Fate DxD Vol.6
Chapter 28
Friday, December 30, 2022.
The end of the year is approaching quickly and almost everyone at home has gone back to see their families. That leaves Fuji-nee, Chiyo and me.
On my way home from a training session with All Might, I come face to face with two young men harassing a blonde-haired girl.
"Noo!" She shouts, running after one of them.
"Yeah!" The two playfully toss a cell phone, presumably belonging to the girl, at each other while pushing her away from retrieving it.
"Give it back! Give it back! You'll break it!" She's about to burst into tears.
"Hey, Erina! Did we buy you that phone? It's your father earns a lot, for a doctor!" scoffs one of them.
Indeed, it's a phone that few people can afford.
"Well what if we rummage through it, maybe there are some naughty photos of her? Or some other girl's number!" These guys are so stupid.
Sniffles are heard. That's it, Erina is crying her eyes out, having accepted defeat.
"Wah! Erina, Erina! Crybaby Erina!" The two laugh.
"Stop it!" A young man appears out of nowhere, brown hair and eyes, but on the other hand, this guy is so massive, it's very impressive. Everyone turns to look at him.
"Who are you?! Erina's boyfriend?!" One of the thugs asks.
"I don't know her, but I've got a reason to fight!" The mountain of muscle charged towards them.
"Oh!" All it takes is a sideways step for the two to dodge the attack.
"Ba... Bastard! I can't stand people who play the hero just to impress a girl! You'll see!" One of the thugs leaps up and punches him in the back of the neck, knocking him stiffly to the ground.
(Muscular but not very talented...)
"Uuh..." The guy on the ground shakes.
"Oh, what the hell?! But he's such a wimp!" The thugs laugh out loud. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha Never seen anything so pathetic! He comes to her rescue, and he's the one who gets demolished Eh! Do you know who that is?"
"He doesn't tell me anything! He's not the only son in the Joestar family, is he?"
"I hate the rich! They haven't done anything to me, but I hate them, that's all! If you were one of that Joestar family, I'd punch you in the face even more!" He points to a mansion further up a hill.
Indeed, a very wealthy family settled in Fuyuki not so long ago, so that's their name, Joestar. Well, I don't really care, since I'm going to forget them pretty quickly.
The muscleman on the ground gets up and pulls out a handkerchief with Jonathan Joestar written in the corner.
(He does it on purpose, it's not possible...).
"Hey! That's the Joestar boy!" The two move in to strike him.
I've seen enough, so I walk over and put my hands on their shoulders, drawing attention to myself.
"Okay, both of you, that's it, you're being stupid enough as it is, now it's time to stop."
"What? Senji?! What the hell are you doing here?" One recognizes me.
"What do we care? Your Maken-ki status won't save you outside of school, you know that? So mind your own business!"
"I said, it's time to stop and go home." I press harder and harder on their shoulders, making them crouch in pain.
"Ok! Ok! That's it, we're done! Ahhh!"
"Please let go of me!"
I release my grip on them and they run straight away. When they're far enough away, they turn around one last time.
"Pff! Joestar, if you want to play, stay on your court, richard!" Then they resumed their flight, disappearing between the houses.
Erina approaches Jonathan, sitting on the floor. But he pushes her hand away violently.
"It's okay, leave me alone! Go away! I didn't go to provoke them for you to be grateful to me! It's because I want to become a perfect gentleman! Because you're a girl and you had problems! Because even if he has to face someone great, even if he knows he's going to lose, a gentleman sometimes has to fight with courage! But I'm going to do everything I can to win one day." He stands up and walks towards me. "Can you follow me please, I'd like to talk to you."
I nod, but before I do, I head for the girl, who's still in shock at what's just happened.
"Everything's fine, nothing broken?"
"Oh, no everything is fine, thanks to you and this person, thank you!"
Having ascertained her situation, I bid her farewell and headed for this Jonathan, waiting for me with his back against the wall.
"Why did you wait so long?" he asks me.
"Hmmm, I was observing the situation and waiting for the right moment to act, but you decided to go for it."
"Obviously, she was in danger! I wasn't going to wait!"
"Yeah, but you saw the result, you got your ass kicked when normally, with a musculature like that, you wouldn't have had any problems."
"And then! A gentleman has to throw himself heart and soul into saving someone in distress, whether he's got a chance of winning or not!"
I pinch the top of my nose, exasperated by his words.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but your proverbial or whatever. It's fine to pull it out whenever and wherever. But you'd better start proving your worth in the face of this words. There's nothing gentlemanly about you right now, you even pushed that girl's attention away when she wanted to thank you. Your actions should count for more than your words. And right now, you're just coming across as a jerk."
The guy's eyes widen as if he's just seen the truth. I suddenly feel uncomfortable, as if I've crossed a line I shouldn't have.
(Shit, maybe I overdid it. I'll just walk away slowly...)
"Thank you!" Suddenly, he bow down. "I was completely blind but you're right, a gentleman must act, and act properly!" I'll remember your words! Hum..."
"Senji... Senji Emiya..." He's a bit naive, but he got the spirit I guess.
"I'm Jonathan Joestar and thanks again for saving me and the girl! You're a true gentleman!"
"I don't really know if I consider myself a gentleman..."
"Let me thank you properly! Oh it's almost 4pm! Why don't you join me for a snack! I'm sure the maids have baked a delicious cake!"
He's genuinely cheerful. If they arrived not so long ago, he must have been alone for a while. He's clearly the kind of person who needs a friend. Originally, I didn't want to associate with him, but the idea of eating a good cake tickles my stomach, especially after the physical effort I put into against All Might.
"Okay, I accept your offer, how can I pass on the offer to eat a cake." I say, holding out my hand." Nice to meet you Joestar."
"Please call me Jojo, nice to meet you Emiya!"
It's nearly 5pm. After eating some cake and chatting with him. We got very close very quickly. He'll be a Kuoh student next year. Which he's very excited about. He explained to me that his father wanted Jonathan to experience "real life" and not stay in his little corner of paradise, with all the money that goes with it. A strange fist of view, but then, I don't have the same life as them.
Seeing the clock ticking, I decide to head home. He accompanies me to the gate further down, but before I can finish descending the steps to the entrance of his mansion, a limousine arrives in the courtyard.
When the door opens, a suitcase is thrown out and falls flat on the floor. Then a young blond man dressed in a dark purple get-up jumps out of the car, lands in a strange pose and stands up straight, facing us.
"Who are you?" Jonathan is speechless. Then he has a flash of genius. "You're Dio Brando, aren't you?"
"And I presume you're Jonathan Joestar." Then he turns his gaze to me. "And who are you?"
"This is Senji Emiya, a new friend of mine!" Jonathan introduces me, very proud.
"Hi." I greet him briefly.
"Everyone calls me Jojo... Please feel welcome." Jojo extends his hand toward Dio.
But the barking of a dog calls out to us, it's a big dog running towards us, apparently very happy to see us.
"Danny!" Jojo, crouches down and reaches for the dog. "Meet him, his name is Danny! He's my dog, descended from a breed of hunting dog, and he's very intelligent! Don't worry about him! He never bites people. I'm sure you'll get along just fine!"
"Pff!" I see Dio getting ready to do something.
When the dog arrives, Dio leaps up and knees the dog in the jaw, which crumbles to the ground, squealing. For a split second, I could see the pleasure on Dio's face, and even after his gesture, he had absolutely no remorse.
"Danny! Wha... What are you doing?! You're gonna pay for this!" Jojo clenches his fists.
Dio assumes a boxing stance, ready to do battle with Jojo. Seeing this, I move towards them to calm things down and, above all, to give Dio a piece of my mind, but a loud voice is heard behind us.
"Ah, there you are at last Dio! You must be tired, it's a long way from the state of Suna. From now on, you're part of the family." The man approaches us, having no idea what has just happened.
I follow them inside, at Jojo's request.
"Leads the same kind of existence as my son Jojo! These are the staff who take care of domestic affairs. I work in commerce and sometimes I have to leave the house. They take care of everything."
Jojo keeps his gaze on Dio, wary. No wonder, this guy arrives and the first thing he looks for is a confrontation with Jojo. As for me, I'm not at ease, I feel like I'm in the way even though I'm trying to be as discreet as possible.
Jojo takes the opportunity to explain what happened with Danny, but his father seems indifferent.
"Lord Joestar, I am infinitely grateful for your kindness." Dio shows false good manners.
"Jojo lost his mother too, and you're the same age. Get to know each other. Jojo... You're not still mad at him about Danny?" His father asks, placing his hand on his son's shoulder.
"No... I'd be surprised, too, if a dog I didn't know ran up to me, that's all right." Jojo swallows his pride and speaks with difficulty, probably boiling inside.
And a smirk appears on Dio's face, pleased to see Jojo in defeat.
"Very good." Monsieur Joestar approaches me. "Excuse me young man, I completely ignored you for a while, what an affront to my family, delighted I'm Jojo's father." He extends his hand toward me.
"Senji Emiya, pleased to meet you sir."
"My pleasure, and especially thank you for being my son's friend, he's a bit naive and stubborn, but he clearly lacked people his own age in company."
"Um, yeah no problem, but right now I've got to go, it's getting late..."
"Oh but of course! You're welcome to come back whenever you feel like it. On that note, have a good evening Senji."
"Good evening to you too and thank you, I'll think about it."
After a warm smile, he begins to climb the stairs. "Come on, Dio. I'll take you to your room!"
"This mask..."
Ddraig seems disgusted by something in the mansion's entrance, and I turn my gaze to see a strange stone mask on the far wall.
(Do you recognize this mask?)
"No... But I sense that this mask has been used for various cruel rituals. The smell of blood is unbearable."
(Strange, I don't feel anything...)
"Waah! Uh uh!" I turn to see Dio grab Jojo's wrist and squeeze hard.
"What are you doing? Don't you dare touch my suitcase like that!"
"Eh?"
"I told you not to put your paws on it! You idiot!"
"I just thought I'd carry them for you..."
"No thanks! Your hands are covered in dog slobber! And I'm going to ask a servant to carry my luggage for me!"
Then he elbows Jojo in the ribs, who collapses breathless. He looks around to see if he's been surprised, while Jojo tries to catch his breath.
"Listen up, Jojo! I'm warning you right now! Don't go putting on airs just because you're offering me hospitality. I like to be first, number one! I won't let anyone bluster in front of me!"
"But... I was just being kind..."
"And one more thing! I hate dogs! I'm not afraid of them, it's the way they lick human boots that disgusts me! That silly mutt, Danny, don't let him near me."
After delivering his sermon, Dio approaches the stairs but immediately stops, being in front of him.
"Get out of my way." His face shows nothing but pride and satisfaction. Which irritates me to no end.
"Is this how you thank their welcomes?" I ask him.
"Mind your own business, Don't try to defend your friend, or you'll end up in the same state as him." His arrogance has no ceiling.
"Well, I can't stand scum like you, so I'll be as clear as I can. If you try to harm Jojo in any way, I'll personally take care of your case, and I'll show you that your blows won't be enough against me, is that understood?"
"You! Do you even know what you're talking about?!" Dio lunges at me, fist forward.
I stop his fist with ease, which surprises him, then force him to kneel, then place my foot on his back.
"Are you deaf or do you do it on purpose?" I ask, tugging on his arm.
"How dare you humiliate me like that! Do you know who I am?"
"Oh, one last thing, I don't give a shit about the consequences, so behave yourself."
"What are you doing Dio? Hurry up and come!" Jojo's father is heard from the top of the stairs.
I release him directly, then without looking at him I move towards Jojo, who is looking at me with a little fear.
"Just don't let him get to you, okay?" I say, coming up beside him.
"Yes, actions before words!"
"Ah... Um, yeah that's the idea. On that note, I'm off."
"Feel free to come back, you're welcome here!"
Leaving their domain, I take one last look towards the mansion, before resuming my journey, tired by this Dio.
(Why do I have to run into scum these days...)
Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Classes resumed a few days ago, and so did my devil contracts. It's late it night, and I'm on my bicycle heading towards a particular house. Not a mansion or an apartment, but just an ordinary house. Since the client isn't living alone, won't the client's family see me?
After all, I actually have to visit the house to make a contract. I was told before that ordinary human can't detect me, but does it apply to this situation as well?
I'm worried but I realise it when I'm about to push the bell. The entrance door is open.
(Seriously, leaving the door open in the middle of the night.)
Suddenly, violent shivers run through my body, I become alert and open the front door. There's no light in the corridor, there's a staircase to the 1st floor, but ditto, no light.
I step a little further inside, past the staircase, and catch a faint glimpse of light coming from what seems to me to be the living room. I put my hand on the wall and run my magic circuits through it, analyzing the interior of the house.
(...Yeah, there's something definitely wrong. I feel no presence of any human. Are they sleeping? Impossible, I won't be feeling this uneasiness.)
I apologize in advance, but I'm not taking my shoes off, I'm reinforcing them so as not to make any noise with them. I'm a Devil, not a thief. I'm thinking of an excuse like that.
I look into the room from the door that is slightly opened, and the brightness is due to the candles.
"...Hello. I'm a Devil from the Gremory's household... Umm, is the client here?" I ask quietly, but there is no reply.
It can't be helped, so I enter the room. It's a living room and there is a television, a sofa, a table, and such. It looks like an ordinary living room. Then I stop my breath, My eyes are glued to the wall. A wall, there is a corpse nailed to the wall. It's upside down.
(...A human. It's a male. Is he the person who lives here? But why..?)
The corpse has been cut viciously. Something that looks like a giblet is coming out from the wounds... The corpse is attached to the wall with screws, making the shape of a cross upside down. There are big and thick screws screwed into the palm of each hand, into the feet, and at the middle of its torso.
I can't endure looking at this corpse any more.
(This isn't normal. Not normal at all! You can't kill a person like this with a normal mind!)
There is a puddle of blood on the floor from the drips of blood falling from the corpse. Then, trying to avoid the body with my eyes, I see writing on the wall.
"W-What is this..?"
"It's written as "Punishment for those who did bad deeds!". I just borrowed the sentence from someone important." Suddenly the voice of a young male comes from behind me.
When I turn around, there is a man with white hair. He seems to be a foreigner and he looks like he's still a teenager. He's dressing up like a priest. Seeing me, the priest makes an evil smile.
"Hmm hmm. Well, well, if it isn't a Devil-kun!" He seems to be really happy.
Then, the thing that Buchou told me comes back to my mind.
'Don't get involved with people from the Church. Especially the Exorcists. They are our biggest enemy. They can easily eliminate us because their powers are supported by the prayer of God.'
(He's a priest, so he's related to the Church. This is bad. He even knows that I'm a Devil, so am I in the worst situation there is, again?)
"I'm a priest~ A boy priest~ I cut down devil-like people~, and I laugh at them~ I cut the head of you Devils, and receive my meal~" The priest starts to sing.
(I-I don't get it. What is wrong with this guy ?!)
"My name is Freed Sellzen. I belong to a certain Exorcism organisation. Ah, just because I introduced myself doesn't mean you have to. I don't want to remember your name in my memory, so please don't. It's okay, since you are going to die soon. I will make sure of it. It might hurt at first, but later you will feel so good that you will cry. Now let's open the new door!"
(I've never met someone like him before. His words don't make any sense.)
So this guy is an Exorcist. I'm in trouble now. But there's something I have to make sure of, before I make him my enemy or not.
"Hey, was it you? The one who killed this person?"
"Yes, yes. I killed him. Because~, he was a regular criminal who has been summoning Devils, so I had to kill him."
My eyebrows furrow, slightly irritated by his words.
"Huh? Are you shocked? Aren't you running away? That's weird? Really Weird. I mean humans who make a pact with Devils are scum. Scum indeed. Can't you understand that? No? Is that so? Well you are a scum Devil after all."
I clench my fists, waiting for the right moment to attack.
"Was it really necessary to kill him? Aren't you supposed to be killing devils?"
"Haaaaa? What the fuck is that? A mere Devil like you is lecturing me? Hahaha. I will laugh at this. You probably could get a reward for being funny. Okay then, listen carefully you shitty Devil. Devils also use humans' greed to survive. Relying on a Devil proves that you are no longer a human. It's the end. That's why I killed him~. I make a living by killing Devils and those that are contracted to a Devil. That's my job."
"Even Devil's won't go this far!" My blood boils with rage.
"Haa~~? What are you talking about? Devils are trash. Do you know they are a shitty existence? Do you know this is common sense? Didn't you know? Seriously, you should start your life back from a toddler. Wait, it's useless to tell this to a reincarnated Devil like you. More like, I have to kill you! Hahahaha. It's awesome, isn't it? It's the best, isn't it?" The priest pulls out the handle of a sword that had no blade, and a gun.
A sound vibrates in the air, the sword that only has a handle turns into a thing like a beam saber.
"You kind of irritate me, so can I cut you? Can I shoot you? Is it OK? Okay then. Now I'm going to stab your heart with this blade of light , and I'm going to blow your head with this cool looking gun! Man, I'm seriously going to fall in love!" The priest came sprinting towards me.
I do the same, creating a sword in my left hand, I charge towards him and clash against his blade of light. Surprised to see me armed with a sword from nowhere, he loses strength, allowing me to push him back, and assault him.
Our blows follow each other without touching, our swords constantly striking each other, and no one is able to gain the upper hand. Until he points his gun at my right leg. Seeing this, I push his sword away and kick him in the stomach. But he still managed to fire. I narrowly dodge the bullet as it passes close to my face, but all of a sudden, an intense pain is felt in my cheek. It was as if the bullet had gone right through it.
"What's that?! Wait, this pain?!"
"How is it!? The special bullet made for the Exorcists, the bullet of light! And it doesn't make any sound. Since its bullet of light. This situation turns both of us on, doesn't it?"
(The pain of light. Yeah, this is the pain of light.)
To a Devil, light is poisonous. Once hit, the pain goes through your entire body.
"Die, die, Devil! Die Devil! Turn to dust and disappear! This is all for my entertainment!" The priest laughs out loud and points his gun at me.
I throw a petal of Rho Aias, protecting myself from his shot. Then I project a dozen swords above me and fire them. Seeing this, Freed runs and hides behind a piece of furniture, swords raining down around him, not waiting for a cry of pain, I run towards his hiding place.
"How many swords do you have on you?! That's cheating devil-kun!"
He suddenly stands up, pointing his gun, but I'm already too close.
"Shit! What a fast one you are!"
Freed jumps to the side to dodge my sword strike and runs to put some distance between us.
I grab the piece of furniture he's hiding with, strengthen my arm and throw the piece of furniture at him, which he cuts cleanly with his blade of light. [Blood Pointer] I suck in energy and rush towards him even faster. He dodges me with a side step.
"You'll have to find another strategy to get me, you shit devil!"
I slide across the floor, turning and leaping in his direction, with three swords projected at my side. Leaving him no choice but to confront me, the three swords land on the ground, and our duel resumes, but having stored up so much energy, I'm clearly more powerful than he is. On the other hand, my body is beginning to ache terribly.
(I've got to get this over with or I'm finished).
I charge my right fist with energy, covered in a half-liquid, half-gaseous white light, and strike him full force in the torso, sending him flying and piercing the corridor wall.
Suddenly, a violent pain seizes me, knocking me to the ground as if my whole body is melting.
I look down at my legs to see them each pierced by a bullet of light. Plus the pain of my magic circuits contracting my whole body.
(It hurts so much! I hope the other one is knocked out otherwise...)
I can hear debris falling where the wall fell. I see him, struggling to his feet, bleeding from the mouth, completely stunned by the blow, laughing as he approaches.
"Frankly, I'm impressed with you devil-kun, normally weak devils like you are no match for me, but you've managed to put me in this state. You know, I'm going to fall in love if this keeps up? AH the exhilaration of combat! It's been so long! Come on, get up devil-kun, I want some more! I want more! Always more!"
He brandishes his blade, ready to bring it down on me, and I prepare to roll to the side to dodge him when a familiar voice is heard.
"Please stop!"
The priest froze his posture to where he was about to attack me, and looks towards the direction where the voice came from. I also look to the same direction.
It's that girl. The blond Sister is standing there.
(Asia.)
"Well if it isn't my assistant, Asia-chan. What happened? Did you finish putting the barrier?"
"! N-Noooooooo!" Asia screams after seeing the corpse that is nailed to the wall.
With his attention no longer on me, I discreetly suck in energy to heal myself, even though my body is screaming at me to stop.
"Thank you for the adorable scream! Oh yeah, this is your first time seeing a corpse like this, isn't it, Asia-chan? Then look carefully. We have the humans that are entranced by a Devil die like this."
"...N-No..." She then looks at us and gets shocked to see me. "...Father Freed... that person..." Asia looks at me directly.
"Person? No, no. This shit here is a Devil. Hahaha, what are you misunderstanding?"
"! Senji-san is a... Devil..?" She's obviously shocked to know the truth and I avoid her gaze, not knowing what to say.
"What, what? You guys know each other? Wow. Now this is a
big surprise. Is it the forbidden love between a Devil and a Sister? Seriously? Are you serious?" Freed, the priest, looks at both Asia and me.
"No, we don't know each other, she must have confused me with someone else." I didn't want her to know.
It should have stayed like that. It's better that she didn't know. I didn't plan on seeing her again. I just wanted her to think of me as a kind high school student who lives in this town. I don't know what to say. What a rotten destiny. Asia's eyes are making me feel bad.
"Don't take me for a fool, you shitty devil! It shows on your face like in a book! Ahaha! But devils and humans can never coexist! Especially humans from the Church and the Devils are the biggest enemies! Also, we are a group of heretics that was deserted by God. Asia-tan and I are humans that can't survive without the support of Fallen Angels-sama."
(Deserted by god..?)
"Well now, leaving that aside, I need to kill this trash here or else I can't finish my job, so here I come. Are you ready?" The priest thrusts his sword toward me again.
As expected, my wounds are more or less healed, but I'm at the end of my tether, sucking in so much energy is destroying me from the inside and I can feel it. I can't move. If I get stabbed by that in my chest, I will be killed... Even if I do survive, I will end up like that the client who is nailed to the wall and then have my body slashed. Normally fear should have taken over from my anger, but I can't calm down, this guy killed an innocent, he's dangerous. I want to see him dead, I want to kill him.
As I beg my body to move, the blonde sister places herself between the priest and me. She stood in front of me with her arms spread as if she is protecting me.
"...Hey, hey. Are you serious? Asia-tan, do you know what you are doing?" The priest puts on a stern look when he sees this.
"...I do. Father Freed, I beg you. Please forgive this person. Please let him go." I became speechless after hearing her.
(Asia, why are you protecting me..?)
"I can't stand it any more... You can't kill people just because they are entranced to a Devil and you also can't kill Devils. It's wrong!"
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!? Don't talk shit, bitch! You also learned that Devils are trash at the Church! Seriously, is there something wrong with your brain!?" Freed now has an anguished expression.
"There are good people, even among Devils!"
"There aren't, idiooooooot!"
"T-That's what I thought until recently... But Senji-san is a good person. That fact doesn't change even after I found out that he is a Devil! Killing someone is unforgivable! This kind of act! God won't allow such acts!"
She saw the corpse, and she found out that I'm a Devil, so she should be shocked. But Asia isn't backing down to speak her beliefs to the priest. What a strong willed girl. This girl is amazing.
(I'm not as good a person as that Asia... and I let my anger blind me and here I am on the ground... unable to move, when it should be me in front of you, I'm sorry Asia...)
"Kyaa!" Asia fell to the ground.
...There's a bruise mark on her face.
(The bastard priest hit Asia to the side with his gun?!)
The beating of my heart resounds louder and louder in my head.
"Hey! Asia!" I call out.
But her gaze doesn't have time to meet mine, as the priest grabs her by the hair and slams her against a wall, forcing her to her feet.
"...The Fallen Angel girl told me very strongly that I can't kill you. But I'm getting a bit pissed. Since I can't kill you, than can I rape you or something? If I don't, I won't be able to heal my heart." The priest has the most horrifying smile I've ever seen.
(...Rape...?)
My eyes widen, my fists clench so hard that they bleed.
"Freed, I'm your target! So don't touch her! This is between you and me you bastard!" I scream at the top of my lungs.
"Yes I know, but let me have a little fun first, anyway it's not like you're able to move, so at least enjoy the show!" The priest starts tearing Asia's clothes and licking her face.
"FREEEED!" I scream at the top of my voice, my vision starting to blur, my heartbeat echoing so loudly in my head that I can no longer hear Asia's cries of distress.
A tear, a tear running down Asia's cheek. My vision cracks, a dense form of energy surrounds me, translucent red with bubbles of energy. The parquet floor supporting me was destroyed by the colossal power pouring out of me.
"Well, it's been a long time, hasn't it Senji?"
"Senji listen to me! Use the Sacred Gear! I could help you deal with the fox's energy waves! Please... Listen... me..."
"Shut up lizard, it's between me and him now. Fine, go ahead Senji destroy anyone who gets in your way, unleash!"
"Huh? What the?!" The priest shows a face of horror seeing me standing there.
He doesn't even have time to pick up his weapons before I come face to face with him. I grab his face, making him drop Asia, who falls inert to the ground. Then I smash him against the floor, splinters of parquet flying all around. He manages to pick up his gun and fires three times in the belly. The bullet pierces me and stops in the ceiling, but I don't care.
I put my fists together and strike. But he's already managed to slip away.
"What's that? You're not even a devil-kun anymore? You're just a fucking monster?! How can you have so much energy?!" Freed points his gun and fires.
I dodged the only bullet aimed at my head and charged forward, receiving the other in the shoulder but continuing on my way. He dodges my attack, but a tail made of energy appears and I use it to hit him, who crashes into the dining-room table and chair.
(I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him. I'm gonna kill him. You made that girl cry and killed an innocent man. You must die!)
"Shit! At this rate this monster is really going to kill me, I've got to get out of here fast!"
"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!"
I rain swords down on him, but none of them pierce.
(What is... his outfit?)
"Hey, did you notice? How cool is that? This exorcist's jacket protects me greatly, so I'm safe! Normally, though, when you hit me, I feel it really hard! So it's cheating!"
Driven by my hatred, I suck in as much energy as I can, ready to hit him with as much power as I can, even if it means destroying my arm.
"Hey! Stop sucking my energy, you pervert!" Freed gets angry, firing a shot that misses completely.
"...Senji-san..."
Hearing her trembling voice, I stop. I turn my face towards her. Sitting against the wall, clothes torn, tears streaming down her face, and yet she looks so sad...
"Are you crying... for me...?"
Not understanding, I touch my face, and when I look at my fingers, I see blood and tears.
Finally realizing the error of my ways, I start to calm down and take a deep breath. The energy around me begins to recede, feeling the fox demon's weight gradually disappear...
"What do you think you're doing? This guy's still alive so do what needs to be done!"
Breathless, his energy takes over again, heavier than before, I find myself on the ground gasping for air.
(I don't want this! Not in front of her! I refuse to give in to your words!)
"It's too late for that Senji, now let yourself go..."
This bastard is forcing even more of his energy onto me, making the liquid layer enveloping me unstable, as if boiling.
"Ahhh! What the?! Stop it!" I notice a second tail has just appeared, he's influence growing stronger and stronger.
My skin begins to tear here and there. Underneath, a concentrated form of energy, a dark red, almost black envelopes me.
"That's great, in the end your family and the majority of people are right, you're a real monster!"
"Get out of my head!" I bang my forehead on the floor, trying to knock myself out to avoid the worst.
"Ah dammit! Sucking up my energy is a lot more tiring than I thought, but this is it, I'm back in shape! It's time to end this, monster-kun!" The priest jumps up high.
Suddenly, the ground behind me began to glow with a blue-white light.
"What is this?" The priest becomes suspicious.
The light begins to take on the shape of a magic circle. I'm not really myself anymore, so I can't remember the symbol that appears, but I have the impression I've seen it before...
The magic-circle that appeared on the floor shines. Then the people I know appear from it.
"Senji-kun, what's..." Kiba can't believe what he's seeing.
"Ara ara. This is awful."
"...Priest."
Akeno-san and Koneko-chan!
(No, why are they there? The last thing I wanted them to see was the state I'm in!)
"Hyahou! Here's a present for a group of Devils!" The priest lowers his blade, aiming at the back of my neck.
But the sound of the metal echoes through the room. Kiba blocks the priest's attack with his sword.
"Senji, so what you were trying to hide from us is that you're the host of..." Kiba's gaze pierces me, there's confusion and sadness but it's already too much for me.
"Please don't look at me like that... Don't look at me..."
"Hey! I've been trying to kill him for a while! Don't ruin it! You fucking devil!"
"I'm sorry. He's one of us! We can't let you lay a finger on him!"
"Oh, oh! A mere Devil being concerned about their comrade? What are you guys? Devil Squadron, the Devil Rangers? That's nice. I can feel the heat. I'm getting turned on! So how is it? Are you the one sticking it in, and is he the one bending? So are you guys in that sort of relationship?"
They are exchanging swords but the priest is getting cocky and sticking his tongue out while he is shaking his tongue and his head.
"...What a vulgar mouth. It's hard to believe you are a priest... Oh, that's why you are a "Stray Exorcist", right?" Even Kiba has an anguished expression
"Yeah, yeah! I'm vulgar! Sorry about that! That's because I strayed away! I was kicked out! That's why, screw the Vatican! I'm all right as long as I get to cut Devils whenever I feel like it!"
Both of them are still exchanging their swords. Kiba has a calm expression, but his eyes have already captured his foe. The boy priest, Freed, is still laughing and enjoying the fight.
"You are the type that is the most hard to deal with. Someone who feels like they are living by cutting Devils... the one who causes the most harm to us."
"Haaaaah!? You know, I don't want to be told off by a Devil? I'm trying to live now just like other people! I'm not in a position where pests like you can talk down to me!"
"Even Devils have rules." Akeno-san is smiling, but her eyes are serious. She is showing a sign of will to fight and hostility towards Freed.
"Nice. I like those passionate eyes. Onee-san, you are the best. I can feel your urge of wanting to kill me. Is this love? No. I think it's a killing intent! Superb! This is great! I love the feeling of intending to kill and getting intended to kill!"
"Then disappear." The person who appears on my side is the crimson-haired girl, Rias Gremory.
"Senji, I'm sorry. I never expected that a Stray Exorcist will visit this client's house." Buchou, who is apologising to me, narrows her eyes after seeing me in this state. "What's happening to you? What's that substance covering you? It's extremely hot!"
"I'm sorry, I got carried away and lost control... his influence is far too great... So, President, kill me." I can only see one solution, if with her power she can disintegrate me and the fox demon then even better.
"Out of the question, I trust you Senji, so fight back, is that clear?" her gaze has no judgment towards me, it's direct, benevolent, and above all friendly.
She stands up and gives the priest a cold look.
"Looks like you have been looking after my cute servant?" Her voice is low and sounds scary. She's pissed.
"Yes, yes. I have been playing around with it. I was planning to cut his body all over but I was interrupted and it finished as a dream."
A section of the furniture behind the priest is blown away. It's president. President shot out a ball of demonic-power.
"I make sure I never forgive those who harm my servants. I especially can't forgive a lowlife like you damaging my personal possessions." Her intensity causes the atmosphere to feel frozen.
Her killing intent lurks around the room. There is a thing that looks like waves of demonic-power surrounding Buchou.
Suddenly, I hear a faint voice coming from far above in my head. I react instinctively and summon my red gauntlet, the Sacred Gear.
"Oh, that's it! You can hear me at last! That fox bastard! He managed to fend off all my attempts to talk to you! Now I'm going to push back his energy so prepare for counter blows, stay focused!" Ddraig is really pissed off too.
The transparent energy surrounding me began to disappear, and several pains were felt at the same time: my magic circuits were fried, cracks appeared all over my body as a result of the overload of energy sucked in, and above all, the bullets of light that pierced me.
The pain is so intense that I'm spitting blood out of my mouth and nose. I collapse, my muscles completely torn.
"! President, there seems to be few Fallen Angels heading to this house. At this rate we will be at a disadvantage." Seems like Akeno-san detected something and informs us.
(...The Fallen Angels are approaching..?)
"...Akeno, we will return to our headquarters once we retrieve Senji. Prepare for teleportation." Buchou gives another stare at the priest.
"Yes." Akeno-san starts to cast a spell as soon as Buchou urges her to.
(Teleport? Are we running away?)
I then look at Asia.
"President! We have to take her as well!" I say it to Rias.
"It's impossible. Only Devils can use the magic-circle to transport. Also, this magic-circle can only teleport me and my servants."
"No! I can't leave her with that guy!" My eyes and Asia's eyes met. She just smiles at me. "Asia!"
"Senji-san, let's meet again." That was the last words we exchanged at this place.
Next moment, Akeno-san finishes casting the spell, and the magic-circle on the floor starts to glow blue again.
"Like I will let you escape!" The priest came slashing at us, but Koneko-chan threw the sofa against him.
By the time the priest pushes the sofa away with his sword, I can meet his gaze.
"Freed! I'll find you and I promise I'll make you regret ever touching Asia, you hear me?! I'll make you wish you were dead tonight!"
I don't have the time to think about the impression of my first teleportation through the magic-circle, and I only remember the smile Asia gave me last.
Hello everyone and thank you for reading this chapter! I'm off to a great start with this volume. I think these next six chapters will be intense, we'll see. But that's it, the fox demon is starting to show his fangs. Will Senji be able to resist him long enough? Perhaps. We're also nearing the end of his training with All Might, and I'm really looking forward to writing what happens next. It's going to be incredible, especially when mixed with all the other characters. On that note, see you next week.