Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

64. Chapter 64

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

…..

64- A Matter of Introduction

…..

Deep in the woods of his habitat a dragon chased his prey like any starving animal; mouth watering and ready for a delicious meal after hours of hunting.

He moved swiftly around the trees with firm steps, his bare feet barely acknowledging when the terrain changed for a rougher one both because stone was no longer enough to hurt him and because all dragons around his area knew who was the top dragon around.

For a few seconds the chase continued until his prey took the wrong turn and was cornered by a giant mountain. The animal was a creature bigger than a moose with the horns of a deer, face of a rabbit, brown fur, ears of a doe and packing a lot of muscle.

Or a lot of meat as most dragons liked to say, more meat than most other creatures in their territory no doubt.

Any dragon could confirm it was quite delicious, including the hunter who recently managed to eat one and was absolutely hooked on the taste. However it was a fast creature and worse yet a smart one as even when cornered it turned to the direction of its hunter with its sharp red eyes.

It was waiting for the dragon to move, the best chance to escape. A game of patience was initiated and fortunately for it the hunter could never claim to be patient.

"BANZAI!" Hyoudou Issei busted through the woods at full speed with wings and gauntlet for any to see. Red aura covered the young devil as his watering mouth couldn't wait to taste meat again.

However the creature native of the Underworld waved and weaved before dodging to the left just as the Red Dragon Emperor was about to grasp its neck. The brown haired Pawn watched in slow motion as his breakfast escaped from the side just before he met the mountain head first.

Flying as fast as he was, the impact of the collision was enough for a huge rock slide that dropped several stones over his head before the Pawn could properly react. In fact he couldn't even let out a grunt of pain before being buried beneath several tons of them.

The creature didn't stop, running away as fast as its four legs could carry. It was already used to escape dragons and knew they didn't give up easily.

No matter how small they were. "Goddamned!" Ise roared with fury as he busted out of his rock tomb with a grunt, looking around half madly. Despite how he was dressed he didn't have to worry about his clothes, his last t-shirt and pants have long since been Boosted to the point of being armor despite how torn they were. "Where 's it?!"

[Running behind you!] Ddraig happily supplied and his partner turned around, the target back in their sight. [Meat is back on the menu!]. After so many Dragon Apples he never wished for freedom as much before just to get a decent meal.

"Fuck yeah!" Issei strengthened his legs.

[Boost!]

And with a mighty leap he caught up with his prey and was about to grab it only for the creature to dodge to the right.

This time, however, Issei was prepared. "You ain't escaping!" Flipping mid air he used a tree as a springboard to fly in the right direction.

Hunter and hunted knew it was over, the Pawn was moving too fast and not leaving any gap for the creature to dodge this time as the red aura surrounding him started to crush everything on his path.

It would take a miracle to save the small chimera.

And a miracle came in the form of a huge gust of wind that shook every tree and sent Ise into a collision course with one of them and hitting so hard that the giant tree the bark broke and it began to fall.

Fortunately for the chimera, however, it was used to dragons and their great displays of power so it took the opportunity afforded by another dragon showing up and ran away as fast as its legs could carry it.

Because of how he had been launched Ise got a front row seat to his breakfast escaping. "NOOOO!"

[Our meat!] One could hear tears in the Original Red Dragon Emperor's voice.

Hitting the bark of the tree that stopped his flight path, Ise stood up with the fury of a true dragon and looked around for his future victim.. "Who has the balls to invade my territory! Show up so I can kick your ass!"

Then a familiar and very amused voice replied. "Ooh~ Are you finally on a level where you feel confident in 'kicking my ass'? Kukuku." It was a gruff voice, common amongst dragons but familiar and terrifying to Ise all the same as he began to sweat cold. "Maybe I should teach you a lesson, hatchling?"

Tannin in challenge as he studied the form of the small devil before him. Thanks to his size it was clear that the Pawn was only a cockroach compared to the mighty dragon but that was just in size. In terms of power the Blaze Meteor Dragon was even more terrifying, the sun compared to a night light.

Standing on his two feet with his arms crossed, Tannin cut a powerful figure indeed. His whole body was covered in dark purple scales with the exception of his inner body which was beige.

Small armor held his shoulders and chest, not big enough to protect him but instead to limit the movement of his muscles, a handicap else he could kill someone by accident.

Golden horns adorned his head like a crow that inspired terror and could skew even giants. Not that there were many bigger than him for Tannin was a creature so big that back in the day it was hard for him to find a cave to live and guard his treasures.

Lavender colored eyes watched over the forest as if daring not only the small dragon before him to rise in challenge but any other who noticed his arrival. And every single one of them did for he was their King in all matters. While dragons may squabble and fight as their nature dictated they all knew their territories were just loans.

Loans from the true owner, one of the few dragons capable of claiming the title of Dragon King, a category just short of the Emperors, God and DxD itself.

"Tannin-ossan?!" Ise threw himself to the ground in the dogeza position. "Sorry, Ossan! I didn't know it was you. Thousand apologies!" He prostrated himself further in repentance.

Much to Ddraig's frustration. [Where is your pride, brat?! Stand up! We can take him! He made us lose our food!]

'We can't and you know it.' Ise replied in his mind even as Ddraig spoke for all to hear. 'Calm down. We can't beat-'

[The hell we can't!] The Emperor shouted louder. [Get there and punch that bastard on the face!]

"Kukuku. You shouldn't demand too much of your host, Ddraig. If anything, he is smart enough to know not to pick a fight with me. Yet." Opening his huge wings Tannin unleashed another gust of wind that was just short of becoming a full blown hurricane.

[Oh ho, I remember a brat of a dragon thinking he could take me a few years ago.] Ddraig taunted confidently.

That was when the Red Dragon Emperor was free and Ise knew he couldn't do the same feat. "Just shut up, you idiot. Don't you have any sort of survival instinct?" 'At least for my survival.'

[Dragons don't need survival instinct!]

"Hahahahaha! Maybe that is why we are an endangered species!" Tannin couldn't help but laugh.

[Hahaha! Now that I think about it, maybe! Hahahaha.]

Both dragons were laughing which made Ise sweatdrop. 'You are talking about the extinction of your species, you know?' But his partner either didn't hear or cared because he and the Dragon King just kept laughing. He decided to take advantage of it to ask fearfully, "So, Tannin-ossan, are you here for more training?"

Everytime Tannin had dropped by, Ise ended up being cooked in a way or another. It was either by the Dragon King's flames or his own when the giant devil demanded to see them.

Every single time.

Controlling his laugh a little, the dragon looked at his protege with amusement. "No, unfortunately our time together has come to an end." At the Pawn's expression the Queen laughed again. "You don't know what day it is today?"

"Huh… should I?"

[Don't botter, Tannin. My partner lost any notion of time because there is no sun.]

Flushing from shame and rage Ise pointed at his sacred gear. "Hey! You aren't any better!"

[Hahahaha. Don't try to lop me with you, partner. I know exactly what day it is today. In fact, I can even tell you it has been two months, fourteen days, nine hours since we first made contact.]

"You- when- how?"

[There isn't much to do inside the Boosted Gear if you must know. It gets boring so I started counting as a hobby.] Ddraig confessed with a shrug no one else could see. Ise and Tannin exchanged glances and the Red Dragon Emperor noticed. [Grr… Oi! You bunch of weaklings better not be pitting me or something or else I am going to get really mad.]

Clearing his throat, a sound that made Ise jump in place, Tannin decided to move on from the subject. "Well, all that aside, tell me Hyoudou Issei, did you have fun in the Dragon Territory?"

Being questioned like that the Pawn couldn't hold back "Are you kidding me? Dragon Apples are awful, there are no girls here, you have to fight every day for the stupidest reasons, there are no breasts here, getting your own food sucks because it keeps running or another dragon gets on the way," the last one was accompanied by a glare and the older devil didn't know why, "all my clothes are burned, not a single pair of breasts here, I was burned more times than I can count and I smell like burning shit. This place sucks!"

"Hmm… I was expecting a more positive and even nostalgic description of my territory." Tannin sounded conflicted with a mixture of disappointment and sadness. Yet he was a dragon so he didn't care for long.. "Bah! All that was because you arrived here as a weakling! A weakling that couldn't even produce his own flames. Tell me, Hyoudou Issei, Dragon of Gremory, didn't you grow stronger in my lands?"

"You can bet your ass I did! It was do or die! I didn't have a choice! Can even kick your ass if I want to!" Issei stood proudly, for a moment forgetting who he was talking to.

"Hahahaha! Better! That is how a dragon should behave; defiant even in death!" Tannin was satisfied that Ise was more like a dragon than before and could pat himself on the back for a job well done. The fact the brown haired boy almost died hundreds of times and was lucky to be alive never crossed his mind. "Then I hope you remember all you learned here fondly. How to be a true dragon."

"Why are you talking like that, Tannin-ossan?" Deep in his soul Ddraig facepalmed.

"Hehe, still not the brightest but when it comes to fighting you are at least decent." Tannin got another glare but it was just funny for him. "Since you are to slow to realize on your own-"

"Hey!"

"-time is up, young dragon. Your training is over."

Ise was about to complain when he realized what Tannin said. "What? Wait, does that mean-"

[It has been a month, partner. Remember this was only temporary? Just a training trip? Azazel's idea?]

Remembering the fallen angel and all he suffered, Ise had only one retort. "I'm gonna kick that bastard in the nuts!" Such a declaration surprised the dragons but since he was inside Ise's soul Ddraig understood it quickly.

Since Azazel was the one who threw them at Tannin for training he was technically responsible for everything that Ise went through and the boy was beyond pissed after surviving dragons, hunger, bad food and the lack of feminine company.

Clearly his rage was quite unnecessary and more than a bit unfair considering he accepted the training, gaining quite a bit from it. Yet the rage born after spending one month in Dragon Territory needed an outlet with Ise selecting the Governor General of the Grigori as the target.

Not that Ddraig was complaining since challenging Azazel both sounded fun and would help Ise get stronger supposing the older man doesn't just destroy him because no matter how strong the Pawn grew in a month the Red Dragon Emperor knew it wasn't enough.

Not while the fallen angel had Fafnir by his side.

"Good for you." Tannin wasn't aware of that, neither the reasons for Ise's rage nor Ddraig's expectatives. He just knew his protege set his sights on a strong adversary and he was proud of the fact. "Anyway, pack up whatever you have. You are going home."

"Home…" Ise's eyes grew wide. "You mean-"

"Gremory Castle where your King resides." At the boy's smile the dragon chuckled. "Don't know how you can live in a stuffed place like that. I would miss the forest in a day."

"Only because you are a giant fire breathing lizard." It may not be his home but just the idea of civilization was enough to warm Ise's heart.

Tannin was mildly offended by his hatchling's words and stomped the ground hard enough to push the boy down again. "A life of comfort is not the life of a dragon. You better remember that or else I will personally come around and beat you up so you never forget." The Pawn nodded quickly and nervously. Tannin let out a scoff and some fire escaped his nose. "If I want to live in a castle I can just shrink."

He wasn't supposed to hear that but the dragon's voice was so naturally loud that Ise couldn't help it. "You can shrink?!"

…

"Someone is excited." Akeno commented playfully as they walked towards the tower which held the Teleportation Room.

"Let her be, Akeno. She just misses everyone." Shirou was quick to defend his lover as he was between the two, both women holding his hands.

Rias replied with, "Can you blame me?" She had a huge grin on her face. "Today we are getting the band together."

"Can we please not talk about a 'band'." The ravenhead shivered at the hours upon hours of practice she had over the last few days.

Medusa threw a determined look to her priestess that sent a message to not complain because she knew the hybrid was just playing coy and the goddess wasn't willing to let her get away with it.

"Can't wait to see everyone again." Gasper commented while jumping down, sharing in his King's excitement. "Do you think they had fun? Where do you think Koneko-chan and Luvia-senpai went? Did Kiba enjoy the capital?"

"What do you think, Rias? Did Kiba have fun?" Shirou asked with a chuckle as the hours of constant training from Souji's blade told him a painful story.

His lover smiled kindly. "Knowing Kiba it wasn't fun but he did so nonetheless."

It was the redhead's girlfriend who said next, "Lets just hope he isn't coming back like a mummy."

"Oh, there is a story there?" Her goddess asked with interest.

"Will tell you later."

"Tell us at breakfast." Liz said confidently while licking her lips. Shirou had promised a feast and they all saw him cooking earlier.

Gasper also looked excited at the idea but was more concerned about his friends' return. "But they all went to so many places while we were in the Vault. Only Buchou stayed behind."

"Is that a dig at my training, Gasper?" Rias asked with mocking irritation.

"No, of course not. It is just… what if they did bring something?" The Bishop asked hesitantly. "There is also Ise-senpai with dragons-"

"That one I can't see buying anything." Xenovia commented with a chuckle. "Dragons are not the best at giving up their treasures… If there was any."

"Then what about Asia in the Frontier!"

"Possible if what I read about is true." Medusa said in support. "Most cities there are developing nicely."

"Don't believe in everything you read, my goddess." Akeno said in a respectful tone. "Some are developing but the process is slow not only for how wild the Underworld is but because of our population problems."

The purple haired girl nodded. "Then Asia may be in one of the worst places and not able to buy anything."

"With how much I insisted Azazel find her a good hospital she better not in one of the worst cases." Unlike in the past when her fury was accompanied with leaks of her power, Rias just expressed her emotions without losing anything.

One of the results of her training was thus; her aura was absolutely under her control to a point even Akeno was impressed.

"But Asia is the kind of person who would buy everyone souvenirs. Maybe a rare stone or something." Gasper was far more worried than anyone else. "If all of them are bringing gifts, do we have enough space for everything?" The blond of the group then pulled out several boxes from magic circles. Boxes with several trinkets he ran bought the previous day. "Think they will like mine?"

There were fourteen gift wrapped boxes suddenly laying around the hallway of several sizes and colors. The former dhampir had gone on a buying spree the previous day to get something for everyone, even buying two things when he was too indecisive of what to give.

Not that he left the building anyway, every purchase was made via magic circles and a special catalog that showed all products available in Runeas with a spell binding it to several inventories to warn the buyers when something was out of stock.

"Honestly you didn't need to buy that much, Gasper." Rias used her free hand to pet the Bishop's head. "But it is the intent that counts. Don't think about it."

Xenovia placed a hand on the former dhampir's shoulder. "From my experience buying anything in the woods is pretty much impossible. Then again, Koneko is a nekomata. Maybe she can get something?" She shrugged, not having opinions on the rest.

"Same with Ise, really." Shirou acknowledged. "If he was really in Dragon Territory-"

"""He was.""" Rias, Akeno and Medusa said at the same time.

"-then it depends if he really picked a fight with a dragon for treasure." Which Shirou would find extremely concerning as those were usually to the death.

And he wasn't the only one. "Anything happened with Ise and I will have Tannin's hide."

"My, my, Buchou. Remember that Tannin is one of the most important Queens of the Underworld. Sirzechs-sama won't just give you his hide."

"I will take it myself if he harms my precious Pawn." Rias declared firmly before thinking better of it as the majority stopped to give her a deadpan stare. As she was ahead Rias quickly waved her hands to show she was exaggerating a little. "Too much, I mean. Thinking that training with a dragon won't get anyone burned is a little naive."

"Nice save." Xenovia took advantage of the fact that the King had missed her step and took Shirou's arm. At her pout the bluehead chuckled. "You snooze, you lose."

Rias folded her arms but shrugged since Shirou was still going to be her date for the evening so she saw no troubles in giving Xenovia that. "Just make sure to give him back later in one piece."

"Will do." "No promises."

Xenovia and Akeno said respectively with Shirou between them uncertain if he should say something or keep his mouth shut.

Only for the decision to be taken from his hands as he noticed that unlike everyone else Liz was still going towards the Teleportation Room. "Liz, do you know where you are going?" The maid just gave him a thumbs up. "Well, we should follow her, right?"

Medusa, who was helping with some of Gasper's boxes, approached and threw some of them on the girls' arms. "You can leave romance for later. Help carry this and pick up the pace."

"Can't we just put it back on a magic circle?" Xenovia asked as Shirou picked some of them too.

"We are almost there. It would be redundant." Medusa replied with a big box blocking her face from view.

Akeno found it adorable but chose to say, "Worry not, my goddess. We still have a few minutes before the scheduled time of arrival." Picking up a few boxes herself.

"Maybe but if you arrive just in time then you are already late." Medusa said confidently, hand raised high. "Onwards." She began to walk in a hallway.

Rias quickly said, "Medusa, that is the wrong way," making the goddess pause and turn slowly as Shirou approached.

Easily he collected her box and offered a smaller one. "There is an advantage to being tall, you know."

"Blasphemy." Still the goddess said with humor and they caught up with Liz fast enough that the white haired woman was just about to arrive at the room.

Or its closed gate with two men in armor and Gremory's colors who stood in position in case someone managed to take over the teleportation circle either from the outside via costly magic or inside by being welcomed on the castle and then fighting their way to open it for more people.

Both were common tactics during the Civil War but during times of peace nobody would expect a traitor and the magical array needed to take over another person's Teleportation Room would unleash so much mana everybody would feel it in a twenty kilometer ratio.

Because of that usually there was just one guard inside the room whose job would be to note and announce everyone who arrived though the magic circle. And those were only people trusted by the Gremory or a member of their Clan who had business in the Castle. Visitors, of course, needed prior authorization so most came from the village if they didn't call ahead.

However things had changed over the last few days and security had doubled or tripled all around the castle because despite the Underworld Civil War ending there had been a traitor in the Clan and until the full extent of the betrayal was confirmed the Gremory Clan was compromised.

With the reveal of Lakmia's nefarious deeds there was a bit of a panic and a lot of stones to be turned. As the Matron of Runeas Lakmia had several contacts and resources in the name of Gremory. Most of them were legal, several turned out to be not so much without even going into the real nasty stuff.

She also made alliances and deals with several dangerous individuals much like Macabro; criminals with enterprises spread over their capital had the Clan's backing, something the Lord never would have approved but the woman did so anyway.

Shirou didn't need Lakmia alive to know what she would say about such matters, "It is all for the Gremory," or something in a similar vein. After what happened he wouldn't be surprised anyway.

There was also the King Piece, something Zeoticus didn't know about but the Lord was happy to deliver a message to his son and Ajuka at Shirou's behest despite not understanding the nature of a 'King Piece'.

The Mage of Swords didn't meet the Belzebulb as of yet but he heard from Zeoticus that the Genius Devil had replied with a 'thank you' and sent out some of his own men to help unravel the thread of Lakmia's schemes.

And they badly needed them as the investigation wasn't limited to just Runeas but all of Gremory Territory. Lakmia was the sort of social woman who knew a lot of people and worked on lots of projects everywhere. Contact had already been made with ally Clans, like the Sitri, about some of her crimes.

Some, not all as Zeoticus couldn't allow everybody to know the sort of thing he allowed Lakmia get away with for years. The woman had been in power even before his birth and the extension of her crimes reached the hundreds. Worse thing was that none of them actually damaged the Gremory Clan, just benefited it in the wrong way.

Between kidnappings, extortions, manipulation of certain smaller families to weaken each other or force them into her service, all of it was truly for the Gremory's sake and that was why Zeoticus couldn't let most of the crimes be known by the Underworld in general.

That was why he had called most of his subordinates and his most staunch allies to clean the mess, leaving many of his holdings around the Underworld and Earth with just skeleton crews to keep things running.

Bael was trustworthy as their alliance was strong and Sirzechs very existence guaranteed it. Zekram himself moved some troops swiftly to crackdown territories from other Clans covertly. If discovered nobody would complain anyway as the Oldest Devil had the political clout to get away with it.

Sitri was easy to convince as they have many joint efforts everywhere as two sets of their children became friends over the last hundreds of years. Serafall and Sirzechs were friends long before either of them were Maou after all, something Sona and Rias repeated a few centuries later.

Those were the Clans Gremory could trust with the situation but fortunately for them their former Heir was the arguable King of the Underworld and so Lucifer himself had a stake in the problem.

As the man couldn't show favorites he would have to follow the right procedure once he knew what sort of damage the Gremory Clan may have inflicted upon others and that was to swiftly hit the hammer of Justice on everybody, compensate the affected Pillars and perhaps take action to reduce his former Clan's standing.

No matter that other Clans may have shady business themselves, some of which Lakmia kept records of which Zeoticus planned to use and pressure those Clans to not push charges, or that the former Matron wasn't in cahoots with anyone of her own Clan in a way to protect them.

Once things came to light Sirzechs Lucifer had a duty to his subjects no matter how much he loved his sister and father.

Except things didn't necessarily come to light and Zeoticus was the one telling his son about the damage so both agreed, without saying a word to each other for plausible deniability, that Lucifer should condemn Lakmia for several minor crimes while the investigations kept going.

Everything that was potentially damaging for the establishment would be brushed under the rug as quickly as possible and with the emergent power of Gremory, the established power of Bael and the Maou backing such policy nobody would dare to call them out on it.

It was corruption of a sort that was judged necessary and it left a bad taste on Sirzechs' mouth but since Zeoticus agreed to also compensate the damaged parties discreetly then he would comply, claiming that the Gremory paid back any debts by the time he knew about it in a bald faced lie.

Everybody would know it was a lie but for the sake of their society they would turn the other cheek and pretend they didn't notice their leader's hypocrisy. This wasn't just about his family after all, the guilty party was already dead and the Gremory would have to compensate for her mistakes anyway.

However that didn't mean the Gremory Clan was out of hot water as the damage to their reputation was considerable and the financial side of their Clan took the biggest hit it ever had since they opened business.

Zeoticus wasn't surprised when the bill came as various of the Gremory's business in their Territory were just fronts or were propped by more illegal activities. Once he knew the Matron had ties with the Underbelly, more than she should anyway, it was inevitable something would break.

Factions who were supposed to be negotiated with were beaten into submission and wanted payback. The shell businesses couldn't turn a profit without the illegal side and needed to be closed. To complete the financial damage there was the bottom line of the Gremory itself which would have to be readjusted.

Thanks to their Luck and several honest business practices it wasn't the crippling sort of damage they inflicted in the Phenex but it was still a bruise on the Gremory empire, at least in the Underworld.

Fortunately Lakmia never bothered to expand her activities too far from Gremory Territory, that was why Zeoticus had to deal with lots of angry neighbors and clean up any potential hold outs around his home.

But that was just on the legal front for the most part because the biggest criminal enterprise on Gremory Territory had crumbled and nobody was naive enough to believe sharks wouldn't show up from the woodwork to try and take over or profit from its carcass.

Retaliation was also a potential problem so Gremory Castle also needed to be extra guarded for a while until those who benefited from Lakmia's crimes were dealt with. That was why many of the Gremory soldiers were guarding the castle and why the Teleportation Room had four guards instead of the usual one.

With two people on the inside to sound the alarm incase of an attack and two outside to rush for reinforcements, Gremory Castle's Teleportation Room was secured.

Despite his best efforts Zeoticus was unable to hide most troubles from her daughter since, as Heiress of the Clan, Rias was capable of gathering information by just asking the right questions.

Neither of the parents or the daughter voiced the idea of her helping with the situation for various reasons. Neither Lord or Lady wanted to bother Rias with it as they considered the whole situation their fault and since they weren't going to ask for her help the Heiress didn't bother offering it.

No, her focus was on her lover who she gave all her attention to after his ordeal and later in reuniting with her friends which was just about to happen. "Wonder what sort of adventures they all had."

The Teleportation Room was the size of a small house built like a dome and had five different magic circles spread around, a huge one in the center and four small ones surrounding it in the shape of a plus sign.

As they approached the biggest circle, her lover offered a question with a smile. "Want to talk about your own adventures?" Shirou watched his fellow redhead freeze in place with some delight. "Hey, you can't say I didn't warn you. My old man is never going to be the best teacher."

"I can't disagree. But I can't agree either." Rias replied confidently as she approached the guards. "He did manage to help me, after all."

"Undoubtedly in the most reckless way possible."

Shrugging her shoulders the Heiress approached the guards. "Well boys, we have an appointment." There was no hesitation, the men opened the gate and saluted their future Lady. "Let's go, everyone. We are just in time. Anyone up for bets on who is going to arrive first?"

"Against a Gremory?" Akeno asked with a raised eyebrow while Rias just smiled 'innocently'.

"I mean, if Rias doesn't participate…" Xenovia observed with a chuckle as her friend's smile almost seemed to vanish.

"If that is the case, I am betting on Kiba getting here first." Shirou said quickly before Rias could defend her inclusion. "Since Souji has a military background I can't see her letting him arrive late and everyone else is in the middle of nowhere."

"Well, Shiro, you would be right if-"

"My, my Shirou-kun. You don't have our dear Souji-san pegged at all." Akeno interrupted her King while stepping in front of the group and purposely avoiding looking at Rias who pouted. "She is not letting Kiba go until she makes sure all lessons have sunk in."

"Which is why we fear he is returning as a mummy." Rias said quickly, walking towards Akeno and hitting her with an elbow. The Queen just smiled in her direction. "In either case, we haven't even decided what we are betting yet."

"I fear betting anything against someone whose Power revolves around Luck." Medusa voiced what several people were thinking.

Rias rolled her eyes. "It doesn't work like that. My range is smaller than most of my family and you all should know I don't really use that Power actively."

"Not like Lakmia at least." At the Heiress flinch Xenovia regretted saying the name. "Sorry, forgot that she was-"

"She wasn't and I would have killed her myself if I had the chance." Rias reassured calmly and everyone believed her.

But the atmosphere had grown quite heavy and Shirou didn't like that. "Sure enough, Rias is right. She isn't powerful enough to affect their return in that short of a term. Although, I say that if we are betting anything we should justify why we are betting on them and she should go next."

"Fine by me if everyone agrees." After some nods Rias and Akeno separated a little to give everyone a view of the magic circle, themselves standing around in a semicircle. "I would say that Ise is going to get here first. Tannin's territory is technically the farthest away and unless he took a liking to Ise he is going to want to get rid of him as fast as possible."

"Why?" Shirou asked after a pensive hum.

"Because he doesn't like weaklings." Was what the Heiress said before shrugging. "I have no idea what my brother and Azazel did to have him agree to train Ise but he is the type who likes walking with people his level. Case in point his whole peerage is made of dragons."

"Wait, so he Reincarnated fifteen dragons for his peerage?" Xenovia asked with wonder. "Hardcore."

"Fufufufu. To be fair, he is a Dragon King." Akeno said with amusement. "And we still haven't decided the stakes of the bet."

Gasper fidget in place, refusing to let go of his gifts even as the others had left their boxes on the floor. "Do we need to bet anything?"

It was Medusa the first to agree. "Gasper is right. Let's just have some fun and take some guesses."

"Would you like to go next, my goddess?"

"Hmm, I don't see why not, my priestess. Let me think." The small goddess tilted her head from one side to another several times before saying, "I think I will make the same bet as Rias; Hyoudou Issei will arrive first."

Xenovia gave the divinity a deadpan stare. "Are you just making that bet because it is Rias making it?"

"Pretty much."

"Tsk. You are betting on her Luck. That is boring."

Medusa shrugged. "Not really. I don't know everyone who took our friends to train. She does."

Rubbing his chin Shirou could only nod in agreement. "That is fair." He then looked at Akeno. "But does your High Priestess agree?"

"Certainly not, Champion." She replied with a small grin. "While her observations of Tannin are correct, I think our dear Rias is underestimating Ise a little."

Rias raised an eyebrow. "Oh~ More like I am underestimating Tannin's patience. But then again, if he likes Ise enough he may arrive early as well." Despite how many didn't like her Pawn back at school, the redhead did trust him and knew he was a good person, flaws notwithstanding.

The Queen nodded in agreement, conceding her point. "Indeed, although, if I am to bet on someone, I will go with Asia." She said confidently while turning to Shirou. "And if I win I expect an extra portion on my breakfast."

Shaking his head, her boyfriend replied with, "You only needed to ask."

"But this is more fun."

"Okay, okay. Winner, and the person they bet on, gets more of Shiro's food." Rias was happy to announce and nobody complained. "And your reasoning, Akeno?"

"An hospital has hours and I doubt Asia would leave in the middle of an urgent procedure. I even doubt they would allow her to work much the day she is supposed to leave."

"But now you are the one forgetting about something, Asia's nature. She would definitely stop to help someone regardless if she was going to be late or not."

"I agree with Rias on that." Xenovia folded her arms and nodded in a wise fashion. "I can see her stop to treat every minor wound before getting back." It was an easy image for everyone to imagine.

"Can I take back-"

"Nope~"

The byplay between King and Queen stopped when the bluehead asked, "My turn?" while looking at Gasper who smiled. "Then I say the same thing as Master; Kiba is going to get here first. People with a disciplined schedule don't turn it off that easily. Learned that in the Church."

"Is that why you always sleep more than everyone else?" Rias asked with a grin.

Xenovia blushed a little but quickly recovered her bearings. "That is because I am not in the Church anymore, am I? No, so I can hell sleep a little more. Not like when I was there and I had to be up and ready to go at five am on the dot." She nodded confidently and nobody was going to call her on it. "Gasper, your turn."

Uncertain on who he was going to bet on, especially now that Shirou's food was on the line, the Bishop deflected to the next person. "What about Liz?"

Everyone turned to the silent maid who looked half bored over the whole ordeal. "Koneko." Didn't mean she wasn't listening.

"Reasoning?" Shirou asked with a smile just to see how much she would explain.

He wasn't surprised when it was short and sweet. "She likes to eat."

A moment of silence passed before Medusa giggled. "A good reason. Almost makes me wish to change my bet."

"Oh, goddess, are you going to be unfair with your priestess and change despite that I can't?"

Just seeing the devilish smile on Akeno's face had Medusa rolling her eyes amusedly. "Of course not. Your goddess is a benevolent one."

Shaking her head at her best friend and her goddess shenanigans, something she was still growing used to, Rias focused on Liz. "So Koneko because she would appreciate extra food." The white haired maid nodded and the redhead smiled. "Then the one left is Gasper. Your bet?"

"... Can it be Koneko-chan too?"

"Oh come on." Xenovia quickly rushed to Gasper and armed locked his neck. "That is a cop out. Be a man and don't cop out."

"So spoke the woman who took the same bet as her Master." Medusa pointed out freely.

Despite most of her focus on the Bishop Xenovia still replied, "But I gave reasons. He just isn't giving anything."

The goddess chuckled. "Hard to do when you are trying to make him throw up. My protector, may I bother you for a shield?"

"In case of vomit?" Shirou chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry. I think Gasper is stronger than that."

The bluehead was shaking the Bishop at high speeds and almost spinning in place. "Wheee." Any attempts of freeing himself were worthless, Xenovia was much stronger than him.

"At least give us a good reason." Demanded Durandal's Owner, slowing down a bit and lifting Gasper up so they could look each other in the eyes. "Everybody else did it. And can't be the same as Liz's."

Fortunately for the boy his King was merciful. "Let him go, Xenovia. There is no one else to bet on anyway."

"He could go for Luvia." Replied the former Exorcist as she slowed down.

"Who is coming back with Koneko in the first place?" Akeno asked far more amused than she should as Gasper's feet had yet to touch the floor again. "In this case all things are equal, dear."

Mumbling under her breath the knight let the former dhampir go and said, "But just in case either Koneko or Luvia get here first the other is not getting the prize."

Shirou rolled his eyes with a small smile. "If they win, they win, Xenovia. We haven't lost yet, don't need to be sore about it."

"Yes, Master." With that matter settled they found some chairs to sit around and wait for their friends' return.

Five minutes later the central magic circle began to glow and everybody stood up to watch in excitement who was going to arrive first. And it was the Rook duo of Koneko and Luvia with their bodies dirty with sand and huge backpacks while also looking surprised at seeing everyone else watching their arrival.

The first one to recover was Koneko who just revealed a small smile. "Hello everyone."

"I secured us extra food." The maid informed, pleased by her bet and satisfied enough to mirror the small girl's smile.

Koneko didn't necessarily understand what she meant but the words 'extra food' were more than enough for her to look around in search of it. While she saw several gifts spread around the floor none of them managed to tick her nose which got her to pout as she could use the food right at that moment.

"Salutations to you all." Luvia spoke a second after the maid, all smiles and looking at each and every one of her friends. "Sorry we are late but we needed to get back into town before getting into any teleportation circle."

"No problem, no problem." Rias replied with a smile, gracious in defeat as Gasper approached with some boxes. "And look at this, Gasper brought everyone gifts."

"Oh my, how uncouth of me to not do the same."

"We were in the woods, then a desert, for a month." Koneko, who was enjoying a pat on the head from Akeno, said with a deadpan stare.

Upon seeing her expression the Queen asked, "Fufufu. But did you have fun?"

"No." Was the nekomata's reply before going to Shirou.

"Yes, it is my food and it is an extra portion for breakfast." A white tail appeared behind Koneko and began to waggle around much to his amusement. 'Don't make a dog joke. Don't make a dog joke.' Yoruichi hated those and he suspected her little sister would have similar feelings.

"Ah, it was fun. We are much stronger than before." A little aura escaped Luvia showing she had far more control over her demonic energy and in quantities that surprised both Rias and Akeno considering she was an extremely young devil. "Just wait for our first Rating Game, Shero. I certainly can't." She finished by punching the palm of her hand.

Rias shook her head, sharing in her Rook's excitement. "Good to know. Do you girls want to take a shower first or wait for the others?"

She just finished asking the question and the magic circle began glowing again. "So, did we talk about rewards for second place?" Akeno asked quickly as another person arrived at Gremory Castle. She chuckled but shook her head. "Never mind."

"Hah! You are just saying that because we got second place!" Xenovia called the Queen out as Koneko, Luvia and the newly arrived Kiba looked at her in confusion.

The Gremory Knight was covered in bandages from head to toe, which made it somewhat impressive he could still move, but his face was visible even if he had a purple eye. "Did I miss anything?"

"What the hell happened to you?" Shirou asked as he moved closer to the blond and helped him out of the magic circle and Traced an EM. "Okita wasn't that aggressive in our spar. It was her, right?"

Kiba smiled weakly, sitting down in a chair Gasper offered. "You bet it was her and you seem to forget that in a spar you can surrender. Training? Not so much." The Bishop offered him two boxes of gifts that the older blond accepted with a sincere smile. "Thank you."

"But why didn't she heal you? She has an EM as well." Asked the Mage as he began treatment.

His knight spoke before the Knight could. "Pain builds character." Xenovia said while nodding with sage-like wisdom.

"Pretty much." Admitted the devil with a relieved look as the pain was washed away.

Shaking his head the Mage of Swords could barely believe what he heard. "I can now see why someone would do that, just don't believe Souji-san would be one for such methods."

""Yes, she is."" Rias and Kiba said at the exact same time. "By the way, what is this about a bet?" Asked the Knight.

"Whoever got here first would get an extra portion of Shiro's food." His King replied with a smile that had the blond pausing while Koneko bowed to Liz in appreciation. "By the way, he has barely cooked over the month staying in the Vault of Prosperity so we expect a feast for breakfast."

"All ingredients are already prepared." Announced the Mage much to everybody's delight. "But yes, I will separate an extra portion for Koneko, Luvia, Liz and Gasper."

"You only missed the first place by a minute or so, Yuuto-kun." Akeno happily informed him.

For some of her delight the Knight's shoulders dropped a little. "Ah, I see. It was my fault then that I took a moment to tie my shoe instead of letting Okita-sensei help me."

Throwing her arms in the air the swordswoman of the group shouted in frustration. "For real?!"

"It seems we counted on the wrong person's luck for this." Medusa observed with a grin as Shirou snorted but she wasn't quite done. "Even Rias' Devil Luck seems to bow down to yours."

"Oh ha ha."

"E-Rank luck indeed."

"Kiba, I can stop healing you at any moment."

It was Rias who replied. "No, you wouldn't."

His bluff called Shirou focused on finishing healing his friend quickly to step away with a sigh. "Well, you can take care of your bandages yourself."

Looking at himself Kiba knew it would take some work. "Heh, worth it."

"So we are going to get more of Shero's food which is already going to be special because he is cooking for the first time in a month." Akeno was tempted to mention a lunch or another but she was going to let her fellow peerage member have that. "Thank you for betting on us. I must now buy more gifts as a proper thank you."

"No need for that, Luvia-senpai!" Gasper was half embarrassed. Liz didn't care.

"No sense. Not only you secured us the sweetest of rewards but you also already bought us gifts. Not doing the same would be most uncouth." Luvia announced proudly before adding. "I also must buy something for Master Beowulf both for the training and for getting back earlier so we got here on time."

"We should invite him for Shirou's food." Koneko wouldn't share but if there was a buffet she wouldn't fight if the man wanted a piece.

As the Rooks started debating the merits of a gift Rias watched them with a small smile. "Looks like they are getting along better than before."

"Koneko-chan looks more energetic too." Akeno said with a sincere smile. "Perhaps some time in nature was exactly what she needed. That or they almost died and bonds of friendship were formed."

"Poetic."

Then the magic circle began to glow again and Asia appeared with a baffled expression before a huge smile grew in her face. "Everyone!" She quickly moved for hugs.

And Rias rushed to meet her in the middle and with how strong she was, and the Bishop's light weight, the redhead easily lifted her for the hug. "Asia-chan, how have you been? Was everything alright at the hospital? Nothing too bad, I hope?"

While everybody's training had been taxing it was her Bishop's training that concerned Rias the most by her own admission throughout the week. It was true that Asia would be spending time in a hospital in a secure location but while the act of healing was a noble one it was what needed to be healed that worried her.

The Underworld wasn't a nice place and she heard stories of how explorers and expansionists met gruesome ends or accumulated crippling injuries, they were common while she grew up and the reason why the government didn't hesitate on exchanging prison sentences by exile.

A practice that could be cruel was kind to devils who found opportunities to grow in strength and position in the Frontier. But that left behind bodies, thousands of bodies every year which was extra bad for a population in decline like theirs. Mostly Asia would be dealing with the survivors of such expeditions but depending on their condition the girl would be dealing with certain horrors.

Yet Rias was relieved when Asia's smile didn't lose its luster. "Buchou, it wasn't always fun." She said as the redhead brought her back down. "But I saved a lot of people and I learned a lot of things. If it wasn't too much, maybe I can work in a hospital again?"

Shirou patted the girl's head before Rias could reply. "Sure. Maybe we all make a trip out of it in the future to help some place who needs it."

Already knowing her lover's nature Rias didn't want to criticize him, especially when Asia's smile became more radiant, however she didn't like the idea of her loved ones stuck somewhere dangerous in the Frontier.

The redheads shared looks and the woman didn't hold back a sigh. "Far in the future and only when we are strong enough." The male knew by her look they would trade words later.

Fortunately their schedule for the day was already full and he doubted it would be any time soon but either way Shirou accepted he spoke a little out of turn. "Yeah, there is no rush. Say, did that place have EMs?"

Asia nodded cutely. "Yes, a new batch had just arrived and saved a ton of people too. Every doctor there wanted me to say 'thank you' for making their work easier and saving their patients."

Despite knowing most of his focus was on his loved ones Shirou could help the warmth on his chest when he heard his work had truly saved lives. His smile started to mirror the former nun's and pride swelled on his chest at the accomplishment that was EM.

However any further talk was interrupted when Xenovia came and hugged Asia from the side. "It is good to see you again."

Her friend quickly hugged back. "I am glad to see you as well, Xenovia."

Soon after the rest of the peerage began to welcome the second Bishop of their group but Rias quickly caught Shirou's hand and dragged him to the side. "The Frontier is too dangerous." She said in a hushed whisper.

"It was just an idea…" By her looks it wasn't enough. "Look, we aren't going there now and-"

"And the Underworld is still unstable. Things are worse now after Lakmia…"

Raising an eyebrow the Mage almost chuckled at her hesitation. "You can say her name, you know? Compared to what I lived through her 'torture' was a walk in the park."

"Doesn't mean I still don't feel guilty." Rias shook her head and looked at Asia. "She can work in other hospitals and we don't need to explore the Underworld by ourselves. If anything, we have our own fight here."

"Can I help?" Was Shirou's most pressing concern.

Rias appreciated it, kissing his cheek. "You can and probably will. So don't focus on distant problems. The borders can only hold as long as the center does…" She looked at him resolutely. "And I want to help my brother to keep the center holding."

"You can count on me." It didn't really need to be said and he knew his lover wouldn't ask for anything he wasn't willing to do.

But Rias would be lying if she said she wasn't reassured by his presence. "Things will start moving today and-"

"Where is Ise-san?" The most recent arrival, after receiving gifts from her fellow Bishop, asked while looking around.

Medusa, who stood in the sidelines since her arrival, replied, "It seems he is the last for a reason or another. A foolish bet on my part." The former nun was confused while others chuckled. "Regardless, I believe he is late."

A magic spell later Akeno said. "It is just a few minutes, my goddess. We all know Hyoudou-kun isn't the most pontual kind of guy." Rolling her eyes, Rias took the jab with grace. "Anyway, if he gets here too late it is more breakfast for us."

"Speaking of which I should get going." Shirou announced. "Better get to work or else breakfast is going to be late and you are going to riot."

"You are exaggerating." Replied Rias with a raised eyebrow only to turn and notice that most of her friends, including a goddess, looked ready to do just that. "We will wait a few more minutes for Ise but you can-"

"Lady Gremory!" One of the guards from outside bursted in. "A huge mass of power is approaching." Inside the Teleportation Room they felt nothing but by the panic on the guard's face he knew exactly what was coming. "There is a dragon flying to the Castle!"

A silence that could be felt by everyone was broken by Rias a few seconds later. "Ah, I see. So the opposite happened."

"The opposite?" Asia asked innocently.

"Yeah, I was counting on Tannin getting fed up with Ise and arriving early but apparently they got along."

"Maybe it isn't Ise?" Kiba offered with a shrug as everyone began to leave the Teleportation Room.

Xenovia couldn't help but snort. "And what other dragon would drop by Gremory Castle today?"

"Touche."

Sure enough they were proven right as Tannin was a very distinct dragon even at a distance. His huge horns, giant wings and large mass were all impressive even amongst his species.

As far as dragons go, if there was one of his kind that could siege a whole castle by himself then he would be Tannin, The Blaze Meteor Dragon. So great was his size that when he landed it was obvious that at least the dragon was as tall as the castle if not slightly smaller.

"Rias Gremory and company. I see you came to welcome a king such as I properly." Said Tannin with all pride and arrogance he had the right to have. "And is that a goddess I see? The famous lady Medusa I heard about."

The purple haired girl took a step forward and looked up with a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet such a giant like yourself, Dragon King Tannin."

His laugh was so loud Koneko had to close her ears. "Hahahahaha! I have never talked with a goddess before. Much less one associated with devils." Tannin turned his head as he noticed several Gremory warriors ready to attack on command but Zeoticus and Venelana were quick to dissuade the notion. "If you want to try, come for it. I could use the exercise."

Lord and Lady knew the dragon wasn't being metaphorical either, neither their men or themselves would be able to fight off Tannin if the dragon decided to try so it would be just that; an light exercise.

"Don't be rude like that, Tannin-ossan." A familiar voice spoke from the top of the dragon's head and many on Rias' Peerage smiled as their Pawn jumped off from the dragon.

For a moment there was a semblance of panic as they all remembered the Red Dragon Emperor couldn't fly but that was the past and not present as Ise revealed his wings and gilded gracefully towards the wall of the castle where his King resided.

Clothes damaged and almost falling apart, his hair was a mess and yet where he stood the Pawn was exuding a confidence that certainly wasn't there before. "Buchou, I'm back."

"Fufufu. I can see that, Ise." While she couldn't truly gauge his power just yet Rias could see he was stronger.

No longer was he the boy that a fallen angel caught off guard and killed, his time with the dragons did as Azazel intended and turned an average teenager into a warrior.

"Ise-san…" Asia approached for a hug only to stop mid step much to Ise's confusion who looked ready for the hug.

"You stink." Koneko put it best as she, Shirou and Medusa all held their hands over their noses.

"She is right, you really need a bath." Shirou's voice was muffled but he tried to be delicate.

"A bath and a proper haircut." Was Medusa's two cents.

The Pawn was quick to defend himself. "Hey! I have been in a dragon infested forest for a month. Give me a break!"

Luvia, who had taken a step back to not deal with the smell, said. "We have traveled through forests and deserts and we still took some time to take baths. It is just good hygiene. Devils need that too."

"Are you saying there wasn't a lake or a river back in Dragon Territory?" Akeno said loud enough to see Tannin's reaction.

She wasn't disappointed. "While some of the hatchlings, a true dragon gets rid of any dirt with their flames alone." Tannin unleashed a flamethrower to the skies that shook the boundary field and almost broke it. Much to the guards' horror because they knew the dragon wasn't even trying. "His fault for not taking care of himself better. He will never find a proper mate like this."

"Come on! Give me a break!" Ise complained to the dragon who laughed but most of his focus was on Asia who finished the hug. He broke it apart quickly with a smile "Don't worry, Asia. I'll take a bath right now."

"Do you want me to get rid of the smell?" Tannin offered with flames escaping his nose.

The suggestion itself made Ise angry. "You just want an excuse to throw fire at me one last time."

"Hahahaha! Got it right!"

Most were impressed by the comradery and respect between Ise and Tannin, especially those who knew how volatile a dragon, a creature once called the perfect engine of destruction, could be.

"Well, Buchou, it looks like your luck fumbled this time." Akeno said with a giggle.

However the smile on Rias' face told her and everyone else that the redhead disagreed. "Oh no, just the other way around, Akeno. Luck is just weird like that."

Her smile was impish, provocative and dangerous. The sort of smile that promised either pain or amusement at someone else's expense. So she took a few steps forward and raised her voice.

"Lord Tannin, may I have a moment." She didn't flinch when the giant eye focused on her. No, if anything she was grinning.

"The little lady Gremory, King of the Red Dragon Emperor. Kukuku. Sure, I have a minute."

"I won't need that much, all I want is to make a request."

"A request? From a dragon?" Tannin was amused and uncertain if the girl knew what she was asking. "Careful there, young lady. Despite what my affection for your Pawn may lead you to believe, dragons don't do things for free." He inclined forward to make sure they were eye to eye.

Relatively speaking, Tannin was huge and would need to actually sit for them to be at the same level.

"Azazel paid me a lot of treasure to teach your devil how to be a dragon. Fair considering I allowed him to live in my lands and taught him the basics."

"Wait, he did?" It was the first time Ise was hearing about that.

"Technically he was more of a broker for the Gremory. We are the ones who actually paid for everything." Rias revealed with her smile still in place. "But that isn't the point and I doubt we need to pay that much for the favor I want to ask."

Tannin nodded intrigued. "Careful there, young lady. Dragons have a temper." He warned because depending on the request or payment he would be more than offended.

Sure his days of burning castles were behind him, the price of being part of a society and such, but he was still a dragon and destroying a little of Gremory territory wouldn't be that much of a problem.

He wouldn't go for the cities, there was no way he would get away with it, but a rampage in the mountains or some of their farmland would be a good way for him to stretch while remembering the good old days.

Both Lord and Lady Gremory looked apprehensive as they feared dragons as much as the next devil but their daughter wasn't bothered by Tannin's subtle threat. If anything she looked confident, so confident in fact that it was like she knew the dragon was going to accept the deal without uttering a word.

"Perhaps we should talk about payment first?" It would have been a cautious question if not for how tranquil Rias sounded. At the lack of a negative she continued. "Since I recruited Ise to my peerage I had researched a lot about dragons and I know about your need to eat Dragon Apples for the calories."

Remembering their taste left both Ise and Tannin in a bad mood. "I can feel my temper rising." Warned the dragon.

Yet Rias' smile just grew bigger as that was confirmation of how bad Dragon Apples really were. "Well then I have good news. You see, my beloved magician is extremely skilled with his hands." Her tone was sultry but serious with a pinch of amusement. "Not only can he make swords but also give the best massages… and cook food so good even a god's mouth water."

Everyone could see the dragon was intrigued. Tannin turned towards Medusa who was nodding in a sage-like manner as dread took over Shirou's face.

"Oh no." Because the redhead could see exactly what was going to happen and while he usually wouldn't mind one more mouth to feed, Tannin's size told all he needed to know.

To even satiate a dragon that big the Mage knew he needed to get to the kitchen as soon as possible.

Rias could hear the despair in her lover's voice but she had already promised herself to more than compensate him. However that was for later, at night if things wrapped up earlier or throughout the week.

For now she had a dragon to convince. "What do you say? Want a taste of food from paradise?"

"Deal!"

…

Around the room everyone could hear the sound of someone struggling underwater. "Ack. Pwo. Fu- Argh."

"A ride…" Shirou said exhausted and fabledgasted. "All that food for a ride…" He was naked, sitting in a huge bathtub made of marble. "One month worth of food…"

"That is a dragon for you." Zeoticus was on the outside of the bathtub cleaning his arms.

"Don't be like that, Shirou-kun. It wasn't like you aren't used to making buffets for everybody pretty much everyday." Kiba was also relaxing on the other side with a relaxed smile as the bubbles took care of any extra fatigue.

"Tannin ate more than Koneko does in a month. In a single sitting." And he had to cook all that in record time. "I feel that if he hadn't shrunk he could have eaten more."

"Aaah. Mrr." Ise tried to say something but he went ignored as two huge men kept pushing him underwater with brushes, towels and several products.

Playing with a yellow duck from another side Gasper was practically swimming in the giant bathtub. "At least he agreed to Buchou's request."

"But a ride? Why do we need a ride for the Youth Devil Gathering? I thought we were going to teleport." Instead of anger Shirou looked resigned and exhausted. No one blamed him, Tannin demanded to eat a lot. "Can you tell me, Zeoticus-san?"

"How many times have I already told you to call me Zeo?" The Lord of Gremory finished getting dirty of his arms and entered the giant bathtub.

While not a bathhouse, it was part of Gremory Castle, that was the best way to describe the place as it had an elegant marble structure that would have made any Greek or Roman proud.

Around the walls there were statues of devils completely naked dropping water from vases or their mouths. Most of them depicted devils in their natural state; bat-like wings proudly on display with every statue an example of craftsmanship that wouldn't be a miss in a museum.

"Can- you- guys-" Ise's head was thrown under water again.

There were also stations where one could wash themselves before going to the giant tub with showers, sinks, buckets, shampoos and conditioners of great quality together with many manners of brushes, towels and other appliances.

It was the sort of bath that a king or emperor would find themselves comfortable at and certainly the Lord of Gremory did.

Some of his guests, not so much. "CUT IT OUT!" Ise unleashed his sacred gear, throwing the two men washing him in the wall as the rest dealt with the water flying around. "Why are they doing this?"

"Well, you were so dirty that you needed some extra care." Zeoticus said confidently, letting go of the magic circle that protected him and Gasper.

"Couldn't it be a pair of girls instead? Or someone more delicate?" There were dozens of maids on Gremory Castle and if it was one of them messing with his body Ise wouldn't complain.

"You were so covered with earth that you needed someone strong to give you a good scrub."

Shirou took advantage to add. "Also, did you want a woman to be here with a bunch of naked dudes?" He didn't even bother to move from his resigned position. "They also did a good job, even fixed your hair."

"That is right, Senpai. You don't look like a child of the woods anymore." Gasper complemented and then moaned in pain one Ise began to pull his cheek. "Oww."

"I looked like that because I didn't have the advantage of training in a city. Away from civilization for months, without a single girl to look at..."

Kiba looked between his friends. "That is kinda sad."

"His statement or the fact he was far away without a woman for company?" Asked Zeoticus, legitimately interested.

"Oh shut up." Ise sat down in the tub as the two men who were washing him, butlers from the castle and some of the strongest devils around, began to depart. "Fine, I needed a bath. That doesn't mean I'm going to this ball thing."

"Are you sure you want to leave Asia alone with dozens of devils who probably are going to find the notion of a Reincarnated nun fascinating?" Asked the younger redhead on the tub, getting a glare for his troubles. Shirou didn't stop looking at the ceiling but felt it. "You know I am right."

"Buchou is-"

"Going to be busy. This is important to organize contacts and prepare her for political life in the future in case the worst happens to me." Zeoticus told the Pawn with a small smile. "There are also some circumstances recently that are forcing her, actually us the Gremory as a whole, in a position we need to show strength. I am sorry, Ise but, as the Red Dragon Emperor, you need to go since it is a strong statement as is arriving on a dragon."

Knowing that he was technically part of the reason why the Gremory was a mess lately, Shirou hummed before scratching his head and throwing it into the water with a frustrated grunt.

All watched the magus get out of the water frowless. "Okay, so this is important, Ise. While Rias won't force you to go please go. I will repeat; this is important for her, her brother and the Underworld in general."

"He isn't exaggerating either." Zeoticus made sure to say.

And the Pawn relented. "Fine but do we need to dress in suits? Can't I use my school uniform or something?"

"Ise… have you ever used a suit before?" Asked Kiba with a grin only to get a blast of water on his face. "That answers that question."

"Shut up…" Ise replied with gritted teeth before turning to Shirou. "Was cooking that much really exhausting?"

A small chuckle escaped the Mage's lips. "Cooking normally can be exhausting because of heat and timings. Fortunately those problems don't apply to me." Years in the forge solved both issues. "The thing is I had to Reinforce every scrap of food. Enough to feed a dragon." His eyes landed on Zeoticus. "Is really showing up on a dragon a good idea?"

"Yes, of that you can be sure. It is a powerful statement by itself to have a dragon in one's peerage." The Lord pointed at Ise who definitely didn't look dragon-like but the Red Dragon Emperor's name did carry a lot of weight. "So convincing a dragon to do something for you can only give you props. Especially when it is something as mundane as a ride."

Part of Shirou was happy that he was able to help his lover and her brother but another part bit back a frown. 'Are you risking your freedom again, Rias?'

A moment of silence descended the place broken only by Gasper humming as he happily played with his duck.

"So… what are you going to do?" Shirou finally asked Ise who sighed.

"Well, if it's to help Buchou…"

"You aren't just helping my daughter, Issei. You are helping our whole family." Zeoticus informed with an understanding smile as all devils turned to him. "Things are complicated right now. Someone I trusted betrayed everything I stand for and the sharks are smelling blood."

It was enough for Kiba to worry. "I noticed the extra guards around the castle." Ise's eyes grew wide in surprise while Gasper looked anywhere but his friends and Shirou focused on relaxing. "Is this the Old Satan Faction?"

"Lakmia Gremory tried to Reincarnate me by force and ended up exposing the criminal empire she built before a Valkyrie killed her." Shirou smiled at the surprised looks on the younger devils' faces. "Sorry? What didn't you understand? The criminal empire bit or the Valkyrie bit?"

"The fuck is a Valkyrie?" Everybody looked at Ise in such a manner he felt like an idiot.

Zeoticus in particular looked disappointed. "It seems my daughter failed in educating you properly on the moonlit world. A pity you are just staying on the Underworld for a few days or else I would correct it myself."

Waving his hand in panic the Red Dragon Emperor tried to defend his King. "It isn't Buchou's fault. Stuff just kept happening. There was Riser's Rating Game then the Excaliburs," Shirou cleared his throat but Ise refused to acknowledge him, "and then we had to train. I have been a devil for less than three months."

"And you should already know at least the basics of every Pantheon." Zeoticus added much to Ise's disappointment.

However none of that was Gasper's concern. "Senpai, what happened between you and Lakmia?" Despite parting on his rescue the former dhampir didn't know what happened to the Mage during it.

Once and a while the Bishop tried to broach the subject but always retreated back in his shell, either too shy or just trusting Rias to take care of anything Shirou needed after his ordeal.

But now, with the other men around and just as curious, it felt like the right time to finally gather his courage and ask.

Taking a deep breath Shirou told the whole story without mincing words which made almost everyone in the room flinch. Only himself and Kiba remained neutral during the whole story and if anything the Knight didn't look surprised at all that something like that had happened while they were separated.

Once the Mage finished his tale the first to speak was Ise. "Geez dude, I'm sorry."

First came a nonchalant shrug,"You aren't at fault. Nobody here is," then a smile to Zeoticus who couldn't help but smile back. "Either way everything is settled so-"

"Dude, can you stop being a machine for a second?" Ise demanded quite upset, surprising everyone, Shirou the most. "She trapped you in your worst nightmare for hours. If it was me I-"

"Will you die for me?"

"-couldn't even talk about it. You don't need to sound so…"

"Detached?" Offered the magus.

"It's like it didn't happen to you!" Ise was frustrated to say the least, sympathizing with the pain Shirou should be feeling.

Should but didn't, his mind too far gone from the state where panic or torment could be conjured by the images of his birth or rebirth depending on the point of view.

But the redhead could understand the concern. "Ise, I still dream about the Fire of Fuyuki once in a while. It is my personal version of hell, something that I can never let go." Mostly when alone with nothing but his own thoughts, rare occasions now he had multiple lovers to keep him occupied. Not that he was going to antagonize the Red Dragon Emperor with those facts. "Which is why there was no way that using Fuyuki's Fire was ever going to work, actually it was a waste of time. If nothing else Lakmia would have got more luck with chains and knives."

"So that 's it? You are so used to your 'hell' that it doesn't even bother you?" Ise couldn't believe it, refused to believe it.

"To be fair I was born from it. My current self, that is."

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Kiba commented with a calm expression.

"Such a human though, not devil-like at all." Zeoticus couldn't help but chuckle. "Then again our race has a ceiling that is too hard to break so we are usually broken by it."

"'Ceiling'?" Gasper asked what most were thinking.

Suddenly Lord Gremory looked bashful. "Ah, that isn't the sort of thing that we should teach but I suppose there is no problem with how loyal you all are. You see, devils have a ceiling or a limit to our power." He created a magic circle and all watched as it began to shine with power. "We aren't born with all of it, nobody is born knowing everything, but with some practice we can push ourselves to our limits and realize our potential."

And they all could feel the full extent of Zeoticus' potential, a respectable quantity of power that far surpassed most of his peers and impressed some in the room. Only Kiba and Gasper, Shirou and Ise had seen stronger powers enough times to not be even shaken or bothered.

The Red Dragon Emperor actually felt he could claim to be stronger already and the thought worried him a little.

Zeoticus continued, unaware of the Pawn's thoughts. "It comes with being long lived beings I suppose; we have a hard time reproducing but reach our peaks quickly… Then we are there and we can't grow much stronger, if at all." He let his power go with a sad smile. "Even my son, Sirzechs, the Strongest Devil, can't get stronger than he already is unless he starts picking something else to grow with."

"Like Touki? Sairaorg?" Shirou realized what his problem was even as some looked at him with confusion at the name.

Lord Gremory nodded with a smile. "Sairaorg was always as far as pureblood devils go. Despite his parents having considerable power and having inherited his mother's Power, he was always quite weak magically." A smile full of pride and happiness. "Perhaps that is why he managed to pivot to Touki so fast and managed to grow strong to the point he ascended to Heir of Bael in such a short time."

"But can't you and Sirzechs-sama do the same?" It was Kiba who asked and a shake of the head was the response.

"We devils are slow to change and it shows. Besides, Sirzechs doesn't have the time, not while being Lucifer and having to take care of the Underworld." He then laughed out loud. "Not that it matters anyway, my son is the Strongest Devil and nobody can challenge him for the title. Perhaps my grandson in a couple of years? Hahaha!" Waving his concerns away the Lord raised from the tub. "Either way we should get dressed."

"Sir, there are hours before the ball." Kiba pointed out but he was also getting up.

"And? We need time to choose everyone's best suit and make sure everybody's measures are correct." Glancing at the brown haired boy who was looking to the side to not see the Lord's naked form he added. "Like Ise over here. Don't think I can't see you got some more muscle in you."

"About the Gathering…" Shirou interrupted before the Red Dragon Emperor could reply. "Is Odin going to be there? I owe Rossweisse, his bodyguard, quite a huge favor." Mostly a meal as promised.

"Fortunately my son saw it prudent to forward me a list of guests who accepted invites for the Youth Devil Gathering. Unfortunately, probably because any alliance with Asgard is unofficial at best, Odin wasn't on said list."

"I see…"

"Hey, don't fall into a funk. My son and Azazel are going to officialize an alliance with Asgard any day now, I am sure."

"Azazel. I still owe him a kick in the nuts for leaving me in a forest infested with dragons." Just hearing the fallen angel's name sent Ise's blood boiling.

"Bwhaha, I imagine lots of devils who would pay to see that." If anything Zeoticus smelled an opportunity. "However I will have to ask you to refrain from that in the Youth Devil Gathering especially. Last Civil War started on one of those and we really should avoid another one." Clapping his hands happily he ignored the surprised looks the statement got. "Now get up all of you, we have fit your suits and get ready to go."

"Can't I just use my armor?" Shirou asked quickly and earned another glare from Ise.

"Oh no, if we're going with suits, so are you!"

"If it was good enough for Peace Talks then it is good enough for a ball."

"Remember what I said about the last Civil War? How did it start?" Zeoticus asked upon seeing that Ise's argument wasn't good enough for the Mage.

"You seriously have to tell us that story later." Shirou replied with a frown before letting a sigh escape. "Let me guess; whatever happens it means I can't go in armor."

A confident nod later the Lord explained. "Nobody but the guards can use any sort of weapon or armor of any kind. A ball is an occasion for festivities and not violence. When the old regime was in charge such parties were for them to show power, dominance, over the rest of us." Then Gremory smirked, pride filling him once again. "That was until one of them bit more than they could chew in the form of my son."

With that there was no more discussion, the men left the bath in robes to a room of the castle where many butlers and maids were ready to help them get dressed. Of course there were also clothes, floors of clothes, all for men and top of the line of the most variable colors and measures possible.

The view was a little daunting for Ise and Gasper but the Bishop had other issues in mind. "I really can't use a dress for this?"

"Dress code for this event is extremely strict; men must go with suits which may or may not include ties, cloaks are optional but most won't use them because of heat, and the undershirt must be tugged in during all times." Zeoticus explained while throwing his robe away, having no problem at all standing naked in front of all his employees. None of them batted an eye and some of the maids were quick to offer him some options of underwear. "For women it is just as simple but they have more variety; all must wear dresses, be them any size as long as they are form fitting. Accessories must be always visible."

"As to not conceal weapons?" Shirou offered while moving to a changing room to the said, a maid and a butler behind him with some clothes.

"Exactly right. That Gasper is why we can't have men using dresses on this kind of occasion." Lord Gremory waved around the huge room. "So now take your pick boys, as Shirou demonstrated, dressing rooms are on the sides and you can use them as long as-"

"Done." The Mage returned with a baffled pair of servants who didn't know what to think as one carried the robe he was previously using.

Shirou barely gave them any attention as he strode back to the center of the room now in a red suit and black undershirt that was eerily similar to his combat even if clearly not as functional but still extremely comfortable.

Too comfortable even as Kiba was the first to notice. "Shirou… Did you use magic to Alter your suit?"

"Oh come on!" Ise complained immediately and he wasn't the only one.

"Shirou, this should be our bonding time. Us, the boys." Lamented Zeoticus with a sad frown.

The redhead started to feel bad about everything and scratched his cheek. "Well, think about it this way; once you guys find clothes you like I can adjust them for you." All paused and looked at him. "We are still bonding but just picking this just for our tastes and not for what will fit."

With a grin Ise said, "I take everything bad I ever said about you back," and raced to find something he liked.

Zeoticus still looked a little upset but noticed something else that caught his attention. "Wait a moment… there is something else about your suit… something different." He turned to one of his servants. "Where did we buy this model?"

"You didn't." Shirou replied with a chuckle. "Most of your suits are old fashioned and have stuff that those on Earth have already discarded. Or don't you remember the comments you got back when you went to visit?" The older redhead nodded in understanding. "Then try to remember my father's work clothes too. Inside the coat he is using a special suit as strong as kevlar. Sure it isn't a complete wardrobe but it is still something that would belong in a business meeting."

"But this isn't a business meeting, it is a ball. Regardless of the 'cloak and dagger' part of it." Still he looked at how elegant Shirou's suit was and smiled. "Then again it isn't like the Youth Devil Gathering happens much. Last one was centuries ago."

"Civil War?" Asked the magus.

"No, just low birth rates." Everybody in the room felt extremely awkward after that one. "Anyway, let me get properly dressed first."

"Red and black?"

"Like any Gremory."

A few minutes later all the men were ready and fitted; Zeoticus dressed similarly to Shirou with the same combo of colors but with a tucked in black ascot, Ise opted for red as well but went with green for shirt and was having a few troubles with the tie, Kiba chose gray for the suit, a classic white undershirt and black tie, last but not least was Gasper with yellow as the primary color and red for the secondary ones.

"One last touch for me and you, Shirou." Zeoticus snapped his fingers and a big box was presented to them.

When it was opened the group saw the last accessory allowed to men in the gathering. "Cufflinks?"

"Not just any cufflinks. Those are symbols of status for the whole devil society." The Lord picked one to show everyone. "See this? This is the symbol of Gremory and while you have it they serve not only as identification but a symbol of your status in the Clan." With a wave he asked for the Mage's arm. "Only a few of those exist at a time; one pair for the Lord, another for the Heir, their consort and one for our Magician."

After both cufflinks were on his wrists, Shirou studied them carefully. "Magically enchanted gold? You guys do nothing by halves, do you?"

"Of course not." Zeoticus finished placing his own on. "Now we are at least matching on something."

"No offense but I can't see a woman using those in a dress." Ise commented as one of the maids did her best to help with his tie which was similar to the one from Kuoh's uniform.

"And you are absolutely correct. With how women dress, asking them to use sleeves is almost an affront so they get bracelets with our symbols." The Lord explained before a frown came to his face. "Now let me warn you all of something; if you guys see someone with those special cufflinks or bracelets don't mess with them. Either they are a noble, associated with a noble or working very closely to a noble. In case anything happens, know that the Gremory Clan will back you up but please don't get into trouble."

His eyes were carefully regarding every single one of the young men carefully until Shirou chuckled. "With what your wife has planned for me to do isn't like I will have time to get into trouble. Besides," he gave the older redhead a side glance, "we both know Rias is the one with a habit of picking fights with the nobility."

"According to my daughter that is just because you didn't have that many chances."

Looking at the cufflinks a little more Ise found them a little too small. "How are we going to notice the difference between these and normal ones?"

"Gold ones are for the Pillars and silver ones are for the Extra Devils." Kiba explained while pointing to his own eye. "Just pay attention to the colors and you will be fine."

"So stay away from anyone with fancy buttons?" Ise nodded like he had realized an undeniable truth of the universe. "Hear that, Gasper?"

The Bishop nodded in the same manner. "Loud and clear, Senpai."

"Heh, boys will be boys." Zeoticus commented before whistling for his servants who brought in several bottles with different colors. "So, do any of you have preferences for cologne?"

After all that the men of Gremory were ready to go but would still had to wait a few minutes for the women which resulted in them going back to the living room and playing cards to pass the time.

They didn't have to wait for long as soon enough the ladies began to arrive, the men standing up to receive them as Shirou pushed Ise's chin up.

"Close it off or you will catch flies."

"Oh my, you should let Ise-kun react how he wants, Shirou-kun. Or are you worried about something?" Akeno teased in the middle of the pack.

"Worried about the carpet and his saliva getting acquaintanced." His eyes danced around most of the women, resting on Rias and Akeno more than once but also noticing something else. "'Some of these things are not like the others'~"

But before he could say anything else Zeoticus spoke loudly, taking his wife's gloved hand and kissing it passionately. "My love, you are more beautiful than the day we met. I am truly the luckiest man alive."

"Fufufu and flattery will get you everywhere." Venelana was dressed in Gremory colors just like her husband with a dress that highlighted her breasts through the covered shoulders which hid most of her skin when combined with black gloves. Her makeup, all of their makeup really, was light and only to enhance natural appeal. "Did we take too long?"

"Of course not. We just changed too fast because Shirou here managed to adjust our clothes with magic." He held her hand tenderly and the lust on his eyes showed that he wanted to ditch the ball to have fun with his wife.

Rias took a step forward, "Why am I not surprised?" She joked as her lover met her in the middle. If her mother's dress was conservative anywhere but the chest area the Heiress dress hid only the necessary with exposed shoulders and a lower cut to show a little more chest. "You are more patient to try on clothes with me." Every step she took also showed a good amount of leg thanks to the cut of her dress and her heels, as red as her hair.

In fact her back was completely bare with her hair covering it easily thanks to its length while the dress kept hugging her curves completely in such a way that it made obvious that all she had to hide were the things it wouldn't be polite to show in public.

A couple of words that could be used to describe the Heiress of Gremory's dress would be daring, provocative and challenging. Instead of a dress that a noble woman should use for a ball it was like she would have more fun in a club or somewhere else, anywhere else even and that was part of the point.

Rias wasn't going there as someone trying to earn the aristocracy's favor.

It was almost enough to make the Pawn whimper at the temptation of something he could never have.

"Well you weren't there and I am still tired of cooking for a dragon." Shirou joked back, imitating Zeoticus and kissing her hand. He noticed the golden bracelet, the only jewel she was wearing, as big as a wristwatch. "Such is life."

"'Such is life'? I can swear that is a quote from someone." Rias' smile was radiant and as daring as her dress, her hair dancing freely as she shook her head.

"A fair man, an unfair life and the acceptance of an end." He massaged her hand before moving around to look at the rest. "And it was quite a tale. Like the one where some of you are wearing armor?"

"Really? That is what caught your attention?" Compared to her best friend Akeno's dress was modest, leaving enough cleavage for a bit of teasing but having more embroidery around the chest area.

Dresses like the one Akeno was wearing were those that a bride could use to their wedding day even if the color was a little off; the bodice held her more than generous bosom nicely, her sleeves covered her whole arm without hindering anything, the silhouette was hid her legs but not their shape and the trimming looked like real serpents ready to come alive.

Its sleeves were long and loose like a kimono despite the European influences on the dress coming from how it was made and how it hugged the waist. The Queen's hair was also in her favorite ponytail but the ribbon mashed better with the dress with both being a light tone of purple.

Purple like a certain goddess' hair. "My protector is aware of many things, my priestess. You only need to pay attention to his eyes." Medusa was dressed in a similar style as her usual but for anyone her toga-like dress was of a higher make. Her hair however was different with several braids converging on a giant one traveling below her lower back. "Unlike the Red Dragon Emperor, he knows to keep his mouth shut."

"No need to kick Ise like that. He is already down." Kiba couldn't help but joke but the Pawn gave no response, still lost in watching the girls.

"Ise-san…" Asia pouted at his lack of attention but compared to someone like Rias, who was dressed to impress, or like Akeno, whose body irradiated sexappeal even when not trying, her dress was modest and simple.

For someone not paying attention it would seem like Asia wasn't using several pieces of clothing instead of a single green dress but that was how it was made to complement her developing figure, giving her an hourglass figure that was still protected by her skirt.

Her shoulder sleeves were short, reaching the biceps and no further while her bodice was sewn in a manner resembling a closed shirt, completed with five buttons going from her waist to the neck, all closed.

Of all dresses that was the second most innocent looking one and only because Koneko held the most innocent dress by far.

The image of a doll was conjured when anyone's gaze fell on the little white haired girl and she herself was well aware of it. Chalk it up to Medusa's influence or just her reputation at school or even Gasper putting ideals on her head but when Koneko was getting ready she didn't think much of it.

She just went for those clothes, a white dress that reached just below her knees with gray tones and ribbons tying it up in the chest below her neck, her wrists and a huge one in her waist more or less the same size as the goddess'.

Also the shoes she was wearing just made her look more adorable, they looked like tap dancing shoes and her socks had kitten's pawns drawn around it.

On her hair was her favorite hair clip, complementing the colors of her dress perfectly.

"I noticed that someone is not answering my question." Shirou said with a smile as he turned to his maid and knight. "Although for Liz I kinda expected her to either not come or just dress normally but armor? Please don't tell me this is still about-"

"It is about your security, yes." Xenovia confirmed with a smile, making the Mage frown and facepalm. "Don't be like that Master. This is a public event anyway and it is appropriate for you all to have an escorted guard." Patting the sword on her back she then added. "And I doubt any devil will want to pick a fight with Durandal." Liz nodded in absolute agreement.

Both of them were dressed in the colors of Gremory but as Shirou had pointed out they weren't using any sort of dress but instead plate armor complete with red capes and weapons, the Gremory symbol proudly displayed in their chests.

All they were lacking was the helmet and possibly nobody would be able to recognize them unless they noticed that Xenovia was smaller than the average guard and Liz's posture was more relaxed than theirs at least for the moment.

That or their weapons.

Anyone who laid eyes on Durandal could see it was a Holy Sword and while the halberd looked normal the metal wouldn't go unnoticed to those who knew alchemy or could distinguish its value.

"It happened once, get over it." Shirou complained with a frown that had Liz frowning. "I was drugged and caught by surprise, it won't happen again."

"No, it won't." Was all Leysritt said as her posture fixed itself and she slammed her halberd on the ground.

"Careful with the carpet, dear." Venelana requested gently before turning to Shirou. "Believe it or not, that wasn't my idea. Apparently Xenovia doesn't get comfortable in dresses."

"They restrict movement too much."

The brunette noble smiled but there was disappointment and frustration behind it. "Only because we didn't find the right one for you."

The bluehead just scoffed, turning her attention to her sworn lord. "Master, after our failure with Lakmia-"

"Good grief, you didn't fail."

"-we believe some extra protection should be afforded, at least while her allies can still be around. Especially at a party full of nobles." Realizing the company she was keeping she quickly added, "No offense."

"None taken." Rias replied calmly, a sentiment her parents shared. "And while it is true that Lakmia may still have some friends around, I am sure Shiro can look after himself."

"Thank you." He was about to kiss Rias when she continued.

"But~ A little extra security can be nice." His pout was adorable for her and others. "It is just today, promise. After it, if there is another ball we will throw Xenovia into a proper dress."

"... I won't mind if I can take Durandal with me…"

"Honestly I just wished that I could get my hands on Lakmia Gremory and give her the lesson that the Valkyrie failed to deliver by giving her too quick of a death." Luvia's dress was the most extravagant one by far or at least it appeared to be.

Princesses or prom queens over the ages dreamed of using a dress like the blonde Rook's; sleeves that seamlessly connected her shoulders to her wrists with thin silk, a long skirt that moved with her while also keeping her legs hidden from view.

There were also some ribbons, one to hold her hair and her preferred hairstyle and another just below her neck and above her breasts.

However there was something different about Luvia's wardrobe, something the men caught on quickly. "Luvia-senpai, you aren't wearing blue?"

"Of course not, Gasper. Those are the colors of Sitri and other Clans and using them today would be an insult for the Clan who so kindly adopted me, the Gremory Clan!" She did a little spin to show her completely red dress and earned the applause of many of the servants as well the Lord and Lady.

Luvia may not like red as a color, its association with Rin soured her taste for it, but she was both grateful and proud of being part of the Gremory Clan and if using their colors was a way to show with no uncertain terms who she served she would do it.

Because the Youth Devil Gathering was a political arena that most of her Reincarnated peers didn't realize her King would be fighting not with blasts of power and swords but with words and negotiation.

As someone raised as a proper magus Luvia knew very well the kind of fight Rias was going in and during her stay with Beowulf she also learned that some of the Heiress' actions placed her in as negative a light with nobility of the Underworld as possible.

So she would go there with a red dress both as a sword and a shield; a sword to show she was loyal and a shield to show that messing with her would involve all the Gremory Clan.

For that wasn't the time for it to show weakness. "Besides, I believe it brings my eyes well enough. Right, Shero?"

Rubbing his chin the redhead leaned in, the girl posing to make sure he could study her appearance without obstacles. "Huh, you are right. Red does suit you. Maybe even better than blue?" He heard her huff both from confidence and from how her rival's color supposedly was better for her. "But maybe…" When Shirou touched her hand Luvia felt his circuits warm. "You shouldn't force yourself so much."

She didn't bother to stop the alteration on the sleeves of her dress that changed them from the Gremory red to her favorite blue.

"I like it." Rias commented before Luvia could protest. "This way you can still use your color and nobody can't say you aren't with the Gremory."

As someone raised to be a noble, Luvia knew how to hide her emotions. "Thank you for the compliment, Buchou." A curtsy and a smile were the best way to do so.

Her King smiled at her before taking a few steps to join her parents and turn to them all. "Then let's go over a few ground rules just to be safe. My father already explained about the bracelets and cufflinks?" She asked while raising her own.

"Don't mess with anyone with a fancy thing on their wrist." Gasper stated proudly, getting a chuckle from pretty much everybody.

"That is right, don't mess with them, don't insult them, don't start a fight." Then Rias winked. "Of course you have my absolute permission to finish them if they start one."

"Rias…" Venelana tried to scold her daughter.

Tried and failed. "If anyone thinks they can harm my precious Pieces then they better be ready for war." Taking a deep breath the older woman just accepted her daughter's words knowing her husband was pretty much the same. "Still, just to not give a chance to any idiots we are going to go with safety in numbers and form pairs for the duration of the ball."

"I suppose you are going to call for my protector and in doing so get his two bodyguards for the duration of the event." Medusa deduced correctly and Rias smiled shamelessly. "My priestess and I will be another one then."

"I still can't believe a devil is praying to a god so directly…" Luvia commented and Akeno just smiled.

For the sake of plausible deniability Akeno decided to withhold revealing her true nature to the rest of Rias Peerage, something her King herself agreed with since if things went wrong for any reason then the number of people sharing the blame would be small and protected.

Fact was that for devils to grow in Rank or in class as it were they needed some sort of approval from the noble caste already in place, something that Rias didn't need to concern herself with but the other members of her peerage would have to sooner or later.

Luvia was an example as she wanted to raise and become a legend in the Underworld so eventually she would need to deal with them while Ise wanted to grow into High Class and have a harem of his own.

Since they weren't going to tell one of the Rooks and the Pawn already the only person to know about Akeno's secret in their peerage was Gasper and even then the Bishop didn't really understand everything that happened back at the manor nor he was going to pry.

He was too shy for that.

"We live in a brand new world and a bold new age." Rias joked and pointed to Venelana. "And my mother may just join her."

"It is a religion that I can get behind." Admitted the former Bael. "And some of my friends are open to the idea."

Kiba's face turned into an expression of bafflement and amusement. "Say, don't all devils pray to Ars Goetia?"

"The fuck is Ars Goetia?"

Both Lord and Lady Gremory turned to their daughter with extremely disappointed looks. "Rias, did you really not teach your Pawn anything?" Asked the father.

"There is no excuse for this one, daughter. Due to our mistakes we are giving you plenty of space but to not teach your Pieces about the Original Pillars is a failure too great to ignore."

"Admittedly it was a mistake but I didn't have the time." Rias could see in her parents faces that indeed the excuse was not good enough. "Look, I will give him some lessons later but-"

"But our ride isn't here yet." Shirou pointed out, sitting down on the couch. "We have a few minutes and I admit that I am curious. The names of the Pillars come from Ars Goetia but I didn't know you prayed to them."

"Praying is a strong word. You could say the Creator Demon is important to all devils and not much more." Rias replied carefully, sitting beside her lover. Everyone took a seat somewhere or another as her parents allowed her to continue the explanation. "In the beginning there was Lucifer and Lilith, the Father and Mother of the first devils. Those ones were cruller than us, more monstrous too for the most part, creatures born out of their hatred and the ones who took the souls of humanity for pleasure and sadism."

Venelana took over. "But they were wrong, even to Lucifer himself. He wanted to rule, you see, and they just wanted to destroy for the most part."

"None of us was there obviously, that happened even before the Oldest of Devils was born. No Honorable Ancestor, the first of the Pillars, had been born as far as we know." Zeoticus continued with a grunt. "Or so we are taught."

"All part of your Creation Myth." Medusa commented, earning a look from the devils. "Not that it was a Myth mind you but it is the story that gives you all the fundamentals for your society. I bet it was on purpose, maybe even from Lucifer himself." The purple haired goddess studied the Morning Star of God and knew he wasn't as foolish as some liked to perceive him. "He made his first children sound barbaric so you all would be refined, he carved some of their most damaging acts in tradition so you always remembered to be better, smarter, superior."

"Probably, there was also the fact they weren't that strong either so perhaps that was why Lucifer had the original devils extinct when our kind came about." Rias commented with a shrug as neither of her parents challenged her on that. They held similar views and only a few would know the truth and no devil or angel alive was amongst them. "Point was that the first devils were failures and something needed to be done. That was where Ars Goetia came in, the Original Demon Pillars…"

"We know little about them in the modern day. I lived hundreds of years and only have what my father told me." Zeoticus began reverently. "Our ancestors were the only ones who saw the 72 Pillars of Ars Goetia personally. It was them who made us the devils we are today."

"Is this why you all respect Solomon so much?" Luvia folded her arms as her lessons from childhood came to memory. "The King of Mages had a Pact with Ars Goetia, right?"

The pureblood devils all looked at each other and Rias shrugged. "He did."

"True enough the Pillars, the Clans, all had Pacts with Solomon at one point." Venelana turned to the Mage of Swords with a smile. "Before Shirou here the Gremory was the last Clan who didn't make a new Pact in full after Solomon's direct line was extinct."

It was Zeoticus' turn to shrug. "Nobody made the cut before and temporary deals were always better."

"But how did Ars Goetia help Lucifer?" Shirou asked, feeling that something was missing. And he didn't know why. 'Also why? He was a follower of God, right?' Yet something stopped him from questioning further.

"All we know was that he made the modern devil; 'appearance, power and vitality shall be given to all of your race'. Or so they said, according to the Gremory Ancestor, Runeas Gremory."

"I see…" There was something missing in the whole story and for the life of him Shirou didn't know why he wanted to pry more but still not ask questions.

"So all devils are creations of Goetia? Except the Reincarnated ones?" Ise asked respectfully, not wishing to say the wrong thing.

Rias chuckled at her Pawn cautious behavior. "Not all. Whatever Goetia did the Original Lucifer managed to reproduce with his children to an extent. That is where the Extra Devils Clans come from." At the Red Dragon Emperor's look of confusion she giggled. "Grayfia is one of them, a Lucifuge."

"Lucifuge is a derivative from Lucifer in case that wasn't clear enough. Hohoho!" Luvia laughed at Ise's irritated face.

Cleaning his throat Zeoticus became the center of attention again. "In either case we don't pray in the human sense of the word. There are no temples for Goetia nor rituals to communicate with them. As far as we know our faith also wouldn't empower such a being as he was a demon, not a god." Yet there was real reverence in the man's words. "However all devils, at least us purebloods, know to respect Ars Goetia. Without them, the Pillars as you know would never come to be. So I expect you to at least speak of them respectfully, at least in my home."

Ise gulped as the Lord's harsh look carried a threat of punishment he couldn't comprehend and the Pawn decided to deflect with a question. "So- so, these Pillars, the original ones. The Ars Goetia… were they really a Pillar or something like that?"

Seeing the legitimate interest from the young man had Zeoticus relaxing. "Not a pillar in the sense of a construction but if what my Ancestor told me was correct…" Taking a moment the Lord of Gremory struggled to find the words as both his wife and daughter watched him. "She saw them once, I think all our Ancestors did upon their creation, and her description either wasn't the best or it was just a thing hard to explain."

"Wait, Lady Runeas told you about Goetia? Including their appearance?" Venelana asked in disbelief. "We have been married for centuries, why is this the first time I am hearing about this?"

"You never asked?" Immediately Zeoticus felt the terror that husbands have shared since the concept of marriage was invented; his wife was mad and he needed to blame someone else or it would be on his head. "I mean, I don't think it is any big secret so shouldn't Zekram have told you?"

It worked as the woman calmed down a little, just enough that her rage wasn't on him anymore but could return if he wasn't quick. "You were about to describe the Pillars?" Shirou was there for the man with a question to get things moving again.

"Right, thanks Shirou." Raising his hands Zeoticus made a magic circle and a small pillar of energy emerged from it and stood there for all to take note. "This would be a pillar of stone, simple, engraved decor or not. Anyone can do it with a chisel." Then it grew taller, more robust and the devil made sure to let its power wave around the room. "But the Pillars of Ars Goetia, the demon… They were different, both amongst each other and by the fact they were made of flesh."

"It makes sense." Said Medusa. "Demon or not, most beings are made of flesh. Did she tell you how big they were?"

"'Taller than the tallest mountain', Runeas used to say." That made some impressions and a few in the room couldn't help but feel nervous.

Like if by just talking about them they were summoning Ars Goetia. "So they were as big as a skyscraper?" Offered Kiba with academic curiosity.

"Considering how old they were you should say skyscrapers are as big as the Ars Goetia, Kiba-kun." Akeno joked but felt something inheretining wrong with the conversation. 'Why the…' Looking around the Queen felt like she was being watched.

Then she noticed Shirou's eyes on her and a raised eyebrow before he said. "Maybe we should let the horror story for another day. Don't we have a ball to go to?"

"... I like it." Liz revealed with a small smile and the atmosphere broke over the disbelief that the maid turned teacher apparently had a thing for horror stories.

"Besides, if Goetia was with Solomon then there is a hole in this story." Shirou said while standing up from the couch and fixing his back. Gathering his resolve he broke through whatever was trying to block his questions. "Wasn't the King of Judah one of God's Chosen? His most Wise King if I remember right?"

After learning he was a descendant of said king, like every magus on the planet, Shirou did take some time to research the man in the Vault. Thankfully Azazel didn't mind and offered many books and tales about the man as the fallen angel was there throughout his life.

And death.

"That is another thing that we don't know but my Honorable Ancestor used to say that Goetia was a creature so wise that it was wiser than the wisest King." Venelana spoke with less reverence than her husband but still respectfully. "He likes to think the demon broke free from his chains and gave us life…" She turned to Medusa but her words were for all to hear. "If there is someone in the Underworld who prays, especially for Goetia, then it is certainly Zekram Bael."

Asia found a certain amount of sense in the older woman's words. "Perhaps that is why he wouldn't tell you about his experiences with your creator." She said timidly and almost retreated behind Ise when all eyes, including the eavesdropping servants', turned to her. "If he truly believes then his birth and meeting with his god are things really sacred to him."

"Zekram, finding something sacred? Bwahaha. That will be the day." Zeoticus said dismissively, the notion absolutely hilarious for him.

A sentiment his wife shared by her reserved laugh, one that Rias could understand but not share considering who Zekram was to all devils.

Before the conversation kept going everybody inside Gremory Castle, from the lowest janitor to the Lord himself, felt the boundary fields waver and almost break as several masses of power invaded the Gremory Castle's territory.

Suffice to say that everyone grew nervous but Akeno and Koneko who could already tell what was happening thanks to their sharp senses. "Our ride has arrived, Buchou."

Processing what her Queen had just said, Rias replied with "That is way stronger than Tannin."

"More than one dragon." Koneko supplied confidently.

"Ah… Makes sense."

"It does?" Shirou asked in disbelief as his lover began to march outside, everyone following just behind.

"Of course it does. You certainly didn't expect Tannin to carry all of us by himself, right?

"I don't know, Buchou… Tannin-ossan is big." Ise's voice exposed his doubt.

Kiba chuckled at his friend's comment. "But it would certainly be an uncomfortable ride. Do you think we could get a saddle for dragons?"

[If you want to be burnt to a crisp, go ahead and suggest that.]

"Ddraig-san, it is nice to hear from you again. How has your month been?" Asia said with a smile as everyone stopped to greet the dragon.

[It is good to be back… Was what I would say if civilization wasn't so boring.]

"He liked the forest. Wanted to stay there for longer." Just by the tone it was clear Ise disliked the notion considerably.

[What wasn't there to like; flights to our hearts content, hunting of delicious animals-]

"Two words: Dragon Apples."

[... You all should get going. Tannin isn't the most patient dragon.] The glow from Ise's hand disappeared, the Red Dragon Emperor done with the conversation.

"Something wrong with the grumpy lizard?" Xenovia was the one who asked.

"He liked that forest way too much…"

"Except for the apples." Medusa joked and Ise couldn't help but snort.

Finally they arrived outside to the sight of several guards flying around nervously as several massive shapes spread around the back of the castle, each presence more dominating than the last.

It wasn't just their power but also the size of the dragons. Tannin was still the strongest by far and it was easy to feel how he was letting his power out to subdue his fellow dragons.

But every dragon was a giant that could topple a building if they just stumbled in the wrong direction. "And you spent a month with those?" Xenovia couldn't help but be impressed.

However Ise shook his head and pointed at one dragon in particular. "I just know that one… I don't think the others were in the woods."

"I am pretty sure they aren't part of Tannin's Peerage either." Zeoticus was looking around and flinching a little at the damage to his garden.

"Are you suggesting he picked random dragons from the forest, Zeoticus-sama?" Akeno asked with her usual smile but it was a question he couldn't answer honestly.

The dragons were still looking around as Tannin gave one instruction or another as Rias looked ready to call for the dragon to get going.

Yet something needed to be said, or at least Shirou believed so. Something he never thought he would say in his life.

"I am not cooking for them." He said with his best deadpan expression and flat tone.

When the dragons noticed the devils it was because of the melodious laugh from the Heiress who couldn't hold herself back.

…..

Sona finished talking with another devil and their magician who despite being part of a Clan that was also a Pillar still treated her with reverence due to the Sitri's superior standing and her sister position as a Maou.

The younger devil was trying to foster relationships but a more cynical part of her couldn't help but ask, 'Will they still behave like that once my plans come to light?' every time someone approached her with smiles and well meaning words.

Some may be sincere if not the majority of them since she was young and devils learned to value the next generation immensely thanks to the low birth rates. Later that will change, it was inevitable, she knew. Had always known since her plans went against her own culture and that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sona paused to look around the room of the elegant castle located several kilometers North from the capital of the Underworld, Lilith. As the Underworld Civil War started with an incident during a Youth Devil Gathering the new regime built that castle in such a way to mark the end of hostilities.

It also would serve as Youth Devil Gathring's meeting point for the foreseeable future and no expense had been saved when building and furnishing Castle Paix, from peace in French, in a position accessible to everyone which would be open to the public when not in use.

It wasn't built like a fortress like most castles were, the walls weren't thick like other castles and it was smaller than any other castle in the Underworld, only a few floors, every single one of them accessible by the ballroom.

But the ballroom itself was the main gem of Castle Paix, the single room occupied over half the structure with enough space to hold at least three thousand people even if just a couple hundred used it every time there was a public gala, ball or party.

Everywhere was technically accessible by the ballroom alone thanks to devils' capability to fly, a thing some of the guests shared but not all. Still there were rooms on the lower floors and other utilities that those without could use without a trouble. However the castle had nowhere for anyone to spend the night unless they worked there.

Its walls were lined with gold and paintings especially procured to glorify the Underworld's past. The tables were always brought from the outside when there was a party but the skeleton crew and guards always made sure it was in pristine condition. As it was a symbol of peace it was considered an honor to care for Castle Paix.

Since it was the sort of place that would receive foreign dignitaries it has another quirk that most of Underworld's buildings were missing; it had its own lights.

A huge chandelier took over most of the ceiling, big enough that a giant truck would have been needed to transport the thing if magic wasn't a factor. Curved in several places, divided into six segments on the four cardinal directions with six floors worth of lights that left no corner of the room in the dark.

Surrounding Castle Paix was also a forest with several kilometers of extension that was cared for by the staff of the castle. The woods around it weren't the original ones, those lands were much more than tamed and the dangers in it had long been moved or culled for safety.

That would have been true regardless because of the proximity to the capital but as the employees of Castle Paix weren't a garrison per say and while they could fight there was no need to risk leaving anything dangerous in those woods.

Besides it would be a catastrophe if guests were harmed because of negligence from the devils' part.

So the forest was tamed, the castle was built and for the sake of the Youth Devil Gathering it was stocked with all manners of drinks, foods and entertainment which included actors, a band and other performers.

No point in having a symbol of peace if it was just standing around and looking pretty. A statue could have accomplished the same effect so Sona actually liked the idea of using Castle Paix as a hub of sorts.

Around her everyone was dressed elegantly, either drinking, eating or even dancing to the slow tune a band played. The party was a gala, the sort of occasion the nobles considered the most adequate to celebrate and batter. Business wasn't going to stop just because of the Youth Devil Gathering and if anything it would grow thanks to new opportunities and bets.

The new opportunities were obvious, the new bloods were being recognized as adults and would get into politics, trade and take more responsibilities inside their Clans. So the party was both for the younger nobles to introduce themselves while also state their goals to expand their interests.

Bets were going to happen because of Rating Games, the first tournament the younger nobles would partake in and show their powers, their merit. The weak would see many prospects closed and potential partners letting them go or risk working with somebody unable to protect their interests.

Around Sona everyone was dressed the part, suits and dresses made of the finest silks if a bit old fashioned from some devils' part. Even a few magicians, magi and spellcasters alike, she couldn't tell the difference with a glance, also were dressed similarly. There was a coordination between the parts, a coordination she also shared with her magician.

Sona was quick to return to her group, smaller than most as the majority of her peerage remained behind on Sitri Castle.

It was for the best in her opinion, not all of them knew how to behave in a party such as these and the training they endured over the month left them exhausted physically and mentally.

Calling it training would be incorrect in both Heiress and her magician's minds, 'procedure' would have been more accurate and it wasn't all successful. Regardless, every single one of them confirmed something else; it was painful.

Not with words, they smiled and told her they were fine but one or two of them screamed during it, enough to tell her that it wasn't a 'breeze' as her Rook described, or nothing much as one of her Pawns said with a small smile.

Everything still went far more smoothly than expected and the results impressed Sona's parents more than she could ever imagine doing herself. Olga had delivered in bulk the results of her research even if it wasn't cheap nor easy to reach that point. However the price was greater for those who endured the procedure and only one recovered enough to walk with their own power.

And neither he or Sona wanted him at the Youth Devil Gathering party for different reasons; he didn't like parties and she wanted to keep him a secret as long as possible. Especially because her first match was already determined to be against Rias and any advantage would be welcome.

"Lady Sona." Hearing Tsubaki calling her anything other than 'Kaichou' was odd but proper decorum needed to be observed on that particular occasion.

The Sitri Queen wore a dress much similar to her own with a subtle difference of coloring; long skirts that reached their ankles, heels but not overly tall ones, sleeves that reached their hands.

They covered pretty much everything to create images of proper ladies, Sona's was a soft tone of sky blue, while Tsubaki's dress was white with pink in certain spots. Of course they also had other differences, small ones all things considered but still there.

The Queen's hair was tied on the back of her head via clips to keep it together without a braid and exposing her neck to the elements. It wasn't necessarily tied in an elaborated fashion but it was the sort of knot that took enough work to be notable but not enough to be called complicated.

At a distance either of them could be called a noble and if nobody knew who Sona was from, either her Clan ro family, either could be called the Sitri Heiress with ease thanks to their black hair and serious disposition.

However only Sona wore any jewelry, a bracelet on her left arm that broadcasted her real identity, opening the doors to many potential partners and allies if both sides shared the same ideas and ambitions.

Unfortunately Sona knew her ambition wasn't shared by anyone else and even her parents hesitated in supporting her goals.

Her sister did want to help but it was more out of love than in agreeing with her beliefs.

"Kai- I mean, lady Sitri…" Saji cleared his throat and looked around, hoping against hope no noble had noticed his mistake. His King did and she forgave him easily. "Did they agree to help?" Only to disappoint her with his question.

Not that she could blame the boy as Sanji Genshirou wasn't raised as a noble neither knew talking in the open wasn't the same for them. Things were never simple when nobles talked, there was always something between the lines and compromises that needed to be done for both parts.

Or just one when blackmail was involved.

It wasn't Saji's fault, Sona knew better than most the sort of life he had and how much the blond boy was trying to support her in any way he could. Even if he was uncomfortable in his suit, shown by how much he insisted on messing with his tie even if its measurements were perfect, the Pawn felt like he didn't belong.

Despite that he did look the part even if he was sweating more than he should and acting skittishly. Perhaps the problem was on the clothes themselves, they were far more expensive than anything Saji had ever worn before. Instead of feeling the silk and finding comfort the boy's own skin knew it wasn't for him.

At least that was his opinion since Sona had said otherwise and gave it to him not only so he looked the part but because Vritra's host earned it. His dedication was real, proven when he trained twice as hard instead of resting just because he couldn't get the procedure no matter how eager he was to try it.

The suit given to him, black with a purple tie and dark blue undershirt, was a mixture of Vritra's colors while also keeping it subtle enough to not gather much attention. The majority of it was still the classical black and by the way he was holding a plate of snacks the blond was nervous about crumbs on it.

"Saji, please calm down." Tsubaki spoke before Sona could but the words were the same. "I understand this is not where you would want to spend an evening but-"

"If Kaichou needs me I will happily stay in hell." His words were flattering and he obviously stopped his hand from running his combed hair.

"To most people this is a vision of hell, yes." Sona said mostly as a joke and the blond stared at her. "I don't like this place anymore than you do, Saji." From his plate she collected a cannoli and ate it slowly with a hand ready to catch any crumbs. After swallowing she added. "But you can go around and get more to eat, or dance if you want."

Saji blushed and looked to the side, thinking she was suggesting to dance with her. "Kaichou I would love to but I have two left feet. I would just stomp all over you."

A delicate eyebrow was raised but the pureblood devil chose to let that go. "Still it isn't fair that you two are just here to give me support when there are plenty of opportunities around." She motioned to some young magicians, there with their elders or invited because of their families' prestige, around the room. "Sooner or later you will need a Pact as well."

Tsubaki looked around with guilt while Saji started to see people his age, or slightly older, with curiosity.

Then a familiar voice said. "That isn't fair, Sona. Tsubaki wouldn't dare to get a Pact here and Saji… Saji still has some self improvement to do." Olga Marie Animusphere returned to their group with a glass of water and a pensive look. "They will have to hold on at least until we start showing some of our success."

Like every woman in the ball Olga also was wearing a dress, this one even more conservative than Sona's with a thin coat over her shoulders that didn't cover her arms, with sleeves reaching her wrists and gloves.

Color scheme wise the rest of the dress shared her business partner's colors as both were using the blue of the Sitri while the gloves covering Olga's hands were of an orange tone to her preference.

The magus hairstyle was also different to any of her friends, her hair free as it could be except by her usual braid the side of her head. On her right arm she shared with Sona the bracelet of Sitri, the mark of her status as Magician of Sitri.

Despite the severity of her words and how concerning the subject was, Olga Marie was obviously content with a small spring on her step. Even if her position as Magician of Sitri would earn her some disdain in the next few hours the white haired magus knew it was temporary.

Until then she was going to milk it for all it was worth by making new contacts and getting deals to perfect her project even if she knew they would fall to the wayside later. Just the promises, and the fact they would be broken, held value as once all came to light then they would be begging to get back on board.

But that was in the future, a not very distant one.

For the moment Olga had other duties to attend to, like keeping Sona firm in the path for her dream. "Any Pact now won't be worth it. Worse even, there are plenty of magicians who are going to fight their way out before all is said and done." They traded meaningful looks before the devil avoided hers. Considering how much Sona loved her peerage the magus felt bad but the truth needed to be said. "Don't worry, things will get better once we have a more stable footing. For now we have to be patient."

Looking at her best friend's face Sona knew the Magician of Sitri was correct. 'Once again my goals take their toll.' No matter how much she wished otherwise. "Apologies but it seems Olga is right."

"Eeh, I don't need a Pact anyway." Saji said dismissively while Tsubaki shook her head.

"Our Pacts may not have as much reach or symbiotic partnership as lady Sitri and Olga's but they are still an important step to Reincarnated devils such as us." She smiled to comfort her friend. "But Olga is right, we don't need one right now."

"Especially since the tough times won't last forever, not even long." The small magus said with a conspiratory smile full of confidence. It was the sort of confidence that magi developed throughout their whole lives. "Yes, just wait until the Rating Games start then nobody will be able to reject us anymore." Said confidence Olga Marie Animusphere lacked most of her life.

Indeed Sona wouldn't recognize the girl's face if she hadn't seen the developments that birthed that confidence first hand. Compared to that young magus from a decadent family who had all her ideas rejected, this new young lady acted more and more like the typical magus if not less haughty.

Her face was still the same, puberty hadn't hit just yet even if she was already getting there, but Olga's changes came from a better posture, a confident smile and the freedom from most of her previous stress.

The reason for all of it was simple; when she first arrived at Kuoh the Future Head of Animusphere had something to prove and was constantly afraid of failing. She had no safety net and no support, all she had was a 'dead' research and the determination to fight her family over it.

To at least try and make something regardless how much her elders told her it was pointless, that the future they envisioned was impossible.

Olga accepted that and worked to create her own future by working with everything her family had rejected. Took a lot of hard work and she lost everything by the point Sona accepted her as the Sitri's Magician but all of it paid off.

Now she had a Pact, a Pact with a whole Clan from the 72 Pillars, a feat that only a few families at a time can accomplish and something that marked her as one of the most important people in the Underworld.

That was of course in the condition that Olga Marie delivered what she promised to Sona all those weeks back at Kuoh and she did it even if not completely.

Not that diminished her success. "Tsubaki and Saji are going to be drowning in requests after your first Rating Game. Rias won't know what hit her."

"I like confidence." Sona told her magician with a smile. "But be careful not to turn it into arrogance. The match hasn't happened yet."

The implication that Sona's Peerage could lose was met with disbelief from Olga and Saji for different reasons. "Kaichou- I mean, lady Sona-"

"No one is paying attention to us right now, Saji. You can call me Kaichou like usual."

"Right, thank you…" Now that he had permission the Pawn looked even more hesitant. "Don't you believe we can't beat Rias-buchou's team?"

A sigh escaped the pureblood devil's lips. "I didn't say that. If anything I firmly believe we are going to win." Sona looked fiercely resolute and the trio around her could see she was ready for the fight. "But that doesn't mean I will abandon caution or underestimate our opponents. Not even to mention that Rias didn't just stand still over the last month."

That had been her mistake with Riser but Sona knew her oldest friend had learned her lesson and instilled a harsher training regime to herself and her peerage. She would also have Azazel's help, something only Saji counted on. Tsubaki, while also having a sacred gear, refused the fallen angel's help on the grounds that her ability was easy to use.

"But how can Rias beat…" Olga looked around conspiratorially, her smile growing wider when she finally said "… our Noble Phantasms?" She was giddy just thinking about them.

The result of her research of connecting with the Evil Pieces was a resounding success, summoning them was still hard and they didn't have the science patted down yet but the most important thing was that the number of Noble Phantasms the Sitri Clan acquired was more than zero.

One would already be considered a miracle by itself and while some devils would criticize Olga for her failure on arming a whole peerage anyone with more than two brain cells would be singing her praises for Olga Marie succeeded in summoning and connecting a Noble Phantasm to a Reincarnated devil.

Then she did it again and a third time when the possibility presented itself. Three Noble Phantasms were summoned and they successfully bonded with three members of the Sitri Peerage.

It wasn't for nothing that Olga Marie was giddy or confident, she not only did something that many of her peers called impossible, the powers of a Noble Phantasm weren't the sort of thing that could be underestimated.

A single Noble Phantasm was very capable of turning the tide of a war, the strongest ones could ruin countries or subjugate gods. Even the weaker ones could reach similar results under certain conditions, that was how powerful a Noble Phantasm could just be depending on its legend.

And Olga managed to summon some of them, she had reason to be proud.

"A Noble Phantasm didn't give Riser Phenex victory." Sona made sure to look around before saying the name. She was pretty confident of having seen the man's sister around the room.

"He had only one. And his Knight didn't know how to use it." Olga reminded her friend confidently.

Tsubaki, however, could see her King's point. "One sword for ten days, supposing he received it when he threw the challenge. Our friends just had a week."

"More than enough and they all are stronger than Bakuya." Not a baseless claim as Olga knew about its Legend more than most.

As she would since Sona dedicated some of their time to research any Noble Phantasm that Emiya Shirou had managed to get his hands on. "Rias knows the danger of Noble Phantasms. Her Mage hardly would allow her to remain ignorant."

It was the sort of argument that would have silenced Olga Marie in the past when she was shy and hesitant.

Not anymore as the white haired girl was still high in her accomplishments. "Every Noble Phantasm we manage to summon is superior to Bakuya in Rank."

"You are being too loud." She wasn't, not really, but Sona didn't want anyone knowing about their trump cards just yet. There would already be chaos once their research came to light and surrounded by nobles was not the place for it to happen. "Yes, Bakuya alone isn't that strong and yes, the Noble Phantasms we have are all stronger than any equipment Rias can muster."

"And despite all that you are still not sure you are going to win."

"Of course not. Rias is strong. Her peerage is strong. Every single one of them."

She still remembers her friend standing against Kokabiel, Akeno unleashing true lightning though human magic, Luvia's talent as a magus, Kiba's skill with a sword, Asia's almost divine healing, Ise's Boosted Gear and Koneko's natural capabilities.

All that helped her reach a logical conclusion. "We are the underdogs in this fight, nobody really expects us to win." Sona had already accepted that fact. "So we just-"

"How can you expect to accomplish anything if you only expect failure." Olga interrupted with a scoff and glare.

"I am being realistic here." Sona replied with a glare of her own.

But the magus wasn't going to be cowed so easily. "So? You can't win unless you believe you can win." Pointed out Olga with a confident smirk. "I am not telling you to suddenly grow arrogant or to become big headed and lose to a mistake. But have more confidence in yourself."

"That is right, Kaichou. We can do this." Saji chose that moment to express his feelings, surprising Sona. "It doesn't matter how strong Rias and her crew got, we all broke our backs and got much stronger."

"I agree with Saji." Tsubaki was also smiling with pride. "Even if not all of us can bond with Noble Phantasms, we all are far stronger than before. But that alone isn't enough." She nodded to the magus. "Olga is right, you need to believe in victory even if it seems impossible. You need to see it in your mind so we can make your plans a reality."

'Look at that, Olga isn't the only one who is confident because we have Noble Phantasms.' While she wouldn't allow that to infect her Sona still smiled. "As a King it is my duty to consider every hypothesis, good or bad." Was a reminder that Tsubaki, Saji and Olga sorely needed. "It is not that I don't believe in our victory, we trained and planned for it long enough that I know it is more than a guarantee." And that was Sona's honest belief. "But that was the Rias and her peerage from a month ago and no plan survives enemy contact, remember that."

"But then you are just going to come with a new plan, right Kaichou?" It was Saji's turn to sound extremely confident, his faith in her absolute.

"That goes without saying." Sona's smile was calm when she turned to Olga. "So don't think for a moment I don't believe we can't win. We can, we shall. But until all is said and done I will see Rias as the threat she is unless data says otherwise." Turning to Saji she added. "That is the sort of King I am."

Huffing, Olga wasn't ready to concede just yet. "Fine but I still doubt whatever she and peerage did in a month will be enough to defeat multiple Noble Phantasms. Especially the ones we got." Crossing her arms she placed a hand over her breast. "Change needs stimulus, so does growth and I doubt Azazel could have come up with anything that can compare the challenges and the pain you all went through to try and summon a Noble Phantasm."

They all remembered the suffering, the screams.

There was no way that summoning the crystallization of Legends would be simple because of the power they contained. Evil Pieces were incredibly resilient thanks to Ajuka Beelzebub's genius but it was just a small part of the equation regardless of how essential. The rest of it was something they were still uncertain of and who would receive the Noble Phantasm was also a factor.

To be more precise the training and conditioning one needed to survive the procedure was already what would be considered top physical shape. And that was just surviving.

Using a Noble Phantasm was exhausting, they weren't made for the common man and the more powerful the weapon was the bigger was the cost. Or the preparation one needed to use it at full capacity.

Of all Noble Phantasm they had, Sona knew two of them could not be used for long; they used too much mana and her Pieces didn't have the right power or constitution to use them as effectively as the original owners.

Still they trained to bridge the gap but that didn't help matters much as those Noble Phantasms in particular were too strong. Before the summoning all her peerage, including herself, had trained their bodies to their limits with hopes that any of them could receive a Legendary weapon.

While somewhat successful the results were surprising and the reason why neither King nor Magician could claim they had mastered the process.

But Sona could be patient, a small success was still a success and Olga was right about one thing, "After the Rating Games, after this tournament, we will have carved our names in History." Said the King in a definitive note. "It will just be a matter to make sure it stays there after. Including you, Olga." Her hand rested on her magician's shoulder. "You still have to perfect the process and see all in my peerage with Noble Phantasms."

"Obviously." And after succeeding once, Olga was confident she was going to do it eventually.

Then a mass of power made itself known to everyone in the room forcing everybody to turn around and look in the direction it was coming from. Unfortunately only the devils and a couple of guests could see in the dark and were able to discern who or what was coming from so panic was starting to brew.

Most of the guests couldn't understand what was happening, after all, and only had in mind that a great power comparable to a Maou was approaching the castle at a fast speed.

Dressed in a full black suit with a charming smile, Sirzechs Lucifer clapped his hands three times to gather the room's attention. "Stay calm, everyone, stay calm. Apparently one of the guests opted for a more extravagant entrance."

Elegant as always, nobody could notice that Sirzechs was hiding his amusement and glee behind his best poker face as his sister had called ahead to warn him about her new form of transportation.

'Guards already in position, teleportation room disabled and allies already working on the most panicking guest. So far, so smoothly.' Sirzechs dislike using his sister in politics but if the woman herself was volunteering to support her older brother he wouldn't complain. 'Now I just need Grayfia's signal-'

"My Lord Lucifer." On cue his wife, maid and Queen called loud enough for people to hear but low enough that it was still polite as she approached the redhead. Obviously she was dressed in her work uniform and was the main coordinator of the event. "The main platform is open for them."

Like magic plenty of devils were already directing themselves to said platform, their magicians in cue to not be separated from their allies.

"That is quite the entrance, Sirzechs." Azazel, dressed in a black suit, a white undershirt with gold lining around the tie and wrists, commented from the side. "To think Rias was already going to play politics. They grow so fast, don't they?"

"Heh, unfortunately they do…" Sirzechs wasn't looking forward to the day his son would have to play some sort of part in the Underworld's power struggle in some shape or another.

Because that was the Fate of his family, one that he didn't wish they needed to partake in but stability was essential and the Underworld some was sorely needed. His son, his father, his sister, his mother and wife, all were pieces in the game with limited moves but moves nonetheless.

Both men began to move outside as Azazel began to open his suit just a little. He hated galas but was playing by the rules regardless.

Not that he needed to worry about his appearance much longer, he wasn't a protagonist in the Underworld, just an ally and foreign entity that most people could ignore once the real players in that arena started making waves.

Which prompted the Governor General to question; "So, is she coming here as the nice Heiress, the devoted sister… Or it will be-"

"The rebel, yes." Sirzechs knew that was exactly what Azazel wanted to hear.

They marched through the crowd who was watching as a squadron of dragons approached the castle. "Hehe. Fitting, I suppose. She is not exactly orthodox as far as devils go."

"She wants freedom and this is the best way she found to be free in our society." Even if it meant making some enemies.

Already Sirzechs could see many nobles looking at the dragons and noticing the people flying at their backs, two for each dragon, and scoffing at them. Sure the act of taming a dragon, or just convincing it to give someone a ride was impressive and a mark of either power, influence or enough riches to sway such creatures.

But it was too extravagant for devils, something all the aristocracy of the Underworld were going to hate because they either didn't think of it or lacked whatever the Gremory used to convince dragons to give them a ride.

Which the siblings predicted was going to be the case and so Sirzechs wasn't even a bit surprised as some Pillars who hated the Gremory began to badmouth her to their allies.

"The arrogance." "Is that why she is late for the Gathering?" "The disrespect." "What do you expect from a Heiress who doesn't care about tradition?"

'Yeah, we are not earning any favors here.' That only made Sirzechs smile as that would be his job, to control his 'rebel' of a sister while keeping up a stable relationship with the nobility.

Meanwhile Rias would be working with the newer generation or those who held resentment towards the new regime. It wasn't like she was going to really rebel or those with such thoughts would go to her but the ones who held grievances would see her as an easy way to nag him.

It was the best way she could help since the Gremory not only rejected the Phenex Clan but also damaged them to the point they were basically a Pillar in name only.

However for that position Rias needed power and gave the impression that she held the Gremory into a tight control, harder to do because of Lakmia's actions but the stunt with the dragons pretty much solved those matters.

Because to convince some of the most prideful creatures of the universe, even more than devils, to carry her entourage in their backs Rias had to have something special to get either their compliance or submission.

Whatever it was Sirzechs didn't know yet and would remind himself to ask another day far away from prying ears. For the moment he had six dragons to worry about.

He feared that if they all landed they would topple the Castle Paix somehow.

Fortunately Sirzechs didn't have to worry about them for long as the dragons descended one by one and dropped their riders by order of importance. First were the ladies in armor who quickly took to the sides as Knight and Rook joined them in a line that grew with every pair whose feet touched the ground.

The last two pairs were a surprise but also not considering that Rias was riding on Tannin and he was by far the most recognizable dragon of the bunch. None of the other five ever partake in a Rating Game or were Reincarnated at all while the Dragon King was very famous and popular in those circles.

Just after Lord and Lady Gremory landed and their dragon took flight, Tannin landed with all the regality of a king worthy of his title. Sure he was bending over but the audience knew only a few amongst their number could ever compete with the powerhouse that was the Blaze Meteor Dragon.

"Oho~ I wonder what she gave him to have Tannin lowering his head." Sirzechs heard the voice of Tannin's King, or former King in all but name.

The question wasn't for him either way and he knew Rias would have to deal with the man once he used his 'former' Piece as a glorified ride. With how eccentric that particular devil was there was no doubt he would be seeking her during the party. Nothing wrong considering that was one of the few influential devils and a remarkably dangerous one.

Tannin's eyes landed on that devil as well, almost like the dragon heard the question, before he let out some flames off his nose and lowered his head and back some more.

It was for Rias and Shirou's benefit as the Magician of Gremory helped the future Lady descend from the dragon's back. Their clothes, their matched step, their poise, all expressed nobility and confidence.

Had she not spat in many traditions by breaking the Phenex Clan over a marriage, Sirzechs was sure Rias would be receiving many proposals after the ball.

"Our contract has been fulfilled." Tannin spoke in a low grunt.

"That it has, mighty Tannin." Rias did a curtsy and the dragon nodded in her direction. "Hope to do business with you again."

"Me too, Rias Gremory. Me too." With a last look to the crowd Tannin opened his wings and took flight. The dragon's roar had his brethren following as they departed the area around the capital.

'Well, he always hated these sorts of parties. Lots of my friends do now that I think about it…' Though Sirzechs with a smirk.

"Is it just me or Shirou is shaking a little?" Azazel whispered in Sirzechs' ear as Grayfia threw them a glare.

"Stop gossiping like children. My King, your part."

"Fufu. Of course." Sirzechs stepped forward as his sister's peerage kept the way open for him. "Welcome to the Youth Devil Gathering, Clan Gremory."

As expected, and taking in fully the rebel persona, Rias ignored protocol which would have been for her father to reply and said, "I hope we are just fashionably late. Would have hated to lose the announcements." She turned to the crowd, some were already returning to the castle while others watched the meeting between siblings unfold. "Or is it already over."

"Of course not. We still have plenty of time before the main event." Sirzechs replied loudly, a signal for the rest to get back inside. "Please, have fun, all of you. I know we aren't going to have any more dragons for today but regardless the show must go on."

…..

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