Chapter 33
After punching the Fallen Angel, I was about to fall down after using my whole power but something supports me from my shoulder, when I looked, it's Kiba.
"Good work. You actually beat a Fallen Angel." He's carrying my shoulder with a smile and is supporting me.
(What the, even Kiba is torn.)
"You expected it?"
"Obviously, I bet on you after all." He joked.
"In any case, you're late Casanova."
"Fufufu, President told me not to interfere."
(Rias did?)
"That's right. I believed that you were able to beat the Fallen Angel Raynare."
When I turned around to the direction where the voice came from, Rias is walking towards me smiling while wavering her crimson hair.
"President? Where did you come from?"
"From the basement. I finished my business, so I used the magic-circle to come here. It was my first time transporting to a Church, so I was nervous." Rias makes a sigh while talking to me.
(I see, So that's why she came from downstairs with Kiba and the others.)
Then all of the Exorcists are annihilated. With the help of Rias and Akeno, it certainly didn't take long. Then Koneko-chan walks past me.
(Where is she going?)
"Looks like you won safely." Buchou stands front of me.
"President... Yeah, I won somehow."
"Fufufu, excellent. Just what I expected from my servant." She taps on my nose.
"Safely ? What are you talking about Rias-senpai? Look at the state of you Emiya-kun! What are those wounds?" Toshaka steps towards me, somewhat shocked.
"I'm fine Tohsaka, maybe not for long though..."
"Ara ara. The Church is in a mess. President, is it alright?" Akeno-san has a troubled face.
"Hum... Is something wrong?" I ask Rias timidly.
"Church's belong to God or religions related to him, but there are cases like this where it is used by Fallen Angels. In cases like this, if we Devils damage the Church, there will be times when we get targeted by assassins. For revenge and payback."
(S-Seriously?)
"But it won't happen this time." Assure Tohsaka.
"Why is that?"
"As I explained to you earlier, the church is supposed to be watched over by a priest. But he left without saying a word, so it's been abandoned. So a certain group of Fallen Angels had come here to use it for their own greed, and you Devils and me just happened to have a fight in a place like that. So we didn't step foot on the enemies' actual territory to have war. So it's just a small fight between a Devil and a Fallen Angel. This happens every time. That's what happened."
"I see. So it's a matter of fact of how you sum it up."
"Exactly."
"President. I've brought it." The one who appeared while making a sound of dragging something is Koneko-chan.
She appeared from the broken wall, and what she is dragging is a black wing, Fallen Angel Raynare. So Koneko-chan is dragging the unconscious Raynare whom I had punched away. But she said she "brought" it... She uses unique words for a small girl.
"Thank you, Koneko. Now then, let's wake her up. Akeno."
"Yes." Akeno-san lifts her hand up, then water appears up in the air.
Akeno-san splashes the water created in the air on Raynare, she coughs after the splash. The Fallen Angel wakes up and opens her eyes slowly.
"How are you doing, Fallen Angel Raynare." Buchou looks down on her.
"...The daughter of the Gremory clan..."
"Hello, my name is Rias Gremory. I'm the next heir of the House of Gremory. It will be for a short while, but nice to have your acquaintance. And this is Tohsaka Rin, the mage in charge of this town, but it seems to me you've already met, haven't you?"
Rias greets her with a smile, but Raynare glares at her. Tohsaka says nothing, her face is weary, and being right next to me, I can feel her tension. Then Raynare sneers.
"...You think you've got me, but too bad. This plan was kept secret from the higher-ups, but there are other Fallen Angels with me. If I get in danger, they will"
"They won't come to help." Rias says it clearly to reject Raynare's words. "That's because I already eliminated all three of the Fallen Angel Kalawana, Fallen Angel Donaseek, and Fallen Angel Mitelt."
"Lies!" Raynare rejects what Rias said while sitting up straight.
"These are the feathers of those three. You can tell them apart since you are the same kind as them, right?" Rias takes out three black feathers.
Seeing that, Raynare's expression darkens. Looks like Rias is speaking the truth.
"When I met with the Fallen Angel Donaseek who attacked Senji before, I predicted that there were a few Fallen Angels plotting something in this town. I ignored it because I thought it was a plan that involves the whole Fallen Angel. Even I'm not foolish enough to take on all of the Fallen Angels. Then I heard that the Fallen Angels were moving around secretively so I went to talk to them, taking Akeno with me. When I met them in person, they blurted that it was their own plan. By helping you, they said, they would get promoted to a higher status. Low life that move around secretively for their purpose usually brag about their plots." Rias smirks.
Raynare is biting her teeth with frustration.
"They must have looked down on us because it was just two girls who approached them. So I asked them as a parting gift. Fufufu, they were foolish Fallen Angels who didn't know who was going to die. Since they were willing to help in your pathetic plot, they themselves were low beings." So that's why. The "thing" Rias needed to take care of was that.
She took down the other remaining Fallen Angel, Rias was thinking about this whole incident as well.
(Without knowing it, I said so much bad things about her... Man, I feel like shit...)
"Getting hit by a single shot won't even leave a trace. The princess of the Duke who has the power of destruction. President is a powerful Devil who is called a genius among the group of young Devils after all." Kiba makes a comment to praise her master.
"She is also called the "Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess", you know?" Akeno-san says it while smiling.
(R-Ruin Princess... What a scary nickname... So that makes me part of the Ruin Princess' group. That's kinda cool.)
"...Red Dragon. Until recently there wasn't a mark like this... I see, so that's what it is..." Rias looks at my left arm, especially my gauntlet. Her eyes look like she's a bit shocked. "I found out the main reason why Senji was able to beat you, Fallen Angel Raynare. This boy, Emiya Senji's Sacred Gear isn't a regular one. That's why you lost."
Raynare has a puzzled face after hearing Rias.
"[Boosted Gear], a Sacred Gear that is said to be the rarest of the rare. The Red Dragon mark on the gauntlet is the evidence. Even you have heard of that name before, right?"
"B-Boosted Gear... One of the [Longinus]... Even though it's for a temporarily time, it's said that it has the power to surpass Maous and God... Are you telling me that hateful power is possessed in a boy like him!?"
"If it's just like the legend is told, then the ability of the [Boosted Gear] can double the power of the possessor every 10 second. Even if his power starts from 1, it doubles his power every 10 seconds, and it can reach the power of the leader-class Fallen
Angels and High-class Devils. And by mastering it, he could even kill God."
(How strong are you Ddraig?) I ask, looking down at my gauntlet.
"What a question! I'm a dragon, of course I'm the strongest. But you already know that."
"Well, no matter how powerful it is, Sacred Gear which needs time has a big risk. There aren't any enemies that would wait for the user to get stronger. Fortunately, Senji has other trump cards."
Indeed, that's the first thing Ddraig and Kiritsugu taught me. My Sacred Gear is powerful, but it has one major weakness.
Buchou approaches me, I can smell something nice from her crimson hair and she starts to pat my head.
"But it's interesting. Just to be expected from my Servant-kun. Just like I thought, Senji is an interesting boy. I'm going to adore you even more." Rias smiles at me.
(It's a nice smile, but it looks a bit scary...)
"P-President?" I bow my head down because I feel guilty.
"What is it?" Buchou is smiling.
"I'm sorry. When I said I was going to save Asia, I said rude stuff to you because you wouldn't help... But you were helping us behind the scene and..." I just want to apologise.
I thought that President was a cold hearted Devil. So I kept on being rude to her. So I needed to say how sorry I am. But President is still patting my head.
"P-President... I couldn't... protect Asia..." I was crying without noticing it. Yes, I wasn't able to accomplish my goal.
"You don't have to cry. Seeing you right now, there is no one that will blame you."
"But... but, I..." Buchou wipes my tears with her fingers.
"It's okay. You just weren't experienced enough yet. That's all to it. Become strong. I'm going to make you work hard from now on, so be prepared. My Pawn, Senji."
"Yes." I will work hard. I will definitely become stronger. I promised.
"Now then, I'll finish my last work." Rias eyes become sharp and it looks ruthless.
Rias got close to Raynare. The Fallen Angel becomes scared.
"I will have you disappear, Fallen Angel-san." It's a cold tone filled with killing intent. "Of course, I will retrieve that Sacred Gear back as well."
"Y-You can't be serious!? This healing power is for Azazel-sama and Shemhaza-sama"
"To live your life for love is beautiful. But you are too tainted with dirt. You have no elegance. And I don't allow that." Rias aims her hand towards Raynare. Looks like she will kill her in one blow.
"Me, here." Then, a shadow appears from behind the broken wall. The Priest, Freed Sellzen.
(It's that shitty Priest! He came back despite running away once!)
"Wow! My superior is in serious danger! So what's going to happen now!?"
"Save me! If you save me, I will give you a reward or anything you want!" Raynare screams at the appearance of the Priest.
"Hmm, hmm. I received a wonderful order from an Angel-sama. Eh? So I can have sex with you? To me, having sex with an Angel-sama is like the best honour and it will become a good social status for me." Freed makes a sadistic smile.
"Ku... D-Don't fool around and save me!" The Fallen Angel's expression is filled with anger. It also seems like she's in a rush.
(No, she is in a rush. She probably thinks that, "A mere human won't betray me".)
"Ararararara, you know that I'm actually serious... I mean, something simple like that should be all right, isn't it, Angel-sama? So it's a no? Is that so? Then I will take my leave now. No matter how you look at it, I'm at a disadvantage, so I will just take off." Freed says it in a funny tone while curling his body.
"Y-You are a Priest, aren't you!? You are supposed to save me! I'm an all mighty Fallen Angel! I"
"I don't need a superior who loses to trashy Devils. You are pretty, but you lack plans and you are hard headed. The only thing you are useful for is masturbation. So just die away already. Well, a Fallen Angel who is abandoned by God won't go to either Heaven or Hell, but goes back to nothing. Maybe the experience of turning into nothing will be helpful? Ah, that's impossible. Since there will be nothing left. It's impossible. So namusan. Wait, that's Buddhism. Ah, I'm a former Christian! I'm such a naughty boy!" After saying that, he moves his sight elsewhere, as if he has lost interest in Raynare.
With that, Raynare put on an expression of despair, she looks miserable. Then Freed makes a big smile at me.
(What does he want from me now?)
"Senji-kun, Senji-kun. You have such a wonderful ability. I'm getting more interested in you. You are so worthy to kill! You are definitely in my Top 5 for the "Devils I want to kill", so be prepared, okay? Next time we meet, let's have a romantic fight to the death, okay?" Chills. I felt something cold running through my back.
That guy is smiling but has an extreme killing intent. A challenge directed at me. No, an advanced notice for killing me.
"See ya then! Bye-bye! Remember to brush your teeth!" Freed disappears immediately from the scene after waving his hands at us.
(He's quick. That guy just left like that. But somehow, it feels like I will meet him again. It's not a premonition but something weirder.)
"Now, Fallen Angel Raynare, who was abandoned by her own servant. Miserable." Rias didn't have the slightest sympathy in her tone.
Raynare starts to shiver. Maybe the reason why I feel a bit sorry for her is because she's still somehow my ex-girlfriend "Yuuma-chan". Well, that was also part of her dirty plan. Raynare then looks at me. She then makes sorrowful eyes at me.
"Senji-kun! Please save me!" Her voice is that of Yuuma-chan, when she was my girlfriend. "This Devil is trying to kill me! I love you! I love you so much! That's why, let's defeat this Devil together!"
Raynare once again acts like Yuuma-chan and begs for help to me while crying. I was stupid for feeling even a bit sorry for you, Yuuma-chan. No, shitty Fallen Angel. I try to charge my magic circuits, but they don't respond, they're completely off, showing how tired my body is.
"I'm sorry President, I'm too tired to do anything. Can you..." Hearing that, the Fallen Angel's expression froze.
"...Don't try to flirt with my cute servant. Blow away." The demonic-power shot by Rias left nothing of the Fallen Angel.
The only thing left is the mysterious feeling I have and the black feathers floating around the Church.
A green light is floating in the sanctuary. It's Asia's Sacred Gear. After Raynare was defeated, it got released. The warm light shines at me. Rias takes the light to her hand.
"Now, let's give this back to Asia Argento-san."
"B-But Asia is already..." Yeah, Asia can't be resurrected anymore. After all, I couldn't save her.
I promised to protect her. I promised to save her. Even though I defeated the Fallen Angel, it was pointless to come here if I couldn't save her... No, that would be an insult to my comrades. They fought for me and Asia. They didn't even get a single benefit from it.
"...Everyone, thanks for fighting for me and Asia. B-But still, even with all your help, Asia is..."
"Senji, what do you think this is?" Rias takes something out from her pocket.
It's a chess piece that has the same colour as Buchou's hair.
"These are your chess pieces... Wait, don't tell me...?"
"Yes, this is a [Bishop] chess piece."
"Huh ?" I made an idiotic voice because of the sudden answer.
"As I've already explained to you, Devil with a Peerage receives 15 chess pieces in total, made up of 8 [Pawns], 2 [Knights], 2 [Bishops], 2 [Rooks], and 1 [Queen]. Same as in an actual chess game. I already used one of my [Bishop], but I still have another one left." Rias then walks towards Asia while holding the crimson chess piece in her hand.
She places the crimson [Bishop] chess piece on the now deceased Asia's chest.
"The [Bishop]'s role is to support the other members of the group. This girl's healing power could be useful as a [Bishop]. It never happened before, but I will reincarnate this girl as a Devil."
A crimson demonic-power surrounds Buchou's body.
"I order, in my name Rias Gremory. You, Asia Argento. I, resurrect you back to this soil as my servant, and have you reborn as a Devil. You, my [Bishop], be delighted with your new life!"
The crimson chess piece glows and goes inside Asia's body. At the same time, Asia's Sacred Gear goes back inside her body. Buchou stops her power after confirming that the chess piece and the Sacred Gear went inside Asia's body. Then Rias makes a sigh.
I just look at her in a daze. After a short while, Asia opens her eyes. Seeing that, I freeze completely, never having imagined seeing her alive again.
"Huh?" Asia's voice.
The voice that I thought I can never hear again.
"I resurrected her because I wanted her power that can even heal a Devil. Fufufu, Senji, from now on, you'll protect her. Since you will be her senior Devil." Rias gives me a warm smile.
"...Senji-san?" Asia raises her upper body. She looks around and finds me.
I hugged Asia who looks puzzled.
"Let's go home, Asia."
Friday, January 6, 2023.
"Ara, so you came on time." When I arrived in the club room, Rias was the only one present.
The school hasn't started yet. I came here early in the morning because last evening we were told that we will have a meeting in the morning. Rias is sitting on the sofa, drinking green-tea elegantly.
"Good morning, President."
"Yes, good morning. Looks like you have gotten used to the sun."
"Yes, thanks to you."
Then she stands up, approaches me, lifts my chin and inspects my face and neck. She raises my left arm and lifts my sleeve. Her hand moves to my hips and prepares to lift my shirt. I stop her before she goes any further.
"Um... can I ask what you're doing?" I ask embarrassed.
"I was checking to see if you still had wounds, but apparently she did a good job. Except for that..." She said, gently caressing my left forearm.
It's completely burnt, creating immense dark patches, leaving very little room for my original colors.
"I understand better now why you have small patches on your body. How many times have you..."
"There's no need to worry President, everything is completely healed thanks to her healing power." I answered.
I rub my fingers together, still getting used to the extreme sensitivity of my nerves, which have miraculously survived, it's a bit painful, but it's also pleasant. I don't know how to explain it.
"Is that so? It seems like that girl's healing power is something you can't ignore. I can see why a single Fallen Angel would desire it, even by keeping it a secret from her superiors."
I sit on the sofa opposite Buchou. There are several things I want to ask her.
"Hum President? If there are the same number of [Evil Pieces] as in chess, then is it possible to have 7 other [Pawns] besides me? I know you've used them all up for me, but I guess you can have more now?" But Rias shakes her head to the side to my question.
"No, my only [Pawn] is you, Senji. When reincarnating a human to a Devil we use the [Evil Pieces], but depending on the ability of the person being reincarnated, more [Evil Pieces] will be consumed."
"Yes I remember, you told me you needed all your [Pawns] because my power was already very strong."
"That's right, there's a saying like this in the world of chess. Queens have a value of 9 Pawns. Rooks have a value of 5 Pawns. Knights and Bishops have a value of 3 Pawns each. Like this, there are standard values that also apply to the Evil Pieces. A similar phenomenon happens to those reincarnated. If there are those who can only be reincarnated with 2 Knight pieces, then there are also those who need 2 Rook pieces to be reincarnated. There's also the compatibility with the pieces as well. You can't use 2 separate Pieces to give them different roles, so it's important to think how to use the pieces. Once you use it, Devils won't be given a new [Evil Pieces]."
"I see... I feel a bit bad now..."
"Senji, if I used all my [Pawns] pieces on you, it's because I wanted to. When I found out, I decided to definitely make you into my servant. But I couldn't find the reason for a while. But now I'm convinced. The Sacred Gear that is said to be supreme. Because it was you, Senji, who possess the [Boosted Gear] which is said to be one of the supreme Sacred Gear, the [Longinus], therefore it had that much value."
I look at my left arm. The red gauntlet. A insane embodiment of power which doubles my power every 10 seconds. Depending on how you use it, it's said that it can even kill God. This Sacred Gear is something which is too good for me, but it can't be helped since its residing in me.
"You can tell that you like me, I won't make fun of it, I promise."
"When I was thinking to reincarnate you, the only pieces I had left were 1 Knight, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop and 8 Pawns. To make you into my servant, I could only use all 8 pieces of Pawn. And your compatibility with the Pawn was also good. The other pieces didn't have the power to reincarnate you. To begin with, the value of [Pawn] is still a mystery. Also including its [Promotion]. That's why I gambled on that possibility. As a result, you were the best." Buchou smiles happily. "Our matching is also great since its crimson and red, "Crimson-Hair Ruin-Princess" and [Boosted Gear]. Senji, first of all, you'll become the strongest [Pawn]. If it's you, you can definitely do it. After all, you are my adorable servant."
(The strongest [Pawn]. I like the sound of that.)
Rias brings her face closer when I was thinking about it, then her lips touches my forehead.
"This is a good luck charm. Get stronger." Kiss on the forehead...
I became unsteady because of what just happened, and my face turns red. But strangely I don't react as strongly as I thought I would.
(Can I thank Chiyo-san for this? Why does it sound so kinky?)
I know it's to motivate me, but looking at her face, I don't know what to think, she's looking at me with great concern and sadness.
"I probably should stop adoring you here. The new girl might get jealous of me." She resumes her seat, smiling as usual, as if nothing had happened.
(Jealous ? What is she talking about ?)
"S-Senji-san..?" Voice came from behind me. When I turned around, the blond girl, Asia, is trying to smile.
"A-Asia?" (Eh? Is she mad? W-Why?)
"It has to be... R-Rias-President is very beautiful, so even Senji-san will also like her... No, no. I can't think like that! Oh, lord. Please forgive my sinful heart." Asia made a prayer but she then screams. "Auu! I have a headache."
"Of course. If a Devil makes a prayer to God, of course you will receive damage." Buchou says that normally.
"Uu, that's right. I turned into a Devil. I can't face God any more." Asia seems a bit troubled.
"Do you regret it?" Rias asks Asia.
"No, thank you very much. No matter what situation I am in, I'm happy as long as I am with Senji-san." Asia shakes her head.
My face starts to turn red because of her embarrassing reply. T-This is something which makes me happy. For a guy, it's the ultimate praise.
"I see, then its okay. From today you will also be my servant, and I will make you work along with Senji." Hearing that, Buchou also smiles.
"Yes! I will do my best!" Asia replies very energetically.
(She will have to do the leaflet handing first, but I wondered if she will be all right?)
I feel uneasy. Then I realised the change in Asia.
(Why didn't I realise it until now?)
"Asia, that uniform..." She is wearing the school uniform of our school. Kuoh Academy's girl uniform.
"D-Does it suit me..?" She asks me shyly.
(Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that, she's so adorable...)
"Yeah, you look great in it, it really suit you."
"I-I see, thank you..." She was troubled with how to react.
"I decided to make Asia attend our school. Since she is about the same age as you, she's also in first year. I also made her in the same class as you. Today will be her first day, so make sure to look after her." Buchou says that to me.
(My class huh? I'll have to watch out for the three then...)
"I will be in your care, Senji-san." Asia bows her head.
I'm starting to imagine introducing Asia to everyone, but especially Usui, Motohama and Matsuda, with their bewildered faces.
"Yeah. I will introduce you to some, hope you'll get along."
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."
(Yeah, gotta watch her innoncence, especially with Shiria...)
While I was imagining that, Kiba, Koneko-chan and Akeno-san enters the room.
"Good morning, President, Senji-kun, Asia-san."
"...Good morning, President, Senji-senpai, Asia-senpai."
"How are you all doing, President, Senji-kun, Asia-chan."
See them enter, Rias stands up, then followed closely by Tohsaka, a big smile on her tired face.
"Hi everyone, I almost arrived late but it's okay I'm here Rias-senpai."
"You're just in time Rin-san, good, since everyone is here, shall we start the party?" Saying that, Buchou clicks her fingers, then, a big cake appears on the table.
(Did she teleport it here or was it there all along, just invisible?)
"It might be good sometimes to gather in the morning to do these kinds of things, right? S-since we got new members, I made some cake, so let's eat it together." Rias says it shyly.
"Oh homemade cake! I was right to accept this invitation even if it did make me get up earlier, thank you!" Tohsaka is the first to help herself and devour her slice.
She's followed closely by everyone else, and I follow along and recognize my recipe with surprise.
"It's... President, I don't remember you asking me for the recipe for this cake?" I call out to Rias.
"Hmmm?" She blushed suddenly, embarrassed to be discovered. "Ah yes, I asked Kiba to pass me your recipe, I hope you like it even if I admit it's not as good as yours."
"Oh no it's very good, good job." I compliment her.
Her face lights up with pride and embarrassment, slightly red, then Rin places herself between us, smiling playfully.
"Look at that, what a womanizer that Senji is. And from what I can see, he's doing quite well, isn't he, Rias-senpai?"
"N-nothing to see! I still have the right to know if my cake is good!"
"But yes, it's very good. That reminds me..." Then the discussion moves on to something else, leaving me on the sidelines.
I turn to the others, seeing them all happy, smiling and laughing, especially Asia. I can't help it, even though she's standing next to us, I can't stop those flashes coming in, of her dead on that bench a few hours ago.
Dead because of my own weakness, something I can't forgive myself for. I must become stronger, as Rias said, I must aim for the title of the most strongest [Pawn] so that I never make the same mistake again.
Vol. 6 End.
