Chapter 22.
Shadows lie across us always.
The next morning, I woke to snoring on my right. I slowly looked over and it was Kuroka. She had after I left Murayama to watch her tape in private, demanded that I key her to my room. I had and we didn't do anything naughty. Just enjoyed being near each other. I lazily begin to enjoy a Sunday morning and I want to fall asleep again. I deserve to laze. But a knock on the door makes me reluctantly get up and I let Kuroka sleep. I'm in pajamas and I open the door slightly. It's Murayama. She was dressed in a khaki shirt and pants. She looks extremely down in the dumps. I slowly exited the room and close the door behind me stepping into the hall. Murayama once the door is closed said to me softly.
"Thank you for being my friend. I watched the tape that they gave me. It explained more to me."
I don't know what to say. It was her tape and not mine. Murayama then suddenly hugged me violently and she weeps on my shoulder. I rub her back and gently lead us towards the stairs and when there I sit with her. She released her grief. After five minutes she said to me with tears slowly drying.
"I know now what my uncle and mom went through. That I could have had that if we weren't here, and I had no gear. Please be my friend still despite the fact that I'm from them that do that. The ones who did that to you."
So, they told her about the abuse. What the clans do. I tell her while we sit on the stairs looking at the chandelier.
"I am your friend no matter what. As is everyone in this house. We will stand by you even if you don't reincarnate. Rias will stay away from you. I promise you that you will have freedom and if the clans are stupid enough to attack us they will not like what I can do. You had breakfast yet?"
Murayama was happy knowing I'm her friend regardless of the fact she is a Principle member. She shook her head, and I got up before pulling her up. Then the two of us went to enjoy that as friends. But I feel something and looked over my shoulder to see Murayama watching something. I sighed internally because the horny is everywhere. I don't comment on it and when we hit the ground floor I see that Kiryuu is in the kitchen with Issari at the main table. The two are looking at a magazine together and they both have nose bleeds. Fucking perverts. Maéva is just making food and Murayama looked at the mechadendrites moving around doing multiple things in amazement. I just smile because that is still cool.
We sat at the island counter, and I call to the two perverts.
"Are you winning kids?"
The response from Issari was a finger flipping me off and Kiryuu snickering, but the nosebleed increased seeing something on the page. The two began perverted giggling and Murayama looked interested there but also disgusted. Maéva turned towards us with Belgian waffles, and she shakes her head seeing the two.
"I tried to confiscate the foul thing young master, but the dragon growled at me! Please set her straight!"
I snicker a bit but immediately became the competent one with no horny.
"Issari put that away or I will tell Akeno not to give you head pats. For two months."
Issari growled there and that spooked Murayama. She looked at the other with wide eyes and I am just amused. Kiryuu just adds wood to the fire.
"Maybe I should be Akeno-senpai's kohai. This is good but head pats sound better."
Issari truly growled louder now and snapped at Kiryuu.
"My senpai! Fuck off! Only good dragons get head pats! Not ice birds!"
That's the scene Akeno walked in on. She was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a shirt that immediately made the perverts look and nosebleed more. She brightened seeing her dragon. Gliding over and then she takes the magazine from Issari. That promotes a whine and Akeno just rolls the magazine up before she hands it to Kiryuu. My bishop takes it, and she throws it in a pocket spell making Murayama look with wide eyes there. Issari whines again and that's when Akeno says.
"No dirty magazines in public. You don't want to be a bad dragon do you?"
Issari paled and then shakes her head violently.
"I am a good dragon! Will listen to senpai!"
That gets head pats. Promoting purrs. Murayama looked at me and I just say.
"The dragon in her gauntlet influences Issari greatly. Akeno is her official dragon tamer. How are you today Keno? I'd thought you'd guys would be here yesterday, but you never showed up."
Akeno keeps head pats while Kiryuu comes over smelling the waffles that Maéva is stacking up for everyone. Akeno replied finally.
"We were busy. Rias demanded we all train because she wants to have us be ready in the off chance that Riser tries to push the arrangement again. She wants you to feel less stressed about your work. I'm guessing that Murayama-san has been brought in and is now one of your new pieces."
I frowned there but replied while Kiryuu began pigging out on waffles.
"No, she is not one of my new pieces. I ask my pieces Keno and only when they have a complete idea of the pros and cons. Im happy to hear that Rias is training. I will still worry because I'm a worry wart. I want this done as fast as possible because I have other things to start preparing for as well as possible things to fight. I want to hunt today but I don't know if that will be possible. Grayfia confirmed it. The gear is a Longinus. There are now fourteen of them."
Akeno frowned upon learning that Murayama was not reincarnated. More when I say I will still worry. But is amazed when I tell her that it's a Longinus. She actually increased her head pats making more purrs go up. Murayama knows already what a Longinus is because I explained the gear tiers for her. Its time to do more reveals today so I start chowing on waffles. Akeno says to Murayama with a big smile.
"Nice to meet you properly. I'm Akeno Himejima. You should join my cousin's peerage. I'm glad he's like my king and is asking people. But my cousin is a softy, and he probably doesn't want to do the deed. You need to get used to it Lex. It's critical to build a peerage because of how they can help you out. What pieces did you get anyway?"
I finished eating another waffle and then brought the board out. Laying it on the island. Akeno stopped her head pats and that made Issari growl again, but waffles make her stop and come over for a plate. Akeno is looking at my pieces and noted the mutation pieces. Murayama looks at them too and I say while preparing my next waffle.
"Queen, rook, bishop and three pawns. Kuroka is my queen. Kiryuu my regular bishop. I have an idea of who I want for my mutation bishop. Everyone else is up for grabs but I want very much to get scientists and inventors. Like my dad. I met one of his pieces and he's very cool. "
Akeno smiled at me and grabbed a plate. Murayama had a plate too and she took her food and said while sitting.
"I am still considering it Akeno-san. I'm in a bit of shock from last night."
Akeno was curious at the answer, and I'll let Murayama share her story. I do want to ask Akeno about Suzaku and Maéva with Asia. I want to make several things today that will be fun to use on strays. My wrath must be showing because Akeno giggled seeing it. Murayama looked at me and guessed my sin. But she doesn't seem off put by it. I asked Akeno.
"Where's Rias?"
Akeno sat at the table with Issari who is shoveling food into her mouth quickly making Maéva pleased and annoyed there. Akeno takes a bite then says as she prepares to pig.
"She's asleep. Training wore her out completely. Considering she slacked so much it was what I expected. I originally came over to pray but smelled food and I was hungry."
I snort at her wanting to get free food. But the part of me worried for Rias as a person is showing now. Murayama doesn't like that because she latched onto my right arm. This will be something that doesn't go away it seems. Akeno kept her mouth shut this time and I just sighed. Murayama whispers to me.
"I'm thinking about it. I want the noble man who doesn't want rewards for his deeds. Even if I have to accept that eventually."
I couldn't stop her feelings so I just shrugged. Before saying to Issari.
"I'm going for bigger armor today. I do eventually want to start using it. Want your set too?"
Issari immediately nodded and that prompted curiosity from Akeno and the rest of the group. Kiryuu spoke up after her third plate.
"I would like my armor too. You have a place to practice things?"
I smile smirk.
"I do. I repurposed a stray nest that I have turned into a small practice place. It's not fancy, and I hope that I will be able to turn it into a small rest station. There is also something I need to do. Been putting it off long enough and they deserve to be remembered. I'm sorry for that."
Murayama is confused but Akeno and Issari along with Kiryuu understand. The spirits tell me it's ok. That I have been busy and that they don't take offense. Maéva frowned too but, she stayed silent. Before her eyes looked at the clock before they widened and she eeps.
"I'll miss my favorite show! Out of my way!
She bulldozers out of the room and everyone but Murayama smiles while the newbie sweat dropped. Akeno starts fufufuing. I just collect the finished plates and bag the leftovers for Kuroka. Murayama just continues eating. After I'm done with that, I collect the remaining plates and put them in a dishwasher. Before I tell everyone, I'll be right back. The group settled into talking about Kuoh for Kiryuu and Issari.
Upon entering my room, I see Kuroka is still sleeping, and I am silent getting my clothes before getting to the bathroom locking it. When I finished that and reentered the bedroom Kuroka is awake moving about and I catch a glimpse of her backside leaving the room. Her tails were lazily flipping about. I get ready to make my power armor. Koriel tells me that the ones the Sisters used was in her knowledge and that at the end of the Great Crusade the armor was being tested for a new prototype army that was going to act as a scout force for the Imperium beyond its borders, so her suits were lighter than the later ones I know of. Got to start somewhere and with how inventing was tech heresy yet modifying was not.
I when I'm in the main hall see Maéva sitting on the couch weeping in the living room watching on the big tv as sad music plays. I sweat dropped because that was something. I tipped toe to the basement and that's where I find everyone. Kuroka is being watched by Akeno and the cat is just amused in her get up. The group sans Kiryuu was in the chapel of the Machine God. Kiryuu was looking at the medical wing and she was observing everything. I just asked her the clothing sizes she has. Kiryuu amused but understanding I'm not being that way. She followed me to the wine room door where we waited for the others.
Murayama was here first as she looked over her shoulder to the chapel. She upon seeing me comes over and she asked while we are waiting.
"You believe in a strange god Gregor-kun. The others are talking about machine spirits and how the machine is immortal. I don't get it. Ghosts aren't real."
I smile and Kiryuu just said to Murayama.
"I don't get it either. But they do have a point with spirits. Ghosts are real so it is easier to accept thinking they might enter technology. Given what I have been shared I get the basis for why they even exist period."
Murayama considered that before her eyes widened remembering her taunt to Rias. She blushed and I said to her.
"It all exists Murayama-chan. As do machine spirits. They chose to be here in the machines and not in the afterlife of their choice. The Machine God is vastly different from most of the deities Murayama-chan. He accepts good devils while the others don't period. I don't preach about my faith and it's not a requirement here. Kiryuu is happy being herself."
Kiryuu brightened there, and Murayama was a little flustered there but not in a bad way. That's when the others arrived, and I unlocked the door. Before taking the lock off. The lock is willed away and Issari grins at the faces of the others seeing the teleportation pad and the small plasma generators nearby. I tell Akeno and Murayama with glee.
"That small thing there is the key to solving the energy crisis we are in. A plasma generator. It will last for thirty years without too much maintenance needed. It's connected to how Issari gets into the house without tripping wards. An alternative to magic portals. But one through science."
Murayama is disbelief there, but Akeno widened her eyes. She then beams and hugged me tightly.
"I knew my cousin was a genius! You could be the richest man on the planet if you sold those Lex! You could get Rias her freedom just from that! Why haven't you tried to sell them yet?"
Murayama widened her eyes. They weren't greedy. But rather she's standing next to someone that can change the world in that big a way. Kuroka purrs while Issari and Kiryuu are just happy. I smiled and explain.
"There's no research that can be used to justify it up here Keno. But in the underworld I can sell it and that can be another thing that I use against the GKF. I refuse to sell to them. If they get a copy I'll just will it away. Knowing they have it by my next thing I'm making. A new internet for reincarnated and for commoners. Along with my greatest goal. A device that will make the evil piece system look like nothing. Something that will shake the fabric of reality."
That makes everyone interested in this because I had not shared my plan with the reader to anyone. Akeno shakes her head at my explanation. But she conceded that point.
"That is true and with how it is coming from gear it would be a hard sell. But a new internet that will piss off the GKF. What would it be called?"
I smiled and gesture to everyone to touch the pad. Issari goes first then Kuroka. Both disappeared and that makes Kiryuu follow. She disappeared and I extended my hand to Murayama. She looked hesitant but Akeno smiled, and I tell her.
"The Noosphere. It will be free to access and that's how you get both the reincarnated and commoners there as well as the GKF rats. It's time they get a violent wake-up call from humans. Because they can't outrun time. Machine God take scum."
Akeno smirked there. We bond via our sin. Murayama just watched extremely fascinated by the high she is seeing. She takes my hand and the three of us hit the pad.
On the other side of the teleporter is the rest of the crew and they are talking about something that has the perverts giggling and Kuroka looking interested. But they stopped immediately upon seeing us and I will deal with them later. Murayama looked amazed at the machine while Akeno is impressed. However, she also sees the downside. It's good for fixed locations. Not battle where portals are better. Still Murayama is now wondering what else I can make. We entered the main part of the station where Kuroka frowned seeing a rat and began to chase it.
Issari began eagerly jumping up and down while I prepared to make the armors. I ask her.
"Do you want a seraphim pack Issari? It's detachable from the armor."
Issari tilted her head there in curiosity. Before shaking her head yes. Akeno and everyone else joined in on being confused. Murayama is next to me and is giving me a questioning look. I summoned the anvil and I thanks to Koriel imagine the suit with the wings. Before swinging.
The light blinds everyone but me and there is a clunk as the armor lands. When the light is gone Issari took on chipmunk wide eyes seeing the armor. Before roaring her dragon roar and hugging the suit weeping. Murayama looks at it in pure amazement as does Akeno. Kiryuu smiled seeing it and she pats Issari on the back in support. The strain was not the worst but it's not great either. I make the second armor in a different spot this time with no wings. It kind of hurts. Given its two power armors and a jet pack. I see Issari weeping out her thanks to me.
"Wings! Actual wings! Thank you Gregor-kun! I'm so happy! You can get whatever you want on your birthday! I'm the happiest dragon ever!"
She's crying waterfall tears and Akeno beams seeing her kohai so happy. She paced around the armor to Issari, and she hugged her kohai smothering her in her favorite thing. That's promoted the loudest purrs I have heard yet. Wings and breasts. I say to the mega pervert while Murayama touch's one of the wings.
"Consider it your birthday present you gecko. I'll get it to a point where you can have your gear wings and these. Then you can go fast as fuck. Enjoy. Kiryuu I'll make your armor.
Issari purrs so loud knowing she can have double the wings. Akeno head pats her kohai in congratulations. Kiryuu replies and shows her potential immediately.
"Thank you. I want to try it out and see if it's too heavy for me. Congratulations Sari. I know how much you want to fly again."
Murayama continues touching the wing in amazement. I swing twice and make the armor and helm. I ask if she wants a rebreather which gets me a yes. Kiryuu picks up her armor stumbling by how heavy it is, and I comment that's as light as they can be without sacrificing protection. Kuroka comes back and sees the armor and wings. Before she began coming over to the armor and she is amazed at the details on it. The Mechanicus symbol on it in the middle of the armor chest piece. Kiryuu goes to practice putting on her armor. Kuroka asked for carapace. With room for her ears and tails. I sighed but agreed and make her the armor and the rebreather. She doesn't need a gun. Magic was always her specialty. But she does take a sword. I swing and make her a power sword. Murayama kept looking at the wings in a trance. Issari finally stops crying and she inched her way to her armor. I explain to her while Kuroka plays with her sword. The crack of it lures over Akeno.
"You enter it by way of the back. There is a small button that you hit, and you will see the back half of the armor open and then you step in. It enhances your strength and speed to a degree. I eventually will use my set. With my enhancements and the armor, I will be able to fight more powerful foes. We will punch way above our class weight."
Issari immediately moved to the back, and she let me de spawn the anvil before she immediately rushed to the armor purrs not stopping. Murayama says finally as the armor opens.
"This is incredible. Everything is incredible. The teleporter. The armor. Yet all I got was a common gear."
There's envy there. Revealing what she might have to feed if a devil and I don't like that. Before I say to her while Kiryuu is practicing her shots as heard by a snap hiss.
"Murayama subspecies are rare. My gear and Issari's are Longinus and there are only fourteen of them. You're actually safer with your gear. Because from what I know Longinus users are usually hunted down quickly. Am I right there Keno?"
Akeno replies while watching the lightning.
"Lex is correct Murayama-san. Longinus users are extremely sought after because they can potentially kill gods given enough time and growth. But the damage they can wreak is on a scale like most natural disasters. Why some factions like Grigori will kill untrained users of them on sight. You are safer being on the lower end. Given how Lex is a noble he has that protection. Issari-chan has something else that makes her safe. You tested it Lex?"
Murayama paled learning that. Now no longer envious. I said while preparing to make a wall of remembrance for Tsuda and the rest.
"I did. They refused to enter her. Even the mutation pieces. I couldn't be reincarnated even if Rias tried."
That makes Akeno happy there and she watched her kohai enter her armor. The suit opened and Issari stepped in. It closed with a hiss. Then Issari moved. The foot raised and then clunks the ground, breaking a tile. Issari looks at her new hands in the armor and she just trembled at the new power. Kuroka and Akeno looked at the armor too. I just let Issari get crowded by everyone and I go to that maintenance closet. To make the wall. The place will be temporary and once we get a better place ill move it.
I welded the plate on the backside of the wall. Before welding a cog of Mars below it and then making another plaque above the wall. Finally, I ask each spirit here for their names. Slowly filling the wall till all five have their spot. The Machine God then tells me to bless the site. I do and that's when Murayama found me. She looked at the names and the plaque. It reads.
We are immortal. Like the machine.
Murayama asked me.
"Who are these people?"
I tell her their tales. Murayama listens and I'm so deeply engaged in the stories I don't hear the others gathering around us. Especially with the power armor. Everyone listens to the first five. More spirits are here with us, but they don't stay. They slowly began to leave for their afterlife. After they tell me their names. A wall of people began. Equally represented. Issari low growled in sadness there. Akeno was silent. While Kiryuu touched her friend's name. Murayama listens to it all while Kuroka burying her head on my shoulder. Getting why I'm doing this to myself. It's a solemn atmosphere. But I remember their names. Because I want to.
Issari says softly near the end.
"I will come here often."
Kiryuu says too with a few tears in her eyes.
"As will I. I want to help this week. Get the money so we can focus on real foes. Like him."
The inner circle knows him. Akeno and Murayama don't yet. Akeno thinks of something else hearing the sad growls. She goes to the low growling Issari and started applying head pats. She says something to Issari that makes the two walk away. Kiryuu stays and she just looked at the names more. Murayama looked at the names again too. Every last one. Then she got fire in her eyes. Extreme fire because she gets a determined look, and she prepared something. She dragged me and by proxy Kuroka to a part of the station near the teleporter room. She once it was the three of us snarled her righteous anger.
"I am hard considering to eventually reincarnate. You fight for them. Like my uncle and mom did. The people in ignorance living their lives not knowing."
I don't want to, but Murayama says again.
"I know I'm giving up much if I do it. But my family will have to accept it if I say yes. I was never big on religion like they were. I get that I will be viewed as lesser but I'm human so it's not much of a change. I want to live my life knowing I continue the legacy of my family. A swordswoman that stands for justice. I will be the good parts of them and deny the evils they do."
I give her another option.
"If you want to stay human. You could eventually fight for my cousin Suzaku Himejima. She has led a splinter group of the clans off, and they might be preparing to fight a civil war. I'm going to help her. Are you sure Murayama. It's not reversible."
She looks at me before saying in a very determined manner.
"It's an option. I, however, want your option. Not her. You want me to have no regrets. You want me to be happy. This will make me happy if I say yes. Being a piece to the brave man I am beginning to think I can love utterly. Cat you and red girl will have to put up with me if I want that. I'm not leaving if I want this."
Kuroka smiled at me and then at Murayama. I can see that Murayama means it. Truly means it. She was like a steel beam in her determination. Murayama continued.
"You have plans to help people. I want to help in that for a king that wants to make the world better. The fact that you helped me and red like that shows me that my possible future king is a man who cares. I'm guessing he helped you too cat."
Kuroka smirks at me before throwing me under the bus.
"He did nya. Cleared me of criminal charges that I earned for the right reasons. He's my mate and the man who is too noble nya. You will have a great king if you say yes."
Murayama nods her head. Her hair covered her right eye.
"I will practice my gear. Consider my options and If I say yes. I will prove to you I'm worth being in your peerage. I will tell you when I'm ready. I do want a knight. To spit at them who claim they have honor in the clans. I will show them my king has more honor in his small toe than they do in their whole body. They can burn for what they do. I want to be free of them forever."
I sighed.
"Very well. But you get to tell your uncle. I like living."
Murayama hugs me and promises me she will. Kuroka just joked with our very likely next piece.
"You'll like us nya. We are fun. Gregor will encourage your dreams too nya. I got mine. Kiryuu wants to learn all the magic nya. Our king wants to get to Mars. Our unofficial name is the Warriors of Mars nya. Because he can eventually build that for us."
Murayama stiffened. Before she pulled back and looked at me. The longing for Mars must be clear on my face because Murayama declared.
"He will get that. Anything for him that has shown me and my real family kindness. He will get Mars. You can build ships! With your gear! Oh Gregor-kun!"
The two women excitedly began debating what our ship will look like. I let them be happy and they started a small fight over the ship name. Murayama wants it named after a swordsman or woman. Kuroka says it should be named after her Shirone! I snort there because that racist cat doesn't deserve a ship named after her. I look at Kuroka unimpressed with her choice. As I do Murayama's name. They just continue arguing about the name. That argument stopped as we rejoined the others.
Issari is still looking at her armor now out of it in awe. Akeno is next to her and is also looking at the armor with interest. Kiryuu has her armor on, and she is trying to move around in it. But will need time. She asked me as she tried to get near me.
"There must be something more maneuverable. This might hamper me more than help."
I do say to her.
"There are some things that are lighter. I'll think over a few ideas."
Issari said while still looking at the armor.
"I'll join. I'll hold this back. How much are we doing today?"
I take out my list and then think. Kiryuu and Murayama looked at the list in shock because of two different reasons. Akeno chuckles.
"Your intel is good thanks to someone. Don't do that again please. Rias was so very worried about you from that. Why she trained till she dropped."
I countered.
"Yes but if I do this we can all relax more. I don't want to do it again. But it is a good way of getting this done. Keno there are things I need to fight more."
Akeno sees she won't win here easily.
"Then do half days. Please for me."
I sighed.
"I will try to do more like that. Not today because I have things to do tomorrow. Better?"
Akeno humphed. Still young. Kuroka saw my worry there and didn't say anything. Akeno presses and makes it worse.
"Just do half days Lex. I just don't want you to be that worried. Riser is not pushing us as hard as he normally would. We are suspicious of him for that. I think that your excuse for Rias has bought us time."
Oh, don't say that Akeno. That's cursing us. Kiryuu doesn't like that either. Issari in the rare moment of being the out of universe one huffs out.
"Don't say that senpai. You're asking for cursing. Pig bird will try something. Given how hot Red is it's probably soon."
Hate that she's right. I also feel the first hint of anger towards someone calling Rias hot besides me. I am now really worried. Riser according to Rias is smart and I don't like this silent stance. I don't say my worry. Akeno however continues on.
"Please just relax Lex. You're worrying about this for nothing."
Issari caught my worry. She stayed silent. Even though she's going to be a bad dragon helping me. I give a noncommittal answer.
"Keno. I'll take it a bit slower. May I please do this? That way I'm not worried more."
Akeno huffs.
"Ok. I just want you to relax more Lex. You act like the world's going to end. It won't. We have a month and a half before school and its summer. Relax a bit. Please."
"I can't easily but will try."
That seems to be enough for Akeno. She prepared to leave but says.
"I'll let you go Lex. Just please try. You're like your mom doing this. She always worried about everything too much. Issari-chan would you like to go get food sometime this week?"
That last part was said with a very tiny voice. Issari widened her eyes and then nodded furiously.
"Yes! I would love to have lunch with you Akeno-senpai!"
That got a dirty look sent at Kiryuu who was just about to tease the dragon girl. Akeno smiled a soft smile and replied.
"It's a date. I'll text you when. Thank you for breakfast today Lex. It was nice to meet you Murayama-san. Cat wack him about because he's worried over nothing. Kiryuu-chan I'll see if I can't bring you some books I have managed to get. Just please don't return them in bad shape. I'll see you possibly tomorrow Lex. Rias said she would come over tomorrow too."
She waved and then hit the pad. Disappearing. Everyone just looked at me in question.
"I will buy everyone a gift of their choice if they don't rat me out. Including you Murayama-chan. Issari I know you just scored there but please let me do this. You know why."
The inner circle nodded as one while Murayama just supported me.
"I won't say anything Gregor-kun. She's right you should relax. But with what you have told me of him that's a bad sign. She's worried but just wants you to not push yourself."
I worry because fate is a bitch. Kiryuu just moved towards the pad slowly in her armor. Murayama following her. I tell them while preparing for a hunt.
"Just ask Maéva if you need something. Katase is welcome in the home. Just give the heads up. I'll be back in a few hours."
Kiryuu nods as does Murayama. Before both leave the station as known by the sound of a quick zap. Issari showed herself to be so torn. She grew sad.
"Senpai is just worried for you Gregor-kun. I don't like this. Can you delay your meeting tomorrow and reschedule the school?"
I looked to Kuroka for question one. She spoke softly for me.
"The group can wait. I'll tell them to wait till Tuesday nya. I'll see them tomorrow and explain things. Kala will be surprised by you nya. And me. She knows I won't rat her out nya."
I tell Issari.
"The school is in the first half of the day. I'll pull a hard shift today. I can't reschedule because it's a one time chance. Let's get going. Roka you don't have to do much today. I know you and Shirone need to reconnect."
Kuroka wacks me with a tail. Saying in an exasperated voice.
"I'll pull a half shift nya. Two or three hunts. I texted Shirone and we are going to go out to eat tonight nya."
That's better. She smiled there. Before I ask the Machine God for a war mask for her. He agreed and the build up was felt. I'm told she can turn it on and off at will. I quickly make the robes before then getting my armor on along with my mechadendrites. We, after looking through the list, choose the targets.
Once we were all ready. I begin letting my magic flow. I portal us to the first group. Two knights and a rook.
I swung my axe, and its roaring blades catch on a Chinese sword. The woman on the other side has a bit of meat hanging off her left arm from where I got her the first time. I head butt her and that sends the American backwards. She stumbled towards the half-finished wall in this old building that had been abandoned by the building company over a payment dispute.
I see Kuroka out of the corner of my eye slowing the second knight with mud. He finally fell choking on poison. I focus back on the first knight, and I swing my axe along with two swords against her. She dodged them and brought her own sword across my legs trying to make her opening. I just catch her sword with one of mine. Then cut off her head. it bounced and the body dropped. I picked up the head throwing it in the pocket. I kept it open for Kuroka's kill and for Issari's. The rook she engaged had run fast because my title and description had finally leaked to the strays.
That there was three of us made that rook freak and the man had booked it. The knights had more guts than brains. The rook had been cornered then killed. We cleaned this up then moved against the next group. Two mutation pawns and a bishop.
I blast the leg off the bishop as he tried to electrocute me again. My arm was jerky from the last shock and thus the leg and not the body shot. The bishop screams loud losing his leg and I just cut his head off. Ending the scream. I hate him because he was a nasty person. Trying to start selling a date rape drug of magical means here in the city.
His two comrades were the street dealers. Equally sick people who were preparing to demonstrate the drug on a woman to a buyer. Kuroka had knocked the two mundanes unconscious and then after killing a pawn she had reworked memories removing us and the magic side. Along with getting the woman justice on her potential abuser by getting a good story going that she can give to the police. With an implanted desire in the man to confess to the crime once arrested. Issari had painted the room red with the second pawn using her sword.
The strays had been meeting in an old slaughterhouse and I burned the bodies. Throwing heads into the pocket. Before the final one for Kuroka before her food.
The two rooks are running from me as they scream in of all things Portuguese. I chased them down before blasting them with bolter rounds. I claimed one on a man. His brother was just as scared and then powers up punching a hole through a wall to escape. I'm not impressed as he kept running. I fire and the bolt hits his back sending the body into pieces. I clean up and then move to find my partners.
Kuroka was cooking a pawn alive. Her screams were not heard thanks to silence bubbles. Issari was just looking at her phone and she seemed worried about something. I don't know why. She had been on the phone longer because her knight was as she had put it over the vox.
A little eggless bitch. In reference to a snake youkai. She threw her head into the pocket. She keeps looking at her phone and I ask her.
"What's got you in that?"
Issari shrugged her shoulders and answered,
"Just looking at something to buy. I want a new computer and I want to try this Skyrim game you two were talking about."
I am very interested in the phone, but Kuroka finished her cooking and tossed her head towards me. I catch it then throw it in. I ask her.
"What currency do you want? For your share?"
She responded to me with a shrug.
"Yen. Shirone wants to get sweets and I'm getting her them nya."
Simple enough. I then opened the portal back to the station after the bodies are gone. Once there I helped Kuroka get her armor off. She once the helm comes off shakes her ears in relief at them being able to move again.
"That mask is so weird nya. The elves used it?"
I take my own helm off and am starting to get used to the mask.
"Only craftworlds did. The other elves just let themselves enjoy the experience. Have fun with your sister. Will you be ok if you run into any of Heniya's peerage?"
Kuroka smiles at the concern, but her ears and tails disappeared within a second and she shook her head.
"I'll be fine nya. Never was caught when they did see me. Senjutsu is good at hiding things nya."
I'm still worried but I trust her almost implicitly.
"I'll get your money fast then I'll do two more hunts. I think this will be more than enough to justify the work today. Thank you for helping."
Kuroka just smiled and hugged me. It was a brief hug before she went to enjoy herself with her sister. Issari when it's the two of us said.
"I'm calling it too. You need to make sure you get enough today Gregor-kun. I do have something to ask. Whatever happened to Irina?"
I raised an eyebrow and replied.
"She went on to become a reincarnated angel when they developed that. Why the curiosity?"
Issari went very still. Before she said in a near whisper.
"I miss her. I really do. Why I was surprised when she messaged me today. She is usually only able to do that on Sunday around noon for us and only once every few months. She messaged twice today and said she missed me too. Said she wants to see me sometime."
Oh fun. An exorcist being near a half devil and not attempting to kill them is a good joke. I should do stand up with that. Issari drooping knowing that I couldn't be near her original best friend. I just pat her in sympathy.
"I can ask Kuroka to when Irina does visit get rid of the demonic presence from you. I'm not sure what she would do if she was near me and the others. Cheer up. You got a date with your senpai. The onee-sama of the school and they will be extremely jealous of you. You won't be the bottom of the school social structure."
That brightened her up a tiny bit. Before she droops again.
"I just want my best friends to get along with each other and her to not kill senpai. I'm never joining the church because I'm a heretic to them already. I don't want her to hate me for that."
I feel sympathy there.
"She in the base place accepted you as a devil. Even got engaged to you as one. It might be the same here. Just don't say that Big G is dead. That put her down for a week of mourning. I if she does learn of me will play nice and die as many times as I need to. I'm a good devil."
Issari got a tiny bit better. Knowing Irina accepted the other version. I don the helm again and prepared to go after a queen and three pawns. Then finally a group of bishops and knights. Issari hugged my back and told me.
"Senpai is just worried about you. You don't really relax. But given you're a noble I get it. Maybe Tuesday we could do something fun?"
I really have not relaxed in three weeks. But I was used to that thanks to a job I had where the manager didn't schedule me a day off for a month. I had hated that job. I sighed but agree.
"I'll see what we can do. I just don't want to have to blow open Riser's peerage with the boltgun. I'd happily use it on him and make him scream along with his queen but not the lower pieces. It's just you're the main character and they usually get things suddenly thrown at them. Riser being this silent is not good and he does push this year near the end of it. I don't like it I might have become the main character."
Issari understands.
"I agree. On you being worried. This might be that type of universe, but everyone is the main character to them. I believe that we can get this done fast. I believe in a better tomorrow, and we will be ready to fight the knife ear bastard. My boosts are taking less time each fight. I think I can get scale mail under the armor in a few more sessions. I'm prepared for him more than my base self. The other me told me his Kokabiel was bad but he agrees ours is worse in many ways."
I hate the fuck. But the ruler Issei seems very cool. I'll finish this then I'll try to relax.
"I want to hear more about that you. He sounds very interesting. I will see you Issari. Also, for Keno try going shopping with her. I don't know how to feel there except for happy you will treat my cousin right. Mostly. Have a good night."
That was a tease, but Issari just flipped me off. Before moving to store her armor. She once done waved again before leaving the station. I don the helm and then portal to the next fights. They were not too bad. Just two broken arms and one leg.