Chapter 6: We're saving Asia (Second Half)
The four of us walk down the staircase under the altar. The stairway itself was dimly lit by the electric bulbs hanging on the stone wall on our right.
With Yuuto-kun being our vanguard, we slowly descended down the stairs. Koneko-san was trailing behind us, covering our rear defence. I stood behind Yuuto-kun with my sword drawn and on guard with Issei-kun behind me.
After the stairs, there was a single passage with doors in both sides of the passageway. We had reached the basement of the church. There was a huge door at the far end of the room.
Koneko-san pointed to the far end and said, "Possibly at the end of this passage, I can smell that person…"
Who Koneko-san was referring to was Asia-san, earlier, Koneko-san asked with she hold Rache-kun. It seemed like she was getting her scent. I forgot how good Koneko-san' sense of smell was.
When we reached the huge door, I swallowed my spit.
"Is that it?" I asked, the group.
"Possibly. I'm sure there are groups of Exorcists and Fallen Angels inside. Are you ready?" Yuuto-kun asked us, making sure that we were ready for the inevitable showdown.
We nodded back at him.
He simply nodded back, "Okay. Then we'll open the door—"
Suddenly, the door opened by itself making a loud noise.
We could see the inside of the ritual room.
"Welcome. Devils," that Fallen Angel monster, Raynare, spoke from the other end of the room.
The room was full of priests too, holding onto their sword handles in their hands.
My senses were on overload. I could feel the hostile holy environment and the killing intent of the priests that numbered in between 15-20.
I could see a petite figure attached to the cross and when I looked closer, my eyes went wide.
"Asia!" Issei-kun shouted.
Asia faintly registered his voice and slowly looked up at us. "…Issei-san…Kana-san?" she weakly said. Her voice was sounding distant.
"What have they done to her?" I gasped.
"Yeah! I've come to save you!" Issei-kun forced a smile at her.
I could see the tears falling from her eyes.
"It's a touching reunion, but it's too late. The ritual is about to finish now." The scantily clad Fallen Angel said
The ritual is finished?
What does she mean?
Suddenly, Asia's body started to glow, a blinding light then emanated from her body. Asia screamed. She looked to be in so much pain.
What the fuck was going on?
"This looks bad!" I cried, then suddenly Issei-kun rushed past me.
"Asia!" He called, reaching out his hand to grab her, but the priests suddenly surround him.
"Issei-kun!" I called before rushing over. I drew a letter as I ran, "Ehwaz!" The brown magic circle appeared and the earth magic was activated. From the magic circle, a piece of rock fired out and struck the nearest priest.
Looks like the Earth spell worked well.
"I won't let you interfere!" one priest exclaimed. I came in striking him, but he caught my blade. I gave way causing him to lose his balance. I took advantage of that and cut his chest.
"Damn Devils! I will destroy you!" another roared. He swung his sword down onto Issei-kun.
Issei-kun caught the blade with his gauntlet as a shield. "Move! Shitty priests! I don't have time to bother with you all!" he boomed before he smashed the priest in the face with the Rook's strength.
A loud noise was made. When I looked around, Koneko-san punched one of the priests away into a column. "Please don't touch me." She said simply. She was still polite even in a situation like this.
Yuuto-kun also drew his sword. "Looks like I will have to go full throttle from the beginning. I hate Priests. If there are this many, then I won't hold back to devour your light." He smiled at the thought, he enveloped his sword in darkness. I could feel the large killing intent coming out from him. This will not end pretty.
As the fight went on, I heard Asia-san's loud cry once more. When I turn around, I could see a bright green orb of light pulling itself out of her body.
The Fallen Angel held a look of glee at the sight of the green orb as it descended, she took it to her hand. "This is it! This is the power that I craved for a long time! Sacred Gear! With this, I will be loved!" Her distorting into ecstasy, Raynare hugged on to the light tightly.
The bright light enveloped the whole room.
When the light faded, the Fallen Angel began emitting green light from her body. I could see her wearing a ring on each middle finger. Was that Asia-san's Sacred Gear?
Did she just stole her Sacred Gear?
I could hear that maniacal laughter coming out of her. "I finally have it! The supreme power! With this, I can become a supreme Fallen Angel! With this I can payback all those who were looking down on me!" The Fallen Angel cried in pure joy.
The bitch was really being petty this whole time.
Issei-kun tried to run straight to Asia-san.
The priests were starting to congregate around him, blocking him, but I drew another letter in the air. "Ansuz!" the flames flew at the wall of exorcists surrounding him. Their formation was shaken by the heat which Yuuto-kun and Koneko-san used to help support him.
Jumping in front of my childhood friend, Yuuto-kun sword ate up the lights of the priests' sword, and Koneko-san blast the priests who has lost their weapon with one mighty hit.
He leads by disarming them then she follows up by knocking them out.
The combination of these two was amazing, and it was obvious that these two had loads of experience in fighting the exorcists.
I jumped into the fray by attacking those who tried to attack Issei-kun from behind. When they had lost their swords, they would either take out another one or used those guns. I crossed blades with one exorcist, tripping him up with my foot and slice his chest open. I then moved onto a gun wielding priest and slashed the gun away. Whilst he was distracted, I elbowed him in the solar plexus, instantly winding him.
As the four of us fought on, a hole appeared in their formation
"Thanks, you guys!" Issei-kun said as he threw a haymaker at the priest before him. He then ran down the hole towards Asia-san, who was still attached to the cross, looking lifeless.
It would be fine. She will be fine...
I don't know what that winged shit did to her, but I was sure Asia-san was going to be fine.
Right now it was important for us three, me, Yuuto-kun and Koneko-san, to try and keep the priest from interfering with Issei-kun. Though it looks like he was confronting Raynare now.
"Kana-san! Support us!" Yuuto-kun ordered.
I nodded. I drew the Ansuz in the air and fired the magic flames at the group of priests in front of us. Many of the priest were caught in the flames and when it died out, Yuuto-kun would go and cut down, if not disarmed, many of them. Finishing them off completely would be Koneko-san delivering devastating blows.
I was somehow happy at this, the three of us managed to do this, using similar tactics as the fight went on.
"Raynare!"
Issei-kun's shout reached my ears before I heard.
"I don't want a rotten brat like you calling my name!"
I heard the recognizable sneer that that bitch could only make.
I turned to see Raynare with a spear of light in her hand ready to stab Issei-kun. On instinct I reacted by writing a different letter in the air.
"Dagaz!"
I summoned the green magic circle, a wooden stake appeared and shot itself to Raynare's face. But with her quick reflexes, she managed to dodge the stake with her arm getting a small cut.
Shit, I was getting my hopes up with that spell. Looks like I should just stick with Ehwaz and Ansuz.
"Issei-kun!" I ran up towards him and Asia-san and stood between them and Raynare.
"Ooh…I see the stupid girl wants fight against a super Fallen Angel like me." Raynare said as she twirled another light spear in her hands.
I gritted my teeth, she was getting cocky now. "Get Asia-san out of here now!" I told him, keeping my guard up.
"No! I have to get back at her for all the pain she has caused us, all three of us!" He protested.
"No! We need to make sure she is ok!" I roared at him.
"Hahahaha!" Raynare laughed at my suggestion. "Like you could handle me you little bitch! Like I already told that boy there, once a Sacred Gear was taken out from the user's body, that user will die!"
WHAT?!
I was visibly shocked. But I felt the anger boiling my blood. I hate her. I hate her so much. I have never hatred someone so much that my gut was turning black. I don't know anyone who was a bigger scum than her. She was the real Devil here.
"Hyoudou-kun! Our formation is at a disadvantage while we are protecting that girl! So go upstairs at once! We'll make the path for you! Now, hurry!" Yuuto-kun said it while cutting down another priest. He agreed with my sentiment.
Issei-kun clenched his fist. He knows that it was the right thing to do. He glared at Raynare, and then left the place carrying Asia-san.
"Everyone, we have to make a path for Hyoudou-kun!" Yuuto-kun ordered.
"Affirmative." Koneko-san then the two of them starts to take down the priests who are trying to get in his way.
"Like I'd let you!" Raynare roared.
I reacted by creating an earth spell. She jumped out of the way from the high speed projectile and returned her attention to me.
She cursed at the sight of me.
I could tell.
Yuuto-kun and Koneko-san were creating a path for Issei-kun to carry Asia-san out safely.
I could see that they were fighting hard.
Once Issei-kun left, it was just the three of us to keep us at bay.
I prayed that my years of Kendo and my very brief lessons on Magic will keep me alive now.
I remembered what Rias-buchou said.
Desire…
If you want then I shall have it.
In my mind, there was one thing I wanted and I clung on to that image.
"Promotion: Bishop." I wished for it. Suddenly, I felt a surge of power filling me and I felt refreshed by the influx of energy.
So this was Bishop. I feel like I can use Demonic Powers more and more.
It was what I needed.
"You are going to have to deal with me." I told her as I brought my sword up.
Raynare only smirked at the sight of this. "Ooooh, this is interesting."
-x-x-
With each simple step, Reinhard had evaded each of their spears with ease. With his Holy Sword, Balmus, in hand, he looked up to see the Fallen Angels had simply sat down on the trees that the barrier had trapped them in.
"You are not bad, for a lowly human." The loli Fallen Angel, Mittelt simply mocked.
"Though I wonder how much longer could you evade our attack?" added Kalawarner.
Ever since their fight had begun, they had long regained their composure. And right now, the odds were tipping to the Fallen Angels favour. He cursed himself for his cockiness. Sure with the Balmus, he can reach them, but he was required to charge the blade up with the light. Putting that in mind, he knows that this was going nowhere.
"You can't seem to close the gap between us, so why bother fighting us at all?" the youngest male Fallen Angel, Rayvolt questioned.
"Yes I am curious, why would a mercenary fight for a Sister like her?" Dohnaseek asked.
"Humour us before we kill you. Why are you so concerned with a bitch like her, huh, Holy Knight-kun?"
"I am no Holy Knight…I am just a mercenary and my concern for the Sister was of a personal favour by my benefactor." Reinhard corrected them.
"Oooh, then who is this benefactor?" Kalawarner said, peaking her interest. She threw another two light spears.
Reinhard cut through the first light spear before effortlessly twisting to dodge the second spear. "That is something that will do you no good."
Mittlet then made a point, "But you know, you place a lot of faith in those shitty devils. Even if you are a man of money, isn't it still a contradictory? A man of Holy origin, choosing to trust the exact opposite to it. If anything you would be better off serving us as we are actually angelic beings."
"And what?"
"How about you come and work for us? We will pay handsomely." Kalawarner offered, she lightly tugged on her jacket to reveal more of her cleavage.
Reinhard never cared for such things and right now, what he wanted was information.
"If anything, those four are as good as dead, not only Raynare-sama is in there, they are up against dozens of Stray Priests." Dohnaseek stated.
"I doubt they will be able to save the Sister anyway, when the ritual is completed, the girl will die and Raynare-sama will gain the power of the Twilight Healing." Talafor, the mummy like Fallen Angel, added.
"Only then, Azazel-sama and Shemhazai will recognise the 6 of us! We went through a lot of trouble getting that girl in secret, and we won't you are those Devils stop us!" Mittelt roared, the 3 three of them threw a spear each.
Reinhard parried the spears. He cut down the first two with the Balmus in one hand and threw off the third spear using a weapon from his old Exorcist days, a light sword, with his free hand.
Reinhard then threw the light sword at the tree with the three male Fallen Angels, Talafor, Rayvolt and Dohnaseek. The three dispersed before the blade embedded itself into the tree.
Reinhard used this moment to cut down the tree holding Kalawarner and Mittelt. The two girls flew off the crashing tree.
In an instant, the knight jumped high enough to reach the lowest flying Fallen Angel, in this case Talafor and slashed at his leg.
Talafor screamed when Reinhard had mutilated his left leg. But he had used the cloths wrapping and covered the wound.
When Reinhard landed, he was met by a fury of hit and run tactics that the Fallen Angels used.
Reinhard hated these kinds of enemy, one that would keep their distance and attack from afar, or one that would use their speed perform hit and run tactics.
He fought hard against the Fallen Angels, and used his battle experience and skills to their maximum.
"Before you die let me tell you, that girl was very pathetic at the very end. She was going on that she only wanted friends. Ha! What a joke! A life of a Sacred Gear user will only bring them conflict, they will die without gaining anything sentimental like that." Dohnaseek started.
Rayvolt simply laughed at this, "What was even more pathetic were the two Devils she made friends with. 'I'll be your friend!' or 'We had fun!' What was that? Those kids are so very delusional. That delusion will only lead to their death."
Reinhard then looked to see that he was surrounded on all sides.
"They will die! LIKE YOU!" Mittelt said the final words that were like a final nail on the coffin.
All five of them threw a spear each at him. There was no way he could dodge all five spears coming in from five sides.
With single and yet graceful swing, he destroyed all five spears at once.
Reinhard had looked down on the ground, deep in thought, as he sheathed his sword. The barrier blocks out outside interference by manipulating the sensory of those inside. But for the caster, he could still understand what had been going on outside of it, and right now, the two Devils that were just outside the barrier had long gone.
He could only smirk at this. He was getting restless of not making any progress. Balmus was a great partner but right now he needed something…easier.
"I see, I was being too easy on the five of you. I brought with me the wrong equipment to deal with you." He began, he took out a Magic talisman and placed it on his sword. A magic circle appeared and consumed his sword, meaning that he had transported the weapon away.
He had hoped it wouldn't come to this.
Suddenly a wave of Demonic Power began radiating from him.
"What was this!?" Dohnaseek gasped.
"Demonic Power?"
"Wasn't he just a Holy Knight?!"
"Seeing as you are all about to die anyway, bring this secret to your grave." He said in a low voice, his mood had changed from his nonchalant attitude to something more serious.
A crimson magic circle appeared on the ground before him.
-x-x-
Raynare and I crossed blades many times with the final clash ending with us locked against one another.
I could see the smirk gleaming off her face. "Now that I think about it, you are pretty good."
Oh how I hated that smirk of hers.
In a test of strength we were equal. But while Raynare was stronger in battle experience, I made it up with quick thinking and magic. It wasn't enough though, I only know two magic spells that seem to work well for me. I don't know whether she knows that.
After breaking off from her, I drew an Ansuz spell at her, and stream of flames flew straight at her. She used her spear to disperse the flame but I had expected that. I ran up behind the flame and aimed a slash at her. Raynare managed jump back in time but not enough for me to be able to land a cut on her left tricep.
"You little shit!" Raynare jumped back and threw a spear at me. I managed to jump out of the way but the impact of the spear hitting the ground created explosion that threw me off.
"Kana-san!" Yuuto-kun called. He made used of the weight the priest that he was in lock with was using, this lead to the priest to lose balance and had cut the priest in half. He ran up towards me and grabbed hold me. He then held me up. I saw the multiple cuts on his body. Koneko-san then joined up with us.
"My sweet servants, kill these abominations!" Raynare ordered before she left for the altar upstairs.
Was she going after Issei-kun?!
By then I had realised that were outnumbered and surrounded by the priest
We were getting beaten.
We were at our limit.
"I see you've been taking care of my servants."
The voiced echoed across the room.
Suddenly demonic power rained upon the priests around us, many priests perished in amidst the chaos.
Descending from the air above us, through a magic circle were Rias-buchou and Akeno-senpai with their bat-like wing.
"Rias-buchou! Akeno-Senpai!" I cried. When they landed, both of our senior devils gave a big hug.
"Good work, you guys managed to handle them all really well." She smiled at us before she returned her attention to the priest around us. "For treating my servants like this, you deserve punishment through death." She held her hands on her hips.
A giant magic circle of the Gremory family appeared, bursting forth from the circle was the scary and overwhelming Demonic Power that swarmed the priests.
When everything died out, the only ones left standing were those that belonged Rias Gremory's Peerage.
"Incredible…" I gasped. Was this the power of a High-Class Devil?
"Let's see how Issei-kun is fairing upstairs." Rias-buchou said before we ascended the stairs.
When I saw how badly beaten and close to death he was. I wanted to jump in but Rias-buchou held me back and shook her head.
What was she planning?
Then a green light covered the room. My eyes went wide with awe.
It was a grand spectacle, for Issei-kun to be like that, when his fingerless red gauntlet had transformed into a dark red, almost draconic, fully armed gauntlet, I was filled with awe. He forced his way through the pain and punched the bitch out of the church.
When I saw that he was going to collapse, I, on reflex, ran out and held him up from his shoulder. He was heavy, but he was still easy to carry.
"You were great, Issei-kun! You defeated that bitch a Fallen Angel." I told him enthusiastically.
I looked down to see how bloody his leg was. I winced at the sight.
"Yo, you are late, Magical Devil." He told me.
"I'm sorry, Rias-buchou told us not to interfere." I replied with an awkward chuckle.
"She did?"
"That's right. I believed that you were able to beat the Fallen Angel Raynare." We both heard and when we both turned around to the direction to see Rias-buchou walking towards us smiling while playing with her crimson hair.
"Buchou? Where did you come from?" Issei-kun asked.
"From the basement. Turns out we didn't have to do anything, so I used the magic-circle to come here. It was my first time transporting to a Church, so I was nervous." Rias-buchou made a sigh while talking to him.
Issei-kun made a surprised face. "No way, there were tons of exorcist down there. Buchou you are really strong." He stated.
"Getting hit by a single shot won't even leave a trace. The princess of the Duke who has the power of destruction. Buchou is a powerful Devil who is called a genius among the group of young Devils after all." Yuuto-kun made a comment that brought praise to his master. "She is also called the 'Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess', you know?"
Ruin Princess? What a scary and cool nickname.
Then Koneko-san walked past us. Where was she going?
Rias-buchou stands front of us. "Looks like you won safely."
"Buchou… Hahaha, I won somehow." Issei-kun replied solemnly.
I looked to see where Asia-san was. Lying peacefully on the pews.
Did she pass on?
Did she have any regrets?
I cursed at myself for not being able to do much. My eyes began to water.
"Excellent. Just what I expected from my servants." She tapped on his nose and patted my hair.
"Ara ara. The Church is in a mess. Buchou, is it alright?" Akeno-san held a troubled face.
"Is something wrong?" I asked Rias-buchou timidly.
"Church's belong to God or religions related to him, but there are cases like this where it is used by Fallen Angels. In cases like this, if we Devils damage the Church, there will be times when we get targeted by assassins. For revenge and payback," She replied simply.
Seriously? Then are we not making the situation worse by being here?
"Then this is pretty bad!" Issei-kun said on reflex, repeating my sentiments.
"But it won't happen this time," She added.
"Why is that?"
"This Church was originally an abandoned one. So a certain group of Fallen Angels had come here to use it for their own greed, and we just happened to have a fight in a place like that. So we didn't step foot on the enemies' actual territory to have war. So it's just a small fight between a Devil and a Fallen Angel. This happens every time. That's what happened."
I see. So it's a matter of fact of how you sum it up.
"Buchou. I've brought it." The one who appeared while making a sound of dragging something was Koneko-san. She appeared from the broken wall, and what she was dragging was a black wing attached to the body of a beaten and bruised Raynare.
She used quiet unique words for a small lady.
"Thank you, Koneko. Now then, let's wake her up. Akeno." Rias-buchou ordered.
"Yes." Akeno-san lifts her hand up. Then water appears up in the air.
Was that the power of a Devil? It really does work similarly to magic.
Akeno-san splashed the water created in the air on Raynare.
The Fallen Angel wakes up and opens her eyes slowly. Buchou looks down on her. "How are you doing, Fallen Angel Raynare." She greeted coldly.
"The daughter of the Gremory clan…" Raynare coughed out the remained water in her pipes.
"Hello, my name is Rias Gremory. I'm the next heir of the House of Gremory. It will be for a short while, but nice to have your acquaintance." Rias-buchou introduced herself with a smile, but Raynare glared at her.
Then she sneers, she was confident to the end, "…You think you've got me, but too bad. This plan was kept secret from the higher-ups, but there are other Fallen Angels with me. If I get in danger, they will—"
"They won't come to help."
We all looked to the entrance of the church to see who said that. We saw Reinhard walking in to reject Raynare's words, I had noticed that his sword and scabbard were missing. "That's because I already eliminated the rest of your Fallen Angel friends."
"Lies!" Raynare rejected what Reinhard said while sitting up straight.
The Knight took out five black feathers from his pocket. One by one he drops each feather, "Mittelt, Kalawarner, Dohnaseek, Rayvolt, and Talafor." He named each of the feathers as he mocked her. "You can tell them apart since you are the same kind as them, right?"
Seeing that, Raynare's expression darkened.
Looks like he was telling the truth.
Did he take out five fallen angels by himself?
Raynare was biting her teeth in frustration.
"They must have looked down on me because it was just one man who approached them. But they should have killed me when they had the chance." The knight simply shrugged his shoulders.
Rias-buchou could only smirk in response.
"When I met with the Fallen Angel Dohnaseek who attacked Issei before, I predicted that there were a few Fallen Angels plotting something in this town. I ignored it because I thought it was a plan that involves the whole Fallen Angel. Even I'm not foolish enough to take on all of the Fallen Angels. Then I heard that the Fallen Angels were moving around secretively, then I got interested and found out they were rebelling against their orders." Rias-buchou was thinking about this whole incident the whole time?
For us to think that she was heartless. I'm sorry Rias-buchou.
"It was great because I didn't even need to do the interrogation, an unaffiliated knight decided to do it in my stead. And I got everything without even raising a finger." Rias-buchou looked at Issei-kun's left arm. I think she was looking at his gauntlet. "Red Dragon…Until recently there wasn't a mark like this on his gauntlet. I see, so that's what it is…"
Rias-buchou's eyes looked like as if she's a bit surprised.
"I found out the main reason why Issei was able to beat a Fallen Angel." Rias-buchou said it quietly to herself before turning to Fallen Angel. "Fallen Angel Raynare. This boy, Hyoudou Issei's Sacred Gear isn't a regular Sacred Gear. That's why you lost."
Raynare held a puzzled face after hearing Rias-buchou's reasoning.
"'Boosted Gear', a Sacred Gear that is said to be the rarest of the rare. The Red Dragon mark on the gauntlet is the evidence. Even you have heard of that name before, right?"
Boosted Gear?
After listening to my master, the Fallen Angel's face changed from that puzzled look to a very shocked expression and started mumbling. "B-Boosted Gear… One of the 'Longinus'. Even though it's for a temporarily time, it's said that it has the power to surpass Maou and God. Are you telling me that hateful power is possessed in a boy like this?!"
"If it's just like the legend is told, then the ability of the Boosted Gear can double the power of the possessor every 10 second. Even if his power starts from 1, it doubles his power every 10 seconds, and it can reach the power of the leader-class Fallen Angels and High-class Devils. And by mastering it, he could even kill God."
Are you serious!? It was possible to defeat God!?
So that's the power of his Sacred Gear.
What a powerful Sacred Gear.
I couldn't help but bite my lips in envy.
I looked at the Sacred Gear on his left arm fearfully.
Then Rias-buchou said it, "Well, no matter how powerful it is, Sacred Gear which needs time has a big risk. There aren't any enemies that would wait for the user to get stronger. Since the opponent was taking it lightly, this was the outcome."
I guess that's true, there won't that many enemies that will wait for someone to get powered up. For every good thing, there is something bad, I guess.
Rias-buchou then started to pat Issei-kun's head. "But it's interesting. Just to be expected from my Servant-kun. Just like I thought, Issei is an interesting boy. I'm going to adore you even more." she smiled at him.
"B-Buchou?" Issei-kun began.
"What is it?" Rias-buchou was smiling even more.
I saw Issei-kun bow his head down, "I'm sorry. When I said I was going to save Asia, I said rude stuff to you because you wouldn't help…But you were wanting to help us behind the scene and…"
I also wanted to apologise. So I bowed my head too for the same reasons.
We began to tear up.
"B-Buchou…we couldn't…protect Asia…"
"You don't have to cry. Seeing you right now, there is no one that will blame you." She said soothing us. Buchou wiped out tears with her fingers. "It's okay. You two just weren't experienced as Devils yet. That's all to it. Become strong. I'm going to make you two work hard from now on, so be prepared. My Pawns."
"Yes." We both nodded.
I will work hard. I will definitely become stronger.
I promise.
"Now then, I'll finish my last work." Rias-buchou's eyes become sharp and it looks ruthless.
The Fallen Angel became scared at the sight of the Ruin Princess walking up towards her.
"I will have you disappear, Fallen Angel-san." It's a cold tone. It's filled with killing intent. She then added, "Of course, I will retrieve that Sacred Gear back as well."
"Y-You can't be serious!? This healing power is for Azazel-sama and Shemhazai-sama—"
A blade of light was pressed against the neck of the Angel's neck.
"If you have any respect for the dead, then I expect you to return that Sacred Gear back to the girl." Reinhard said, his voice was low, not like anything I had ever heard before. In his hand was the same model of light sword held by priests of the Church.
I guess even he has his moments.
Whatever happened to his sword though?
Raynare swallowed her spit, she was shaking at the blade at the neck. Without any more resistance, she dropped her body in surrender.
Satisfied, Reinhard pulled back.
"To live your life for love is beautiful. But you are too tainted with dirt. You have no elegance. And I don't allow that." Rias-buchou aimed her hand towards Raynare.
It looked like she was going to kill her in one blow.
"Wow! My superior is in serious danger! So what's going to happen now!?"
A familiar shadow appears from behind the broken wall. It was that crazy priest Freed Zelzen.
Raynare screams at the appearance of the Priest, "Save me! If you save me, I will give you a reward or anything you want!"
Freed made a sadistic smile in response. "Hmm, hmm. I received a wonderful order from an Angel-sama. Eh? So I can have sex with you? To me, having sex with an Angel-sama is like the best honour and it will become a good social status for me."
"D-Don't fool around and save me!" The Fallen Angel's expression was filled with anger. But her face screamed that she was quickly losing hope.
"You know that I'm actually serious… I mean, something simple like that should be all right, isn't it, Angel-sama? So it's a no? Is that so? Then I will take my leave now. No matter how you look at it, I'm at a disadvantage, so I will just take off." Freed said it in a funny tone while curling his body in an unnatural movement.
"Y-You are a Priest, aren't you!? You are supposed to save me! I'm an all mighty Fallen Angel! I-"
"I don't need a superior who loses to trashy Devils. You are pretty, but you lack plans and you are hard headed. The only thing you are useful for is masturbation. So just die away already. Well, a Fallen Angel who is abandoned by God-"
Next thing I realised was Freed's clothing was ripped by a blade of light that was embedded in the statue behind him. He managed to dodge the sword only for himself to be mostly unscathed. He looked shocked for a while before laughing out loud.
Reinhard cursed himself. "Nimble for a mad child."
Did he threw that sword?
Now that I see it that sword was gone from his hands.
"Hey Nii-san! You dare attack the great Freed? You Devil-loving shit-bag! I would like nothing more than to kill you right now! Any humans who sympathizes with those shitty Devils are no longer human! Just shitty-devil-worshippers! But I guess that's why I assumed you were excommunicated!" He roared on and on. His voice danced around in pitches.
After saying that, he moves his sight elsewhere, as if he had lost interest in anything else. His eyes moved towards Issei-kun and I.
Freed made a big smile at us.
"Issei-kun, Issei-kun. You have such a wonderful ability. I'm getting more interested in you. You are so worthy to kill! You and that beautiful Onee-san are definitely in my Top 5 for the "Devils I want to kill", so be prepared, okay? Next time we meet, let's have a romantic fight to the death, okay?"
Freed disappears immediately from the scene after waving his hands at us by use of flashbang.
I felt the cold chill running through my back.
It was a direct challenge to both me and Issei-kun.
When I turned back to Raynare, she had put on an expression of despair. She had lost hope as each moment slowly stripped her of her salvation.
"Now, Fallen Angel Raynare, who was abandoned by her own servant. Miserable." Rias-buchou didn't have the slightest sympathy in her tone.
Raynare started to shiver.
Raynare then looked at Issei-kun. She held sorrowful eyes and before I realised it, she instantly transformed to when she was on that date with Issei-kun, clothes and all. "Issei-kun! Please save me!" Her voice was higher, more youthful than before. She must have used that voice when she was tricking and seducing Issei-kun.
Issei-kun in shocked, detached himself from me and slowly walked towards Raynare.
No Issei-kun! It's a trap! She is trying to seduce you.
"This Devil is trying to kill me! I love you! I love you so much! That's why, let's defeat this Devil together!" Raynare once again begs for help while crying.
Issei-kun started to tear up, "Just…how low will you go…?" he croaked.
I could see the Fallen Angel's expression froze.
"Goodbye, my love. Buchou, I'm at my limit… Will you please…" he pleaded Rias-buchou.
Hearing that, Raynare started to plea, uncontrollably. But her voiced fell on deaf ears.
Rias-buchou stepped up and raised her hand once more, demonic power covering her hand. "…Don't try to flirt with my cute servant. Blow away."
She fired away.
I heard the dying scream of that bitch.
The demonic power, the Power of Destruction, fired by Rias-buchou left nothing of the Fallen Angel.
It was really effective to say the least.
I turned to Issei-kun, who held his head low and saw the knight walking up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The only thing left was black feathers floating around the Church and…
…a green light floating in the sanctuary. It was Asia-san's Sacred Gear. After Raynare's demise, it was released.
The warm light shines at us. Rias-buchou took the light onto her hand, forming itself into two rings. "Now, let's give this back to Asia Argento-san." She smiled as she turned back to us.
When we reached the pew that Asia-san was lying on, both Issei-kun and I slid the rings back on to her hands.
"…B-Buchou, everyone, thanks for fighting for Asia. B-But still, even with all your help, Asia still…" Issei-kun started.
I couldn't help but tear up when I think about it.
We failed her.
Rias-buchou then took a chess piece out from her pocket that held the same colour as her hair.
"That is?"
"That is a 'Bishop' chess piece." I told him without thinking. After hearing about the whole Evil Piece, I decided to look up chess out of curiosity.
Rias-buchou then explained. "I'm late in telling you this now but a Devil with a Peerage receives 15 chess pieces in total, made up of 8 'Pawns', 2 'Knights', 2 'Bishops', 2 'Rooks', and 1 'Queen'. Same as in an actual chess game. I already used one of my Bishop, but I still have another one left."
So we already have one Bishop Member? Where was this person?
Buchou then walked towards Asia while holding the crimson chess piece in her hand and placed the crimson Bishop Chess piece on the now deceased Asia's chest.
"The Bishop's role is to support the other members of the group. This girl's healing power could be useful as a Bishop. It never happened before, but I will reincarnate this girl as a Devil."
So we can save her?
Will she be ok with this?
She was a Sister after all.
Will he be ok with this?
"That is ok with you? Holy Knight?" Rias-buchou repeated my sentiments.
Reinhard simply shrugged his shoulders, "Do what you want, Rias Gremory. My mission failed the moment she died." He then faced her. "But I promise you this, if I ever here hear anything to about her mistreatment under your care, I will come back and there will be repercussions."
"Then I hope this will be the last you see of us." She could only smirk in response to that threat.
Next thing was Reinhard walking up to me. "I see you have grown, really well since last time. You found a reason to fight?" he asked. He seemed to be very proud of that.
I nodded in response.
"I see. I look forward to seeing you in the Rating Games."
Rating Games?
What was that?
"Issei Hyoudou, was it?" he turned to Issei-kun.
"Yes." He stuttered.
"A lot of people will be interested in you once they find out about your Sacred Gear. Be strong. Don't lose to anyone else. Your sacred gear is yours and yours alone." He advised him before he rummaged through his pocket. "Give her this when the time is right." He handed him a worn out letter.
I wondered what that letter was?
Was it from the guy who hired Reinhard-san?
"You two came a long way." He took one last look at the two of us before returning his gaze back to Rias-buchou. "Well then, I should get going. Rias Gremory and her peerage members, you have earned my respect. I pray we meet again under better circumstances."
He then walked away.
What was that all about?
He acted like he seemingly knew more about us.
What a strange man.
When Reinhard-san was out of sight, Rias-buchou then said, "Well then let's get started." she smiled. Our focus returned to the still body of Asia Argento-san.
A crimson demonic-power surrounds Rias-buchou's body. "I order, in my name Rias Gremory. You, Asia Argento. I, resurrect you back to this soil as my servant, and have you reborn as a Devil. You, my Bishop, be delighted with your new life!"
The crimson chess piece glowed brightly and entered Asia-san's body. After confirming it, Rias-buchou sighed.
Did it work?
After a short while, Asia-san opened her eyes.
Seeing that, I wasn't able to stop my tears from coming out.
"Huh?" Asia-san's voice.
The voice that I thought I would never hear again.
Rias-buchou gives me and Issei-kun a warm smile. "I resurrected her because I wanted her power that can even heal a Devil. Both of you, from now on, you'll protect her. Since you two will be her senior Devil."
Asia-san slowly raised her body and looked around before settling on a familiar appearance of Issei-kun, "Issei-san?"
I hugged Asia-san who looked puzzled.
"Kana-san?" she said, still dazed from being reincarnated.
"Let's go home, Asia." Issei-kun said as he held out an arm to Asia-san.
-x-x-
After the fight at the church, Yuuto-kun and Koneko-san went home first and the rest of us brought Asia-san to the clubroom. Rias-buchou had thought it would be better for Asia-san to rest here in the clubroom until Rias-buchou could make up living arrangements for Asia-san. Issei-kun was tending to her, worrying about her and making sure she got everything she needed. Akeno-senpai had left to help get Asia-san living arrangements started. Currently it was just Rias-buchou and myself in the main room of the clubroom.
"I was thinking to have Asia come to school here." Rias-buchou began.
That statement caught me by surprise. "Eh…Are you sure? Will she not struggle with the language barrier and the school curriculum?" I asked, out of concern of how Asia-san will cope.
Rias-buchou simply answered with the explanation, "There is no problem with that. We Devils possess the ability known as 'Language', where we instantly hear what people are saying in our native tongue and the words we say are instantaneously translated to the language of the people around us. But for the writing…let's see…I will have both you and Issei teach her how to write in Japanese and to bring her up to speed with the curriculum."
I see…
It does help I guess with the spoken part, and when she suggested that Issei-kun and I would help her, then I guess I can be at ease.
Now I think about it more, it would make sense. For Rias Gremory-buchou to continue on with her High Class duties, she has to be able to operate inconspicuously on school grounds. So for Asia-san to join the school would make sense as it would be helpful for Rias-buchou to perform her duties to her best abilities.
"Yes Rias-buchou." I nodded at her suggestion before something came into mind. I guess with all that had happened, I couldn't help but feel useless. "Why did you reincarnate me?" I asked her.
She was surprised at the sudden question, "What do you mean?"
I waved my hands in response, trying not to sound ungrateful whilst clarifying what I meant. "Don't get me wrong. I am really grateful that you did but when I look at how strong everyone was and that Issei-kun had this amazing ability, it made me feel a bit overwhelmed." I looked away slightly at embarrassment and scratched my face a bit. "What was it about me that made you want to reincarnate me?"
"Hmm…" She crossed her arms, as though trying to come up a satisfying reasoning. "I have had my eye on you for a while Kana."
I was startled at the statement.
She began explaining, "For starters, you are a member of the Akizuki Clan, a Shinto Clan that was well regarded among the Shinto Religion. Your family's inherited magical trait, and unique set of magical abilities that comes with it alone made you a strong candidate. On top of that you are skilled with the sword, Yuuto had seen it himself and was impressed with it enough for you to be considered on that front."
"Really? The furthest I ever got to was the regional finals." I muttered under my breath, almost on reflex.
She only smirked at that, "Even if that was the case. You have potential, a really strong one at that. If I had my way, you would have been considered for either a 'Knight' or 'Bishop' piece."
What did she mean by if she had her way?
"To answer that confused look you have, when reincarnating a human to a Devil we use the 'Evil Pieces', but depending on the ability of the person being reincarnated, more Evil Pieces will be consumed. There was a saying like this in the world of chess. Queens have a value of 9 Pawns. Rooks have a value of 5 Pawns. Knights and Bishops have a value of 3 Pawns each. Like this, there are standard values that also apply to the Evil Pieces. A similar phenomenon happens to those reincarnated. If there are those who can only be reincarnated with 2 Knight Pieces, then there are also those who need 2 Rook pieces to be reincarnated. There's also the compatibility with the pieces as well. You can't use 2 separate Pieces to give them different roles, so it's important to think how to use the pieces. Once you use it, Devils won't be given a new 'Evil Pieces'."
So in the world of Devils, the stronger the object of reincarnation, the more Evil Pieces they will consume? So there was a chance that someone could have a peerage that consists of only 6 members including the King?
"I was going to explain it to Issei-kun later but right now, I guess you have the right to know. When I was trying to reincarnate the both of you, the only pieces I had left were 1 Knight, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop and 8 Pawns. By then I had already planned to use either a Knight piece or a Bishop piece on you. To make Issei-kun into my servant, I could only use all 8 pieces of Pawn. I was shocked and was excited. So I took on a gamble with him first. The other pieces didn't have the power to reincarnate him. But what really surprised me was when I had tried to use all 8 pieces, 6 of those pieces had transformed into mutation pieces."
"Mutation Piece?" I asked on reflex.
"These are special pieces in which a chess piece can be used to reincarnate someone who requires more than one piece with only one piece. One of those Mutation pieces transferred onto you, reincarnating you."
"So I became a pawn because of this?" I questioned her. So I was a Pawn that used a special kind of Pawn piece?
She nodded in response, "I didn't understand for a while, but once I realised how powerful Issei's wish was, then it all made sense. His wish was to save you, and that wish itself, along with his own God-Slaying potential, had mutated the pawn pieces."
I blushed at those words… His wish was to save me? Even when we were both at death's door, that idiot was still as caring as ever. Now I feel kind of bad for all those time I berate him for being a pervert.
"At first I was surprised but when I had checked, you also had a good compatibility with the Pawn pieces too, as you could effortlessly switch into either a Knight or a Bishop Piece. To begin with, the value of 'Pawn' is still a mystery. Also including its 'Promotion'."
She began walking up towards me and placed a soft hand on my face, as though cupping my cheeks.
"I know it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Everyone starts at square one, Yuuto, Koneko, Akeno…even myself. We all started at square one at some point of our lives. You and Issei are only starting it now. Even for someone to have the power of the Red Dragon, he is only starting his journey now. You two are the only Pawns I will ever have."
I nodded in agreement. I guess I have to agree with her, Issei-kun was only beginning to learn the true nature of his powers.
She smiled in an almost loving manner, "I know I am already asking a lot from you, Kana. But I expect great things from you and Issei. For now, strive to be the best pawns you two can be and serve me well."
"Yes!" I nodded in excitement.
-x-END-x-
So at the end of each Volume I try and do this thing where I place character stats for each OC character that appears. These stats will be updated at the end of every volume to show how each characters grows or what is revealed about them as the story goes on.
This will mainly involve OC character but there are chances that I will include stats for the original LN characters for when I add something original.
So right now for three OC characters.
Name: Kana Akizuki
Epithet: N/A
Age: 17
Race: Formerly Human – Devil Reincarnate
Affiliation: Rias Gremory's Peerage
Position: Pawn (Mutated)
Family: Shizuka Akizuki (Adopted Sister/Cousin), Genryuu Akizuki (Adopted Father/ Uncle), Touka Akizuki (Adopted Mother), Kyouya Akizuki (Biological Father – Formerly Kyouya Takamasa), Suguha Akizuki (Biological Mother)
Appearance: She looks like a mix between Maken-Ki's Haruko Amaya and Fate/Grand Order's Scathach. Her facial structure that of Scathach along with her fringe style. Her hair and eye colours are that of Haruko's and she kept her hair in a side ponytail. She is about 167cm tall and is relatively fit from her kendo training. She has the measurements of – B94/W60/H88.
History: Her father passed away before she was born and her mother died whilst giving birth to her. She grew up as part of the Head Family but had the supernatural world kept hidden from her as a promise made to her parents. She joins the kendo club and learned how to use a sword from her adopted father.
Powers: She currently studies the Akizuki Family branch of magic. Which in itself is a mixture of Germanic Runes, inherited from her foreign ancestors, and Shinto Prayers and Talismans. There have five basic letters which correlates to Shinto Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wood and Metal. The rest of the alphabet serves to enhance the base spells and can be enhanced further when mixed and matched together and also perform other spells too. The user must have shown elemental affinity, though for Kana's case it seems to be main Fire and Earth, the Water element does not carry enough attack power, Wood and Metal does not seem to work for her.
Spells learnt: Ansuz – Fire, Berkano – Water, Ehwaz – Earth, Dagaz – Wood, Gebo – Metal
Equipment: Bokken – broken in half during the confrontation with Raynare.
Katana – a normal sword given to her as a present from her adopted father.
Tsurugi – an enchanted blade given to her by her sister, this blade was said to be more durable than normal swords.
Name: Reinhard
Epithet: Holy Knight
Age: Unknown
Race: Human
Affiliation: Nazarick Guild/ Himself
Position: N/A
Family: Unknown
Appearance: Imagine his armour is similar to Proto Saber from Fate/ Prototype, but the blue is replaced by black. The helmet itself is a single slit version of a traditional knight helmet with a horn at the top. He is about 175-177 cm tall and has a lean muscular frame from his years of fighting and training.
History: Unknown, at some he was excommunicated from the church and became a mercenary under the Nazarick Guild.
Powers: Holy Sword User – He can wield Holy Swords.
Novice Level Magician – He himself uses Magic Papers which can perform feats of magic.
Unknown Demonic Ability.
Equipment: Holy Sword Balmus – Holy Sword of Light, a two handed sword. He can converge the Holy Energy, i.e. light energy, into the blade of the sword to power the sword up.
Various Magic Papers – These papers have various magic circles engraved in them. Reinhard himself is no Magician and uses these papers as a way to help compensate for that. These papers are expendable and only require a spark of magical energy to activate.
Sword of Lights – weapons that are filled with the Power of Light from the Angels. Reinhard uses these weapons for their ease of use and when his main weapons are not on him.
Name: Shizuka Akizuki
Epithet: The Head of the Akizuki Family.
Age: 28 (I accidentally wrote 29 at one point – Oops)
Race: Human
Affiliation: Shinto Religion – Akizuki Family
Position: Head
Appearance: She is basically Shizuka Marikawa from High School of the Dead.
Family: Kana Akizuki (Adopted Sister/Cousin), Genryuu Akizuki (Biological Father), Touka Akizuki (Biological Mother), Kyouya Akizuki (Uncle-in-Law – Formerly Kyouya Takamasa), Suguha Akizuki (Aunt)
History: Shizuka grew up in the main family as the only daughter of the Akizuki Family, after the passing of her father and her mother left on a religious pilgrimage across Japan, she became the Family Head. At some point in her life, she met with the previous governing Devil and the opposing Church members. Now she oversees Rias' governing of the land as part of an agreement.
Powers: It is generally assumed that Shizuka is very well versed of the Akizuki style magic to the point of mastery. She is skilled enough to teach Kana in their ways.
Equipment: She holds a wooden staff with two bells attached to it.
Harem List – Yuuto Kiba, Reinhard (OC), Siegfried, Leonardo, Saji Genshirou
Anyhow that was the end of the first Volume: Devil and the Magic Truth Arc. The next chapter will start the Phenex Arc so look forward to that.