DISCLAIMER: DxD doesn't belong to me.


'For my dear little brother, Garith...

Time does fly, no? It feels like it was yesterday when I held both you and Rias in my arms, tears completely clouding my vision of two of the most precious people in my life, as it became one of the most cherished memories for me. You little arms and legs, your chubby cheeks and the small tuff of red hair on top of your heads, you were more than just new heirs of the clan: you were signs of better days, of times without war, conflict; only love and peace despite being held by a thin string. I knew, from the day you two were born, that you both would become formidable devils, carrying the future of the Underworld as much as ever did one day. The twin siblings from the Gremory clan, an unstoppable duo, the names Rias and Garith echoing through the ages to come.

And now, for 15 years that felt like simple seconds, not a single day has passed which I didn't feel anything but pride, love and hope for you both. Season by season, year by year, you would grow, make friends and acquaitances, develop as a man, a devil and a heir, always staying true to yourself and loving and being loved by all the people who surrounds you. You had your shortcomings, your disadvantages and trips, but that've never stopped you from evolving into the man you are today, one worthy to be called a King of your own peerage, one that I couldn't be prouder of.

And now, thinking about your goodbye, your departure from my sight and hold, in order to find your own evil pieces and make yourself known in this vast world, I can't help but to feel a mix of positive and negative emotions, understanding your wishes and objectives in this new journey, yet still wanting you to be by my side, as we used to do when you were still in the crib with Rias, watching Satan Rangers with me and helping me feeding Millicas and singing lullabies for him to sleep. You are not a toddler anymore, but you'll always be the smiling, confused little boy I could still lift high in my eyes...

This world... Is beautiful and vast, yet cruel and unforgiving, Garith. Don't be ashamed to return home to mother's or father's arms, don't ever think we won't be waiting for your return with open arms and smiles, as we always did and will always do. Rias will be parting in her own journey as well, and the siblings of Gremory will be reduced to only one in this massive castle. But wherever or whenever you are, little brother, never forget tha-...'


That is a touching letter, it really is. Sirzechs' heart and soul were put in the ink of this incomplete letter as he pours his feelings towards me in my departure from the Gremory manor. It's not like I'm in a rebellious phase nor I was kicked out of it for being a failure like some edgelord asshole, but like Rias, I feel like I can and will find my own pieces, people who will understand and follow me as their leader, instead of them being given to me by either elections or trading. I'm not as romantic as Rias, but finding my own pieces by my own circumstances feel more right than just be given them like some spoiled brat...

As I read the letters on the parchment, I feel all the love and care my big brother has for me, and how sometimes I take his affection for granted. True, he's not my real 'big brother', but even so, after all these years as 'Garith', I understood my new life and position in this new world, and accepting it is a lot easier than just grasp the painful memories and miserable existence of a person that is no more. My brother loves me, and I love him too, how can I not? He's the type of person that is worth trying to impress and make proud, despite his brosiscon side and hyperaffection, he's a good, great person, and this journey of mine is both to prove myself and to him that all the love he has for me is not wasted in a lazy, unmotivated, ungrateful loser.

Surely, it is a touching letter, but I think it'll be even more touching and poingnant if it wasn't for a single detail, and I'm not talking about the tear stains on the parchment or the sloppy handwriting; being also the reason as to why it is imcomplete for now. Because, you see...

"Brother, I didn't even leave yet..."

"And I already miss you, Riz-kun! I have the feeling that, if I don't finish this letter now, I might not have the heart to accept your departure..." And this grown adult, father of one, leader of the whole Underworld and considered one of the most powerful beings in this entire generation pouts with eyes brimming with tears as he lowers his head, crestfallen with this thought.

Unbelievable...

Hello everyone, Garith Gremory here. At least, that's the name I go by nowadays.

It has been a few days since Rias and I made out noble debut and got our own set of Evil Pieces, these 15 mystical items based around chess pieces with the power to reincarnate beings from other races as our devil servants, created by the one and only Ajuka Beelzebub. After that, against our family's protests, we decided to search for our own Evil Pieces instead of relying on the connections the Gremory have to gather a peerage without any effort.

It's not like we're a twin of ingrateful brats, at least not me, but there's only so much we can do to step away from Big brother Zechs' shadow, and to form a peerage with the sweat of our own brow is one of the clearest ways to show the world we're more than just the Lucifer's spoiled little siblings, the prince and princess of the Gremory house. Living all those years as 'Garith' were fun and all, but now I understand from where Rias was coming from regarding as seeing as more than her name, it's like the only thing people can see in me is my red hair. I'm way prettier than that!

Plus, there's something quite romantic and exciting in finding Evil Pieces on my own, exploring lands, meeting new people by my own volition and just appreciating the new sights; it'll be like a fetch quest, and those are always fun.

All of them were saddened, but understood the motives and objectives regarding our goals, a devil's pride is not as hard to comprehend, specially regarding us, the twin siblings of the Super Devil demon lord. The only one to have a bigger grip about us leaving though, unsurprisingly, was our older brother Sirzechs, and after a lenghty and quite melodramatic session of persuassion, courtesy of my little sister's high level in speech, he relutanctly let go off us, understanding once and for all that we will have to grow up away from his guard and become the devils we meant to be.

Like I said, I do love this man who I call now my big brother, but sometimes he can be a bit too much. The fact that I didn't even leave yet and he's pouring his heart out in this letter for me and then going to write another for Rias the main example of his overwhelming... Let's call us 'affection'. If the lack of love fucked 'Ichirou' on one hand, now I see the polar opposite of that is just as damaging.

Unbelievable...

"Yer done crying, bruv? Zechs, is not like I'm going away forever to farawayland. We'll still keep in touch." I shrug with a few reassuring pats on my big brother's shoulder, seeing his lifting his head and taking a deep, thoughtful breath. He turns to me with a serious look, and I stare back in the same way. "We, the Gremory, are a powerful House of devils even among the remaining 72. But for that reputation to last, we need to show them that not only the first son is worth talking about. If you can't convince me, forget about trying with Rias; that engagement treat was the last straw for her self-esteem and, honestly, being someone else's trophy spouse would leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth."

"I cherish and admire you both, y'know? Isn't that enough?" He whispers, catching me off guard. His tone was monotone and quiet, but all of his affection and intentions were thrown at once with those simple words. I stop to blink and him, and with another sigh, he sighs. "From the day you were born, 15 years ago, up to now, I knew from the start you two were going to be great devils, way better than I could ever hope to be. Maybe not regarding our inherited skills, that I have no one to blame but myself for being a freak, but better leaders, heads and devils. With this power I hold, I was born to be the demon Lord, the strongest among our race, but... Seeing you with such talent with the blade and dancing, and Rias's control and evolution of our inhrited skill plus her social reach... I have no doubt that, if I were to be born as you two, I'd definitely be the weakest of the siblings. Isn't... that enough to convince you two to stay?"

"Brother..." I sigh. He really doesn't want me to leave, he loves me a whole lot, and honestly, after that, I'm having second thoughts about this reckless quest of mine. The admiration of the strongest demon lord, that's enough to give a boost to my self-image, no doubt, but still. "Sorry, but playing to pretend and ignore reality is a thing I refuse to do. Please, don't think for a moment I resent you for being strong, or that is the reason I'm leaving on this quest. I respect and love big brother Zechs a lot, this is why I'm doing this, to show not just to you, but to the whole world, that I'm worthy to carry this name. I think Rias also thinks the same."

"Huh. What a troublesome duo I end up with as my cute younger siblings." And after all that whining and crying, seeing my brother flash a genuine smile made me respond in kind. After all these years and showing how much I've improved and he still sees me as his cute little brother, that would be embarassing if it were anyone else. He let out a steam out of his mouth, tosses his body backwards and limps on his chair. "I guess not even the demon Lord is capable of avoiding the dreaded rebellious age of their relatives. Still, the empty nest feeling is as bad as they say it is. Millicas better not grow as fast as you both, otherwise this heart of mine won't probably take it."

"And here I thought this is the best time to comfort this dear husband of mine, but now I refrain from doing so after being so rudely excluded in his hearted envoy. How annoying." And big brother Zechs tilts his head next to me and I turn around to see the Ultimate Queen, my sister-in-aw Grayfia Lucifuge, sighing, a hand covering her mouth to fake hurt or hide a chuckle, everything is so vague regarding this queen even after all those years and my abilities. She comes closer, rests a hand on Zechs' shoulder and pinch his cheek in a rather painful way. "As I said, do not mistake my stance as indifference to my family. I cherish and love you very much, Sirzechs, and I won't stay idle while you exclude me from your mind."

"It's not like that, Grayfia-tan. I also love you very much, but the void in my heart my siblings will leave cannot be filled by anything else, not even my treasured wife and son, who already cover a major bite of it. And to try to do it will make me a terrible older brother..." My brow twitches with his melodrama, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like cringing at my older brother's affection, it's like he's trying to simulate a very cheesy Shakespearian play for 4-y/o or something. He whines more and more as in-law's pinch gets meaner. "Owowowow~. Grayfia-tan, it hurts."

"It is suppose to hurt, Sirzechs. This is your punishment, after all." She states matter-of-factly, holding her husband tighter and tighter between her fingers. In the end, once enough, the strongest Queen let go off him and pats his shoulder a few times. After all these years, I figure this is just her subtle way to say she cares for him, as obscure as it is. Even at leisure, she never lets her guard down, as expected from her. "I will also miss lord Garith and lady Rias, of course, but I won't forget that I have you and Millicas either. But alas, not even the Gremory's affection for their servants can overcome familiar bonds, that is the sorrow of yours truly."

"I love you too, Grayfia-tan." And a moment between a couple of normies, a kiss on the cheek to show how much they care. Maybe I can find myself a girlfriend as well during one of those trips, a belle for my own to pamper and shove it down other people's faces.

The reason as to why I didn't find one after all these years around, you ask? Devil girls are too uptight and classy for a guy like me, and once we reached the age of maturity, that only worsened things... Or maybe the problem is with me... Nah.

"That aside, Lord garith, you luggage and portal rune are ready for your departure." And the super-maid devil wife turns to me while still pampering the demon lord. Oh right, leave it to the Ultimate Queen to take care of stuff like that regardless of my imputs on matters. Nothing against it, of course, I would probably had a hard time trying to pick what I should and shouldn't take in this voyage, and would probably take my entire room on a whim. Unlike 'Ichirou', 'Garith' has a lot of love and fond memories for his home, hence I have a harder time to decide what to do with my luggage at all. "I separated the strictly necessary items for a long and productive trip, plus other materials for personal hygiene and self-care, including a few books lady Gremory demanded for your education. I assume I did an acceptable job with it, but if you need something else, don't hesitate to ask."

"..." A thoughtful moment for me. Indeed, the super maid. One, two seconds after that statement, and then I decided to talk. "Then... As a good luck charm, miss Grayfia, I'd like to bring with me one of your pantie-...!"

"Denied."

"Well, worth a shot." I turn to a side and smiled awkwardly, trying to diverge the attention of her death glare for my scandalous requests as Sirzechs only laughs. After all these years, and no luck in trying to court the Ultimate Queen, although most the time is just as a joke, after all, she loves Sirzechs very much, trying to break their bond will just make me feel like dirt. In the end, I come closer to them and hug them both in a show of affection, and of course not to cup a few or two. I'm serious this time. "Take care, big brother, miss Grayfia. I love you two very much. I'll write whenever I can."

"Likewise, little brother."

"Honestly. I think I pamper you too much, lord Garith."

And they reciprocate my affection by holding me closer to themselves.

Indeed, this is a family worth living for, a family that cares about me and deserving of my all.

Eventually, everything was ready for my trip to the human world, the best place to find Evil Pieces. I picked some stuff back in my room and put it into my luggage, a green one with the symbol of the Gremory in it, dragging it along the hallways of the Gremory manor, which I picked so many fond memories off in this new life of mine. As I walk on the scenario of ivory floor and red carpet to the exit, I flip through the pages of my little Gremory compendium, the name I gave to my trip diary, looking for the list I wrote of places I should take priority of in order to find myself some nice possible peerage members and then some more, like legendary weapons or neat locations to discover and take for myself. Since this is a diary, the list is right on the first page...


- Greece

- Atlantis

- Land of Shadows(Ireland/Scotland)

- Lemuria

- Egypt

- The Amazons(Brazil)

- The world Tree

- El Dorado

- Camelot/Avalon

- Disneyland(USA)

- Cagliostro Castle

- Elfheim

- Jamir

- San Faldo

- Astrum


I admit some of them are not for peerage gathering, but rather a nice trip to discover the world and its wonders. 'Ichirou' never went abroad all of his life, and was saving some money to finally at least go to Okinawa or Hawaii before being kicked out from the company he used to work and would've spent the remaining scraps of rent to go to his little brother's wedding. Now, as 'Garith', I can go wherever I want without any restrains and either find myself a nice servant or just enjoy the view and feeling of a new place.

All in all, nice locations to take a few selfies and post it on Devinstragram, and if I happen to find any evil piece candidates, the better. Also, I've made sure to scribble Japan as a possible location, as well as places like Italy, Romania and others which I might bump into other characters from the novels like Asia, Gaspard or the church duo and risking them joining another faction or straight up dying just because I nosed into things I wasn't suppose to. Nu-uh, no sir, Akeno hating me is enough, thank you very much...

Not for Japan though, I just don't want to go to that shithole of a country.

"Brother...?"

"Oh, Rias... Miss Akeno. Good afternoon." I greet the duo of devils as we bump into each other in the corridors of the castle, and as always, a smile from my little sister and a scornful frown from her recently-reincarnated queen. Y'know, after all these years, I got used to have the priestess hating my guts, and honestly, this is for the best, she is a bit more controlled than a few years ago. Still, I alternate between the two and finally settle for Rias. "It seems that you already got yourself a Queen piece in miss Akeno. Congratulations, Rias. To have already a promising queen, I think I should find myself one on par to not fall much behind. Just kidding."

"This is not a competition, Riz. Keep it on your own pace, I'm sure that you'll find yourself a suitable Queen." My little sister's words of encouragement almost melted my heart. She is a bit more serious and not as playful, but that part of hers never vanished as we grow older. I nod for her, and after a few seconds, she blinks and lowers her stance to be a bit laxer. "But traveling on your own around the world, finding your own Pieces from the ground up, might be a bit excessive. Is this what they call a rebellious phase? Riz, you truly have no one to prove."

"Rias, leave him be. If he wants to play the little rebellious brat, than we shouldn't have a word in his dumb ideas." And the priestess of lightning and thunder spits venom at me, gaining an exasperated gasp from my sister and a puff of smoke out of me. A hair flick, and she continues. "Knowing him and his personality of his, I'm more than certain that he won't take long to come back and hide under your mother's, lady Gremory's skirt. You have any doubts about that, at all?"

"Heheheh. Jealous, miss Akeno?" I chuckle, and she tilts her head in doubt, still frowning. "At least I have a mother to hide under the skirt of. How's your father doing, by the way?"

"..."

"Heheheh."

...

*DON!*

*DON!*

It hurts, it hurts a lot. In the original novels, Akeno has never shown any other traits of her Queen piece, the jack-of-all-traits evil piece, aside from the Bishop; but after that little mean comment, I tasted firsthand the power of her Rook trait as we traded blows at the same time, the shockwave between us enough to make the corridor tremble and for both of us shot our entire bodies backwards, forming an arc with our backs! I hit her cheek and she hit mine, and then we recovered to face each other once again, Akeno coming to butt heads with me and hold me by the collar...

"Little insufferable punk. I'll make you wish you were never born." She hisses. I don't know if she notices it or not, but I can see some sparks of lightning coming from her hands. So she still can't suppress that side of hers fully, makes sense, I've pressed quite a button on her brain. Despite the threat of even more pain, I shrugged and smiled smugly.

"I bet your hear that a lot from your grandfather and uncles, no? Projecting much, you mongrel with crow blood?" I stuck my tongue out, and for those even meaner words, she pulled her fist backwards for another punch, this one filled with electricity.

"Motherfuc-...!"

"Akeno, stop!" And before things escalate out of control, Rias separates us by pushing our bodies away from each other with her hands, soon the dense aura vanishing between us. From here, I can see that her Queen still had her teeth gritted, and for that, the little redhead turns to her and lifts a finger. "Please, you know how Garith is; if you can't take his jabs, as horrible and low as they are, then stop antagonizing him. You're my friend and Queen, but no need to be cruel with him."

"... Understood." And the Himejima girl lowers her head, her eyes turning from somber to dull and melancholic, probably the pain of her mother's death left after spending all of her rage on me, and turns around to walk away from us. "Then, I shall excuse myself, since being on the same frame as... Lord Garith makes me lose control. You know where to find me when you're done, Rias."

"Yeah, walk away like that bitch of a father of yours. Like father, like daughter; amirite?"

*PUNT!*

"Brother, you stop too." And I retch after Rias give me a blow to the stomach, making me wheeze in an indelicate way. END and DEF can only take me so far, specially regarding this genius sister of mine! "Be the bigger person, don't let her insults reach you. That is not an acceptable behaviour for a noble, mother taught us that much."

"Y-Y-Yeah, sorry, Rias." I cough one more time and regain my composure, picking the handle of my luggage to resume my walk towards the exit. Akeno will always hate me, and I guess this is the reason for her fame as a man-hater in the novels, who could've thought. Maybe it's for the best. I take one step, Rias takes one too. I take a second, she follows suit. Does she want to accompany me? Huh, that's okay, so we walk together now.

"Do you have any location in mind for your first stop? I assume you won't go to Japan, at least." She comments to break the ice, and between a moment and two, I let out a thoughtful, but before I could answer, she lowers her head to let out an exasperated wheeze. "Brother, you shouldn't be that reckless, specially since this is the first time you're travelling so far away from home. I'll get worried, you see. I believe in your power and swordsmanship, but still."

"Don't worry, I've done some research, found myself a good stop or two in Europe. I think Greece and the surrounding are a good place to start, that place is the nest of the first heroes, no?" I chuckle, reminding myself of some of the classic mythologies regarding the Greeks and the likes. Honestly, I want a hero or two in my peerage before finding a beast or a cute girl, it'll help a lot all things considered. He a support or a fighter, I first need to find myself a powerful ally, then I should spread my reaches. "Way better than Japan, at least."

"Brother, what is your damage with Japan?"

"Besides the xenophobia, racism, karoshi, Chikan, yakuza, normalized sexual assault, high suicide rates, war crime denials, rampant hikikomori and NEET citizens, cockroach killing, 'the-nail-that-sticks-out-gets-hammered-down' policy, unfair Justice system, low natality rate, selfish and elitist social system and specially their creepy politeness and two-faceness? Nothing much." I shrug, and then the subject dies there. I know she'll meet and fall in love with a Japanese boy, and at least half of her pieces and acquaintances will be japanese, but still, nothing will ever make me forget the hellish experience 'Ichirou' went through. "You might love Japan as much as you want, I don't condemn you Rias. But you can't convince me to like that cursed land either, please understand."

"I really try to, but sometimes, I don't understand how you can hate it since you've never been there." She comments. Oh, if only she knew. One, two seconds of silence, and now it was my time to pull something.

"How about you? I assume you'll try to find Pieces for yourself there? Good luck(You'll need it)" And I see her frown as she might've picked my last whispered line, while I chuckle to myself maliciously. Sorry, I just can't help it. "I am the one who should be worried. I heard youkai, the supernatural beings from Japan, are very territorial, so you might fall into some cold water against them. I know they're so weak they only target humans, but still, you should be careful there, don't make me worried."

"Pay no mind. Some territories were seized by the devils thanks to some deals between our factions, therefore as long as we stay there, there it be any attempts at us from them." She comments, clearly elated for the fact she'll be able to visit Japan without repercussions... Mostly, if things goes as planned and we get both those fallen angels acting up. I can't help but let out an amused chuckle. Even the supernatural japanese faction is weak-willed and chickenshit against others, pathetic. "And who knows, maybe an Youkai would be willing to join my famiglia. I would really like it, I really would."

"Even if she's weak?"

" 'She'?"

"I mean... Him or her?" I click my tongue and looked away for that rude slip. She can only assume I have girls in my mind, so she pays no mind to it. "Youkai, meh, they have no natural enemies nor rival factions like the devils, hence why they're relatively weaker than us and only target unaware humans. I bet even a strong youkai like, hypothetically speaking, a nine-tailed fox, would lose and be brainwashed by a human of all things and even so be on a draw with a devil. If you really want an youkai as an evil piece, the best you'll have is a mediocre one. Just saying..."

"That's rich coming from you, who wants to use your Evil Pieces to build a harem." And her response, instead of a disheartened one, was quite cheeky, and I turn a surprised look for her giggles. "Brother, you go on and on about battle performances and overall strength of peerages, but ultimately, what will entice your interest in a evil piece candidate will be her looks alone. Being honest, your hypocrisy is so severe, it twirls all the way back in being hilarious."

"Hey, don't underestimate your big brother, Rias. If I were to choose a girl, she must be both beautiful and strong." I point an accusatory finger at her, shocked and heartbroken. She dares to doubt her brother's better judgement? The nerve. "I want strong pieces too; and if they just so happen to be beautiful girls, that's like 70% of the reason I would want to pick them."

"You truly have no shame, huh?" She sticks out her tongue mischiveously.

"Says you." I mimic her cheeky gesture. "Youkais are ugly and weak, so even if they were to train like hell, the only thing you'll get is a mediocre beast at best."

"Mayhap, but under my command and care, they will surpass expectations." She says with conviction. "After all... I might've inherited from mother this unwavering love, even when the subject is a lost cause. She trained you in our Power of Destruction and overall academics, didn't she?"

"And she trained you in dancing, arts and manners, no? I guess that's only natural, my little GoRias." I comment back, and with a shared glance, we groan at each other, coming closer so that we could pinch each other's cheeks, a small battle of wits among the Gremory twins. One, two seconds after, and she sighs, defeated.

"Look at us, we haven't changed at all. We did our noble debut and even got our Evil Pieces, yet we still fight like kids." Her voice was lower and a bit sadden now, the bluish gaze turning away from me. "We shouldn't behave like this at all, Riz. We are from the prestigious Gremory house, we have to act as such, otherwise people will only remember big brother Sirzechs and his deeds..."

"..." I purse my lips a little. And then a rude gasp holding back a laughter escapes my mouth as I look up above my little sister's head. "I doubt that. Big brother, yes, is powerful, kind, just and wise; but for the better or for the worst, even if we can't compare to him, we, at least you, will have a name recognized more than just being his little sister."

"And how can you be so sure?"

"Let's..."

"... 'Call it a hunch'? Always so mysterious and confident. Brother, even as your twin, I can't understand you sometimes." She takes the words out of my mouth, am I losing my touch in subtlety?, with a sigh and a shrug. "But still... My name, our brother... If I don't mature now and reach for higher titles, I will always be overshadowed by them, and once I die, or worse, as long as I live this long devil existence, I will have nothing to call my own..."

"..."

"..."


[RIAS GREMORY]

[LEVEL: 92/?]


"Well... I think you're pretty great."

"Riz...?"

"You're smart, and kind, and way better than I am, despite being your twin. You are a genius and a prodigy in our inherited skill, plus, you can withstand that miscreant Akeno and even call her your friend. You can socialize better than me, and I doubt you'll be stangnant for very long. In fact, you'll be even stronger once I come back." I smile. "Who knows? Maybe you'll be the one who will escape yourself from that marriage deal with that Phenex guy, something this excuse of a brother was unable to do even with his little sister on the line. In short... I'm proud of you, Rias. You're the little sister anyone could ask for; now, it's my time to be the brother you and Zechs can also be proud of."

"..."

"Hahahahah... How cheesy, no? I feel romantic, today. Maybe it's because I'm going on a journey, but I feel like pampering you even more. Just forg-..."

*GRIP!*

"Ah..." And out of the sudden, I feel a weight on me, a soft body pressing against my own and a hard grasp reaching around me to pull me closer. Shock for a while, and then I feel hot liquids pouring on my shoulder. Rias just went ahead and hugged me, dearly. "R-Rias...? H-Hey, little sister...?"

"Garith... I'll miss you... Thank you... I love you."

"Hahahah. I love you too, little sister." And I reciprocate the feeling with another hug, gently tapping her back while at it. "It may not be much... But don't forget: no matter what I've said, no matter what or who you choose to be, no matter which name or title you choose for yourself, whatever path you want to walk; i doesn't matter, because no matter what; I'll always love you, my precious little sister."

"..."

She says nothing, only hugs me tighter. I love this sensation, it's a good parting gift for me. I don't need anything else.


"Hey, Mr. Reynaldo, does it take that long to reach the human world? I'm feeling kinda down already..."

"We'll be reaching there very soon, lord Garith. Please be patient. In the meantime, why don't you enjoy lady Gremory's homemade snacks?"

And I follow the Gremory conductor' instructions, stuffing my face with Mother's cookies and macaroons. The location is thu right now: the Gremory express, a specially tailored magical train to travel between worlds through the Dimensional Gap, the void in between one to another.

Through the kaleidoskopic scenario, my eyes try to find some stimuli to make me forget about my recent departure. It was already hard to deal with both my siblings and their attempts to make me stay, to say nothing about saying goodbye to my parents and my toddler-age nephew, who is so cute that it almost convinced me to not go away. They were a bit more lenient and understandable about me traveling away to find myself a peerage and explore the world, yet the melancholic feeling just wouldn't go away. They are my parents, after all...

'Did you bring a coat, Riz? Don't go catching colds now, son.'

'I've made some cookies and other snacks for the trip. I'm sorry I couldn't do much, but please enjoy them as much as you want, dear Garith.'

'Uncle, bye-bye. Come back soon to play!'

I play a little with my braided tail, miss Grayfia actually taught me how to do that with this long hair I decided to grow and even gave a ribbon to wrap around it like hers, and picked another cookie to take a bite out of. Of course they'll care about me, they're my parents, but still, it felt really... Genuine, in a sense. Not just them: taking a look on my phone, I see some messages from acquaintances and other relatives wishing me good luck... And a few things more.


- Going on a trip? Good luck, cousin. Once you come back, stronger and wiser than ever, let's sparr like we used to. Better yet, a Rating Game doesn't sound bad.(Sairaorg.)

- Best of luck, Riz-chan. Don't forget to bring a coat, I heard the human world is cold. (Aunt Misla)

- I'll be in the human world as well, Riz-kun. If you ever want to stop by and chat, the location is thus: XXXXXXXX-XXXXXX. Keep in touch as well. (Lacchan)

- I'm still mad at you, but nice trip, Riz-kun. (Seek-chan)

- Hello, heir of Gremory. I'm just sending a message to remind you that I'll marry and bang your sister in the future, and there's nothing you can do about it. Wwwwwwww. (Yakitori)


...


- Don't you have better things to do, heir of Phenex?(Me)

- The girls are having their toenails painted back at the salloon, so for the next 4h or so... No.(Yakitori)

- Fine. Do what you want.(Me)

- Like I'll be doing Rias ina few years. ZING. (Yakitori)


Y'know what? In a few years, I'm gonna be there to film my sister's wedding, and then record his ass getting beaten by Hyoudou Issei and upload it on Devitube. I'm not even gonna think too much as to why and how he has my number... That aside, it's good to see how people now care about 'Garith', one way or another.

I was able to extend my name beyond my familiar bonds, and while nowadays everybody has their own lives to take care off, doesn't mean I should ignore a friendly message or two. No going to lie, I'll miss them just like they'll miss me, but at least we can still call each other and share some thoughts during lazy times.

...

I wonder if anybody misses 'Ichirou'.

He died, after all. It was a freaky accident, authorities probably didn't take long to find and identify the body and call for his family to inform them. But still...

I wonder if his mother cried. I wonder if his father cried. I wonder if his younger brother cried. I wonder if anybody cried for his death, held a funeral, paid their last respects, and wished him a peaceful passing.

Heh... Who am I kidding? They probably were glad that he was dead and had the honour to bury him so that he wouldn't shame the family anymore. After all, his younger brother's wedding was close, no time to waste on the useless first son... I bet they didn't even hold a wake.

...

Heh...Heheheh... Mother must've mixed sugar with salt while preparing these cookies. They taste... Salty, soggy too.

"We're here, lord Garith. Greece." And Mr. Reynaldo halts the Gremory private train, and snapping from my trance while scratching my itching eyes, I look outside to see a the starry night sky from the flying locomotive. Not just that, I can smell the salty scent of sea water, and my ears pick the sound of waves. One gaze outside, and I see myself now in a costal town at night, so exotic, with golden sand and a vast ocean covering anything. The train stops, and taking off his head, the conductor smiles and bows at me. "Lord Garith, it is an honour to bring you to the human world for your noble objectives. That we see each other sooner than later."

"Likewise, mr. Reynaldo. Until then, I bid you goodbye." I say, picking my luggage, unfolding my wings and taking flight off the demonic locomotive, which whistled one last time before opening another portal to the dimensional gap and leaving through it. Once I was completely alone, I just tossed the green luggage to the sands and let myself fall onto the waters, my devil body sinking into the ocean for a moment or two but then emerging facing up, being bathed by the stars and the massive moon above. Greece, the land of the oldest Heroes, huh? I'll probably find myself some nice pieces here, but for now. "So this is the world beyond the horizon, huh? It's a nice sight..."

Indeed, it is a nice sight. The world beyond the horizon...

[CHILDHOOD ARC: FINISHED.]

[NEXT ARC: RED SAMURAI VS. NOBLE WARRIORWOMAN]


[NAME: Garith Gremory]

[LVL.: 75]

[RACE: Devil(High-class)]

[ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil]

[TITLES: The Gamer(beginner); Heir of Gremory; Lucifer's little brother; Riz; Troublemaker]

[CLASS: Saber-Caster-Brawler]


(SKILLS)

- POWER OF DESTRUCTION(ACTIVE): The power of destruction inherited from the Bael. The demonic power to annihilate anything it touches. (lvl. 46)

- RECOLLECTION OF MENTEPSYCHOSIS(ACTIVE): The ability to 'remember' skills and knowledge from the past life at the cost of seizures and bleeding from the nose. (lvl. MAX)

- VOID THE DEVOURER(ACTIVE): A little gift from the heart~. Don't wanna spoil the surprise.

- CHARISMA(PASSIVE): Skill inherited from the Good natured Gremory. The ability to charm and enchant peers more easily.(lvl. 92)

- GAMER'S MIND(PASSIVE): DATA LOST.

- DISCERN FOR RICHES(PASSIVE): A quest skill. The ability to discern the [TRUE VALUE] of any object or item and receive the information of anything in reach or sight, also know as [APPRAISAL]. (lvl. 83).

- MIGRAINE(PASSIVE): Brain damage. The ability to resist mental or psychic attacks(buff) at the cost of constant headaches(debuff), unabling the user to think too deeply or too much. (LVL. MAX)

- HEALING TO THE BELOVED(PASSIVE): Healing skill. Recovers health, diminishes/removes debuffs and boosts -RESOLVE- and -STR- when hugging characters with Bond Level 5 or higher. (lvl. MAX)

-FEATHERED FEET(ACTIVE): A dancing skill, graceful and quick maneuvers in the art of dancing. Might be also useful for combat. (Lvl. 99).

-FLUTTERING MELODIES(ACTIVE): A musical skill, your fingers practically dance across the chords of a violin or the keys of a piano. It might not work for fighting, but the ladies do like artsy men, no? (lvl. 32)

-INTERMEDIATE SWORDSMANSHIP(ACTIVE): the evolved skill from [BASIC SWORDSMANSHIP, a myriad of others can be acquired now! Once a certain level is reached, it'll evolve into [ADVANCED SWORDSMANSHIP] and enabling new skills to be learn. (Lvl. 79)

- BASIC MAGECRAFT(ACTIVE): The bare minimum knowledge of devil's form of thaumarturgy, based on imagination and rune manipulation that is not inherited by genes. Once a certain level is reached, it'll evolve into [INTERMEDIATE MAGECRAFT] and enabling new skills to be learn. (lvl. 27)

- BRAWLER(ACTIVE): Weaponless martial arts learnt on the fly. Similar to pankration, it embodies all forms of physical armless combat with explosive punches and rapid quicks. Unlocks [BRAWLER] class. (Lvl. 34)

- KENJUTSU(ACTIVE): A swordsmanship skill focused on katanas and the eastern ways of the sword, like that of a samurai.(lvl. 60)

- SANDANDZUKI(Active): The signature move of the infamous captain of Shinsengumi's first unit, also known as Hyakkidouri. A certain-kill strike, it aims and strikes the victim's neck and shoulders for massive damage. (lvl. 1). -THE PLAYER HAS NOT MET THE REQUIREMENTS TO USE THIS TECHNIQUE YET-

- PRIVILEGE OF THE STRONG(PASSIVE): Nothing is impossible within your mind. Stats in STR, DEF, DEX, END and LUK increases 15% when feeling confident and oozing arrogance. (lvl. 57)

- EDGED SPEECH(ACTIVE): A tongue that is as sharp as a sword. Use words and mockery on foes to put them off balance and make them lose focus. Might buff then with the skill [BERSERKER RAGE, however. (lvl. MAX)


(STATS)

-STR: 180

-DEF: 200

-DEX: 500

-SPD: 344

-END: 210

-INT: 88

-WIS: 169

-CHA: 1,008,008

-LUK: 666


[EQUIPMENTS]

- ICHIMONJI-R(EQUIPPED): A replica of the famous Ichimonji line of Katanas, said to contain divine properties. A normal katana forged specially for you under Zeoticus's demand to celebrate your noble debut, near-impossible to dent, rust or break, fit to withstand the supernatural strength of a devil.

-EVIL PIECES(x15): A mystical item created by Ajuka Beelzebub in order to solve the Underworld's natality crisis. It reincarnates being of other races(sans deities) under the servitude of a [KING, a high-class devil.

- ROYAL RIBBON(EQUIPPED): A blue ribbon miss Grayfia gave you to wrap your hair in a braid not unlike hers. It has no special properties, but it looks cute on you.

- PHENEX TEARS(x3): A healing potion made by the Phenex clan of devils. They have nigh-instantaneous healing powers when applied to wounds. A present from father as a gift in your journey.

- GREMORY COOKIES(x29): Homemade snacks made by Venelana, with lots of love poured into them. Consume for a boast in resolve and strength by feeling a mother's love in it.

- GREMORY COMPENDIUM: A book containing notes and information about locations, runes and people of interest; used to research supernatural affairs and possible peerage candidates. [THE DATA REGARDING JAPAN HAS BEEN SCRIBBLED OVER, THEREFORE UNAVAILABLE FOR RESEACH]


[PARTY(EVIL PIECES)]

- King: Garith Gremory

- Queen: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Bishop 1: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Bishop 2: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Knight 1: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Knight 2: [EMPTY SLOT]

-Rook 1: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Rook 2: [EMPTY SLOT]

- Pawn(x8): [EMPTY SLOT]


And I guess this is the truly the end of the Chilhood arc, as Garith says his las goodbyes to his family and ventures in the world outside, in his journey into adulthood. Of course, things are not as pink-shaded as he might've guessed, and now, it''ll only get harder for our little gamer hero. But I guess this is a way for him to mature as well.

Nothing else to say, only a prologue for a new arc and the current location for the Gremory shenanigans, probably gonna focus on my other stories, now. Also, if the case might've arised, please don't take Garith's hatred for Japan seriously, he's just really bitter about his previous life and has a lot of bias regarding it. He still loves his family, though.

Nohing else, just hope you liked the chapter reading up to this point, stay save, don't forget to R and have a nice day wherever you are. Greetings from Houki Minami.