Here I present myself with a new translated chapter!

I want to thank everyone who is reading this, as this story has just surpassed 400 favorites and followers. This story is the most voted story on FanFiction, so I'm very excited to know that this had started as a mere test project in an attempt to get the story to reach more people.

Seriously, thank you all very much. It may sound stupid, but the idea that someone might enjoy my hobby is really exciting to me.

Sentimentality aside, it's time for the reviews:

Vanhellsing9000: Well, several things will happen several chapters from now, so the Demons won't be too quiet. Thank you very much for watching every update, and I hope you keep liking this until the end.

With nothing more to add, let's begin.

Enjoy!

"I'm finally done with this." Sirzechs gave a sigh as he leaned back in his seat.

The Demon King lifted his gaze from the desk, watching as all the facilities were being restored by the various Demons.

"Brother, are you done with your work?" Rias entered the somewhat destroyed room, earning a passive look from Sirzechs.

"I saved myself the trouble with many of them and just made up some excuses for the Sekiryuutei's death, I also created a fake death condition in the human world. Basically, we should never worry about Hyoudou again." The Demon King clarified, then looked at his sister with a raised eyebrow. "But you didn't come just to ask me that, did you?" The man consulted her, receiving a nod from Rias.

"Actually there's something I've been wondering about since we got rid of Hyoudou." Rias stated, lowering her head a little. "I don't understand why you proposed the option of him still being alive, being that it would have been very dangerous for us." The redhead clarified, earning a half-smile from Sirzechs.

"You still have a lot to learn, little sister." The Demon King chuckled, managing to make Rias blush with embarrassment at her brother's words.

The casual atmosphere was completely transformed as Sirzechs' gaze changed to a much more sly and sinister one.

"Do you really think I would have left him alive?" That questioning from her brother caused Rias' eyes to widen. "It was just a bluff. Once we had the Sacred Gear in our hands, the whole procedure would have been exactly the same as it happened yesterday." The man clarified, then closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

Sirzechs brought his gaze back to the sky of Hell, opting for a rather solemn expression.

"But, no use thinking about that now. As I said, everything about Hyoudou is already settled, and he's surely already been devoured by that beast who rules the deepest abyss of our world..."

"I understand." Rias nodded slightly at her brother's last words, and just as she was about to take her leave to return to the Academy, a very agitated Ajuka entered the room without warning.

That fact drew quite a bit of attention for both Sirzechs and Rias.

"Sirzechs, we need to talk!" Ajuka exclaimed as sweat poured down his face.

"What's wrong?" Sirzechs stood up from his seat with a rather serious look on his face. "From the look on your face, I'm guessing it's not pleasant news."

"In fact, it's quite the opposite!" Clarified the man instantly, drawing quite a bit of attention from the Demon King and his sister.

"First calm down. I want to hear all the details clearly." Sirzechs stated, watching as Ajuka gave a big sigh to calm down.

"It's about this." The Demon stated much more relaxed as he materialized a contraption that fit in one of his hands.

At this, both Rias and Sirzechs looked rather quizzical.

"And what's that supposed to be?" Asked the Demon King very curiously.

"Do you remember that Rizevim attacked the Demons with the eagerness to take an artifact that belonged to the Ancient Demon King?" Sirzechs lowered his gaze and looked at the object with quite some interest.

"So, you've finally managed to find said artifact?" The Demon King stated, studying the object with his eyes. "If you ask me, it doesn't look like anything very special. But considering how desperate Rizevim was to get it back, and also considering how elated you were when you came in here..."

"That's right, this artifact is much more special than we would have imagined." Ajuka cleared Sirzechs doubts before he finished speaking. "I found it a couple of days ago and started studying it. At first seemed to be a failed mind control trinket just like all the other things in the hold, but today I had a surprising find." Ajuka looked at the artifact and paused dramatically.

"It was only for a few seconds, but the artifact established a connection with Trihexa."

Both Rias and Sirzechs widened their eyes beyond measure at the revelation. Though the one who was most surprised was the Demon King, as he drew several startling conclusions from it all.

The man's surprised look changed radically as he began to chuckle under his breath. Rias looked at him with quite a bit of confusion as she heard her brother's laughter become even more pronounced to the point of being quite twisted.

"Now I understand everything!" The Demon King exclaimed as he raised both hands for emphasis on his words.

"Apparently, we both draw the same conclusions." Ajuka clarified with a smile.

Rias could only manage to glance from one side to the other without understanding what had happened.

"I always found it very unusual that in the Trihexa Dimensional Seal there were only three marks when the Demon King of that time was also supposed to have participated. Those doubts became even more questions when the Hakuryuukou claimed to be the Demon King's direct descendant, indicating that he had killed him a few years ago when he should have died a millennium ago." Sirzechs put a hand to his chin, further increasing his smile. "The answer was so simple that I find it incredible that we haven't found it until now..."

"It wasn't so simple really, since everyone believed that the Demon King participated in the sealing and died alongside God to contain the Trihexa, plus he stayed hidden all these years afterwards." Ajuka widened his smile a bit more after positioning his gaze on the artifact.

"Who would have thought that the Ancient Demon King planned to betray God and the other two Dragon Gods all along?"

"Before this there was another prophecy about the Trihexa's madness, but it came several years earlier than had been stated. I have no doubt he had something to do with the fluctuation of fate, and that also explains why he was creating mind control trinkets for centuries." Sirzechs clarified, finally being able to string together all those questions that always lacked answers.

"Wait a minute, I don't understand anything." Rias stated with a very confused look on her face.

After hearing his sister's request, the Demon King widened his smile to very dangerous levels.

"What I am saying is that we have a second chance to reign over all races, my dear sister."

CHAPTER 73: BROKEN HEART.

"I hope this is quick, I have important things to do." Baraqiel declared with a rather bored expression.

All the Cadres were in the large, half-reconstructed hall of the Gremory mansion. The only Demon in that meeting was Sirzechs, who was seated at the head of the large table as a representative of his species.

"I concur with Baraqiel. I ran into a rather sexy mortal and I don't want to waste so much time in these surprise meetings." Shemhazai went along with her fellow Cadre's idea, earning a nod from nearly everyone present, indicating that nearly everyone also had a date with either men or women.

"I only came here because you said that you found more clues about the culprits behind Issei's death." Declared Azazel, who was the only one who looked really serious in this meeting. "Don't beat around the bush and get straight to the point. I'm not in the mood." All the Cadres agreed with their leader's words.

"In that case, I won't beat around the bush." Sirzechs stated, who was still wearing his relaxed smile.

"I was the one who ordered Issei's death."

Everyone remained completely static after the Demon King's words. The one who looked the most affected was Azazel, although he managed to control his nerves quite well.

"Come on, we're not here for jokes." Azazel clarified with a smile, though you could tell from a mile away that he was tense.

"It's not a lie, it's the pure truth." Sirzechs clarified. "The reality is that Hyoudou was just a pawn in our plan to prevent everyone's extinction." All the Cadres looked at each other with quite a bit of confusion, as they didn't understand those words.

The one who did understand everything was Azazel, who did not look at all happy at all of Sirzechs' statements.

"What do you mean by that?" The one who asked was Sahariel, who looked suddenly interested in all the talk.

"As far as I can see, Azazel has never told them anything. But I don't blame him, there would be quite a stir if this spread like wildfire." Clarified the Demon King.

"Sirzechs...!" Azazel exclaimed in fury, but was stopped by his own comrades who gave him a bad look upon learning that he was keeping a rather big secret from him.

"To sum it all up, let's just say that the Fallen Angels and Demons are going to become extinct in two thousand years, as the seal containing Trihexa will be broken." Everyone was completely silent at such a revelation.

In part, they could all understand Azazel's reason for not sharing this information, and it made them not so upset with him. Still, it was not something they were going to overlook so easily.

"But don't worry." Hearing this, all of the Cadres looked at Sirzechs rather curiously. "The reality is that it is known about the breaking of the seal thanks to a Prophecy of God, such as the one we all witnessed many years ago. In this battle of the apocalypse, the Sekiryuutei was the most important warrior to stop the Trihexa's advance, even more than the other two Dragon Gods. That's exactly why I killed him." Everyone was quite taken aback at Sirzechs' explanation, except for Azazel who could only clench his fists tighter with each passing second.

Still, he had to remain calm. He had to find out what exactly Sirzechs was planning, and the reason for summoning them all.

"I don't understand. If you had the Sekiryuutei on your side, you might even have manipulated the fate for your species to survive." Tamiel stated rather intrigued at the Demon King's actions.

"The problem is that Hyoudou got out of our control. And since we could no longer control him, we had to plan a trap." Sirzechs explained, gaining everyone's attention. "What we did was to take advantage of his weakened condition to subdue him, and in that way we forced him to hand over his Sacred Gear to us on the condition that we would let him live if he did so. Obviously, we couldn't take the risk of leaving him alive."

"So now you guys possess the Sacred Gear of the Welsh Dragon?" Baraqiel was quite interested in the talk, something quite rare for him.

"That's right, and that's why I sent for you." Replied the Demon King with a smile. "I didn't call Penemue not because she's on a trip, but because I know perfectly well her relationship with Hyoudou. But with Azazel, I'm sure he was really just using the brat just like me, wasn't he? After all, I'm sure you noticed him just because of the Sacred Gear he was carrying." Sirzechs brought his gaze to Azazel, who just smiled.

"I see I couldn't hide that fact from you." The Cadre pretended to perfection that he had not the slightest interest in Issei.

"As you may know, modifying destiny is not a simple thing. And since we two species are doomed to cross paths for the same end, I plan to make a secret alliance between our races so that we can survive when the time comes." Sirzechs finally delivered his final idea, earning a look from all the Cadres.

"I see, so that's it? You plan to change our destiny?" clarified Azazel, who rested his hand on his cheek with a smile. "Then, I guess we can't refuse to accept such an offer." Azazel brought his gaze to his comrades. "Isn't that right, guys?"

"I don't know..." Tamiel stated hesitantly.

"Think about it. Having such power in our hands, you will be able to achieve all the desires that so far seem impossible." This completely attracted the interest of the impure beings.

"I already said I agree, but right now I have things to do. Penemue will be back in a few minutes." Azazel stated, rising from his seat.

"Sounds good to me. Then we'll set a reunion date for our plans with these ladies and gentlemen." The Demon King stated, fixing his gaze on the remaining Cadres.

"Then, I take my leave." Azazel declared, leaving the place by means of a magic circle.

"Now that Azazel is gone..." A grim look graced Sirzechs face, gaining the attention of all present.

"What do you say if we start discussing the real plan?"

A few minutes later...

"I'm back." Penemue declared, opening the door to the office where the Cadres held meetings.

There stood only Azazel, who didn't even greet her when he saw her enter. All he did was look at her.

"As you know, those stupid old geezers won't come out of their stupid mountain unless the humans return to venerate them." Penemue declared, tossing several papers on the table. "I'd like to talk more about this, but I already want to get back with Issei."

Those words made Azazel's gaze grow even more aggravated.

"Do you know why he's not answering the calls?" Cadre asked him rather curiously. "Actually, neither did you and Tiamat." Penemue couldn't help but feel somewhat annoyed after not even getting a word from Azazel.

And at that moment when she took a good look at him, it was that she realized that something was really wrong.

"What happened?" was the question from Penemue who looked completely serious, catching that sweaty and pale face of the Cadre.

"Well, where should I start..." Azazel looked anywhere, anywhere except at her.

"I suppose I should start with this..." Azazel finally parked his gaze on the Cadre, opting for a more than serious look.

"Issei has been killed in combat."

"..."

"..."

"..."

At that moment, Penemue could feel everything around her turn black.

"..."

"..."

"... What?" was the only thing that came out of her lips after hearing it.

"There was a surprise attack in Hell, Issei was the main target. Due to his condition, he was practically silenced upon..."

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TELLING ME?!"

Penemue grabbed him by the throat and shoved him against one of the bookcases, throwing a large amount of books after the act.

"HOW IS ISSEI DEAD?! TELL ME WHERE HE IS RIGHT NOW, AND STOP JOKEING BEFORE I GIVE YOU A FUCKING BEATING!" The Cadre shouted at him in a state of hysteria that had no equal.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Azazel completely maintained his seriousness, even though he was being strangled to the point of not breathing.

After hearing those words, Penemue looked at him for a few seconds as her eyes slowly widened. Finally, the Cadre dropped him on his own ass.

Azazel coughed several times as he grabbed his neck, watching as the Cadre approached at the katana in complete silence.

"That was all what was left of him." The Cadre stated, settling himself on the ground.

Penemue's trembling hand took the sheathed katana rather suspiciously as she delivered a very deep stare.

It was clear and it was plain to see from a mile away that she hadn't digested all the recently acquired information at all.

"I'm sorry..." Was all Azazel could say as he stroked his neck to soothe the pain. "I know he was just important as Ludmiel..."

"HE WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT! I LOVED HIM! I LOVED HIM SO MUCH THAT IT EVEN HURT!"

Penemue's screams left in complete silence to Azazel, who couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know that..."

"Forget it." The Cadre interrupted him, taking the katana with her as she headed for the door.

Penemue paused before opening it. Her gaze lowered for a short second, then she spoke:

"This is the second time I've entrusted you with something so important to me, and this is the second time you've failed me..." Penemue said it as a whisper, but it was heard by Azazel, who could only look away.

When the Cadre left the place, Azazel could only look at the door with a empty stare.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you the whole truth until you calm down a bit..."

Penemue would leave the castle in silence, walking the streets inside the Grigori wall. Her gaze was visibly downcast, and her face reflected everything she was feeling right now.

It was a mixture of pain and anguish, but, above all, confusion.

Confusion, because she couldn't believe that Issei was gone forever.

"Don't worry. Remember, if you need to cry, you can always lean on me. I'll always be there when you need me, always..."

That memory of her being comforted by Issei crossed her mind, causing her shocked gaze to drop to the ground even lower.

"The noodles are sloppy and overdone. They're perfect."

Now the memory of Issei crying while being supported by her so he could overcome his past traumas came to her mind.

Penemue continued to walk aimlessly until she exited the walls. Her sad look was getting deeper and deeper as she slowly accepted the reality.

"You are so much more beautiful than Gabriel. Your personality, your character, and your beauty. That is something in which no one can compare. Because you are unique. Because you are wonderful."

This time it was the memories of when they spent that one day together in a hotel after going to the beach.

The Cadre continued walking without noticing that she herself was creating a magic circle to move from the spot.

Her gaze was completely lost and her lips half-open, still trying to digest the death of her beloved.

And just at that moment, the scene of the two of them kissing for the first time ran through her mind like a flash, causing her face to suddenly rise as she noticed how a strong breeze blew through her. She turned her gaze, seeing that her own subconscious had taken her back to where it all began.

"So..."

In that memory, she and Issei were standing at a safe distance as they prepared for combat in that glade where the long green grass swayed with complete freedom.

"Let's begin!"

Her own words echoed in her head after looking at the site where she now stood alone.

"You passed!"

Penemue couldn't help but lower her gaze in clear pain after remembering how she accepted Issei as her student.

Her slumped and listless figure slowly approached a tree on the site. She sat down on one of the branches, only to look out at the glade once more.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Issei groaned as he fell backwards, causing the site to shake a bit due to the fact that he was wearing the ultra-heavy robe.

"I feel like I'm going to die!" He shouted again rather annoyed as the Cadre watched him from the top of a tree as she signed various papers.

Her serious look was replaced by a cute but small smile as she watched her beloved try so hard.

But at the present time...

At present, all she could do was hide her devastated face under her own arm as she gritted her teeth with a pain and helplessness that no one could bear.

"If it hadn't been for you girls, I would never have become what I am today!" Exclaimed a very happy Issei after his battle against Thor.

In turn, the image of Issei with a smile on his First Evolution also came to her mind.

That wasn't the only one, as he appeared in her memories again, though this time it was when he awakened the full power of his Balance Breaker when Vali threatened to kill her.

And then...

"We need to talk..."

The image of Issei from that day appeared...

That day she would never forget...

When he listened to all her troubles and sorrows...

All her mistakes and sins...

And even knowing all the bad things she'd done...

Even so, Issei never hesitated to continue to support her in any way he could...

That day...

That day was the day she couldn't resist falling madly in love with him...

Penemue jumped out of the tree and landed listlessly, then started walking again regardless of the fact that thunder was heralding an early rain.

She crouched down in front of the river that ran through the Cursed Forest. She did not say a word, the only thing she did was to take the sheath of her beloved's katana.

She didn't do anything, she just took it with both hands without taking her eyes off it.

Then, it was at this moment that the last memory flashed through her mind.

"Happy birthday!" Tiamat and Penemue exclaimed with a smile as they handed a cool sheath to Issei for his katana, who could only watch this with little stars in his eyes.

A drop fell on the sheath, which was quickly accompanied by two more.

At first it looked like it had started to rain, but the truth was that this was not rain.

Penemue's tears slid down her cheeks without stopping as she stood in complete silence, admiring her last remaining physical memory of Issei.

At that moment, an image of Issei appeared in the water, who was holding her shoulder to comfort her.

That image of the brown-haired man began to distort as the torrential rain began to fall abruptly.

Until...

Until finally there was no trace of him left...

END OF CHAPTER!

Yep, a shorter chapter than usual. Still, I hope you enjoyed it.

By the way, below is a little preview of what's to come in the next chapter.

I'm going to say goodbye now.

Thank you very much for reading!

A person was hiding in a completely dark place. His breathing was somewhat labored, and you could see that he had used his shirt as a bandage to cover all the wounds on his chest.

"Are you feeling better now?" Ddraig consulted him with quite a bit of concern in his words.

"I'm still alive, that's more than enough for me." Issei stated as he touched his forehead, feeling that his body was warmer than usual.

"It's not fever." Clarified the dragon instantly. "The temperature here is approaching 70 degrees."

"Apparently, you know a lot about this place." Issei added after his companion's observation. "I'd like to know more, but right now we have visitors." Issei stated with complete seriousness, removing his hand from his face.

"We already know you're hiding in there! Come out, you damn monster!" One of the group of Asgardians shouted, only to see several pieces of debris fly off, revealing a rather injured Issei looking down at them from atop a small sand hill.

None of those present could miss that imposing aura he was giving off from the stranger's body.

"Do you know that interrupting a person's recovery is impolite?"