sure without Asia's healing our recovery would have taken a lot longer," Kiba answered with a smile.
Speaking of Issei, how was that pervert? Asumoto thought. He had seen him around school once in a while with Raynare but hadn't talked with him since his questioning of the supernatural world.
As for Raynare. Asumoto had noticed a couple times Akeno sending dirty glares at her, when she wasn't looking.
There was something going on between Akeno and the Fallen Angels. What it was he didn't know, but hopefully he would - if Akeno told him. When the time was right.
"Alright I think it's time we let Asumoto rest," Rias said with a clap of her hands to gain the attention of everyone, "It's been a long day and I must speak with my family about the ending of the engagement to Riser Phenex."
"Hope you make a speedy recovery, Asumoto-kun," Kiba encouraged with a smile.
With that the Gremory group trooped out leaving Sona and Tsubaki with the samurai.
"Where's Akeno?" Asumoto asked, noticing the priestess wasn't with them. "I thought she'd come visit me?"
"She said she can't come to the Underworld," Sona answered. "She's waiting for your return to the human world."
Asumoto hummed, "Hmm. Well that may take a while. I'm sure the Gremory group will want to throw a party for Rias first Rating Game victory, as well as the cancellation of the marriage."
He was right. After recovering from the wound, he was invited to a party at the Gremory mansion, held by Zeoticus Gremory - which he in truth honestly didn't want to attend.
Unfortunately he had no choice in the matter. Since the inviter was Venelana herself, and Asumoto wasn't going to say no to the Burnette-haired Ruin Princess... unless he wanted to be blasted into oblivion.
So here he was in one of the guest rooms of the mansion looking himself, over in the mirror to give a good impression for the Gremory clan and party guests.
When it came to events such as this, Asumoto chose to dress in formal Japanese attire, consisting of a kimono, hakama, hip length haori, and an obi. Tonight the colors he was wearing were emerald green - except the obi - which was white.
Loosening his robe a little he nodded in approval. Everything was in place. All except one last thing. Silver eyes turned to the bed to see Souruītā and the wakizashi laying there.
Even though the mansion would be heavily guarded and have some of the strongest beings in the Underworld attending, he nevertheless felt the need to be prepared for anything, especially the unexpected.
Slipping the two swords into the sash he opened the door and headed down stairs to the party, which was already underway.
As he walked his mind drifted to the video footage of the Rating Game he had watched, while still recovering.
He had done a fairly good job in the game, as did the others - even the ones on the other side of the game - particularly Xuelan.
He wasn't attracted to her. She was too young. It were her skills that caught his attention.
Out of everyone in the game, only Yubelluna, Riser, and especially Xuelan had proved to be a challenge for him. Or to put it more harshly - even if it was all but a polite thing to say - everyone else was cannon fodder.
Unlike Yubelluna and Riser however, Xuelan didn't simply dodge his attacks. She not only dodged with great speed, but also managed to destroy some arrows with fast powerful kicks.
Her warrior spirit was strong. He could tell by the determination to win she showed in the game.
If the Phenex clan was here, perhaps he could ask to spar with her sometime. Her martial arts against his archery was a spectacle everyone was talking about. More so then his fight against Riser, since she stood her ground and fought.
Riser´s undoing had been his pride, Asumoto knew this. If the Pheonex hadn´t agreed to the fight one to one, he would have won the game.
There was no way he could have taken him, after having to fight Yubeluna first. Asumoto was completely aware of this, as he challenged him in the first place. That was the reason why he did it. And his pride had caused Riser to accept.
Rating Games were based on chess... and he had placed his King - himself - in unnecessary danger, because his enemy had been goading him.
It was a lesson Asumoto would take to himself. As much as he personally valued both pride and honor himself, if you let it get overhand and let you cause unnecessary risks, `pride´ could become a dangerous weakness.
As he drew close to the ball room, he could hear the chatter of people and the sound of music playing.
"Master Asumoto!"
His eyes flickered to the servant who had called him. He appeared to be in his early fifties with short nearly combed grey hair. Like all servants to the Gremory household, he wore a butler style uniform.
"Rufus," Asumoto greeted. "How nice to see you again."
"And you as well, Master Asumoto," replied the butler with a bow. "I see you're finally ready to join our guests. You're right on time actually. Lady Ravel has arrived with Lord Riser's peerage. However, Lord Riser himself is unavailable to attend due to his injury still hurting."
Asumoto scoffed. "Asia's Twilight Healing patched him up long before I was released from the hospital. He's just doesn't wanna show his face in front of everyone, particularly me and Rias."
"I thought as much," Rufus sighed. "Lord Riser is a prideful one. The loss of the Rating Game to decided whether he'd marry Lady Rias or not has clearly left an imprint on himself. Perhaps in time he will overcome it and accept this loss and move on with his life."
"We can only hope Rufus, we can only hope…"
"Asumoto, my boy! There you are!"
The two men turned to the jolly voice.
It was none other than the strongest Satan himself, his red hair swaying like a curtain and dressed in some of the best robes the Underworld had to offer - Sirzechs Gremory, or rather Lucifer.
"Lord Lucifer! It's an honor to see you sir," Rufus greeted with another bow.
"And you as well, Rufus. I see you've been talking to my little sister's savior," said Sirzechs who was beaming with joy at his sister's Queen. "I knew it was right of me to bestow the title of the Strongest Queen of the Rookie Six onto you. You're actions are sweeping through the Underworld like a wildfire. I've heard they've spread into Grigori's section even."
"The story has spread that far eh? If Azazel pays me a visit. I'll make sure it goes peacefully," Asumoto said.
Sirzechs chuckled. "Worry about that later, Asu! We have a party to attend. Rufus, please announce his arrival."
"No, no, Rufus, that won't be-..."
But Asumoto's order wasn't even heard.
The servant had stepped to the edge of the stairs and cleared his voice for everyone to hear.
"Attention everyone! It is with great pleasure that I introduce the man who defeated Lord Riser in one on one combat! The man who saved Lady Rias from marrying him! Presenting, the Strongest Queen of the Rookie Six - Lady Gremory's Queen - Asumoto!"
A round of applause erupted from the occupants in the room.
Thousands of colorfully clad men and woman looked up at the reincarnated Devil, some beaming with excited that they were actually seeing the Strongest Queen of the Rookie Six for the first time, while others scowled because a reincarnated Devil defeated a Pureblood.
This was why he didn't wish to attend. He would be the center of attention just because he defeated Riser Phenex in combat.
With the enhanced vision gifted to him after becoming a Devil, he could see many familiar faces within the crowed.
There was the Duke and Duchess of the Agares families and their daughter Seekvaira. The Strongest Youth Sairaorg's father - Lord Beal - who he hoped would one day die a painful death for his cruel treatment toward his family. Zeoticus and Venelana Gremory, the goblin looking Devil Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, the bubbly older sister of Sona - Serafall Leviathan - and of course the one Pureblood he wanted to kill - Diodora Astaroth.
'Way to go Sirzechs!' He though, while bowing to the guest and descending down the stairs.
As soon he reached the bottom he was swarmed by thousands of unfamiliar people, who shook his hand and either asked him questions or just commented about the Rating Game.'
"That was amazing! Simply amazing what you did!"
"You're skills are remarkable!"
"What was it like experience your first Rating Game!?"
"Where you scared to face Riser Phenex!?"
"Are your weapons blessed with holy powers?"
"I've always wanted to shake your hand!"
"I can't believe I'm actually meeting the Strongest Queen of the Rookie Six!"
"Alright everyone that's enough questions! You're making him unwelcome!"
The guests parted for Venelana to step toward the young man, a smile gracing her beautiful face.
"Lady Gremory, it's an honor to see you again." Asumoto bowed to the mother of Rias. "I must apologize for breaking the engagement between your daughter and Riser."
"You're apology is accepted Asumoto-kun. Lord Phenex sends his congratulations to you and also wishes to apologize for Riser's behavior. He has grown arrogant as of late and needs to have father to son talk," The brunette replied, as she led him away through the crowd.
"Maybe this talk will make him a better man," Asumoto pondered.
"I hope so. I truly had hoped they would get married, but fate has chosen to prevent such a thing. But I will let it slide, since she won her freedom fairly. Or rather, you won it for her. I knew Rias chose right in having you as her Queen. What you did was possibly some of the most entertaining stuff I've ever seen in a Rating Game."
"My wife speaks true."
Asumoto turned to the speaker. "Ah, Lord Gremory. It's good to see you."
"And you as well my boy!" Zeoticus beamed as he took a sip of his drink, "My wife and I just can't stop watching you eliminate each of Riser's servants one by one. You're time spend at that human school showed you had the advantage over Riser from the very beginning."
"Thank you for those kind words. I'm truly honored by them. If you'll excuses me, Rias said she needed to speak to me." This was actually true, not even an excuse to get away from the mass of people.
"But of course! We wouldn't want our daughter's savior to keep her waiting. Farewell for now Asumoto." Zeoticus smiled.
Alone again - as `alone´ as you could be, surrounded by so many Devils - Asumoto made his way through the crowd, keeping a sharp eye out for Rias.
She had said they would talk about possibly turning him back into a human after the game and now was the time to do so. But first he had to find her.
"Ah! The Hero of the Crimson Ruin Princess graces us with his presents!"
'Oh god, not more titles!' Asumoto though as he suppressed the urge to sigh as Lord and Lady Sitri approached, their daughters accompanying them.
"Fantastic! Wonderful! Simply spectacular! I can't say I haven't had such a good time watching a Rating Game in all my life! That is until I see my little Sona-chan patriciate in her first one of course," Lord Sitri stated.
"Father, please don't embarrass me or Asumoto-san," Sona said with a sigh.
"Oh don't be like that So-tan! I bet you'll do great! Unless it's again Rias then you'll be in quite the trouble!" Serafall explained loudly.
Poor Sona, a follower of rules and a serious demeanor while her sister was the hyper joyful one.
"Anyway I'm looking... for..."
Sona watched the samurai's eyes narrow in anger. Following his gaze she realized why; Diadora was, for all intense and purpose, stalking a certain blonde nun.
His actions hadn't gone un-noticed by her or Rias. The latter ordering Kiba to watch him carefully if he did anything to Asia.
Sona knew Asumoto disliked him, but how much she didn't know.
"What's Diodora doing following Rias Bishop?" Lady Sitri asked, a hint of suspension in her tone when she noticed of the samurai's gaze. "Serafall could you-..."
Before she could finish, the dark haired Devil stopped and disappeared into the crowed. Clearly he realized he was being watched and chose to back off his stalking.
"Why did he have to come?" Asumoto growled, to which Sona replied... "He was invited like the others. Plus he's the next clan head to the Astaroth house so he must be present."
Asumoto continued glaring at the spot where Diodora was last seen. The urge to find and kill him filled his head. The last few times he was in his presence, he had an air of pride, arrogance, and the hidden desire of enjoy seeing one in pain.
If he ever fought him, he hoped that snake would be at his knees begging for mercy... which he would not give.
"There you are!"
Out of the crowd came Rias, wearing an elegant red dress that clung to her curvy figure and exposed her upper back. Her long crimson hair held in a short ponytail.
She was pretty, but not in Asumoto's eyes.
"My apologies, but I must speak with my Queen alone."
"But of course! We can't keep your savior to ourselves! Hahaha!" Lord Sitri boomed with laughter at the blush Rias had from what Asumoto was called.
Taking her Queen's hand, she bid farewell to the Sitri family and led him through the crowd to one of the baloneys, passing the Agares and Bael clan on the way.
"Why did your family invite that slime Astaroth?" Asumoto asked with distain, glad to at last be away from the crowd. "You realize he's stalking Asia right?"
"I do indeed. Which I am not pleased about," Rias replied, a hint of anger her in tone. "He confronted us while you were preparing for the party. Saying he was the Devil who Asia saved, which caused her to be excommunicated from the Church. I don't know what he wants with her but I will not allow him to touch one of my precious servants. Kiba as well as my familiar, are keeping a close eye on him."
'It'd be better if I just killed him,' Asumoto said to himself as Rias led then to an empty balcony. The night air was refreshing to feel after being coped up for so long in the hospital.
"Asumoto," Rias said interruption his thought, "I wanna thank you again for winning the Rating Game for me. I honestly don't know what I'd do without your assistance."
"You would have lost and been forced to marry Riser. I suppose you'd like a proper apology now?"
"You're victory over Riser is more than enough to me. I say let bygones be bygones and more forward. I know you said you don't trust me. But as I said before, you're trust in me will grow in time." `At least hope so,´ she thought.
"And if you don´t?" Asumoto responded. "What if you are not able to win my trust?" he asked the obvious question.
Rias locked eyed with her Queen, those silvery eyes holding interest at what she was going to say to his words. Lucky for her she had prepared for it.
"I have been thinking about that after the Rating Game... and I believe we should make a deal."
"A Devil making a deal with a Devil?" There was amusement and curiosity in Asumoto's tone. "What do you have in mind?"
"Should I not manage to completely win you're trust in a certain time, I will release you from my servitude to wander freely around the world, or..."
"Or?"
"Well, you hated me for turning you into a Devil. I wish to make up for that by asking Maou Beelzebub about looking into a possibility to turn you back into human. I know that sounds like a long shot, but I'm willing to take it if it means giving back your happiness."
Asumoto was left speechless. She was willing to make a deal that could possibly making her loose her strongest servants because she turned him into a Devil? Guess she wasn't so bad after all… but she would only loose him if she didn't gain his trust.
Could or would she ever be able to do that - after all what happened? After what he had seen her trying with Issei? He wasn't sure. But if she didn't, that would mean he could possibly become human again! To be free to do whatever he wants and not live as a servant!
"And how long would you say you´d take to gain said trust?" he asked, with his arms crossed.
"When we go back to school at the end of summer vacation."
Spring was coming and after that was summer. She bet two seasons would be enough to for him to trust her?
They wouldn't know until they reached the end of summer.
Hand outstretched Asumoto kept his eyes focused on Rias' own as he said,
"You got yourself a deal - Buchou."