KingVessel: You know, I'm kinda saddened on how my TV Tropes page hasn't been updated since Chapter 20. If only I could do it myself...
Chapter 25: Resolutions
"Good job today, everyone." Kiyome Abe said as she wiped sweat from her brow, the busty senpai dressed in the Kuoh Academy tennis team uniform that hung close to her body due to her sweat while her hair sagged a little even with it's multiple drill curls somehow still intact. "I think that's enough for today, so you guys can leave early."
Her announcement was met with a barrage of cheers and howls. "Thank you, Abe-senpai!"
Her name was Kiyome Abe, a third year and captain of the tennis team. While not as popular as the "Kuoh's Two Great Ladies", Kiyome was still popular with the student body due to her beautiful looks, kind personality, and tennis skills.
However, there was a secret that many people, if not everyone in the entire school didn't know: Kiyome came from a family of beast tamers. That meant that she was trained to tame and train beasts and not usually the normal kind. She trained youkai, merfolk, harpies, yuki-onna, and other such creatures. She was also one of the few who knew about the existence of Devils, though she rarely had any real connections with them other than being acquaintances.
However, today marked a new entrance into her supernatural school life. And that was the existence of Kuoh's cooking club.
Kiyome wasn't unaware of the school rumor mill that had spiked in their wake, especially after Matsuda Takumi's victory against Bakuru Majime in a boxing match. While many students had placed bets on how the club would last, the teachers prayed that the club lasted very long, as all of the school body had quickly realized that the existence of the cooking club had somehow kept the Perverted Trio from acting out as much as they usually did.
Oh, Kiyome knew they hadn't stopped being perverts in the slightest, but she also knew that she and her fellow girls in her club had quickly noticed the lack of frequent ogling they'd they'd gotten from them during their practices.
The kendo club, being the Perverted Trio's most frequent targets(which was a little weird as Kuoh also had a swimming club), had become rather paranoid themselves.
In fact, Kiyome witnessed a strange twist of fate at the sight of the kendo club girls seeking out the perverts this time. At that current moment, it had just been Issei Hyoudou and Matsuda Takumi hanging out peacefully with the angelic (for all Kiyome knew, she could actually be a genuine angel, given her personality) Asia Argento(another weird case as more than a few students had noticed the perverts' efforts to rightfully curb their attitude around her), until the kendo girls had suddenly surrounded them.
"Oh?" Kiyome instantly noted the change in Takumi's tone and body language as he casually moved his body into a position that would allow any of his limbs free for sudden movement. "Something you babes need?"
"What are you idiots up to?" Katase Ogura went straight to the point, the pink-haired girl's eyes narrowed and accusing. "How long do you perverts intend to go on with this cooking club nonsense?"
"Excuse me?" Hyoudou's eyes grew annoyed at the girl. "Don't think that you girls being hot is gonna make me ignore you talking smack about my club."
Like sharks scenting blood, Kiyome frowned a little as students stopped to stare and crowd a little. While Hyoudou and Takumi seemed ready to lash out, Argento was the only one who seemed to notice the gathering spectators and nervously tugged Hyoudou's sleeve.
"...whatever." Thankfully, it seemed that Argento's nonverbal plea was enough to calm Hyoudou down as he stood up, prompting the Takumi and Asia to follow suit. "Ogura, I'm willing to ignore this once, out of virtue for the nice butt shots we've gotten of you over the years-"
"Butt shots?!" Katase wasn't the only girl to recoil at that tidbit, her cheeks red.
"-but we both know that you guys wouldn't take your club being dissed." Hyoudou's glare switched from Katase to Murayama Ishihara, his free hands clearly clenching into fists as the two club captains stared each other down. "So don't act hypocritical when we retaliate, okay?"
The silence that followed was cold, with most of the kendo girls looking rather nervous. Even with them outnumbering Hyoudou and Takumi 3-1, Kiyome was suddenly quite aware of the fact that this was probably the first ever time they'd clashed with the boys' clear intent to fight back.
Even if Kiyome hadn't already been alerted of the cooking club's supernatural connections by the student council, even she knew that it took significant musculature to walk off almost daily beatings from people who trained in martial arts and certainly never held back in their 'punishments'.
Murayama herself seemed to be aware of that, as she immediately grabbed Katase's shoulder before the shorter girl could approach. "Fine. Just remember that we'll be keeping an eye on you guys."
"Please." Takumi scoffed, a cocky smirk prominent as he looked down on Katase. "The track club's already ahead of you on that front, and I must be doing something right if I still haven't gotten kicked out. They've probably got something you don't."
Something about the statement seemed to piss off Katase, because she'd suddenly swung her shinai without warning at Takumi's head.
*THWACK!*
Argento gave off a little shriek as the wooden sword smacked hard into the side of Takumi's head, the blow slightly shifting it as the boy did nothing to defend or block. Even from how far she was, Kiyome was immediately unsettled by how beast-like his smile became as he bared his teeth. "Hey, Ise. I can claim self-defense, right?"
"Of course, you can. She struck first." Hyoudou replied as his tone seemed to finally spark the kendo girls' danger senses at full throttle. "The question is... if Murayama-chan and the others will be following Katase-chan's example."
"Ise-kun! Matsuda-san!" Asia finally snapped, her authoritative tone causing the two boys to flinch and recoil. "Stop it, already!"
"B-But they started it!" Takumi whined, and Kiyome honestly wondered at weird the situation had become that he was completely in the right in this scenario.
"Just walk it off, Matsuda-san. I know that they're the ones at fault this time." Asia gently patted Takumi's shoulder, giving a placating smile while he grumbled. "But if you two get into a fight, you'll be the ones in trouble after you beat them."
Katase huffed. "Asia-chan, are you implying that we'd lose to these pigs?!"
"Yes." Argento bluntly replied, so suddenly and without the tiniest bit of malice or snark that the other girls blinked in shock. "If they fight you, they'll win and become even more hated here by everyone. I don't want that for them, so please excuse us."
Without waiting for a reply from them, Argento grabbed their hands and pulled them away, the boys allowing themselves to be pulled away the short girl while throwing rude gestures at the kendo girls.
"Did... Did that just happen?!" Katase finally spoke up after a whole minute of being struck silent.
Understandable, Kiyome felt the same.
And she was the one with actual knowledge of the supernatural, damnit.
Issei stared as he and Asia entered into the Occult Research Club, only to stare at the sight of Xenovia Quarta in Kuoh's female uniform. 'Damn, that looks good on her- Wait.' "Xenovia?! Why are you here?! Shouldn't you have left with Rin?!"
"Hey there, Red Dragon Emperor." Xenovia mildly replied from her seat. "As for why I'm here..."
There was a quick flap of black wings from Xenovia's back before they quickly disappeared. "I decided to become a Devil after learning of God's death."
"Eh?!" Asia replied in shock, her eyes widened. "Y-You became a Devil?!"
"Rias Gremory granted me her other {Knight} Evil Piece and got me enrolled into this academy." Xenovia gestured at the smug redhead sitting at her desk. "I'll be a second year student like most of you."
"Naturally, she'll also be joining the Occult Research Club." Rias chimed in with Yuuto Kiba standing at attention beside her. "One of the reasons I called you here was so that you become aware of her, Ise."
"Starting today, I'll be joining in your classes." Xenovia then tilted her head, her face staying stoic while her voice suddenly rose a few pitches too high. "Let's get along, 'kay, Ise-kun!"
"Don't try to sound cute while making that face!" Issei retorted. "Besides, there're only a total of... eight people permitted to call me that! No, wait." Issei did a quick calculation. "Including Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai, that makes ten now."
"Oh, thank you, Ise." Rias cooed with a blush. "As the wielder of {Durandal}, Xenovia is a valuable asset I wasn't willing to overlook, especially as becoming a Devil didn't cause her to lose her qualifications for wielding that sword. Add her to Yuuto, my Peerage now has a reliable duo of sword wielders, one for finesse and the other for force."
"Right. I'm a Devil now. No going back, I guess." Xenovia frowned as she crossed her arms, a conflicted look on the former exorcist's face. "No... Maybe it's a good thing? Yeah. I mean, if God is dead, then my whole life has basically been a waste. But... Is it really okay to make such a radical switch and live as a Devil? If only the Red Dragon Emperor had a more secure financial background, I'd have chosen to serve him instead."
"Yeah, I'm not so sure if that would've worked out." Issei patted Asia's head, causing the blonde ex-nun to look up to him curiously. "Plus, not only do I have to consider all of my Horde's reaction to you, I'm still in the midst of properly inducting Kiryuu."
"Oh? So we're both welcoming new members." Rias cheered. "That's good to know. May I know what role she'll be taking?"
"We don't really have fixed roles, but Kiryuu's shown real interest in the books you left us." Issei replied before returning his attention to Xenovia. "By the way, what's Rin's take on this?"
"Irina took the destroyed Excaliburs back to the Vatican, along with mine. Even in such horrid states, they could still be reforged by our alchemists." Xenovia replied as she leaned forward to stare forlornly at her tented fingers. "As for why I didn't follow after her... From the very moment Kokabiel revealed God's demise, I became an outsider to the Church, who despise heretics above all else. Even as {Durandal}'s user, I was abandoned. Just like Asia Argento was."
Asia shifted uncomfortably.
"Irina was lucky that by being away from the final battle, as she managed to avoid learning that damning truth." Xenovia sighed, making Issei wince a little. After he'd been defeated by Raynare, Irina had apparently gone huntin'4g after them immediately after getting him home to Asia, only to be later found heavily injured just before the final battle with her {Excalibur Mimic} gone. "Her faith is a lot less flexible than mine. If she learned about God's demise, she'd be even worse off than I can imagine. Of course, she was quite disappointed to learn that I had become a Devil, even if I didn't tell her why I'd chosen so. We parted without saying anything to each other, and I suppose we'll be enemies when next we meet."
"Damnit." Issei cursed as he thought back to Rin's saddened demeanor as she visited him before leaving for her flight. At the time, he hadn't known why she'd suddenly grabbed him into a tight hug and had asked him to never change, but now... "So in the end, the Church pulled an Asia with you, for an even worse reason."
"Speaking of which, the Church reached out to our side, specifically Onii-sama, about this incident, which is why I called for you." Rias spoke up again, her tone serious. "Apparently, they said, "This is highly regrettable, but we'd like a discussion regarding exactly what happened in light of the Fallen Angels' actions.""
"Wait..." Issei's eyes widened, slightly tilting his head as two familiar presences entered his Observation range. "The Church is calling for a conference or something?"
"They've also taken responsibility and apologized for overlooking Valper's actions." Sona Sitri stated as she entered into the room with Genshirou Saji. "According to the Governor-General of the Grigori, Azazel, the whole plot to steal the Excaliburs was just Kokabiel acting on his own. The other Cadres had no idea of his schemes."
"In light of his crimes, Kokabiel got dropped into the primordial ice of Cocytus." Saji took over Sona's report, a little annoyance seeping into his tone. "Seeing as it was only the Two Heavenly Dragons that were the main causes for Kokabiel's defeat and that the White Dragon Emperor's actually allied with the Grigori, they got to decide his fate since you're technically unaffiliated."
Issei tsked at the mention of his draconic rival, annoyed at the instinctual ire that suddenly swelled up and forced it down. [Ddraig, stop giving me such a needless hate boner.]
[I can't help it. I just want to smash Albion's face into the dirt so bad, and you're my most recent chance at it.]
[You sound like a whining child.] Issei mentally huffed.
"I've heard that the leaders of the Biblical Factions are going to convene soon. Apparently, Azazel has a proposal he wants to make." Rias stated before turning to Issei. "You've also been invited so that we can all report on exactly what happened back then."
"I'm gonna meet with your brother and the other bigwigs? All of those powerful people in the same room..." Issei shivered at the memory he'd buried after he'd shaken Sirzechs's hand, his Observation having rang like a klaxon at the sheer depth of the man's power, easily comparable to Ddraig's. And to think that he was invited to a place with people of similar levels in power... "Speaking of which, how did the White Dragon Emperor end up with the Fallen Angels?"
"It's said that Azazel has a habit of gathering Sacred Gear users." Xenovia revealed. "Most likely, he encountered the White Dragon Emperor from a young age and raised him up within the Grigori itself. Judging by how quickly he'd taken out Kokabiel, I'd say that he's firmly in the upper class of Cadre, compared to you who's just reached that level."
"So he's literally got many years ahead of me, along with special training from a Maou-class Fallen Angel?" Issei sighed.
While Issei started silently grumbling, Xenovia turned her eyes to Asia who had been mostly silent so far. "...right. I suppose that I owe you an apology, Asia Argento."
"Eh?" Asia became startled when Xenovia got up from her seat and bowed remorsefully. "What do you mean?"
"The last time we met in this room, I discarded the Red Dragon Emperor's issues with the Church, because the idea of them not being loyal to God had been utterly ridiculous." Xenovia narrowed her eyes in loathing, both at herself and at her former superiors. "But now, I've learned that God hadn't even been around to be loyal to. Meaning that all of your suffering had been caused not as rightful punishment from the Lord, but baseless suffering from humans. I, myself, went from being one of their most respected Holy Swordsmen to a heretic who'd committed the greatest of taboos. Even the way they looked at me had changed completely. I may have had alternate options right from the start, but I can't imagine how it would've been for you as it'd been when you had to rely on a Fallen Angel."
"...Xenovia-san, allow me to answer your apology with a question of my own." Asia finally spoke after a while. "For what reason do you pray to God?"
Xenovia blinked in confusion. "B-Because it's the right thing...?"
"Sorry, I don't think I asked that clearly enough." Asia smiled good-naturedly. "For what reason did you pray to God for the first time? What was it that gave you faith in Him?"
Xenovia hesitated to answer and Issei couldn't even blame her.
He wasn't that religious himself, but even he prayed more to the shrines than to God and was quite sure that he wouldn't be able to give a satisfactory answer himself.
"After Kokabiel's revelation, it took me a while to try and understand what place my faith held." Asia's smile turned solemn a bit before brightening up a bit. "However, it was because of my experiences with Ise-kun and his- My friends that I found an answer for myself. My faith... My reason to pray to God or any higher power... was simply for companionship. My life as a Holy Maiden was an incredibly lonely one, so despite my excommunication, the events that followed almost felt more like a disguised blessing. And even if He is dead, I wouldn't consider my recent relationships with everybody anything less-"
Asia stopped talking once she found Issei and Rias hugging her close, the former trying his best not to cry.
"Gosh, I love you so much!" Issei sniffed. "I consider my relationship with you to be a blessing, too!"
"I love you, too." Rias cooed, even as she practically smothered Asia with her breasts. "If only Ise didn't have you so that I could make you my {Bishop}."
"Hey! No poaching!" Issei snapped as he pulled Asia into his own chest, glaring at Rias with no actual heat. "Asia's part of my Horde!"
"But she'd look so cute in my Peerage." Rias whined as she tugged Asia back into her bosom. "Devil wings on such an angelic girl would be a great contrast, wouldn't it?"
Issei actually paused to think about it, which made Asia chuckle weakly. Still, this sight was apparently an eye-opener for Xenovia who had been watching them attentively. "As you can see, I'm content with the life I live now. As part of Issei's horde and a little bit dragon myself ("Dragon?" Rias and Sona turned to Issei curiously, who whispered "Later" back to them.), even God isn't around anymore to listen to my prayers, my faith for Him is as unending as my love for them. For what reason do you pray, Xenovia-san? If we're going to be friends from now on, I hope you can answer that question for yourself."
[Damn.] Ddraig sounded as impressed as Issei felt. [I can see now why Asia was so venerated as a Holy Maiden. That's some top-grade charisma, right there.]
"...I see, now." Xenovia smiled in realization. "Even if you were stationed as a Holy Maiden, it seems that you very much deserved that classification. That is why..."
Xenovia surprised them all when she suddenly bowed to a knee, manifesting {Durandal} and stabbing it into the wooden floor. "Just like I've sworn to Rias Gremory, I hereby swear to protect you no matter who comes after you. I am aware that the Red Dragon Emperor and his companions already protect you quite well on their own, but will you please indulge my selfishness?"
"I don't need anymore protectors, though." Asia smiled as she extended a hand. "What I'd like are more friends."
"...if that's the case, I'll gladly accept your friendship, Lady Asia." Xenovia dispelled {Durandal} and took Asia's hand. "May God give His blessing to our- GYAA!"
Issei and Asia stared in surprise at Xenovia as she suddenly stopped her prayer to wince in pain while Rias sighed in exasperation. "I've told you many times now, Xenovia. Devils can't pray to God or indulge in holy privileges without suffering backlash."
"I am... aware..." Xenovia groaned as she straightened up. "This is must be atonement of a sort. Or a trial. By the Lord, I swear to- Kuh!"
"This is going be a recurring thing, isn't it?" Issei dryly predicted.
"Sorry, Rias-senpai." Asia shook her head as she pulled away to hug Issei's waist, not seeing him flash a triumphant smirk at the redhead. "But I really like praying without a backlash like that."
"Aw..." Rias sighed despondently while Xenovia kept at it.
"O' God, grant me your guida- GAH!"
"So, Red-kun. Have you given any thought to our last discussion?" Zaz asked the two spent the moment fishing of all things.
Not usually Issei's style, but he couldn't deny how relaxed he currently felt, especially with all of the recent chaos. "You mean that theory that got born of your fantasy of Archangel Gabriel being the hottest babe in existence? Not sure why you're imagining them being female, but regarding that... I'm still unsure of the Gabriel Bust Cushion Theory, Zaz-senpai. "
Zaz adjusted his rod a bit. "Well, according to my recent research findings, Gabriel would have a shoulder stiffness of 20, especially when calculating angelic healing and enhancements compared to human physiologies."
"D-Don't be ridiculous! I read those charts you sent me thoroughly! A girl having boobs as big and round with the perfect balance between softness and firmness as you speculated would have a shoulder stiffness of 36 at minimum!" Issei had specifically asked for Raynare's input for his own calculations, even if the Fallen Angel had been more than a little weirded out at his questions and calculations. "And that's if she's somehow lived a life without ever frequently carrying anything heavier than her boobs!"
"True, true. But you see, Red-kun. There's one irrefutable fact that you're looking."
Issei gulped. "Wh-What is it?"
"As a Seraphim, she'll literally have the ability to invoke nirvana into reality just by singing! Instant remedy for all sorts of debuffs! Can you think of any greater cushion in the world?!"
Issei gasped as the fantasy struck him. He could almost imagine it (naturally as a more mature looking Asia), the woman humming softly as he sunk into the literally heavenly bosom. Stabbing his rod into the bank, Issei entered into a proper pose of supplication. "I am struck silent by your genius, Zaz-senpai! If only she were real to for me to form a more concrete image of the Gabriel Bust Cushion Theory!"
"Well, what if I said that we could do that, Red-kun?" Zaz set aside his own rod and started to fiddle with a bangle he'd usually been wearing. "When we get to it, I'll have to introduce you to her with your full name, 'Red Dragon Emperor'."
'...huh?' "Wait, what?!" Issei snapped to attention immediately, {Boosted Gear} manifesting in response to his raised hackles. "Zaz, who the hell are you to address me like that?"
"Well, whenever I'm not being Zaz, I usually identify as..." The bangle finally fell off, allowing Issei to feel the full brunt of Zaz's suppressed presence as six sets of jet-black feathered wings bursted out from his back. "The Grigori's governor-general Azazel. Nice to properly make your acquaintance."
"...Issei Hyoudou." Issei forced himself to calm down. Just like Kokabiel back then at the maid café, if Azazel wasn't starting a conflict, neither was he. "So what's prompted you to stop pretending to be 'Zaz'?"
"That wasn't pretending at all." Azazel replied reassuringly. "Frankly, you're like a breath of fresh air, even without your interesting {Boosted Gear}. The real reason I snuck into this town was because Kokabiel was acting suspicious around this area. I couldn't directly interfere with the situation, but it seems that sending the White Dragon Emperor was mostly unnecessary, seeing how well you were against my former comrade. He was very pleased to see your progress."
Issei's eyes narrowed. "So if you're still up to staying gamer buddies with me, what's with the sudden reveal?"
"Due to recent developments, the leaders of the Biblical Factions have decided to hold a summit soon." Azazel revealed.
"I already know about that." Issei revealed, causing Azazel to look surprised. "Shitori-kaichou told me and Rias-senpai a while ago."
"Oh, looks like your closeness to those two heiresses was true, huh." Azazel crossed his arms with a smirk. "Which makes you the perfect messenger to go send to them!"
"...what?!"
"What?!" Rias shouted after Issei had done his job as 'messenger'. "The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels snuck into my city and has been here for how long?!"
Surprisingly, the rest of her Peerage were a lot calmer, apparently having no problem in continuing their teatime while Rias paced about. "What can we do, though? Just like Tiamat, this one's so out of our league it's not funny."
A familiar teleportation glyph appeared in the room, filling it with silvery light as it brought in Sirzechs Lucifer and Grayfia Gremory née Lucifuge. "There's no need for that kind of thinking, Rias, Issei Hyoudou."
"Onii-sama?!" Rias stared at his surprise visit, with everybody else except Issei and Xenovia bowing.
"Although Azazel is fond of toying with people, as Issei is now aware of, he won't try anything like what Kokabiel did." Sirzechs beckoned for the Devils to rise. "But he has arrived in Japan quite sooner than I'd expected."
"W-Why did you come all the way, Onii-sama?" Rias asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Sirzechs fished out a folded up flier and stretched it out, revealing something that both teens had almost forgotten about. "It's almost time for Open House at Kuoh, right? I was thinking of coming. It should be fun to see my little sis studying hard in person."
'Ah, that's right.' Issei sighed in empathy as Rias started to tremble. 'Dad was mentioning something about taking time off work to come for me and Asia.'
"So you're a Maou, huh?" Xenovia stepped forward. "Nice to meet you, I'm Xenovia, Rias's latest {Knight}."
"Good day, Xenovia." Sirzechs replied. "I could hardly believe my ears when I heard of {Durandal}'s wielder joining my sister's Peerage."
"I myself never really thought that I'd make the radical decision of becoming a Devil." Xenovia stated. "To be honest, I still regret it every once in a while, especially with the assignment Lady Asia gave me."
''Lady Asia'?' Issei raised a brow. 'I'll be sure to relay that back to her.'
"I love how my sister's Peerage remains as interesting and diverse as ever." Sirzechs chuckled. "Xenovia, please continue to offer Rias your support."
"I have already sworn to do so, Maou Lucifer." Xenovia stood at attention. "Still, I won't refuse your request."
"Thank you."
"A-Anyway, are you really sure about coming here, Onii-sama?" Rias snapped out of her daze. "We can't have our citizens thinking that a Satan would so casually ignore his work for such personal matters?"
"On the contrary, my presence here is still work-related, Rias." Sirzechs suddenly revealed. "I'm here to give the grounds a preliminary look because Kuoh Academy will be hosting the Leaders' Summit between Devils, Fallen Angels and Angels."
"What?!" Issei shouted in shock. "You can't be serious, right?! Here of all places?"
"Believe me, I don't think any other location would be fitting." Sirzechs replied. "Amongst it's students are my little sister Rias, with a Peerage possessing a {Knight} who's Balance Breaker allows him access to holy abilities despite his status as a Devil, another {Knight} who retains usage of {Durandal}, a Nekoshou and a Nephilim. On Sona's side, as a fellow little sister to a Maou, her Peerage holds a Dragon King. As for you, Issei, you are this era's Red Dragon Emperor with a personal group consisting of three Fallen Angels, another Longinus-class user, an Angeloid and two completely unknown Sacred Gear users."
"Huh." Xenovia perked up as she cast a look at her fellow students. "Quite a varied gathering."
"Exactly. Whether by coincidence or not, all manner of powers have touched, mixed and flowed through this land." Sirzechs nodded, having put his point across. "And you cannot deny that you are a major catalyst for most of the recent incidents."
Issei grimaced but nodded in reluctant understanding.
"Anyhow, it's gotten pretty late here." Sirzechs murmured as he eyed the darkening sky outside the windows. "Is anybody aware of which hotel would be available at this hour?"
"Ah." Issei perked up. "We've got room at my place."
"Huh?!" Rias's neck nearly snapped from how fast she turned to look at him. "Ise?!"
"Great idea." Sirzechs immediately agreed. "I've been meaning to pay a visit to the people looking after Rias."
"No!" Rias refused with all her might. "You can't come!"
"I see. Good to know that my sister hasn't been causing you any trouble." A while later, Sirzechs was in a very amicable chat with Gorou and Miki Hyoudou in their living room, while Raynare had immediately fled the moment she'd so much as whiffed a scent of his and Grayfia's presences.
"Oh, Heavens no." Miki replied happily. "Rias-chan is such a good girl."
"Indeed." Gorou nodded in agreement with his wife. "Just like Asia-chan and Yuuma-chan, Rias-chan is almost too wonderful a young lady to be wasted on the likes of Issei. Ah, if only he weren't our only chance at being grandparents."
"Maybe I spoke too soon in trying to be hospitable." Issei murmured as he hugged Asia for emotional comfort.
Rias just kept whining silently from beside Sirzechs while Grayfia stood behind at the Maou's side.
Eventually enough, Gorou drew attention to her. "By the way, is this your personal maid...or...?"
"Grayfia's actually my wife."
"EEEEHH?!" Issei and Asia gawked at that reveal, with Rias's lack of a reaction confirming it. 'I always thought she was just his {Queen} or something!'
"No, I am his maid, Grayfia." With barely a change in her expression, Grayfia mercilessly pinched Sirzechs's cheek, which only confused Issei more. "Pardon my Master. He has a habit of making terrible jokes."
"Oww. Dat hurtsh, Grufiaa."
"So is Grayfia-san coming to Open House as well?" Miki queried.
"Yes. We've both gotten a break from work, so it seemed like a good chance to finally visit my sister's classes and see what they're like." Sirzechs rubbed his tender cheek. "Our father will also be coming that day."
"Oh!" Gorou perked up. "So Rias-chan's father will be coming as well!"
"My father was actually involved with the founding of Kuoh Academy and had the same idea as me to come here." Sirzechs paused to chuckle. "Although I'm sure that he really just wants to see Rias."
Rather than embarrassment, Rias turned away with a dark look, Issei noting that she probably still hadn't forgiven him for the engagement fiasco.
The rest of the evening continued in a manner that Issei didn't want to remember, with the truly notable parts being when he somehow ended up sharing his room with Sirzechs.
Naturally, Issei had brought out the futon for himself while allowing the man to borrow his bed for the night.
"So you've met Azazel." Sirzechs mused as he sat on the bed, now dressed to sleep. "It doesn't seem like he did anything to you, but what did he say?"
"He just wanted to use me as a messenger to Rias-senpai and Shitori-kaichou." Issei replied. "He also said that he didn't mind us continuing our usual relationship."
"I see..." Sirzechs hummed as this seemed to be in character for him. "Well, Azazel does have a profound interest in Sacred Gears, with {Boosted Gear} being no exception. Apart from the Vanishing Dragon's newest host, I'm quite sure he has some more Longinus wielders at his side."
"...does he really like Sacred Gears as much as Kokabiel mentioned?"
"That's certainly one undeniable truth that stuck over the years." Sirzechs confirmed. "Other than creating a haven for his brethren, the other purpose of the Grigori's existence was to extend influence all the way to Heaven, Earth and the Underworld just for the sake of having better chances to find whatever Sacred Gear he desired. But unlike Kokabiel, he's no warmonger. He was even the first of the Biblical Factions to withdraw from the Great Biblical War."
Even as he said that, Issei couldn't help but worry. For a supposedly peaceful man, the sheer aura he'd felt back then had been almost overwhelming, just as Sirzechs was.
"Don't worry." Sirzechs surprised Issei as the man placed a reassuring hand on the youth's shoulder. "Having the Red Dragon Emperor as a dear ally of my sister puts you on my side, so it's only the best treatment for your sake that I shall grant. Back home, I couldn't properly express how relieved I was that Rias had come so far with your help against Riser. So please, live a life where you keep Rias happy, alright?"
"Of course, I will." Issei replied with a cheery smile. "She's dear to me, after all."
"Thanks. Say, do you mind if I address you as Ise like my sister does?"
"Sorry, but no." Issei replied without a single change in his smile. "Our bond level isn't that high yet."
"Aw, that's too bad. Fine, then. Please feel free to call me 'brother' like Rias does, by the way." Sirzechs settled into bed, prompting Issei to do the same after he'd switched off the lights. "By the way, I heard that you're a fan of buxom girls. Is that true, Issei?"
"Very much, Sirzechs-san! I love girls of all shapes, but I can never be a noob before the boobs!"
"Then let's talk about possibilities for a second." Sirzechs leaned forward mischievously. "What do you think would happen if, hypothetically, Rias possessed the {Boosted Gear}... and used them solely on her already wonderful breasts?"
*KRACKAM!*
Thunder cracked within Issei's brain as Sirzechs-sama's wonderful words echoed within. He did possess the ability to {Transfer} draconic energy after it'd been Boosted, even if he rarely needed to use it. But if he could do so to Rias's breasts...
"Well, it's not like I'm sure if you've awakened the ability to transfer power to other yet, but if or when you do... Well, fuel for sweet dreams, I guess. Good night." Sirzechs promptly went to sleep, leaving Issei to his torturous thoughts.
'What would happen to the boobs?! Would those wonderful masses get even larger?! Would they somehow get rounder?! The softness or the firmness or the bounciness, which would thrive?! What would happen?! I can't conceive it! I have to know!"
Leaping out from his futon, Issei silently went out his door before powerwalking to the room he knew Asia and Raynare were sharing, entering without even needing to knock. While he would've gone straight for Rias, there was still the fact that Grayfia was also in that room, so that was (unfortunately) a no.
"Psst! Hey!" Calling out to the sleeping girls(and loving the sight of Asia using Raynare's chest like a pillow), the blonde ex-nun was the first to wake. "Hey, Asia. Do you mind if I test something out on you?"
"Oh? Okay..." Asia gave a cute little yawn before gently moving up to sit next to Issei as he patted the spot next to him, her gown loose upon her slender frame. "What is it?"
"I want to see the effect of using {Transfer} directly into your breasts."
It said a lot about their relationship that Issei could just say that to her.
"Okay. Do I need to take my clothes off?"
It said a lot about their relationship that Asia didn't even question him.
"Nope. Just leave it on." {Boosted Gear} manifested with a silent call, instinctively making groping motions as Asia rose and moved to seat directly between his legs. After Boosting twice, Issei begun as slowly as he could. "[Transfer]."
The effects were immediate, Asia's blushing as she let out a soft sigh as her chest slowly but noticeably pushed out, causing her gown to sluggishly rise in motion with her swelling bosom.
The feel of Raynare's hands on his shoulders and her hair tickling his nape alerted him of her position behind him. "What the fuck?"
'First, there was Zaz with his Bust Cushion Theory and now, Sirzechs-san with this.' Issei marveled as Asia trembled euphoniously in his grasp when he dispelled his Sacred Gear to directly grope the enhanced breasts, making the blonde yelp in heightened arousal. 'As expected of those top-class beings, even their mindsets regarding breasts exist in an entirely different league above mine.'
[Can you not use me for such a stupid thing?]
[This ain't stupid!]
Issei hummed in thought as he walked out towards the gates, being alone for once.
Overall, the day at school had been... mixed. On one hand, Xenovia seemed to be adjusting well enough, both as a Devil and as their classmate, but still...
"Issei Hyoudou, will you make a child with me?"
'All this time, I've been careful enough to magically ensure that I don't impregnate any of my girls yet, 'cause we're not ready for parenthood yet.' Issei groaned at the memory of Xenovia propositioning him, a bit thankful that she'd at least had the tact to do so in private. 'Good thing Rias-senpai was nearby and had dragged her off.'
On another note, he should probably figure out roles for his Horde members. With the Devils having their chess motif, Issei pretty much wanted to have something similar.
Just for the cool factor.
"Hey, this place looks pretty nice in the daytime." A guy called out just as Issei passed the school gates. Pausing to reply, Issei halted as he was immediately filled with rising ire that he immediately knew wasn't his own when his arms throbbed. "I guess stuff like that looks different when there's isn't a fight to the death being a distraction. Right, Red Dragon Emperor?"
The youth pushed off from the wall and approached Issei, eager golden eyes gleaming beneath his silver bangs. "My name is Vali, this era's White Dragon Emperor and your counterpart, so to speak."
Vali stopped right before Issei, so close that either could've swung a fist at the other's face. "So... wanna go at it?"
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