Chapter 47 – Unease
"Me! Me! I will participate in the scavenger hunt!"
Irina said in an enthusiastic manner while raising her hand, prompting Takeshi and several of his classmates to chuckle at that energetic display. Aika, who was standing near the blackboard, grinned as she wrote Irina's name on it.
"Yes, we'll leave that event to Shidou-san then." Aika said. "The bread-eating race is next. Are there any volunteers for it?"
"Let me take part in that one, Kiryuu!"
One of the girls said in response to Aika's question. At present, it was homeroom time for Class 2-A, giving its members the opportunity to discuss and decide among themselves the lineup for the upcoming sports festival.
Students would volunteer for specific activities, or, if no-one was willing to participate in a certain event, the one coordinating the whole process, Aika, would give her own suggestions. So far though, the selection had progressed smoothly and without much fuss.
Glancing to the side, Takeshi saw Leon, Asia and Dia watching the unfolding events with matching intrigued gazes. The four Church agents had integrated themselves into the class and the school in general without any issues so far, becoming popular among boys and girls in record time. Dia and Leon being joined at the hip, a mark of their obvious close relationship, had disappointed those who viewed them as prospective partners, but he figured they'd get over it soon.
Takeshi had been a little concerned about Asia, who seemed to be the most innocent and timid of the bunch, but his worries had proven to be unfounded so far. Due to her gentle nature and saint-like qualities, she had already made friends with several girls from the class, and the boys who got close to her seemed to do so out of a desire to be healed by her tranquil aura instead of ulterior motives. Even Issei, who seemed to be the one getting along with her the most outside of the supernatural folk, would tone down his perverted antics whenever he spoke to her.
Guess she triggers everyone's protective instinct or something. Takeshi thought. Even I feel the urge to look after her at times and kill anything that might harm her. Is this what having a little sister feels like? Wonder where such feelings are coming from?
[Perhaps she's got an affinity with Dragons?] Orochi suggested. [Since time immemorial, there have been priestesses whose innate talent and natural disposition drew Dragons to them. They were skilled in calming them down, or even taming them in some cases. Perhaps you should take a…closer look at her to make sure? You know, for professional reasons and stuff.]
Right. Takeshi thought. Professional reasons, he says. Who do you think you're fooling here, Orochi?
[Come on, even you've got to admit she's a fine catch, partner.] Orochi said. [She's easily an eight, and I can see her growing even more beautiful in the future. Plus, pure and innocent maidens like her, they're much more receptive to…training if you get my meaning. She'll be eating out of your hand before you know it, fufufu~.]
Yeah, I'm not interested in that kind of play. Takeshi thought. Asia-san seems like a nice girl, but I'm not sure we'd be a good match. Not to mention, I don't think she'd consent to being part of a harem.
[Not with that attitude she won't.] Orochi spoke in an exasperated tone. [You're such a bore at times, partner. Won't try to seduce the dispirited Church warrior, won't go after the former nun, won't try to steal your friend's gorgeous girlfriend and have her for yourself, you're seriously killing my buzz here!]
Takeshi was about to respond, but Aika's next words caught his attention.
"Next, we come to the three-legged race." Aika said. "As you all know, two pairs from each class will have to take part in this activity. Since you guys couldn't come to a consensus over who should participate for reasons we all know in our previous meetings, we drew lots. The resulting pairs are—Ainsworth-san and Serrano-san, and also Hyoudou with Asia."
As expected, the announcement of the last couple caused a minor uproar as several students started complaining.
"Hyoudou of all people with Asia-chan!? Are you kidding us, Kiryuu!?"
"Bullshit! This thing is rigged! Rigged, I tell you!"
"No way I'm letting Asia-chan and that pervert stick close to each other!"
"Who knows what sort of depraved things he might teach her if we let him hang around her too much!"
"We must protect Asia-chan's purity at all costs! Hyoudou must not be allowed to defile her!"
"Hey, what sort of person do you guys see me as!?" Issei complained. "I'm not going to let everyone badmouth me like this just because the guys are jealous and the girls are overprotective!"
"Hyoudou-san has a point here." Leon said before the other students could respond. "It's very rude to condemn someone without sufficient proof. Moreover, we all agreed to abide by the outcome of the lottery, so it's no use protesting about it now. It's a different matter though if Hyoudou-san and Asia-chan are strongly opposed to participating in the event together. Do you two have a problem with your partner?"
"Not at all!" Issei said with a wide smile. "Participating together with Asia, I can't ask for anything more!"
"I-I'm also fine with Issei-san as my partner." Asia said in a timid manner. "Though I'm not very good at sports and physical activities, I'll do my best not to drag him and the class down."
"In that case, there's no issue whatsoever." Leon said with a smile. "Right, everyone?"
"W-Well, even if Asia-chan says so, I still—"
"Give it a rest already." Takeshi said with a severe tone, cutting off his classmate. "This discussion is over. All of you, stop wasting everyone's time with your whining."
A chill went down everyone's back following Takeshi's words. The few students who still seemed dissatisfied closed their mouths and sunk in their chairs, looking spooked.
"Leave it to Ryuugamine to terrorize the opposition into submission." Aika chuckled as she wrote the pairs for the three-legged race on the blackboard. "Now then, moving on to the cavalry battle, the ones who'd like to—"
"Over here, over here!" Takeshi shouted in a frantic manner while waving both hands, his previous attitude gone in a flash. "Me, Yuuto, Xenovia and Pandora! We'll do it, Kiryuu!"
"Erm, why are you deciding this on your own, Takeshi-kun…?" Yuuto said with a lopsided smile. "I'm not sure I—"
"Come on, guys, give me a helping hand here." Takeshi cut off Yuuto, clapping his hands together and bowing his head. "I love cavalry battles, yet I haven't been able to participate in one in ages because of you-know-what! That's why, please do me this one favor, and I swear I'll make it up to you somehow!"
"Why not?" Xenovia said. "This sounds interesting. Count me in, Takeshi."
"I'll do it as well." Pandora said with a smile. "Fellow club members should help each other out whenever possible. Plus, I can tell this is important for Takeshi. It's not often that he asks us for a favor after all."
"Good grief, since you two have said this much, backing away at this point would make me look like a jerk…" Yuuto sighed, but then showed his usual refreshing smile. "I understand. Let's fight together and triumph as members of the Occult Research Club, Takeshi-kun."
"That's the spirit!" Takeshi grinned. "Thank you, everyone!"
"Alright then, if no-one has any other suggestions to make, our lineup has been decided with this." Aika said, pointing at the names written on the blackboard. "Everyone, let's do our best and win this thing!"
[Right!]
All students shouted together as one, their fighting spirit ignited for the upcoming festival.
The next day…
"That's it. Seems like you guys are starting to get the hang of it."
Xenovia remarked as she watched the Leon-Dia and Issei-Asia pairs, who were practicing for the three-legged race. Classes had finished a while back, and thus, students had taken this chance to start training for the activities each of them would take part in. As such, the school grounds were now filled with jersey-clad students, who were doing stretches and warm-up exercises.
"Thanks for taking time out of your own practice to help us out, everyone." Leon said as he struggled to adjust his steps to match Dia's pace. "This is more difficult than I thought it would be…"
"…Too far." Dia said, a mischievous smirk on her face as she glued herself to Leon's body. "…Much better."
"Um, don't you think that's way too close, Dia…?" Leon said, a small blush forming on his face. "I'm not sure I can move properly like this."
"…Perfect." Dia said, resting her head on Leon's shoulder as her smile became wider. "…Problem?"
"W-Well, I…"
"Heh." Takeshi chuckled at that sight. "Still having trouble dealing with the ladies even after all this time, Leon? For shame."
"Shush you." Leon glared at Takeshi before turning to Issei and Asia. "How're you doing over there, Hyoudou-san, Asia-chan?"
"Not too bad." Issei said with a grin, clearly enjoying Asia's presence next to him. "We're matching each other's rhythm pretty well so far. I wonder if that's because Asia's heart and mine are starting to become one."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here." Takeshi said. "You guys' teamwork is looking solid so far, but the real deal starts from here. If you can't match each other's movements while running, there's no point to this. That's why, let's see how well you can run like that. Three, two, one…go!"
The two pairs started running following Takeshi's shout, but the Issei-Asia pair lost their balance almost immediately and fell face-first on the ground. Leon and Dia managed to run for a few meters, only for their legs to tangle up and send them tumbling down. Adjusting his posture mid-fall, Leon embraced Dia as they fell, using his body as a cushion to soften the impact for her.
"Ow…" Leon groaned. "Are you alright, Dia?"
"…Fine." Dia smiled as she embraced Leon, nuzzling against him. "…My hero."
"Don't you think you're exaggerating a little here, Dia…?" Leon muttered, struggling to contain his embarrassment. "Also, people are starting."
"…Don't care." Dia said, tilting her head to the side. "…Don't like it?"
"N-No, it's not a matter of me liking it or not…"
Leon's face had become as red as his Scale Mail, prompting everyone around them to grin.
"Please don't tease leader like this, Dia…san." Irina said, almost calling her '-sama' before catching herself. "Not to mention, it's not proper for a lady of your status to act like that in front of others."
"…Party pooper."
Dia had a sullen look on her face, but separated herself from Leon and allowed Irina to help her up. Meanwhile, Xenovia and Yuuto were busy helping Asia and Issei up.
"That looked like a nasty fall." Yuuto said with a somewhat concerned expression. "Are you alright, Hyoudou?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Issei made a dismissive gesture. "More importantly, is Asia alright?"
"I'm fine, Issei-san." Asia said, bowing her head. "I'm r-really sorry about this! Because of me, you ended up in this state…"
"What are you saying, Asia?" Issei smiled, thumping his chest. "I'm fine, and small mistakes like this are part of the learning process. Don't sweat it, and let's keep doing our best together!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Oh, you said something good there, Hyoudou." Takeshi said, giving Issei a friendly pat on the back. "Let's keep that momentum going and have you guys run together once again. Only, you know, with a little less falling this time."
The two pairs resumed their practice, showing some improvement as time went by. Even so, remaining in synch for more than half a minute seemed to be impossible for both pairs.
"Alright, that should be enough for today." Xenovia said after a while. "You four have made some good progress. If you keep going like this, you should be ready by the time the sports festival begins."
"More importantly, it's our turn now." Takeshi said, looking excited. "We need to be in tip-top shape when the time comes for the cavalry battle. Nothing else except for absolute victory is allowed!"
"Right, right." Yuuto said. "As agreed beforehand, Takeshi-kun will be the 'rider', I will be the 'horse', and Xenovia and Pandora will support us from the rear. However, we still need opponents to practice against. Perhaps if we asked some of the other students around here…"
"No need for that, Kiba-kun." Leon said. "I still have enough energy to help you guys. Plus, most students would probably be leery and scared of working with Takeshi even if this is a practice match. Him going overboard in all sorts of contests doesn't help matters one bit…"
"Isn't that the truth…"
"Hey, don't you two look at me with a gaze full of pity like I'm some sort of lost cause." Takeshi complained. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best like no-one ever was."
"When desire turns into an obsession, plenty can go wrong with it." Leon said. "Anyway, I still need three team members to support me. Are you up for it, Dia, Irina-san?"
"…Sure."
"Leave it to me!" Irina said in a cheerful manner. "Haven't played this one in a long while, so this should be fun."
"As for our fourth player…" Leon said, his gaze zeroing in on Issei. "Think you can help us out for a while here, Hyoudou-san? I understand you must be exhausted from all that running, but—"
"Don't worry about me, Ainsworth." Issei cut off Leon. "I'll give you guys a hand. It's the least I can do since you helped me and Asia practice."
"It's settled then." Takeshi said with a satisfied smile. "This is shaping up to be quite the exciting practice match. Don't you agree, Pandora?"
Takeshi addressed the girl standing next to him, but received no response. Turning to the side, he noticed that Pandora was staring into the void, her eyes unfocused.
"Pandora?" Takeshi said, placing his hand on her shoulder and giving her a light shake. "Is everything alright?"
As Pandora turned to him, Takeshi thought he glimpsed something strange in the depths of her eyes. However, the eerie sensation was gone as fast as it came, with the young Knight's gaze becoming focused once again as she looked at Takeshi, a small frown in her face.
"Takeshi…?" Pandora muttered, looking confused, and then sighed. "…Sorry, I must have zoned out or something. Was thinking about tomorrow's essay and lost track of my surroundings. Are we going to start practicing for the cavalry battle now?"
"Yes, but if you are not feeling well, we can postpone it and—"
"Nonsense." Pandora said. "There's nothing wrong with me. Come, we shouldn't waste any more time. The others are waiting."
Pandora rushed to join Yuuto and Xenovia, leaving no room for further arguments. Takeshi shrugged as he put his headband around his forehead and went to join his teammates as well.
[Hoh…] Ladon muttered in his host's thoughts all of a sudden. [Seems like…something amusing…will start soon…]
Something amusing? Takeshi asked, these words stopping him in his tracks. What are you talking about, Ladon?
The Evil Dragon refused to elaborate, something that Takeshi had come to expect from him. He also knew that if he pressed him for answers, none would be forthcoming. Unless he was agitated or sufficiently motivated, Ladon would be hard-pressed to speak, let alone explain his cryptic remarks. Though his words were meaningless noise most of the time ever since he was bound, Takeshi couldn't shake off the feeling that something ominous was hidden in this particular comment.
"What's the hold-up, Takeshi?" Xenovia called out to him. "Come on, we don't have all day here."
"Right, sorry." Takeshi said, slapping his cheeks to focus. "Be right there."
In the end, Takeshi couldn't do anything about it right now. He resolved himself to interrogate Ladon about it later, even though he was sure that banging his head against the wall would probably be a more productive use of his time.
Climbing on Yuuto's shoulders and adjusting his position until he was certain everything was fine as Xenovia and Pandora supported him, Takeshi faced Leon, who was sitting on Issei's shoulders and was supported by Irina and Dia. Both youths had matching grins on their faces as they waited for the signal to start.
"Please begin!"
Following Asia's words, both groups rushed at each other, with Takeshi and Leon aiming for each other's headband. While the 'horses' were moving around to position themselves better and give each group an edge over the other, the two riders would do their best to keep their balance while looking for an opening to seize the other's headband. However, after half a minute, the contest escalated from simple grabbing to a full-blown fierce exchange of blows.
"Here we go again with your nasty habits!" Leon cried out as he countered Takeshi's flurry of punches and chops. "Seriously, why must you always be like this!? This is only a practice match for crying out loud! No, even if this was an actual game, you're still going too far! Tone down the unrestrained killing intent a bit!"
"Whether it's practice or the real deal, it's my policy to give it all I've got from the get-go!" Takeshi let out a savage smile while dodging Leon's attempts to grab his headband and continuing his attacks. "I'm taking you down right here, right now!"
"Don't you think you've lost sight of the objective here!?" Leon shouted. "You really haven't changed one bit in that regard from the time we were playing together as kids! Same thing goes for Vali! I'm starting to have flashbacks again of all the trouble I had to go through in order to rein you two in before you did something stupid!"
"And yet you still hung around despite all your complaints!" Takeshi said with a wide smirk as he almost grabbed Leon's headband, missing it by a small margin. "I wonder what that says about you, Leon!"
"Probably that I'm a glutton for punishment!"
"Fufu, the fated showdown between the childhood friends and rivals is getting more intense!" Irina said from the side. "What say you, Xenovia? Should we start taking this more seriously too?"
"Hoh, are you challenging me, Irina?" Xenovia said while smirking. "The one who lost all games when playing against me during the welcoming party shouldn't get too cocky!"
"That was that, and this is this!" Irina said with evident fervor. "With the blessing of Michael-sama, I will surely triumph this time! Amen!"
"I don't know what the Hell you guys are talking about, but don't pour oil into this raging bonfire!" Issei complained while doing his best to support Leon's weight. "I feel like I'm about to spit my heart and lungs out here, so don't make things more difficult than they already are!"
"I agree with Hyoudou-kun here." Yuuto said with a forced smile. "Best not to get caught up in these two's frenzied pace, Xenovia, Irina-san."
The match between the two groups went on for a couple of minutes until Issei collapsed on the ground while panting for air, forcing the two groups to stop their match. Although that was only natural since he was the sole human in the group, Takeshi couldn't help but respect him for holding out for as long as he did.
While everyone was busy rehydrating themselves, and Issei went to join Matsuda and Motohama, Dia approached Takeshi, an inquisitive gaze on her face.
"Serrano-san?" Takeshi said, raising an eyebrow. "Can I help you with something?"
Opening her mouth after a few seconds of silence, Dia started speaking in a rapid-fire manner.
"Leon often spoke about you, but I never thought you would be such an overly driven person, one that pursues victory with a single-minded focus that wouldn't lose to that of an Evil Dragon, which I suppose is one reason you've reached the stage you have." Dia said. "However, like Leon said, excessive greed can be bad even for a Devil like yourself and lead to your destruction. Despite your faults, you seem like a good person at heart, so I'd be a shame if your life had a tragic ending. Not to mention, Leon would be devastated if something happened to you, and I hate seeing him sad, especially after everything he did for my sake and how he stayed by my side. Oh, but please, don't think I'm a selfish person who's only motivated by the happiness of those close to her. I also hate seeing people suffer, so I pray that everything will work out for you in the end. Also, no need to use my surname. Call me Dia like all my friends do, and I don't want you using polite language with me either. I've come to hate pointless formality in all shapes and forms."
Takeshi blinked a couple of times, surprised by this sudden case of verbal diarrhea, but then smiled.
"I kind of lost you there for a bit, but from what I understood, you're worried about me?" Takeshi said. "If so, thank you for your concern, Dia-san. I'm curious though, a Goddess like you, to whom exactly would you pray for my good fortune?"
"…Not a Goddess." Dia said. "…Still need work."
"Dia is still too young, and half of her blood is that of a human." Leon, who had joined the two of them, added from the side. "That's why, it's going to take several years, or perhaps even decades, before she reaches a level of strength befitting that of a God-class being."
"I see." Takeshi said. "Well, I'm sure Heaven can manage just fine with the almighty Red Dragon Emperor at their side…provided you don't activate Juggernaut Drive and start tearing this whole place apart like you did last time when you went on a rampage."
"…Ill-advised." Dia said, pointing her finger at Leon. "…Could have died."
"Hey, blame Vali and his battle lust for that." Leon said, an indignant look on his face. "It's not like I wanted our fight to escalate the way it did. I wouldn't have resorted to Juggernaut Drive if he hadn't entered the form as well. The upside to that mess is that it was a much-needed wake-up call. Even since that time, Ddraig and I have been working in refining the Juggernaut Drive into a safer variant, though progress has been rather slow so far."
"You're on the way to getting your upgrade form, huh?" Takeshi said. "Meanwhile, I'm still stuck in the side form change phase. Well, the Evil Dragons I've tamed thus far are pretty powerful, so I can't complain."
"Hey, everyone!"
The one who greeted the group while approaching them was Genshirou, a haggard expression on his face and a set of measuring instruments in his hands.
"Oh, if it isn't Saji-kun." Takeshi said, raising his hand in greeting. "Out doing Student Council work like usual, I see."
"With the school festival coming up, the Student Council's workload has increased ten-fold in the past couple of days…" Genshirou said, letting out a deep sigh before turning his attention to Leon and Dia. "Student President said that reinforcements from Heaven had joined Kuoh Academy, but I seriously didn't expect the Red Dragon Emperor to be among them. When I first met you, I never would have imagined that you'd end up becoming a fellow student."
"Life does work in strange ways." Leon chuckled. "If I recall correctly, you are…Saji-san, the host of Vritra, right? I'm Leon Ainsworth, and the girl next to me is Dia Serrano. Talking with Kiba-kun and Othrys-san over there is Asia Argento, and you're already acquainted with Irina-san, who's racing against Xenovia-san in the distance. Man, where do these girls find all this energy…?"
"I'm honored that the renowned Red Dragon Emperor remembered me." Genshirou grinned. "I'm Saji Genshirou, Student President…no, Sona Sitri-sama's Pawn. Looking forward to working with you."
"Is it alright for you to be here, Saji-kun?" Takeshi asked. "Won't Student President scold you if she sees you loitering like that?"
"She's the one who said that I should take a small break for now, so it'll be fine." Genshirou said. "You guys will participate in the sports festival as well, right? What activities will you be doing?"
"Leon and Dia-san here will be doing the three-legged race along with Hyoudou and Asia-san." Takeshi said. "Irina will do the scavenger hunt, and I'll be participating in the cavalry battle with the rest of the second-year members of our club."
"Kuh, Hyoudou and Ainsworth sure are lucky that they get to team up with such beauties." Genshirou said with a somewhat envious expression. "If only I could do that with Student President… Anyway, the cavalry battle, eh? That means we'll be fighting against each other once again, Ryuugamine. I'm looking forward to it. Still need to pay you back for that defeat in the Rating Game."
"That's my line." Takeshi said. "Because of you, me and the others weren't able to come to President's aid in time, and we ended up losing the game. Speaking of our match though, how have you been holding up since then? Koneko-chan told me she's been using her Senjutsu to help treat your lost lifespan, but your complexion still seems kind of bad."
"That would be because of all the tests Grigori's been running on me." Genshirou said with a groan. "They're trying to get me to join Vritra's soul fragments together and awaken his slumbering mind in a controlled manner. This should increase my power further in theory, but it's not going that well so far. Whenever his consciousness stirs, mine gets overwhelmed by his chaotic thoughts. Not to mention, when Hanakai and Nimura found out about this, they started scolding me like there's no tomorrow. They were already pretty mad at me when they found out about my fractured lifespan, even more so than the other club members, but now, it's almost unbearable. I wonder what's the matter with them?"
"Oh, you know how it is, Saji-kun." Takeshi smirked. "The more you care for someone, the more upset you get when you see them risking their lives. If they're acting like that, doesn't that mean that Hanakai-san and Nimura-san think of you as a person very dear to them and are afraid of losing you?"
"Is that so?" Genshirou said, scratching the side of his head. "Doesn't seem like that to me…"
"I agree with Takeshi here." Leon said. "You should count yourself lucky that you have people who care about you to such an extent, Saji-kun. Also, if you need any help with Vritra, don't hesitate to ask. Perhaps Ddraig can reach out to him and help stabilize his consciousness."
"I might take you up on that offer." Genshirou said, looking at his watch. "Well, my break is almost over, so I should be off. Don't want Student President to scold me for slacking off. Ryuugamine, let's have a good, clean battle in the sports festival. Just don't get too pissed when we whoop your butt though."
"Love the show of confidence, unfounded as it is." Takeshi smirked. "There's only person who can win the upcoming cavalry battle, and that's me. I'm afraid you'll have to settle for second place at best, Saji-kun."
"We'll see about that." Genshirou matched Takeshi's smirk with his own. "Catch you later, everyone."
Once Genshirou had taken his leave, Takeshi's cellphone rang.
"Oops, looks like it's time for my scheduled treatment." Takeshi said. "Don't want to keep Azazel-sensei waiting. Are you guys going back to the clubroom?"
"In a bit." Leon said. "Dia and I will practice for a little while longer. We'll join you guys afterwards for the club activities."
"…Later."
Takeshi nodded at the two as he started heading back to the main school building. Much to his surprise, he saw Asia following after him, coming to walk right next to him.
"You need something, Asia-san?"
"You're going to Azazel-sensei's office for some sort of treatment, right?" Asia asked. "He told me about it and asked for my help. He said my Sacred Gear can help with the process. I hope…I'm not being a bother?"
"Not at all." Takeshi said with a small smile. "If anything, I'm grateful that you're taking some time off your busy schedule to help me. Also, since you're here, this is a good opportunity. I've been curious about something you said a while back, so I was wondering if you could elaborate on it."
"Something I said?" Asia tilted her head to the side. "What was it?"
"You told us before the Church almost exiled you because you used your Sacred Gear to heal a wounded Devil." Takeshi said. "I'd like to hear more details about that incident, if you don't have a problem speaking about it, that is. I imagine it's not a very pleasant memory for you."
"That time…I had been dispatched to a town in France as part of a relief squad to provide aid following a large fire that almost levelled it and left many people injured." Asia said with some hesitation. "While I was busy treating the survivors, a young boy rushed to me, crying and shouting about a wounded person in the nearby forest. I followed after him, and much to my surprise…I chanced upon a fallen Devil with a nasty wound on his torso…"
"Why did you heal him?" Takeshi asked. "There was no peace treaty at the time, and he was a member of a race that had been the Church's archenemy for millennia. I don't think anyone would have blamed you if you had let him die, or even finished him off for that matter. Hell, they might have even given you a medal for exemplary service or something."
"I was taught from a young age that all life, no matter where it comes from, is sacred." Asia said with a small smile. "That's why, even though he was an enemy…I couldn't just let him die like that. I'm sure that person also had people close to him who would be saddened if he died. That's why, I chose to use my Sacred Gear in order to heal his injuries. Even now…I don't regret saving his life back then."
Takeshi was silent for a couple of seconds, but then chuckled as he rubbed the young girl's head.
"Hau!?" Asia let out a cute yelp, surprised by the sudden action. "What was that for, Takeshi-san?"
"Sorry, but you were just too precious right now, so I couldn't help myself." Takeshi smiled. "You are a good person, Asia-san, one worthy of the title Angel. I don't think I would have acted the way you did were I in your place. No wonder Leon and Dia-san seem to dote on you."
"Thank you very much." Asia said with a smile, but then her expression fell a bit. "When I was almost done healing him, one of the priests that was a part of our squad witnessed my act and called for reinforcements. The Devil managed to escape, but I was captured and put on trial. Since it was common belief that healing powers could only be used on believers…they branded me a witch for having the ability to heal Devils and were about to exile me from the Church… Some even insisted for life imprisonment or execution…"
Makes sense, as cruel a decision as it is. Takeshi thought. If they simply exiled Asia, another faction could get their hands on her Twilight Healing and obtain a powerful means of healing. Best to deny their enemies that advantage.
"Fortunately for you, none of that came to pass though, right?" Takeshi said. "People like Leon came to your defense and overturned the Church's decision from what he said before."
"Yes." Asia nodded. "Leon-sama and Dia-sama played an important part, but members of the Magisterium and Cardinals like His Eminence Strada also spoke on my behalf. They insisted that Twilight Healing's abilities were an expression of the Lord's benevolence towards everyone, even his enemies, and not a wicked power. In the end, the Pope himself intervened and overturned my sentence, allowing me to stay in the Church. I think several high-ranking members were dissatisfied by His Holiness' decree, but no-one challenged it, especially after Raphael-sama reincarnated me into an Angel."
"All's well that ends well." Takeshi said. "It's good to hear that they are level-headed people in the Church that won't rush into dumb conclusions due to being blinded by zealotry and prejudice. Gives me hope that this alliance will be a long-lasting thing even after we deal with the Khaos Brigade."
"That would be for the best." Asia said. "It would be wonderful if we can build a world where we can understand each other and solve disputes with dialogue instead of war and bloodshed. I'm sure that's what the Lord would have wanted if he was still here."
[Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up.] Grendel snorted. [Mellow people like her that preach about love and peace, I hate them the most! There's no enjoyment to be found in crushing weaklings who don't enter battle with suicidal abandon!]
Just because Asia-san doesn't match your brutish definition of strength, that doesn't mean she's weak, Grendel. Takeshi thought. More importantly, although that whole incident seems like a case of bad timing, I can't help but feel there's something wrong with this scenario. Eh, perhaps I'm starting to get a bit too paranoid like Rias as of late…
"Is something wrong, Takeshi-san?" Asia asked. "You fell silent all of a sudden and you have a serious look on your face."
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Asia-san."
Takeshi responded as the two of them entered Azazel's hidden laboratory by means of a concealed trapdoor behind the main school building. Akeno and Koneko were already there, waiting for them, while Azazel was busy fiddling with one of the many devices scattered around the room.
"Finally, you're here." Azazel said as he lifted his head up. "What took you two so long? Did you stop to have some fun time along the way? If so, then damn, you're a fast worker, aren't you, Takeshi? And seducing an Angel of all things? You're on your way to becoming my best student."
"Hm, I'm not sure if that's an exciting or horrifying prospect." Takeshi said, turning to the other two girls. "What do you think, Akeno, Koneko-chan?"
"…Horrifying."
"Definitely horrifying." Akeno said with a smirk. "I can't even begin to imagine how large Takeshi's harem would become if he started copying Sensei, who was renowned as an unscrupulous playboy back in the old days. All of us are willing to share you, but there's got to be a limit."
"A Devil's harem…" Asia muttered. "For us who believe in holy matrimony between a single man and woman, this is a bizarre and impure custom based on satisfying carnal desires. However, it's obvious that all of you love each other very much, a love that goes beyond mere lust. It's astonishing…"
"Oh, are you curious about it, young Angel?" Azazel grinned. "That's perfect then. Why don't you join this guy's harem and get some first-hand experience? Or better yet, you should join our Grigori and—"
"Ara, ara, that's no good, Sensei." Akeno said, cutting off Azazel's words. "We can't have you trying to get Angels to fall. Keep it up, and I might have to report you to Heaven."
"Hey, can't blame a guy for trying." Azazel said. "Old habits die hard. Alright, enough playing around. Takeshi, get into the device so we can get started. Girls, take your usual positions. As for Asia Argento, I need you to stand next to Koneko and channel Twilight Healing's aura in the panel in front of you."
"R-Right!"
Following Asia's words, everyone did as Azazel asked. Once the procedure began, the Fallen Angel Governor opened several holographic screens in front of him while manipulating a magic circle with his hand.
"Good, the recovery process is showing a slight increase in speed with the addition of Twilight Healing to the mix." Azazel said. "Damage to body tissues and corrosion of the soul are also reduced compared to the last session. All in all, it looks like your increased control and the slight adjustments performed on your body are showing the projected results, Takeshi. You haven't had a serious episode of aura poisoning in weeks, right?"
"Yes, and I'm very grateful for that." Takeshi said. "Guess I should enjoy this bliss until the next Evil Dragon wakes up and decides to make my life a living Hell again. Any news on that front, Sensei? I'd have thought he'd be awake by now, but nothing's different so far."
"I can't detect any changes or abnormalities in Cataclysm Zone's functions, so I believe it's safe to say that the next Sacred Gear is still inactive." Azazel said, creating a holographic projection of Takeshi's belt. "Perhaps the next tier takes more time due to the remaining Evil Dragons' greater power. Moreover, now that four of its embedded auxiliary Sacred Gears have been put under your control, I can discern several more details about the main Gear's functions. Much as I hate to admit it though, I'm not even close to unraveling all the secrets hidden within it. It's almost like…"
"Almost like what?" Takeshi said. "Don't keep us in suspense here, Sensei."
"Sometimes, it feels like the technology within it is out of this world." Azazel said. "Sacred Gears are a complex mix of technology and magic in general, but this one is unique among them. If I could understand its inner workings, perhaps I could even begin uncovering the mysteries of Heaven's System. Right now, this is the extent of what I can do with the information available."
Azazel opened another holographic screen, with the image of what seemed to be like a card-shaped device depicted there.
"…What's that?"
"Oh, just a little something I designed using data derived from the one-time use control device Heaven provided Takeshi with before and my own research." Azazel responded to Koneko's question. "Through it, he should in theory—"
A magic circle appeared next to Azazel's ear at that moment, cutting off his words. A serious expression appeared on his face as he listened to the words coming from it. Once it vanished, he turned to the others.
"There have been a couple of developments on the Youth Rating Game Tournament front." Azazel said. "The one concerning you right now is that your next opponent has been decided. It's Diodora Astaroth."
"Astaroth…"
Takeshi murmured with a fierce expression on his face, with Akeno and Koneko also showing looks filled with fighting spirit.
Later…
"Now that everyone's here, let's start by viewing the recordings of the matches."
Rias said, placing a sophisticated projection device on top of her desk. The members of the Occult Research Club had gathered in their clubroom shortly after Takeshi's treatment was finished in order to review the results of the Rating Game matches that had concluded a while back.
"As you are all aware, the next two Rating Games in the youth tournament, Glasya-Labolas versus Bael and Astaroth versus Agares, occurred almost back-to-back after your game against Sitri ended." Azazel said. "These guys will be your next rivals, so watch their matches closely. First is the game between Zephyrdor and Sairaorg."
Everybody nodded as they turned their attention to the large holographic screen formed by the projector. What was shown in it was an utterly one-sided beatdown. Shortly after the game began, Sairaorg's servants had moved in perfect coordination, eliminating their opponents with little trouble and driving the Glasya-Labolas heir into a corner. From what Takeshi could tell, the Bael heir's team consisted of a balanced mix of offensive and support players, who seamlessly worked together to cover each other's blind spots and take down their foes.
Zephyrdor, who had realized that he was in a highly disadvantageous position following most of his team's retirement, had stepped forward and challenged Sairaorg to a one-on-one duel in a last-ditch effort to turn things around, using crass language and slurs to provoke and agitate him. However, Sairaorg had remained unfazed, accepting his challenge with a simple declaration and stepping forward.
The two Kings' clash had been brief, yet brutal. Zephyrdor's demonic power barrage had proven ineffective against Sairaorg, who shrugged it off with ease as he approached his opponent. The shocked Zephyrdor had used his family's trait, Absolute Defense, to cloak his body in an orange-colored aura that could not only defend, but also absorb enemy attacks to become more robust. Even so, all it took was a single punch from Sairaorg to pierce through Zephyrdor's defenses and send him flying.
Zephyrdor was left convulsing on the ground and cradling his stomach as he struggled to breathe. Upon noticing the approaching Sairaorg, an expression of absolute terror had appeared on his face as he scurried away. Sairaorg caught up to Zephyrdor with ease and took him out with a punch to the face, mirroring the manner in which he had knocked him out in the Youth Devil Gathering.
Once the recording ended, everyone fell silent as they struggled to process what they had witnessed just now. Leon was the first to break the tense silence.
"...Overwhelming." Leon said. "I had heard some rumors about the strongest youth Devil, but after seeing him in action, I can only say I'm glad I'm not facing him in battle any time soon."
"Despite his rotten attitude, Zephyrdor is by no means weak." Rias said. "He was selected as the replacement heir after all, and the Glasya-Labolas' clan trait excels in defense. And yet, he was no match whatsoever for Sairaorg. The game committee had ranked my cousin and his group first in terms of overall ability, but even so, I don't think anyone anticipated such a one-sided match."
"These early estimations don't mean much at his point." Akeno said. "Almost every match so far has served to overturn them and defy everyone's expectations. We also suffered a painful defeat because of that."
"That may be the case, but all we have to do is bounce back, redeem ourselves and overturn everyone's opinions once again by showing an exemplary performance from now on." Takeshi said. "The greater the difficulty level, the sweeter the eventual triumph will be. Right?"
"That's right." Akeno said with a smile. "Nothing has been decided yet."
"Getting back on topic, unlike the majority of High-class Devils, Sairaorg Bael was born without inheriting the Power of Destruction, and even his demonic power reserves are the lowest of the low." Azazel said. "Despite that, he managed to reach the heights that he has by honing his body and mind through intense training, something that most High-class Devils abstain from doing. Underestimate him at your peril."
"I don't believe anyone would be stupid enough to look down on him after that display, least of all us." Xenovia said. "Not to mention, judging from his stance and general disposition during the fight, it's obvious he was holding back. He's going to be a tough opponent for sure."
"That he is, and you will encounter him sooner than expected." Azazel said. "Once you're done with your match against Astaroth, you'll be facing Sairaorg next, probably a couple of weeks after your school trip."
"...How come?" Koneko asked. "Weren't we supposed to fight Glasya-Labolas after Astaroth?"
"Zephyrdor is no good anymore." Azazel said. "Not only his body, but also his will was crushed following his defeat. Seeing his vaunted demonic power rendered ineffective against the perceived failure of the Bael family destroyed his pride and broke him inside. As of right now, the House of Glasya-Labolas is dropping out of the Youth Rating Game Tournament. The competition will go on with the other five houses participating."
Following Azazel's words, Takeshi turned his attention to the holographic screen once again. During the post-game interview, Zephyrdor had refused to comment and left the venue in a hurry. Even so, his dispirited and fearful expression, as well as the tears running down his eyes, were evident for all to see. This image was a far cry from that of the self-assured youth who had proclaimed that he'd become the strongest Devil during the young heirs' gathering.
[An overconfident and incompetent fool incapable of backing up his bluster through and through.] Nidhogg said. [His pitiful end was to be expected. At least I got a good laugh out of his miserable state, so he wasn't completely useless.]
That's a harsh estimation, though not inaccurate. Takeshi thought. Too bad for him, but it looks like he's finished in all aspects. I wouldn't be surprised if the Glasya-Labolas family disowns him and starts looking for another heir.
"Burn this image in your mind, kids." Azazel said. "This is what'll happen if you face Sairaorg with half-baked resolve. That man is aiming to become Devil King in a society where talentless people like him are looked down upon and scorned. Not the slightest bit of hesitation exists there, only the dogged determination to crush all obstacles in his way."
"Resolve and determination aren't things exclusive to Sairaorg-san." Takeshi said. "We also have our own reasons to fight and dreams that we have to fulfil. If the road to our goals goes through him, then we'll overcome him no matter how desperate or determined he is. Not to mention, there's no way in Hell I'm passing up the chance to claim the title of strongest youth for myself."
"Before that though, we should all focus on the match before us." Rias said as she pressed another button on the projector. "Much like Sona against our team, Diodora also showed an exemplary performance during his match against Agares. If anything, it was a bit too exemplary."
"W-What do you mean by that, P-President?"
"Watch and see for yourself."
Following Gasper's query and Rias' response, everyone present turned their attention to the holographic screen displaying the match between Seekvaira and Diodora. Although the game had seemed like it could go either way at first, everything changed when Diodora entered the fray. Using his superior demonic power, he had eliminated all enemy servants that stood in his way with ease, making a beeline for Seekvaira's position.
Upon noticing Diodora's approach, Seekvaira had rushed forward to confront him. Using her family's time manipulation ability, she had attempted to trap him and render him immobile. However, Diodora's demonic power had broken through her technique, with a black steam-like substance oozing out of his body and eroding both the surroundings and Seekvaira's defensive magic circles.
"This is Vile Breath, the Astaroth clan's trait, eh?" Yuuto muttered, his gaze focused on the unfolding battle between the two heirs. "The ability to corrode everything around the user will be rather troublesome to deal with…"
Despite Seekvaira's best efforts, she was overwhelmed by Diodora in the end, resulting in her retirement and the overall defeat of her Peerage. Once the recording was finished, everyone had troubled expressions on their faces as they turned to Rias.
"Even though I'm seeing this with my own eyes for the third time in a row, I still have trouble believing it." Rias said while frowning. "Diodora is strong, but he was never that strong. He should have struggled much more against Seekvaira. If that's supposed to be his growth, it's too abnormal."
"Perhaps he's been hiding his true strength so far?" Pandora suggested. "Maybe he presented himself as weaker than he actually was in order to surprise his opponent?"
"I find that unlikely." Rias said. "Diodora is a typical High-class Devil with a large amount of pride. There's no way he would put up a weak front for such a small advantage instead of flaunting his power. No, somehow, he found a way to increase his power beyond what should be possible in a small amount of time. Even if he was using time dilation field, such a radical increase makes no sense. There are also all the rumors surrounding Diodora to consider, which paint a grim picture…"
"…Asia?" Dia asked the young Angel, who seemed troubled, next to her. "…Something wrong?"
"That gentleman…" Asia said with a frown. "I can't help but feel I've seen him somewhere before…"
At that moment, the large transfer magic circle in the clubroom lit up, with an unfamiliar symbol appearing on it.
"Speak of the Devil and he shall appear…" Akeno muttered. "That's the seal of Astaroth."
"…What do they want with us at this point?"
Koneko asked, mirroring everyone's thoughts. Following a flash of light, a familiar youth materialized in the clubroom, a pleasant smile on his face.
"How do you do, everyone?" Diodora greeted the group. "It is I, Diodora Astaroth."
"Diodora?" Rias said, raising an eyebrow. "That's an unexpected visit. What brings you here?"
"Common courtesy requires me to greet you before our upcoming match." Diodora said. "Moreover…"
Diodora's gaze zeroed in on Asia, with his smile becoming wider. For some reason, Takeshi felt something sinister coming from him.
"The information I received was true." Diodora said. "It's been quite some time, Asia Argento. You haven't changed much since our encounter. No, that's not exactly true. You've become even more radiant and beautiful than before."
"Um...do I know you?" Asia asked. "You seem familiar, but…"
"Perhaps this will help refresh your memory?"
Diodora said as he lifted his shirt up, revealing a big scar on his chest.
"The healing wasn't complete back then, so a scar remained." Diodora said. "Even so, it's an undeniable fact that you saved my life."
"You are…the Devil from that time?"
"That's right." Diodora said. "Our meeting back then, I can't help but feel it was fate. I know we belong in different factions, but I can't deny this feeling inside me. I'm in love with you, Asia. That's why, I want to ask this; will you marry me?"
Suffice to say, everyone was shocked by this sudden proposal that came out of the blue. Asia was stunned for a bit, but then a sad smile appeared on her face.
"I'm sorry, Diodora-san." Asia said while bowing her head. "I can't respond to your feelings, at least not right now. My duties as an Angel and Raphael-sama's Queen come before anything else. Not to mention, we know almost nothing about each other…"
"An Angel, eh…?"
Diodora murmured, his expression falling a bit for a couple of seconds. However, his usual smile quickly appeared on his features once again as he spoke.
"I am…overjoyed to hear that your choice didn't result in disastrous consequences for you, and that you were elevated to a status that befits your personality." Diodora said. "As for my proposal, you can take your time considering it. Both you and I are members of races with long lifespans, so we have all the time in the world to get acquainted with each other. In time, I'm confident you'll come to accept my love."
[Pretty boy over there sounds like he's reading from a script.] Orochi remarked. [Unlike before, there's no passion or desire for that blond-haired cutie in his voice.]
There's definitely something off about him. Takeshi thought. After that annoying Lord Vassago, he might be the most Devil-like individual I've met so far from our side.
"Since you've taken the trouble to come all the way here, allow me to congratulate you in person." Rias said. "Your match against Agares, who was ranked second in the initial evaluations, was splendid. I was rather surprised by your unexpected and sudden growth. You must have trained a lot in secret."
"Well, you could say I was rather…motivated to prove myself in this tournament." Diodora smirked. "You and I, we can't live in our illustrious relatives' shadows for the rest of our lives, can we? If there is a secret behind my strength, perhaps it's that burning desire of mine to excel. Sona Sitri must have felt the same way, considering she overturned the majority's expectations and triumphed against you."
"Hoh, that's an interesting way to put it." Rias smiled, though if one looked closer, they would notice her eye was twitching. "Are you insinuating that my resolve is lacking? You had best not look down on me and my Peerage, or else the upcoming game might take a dark turn for you."
"My, there is no need to be so antagonistic, Rias." Diodora grinned. "I was only making a simple observation. If you have something to prove or say, do so during our match. I'm certain it will be a thrilling and exciting game. Well, I have tarried here long enough, and there are several matters I need to attend to. Good day to all of you, and I wish you good luck in the upcoming game. You will certainly need it."
"Took the words right out of my mouth, Diodora."
Rias glowered at the Astaroth heir, who chuckled as the light of teleportation engulfed him. In a manner of seconds, he had vanished from the Occult Research Club's clubroom.
"Well, that was an…interesting meeting." Leon said. "For someone who claimed to be in love with Asia-chan here though, Diodora Astaroth seemed to have lost interest in her by the end of this conversation. Not that I have a problem with that, mind you. He seems like a shady individual, or rather, an archetypical Devil."
"…Rotten." Dia nodded, a deep scowl on her face. "…Duplicitous."
"If half the rumors about him are true, I can see why you'd think that." Rias said. "Sona told me some time after the youth gathering that, according to what she's heard, Diodora has a peculiar fetish; going after nuns and conspiring to get them exiled from the Church before swooping in to reincarnate them as his servants and eventual sex slaves. A despicable practice, but one that is looked upon favorably in the traditionalists' circles."
"Wait a minute." Takeshi said, a look of horrified realization on his face. "Conspiring to get nuns exiled, and Asia-san encountering Diodora in a wounded state and in an area where members of the Church would be likely to see her healing him… Don't tell me!"
"That lowlife!" Leon shouted. "He set her up! Because of him, Asia-chan almost ended up getting exiled, or worse! Why, I've half a mind to go into the Underworld and beat him within an inch of his life before dragging him to prison!"
"I understand how you feel, Leon." Xenovia said with a scowl. "I'm no longer a member of the Church, but I still can't forgive what that bastard has done, especially to such a sweet and kind girl like Asia."
"My sentiments are similar to yours, Xenovia." Yuuto said, a cold smile on her face. "Treating people as playthings is something that shouldn't be allowed. If society won't punish him, then it falls to us to put an end to his filthy habits."
"Can't we do something about Diodora through the official routes?" Irina asked. "Perhaps report him to the higher-ups and get him to stand trial? As a warrior of the Church and Michael-sama's Ace, I can't let him get away with this!"
"Not much we can do at this point, I'm afraid." Azazel said. "I've heard about the rumors as well, but at this point, we can't launch a full-blown investigation based on them. Diodora has the substantial backing of several influential nobles belonging to the Great King Faction, and if we attempt anything without solid proof, they'll accuse us of trying to remove him from the tournament through underhanded means. This could cause problems for Sirzechs and the others."
"In that case, we have two more reasons to beat Diodora in the upcoming game." Takeshi said. "We can't allow a pawn of the traditionalists like him increase his reputation even further by defeating us, and we have to make him pay for his sinister deeds like Yuuto said. If we can show that he's no match for us even with his newfound power, it's likely the nobles backing him will leave him hanging out to dry."
"My thoughts exactly." Rias said with a fierce expression. "That pompous prick won't know what hit him."
"…Asia." Dia said, wrapping her hands around the young Angel. "…Feeling alright?"
"I…I'm shocked by this to be honest…" Asia said, her body trembling a bit. "Devils are known to be vile and manipulative…but for one to injure themselves in order to get me exiled and enslave me afterwards…"
"…Not all Devils are bad." Koneko said. "We would never do something like that."
"T-That's right, Asia-chan!" Gasper said with as angry of an expression as he could manage. "That scummy guy is n-nothing like President and the r-rest of us!"
"I know that." Asia said with a small smile, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Everyone here is proof that not all teachings about Devils and Fallen Angels are correct. It's just…I couldn't help my reaction to this revelation…"
"That's perfectly understandable, Asia-chan." Akeno said, turning to Azazel. "Sensei, now that Diodora stood before you, were you able to figure out anything that might lead us to the secret behind his abnormal increase in power?"
"Right now, I can only make assumptions." Azazel said. "I'll get to the bottom of this one way or another though. You kids focus on training and getting stronger for the upcoming match against that nasty brat."
"Speaking of training, what's going on with the underground training space they're preparing for us in Gremory territory?" Yuuto asked. "Are they close to finishing it? I'd like to use the time dilation field again for more efficient training."
"Unfortunately, the estimated time of its completion is shortly after the upcoming game." Rias said. "All of you will have to make do with regular training methods for a little longer. Right now though, let's focus on our club activities for a change of pace. No need to sour the mood even further."
Murmurs of ascent were heard as everyone took their usual seats. At that moment, Takeshi's phone rang once. Taking it out, he read the brief message sent to it, his eyes narrowing as he did so.
"…Everything alright, Senpai?" Koneko asked from her usual seat on Takeshi's lap. "You seem troubled."
"It's nothing, Koneko-chan." Takeshi said with a smile. "Just a reminder from my parents that they'll be pulling another all-nighter. Guess that means I can take more contracts once again tonight."
"…Don't push yourself, Senpai."
Koneko said as the two of them returned their attention to the meeting.
At night…
"It should be around here somewhere…"
Takeshi said as he checked the map on his phone once again before looking around. Having finished his contracts for the night, he had headed out without notifying anyone in search of a particular shop in one of the nearby town's side streets. After a couple of minutes, he finally arrived at his destination, a small ramen shop with a rather homely feel.
"Figures…"
Takeshi chuckled as he entered the shop, which was almost empty at this time. Ordering a plate of gyoza, he sat down, but before he could begin eating, he tensed as he sensed a familiar presence materializing next to him.
"Ordering gyoza in a ramen shop? I see you are still the same filthy heretic as always."
Turning his gaze to the side, Takeshi saw that Vali had taken the seat next to him, a disapproving look on his face.
"Piss off." Takeshi said as he brought a dumpling to his mouth. "My money, my choice. More importantly, you've got a lot of nerve intruding on alliance territory in such a brazen manner and sending me a message like this, Shadow Moon."
Taking his cellphone out, Takeshi showed Vali the brief message he had received a while back, which read [To Black Sun. Come to these coordinates alone after midnight. Shadow Moon.] and had the address of this ramen shop attached to it.
"You're pretty bold yourself, actually coming here on your own to meet a renowned terrorist." Vali grinned as the owner placed a plate of shoyu ramen before him. "Did you not consider the possibility that this could be a trap?"
"I did, but I wasn't too worried." Takeshi shrugged. "Even if it was one, I was confident I could fight my way out of it if need be. I already kicked your butt once, and I've grown even stronger ever since, something your monkey pal can attest to."
"Yes, Bikou did mention you had unlocked yet another Balance Breaker." Vali said after slurping some noodles. "However, I haven't been sitting idle since our battle in the conference either. Also, might I remind you that you only won that time because of Crom Cruach's aid, a one-time occurrence? If we fought right now in a no-holds-barred duel, I assure you that the end result would be quite different."
"Perhaps, perhaps not." Takeshi said. "In any case, if this isn't some elaborate scheme, why are you here, Vali? Are you finally willing to leave the Khaos Brigade and join us like you should have done from the very start, or do we have to do this the hard way after all?"
"You know the answer to that, Takeshi." Vali said. "I only came here to give you a small heads-up as a favor from one old friend to another. You should be wary of Diodora Astaroth. There's more to him that meets the eye, and none of it is good."
"We had kind of figured that out ourselves." Takeshi said with a scowl. "But if you're going out of your way to warn me, that means Diodora has ties to the Khaos Brigade. The sudden increase in his power, is it because of Ophis' snake?"
"Correct." Vali said. "He has made a deal of a sorts with the Khaos Brigade, offering his support in exchange for more power. I thought you would be interested in learning that, seeing as you're set to fight him in a few days' time."
"I knew that bastard could only have obtained this much power through a shady way." Takeshi growled. "Even so, it won't save him when we get our hands on him. I'm grateful for the info you provided, but I can't help but wonder why you told me this. You're basically betraying the organization you're a part of."
"Like I told you, I'm only doing you a small favor." Vali said as he slurped some more noodles. "It's a whim of mine, nothing more."
"Yeah, I'm not sure I'm buying this." Takeshi snorted. "Either way, it seems your loyalty to the Khaos Brigade is rather shaky. If so, that's perfect. Ditch these crazy guys and come back to our side, Vali. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated, and I would be a lot less worried about you pulling some crazy stunt that will land you in every Pantheon's hit list."
"Don't concern yourself with me, Takeshi." Vali made a dismissive gesture. "I have my own reasons for doing this, and I'm determined to see this to the end."
"And what reasons are these, pray tell?" Takeshi insisted. "They'd better be some damn important ones considering you're risking your neck the longer you stay in that terrorist organization. If you joined us and fought for the sake of peace like we do, you—"
"Peace, you say?" Vali said, cutting off Takeshi. "What exactly is this peace you speak of? I'm certain you and those around you have your own definition of it, but there are those whose views will clash with yours. What you consider peace might be a pain for someone else, and it's this disparity that gives birth to radicals like the Khaos Brigade. That's just the way things are. The ideal world where everyone can be happy doesn't exist."
"That is true, but there are some desires in this world that are best left unfulfilled." Takeshi said in a firm manner. "Even if it means I have to crush someone else and their ideal world, I will still reject those whose ambitions only serve to inflict evil upon others. Are you going to deny that view too by using that moral relativism nonsense argument and insist there's no true good and evil?"
"I don't know about true good, but true evil does exist." Vali said with a dark expression. "I've seen it with my own eyes, and felt its touch on my own skin."
"The person you are trying to kill." Takeshi said with narrowed eyes. "I assume that's the one you're referring to. Who is it?"
"…Rizevim Livan Lucifer." Vali said after a brief silence, his expression filled with hatred. "The son of the Morning Star…and my very own grandfather. Razevan, my father, is also one of my targets, but considering the fact he was a mere puppet of Rizevim's, he's a lower priority target."
"Rizevim…" Takeshi muttered. "Where have I heard that name before…?"
"If you have heard it, it's most likely because it was mentioned together with that of Sirzechs Gremory and Ajuka Astaroth." Vali said. "So far, those three are the only Transcendentals, Devils with power that goes beyond the norm and reaches the territory of Gods, that have been born over the course of Devilkind's long history."
"Damn, he's that strong?" Takeshi whistled. "From the way you talk about him though, he must also be complete scum."
"He's the individual closest to the traditional definition of Devil, or perhaps you could even go as far as to call him an incarnation of pure malice and evil." Vali spat out. "Rizevim takes pleasure in one thing, and one thing alone; causing the greatest amount of chaos in order to inflict the most despair he can."
"Sounds like a bunch of twisted fellows I'm intimately familiar with."
"Rizevim had made it a habit to torment his servants and Low-class Devils in various manners, both physical and psychological, for laughs." Vali continued. "During the Great War, he was responsible for a number of atrocious plots that claimed the lives of both friend and foe, reveling in the carnage. When the Civil War occurred, he refused to help the other descendants of the Old Devil Kings, claiming that it was 'funnier to watch them and their world crumble to pieces around them'. All that should tell you how much of a depraved scumbag he is."
"Yeah, from what you're telling me, he's a sadistic bastard that deserves to rot in the deepest pits of Hell." Takeshi said. "However, the reason you hate him, it sounds like something more personal."
"…It is." Vali said with a low voice. "When I was born, my father was terrified of me. Not only did I inherit both of my ancestor's traits and a large amount of demonic power, but I also got Divine Dividing due to being half-human. Compared to me and Rizevim, Razevan was an unremarkable Devil. While he was troubling over how to deal with me…Rizevim urged him to abuse me in order to break my spirit and establish dominance. My father, ever the weak-willed bastard, went along with that. Because of them…my early childhood was the worst. If it wasn't for my mother, I might have gone crazy."
"Those lowlifes…!" Takeshi growled, his hands balled into fists. "To think they would do such a thing to their own family…that's unforgivable!"
"That's why I strove to become stronger as a Lucifer and as the White Dragon Emperor." Vali said, clasping his hands together. "I refuse to experience that feeling of powerlessness again, to let these maggots get away with their crimes. I will find them—and I will kill them with my own hands."
"Find then?" Takeshi frowned. "They've disappeared?"
"Yes." Vali nodded. "Both the old and current governments are unaware of it, but Lucifer had prepared several hidden residences around the Underworld for him and his descendants to use. My grandfather and father had been using one of these residences, but vacated it after I left the house. Since I wasn't made aware of the location of the other safehouses, I have no idea where they are now. I was hoping the Khaos Brigade might provide some leads, but so far, I've come up empty. Still, I don't intend to give up."
"That wouldn't be like you after all." Takeshi said. "Is that the only reason you're willing to throw your lot with these terrorists, or is there more to it?"
"There is, but I'll keep that a secret for now." Vali grinned, making a shush gesture. "This was a nice chat, but I should be off. One of your friends seems to have caught wind of our meeting."
"Huh?"
Following Vali's line of sight, Takeshi saw Pandora crouching behind a corner in the distance, observing the shop's interior with narrowed eyes.
"Pandora?" Takeshi frowned. "What's she doing here? Either way, this discussion isn't over yet, Vali. I still—"
Takeshi turned to Vali, only to let out a surprised gasp upon realizing that the silver-haired youth had vanished into thin air.
"Son of a hellhound…" Takeshi grumbled. "He pulled a Batman vanish on me, and he also left me his bill to settle on top of that. Damn cheapskate…"
After paying for the meal, Takeshi exited the ramen shop, with Pandora rushing to his side.
"Are you alright, Takeshi?" Pandora asked in a hurry. "Vali-san didn't do anything to you, right?"
"As you can see, I'm fine." Takeshi said. "Why are you here though, Pandora? Did you follow me or something?"
"I did…" Pandora said with an embarrassed expression. "I caught a glimpse of that strange message you received from the side, and I was worried that something might happen to you. Because of me though, Vali-san disappeared. I'm really sorry…"
"It's alright." Takeshi said. "Our conversation was almost over after all. I doubt any further argument I made would have got through his thick skull. Easier to flip over a mountain that dissuade him from his chosen course of action."
"He's not the only one with that trait." Pandora grinned, but then her expression became serious. "Why did you come here alone without notifying anyone, Takeshi? Vali-san may be your friend, but right now, he's a terrorist who betrayed Grigori and Azazel-sensei. What if he was planning to capture or kill you? If something had happened to you, I…"
"I believe in my friend." Takeshi said. "Vali isn't the type of person who would use underhanded means to harm me regardless of what the Khaos Brigade might have asked him to do. He's a straightforward kind of guy, and I've become even more convinced that nothing fundamental has changed about him after our talk."
The fact that he had chosen to warn him about Diodora, his past with Rizevim and his lack of hostility towards him and the current order, all that only served to reinforce Takeshi's belief that Vali wasn't an enemy despite his current affiliations. That gave him hope that all of them could stand together once again in the near future.
"Even after everything that has happened, you can still speak with such conviction about your friend…" Pandora let out a faint smile. "I wonder, if I ended up betraying you, if my cursed fate caused you and the others to suffer…would you still believe in me? Would you still…stay by my side…?"
"Why are you asking questions to which you already know the answers?" Takeshi smiled, placing his hand on Pandora's shoulder. "I will never turn my back on you, Pandora. If you ended up becoming some sort of bad girl somehow, I would give you a thorough scolding, and then bring you back home with a smile. That's a promise."
"Why…?" Pandora said, her voice quivering. "Why can you say that so easily…? Why do you always make me hope? Even though you of all people should know how fearsome fate is…"
"Nothing scares me, because nothing is beyond my ability to change." Takeshi said. "That's the resolve I gained after going through several trials so far. Pandora, even if you can't believe in your future yet, at least believe that I will never stop fighting to prevent it from turning into a tragedy. Me and the others, we will stay by your side no matter what."
"I'm sorry…" Pandora sighed. "You must be sick and tired by now of reassuring the terrified me all the time. Even so…I can't help but feel grateful that you keep doing so. My selfishness knows no bounds…"
"That's par for the course when it comes to Devils like us, so don't worry about it." Takeshi grinned. "Anyway, we should head back. I need to speak to Rias and Azazel-sensei about some concerning things Vali mentioned. Unless you'd like us to have a late-night date before that?"
"Maybe some other time."
Pandora smiled as she formed a teleportation magic circle beneath her feet, with Takeshi stepping in it. One flash of light later, the two youths had vanished from the area.
[I see. Vali Lucifer contacted Takeshi-kun of his own accord then? Does this have something to do with the information regarding Diodora Astaroth that he forwarded to us a few days ago?]
Sirzechs asked Azazel, who was sitting at his desk in his secret laboratory beneath Kuoh Academy while facing the Devil King's projection.
"That's right." Azazel said. "Apparently, Vali was somewhat worried about his friend being used as bait in our upcoming plan, hence why he chose to give him a heads-up about Diodora. Geez, way to make things more complicated than they already are…"
[I can't blame him for that though.] Sirzechs said. [Even I am less than enthusiastic about throwing Rias in the middle of what will surely turn into a chaotic battlefield, where death is a distinct possibility. Is there no other way to do this, Azazel?]
"If we want to deal a decisive blow to two major factions within the Khaos Brigade, then no, there isn't." Azazel said. "Trust me, I don't like this any more than you do, especially since Vali was unable to provide information regarding the specifics of these nutjobs' plan. Even so, we can't let this opportunity go to waste no matter what. Crippling the Old Devil King Faction and the Titan Worshippers here means less headaches for us down the line. We'll do our best to ensure nothing happens to the kids, and if it does…I'll atone with my life if need be."
[We will all do our best so that it doesn't come to that.] Sirzechs said. [What are Rias and Takeshi-kun planning to do with the information they got from Vali?]
"For now, I convinced them to stay put and not go after Diodora." Azazel said. "I stressed the fact that we have no solid evidence about his misdeeds other than Vali's words, and that they should focus on exposing him during the game. Fortunately, they both agreed to do just that."
[Perhaps we should have let them know about the upcoming plan.] Sirzechs said. [Then again, leaks can come from everywhere, so we can never be too cautious. On an unrelated note, there's another bit of good news. Ra has agreed to meet with us, Odin and Zeus to discuss about the possibility of an alliance.]
"Ra?" Azazel raised an eyebrow. "That's a surprise. I thought that old Sun God had withdrawn himself completely from worldly affairs after Isis forced him to abdicate in favor of Osiris long ago and Apophis was sealed by Deus Trinity."
[So did I, but apparently, he's concerned about Ophis' movements and the state of the world in general.] Sirzechs said. [He may no longer be Chief God, since Horus holds that position now, but he remains one of the most powerful Gods around and still exerts some influence over the Egyptian Pantheon. With him on our side, perhaps we can entice the other Gods of his Pantheon into joining the alliance as well.]
"I wouldn't hold my breath about that, especially after the whole Ten Plagues fiasco." Azazel said. "Still, if he can aid us in subjugating the terrorists, I can't ask for anything more at this stage."
[Agreed.] Sirzechs said, and then a smile appeared on his face. [By the way, I heard that Shemhazai from your side tied the knot with a female Devil from the Dantalion clan, and they're also expecting a child. Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations.]
"I'll be sure to pass them on…" Azazel sighed. "Damn, before I knew it, all leaders of Grigori got married and I was left as the only single guy. Shit, do I have to put up with their looks of pity for the rest of my life…?"
[You could always find a nice woman and settle down yourself, Azazel.] Sirzechs said. [It's not too late for that.]
"Pass." Azazel said. "Matrimony means less time to spend on my research, and I wouldn't be able to stand that. It's why I stopped forming harems after a while back in the old days."
[Even so, you should still consider it.] Sirzechs said. [Eternity without a partner next to you can be rather dull. In any case, I will leave the finer details of the plan to you.]
"You got it. These bastards won't know what hit them."
Azazel smiled, a fierce expression appearing on his face.
This concludes Chapter 47. First, in response to your reviews.
—To yugioh8392: You're not wrong about that. There's a sort of grudging respect from the Evil Dragons' side, and Takeshi is learning to tolerate their antics. It's small, but there is progress.
—To RyukiPendragon: I've heard about that theory regarding the Gremory clan's trait as well. Considering the fact that Rias is training under Runeas in DX7 to develop it though, it's likely it'll turn out to be something else.
This was a bit of a downtime chapter meant mostly to set a couple of things up for the future. The Astaroth clan's original trait, Vile Breath, was also shown briefly here. As for why Ajuka ended up developing an ability that is in no way related to his family's trait, I'm chalking it up to his mutation focusing on his brain, which, coupled with the Devils' ability to alter the environment and even their bodies through demonic power, resulted in the creation of Kankara Formula. The clan trait Zephyrdor used here is based on Falbium's Absolute Defense ability that was shown in DxD Zero. If I recall correctly, the story doesn't clarify whether that was the Glasya-Labolas' clan trait and Falbium developed its offensive application, Offensive Position, or whether both moves can only be performed by Falbium, so I'm going with the first scenario.
Well, that's all for now. As always, please read, review, favorite, follow, but most of all, enjoy!
See you all next time!