CHAPTER 20:

OF HEIRESSES AND STRAYS

A meeting was arranged for that afternoon at Kuoh High School. Specifically, the Old School Building, which had become the HQ for the Occult Research Club. Which itself was a cover for the Peerage of Rias Gremory.

Harry and Raynare made their way to the school, Asia in tow, and were met at the gates by Hermione, who hugged Harry. Harry was glad to see her. Despite everything that had happened to the bushy-haired witch, she still managed to stay friends with him, and maintain that same fieriness that stood her in good stead back home, even if it was tempered. "Harry! Raynare! I mean, I knew you guys were coming, but still…it's good to see you, especially after all this commotion. And who's this?"

"Asia Argento, the bearer of Twilight Healing. And, oddly enough, she's a half-cousin I never knew I had, from my mother's side."

"Oh. And she sounds like the actress." After a moment of consideration, trying to digest that, Hermione smiled welcomingly at Asia. "Good afternoon, Asia. It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you, Miss Granger."

"Outside of school hours, you may call me Hermione, Asia. I will be teaching you when you enrol. Anyway, come with me."

As they walked the school grounds, the twilight of the setting sun painting it in oranges and reds, Harry asked, "How's being a teacher here?"

"Rewarding but tiring, especially when dealing with the so-called 'Perverted Trio'. Two of them are currently suspended after…well, some sordid actions, but while I can't stop Issei from making lewd remarks, I've managed to get it into his head to stop peeping. It was his friends who went so far as to use, say, cameras smuggled into change rooms."

"And working with Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri?" Raynare asked.

"Easier than you'd think. Both of them want a chance to make friends without the baggage attached to their family names, and few people here know much about the Ars Goetia, thankfully. It's a bit like how you were burdened by your reputation, Harry. The old me would be horrified at associating with Devils, but Rias and Sona, they're good people. So too are their Peerages, Issei's perversions notwithstanding. Although perhaps a bit more hedonistic than humans, and certainly a little more avaricious than many normal humans, they're also pretty human anyway."

They soon reached the ORC building, and were led through by Hermione, who knocked on a door. "Enter," came the voice of a young woman.

Harry looked around the room as they entered. The building itself had been like a small manor house, complete with dark wood decorations, very different to the usual Japanese architecture, traditional or modern. This seemed more European in style. This room had a number of lounges, with a blackboard with magical circles and notations written on it, and a desk. It also had a curtained-off area which, as Harry would learn later, had a shower. Rias loved showering, and did so even in the main ORC room.

However, Rias was currently sitting behind a desk. She appeared to be in her late teens, an extraordinarily beautiful girl with aqua eyes and blood red hair, to say nothing of a gorgeous figure with a rather impressive bust. Standing by her side was an even more buxom girl of about the same age, with dark hair, violet eyes, and a deceptively demure demeanour. Harry realised, having seen a picture Baraquiel had on him, that this had to be Akeno Himejima. She greatly resembled Shuri, and in any case, he had seen, in the photo, Akeno as a child.

Sitting on one of the lounges were three others. He recognised Issei from yesterday. Another boy of about the same age, with blonde hair framing ridiculously handsome European features, was sitting next to him. Finally, a petite girl with silvery white hair in a short bob and golden eyes watched them warily, even as she ate sweets.

Rias gave him a warm smile. "Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet the one Hermione speaks so highly of. I'm sorry we had to meet under such circumstances."

"So am I," Harry said. "Hermione speaks highly of you, Rias. So too does your brother. Unfortunately, we are not here to discuss pleasantries."

"No, we're not. You've met my Pawn, Issei Hyoudou. This is my Queen, Akeno Himejima." She indicated Akeno. She then indicated the blonde boy. "My Knight, Yuuto Kiba." Kiba gave a polite nod. "And my Rook, Koneko Toujou." The white-haired petite girl nodded.

"I am Raynare, the commander of the Fallen cell monitoring Kuoh as of today," Raynare said. "Hermione knows me. This is Asia Argento, bearer of the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing, as well as under our personal protection. By 'our', I mean myself and Harry, as recent events have caused us to doubt the integrity of my cell. I have warned her not to pray or praise God in your presence as a courtesy. Unless, of course, you attack her."

Rias nodded. "Understood. Why have you arranged this meeting then, Raynare?"

"It's not to apologise, you must understand. Aside from the fact that you'd doubt its sincerity, thanks to Kalawarner jumping the gun, you've gotten yourself a Pawn, and if what I heard is correct, you need everyone you can for your Peerage due to Riser Phenex getting restless. He also seems to be taking to Devilhood quite well, though given how unrepentantly perverted he is, it's hardly surprising. And you are already aware of our cell running surveillance. However, our intent is not to make any aggressive moves. Both Kalawarner and Dohnaseek were acting on orders that were claimed to be from Lord Azazel, but were relayed from someone else entirely. We are determining whether that is due to accident or malice. Rather, this meeting is a notification of intent."

"Intent for what, may I ask? I presume this is something to do with both yourself and Harry Potter being hired as staff here, as well as Asia being enrolled here."

Raynare nodded. "Asia has lived a life in seclusion. While she is under our protection, Lord Azazel also felt she should get an education. Our jobs here are partly to protect her. We are also here to conduct overt surveillance, and finally, should Lord Azazel need to meet you directly, he can send word to us, so we are, in effect, your liaisons with Grigori. That being said, while I understand your desire not to be wed to Riser Phenex, I ask that you not approach Asia to join your Peerage. She can only join your Peerage either if she gives consent while dying, or else is dead."

Rias' eyes narrowed. "Are these her wishes?"

"Umm, yes, actually," Asia said. "It's…not that I hate Devils…it's just…if I became a Devil, then trying to worship God would cause me pain, Lady Gremory. No offence intended."

"None taken, Asia," Rias said with a warm smile at the former nun. "And you may call me Rias. I'd prefer not to stand on ceremony. Though I have to ask, Raynare, what are your other intentions here? Other than surveillance and some semblance of diplomatic relations?"

"Dealing with possible traitors to Lord Azazel. I cannot say anything further. It's an internal matter of the Grigori, albeit something brought to light by the attack on your Pawn. Harry has, of course, been retained to help me with this matter as well as to protect Asia. Of course, if any Stray Devils turn up, I'm always up for cooperating with you in putting an end to them. Speaking of which, there may be a Stray on your territory in a nearby abandoned warehouse. Are you aware of that?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," Akeno said. "The Asmodeus head has notified us of a Stray from their household known as Viser, who killed a number of people before fleeing the Underworld. The last known trace was in this area. We were going to head out tonight to deal with it."

"…Well, how about we all go out?" Harry asked. "I mean, in the interest of furthering bonds with the Grigori? Besides, I presume you're doing this as a tutorial for your new Pawn?"

As Raynare shot him a look, Rias nodded. "Indeed. Hermione?"

"…I trust Harry and Raynare, Rias. Unless they've been suborned, they wouldn't dare cause trouble."

"Very well. You may accompany us, albeit on sufferance…"


Harry had Asia stick close by to him and Raynare as they headed to the derelict warehouse. As they approached, Harry asked, "Hey, Rias, how much have you told your Pawn about the Evil Piece system?"

"Not much yet. I wanted to illustrate my Peerage's abilities through a battle against a Stray when I got the news about Viser," Rias said.

"Well, can you teach Asia too? And for that matter, your Rook doesn't look much like a Rook. I thought Rooks were meant to be strong and sturdy. I'm guessing she's not human." Koneko did look vaguely familiar, at least in terms of facial features and those golden eyes, and he wondered why.

"True, but that's nobody's business but her own," Rias said, looking at Harry. "I know you mean well, Harry, but Koneko's life story is painful, as are many in my Peerage. I'm sure you are familiar with Akeno's story, given who one of your superiors must be."

Raynare nodded. "If it makes you feel any better, the Himejimas deserve a bit of a trimming of the family tree for what they did to your mother."

"Oh my, such violent thoughts from you," Akeno purred in a sultry tone that Harry knew masked her turmoil.

"Hey, I mean it, Akeno. Once upon a time, I wouldn't have given a crap about that. But you didn't deserve it. I only hope your King is treating you well," Raynare said. "By the way, don't you have a Bishop tucked away somewhere? I think Lord Azazel brought that up, something your brother mentioned in passing."

"…True, but he is…a shut-in. He's an agoraphobe who isn't good with people. Add to that the fact that he has a Sacred Gear he has little control over, and, well…" Rias shrugged. They reached the doors, and opened them up, carefully making their way inside. Harry grimaced at the smell of decay he soon smelled. They also soon saw a bunch of dismembered bodies.

Harry gently turned Asia away, cursing their decision to bring her along. They did so partly to avoid leaving Asia alone with Dohnaseek and Kalawarner, just in case. But now, he was worried she would be left with nightmare fuel. "What in God's name was done to those poor people?!" she yelped.

"It wasn't in God's name," Hermione muttered grimly. "This is Viser's doing."

A diabolical chuckling echoed around the chamber. "Oh? Fresh meat? I smell something delectable, and yet foul…" And then, Viser strode out of the shadows. From the abdomen up, she seemed to be a beautiful, naked woman with dark hair, and a sneer on her otherwise beautiful features. But from below the hips was what could only be described as a monstrous, four-legged monster with a yonic fanged mouth on the underside. Viser looked like some perverse centaur.

Rias stood tall, and with her declaration, Harry could truly believe that she was the sister of Sirzechs, a Devil heiress. "Stray Devil Viser, you have but one choice remaining to you! Go back to Lord Asmodeus and hope for his mercy, or resist, and die! Which shall it be?"

Viser sneered, beginning to grope her own breasts for some reason. "Arrogant little brat, you think you can order me ABOUT?!" With that, jets of liquid that were definitely not milk sprayed out from her nipples, and Harry and Raynare pulled Asia to the side, while Hermione pulled Issei away. The liquid, where it hit the walls and floor, smoked and hissed.

"…Did she just spray acid at us from her tits?!" Issei yelped incredulously.

"Newsflash, Issei, Stray Devils are mostly horrible monsters!" Harry retorted. "Rias, if you're gonna start the tutorial on Evil Pieces, you better start now!"

Rias nodded, and gestured to Kiba, who began moving at high speed, drawing swords and slashing at Viser, whose form became even more monstrous, her seemingly human upper half degenerating. "Kiba is a Knight. Knights value speed, mobility, and offensive capability."

"He's very skilled," Raynare remarked. "A fine Knight. Just needs more experience."

After slashing off Viser's arms, Kiba switched with Koneko, who caught Viser's foot as it stomped down on her. "Rooks are like tanks in MMORPGs, capable of dishing it out and taking it back. Don't let her looks fool you. She's a powerhouse."

Koneko was slammed into a wall, but she got out of the resulting crater with little more than an irritated look. "I'LL MAKE YOU SUFFER, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Viser screamed.

"Sure you can," Koneko snarked, before giving Viser an uppercut.

"Don't you mean 'shoryuken'?" Rias asked wryly as Viser crashed into the roof, and then fell back down to the ground. "As Raynare pointed out, I have a Bishop who is a shut-in. Bishops have enhanced magical ability. Now Queens are a hybrid of those three classes. Akeno?"

"Oh my, so it's my turn? Well, I'll do my best," Akeno said, before sending a bolt of lightning with a gesture at Viser, who screamed in pain.

As she sent bolt after bolt into Viser, her moans and utterances becoming disturbingly sexual, Raynare said flatly, "Well, she's got her father's magic, and her mother's dominatrix tendencies." Then, she gave a thumbs-up and a vicious grin. "I approve. Though she seems more like an amped-up Bishop than a Queen. Then again, isn't that typical in many Peerages?"

Rias shot her an annoyed look, before she said, "A Queen is not just a combatant, but a second in command. And I doubt you would find Lady Grayfia amused by being called an amped-up Bishop."

"True, but I heard that Riser Phenex's Queen basically specialises in explosion magic. Don't they call her the Bomb Queen or something?" Raynare said. "By the way, I've got a cool trick to finish this off. Do you mind allowing me to finish this one off?"

Rias shot her a look. "I was intending to show the Power of Destruction to Issei."

"Trust me, given how much of an otaku you are, you'll appreciate this one," Raynare said with a smirk. "I mean, you're into Fate/Stay Night, right?"

Rias, after a moment, nodded. "Okay, you have my attention. As long as you don't attack me and mine, I'll let you. Akeno? I think Viser has had enough electroshock therapy to last even a Devil's lifetime. Raynare wants to show off."

"Spoilsport," Akeno pouted, looking disturbingly aroused, cheeks flushed, eyes hooded.

Meanwhile, Raynare approached Viser, who was a smoking, mangled mess, forming a Light Spear as she did so. "You've got any last words to say, bitch?"

"…Go to hell," rasped Viser.

"You first," Raynare said, before snapping, "PHOTON GÁE BOLG!" She hurled it into the Stray Devil. As it stuck into her, she howled…only to start screaming in agony as barbs of light seemed to sprout inside her, filling her with thorns of holy light. The Stray Devil burned away, and the transfigured Light Spear soon faded too.

"…The hell was that?!" Issei yelped. "I thought that Lancer's attack only targeted the heart or something!"

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "Issei, you don't know much about Irish myth. Admittedly, that's not my field, but I know that the Gáe Bolg, the weapon wielded by Cú Chulainn, was said in myth to sprout barbs when it hit its foe, so much so that the flesh has to be cut away afterwards. Fate/Stay Night is a great story, but it takes a lot of liberties. What else would you expect when they make King Arthur a girl?"

"Still, I will admit, that attack was pretty impressive, and vicious," Rias said.

"Thank you. It's my own design. I got the idea when Mittelt pestered me into watching Fate/Stay Night, and I read up on the myths the Servants came from," Raynare said. "It's still in its testing stages, I have no idea how effective it is against more powerful Devils…but you saw how ridiculously effective it is on Viser."

"Oh my, what a vicious attack," Akeno remarked with a demure smile that fooled nobody. But then, her expression became one of concern when she looked to Asia, who was looking at the ashes that was once Viser with horror. She hadn't witnessed the fight for the most part, but she had seen enough. "Is she all right?"

"No, and it's my damn fault," Harry said grimly, before hugging Asia. "Sorry, Asia. That was thoughtless of me. You've been so sheltered from violence and lewd stuff, I really should have thought twice before bringing you here."

"It's okay, Harry," Asia said quietly. "I…I need to see this. I've been sheltered from the darkness for all my life. But…this is reality, isn't it?"

Raynare nodded. "Yeah. Hunting Strays…well, it's fun for me, but I'm not a nice person. Besides, this monster was killing people." She looked at Rias and her Peerage. "I'll give you guys some credit, you're at least cleaning up after other Devils' screw-ups, and not just out of duty. You actually give a damn about the people here, don't you?"

"Of course," Rias said. "And you?"

"I'm not fond of humans, but that doesn't mean I want to see them dead."

"Umm, not to interrupt the diplomacy, but you hadn't gotten around to explaining my being a Pawn," Issei said. "I mean, that's just a disposable footsoldier, right?"

"Issei, think," Hermione groaned. "What happens to a pawn that reaches the end of a chessboard?"

"…They can become a queen!" Issei yelped in realisation, smacking a fist into the palm of his hand.

Rias nodded. "Or more precisely, they can be promoted to any chess piece. Knight, bishop, rook, or queen. For a Pawn in a Peerage, in certain situations, usually when within designated enemy territory, you can have the ability to Promote to the other types. So you're actually quite versatile, though you may not have the power to Promote yourself to being a Queen. Such a situation hopefully won't come up outside of a Rating Game." She shot Raynare a meaningful look.

"Hopefully," Raynare echoed. "But you and I both know that reality is cruel and full of ambitious and aggressive idiots…"

CHAPTER 20 ANNOTATIONS:

And you used to be one of them, Raynare. Irony abounds, huh?

Now, Raynare is taking the lead here because she is the commander of the Fallen cell. Hence Harry's lack of involvement in this chapter. Harry being remorseful of showing Asia was serendipitous, as I hadn't realised what exposing Asia to Viser would mean, but it actually helps if characters make some mistakes here and there. Harry is not infallible. But by the same token, it's a valuable learning experience for Asia, even if it'll give her nightmares, and she knows it. Writing Asia as naïve gets old, and I want her to grow as a character, albeit not without losing her adorable nature.

As for Hermione being Rias' advisor, we'll go into that at a later date. Akeno is more her peer and friend, but Hermione is an older sister figure (and one outside of Devil society, so she can avoid answers that are influenced by Rias' station, unlike Grayfia), and Rias trusts her opinion on the magical world and the Grigori, as she's already had exposure to both. For now, Hermione is not part of the Peerage.

Plus, the Gáe Bolg doing this to its victims actually does come from a couple of versions of the myth. I decided doing a Light Spear version was in-character for Raynare. Both she and Harry can do it (Raynare was the one who formulated it), but it's less-effective against more powerful Devils, though still very nasty.

Review-answering time! Dragon Man 180: Harry had used Infuse on Raynare (and Mittelt, after he gained better control over it) a couple of times over the timeskip. As for how many wings she has, well, it's more than two this time.

Devilsummoner666: I guess so. Ddraig won't be learning about it any time soon, partly because Issei hasn't been told, and partly because Ddraig isn't fully awakened yet. Issei is still at the stage where his Boosted Gear can still be mistaken for a Twice Critical. Though I imagine when he learns, Ddraig will be freaking out. Albion had a minor freakout when he consciously realised the implications, but has come to terms with it. I wonder if he and Vali will tease Issei and Ddraig about how they have, effectively, a yaoi lovechild.

Midgarosomr: And I quote Wikipedia's article on cousins, "Half cousins are descended from half siblings and would share one grandparent". Also, Kalawarner and Dohnaseek are loyal to Kokabiel, but they are deflecting blame for Issei's death to him (Kokabiel having stated it's okay, as this is the point where he leaves the Grigori for good) to deflect suspicion. But yes, they also resent Harry for basically influencing her and Mittelt.

WearyCurmudgeon: Ah, I see. I've never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I am aware of Willow's rampage and the reason for it. I mean, that's where the origin of the meme "Bored now" comes from (or at least its ultimate expression in that series), and while I originally heard that line in Dragonball Z Abridged, I've used it with a similar context to the original line in many of my fanfics, with one of the latest being my Overlord crossover 200 Years, A Long Wait for Friends. I forgot Willow's girlfriend was called Tara, though, which goes to show how much interest I have in that series.

No numbered annotations this time.