High School DxD: Inheritor of Malevolence

by dvdryms

There exist infinite universes, infinite possibilities. In one of them, an almost normal first-year high school student will discover that there is more to the world around him than meets the eye following a certain encounter. But where will his path lead him when the forbidden power sleeping within him awakens?

46. Reunion

Chapter 46 – Reunion

"This is the former Valefor territory, eh? It has seen better days for sure."

Alkaid remarked, his expression hidden behind the smiling half-white, half black mask he wore as he surveyed his surroundings. What spread before his eyes were the ruins of what must have once been a majestic and prosperous city, the last rays of the Underworld's setting artificial sun illuminating its once grand buildings. However, nature had reclaimed most of it, with an abundance of greenery enveloping the ruins and wild animals prowling around the vast area in search of food.

One such animal, an oversized ram with steel hooves, a forked tail, a pair of black-feathered wings growing from its back, and flames coming out of its nostrils took notice of Alkaid and ran towards him at full speed, opening its fanged mouth wide. He barely paid any heed to it as he snapped his fingers. The next moment, the creature's body swelled up and exploded, leaving behind only a bloody puddle.

"Wasn't that a Baphomet, one of the fiercest wild animals in the Underworld that even a High-class Devil would have trouble against? My, my, that was quite the impressive display if I do say so myself, Alkaid-dono."

The one who had spoken as he emerged from a magic circle was Memnon, a seemingly relaxed expression on his face. Even so, the flames of fervent zealotry bordering on insanity could still be glimpsed in his golden eyes.

"Memnon." Alkaid nodded at his ally. "Right on time as usual. Allow me to express my condolences for your slain compatriots during the failed attack on the Devil King-sponsored party. It appears our moves were read to a far greater extent than we anticipated, and that resulted in a large number of causalities."

"That is an unnecessary concern." Memnon made a dismissive gesture. "Each noble sacrifice, each life laid down for the sake of the cause, it merely paves the path leading to our great masters' release and the realization of our ideal world. Their dedication and the proof of their worthiness should be celebrated, not mourned."

Deluded fool. Alkaid thought in derision. Trapped by the lies and false promises your so-called 'great masters' have served you. Even though you should be fully aware of the various divine beings' penchant for betrayal and cruelty, you would still devote yourself to them. Such folly.

"Then I shall do just that." Alkaid responded to Memnon, keeping his true thoughts unspoken. "Now, as for the other member of our group…"

As Alkaid spoke, a magic circle appeared a short distance away from him and Memnon, letting out a bright light. Once it died down, the figure of Shalba could be seen standing there, with Victor Rahovart being next to him. The descendant of the Devil king Beelzebub gazed at the ruins for a few seconds with a hard expression on his face before turning to face his associates.

"Good, you two are already here." Shalba said as he walked to the two of them. "Let's not waste any more time then. I assume this meeting is about the progress of the next plan?"

"Indeed." Alkaid said. "All the necessary preparations are ready from my end thanks to Ophis-sama's gracious aid, along with some assistance from the Hero Faction's Longinus possessors. I guarantee that infiltrating and altering the game field without our adversaries realizing the true nature of these changes will be realized without an issue. What about you, Memnon?"

"Our priests have completed the blueprint for the ceremony at last, and its key part will be ready for use once some more…fine tuning is performed on it." Memnon grinned. "However, everything hinges on our chosen player winning the next match of the youth Rating Games. Otherwise, it will all be for nothing."

"There will not be any problems on that front." Shalba said. "The power boost granted by Ophis' snake will be more than enough to tilt the scales in our favor when it comes to our young collaborator. However, this plan had better work to perfection. We lost plenty of good soldiers in the previous battle, and more and more of our supporters are being hunted down as we speak. Ajuka Astaroth has also been working overtime in closing any and all unregistered accessways available to our True Devil King Faction, meaning our movements in the Underworld are becoming more and more restricted. Even coming to this ruined region was a risk, one I'm not certain it was wise to take."

"Lost your nerve after a single setback, Shalba?" Memnon smirked. "You Devil King descendants and your feeble mentality. No wonder Sirzechs Gremory and the others have ruled the Underworld undisputed for almost six centuries now."

"Stay your tongue, cultist!" Victor snarled, his arm morphing into a stinger and eight spider legs growing from his back. "Speaking to Shalba-sama in such a disrespectful manner is a crime worthy of capital punishment!"

"Don't get so agitated, Victor." Shalba said, a sardonic smile on his face. "Insults coming from someone with straws in his hair mean less than nothing to me, especially one obsessed with some long-fallen deities of little consequence in the grand scheme of things."

"Big words coming from a pampered exiled princeling with no meritorious deeds to his name." Memnon's crazed grin became wider as a scythe materialized in his hands. "If you wish to antagonize me and our lords though, perhaps an early harvest dedicated to the venerated Cronus-sama is needed before the main event!"

"Come then! I will personally—!"

"Gentlemen." Alkaid clapped his hands, interrupting Shalba before the argument could escalate. "Petty squabbles such as this are a waste of time and energy. Save it for the enemy, who would be down on the floor laughing right now if they saw you like this."

Memnon, Shalba and Victor seemed dissatisfied, but they suppressed their auras and limited themselves to glaring at each other. As for Alkaid, he barely suppressed the deep sigh that was about to come from his mouth.

It's almost like I'm dealing with children…

"To get back on topic, I arranged for this face-to-face meeting in order to ensure that there are no leaks whatsoever regarding the progress of our upcoming operation." Alkaid said. "I still have my suspicions that there has been betrayal from within in our last battle, but nothing concrete as of yet. When it comes to the individuals here, I trust that none of you would jeopardize our goals."

"That's a given." Shalba said. "If there's nothing else of importance to be said, I would like to leave this dreadful wreck as soon as possible. The mere sight of it evokes unpleasant memories."

"Yes, there is still much work to be done after all." Memnon said as he formed a teleportation magic circle beneath his feet. "Rest assured, next time we meet, we'll be dancing on the corpses of our slain foes as we welcome a new world."

After Memnon vanished from the area, Shalba attempted to construct a teleportation magic circle as well, only for Alkaid to call out to him.

"One moment, Shalba. There is one more thing."

"What is it?" Shalba asked. "Like that irksome cultist said, there are still preparations to be made, so I cannot afford to waste my time here for trivialities."

"Trust me, this is important, and it is the main reason I called you out here on this day." Alkaid said. "You could say that what I'm about to present you will further tilt the scales in our side's favor if you can use it properly."

Alkaid reached into his pocket, with Victor tensing next to Shalba as he focused on the masked man's movements, ready to protect his master if need be. What he pulled out was a deformed stone finger that had several Devil letters engraved on it and was letting out a malicious aura that sent shivers down Shalba's spine.

"What is that object?" Shalba frowned. "It appears to be an artifact of some sorts, and one that carries considerable power at that. Also, isn't that an archaic form of our written language on it? Could this be…a relic from our forefathers' time? If so, where did you come across it?"

"Nebiros." Alkaid said. "That name should be familiar to you, no?"

"One of the Six Houses of Lucifer that served under the first Devil King Lucifer…" Shalba muttered with a troubled expression. "How can this be possible though? Nebiros…several clan members were killed during the Civil War, and the patriarch, Zaorama, vanished during its last stages and was considered dead. Are you telling me he actually survived?"

"He did, as did several members of the clan." Alkaid said. "They have secluded themselves somewhere and are still conducting research and various experiments like they have always done since the ancient times. One of them involves harnessing the power of the relic I'm holding. Theoretically, it should give you the strength to match any of the current Devil Kings…if you are able to control it, that is. Your uncle attempted to use it during the Civil War, but it proved too much for him to handle."

"Asheran…" Shalba narrowed his eyes. "His transformation into a chimera, the rumors of his dreadful power that terrified both friend and foe…everything was the result of that object then? What is its true nature?"

"That is not something Nebiros has seen fit to share with me." Alkaid said. "However, I know this much at least; it was meant to serve as your forefathers' trump card in case they had to face Deus Trinity or other Pantheons should they invade the Underworld. As such, I'm certain it boasts considerable power. Question is, are you willing to claim it?"

"Shalba-sama, I don't believe this is a good idea." Victor said as he spoke next to his master's ear. "This man might be acting as Ophis' majordomo and has assisted us a few times so far, but that doesn't mean we can trust his word regarding the origins of this object or the continued existence of Nebiros. Furthermore, even if that was the source of Asheran-sama's abnormal power, it still wasn't enough for him to match Sirzechs Gremory in the end. Moreover, there is also the risk of you turning into a rampaging beast like he did as well. Consider all that well."

"What Victor Rahovart says regarding the dangers of this weapon is true." Alkaid said. "As for trusting my word, I can arrange for you to contact Nebiros yourself and judge whether I'm speaking the truth or not. Also, keep in mind that, unlike your deceased uncle, you have received Ophis-sama's power. Not to mention, your resolve is far greater than his, no? Or does your hatred amount to only this much?"

Shalba was silent for a few seconds, seemingly pondering his options. He then reached out with his hand and grabbed the finger from Alkaid's open palm.

"I will accept this and your offer to put me in touch with Nebiros." Shalba said, examining the finger with a fervent gaze. "If this truly has the properties you claim it does…then I shall not hesitate to use it against these phony Devil Kings. I will utilize anything at my disposal if it means destroying these bastards and burning everything that they hold dear to the ground!"

"Splendid." Alkaid said. "I will forward the required communication sequences to you. I only ask that you keep Nebiros' involvement a secret from the others for the time being. Their technological expertise is a great advantage for our side that I would rather not leak out to our enemies."

"Do not take me for a simpleton, Alkaid." Shalba said with a scowl. "I understand the need for secrecy very well. Let's go, Victor."

"Right away, my lord."

Victor formed a teleportation magic circle beneath him and Shalba, giving one last nasty look at Alkaid before he and Shalba vanished from the area. Once he was sure they were gone, Alkaid let out the exasperated sigh he was holding in for a while now.

"Honestly, it's so troublesome dealing with these fellows and their narrow-minded worldviews…" Alkaid muttered to himself, tapping his cane on the ground. "It should be interesting to see if Shalba will be able to harness the power of the Devil King Arms, but even if he fails, Nebiros should get the necessary data to complete the adjustment on the weapons out of him. If our Middle East operation goes as planned too, then at long last, I'll be one step closer to ending this millennia-old charade…"

After saying so, Alkaid swung his cane and stepped into the rift in space he opened, vanishing from the area.

---

"Tch, what a rotten way to mark the end of summer vacation and the beginning of the new semester!"

"…Why? I think it's quite fitting for us."

"Less talking, more fighting, you two!"

Takeshi, Koneko and Xenovia exchanged such words while dodging attacks from their opponents, a trio of monstrous Stray Devils consisting of a large half-human, half-scorpion hybrid, a Minotaur carrying an axe crackling with electricity and a lizardman with sharp talons dripping with venom extending from his fingers and toes.

They and the rest of the Gremory Peerage were in the outskirts of a village several kilometers outside of Kuoh Town. An hour ago, Rias had received an emergency order from the Archduke's agents early in the morning to hunt down a Stray Devil Cluster that had made an appearance in the area, mobilizing the entire group to go after them. While the rest of the Peerage had taken positions on the nearby houses' roofs to ensure that the Strays wouldn't escape and the humans would remain unaware of the fight, Takeshi, Koneko and Xenovia had moved in to subjugate their cornered opponents.

Dodging the jabs from the scorpion man's stinger, Takeshi coated his leg with draconic aura and kicked away the claw aiming for his head. Jumping over his opponent, Takeshi summoned Blight Current. As the scorpion man turned around to face him, Takeshi transformed Blight Current into its eight-pronged whip form and directed it at his foe. The scorpion man retreated in haste with his several legs, using his claws and tail to bat away the incoming whips.

Tapping his foot on the ground, Takeshi spread a thin sheet of ice over the asphalt, with the scorpion man slipping on it and almost crashing on a nearby dumpster. Before he could recover, the whips had wrapped themselves around his body, with their poisoned barbs digging into his skin. The Stray Devil howled in agony, but didn't have the chance to do more than that as Takeshi jumped into the air, dragging him along.

"Get over here!"

Extending his wings and enveloping his legs in draconic aura, Takeshi shouted as he pulled the scorpion man towards him and dropkicked him, tearing through him and landing on a nearby roof as his remains crashed on the ground.

[Eh, not bad.] Orochi remarked. [Could have ended this way faster with my armor though. Kind of a waste, partner.]

Maybe, but I wasn't in the mood to turn the entire neighborhood into a wreck. Takeshi said. Call it a me problem.

[Sounds like a very serious problem if you ask me.]

While Takeshi and Orochi had this small exchange, Koneko was busy trading blows with the lizardman. Despite his furious attempts to slash her with his poisoned talons, Koneko would always evade his attacks with dance-like movements before retaliating with swift jabs.

Although the lizardman's hide was hard enough to prevent her from doing much damage to his exterior, the internal damage from her ki-infused blows was piling up. This caused the lizardman's movements to become more and more sluggish as blood trickled from his orifices.

"You…you little shit!"

The lizardman snarled as he swung his tail at Koneko. Enveloping herself in Touki, she stopped the blow by catching the tail and lifted the Stray Devil over her body, burying him in the asphalt head first. Conjuring several ki bullets, she bombarded his body with them.

The lizardman let out a muffled scream as he launched the talons from his toes, aiming for Koneko. She stopped them most of them in midair with her rudimentary telekinesis, a couple of them flying past her and embedding themselves in the wall behind her. She gathered Touki around her fist and was about to charge, but stopped herself upon noticing that her opponent's body had gone limp and that all his vital functions had shut down.

"Take this!"

A short distance away, Xenovia shouted thus as she deflected the Minotaur's axe with her Almace, with the lightning surrounding the weapon dissipating due to the blade's anti-magic properties. The Minotaur howled as he lowered his head and charged at Xenovia, aiming to skewer her with his sharp horns.

Enveloping her body with demonic power to strengthen herself, Xenovia brought up Almace, catching the horns at the flat of the blade. Although she was sent skidding backwards a couple of meters and grunted due to the force of the blow, she managed to stop the Stray Devil's charge with her Rook-enhanced strength.

The Minotaur tried to smash her head with a chop, but Xenovia countered with an uppercut, breaking two of the monster's fingers in the process. She then swung Almace, chopping off one of the monster's horns as he stumbled backwards while howling in pain.

"This will end you!"

A rift in space appeared behind Xenovia, with Durandal's aura flowing out of it. However, instead of enveloping Almace, it wrapped itself around her body, causing the asphalt beneath her feet to begin cracking.

[Don't get too reckless, Xenovia!] Rias' worried voice came from the communicator in Xenovia's ear. [Even during training, you have yet to succeed using this technique!]

"No time like the present to do so!"

Xenovia declared as she charged at her opponent with the intent to finish him off. However, at that moment, the two auras surrounding her began destabilizing and exploded all of a sudden, sending Xenovia flying backwards and crashing on the wall with minor injuries on her body. Seeing that, a savage smile appeared on the Minotaur's features as he dashed at her, raising his axe high.

"…Senpai!"

"That blockhead!"

Koneko and Takeshi shouted as they rushed to help Xenovia. However, before they could do so, a large figure-of-eight shield appeared in front of Xenovia, shielding her from the blow. Several ice arrows flew at the Minotaur next and embedded themselves in his throat, chest and legs, stopping him in his tracks. The ice arrows turned into water and entered the Stray Devil's body, ripping it apart from the inside. The Minotaur let out an agonized howl as he fell on the ground face first, with rivulets of blood flowing out from all over his body.

"That was close…"

Pandora, the one who had sniped the Minotaur, let out a relieved sigh as she lowered her azure-colored longbow, with both it and her shield turning back into Water and Earth Spirits respectively that vanished into thin air. Meanwhile, Takeshi walked to Xenovia's side, helping her up.

"Thank you." Xenovia said, and then winced. "That didn't go the way I planned it to…"

"No kidding." Takeshi said. "What were you thinking? You've been struggling to get the hang of this technique ever since our time in Mito, so what made you think you could succeed today?"

"Foolish optimism…and regrets, I guess." Xenovia said with a bitter expression. "If I had perfected this move, I might have been able to avoid retiring in our game against Student President's group. That's why, I want to hurry up and master it before an even worse situation comes around that requires me to use it."

"Xenovia…"

Takeshi muttered. He understood her feelings of disappointment with herself very well. After all, he was also still bitter about the results of the game, and so were Rias and the others. However, it was plain as day that Xenovia had taken it a bit harder compared to everyone else since she was the only one who had been defeated in battle apart from Rias. This hadn't sat well with her and had stung her warrior's pride quite a bit, hence her desire to improve herself so that she wouldn't lose next time.

"Excellent work, everyone." Rias, who had descended from the sky along with Yuuto and Pandora, said as she turned her attention to Xenovia. "Are you alright? That seemed like a nasty blow."

"It's nothing serious, President." Xenovia said. "I'm quite durable after all."

"That's good to hear, but that doesn't mean you can be as wild as you wish." Rias said. "Wanting to get stronger is good and all, but rushing things can have adverse effects on you and those around you. Next time, avoid using techniques you haven't fully mastered in real battle."

"I understand, President." Xenovia said. "It won't happen again."

"Good." Rias said. "Once Akeno and Gasper are finished with eliminating all traces of battle, we'll head back home and get ready for school. It's a big day today after all, what with the new semester starting."

"I have to admit, I'm looking forward to this." Takeshi said as he stretched his arms while watching the rising sun. "Taking a break from life-threatening battles for a bit and enjoying normal life would be great."

"Not to mention, there's the sports festival and the school trip to look forward to." Pandora said, looking somewhat excited. "I'm sure they'll be wonderful experiences."

"True, and there's also a bit of a surprise as well." Rias said. "I guarantee that you especially will be shocked, Takeshi."

"Oh, now you've got me curious." Takeshi said. "I don't suppose you'll give me a hint?"

"Nope." Rias said with a playful smile. "Don't worry, you'll find out about it soon enough, so look forward to it until then. It's a pleasant one, I promise."

"Cleanup is complete, President." Akeno said, landing next to Rias alongside Gasper. "Moreover, Gasper-kun and I didn't find any indication that this Cluster was connected to the Khaos Brigade in any way. Like I told you, not every disturbance in the world is related to these terrorists, so there's no need to be so wound up."

"As the humans say, once bitten, twice shy." Rias said. "And we've been 'bitten' quite a few times so far, which is why I can't help but be somewhat paranoid. I'm glad that my worries were unfounded though. We can welcome the new semester without being concerned about another disaster looming over our heads."

"This semester…I will do my b-best to make friends with other students!" Gasper said with a determined expression, but then started trembling. "Or m-maybe settle for not r-running away when they greet me…"

"…Don't worry, Gya-kun." Koneko said, patting her fellow first year's shoulder. "If you try to run away, I'll make sure to put you on a stranglehold."

"P-Please don't resort to violence like that, Koneko-chaaaaan!"

Everyone chuckled as they entered the teleportation magic circle conjured by Akeno and left the area, transporting themselves back to the Ryuugamine residence. Since Takeshi's parents were both absent, there had been no need for secrecy. After taking quick showers, treating Xenovia's minor wounds and having a quick breakfast, the group left the house and headed for Kuoh Academy together while making small talk among themselves.

"Many of our classmates seem different somehow." Pandora remarked as she looked at the familiar boys and girls around them that were making their way to school as well. "Their hairstyles, their clothes, their accessories, they've changed them all. Is this some sort of tradition?"

"You could say that." Yuuto said. "During summer, many of our fellow students tend to go through a major image change to become more appealing to the opposite gender. They call this a Summer Debut if I'm not mistaken."

"Is that so?" Pandora tilted her head to the side, looking somewhat troubled. "Should I have done something like that as well?"

"What for?" Takeshi said. "You're already drop-dead gorgeous as you are, Pandora."

"G-Geez, what are you saying all of a sudden in such a brazen manner…?"

Pandora muttered with a healthy blush on her face, though her expression was pleased and a small smile could be seen on her face.

"…Incorrigible lady-killer."

Koneko stared at Takeshi with half-lidded eyes as she aimed a punch at him. Takeshi dodged it with ease while chuckling.

"Aw, there's no need to be jealous, Koneko-chan." Takeshi grinned. "You, as well as every girl in our club, are among the most beautiful women in the world. Even the various Goddesses would be hard-pressed to match you."

"Ara, ara, as always, you're a pro when it comes to sweet-talking us." Akeno said with a wide smile as she wrapped her arms around Takeshi's own, placing her lips near his ears. "I hope you can show me how much you crave me through actions though. Rias and Koneko-chan have monopolized you for far too long, and I have needs of my own."

"Having my lovely girlfriend be dissatisfied is the last thing I want." Takeshi said, pulling Akeno closer to him. "Things have been hectic, but I promise you we'll have some…private time of our own very soon. Don't blame me if it turns out to be more intense than you expected though."

"Oh my, looks like I have to prepare myself in more ways than one." Akeno licked her lips with a flushed look on her face. "That ferocious look in your eyes, it's making me all warm and tingly inside, ufufu~."

"What are you two whispering among yourselves?" Rias asked as she grabbed Takeshi's other arm. "Judging from Akeno's expression, it can't be anything decent."

"Secret~." Akeno winked at Rias. "That's between Takeshi and I."

At that moment, the group arrived at school and made their way to the gymnasium for the opening ceremony. Once it was finished, they split up, with Rias and Akeno heading to their classroom, and Koneko and Gasper heading to theirs. Takeshi, Yuuto, Xenovia and Pandora moved together as they entered their classroom.

"Hey there, Occult Research Club quartet." Aika greeted them by raising her hand. "All of you are looking good. You guys must have enjoyed your summer vacation, yes?"

"Enjoy…isn't the word I would use." Takeshi said as his mind flashed back to the battles they had fought, his training under Tannin and the Rating Game. "It was alright all things considered. More importantly, what's going on with these three?"

Takeshi gestured at the members of the Perverted Trio, who were slumped on their desks with a dark atmosphere hanging over them.

"Ah, don't mind them." Aika said in a dismissive manner. "They're just salty because they spent a worthless summer while several of our fellow students 'graduated' from being virgins. Not a problem you'd understand, I'm sure, Ryuugamine."

"There's no need to be so depressed, you three." Yuuto said. "I didn't do anything of…that sort during summer either, and I'm fine with it."

"Don't joke with us, damn handsome!" Issei shouted. "You can lose your virginity any time you wish, so don't try to console us! Not to mention, you've been having lots of one-on-one meetings with Shinra-senpai lately! There's no way nothing's going on there!"

"No, we're only meeting to talk about books and writing…"

"And you!" Issei pointed at Takeshi, ignoring Yuuto. "Not only are you juggling four girls at once, they're also living in your house if the rumors are true!? It's unfair! Unfair, I say! Why is it that the only bit of good luck that I've had with girls recently was giving directions to a blonde foreigner who was separated from her friends and had lost her way this morning!? What's wrong with this world!?"

"You know the answer to that, Hyoudou." Takeshi said with a fed-up expression. "I've told you before, if you three improved yourselves a bit more and weren't so upfront with your fetishes and desires, you would have found a girlfriend already."

"It's not that simple!" Matsuda said. "To begin with, we—!"

"Speaking of girlfriends, what about you, Pandora-chan~?" Aika asked with a mischievous smile as she put her arms around her while Matsuda was ranting to Takeshi. "Made any significant progress during summer, or should we get back to the drawing board? Perhaps—"

"Give it a rest already, Kiryuu-san." Pandora said with a serious expression as she released herself from Aika's hold. "I appreciate your concern for my love life, but nothing can happen between me and Takeshi, or any other man for that matter. Like I've said time and time again, the problem lies with me and it's a private one, so please, stop coming up with your usual schemes."

"Hm, looks like your issues are more serious than I thought." Aika said while rubbing her chin. "It can't be helped then. I'll back off…for now at least. What about you, Xenovia-san? Interested in any romantic advice?"

"Not really." Xenovia said. "I'm busy tempering myself these days. Later though, I might depend on you for guidance, Kiryuu. Romantic relationships are an important part of youth, but I'm not sure how to proceed on that front…"

"You've come to the right place then." Aika grinned. "This Kiryuu Aika will make sure to guide you very well when it comes to this crucial aspect of youth. Should I start laying the groundwork with any man in particular?"

"I'm…not sure." Xenovia said, glancing at Takeshi for a brief moment. "The concept of romantic love and the feelings that come with it, I don't understand it at all."

"You had best ask President or Koneko-chan then." Pandora interjected before Aika could speak. "Kiryuu-san means well, or at least I think she does, but her advice can be a bit…extreme at times."

"Love is war, and in war, you have to take bold actions if you want to win, you know." Aika said. "Also, you should—"

"Big news, everyone!"

A student shouted while rushing in the classroom, looking excited. After stopping for a few seconds to catch his breath, he spoke out so everyone could hear him.

"I heard this in passing from a teacher!" He said. "There are four transfer students coming to this class, three girls and a boy! Not to mention, most of them are foreigners!"

This abrupt and unexpected announcement caused a small uproar in class. Takeshi wasn't surprised by that reaction. Transfer students at this time of year was unusual, and four of them at the same time and in the same class was even more unusual.

More like, the odds of that happening is astronomically low. Takeshi thought. Could it have something to do with Rias' surprise…?

Speculation ran rampant with regard to the transfer students' identity and reasons for coming to Kuoh, only for the teacher's imminent arrival to put an end to it as everyone hurried to their seats. Once they were done with the customary greeting, the teacher cleared his throat before speaking.

"Everyone, before we begin, I have some news for you." The teacher said. "Starting from today, four new students will be joining our class. Most of them are from overseas, so I expect you to be on your best behavior and do everything you can to help them adjust to their new environment."

Taking a look around, Takeshi noticed that most students were waiting for the new students to enter with bated breath. The male ones seemed more excited due to the fact that most of the new transfer students were girls, but several girls could also hardly contain their own curiosity and anticipation.

"Come in."

Following the teacher's words, four youths entered the classroom. While one of them was an unfamiliar lovely girl with long blond hair and green eyes, the other three caused Takeshi's eyes to open wide, with him barely containing the shocked exclamation that was about to come out of his mouth. Glancing to his side, Takeshi noticed similar expressions on Yuuto, Pandora and Xenovia's faces.

"My name is Asia Argento." The unfamiliar girl spoke first, making a small bow. "I h-hope we can get along, everyone!"

"The girl I met this morning…?"

Issei muttered with a surprised expression as the sole boy among the newcomers spoke next.

"My name is Leon Ainsworth." Leon said with a smile, making a salute with his fingers while winking at Takeshi. "Everyone, it's a pleasure to be here with all of you."

"…Dia Serrano." Next to Leon, Dia inclined her head in greeting. "…Good to meet you."

"My name is Shidou Irina!" Irina introduced herself in an energetic manner. "Please take care of me for the next couple of years, everyone!"

"…A gorgeous blonde foreigner duo. I'm so damn glad I chose to attend this school!"

"…The chestnut-haired girl with the twintails is also really cute. Definitely prime girlfriend material."

"…Tch, another damn handsome joined the class. Wasn't that bastard Kiba bad enough?"

"…That guy is totally my type! He looks even more of a prince than Kiba-kun!"

"…Hey, you called dibs on Maeda-san already! This one is mine!"

Such hushed conversations could be heard all around class. Takeshi barely paid any heed to them, still struggling to wrap his head around the fact that his childhood friend and familiar agents of the Church had transferred to his class out of the blue.

[Isn't this great, whelp!?] Grendel said while laughing. [We get another chance to beat Ddraig and his meat puppet into a bloody pulp! You can't ask for anything more!]

Sorry to disappoint you, but there won't be any beating or anything of that sort. Takeshi thought. Keep those violent tendencies and grudge of yours in check, Grendel.

[I will not!] Grendel growled. [You're not the boss of me, whelp!]

"Alright, that's enough chatter, everyone." The teacher said, turning to the newcomers. "You four, take your seats."

The transfer students did as they were told, with the teacher starting the lesson shortly afterwards. Once break time came, the Church members were swarmed by most of the students, who started bombarding them with questions. Seeing that making their way through this mass without resorting to extreme means was impossible, Takeshi let out a small amount of his draconic aura. The effects were immediate as several students jumped up in fright and moved out of the way in instinct, creating an opening for Takeshi and the others.

"Come with us for a bit."

The four Devils led the Church members to the staircase leading to the roof. Once they made sure no-one was around, Leon turned to Takeshi and spoke.

"While it hasn't been that long, with all that's happened since the conference, it feels like an eternity since we last met." Leon grinned as he and Takeshi bumped fists. "Have you been doing well, Takeshi?"

"As well as the Evil Dragon User can." Takeshi said with a matching grin. "Rias said something about a surprise, but I never expected seeing you again so soon. Did Heaven dispatch you guys here?"

"That's right." Leon said. "By order of Michael-sama, we'll be assisting the members of the Three Factions in this area from now on. I'll give your side the details later once classes are finished."

While Leon and Takeshi were talking, Xenovia and Irina were embracing each other while smiling.

"I'm so happy that we got to meet each other again, Xenovia!" Irina said. "I was afraid that our respective positions might keep us apart forever, but we were blessed with peace in our time! Ah, praise to Michael-sama for his part in allowing this to happen!"

"Yes, I'm also glad to see you being your usual energetic self, Irina." Xenovia said with a forced smile. "I wonder though, is the damage I'm receiving from your cross some form of divine punishment…?"

"Oops, sorry about that." Irina took a step back in haste. "You're a Devil now after all."

"That I am." Xenovia said. "How have you been, Irina? Last time I saw you, the news about…that matter had hit you pretty hard."

Xenovia avoided mentioning Deus Trinity's death while glancing at Asia. Dia, who noticed this, spoke.

"…No worries." Dia said. "…Asia knows too."

"Yes, our Lord's ultimate fate is something I'm aware of, so don't hold back on my account." Asia said with a sad smile. "It's a terrible loss…but I'm sure he would have wanted us to keep moving forward while upholding his word and teachings."

"Now that I look at you closely, you seem kind of familiar…" Xenovia said with a frown. "Aren't you the rumored Holy Maiden Asia? While I was still a member of the Vatican, there was some sort of uproar a while back regarding the use of your Sacred Gear, no?"

"Yes, that's right…" Asia said with evident hesitation. "I was almost convicted because I used my power to heal a wounded Devil, but…"

"But some of us were able to talk some sense into the Church higher-ups, those narrow-minded fellows who were about to exile an upstanding individual like Asia-chan here for upholding the core values of our faith and brand her a witch because of her Sacred Gear." Leon said, placing his hand on Asia's shoulder. "How dumb is that, I ask you. Heaven's Sacred Gear System is the origin of all Sacred Gear abilties, so if they have any complaints, they should take them with the deceased Deus Trinity for creating a Gear that can heal all races regardless of affiliation."

"…Stupid geezers." Dia said with a frown, placing her hand on Asia's other shoulder. "…Asia is the best."

"Ah, thank you very much for your kind words, Leon-sama, Dia-sama!"

Asia bowed at the two of them with an expression of gratitude on her face. However, both Leon and Dia pouted at that.

"How many times do we have to tell you this, Asia-chan…?" Leon sighed. "Drop the '-sama' already. We're fellow believers and Angels, so there's no need to revere us or anything."

"…Friends." Dia said while wagging her finger at Asia. "…No formalities."

"But I have to show proper respect to Michael-sama's son and the Lord's daughter…" Asia said. "It's only natural, especially after all you've done for me."

"You're a stubborn piece of work despite your gentle nature." Leon said with a fed-up expression. "We'll get that out of your system one way or another though. I understand that you're grateful, but still…"

"Ah, that reminds me." Asia said, turning to Takeshi. "One of the boys in our class was kind enough to help me today when I got lost in town. I believe his name was…Issei-san? Could you introduce me to him? I want to thank him once again."

"Hyoudou?" Takeshi said. "Sure thing, Asia-san. I'm sure he'll be thrilled. Anyway, we should head back to class now. Break time is almost over."

The members of the group nodded as they made their way back to class 2-A.

---

Later…

"Leon-san, Dia-san, Irina-san, Argento-san, as the High-class Devil in charge of this area, allow me to formally welcome you all to Kuoh Academy and this town in general. I hope we can all get along together from now on as fellow students and members of the Three Factions alliance."

Rias said with a wide smile, addressing the four Church members in front of her. Once classes were over, she, the rest of her Peerage, Sona and Azazel had gathered in the Occult Research Club's clubroom to welcome the newcomers.

"It's good to see that all of you are healthy and doing well." Leon smiled back. "As Heaven's representatives in this town, in the name of Michael-sama, we pledge to do our best in order to support you in any and all endeavors from this point on. I would wish for us to spend our time in this school peacefully, but that's not something I see happening any time soon with the Khaos Brigade still around."

"You got that right, Red Dragon Emperor." Azazel said. "I assume all four of you are aware of Deus Trinity's death?"

"Of course." Leon said. "However, the majority of the support personnel that will set up shop in the nearby town in the next weeks are not in the know. That's why, I would ask you all to mind your words around them. If Deus Trinity's death was to leak out at this stage, the consequences could be dire."

"We'll make sure to be careful." Sona said. "However, I must confess that I'm surprised Heaven dispatched not only the Red Dragon Emperor, but also the daughter of Deus Trinity to this town. Instead of stationing you here, I would think they would reserve you for missions of vital importance."

"Well, there are several reasons for that, but the political and symbolic ones are the most prevalent." Leon said. "This town is the site of the peace treaty between our respective factions, so Heaven having a strong presence here sends out the message that we support this alliance with all we've got. Plus, since the Governor of the Fallen Angels and the heiresses of two important noble houses that are connected to the current Devil Kings are here, it stands to reason that people of importance from our side should be here as well to balance things out."

"Sheesh, Michael's overthinking things as usual…" Azazel sighed. "I told him there was no need for all this fanfare, especially since this place functions well enough with the members present, but he wouldn't budge and was adamant on dispatching personnel from Heaven. Well, I won't deny that having you guys here is even more reassuring though. Plus, having the chance to study Boosted Gear and Twilight Healing from up close, as a Sacred Gear enthusiast, I can't let this rare chance slip away no matter what…"

Azazel started chuckling, with the four Church agents looking unnerved at that.

"Sensei, you've got that evil and deranged look in your eyes again that screams 'found me some new toys to play with!'." Takeshi remarked. "Can you tone it down a bit? You're scaring the newcomers."

"Hey, I'll have you know that this could be an important milestone in my research, so I can't help but feel excited." Azazel said. "Boosted Gear aside, Twilight Healing is a major asset that could prove invaluable to our side if we can figure out its inner workings and replicate them using our Artificial Sacred Gear program. It's the only recovery-type Sacred Gear in existence that affects all races without restrictions after all."

"Is that true?" Rias said, sounding intrigued. "All this time, I thought Phoenix Tears, both Devil-made and the ones produced by the legendary firebird itself, were the only universal healing agent. Can you actually heal whoever you wish, Argento-san?"

"Y-Yes." Asia said in a timid manner. "However, my Sacred Gear has limits. It can't restore lost limbs and organs, and it's also useless against diseases and certain poisons. Other than these restrictions, I can heal most injuries from all sorts of races. I did heal a Devil once after all…"

"I see." Sona said. "Definitely a useful ability in these troubled times where the number of injured people tends to skyrocket. If you requite further assistance, I'd be glad to offer my family's expertise on this matter, Azazel. The Sitri family has delved in the field of healing for a long time after all."

"I'll take you up on that offer if the need arises." Azazel said, turning his attention back to the newcomers. "I'm curious, have you all undergone the Angel transformation and become members of the Brave Saints?"

"…Not me." Dia said. "…But the others…"

After Dia spoke, Irina and Asia held their hands in prayer. The next moment, pure white wings emerged from their backs and a halo appeared above their heads.

"Irina, you…" Xenovia said with a surprised expression. "You became an Angel? How?"

"You could say it's the blessing of Michael-sama and the other Seraphs." Irina said while making a V-sign. "Asia-san and I, as well as other warriors, became Reincarnated Angels thanks to it. I heard Raziel-sama perfected the reincarnation system he was working on thanks to the assistance of the Fallen Angels and the Underworld's research department."

"You really became an Angel that protects the world, eh?" Takeshi grinned. "Good for you, Irina-san. Looks like you found a new support in your life."

"It's all thanks to Michael-sama's patience and understanding, and also due to your words back then, Takeshi-kun." Irina smiled. "Because of all that, I was able to move forward and be reborn as an Angel in direct service to Heaven. Even though Deus Trinity-sama is gone, for Michael-sama and our teachings, I will continue to live on and fight!"

"You've fully bounced back." Xenovia said with a pleased expression. "That's good. This lively attitude suits you much more, Irina."

"Brave Saints, huh?" Rias said. "Sounds very intriguing. How exactly does that work? Also, does that mean every Angel has reincarnated servants now?"

"Not exactly." Leon began explaining. "For now, the Brave Saints system is restricted to the ten Seraphs, with plans to expand it later down the line by having other high-ranking Angels recruit subordinates. As for how it works, each Seraph chose a specific suit and was given a set of twelve cards. Said cards' values range from Queen to Ace, allowing them to reincarnate up to twelve subordinates while the Seraphs act as King, the leader of the group. Azrael-sama was also supposed to be included in the group, but said he found it too bothersome."

"Sounds like Azrael alright." Azazel snickered. "Too busy with his job to pay heed to anything else."

"Instead of chess pieces, Heaven used playing cards for their reincarnation system?" Sona said. "A curious choice, but perhaps there's meaning behind it? For instance, depending on the members present, Brave Saints can perform special maneuvers based on the various hands one can make in card games?"

"As expected of miss Sona, you figured it out very fast." Leon grinned. "We can indeed assume various formations and create several effects depending on them, but I won't go into specifics now. I'll let that be a surprise for later."

"What card are you two then?"

Xenovia asked Irina and Asia, with the two girls raising their right hands. The letter A was printed on the back of Irina's hand, while the letter Q was printed on the back of Asia's hand.

"I'm an Ace!" Irina said. "Michael-sama, the King of the Spades suit, reincarnated me as his Ace. It's a very honorable position, serving under the current ruler of Heaven. Ah, Michael-sama, your compassion knows no bounds!"

"Raphael-sama chose me for the Queen position of his suit of Clubs." Asia said. "It's a big responsibility…b-but I will do my best to live up to his expectations!"

"He's the Seraph overseeing all health-related matters in Heaven and the one responsible for healing miracles, so choosing you makes sense." Azazel said. "However, since you've based the Brave Saints on playing cards, that means there's one or two Jokers in there, individuals acting as trump cards for the entirety of Heaven. If I could hazard a guess regarding their identity…"

Azazel turned his attention to Leon, who grinned as he raised his left hand while spreading his eight red wings and making his halo appear. Printed on the back of his hand was the letter J.

"Like you guessed, I hold the position of Joker of the Left, Heaven's trump card." Leon said. "I technically outrank all other Brave Saints, but there's also a great amount of responsibility as expected. I'm no stranger to that though."

"The wind in your right and the trump card in your left." Takeshi smirked. "You're a walking reference, aren't you? Also, did you get more wings?"

"Takes one to know one, right?" Leon grinned. "As for my wings, I did get an extra pair thanks to my training and my reincarnation. Can't afford to fall behind you and Vali, and considering what we have to face, being as strong as I can is a must."

"If you're the Joker of the Left, that means there's a Joker of the Right as well." Azazel said. "I suppose Zenith Tempest's possessor is the one filling that position, no?"

"Right again." Leon nodded. "Dulio Gesualdo-san is the other Joker…though it's hard getting in touch with him for missions due to his wandering habits and his quest to savor the unique dishes of every land. His skill and power are the real deal though."

"The right hand of salvation and the left hand of judgement…" Azazel muttered. "That's the most likely meaning behind having two Jokers. Plus, the twelve members are probably meant to represent the twelve Apostles. Heh, my brother sure loves his symbolism. As for Dia Serrano over there, I wonder if she's meant to inherit Heaven's throne in the future and become the System's core and overseer. I hope Michael and the others don't plan on overworking my dear little sister to death."

"…Gross." Dia grimaced at Azazel's remark, hiding behind Leon. "…Stay back."

"Aw, so young, and already so rebellious." Azazel grinned. "Your older brother is getting sad here. Well, enough joking around. Since the Brave Saints system is complete, I wouldn't be surprised if we see Rating Games between Angels and Devils in the near future. Not only will this excite the masses even further, it'll serve as a good way to reduce some of the lingering tension and uneasiness between our respective factions."

"I've heard of this in passing before from some of the Seraphs." Leon said. "If playing the Rating Game will help reduce the resentment many warriors still carry in their hearts, I can't ask for anything more. Still, it'll probably take some time before the necessary arrangements can be made, around ten to twenty years at the earliest. We have to make sure that our reincarnation system has no adverse effects, and we need to expand it a bit more for variety's sake."

"Suits us Grigori just fine." Azazel said. "That way, our own reincarnated members can join in the fun, assuming things progress in the direction I'm envisioning."

"Grigori is also planning to reincarnate individuals into Fallen Angels?" Akeno raised an eyebrow at that. "First time we're hearing this. You didn't mention anything like that before, Sensei."

"That's because we're still in the middle of a debate regarding that subject." Azazel said. "Some of us Cadres are of the opinion that increasing our numbers further is unnecessary and that the era of wicked Angels should end with us. Others insist that we should preserve our race, and that Fallen Angels are still needed in this tumultuous age. I'm of the former view, but Shemhazai is making a pretty strong case for the latter and is swaying several high-ranking members to his side. That's why, don't be surprised if Reincarnated Fallen start popping up soon."

"Looks like the games are shaping up to become even more intense in the future." Yuuto said, looking intrigued. "I wouldn't be surprised if the entire Rating Game scene undergoes a massive shift because of this. Is it possible that other factions could join in the games once the alliance becomes more widespread?"

"Zeus has already expressed his interest, so it's possible a day like that isn't far off." Azazel. "Who knows, you kids might get to experience an international Rating Game tournament like the Olympics at some point in the future. From my side, I'll do everything I can so that such an occasion can come to pass."

"Enough about these serious matters." Sona said. "There'll be time enough for that later. Right now, we should start the welcoming party for our new students and the new members of the Occult Research Club. You are all joining it after all, yes?"

"Dia and I will join this club for sure." Leon said. "As for Asia-chan, I'm not sure if she'll be able to participate in afterschool activities that much. Between healing injured people brought to her from various facilities, emergency dispatchment in disaster areas and study of her Sacred Gear, her free time will probably be very limited. Sorry about this, Asia-chan."

"Don't worry about me, Leon-sama." Asia smiled. "I'm always happy to be of service. As long as I can help save even one more life, I can't ask for anything more."

"No, no, it's fine to be a bit more selfish." Leon said. "We're not some sort of black company that exploits its employees like no tomorrow after all. Enjoying school life as a regular teenager is also part of life, Asia-chan."

"What about Irina-san?" Takeshi asked. "Won't you be joining the Occult Research Club as well?"

"Fufu, I have something else planned." Irina said with a confident expression. "And that is starting my own club in this school!"

"Is that so?" Sona said. "What will the name and purpose of this club be then?"

"Listen and be amazed!" Irina said, spreading her arms wide. "My club shall be called 'Shidou Irina's Salvation of Love Club'! Our members will reach out and help others without asking for anything in return! Ahhh, Michael-sama, I will spread our faith, love and the Lord's teachings to these sinful pagans without fail!"

Irina had an enthusiastic expression on her face while praying, with Asia clapping next to her. Everyone else though seemed uncertain on how to react to the young Angel's passionate words.

"…I see." Sona said, straightening her glasses. "However, I'm afraid I cannot authorize the formation of a club that has no other members apart from its founder even for someone belonging to our side. For the time being, the Occult Research Club will take you in, and we'll discuss about your club at a later date once you've gathered more like-minded individuals."

"I understand." Irina said, bowing at the members of Rias' Peerage. "Everyone, while it'll only be for a short time, please take care of me and let's all get along!"

Yeah, somehow, I've got a feeling this will be a permanent arrangement.

Takeshi thought. He couldn't see many students, if any at all, being willing to join a club with such a strange name and function. As such, there was no way Sona or Tsubaki would authorize the club's formation. Still, he didn't see any reason to dash Irina's hopes from the get-go.

[Excellent judgment, whelp.] Nidhogg said. [Despair, much like revenge, is a dish best served cold.]

Don't be so dramatic, Nidhogg. Takeshi thought. At worst, she'll be mildly disappointed.

[One can dream.]

"I hope everyone's hungry." Rias said as Koneko brought in several trays filled to the brim with all sorts of food. "We went a bit overboard with the preparations for the welcoming feast."

"This reminds me a bit of the old days." Leon smirked. "Remember how you used to challenge me and Vali in eating contests wherever you guys came to my house for lunch or dinner, Takeshi?"

"Ah, good times, good times." Takeshi said with a wistful look. "Your mother was an amazing cook. I guess that was one more reason I reigned supreme as the undefeated champion, and even the two of you together couldn't match me."

"That was true back then." Leon said. "Who knows though, things may have changed now."

"Oho, is that supposed to be a challenge?" Takeshi grinned. "I'll have you know I can still out-eat you with ease, Leon!"

"No, no, this wasn't meant as a challenge or anything…"

"Too late, we're doing this!" Takeshi exclaimed as he picked up his plate. "It's a showdown, Leon! Ready, set, go!"

"…I'm joining in as well."

"Count me in too!"

Koneko and Pandora added from the side as they began devouring their food. Leon seemed reluctant, but also started eating at a fast pace as the rest of the group laughed and cheered them on.

---

Later at night…

"Ow… I feel like my stomach's trying to crawl out of my throat…"

Pandora remarked with a pained expression, rubbing her belly. After completing her current client's request, she had stepped out of her house to get some fresh air and hopefully get her upset stomach to relax a bit before heading off to her next client.

"I shouldn't have been swept by the mood…"

Pandora groaned. The impromptu binge-eating contest during the welcoming party, which had ended in Takeshi's victory after he narrowly defeated Koneko, had taken its toll on her. This had forced her to sit out the several games that had followed after until late at night, where the party had come to an end since Rias' group had to work on contracts.

"Even so, this was a lot of fun…"

Pandora remarked with a small smile on her face. Ever since she had joined Rias' Peerage, every day had felt like a pleasant daydream. There had been harrowing situations and plenty of hard work, but all in all, these months had been the most fun she had in her entire life. Chatting about manga with Koneko, discussing fashion trends with Gasper, studying together with Xenovia, training with Yuuto, learning proper manners from Akeno and Rias, having fun with Takeshi, all that made her feel like a proper teenager. Sometimes, her harsh past would only seem like a distant memory, or perhaps something that had happened to someone else entirely.

If only this happiness wasn't bound to end at some point…

Pandora frowned as her thoughts took a dark turn. The reality of her curse, which led all her predecessors to their ruin, was always gnawing at her whenever her mind wasn't occupied. Because of that, she was unable to fully immerse herself in those pleasant feelings or follow her heart's deepest desires. Even though Takeshi and the others kept reassuring her that her fate wasn't immutable, Pandora couldn't bring herself to hope that, somehow, she would be the one to escape this millennia-old curse.

Such thoughts are probably disrespectful to Takeshi, who's trying his best to overcome his own curse. Pandora thought. However, I can't help it. Hoping for the best…that was never my strong suit…

Pandora let out a deep sigh, and then slapped her cheeks to focus. There were still several contracts she needed to complete tonight, and mopping around only served as a waste of time. Teleporting back to the clubroom, which was empty at the time, Pandora stepped back into the large magic circle to teleport to her next client's place. Following a brief flash of light, Pandora found herself in the living room of a spacious apartment. However, no-one seemed to be around for some reason.

"Um, hello?" Pandora called out. "I'm Pandora, the Devil you summoned. Is anyone here?"

"Pandora…" A female voice came from the kitchen. "It really is you. It's been some time."

"That voice…" Pandora aid with evident shock. "It can't be!"

The person who stepped into the living room following Pandora's words was a tall, middle-aged woman with long blond hair that covered the left side of her face and dark green eyes. She wore a beige cloak and her hands were covered by gloves. Upon seeing Pandora, a wide smile appeared on her face.

"Phaedra-san…" Pandora muttered, looking stunned at the sight of her former wet nurse. "How…? I thought…"

"You thought I was killed after we were separated?" Phaedra said. "That almost came to pass, but I was fortunate enough to escape from these accursed demigods' clutches. I had to pay a hefty price for that though…"

A bitter smile appeared on Phaedra's face as she removed her gloves, exposing her burnt hands to Pandora. Upon taking a closer look, Pandora noticed that her former wet nurse was limping, and that what appeared to be scars were hidden behind the hair covering a part of her face.

"How horrible…" Pandora said. "That must have been so painful."

"It was, but none of that matters now." Phaedra said as she took a step forward. "Look at you. During the time we were apart, you've grown into a fine young woman, my dear. Seeing you all fit and healthy like this, it fills my heart with joy. Makes the pain and sorrow of that day worth it."

Despite Phaedra's heartfelt words and tender expression, Pandora felt a chill go down her spine. There was a glint in the older woman's eyes that made her feel uncomfortable for some reason. Moreover, even though she was the woman who had practically raised her, she was still a member of the Titan Worshippers, who were still active and a part of Khaos Brigade. While Phaedra had never displayed the fervent zealotry other members showed around her and Pandora wanted to believe in her, the reality of this situation was that she had to keep her guard up.

"…How did you get here, Phaedra-san?" Pandora asked, a tinge of suspicion in her voice as she got ready to unleash her powers if need be. "The barrier around Kuoh should have prevented unauthorized people affiliated with the supernatural from entering it. Also, why are you here in the first place?"

"It's not that complicated." Phaedra said as she sat down on the sofa. "You know that this world we live is comprised of a multitude of layers stacked up on top of each other, right? The Underworld, Heaven, Valhalla, Olympus, all these realms are a layer of their own. There are certain old magics passed down from the era of the Titans that allow one to shift into a deeper layer in order to bypass the magical defenses of a certain area. Think of it as digging a tunnel to go under a wall. It's something that requires a considerable amount of preparation and skill though, and it's rather difficult to move a group with it, so its applications are limited."

"Sounds pretty complicated to me…"

Pandora remarked, with Phaedra chuckling in response. Lifting a cup of tea that been placed on the table with a trembling hand and taking a sip from it, Phaedra kept speaking.

"As for the reason of my visit…well, I wanted to see you before the end." Phaedra said with a small smile. "My time is almost up."

"Your…time?" Pandora frowned. "What are you talking about, Phaedra-san?"

"That day, not only my body, but my soul was scarred as well." Phaedra said. "I'm a wreck both outside and inside. At best…I only have a few months left."

"You're dying?" Pandora said, looking like she was having a hard time processing this. "I…I'm so sorry, Phaedra-san. I…"

"Oh, don't be so depressed, my dear." Phaedra said. "Like I said, all that matters is that you are safe and well. After all—you are my second chance, and also the key to Arcadia."

"What…?"

Before Pandora could say anything else, she felt her eyes grow heavy and strength leave her body as she collapsed on the floor, falling unconscious in a matter of seconds.

"The hypnotic suggestions implanted in her mind seem to be working well." Phaedra said as she stood up from the sofa and inspected Pandora's unconscious body. "I'm sorry for this, but there's no other way. I'm not ready to die just yet, and your power is necessary to enact our plan and finally attain our eternal paradise. Don't think too badly of me, Pandora."

Following Phaedra's words, a magic circle appeared around her and Pandora, letting out a sinister glow. Phaedra began chanting as the circle's radiance intensified, enveloping the two women's bodies. With one final flash, both the magic circle and Phaedra's body vanished, leaving only Pandora behind. The young Knight's eyes opened as she stood up, but her expression was vacant and lifeless. After a few seconds, the light returned to her eyes as she shook her head and looked around in confusion.

"What was I doing just now…?" Pandora murmured, finding it hard to focus or recall the past few minutes for some reason. "I…I should return back to the club. Lots of work to be done…"

Still in a somewhat dazed state, Pandora teleported back to the club, unaware that fate had begun bearing her fangs at her.

---

This concludes Chapter 46. First, in response to your reviews.

—To Appolyon: Hm, good point about the name of God. I suppose it is one more nebulous point in DxD's worldbuilding. Still, in this fic at least, Devils can use the original name I came up with without repercussions. As for the mindscape battle, I would say that both the Sacred Gear's inner functions and Takeshi's rudimentary Senjutsu knowledge played a part in overcoming Grendel.

With this chapter, we're finally starting the next arc. Reinforcements from Heaven have transferred to Kuoh Academy, and the Khaos Brigade is getting ready to start their next plan with a little extra help from the Nebiros clan introduced in DxD Zero. For those of you who have read it, I made the unknown Beelzebub descendant who turned into a fly chimera in Zero into Bidleid's younger brother, and therefore Shalba's uncle. Minor detail, but I wanted to address it.

Well, that's all for now. As always, please read, review, favorite, follow, but most of all, enjoy!

See you all next time!