Disclaimer: DxD does not belong to me~.
Garith Gremory(Riz-kun): Our protagonist. The path of destruction, on stage! From here on out, this is his stage! (lvl. 100)
Vs.
Layxa Paimon (Lexa-chan): Antagonist, maybe? The knightess of spear! She shall show you the meaning of true strength! (Lvl. 101)
Hello, everyone! Garith Gremory here!
At least, that's the name I go by nowadays…
The date is set, and our fates, sealed. The duel between the heirs of the Gremory and Paimon to decide the outcome of this engagement will take place within a week from here on, and in the meanwhile, both scions were allowed to do practically anything except leave the Underworld as for it would be a sign of forfeiting per technicality.
This uneasiness brought by this predicament left me with no energy nor will to try to distract myself with shopping or games, nor will make me look good in front of my peers and servants not that I mind all that much. The idea of fighting a person who's a natural leave me unquiet too, for unlike those I've fought before, her mechanics are… unusual, to say the least. Iza-kun was the same case, and for that, I won't make the same mistake.
With that in mind, there is only one thing I, Garith of the duke clan of devils Gremory, should do now. And that is…
Laze around.
Eat snacks.
Watch something on Devitube.
Enjoy my free time as I can.
And try not to think about the duel too much.
Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.
Yeah, that's what I'm doing.
Life is good…
…
*STAB!*
Gah! Surprise attack from above!
"What do you think you're doing, I inquire?" I just dodged a fork to the head, which swiftly stabbed the soft leather of the couch I was laying on, and shaking the daze off from that sudden offense, I look up to see my [QUEEN] Hippolyta pull her weapon up and make it dance around her fingertips, a displeased expression on her cute face, which I might have an idea the why for that. "You had a week of respite before your duel with that heiress, I shall remind you, yet here you are, wasting it with nothing but idyllic goof. Are you aware that the heiress you shall fight against might be improving herself as you slowly rot away in hedonistic failure? Better yet, shouldn't you be improving yourself as we speak, I demand?"
"Meh, Layxa-chan is a genius, so it's pretty unlikely that she's training herself to improve, if at all. People like her have their pride as their biggest asset… and weakness. I bet she's wasting herself away just like myself… or having even more fun." I respond, sitting properly on the couch while wiping off the sugary gloss all over my lips. Knowing the kind of person Layxa-chan is, aka a complete mirror of yours truly, I know for sure that her mind is also miles away from any type of physical effort. My queen still frowns, and for that, I yawn and lay back on the couch, getting even more ire with her, but I don't care. "As for me… there's no point in me trying to improve for this match, if I'm not ready now, I won't be ready ever. So, I won't bother much, just let myself relax, get psyched in the downtime and figure things as I go, like I always do."
"And has that ever worked in your favour, I ask?"
"You tell me, princess." I turn to her once again, and as she lifts her fork to try to stab me once again, realization stabs her like an arrow, and with a frown and gritted teeth, she lowers her weapon with a dissatisfied groan. I offer her an empty smile and a shrug. "Remember our deal, right, Hippolyta? Don't worry, I won't disgrace myself and you in this match, nor I am going to lose for so little. It's just… I won't get any stronger nor smarter nor faster in this spam of a week even if I tried, so all I can do is wait for the match while trying to not stress myself out."
"Is that so? How can you be so sure about your evolution, I wonder?" still with an irritated yet softer face, the Amazonian asks me this, something I have the answer for, but she won't understand, at all. Still, she deserves something…
"Because… I peaked."
"You… Peaked, I ask?"
"Yeah, I peaked." I echoed my own response with a finger in the air, pointing at the translucid window above my head. "See?"
[GARITH GREMORY]
[LVL. 100] (MAX LEVEL REACHED)
I got this notification as I studied and got a few more stats during those lectures. What do you know?
I mean, that's only natural. Games weren't supposed to go on forever, and some balance like level caps are needed so people can get creative and make those stats matter. People love to throw around words like 'potential', 'development' and 'possibilities', but 'limits' are also an important aspect of games.
Though, seriously? Peaking during my adolescence, ain't that a bit too mean? I mean, I'm glad that I can at least see my progress, but does that mean I'm one of those people who peak during Highschool and spend the rest of their lives as loser nobodies? Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~…
Let's put those worries away until we reach middle-age, me. For now, we should focus on the now and how we can fight that Paimon chick for our freedom. You're right, me. After all, this is a duel, not a proper [RATING GAME], therefore I only must psych myself up and be ready to go, specially since I already peaked and I'm against who has not capped yet. This ought to be fun, but not in a harmless way.
"Since I peaked, there is no need for further training or uncertainty. I'll give my all out there, and if I either win or lose, it's GG, it is what it is." I yawn once again, using my hands as pillows behind my head and trying to pull some Z's back, making my mind drift away from those pesky matters "So I won't worry. I said that I'll win, and that's what I'm going to do. Or, oh my, are you worried about lil'ol' me? Are you feeling a certain fear for my safety and wellbeing? Aw~, you didn't have t-…"
*STAB!*
"Joking, joking! C'mon!" and I dodge another barrage of pointy stabs from her fork as she tortures the poor leather of the sofa, her ever expressionless face sharping to say that she wants me dead on a stick for not taking any of this serious! I was wrong in playing with her like that, she has absolute no chill regarding stuff like this! Eventually, as she was about to stab me in the eye, I grab her by the wrist a few inches from my sight and held her in place, but not without some struggle! She really wants to tickle my brain through the socket! "Learn to take a joke, princess!"
"Or maybe it is you who's not taking this seriously enough, I retort." She pushes further and further and approaches me until we were face to face, the length of a fork being the true distance between us. "May I remind you of our vow, I inquire? If you were to ever falter or shown weakness as a king and leader, I myself would make you regret reviving me into one of your [EVIL PIECES], I recall. What you're saying nor doing does not assist you in your cause whatsoever. Are you deliberately tempting me to kill you, I dread?"
"As if, I tasted death before, and hate it so much I came back from it! Just give me a chance, I'm gonna do my best, you'll see!"
"And what if that's not enough, I dread? Ever imagined that, I ask? Did you ever…?"
*DON!*
And then I finally shut her up with a blow to the stomach. Did I say 'blow'? by that I mean a handful of power of destruction right on the side of her abdomen, erasing her midsection by half. The sphere of annihilation cauterized part of the massive damage, but as soon as she noticed my offense, she held her body as guts and blood spilled too fast for my skill. The pain and horror soon took over the initial shock, and she slide off me to a side and fell onto the ground, splashing a rather unsightful puddle of blood and crawling like a worm, a vermin, all while bile and blood escapes her lips.
"Y-You…"
"You know, there is a limit of how much of a nice guy I can be. Here I am trying to say that I have everything under control, and what you do? You spit on my efforts and face!" I stand up and walk towards her, the difference in speed being so absurd I caught up with her pace in no time. Once next to her, I kick her head so that she could face upwards and then stomp on her chest, spilling even more of her organs and blood like she's an insect which I would accidentally step on in a walk. She coughs as little by little her skin turns paler and her eyes become emptier. "I'm trying my best, okay?! I really am! I do my chores daily, I train my ass off as much as everyone else, but you're always asking for more, and more! and MORE AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE! CAN'T YOU AT LEAST SEE I'M TRYING MY BEST?! THAT ALL I WANT TO DO IS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY?!"
"W-What on earth are you ab-…?"
"BUT IT'S NEVER ENOUGH FOR YOU! IT'S ALWAYS 'JIROU SCORED THE HIGHEST ON HIS GRADE'! 'JIROU WAS ABLE TO ACE THE NATIONALS'! 'JIROU FOUND A SWEETHEART WHO HAS SUCH A BRIGHT FUTURE'! JIROU THIS, JIROU THAT! I'M YOUR SON, TOO!" I let myself fall onto the ground on top of my old lady and held her bloodied head by the sides, as her eyes began to cry and confusion turned to horror as I slowly burnt her head by the sides with my power of destruction. Why, why, why, why?! JUST WHY?! "WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME?! WHY CAN'T YOU ACCEPT ME?! EVERYTHING I AM DOING IS TO MAKE YOU PROUD AND HAPPY! EVERYTHING I'M DOING IS FOR YOUR APPROVAL!"
"Garith, no…!"
"SO WHY CAN'T YOU SEE I'M DOING MY BEST?!"
*SPLASH!*
…
…
…
And it was already too late.
I wake up from a terrible nightmare only to face another, this time way, way worse.
I am sitting on a pool of blood and guts, crimson and black tainting everywhere, and the taste of iron finding itself into my mouth as my vision is also tinted in red. My trembling, flicker hands are filled with grey matter and power of destruction, my inherited skill getting rid of the rest that was left of what once was with its black existence, but some chunks of brain, skull and skin remained to remind myself of what transpired…
… I've killed my [QUEEN]. In a moment of weakness, I've killed my beloved Hippolyta.
This house which I so invitingly welcomed her to now became a grave for her lifeless, gutless, headless body.
W-what… N-No… I mean… Mother… She's the one whom…! I am always… Why didn't she…! But she was right here and…! Hippolyta, how did she…?!
Stress built up inside me until I couldn't take it, I retched all the sweets in my system as I now stand on a revolting puddle of blood, bile and guts. Why… how… I just… Wanted to make her stop… I just… Wanted mom to stop judging me… I just wanted her… To be happy to have me as her son…
Why… Why is Hippolyta here? Why… why is she… Dead?
Except she isn't.
"Eh…?"
"Hm…?" And once I blink, I see my beloved [QUEEN] still trying to stab me in the eye, but once seeing my confusion, she ceases her attempts and looks at me with a puzzled gaze. One, two seconds, and I realize that now is also real… Kinda. I blink a few times, and gather my thoughts a bit, dismissing her assaulting hand to a side and taking a deep breath. "Oh, hm… S-Sorry about that, I just… had a very unpleasant reverie."
"Is that so, I wonder?" She lowers her weapon and stands up from me, crossing her arms.
"Y-Yeah, I let my intrusive thoughts win for once." I turn to her, and trying to disarm the awkwardness, I smile to her, a toothy grin that is probably anything but joyful.
I had a moment there.
Pretty gruesome too.
You know that chapter in Pet Sematary where Louis saves Gage from the truck and became a gold medallist, only for Louis to wake up and realize that was a dream and Gage was still dead? Yeah, something like that, only on the flip side.
So, this is a psychotic attack…
Neat.
"Buuuut~, anyway, anyhow, you don't have to worry about me. Have some faith in your [KING], why don't you?" I respond, and with a slap I swipe away another attempt on my life from her. This is starting to get annoying, I hope she realizes that. "If you have doubts about my strength, then what is you, who lost to me? If you pride yourself so much, have some trust in someone who's stronger than you. As if I'd make a fool out of myself, anyway."
"…"
"Puh-leez? Puh-leez with cream on top? And chocolate chips? Maraschino cherry?"
"Convincing arguments, I vex. Using my own pride to shield yourself from my wrath, I remove all the ill intents towards your intelligence… Mostly." She backs away, twirls her fork between her fingers and turns away, a hand waving away in order to dismiss her own negativity. She's such a pain to deal with, but then again, she's my beloved [QUEEN], and if she gets on my nerves too much, I can just kill her and replace her as seen before… Hahahahah! What am I thinking? "Serve yourself then, I conclude. I shall trust you in order to humour you, but the moment another fault arises, do not expect me to comply to your whims again, I warn. You are very aware… How much I truly loathe that personality of yours, specially knowing your relatives."
"Every family has a black sheep, and if that means my siblings shall shine even brighter, so be it. wouldn't you do the same for your sisters or mother?" I open a half-hearted smile at her, and turning her head around and giving a side glance, I see another stare that would probably vaporize me if looks could kill. "I know they would, definitely… maybe. It's just a hunch, just a hunch though."
"Hm."
"Ah, look what you made me do! Now I'm getting worried and stressed! A mind sharp for the occasion should always be calm, collected and well-adjusted. My chances of winning plummet a bunch! Oh well." I shrug, laying back on the comfortable sofa and trying to regain my comfortable posture and sleep. All my stats are as limited as they can, my spirits are ceiling-high and all I need is a clear mind and a healthy body to withstand the upcoming challenge. Nothing more, nothing less, thus the philosophy of Garith Gremory. "Better restock those before the great fight. A clear mind, a clear body and spirit are also important, y'know."
She says nothing, only leaves the place, and once again, I have peace. It may not last at all, considering all the crazy things that have happened as of lately, but it is peace regardless, and nothing should disturb it. I still have a week or so to prepare and psych myself up, and that's all that I need to know for sure that I can and will wipe the floor with the heiress of Paimon, but not with her face since she is a quite a cutie. I should also prepare myself for the beatdown that might occur too…
But oh well, that's a problem for the future, a problem for the next week. All that I need now is peace, and all is good in the world…
…
"Garith, your [RATING GAME] is today. "
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT~…?!" I blink once to return to sleep and out of nowhere my mother Venelana drops this bomb on me, making me fall on my ass! What?! What the hell, I just took a nap! Don't tell me the Underworld is also where time is distorted! I guess time management is something I just can't learn, no matter how many lifetimes! I look up and see a disappointed yet amused look on the devil that I now call my mother, and once the warning given, she walks away with a smile.
"I shall inform the judges that you're now aware of that. Well, groom yourself and be prepared for the game, do not let the heiress of Paimon wait too long, that is rude."
"U-Understood." That was my only response as she leaves the room, leaving me alone with my own thoughts and splattered on the floor like a piece of used underwear.
A quick glance on my phone and yes, she is not deceiving me, today is the day of the duel, and that makes me retch a bit in disgust and disbelief. There is no way my internal clock is that wrecked, right? Eh, whatever. I faced this kind of situation before, a ronin trying for a good university and stuck between a paradox of time being both too slow and too fast, and like a good loser, time to face the fate I don't know I'm ready for!... Just kidding. With this spunk of mine, there is no way for me to lose!
Probably, I hope.
"Sire Gremory, today is the great day! Allow me to give you some words and actions of incentive before your duel!"
"Oh, capn'my'capn, does this nonsense is still on? I pity for you to fight that one, but I know it shall be amusing."
I turn my attention to the voices coming, and as expected, the ones standing at the door waiting for me are my dear [ROOK] and [BISHOP], Rosinante and Ulysses, the latter still stuck on the hand truck like a true cannibal, although the muzzle was off this time, I think lord Ajuka realized how exaggerated that was. A smile spreads over my face and I stand up to face my servants and give them a reassuring thumbs up.
"Well, one thing you get it right, Yuri-kun." I turn my attention to the sealed sailor, and hearing that little pet name makes his face sour, not being too clean since it was hidden behind a few bangs, wonder if they are synthetic. I turn to Rosinante, and with a hand open, we high-five each other, a sign of good spirits and camaraderie, something awfully lacking between this peerage. "Well, off I go, I guess. Face my beautiful bride and kick her butt like the gentleman that I am. Hope she doesn't hate me for that later."
"What a thing to say, cap'n. I guess that's the Gremory pride for you, being born as the second son of one of the most influential clans in the Underworld and brothers with one of the demon Lords, I can see some reasons as to why he's such a Jurassic rebel. Can't say that is not quite a novelty, though." Babbles and more babbles from my [BISHOP], his mouth does know to make rounds despite the fact he was a moribund not too long ago. He turns to the centaur girl, and with a tilt of his chin, he makes her pick a few lock-like devices from the bag on one of the arms on his hand truck and hand it to me. "As a token of camaraderie and the fact that I work for you now, though, I present to you some inventions I've done in the meanwhile of this… Undignified position. Since I have yet not full control over my extremities, I believe they're not yet up to the task, but face them as rough prototypes of a bigger thing. Of course, if you wish to do so, cap'n my cap'n."
"Mother always says to never take gifts from granted, specially from close ones. I'll keep them and treasure them forever. Thank you very muuuuuuuch~." I slur my words a bit just to make fun of him, and I got a reaction from the moribund bishop. Keep it up, Yuri-kun, only I get to be the arrogant one here. A few seconds pass, I soften my expression and lightly peck his cheek, this time genuinely grateful for the gift, although his disgusted expression tells me he didn't appreciate my show of skinship. Whatever, I put those locks on my pockets and turn back to the centaur girl. "By the byes, Rosinante, may I ask for your assistance in this time of need? It'll be a quick one, I swear."
"Is that so? If so, It'll be an honour to help as I can, sire!" She taps her chest a few times and lightly bows, soon blinking back at me. "But isn't today's event a duel between you and the Paimon heiress? I am not supposed to participate in it, correct?"
"Correct indeed." I affirm her, much for her confusion. "But there's something else you can help me with. Just trust me."
"…?"
Battle gear? Check.
Phenex tears? Check.
Extra runes and magical expenses? Check and check.
Guronbaryam? Check.
Engagement bands? Finally check.
Oui, oui. All set, today is the big day, and I shall not leave anything to chance at all. It has been a while since I've been into a [RATING GAME], and the first time ever I have a 1-on-1 duel, let alone against my dear groom.
I really didn't want things to end up like this, but now, I pity him and his pride after today, since I'll make him docile like a winter catfish, and then he'll be mine and all mine to cuddle and pamper and make him realize how much he truly loves me~. Fufufu~.
Bombastic as only yours truly, I burst the door open to the main hall of the Paimon castle, wearing my dark blue battle gown, black boots and trusted dragonic spear Guronbaryam, I walk down the stairs only to receive an ovation from all the servants of the house of Paimon, butlers, maids, workers, all cheering for me with smiles and claps, surrounding me with love and hope. Appreciated, but unwarranted, for it is surely that I will win, an obvious outcome.
I reach the front door, and now the ones who greet me are my dear parents, little sister and the members of my peerage, all smiling with confidence but a bit hesitant to give me a proper cheer. I understand it, despite everything people say about him, Riz-kun is still a Gremory and the Lucifer's younger brother, and even a bit I cannot be careless. But I do not worry about it, and neither they should.
"Avant, daughter of mine. Even against the Gremory heir, show the Underworld the true power of the Paimon." Declares my father with a friendly tap on my back.
"Lexa, keep your head up. Keep your mind and spirit clean and there is nothing you can't accomplish." Another tap on the shoulder, courtesy of mother, dearest.
"Sister, bonne chance!" Claims my little sister Éclair, her small flowery pupils shining brightly as she bows for my success.
"Show her who's the boss, boss." Landy comes closer to place me a good luck kiss on the lips and a touch between foreheads.
"Lady Laxya… I pray for your victory!" Despite her tears and frightening start, Ariel nods and makes a pumping gesture with her hands, clearly trying to cheer me up as she can. For her efforts, I give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Mistress Layxa, allow me to guard your travel to the local of the game." Kneeling next to me and offering her hand, the knight Carin politely asks for my consent, and with a delicate touch, off we go to the setting of the duel, hands holding each other, as the clapping and cheers follow us suit for a while until we were far enough for the manor to become a memory.
The travel leading to the stadium was quiet and uneventful, quite an alien feeling since I am being transported to a place where my fate will be sealed forever, but it's not like that I minded much, since victory is nothing but assured to me.
Dear Carin, however, seemed unquiet, her armour clanking with each move of the chariot and the grip around her sword not loosing in the slightest, if anything, she seemed to want to crush her weapon as her face was reflecting many, conflicting emotions. Does she not believe in me? I am a bit hurt, truly, but such concern in not out of spite or disdain, but rather love, the love she has for me, I have an eye for that sort of thing.
As a way to comfort her troubled mind, I reach for her and rubbed her strong, defined hand with my own. She snaps from her own stupor and eyes me with surprise, then realization, then regret and shame, and I respond with a smile, as she is not all that hard to read. She looses the grip on her weapon and now we hold hands together, saying so much yet nothing at all. So much love, so much care, I was right in making her my own, my beautiful and strong [QUEEN], who is as unbeatable as me, and my greatest confidant, servant, friend and lover…
"Ah, Lady Paimon and her beautiful [QUEEN], right on time, fittingly." We reach the stadium and the one who greets us is the flamboyant, chic Naud from the house of Gamigin, a close acquaintance of all the fans of Rating Games and the underworld media in general, accompanied by the champion of the official Rating Games himself, Diehause Belial. The former's chumminess set off some of Carin's alarms, but with a sign, I made her calm down and I approach the announcer with a charming smile. "I was half expecting this outcome, but it is still surprising how you two decided to settle this with a duel. Are you nervous, heiress of Paimon? May I offer you anything before the match?"
"It will not be necessary, lord Gamigin. I don't plan to stay long, after all." I chuckle, and the announcer seems to shine with such display of confidence, clearly proud and waiting for a good match. My eyes scan around the stadium of the duel, and despite some curious spectators and rude observers, I see no sign of my dear groom. Is he late? How rude of him, making a beautiful lady such as yours truly wait, specially since I am his bride to-be. But then again, I did make him wait a bit when we decided this whole ordeal. I turn to The Emperor, and as politely as I could, I bowed to him, earning a hearted laugh. "I am also honoured to be witnessed by the champion of the Rating Game, the Emperor himself, Lord Diehauser Belial. I shall not disappoint your highness, I shall give you my best."
"Raise your head, heiress of Paimon, no need for formalities, just witnessing such disposition is already enough." He laughs. So humble, so polite, he is leagues above me yet demonstrates wisdom and decency that are unmatchable… How novel, how lovely. I jest, of course. Once the formalities were over, both the Emperor and announcer now look around, clearly growing annoyed. I snap back, oh right, Riz-kun is still not here. "Which is something I find lacking on your opponent's side. Lord Naud, where is the heir of Gremory?"
"Hm, good question. I know neither his mother or his sister-in-law would make him miss such important event, specially considering he is the main attraction." The announcer devil declares with a nervous scratch on his neck. He reaches to his phone and opens a small rune near his ear. "Perhaps I shall call his household to see if everything's alright. Lady Paimon, do you have his contact or someth-…"
But then, suddenly, the lights of the stadium turn off, leaving our side in total darkness, not much of a bother because of the devil's natural night vision, but the sudden blackness stun our senses for a moment. As quick the dark, brightness invades our eyes as, from the other side of the arena, a line of spotlight beams illuminates the figures of humanoid-shaped bronze robots wearing Greek armour, all standing in a perfect formation, like a marching band.
Despite our surprise, the devils present and I adopt a fighting stance, ready to intervene and combat whatever this entire formation is all about. However, as we about to charge, their eyes started to glow, and accordingly, they started to… Play a song? A crescendo that little by little became intense…
"Ga… RI… SU~… WOOOOOOOW…!"
"DON'T SAY NO, JUST LIVE MORE!" The automata in front of brusquely moved, but instead of offense, they simply… Started to dance? Dabbing, kicking, voguing, all to the sudden intensity of their words. "DON'T SAY NO, JUST LIVE MORE!"
"SURVIVAL, YOU GOTTA MOVE!/Gendai wa sanagara Jigoku! [Present day is akin to hell]!" I was so focused on the Greek robots in front of me, I only now notice the echoing voice followed by the gallops, the voice not having a fixed source, but coming from all around us. "Dare ga kachi-nukeru,/Kagi wa akerarete shimatta? [Who's got the strength to win, / Now that all the locks are open?]"
"DON'T SAY NO, JUST LIVE MORE!" Repeated the mechanical warriors, posing and dancing. "DON'T SAY NO, JUST LIVE MORE!"
"Doko ni aru? [where is it?]" A voice sings far away but comes closer and closer towards me! "Dou tsukauuuuuuu~? [how shall you use it?]"
"Milady!" Carin's reflexes are quicker than mine, and so she shields me from the upcoming attack on my back, lifting her sword to try to defend me.
"Ki-n-dan~ noooooooooo~ [the forbidden…]" But the shadowy figure instead splits into two, one on the ground galloping away from me while the other jumps high and lands right in front of the dancing robots. Hogging all the spotlight as they turn to the figure, it soon reveals to be none other than… "GA-RI-SU! [… Garith!]"
Wait, what?
"`Ima' to iu… (WAE!)!"
*FLASH!*
"… Kaze wa (WAE)! [The wind of the moment…!]" And like an explosion, the lights are turned on once more on the stadium, reveling not only the line of dancing Greek automata or my groom, but a centaur girl and a trio of maids dancing accordingly to the beat coming from the robots's heads, with different levels of enjoyment. "Nani o tsutaeru tame! [… Wants to say something!]"
"Omae no moto ni fuku!/[till it reaches you]" The maids and the centaur girl sing and follow Riz-kun's steps. "Tsuyoku (HEY) tsuyoku (HEY) Blowin' up! [It'll be blowing stronger and stronger!]"
"Ashita ga(WAE)/Yume ga(WAE!)… ! [Your tomorrow!/ Your dream…!]" Now Riz-kun dances until he takes center stage, the robots giving his space as he death-drops and starts breakdancing while the others continue to dance in synch. "Mada mi~e~na~kute mooooooo~ [… May look out of reach~!]"
"Soko genkai? seiippai! [That's your limit? With all your might!]" The lines of robots and swervants now take a step back and form a line single vertical line on front of us, the only thing between us is a dancing Riz-kun. "Ikite!(WAE!)/ iru to(WAE)!/ Ierunara! [Show you're truly alive!]"
"Utsumuku na yo~! [But don't life get you down!]" Riz-kun kicks himself back and standing, flashing a few dance moves before starting to march to our direction!
"Kao agero! [Hold your head up high!]" The servants and mecha soldiers stop and straighten their backs to sing like in a choir.
"Doko made demooooo~…! [No matter where!]" Riz-kun now pulls and brands both his blades at us, but instead of fighting, he uses them in a frenzied sword dance.
"Mageru koto naku! [Never compromise!]" The choir behind him sings once more.
"Shinjita michi o yukeeeeee~…[Follow the path you believe in, and…]!" Now both parties sing in synch, as his dance becomes more uncontrollable and insane as if he's in a trance. And then with a final stomp and a pose from my groom… "JUST! LIVE! MORE!"
"DON'T SAY NO!" We hear a pop over our hands, and from the ceiling, cherry blossom petals fall onto him. "JUST LIVE MORE!"
"From here on out… This is my stage!"
"…"
"…"
…
"Lord Gremory, what the f-…"
"Magnifique! How wonderful, this display of talent and shamelessness is what I need in my husband!" I clap, the sound of my hands echoing throughout the until now silent stadium, as my husband brightly smile to himself, sheathing back one of his swords while the other rests on his shoulder.
"Yes, yes! I'm glad someone can appreciate my artistic vision as to how do some presentations, specially during such an important event such as this duel!" He laughs with a confident scoff, earning sighs and annoyed grunts from the peers around me as the automata, maids and the centaur girl clap alongside me. "After all, this is a duel, so it is only natural to sense an extreme warring(戦極)feeling right now."
"…?"
"Oh wait, but this was supposed to be the Reiwa era, no?" His eyes lighten up and he turns to his centaur servant, doing finger guns at her direction. "Olé, puns!"
"…?" No response from any of them.
"He's making a pun on 'extreme warring' and the Sengoku(戦国) period, since they are phonetically similar, in case you lotus brains are unable to grasp multilingual wordplays." From the stands, we all turn to the sight of a strange young devil tied and straightjacketed to a hand truck like a cannibal, blowing his bangs away from his face and eyeing us with disdainful superiority. Oh, that's not fair, not everyone is rounded like Riz-kun or mr. Lecter up there to make sense out of this pun. He turns to the redhead devil doing a silly little dance. "By the way, cap'n, I hope the dancing program I've installed into my Riace bronze were much of your liking. I was too worried about overheating them with too much data about dancing, so I decided to install instead a tracker to follow your every move and dance accordingly. Only a genius such as yours truly would be able to do so, seeing how enthusiastic and wild you are. Truly, a nightmarish sight…"
"Well, mother always said I was gifted artistically… and pretty much in nothing else." He laughs once again. He truly is an overhwhelming person with an overwhelming personality, and I should find this unbecoming of a heir and my groom… But I just can't muster the disgust to truly hate him. He turns to his audience and with a wave of a hand, bids them goodbye. "Well my dear servants, you're dismissed for now. Thanks for being my backup dancers, but now I must face this alone. You can stay at the stands and see me fight, if you so desire."
"I rather not, lord Garith. There is only too much for me to stare at your stupid face before retching. I shall dismiss myself." One of the trio of the maids, the tallest and more mature looking one, coughed and turned around, waving a hand for the other two to follow suit. "Killia, Laltz, let us go. We have more important chores to do other than stay here… literally everything else."
"Aw, but I wanted to see lord Garith get his ass kicked? Too bad. Good luck, boss. Laltz."
"Yes."
"Fine then, suit yourselves. You too, Rosinante. You're dismissed, I shall take it from here." He takes and kisses a hand from the centaur girl, and with a smiling nod, she takes her leave and away from the main hall alongside the Greek robots, leaving the redhead hair all alone to his devices. A moment for himself, and as lord Gamigin was about to call for his attention, he turns to us and walks to his position on the opposite side.
Now that I pay attention, compared to my battle gown, he opts for something a bit more casual and light: a red tang-shirt with golden melon leaves details, black pants, a blue sash around his waist, black sneakers and a flower to hold a single braid, he was also wearing round sunglasses. He seemed more like a martial artist with it.
"Hello everyone, Garith Gremory is here! At least that's the name I go by nowadays…"
"…" Unlike his enthusiastic self, neither the announcer, my own [QUEEN] nor the Emperor seem keen to humour his whims. Myself am quite pleased with his theatrics, he makes the most out of them, but I understand some can't just appreciate it. seeing no response, he turns to me and lowers his sunglasses to take a direct look, his blue eyes reflecting my image in them.
"Hey, Layxa-chan. You are truly stunning today, too bad I'll have to end it in a bad turn." He laughs, earning the ire of Carin, whom I had to sign for her to not just assault him. "And The Emperor and lord Gamigin are here too to witness our duel, what an honour. No matter the outcome, I hope the champion of the Rating Games and the announcer of them may have a good time with our spar."
"Spare me from your platitudes, Lord Gremory. Your little gaudy spectacle truly shows how hollow your words truly are and your true thoughts on the Rating Games. I shan't allow you to make a mockery out of me." Scoffed the Emperor himself with lord Gamigin nodding in agreement. Despite his harsh words, the heir of Gremory simply shrugs with a mischievous smile, wordlessly uttering 'I tried'. "Lord Gamigin, if you will…"
"Very well. Today, we shall initiate the Duel between the heiress of the Paimon clan Layxa and the heir of the Gremory clan Garith." Lord Gamigin coughed a bit and announced to the few spectators in the seats around the main arena. "As settled between the two parties, this [RATING GAME] shall consist of the only two [KINGS] fighting each other in a sudden death match. The last to declare defeat or lose conscious shall be considered the victor. Do any of the parties have any questions regarding this setting?"
"No, everything is crystal clear."
"None on my side, no."
"Very well then. the setting, as decided, shall be the Lilith central capital, no conditions regarding limits or destruction, go wild." The announcer laughs, tapping his finger on a few displaying runes in front of him, and finishing some details, bright crimson runes emerge from below our feet, ready to teleport us to the destined location. "And now, onto the games! Good luck for both of you, and may the best devil w-…!"
"Lady Layxa, allow me!" But before he could send us to the simulated location, my [QUEEN] intervene on the last moment and stood between all of us, calling for our attention.
"Carin? What are you doing?" I ask her.
"I apologize for my insubordination, deeply so, but please allow me to participate in this game and fight alongside you!" She declares with convition, taking all of us by surprise. Still with fire in her eyes, she turned a poisonous gaze towards the opposing Gremory, and no longer containing her resent, she spits at him. "This… Unbecoming being called Garith Gremory does not deserve even an iota of your attention or efforts, and no matter what, crossing blades with him will only tarnish your reputation and your name into the mud! So please, let me fight him in your stead and preserve your dignity! As your [QUEEN], it is my duty to…!"
*SHWING!*
"My dearest Carin, my beloved queen and companion… could you please step down just this once?" My words are as sugary as a bonbon, but I think she does not think that since I have Guronbaryam pointed at her before she could say anything else. Love, I just love her so much, but sometimes she just has to babble and babble and try to prove herself my [QUEEN] over and over. It gets infuriating fast. "I promised a duel against my beloved groom, and I will comply with a duel against my beloved groom, do you understand? No need to be upset about this ordeal, just follow the rules and allow me settle this."
"I… I understand, but milady…!"
"I don't mind." I hear a chirpy comment by the other side, and taking a small glance beyond the announcer and on the opposite side, I see my beloved groom with a shrug and a smile. No doubt about it, he was the one who said that. "If she wants to participate in our little tango, I don't mind turning it into a threesome. The more, the marrier, no? Say, lord Gamigin, is there a way to make Layxa-chan's [QUEEN] to enter in this duel? I don't want her to cry, if you don't mind."
"Besides being an idiot, it doesn't work like that, lord Garith." Explains the announcer of the Rating Game, fingers on his temple to show how tired he became to this situation. Is that so? Riz is trying to humour my dearest [QUEEN]'s request? How… gentlemanly. Charming, even. "The game was decided as a duel between the two heirs, nothing more, nothing less. While we could take away one or more servants under requests, adding them is a demand we shouldn't humour. This time, it is only you and lady Paimon."
"Okay, I understand." He nods, from him, turning to me. "Say, Layxa-chan, you love Rin-chan, right?"
"Watch your mouth addressing me, Grem-…!"
"Wholeheartedly." I responded, shutting my servant up with another close blade on her neck. "She is my servant, my friend, my confidant, my sister and lover. The Paimon may not be known to love their servants as the Gremory do, but rest assure, I love her and the rest of my peerage from the bottom of my heart, and I wish to spend the rest of my life with them, no matter what happens. Even if we were to marry, I want you to know that I will love them regardless."
"M-Milady…" Carin cries, clearly touched by my display of affection, my deepest and most sincere declaration of love to the ones I call my peerage…
… I jest, of course.
"Hm, I see, I see. Say, Rin-chan, ditto for you. Do you love Layxa-chan?" He turns to my [QUEEN], and she was ready to cut his head off with the cute nickname he chose for her, but seeing another dissatisfied laugh from me, she lowers her weapon and respond it with a nod, a blush and a quiet 'yes'. Cute, how cute, I love you, Carin… Rin-chan. Riz-kun smiles satisfied, then turns to the managers and announcers of this game, whom were grown tired of waiting and his little shenanigans. Not paying attention to those, Riz-kun signs for us. "There you go, Lord Gamigin, lord Belial: now Rin-chan can participate in the duel. Makes perfect sense for her to do so after those answers, no?"
"What in the underworld you're talking about, Gremory? Have you lost your mind, this wont be a duel otherwise." Scoffed Lord Gamigin.
"But it will. You see, is because… Of love!" my dearest groom, who were so composed and calm not too long ago, suddenly shouts with a determined face, making a cute hand heart gesture and making his eyes shine brightly, earning another gasp of horror and surprise from all around, except yours truly, only growing curious of his line of thought. "Can't you see? It's love! Layxa-chan loves Rin-chan, and Rin-chan loves Layxa-chan, and so, instead of two individuals, they're a single entity, a single being, bonded by love, the purest of emotions! How can you say they can't participate together, when there is no evidence stronger that they're in fact Layxa-chan and Rin-chan?! The decision was a duel between me and Layxa-chan, right? Then Rin-chan can be part of it, too, for she is also Layxa-chan! Because it's… Love!"
"I grow weary of your nonsense, heir of Gremory. Either start the duel and end this waste of time or I'll be forced to make you quit." Groans the Emperor, his face in a blank expression but his words dripping with contempt and disdain for the heir, who was unaffected by the sudden murderous aura coming from the Belial lord. "I don't understand, nor want to, this whole bosh about love, but you shall not disrespect the Rating Games nor make a fool out of us. Just follow the rules or withdraw immediately."
"Well… Your cousin would know a thing or two about love, wouldn't she?" Riz-kun smiles, a sardonic chuckle out of his lips as the Emperor grows from irritated to surprised and speechless, as if he were slapped out of nowhere. Without losing a moment, he continues, tilting his head and coming closer to lord Belial. "I apologize , but if you don't to be here, maybe you can instead go to the Belial mausoleum and ask her to explain it for you? Hopefully in a way that won't get anyone killed."
…
There was a beat.
…
"In case you lotus brains are unfamiliar with the story, according to the underworld Archives, Lord Belial's cousin Cleria fell in love with a human and that was the reason as to why her and her lover Masaomi yaegaki were found and executed. Cap'n is being sarcastic and making a zing about how their love led them to death and how she should explain how to not end up like her, which is impossible since she is d-…"
*DOOOON!*
And Riz's servant was cut on his explanation as lord Belial's leaking aura opened a crater under out feet, some flashes of energy running wild on the stadium I could see from here by his grit teeth and trembling fists and paling knuckles that he was not happy about this whole ordeal. It took a few moments for the destruction around to finally settle down, the remaining of us here taking a few steps back to not be caught in the crossfire, and once he did, he simply turned around and left the arena, his stance now not dignified nor noble, but slouched and melancholic. Before disappearing, without turning around, he sombrely left his final thoughts…
"Do as you want; I do not care anymore." He whispers, and from here, I can sense every word dripping with hatred and sadness. "May you die long before your death, heir of Gremory."
And so, the Champion, the Emperor, exits.
…
"Gee, like, what's gotten into him? I was, like, just trying to help him, man." The heir of Gremory cups his cheeks and make a pouty face, coming closer to us, lord Gamigin wearing an expression showing both shock and disgust, as so Carin dearest. Me? That was… Hilarious. Funny, hysterical, even, so much so I couldn't contain a wandering giggle. The great Emperor, defeated by mere words, maybe his [WORTHLESS] skill does not work on the powerful sharpness that comes with the eloquent tongue of rogues such as Riz-kun. "But he is right, no more idle chat nor capricious whims. Let us begin and have a fun game. Beam us up, lord Gamigin, if you please! And don't forget to let Rin-chan in!"
"Riz-kun…" I call for him, and as he was about to sting the announcer one last time as the rune activates, he turns to me. "… I appreciate the thought. You're truly kind."
"No prob, Layxa-chan. After all…" He sticks his tongue out, before vanishing within the game. "… It won't make a difference, the victor was already decided."
And so, we were gone. He says that, but I know he has no hard feelings towards any of us. I have an eye for that sort of thing.
In another blink of an eye, from the Rating game arena, now I see myself at the heart of the Lilith capital, a perfect replica of the demonic city, save from the blank skies and the fact that it was deserted. Right beside me was my dearest Carin, branding her weapon and armour and whose eyes were as sharp as an eagle's to find and eliminate our opponent. The wing blows gently at our direction, and I hear steps, turning to a direction where I see Riz-kun with hands on his pockets and adjusting his sunglasses with his cheeks.
"Here I am. The path of destruction, ON STAGE!" He laughs, standing face-to-face with us as I pick my dragonic spear and twirl it around to get used to its weight. "Oooh, is that the famous dragonic spear of decimation, the heirloom of the Paimon, Guronbaryam? Seeing this close, it is indeed a fine weapon."
"Right? What a beauty. My uncle crafted it using the hide of a dragon he fought a few decades ago." I smile, twirling it around for him to see in its full glory, a golden spearhead, marble cable and a pommel with a tiny black blade. Powerful as a dragon, yet light as a feather. A fine weapon for a fine lass like me! But, hey, I'm your bride Riz-kun! You should be complimenting me instead, y'know! Hm!
"Powerful indeed. But unfortunately for you, I have class advantage." He lightly taps the guard of both his swords, one a white as snow xiphos and the other being a traditional eastern-styled blade. Hm, I don't get it? "Besides, everybody knows spear-users are overhyped jobbers who tend to lose all the time."
"…"
"Why are they called Lancers, anyway? Lancers are cavalry soldiers, meaning they need to be mounted on a horse. The correct term would be Spearman, it should be spearman…"
"Enough idle conversations! This is a duel, heir of Gremory, so hush and graciously accept your destiny!" My [QUEEN] barks at the opposite Gremory, whose smile grow a bit more awkward from her sudden hostility, despite the fact he's the reason she is allowed to be here in the first place. She takes no moment and unsheathes her own sword, pointing at him. "Unleash your spirit, unsheathe your arms, and let us begin!"
"Fine, no need to hurry. We're just talking like we should. I guess we're allowed to do so, no?" He chuckles to himself. Riz-kun lifts a hand and I prepare myself for a clash, but instead of reaching for his arms, he simply extended an open palm to us and… Smiled. "but before that… Let's shake hands."
"…?" I tilt my head. What a gentleman, I guess? He sees my confusion, and with a small wave from his hand, he continues.
"Handshakes are a good sign of sportsmanship, no? Let's shake hands, Layxa-chan, Rin-chan, and have a fair fight. Not matter how we feel about each other, let's be courteous to one another and act like our noble selves, no?" He explains. "So, no need to be shy. Let's shake hands!"
"…"
"…?"
"Would you kindly…?" I had no response nor reaction, but exploding near me with rage and bloodlust, my blond [QUEEN] gathers all of her might to swing her blade against him. "… STOP MOCKING US AND SHOW SOME SPECT OF RESPECT FOR MILADY, YOU F-…!"
*DON!*
*VOOOOOOOSH~!*
*BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!*
*DOOOOON!*
…
"Eh…?" It happened in a flash. Everything happened in a flash, and my mind took a while to understand what transpired, but in a moment, my queen was no more, her figure vanishing from my sight and presence, and Riz-kun, once with a hand offered in a handshake, now has it curled into a fist, a steaming fist which he was quick to shake to get rid of the smoke in it. I blink once, twice, and my eyes wonder to another direction, seeing now a path of destruction, broken walls and rubbles, leading to a building where Carin now rests, her holy armour which was suppose to be as strong as dragon skin folded like tinfoil as she coughs and cries blood. A moment to think, and realization pierces me like an arrow. "C-Carin…!"
"If she won't play fair, neither will I." My head freezes from fully turning when I hear his voice, and so I return to Riz-kun, adjusting his sunglasses to lightly tip them down and directly peek at me from their brims. "Life itself is unfair, so when you are given the opportunity for some equal grounding, you should take it. Arrogance like that… Should be exclusive for the like of us."
"…"
…
How… how dare him hurt my precious queen like that!
He's so… He's so… Cool!
He laid his dirty hands on my servant, he'll pay! He was so smooth on it, though! I'm so lucky to marry him! Such arrogance, such disdain, who the hell does he think he is?! Clearly, he deserves those traits because he's strong! Die, vermin! Die, die, die! I'll show you that power of yours is nothing compared to the power of the Paimon! I just hope we can delight ourselves with each other before that! I just can't wait to grab that insolent fool with my own arms and embrace him lovingly as we dance graciously under the bloodied floor which I shall paint it with his guts and fluids and vow ourselves and consummate our bond at the altar! I want to rip his head off and throw his name in the mud! I want to touch lips with him and say over and over and over again how much I love him! No matter how much he begs, I just want him to lament and scream! And I also want at least ten children, six girls and four boys! Useless trash, useless trash, useless trash, I hate him! My beloved, dearest, coolest and strongest groom, I shall marry him!
Garith Gremory, you shall be mine!
…
Why… Why do I feel I just stepped on a landmine?
[GARITH GREMORY, THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION, ON STAGE!]
Vs.
[LAYXA PAIMON, THE KNIGHTESS OF SPEAR!]
And so… Cut call, close the curtains, or maybe open the garden of madness, in this case? I just don't know.
But hello, dearest DxD readers, Houki Minami yet again. Man, what a year it has been, hard to believe we're on the final years of this, and things are heating up a bit from where I live and, all things considered, RL has been bugging me for a bit, but on the bright side, RL good things also happened to me and for now, I'm happy. So what better way to express it than to write the wildest, most deranged chapter on this fic so far?
I had fun and all, and like always, Riz's star shine the brightest when he's not in the spotlight, and writing his little bride is also tons of us, although hopefully people do not grow too attached to her. Riz is still the protagonist, damn it! although he really should start behaving like such, though…
All in all, I had fun, hope you guys had it too reading this fic, and that we spend the rest of the year in good mood and luck and hope for a better tomorrow, regardless of what awaits us next year. I'm pretty positive, tbh, and I hope the same can be said to you.
Riz's stats will be updated by the end of this arc, although… He peaked, didn't he? Hahah.
Greetings from Houki Minami, have a nice new years.