Chapter 6: Return of the Faint Smile
Luciela came back fully dressed in her sundress and simply motioned Millacus to lead the way towards Rias to prepare to leave the island. Millacus simply started to walk towards Rias leading Luciela to her so that they can meet up.
10 minutes later.
"Brother I knew you would be back, wait what's she doing here?" Rias asked in fear.
"Relax, Rias she's my new pawn piece she took up all of my mutated pawns. Which means you should know how powerful she is. Please don't aggravate her after all she is known for her tantrums and we don't need to deal with one now." Millacus told Rias.
"I do not, all my actions are justified. I simply don't permit trespassers." Luciela retorted Millacus's claim in an undignified tone.
"Well then if your Brothers new pawn you're certainly fine by me, then let me welcome you to our family. As I said before I am Rias Gremory a devil. Though you probably already knew that seeing as your one too now. I'm also known as the crimson haired ruin princess. Do you mind introducing yourself please as I would like to know more about the newest addition to our family." Rias Gremory said
"I guess Millacus didn't lie about treating peerage like family. Very well my name is Luciela I used to be part of the same organization that Millacus was a part of till I awakened. My rank was number one. Now days I'm known as Luciela of the south the ruler of the southern lands of this island. I'm also known as one of the three abyssal ones. My connection to Millacus is that my sister was his trainer when Millacus was a trainee. That's the only reason I actually listened to him and not go on a rampage." Luciela explained
"I see your certainly going to be a handful in the future, I can see you as a naughty little sister." Rias said with a soft laugh.
"You do realize that I'm over ten times your age right. I am somewhere in the region of three to four hundred years old. So that would make me your older sister." Luciela told Rias in a smug tone.
"Fine I guess doesn't change the fact that you're naughty, anyhow if you need any help learning devil law just ask me. Even Millacus doesn't know half of the laws us devils have to follow, but due to his situation most infractions would be overlooked due to the fact it's not his fault he doesn't know them." Rias explained.
"No thank you. I don't care much for rules, the only rule I will accept are no killing unless attacked. Other than that I'm gonna cherish my freedom, although I may listen to Millacus as I actually respect him any one else well they'll have to make me, that's if they can." Luciela told Rias in a dark tone.
"Normally I would warn you to watch it after all with an attitude like that your master would probably mark you as a stray to save himself a headache, but with Millacus as your master you may actually get the freedom. As he has a similar arrangement with the Maou our leaders. Though he doesn't get the benefits of being in our faction though." Rias explained
"even if he did I would simply kill all who dare hunt me after all the abyssal ones are no push overs in fact we are considered the most powerful monsters on this island. Well that was until the appearance of Millacus which I only knew as the specter, no one knew his name and one called something of the faint smile, couldn't be bothered to remember her name as I thought she didn't exist. They are on a whole other level they kill their prey with ease without the need to even tap into their vast reserve of power. Before today I thought that those two were myth and nothing more but after meeting Millacus. I realize that if one exists then the other is likely to exist as well." Luciela told Rias
"Is that so, well anyway I better head back. Millacus are you done with your errand yet or not. If you aren't and it won't take long I might as well stay with you till it's done and we head back together." Rias asked Millacus.
"Well, now I just need to get to the rendezvous point with Galatea, as I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I just need to collect then my errand is complete so I would say a day or two away. As the rendezvous point is quite far away." Millacus explained. As Raynare just arriving at the meeting point.
"Fallen angel, what are you doing here speak now or I'll destroy you." Rias said as she formed a sphere of destruction in her hand. Raynare started shivering under the oppression of Rias's aura.
"Relax, Rias she's with me, however unlike Issei she's not under my protection. Besides she's harmless she's so weak she couldn't harm us anyway so keeping her nearby won't harm us." Millacus explained, as Rias let her aura subside and formed a cute pouty face.
"I see, but why did you let a fallen accompany you when you wouldn't allow me?" Rias asked in a cute annoyed tone.
"Simple I don't care about her safety while I care about yours. Besides it's not like I invited her, I simply told her that she can follow me if she likes but she'll have to take care of herself, and that I wasn't responsible for her wellbeing knowing that I would face a dangerous situation. Anyhow the real danger of the mission is over now, so I have no reason to send you away. All that's left is to get my new queen, and have a chat with a certain girl that may end up in my care." Millacus told Rias with a sigh.
"Acceptable, since the errand is almost over I'll stay with you, perfect time for a little brother sister brother bonding time. Little brother lead the way." Rias said with a bright smile on her lips.
"Why can't sister and I be close like that?" Luciela cried in a depressed tone.
"Don't worry, Luciela consider me your new sister and we can be close like that if you want, and I'm sure that Millacus wouldn't mind being your new brother too. After all your sister and him we're like brother and sister so it wouldn't be weird for him to see you as an older sister as well. Though I should tell you that he has one more person that's like a sister to him as well, her name is Teresa. I can only presume that that's who he intends to make his queen." Rias told Luciela trying to cheer her up.
"I see, well then I guess I'll get to meet her soon. Is strong enough to be the queen though, I'll have to test her myself to see. After all now way will I accept some one weaker than me getting a higher position. Not now especially after being the sole ruler of the southern lands for centuries." Luciela announced with pride in her voice.
"Unfortunately she's weakened right now, so that test would have to wait till she recovers after all she's techniquely dead right now." Rias explained
"Dead, if she's strong enough to be his queen then what could have killed her, and how can she become his queen if she's dead?" Luciela asks.
"Simple, the evil pieces reincarnate beings as devils, in other words revives the dead. As long as the body is in one piece and the being hasn't been dead for too long the evil piece can revive almost anyone. Though the situation is a little different for those who became devils while still living. You see first the evil piece kills the target then revives them as devils, so in other words Millacus did kill you back there not that he knows this. After all how could he, he's been living in a society that has nothing like this, not to mention that most devils don't know this fact either. Most just believe it turns beings into devils and grants them an increase in ability depending on the piece. The true machinations of the evil piece system is much more complex than that. After all you and Brother now have similar blood running through your veins. That's how the bond between king and the peerage is formed. You may even in the future gain some of his powers through this bond. Although that normally only happens in the house of Phenex due to their blood being the most potent." Rias explained to Luciela
"I must say your race is truly incredible for making something like that. I must say I'm not too happy about Millacus killing me but if he didn't know he was killing me then I won't hold it against him. I presume since his queen's been dead for a while it will take time for her vitality to return right? If so I shall give her the time to recuperate then challenge her. Any way right now let's catch up with my king now k." Luciela told Rias
"While you're right about the reincarnation weakness the problem I'm having with you right now is your spiking personality it's like you're trying to figure yourself out. Then again when a warrior awakens they go insane when you were reincarnated your sanity must have returned and your trying to rediscover yourself. Am I right?" Rias asked
"Yes, one thing I do know though is that I won't play lapdog for anyone and I only respect power. Meaning that you will never be able to order me around seeing as I'm in a completely different league of power than you. Though I may one day indeed so you as a sister if I ever do I will protect you and listen to you, but I'll never let you command me unless you somehow manage to surpass me in strength." Luciela answered
"I see, we'll seeing your former position before, it's not surprising that you're adamant in not taking orders. Listen please don't misunderstand me when I say this but you're old life is over. Right now try and form bonds and enjoy life after all devils live a very long time, not that you're that awakened beings don't live a long time, but with the limitations on your mental facilities you don't truly feel bored if you follow your instincts. However now you need to find things to broaden your horizons, don't rush things just allow things to move on their own. Believe me you'll eventually regret things if you rush them." Rias advised Luciela
"Thanks I suppose, right now I first want to rediscover myself. That only thing I'm sure about now is that I love combat as long as my opponent is strong. Other than that I know nothing, but I presume Millacus was the same, no I would still say that he's in same situation. He's just better at hiding it than I am. Even though he never awakened all he's ever known is battle and training. He's never had any experience when it comes to anything not involving battle. I believe that it's always best for two people in the same situation to help each other overcome them. All warriors of the organization while powerful are incomplete as living beings. For what good does socialites do in battle? That's why the organization considers them trivial, and forgoes them, few of the warriors manage to develop them on their own but only the more experienced ones the other die before growing emotion." Luciela explained
"The more I hear about this organization the more I hate them. We have the power to destroy it why don't we? Isn't it enough that they kidnapped Millacus to be considered a declaration of war that demands action?" Rias asks.
"The thing about the organization is that it's better prepared than you may believe. There probably prepared for an assault by any of the factions you mentioned. They are more powerful than you imagine the monsters that lurk within the organization would disgust you. There's a reason why the abyssal's never attacked the organization you know. It's because we knew despite our great power that rivals your Maou we could never win over the organization at least not on their home turf. Just like they now they can't beat us on our turf. That's the most likely reason why your brother hasn't attacked them. I beat the moment he smells weakness from them he'll rush at the chance and crush them, but until then he'll play the waiting game." Luciela explained
"I don't think so, my brother isn't one to care about odds. Even if they have the power of god he would still come at them full force without a care for his own wellbeing. It's the same for any Gremory we never abandon one of our own regardless of the situation. There must be another reason he hasn't attacked, I have my own theories as to why. It's probably due to Millacus's safe return and the fact they never had ill will towards him only pushing him to become stronger." Rias explained
"I see, well we should catch up. Don't worry I'll look after you're brother from now on. Since you can't be around him to protect him I'll do it in you stead. Count on me. I thought this is impossible but you've earned my respect. The only thing other than power that can earn my respect is love and care for your family no matter the situation. Even though it's not by blood I would love to have you as my sister, don't worry I'll protect you from now on. All I have to do now is find a way to save my blood sister now." Luciela told Rias with a smile on her face. She and Rias started chasing Millacus to the Village meeting place.
Scene skip: Fathod village Inn
"I would like to have use of two of your rooms, for approximately a week, the rest of my group should be here soon, the moment they arrive just send them to my room, one is a girl with crimson hair in a foreign uniform, the other is a brunette girl in a sundress that looks like a child despite her not being one." Millacus told the innkeeper.
"Very well I shall, I shall warn you that there's a yoma in town so I recommend you don't leave at night and travel together as there's safety in numbers." The innkeeper warned Millacus, upon hearing about the yoma Issei started shivering in fear remembering his encounter with Luciela.
"Don't worry about my companion here he's just had a bad experience with yoma as have we all. When is dinner as we could use it after our long travel." Millacus told the Innkeeper.
"I'll bring it up when your other companions arrive. My name is Raphael by the way." The Innkeeper told the two. Millacus simply led Issei upstairs.
When Issei and Millacus got to the room Issei just collapsed on the bed from exhaustion while Millacus simply took a seat on a chair. Millacus then asked Issei. "Do you know what happened to you, if not would you like me to explain or wait for Rias to explain your situation to you?"
"Normally I would want a beautiful girl to explain things however right now I don't know who I can trust. The only person who actually seems to be on my side is you, so I would like you to tell me what's going on. In all honesty I'm terrified, I'm starting to question everything about the world." Issei told Millacus in a shaky voice.
"I would be shocked if you were in any other state. To put it simply you're no longer human. Don't worry you didn't awaken, so you're no monster. You were killed by Luciela my target and the reason I asked you to stay back in Rabona as I knew how dangerous she is. Even still it's my fault I should have forced you to stay, it's my fault you died." Millacus Explained to Issei in a steady tone.
"What do you mean I died I'm right here breathing and alive." Issei stated in a freaked out voice not expecting that response from Millacus.
"True your alive now, but you were dead then, leading you up to your current state. You're now a devil." Millacus answered Issei's question.
"A devil? Since when did humans start becoming devils?" Issei retorted hysterically
Don't know it happened after the underworlds civil war. Anyway to explain how you became a devil, before you came to this island you were given a piece of paper that has something like your wishes will come true and a weird circle. Or something like that right." Millacus inquired.
"Yeah now that you mention it, but I thought It was a hoax so I just put stashed it in my pocket to dispose of later, only I forgot to. What does that have to do with me being a devil now?" Issei said continuing his line of questioning.
"I will get to that, you see that's a devil magic circle used to summon devils. Well just before you died you wished harder than you've ever wished for anything to live right? Well that activated the magic circle summoning the devil that gave you the leaflet. The only way that devil had of saving you was to turn you into a devil yourself as you had already died. Anyway any wish you have granted by a devil comes a price. It's like a business really, equal exchange is the main rule. For example you ask a devil to make someone fall in love with you the price of that wish may be 100,000 yen or something like that. The ultimate price for a wish is the life of the summoner aka. The summoner becoming a devil themselves. So that means essentially you got a free wish as the cost was the only way to save you meaning the devil couldn't save you any other way for a cost. The devil that saved you happens to be Rias Gremory." Millacus explained to Issei
"Wait Rias is a devil? Wow totally unexpected so what can you tell me about devils, how can a devil turn humans or anything else into devils?" Issei asked.
"Well you don't need to worry devils aren't evil, well at least not anymore. They most certainly were in the time of the original Maou though. Anyhow Human are turned into devil by a system known as the Evil piece system. The evil piece system resembles chess. A high-class devil is given a set. A set is like one side of the board in other words 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Knights, 2 Bishops, 2 Rooks and finally 8 Pawns. The king is then inserted into said high-class devil creating a connection between the evil piece set and themselves. The pieces are what turn other races into devils. Before you ask I don't know what piece you are so don't bother asking. Oh and you can trust Rias I would go as far as saying she's more trust worthy than me. One last piece of information she happens to be my sister." Millacus explains.
"I see, well at least then I know that I can trust her now. I know you must be hiding something from me, but I also know that it's nothing important otherwise you would have told me besides where friends and even friends keep secrets from each other. Unless you're me that is. I have no secrets. I'm an open pervert." Issei replied
"At least you're not as naïve as you were before, that's what got you killed you know learn to analyze a situation before acting and I promise you you'll live longer." Millacus told Issei
"Well, think about all I've faced it's hard to trust people now." Issei replied
"That's good you were a far too easy target before perhaps now you'll think before jumping towards any pair of breasts you see. After all there's no third chance you die again it will be forever this time as there's no way to revive a devil." Millacus explained
"Got it. I wish things were simple like before but I just have to move on. One question is it possible for me to become a high-class devil myself and use my evil pieces to form a harem?" Issei asked
"I don't know much more about devil society than you. You'll have to ask Rias. She and Luciela will arrive any second as they've entered my sensory field." Millacus answered.
"So you knew we arrived huh? I thought you're sensory ability is lower than average?" Rias asked
"That's for a half-breed warrior, for half-breeds he should have sensed us the moment we stepped foot in this town as we didn't suppress our power at all. Yet we had to get a lot closer to enter his sensory range. Another thing about half-breeds is that there sense of smell rivals a blood hound maybe even more powerful than that. Millacus is no exception there." Luciela explained
"I see, half breeds are amazing I should see if I can add some to my peerage as they are quite powerful from what I've seen." Rias said
"Yes from what you've seen they are, however you've only seen the high ranks. Like Millacus and myself. You can't even begin to compare us to anything bellow number 3." Luciela explained
"I agree with little miss loli of here, when in the organizations base I sensed the aura of some of the warriors there and most don't make it past low-class devil level of aura. Even Galatea is only Ultimate-class at best." Raynare told Rias
"Even still Ultimate class is still stronger than you or I. so that's still quite impressive." Rias added
"You also forget that half-breeds rely more on skill than power anyway, or did you forget I don't even use a drop of my power in a fight. Yet I beat anything below Maou-class opponents with relative ease. Power amounts to nothing in a fight. Skill decides everything unless the difference in power is too overwhelming. However half-breed swords make up for this as they are unbelievably sharp and indestructible." Millacus explained
"That's certainly true, not to mention the teamwork I've seen from these warriors is scary. Some groups are so well in tuned with each other that you would think they had a telepathic link." Luciela added
"See, I told you half breeds are awesome.
"Galatea should arrive tomorrow, now then I recommend that you get some sleep in case Galatea tries something. However with the force we have here anything that she tries will fail but caution never harmed anyone." Millacus explained as he drove his sword into the ground and rested against it.
Time skip next morning.
Luciela, Rias, Issei and Raynare ate as Millacus was simply looking out the window anticipating Galatea's arrival eager to get the deal over with. Millacus left the room and headed out of the inn and waited in the front part for Galatea. Millacus waited for about 20 minutes before he sensed Galatea approach him. To Millacus's surprise there was a handler with her that was wearing a hood over his head concealing his identity. "You're late I thought you would come alone? This is against our deal Galatea what the meaning of this is?" Millacus asked
"Relax Galatea had nothing to do with my presence here I merely followed her as I was aware of your arrival here before she met with you after all you have been living with one of my contacts. It's been a while Millacus glad to see you're alright I presume you now know of your true heritage?" The cloaked man asked Millacus.
"Oh, it's you Rubel, if it's you not even Galatea can sneak around with her own agenda, but it doesn't matter why are you here?" Millacus asked.
"Won't saying I care about you suffice." Rubel tried to calm Millacus
"No, you've always worked towards your own agenda. You've already tried to have me killed far too many time for me to truly trust you unless the information you give gets me away from the organization." Millacus stated
"Sharp as always good, I would have thought that civilian life would have softened you especially of this island, but looks like that worry is for nothing. Why did you bring a civilian from outside here to this yoma infested lands, surely you realized that even with your protection that he would have a good chance of dying?" Rubel inquired.
"First of all he's not an average civilian, Galatea can confirm that for you as he has a dragon type sacred gear, and not some run of the mill one too he has boosted gear. Secondly I didn't want to bring him here he insisted as he claimed it would help his training, and you can figure out yourself why the fallen one followed. My guess is she's trying to get me to join Grigori as I'm not with the devils faction just loosely tied to it. Meaning I'm free to do whatever I want within certain boundaries. Galatea have you prepared the requirements for our deal?" Millacus explained to Rubel and inquired with Galatea.
"Of course, though why is Luciela here? As long as I don't have to deal with her I have no problem I just thought that you would eliminate her, and why does she have a Devils aura as well as her yoki aura now? The devil half of her aura is similar to yours. Which I find interesting." Galatea asked Millacus
"I am taking her with me. You don't have to know why all you need to know is that she's not your problem anymore, and about her aura change that is none of your business." Millacus reported to Galatea. "And Rubel keep your mouth shut till we are alone If you want to talk to me as you know I am techniquely an enemy of the organization I would rather our discussion to be out of shot of organization ears even if they know to keep their mouth shut. The only reason I'm willing to talk to you is that you treat you're the same weather they are on the organizations side or not. You respect the privacy of the warriors under so long as they don't awaken." Millacus then told Rubel. Rubel Simply nodded not wanting to reveal anything.
"Teresa's body is a little bit out of the village as I didn't want to make a scene dragging the body of a warrior through a village I will lead you there afterwards give you details on your exit path I prepared for you." Galatea told Millacus as she led him out of the village towards an oasis.
Lying near the water was the body of Teresa with the head sitting upon her chest. "As promised, Teresa's body as complete as possible." Galatea told Millacus as Millacus inspected her body hoping that there was enough for reincarnation. Her eyes were closed and upon her face was the same faint smile that was her trademark.
"Yes, can you give me some alone time with her please." Millacus asked in a steady tone.
"Of course, I know you were close so I'll give you your time alone meet me back in the village for the final part of our deal." Galatea told Millacus as she left for the village. After Galatea's departure Millacus brought out the piece needed to reincarnate Teresa the queen piece. He then reattached her head and used his yoki to completely restore it. Then he placed the queen piece on her chest. I hope Ajuka is correct about this. I don't want to truly lose Teresa she's one of the few who I consider family. Millacus thought to himself as he started the reincarnation process. "I order, in my name Millacus Gremory, that you, Teresa, be reborn as a Devil. You, my [Queen], be delighted with your new life and stay by my side for eternity!" Millacus said as the queen piece sunk into Teresa's chest. At first there was no reaction. Millacus was about to cry have I come all this way for nothing. Is Teresa truly gone forever? No I must have some faith in Ajuka, he's the one that created the Evil piece system so if he said this will work then it will most likely work. About 5 minutes afterwards Teresa's chest started to rise and fall ever so slightly that it would take an extremely observant person to notice. Millacus was about to give into to start digging a grave for her when Teresa's eyes reopened. Teresa looked around and noticed Millacus digging a grave, but then she remembered everything her death at the hands of Priscilla. Last time I show mercy to an enemy, but how am I alive I clearly remember being decapitated so how am I here alive and well the only real difference is the slight bit of flesh that's missing from my abdomen where my stigma is. That'll heal and return to its original state soon enough. Whatever's happening I need answers and I bet Millacus can provide them though I doubt I can force him to tell me especially in my weakened state, but it's Millacus were talking about here I may not need to force him at all he may just answer without a care after all he's techniquely a deserter to the organization so he's being hunted as well. Teresa thought to herself.
"You may cease your actions Millacus as I don't think there necessary anymore unless you intend to kill me. In which case I will raise my blade against you." Teresa announced
"You truly haven't changed much. Even though it's techniquely been over a week since your death. I presume you have a lot of questions so ask away." Millacus told her with a slight chuckle.
"What happened to Clare after my fall?" Teresa asked in her usual cold tone.
"She sought out the organization while carrying your head demanding that she be turned into a warrior using your flesh. With the goal of using them to gain the strength to avenge you and take the head of the awakened being Priscilla. Of course the organization recovered your body so they did indeed use your flesh in her but not your head they took the flesh from your abdomen. Don't go after the organization right now to claim Clare now." Millacus replied in using the same tone he used when he met her the first time.
"Why there's no way I'll leave Clare with them." Teresa told him with signs of hostility showing.
"Clare is already a Warrior, you're too late to stop it. Right now the organization is the safest spot for her. You know that trainees never die despite the cruel and harsh training they receive. You also forget she choose this path herself. If you care about her you'll let her at least complete her training when she's trained I'll keep an eye on her making sure she doesn't bite of more than she can chew. Besides in your current state even a normal human can defeat you the first warrior you encounter would take your head. The method I used to bring you back won't work twice. If you die again this time it will be for good." Millacus told Teresa.
"How have you reversed my death and why have you've changed since we last crossed paths Millacus, your hair has some crimson strands in it and your eyes are no longer silver but a cross between silver and blue. How come have you awakened?" Teresa asked
"I haven't noticed the change, but I can assure you that I haven't awakened. It's probably due to me practicing on using my demonic power. If my hair and eyes are reverting to their original color I will have crimson hair and azure blue eyes. You see I'm was never half-human half-yoma, but half-devil, half-yoma. I saved you by turning you into a devil using the evil piece system. So in other words you're not human in the slightest anymore. On the good side though devil minds are stronger than human and yoma minds meaning awakening is impossible. Devils are similar to humans except they aren't powerless and live for an extremely long time. Our diet is just like a humans for the most part though there are some that decide to eat humans. Those a classified as strays and are to be hunted down and eliminated that's the law of the devils." Millacus explained
"I see, but if I may ask what does being a devil mean and about Clare what are you going to do about her?" Teresa asked
"Well about the first question you tell me as you're a devil too now, and as for Clare she's a Trainee so she's safe for now yes she'll have it hard, but ultimately it will be good for her when I recover from my battle with Luciela." Millacus explained
"What do you mean I'm a devil now? How did this happen?" Teresa asks Millacus in shock
"The only way I could save you, was by reincarnating you as a devil. As for how I turned you into a devil I used the evil piece system. The evil piece system is a system developed by one of our leaders Ajuka Beelzebub. To help repopulate our race seeing as how devils have a low reproduction rate via reincarnating other races into devils. And the war wiped out the majority of our race repopulation became of the utmost importance." Millacus explained
"So what now? Am I some sort of slave now? If so I will never yield to you. Never again" Teresa announced
"Sheesh, you really accuse me of slavery ouch. Aren't we friends do you really think I would do that to you? I thought we were close." Millacus said in a mock hurt voice.
"Joking at a time like this but your right you would never do that. After all you have lived under the tyranny of the organization as well. Sorry just it's hard to trust anyone after what if been through." Teresa told Millacus.
"It's fine truth be told I can't trust anyone but a select few. We should head back now. The others are waiting." Millacus said as he turned around and headed for the village
Authors notes:
Sorry this updates long overdue but I've been working too long and haven't had the time to write at all. The next update will be Black Fox Emperor Dragon.