Hello, guys. This is your author in-progress, ArtLotus. I am hoping to give you relief for delivering the newest instalment of A Problem Devil, Born~
Hoping to see you satisfy yourself while reading, I hope to see you again.
Presenting, A Problem Devil, Born~
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!
Chapter 53: A Valkyrie as a Devil?
Underworld
Gremory Mansion
Night
"The Red Dragon Emperor took quite some after effects…" Odin stated before glancing at the blonde standing next to him. The two of them stood on top of a balcony outside while the others were inside discussing about the previous events.
"Yeah. I don't blame the kid after all he's been through. Anyway, I wasn't in any position to interfere. It was his job description to save the damsel in distress at that time. I'd just lend a hand but I guess it was useless. I didn't expect things would spiral out of control like that." Izayoi explained with a hand on his hips as Odin nods in understanding.
"You'd never expect things to go the way you wanted. You don't know how they would react at the time. Why? Do you blame yourself for what happened?" A smile creeps up upon Odin's face.
A small chuckle escapes his throat as Izayoi heard the old man's last statement. "No. But should I say yes instead?" He asked sarcastically.
"It is your call and I respect your decision. No one blames you for what happened." Odin replied as the blonde stares out into the night skies. "…Kids these days have to grow somehow, right? You can take care of yourself, boy. But you can't take care of them at the same time." He added as Izayoi smiles.
"What's a human to do?"
"That's not true. What's a human like you involving yourself with out of this world's realm? That's the question you should be asking yourself in the first place."
"…That's easy. I'm just looking for something fun to do."
"Arrogant boy."
Meanwhile…
"I see. So he's still…" Sirzechs said in understanding as everyone including Grayfia gathered in the living room. Sirzechs stood next to Ajuka with Serafall as the three of them stood in front of everyone.
"Yes, he's still in a coma." Azazel answered while leaning against a wall nearby. "His body and demonic power is recovering at a good speed, but…It seems his injuries are pretty bad deep inside." He informed which everyone ponders on.
"Deep inside?" Sirzechs asked glancing up at Azazel who nods in return.
"A lot happened to him. It looks like we'll just have to wait it out." Kiba suggested with a grim frown,
"Issei went through so much to save me." Asia said looking down guiltily as Asuka who stood next to her grasps the back of her hand which caused the blonde to look at her offering a reassuring smile.
"He did go through so much for you, Asia. But you can't possibly blame yourself for that."
"That's right, Asia. It's not your fault." Xenovia said putting a comforting hand on her left shoulder. "We were so horrified at the time when Izayoi-kun…" She trailed off as everyone looked at her.
"That's right. The Chaos Brigade is to blame!" Gasper accused as Koneko nodded next to Xenovia.
"Yes." Meanwhile Azazel looks at Asia before he puts a hand under his chin.
"Oh. That's right, Asia." He voiced out catching Asia's attention along with everyone.
"Yes?" Asia looks up at Azazel.
"You haven't tried it yet, right?" Azazel asked as Asia looked at him in slight surprise. "I'm talking about the results of your training."
"Huh?"
Time Skip
Guest Room
"Because of the incomplete transformation, it seems the dragon inside of Issei is malfunctioning. I was told the fact his left arm is still in dragon form is the proof." Azazel informed everyone in the room as he stood next to the bed where Issei laid. Whilst in his comatose state, there was something strange about him. His left arm is adorning the Red Dragon Emperor Boosted Gear and at the end of the gauntlet, veins were visible to the naked eye of many.
"Who told you something like that?" Rias asked standing next to Akeno and Asia. The latter whom stood in front of the bed.
"Izayoi." Azazel said as Rias and the others looked at him in surprise. "He spoke to Ddraig earlier. Surprising, isn't it?"
"But you've said the dragon inside Issei is malfunctioning. How can he speak to Izayoi-senpai?" Kiba wondered.
"It is a surprise, right?" Azazel looks at Kiba before turning to the others. "Anyway, Asia's Sacred Gear might be able to solve the problem." He said as Rias intervene.
"Might? Will Asia be in danger?"
"That, I don't know."
"No way!"
"It's just a possibility."
"Please let me try." Asia said catching the attention from everyone.
"Asia…" Rias looked at her in concern.
"Issei-san said he'd protect his family and saved me! That's why I want to save Issei as well, Rias onee-sama!" Asia explained looking at Rias who stared at her before smiling and nodded to her words.
"Alright, Asia. Do your best." Rias encouraged her before she turns leaving along with the others. As each of them left, Azazel was the last one to leave. But he looks at Asia just before he leaves.
"Your training was to heal people at a distance. This time it isn't distance, but depth." Azazel said as Asia cup her hands over her chest and two rings glowed in green appeared over her two fingers.
"Depth…" Asia uttered.
"You need to heal the injury deep inside of Issei's heart." Azazel said before leaving and closing the door with a click, leaving Asia to kneel beside the comatose Issei.
"So how's he doing?" Izayoi asked appearing in front of Azazel who closes the door behind him.
Looking at him before gazing at the door for a second, Azazel answered.
"I've sent Asia to attend to Issei. She'll heal him with her Twilight Healing." At this, Izayoi looks at the door before looking at Azazel. "Anyway, Issei forced himself into that state when he clearly was not ready for that kind of transformation. The negative emotions that overtook him due to Asia's death was unbearable to him." Azazel explained before showing a small smile. "…It appears she is much more important to him if she could get him to release his emotions all in one place." A small smile of agreement appeared on Izayoi's lips.
"Yeah. But that kid had it going with the nun long before they are right now." Izayoi smiled teasingly as Azazel nods.
"Yes. They're relationship is somewhat special plus there is no boundary between them."
"So the predicament now…" Izayoi changed topics as he glances at the door. "I'd doubt she could even heal something like that or was I wrong to make such comment?"
"I don't know. You might be wrong." Azazel said to the smiling blonde. "But Asia's been training lately with her Sacred Gear during the Summer Break, like all the others. After seeing what she could do, there's a possibility she'll succeed but other than that, there's nothing we can do aside relying her." Azazel stated in his explanation.
"Well, I'd like to see that first-hand. But I don't think I can interrupt their moment together. Am I right?" Izayoi asked smiling teasingly before turning to Azazel.
"She'll need all the space she could get to concentrate. It'll be problematic if Issei does not wake up from his comatose state."
"Don't worry. I got it covered. Sometimes brute force is the answer." Izayoi remarked with a playful smile as Azazel raises his eyebrow.
"That just might be the case if all things fail. But we should see until then." As Azazel finishes, Izayoi perked up at the feeling of a tremendous amount of aura coming within the other side of the door next to him.
"It looks like it started." Izayoi said with an observant look. Before long, he yawned.
"Tired?" Azazel asked.
"Not at all. But it's a common thing to yawn." Izayoi said. "I'll be with the others. I don't think this would take long." Izayoi explained before he walked passed Azazel who stood glancing at the blonde over his right shoulder.
Whilst Izayoi was walking through the hallways of the Gremory mansion, a few maids walked ahead of him. Izayoi looks up at the maids and smiles. The action did not go unnoticed as the maids stop to smile at him and bow down their heads to him.
"Good evening, Izayoi-sama." The two greeted as Izayoi nods before watching the maids walked passed him. After the maids left, Izayoi stood alone in the hallways before a cheerful voice greeted him.
"Izayoi onii-sama!" Millicas called smiling as he runs towards the blonde who only looks up and smiles in greeting.
"Hey, kiddo. What have you been up to lately?"
"Mostly with tutors." Millicas said before a small frown replaced his smile. "Ne, Izayoi onii-sama. Is Issei-san alright? Okaa-sama said he's hurt pretty badly. That's why everyone seems concern about, right?" He sadly looks up at the blonde.
"Unfortunately that's right. But don't you worry about it so much. A kid like you shouldn't worry things like this now."
"But I'm not a little kid, Izayoi onii-sama." Millicas pouted.
"You still are, kid." Izayoi grins playfully. "Anyway, why aren't you sleeping at this hour? Kids like you are supposed to go to bed early right?"
"No. Okaa-sama said I can stay for a while before I'll go to bed." Millicas declared proudly before a woman's voice sounded from the end of the hall.
"And that is why you're going to bed now, Millicas." Grayfia said as Mullicas turns around in surprise to see his mother walking up to him from behind.
"But Okaa-sama….You said I can stay for a while." Millicas said turning at her as Grayfia smiled a small smile at him.
"How long do you think I'd let you stay up earlier? It's been past that, young man." Grayfia emphasized as Millicas wore a look of realization.
"Oh…I forgot." Millicas said while Izayoi chuckled.
"Where did that bold declaration went, kid?"
"Izayoi onii-sama…" Millicas pouted as he looked at him sadly while Izayoi smiled teasingly.
"It's not my fault, kid. You just got reeled in on your own. Anyway, kids aren't supposed to stay up late. Or else, they won't grow." Izayoi stated as Millicas pouted while Grayfia observed. "Plus kids have to listen to their mothers even if they don't like it. I've suffered the same fate as you when I was your age." Izayoi winks at Mullicas who started smiling and laughing at his statement.
"….Alright, Izayoi onii-sama. I'll go to sleep." Millicas said as Izayoi ruffled his hair causing him to laugh at the blonde before he withdraws his hand. Smiling at him, Millicas looks at his mother and held her hand. "Okay, Okaa-sama. I'll go to bed." He said as Grayfia nodded with a small smile before she looks at Izayoi who stands up from his kneeling position.
"You are good with kids as always, Izayoi-sama." Grayfia complimented as Izayoi shrugs his shoulders.
"I've have my fair share of taking care children." Izayoi answered as Grayfia nodded.
"Well, it served you well. Good night, Izayoi-sama." Grayfia said bowing her head before she looks at Mullicas. "Let's go." She said as she and Millicas walked passed Izayoi.
"Good night, Izayoi onii-sama." Millicas bid turning his body to wave at the blonde who turns halfway to look at the child and simply waved at him. As Millicas smiled in response and turns around to smile up at Grayfia, the blonde slightly frowned as an image of a blonde woman holding a small blonde girl by her hand while they're walking through a festival.
Turning around, Izayoi frowned disturbingly at the imagery before he started stepping forward. A glint of determination could be seen within his eyes as he recalled the image of Kunou crying over the loss of her mother. "They'll pay." He said to no one whatsoever instead he said it to himself.
"Izayoi-kun!" A cheerful voice called out to the blonde who snaps back into reality and turns around to be greeted by a smiling Serafall.
"Serafall?"
"Yeah! Why?" Seradall cheerfully bounced on her steps towards him before stopping to stand in front of him.
"…Nothing. But I figured you would be busy by this day considering your work resolves around the Underworld. Also, you don't have any business here whatsoever."
"That hurts, Izayoi-kun!" Serafall pouted. "I have business here, you know? If Sirzechs-chan and Ajuka-chan are here, I have to be here too!"
"Really?"
"Yes! Anyway, I can go around whenever I want except if I have to attend to my show! Have you seen it perhaps, Izayoi-kun?" Serafall leans her head up towards the blonde with an excited smile along with excitement glinting in her twinkling eyes.
"...No. I don't think I have. Why do you ask?"
"Then we should watch it together!" Serafall exclaimed in excitement which set a smile on Izayoi's lips.
"Now?" Serafall nodded to his question. "Does this show any good?" A playful smile spreads across his cheeks as the blonde watched Serafall raises her eyebrow.
"Is that an insult, Izayoi-kun?" Serafall asked before smiling. "No matter. If you see it, it'll change your mind right away!" Serafall assured the blonde. "Don't worry, we'll be back before the others know you're gone." She said as she grabs a hold of Izayoi's hand while a blue magic circle appeared beneath the two.
"Izayoi-kun! Where are you going with Serafall?" Rias asked appearing behind a distance behind Serafall who turns to look at her and slipped out her tongue at her.
"We're just going to have some alone time, Rias-chan. You'll allow that will you? If not, we're going with or without your permission!" Serafall playfully stated before she and Izayoi disappeared via teleportation.
"Serafall…" Rias muttered as her eyebrow twitches while a look of annoyance could be seen on her face.
"Ara, ara. It looks like Serafall-sama has already made her move." Akeno appeared behind Rias with a smile.
"She could at least wait until I talked to Izayoi-kun about Issei's recovery."
"But she didn't."
"Unfortunately."
Sitri Family Mansion
"It's been quite a long time since I've been here. How are things going in the household?" Izayoi asked looking around Serafall's room which are decorated with posters of Magical girl and figurines situated on the shelves bolted on the wall. An amusing smile plastered on his face as he looks towards all the details of her room before he set his sights on Serafall who smiled across from him.
"It's going perfectly well! Everyone's happy so I'm happy!" Serafall stated adorning a set of pink pajamas while her hair was set free from its binds. "Do you mind?" She asked twirling around to show of her pajamas while her hair spins along.
"Not at all." Izayoi said shaking his head before Serafall leads him towards her bed and motioned for him to sit next to her. Once the two had set onto the bed, Serafall snaps her fingers as a hologram screen appears just across from them.
"We'll watch the first episode." Serafall said as she snuggled up to Izayoi's side and rest her head on his left shoulder. The action causes the blonde to smile in amusement.
Meanwhile, a warm smile could be seen at the corner of Serafall's cheeks whilst she rested her head on the blonde's shoulder, finding it comfortable just as she had before in Kyoto. .
"Sorry, girls. But I'll take him for tonight." She exclaimed in thought, seeing she has the chance to spend time with Izayoi unlike Rias and or possibly Kuroka. Cheering within the confinement of her mind about her self victory for a while, she then focuses her attention to the hologram screen and pointed her hand at the screen just as the intro song comes in. "It's starting!"
"I can't wait to be amazed." Izayoi teased as Serafall glances up at him.
"You will be amazed, Izayoi-kun." Serafall assured with certainty in her voice as Izayoi looks down at her from the corner of his eyes and hid a smile before he focuses his attention onto the hologram screen which showed Serafall greeting them with a smile.
Time Skip
"Do you want to sleep, Serafall?" It was a simple question by the blonde who looks down at the tired-looking Serafall next to him.
"No. It's alright…" Serafall assured him resting her head on his right shoulder while she looks at the hologram screen with half-lidded eyes. "We can still watch together…I don't want to sleep yet…" Serafall muttered under her breath as she blearily watches the show.
"You aren't a pretty good liar, Serafall."
"Can't I lie to spend some time with you, Izayoi-kun…?" Serafall remarked in a whisper as Izayoi looks down at her to see her eyes closed and her body slumped to his side more.
"No one said you should force yourself to…" Izayoi muttered looking down at the sleeping Serafall. Sighing, the blonde proceeded to put Serafall onto the bed against her back before he stands up from the bed to tuck her in with the bed sheets. Once he puts the covers until her shoulders, it causes Serafall to stir before a smile crosses her face.
Seeing the action, the blonde pulls away from the bed before he walks out the room to leave her alone.
"I didn't know we had a handsome stranger coming out of my daughter's room." A voice said as Izayoi turns around to his left to see a woman in her late 20's, smiling gently at him. "Oh my. Excuse me. I didn't know we had such a magnificent guest tonight. I beg your pardon, Sakamaki Izayoi-sama. Or should I call you, the Underworld's Hero?" The middle aged woman bows her head at him in greeting while Izayoi stared at the woman in front of him, trying to wrap up his mind about her appearance before it immediately clicks.
"No need for formalities, Lady Sitri. I'd think I should've done the formalities rather than you." At this, Izayoi bows his head at her before smiling up. "Anyway, I prefer if you call me by what you see fair."
"A gentleman, I see." The woman recognised as Lady Sitri, the mother of both Serafall Leviathan and Sona Sitri stood in front of him with a gentle smile on her face. "No wonder my daughter is attracted to your charms."
"Is it? I don't know why it makes me different than all the rest."
"That is what perplexed me the most apparently." The woman laughs softly under the back of her hand while Izayoi stood smiling. After Lady Sitri had laughed enough, she looked up at the blonde and gestured him to the side. "Do you like tea, Izayoi? Since it's already morning as it is, I thought I would interest you in some tea."
"I'd gladly take your offer."
Morning
Gremory Mansion
Dining Hall
"Why aren't they coming back?" Rias asked sitting across her mother as she and the others sat on the dining table for breakfast.
"What do you mean, musume?" Venelana asked her daughter who pouts.
"Serafall took Izayoi-kun somewhere and I don't know what they're doing for the rest of the night yesterday. And they're still not coming back." Rias told Venelana who smiles gently at her daughter.
"It must be important to Serafall if she had taken Izayoi yesterday. Did you possibly think about that?"
"Well, no. But what could possibly be important to her at that time so much that she wants Izayoi-kun to…" Rias trailed off before realisation came across her. Her face reddens as a thought came into her mind about her early remark. "Are they…" She questioned under her breath as her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Ara, ara. Why are you thinking like that, Rias?" Akeno asked sitting next to Rias. "I don't think Serafall-sama would do such a thing."
"How do you know? Sorry to say, Akeno. But I've known Serafall a lot more the past 2 weeks of summer break. I can assure you that she's not a nice girl through and through." Rias smiled knowingly as Akeno looked at her in slight surprise.
"Ara, ara. So she's been hiding such a side of her so well." Akeno stated as Rias nods.
Suddenly, a magic circle appeared in front of Rias and the imagery of Serafall appears above the magic circle.
"Good morning, Rias-chan!" Serafall greeted sitting on her bed adorning a set of pink pajamas where the two buttons at the top came loose which slightly revealed the top of her breasts.
"Good morning to you too, Serafall. Might I ask where is Izayoi-kun? What did the two of you do last night?" Rias asked wanting nothing more to get to the bottom of her suspicions on yesterday's event where Serafall took her husband without a reason.
"We had the best time of our lives!" Serafall answered excitedly as Rias's eyes glowed for a second much to everyone's surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"We had a lot of fun. Izayoi-kun can really stay up long for the rest of the night even though I was tired. But we did it." Serafall innocently said smiling as Rias's eyes glows deadly and her body engulfed in red aura. "Why are you like that, Rias-chan?" Serafall asked in total confusion before realisation came upon her and a blush instantly reddens her face. "No! It's not exactly as you think it is, Rias-chan! W-We, Izayoi-kun and I didn't do any of that stuff...If that's what you're thinking..." She said tearing her gaze downwards with a heated blush as Rias adorned a look of confusion at her explanation and the aura around her dissipates. "If we did it...I wouldn't be sitting comfortably…I'd be too sore—" Serafall realises what she had said, closes her mouth before she looks at Rias. "I'm so sorry, Rias-chan! Is there anybody with you? I hope nobody hears this."
"Everyone is here, unfortunately."
"You chose a sort of bad time to talk to Rias, Serafall-sama." Akeno said with a look of amusement as Serafall looked at her.
"Really? Huh?" Serafall questioned before hearing someone choking in the background. "Is there someone choking?"
"Issei-san!"
"There's nothing to worry about that at the moment. Serafall, where is Izayoi-kun?" Rias asked in curiosity, noting that her husband did not make any appearance yet which eluded her.
"He's having breakfast with father and mother." Serafall answered with a smile.
"You left him all alone with your parents?"
"I'll be with him right after. Don't worry, Rias-chan. My father is pretty well-absorbed in their conversation." Serafall smiled as Zeoticus smiles at the part.
"Lord Sitri talking to Izayoi? Well, he must be talking about Izayoi and how he attracted his eldest daughter as did my youngest daughter." Zeoticus said before bursting out laughing as Rias and Serafall blushes at this.
"I hope Lady Sitri is partaking on that subject as well." Venelana added with a look of amusement as Rias looked at her.
"Okaa-sama!" Rias exclaimed in embarrassment before turning to her laughing father. "Otou-sama!"
"M-Maybe…" Serafall trailed off before she turns towards Rias. "I'm sorry, Rias-chan. Izayoi-kun and I watched my show for the rest of night since he never watched it before." At this, Rias looks at her in surprise.
"Is that really? Miracle Leviathan?"
"Yes. But along the way, I was getting sleepy while Izayoi-kun kept watching since he wasn't tired yet. I slept first before Izayoi-kun did. Unfortunately, we can't finish watching the whole series but we've finished half of it." Serafall explained as Rias nodded in understanding. "Don't worry, Rias-chan. We'll return right after breakfast, if that's okay with you?"
"That's okay with me, Serafall."
"Alright! I'll see you later, Rias-chan!" Serafall bid before she disappeared along with the magic circle. Once the magic circle disappeared, Rias sigh in relief.
"Is Serafall-sama really that mean to keep Izayoi-kun away from you? As far as I've seen, she seems nice to return him. Or else she would keep him away." Akeno said to Rias who smiles to herself before glancing at her friend.
"You shouldn't underestimate her so carelessly, Akeno." Rias told her.
"As per your order, Rias-Buchou." Akeno smiled. "But I can't underestimate you and the others also. Especially Rossweisse-san." Akeno said recounting the silver haired Valkyrie who had attracted Izayoi's attention by wearing a maid uniform.
"But you've gotten your fair share of affection, am I right? I never seen your relationship blossomed with your father before." Rias said as Akeno undeniably smiles at the subject. "Izayoi-kun did that for the sake of repairing your relationship with your father. Wouldn't that count as a sort of affection to you from his actions? He cares for everyone but he does it in his own way." Rias smiled whilst saying.
"…Yes, you're right." Akeno nodded before sharing smiles with her best friend.
"Don't you forget about it." Rias reminded.
"Hai, Rias-Buchou."
Time Skip
Human World
Sakamaki Residence
Noon
"Four days without school…" Izayoi smiles playfully leaning his legs over the couch leg before he fell backwards and lay on top of the couch on his back. "That's a way to go." He finishes with a sigh while Rias and the others stood in front of the living room in their street clothes. They were all present except Issei and Asia who had gone home along with Asuka and Sala.
"Izayoi-kun, would you mind sitting? There are people wanting to sit instead." Rias stated with an amused tone while the others look on in amusement of the blonde. It was a moment before the red head got her respond.
"As if I'd let you." Izayoi answered with closed eyes as Akeno took the opportunity to sit next to Izayoi's head. Looking up at Akeno who smiles down at him and pats her laps, the blonde let out a small smile before eventually lifting his head as Akeno scoots over and gently put his head onto her lap.
"Better?" Akeno asked the blonde who smiles in satisfaction with closed eyes.
"Much better." At this, Akeno gently brushes the ends of his hair and looks up at the annoyed looking Rias.
"As you can see, Rias. There are plenty of seats left." Akeno gestured the wide empty space next to her with her free hand.
"Akeno." Rias called out as Koneko took the opportunity of climbing over on top of Izayoi and lies down atop of him. The action did not lament the blonde to mind her presence and instead relaxing over his position. "Koneko…" A small smile crosses the red head's face as she looks over her Rook before she takes a seat next to Akeno who looks at the light glare directed at her from the red head.
"Anyway, is it okay to skip school for four days straight? Wouldn't people think otherwise?" Irina asked amidst the quiet atmosphere.
"That might be true." Xenovia agreed as Rias looks at them.
"Don't worry. I told the school we were overseas for a practice match so I'll just say we couldn't return due to the weather."
"What kind of occult club has practice matches?" Irina asked.
"Putting school aside…" Xenovia said before she looks behind the couch and sees Rossweisse huddled at the back of the couch in a curled position.
"So mean. Odin-sama is so mean. I thought he came to pick me up, but then he suddenly sent me out to battle. Even though I worked so hard! He left me behind again!" Rossweisse cried out as she traces circles with her right finger on the floor.
"There were a lot of things to deal with after that, so…I'm sure he'll come to pick you again!" Irina assured as she kneels down in front of Rossweisse.
"No! If I, his bodyguard, go home after our Great Father returns…They'll yell, ''What kind of nerve do you have returning after Odin-sama?'"She indicated as Irina sweat dropped.
"Um…"
"And I'll probably get demoted! This is corporate downsizing! I was laid off!"
"I felt bad leaving her behind in the Underworld, so I took her back with us…" Rias trailed off as Rossweisse kept shouting her complaints to which everyone could hear her.
"I'm just a woman who can't do her job! A virgin! My age equals the number of years I've been alone!"
"Rias…You know what we've talked about, right?" Rias perked up at Izayoi's voice and she looks at him at the corner of her eyes to see his head on Akeno's lap.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." At the red head's respond, the blonde smiles before he addresses to the woman huddling behind the couch.
"By the way, Rose."
"Huh?" Rossweisse perks up.
"The old man sends his regards."
"Huh? Odin-sama said his regards?"
"It likely means he deliberately wanted to fire you." An amused tone could be heard within the blonde's voice.
"Wha…T-Then that means…"
"If that's the case, you'll stay with us right?" Irina asked happily.
"Everyone will insult me back home!" Rossweisse cried out as Irina sweat dropped.
"I didn't finish yet, you know?" Rossweisse perked up at Izayoi's voice and she suppresses her tears to listen to him.
"You didn't?"
"The old man sent his regards, and told me to take care of you since you're basically taken off duty."
"Huh?" Rossweisse went to stand up and peak over her head to look at the blonde lying in relaxation.
"We talked about it yesterday. He didn't give any grudges whatsoever." Izayoi smiled before opening his left eye and glancing up at the surprised Rossweisse. "Welcome to your new home, Rose." He greeted as Rossweisse looked at him eyed wide whilst gasping.
"Isn't that great news, Rossweisse-san?" Irina asked smiling widely at the silver haired Valkyrie who looks at her before a smile spreads across her lips.
"…Y-Yes. It is great news." She smiles at Irina who smiled back. The silver haired Valkyrie then tears her gaze towards the blonde who caught her gaze. Directing a smile towards him, the blonde responded with his own before he continued his relaxation over the top of Akeno's lap. "Thank you…Izayoi-kun." She thought as everyone looks on with a smile.
Time Skip
Next Day
Kuoh Academy
Morning
"One-two! One-two! One-two! One-two! One-two! One-two!" Both Issei and Asia exclaimed as they practiced over their three-legged race within the academy's field.
"All right. We look pretty good!" Issei commented over their increased pace before the couple stops in front of both Xenovia and Irina. They both panted tiredly before Issei look up at Irina. "How were we?" He asked as Irina smiles and shows him the timer in her right palm.
"20 seconds. Two seconds early than your previous one. Both you and Asia are getting better at this." Irina commented at the end as Xenovia nodded in agreement next to her.
"Yes. Keep it up, both of you."
"Thanks, Xenovia-san. Irina-san." Asia thanked in appreciation.
"Yeah. Thanks." Issei added before he turns to Asia. "Let's take a short break, Asia."
"Yes." Asia responded with a nod.
"Hey!" A voice shouted as Issei looks over at Azazel raises his hand in greeting. At this, the brunette nods before he looks over at Asia.
"I'll be back in a minute, all right?"
"Alright, Issei-san." Asia said before watching him going over towards Azazel.
"You've broken quite a sweat."
"Huh?" Asia turns behind her to see Asuka walking up to her with a extended water of bottle.
"Here." Asuka said extending the water bottle towards Asia who graciously accepted it.
"Thank you, Asuka-san."
"You've worked quite a lot with Issei over this race. This is all I can do." Asia smiles at her before unscrewing the bottle cap and slowly drinks the water. After a while, Asia pulled the water bottle away and closes the bottle with its cap.
"Asuka-san!" Irina greeted smiling as she and Xenovia walked up to the two.
"Irina-san. Xenovia-san. Good morning." Asuka greeted back to them.
"I've seen you practice with Sala-san a while ago." Irina said. "But isn't your partner for the three-legged race, Izayoi-kun?" At her question, both Xenovia and Asia looked at Asuka.
"He is. But he said he had business with Rias over something at the occult club." She answered.
"Oh?"
"Yes. Anyway, I've been practicing with Sala whenever he's not around. You can say that I've gotten quite well on this three-legged topic." Asuka crosses her arms with a smile as Irina, Xenovia and Asia smiled back at her.
"We're glad to hear that, Asuka-san. In fact, where is Sala-san? Isn't she with you?" Irina raised an eyebrow before Xenovia searches for the whereabouts of the said girl before spotting the familiar red head walking leisurely towards them from a distance.
"There she is." Xenovia said as everyone looks at Sala who notices them and smiles before heading towards their direction. After a while, the red head stopped in front of them.
"Might I ask what the problem is?" Sala asked holding onto a water bottle in her right hand as she looks at the four of them.
"Nothing." Asuka denied with a shake of her head. "They were wondering where you are."
"If you want. I was getting a bottle of water." Sala smiled at the four.
"Sala-san, since you've been practicing with Asuka-san lately. How's your hurdles practice?"
"Izayoi-dono advised that I saved my energy until the competition. I don't have any reason to come here but I decided to help Asuka on her three-legged race practice. It went well. She's improving." Sala commented which causes Asuka to be flustered with embarrassment.
"Thanks, Sala."
"It looks like you have your own competitor, Asia." Xenovia said as Asia looks at her in confusion. "You'll be racing against Asuka in the three-legged race on Sports Day, right?"
"Oh, yes. That's true." Asia said in realization before she held a determined look and turns to Asuka who looked surprised at her sudden look. "Then I won't lose to you, Asuka-san."
Realizing what she was saying, Asuka smiles challengingly before responding to the blonde. "If you say. But you should know I won't lose either. May the best wins." Asia nodded in agreement as the others looked on at them, anticipating the competition between the two juniors.
Meanwhile…
Old School Building
Occult Research Club
"I can tell you this much, she'll be delighted once she gets her hands on this. Her sense of cheapness will attract her to these thin pieces of papers like a moth to a flame." Izayoi smiled playfully at Rias sitting next to him while he held up the documents with his right hand.
"I'll count on that." Rias responded. "I mean, you know her longer than I am, Izayoi-kun. Your knowledge of her attitude of cheap things is quite beneficial for my cause."
"I thought you could use a helping hand other than Akeno." Izayoi said to the red head who smiles at him. The blonde then turns his gaze away and looks down at the documents in his right hand. With a snicker, he put it down onto the desk in front of him and felt a head rested upon his left shoulder. He looks at Rias resting her head on his shoulder as she wraps her arms around his left arm before she intertwined her right fingers with his left.
"It's nearly a month…" Rias muttered before looking up at her husband with a warm smile.
"Really." Izayoi replied with a curious smile, knowing exactly the meaning behind his wife's words.
Nodding at her husband, Rias looks down at her stomach and puts her left hand on it. She smiled amidst her touch while Izayoi watches her with a smile.
Sakamaki Residence
"It's alright, Rossweisse. You shouldn't do this kind of chore. I've got it." Shirayuki-Hime assured the silver haired Valkyrie who looks at her with reluctance while she held the vacuum in her hands.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. In fact, there are two of us on the job. We're maids. That's what we're supposed to do." Shirayuki-Hime said putting her hands on her hips.
"Supposed or forced?" Shirayuki-Hime frowned before looking irritated at Percher who appeared behind her with a dirty cloth in hand. "I didn't sign up for this, alright?"
"Neither did I." Shirayuki-Hime replied. "But we're here now, alright? Quit complaining, will you?" She said to Percher who held a small smile of amusement at her irritated form before she playfully walked away to clean.
"Anyway, why aren't you in Kuoh Academy?" At this, Percher gradually stops as soon as Shirayuki-Hime made her remark. A small frown curved downwards on Percher's face as she recalled her defeat against the white haired nekoshou.
"…I took a leave of absent." Percher answered begrudgingly confusing Shirayuki-Hime and Rossweisse.
"Have you participated in anything for Sports Day? I heard everyone participated on something." Shirayuki-Hime said to Percher. "I'm certain everyone must participate. It also goes for the new students. Am I right?" She said with a teasing tone whilst showing teeth as Percher closed her eyes in irritation.
"I did participate."
"So why aren't you in Kuoh Academy practicing over your own competition?"
"…Why do you care?"
"I'm only asking. Why? It can't hurt to ask."
"…Well, if you want to know. I quit."
"What?"
"Oi, Valkyrie." Percher called out as Rossweisse looked at her form standing in the hallway nearby. "Didn't you have an appointment to go to?" She asked without turning back before proceeding to walk away and disappear along the hallway.
"An appointment?" Shirayuki-Hime turns to Rossweise in question. "What did she mean?"
"Oh no. I forgot! I have an appointment with Rias-san over at Kuoh Academy." Rossweisse stated alarmed before she gives the vacuum cleaner over to Shirayuki-Hime. "I understand what you said, Shirayuki-san." She said nodding at Shirayuki-Hime who nods back before watching Rossweisse runs over through the living room towards the front entrance and swiftly leaving the house.
Looking at where she left, Shirayuki-Hime allowed a small smile to grace her features before she switches on the vakuum cleaner and cleans the living room for any littering small dusts.
Time Skip
Kuoh Academy
"Ready. Set...go!" Irina shouted while imitating a gun with her hand as both Issei and Asia paces forward with their ankles tied to each other.
"One-two! One-two! One-two! One-two! One-two!" The couple said repeatedly over their synchronised pace as they started passing halfway over the field. As they past Irina, they both stopped and looked at Irina.
"How were we?"
"How did we do, Irina-san?" Asia asked as Irina showed them the timer which showed the accumulated time they successfully completed a circle.
"18.8 seconds. That's a good time than the last one!" Irina commented as Issei smiles over Asia's excited face looking at the time. "Are you two thirsty by the way? I can get water for you two if you want."
"We'll take two." Issei answered as Irina nodded before walking away from the couple to pick up the water bottles in mind. "Hm?" Issei then turns at Xenovia standing a little ways from him while she watches both Sala and Asuka passes her before stopping to catch their breath.
"Let's go see their time, Issei-san." Asia said as Issei looked over her and promptly nodded before they walked over towards the three. "Asuka-san." Asia called out as Asuka turns around to face the couple.
"Yes?"
"We'd just wanted to see your time. How did you do, Asuka-san?"
"We did quite well." Asuka answered as she looks at Xenovia who smiles in recognition and she showed the couple the timer in her hand.
"Their record is 17.5 seconds." Xenovia said.
"That's a bit…" Issei said surprised over their time. "…faster than our taken time."
"Shouldn't that determined the winner by default?" Asuka asked with a challenging smile as Asia frowned.
"It is not, Asuka-san."
"I'm just saying." Asuka smiled over her cute pout before she spotted someone rushing towards the old school building. "Rossweisse-san?"
"Huh?" Sala looks over to her right along with everyone to see Rossweisse running straight towards the old school building. "Why is Rossweisse-dono in a hurry?"
"She must have some business with Buchou." Xenovia said as both Issei and Asia nodded in agreement.
"As did Izayoi-kun." Asuka stated with a suspicious look.
"Sorry but I can't help to eavesdrop." Akeno appeared to stand behind everyone as the five of them looked at her before Kiba, Koneko and Gasper followed behind her. "I am certain that all of you will want to see this. Come on." Akeno said to all of them as she walks over towards the old school building while everyone looks at each other in confusion before they followed suite.
Meanwhile, Irina appeared at the edge of the field which overlooked the entire field. She is carrying two bottles of water in her hands while the timer was safely dangling over one of her fingers with a small rope. Looking over the field, she spotted the group heading towards the old school building and she rushes towards them to not be left behind.
"Hey, wait up!" Irina called out as everyone looked at her and stops to wait for her. Running across the field, Irina gradually stops running to jog towards them. Once she arrived, she stands in front of them and held out the water bottles at both Issei and Asia.
"Sorry, Irina-san. We forgot about you." Asia apologized as Irina waves her hand in dismissal.
"Don't worry. I'm surprised to see all of you here. What's going on?" She directed the question towards Akeno.
"We'll be seeing an interesting scene." Akeno answered which confuses Irina and the others as well. "We should go before it's too late." She said as she turns around and leads everyone towards the old school building. They entered the building and navigated towards the second floor through the stairs before stopping in front of the doors leading the Occult Research Club. Grabbing onto the door handle, Akeno pushes the doors to allow everyone to step inside. The moment they stepped inside, they immediately witness Rossweisse sitting on the couch reading documents across from the other couch where both Rias and Izayoi sit on.
"You're just in time." Rias greeted everyone with a smile. Everyone then moved away from their position towards the back of the couch where Rias and Izayoi sat. Once there, they look upon Rossweisse who was looking at the thin pile of papers in her hands with nothing but surprise. The surprise edged on her face greatly confuses the others who had just arrived before Rias worked up to speak to the silver haired Valkyrie who was immersed herself with reading the contents within the paper she currently is reading.
"How is it? Those are some benefits if you come to the Underworld." Rias said to Rossweisse who looks down at the contents within the paper in front of her.
"No way! The insurance premium is so cheap!" Rossweisse said before spreading the papers within her hands and shifted her gaze to the other papers. "And this one isn't a term life insurance plan! These terms are all better than Valhalla!" Rossweisse complimented with happiness drawn over her face.
"Right?"
"Buchou looks just like a skilled insurance lady." Issei said after realizing the situation he was wit seeing.
"She's buying a Valkyrie." Kiba stated.
"So this is what they call the whispers of a Devil. I can learn a lot from her." Xenovia said in acknowledgment as both Irina and Akeno chuckles over her statement. Meanwhile Asuka smiles over her remark along with Sala.
"This is quite the sight. It's one I rarely see." Asuka commented stifling a laugh. "Who would have guessed Rossweisse-san could be swayed so easily with this?' She added as everyone standing nearby her smiles in unison.
"We cannot blame her if those conditions are better and very likeable than the previous conditions she received from Valhalla." Sala commented having been talking to Rossweisse a couple of time over her home, Valhalla. After that, Sala and the others watches the spectacle in front of them.
"And so, why not become a part of my household and work for the Underworld?" Rias asked politely at Rossweisse who looks up at her before shifting her gaze towards Izayoi sitting next to the red head.
"You're going to make Rossweisse-san a Devil of your household?" Irina asked.
"Is that okay, Akeno-senpai?" Issei asked looking at Akeno for the answer.
"Ara, ara. Right now, only Buchou and I are wizard-types who use demonic powers."
"It would be reassuring to have her." Koneko added.
"Even you, Koneko-chan." Issei sweat dropped.
"I—No, we believe your power will be useful for long range attacks." Rias said as she extended her hand where a Rook chess piece lay on the palm of her hand.
"Anyway, you've got no ties with Valhalla to continue serving them other than the fact you're the bodyguard for that old man Odin. But since that old man had given the privilege of your care to us. I don't think there's much saying about that now, right?" Izayoi explained with a sarcastic smile as Rossweisse let out a smile at his words.
"…Yes, you're absolutely right, Izayoi-kun." Rossweisse said to him before she turns her gaze towards the chess piece lying on Rias's extended right palm. Picking up the chess piece, Rossweisse looks at it before smiling at everyone. "Perhaps it was already decided that things would turn out like this from the moment I met all of you in the Underworld."
"That's not true." Rias intervene. "It's already been decided the moment you've met Izayoi-kun." She corrected as Rossweisse looked at her in surprise before glancing at the said blonde and gazes away with a tint of blush clouding her cheeks.
"Th-That's—" Rossweisse tries to find something to respond but she found she cannot find any which left her in an embarrassing state.
"It is true as Rias-Buchou said, Rossweisse-san." Akeno stated. "It would seem Izayoi-kun is the one who seals the deal your allegiance to us. I don't think there's any other things aside from that, correct?" She smiled teasingly as she sees Rossweisse's face reddens and she started stuttering to correct her.
"Th-That's n-not true!" Rossweisse responded in a stuttering mess.
"I don't think that's true. If you worked hard on cosplaying in a maid costume to attract Izayoi-kun's attention so much, I can figure you're not true to your words, Rossweisse-san." Akeno said before laughing at the back of her hand as Rossweisse turns her head away while her face stayed redden in embarrassment.
"She cosplayed in a what?" Asuka asked at the moment as Akeno turns to her and Sala.
"Oh, I've forgot. You two weren't there. Well, Rossweisse-san over there cosplayed in a maid costume as a thank you appreciation for Izayoi-kun. We were all cosplaying that night." Akeno explained much to Sala and Asuka's surprise.
"I can't lie but she was tempting for a sight." Izayoi commented in acknowledgement before Rias pinches his forearm.
"Izayoi-kun."
"What?"
"I don't think that help Rossweisse in this situation." At this, Izayoi looks at Rossweisse's redden face which resembles a cherry.
"…It's alright." Rossweisse answered after a moment of composure on her part. Inhaling a mouthful of air, she exhaled the air. "Akeno's statement is indeed true…But that is because I felt grateful to Izayoi-kun." She explained as everyone listened in on. "In the past till this day, I still am ever since. But I don't think I'd done anything to give back to his deeds."
"So are you doing this to repay him?" Rias asked with a sense of curiosity.
"No. It's another reason…" Rossweisse tears her gaze downwards with a blush.
"…Alright then." Rias smiles as Rossweisse looks up at her. "Beyond this, you'll never go back. Do you understand that?"
"…Yes. I understand that." Rossweisse answered in certainty.
"Then let's begin." Rias said standing up followed by Rossweisse. Suddenly a red light engulfed Rossweisse and the Rook piece. The said Rook piece slowly absorbed itself inside Rossweisse before the red lights dies down and everyone watches a pair of Devil wings sprouted out from her back.
"Due to the financial strength of the Gremory Family as well as the excellent Underworld health insurance and pension plans, I feel like my future is secure and have decided to become a Devil. Everyone, please take care of me from now on." Rossweisse bows her head down at everyone.
"And so, Rossweisse has become the Rook of Rias Gremory." Rias indicated with a smile gesturing everyone towards the newly reincarnated Devil, Rossweisse.
"I feel like the decision was made really light heartedly…" Irina commented.
""I think that's fine. It was similar in my case as well." Xenovia said.
"Odin-sama, I definitely won't forgive you the next time we meet." Rossweisse thought determinedly with an evil smile hidden behind her fingers.
"Since you have all your pieces, I don't think there's a need for me to join all of you in the Rating Game." Izayoi said with a bemused smile as everyone looks at him in surprise.
"Why, Izayoi-senpai?" Issei asked.
"It's a simple reason. You can't always rely on others if you want to be strong." Izayoi told the brunette who frowned amidst his explanation.
"Do you knew, Rias onee-sama?" Asia asked Rias who stood next to the frowning Rossweisse.
"How could I not? Izayoi-kun has always been in place of the absent pieces that I didn't have. If I were to have them all, it is expected that he can't participate in a Rating Game."
"Is it my fault? I feel it is my fault as to why this is happening." Rossweisse frowned as she voiced out her opinion in the room.
"No, it's not." Izayoi answered with a playful smile before he stands up from the couch and walks to stand in front of her. "What if I say that before you became Rias's Rook? I'm certain you wouldn't do it." He stated placing a hand on Rossweisse's hand in comfort.
"But how will you participate in the Rating Game?" Rossweisse asked with a small frown.
"The only way for that is to switch the team players. But I reckon everyone wants to see Rias Gremory's peerage entirely. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. By the way, I can still find fun whenever I want." He assured before glancing at Rias. "Sairarorg wouldn't mind if we have a personal match, does he?"
"I think he most likely wouldn't mind at all." Rias answered smiling as Izayoi turns his gaze at Rossweisse.
"What I tell you? I'm not searching for fun, the fun comes to me. That's how I can still find fun." The blonde explained to Rossweisse.
"Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about it. Anyway, since you're the Rook, we might exchange a few punches as your training. How about it? I have to test if you're still up to a Rook's standard."
"Are you searching for fun already, Izayoi-kun?" Rias asked in amusement as Izayoi looks at her.
"I have to double my efforts on women rather than the male population. I find male quite enthusiastic to fight me but I have to make my own effort to fight women. They're a specialty." He complimented with a mischievous smirk to which Rossweisse blushes at his words. "Oh, you too, Koneko." He reminded to the white haired Nekoshou. "Are you up for it?" He smiled at her to which Koneko smiles brightly and nodded her head. "We'll start later in the night." He reminded to her before looking at the blushing Rossweisse. "Alright?"
"A-Alright, Izayoi-kun. I don't mind at all."
"That's more than good." Just as he finishes, a magic emblem appears in front of the front doors which catches the attention of everyone in the room. "Eh?" Izayoi turns to the magic emblem and let out an amused smile at the appearance of the youngest sibling of the Phenex Family, Ravel Phenex.
"Ravel Phenex." Rias said in surprise of her appearance as did everyone. "What brings you here?"
"I apologize to intrude your time. But I have a request to make of you." Ravel said before her eyes catches the sight of Izayoi and her cheeks redden.
To Be Continued…
Unfortunately, this is the end of the newest chapter of A Problem Devil, Born~
Anyway, how do you like the story so far?
The story starts with Issei suffering from the after-effects of using Juggernaut Drive and Asia came to heal him. After that, Izayoi meets Millicas and Grayfia before he reminded of a certain nine-tailed fox disappearance. He then met up with Serafall and they had a nice time in her room watching Miracle Leviathan. After that, Izayoi and the rest of them got home only to watch Rossweisse feeling upset from being left by Odin once again. Izayoi comforted her by saying that his home would be hers was a total surprise for her. On school day, everyone practiced for the upcoming Sports Day and had witnessed Rossweisse raced towards the old school building which they followed soon right after. They were then greeted by Rossweisse accepting to be a Devil was because of her meeting the group. Then we have a humorous scene of her being teased. Suddenly, Ravel Phenex appears before the group. What does she want? Let's find out in the next chapter.
I hope you're satisfied after nearly two weeks of my absence. Anyway, we're nearing the end of the anime just to let you know. After this, I'll be following the path of the HDXD Light Novels. All right? If you have any suggestions to make off, feel free to leave it in the Review Box down below!
Stay tuned! Don't forget to Review about what you think along with Favorite and Follow this story if you will!
Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!