Chapter 24
Above bullets, above blades, care for your soul above all.
Gathalamorians 45.7
Drug Trial location Underworld in Phenex territory Friday morning.
Ravel was eager to see the faces of the assembled people. She was watching Riser and Yunabella practically dancing in the corner. The rest of the assembled drug testers had sweat dropped, but they were now curious. The testers were a mix of reincarnated and minor nobles. All three almost Imperial pillars had pooled their resources for this test. The drug was being brought soon. Annel Phenex had joined dancing with her son and his very soon to be wife.
Argel Phenex sweat dropped. But he was committed now. Plus, she had been extra happy lately. He glanced curiously at Zectus and Velelana who were close to doing a jig of their own. Argel saw the pendants and he wondered what that was. Five of his servants now wore them too. The five servants who had made a large profit on bets from the game. He noticed that Lord Sitri was very scared himself. Argel Phenex smirked. Good. The other lord owes him money from a bet a century ago and was being elusive about it.
Lord Sitri is very scared of his wife and her fanatical looks she has been sending his way since last night. He was so very tired. She had dragged him to their bedroom taken a pill then made him go five rounds. He had asked why. The night was great but the look she had sent him, and the answer given scared him.
"You will support our daughter with her chosen. I have seen wonders beyond comprehension. You will not stop the announcement that she will make soon. Our family will become remembered for ten thousand years as a family of nobility above the MorningStar. So, help me if you fight this you will sleep on the couch for two centuries. Do as I say or else."
He had whimpered. That was a very serious threat she never made that unless there were dire consequences for disobedience. So, he had quickly gotten five couples from their vassals and told them to report here. The men understood the unspoken plea. So here they were.
A portal opened and multiple people exited it carrying boxes. The people were regular humans in doctor clothing. Then came out a devil man and then finally Issei and Sona. Argel and Lord Sitri met their son in law for the first time. Renee had charged forward and hugged Issei spinning him in a circle making her husband, Argel, and the testers minus Riser and Yunabella sweat drop more. Issei was amused as were his people and Sona. Ravel sighed. She liked this tree a lot. Renee had babbled thanks to her son in law.
"Thank you my dear boy! It worked I checked this morning! A new one! Sona you are getting a brother!"
The testers gasped. They look at the doctors and the unknown devil man who smiles widely. His Emperor will get the credit, but the devil healer's name will be credited. Oh, he will finally get recognition for his genius. Lord Sitri gapes. That is not possible. He sees his daughter so close to the human. Their arms are linked. He is scared more now. He had a son coming now?!
Issei smiled and patted his mother in laws back.
"Congratulations Nee! I did say it would be extremely successful. Now for everyone else. Hello everyone, my name is Issei Hyoudou. I would like to thank you all again for volunteering for this test phase. Yes I am just a regular human, but I felt really bad for your fertility issues and I along with a team that includes the good devil man beside me have developed a drug to counter your species fertility problems. Yes this drug works Lady Sitri volunteered to be the first one to try it. Healer Gordon can you cast the spell please."
The reincarnated devil man did as asked. His grin was shark like. The spell hit Renee and the results showed a blue dot near Renee's stomach. The male testers gaped. The female testers who had often been desperate for a baby let out a massive scream of delight and started to crowd Lady Renee Sitri and began congratulating her in many chants. Argel sees his now real son in law. He groaned. Ravel is calming her mom and Riser and Yunabella who is desperately trying to get closer to Renee.
The Gremorys are dancing and know that a box had been promised to them and to Grayfia. This was historic. Another way to save their race! The male testers joined in the cheering for their partners. Lord Sitri is now happy and confident. He will be remembered for this! The first devil man with this drug to have a new baby! He wants to hold his coming son! He will support the human who is his daughter's betrothed!
Sona is enjoying this a lot. Her grin becomes evil. Fuck you you bastard nobles! She gets the best human in the universe for herself!
The nobility who had mocked Sona throughout the past all sneezed collectively.
Issei calms the crowd.
"We still need to make sure this drug is safe for everyone. Thus, all of you. I will be having my people run tests on all of you who stay so that we can fine tune this more. I like helping people and your excitement is nice to see. All I ask in return is that you give the vast majority of your thanks to Healer Gordon. He did most of the big lifting for this. I just provided the funds and the labs. This is his glory."
Gordon is incredibly surprised by that. But before he can correct the greatest man on Terra, the healer is swarmed by the testers and Renee who gives the reincarnated man a massive kiss on the cheek. That earned him a cheer from the testers. Before they form a very eager line. The doctors hand out boxes. The testers weep to know this is real.
Ravel smiles so brightly and then moves to her dear. She looked to Sona for permission. The second nodded. The two pure bloods kiss Issei's cheeks and he blushes. The testers cheer again. This human can get whatever he wants! If it is two noble daughters one a pillar heiress then they will support this!
Annel runs to her son in law and spins him around. Issei takes the acceptance. Renee joins in the hug with her son in law. Argel sighed again but moved over to see his son in law. Riser comes over so very eager to meet the human who will be his lord. Lord Sitri comes to and smiles at Sona.
"He has my support Sona. Thank you for this Issei-san. For everything. Sona show me the contract."
Sona smiled before summoning it and handed it to her parents. Argel sighed. Before he speaks.
"You have mine too. I will sign the contract. I have heard a lot about you. I saw what you are giving us. You get the land plus the houses. I just want my daughter and son treated well by you."
Riser nodded furiously.
"Riser is yours good human! Riser will do whatever you want! Any oath! Any deed! Riser will march for Terra along with his peerage!"
Issei smiles at that. He does do things that win brownie points with them all.
"Lord Sitri Lord Phenex you may call me Issei. We are going to be family. I do want to meet you all properly. Riser you only should give what you can. I heard you are good at administrative work. I have many positions opening all the time and they are well paying. You and your new house can start saving immediately. And Ravel and Sona will be treated equally with me. No pecking order or favorites. Ravel when do you and Sona want to make the announcements?"
The two pure blood Sigilites look at one another. They share the brain cell again. They smirked. Then reply.
"Today. Let the nobles stay mad. You can start moving things to our new country."
That makes Lord and Lady Sitri gape. He has a country! Annel and Argel nodded. Annel promises to help with that.
"We have several building companies that are yours. Consider it an unofficial part of the dowry. We can add the entrances to the under world in your country to the contract. Argel. Get the announcement ready."
Argel sighed again but backed up his wife. Riser adds more to his mother.
"Riser has several friends in his circle who are interested in helping. Riser will talk to them today. Fair warning though. You hurt Ravel and I will set you on fire."
Issei shrugs.
"Your welcome to. I will just come back. Will hurt but Ravel and Sona can join in."
Lord Sitri gasped. Renee fills him in. Oh no. The human is permanently here. But he committed to the country too.
"Our building companies are yours too. How big is it?"
Issei shrugged.
"With your land and the original grant, it is about as big as the old Austria-Hungry. Plus, whatever more houses throw at us. Riser can move his house there by the end of the weekend. Do not worry too much I have my own builders who started last week. The country is free for anyone who wants to immigrate. Just have to fill out a lot of paperwork. But jobs are coming along with more things."
Issei then speaks up to the testers.
"By the way everyone. The drug will be extremely cheap. No one is going to have to go broke for it. The company led by Healer Gordon will never raise the prices. We have a lot of material. Just mention us to your friends."
The testers especially the reincarnated cheer more. This human is kick ass! They will definitely mention this to friends. Gordon smiled. He will back up that promise. The money he makes will be enough for him and the team to live off comfortably.
Lord Sitri likes the human more now than ever. He will go make the arrangements. The contract that his daughter has drawn up is good. Lots of outs but he hopes that Sona and Issei stay together. Renee kisses her husband on his cheek.
Zectus and Velelana come to Issei, and they know the truth. They committed more. Zectus opened his commitment.
"We have land that nobody uses. It is yours I have three hundred of my levies eager to serve. For what you have done and for the future. We march for Terra."
Velelana committed more.
"I am willing to invest money into the country. And anything else that you need or want. Just get my baby her ship. You are the eternal friend of House Gremory."
Zectus nodded in support. The comment on the ship confuses the Sitri's. Issei smiled and whispered something to them. The Lord and Lady have their eyes widen. Their son in law can make those eventually! The trio of noble families demanded to know where to send money to for that. Starships! That is amazing. Issei just smiled and told them the name of Elon's company.
"Give your money to that company. Your daughter's ship will be the first off the line Lady Gremory. Rias does want to explore. Let her do it."
The Gremory's dance for real this time. They will help their baby get her dream! They marched now along with everyone in this room.
Underworld television stations Friday at noon.
Devils turned on the news expecting another normal day of boredom. The news proved just to be that boring. But then a special report comes on. And everyone begins tuning in.
Lord Sitri and Lord Phenex with their wives standing beside them are wearing gigawatt smiles. They shake the underworld up again.
"We are enormously proud and happy to announce that our daughters have entered into betrothals with a man. He has a lot of great ideas and can contribute immensely to our houses and to devil society in general. He has given our species the greatest invention since the evil piece system. It will actually surpass it. We are proud to announce publicly that Sona Sitri and Ravel Phenex are now engaged to Issei Hyoudou. The sponsor of a drug that will fix our fertility problems!"
The underworld gasped. The GKF immediately started laughing at their opponents. Hyoudou was not a noble name. It was a filthy human name! The NKF has just handed back control of the senate to them! Fucking idiots! There is no such drug! No filthy human can outthink a devil! Especially a pure blood genius like Ajunka Beelzebub! They laugh excitedly.
The NKF gapes too. What the fuck are they thinking! A human marrying into the nobility! That is insane. They are screwed now! Sirzechs and Grayfia, however, smirked. They had seen the results thanks to a camera in Zectus's hand. The NKF is panicking when Grayfia puts their drug box down on the table in front of the NKF leadership. They look at it in amazement.
Ajuka is there with the rest of the Satans. He backed up the statement.
"It is true. The human has surpassed me. I am very eager to talk shop with him to see how he did it. We are good. Just watch."
The commoners and the reincarnated gape this is insane. But they have faith. All watch on. The NKF in hope. The GKF in glee.
Lady Sitri holds her box up. The title is clear to see for the cameras. Her personal doctor and then three other doctors hit the Lady with pregnancy tests. Each one after the other has worn off. The results are the same every single time. Lady Sitri's doctor who had served the house for four centuries calmly backed up the statement.
"The drug works. Lady Sitri did not show signs earlier this week. She is indeed pregnant, and the spells confirm it. You all saw that. Her are her scans from earlier."
They are shown. The NKF smirked now. The GKF started shaking. The commoners cheered and chanted in the streets.
Sirzechs smiled simply and told the NKF leadership.
"The human is backing us. He will get his own noble house for this. He has nine minor nobles sworn to him as of ten minutes ago. Expect more to come. They will all vote NKF."
The NKF cheers now. The secret plant for the GKF there shakes. Their party is screwed. The five unsworn houses from earlier this week immediately want in with this human. He must be the one! Ten more houses from both the NKF and the GKF abandoned their lords and ladies effective immediately. They want the drug too!
The commoners and reincarnated chant. This human is so fucking kick ass! Many want to swear to him! He should get a noble house. Maybe even a new pillar for this. They prepare to riot in support of this human. They who had been beaten down for so exceptionally long. This human was like them! He came from the bottom! The lowest of the low! He has saved their race!
Mobs formed in front of the senate. They will show the bastard nobles who had never cared for them before their fury now unleashed.
An Alpharius begins the chant. The mobs use magic to enhance their voices. The Alpharius's inside the senate destroyed the wards that suppress noise. The senators hear it.
"New Pillar. New Pillar. New Pillar! Or we riot!"
The soldiers will not stop them. They want the drug too! They join the mobs and the chanting. Sirzechs hears the mobs. So does the NKF and the GKF. Serafall likes Issei so very much. He really is kick ass! Definitely worth everything. She makes the comment.
"I am with them. I like my future brother in law. A new pillar sounds like a just reward. Plus, we can fuck with the GKF more. I am down."
The NKF nodded. So were they. Sirzechs simply smiled more. He looks at Fabium and Ajuka. They are happy to support the human. They get vengeance. Fabium wants to sleep and getting this human a pillar will be easy work now. Ajuka wants to tie the human to the government. Easier this way. And they will have a massive favor that he owes them.
"I am down too. I do not want a riot. Right Fabium?"
The bald man nodded. Sirzechs smiles and then he moved towards the balcony after the NKF nodded in support. They might riot too in all fairness. They want the drug!
The crowds who are ever growing in numbers grow quite when Sirzechs war hero and a man who did try to fight for them appears on the balcony overlooking the crowds. Lord Lucifer smiles more at them.
"The Satans are in support of our new friend. So is the NKF. I have been told by trusted sources that the drug will be extremely cheap in price and that the human has massive stockpiles of supplies in reserve for the drug. The price will never jump. I say he gets the pillar!"
The crowds roar in support! More minor houses drop from the GKF. They will do anything the human asks for the drug! The leader of the GKF Lord Bael knows he is screwed either way. They fight this and they endanger the chances of more of the drug coming. They accept this and their entire platform crumbles to pieces. His father is pissed. But what can they do! Fight the mobs when their own soldiers join them. This is really bad. The NKF now will have an extraordinarily strong majority. They are very screwed. The nobles see that. This day sucks.
Ravel and Sona are triumphant. Issei is just amused. The Satans really think they will control him? He likes Ajuka. But they have just signed the death warrant. Rossweiss is taking calls from the noble families who are desperate to swear to him. They are offering everything. Land. Money. Favors that are strongly in his way. Daughters and or sons for those who think he wants that. That has pissed off Sona but makes Ravel giggle.
Issei will only take houses truly willing to do things his way. The pillar is a genuinely nice bonus. He just expected a middle house. But fate is being nice today. He has been surprised before though. The original five houses who contacted him first are the ones he will accept. They want honest vengeance. He will give some of them that. The Guard has killed four of the killers of their families already.
He tells the five heads that. They do not believe for a second before they see the names. They know it is the truth. Their bastard former lord wrote every name down of the killers. This makes the three houses that sees their vengeance come. They love their new lord. The other two are happy to know that their fellows have vengeance. They are happy to know that their new lord promised them it too. That they matter to him. They pure blood devils are not lesser to their race's savior. He could have been, but he was not. That wins him their eternal love.
They ask him what he truly wants.
"Support me. I am going to be honest with you. I am building an empire. One that will one day rule Earth. Despite that your problems will always be important to me. I promise my support to you in turn. Help me build the greatest empire that will ever exist. Your dreams of vengeance and more will be fulfilled. That is all I want. You will treat your reincarnated well. If they want freedom from you then you grant it immediately without turning them stray. You will put everything for my empire. That will be expected."
The lords and ladies like the honesty. They like that they will be building an empire. They already treated their peerages well. They accept and swear to him. Two lords swear to help build the new country. One has mines; she will have her people dig for him. The last two have two sons each. They ask for the spares to be given training in whatever he wants them for. Issei just said to ask their kids what they want to do. He can probably get them their dreams too.
Imperial Palace Terra M 41 TTS reality.
Kitten is happy today. He had just won another card game against his evil brothers in the three hundred companions! The bet was simple.
"Put some armor on Damnit!"
The three had sighed but nodded. Kitten was winning games fast and he was demanding that of all of them. Still the Captain-General was enjoying his day. He walked into the Golden Throne room and was surprised to see Magnus and Dorn with their dad not arguing over anything. That is weird in the extreme. Kitten hesitates before he advances to them.
The trio are watching something. Kitten does not want to know honestly but he is the royal caretaker.
"What are you all watching? And why no arguments? That very unusual."
Magnus is very much enjoying this tree reality. He had been watching this with father and the two had actually begun to sort of rebuild their bond. Dorn had joined later. Magnus looks to the Captain-General.
"We are actually watching a nearby tree reality. It is actually pretty damn cool. Very weird world there though."
Dorn nodded his head in agreement.
"This tree is indeed weird. It has very anarchic concepts. But father there is indeed remarkably interesting. He likes to build. He understands strong foundations build strong empires. I do not like the other trees we are getting glimpses of. Father in those is a massive pervert. And half daemon in many. Sometimes he is funny. Most often not. But I like this father."
"So do I Dorn! He is kickass! Plus, he is definitely trying to be a better person. Unlike someone here!"
The Man Emperor of Mankind shrugged. They three with actual bodies do not know how they know that.
"This me is cunning. He plays the long game. He is indeed the better me. Banana bread he has a harem. Very weird ladies. But they seem nice. For mostly regular people mixed with a bit of daemon."
Kitten is surprised. The Emperor has a harem in this tree realm? And it is mostly with some kind of daemons? That is indeed weird. Magnus jumped to defend each of them.
"One is a political monster. She is also a psyker. We have not seen much of her, but she is pretty cool. The second one is a kick ass teacher! She is like me! Greed for knowledge. I like her the best. The third is a psyker too. Has an exceptionally good singing voice. She is not in a good state right now. Been asleep for a century."
Dorn speaks up.
"The flaming chicken is indeed impressive. She is also a strategist. The short lady is a particularly good person trying to help the lower classes. She will go far. The singer is my favorite. She makes me feel like my adoptive mother is back. She is truly kind."
The Man Emperor sighed but agrees with the two.
"The first is indeed cunning. She is my favorite. She and I would get along well. The second is naïve. She also really likes papa smurf. She is the worst. The mermaid is interesting. She is at least properly collard. But Choas does not exist there. The necrons won against the space lizards here. No orks, elf bastards or bugs here either. The damn coward goats are there sadly. But I like it for the most part. The redeeming quality of the second is she likes to torture the nobles there."
Kitten is really weirded out by this tree reality. But he is indeed curious.
"Can we rewatch it please milord? I kinda want to see it. Not because of curiosity because you bred that out of us but because I want to see the singer."
Kitten remembers a ridiculously small memory of a lullaby sung by his glass mother. He wants to see the singer because of that. The Emperor and the primarchs shrugged. They liked the reality. Dorn had half missed the beginning anyway.
"Sure. Be ready to ask many questions. Nerd and stone head did. I want to see the wars to come. Want to kill the xenos. Disgusting things. Even the good federation."
Magnus actually defended the good federation.
"They are not too bad. I like a lot of them. They will have a good relationship with us there. I like them all except the slavers. They are the biggest problem there. The system of government they have is kinda interesting."
Dorn agrees with that. Mostly. But the second big xenos are scum.
"The second ones deserve all the bolter shells. But we should wait for Corax and Vulken. They are somewhere nearby."
The two other primarchs walked in just at that moment. Vulken had heard some of the conversation. Corvus had been writing more depression poems with his sons. Vulken had been helping his with making a device. Corax groaned. But Vulkan answered for them both.
"Father we would be extremely excited to join you! Wes wants to see da daka! Thank you for waiting for us kind Banana man!"
Kitten groans himself. Vulkan had picked that up from dad. He likes Corax a bit better. Not by much but he is ok in small doses. The three new watchers sit, and the glass eye rewinds fast before it starts at the beginning.
Main Tree reality Forge of Dreams Inquisition headquarters Friday afternoon.
Akio wants to cry in pure relief. He swears to get Gasper a nice gift too. He has single handily saved their work on the brand. The dwarf had sat down with the magician and had begun to work on it. The dwarf was in good spirits.
"The maker of this a bastard. But there are indeed some holes. We have a particularly good chance of getting the branded about eighty five percent of their former selves back with the first few. A hundred after we counter work our own brand and take the first off. I will have to thank Gasper. This job is way better than my last. Your Emperor pays well. Plus, his army is very kick ass. I would be happy to stay on with your group Inquisitor. You do good things. Cannot believe this all came about because I raided with Gasper on WOW."
Akio changed his mind. He will get Gasper multiple gifts of whatever he wants. Akeno had been so happy that her other was feeling less stressed. She was really enjoying working with him. They rescued people. They were really making a difference. The Inquisition was an organization that would leave a positive legacy on Terra.
The Inquisition had watched the underworld news earlier. They loved the smug superiority of fucking the GKF. Already a pure blood who liked detective work from the new houses sworn to the Emperor had been sent their way. She was incredibly happy to have her dreams come true.
The sworn banners were beginning to provide more to the cause. Riser had brought three others to the cause. The pure bloods were asked what they wanted. Two wanted to serve in the tank crews. The final one had asked to see the machines. To see the Omnissiah. He was accepted into the red robe adepts.
The space here was getting crowded. But Issei had popped by with Sona and Ravel. And reassures them.
"We have your next headquarters being built right now. You are the next to move in. I already have Charles building the next two forges. Leonardo will get one that makes peace time stuff. The other will start building more guns and armor. That way Cawl can focus on vehicles, and we can begin to build more tanks and artillery. We can start having gunships soon too. I will second more people to you once I sort through the houses trying to pay everything for the drug."
The tide was building. The Sun always rises. The Imperium had also made gains in the mundane world.
United States TUP headquarters in Chicago Illinois.
The Unification Party was growing rapidly. They had merged with ten other smaller parties in the state that had been inspired by dreamers. They pooled votes and resources. They had shocked everyone in the nation again. In the election for governor of the state a former Democrat who had flipped to them had entered the race. His former colleagues and his opponents in the Republican Party there laughed. An easy victory was coming. They were wrong. The Unification Party won. That makes everyone take note. The new governor and his vice governor who was former Republican, had won by a landslide victory. The voters saw the dream. They want it badly. They are tired of so many things. TUP is a centrist party. But their message calls to more dreamers.
Five more states in the rust belt take up the standard. Their small unification parties merged with the Chicago branch. There are more grassroots groups that see the victory and begin the dream in their states. The Establishment takes big note of that. The slogan of TUP brings more people who are curious. Many stay. Just as many wonder if it is possible. They had been feeling hope renewed when they saw the Aquilla.
The Democrats began to call TUP a Fascist party. The Republicans call it a Communist movement. That does not slow down the movement. Several forwards thinking businesses get into contact with TUP. They see a future so many of their leaders like. They began to donate money and speak for the Party.
Time will tell what will happen.
Europe.
The first Unification Party in Europe was now the center of the movement there. More were coming to the Aquilla. The parties in Europe are pooling resources to help build each other up. They are winning more Elections. Denmark's party inspired more in Scandinavia. They were slowly winning ground there.
France and the Low Countries were building up on their success. They were preparing for the next round. In Britain, the party there was now a small but vocal group in the parliament, and they were not backing down on what they stood for. That was winning respect.
Italy was also in a very weird position. Their IUP had serval small parties merge with them, and they were beginning to win towns in southern Italy. Heaven was helping there as were many of the Italian guard.
Spain had shocked many. Their party was now becoming a noticeably big political force that would have significant influence in their government. Heaven was again helping.
Many countries in Eastern Europe were now beginning their own parties. They like the ideas. They are surprised when the parties in Western Europe start sending them things for their growth. The Cold War had left many on both sides bitter. But the new generation on either side was ready for the future.
In Romania, the party there wins the first victory in the east. Bulgaria is surprised when the well respected son of the former Tzar speaks well of the Unification party in his country. He is a secret Alpharius. That wins attention from the Bulgarians who really respect that man.
It is a stream there too. It will become a river. It will join with the western half of the continent.
Russia is wary. They do not like the Unification party, or it is ideas. But they were going to have trouble getting their own party under control.
Dimensional gap
Great Red does another trick! This is done for Issei winning in the underworld. Neoth is here with Gaia, Buddha, and Indra. The five are cheering on the man. Buddha likes that he is exceedingly kind. That he is helping the cycle of life is kick ass! Indra likes that he can really help some of those former strays who used to worship him is nice. Gaia likes her champion more too. Neoth was just proud of his son. He sees another him watching too.
That Magnus is there and not a daemon prince anymore is supremely nice. That Dorn is a support thing is scary. His throne bound self is a mega asshole. Was that how his son saw him? Neoth did not like that him. He was trying to be better.
Neoth likes Kitten. The Captain-General was an incredibly good Custodian. He needed to be appreciated more. He pokes the other him.
"Asshole."
The other him groaned. But replied.
"What you want. I am busy watching the cooler me. Fuck off."
"Asshole. Treat the Captain-General right. He is beyond loyal. He is like Ra."
The throne bound him groaned. He saw the comparison too.
"Fine. I will treat piss man better. Happy?"
"No. Treat him better. We are bad people, but he is not."
"I hate that you are right. Fine. Piss off."
Gaia sees the action. She is really starting to like Neoth more. He is still a prick, but he is being truthful. He is trying to be better. Buddha and Indra saw it too.
Neoth was beginning to gain true acceptance by the god club. He was still unpopular. But he was sharing faith freely with the gods who need it. That was nice.
Great Red does another trick! That inquisitor guy and his girlfriend were cool! That there is serious hope for the branded. That makes the dragon like them too. He might help them more. Ophis was pissed. That was not cool sadly.
Kaos brigade bases worldwide.
The OSF was pissed. How the fuck did a filthy human fix that problem with their near perfect race! That is what leadership is thinking. But some of the rank and file start to hope for a way out. They are tired of being outlaws. They dream of family. Neoth begins whispering to them.
Ophis is pissed. True pissed. This is another bad turn of events. She might lose meat bags. But she sees something. This human. He is a connection to The Red Angel. That could be useful. This might be how the infinity dragon gets the first link to him. She turned to the cat.
"Cat. Make contact with the human. Now. Find what he wants. I want the Red Angel. There is a connection somewhere."
The order is emotionless. Kuroka is both happy and scared. Happy because this can be her way out. Scared because she will put the team at risk if she does that. She will stay for now.
"Will try black dragon. But I do not think I can offer him much. Not going to be fun trying to get there but I can manage."
Vali is somewhat concerned for the cat. She likes her for the upbeat personality and the fact she and Biwko keep morale up. Will hurt if the Red Angel kills her. Ophis does not care.
"Do it now."
Kuroka gets up and then masked her presence. She opened a portal and slipped out. The team looks worried for Kuroka too.
Arthur is nervous for Kuroka. Ever since they saw the aftermath of that battle the more he does not want to ever come into contact with the attackers. He was regretting being here. Arthur was here because his father was a massive ass. He denied his son happiness with a woman that Arthur loved. He had made his son watch as the woman was forced to say with a smile that she never loved him. Arthur knew it was forced. Anna lied in a specific way. He saw the tick. His father then killed Anna.
"We are Pendragons. We do not mix with commoner filth. Remember that boy."
That was such bullshit. Their family was long sundered from nobility. The true breaking point was when the bastard had arranged a marriage between Le Fay and a man twenty years her senior. Just for status. Le Fay was his one piece of hope in their family. She felt the same. So, they ran. Their father was searching for them. He wanted his token to more power back and his heir. Vali protected them from him. The White Dragon Empress had killed their pursuers twice before dropping their bodies off by a portal to the bastard. The pursuit stopped for now.
The Pendragon head had many friends in the magician guilds. That is why he was dangerous. He had powerful friends in many. The brigade had unfortunately become a haven for them.
Biwko did not want Kuroka to get hurt. She was a fun friend. He would try to help her. He did not like the brigade either. He had joined for battle and a chance to earn his own glory. He was always overshadowed by his famous ancestor Sun Wu Kong. He had been approached by a devil man who had tried to reincarnate him forcefully. Vali had been tracking the devil because he was a retainer of her family. She had killed the devil brutally. Biwko liked his boss lady for that. He followed her because she was fun, and she treated him as himself and not his ancestor. Thus, why he stayed.
Agamemnon and Percy were here because Vali had rescued them both from the brand. They had objected to its use. Cao Cao had been smiling when he was about to do the act. But Vali had broken the bastard's hand. She and the rest of the team had then escorted the brothers out. Vali had said in no unclear terms that if Cao Cao tried that again while the brothers were under her protection she would kill the hero descendent brutally and with much gore. That had won the brothers' loyalty to her.
Percy actually wanted something more with Vali. But he was intimidated by her. He had seen her in a few moments where she had thought herself alone and then she had broken down in self hate for letting her family do the abuse. Percy always wanted to help her. He fell in love with her. His white dragon. That she was a devil hybrid, and the descendant of the original Lucifer did not matter to Percy. He wanted to rescue her like she had him. Agg teases his brother about that. But he understands.
Percy would do anything for her. Even fight his idol. He really liked the Red Angel. The man inspired others who saw the deeds he did fully. It is why he and Le Fay liked him so much. He was brutal. But he was a true hero. Unlike the bastards in the Hero Faction. Percy knew he would die fighting The Red Angel. But he would do it for her.
City of Kuoh Issei's house Friday evening.
Ravel had moved into the home. She had taken a room next to Sona and Ingvild. The three Sigilites had talked happily together. Ingvild had clapped weakly for the first and the second. She and Hadrian had watched in her room. Ingvild had been so incredibly happy to see the hope on the faces of the commoners. They were abused often. But they would be protected by her Sol. Hadrian had smiled too. He understood why the evil system was needed. But this drug was better.
The three women had talked, and they had agreed between the two psykers that they had miscalculated the number. There were indeed six. Not five. A line had opened. It was an exceedingly rare line. But that had opened up very weird possibilities. Sona had gaped at one of the possibilities. Why the fuck would the White Dragon Empress ever want to be with her eternal rival? Ravel and Ingvild had shrugged at that too. They did not understand either. But Ravel saw something. She gaped. She showed the others.
One of the other possibilities was a perpetual! What the fuck! That is crazy. They had called Issei in at that.
The Emperor had been busy with Rossweiss who was an excellent assistant. The Valkyrie had been incredibly happy to know that her boss was respectful and really appreciated the extra mile that was a part of her being. They had been slowly weeding out the minor houses that were so very desperate to swear to him. They were about a quarter of the way done. Hadrian had brought the issue at hand to his Emperor's attention.
Issei blinked owlishly. That line was indeed very weird. He sighed.
"Order food for the night for everyone. I will pay. Rose what do you what for dinner?"
Rossweiss had considered before she shrugged and went with Hadrian, and they quickly asked everyone what they wanted. While they were out Issei sat with the Sigilites.
"That line is something. The concern for Vali however is unwarranted. She is only in three lines. There is another who really does love her utterly. He will get her in the ninety seven percent. The perpetual is interesting however she shows up in many. You missed something, however. The gene is in both of them. That is indeed weird. But I see Irina and her other now. But they have a hard chance of actually getting together. Why them however I do not know."
Ravel does not understand that. Then she sees the lines clear up. Issei is right. The brother has the gene too. That family is very weird. Ingvild with the shard of Issei in her gaped more. Why? What caused this line? Issei frowned too. He backed up with Ravel and Ingvild. They finally found the point. Issei sighed. Ravel does too. Ingvild sees the story and thinks it is sweet. Sona had been included by Issei. She giggled.
"Fan girls. You will never be able to escape them. I like her. She is stiff but that can be a good thing too. I think she would be a great head of the magician guild that is forming around you."
Issei sighed again. Sona was right.
"I do not get that though. Why was the point made when Vali decided she wanted an autograph from me? That makes no sense. But the warp is a shit scape even without the tumors. I guess I will try to help them. She is really tied with me. Like you Vel."
Ravel sighed. They really were. She feels bad for the almost guaranteed forth. Her story was sad. The stiff nature was her defense mechanism. It gave her control over something. That was because of her childhood. Her father was an utter bastard to both of his kids. Le Fay needed help.
Issei sees Le Fay's father more. He growled. That shocked the three others. Issei sounded like a dragon when he did the noise. Ravel really hated that she liked that. Sona found it interesting. Ingvild had also really liked that. She and Ravel look at one another and blush. Issei did not notice that. He wants to kill Lord Pendragon brutally. And publicly.
The shit he pulled with his kids is utterly disgusting crap. Issei sees the other Le Fay's. The magician is his contracted magician in almost all the trees where he is a devil even the ones where their genders are switched. That is very weird. Neoth sees this happening. He manifests.
Ravel looked at the ghostly figure of the god. Ingvild sees the old bad and the new really good things Neoth is trying to do. Sona humph at Neoth she still does not like him. Neoth spoke up.
"I can help her. Get her and her brother here. It will take the cat being brave publicly for once but it is possible. I know you hate me. But she does need help more than before now. I will always try to win your acceptance even though you despise me for good reasons. Son."
Issei growled again. Ravel and Ingvild blush again. Sona feels just a hint of pity for the god. But Issei sighed finally after growling for five minutes.
"I should drive my future sword into you and free humanity from your cancer. I so very much long to do that. I want that so badly. But Gaia is starting to like you. I have more respect for her than you. I am not your son. I am what you damn well should have been! You who was a champion to your species! You who betrayed the primarchs! Horus was a bitch for listening to the tumors. But you planted the seeds. He was right you did plan to betray them. After everything they did for you and after the shit you pulled with Angron and with Mortarian. I will, however, for Le Fay's sake take the help. Fuck you and if you call me your son again I will do the kill."
Ingvild feels really bad for Neoth. He is an ass. But the words were brutal. The god nodded his head to her and Issei. Ravel feels a bit bad for him too. Sona does not. She will back up Issei with this. She had now heard most of the tales of the primarchs. She agreed completely with Issei. Neoth had been ready to fuck with his sons. To use then abuse them. Even Roboute who was second next to Horus with how good he was at conquering. Neoth spoke.
"I understand. I will get the cat to help them I will not say that word again. Please understand, however, that I agree with everything you said. My primary thing is regret. That will never go away. I regret what I did to them. I mean that. Goodbye."
Neoth disappeared. Ingvild speaks softly to her Sol.
"He is trying. I believe him. He is an ass. He did betray them. But keeping this burrowed up in you is not attractive Issei. Please try to be a little more kind to him."
Sona is about to raise her voice against that. But Issei sighed again. He wants Ingvild to be happy. He will never be able to let go of the hate. But he was not Neoth's son. His father was Gorou Hyoudou. Revelation understands utterly. He sees both sides clearly. He cannot pick one. Ddraig is awake. He manifests on Issei's right hand. The gauntlet's gem was glowing.
"He is an ass. But he did make you into the best partner I have ever had. The best I will only have for eternity. I do not like Revelation sometimes. But we get along for your sake. Try that with Neoth. Do not accept him fully. But do not be actively attack him. I believe the prick too. You do not give me much reason to actively help you other than the mental boosts. You are good without me. I really do like the peace partner. I can sleep without worry. Genuinely pleasant change. Please do what the song maker says."
The gauntlet disappeared. Issei is tense. But he committed for Ingvild and for Le Fay. They matter more than him.
"Ok Ing. I will try. For yours and the geckos' sakes. But Neoth will never call me that word again to my face. He betrayed multiple sons before the primarchs. He betrayed the thunder warriors. They who had loved him utterly."
The room's tension went back to being normal. Ingvild smiled and patted her Sol's hand. He was an exceptionally good man. Ravel had not said anything because she sees both sides equally too. Sona had been the hard ally. The others the soft. Dinner arrived ten minutes later and the seven sat down in Ingvild's room to eat.
In the warp.
Neoth had heard everything. He understood why Issei said those things. He did betray the primarchs. He did betray the thunder warriors. And he betrayed countless others before them. Erda betraying him had pissed him off royally at the time. But the first seed had been planted there.
Gaia sees Neoth hurting. She saw the pure rage from her champion. She knows he hates gods. Gaia understands the feeling. Her family was disgusting themselves. But Neoth is always trying. Just like how Neoth is fighting to get Issei his time with his parents she will fight for Issei to accept his divine father. Their DNA was linked. He did have two fathers. Strange idea but Jesus had been strange too.
Gaia touched Neoth. It was one of support. Neoth thanks her. Gaia talked to him softly.
"He will accept more of you one day. You are still and will always be an asshole. But I and the others see you try. Your work with the senate is excellent work. You are building something that is better for humanity. You are making the others there believe too. They ask me if they can make him their champions too. But I said they have to talk to you. I did it because he needs a second mother to help him. We will highly likely never be a thing you and me. But Issei matters more than that."
"He does. He is not wrong. Some days I truly wish him to drive the blade through me. I hate this existence. But I am needed. Without me there would be a worse world. The angels would be lost again. The reincarnated would have no hope of a way out. The fallen will become what they were once again. I yearn for death. Because part of me seeks the war eternal. I do not want that here. I want them to have peace. That which was denied to my species. I want them to be the better us. We who made everything we touched into darkness. I want to build light. Like I did during the very beginning of the Great Crusade."
Gaia saw that beginning. She saw the faces of those the Astartes would free from human, xenos, and warp oppression. The days that the loyal sons of the traitor legions loved the most. Not the end. Gaia wants to touch Garviel Lokhan. The one who was a Lunar Wolf eternal.
The two watched the Great Crusade unfold. Gaia asks questions. Neoth answered. They would indeed never be a godly couple. But Gaia became something else. She became Neoth's truest friend. He had not had that since Erda. It was funny that Erda had been the other Gaia. But it is just more ironic.
Kaos brigade Base. Location Unknown
Le Fay feels something touch her soul. She does not like it. She builds more walls immediately around it. The touch stays. A voice whispered to her.
"I see your pain. I see your problem. Yours and your brother. I want to help you and him. I will have a person talk to you both. They are like both of you. Please try to listen to them."
Le Fay does not believe that. Even Vali could not help them with their problem. And she was the White Dragon Empress. What could this other person do that Vali could not? But she like so many others remembered the Aquilla she had seen during the game. On the pendants that the devils had been wearing. On the Red Angels armor. She feels the beginning of hope. It is just a seed. But seeds always grow into something. Le Fay does not want to doubt anymore.
Arthur was an amazing brother. He tried so awfully hard for her. The team joked he was a sis-con. He was not that. Arthur was her kin truly. Le Fay had been killed by her father in a fit of drunken rage about something when she had been young. Her father did not remember the incident. Le Fay did. She did not understand why she had come back. Arthur did not know that it had happened.
Le Fay had tried to learn why she was like this freak of nature. She had never found an answer. Le Fay had asked for books on genetics. She thinks that her condition was a gene. She knew Arthur was like her. She saw their father in another black drunk rage kill him too. Arthur had come back as well. Arthur did not know why. He did not know that Le Fay was similar. That they shared yet another thing between them.
Was this person the voice had talked about like them? Were they like them in not being able to die? The touch gave her more hope. It had said yes. Le Fay wants to answer this riddle that was such a big part of herself. To finally understand. To get why she and Arthur were this way. She makes the decision. She will humor this potential other. Now just how to find them. The voice helps out again.
"They will be leading something against a foe who is only slightly less bad than your boss. You can see them. I will tell you the location. It is this weekend. The answers you seek lie with them. And more."
Grigori Headquarters the underworld. Friday
Baraqiel was now marching with his daughter. His wings were mostly gold now. He had a pendant to his eventual new god. The events in the devils side today had shaken up the Grigori. Their foes can now utterly replenish their race. Azazel had been eager to meet a fellow scientist in the human. Baraqiel saw the human fully. That was the Red Angel. His future Emperor.
That he was a man of peace as much as war made Baraqiel support him fully. He wanted to serve that type of man. Akeno had told him about her new job. And that she had a boyfriend who was amazing. Baraqiel did not know what to feel about the fact she was an interrogator for an Inquisition. But he supported her after learning what they were doing. To free enslaved people. To free planets from colonialism by Xenos. To guard against the night. Those were goals worth fighting killing and dying for.
He was helping here. He talked to his second. The woman had been in shock seeing his wings. She longs for Unification now. To know no fear. To serve something that will appreciate what you do. She talks to the third in the cadre.
Baraqiel is about to leave for home when Azazel stops him. The Governor-General pulls him into his office and wards go up. The head of Grigori gestured to a chair and the two sat. Azazel spoke finally.
"Let me see them please. I am curious."
Azazel laid a single golden feather on his desk. Baraqiel played dumb.
"Never seen that before, where did you get that from?"
Azazel laughed. He was a good natured man. A massive man whore when he was not tinkering with sacred gear. But he was just open with his desires. He took care of his many bastards and their moms. He got them jobs in his cadre. Homes for the ones who needed that. Kokabiel thought that made Azazel weak. So had Baraqiel till he had Shuri and Akeno. Now he sees the actions taken as somewhat good. But it was better than hanging the moms and babies out to dry. Azazel smiled and replied.
"Got that from Pemb. She told me she was resigning. Said she wants the future. I do not blame her. Love her the best of my kids. Will miss her. She made me a bit happier. Her mom is going with Pemb. Said she marches for something new as well. I might act blind Bar, but I am not. I see the desertions happening. Even with the stigma. They are all marching for something. It must truly inspire them to go ahead with that. Pemb is lucky I never made her swear oaths to me. Same with Dana. But I need to know why. I picked up your wing's aura. You are the fifth one I have spoken to about this. What are they marching for?"
Baraqiel feels no hesitation now. Know no fear. He is making that his life. For Akeno. For Shuri.
"They are marching for Terra. For everyone on our planet. I believe now we have hope Azazel. I am not resigning. You have been a good friend to me, after Shuri. But I want the future too. I have reconnected with my daughter thanks to this. I am going to help them. The new ones who will replace us old geezers. They will be our brighter future."
Baraqiel unfolds his wings. The gold is shown. They are all gold now. Azazel looks in curiosity. He is fascinated. To hear another story of hopes. Pemb had said she wanted to find her brother. Azazel understands which one immediately. Dohnaseek. His troubled drinking son. Azazel understands. Pemb had tried to help him multiple times despite him being in Kokabiel's cadre. It had never worked. Azazel hates that it is Anavie who made Dohn that way.
Anavie. His black sheep kid. She was evil. Azazel had not seen the signs of Sociopathy. Neither had Dana, who was the trio's mother. He had been with Dana the longest out of his relationships. He loves her as an exceptionally good friend. They had parted ways well. Dana was just as much of a player as him. They had worked for a long while. The kids came later. Azazel regretted that he let Anavie join Kokabiel. The war monger has fed his daughter the poison that now was her entire being. He knew the things she had done. There, however, was much he did not want to know.
Kokabiel was now officially a renegade. He had tried to steal Excalibur fragments from the burning wreck that was the church. His attempt had failed badly. The Angel of the Stars lost over fifty of his elite warriors trying the theft. The bodies had been left to rot. Azazel had been delivered them by a massive human man in gold armor. The man said that he represented him on Earth. That Kokabiel was a very dead man walking.
Azazel had questions to ask. But he saw the Aquilla. This golden giant served the Red Angel. Azazel did not want to fight him. So, he made Kokabiel kill on sight finally. It is why the peace faction cadres had been here. Why Azazel had pulled the five in. He knows now that his subordinates serve the Red Angel.
Azazel cannot stop him. He cannot stop the ocean. He simply asked that Anavie be given a quick death. The golden giant had simply said no.
"Your bitch daughter tormented her brother. She murdered children. She carried out massacres against humans. She murders without care or restraint. She will get no mercy. She will get no remorse. We will hunt her till the stars die. We will never let scum like her and Kokabiel live on my lord's world. She will die screaming and in horrible pain. I say this as Captain-General of the Emperor of Man. Your crow daughter will die painfully."
The giant had dropped a massive file on Azazel's desk. It was Anavie's crimes in total. He read them all. He had been sick so many times. That she and Kokabiel had done these crimes against sentience. Azazel remembers a single face. A little boy. Anavie had tortured him in front of his parents and his older siblings. She had then tortured them. She finally hung them up on crosses.
That had killed his daughter permanently for him. Anavie was a sick dog needing to be euthanized. He made the kill order for them active immediately after he finished. Azazel feels such big shame and had actually been ready to do something terrible. But light had shown on him.
Azazel unfolds his own wings. Baraqiel gasps. Azazel had several golden feathers of his own. A ridiculously small minority. But the black was flickering about.
"Bar. I am beginning the path to redemption. You have any information about Kokabiel give it to the Red Angel. Anavie needs to die. I will not fault him for killing both of them. I will help too. I do not march yet. But I will one day. The Red Angel is the guardian of us all. The torch of the sun undying. We will all one day walk in his shadow. Whether we know it now or later. I am going to contact Sirzechs and Michael. The Great War will finally end. The young need a future that is not burdened by us. I will eventually disband my tainted legacy. I wish to see the light again. Anavie shames me. I will never let her hurt more again."
They march. For the future. The others pulled in were told the same. They are encouraging those below to dream again. To think of the future and not the past. The other four had nodded. This was going from the top down now. Grigori was far from good. But it was trying now truly.
Antony hurt. But he was now reaching a new point. He would be with the Emperor on the field of war this weekend. Pantier was gathering many mercs and the war faction cadres to Kokabiel. They had a plan. They would mass then prepare to attack Kuoh. The goal was Sona and Rias. To kill them. Then the kill on sight order would be forced to be removed. The war would force Grigori to reluctantly help Kokabiel. It would be a war between the fallen and devils. But Kokabiel wanted to extend it to the mundane side. To butcher humans.
But the Imperium was ready. The guard was now ready and eager to fight the bastard. They would commit everything they had. Every tank. Every artillery piece. Every sword and gun to their destruction. The Inquisition was told to prepare all their assets for war. The Emperor would lead them. They marched to stop this war. To begin the dawn utterly and forever. To bring Sol down upon the cadres who were Kokabiel's. The Custodians would be there except Hadrian. They four. The mark would begin tomorrow.
An. Another one. Huzzah. We are entering the next war. So much to unpack here. Le Fay and Arthur. The fifth and Sixth perpetuals. Their dad is a mega ass. I originally had no thoughts on Le Fay but she is like Ravel. She grew on me fast. Like extremely fast. I think they are the last two perpetuals for an awfully long time. The fifth and sixth Sigilites are as of now very much up in the air. I want Asia. I want Kunou. Koneko is ok but she waxes and wanes like the other potentials. Hard to choose.
The underworld and their almost riot. Suspended disbelief. The revolution was remarkably close. Here it has been bad for the common folk. No one saw this not even Issei. This line was the ultra rare. Like less than a percentage. The drug lit the match. Hope and a desire for family. That to me is immensely powerful. No one saw the second French Revolution. This riot was quite different. The NKF gets their direct true strength they have an extraordinarily strong majority. The GKF is screwed. A human did the drug. Not a devil they will accept reincarnated are seen as just barely above humans. Ajuka is the greatest mind for the pure bloods. He could not fix this here. Him trying to tie an immensely powerful new player in politics to the government is expected. Fabium just wants to sleep and does not really care too much. Sirzechs is smart. He knows that they need the human now more than ever. The houses desperately want the drug. They will give almost anything for it. I really do mean anything. Issei can if he wants demand to be made a Satan. The nobility will kiss his ass and then ask how much power he wants. They will make the new position family based again. The new Satans are elected to their position. Millicas cannot be Lord Lucifer without the election. That speaks volumes.
Azazel and his kids. Yeah Dohnaseek is Azazel's son. His dad felt horrible about what Anavie did to him. So did the eldest sister. Pemb tried to help Dohn multiple times. She could not do it. It takes faith and knowing that the Red Angel is going to kill Anavie to really help the incident where Anavie saved Dohn was when a group of devils attacked them near the DMZ between the fallen and the devils. Dohn almost died brutally. But Anavie killed them horribly. She then used that to make Dohn into a slave. She did not care that he almost died. It was just pure higher sociopathic thinking. I get to kill devils and get my baby brother to be my slave nice. She is horrible. The cross incident was the same night as the kill against Issei the trio killed many more that night. But where Pantier was the main person with Issei Anavie tortured this family. The reason was that the boy had an exceptionally low power gear. As in all it did was made people a little happier. That is, it. No big combat stuff no flashy powers. It was not anywhere close to a Longinus. Yet he died in pain. When I really do say she is evil and the worst of the trio of bad characters. I really do mean it.
TTS is beginning to watch. The Terran Crusade did make it and Corvus chased Magnus around for a while. But Vulken broke both of their legs, and then forced them to talk. Dorn supports that. Man Emperor is himself. Kitten did not find the protocol. But their story does not advance further than that. Alfa is a genius and I wish GW would stop being curs with TTS that is how I got into Warhammer. I love the series. I just want it back. It made me happy. Very cool ideas there.
Ann. Le Fay here is a year younger than Issei. The abuse here changed her personality too. Fay is stiff and not very open about emotions. She does that because of control. She could do that with the abuse. Anna is this trees Elaine. she died in pain and that hurt Arthur alot. He did love her.