World Rebellion
Scratched Pillar 5
Anomaly and Singularity
The atmosphere in the occult club room right now could only be described as extremely tense. For right now not only have the church 3 exorcist (Yes 3) just recently arrived at the scene. Not only because Rias sister Grayfia seems to be here for some strange reason. But also because a magic teleport circle had just appeared in the room.
The magical circle itself showed the emblem of the Phenex family. However rather than shining bright fiery red. This one shone absolute jet black.
Instantly the elder member of the Gremory peerage in the room ( everyone except Issei, Asia and church exorcist) along with Grayfia recognized who this circle belong to. After all there was only one person in the entire Phenex household that could use this magic circle.
As the magic circle design showed that one held loyalty toward the Phenex family and have gained enough merit to bare their crest while at the same time not be a servant under their peerage.
The only person that currently met that requirement, that the occupant in the room know about is none other than.
Suddenly the magic circle flared to life engulfing the room in a jet black light. Causing the church exorcist to brandish their weapons the Excaliburs while the 3rd male summoned a red and white gauntlet sacred gear.
When the light had dyed down the figure of a single person appeared in the room.
The person face was extremely average if not completely plain. The only real defining feature of his face were the countless bags under his eyes and his actual yellow eyes themselves. That made him look like he was constantly looking down on someone and his messy black hair.
The person built was slightly thin standing at around 173 cm. Though that was a bit hard to spot as he wore a black hooded trench coat and Baggy dark red cargo pants that covered the majority of his skin.
Under the trench coat the person wore oddly enough a t-shirt with the word Musashi ( Fate/Go) best waifu on it along with a picture of said person (Final Acension). The sneaker he wore were normal red ones. As he also donned black gloves.
Making it so that the only part of his skin truly visible now was his neck and up.
As expected the person that appeared was the one Rias, Akeno, Grayfia, Kiba, and Koneko was expecting.
The reserved queen of Riser peerage Zaxan Ark. Reserved because officially speaking he had yet to become even a reborn devil as Zaxan had yet implemented his queen piece. The exact reason on why are unknown except for the fact that the person wishes to make his debut on the 'big stage' which everyone assumes means pro stage.
Turning his head from place to place inspecting the room Zaxan eyes eventually stopped at the 3 church exorcist. Specifically however the male exorcist. Who in turned stared at Zaxan with a face of complete surprise.
" Hey did I just interupt something important?" Zaxan asked.
Causing Issei, Asia, and the church exorcist to face plant in surprise at how casually he just asked that.
Tilting his head a bit to the side Zaxan asked. "Hmmm? Did I do something wrong?"
Recovering fast from his faceplant Issei replied. "Something wrong? Of course you did something wrong! We were just in the middle of a super important talk with the church representative when you barged in out of nowhere and completely ruined the atmosphere!"
" Ah so I made myfirst 'appearance' in this 'event'." Zaxan muttered under his breath just low enough so that none would hear him.
" Ah then I assume you must be here for the excalibur stolen incident." Zaxan asked the exorcist gaining a reaction from everybody in the room san Issei and Asia who were completely lost. Kiba especially however was of course the one that reacted worse to the news.
" How, how did you know that!?" asked the robed male exorcist who had recovered first from the shock.
" Hmmm how did I find out about a piece of supposedly secret info that was being kept under wraps by the church?" Zaxan said a bit sarcastically.
" Well simple I could say it because I am an agent for the department of foreign affair. Your church despite all it cover ups didn't do a very good job at hiding the fact that it been sending agents out for something."
" Doesn't help that they didn't even bother to hide the fact about how security been strengthen at the places where all the Excaliburs were being safeguarded. So put to 2 and 2 together… and yeah. Hell pretty much everyone with a name from foreign affairs knows this info."
" However in truth all that just now was basic theory crafting I had no proof until you spilled the beans just now." Zaxan finished in a deadpan tone. Causing everyone to face plant into the floor again well except Grayfia who was always the perfect maid.
" Ah hum, Well we were going to reveal that piece of information to you all today so I guess the church really didn't have a reason safeguard that info all that much." Said the blue haired robed exorcist who had just recovered from the shock again.
" Well if that's the case you mind leaving real quick. We got some devil business to take care of. You know the usual stuff. Tempting innocent souls, planning world domination, spreading lies and slander against god teaching."
Immediate after that last part each and every person that was a devil in this room turned their eyes toward me in a glare. Even Grayfia the perfect maid, though I should mention that it was only for a moment.
" Hmmm, Zaxan-sama I like to remind you that we don't do that so of stuff anymore." Said Grayfia.
" Ah that right sorry I nearly forgot that but considering how some things are in the underworld can you really blame me?"
" If your done talking then can we please get back to business now." Said the male robed exorcist.
" What business? I told you didn't I we're dealing with important devil's business now come back a bit later."
" I am afraid that not possible. The excalibur incident is a truly important problem to deal with that require immediate attention. So if it possible we need to talk about this now." Said male again.
" Well then I suppose you could stay here until we finish our current issue. If none of you mind just standing there the entire time that is." Zaxan replied
Before the male could push it any further however. " Yeah that would do don't mind us." The twintail one accepted.
Without responding Zaxan turned his attention to the Gremory peerage who were all just glaring at him by now. Ignoring the muttering of the exorcist behind him
" Oh my, What with all the scary faces you're making? I'm but a messenger here to discuss the issues of a marriage contract." Zaxan said giving a smile to the Gremory peerage. This one was filled full of dark intent.
Slamming her hand onto the table " I told you and I told Riser I would not marry him. I will choose someone on my own merit." Rias yelled forgetting about the exorcist existence completely upon the mention of her marriage.
In the background Issei was asking Kiba about the detail of this contract and reacting very much a similar way as his canon self did. Completely surprised and angered at the same time.
" And I thought I told you that won't do. This marriage fiasco only works because you're marrying another pure blooded high class devil. This is not simply a way to improve the prosperity between Phenex and Gremory but all pure bloods. So unless you plan to marry another candidate you don't have much choices."
" Hmm if that's your argument then no need to worry. I will find a way for not just us high-class but all devil kind to prosper." Replied Rias a bit haughty.
" Ohh you have a plan? That the first I heard of such thing. Tell me then what is your plan I'm sure that if it's well thought out enough then the council will be more than happy to to severe the contract." Zaxan asked Rias in a snarky tone.
In response to that Rias shakily answered with. " The plan is not fully thought out yet. I still need more time to find proper candidates."
" In other words you don't even have a base to work with. You're just biding your time here hoping for a miracle to happen aren't you. Honestly what have you been doing in the 4 years you been in the human world?"
" Of course I have a base to work with! I'll get to the top of the rating games and then.." Rias only trailed off from there.
" The top of the rating game? Exactly how would that improve the prosperity of all devil hell how would that improve the prosperity of high-class devil? The champion is already a pure blood you know."
" Ignoring both issues how do you plan on getting to the top in the first place. If all you been doing for the last 4 years is wasting your life away. Judging on your magic reserves and physic neither you nor Akeno have improved all that much."
Zaxan was right getting to the top of the rating games wouldn't do anything really to improve the prosperity for devils at all.
What Rias just said now was simply her dreams of the future. The belief of a spoiled brat thinking that as long as my dreams comes true everything will be okay. An argument with near to no substance behind it.
In the first place as Rias was now improving that dream would never come true. Sure Rias during these past 4 years has been training but all that implies is maybe an hour or 2 everyday finicking with her power of destruction or something along those lines.
In Zaxan eyes that could barely be called even a warm up. Even most normal high-class devil spend more time actually working when compared to Rias.
By this point Zaxan was sure that the only reason Rias is even in the rookie 4 was because of her 'natural talent'. After all Zaxan had have to pleasure of keeping tabs on the rookie 4 for the last 4 years now. So he knows for a fact among the 4 Rias trains the least.
If you want a list on the 4 on most time trained to least it goes.
Sairoarg (Of course)
Sona ( Despite being in a similar situation to Rias she finds time to train somehow)
Seekivera ( Actually beats Sona in terms of pure experience fighting others.)
Rias ( Fun fact she doesn't even train for half the time Seekivera does.)
However in terms of pure overall stats it goes.
Sairoarg (Naturally)
Rias ( The world is cruel)
Sona ( Actually equal to Rias but only because she has 10 times the brain power Rias will ever have)
Seekivera ( Similar to Sona)
Going back to reality Rias right now was currently stunned silent because all her arguments had been shut down in such a brutal manner.
" As I though you really got nothing do you. As it is now we may as well start ringing the wedding bell now, no need to wait until you finish college at the progress you're making. Pathetic."
Rias remained silent Clenching her fist in pure frustration at the verbal one sided beatdown she was taking on. Helpless to do anything. She knew after all that compared to Sona that she works no where near as hard as Sona does. Still she believe that eventually somehow an answer to this problem will fall on her lap. ( Little did she know an answer had already appear to this problem)
On the sideline Rias entire peerage were clenching their hands tight helpless to aid their master in anyways. Even Grayfia was showing her distaste in the situation via the frown on her face. Strangely enough the male exorcist also joined in on this hate train.
" Hey! You!" Issei yelled at Zaxan gaining the attention of everyone in the room.
In response Zaxan merely questioningly pointed his finger toward himself.
" Yeah you! Stop trying to bully Buchou into something she doesn't want to do!" Issei said directing his finger toward me.
" And you are?" Zaxan asked despite already knowing who Issei was.
" I'm the only pawn of Rias Gremory! Hyoudou Issei!" The pervert announced with great vigor
" Well then fresh meat do you have an idea what on the line here. The sheer importance and weight of this single marriage." Zaxan asked the perverted pawn fully knowing more or less what he will respond with.
" I don't know but you know what I don't have know, to figure out that Buchou forced into something she doesn't want part of. That alone is enough for me to take her side!." The idiot responded exactly the way Zaxan expected him to.
" Then tell me Red Emperor what is it that you plan to do about that little problem?" Zaxan asked in a mocking tone.
" I'll just beat you and this Riser guy on the grounds of severing the contract! Devil respect strength don't they!."
Despite the naivety and gigantic idiocy in the sentence the pawn just said. Everyone in the room couldn't help but give Issei a look of respect even Grayfia gave Issei a small smile.
Well everyone but Zaxan who was currently facing the floor holding his stomach with one hand while covering his mouth with another as if he was trying to hold something.
Eventually though within the respectful silence Zaxan let out a small snicker catching the attention of everyone once more. This ultimately led to Zaxan finally letting go and started laughing like a madman.
" What so funny?" Issei asked, mad that he was so obviously being laughed at for some reason.
"What so funny? I'll tell you what's so funny. Your so call answer doesn't even solve anything. The high born devil problem remains. The only thing your answer solves is your master current problem." Zaxan said in a mocking tone
" So? What wrong with that. Buchou shouldn't be forced to marry someone she doesn't like in the first place! The ones that made the decision should have asked both parties about their feeling about first."
" Are you seriously that dumb that you can't even recognize the fault in your own argument?" Zaxan asked. Leaving Issei with an angry but ultimately questioning look.
" Fine then I'll spell it out for you. Your plan is just basically letting all the high class devil and even a lot of low class devils take the fall of your idiotic action. Because you know what fuck-em I guess. As long as your master stays happy I guess the livelihood of everyone else don't matter." Zaxan replied very aggressively.
" I, I didn't meant it like that…" Issei said his resolve shaken.
" Then what? What is you oh-so great plan to make everyone happy. To save not only your master but also bring prosperity to devil-kind."
Issei couldn't respond as like his master he lacked the brain cell to properly answer this problem. Well in the first place there was no winning this argument in the first place.
Zaxan realistically the better argument. To sacrifice one to appease 100 of thousands and to near assure prosperity for all devil kind more so to the high-class but even low class get benefits.
The only real argument the Gremory side had was that it was morally wrong to sacrifice other happiness. However in the end those were only words of a naive child that lives in there own world. Believing that they could save everyone if they tried. Easily broken by the tiniest drop of reality.
Of course Zaxan knew that those so called pathetic beliefs can become reality. He did after all read the light novel. However that does not make the blatant stupidity in this whole marriage arc any less insulting to anyone with a goddamn brain.
If one were to look around the room the obvious displease faces on all party including the exorcist that have no right to belong here. Were all being obviously directed at Zaxan. Yet no one dared to speak up because they knew that it would only make the situation worse.
The stage was set. Zaxan had complete control of the situation. Now it was time to begin breaking down that pesky pillar.
Zaxan turning around to face Rias. " Pathetic honestly. When I first came today I expected a better answer outta you but instead you gave me this broken mess."
Off to the side Grayfia prepared to run interference as she had an idea where this was already going.
" You know I was going to simply get permission to just stalk you for a week or 2 to see your progress in the human world. However if this is the best you can give me then I may as well forcibly take you back to the underworld." Zaxan said in a dangerous tone and an insane look in his eyes.
Immediately the entire Gremory peerage prepared to fight. Kiba summoned his sword. Issei his gauntlet. Akeno charged a bolt of lighting. Koneko clenched her fist tight.
Everyone in the Gremory peerage except Rias herself. Who was currently frozen in fear due to being the subject of Zaxan hostile intent. Her eyes staring at Zaxan like he was some kind of monster that would soon devour her.
However it was not just simple hostile intent, another thing held Rias in place. That thing was fear. Tracing all the way back to 4 years ago.
FLASHBACK TIME
Before Rias left the Underworld for Earth. Everytime Riser and Zaxan had come over for a 'date' Rias and Akeno would challenge them to a small match. After all Riser only visited every month plenty of time to train. Riser and Zaxan would win every time so eventually Rias grew smart and stopped challenging them.
However on one of the last few days of Rias stay in the underworld. Riser visited to gives his good bye of course Zaxan also came along. On that day Rias challenged them to a match after a whole year of silence.
At that point Rias had already obtained Koneko, Kiba, and Gasper (Though he was sealed). Riser on the other hand however had a near completed peerage. With only Zaxan technically missing. A mutated bishop reserved for someone currently beyond his control. A rook along with 4 pawns.
So for a handicap RIser only called forth his knights. As for the game they would 'play' it was a type where both kings had complete command of their peerage along with even surveillance on where they were at all time. However the rule was that neither king could enter the battle without the entire peerage first being wiped.
Rias entering this 'game' truly believed she stood a chance. After all it been 1 whole years since their last 'game' and since then she and her peerage was actually by Zaxan standards even somewhat training hard.
It was a massacre. Riser knight stood guarding a position the whole time while Zaxan was sent alone into enemy territory.
The first in Rias peerage to fall were Kiba and Koneko who had been sent separately to attack the enemy. Zaxan on the way to Rias camp had intercepted them both individually and taken them down easily.
Next was Akeno who was by Rias side like literally mere meters from where Rias was stationed at to watch the fight. Akeno to fell easily before Zaxan might. As Rias stood in place unable to help her friend.
Finally it was Rias time to fight Zaxan. This would actually be the first time ever she personally fought him. Yet by the time the match ended she herself decided that it would also hopefully be the last.
During the entire duration of her fight against Zaxan. Rias was only toyed with. Her tactics devised through years of observing him. Her control over the magical arts. Even her clan prized power of destruction was all worthless before Zaxan.
The most insulting part out of all this was that Zaxan never attacked her. Throughout the fight all he did was dodge and occasionally block an attack. The factor that ultimately led to Rias defeat was that she ran out of demonic energy.
However the thing that broke Rias Gremory pride that day. Was the very last words that Zaxan uttered to Rias when he left the manor.
Those word were " Although they would have had a much harder time, pretty almost anyone of Riser peerage could have done what I did today."
That one single sentence made Rias decide that she would forgo challenging Riser in a direct match for her freedom and simply think of another way out.
FLASHBACK END
Now 4 years later Rias was afraid that she would be experience that one single day all over again. This time losing much more.
The only reason her peerage stood and dared challenged Zaxan was because they did not see what happened to their comrades that day.
During their individual battles against Zaxan 4 years ago. They were toyed with the entire fight only to be knocked out by a single chop to the neck. Not all that bad.
However for Rias who was watching the entire thing from a 3rd person view. The mere sight of her peerage getting taken down 1 by 1 as she was helpless to stop the act was more than enough to permanently scar her young 14 years old mind.
Zaxan took a single step toward Rias causing her to in turn take a step back. The entire peerage getting readied to attack Zaxan upon Rias command that would never come.
However Issei charged forward first. Not knowing what happened on that day simply because he was not there. He charged forward because the lone sight of his president in fear was enough to move him.
Rias seeing this ordered her pawn to stop or tried to. For the word would not leave her mouth. Everyone else however were simply to stunned to really try anything.
Zaxan easily noticing Issei approached turned toward him and caught his gauntlet encased fist before it could make impact against Zaxan face.
" Ohh? So we have a wannabe hero." Zaxan said.
" What wrong with that. Like hell I am going to let you take buchou back to the underworld when she herself doesn't want to." Issei
" Oh? I didn't mean you."
"Wah?" Before Issei could go on any further he found himself hurtling toward the wall before crashing into it. Asia then went to Issei to start healing him.
The one that threw Issei toward the wall however was not Zaxan but the male exorcist. Who had interfered for unknown reason.
" So what your idiotic reason for interfering Mr. Exorcist?"
" As a follower of god do I really need a reason to help someone in need of helping?" The male said acting way too cool for the situation he in.
In response Zaxan turned his eyes toward the 2 other exorcist for an explanation. However all he got was them muttering something about how he always does this.
Turning his sight back onto the male exorcist Zaxan simply let out a big sigh on how useless everyone was.
" so what going to do now fight me? Make me back off. Interfere in devil politics despite the fact that you're from the church?" Zaxan asked.
" If that is what must be done to save her then I will gladly do so." Male exorcist said with firm resolve.
" Oh? What a bad exorcist you are then. Your job is to exterminate devil correct? Not join in on their evil plots." Zaxan answered back smiling an evil gleam in his eyes.
" This isn't a question of race, politics, nor one's job. This is what I simply do as a moral human being!"
" hnnn,hnnn, hahahahah. Your as every bit as annoying as your profile described you to be Mr. Exorcist no rather. Isshiki Ishinomiya the user of the 14th Longinus Harmonic Domain. Host of the 3rd Heavenly Dragon Leonidas."
Zaxan declared shocking everyone in the room even Grayfia. After all the existence of the 14th longinus that held Leonidas was no secret. Legend did foretold that whenever the Twin Heavenly Dragon would rise to fight this 3rd Dragon would rise also to bring harmony.
A Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre type of scenario.
" It would seems like the myth of Harmonic Domain wielders being all kind hearted people that could not stand the suffering of other were true. Guessing by your attitude toward this scenario." Zaxan said to nobody really in particular.
" How, how did you know?" Isshiki said as he removed his cloaking seeing that there was no longer a point for it.
Isshiki build was at best above average similar to that of Kiba. Isshiki face like Kiba also looked like something that came out of a shoujo manga. In other words he was a blonde haired bishounen.
Isshiki himself under that cloak wore a white outfit similar to the one worn by Aizen during the Winter War arc.
" How did I possibly obtain such a valuable piece of info. Well simple really. Remember I am in the department of foreign affair?" Zaxan teased him.
" That, that still doesn't explain how you knew my presence here was suppose to be a secret?"
" Huh, let me honestly asked you this. Do you truly believe we would let someone as dangerous as you to be in the same territory as the Maou sisters without fully knowing everything that was needed?"
After all even among Harmonic Domain users Isshiki was among the strongest to ever live. A genius magician that at the age of 7 created a magical formula that had been previously thought of as impossible.
At the age of 8 when he unlocked his Sacred Gear, he joined the church as he believed it was his calling. Where his genius shone even more greatly than ever. Mastering holy ritual rite, Swordsmanship, and many more at the young age of 10. A whole 2 years earlier than even the church no.1 exorcist Dulio.
In fact his talent was so great that Dulio once declared that if he were to ever retire Isshiki would more than most likely take his place as no.1 exorcist.
He was also supposedly extremely popular with female. Knowing how to cook 5 stars dishes according to some sources.
To put it simply Isshiki was (a gary stu) someone who movement was being tracked at all times and when rumor appeared that he would be coming to japan where 2 of the Maou sisters were stationed. Well let just say the Department of Foreign Affairs went wild.
" Well genius exorcist or not you interfering with devil business you have no right to be in. So I am afraid I going to have to ask you to back down." Zaxan said calmly.
" Even so I refuse to back down and if you say that you'll force me then.." Instantly in a burst of speed Isshiki transformed his gauntlet into a katana and raised just inches away from Zaxan neck.
This was the ability of Harmonic Domain it can record and copy the ability of other Sacred Gear though usually it a degraded copy. The greatest feature about it however was that it could merge the ability of 2 SG together.
" I'll force you to back down first." Isshiki declared with resolve as everyone in the background watched with awe. Well except for Issei who was currently K.O.
However Zaxan did not seem to worry about Isshiki declaration one bit in fact all he did was quickly raised a single finger in between the katana and his neck.
" Is that so? You'll force me back… You?" At that moment Zaxan lowered his finger to touch Isshiki Katana. While also at the same time stopping to restrain himself.
Note Zaxan did not raise his power he simply stopped holding it back. In other word the reaction everyone was having was merely a result of Zaxan excess energy usually generated by him at a moment to moment basis.
Said reaction being well everyone started to grow unsteady as if the air in the area had just gotten many times heavier. In fact the weaker member here fell to the ground and started hyperventilating.
Grayfia was the only one completely unaffected while Isshiki not being said person was dealing with the problem better than anyone else. Putting up a tough front the entire time. Though a single close glance and you would noticed he shaking a bit. Struggling to keep himself balanced.
" So Exorcist where did all your confidence go?" Zaxan said looking down on Isshiki.
" Tsk if you think this will be enough to make me back down then think again. I'll definitely save her."
" Ohohoho. That quiet some confidence you got there. Must have been inflated constantly throughout all the years of being called a genius. Well gonna have to knock you down a few peg then." Zaxan said as he raised his opened hand up preparing to strike Isshiki down however.
Moment before Zaxan hand could reach Isshiki Grayfia appeared right beside Zaxan holding his hand in place. Zaxan noticing this turned to face Grayfia direction and innocently ask.
" Grayfia you mind un-handing me. I need to teach a naive brat his place in this world."
" I am afraid I can't do that Zaxan-sama. Beside the fact that it would look bad for us if you were to harm such an important individual of the church. Has the topic of this discussion has been sidetracked enough?"
For a moment there was only silence as Zaxan gave a deadpan look at Grayfia as if she just grew a second head. Before realizing she was fully serious about this and retracted himself from Isshiki.
" Well if the strongest queen decree it then I suppose even I would have to listen. Still you said I couldn't harm him. So I hope you won't mind me forcibly dragging Rias back to the underworld away from her peerage would you?"
" I'm afraid I can't allow that either." At the moment Grayfia said that literally everyone more so Rias brighten up believing that her strong onee-san had her back.
" Oh and why is that?" Zaxan asked with a smile on his face.
" It because my master sent me here predicting that such a thing would happen so he prepared countermeasure for such an occasion.-"
" Ah stop I think I know where this is going after all. My master sent me here as counter for that." Zaxan interrupted Grayfia earning a raised eyebrow of curiosity from Grayfia.
" However before I continue may I ask you a question?" Zaxan continue.
" You just did Zaxan-sama but yes what would you like to ask me." Grayfia replied acting out her role as the perfect maid.
' Is it absolute unbreaking belief or supreme utter stupidity." Zaxan asked obviously addressing Sirzech.
For just a moment there that couldn't be described as a single second as it was shorter than even that. Grayfia image as a perfect maid was broken. As the room was filled with hostile intent all of it focused solely on Zaxan.
Immediately almost everyone in the room for just that one moment fell to their knees at such hostile pressure even Isshiki. Everyone but Zaxan who remained standing the entire time a dangerous smile looming across his face.
" Ahahahah, sorry sorry. I obviously overstepped my bounds just now but can you really blame me? I mean knowing their current strength you must realized that even if I gave them a month to train chances of winning are 0 right?" Zaxan said trying to dispel the bad mood (not really).
" Grayfia what does he mean by current strength? What does he mean by chances of winning?" Rias asked obviously worried at the scenario Zaxan was insinuating.
Zaxan looking Grayfia in the eye. " You want to tell her or should I."
Merely turning toward Rias and giving her a look of confidence. " Your brother predicted a scenario like this would occur so he brainstormed a way to settle this. In the form of a rating game."
You could see the way Rias eyes dilated in fear at the idea of facing Riser and his peerage. Showing just how badly the trauma from 4 years back still affected her now.
" Grayfia you know my personal stance on such an idea!" Rias tried to convince Grayfia to take another course.
" I know Rias." Grayfia said fondly not even adding a sama in there.
"However this is the only solution your brother could think of plus. This is a problem you'll have to come to terms with to reach your dream of reaching the top of the rating games."
There was then an awkward silence. No one dared to interrupt this moment. Not Rias peerage who could somewhat understand where she's coming from. Not the exorcist. Not even Zaxan though in his case he found such a cliche scene hilarious to watch. Not Issei who had just woken up from his little nap.
Taking a big huff of air Rias turned to face Zaxan. " Very well I'll accept this rating game for the sake of my peerage and me I'll definitely defeat Riser. Go home and give that exact message to your master?" Rias said with a bit of courage in her eyes.
" Very well then I'll give my master that message but before I leave I would like to ask when the day of the game is?"
Upon my inquires of this question Rias seemed to realized just how badly the deck may be stacked against her.
" It seems you realize as the challenged party, Riser get to decide when the match is. Although an immediate arena can't be prepare now all it would take to is maybe a few hours max to solve that little issue."
To put it simply Rias was screwed after all if Zaxan wanted to, as Riser chosen representative he could decide the time for the match to as soon as possible leaving Rias with maybe a couple of hours to prepare for the match.
" Zaxan-sama please keep in mind that as Rias is challenging her fiance to a match for her freedom a respite period is considered proper etiquette to give." Grayfia said.
" I know, I know no need to remind just giving them a bit of a scare before the big reveal." At that moment everyone in the Gremory peerage let out a sigh of relief.
" Hmm how does 10 days sound?" Zaxan asked Rias.
In response Rias only gave Zaxan a nervous fearful look and then shook her head no. Not even bothering to give Zaxan a straightforward answer.
Well perhaps if this was canon she would have accepted but this is not canon. This Rias Gremory unlike canon is emotionally unstable about such a subject. As much as she had faith in her peerage in her eyes 10 days of training may as well be an invitation to death.
Doesn't help that Riser here is more powerful than he was in canon. Sure there were no way for Rias to know exactly how strong he was but she could get an idea via his previous rating games.
The majority of Riser rating games were the more or less same as they were in canon except for 2 things.
1 Riser himself unlike in canon never had to personally step into the battlefield for almost anyone of the matches. Each one his peerage obtained a one sided victory with no loses.
2 One of the matches was different. As just 1 year ago Riser managed to convince his parent to allow him a match with someone who had been rumored to be preparing in taking an exam to reach ultimate class status.
That was the one match Riser personally participated in. During that time rumor had spread that Riser himself was weak and that his peerage were all stronger than him. Due to him once again not participating in any matches personally.
He proved those rumor wrong when Riser alone decimated the enemy peerage along with their king in a single attack that obliterated the battlefield itself. When the match ended the very dimension they fought in had been completed destroyed not a single trace of it left remaining.
On that day Riser secured the position of strongest youth, stealing it away from Sairoag. The best part of this entire thing was that remember Riser did all this without a queen that been reserved for Zaxan.
Since that day rumor had spread about who this mysterious ace in Riser sleeve was. How strong Zaxan was to have been able to secure the position of the strongest piece in Riser monster of a peerage.
Rias as someone who knew Zaxan from many years back were some of the few that knew how strong he was. How strong he must be if Riser consider Zaxan someone to be his rival.
The events of today only help to support her decision that 10 days would be nowhere near enough. Accepting that would be equivalent of suicide.
" Well if 10 day won't do then I'll do you a favor how does 4 month sound?" Zaxan asked everything until now going according to keikaku.
" 4 months? But that when the youth gathering is!" Rias exclaimed catching a small part of Zaxan end goal.
" Yup just so happens that Riser will be participating this year so it was decided from the beginning that if there was a match between Riser and you the match itself would take place during the rating games."
" Why then though there's no point in it?!" Rias asked
" Hmm for a regular devil there would be no point but he wanted your match to be special. Broadcasted live in front of the entire Underworld and possibly even world to see." Zaxan revealed.
Everyone was silent stunned that at such an ingenious plan. After all if this had just been a normal wedding match then for someone like Sirzech to possibly interfere would be simple. There would be backlash but not as much as if it were instead broadcasted in front of everyone in the underworld.
If Sirzech were to interfere now which would still be within the bound of his power. The amount of backlash the Gremory house could gain would be astronomical their reputation would be near ruined. Especially so because by then the alliance with the 2 other factions along with pagan pantheon will be established.
However this was not simply the end of Zaxan precognitive planning after all. After the rating game the Khoas brigade would start their invasion postponing the wedding and after that would come Trihexa fiasco postponing it even more.
After that Sirzech would seal himself along with many other in order to defeat the mad beast leaving none to defend Rias and bailing her out. However written deep within this entire overly convoluted plan Zaxan true intent hidden within the day of the match itself.
" However I shall only postponed the match under a few condition that you must agree to first." Zaxan then continue.
" And those condition are?" Rias asked.
" Simple we will play a little game. During the time of the rating games the one that drop out of the tournament first loses automatically to the other."
" That.."
" Wait for me to finish. During that time also I will be given full permission to regularly check up on you every now and then. If you do not agree to these terms then I shall set the match down for 10 days." Zaxan finished.
Rias was now cornered it was either accept terms that is no doubt against her favor or face Riser in 10 days. Both were pretty horrible but one was pretty clearly better than the other.
Making a decision Rias looked at Zaxan with eyes of absolute confidence that she had not shown him in a long time and replied.
" Get ready then Zaxan Ark because in 4 months me and my peerage will be taking Riser down in the name of Rias Gremory."
Seeing the similarity between this conversation and the one they previously had once before in ch3 Zaxan responded with.
" Like I once told you when we first met. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. After all Riser and his peerage are much stronger than they are shown to be in the records."
Thus The World Move Forward
Toward A Future Never Was
Ello Everyone this is your favorite Zaxan Ark here. Sadly due the author being sleep deprived while writing a good bit of this chapter and is now busy sleeping. I'll be covering in for him.
Now I know you must all have a lot of question about this chapter (maybe) Like who is Isshiki exactly or why I acted like such a douch. However I'll save that for later.
For now however it time for the big reveal I promised you last chapter the 'truth' of this [fanfic] at last.
Before that I wanted to ask you one thing. Just one tiny little thing.
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*Play Bleach Invasion*
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Since When did You believe that you were reading this [story] from the [protagonist] perspective?
(By the Time I upload this the summary for the story should have been changed.)
