Immoral Saint
High school DxD x Campione!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 5 Tide of Destiny part 3
Ravel Phenex couldn't sleep soundly in her bed.
She was a High-class Devil by birth, she had the right to have her own Peerage-The Evil Pieces. But she didn't want to, in fact she had no intention to participate in Rating Game.
'I will get married one day, why should I have my own Peerage at this time?'
Just like her mother she knew her destiny. With the Devil on the verge of collapse, the numbers of the 72 Pillar were dropping lower and lower, she-Ravel Phenex, as the daughter of one of the survived Pure Blood Devil, she too would have to marry another Pure Blood Devil to retain the 72 Pillar blood line.
She had accepted her fate being a tool to reproduce the Pure Blood Devil. It was her duty, she had no right to escape, no right to fight it. Who resisted that principle were foolish.
At least that was what she thought before her meeting with him.
She was invited by her elder brother to join his Peerage, in the Rating Game against Rias Gremory the daughter of Gremory house where she met an enigma.
'Why did he fight? Did he fight for his Master? Or he fought for his pride?'
The man was in battered. However his shaking legs still stepped up, forcing the Pawn to where his Master was. He challenged her that if she stood in his way he would not hesitate to take her down.
'What was his source? What was his motivation? Did he know that he was going to fight the immortal Phenex, the clan with the power to resurrect without limit?'
She saw everything, how his blood soaked on the floor beneath him, how her elder brother just throwing punches to the already lost Pawn, picking his little time to extend the painful powerless feeling of Rias Gremory.
He did lose, but her heart was moved. It was Ravel's little secret.
She didn't know why but actually, in the Rating Game she wanted a different result.
She knew her elder brother was a jerk, he kissed his Queen in front of his soon-to-be wife, without shame. She didn't approve it, even if the Peerage were his own things to deal with, he should at least show some respect to Rias Gremory.
Ravel soon forgot her little wishful thingy. But the man, that man, he made her remember it, he craved it into her maiden heart.
'Buchou—Rias Gremory-sama's virginity belongs to me!'
He shouted out that embarrassed, uneducated, shameless line in front of everyone in her elder brother's wedding!
He did not fear death? He did not fear his Master would get punished for his rebellion act? He did not know there were Satan and other High-class Devil at the ball room?
Ravel wanted to tell that idiot, useless, weakling serv-... man.
Then came the fight, the man became an armored warrior who fought against her elder brother.
From what she saw she guessed he had to have some limitations, he couldn't be that strong for just three days even with non-stop training, not to mention the wound her brother caused on him.
In the end, she had learned that he had given up one of his arm only to get what he shouldn't have, for 10 seconds.
'It wasn't worth it.'
In Ravel's mind, giving up one of your arms only to get the power, even that power wasn't enough to ensure the victory. It wasn't worth. No matter how much she could think, it wasn't worth anything.
He could have just been fine with his Master married to other, that wasn't what he should be concerned with. It was the deal of High-class Devil, not a Low-class like him, if he wanted to have female serving him in bed he could just seduce another low-class female devils or human girls.
Then why? Why did he do it? Why did he give up one of his arms? For his Master? What was his reason to devote himself that much?
Ravel's body heated up at the moment she realized it.
Long ago, she was told by her butler, the fairy tales for children, the stories of heroes, they always come at the right time, they always save the people, save the maiden, they always defeat the bad guys.
She smiled, she dreamed, she hoped. All of her childhood time.
One day, a Knight in Shining Armor would come to her side, and took her on the endless journey.
She soon forgot that when she grew up, when she started to judge things on logic more.
She no longer dreamed a fantasy dream like that.
Until he came, Hyoudou Issei, the Pawn of Rias Gremory.
He was the Knight in Shining Armor of Rias Gremory, he crashed the wedding, he defeated her elder brother with a little preparation, then they escaped. Just like one of the stories.
When she realized it, she was researching every single piece of information about him. A straight forward man, a man who opened up to his desire. That kind of men wasn't present around her in the social of High-class. The kind of men that she sought to serve.
The climax came when she met him in the Young Devil party. She wanted to give him something, something so that he wouldn't forget about her. She wanted to slowly get close to Hyoudou Issei.
She did that. She was successful. He didn't hate her for being the younger sister of the one who almost putting his Master into a loveless marriage.
Her mother had traded her back with a free Bishop. She finally became free of her elder brother's Peerage.
'I can become his Peerage in the future!'
Becoming other's Peerage doesn't just like you serve under your Master, since Devil has large lifespan, your servants will be with you for a long time. The Gremory was the first one to treat their servants like family, that time the other Pillar laughed and sneered at their acts, but now, the Phenex had understood, by having more family members, that was the only way to spend your large life without losing your own desire and interest.
'There's people who jealous about his powers not knowing what hardship he had to overcome.'
Hyoudou Issei was the Sekiryuutei of this generation, the one who held the Boosted Gear, one of the 13 god-killing Longinus. However, even if he was the Sekiryuutei didn't mean he automatically becomes strong overnight. Among the Peerage of Rias Gremory he had the smallest demonic power, he couldn't teleport using magic seal which a devil child can do it easily. He had no talents in any combat departments, according to the training note of Himejima Akeno he wasn't born to be a swordsmen, magician nor hand-to-hand fighter, no, nothing at all. The main ability of Boosted Gear is to double the strength of the user every 10 without limit, it might be heard as something outrageous but in reality if you have the power level of 1 you can only increase it to 2, which is useless against almost everything else. And that still hasn't counted the cost you have to pay to get that abnormal powers.
Issei had to push himself and training many days just to achieve what he had in the Rating Game with Raiser Phenex, raising the capacity of the amount of Boost he could hold to certain time, however it wasn't enough for him to defeat Raiser, what a joke, a Longinus possessor couldn't defeat a high-class devil which is far more weaker than a Satan or Seraph.
'People can't see anything good in Issei just because he's a pervert, they always think he's born strong and special due to his Longinus but the truth is he only knows about his Longinus barely a year while others have their long time training with supernatural powers, such hypocrisy people.'
Those eyes are blinded by the achievements of others, they never see what behind the backs of those who gain it by pushing themselves. But that is another story.
Ravel wanted to get close to Hyoudou Issei now, so that when he became a High-class Devil, which was too obvious, his achievements for fighting stray devils, fenced off the Evil God Loki and the God-killing wolf Fenrir, battled against the Khaos Brigade, that alone were enough to promote him to High-class, it was them, they didn't want someone like him to skip the road too fast. Ravel also knew Sirzechs Lucifer didn't want his future brother in law to get tangled in the politics world.
A man like Hyoudou Issei wasn't suit to be in the politic, it would be better if he could live freely.
'Also, I... I will get "skinship" by him if he is my King.'
Every girl has their own fantasy. She, Ravel Phenex, being a female Devil. It wouldn't weird if she wanted to know more about that.
Hyoudou Issei was a pervert, he... he would do it to her, right? Before reborn as a Devil, she knew he was already a pervert, even if he wanted to do it with her, she wouldn't resist, after all, he was her King, she was his Bishop, a servant to him. Devil is known for their lust, and passion. It was Ravel's reason to be with Hyoudou Issei.
'Maybe being a pervert is better.'
Ravel had thought about it. She had read dozen of stories where the male characters had no desire with the female fell in love with them. They lived like a "Saint". They brought the moral parts into their every speeches and acts. They didn't have the desire to please the female fell in love with them in bed.
Ravel hated pervert creepers, but her future King was not someone like that. He didn't have any attempt to attack/assault female, even after he was reborn as a Devil and could brainwash them into his toys. Devil had no rules to forbid such acts. The number dropped recently, but some still did it.
He was a lovable pervert Pawn. He didn't treat female like his toys.
Ravel turned herself in her luxurious bed, she wished she had bought a hug pillow with his smell on it sold by Azazel.
'But it's too shameless for me! A High-class Devil to be obsessed with that!'
After that day, when she learned that Hyoudou Issei was alive, she had cried till her eyes swollen.
The man she fell in love, he had come back, he would always come to her side when she needed him! Not even the nemesis of dragons could stop him. He was her idol.
But unfortunately, news came from her friend via magic circle, Koneko, Hyoudou Issei was missing. He didn't die, but he wasn't here, wasn't in this world anymore. The Underworld couldn't trace him, she didn't know about the Heaven, but now they were Alliance, there was no point in hiding a Devil who was also Sekiryuutei from the others especially when the leaders of the Three Factions were favoring Hyoudou Issei.
'I can't sleep. I have lost him once, and now I cannot allow myself to sleep soundly without knowing his conditions.'
Ravel got up, she carefully checked if someone was outside her room, then quickly, she prepared her bags and personal belongings.
She had a plan. She would run from her house.
Out there, someone was waiting for her. He had used his life to save her, to protect her friends, to let his loves escape the jaws of danger.
Now, it was her time, it was her turn to do the same for him. As his manager, Ravel Phenex would help her hero!
Pumped up by her determination, Ravel stepped to her room's door.
"Young lady, it is shameful and unacceptable for a High-class Devil to run away from her home."
!
Ravel had just opened her room door, her items was in her pocket dimension. But in front of her eyes, Lady Phenex was there.
"M-Mother..."
Ravel felt shocked! Her plan was just executed! It didn't reach the mansion's main door yet! The dramatic moment when she ran to the main door and shouted back to her family!
Actually they could bind her in place using Demonic powers.
"Come with me."
Lady Phenex signed. She took her daughter to the living room for guest.
On the way, Ravel looked at her surrounding, trying to find a way to escape from her mother. She saw her elder brother's room, the room of Raiser Phenex, but it was locked.
Ravel could unlock it but she would risk letting her mother know so she threw away the idea. She would find out another way, she had to.
"Lord Beelzebub, I have brought my daughter here."
"Thank you."
!
'Lord Beelzebub!? One of the new four Satan!? What is he doing here!?'
Ravel couldn't understand. Her family didn't do anything bad to the Devil's reputations, they even participated in the crisis, what Lord Beelzebub wanted from her family?
"Sit down, don't worry just a small talk."
Ravel sat down to the opposite of Lord Beelzebub. She felt nervous, Lord Beelzebub wasn't someone who liked to meet others personally. She heard from her parents Lord Lucifer was one of the few Lord Beelzebub met personally, other than that he only appeared when the Satan had a meeting.
"Ravel Phenex, isn't it? Sirzechs told me about you."
"Y-Yes, it's my pleasure to get acknowledged by Lord Lucifer."
Ravel had met Sirzech, the last time was when she accepted his offer to become Hyoudou Issei's manager. The Crimson Satan was friendly to everyone, getting to know him was far more easy than to other noble house, especially those from the Bael.
"You know Hyoudou Issei? The Sekiryuutei and Rias Gremory's servant?"
"Yes, I...I am his manager."
It was her job, it was her duty given by Lord Lucifer. She would tell it to anyone, she proud of it, her position besides him.
"Did you know that he is one of the best potential Devil? He has 4 Mutated Pawn, I think his grown is so interesting, wouldn't you agree?"
Indeed, he was out of everyone's prediction. He did things that made people asked themselves how was that possible? He, was the symbol of impossible, Hyoudou Issei that is.
Lord Beelzebub elegantly slide his hand on the table, a dull box appeared after that.
"Evil Pieces?"
"Correct. Sirzech wasn't wrong. You would be good to be with him."
'But why? Ise-sama has enough powers to pass the High-class Devil, his mind and trivial others may hasn't been enough, but he can learn it. But why?'
"You must be confused why I give this to you, you don't have to say, we are intelligent Devil, when you see this, both you and I know I will give this to you, what you wondering now is why?"
Like walking in her heart, Lord Beelzebub spoke.
"I find him interesting, that Sekiryuutei boy, and I have free time you know, human's games are good, but this case, his case, Hyoudou Issei's case, was far more interesting compare to them. So I
took my little time to do this."
The box opened. Inside was 1 King, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop, 1 Knight and 4 Pawn. All of them had dull black color. But this wasn't a complete Evil Pieces. No, normally there are only 15 Evil Pieces, the King Piece wasn't exist in the first place.
"Lord Beelzebub?"
"The High-class ones might not be happy when they know there's a Middle-class Devil who has a Peerage, so I have to lower it down, a little. You see, this is not the normal Evil Pieces, it is one of my prototype when I created the today's version. I modified it, now it has only half, but when he returns with all chess pieces used, we will prepare a Rating Game, if he wins, he will have one more chess piece, he will gather more chess pieces as he wins. If he fails, I have to take back 1 chess piece, if he continues to fail in the next Rating Game, two chess pieces will be taken back, until he has nothing left."
"So this is the trial Lord Beelzebub set for Sekiryuutei."
"I would prefer if you call it a challenge, after all, you cannot get something without paying back anything."
"I understand. As his manager, I will, no, I am going to ensure Hyoudou Issei's victory at his first Rating Game as the King!"
Yes, she would help him gather the talents, she would teach him many things as the king, the strategies, the tactics, how to adapt the situations, the rules of Rating Games. She had to teach him all.
'Ise-sama wouldn't want to lose any of his pieces, so I have to ensure his 8 times victories.'
Continuous wining isn't common, despite having powerful Peerage, you can still lose to others, it depends on your luck, your advantages and disadvantages. Ravel knew she had many things to help Hyoudou Issei cover it.
"But what about the King Piece? The standard for each Evil Piece Set is 15 Pieces based on human chess, I have never seen a King Piece before."
"It's up to you to find out, and I'm pretty sure Sekiryuutei would have fun playing with it."
"I understand."
Ravel took the box from Lord Beelzebub, she put it carefully in her pocket dimension.
"Ravel Phenex, Sekiryuutei wants a harem, unlike many others who can only think about one lover, he wants more and doesn't afraid to show it, it is his motivation, his "core". If you really want to support him on his road, you have to accept it."
"I know, and I will, Lord Beelzebub."
It's common in Devil social to have a harem. As long as you can provide and prove yourself, the female will gladly be with you.
'It's not rare if a dragon wants a harem.'
"Well, I will leave. Make sure he gets the Evil Pieces."
"Yes! Lord Beelzebub."
The Satan teleported himself away. Ravel stood there for a moment, then she realized this was her chance to run away!
"Ravel?"
"Mother!?"
'Agh! I was late for only seconds!'
Her mother hugged her.
"Mother?"
"Strange isn't it? Hugging family member like this. We have long forgotten this kind of interaction, but the Gremory has reminded us. Even Devil has their family."
"I...I-"
"Ravel, when I was young like you I didn't have a choice to marry the man I loved. I only loved your father back when I had my first child but now, I don't want the same happened to you. They said Devil is selfish so we will be selfish for ourselves."
"You don't have to say more! I understand! I understand all!"
Her tear soaked her mother's dress. She couldn't stop it, the tear was dropping on the shoulder of the mother who wanted her child to find the happiness.
"Go on, becomes his Peerage. Sekiryuutei is a good man, he will take care of you just like his love. You don't have to convince them, he wants a harem, they would do anything to make him accept them, if you really love him then you will be his harem."
"Yes."
"Beside, even the women need things from their beloved men."
"I-Is that so?"
"Fu fu fu, I only realized it when it turned to me. Tell me Ravel, we being Devil, would you love a man only cares about powers and others but not pervert acts? With our large lifespan, there's nothing wrong in enjoying ourselves with lust and passion."
Ravel could feel her face burning. So that is what being a Devil.
"Now go. Farewell my daughter."
Lady Phenex let her child go, she had done the duty of mother, now it was the time to watch her daughter became a lady.
"I will be back! I will get him marry me!"
Ravel felt happiness and sad, she knew this one day would come, but this was too early! It wasn't what she expected.
'No sad. I can still return to my home, Ise-sama is not someone who forces himself on others and demands them to do his own personal things.'
"Be sure to give me grandchild when you get back!"
"F-Father!?"
"Shouldn't you run out and take your daughter back?"
"Ha ha ha! I have a legendary dragon as my son in law, what can I ask for more? I can see him being a Satan in future!"
"Dear, let return to our bed."
Thus, the adventure of the little Phenex began.
'I will find my dragon.'
…
"Wait! Ravel! Take these bottles of Phoenix Tear with you! And this ancient rune tome! This crystal ball, too! You can have my virtual Rating Game to play when you're bored, too! Oh, I have bought a dragon-slayer dagger, be sure to take it with you!"
"She's gone Raiser."
"Shut up Ruval!"
"That's your story?"
"Yep, pretty much how did I survive against Her Eminence, she's a scary lady."
"Yeah."
In the high-class private bath, there were two males sitting in the pool relaxing their bodies, even though it's a bath none of them could really enjoy the blissful of hot water.
Since the situation ahead is danger, it was normal for them to be worried.
"To think you're with a goddess and still being able to act like a civilian, I'm surprise for that Hyoudou-san. When I fought heretic gods both of their minions and themselves are crazy, battle-lust troublesome guys."
Issei signed as he used the towel on his neck to wipe the sweat on his face.
"Me too, I have a rival whose head only filled with "Fight this guy, fight that guy." He's such a battle maniac, it's just like if he doesn't fight then he would die or something. Honestly I don't know, but he's quite strong."
"Strong? Your rival's the same level as you? I think you're strong yourself Hyoudou-san, managed to beat all of those gorillas alone is a feat."
"I do what I can Kusanagi-san."
After Kusanagi Godou saw Issei with Ophis, Issei had talked to Kusanagi and they agreed to have a private bath so Issei could tell his story. Ophis was sent to the girls while Issei lied to them that she was his cousin, to be honest Issei thought Ophis is close to his "Dragon-Mother", she was the one who saved him along with Great Red, gave his new energy so she's his mother in some ways. The girls were acting shocked at first, but then Blandelli was the one stepped up and promised Issei she would take care of Ophis, Godou was skeptical but after hearing Issei's explanation he had no objection.
Seeing the atmosphere become to get tensed, Issei thought up, he began to work his brain, trying to seek something to talk, something that both he and Kusanagi could ease the tension.
"Kusanagi-san, what do you do? I mean what are you gonna do once you graduate? Do you have a dream?"
"Me?"
"Yes! My dream is to become a harem king!"
Proudly spoke that out loud, Issei began to spill out his dream, even if it's kinda childish when he compared to other people he knew like Sairaorg or Sona, he still liked it and wanted to speak about it, sharing his dream with others.
"I want to have a harem, to gain affection from girls. It must be nice to have multiple girls taking care of you, going date together, eating lunch together, e-even sleeping next to them! Of course the relationship must be built on the trust of each others, I don't want them to marry me just because I'm rich or powerful."
"Eh Hyoudou-san, I...I'm not sure about that, I mean, would those girls even come to being good with each others? Would they fight each others for your attention? You know, those emperor guys who had an entire palace full of women and they made dramas about those women killed each others to get his attention."
"Wow, that...that... I didn't know."
Talking with a Campione sure is a nice move! Issei guessed Kusanagi must have tasted those from his harem and managed to make them stop their fighting over him.
"Well, I'll try my best to make sure all the girls love not just me but also themselves. Ah, now that's yuri... But I will do my best to achieve my dream. What about you Kusanagi-san?"
"Dream huh?"
Kusanagi had a weird face, his eyes turned upward to the ceiling while his body relaxed. It's more like a space-out moment of the young god-slayer.
"Kusanagi-san?"
Issei hoped he didn't touch a bad topic, after all guy like Kusanagi might have a dark past and this could relate to his personal life.
"No it's nothing, I guess I'll have to find out about that when I finished my school years. Anyway we should head out Hyoudou-san, there are lives waiting to be saved by us."
"Got it Kusanagi-san."
Since Issei wanted to practice his magic, instead of preparing clothes he created them out of magic.
'Good! Now I don't have to carry my clothes everywhere on a trip.'
"Hyoudou-san? Your trunks... Are you sure you took the right one?"
What?
For the first time Issei looked down and he almost screamed out, much to his horror.
"It-It has oppai pattern on it!"
Quickly tried to fix the trunks Issei felt so embarrassed about it, making a oppai trunks out of air in front of a god-slayer.
"I-I'll go first."
"I will catch up later!"
And so Issei had to use the normal clothes prepared by the hotel instead of his magic oppai trunks.
After the dinner Issei and Annie were told to wait for the personal discussion among the circle of Kusanagi, they were sitting in another room with Ophis on Issei's lap, enjoying her snacks.
'What should I do, now Kusanagi-san knows about me, not everything but still, he doesn't seem to be the kind that loves to challenge everyone so it's alright for now. He doesn't want to fight Ophis after knowing the truth either.'
Still Issei didn't know how Annie would react once she knew Ophis is a goddess, she's a god-slayer just like Kusanagi and Luo Hao, but Issei guessed with her serious attitude he would be able to negotiate and explain to her when things happened.
"She's your cousin Hyoudou-san?"
Turning off the TV by the remote Annie asked Issei, unknowingly increased the tension in the room.
"Y-Yes, Ophis is my cousin."
"For a Japanese like you to have an European cousin, your family is a weird one."
Her sharp eyes were on both Issei and Ophis, while Ophis still having fun eating her treatment Issei couldn't hold down his thumping heart. He knew this might be the chance to talk about Asherah's problem, earlier Annie said she wanted to confirm Asherah's death, but she's also a Campione so it means she came here to check by herself. One wrong word and Issei might ruin this.
They continued to sit there, waiting for the discussion of the Japanese God-slayer. Besides the television in the room there was not other form of entertainment so the tensed silent slowly took over the atmosphere. Issei knew he was going to help Kusanagi to face a god, Annie, too so he couldn't let his mind relax as long as he thought about the matter at hand.
Seeing the close to panic Issei Annie couldn't help but give him an advice.
"Relax, I know a god could be terrifying, so when facing him directly or indirectly you have to do your best. Try everything you can, don't worry about dirty tricks or underhanded tactics, heretic gods wouldn't care about that, in their eyes we human is just another stone, another grass on the ground."
Once again Issei felt strange hearing those words came from a god-slayer, what is the truth? Why is what he heard from the Campione side is different from the supernatural side? Issei guessed he could not group Guinevere into the god side but still, she wasn't human and had showed her despise toward the god-slayer.
'Who is lying? No, it could be all of those is a huge misunderstanding? Then again Asherah told me Campione was born even in the ancient age.'
Keeping his brain in complicated things, Issei felt headache a bit, he signed, then when he planned to take a short nap Annie called him.
"Hyoudou-san, what do you think about Kusanagi Godou?"
"Eh?"
Annie coughed a little, she then picked up her tea cup, had a dip and continued her speech.
"Hyoudou-san, do you know why there's many females with Kusanagi Godou?"
"Because he's kinda cool and is a Campione?"
That's what Issei could only think of, Kusanagi Godou wasn't a handsome male. They said that a mortal became a Campione once they slayed god, so Kusanagi must have done an impossible feat as a mortal to defeat a god, Issei guessed that's the reason why he attracted many beauties. Beside he gave him useful advices on what would happen if the girls in the harem fight themselves so Issei could only feel thankful for it.
Annie made a sign, she turned put her hands on Issei's shoulders and turning himself face to face with her.
"No, Hyoudou-san, do not let that impression lies to you. Kusanagi Godou is a man who toys with maiden's hearts. Even his attitude toward the crisis is far better than the kings in the Europe, it doesn't change the fact that his love life is too similar to drama tv series."
"Eh?"
"Did you know that to heal his injure back then, his female companions had broken into argument to see who would be the one to kiss him?"
"Oh, I didn't-"
"Truly shameless, for a man to have such barbaric act like having a harem of young girls."
"Whoa whoa, wait a second. What do you mean by harem and barbaric act?"
It was Issei's dream to to have a harem! He never considered it was a barbaric act or something like that, he just wanted to have moments of happiness with his harem, sleeping together, making meals for him, tenderly kissing him when he got home after a day of hardwork.
"You don't know? Only tyrants had a bunch of young girls, Kusanagi Godou might be a king, but having a bunch of young girls with him and they... having such shameless..."
Issei felt his face cold, what? Is his harem dream what a tyrant would do? No! There's no way he could accept it! He would never allow himself to treat the girls badly, never let them cry, never let them hurt. Issei made a promise that he would be a different kind of "tyrant" when it came to taking care of his harem, speaking of which Issei never saw Kusanagi treated his harem badly, perhaps he could tell Annie?
"Anyway, how did your cousin get to this place? Down at the entrance the polices and government agents have sealed everything up, and the road to this inn is full of monster monkeys who serve the heretic god. I know your cousin is special in her own way, but it's hard for me to believe your cousin managed to get here."
"She, well Ophis will be fine on her own. However I want to protect her as much as possible."
After the day Cao Cao used Samael to create a clone of Ophis, she was much weaker, in her word, she told everyone she's only as strong as twice Heavenly Dragons at their prime, that much power can make sure she's safe by herself, but then Issei never wanted to see Ophis getting hurt by anything, he wanted to protect her from those harms.
"Ise, is a dragon. Ise is strong."
Munching her snack Ophis told Annie.
"Dragon huh, is that what a child describe her guardian?"
Annie had a small smile, but deep down in Issei's heart he knew this could be the chance for him to talk about Asherah, he had to take it.
"Yes, Annie-san, no, you're a Campione, right? I am a dragon, well, humanoid dragon."
"Ha Ha Ha, what are you talking about? You mistaking me for John Pluto Smith, he's the Campione not me. I'm his subordinate. And you said you're a humanoid dragon?"
"But clearly you're a Campione!"
"No, really, you are a silly man Hyoudou-san. I'm not the king, John Pluto Smith, nick name JPS, is the one."
'Could it be Annie denying her being a Campione? Or she has double persona?'
Such though should be left alone, for now Issei wanted to focus on the Asherah's part.
"You seem to be trouble Hyoudou-san, talk to me, I can send the messenger to JPS later."
"It's about Asherah..."
Nervously Issei spoke up, waiting for the Campione's reaction. He could see the icy cold expression on her face once she heard the Asherah name, after a full minute Annie talked.
"I see, you're a dragon, both you and that Leviathan are [Serpent], in a way you and her are the same kin. It's normal for you to care about her."
"Then could I-"
"I don't know what you're planning, but not too long ago Asherah has once attacked Los Angeles, destroying many building and took many lives. Her cult practices heretic acts such as killing themselves to revive her, and that's not every of her vicious acts against humanity. She will never left alive Hyoudou-san."
"Annie-san, all of those actions were because of her frustration, she was taken away from her position as a goddess!"
"Then it would be justice for her to kill others? Just because she lost everything it doesn't mean she's allowed to do what she wants. Everything has its own price Hyoudou-san, if you keep on siding with someone likes to soak in blood and hatred and still want to talk about fairness, you're a hypocrite."
"Everyone deserves a chance! If she needs to atone for her sins, leave her live so her punishment is to rebuild what she has destroyed."
"They are not mortal nor having the same culture as us Hyoudou-san, especially that girl. She will continue to kill and burn as long as she lives. I have fought her together with my king more than you know."
The speeches stabbed into Issei's heart. He never thought that deep, he just wanted to do what he could before his eyes, saving someone, but his choice this time marked him as a hypocrite?
"You didn't know Asherah's malicious behaviors toward humanity, I can understand that, you want to save her because you're the same kin as her, I can understand that. However, you must know that there's people hate her for killing their families and destroyed their homes, if you were there you would see their faces, crying, shouting, cursing. They want justice to be executed, they want the one who took away what precious to them die. Hyoudou-san, that girl is not worth saving, she must pay for what she did."
"I'll take responsibility."
"Huh?"
"I'll take responsibility for each of Asherah's actions after I save her, everyone of them. I will be the one to guide her to non-violent life, I will be the one to stop her if she's out of control. So please, let her live."
"I'm afraid that I can't. She had her time and chances, those are gone now. As much as I trust you I cannot let she live, she must die or killed no matter what you promise me. Beside I'm not the one has such right to talk about that anyway."
As her last words connected to Issei's ear, Annie stood up and left the room, leaving Issei alone circling himself in his thought, torn between saving and leaving Asherah alone.
'Guinevere told me to let Asherah die, Annie-san also told me to let Asherah die, from Guinevere's I know Asherah could be revived, but still...'
How should he act? What should he do? Would this time his act is truly put him into the hypocrite's territory?
Issei felt helpless, this wasn't like anything back in his world, he didn't have to worry much about everything, he just had to keep moving forward, defeat this guy, save that girl, pretty much all of those were simple to Issei, but not like what he facing now.
[Partner, listen to me.]
'What is it Ddraig?'
[I think there's many things we still haven't known about this world, like what exactly the deal with the god-slayers and the heretic gods? One told us the god-slayers are the bad guys, one told us how evil the heretic gods are, in a way it's up to you choose which side. As for that Asherah, well, Guinevere said that she would be revive, right? So if she dies this time and revives later, we can save her by guiding her to the right way, it's what you do best partner.]
'Thanks Ddraig! I-I... Really, thank you so much Ddraig.'
[You never give up, you should continue to pursuit your dream, don't be down just because of these kinds of thing happen to you. Trust your heart partner.]
'Right, I will continue to work hard! I will become the ultimate pawn and marry Rias! Koneko, too, having babies with Xenovia and Akeno would be nice too. Ah, I miss them so much.'
Pumping his fist into the air Issei regained his spirit, for now let's just do what he can, in the dinner Kusanagi mentioned about Yukari Mariya's younger sister was captured by the monkey god, Issei would seek to save her first then defeat the monkey god later, er, maybe helping Kusanagi and Annie defeat the monkey god would be the right term.
"Hyoudou-san?"
The door opened, standing there was Kusanagi with a serious expression.
"It's time."
"I'm ready."
Later.
The plan was to scout, Kusanagi said he wanted to get information about Sun Wu Kong as much as he could. It seems like the young god-slayer is a cautious one, Issei had participated in battle that needed scouting before, those would become essential in real combat later.
"I think Kusanagi-san wants to observe the monkey god's behaviors to figure out his battle-style and habits."
Sitting in the car Issei shared his thought with the American Campione, Annie Charlton, earlier the task of ensuring the escape route for Kusanagi and his team if bad things happened was given to him and Annie.
"I heard his [Authority] is similar to JPS, it requires certain conditions to activate and can't be used freely like other kings."
"I haven't heard that [Authority] of god-slayers need conditions to activate."
As far as Issei could remember from his lessons taught by Asherah, all kings have [Authority] with them, after the first time they slayed a god their bodies got modified into a being above human, later each times they slayed a god they would said god's [Authority], apparently it's a random powerup decided by fate.
Annie picked her coffee cup up, inhaled a pack full of scent before gulping it in one breathe.
"JPS also needs certain conditions to use his powers, sometimes he has to sacrifice to protect his citizens, always a troublesome king he is, but what makes me work under his orders is his responsibility toward his career as the king of Los Angeles."
"I see."
Ophis wasn't here with Issei, she was left behind in the inn, trying to brew the tea the girls taught her when Issei was with Kusanagi in the bath. Issei couldn't find a better reason to let her there, in any case letting Ophis close to that monkey god is never a good thing, least they fight each others and blow everything up. That's a no-no in Issei's mind.
A silent took over the car, knowing nothing more to say Issei opened the door and walked himself to the tree nearby, it was October, the cool wind blowing through his hair, touching it Issei realized his hair was a little longer.
'I should get a hair-cut.'
From afar there were some monkeys playing on the trees, Issei hoped those were real monkeys, not the previous human ones, the more he thought about the acts of this Sun Wu Kong the more he found it suspicious about Guinevere's words.
Who was the right? Who was the wrong? Heretic gods or god-slayers?
'My eyes are blinded by the commotion of black and white, this is gray, if good people like Kusanagi-san and Annie-san exist, then people just like to do what they want like Luo Hao exist, too. If bad god like Sun Wu Kong exist then people like Guinevere exist.'
Once again she appeared in Issei's mind, black hair, cute voice, he still remembered and cherished his memory of her, even though that was a fake one. The girls had lifted it up for him, he knew sooner or later he would forget about her, but then, this, this emotion he's suffering, it exists in every time he gets close to a girl, his mind was just focusing on the girl so he somehow managed to push her image away.
'I'm so weak, pathetic, can't even forget a ghost.'
A sound clicked behind Issei, turning his head back he saw Annie with her cell phone in hand.
"I have to go, JPS has come and he needs me to report the status, I'll catch up with you guys later."
"Okay."
When Annie began to run, she looked back at Issei one last time.
"Have you made up your mind about Asherah?"
"Ah, y-yes. I understand it."
"You don't have to work it up too much, I believe a man like you will finally marry to a good girl."
Ah that's embarrassed one.
'Good thing I haven't told her about my love life, I have a girlfriend and several girls attempted to have sex with me back in my world you know.'
Soon Annie's figure disappeared into the forest, leaving Issei behind in the car.
"Hm... Now when Kusanagi-san returns who will drive?"
Issei is still a high school student, of course he hadn't taken his motorcycle or car license yet, in fact he rode on his bike more than the time he teleported. Now the only driver had gone the job to ensure everyone's escape is down to Issei, picking up the phone Kusanagi gave him he dialed the number of Annie.
'…'
Something had happened to Annie? Issei impatiently waited for a few more minutes but Annie still hadn't picked up the phone. Issei knew Annie is the JPS by her word, being a god-slayer she should be fine by her own, still an ominous feeling draining his calmness.
Before he returned to the car the phone rang, this time it was the number of Annie, immediately Issei pressed the answer button. However the voice from the other side wasn't Annie's usual voice, but a heroic and masculine one.
'Did bad things happen to you? No worry because I'm here.'
"Who are you? Where's Annie-san?"
'Oops, where's my manner. Ehem, my name, is John Pluto Smith, you can call me JPS. When Annie Charlton came to report to me the current situation we were assaulted by a group of Divine Beasts, but have no fear, I have everything under control. Annie was sent back to my personal temporary HQ to watch over the situation.'
"I-I see."
[So that's her second persona. In my life I have seen worse.]
'That doesn't help anything in this Ddraig.'
'I heard about your valiant act of fighting Divine Beasts serve the Handsome Monkey King, thanks to your effort the young lady man Campione and my subordinate were able to escape the jaw of death. Let me thank you properly on another day, how about a toast in my territory?'
"I...Eh... No, what I-"
'Then it's settled! I will contact you later, but for now we have to deal with the heretic gods first, party will be served once the disaster ended.'
"Yes! But I'm trying to tell you is that I don't know how to drive! My job is to secure the escape route for Kusanagi-san and his team so I will be the one drives the car when they arrive."
The truth is the driving job was Annie's and Issei would be holding off or eliminate any threat came after Kusanagi, but now he guessed he would become the driver to replace Annie's one.
'You give Kusanagi Godou and his female harem too little credit. Trust me, they will come out all alive even if the circumstance is impossible to survive, especially that blond Italian, she's the right hand and most loyal to Kusanagi, I don't downplay the others in his harem but she's the best among them.'
Looks like this JPS persona is not someone against harem?
'Also I have heard the circumstance regardless about you and Asherah, truthfully that evil witch has to be brought to justice no matter what happened for what she had done to my people. As a man you will feel protective toward females, but make no mistake. There's a time you will regret saving someone just because that's a girl, I'm sorry but I do not allow you to save her, even if it makes me your enemy.'
The manly voice of JPS rang through Issei's ear, pressuring him into the corner. Nonetheless Issei had made the choice in his heart.
"I understand that."
'Good! Let us meet again Hyoudou Issei.'
The call ended in an unexpected manner, Issei couldn't have a better reaction to that one. As he began to recollect himself, he could hear the booming sound over the sky.
"That must be the signal!"
As the unit to secure the retreat route, Issei's job was to wait for the signal fired by the scouting team then began to extract them from the battle zone. However right now Annie had turned into JPS and didn't show any signs of helping driving the car which was originally her role, while Issei's one is to intercept any hostiles in bound. Erica Blandelli was the first to arrive.
"Hyoudou-san, we have gotten what necessary, where's Annie-san?"
Hearing the blond Italian's question Issei replied with an unsure voice.
"She has gone to report to John Pluto Smith the Campione of Los Angeles."
Seeing the surprised face of everyone Issei knew this might become a big trouble, but the only method to get out of this situation is to believe what JPS said.
"Erica-san, I believe you can take care of this. As for me I will stand here to slow down whatever comes after you."
"Looks like we're in your debt again Hyoudou-san."
Kusanagi Godou and his companions came not long after that speech, seeing Issei in high spirit the young Campione couldn't help but smile despite his tired body.
"Hyoudou-san, I'm counting on you, this Monkey God is more dangerous than what I have faced up till now."
Issei opened the door to let Kusanagi get inside, he knew it's time to finish his role.
"Don't worry, I'll do what I can."
"If you can, please take back Mariya Hikari, she has been devoured into the stomach of that heretic god, that fellow said she wouldn't die but I'm not so sure..."
'So to rescue the victim I have to beat that monkey till he pukes out.'
Issei thought about what he got to do while the car carrying everyone ran out to the safe zone with Erica on the driver seat. JPS wasn't wrong in that regard.
"What is this? Oh Ho! A divine creature!"
A huge monkey appeared from the forest, crushing the trees and stones as he walked, with thick golden fur and the eyes of a predator he directed his killing intent to Issei.
"[Serpent]! What a great recipe to drunk myself, I will enjoy playing with you!"
"As if I'd allow you to do that!"
Even if Issei knew he was going to battle with a god, he felt no fear, the blood inside him is heating up, burning through his veins as his body covered in crimson light. This Monkey God wasn't an opponent to be underestimated, he had turned the innocent into mere monkeys for his own joy, that was enough for Issei to beat him up!
"I who was about to awaken..."
[Cardinal Crimson Full Drive!]
The surrounding of Issei was flashed up by crimson color, he could feel this time the powers inside him were more than what he had ever had.
[As long as we stand on the ground your armor would regenerate immediately!]
"I'll keep that in mind Ddraig!"
"Let's play! Here I come Crimson Serpent!"
The massive palm squashed on Issei but he dodged in the last second before opening his wings and dived into the Monkey God's neck punching both of his huge fists at the same time.
"AGH!"
Issei's fists continued to push the Monkey God into the sky, but then he was caught by the huge hands and crushed mercilessly.
"That was not hurt at all, but a very bravery move against this Handsome Monkey King! I applaud for your courage Crimson Serpent!"
The massive hands Issei was caught in were slowly breaking away his armor. Nonetheless Issei resisted to the very end, he strech his body, pushing back the fingers as much as he could before firing a Dragon Shot to the fingers nails.
"Orya!"
Blasting away the nails was enough for Issei to escape the palm of the Monkey God, the smoke came from the hands made the Monkey God having veins pop up, he's definitely hurt and angry for now, but Issei spared no expense in exploiting the little recovery time. He flew to the tail, grabbed it and began to spin the massive monkey.
"Ouch ouch ouch ouch! Stop that! You are making me feel funny with this!"
Issei swinging non stop until he got enough momentum to throw Sun Wu Kong into further the sky.
"I'm gonna charge up and blow him away Ddraig!"
[I'm on it!]
The twin cannons hidden in the wings showed up, crimson aura leaking from them. Issei knew he could get more powers if he fired from the ground but the in-between time prepare for that would allow Sun Wu Kong to find out his intention.
"Interesting interesting! I shall take that ahead!"
Coiling himself into a massive fur bar Sun Wu Kong descent toward Issei as he discharged his blasters.
[Crimson Blaster!]
The attack dried the sky crimson, contacted Sun Wu Kong's giant body damaged it bit by bit, but soon Issei realized his attack couldn't stop or make the Monkey God change his direct. Issei braced himself as the fur ball slammed him into the ground below, creating a so deep crater that human must think it as a nightmare. As the last ditch effort Issei used all of his limbs of push Sun Wu Kong away and get back to the ground.
"Hah, hah, hah..."
"You... You are strong."
The giant monkey could no longer be seen, in its place were a short monkey with a yellow shirt, he like Issei was also breathing heavily.
"I will get serious a bit, do not die so quick. Entertain me Crimson Serpent!"
Sun Wu Kong summoned his staff, for one moment all the rocks on the ground were picked up and shot toward Issei. Issei countered by shooting his shotgun Dragon Shot, soon they went into melee with each others but now Issei was at his disadvantage, even if his armor regenerated quickly Sun Wu Kong's speed was too fast, he just targeted the joint points and the vital points on Issei's body, forcing him to bring up his defense time to time.
"I am feeling so happy! This is my first time seeing such a stubborn snake like you! Tell me how do you manage to hold up this far?"
Even if Sun Wu Kong talked his staff wasn't stopping to hit Issei, sometimes Issei was able to hit back but Sun Wu Kong always had his guard so it was an useless attack.
"Perhaps you come for this little snake?"
Suddenly, a doll-like figure appeared in the Sun Wu Kong's right hand. It was the body of Divine Ancestor Asherah! However, it was very small since her body had shrunk so much it was like a ginseng root.
Despite being in such a state, the witch still seemed to be alive, for one could hear her breathing weakly.
"Asherah!"
"S-Sekiryuutei...Save me..."
Issei could barely hear her voice! She was so weak that dropping her on the ground might kill her.
"Dragon and Snake, both are [Serpent], you attract to this one, isn't it?"
That said, Sun Wu Kong devoured Asherah.
!
"Come and rip out my stomach to take her back!"
With a laugh Sun Wu Kong began his new barrage attack against Issei.
[Partner! This guy is too much for you now, quickly retreat before the True Queen loses its effect!]
"I can't Ddraig! Asherah is there in front of me! Even if I can't save her, at least, at least let me give her a peaceful death!"
For once he tasted death before, he knew how painful it is, how horrible it is. At this time Issei knew he's being a hypocrite for the want to save Asherah, but he didn't care anymore, Asherah will pay what she did with her death, so he resolved that he should be the one to let her have a peaceful death. Issei knew as long as she was in this heretic god's hand what she going to face would be worse than what Issei had faced.
'Let's see if this work!'
Issei crossed his arms, intent to take the hit head on.
"Ho Ho, what is this? You are trying to bait me?"
Shit!
[Seems like this guy isn't easy to trick.]
If Sun Wu Kong had attacked Issei when he crossing his arms, Issei could catch the staff and dragged Sun Wu Kong close to his face before firing a huge Dragon Shot, but the plan was found out in the matter of seconds!
"Ha!"
Sun Wu Kong used his staff to sweep Issei, breaking his balance before do a uppercut using the staff to hit Issei into the sky.
"You are finished! That was a fun a battle by the way."
Sun Wu Kong followed his enemy to the sky, once again he squashed his opponent's vital point, this time it's the left shoulder. Hearing the crack sound he knew it must have been broken, even if the Crimson Serpent had great regeneration the wound caused by a god wouldn't mend so fast.
"He he he..."
"Huh?"
If the helmet of Issei had the sight holes, Sun Wu Kong would know he was lured into the second trap, Issei's left hand was able to catch the staff with an steel grip while his left fist gave Sun Wu Kong a haymaker.
"Ouch!"
Sun Wu Kong stepped back retaking his staff, Issei knew his trick finally worked.
[Divide!]
"W-What? My power...!"
The gauntlet on Issei's right arm was covered in white color instead of crimson, it was the power he got from his rival Vali Lucifer, the ability to half his enemy's power and add it to himself. In the normal Scale Mail Issei wouldn't be able to pull this stunt on a god-class enemy, but he was in his strongest mode.
"You...! You...!"
Issei shot another Dragon Shot at Sun Wu Kong but his staff had extended and dived into Issei's torso, shoving him into the forest below crushing everything in its path.
[Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide!]
Still not as powerful as his rival, but those to Issei at this critical moment. With the enhanced strength from Sun Wu Kong he was able to catch the staff pushing him.
"Take this!"
Guessing the Monkey God still holding the staff Issei swung the staff cutting the hill to his left in half with Sun Wu Kong being the one at the other side, dragging through the hill with his entire body.
[Divide! Divide!]
Once again Issei activated Divide Gear's power, his armor was cracked everywhere, his wings changed into the blue-light one to exhaust the excess power he couldn't hold, but even so his body was reaching the limit. Sun Wu Kong's power simply was too massive for him to continue cutting and keeping.
[Partner, stop the Divide Gear! Your armor gonna burst like Vali's!]
"I can't Ddraig! Just some more minutes that guy will-"
SREEECH!
It was like a flash, all Issei could see was blood spilling everywhere, some of the red hot liquid flew to the space of his broken helmet, on his right his eyes caught the image of the white gauntlet falling to the forest below before the pain hit him, but that wasn't the end. The staff he was holding became so huge that it made him looks like a bug to it, to make it worse the balance of the staff was changed, at the other head he could see a huge hammer appeared from nowhere dropping on the staff like hammering a nail.
"...72 spells...! Excell...! You force me to...!"
[Partner!]
Issei could swear Ddraig's voice was ringing in his head, but the pain and fatigue had slowly taken over his body, he was losing control, the crimson light around his armor was fading in darkness.
BAM!
The last image in his eyes was the staff of Sun Wu Kong pressing his body deep into the ground.
"So this is Little Aisha's world?"
"Yes Lord Rizevim!"
The two people, or not, since they weren't human by any sense.
The man in his middle whose hair and beard was silver asked the young maiden beside him.
"Is there any Gods, or more Campione in your world?"
"Yes! Currently beside me, there are 6 Campione. I don't know about the Gods, they appear too random."
She replied to him with an innocent voice. He was a man, a handsome noble Madam Aisha had decided to trust.
"I see. Thank you for that~~! Speaking of which, this place is somewhere in Europe, right?"
"Ah yes, this place looks oddly familiar to me. Hm, where did I see it...?"
Rizevim took a device out of his robe, it was a tool to let him know where he was.
"I... think we're in Eastern Europe?"
"Oh! I remember! This is the territory of Marquis Voban!"
"The oldest Campione?"
"Yes, he's rude! I don't like him. We should go before that old man gets angry with us being in his territory without his permission."
"Hm, you're right~~! We, should get going~~. After all, the oldest Campione is not one of my... interests."
"I know it! Lord Rizevim is a noble man who doesn't like rude man like Marquis Voban!"
"Of course I am, Little Aisha~~."
I was too weak. I couldn't save her, what I heard afterward was too horrible for me to believe. As I lay my tired body I begin to think about what has happened to me in my life so far I realize one thing.
Luck always favors me.
From being resurrected by a kind master to meeting nice people, simply luck was helping me too much. I ask myself what if I was serving a pure blood arrogant noble and such questions like that. In fact my head won't be full of happiness like the me now. And this battle has taught me one thing.
Power is everything. With more powers I could have saved more people, I could have killed my enemies quicker before the damage was deal. I find it such an appeal thought, perhaps this is what I should have done in the beginning.
I need more powers.
...
[Partner...]
...
This is the last chapter of Act 1, I'm quite happy seeing this one finally gets the update. In fact I didn't think that I would at least finish Act 1 but got boring instead and began other projects. Anyway I'm going to attend a boot camp (I guess? The place where you will learn military basic thingy and such) for one month so I had to rush this chapter. Please point out what's wrong with it and I'll try my best to correct, when I return of course.
For anyone wonder Annie will be just friend with Issei, yes, friend only or friend-zone, I even have plans like having Issei talk with Erica and then slap some sense into Godou, but that's for future and it's not certain. It's not necessary for Issei to get more girls, he already has enough so I'll focus more on other aspects. I admit I'm not good with writing battle scenes, mainly due to my terrible description and English wording/grammar so please pardon me for that.
Now onto the future Act, Issei won't attend the same school as Godou, why? Because it's overused, "Transfer Student" it is, his powerup also would not be like canon (he won't get Dividing Wyvern Fairy for example) and as I typed before it would contain massive canon breaker so the story might have plotholes, again I'll try my best to tune it down. I also want to reread Campione and High school DxD light novel so the next update might be a little longer.