Hello, everyone. It's ArtLotus here. I know that I've been absent from this story and I apologize but I can't keep updating. This year will be challenging and I can feel it by the amount of assignments I got the week before. Anyway, I don't want this to be long but enjoy the story!
Without further ado, presenting A Problem Devil Born~
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 42: Arrival of The Prince!
"I hope Buchou is alright. I wonder what's wrong..." Issei looks down in deep thought as he stood by the buffet table. While he was deep in thought, he didn't notice the sound of footsteps nearing him. It was awhile before a voice breaks his thoughts and Issei look up to see Ravel standing in front of him adorned in a dress that fit her figure.
"What's wrong?" Issei asked as Ravel quirked an eyebrow in mock anger.
"Aren't you supposed to greet first? We are after all in a grand event."
"Huh? Oh, I forgot." Issei scratches the side of his head. "Nice to see you again, the little sister of that fried chicken."
"My name is Ravel Phenex!" Ravel introduced feeling offended that the brunette didn't know her name yet after all this time. The blonde girl then coughed into her fist before composing herself. "Nice to see you again, Issei-san." Ravel greeted back before a tiny blush spread across her cheeks and she glances away, to which went unnoticed by Issei.
"Are you alright?" At this, Ravel glares at him pointedly, silencing him before she coughed in her hand and speak up.
"I was about to ask...I-If his coming..." She mutters as Issei raised an eyebrow in pure confusion before he wore a look of realization.
"Do you mean Izayoi-senpai?"
At the name, Ravel meekly nodded and Issei glances upwards with his hand rubbing on the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know." He answered as Ravel narrowed her eyes at him as disappointment washes through her face.
"What do you mean you don't know? You're his junior, correct?" Ravel asked putting her hands on her hips as Issei awkwardly scratches his neck.
"Yeah, but I meant to say I don't know when he'll come. Buchou said that he would come soon but we don't know when."
At his answer, Ravel blew a sigh of relief before she look up at Issei and smiled. "Thank you, Issei-san."
"N-Nothing, it's all in the day's work for me." Issei blushes at her compliment. "Anyway, how's your brother?"
"Hm? Well, his down because of the way Izayoi had defeated him. Now he begins to have develop a fear of light, more greater than the Angel and Fallen Angel's light for some unknown reasons. But, it's his fault for getting a big head about his talents, so I'm sure it was a good lesson for him." Ravel explained as Issei nodded before smiling.
"You're sure are tough on him. Aren't you a part of his family?"
"After that, I was moved under Mother's family. Since Mother doesn't enter any games, I'm a free bishop."
"Free? There's such a thing?" Issei asked completely surprised by the new information.
"Anyway, how are you finding this buffet? Is it tasty for your liking?" Ravel asked as Issei looked behind him where the situated food were held.
"I didn't taste it yet, so I don't know..."
"You should try. A Devil's cooking is not to be underestimated whatsoever. It is prepared specifically for us. So you might eat it because it would be a waste not to. The Meeting wouldn't start without the last person. All of the Satans are gathered, the General of Fallen Angel and Michael. There is only one left and he is yet to arrive."
"Who is it?"
"I can't answer. That is all I heard unfortunately. But I heard it relates to the Nordic myth."
"Nordic myth?" Ravel nodded before she and Issei could hear someone calling for her.
"Ravel?"
"That's my mother. Enjoy the food while you're here, Issei-san." Ravel smiled before she left as Issei saw her leave and smiled up at a blonde woman in her mid 20's.
"Hm..." Issei then looked behind him and promptly pick up a plate to get the various food situated on the buffet table. A wide smile of satisfaction spread across his lips as he tasted the gravy on too of the chicken thigh he picked up. "This is a waste if I don't eat it." He commented with a shake of his head before he continue to pick the other types food aside from the chicken parts he took first.
"I can't believe that I'm standing in such a place before. I did have my expectations before but this surpasses it by far." Asuka complimented with an awe smile as she look around at the giant hall that was decorated with royal decorations; Gremory banners, expensive-looking and bright chandeliers in each hall and the likes of it which the Gremory had supplied to make each halls look presentable to the public.
"Not to mention their silverware." Leticia added as she looked down at the silverware on the table in front of her. There were engravings lined up to the bottom of the silverwares towards the middle part which were forks and spoons. For knifes, they had a curve-like line at the top which differs from the other silverwares.
Smiling at the blonde, Asuka looked at her right and watches as Sala took a seat next to her while carrying a plate of food in her hands. "Is that your second-serving this evening, Sala? My, I didn't know you eat a lot." Asuka teases as Sala raised an eyebrow in amusement before she replied.
"I thought we were supposed to eat desserts after the main course." At this, Asuka blushes in embarrassment before she pouted in mock anger.
"It doesn't hurt to eat desserts once in a while, you know? Anyway, the desserts are the best ones I ever tasted!" Asuka smiled satisfyingly before picking a small slice of chocolate cake in her mouth. "Mm~" Asuka moaned in pleasure as she felt the chocolate melt into her mouth.
"I'm glad you think so too. Their black tea is quite good too. " Leticia complimented with a smile before setting down her tea cup filled with black tea on its saucer.
"I must compliment the chef for his or her hard work on these things." Asuka added before setting down her table spoon on the table and wipe her mouth with a tissue situated beside her row of silverware. "It's not everyday you could taste something so sweet and delicious such as this."
"You're right. But you shouldn't forget how delicious the foods we've eaten for the last two weeks of training." Leticia stated before sipping her black tea and setting down her tea cup on the saucer.
"I hope Izayoi-kun would arrive soon..." Asuka mutters looking down with a small smile visible on her lips as both Sala and Leticia looked at her.
"He will arrive." Sala assured as Asuka look up at her. "Although I may not promise it to you but I known him enough that he wouldn't waste an opportunity like this. I mean, we are all waiting for him here. So, he doesn't have much choice than to come."
"Yeah, you're right. He doesn't have much choice in the matter." Asuka giggled under her hand.
"Issei-san!" A voice called out as Issei look up from eating the last part of the steak while he sat on his table near the buffet table. Gulping down the remains of the steak, Issei smiled up at Asia who walked up to him with a wide smile. "I see that you're enjoying your food. How is it?"
"It's delicious." Issei answered smiling before a frown replaced it. "About earlier, how is Buchou? Is she okay?"
At his question, Asia looks down in worry, contemplating whether she should tell the brunette about her worries.
"I'm alright, by the way. Do not worry about me much." Rias answered with an assuring smile as she appeared beside Asia, who look at her with a frown casted over her lips. Putting a hand down on the blonde's shoulder, Rias smiled reassuringly at Asia. "It is okay, Asia. I'm fine. As long as I can walk, I'm alright." At her reassurance, Asia nods in understanding but she couldn't help the frown stretching over her lips.
"...Will you be okay?"
Seeing as she didn't look convinced, Rias squeezed her shoulder gently. "I'll be okay, Asia. I assure you." She reassured as Asia stare at her before reluctantly nodded. "If I feel anything different, I'll call you alright?"
Hearing this, Asia smiled in appreciation followed by a nod. "Alright."
Smiling down at her Bishop, Rias focuses her attention on her only Pawn. "I'm glad that you find the food enjoyable to your taste. I hope this would make you forget about your harsh training ever since."
Nodding, Issei smiled up at Rias before he resumed eating. But just as he put a piece of steak in his mouth, his eyes caught a glimpse of his fellow member, Koneko, started to sprint across the hall. Raising an curious eyebrow, "Why is Koneko-chan running away?" He asked himself as he immediately stands up before gulping down his steak and started to run towards where Koneko ran.
Suprised by his outburst, Rias looked to where he ran. She then recalled the brunette's curious statement. "Koneko...?" She mutters to herself before Kiba and Akeno appeared next to her from behind.
"Buchou, why did Issei-kun run? Is something going on?" Kiba asked looking at Rias who still looked at where Issei ran.
"...I'm not certain but he took off after Koneko when he saw her running away."
"Koneko ran away? That's awfully strange..." Akeno exclaimed with a small frown as Rias nods along before the red head turns to Kiba.
"Kiba, go after him. I think we may have some 'company'. Rias emphasized the last word seriously as Kiba nodded before he took off running towards where Issei ran.
"Shouldn't we follow along? They might need more help." Akeno reasoned in worry as she look at where Kiba turn on a corner before vanishing.
"Kiba should suffice for now. Anyway, if we have some company here, danger is not too far behind to occur soon." Rias stated as she stare at Akeno while Asia looked between the two.
"Should we report to Sirzechs-sama about this? He might help." Asia asked as Rias look down at her.
"He might. But we don't know this 'company'. Anyway, we shouldn't bother him. It will complicate things further."
"Why?"
Casting a smile on her face, Rias looked down at the curious blonde. "You know the answer, Asia. It's near you." She hinted as Asia raised an eyebrow at her before she looked around, trying to find out the answer for herself. After a while, the blonde frown as she couldn't find the answer yet. But then, realization struck her and she looked up at the smiling Rias.
"The guests around us."
"Yes, if we inform of my brother of the mysterious company that may be present near here, we can't risk the public or the guests to notice. It will caused a panic amongst themselves."
"If there is a panic and disorder amongst us, the enemy will surely strike us at our weakest." Akeno stated as Asia looked at her.
"To prevent that from happening, it's our duty to protect the guests here." Rias finishes as Asia frowned, thinking about a certain brunette.
"What about Issei-san? And Kiba-san?"
"They can handle themselves. Especially, Issei, Asia. He's been training with all of you, right? There is surely have been an improvement on his part." Rias exclaimed with an reassuring smile as Asia looks down in slight doubt before she looks up at the red head.
"Y-Yes, Issei-san has been training very hard to be stronger over the past two weeks." Asia stated with a determined nod. "He's stronger now." She added thoughtfully cupping her hands together similar to a prayer. "O'God, keep him safe."
Seeing the apparent prayer, Rias smiled down at the blonde, knowing that she was praying for a certain brunette's safety. "Keep praying, Asia. He will need it." Rias thought proudly at her bishop's prayer. Even though she can't pray for her servants but she hoped that they could succeed in their task because she had faith in them. As their King. "Show them your training." She thought to her Knight and Pawn.
Forest
"Issei-kun?" Kiba called out as he stumbled upon outdoors of the building from the elevator that he took. Standing in front of the elevator, he looked around at the entrance of the forest before he heard yelling ahead of him. Recognizing the yell, the blonde sped up ahead, hoping that he could made it in time to help his comrade in need. Clenching his fist tightly, Kiba held a determined look as he run through the forest.
"Koneko-chan?" Issei called out as he run on the trail through the forest. He looked around the forest as he run, trying to search where the white haired had ran. After a while, he clench his teeth in frustration before he pick up his pace and sprinted ahead.
"I'm sure I felt it. That presence..." Koneko thought as she run through the deep parts of the forest. "...She's here." She thought with narrowed eyes before a voice interrupted her from her thoughts.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
At the presence of the voice, Koneko stopped and look up.
"As I thought." Koneko stated as she looked at the black haired woman in a black kimono lying on top of a branch in front of her while her arms supported her head.
"Hello, Shirone." Kuroka greeted with a smile as she look down upon her little sister.
Narrowing her eyes at the woman, Koneko replied.
"Kuroka onee-sama."
"I only sent a little bit of my chi your way and you came rushing over. Onee-sama is really moved, nya." Kuroka explained smiling down her little sister.
"Onee-sama, what is the meaning of this?"
"Don't make such a scary face. I heard there was a big party going on. So it just perked my interest a little, nya." She lifted her right hand, forming a fist and drop it.
Looking at her elder sister, Koneko couldn't help at the images appearing in her head at her appearance. Her involvement in the Underworld at the time, tears falling down her cheeks and lastly, her connection to her blonde senior. At the images, Koneko shakes her head to try ridding herself of them but the longer she think about it, the longer she recalled the day where she watched her sister for the first time along with her members.
"What's wrong, Shirone? Cat got your tongue?" Kuroka teased as Koneko slowly looked up at her and steeled herself to ask. "If you're nervous, it's alright. Onee-sama will be with yo-"
"Why are you here?" Koneko asked as Kuroka raised an eyebrow at her.
"Didn't I already answered that? Weren't you listening, nya?"
"...You were with Izayoi-senpai when he's healing, right?"
At the blonde's name, Kuroka stopped rigid to which was noticed by Koneko.
"Then, why are you here? You were supposed to be with him." She asked as she watches a frown forming across her elder sister's face. She watched as her sister looked the other way and stayed in her position without giving her an answer to her question.
"...What's your relationship with Izayoi-senpai?" Koneko asked as Kuroka's frown deepen. After a while of unanswered silence, Koneko decided to ask another question. The question she wanted to ask since she saw it for the first time. "...Did you cry...?"
At the question, Kuroka's eyes widen before they lay their sights on hers. "...Cry? What are you talking..." She trailed off as a look of realization came upon her. "...How..." She asked as she looked down at her little sister.
"Answer me. Did you cry...? When Izayoi-senpai..." She glances downwards as she didn't want to speak any further details about her blonde senior. After a moment of silence, Koneko was about to ask another question but instead she was rewarded by an answer.
"Yes." Kuroka answered as Koneko look up.
"Why..."
"I care about him." Kuroka answered as Koneko's eyes widen in surprise. "I...love him." She confessed as she look down at Koneko with soft eyes, much to her shock. "He's the only one I want to spend my life with, and make love with." She ends with a hint of a smile. "Why do you ask, nya?" She tilted her head slightly to the side.
"...I was just asking." Koneko stated as she glances away before she look up at her sister again. "Why aren't you with him right now? You know where he is, right?" She asked as Kuroka pouted.
"Sadly, I don't know. Rias only said that he was training." Kuroka answered. "Do you know he didn't say goodbye when he left? That's mean, nya. We were just going to start again after I woke up."
"Start again?" Koneko asked in confusion as Kuroka look down at her and smiled teasingly.
"Izayoi-kun is really good in bed~" Kuroka moaned as Koneko's eyes widen and a blush obscured her cheeks. "I didn't know he had a lot of energy when we do it for hours or was it a whole night?" She asked glancing upwards in deep thought.
"H-Hours? W-Whole night?" Koneko asked as she couldn't comprehend her elder sister's words.
"He's really hard to let it out, you know? And he always tease me because I can't keep up with him..." Kuroka simply said with a pout. "It's not fair, nya!" She added while pouting. Meanwhile, Koneko tried to stop her imagination from going wild with her sister's dirty words that she didn't want to hear.
Shaking her head, Koneko tried to keep her blush under control from listening to her sister about her blonde senior in bed with her. Even if her elder sister wasn't embarrassed on speaking about the topic but she, herself couldn't quite take it without being embarrass. She wasn't keen about knowing her sister's experience with her blonde senior in bed, much to her embarrassment and slight disgust.
"Oh? What do we have here? It seems like we have company, Shirone. It is your company?" Kuroka asked with a small smirk as Koneko looked behind her and felt two presences to her surprise.
"Kiba-senpai, Issei-senpai."
Gathering Hall
"Oh. Good job, Barachiel." Azazel commented drawing everyone's attention to him.
"..." Akeno turns her head to look at Azazel before her attention focuses on her father appearing before the Fallen Angel with a few companions. As she look at her father, she looks away.
"Akeno." Rias said in mind as she watches Akeno from her side, having seen her action when she looked at her father, Barachiel from Azazel. A small frown settled on her lips as she look at her best friend, noticing how upset she looked when she saw her own father. "Are you still burden by the thought?" She asked in mind, knowing the black haired's predicament of being a Fallen Angel like her father. The utter disgust she felt when she told her how she hated her blood that belonged to none other than a Fallen Angel. Burdened by that single thought that she could completely ignore it but decided to think about it all day in her mind much to her sadness and sympathy. To her, she didn't want to see her best friend acted the way she is. "It's not yourself, Akeno." She stated as Akeno caught her gaze and looks down, avoding eye contact with her.
"It's been a while, you shitty old man from the Northern countryside." Azazel greeted the old man standing in front of Barachiel.
Smiling at the Fallen Angel, the old man responds back. "It's been a long time, you bratty Fallen Angel.
"It has been a long time, Lord Odin, God of the North." Sirzechs greeted with a nod of his head.
"Sirzechs. I came in response to your invitation." The old man known as Odin replied.
"Welcome, Odin-sama." Serafall greeted bowing her head while lifting the ends of her skirt.
Looking at the choice of clothing she wore, the old man named Odin started brushing his long white beard with his right hand. "Not good, Serafall." He protested, causing Serafall to look up at him in slight confusion.
"Hai?"
"A young girl like you shouldn't be in such a drab clothing at a party."
Hearing the sentence, Serafall smiled. "With all due respect, Odin-sama. I don't see any reason to be dress such as this for the entire evening. My date wouldn't like it if old mans like you wanted to see me only for my body."
At her answer, Odin quirked an eyebrow. "Who's this brave young man think he is for saying something like that?" He asked feeling slightly offended by this unknown young man that is claimed to be Serafall's date. If anyone dare to disturb him of such joy of seeing women, then that someone knows the consequences that will soon come with it unless he has the power to back him up, to which he doubt he would have against him.
Tilting her head to the side, Serafall answers. "You'll meet him soon enough, Odin-sama." She smiled as Odin stared at her in confusion. "He's stronger than you think."
"Hm, really? Then, I guessed that it still alright to doubt him, isn't it?" Odin smiled challengingly. "If he is the man that you think he is, he must be a fool to ask you to deny me of my pleasure in life." After he finishes, Odin couldn't help but watch in surprise as Serafall's eyes narrowed dangerously as a frown smeared across her face.
"Odin-sama, I ask that you kindly not refer to him as a fool. He is anything but a fool to me." Serafall stated with a slight harsh tone, much to everyone's surprise at her behavior. The other two Satans couldn't help but watch their fellow Satan spoke to the God of the North brashly and harshly. But they know that the cause of her behavior was a certain blonde. Watching their fellow Satan, they were relieved that her behavior wasn't that of one when she displayed her anger to the clones of the Three-Headed Dragon to which she decimated two out of three Two-Headed Dragons, much to their surprise. Compare to her anger right now, both Satan felt anger rolling off of Serafall when she glared at Odin than letting out her anger to the Two-Headed Dragons before.
A smile played on Odin's lips as he nods in understanding at Serafall. "If you spoke of him so highly, then I supposed that I act over my bearings. I apologize." Odin apologized as Serafall's eyes soften before she nods with a small smile of appreciation.
"Apology accepted, Odin-sama." At this, Odin nodded but at the back of his mind, he can't help himself but wondered who was the lad that had claimed the Ice Satan's heart and had the power to change her from the last time he saw her; the courage to glare at him with such ferocity wasn't an action that anyone would do but the girl did just that to his surprise. An amusing smile appeared over his lips as he tried to contain his curiosity of meeting the man soon. Even if he is old, he wasn't impatient if something had fully caught his interest and he admit that this individual has his full interest.
"I hope that you won't continue to pester her after this, Odin-sama. Please think of your position. You represent all of Valhalla." Rossweise explained to him seriously while hiding the amount of happiness in her after Serafall had took offense because of his word and without hesitation glared ferociously at him, silencing him. From that point on, she knew it was his loss to begin with. Even if she doesn't know who was Serafall's date is but she immediately felt grateful towards him for his help on silencing her Master completely without any utter response for the first time during his pleasurable time of seeing women.
Looking at the white haired woman behind him, Odin responded. "Goodness, you're always so serious. That's why you can't get a single hero for yourself." At this, Rossweise's eyes widen in surprise before tears started gathering at the corner of her eyes.
"I...have a hero." Rossweise answered clenching her fists as Odin raised his eyebrow at her.
"Do you mean your imaginative hero?"
"He did not came from my imagination. He is real!" Rossweise stated steadily as Odin smiled while quirking his eyebrow in amusement.
"Then, where is he might I ask? I never seen him once in my life. If he is your Hero, then he should be with you, am I wrong? If what you said about him is true since those few years, why haven't I seen him yet?"
At his harsh questions, Rossweise felt overwhelmed and she crouched down on her knees as she started to cry. "I...don't know! But he is real! I met him and we h-had a fun time! I know I'm an unattractive valkyrie whose age equals the number of years I've been alone but he complimented me that I was beautiful!" She cried as her silent wails attracted everyone attention in the room. Sniffling, Rossweisse started to recount her meeting with a certain blonde, unaware that she started to speak at the same time as she thought about it. "I-I volunteered to guide him around town because he didn't have anything to do at the time. I don't know what caused it but he offered to be my boyfriend for that day only while I was offered as s girlfriend. I don't know what came over me to accept his offer...but that day was the best day of my life." She explained through her sniffles before a voice cuts her out of her thoughts.
"That means you have a boyfriend during your whole lifetime." Serafall exclaimed as Rossweisse look up to be greeted by a smiling Serafall kneeling down on her knees in front of her. "It also means that you have some experience in a date than none. You're not an unattractive and lonely Valkyrie. Not anymore you're not. You've got a boyfriend."
Hearing the last sentence, Rossweisse blushes before glancing away in embarrassment. At that time, Rossweisse thought about Serafall's words and it entirely made sense to her especially where she wasn't a lonely valkyrie anymore. She had experienced a date in her lifetime. Experienced her time with the man that she found herself holding affections for. All of that facts added with the overwhelming confidence inside her, she found herself smiling in happiness.
"...Yes...I went on a date with him." Rossweisse mutters under her breath as her smile reaches her eyes and she turns to face Serafall. "With my boyfriend." She smiled as Serafall nodded in return with a smile on her face.
Looking at his bodyguard, Odin shakes his head in slight disappointment before turning to Sirzechs.
"Sorry for that." Odin apologized to Sirzechs and the other Satans for the embarrassing valkyrie. "This one here is Rossweisse. She's talented, but too serious. She can't get a single boyfriend." He explained. "She said she had one a few years ago, but it's impossible for her to be approached by a man that would possibly be her boyfriend." After he finishes, a new voice voices out in the conversation.
"I am very sorry for making you wait." At the familiar voice, Asia, Xenovia and Rias looked at Michael that had arrived to the gathering and stood in front of Odin. "Odin-dono, I am glad to see you in good health." He stated to Odin before Irina appears behind his back as Asia and Xenovia smiled at her appearance.
"Irina!" Xenovia exclaimed in happiness as Irina waves her hand at the ORC group. "Did she come to accompany Michael?"
"To think we'd meet again in this gathering." Asia commented.
Forest
"Koneko-chan!" Issei yelled out as he and Kiba stopped in front of Koneko. "Why did you-?!"
"Shirone, why don't you introduce me to your friends? It's etiquette to introduce your friends to your Onee-sama, right nya?"
"Who's that cat woman? Is she?"
"Koneko's elder sister, Kuroka." Kiba answered as he lifted his right hand and summoned his Holy Demon sword.
"That's Koneko's sister?" Issei asked in surprise at the woman in front of him perched up on top of a branch.
"I would like to kindly ask you to leave this premisses at once." Kiba explained with narrowed eyes. "If you are here for something or someone, I suggest that you leave immediately."
"Oh?" Kuroka raised an eyebrow at Kiba. "If you didn't know, Shirone's my sister. I'm not going to give her to a low-class devil like you nor even a high-class devil like Rias." She stated as she sit up from her position on the branch.
"Onee-sama, why?"
"Ophis and Vali will happily accept you. You have the same power running through your veins as me. Don't you remember?" Kuroka smiled widely.
"I am part of Rias Gremory's family." Koneko answered steadily.
"We'll never hand over Koneko!"
"I'll take her by force if I have to." Kuroka announced. "Sorry, Izayoi-kun." She thought before a new voice made itself known.
"Kuroka, did you listen earlier? You can't run off by yourself."
"Hey, you shitty monkey!" Issei said pointing his finger at the brown haired wearing Chinese armor walking out from the bushes in front of him.
"It's been a while, Red Dragon Emperor." Bikou greeted with a smile.
"So this is the breast lover that made Vali retreat?" Kuroka asked as Issei step forward while clenching his fist, offended by what she said.
"What did you say?" Issei asked before glancing sideways. "Well, it's true."
"Onee-sama." Koneko called out.
"Don't worry, Shirone. This will be over quickly." Kuroka stated with a smile.
"Well, a little resistance will help kill some time." Bikou
"What did you mean kill some time?" Kiba asked as he readied his stance.
"We lured her little sister out to kill some time while we wait. Vali asked us to bring a certain man out here."
"I guess he wanted to complain about the gathering tonight." Kuroka added.
Gathering Hall
"Devils, gods and fallen angels have reflected on the past and allied together, but there are ones who wish to start war once again. The new alliance with the Norse gods of Asgard is truly heartening." Sirzechs ended his speech to the guests in the room before turning around to face Odin who stood behind him. "Odin-dono, if you have no objections, please sign the pact monument." He said to Odin who looked at him with a serious look, taking the event seriously.
"Yes." He answered as Odin went to walk towards the pact monument standing behind him. But just as he stopped in front of the monument and touches it, a voice interrupts.
"I have an objection!"
Hearing the voice, Odin turns his head over his shoulder. "So you came, after all. Foolish man." He finishes as blue magic seal appears in the air, in the room. Before long, the seal opens up like a door and a man flew out from the doors.
Spreading his hands, the said man introduced himself. "I am the Norse God, Loki!"
"Well, this is a rare guest." Azazel commented looking up at Loki's appearance.
"Loki-dono, though you are a Norse god, you have no right to cause havoc here." Sirzechs stated as he turns to face Loki along with Serafall, Michael and Ajuka.
"Seeing as our great Father mingling with other mythologies brings me intolerable pain." Loki explained to him and the others.
Putting a hand in front of Odin, Rossweisse narrowed her eyes at Loki.
"Loki. If you return to Valhalla now, I will forgive you." Odin said as he waves his hand at Rossweisse, to which she responds by letting down her hand. As soon as he finishes, guards started to gather in front of Loki.
"Forgive me? Don't joke around, old geezer." Loki smiled down at Odin.
"How dare you speak to our Great Father that way!" Rossweisse countered feeling offended by what he said.
"If he allies us with the other mythologies, we will be unable to achieve Ragnarok!"
"I've heard of this argument before. You're connected to the Chaos Brigade, aren't you?" Azazel asked Loki.
"I admit I've partnered with them. But this is of my own will!" He said before he lift his right arm to the side. "Come forth, my beloved son!" He called out before a big seal appears below him and sparks started to generate from the seal, blowing away all of the guards in one swift blow.
"RAAAAAAAA!" A big wolf like roar immediately made itself known throughout the forest.
"What was that?" Issei asked as he look over his shoulder with a surprise look.
"Issei-kun, Koneko, we have to get back and regroup. This is a trap." Just as he finishes, Kuroka smirks before a barrier appears over the whole forest.
"What?"
"I created a barrier over this entire forest and shut us in, Nya." Kuroka explained as she jumps from the branch and stands next to
"I hope you can give me some entertainment, Red Dragon Emperor!" He said before swinging down his staff, causing a chunk of earth to be blown back from the force. Koneko, Issei and Kiba jumps away from the attack as the three prepared to fight.
"These guys are strong!"
"Such dark auras." A new voice appeared over the air as everyone looked up to see Tannin flying over them, his shadow covering the five of them.
"Old man Tannin!"
"So you followed my power's energy signature." Ddraig stated as Issei looks down at his left arm.
"That's right. I kept track of the power signature emitted by the Red Dragon Emperor. There was something bothering me about Hyodou Issei."
"Bothering you?" Issei asked back.
"Hey! Hey! It's the previous dragon king!" Bikou said excitedly with a grin.
"You look so happy, monkey." Kuroka commented looking up at Tannin as Bikou performed a handseal.
"Flying Nimbus!" He called out as a cloud appears beneath his feet and carried him towards Tannin. "Extend! Ruyi Bang!" He shouted as his staff extends towards Tannin who swiftly dodges it by turning around on his opponent and blows a stream of fire at him.
Amidst the fire, one part of the flames stretches out before revealing Bikou flying out of the flames unscathed.
"You're good! Previous dragon king!" Bikou commented grinning.
"No way!" Issei exclaimed watching the two started to fight. "That firepower is on a completely different level from the training."
"Son Goku! How entertaining!" Tannin commented.
"Son Goku and a dragon. Well, that's a fitting pair." Kuroka said as she look over at the three members of the ORC group. "Anyway, will you hand my little sister over already? If you don't, I'll kill you here and now."
"Hyoudou Issei!" At the call, Issei look up. "I will attend to this monkey. Defeat that cat. Aren't you the Red Dragon Emperor?" Tannin stated before flying over their heads as Issei look behind at Tannin.
"He makes it sound so easy!"
"We have no choice right now, Issei-kun." Kiba stated as he grip his sword in hand as Issei look at him. "We have to fight if we want to get out of here."
Reluctantly nodding at the blonde, Issei readied his stance to fight.
"Onee-sama, I will go to you." Koneko suddenly exclaimed as she step forward towards Kuroka.
"Koneko-chan?!"
"Koneko?"
"So please let these two go."
"Koneko, you can't go. Buchou won't allow you to." Kiba stated in worry as he look at her back.
"My big sister's power. I know it more than anyone."
"No. We won't let you, Koneko-chan. You can't just go!"
Meanwhile in the Gathering Hall...
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Fenrir roared again as everyone in the room focuses their attention at the blue beast in front of them.
At the appearance of the beast, Rias lifted her hand to the side. "Everyone step back!" She shouted to everyone who immediately back away from the center of the room. Green blue eyes stared up at the beast that immediately jumps across the room at the upper corner of the room before jumping down, causing large chunks of concrete from the pillar to fall.
Rias looked at the direction of the chunks of concrete were heading and she immediately lifted her hand towards Asia and Gasper who were standing across the room. "Akeno!" She called out as Akeno that stood next to her, lifted her hand to shoot bolts of lightning towards the chunks of concrete.
Meanwhile, Asia and Gasper looked at the approaching large projectile heading towards them before they covered their eyes from the lightning that struck the chunks of concrete and destroyed it.
Fenrir who sensed the first sign of attack, looked ferociously at Akeno who takes a step back along with Rias.
"Rias!" A voice shouted as a red flames envelope Fenrir accompanied by a struck of black and white lightning. But the combination attack didn't scratch Fenrir in a bit as it stood steadily on the floor while looking directly at the newcomers standing in front of Rias and Akeno.
"Otou-sama?" Rias questioned in confusion seeing her father standing in front of her with a serious look. She then glances at the man standing next to him and noticed immediately that it was Akeno's father, Baraqiel.
"You will not lay a finger on this girl." Baraqiel announced lifting his left hand protectively in front of Akeno, who look surprised at his present.
"I'm sorry that I did come as sooner as expected, Rias. Your mother needs time to compose herself from your arrival earlier before coming here." Lord Gremory smiled glancing over his right shoulder at his daughter.
At the mention of her mother, Rias look around wildly in the room before a bundle of brown hair caught her eye. She looked at her right and was greeted by a smile directed at her way. A smile lit up on her face as Rias caught sight of her mother standing besides a blonde woman. She then watch her mother silently mouthed something to her and she smiled at the words presented to her.
"Be careful, musume."
At the words, Rias focuses her attention at Fenrir and readied herself to fight.
A smile spread across his lips as Lord Gremory caught her daughter's motion of action. Putting a right hand inside his pocket, Lord Gremory straighten his back as he looked at Fenrir. "Did she say something convincing?" He asked his daughter who smiled as her hands burst into red flames.
"Yes."
"Then I supposed I'm involved to keep you safe." Lord Gremory smiled as Rias smiled in unison before the two of them look in on at Fenrir.
But before they could attack, a burst of ice travelled up to the floor beside them before striking Fenrir head on. As it came in contact with the beast, it instantly trapped it's legs from moving to which tall ice spikes trapped each one of its legs.
Both Rias and Akeno look behind them to see Serafall winking at them from her position in front of Sirzechs and Ajuka while standing behind the ice spikes that travelled towards Fenrir.
Fenrir roared its head to the air catching both Rias and Akeno's attention along with everyone else. But before it could roaring wildly underneath its restraints, it was instantly silenced by the enhanced sound of a hand clap, distracting everyone who appeared to be confused by the sudden sound penetrating the entire room.
By the silence that overtook the room, the sounds of footsteps breaks off the silence. The first one to notice the sound was Rias followed by Akeno. It appeared as time stood still for both of them as the two looked at their right and their eyes caught a lock of blonde slowy pass by them before it generally disappeared in a burst of wind. Suddenly, the sound of an explosion and hard wind struck them, breaking off their stupor as both Rias and Akeno focused onto the explosion in front of them to where Fenrir stood in a trap like state minutes before. The two watches as the wind passed by before the remaining smoke of the explosion slowly clears away. The moment where the smoke clears away in front of their eyes, their eyes widen in surprise.
Wisps of flames and tiny ice flakes appeared just as the smoke clears away and amidst the combination of wisps and flakes; stood a lone man with his back facing them. Both Rias and Akeno couldn't utter a word as they stared at the blonde in front of them, neither of them attempted to make a move, unaware to think of the floor where he stood was burned to a crispy black and releases a fair amount of steam around it. Their attention was solely focused on the man standing in front of them.
Rias's eyes traces the blonde hair of the man; curving downwards in all directions. A fact that she knows everyone would know who it was especially her. And also, the feeling that came with it. A familiar forebonding and knowing feeling that brought Rias to know the identity of the man in front of her was; it was her husband. The black suit that he adorned could be seen with matching pants and shoes. Underneath the ends of the sleeves, Rias could see the red cufflings hidden behind them to which she smiles in satisfaction. She then trail her eyes over to his blonde hair that she wanted to spread her fingers through ever since that night when the two of them made love.
Meanwhile, both Lord Gremory and Baraqiel looked at the blonde standing in front of them with different expressions on their face; one out of happiness while the other was out of curiosity. But just as they finished studying the blonde, they were instantly pulled back to focus onto the massive body of fur that was lying in front of the blonde with steam exuding from it's body. Their eyes widen in surprise as the body belonged to Fenrir who lay on the floor, unconscious with high scorching degree burns.
Suddenly, gasps could be heard from the crowd all around the room as they looked at the blonde standing over the unconscious and defeated Fenrir.
"Could it be?"
"It's him! It's definitely him!"
"The Hero of the Underworld and the Gremory Prince!"
"I-Izayoi-kun?" Asuka thought as she took a glimpse of the blonde standing before her. Her breath hitched as she slightly covered her mouth before tears started to appear at the corner of her eyes. A smile lit up on her face as she saw her eyes stared at a pair of purple eyes and a smile directed towards her. "...It's really you, Izayoi-kun." She thought in happiness. Next to her, Leticia couldn't object to look away as the sight of her Master in perfect health overwhelmed her face a smile. From her side, Sala stared at the blonde and a smile breaks off her face at the sight of him recovered from all of his injuries that nearly took away his life.
"Is this what it feels like when I saw him everyday?" Sala asked to herself. "No. It's not. It's...something different." She admitted as when she saw him, she felt immense joy inside her and at the sight of him rather than his injured self in the past, a strange feeling begin to uncover itself. It was mixed with all of the positive feelings; relief, happiness and joy. But mostly it was happiness of seeing him again that she was grateful for.
Suddenly, a burst of magic interrupt everyone's attention as they all looked upon Loki who adopted a cold look with his eyes raged with anger in them. Everyone watches him clenching his fists tightly as he glared ferociously at Izayoi standing below him while he hovers in the air.
"...How dare you...You'll pay for what you've done!" Loki shouted in anger as he lifted his hand and aimed it at the blonde. A big blue magic circle appeared above his palm as it lit up brightly.
A smirk spread wide across Izayoi's face as he stared up at Loki, sensing huge amount of magic building up inside of him. Sensing the urge to battle from him, Izayoi lifted his palm to the side before clenching it into a fist, unnoticed that tiny wisps of flames started to burst out from the action. But it was noticed by only two individuals.
Rias's eyebrow rose as she contemplated the appearance of the wisps of flames. She glances at Akeno and noticed that she was staring at the blonde's fist, to which she assumed that she was thinking the same thing.
"Die, insignificant boy!" Loki shouted but before he could launch his attack, he was caught by surprise as the blonde suddenly appeared before him in less than a second. Distraught by his appearance, Loki was surprised by the fist colliding with his magic circle a moment later to which caused him to snap into reality. The white haired gritted his teeth as he pump his magic into his magic circle causing it to glowed brightly by the second. Sparks like electricity started to fly out from the confrontation between the two as both Loki and Izayoi fought for dominance.
"Is this all you got? Ha! You've gotta be kidding me!" Izayoi mocked with a laugh as his pupils lit in excitement before Loki's eyes widen in shock, feeling himself moves back from the collision between his magic circle and the blonde's bare fist. When his eyes met Izayoi's, it was within a second that his magic circle shattered upon contact before founding himself being punched back and directly imbedded himself into the wall behind him.
Just before he started to move in the crater to release himself, his eyes caught onto the green magic that lit brightly around him. Recognizing the magic, Loki found himself staring at a pair of green eyes looking casually at him. "Beelzebub!" He shouted in anger before he disappeared within the magic green piramid along with Fenrir that disappears into another piramid.
Right after they were gone, Izayoi glances at where Ajuka stood and send a smile at his way to which he nodded in return. The blonde then turns around before he caught a black blur rushing towards him and something came barreling into his arms. A pair of arms wrap themselves around his back as Izayoi look down at the bundle of black hair invading his view.
"Izayoi-kun! You're back! You're finally back!" At the familiar cheery tone greeting him, Izayoi smiled and promptly wrap an arm around the girl's shoulders which revealed to be Serafall.
"Miss me?" Feeling her nod against his shoulder, Izayoi let out a chuckle. "Sorry for dropping in late. I lost track of time."
"It doesn't matter." Serafall took the moment to look up at the blonde before smiling wide at him. "You're here now." Just as she finishes, she capture his lips into hers, prompting a moan from out her mouth when he kisses back. After a moment, the two pull back as Serafall smiled at him before pulling away from the hug.
"Serafall, you're not the only who misses him." A voice cuts in as Serafall smiled behind her, seeing Rias and Akeno standing before her.
"Sorry. But you're too slow." Serafall teases as Rias raises an challenging eyebrow but before she could question, Akeno cuts in.
"Oho? Shouldn't his wife have a partake to kissing him first? It isn't fair for her part, Serafall-sama. Although, it is good for your part. But I do think that his wife has a right to kiss him first."
At her explanation, Serafall pouted. "But..."
"Serafall-sama, you kissed a married man in front of everyone in the room. Have you not noticed? It would be weird if you, one of the Satans governing the Underworld kissed the Gremory Prince that is supposedly married to the Gremory Princess, Rias. You will need an explanation regarding your relationship with him if you want to clear this out." Akeno explained professionally as Serafall look around at the awed struck faces that stared at her.
Realizing the predicament she had made herself to be in, Serafall could feel her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. A pout formed onto her face as she turns towards Rias.
"I'm sorry, Rias-chan." At the sincerity of her voice, Rias smiled reassuringly at her.
"Do not worry, Serafall. Even though I didn't realized before, but Akeno is right. The display of affection you had with Izayoi-kun will start to make everyone assuming things." Rias explained as Serafall frown, knowing her fact is right. "But this is not your fault, Serafall. Although, I didn't think it would be this early but sooner or later, the public will find out about Izayoi's relationships with the other girls aside from me. It would be, one day or another." She exclaimed to the black haired.
"I'm sorry." Serafall apologized genuinedly.
"Don't be. As I said, it isn't your fault, Serafall. All in all, I think this is a better time to clear this thing out before it could accumulate into more trouble in the future." Rias explained before an amused smile spread across her lips. "But I hardly doubt that people would want to disturb Izayoi's relationship with the other girls, including you. Those matters are not for them to interfere whatsoever. Instead of interfering, I think they would want to know how the two of you started a relationship. Or in this case, how Leviathan showed affections for the Hero of the Underworld."
Hearing what the red head said, Serafall looks perplexed. "But Akeno said..."
"She said that just to spite you." Rias chuckled in her hand as Serafall pouted at Akeno, who smiled in amusement.
"That's mean, Akeno-chan. I thought I did something horribly wrong."
"I apologize, Serafall-sama. But you should be considerate for others. There are other girls that didn't see Izayoi-kun since that day." Akeno said while walking closer towards Izayoi, who watches her every move. Once she stood in front of him, she put her hands on his chest and lean her body against him. "Including me." She said in thought before closing her eyes and let out a tear fall from the corner of her eye to the ground.
Feeling her body pressed against him, Izayoi lift his right hand and press it lightly on the center of her back. "Don't I get a greeting for being away for so long? Atleast, I deserved that right?" Izayoi asked with an amusing smile while Akeno chuckled lightly.
"Mm...Welcome back, Izayoi-kun." She mutters as a smile graces her features, feeling the warmth of his body much to her surprise and liking. "You don't know how long it has been for us without hearing any news about you." Akeno looks up at the blonde. "May I ask, what did you do these past weeks?" Just as she asked, Izayoi smiled down at her before he lifted his right hand on top of her head.
"Since you trained for those past weeks with the others, you could say I experienced the same thing. Anyway, is that all you wanted to ask? I thought you were going to say something different than that." Izayoi leaned down his head against the top of Akeno's head until his nose touches her head.
"...What...?" Akeno look confused at the moment as she stare up at Izayoi.
"I miss you too. That's what you wanted to say, right?" At the sentence, Akeno's eyes widen before feeling the blonde pulling back from her. "You look beautiful by the way." Akeno look up at the smiling blonde in front of him and suddenly all of her emotions let loose. Lunging forward, Akeno captures his lips in a kiss as tears started to fall from her eyes.
"Am I so obvious to him?" Akeno thought before moaning under the kiss when the blonde responds back. After a while, Akeno pulled back and she smiled truthfully at the blonde. "I miss you, Izayoi-kun." She exclaimed as she brushes her tears with her index finger while Izayoi smiled in return.
"Although you said the wife was supposed to take the first kiss, I do think that you had it all planned to get the second one, Akeno." Rias's amusing voice cuts in as Akeno turns her head over her shoulder and smiled teasingly at her best friend.
"All of the chances I can get to be with Izayoi-kun more." Seeing the smile on her friend's face, Rias smiled in return, glad that her friend was smiling than before. But before she could reply to her playful sentence, she was interrupted by Xenovia's shout.
"Asia!" At the clear shout that breaks the everyone's attention, Rias looked at the blue haired reaching out her hand to catch someone. Her eyes widen as her eyes spotted a lock of blonde hair waving furiously before it disappeared from the room.
"Asia?" Rias called out as she runs towards Xenovia and stopped right behind her followed by Izayoi, Serafall and Akeno. Latching her hand on the blue haired's right arm, it caught her attention as Xenovia turns around to face her. "What happen? Why did Asia run away?"
"Asia said she was worried about Issei because he had been gone for too long and she decided upon herself to go look for him. Unfortunately, I didn't catch her in time." Xenovia look down in shame. "I'm sorry, Rias-sama."
Shaking her head at her, Rias comforted with a squeeze of her shoulder. "It isn't your fault. She decided herself to check upon Issei's safety. It's not unbecoming of her to do something she did." Rias explained, knowing that Asia had a soft and sensitive spot for her brunette classmate. Rias watches as Xenovia looks up at her with a sad appreciative smile and she was grateful that she could make her feel better.
Looking at the red head, Xenovia takes a breath and hold a serious look to her face. "Should I get her back, Rias-sama? She might be in danger."
"No. You will be with Leticia's company. I will go to get her back. There is no doubt that there are others besides Loki."
"You mean the accomplice?" Akeno asked as Rias looked at her and nodded.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Izayoi asked with a smirk as Rias looked at him and let out a smile.
"Yeah!"
"I'm going too!" Serafall volunteered smiling as Akeno nodded along.
"I'm going also." Just as she finishes, Izayoi immediately glances behind him and instantly turns around to block a punch directly aimed at his head. A shockwave resounded throughout the room as Izayoi grip the assaulting fist tightly before looking up at the culprit.
"Bael." Izayoi said as he faces against Sairourg's. The floor beneath the two combatants had cracked violently and had spread widely but it didn't spread as as behind Sairourg since Izayoi had reduce by directly stopping the impact of the force in the palm of his hand.
"Sairourg!" Rias shouted in surprise of her cousin's attempted assault.
"Didn't I told you I would get to face him one way or another? Did you forget already cousin? Haha!" Sairourg laughed as he pushes his fist against Izayoi's palm but unfortunately it didn't budge at all.
"Rias." Izayoi called out as Rias look at him. "You should go with the others while I entertain this battle maniac. I'll catch up soon enough when I'm finish with him." Izayoi said with a hint of annoyance while staring directly into Sairourg's eyes.
Looking between her husband and cousin, Rias nodded before she looked at both Akeno and Serafall. "Let's go, you two. We need to be there as fast as we can." She said as she turns and runs out from the room with Akeno and Serafall, who reluctantly left seeing as Izayoi couldn't come with them. Glancing over her shoulder, Rias caught a glimpse of Izayoi's back before she turns her head forward and focuses on the current task at hand but not before hoping that her husband would tag along soon. She have faith that the blonde could defeat her cousin easily seeing as he rarely losses to enemies that he previously fought. Amongst the enemies that he fought, there was only one that almost made her husband coughed out blood and nearly killed him. The one and only enemy that she despised the most. That said enemy was the only enemy that her husband could face and is the only one that can, seeing as the Four Satans of the Underworld couldn't defeat it altogether last time.
After sensing the three women left, Izayoi focuses his attention on the man in front of him. "So, how do you want to go down? There's a couple of ways that I can crush you without breaking your head and possibly crack your skull." Izayoi said as Sairourg laughed before smiling widely.
"Only if you give it your all in this fight."
"I don't think I can do that. Sorry but you don't seem to be much of a challenge than the white haired brat." Izayoi said before he grip tightly on Sairourg's fist causing a sickening crack to resound in the room.
A grin lit up on Sairourg's face as he felt his fist being crushed. Overwhelmed by excitement, Sairourg immediately started countering by swinging his other fist towards Izayoi's head. Unfortunately, he only hit air and instead the air in his lungs was forced out by a knee embedding in his stomach.
Everyone who was seeing this battle looked at the blonde who had dodged Sairourg's left fist and release his other fist before kneeing the Bael's stomach which caused a sickening crack to be heard with their ears.
"You're not fast enough." Izayoi commented before he pull his right fist and punches Sairourg in the face. But his eyebrows rose as a palm grip upon his fist inches from the Bael's face.
"Y-You're the first to make me bleed." Sairourg looked up as a trail line of blood could be seen falling down at the corner of his mouth. A grin spread across his face as Sairourg look at the blonde. "That means this will be a memorable fight!" He shouted before releasing the blonde's fist and leap back. But just as he touches the ground, he shot towards Izayoi with his fist.
A small smirk plastered across Izayoi's face as he look at the excitement over the Bael's face. Readying his stance, Izayoi bends his knees down slightly before pulling back his right fist. "Since you wanted it so much, I might as well give it you two folds!" Izayoi shouted as his fist collidded with Sairourg's, causing the floor around them to break upon contact and sent the chunks of earth towards every corner of the walls around the room. It was fortunate that it only hit the walls seeing as they had been embedded in the wall deep enough so that it cannot fall down towards the guests in the room.
"Should we stop them?" Ajuka asked Sirzechsz. "I will tame the Bael into submission. That would help Izayoi's trouble of wasting time with him."
"I don't think we should." Sirzechs answered as Ajuka look at him. "The battle will be soon over. Unless if he fought with me, it would go longer than this."
"Yes, even though the Bael doesn't inherited his family's power but his training has maximixed his body to the max." Ajuka explained. "The only thing he can rely on are his bare prowess in battle and his Sacred Gear if he chooses to use it." He pointed out as Sirzechs nodded before he focuses on the battle.
Meanwhile, Rossweisse watches intently as Izayoi and Sairourg exchange blows. Where Sairourg's strikes didn't meet skin, Izayoi's meet skin and bones deep within the Bael's body.
"So who do you think will win?" Odin asked his bodyguard of a Valkyrie as he stood in front of her.
"Huh?" Rossweisse look at him in slight confusion before realizing what he said. "Um...I do not know. But I'm certain that the blonde would win easily." She pointed out, not knowing if the blonde could win seeing as she never saw him fight before in her life and while during their date. But seeing as the blonde fought so far through the battle, she admit that he has combat prowess of a martial artist which surprised her greatly since it was the first time she saw the blonde fight. Through her observation, she conclude that the blonde would win easily without any casualties as he has quick reflexes than the Bael and shockingly showed exceptional abnormal strength for a human than him. At the mention of the blonde being human, Rossweisse's eyes widen at the thought.
"Is he human?" She asked to herself as she recalled the fight where the blonde fought against Loki and won by pure strength only before Beelzebub interrupted. Just as he won against Fenrir to which she couldn't see but at the mere sight of the scorch marks all over the beast, she immediately questioned herself about the identity of the blonde. At the thought of thinking differently of him, it made her feel sick in the stomach seeing as she didn't want to misjudge him just by the facts that she thought were true. It was also not fair on her part since she had known him and had spent the best day of her entire life with him in just one day, one date.
Cupping her hands together above her lap, Rossweisse couldn't help but feel anxious at the thought of the blonde in battle. But one thing was clear in her mind as she saw the blonde; she wanted him to win. She didn't care if people judged her for picking the wrong choice of the two. But to her, she knows that he would win and she wanted him to win.
"Rossweisse?"
"Hm?" Rossweisse glances at Odin who didn't look at her and merely focused on the battle before him.
"Why did you pick the blonde boy?"
"W-Why?" Rossweisse stuttered, speechless to answer. After a while, she gave her answer. "B-Because he looked he has insticts and apparent knowledge about his opponent. Even though he fight head on without any strategy but I can see that he had already analyzed his opponent beforehand and what he's capabilities limited him from."
Nodding in acknowledgment, Odin looked closely at the blonde who stood across from Sairourg. The two of them stared down at each other before Sairourg immediately charged forward with his fist.
A grin spread across on his face as Odin went to answer his bodyguard. "If you bet on the blonde, then I'll bet myself on the Bael. I'm certain that he isn't as weak as he looked." Odin encouraged himself as he watch Sairourg who was approaching the blonde.
"...This is a waste of time." Izayoi muttered to himself finding no reason to continue since he didn't feel as excited as before. That kind of excitement wasn't the usual excitement that he experienced from fighting past battles with Weser or Pest. It was a slight excitement after finding out that the Bael can withstand his strikes and was adamant on beating him. That fact alone causes the blonde to continue fighting. But so far through the battle, he was getting bored and bored by his opponent, mainly because he didn't felt like a challenge to him by just using his bare fists and overall strength that he found weak compared to the white haired brat that he fought in the past. Compared to the brat, he could relate that his opponent has vast amount of determination and experience which could be felt from his strikes throughout the battle. But he didn't have the strength to be of equal to him to which bore him. If he can put him into ranks for the enemies that he faced, he would ranked him just below Weser and above Raiser.
Looking up at his opponent nearing him, the blonde crouches down before disappearing in an instant, surprising everyone in the room. Not a moment past as a loud sound shook the room and everyone turns to Sairourg. They look at the fist embedded in the Bael's stomach before another fist follows up into his stomach and then the other fist. Everyone watches the blonde instantly increase the speed of his punches until they can't see the form of his fists and instead saw rapid blurs hitting themselves in the Bael's stomach countless times.
After a while, everyone saw the blonde slowed down and pull back his right fist before punching it directly into Sairourg's chest, causing him to flew back with immense force until he crashes straight into the wall behind.
Everyone watches Sairourg's body stayed in the wall and thought about the time he would wake up and brush off the pain like always. But this time, Sairourg didn't attempt to move as his eyes were closed and he laid there in the cement wall without as much as a sound of resistance to move.
"Sirzechs." Izayoi called out as Sirzechs turns his attention from Sairourg's unconscious body to the blonde. "I assumed that you can handle it from here?"
At his question, Sirzechs nodded before ushering him to go.
Seeing the motion, Izayoi turns around and left the room sprinting, leaving every guest speechless for words.
"Who would have thought?" Odin asked himself watching the blonde left the room before turning to look at the unconscious Sairourg embedded in the wall at his far right. "I didn't think that it would be any different..." He mutters before turning towards his bodyguard. "I never thought I would lose on a bet to my bodyguard of a Valkyrie."
"What is that supposed to mean, Odin-sama?"
"Maa, I'm just playing with you. Although, losing still leave a bad taste but since you've won the bet, you deserved a reward."
"A reward? I don't understand. You didn't say anything about a reward prior to the start of the bet."
"If I won, I would asked for nothing of you but if you won, I would give you a reward of sorts. I already thought about it earlier."
"...Why?"
"It's a bet for a reason, Rossweisse. Since we bet on one of the two combatants and you chose the blonde boy which he won. I thought it is fair to give you a reward. It is not on my accord to choose but yours. So you can choose whatever it is you want as a reward but know that it is within my power to do so." Odin said before looking out to the crowd and his eyes caught a sight which he found quite alluring.
"What kind of reward do I want?" Rossweisse asked herself, not knowing what to ask for herself in spite of her Master telling her so. She looked down thoughtfully for any answers that might pop out of her mind; a hint to what she want as a reward. Sadly after a while, none of the answers provided her with any hints of her reward. She then look at the back of Odin before speaking up.
"Who is that alluring woman?" Odin asked as he look at the olive skin woman standing next to a blonde woman. He looked at the choice of clothing she wore and he suddenly found himself liking it every minute of staring at her exposed skin that glowed within the lights in the room. While he distracted by the sight that greeted him, he was unaware of Rossweisse calling out to him several times. It is not by the fifth call that he responded.
"...What did you say?" Odin asked feeling slightly annoyed that he had been disturbed from his sightseeing. Turning towards the Valkyrie, Odin asked. "So did you already thought about your reward?" When he asked, he wasn't surprised by her reply.
"Can I postpone my reward for a later time?"
"Can't think of anything for your reward?" Odin asked as Rossweisse reluctantly shakes her head.
"Hm. If you say so, then you can summit your answer when you found the answer to your choice of reward. Alright?" Odin asked staring at his bodyguard who nodded. The old man then turns his head to look at the alluring woman but to his surprise, she was gone out of his sights.
"Serve the opponent right. Who is he to challenge the boy? He must have been crazy." A familiar white haired girl shook her head at the sight of Sairourg embedded in the wall.
"His opponent is battle driven. I'm certain that he wanted to fight him for a long time seeing as he know of him." A blue haired man with an eyepatch stated standing next to the girl.
"Whatever. He's a fool if he could think to beat the boy. I mean, he already knew of him and yet, he wanted to beat him? As if. Anyway, I'll give points for his bravery though."
"Should we stay any longer?" At the question, the girl looked at the direction where the blonde left before answering.
"I think he'll be fine without us around. Anyhow, I wanted to know the details of his night with a certain princess." A perverted giggle escaped her mouth as the blue haired man closed his eyes and shook his head a little. Before long, the two made their way out of the room from the crowd of guest and into the hallway. Just as they walk along the hallway, the girl clap her hands before the two of them disappears out of sight magically, leaving the hallway as it is. But the two was unaware of the impending danger that the Underworld would face.
Meanwhile in the gathering hall, Baraqiel look at the way her daughter left and stare at it, contemplating whether to follow her daughter out of his concern for her safety. But then a voice interrupted his thoughts before he could decide.
"It's alright. They'll be safe. Your daughter included." Lord Gremory assured as Baraqiel turns to look at him.
"How do you know?" Baraqiel asked in slight confusion rather than anger.
Glancing at him, Lord Gremory smiled. "Because Izayoi is there with them." At the mention of his name, Baraqiel recalled the times when her daughter uttered his name during their battles to train.
"Izayoi." Baraqiel called in thought looking at the direction where her daughter left. "Protect her."
To Be Continued...
That's the end of the updated chapter of A Problem Devil Born~
I hope that it satisfies you after all the months that has passed. I mean it's been nearly three months since I updated. So i hope you will continue to read it and enjoy it. It's been quite a pleasure to find that there are new readers that found this story and read it. I appreciate it nonetheless and I hope you will continue to read it.
Anyway, how's the drama going in the story? Was it good to your liking? Or did it exceeded your expectations? I hope the latter.
How's the plot so far? The constructions of the story. Were the characters not too different to you and retain their originality? And was this chapter as good that it would make up for lost time for the old readers that have been reading since 2014 and 2015? I hope it does. Because I'm sorry that I didn't update.
Anyway, i think that is all that I want to ask. I hope that you will leave a review. And also, don't forget to favorite and follow this story because it will continue.
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!