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.

55. Chapter 55

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

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55- Prosperity of the Underworld

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Working with Azazel was something new to Shirou on many levels. Not only he wasn't used to having a direct 'lab partner' as the fallen angel took to calling them, they were never alone in their forge or lab as their joint research brought in dozens of assistants, both of the fallen angels and devils variety.

The forge was also the lab and had state of art equipment that Shirou also wasn't very used to and barely needed for as the days passed. Most of it Azazel had under control and if not him so one of the assistants who were always willing and ready to care for any of his needs. That gave the Mage more time with his share of the work.

With over 20 people there to help in their research, the whole thing was a proper facility set to the creation of a new kind of metal and that was just some of the staff. The whole building, in Gremory territory but far away from Runeas than the Gremory Castle, was a 30 floor fortress where more than half of its infrastructure was underground.

It was all recently built and the Gremory forked over most of the money to protect their magician and interests while also sharing the spoils of anything from their joint investment with Azazel.

With a building like that with so many researchers there were many possibilities to be explored, including using it was also going to be used as a training facility and center of research.

There were more than 6000 people working all around the place in a myriad of projects, as security or as volunteers for new training equipment that the fallen angels brought over with them per the treaty.

There were dorms, entertainment centers, libraries and such, most of which was on the top levels as none of that was a secret of any kind. Almost all of them were also left mostly bare for the inhabitants to change or just to use it just for living since they could fly to Runeas if they so wished.

Only a few people had their own rooms and the whole thing was set on a hierarchy system that took into account the progress one made in the facility as well the kind of work and power they had outside it.

Many of the Gremory soldiers and lower level fallen angels accepted joining for the sake of their power or loyalty if they had any. Either way the point of the place, that started to get staffed before the ORC arrived in the Underworld, was research and growth while preparing for war with the Khaos Brigade.

Called the Vault of Prosperity because of the investments on the projects and accumulation of knowledge in it, it stood as a monument of cooperation and dedication whose goal was to bring their participants to new heights.

The Vault of Prosperity was the first of many future centers of development if proven successful. It was all new to everyone as they dealt with cooperation between factions and new forms of research. With Grigori and Gremory funding the project, getting it off the ground was easy, all it had to do was prove its worth.

The other reason for the Vault's construction, the reason Azazel admitted their small group in private as he was showing off the place, was that the Elder Devils didn't trust him as of yet. In that train of thought they didn't want the man any close to their main research facilities like Ajuka Belzeebub's lab for fear of what he could do or uncover.

"On paper we are at peace but to many that is just a pause of the war." Admitted the Cadre with some exhaustion but an honest shrug.

Either way soon enough he and Shirou got to work on each other's projects with 9 fallen angels who worked with Azazel for a few decades and 9 devils who actually considered themselves the Mage's appendices.

It was the first shock the redhead received when arriving on the Vault of Prosperity but Zeoticus hit his back with a laugh, saying he shouldn't be surprised. "These devils are smiths and the ones who worked on replicating your EM." Had said the Lord of Gremory. "They know your work and have studied every piece Rias sent here to be sold while also making repairs when necessary."

"We are under your care, Master Emiya." The image of 9 men bowing and eagerly waiting for him to teach them had him squirming and some of his friends laughing.

Despite that it was clear they all had a good deal of skill and knowledge about the forge, most of which acquired by studying his creations.

None of that helped Shirou get used to it but they were eager to learn and so he found himself stuck in the position of teacher once again. At least this time it was on something he was far more comfortable with and they didn't try to tease him like Akeno did, much to the Queen's amusement when he admitted that..

But then again, he barely had time to teach anything as he was there to learn himself and while Azazel was going to study his samples to understand how he combined many metals in one, he was going to be studying the center of the Cadre's research: Divinium or divine metal.

It was the centerpiece of how sacred gears were made, a metal that needed to be created by the power of a god, any god in theory but smith gods were the only ones who sold the thing to Azazel.

That didn't mean any god could create sacred gears, the metal was just part of the process and more was needed to create something that wouldn't just be an Artifact at best and a Mystic Code at worst.

So they studied each other's work, shared notes and after half day working both had a notion of what the other could do, something no one else in the lab was able to grasp. But then again it was understandable since Azazel was one the first 'smiths' and Shirou just needed to study a sword made of the material.

Sure he discovered with absolute certainty that his Reality Marble couldn't Trace even a speck of the thing and he couldn't understand what the artificial sacred gear could do but the Mage learned every step Azazel took to create it by studying it the old fashioned way.

Indeed in half a day the two of them were already working on the Cadre's first idea of how to make his metal more malleable: combining it with divine metal and creating a new species of sacred gear.

Sure their assistants still had to catch up with a lot but the two of them got to work together, discovering that Shirou's skills and Azazel's knowledge complemented each other extremely well.

For the Mage had the magic and the predisposition to forge and create while the Cadre had the know how and imagination to think and modify. It was like two musicians with different instruments finally had met and started to make a song together with a similar style.

There were just a couple of problems, both with the project and the place. If asked which one actually bothered him Shirou would say, without a shadow of a doubt, it was the second one.

Something he was reminded of over the last few days since he arrived on the Vault of Prosperity, something that had Liz and Medusa a little more than sad or annoyed by the state of affairs, something he couldn't change because he had work to do.

As they grabbed their trails and got on the line, Liz stared at the 5 star buffet with depressed eyes. "It is not Shirou Standard."

"Can't you let that go?" Medusa replied with some irritation. As a goddess she could ask for someone to fetch her food but after the first day she dismissed her attendants composed of fallen angels and devils alike.

It wasn't that they weren't capable, she was just too overwhelmed by suddenly having dozens of people ready to serve her hand and foot. During those days with her sisters when Medusa had to share such attention Stheno and Euryale were actually the ones who enjoyed it the most.

She was also used to doing things herself and having people jumping to do it for her actually began to get really old really fast.

So she returned to her old routine of watching Shirou's work with a book in hand and some treats if she was in the mood, even if the redhead was too busy to make them. "Besides, the food isn't so bad." Said Medusa as she got some lamb's meat on her plate. "The cooks are decent."

"But they are not Shirou Standard." Her trail was still very much full with at least four different plates worth of food balanced in one hand.

It still impressed many around the buffet trying to get their pick, wondering how someone so skinny could eat so much food.

A sigh escaped Shirou's lips as he was forced to remember how much of a headache that so-called Standard gave him a few nights ago.

It was their first and last night on the Gremory Castle and Sirzechs casually mentioned how good of a cook Shirou was, something that Zeoticus quickly supported, abandoning his duty as host to suggest the Mage cooked for them that night as everyone would split up for training after.

Only for a honey haired woman, one of Zeoticus' peerage and harem, to step forward and protest about that being the second time her ability had been snubbed by him. Then Liz mentioned the Shirou Standard and that woman couldn't stop herself from challenging him to a cooking match, no matter how much he protested.

And everyone was on board with it, at least until it ended.

Pride was something that Shirou usually kept in check but not when it came to doing good work, either with his creations or in cooking. He loved to see the happy faces of everyone that loved his food and present there were also Rias' parents. So surely he wasn't going to back down or slack off in making everyone the best meal they ever had.

Sometimes the redhead forgot that his Reinforced Food wasn't something common nor ever thought that he would ever place it in a competition because that would be cheating. Still he did his usual thing and in the end the honey haired woman was crying a river to the side as everyone liked her food but loved Shirou's.

Her pride had taken such a strong hit, mostly because people half eaten her food and demanded seconds from his, that she just went to a corner and cried. Shirou tried to say something but only Zeoticus managed to pierce through by finishing her food and taking her away.

Either way, suffice to say, he was never getting into any sort of food competition ever again. "Liz, please don't start this again. Their food is great and the cooks obviously put a lot of effort." Shirou commented while getting jello for dessert. "You should be grateful for it."

"But-"

"Consider it an order if you have to." Shirou wasn't having any of it anymore. Traumatizing someone with his food was like a nightmare he didn't want repeated.

Liz ended up closing her mouth and nodding before trading a look with Medusa. Both girls knew the situation but the goddess didn't blame the tall woman for pushing too much.

Shirou's food was just that good.

They made their way to a table to the side of the lunchroom and while the girls were dressed in their usual clothing, Shirou was dressed in a lab coat with the Gremory symbol on his shoulder. The three of them also had badges around their necks for identification and access level 4, the highest one in the place.

Still nobody paid them any mind as everybody in the lunch room was chatting or focused on something else. Much like Shirou there were people dressed as scientists, much like Liz there were people using normal outfits, or dressed as security guards of some sort. Only Medusa could afford a dress that was also a reminder she actually had nothing to do in the Vault.

She wasn't a volunteer or anyone training there and so far she hadn't had to do any work. Indeed she didn't need to be there as the Gremory offered her a castle or mansion for residency if she so desired. Not even that was needed because if she wanted Medusa could stay with them like Rias who remained there for training.

Instead the Goddess of Snakes insisted on going where her protector went and Azazel agreed because he had some ideas a goddess could help him with. So far he asked for nothing but it was less than a week and he was working with Shirou. Medusa also got to watch the work and learn a little about divine metal while having any book she desired.

Didn't change the fact she felt restless in some way and not even the goddess herself understood why.

Finally the trio saw the wave of a familiar hand and began to move in that particular direction. All tables in the lunchroom were average size and could easily fit six people with those in the corner of the area better fit for four. This was one of the smaller ones but two of their friends were small enough it wouldn't be any trouble.

And already sitting there were Akeno, Xenovia and Gasper, the Queen smiling slightly as she lowered her hand as the Bishop was eagerly drinking some of his tomato juice with Xenovia by his side who stood up and bowed slightly.

While Gasper was dressed in a simple light yellow dress with some frills, both girls looked like they just came back from the gym and dressed the part. The two of them had nylon outfits that showed their bodies enough to gather some attention. Akeno was wearing yoga pants with a black top showing her midriff while Xenovia had shorts similar to her combat uniform and a blue top.

It was an allure sight and there were few who resisted it to at least try to take a peak. Both women were sweaty and there were some that already tried to invite them for an outing or another during the week.

All had been rejected with the most recent victim of Akeno's tendencies departing just before she noticed the others arriving.

The girl didn't care if they were devils or fallen angels, none of them was good enough for her and if they tried to insist after the first 'no' then she played with them a little before dismissing them with more than mild embarrassment.

Xenovia was more kind as in she was just direct but that could carry a different kind of embarrassment as she just took a look at her supposed suitors and just claimed that they weren't strong enough or worthy to give her children.

A guy got especially offended and challenged her to a fight to prove his power.

He was a devil and her Ki was attuned to Light.

It wasn't a fair fight anyway but she didn't use Durandal and just knocked him out but the point was made and most tried to focus on Akeno.

Even some ladies made an attempt and Akeno was having fun giving out tongue lashes where she could. The Queen had the distinct impression some devils liked them.

Besides Xenovia, Durandal rested with just its handle on the table as Shirou insisted that she sit down. "No can do until you do, Master. You know that."

"Liz, don't you dare."

"Ah, Shirou-kun-"

"Don't you start either, Akeno."

"How has your morning been, Liz?" Gasper asked and Shirou was relieved.

"It was fine." The maid started to place her dishes on the side of the table as Akeno pulled her own closer. No matter her problem with the fallen angels, she could admit they made an excellent casserole. "Nothing to do."

"Sorry." Shirou said immediately and some people actually let out a sigh. "Come on, it is my fault Liz is bored."

"Not bored."

"Yes, you are."

"And it isn't your fault either." Medusa commented immediately. "She is also upset because she can't help you with your swords anymore."

Finishing munching some of her food, the maid let out a soft, "Damn machines", escape before returning to her food.

Compared to anyone else working with the projects in the main lab, Liz barely understood what was happening and usually would just work with strength to guarantee the blade was hammered to its limits.

Only that everyone there was almost if not equally as strong as her since they were fallen angels with 6 or more wings or devil smiths who worked in the forge diligently.

At that point she was just there as Medusa's bodyguard and while she didn't mind standing around and doing nothing, it felt like a small regression.

Then again she got to share goddess' treats that everybody scrambled to get the moment she asked for anything. "Medusa is good company."

"Good to know I can keep you entertained." The goddess shrugged before looking back at the youngest person on the table. "And you, Gasper? Is the training too exhaustive?"

"Not at all. So far it was just refining my sacred gear, zoning it into multiple targets." The former dhampir got to do it in a special room with dozens of crystals that moved around. "The teachers are nice people and really patient."

"Venelana was the one who recommended them." Akeno felt the need to mention. "Buchou asked who could help you here and her mother talked about how these girls were really good at taking care of the plants around the castle. And also kept Rias from running around too much." A couple of chuckles escaped as Gasper thanked for the attention he was being given.

Some time passed as everybody ate before another question was asked. "What about you, Akeno?" Shirou found the conditions Azazel gave to her odd.

Then again the ravenhead didn't look upset at all. "Honestly I don't mind a fallen angel controlling those golems and giving me advice from the speakers. My power is a bit too dangerous anyway." The woman's voice was odd but Akeno didn't mind so didn't complain. "And her advice was useful and the moment she tried to bring up that man's Lightning I asked her not to and she didn't try ever since."

"It is still your best weapon, no matter how much you don't want to use it." Medusa pointed out.

"Honestly it feels like a waste." Xenovia took a bite of her spaghetti before patting her sword. "It would be like not using Durandal in a fight or using it like a club."

"Durandal used like a club can still take someone's head off." Akeno shot back. A few seconds later she created a Lightning Knife. "Besides, I am growing stronger. I don't need that Lightning."

"But you are still thinking too hard."

Staring at the goddess with a calm but deadpan expression, the Queen asked for the third time since they arrived at the place. "What is that even supposed to mean?"

"Perhaps because you aren't used to fighting with weapons." Shirou observed and Akeno's attention turned to him. "Your moves are still a bit too stiff and you have no practice."

"But that is what I am doing against golems everyday; practice." A sigh escaped the hybrid's lips. "If at least they reacted a little more. Just turning on some lights after being hit is not enough." She leaned forward on the table to give Shirou a better view. "Perhaps you can help me with that~"

A peak and a blush were the result but Medusa didn't let things go further. "While he is right, he isn't correct."

That got the redhead thinking and his attention turned to the goddess. "What do you mean?"

Frowning a little, Medusa took another bite. "It will be better if she figures it out by herself. That and she is right, golems aren't good enough." A small smile made its way to her lips. "Perhaps you two should share some exercise since your first sword is finished."

"It is?!" Xenovia jumped in surprise and the table shook. Quickly everyone, mostly Liz, moved to protect their food with Gasper helping the maid by stopping one plate midair. None of that was noticed by the bluehead. "Are you sure? Didn't you say it would take weeks?"

"Sit down, will you." Xenovia did so immediately. "Azazel and I work well together. Once we understood each other's processes, we managed to synthesize a new form of metal by using our combined knowledge." Shirou explained with a chuckle at his knight's wide eyes. Then came the bad news. "But in reality we are far from done. That is just a prototype."

"What is the difference? You guys managed to create a new kind of sword. As expected of the Mage of Swords and the Governor of Grigori." Xenovia couldn't help but be excited.

"There are lots of differences between a finished product and a prototype." Akeno said softly, remembering the times Shirou struggled with many models of EM until reaching the correct one. However, she doubted mass production was the problem this time. "What is it missing?"

Happy that his friend wasn't reacting negatively despite Azazel's participation, the redhead nodded in appreciation. "Many things. Noble Phantasms need a History to gain power so creating something new and giving it a History is an obvious paradox." That was just the first stumble if Shirou was to be fair. "Then there are sacred gears and their necessity of cohabitation with a soul and a Core for their existence."

"A what?" Gasper asked with a tilt of the head.

Shirou chuckled and patted the former dhampir's head. "Think about your sacred gear, the Forbidden Balor View, if it is a rare sacred gear because of its ability, the power to stop time. Question: where does that power come from?" He looked around the table as Xenovia looked frustrated, Akeno interested, Liz who was just eating and Medusa thoughtful. "Any takers?"

"Because it has the power to stop time." The goddess pointed out the obvious. Not really fair since you were there when Azazel explained but Shirou wasn't going to complain. "Much like the Pillars have Powers, sacred gears can have multiple forms of gaining its abilities. Be it a soul like the Boosted Gear or, in the case of yours, it uses a fragment of the Concept of Time with Balor's Legend to back it up."

"Balor?" Asked the Bishop with curiosity.

"A god. Once who could kill with just its gaze." Medusa laughed the first time she read about him. They were so similar and different at the same time she couldn't help but find it funny. "Regardless, God used his Legend as… inspiration if Azazel can be believed. Either way, he just picked the idea of the Petrifying Gaze-" Then she stopped and turned to Shirou. "Should I be offended that I wasn't considered for it?"

Amused by the question Shirou shrugged but Akeno replied. "Forbidden Medusa View doesn't roll off the tongue as easily."

"Hmph." The goddess returned to her food, leaving her protector to continue.

Mage and Queen traded looks and he shrugged again before taking his cue. "Sacred gears need something to have power; a soul, a Concept, something. Getting one of those can be hard. Azazel basically cheated by making a deal with Fafnir but some of his other works use Concepts." At that the redhead frowned. "Except their dependence on the soul is concerning."

"He means parasitic." Medusa added much to the others' surprise.

Not Akeno though, if anything the Queen of Gremory looked like she expected such a thing. "Let me guess, they consume life force?"

"Kinda? It is hard to explain. And to be fair, Azazel is still trying to midgate the problem." An raised eyebrow showed how much Shirou would have to work on that line. "Look, he offered it to some people-"

"He shouldn't."

"Yes, he shouldn't. I agree." Shirou already directed his complaints to the Cadre. "But everyone rejected it anyway because he made them all aware of the risks."

"That is… good, I suppose." Akeno relaxed back on her seat.

Only Xenovia still looked interested in the subject. "So they were parasitic? Like an insect or…"

"Every sacred gear, at least how Azazel was making them, needed to inhabit a soul or a connection with one. Like the ones made by God." Shirou was going to simplify it a bit. "There is a dependence there, one that was unexpected and without His hand on making it, dangerous."

"Souls are complicated." Liz just cut to the chase. As an homunculus of the Einzbern she knew a thing or two about that. "Really complicated."

"But that is what my protector's metal is helping with, to help ground the existence of sacred gears without a soul. Although I don't believe they would be sacred gears anymore but something else."

Medusa's observation was one that Azazel shared but Shirou not so much. "I already said that I only name my successful projects and we are still in the prototype stages." He looked a little annoyed even. "I mean, do you guys want to know which EM we would be if I named them all? Even if it was just adding numbers?"

Everybody else looked around the table and Akeno smiled before taking a shot. "In the hundreds?"

"Try thousands."

"Oh my." She knew he had done a lot of experiments but that was a little more than she expected. Or a lot more if she was honest with herself. "That is… annoying. I can see why the improved EM is just EM II."

"Yeah, simple, right. Not like Azazel that wants to name anything that actually works a little."

"But back to that sword." Xenovia was obviously interested. "Did you guys use Fafnir's soul? Or another dragon's?"

"No, we created a separate Core since it was the first experiment. One of my earlier works, if you can believe it and not a soul at all." Shirou was a little proud of that. "While it worked, since the thing was made of cheap metal, it ended up failing more times than not until Azazel had a great idea; get a better metal." He Traced one of his works, one that everyone but Gasper recognized for a reason or another. "So we made this using a special kind of titanium of a god that tried to make it into divine metal. Not as strong as the real thing but is basically blessed to be strong."

He made the blade disappear and the bluehead frowned. "A decent ability for a sword but not that strong."

"Of course not, it is just a cheap Mystic Code at best. Because of its lack of History, even if we got a devil to place a better spell on it, the thing still costs a boatload of mana to use." And that was technically a failure. A flaw that didn't ruin the work but a flaw nonetheless. "With that the sword consumes a lot of mana but it can be compensated with stamina."

"So it works like a sacred gear." Which was what Xenovia wanted to hear.

"Yeah, a bad one." And that was why it was a success. "Want to take a look?" Shirou asked suddenly and his swordswoman stopped in confusion. "You haven't been in the workshop since the first day."

"Master, if you need me there, just say so. But you have plenty of assistants to help you in any task." Xenovia looked more fierce than before. "Besides, I have to train."

Akeno began to massage her forehead. "By the love of- please tell me this isn't still about the exhibition match."

"I literally took myself out in the middle of the fight." Xenovia's fist hit the table and most of them had to scramble to protect their food.

Shirou fixed his plate and gave his 'sword', as she liked to call herself, a sad look. "But you have been overreacting."

Immediately the former Exorcist looked at the redhead with concern. "Did you check on me, Master? My apologies, I didn't mean to worry you."

"I would be worried anyway with how you are acting and I asked Medusa and Liz to pass by the gym now and then." The goddess nodded while Liz just looked at the young woman. "Besides the training we already had agreed to, you have been running, lifting and jumping far more than you should. Over the human limits or not, everybody needs a break for the muscles to recover and the training to settle in." He gave her a concerned look. "And you didn't lose because of your physical aptitude."

"Need I also remind you that we lost and you had a goddess on your side?" Akeno pointed in Medusa's direction who offered a smug smile. The Queen shivered a little before looking back to her food. "We got destroyed the moment Medusa decided to take the fight seriously."

The smile vanished and an annoyed look took its place. "I was taking the fight seriously from the beginning. Later I just… decided to risk falling to some of my more dangerous impulses." With the way everyone was looking at her with concern, Medusa didn't know to be offended or flattered. "But the old bloodlust didn't return even if I used almost all of my mana."

"Wait, you aren't joking?" Akeno suddenly realized that the fight was closer than she thought.

Medusa motioned to herself. "Weakened goddess, remember? Although I am still a goddess and the minimal for me is the top performance of a lot of you, I was exhausted by the end."

"You certainly didn't look like it." Medusa offered Akeno a small smile and said nothing else, which made the Queen pout. "Because you are an idol?" The smile grew more beautiful. "Or because we weren't that close to begin with." And a little more mischievous. The Queen turned to the sole redhead on the table. "Your goddess can be a pest when she wants."

Shirou smiled innocently and shrugged. "Anyone can if they try hard enough." Both women looked at him but the redhead wasn't going to play their game either. His focus was on Xenovia at the moment. "Look, you can't rush these things and you didn't lose because you were weak. You made a mistake-"

"I know I made a mistake but if I was just faster-"

"If I could fly, I wouldn't need Bellerophon to even try." Shirou interrupted. "If we had claws, maybe we wouldn't have swords. Saying 'if' isn't the problem nor is helping."

"Medusa is strong." Gasper commented and Xenovia began to mess with his hair. "Ow, ow ow."

"Stop bullying Gasper." Liz said with a deadpan look and the former Exorcist stopped.

"Point is, you can't rush this stuff." The Mage reminded his sword. "And training until you are half dead isn't going to solve anything." At that the girl was starting to get embarrassed. "If you need, I can separate some time so we can go back to training together."

"That isn't necessary, Master!" If there was one thing Xenovia didn't want to do it was to get in the way of the research.

However it was clear she was hesitating and Medusa called her on it. "Then are you going to slow down?" The bluehead looked to the side and the purple haired goddess turned to Shirou. "Perhaps you should ground her."

"I'm not a kid."

"You are acting like one."

"Enough!" Shirou began to rub his eyes before taking a sip of his soda. "Maybe there are other solutions. Just give me some time, Xenovia, and I will make something to increase your strength."

Now everyone was looking back at the redhead. "You are talking about making sacred gears?" Akeno asked directly and the redhead nodded. "Shirou-kun, didn't you just say that you all were still on the prototype stage." She only voiced what everyone else was thinking.

Fortunately for the Mage of Swords he had a retort. "Yes, things like these take time but a breakthrough can happen at any moment with everyone working together." He smiled gently. "Just give us some time and perhaps a new sacred gear will be born, one which will help your fighting style. I promise." Anything to slow her down.

Then the former Exorcist deflated. "But how long is that gonna take?"

"Come to the lab then." Shirou insisted again. "Take a look at the new sword, hear what progress we made. Even if you don't understand the technical side, you understand swords." He smiled cheekly. "After all, you were chosen by one."

Xenovia touched Durandal again in deep thought before nodding her head with renewed resolve. Trust in Shirou was the reason she swore herself to him and not even once he had broken that trust. On the contrary, he had delivered everything they had agreed with and more.

She had a roof on her head, a liege to follow, people to protect and the training that was allowing her to become the strongest Durandal Owner who ever lived. Sure she hadn't reached that yet but here was her Master offering another avenue to grow and all he was asking was patience.

"Yes, sir." Impulsive she could be but when reassured, Xenovia could be patient as well.

"You better take a shower then." Medusa observed after a sniff. "Both you and Akeno could use it."

Akeno was going to make a joke before just shaking her head and getting her trail, her food done. "Not yet, I won't. After all, I have some training to do." Then she walked close to Medusa and whispered. "But some people would pay good money for the sweat of their idols."

"What has the world come to?" Medusa shook her head in pity as the Queen said her goodbyes and left the lunchroom.

Despite both her and Gasper using the building for training that didn't mean they were in the same room or even close as their exercises were different. The Bishop's training area was on the 2nd floor of the surface as it was used for technique and nondestructive exercises.

Hers was on one of the lower floors and was built to be as sturdy as it could be, using a cave for materials while using its natural position and structure to put a ton of earth between that area and the main facility.

For that was the place constructed for the real powerful beings to use their power unimpeded. Dozens of boundary fields, metal plates, the very earth and each other in the same floor would be there to stop things from going out of control.

At the moment Akeno was the only one really training in that floor as even with Durandal, Xenovia was judged to have more control than her because the Queen was far more explosive in her approach of fighting unless she was making weapons.

And even then those tended to explode but she was already on the right floor anyway.

The elevator shaft took her to another floor quickly where she would have to take a different elevator to the last underground floor. Unlike most workers she didn't need a badge and just needed to input a sequence of numbers to open the last elevator.

Once there she began to descend a little further and watched as much of the facility gave way to the structure of a cave even if one obviously man-made with plenty of space for a truck if necessary.

Not that it would ever be, it was just to give breathing space in case anyone felt claustrophobic, a problem some of the volunteers that were to use that floor suffered and asked to be moved out or trained anywhere else.

They would not have their power expanded quickly and would instead be forced to improve their control and that wasn't what Akeno wanted. She wanted power.

It also explained why her instructor was never there personally even if it was just a few days since they met. Not only was it safer and Akeno was allowed to really let her power loose but they may not like the enclosed space. At least that was what the Queen believed, she didn't bother nor cared to ask.

But then again there was evidence that the person on the speaker was on the floor with her, the same evidence that proved they were a person and not a computer of some kind.

Either that or the Grigori was far more advanced than the Underworld thought. "I am back." Akeno announced as she stepped in the empty room.

*Welcome back Miss Akeno.* Same distorted voice with the same tone she grew used to. *Have you eaten properly? You came back a little earlier from lunch.*

"The talk with my friends ended up a little sooner than usual." Akeno commented as she began to stretch, noting the camera on the up corner of the room moving in her direction. "One of them is training a little too much and Shirou-kun wanted to stop her from overheating."

*I see… Wouldn't you say the same about yourself?*

"Are you really concerned about a random devil?" Akeno pointed out with a smile. "Are you sure you are a fallen angel?"

There was a noise like something had fallen on the ground, it was too high pitched to tell. *Not all of us want your death. Peace is the best after all!* Then the voice cleared their throat. *But a young girl like yourself is also training too much. Perhaps spending some time with your friends would be best?*

Another note of concern that had Akeno convinced that it could be only a person and someone who cared. In that light she couldn't hate them even if they were a fallen angel since they were doing their job and trying to look for her well being. The last few days were great in helping her deal with old nightmares.

Then again Akeno realized there were only two fallen angels she truly hated, the rest were people like her. "Forgive me for giving you too much work. Did you have lunch?"

A little while later the person replied. *Yes, some casserole. Good stuff.*

"What a coincidence, me too." Akeno had sat down in the lunchroom for a while and tried to remember someone else who picked the dish. Then she thought better of it, now that she was more certain it was a person behind the voice, and decided to ask. "Were you in the lunchroom today? We could have sat together…" She tried to be nice with the person who she knew was a fallen angel. "I could have introduced you to my friends."

*Ah! That wouldn't be a good idea- I am not- I mean*

'Is she shy?' Oh how Akeno was already planning to tease the person if that was the case.

Then the voice recovered its bearings, at least a little bit. *I usually call for food down here because I have some work, you know. Like fixing the room.*

"You were already fixing it when I was leaving." She looked around, certain the person was shy. "It certainly looks ready now and I can tell you haven't been working on it for a while."

More evidence it wasn't a machine, those couldn't manipulate a boundary field by themselves, there had to be someone to supply the mana. At least to her knowledge.

However the girl didn't dare to discard the possibility, she had seen some of Azazel's work on the first day and the man was a genius. Perhaps part of it was his age or his affinity to create but there were so many inventions and so much knowledge just in the Vault of Prosperity alone.

And Azazel admitted he didn't bring everything, that other labs in other places had more stuff but the data would be in the computers for any authorized to see.

Akeno didn't know everything, she would never claim such, but from what she saw if Azazel told her he created a robot capable of generating mana she could believe it. "Come on, why not eat with us? I can introduce you to everyone."

*You are just trying to be nice but you don't want me there.*

A frown made its way to Akeno's face. "Even knowing my past, that was a cruel thing to say." She didn't have in her heart to disagree either.

Both went silent for a while with neither willing to start the conversation again as the wounds on Akeno's heart still felt fresh. She was trying to be better and truly she just invited the voice to be nice. A part of her still distrusted fallen angels no matter how much she wanted to give them all the benefit of the doubt.

Too much hatred for too long had that effect but she was ready to move past it, a person at a time.

*It doesn't matter.* But before the Queen could show her resolve, the voice talked again. *You are here to grow stronger and it is my duty to help you do so.* It was a firm voice, confident and by no means shy. *Are you ready to continue?*

Since her new friend was willing to brush the problem away, Akeno was all too happy to do the same no matter the small voice in the back of her mind saying otherwise.

Instead she felt excitement bloom in her chest. "Let's do this thing."

The boundary field around the area began to glow as a huge power began to flood in. Soon some of the earth began to shake and golems began to emerge.

In the Underworld even the rocks were different from those of the planet Earth, the very soil needed to be different to guarantee that some of the plant life survived in the dimension despite the lack of a sun.

While it was true all ley lines there were weak if not tampered, every centimeter of land 'breathed' mana in the atmosphere. Not much but enough to be detectable and used in certain areas, almost like if a ley line was acting chaotically but that was just the natural state of that dimension.

Such a phenomena allowed for fauna and flora to prosper even if more savage and far more dangerous than in other dimensions. The mana's behavior was so uncontrollable that it was one of the reasons for the chaos around the Underworld. From the very beginning the place was set up to not tolerate weaklings.

It was not that everything that was generated there was different, there was plenty of material around that shared a counterpart on Earth and many other dimensions. But there were differences and dangers that were the result of 'mana radiation' as devils began to call once radiation was discovered.

Suddenly the way mana behaved in the Underworld made more sense and some experts could recognize the different kinds of stones, metals, plants and animals both a result of evolution and the constant radiation with mana.

Consequence of it was when golems were made front he rocks in the Underworld they were also different; stronger, more resilient, each with a color of its own. Mana acted chaotically, much like it did in the creation of chimeras and so many times the golems emerged with their own attributes without much prompt.

Akeno was already identifying a red golem, which exploded with enough damage, a green golem, which regenerated if its core wasn't destroyed, and a brown golem, more durable than the rest.

Mana kept floating the area and more golems emerged with similar colors or others like blue, white, orange and such. When 20 golems had been raised the boundary field retreated as her instructor judged Akeno had enough opponents.

"Just 20?" Obviously the Queen disagreed.

*Didn't we just talk about one of your friends pushing herself too much? You better not overload either.*

"Was that a pun-"

*Going to order them to attack now! Get ready, Akeno!*

Hearing those words warmed the Queen's circuits. "Spark up!" The call had a whip and a spear formed in her hands.

*I see you are still using your human heritage properly.* The voice sounded satisfied. *But focusing on two weapons splits your focus between them and weakens your Lightning.*

"It was you who insisted I learned the spear."

*I meant just the spear.*

Akeno shrugged nonchalantly. "It can't be helped. Someone told me I 'think too much'. Using two weapons at the same time means I have to do so less."

*That isn't- Never mind, forget it.* For a second the voice was shaking but it was a lapse too short for Akeno to notice. *Attack!*

Anything else was cut off by the sound of a rock slide with all the golems charging at Akeno. Creatures like those had no fear or any self preservation instinct at all, they just heeded orders. So they ran and threw themselves at the Queen, or at least tried as she took flight and used her weapons.

Her whip took down 3 red ones, making them explode, while her spear destroyed the core of a brown one. The core stone, the center of the spell localized on the heart beneath the toughest rock, broke apart. With it the creation followed suit as Akeno pushed her spear through its body.

Another one was hit but the core stone wasn't even scratched and so it kept its charge going but it wouldn't go far as Akeno sent more electricity to her spear until it exploded, its victim with it.

"This is easy!" Akeno shouted out. None of the golems were capable of flight, an obvious disadvantage.

But that was the golems situation, not Akeno's who kept using her whip and spear to destroy them one by one. She was getting ready to finish the last few and land with a joke to have the 'voice' create more when something came from above and grabbed her arms, dragging her down.

She had forgotten that they were in a cave and that while the golems had no intelligence, her trainer could control them with minimal effort.

The ravenhead slammed on the ground as the other golems pounced to begin to punch and stomp her. Mana was gathered quickly before anything else went wrong and an explosion of Lightning decimated the remaining constructs.

Akeno was sweating a lot and panting in exhaustion as she slowly began to stand up. Once she was on her feet, she heard the voice grumble something before speaking more clearly.

*You grew overconfident, Akeno. The moment you lower your guard is a step closer to death.* Gulping as much air as she could, the Queen nodded to show she understood. But the voice wasn't done. *Also that explosion drained most of your reserves. In a longer fight you would be vulnerable to any opponent remaining.*

'Not surprising since I just did a faster version of Departure of Lightning.' Moving a little she approached the door and got to her bag. There she found water which she drank greedily. "I didn't hear the golem climbing." She commented before drinking more.

*Because it didn't.* Mana poured on some rocks and another golem emerged before Akeno noticed it had no legs. Yet the construct moved around like the rock was liquid. *Don't just guess your enemies capabilities; Treat only what you know for sure as fact and even then pay attention to any changes.* Then the voice suddenly silenced itself before remarking. *But your Lightning was magnificent, the way it exploded out of your body without harming you… I never would have thought of that.*

Seeing as the voice sounded proud, even if they both knew that the skill had its flaws, Akeno saw a chance to fix a mistake she made on her first day. "Perhaps it is good enough for you to give me your name?" Both paused as she stood there in an awkward silence. "Look, I know I was rude on the first day and that you are only here because Azazel ordered but… I am trying to improve." 'Trying to accept myself.'

Because everyone, including herself no matter how much she wanted to deny, agreed that if she was to grow stronger then her only option was stopping to hold back the Light.

Even now Himejima Akeno kept it on a leash but options were scarce and by observing the fallen angels around she realized that blamining every single one of them for her problems was wrong on too many levels.

She was making progress, just not within herself.

*If…* The voice stopped for a moment. *If you use your true Lightning-*

Akeno looked at her hands and shook her head. "I am not ready for that yet." She placed the empty bottle back on the bag.

A small sigh escaped the speaker but then the voice cleared its throat. *Then if you manage to survive a day without getting hit I will tell you my name.*

That offer did surprise Akeno. "Oho~ Wanna make it into a bet?"

*I read somewhere that it was an excellent way to incentivise children; a challenge with a clear goal does wonders. There was not a day that my golems didn't manage to hit you. Change that… and I will step into the room and we can talk, if you want.*

"And if I fail, am I going to be punished?~"

*Maybe?* The voice wasn't really getting the hint.

"Starting from now?" Because if not then she already lost for the day.

Another 20 golems emerged from stone. *Starting from now since mischievous children need something to learn their lesson.*

Calling forward her Lightning, Akeno prepared for the signal for the start.

It never came and she barely managed to dodge the first attack.

…

No matter how much she protested, Xenovia failed to convince Shirou she wasn't going to get back to training the moment she left his sight. Instead of giving an order, like he could, the redhead decided to follow her to her room and wait until she had finished a proper shower.

He was there when she got a blue shirt and jeans, still waiting patiently with his arms crossed and using the wall as a support. "Ready to go?" Asked the magus as he stood up.

"You really didn't need to wait, Master."

"So you weren't going to train if I hadn't?"

"I was planning to go straight to the lab."

"By going the long way around after a run?" Shirou's tone of voice dared her to lie to him.

She wouldn't. "That defeat still stings."

"For the last time; you made a mistake, everyone does it. Instead of dragging yourself to bed everyday, you should focus on not doing it again." He lost count how many times he had already said it. "I get that you want to get faster but these things take time." Xenovia avoided his gaze but he approached, prompting her to look at him. "Please, I just don't want you to overwork yourself."

"Fine, I will try something else." Xenovia still was going to try and find a way to approach fights better.

Realizing that it was the best he was going to get, Shirou just made a note to keep an eye on Xenovia so she didn't burn herself out. 'At this point Medusa and Liz are already back in the lab.' He turned and began to walk away, his knight right behind, as other thoughts began to fill his mind. 'If we take too long then Azazel may give another try at asking Medusa to make divine metal. Even her Gift was more of a Miracle than a conscious effort on her part…'

They soon were on the elevator and the redhead used his badge to unlock the floor they would be going in. Without a badge pressing the button was worthless even if someone knew where his workshop, Azazel's lab, was located.

It wasn't the last floors, as those were reserved for the more harsh training but it was close. Still on the underground but a few floors above, the place even had special tubes to use magma as a source of energy or to use it in his forging. Also some boundary fields for protection and security that would warn the main security room every time someone arrived.

While most floors were divided into dozens of rooms and had an equal number of functions, the 5th underground floor was much more reserved.

It had a workshop similar to Shirou's own back in his home but more spacious for him to share with his students, a term he was still struggling with, a lab for Azazel, the main lab that everyone worked on and bathrooms.

The main lab itself took most of the space and the moment one left the elevator they could already see its door at the end of the hallway, already open as Azazel saw no reason to close it when there were people working.

All around the place there were computers, tubes and all manner of equipment from lenses connected to machines capable of analyzing mana to an ultrasound machine capable of inspecting the soul.

Some of those inventions, most of them in fact, were the result of Azazel's research and adaptability. Once the man said "While humans managed to evolve I will be beside them doing my own thing, not exactly the same but close enough if not in another direction. The more magical direction."

Other machines were different versions of the same thing that devils developed more recently mixed with some of Ajuka Beelzebub's donations. Usually those were a little bigger and more cumbersome but while Azazel's equipment was good in detecting sacred gears, the Ajuka's were better for other irregularities.

Regardless none of that got Shirou's attention when the elevator doors opened, he was already used to most of it.

What caught his ears was the maniacal laugh from Azazel that filled the floor." Bwahahahaha! Finally it is here! The piece that was missing! Hahahahaha!

"Is he going to try and take over the world?" Xenovia joked with a smile.

One that Shirou reciprocated. "Nah, too much paperwork." A good thing about having students, he could push his reports on them.

He saw his lover suffer with them for over an year and the redhead feared falling for the same torment. It also would get in the way of his work so when Shirou was told he would have to make reports he turned to his students to ask if any of them wanted to help.

They all took the job and he set up a rotation system so nobody got all the work but when he tried to include himself they insisted he focused on his swords, something the Son of the Magus Killer was happy to oblige.

Still he wondered if there was some way to thank them for the help. "Maybe some dumplings?"

"Master?"

"It's nothing-" Another bout of laughter interrupted his train of thought. "We better check what has Azazel in such a good mood."

Both stepped up to the lab where everyone was watching Azazel let his inner mad scientist out with some trepidation. Not the other fallen angels though, if anything they looked used to it with some of them sporting insane grins of their own.

However, that didn't stay on Shirou's mind for long as he noticed three new people in the area; two men and a woman.

And one of them was familiar to Shirou. 'Isn't that Rias' cousin?' Another bout of laughter stopped him from thinking about it and so he turned to his lab partner. "Any reason why you sound like you just got a death laser?"

"Ah, Shirou. You are back and just in time." Azazel controlled himself and placed his hands in his pockets to assume an aloof posture. "Thought that since Medusa and Liz came by themselves that you would be taking a break." Looking at him now, anyone would think the Cadre normal.

"And leave you unsupervised? When we just finished a prototype?"

"My, my. Where is the trust?"

"Where did that crazy laugh come from? Did you really get a death ray? Or perhaps the giant robot finally came through."

"Why would I make a death ray? I can already blow up stuff by myself."

The redhead offered a smile. "And the giant robot?"

"Needs more funding. Maybe your metal can help with it once it is perfected. We still need a name for it, by the way."

Disbelief colored Shirou's face. "I was joking."

"I wasn't." Azazel was as happy as a dog with a bone. "But anyway, we can talk about project G later-"

"Kinda want to talk about it right now. What do you want a giant robot for-"

"Have you met our guests?" Azazel waved to the three new arrivals, one watching in confusion, other with amusement and the last one looking between the two sides like they were discussing something completely insane.

"It has been too long, Shirou." The amused one spoke first.

"Sairaorg, it is good to see you again." The two shook hands as the pureblood devil was mostly how Shirou remembered him from Rias' first Rating Game if only with more casual clothes dressed in a black blazer with gold lines under a white vest and black pants. Still the wardrobe of a noble. "How have you been?"

"Fine, great even. Finally my old man is giving me more responsibilities in the Clan, especially with the tournament coming. Unfortunately it is still like pulling teeth." His smile could have him on the cover of a magazine and, had Shirou been anyone else, the handshake would have broken his hand. "But that is that and this is this. It is good to see you again."

"Same here even if you have to deal with my 'lab partner'." The title was given with mocking.

"Oi, I am right here."

"That insane laughter could have started a village riot."

"Hahahaha! He was just excited." Sairaorg pointed out before chuckling a little. "You have no idea how many times he asked for a meeting with me or insisted on a visit when the Vault of Prosperity construction began."

"Believe me, I know."

"Kuku, if you say so." Sairaorg turned around and beckoned the people with him to approach. "But you arrived right on time for introductions since we don't know everyone here, many of you don't know us. First allow me to introduce the reason for Azazel's excitement-"

"Shirou, you are going to love this!"

"Regulus." A young man, a boy in Shirou's eyes, stepped forward and nodded his head with pride. He had dark orange hair, golden eyes and some marks around his face that accentuated his golden mask.

He also was dressed as a noble but his clothes while looking impressive had a cheapness about them easy to identify. It was the material which wasn't that good even if they looked the part. Except the mask which looked to be made of pure gold and therefore was the most expensive part of his costume.

Another shake of hands, and a giddy Azazel who couldn't stop smiling, showed that Regulus was also quite strong.

"Nice to meet you, Mage of Swords." The voice sounded far too old for the body it was coming from.

"You as well, Regulus-san." There was something on the eyes behind the mask, something that had Shirou's instincts warning him of a danger he couldn't comprehend. 'It is like… Medusa?'

From the corner of his eye he looked at the purple haired goddess and noticed that her own eyes were stuck on the orange haired youth. The Mage's attention completely returned to him as he tried to sense something but besides his instincts nothing else was odd on that person.

Even his nose failed to detect any mana, not even the scent that every devil usually had.

Before Azazel could comment anything else Sairaorg called forth the beautiful woman who was the third stranger in the lab. "This is my Queen, Kuisha Abaddon from the Abaddon Clan. Never will you meet someone more trustworthy on the battlefield or out of it."

"Greetings. It is a privilege to be with you all." Her tone was respectful and cordial as she curtsied like a proper noble.

Much like Rias and Akeno, this one also had a beauty that couldn't be called human with a pleasant and perfect face that would have artists fighting to have her as a model.

Her clothes also accentuated that as they did nothing to hide her form; her cleavage was open for all to see in much like her belly button, her shoulders equally exposed as she had sleeves that went from her wrist to just below them. She also wore trousers and a belt, refined but strong clothes for both a strout and combat.

Blonde hair was tied in a ponytail that reached her shoulders and her blue eyes were firm but respectful as she bowed her head with a hand on her breast. "It is an honor to meet the person who helped the Gremory reach greater heights." Then she turned her attention to Medusa whose eyes never left the orange haired youth. "And a greater honor to meet a goddess in the flesh. Hail to you, Lady Medusa."

Finally the Goddess of Snakes attention left Regulus as she regarded the devil. "A pleasure to meet you."

The Queen nodded with a happy smile before raising her arms to her King. "And last but not least, hail to Lord Sairaorg Bael, Heir and Future Head of Bael, True Heir of Bael, the Conqueror of the Desert of White Sands, Tamer of Lions, Winner of a Hundred Battles and Future Maou."

Each title made Sairaorg puff his chest a little more and it made evident every single one of those was earned in some way. Most had no clue where the 'Winner of a Thousand Battles' came from but the 'Future Maou' one was the only aspirational one as he didn't look arrogant in the slightest.

No, what he exuded wasn't a confidence that could only belong to someone who already did much and was ready to do more. Someone who saw a challenge, a dream so bright he would refuse to let it go and would take it from the grip of death itself if necessary.

Such was the presence that Sairaorg Bael gave out, one that wouldn't retreat before any challenge and instead would take them with gusto if it was for his goals.

Azazel gave a moment to see if anyone was going to say something else since he had things he wanted to get started. That and he also noticed an important omission.

"Nice to meet you all." Shirou beated him to the punch with a chuckle and a small bow. Then he turned to his friends. "Since I think everyone in the lab must have introduced themselves already, let me do the rest. This is Xenovia Quarta." He was moving to Liz when the bluehead cleared her throat. "What is wrong?"

"You forgot the rest, Master."

"Rest?"

"Indeed. As your knight, I'm beholden to my own titles." She raised her sword high, earning a raised eyebrow from Kushia and a smile from Sairaorg who could see what was coming. "I am Xenovia Quarta, Owner of Durandal, the Pereless Sword and the first of my Master's knights."

Some of the audience, Shirou's so-called students, applauded the introduction while Kushia approached and offered her hand. "It should be expected that someone with his prestige would have an equally impressive servant."

"You as well. Don't think I didn't recognize the name Abaddon. You are from the Extra Devils, are you not?"

"Correct. And the strongest of my Clan even if not the Heir." Kushia and Xenovia held a firm handshake before separating.

Shirou blinked a few times but in the end shrugged and pointed to Liz. "This is Liz." The white haired woman waved.

But that wasn't enough for the bluehead. "Maid of the Emiya Family, stronger than a dozen men and capable of shrug off hundreds of curses."

'Why, oh why?' Shirou knew why; Xenovia was trying to be a good knight and show that his 'House' was worthy of respect. 'Unfortunately I can't stop the next one.' "And of course you already heard about Medusa."

"Queen of the Serpents, Goddess of Snakes whose appearance is capable of hypnotizing gods and humans alike." And Xenovia was trying to sound as flattering as possible. "Behold her beauty and now that while she isn't a Gorgon any longer she can still make the world tremble with her power."

A pause came before Medusa gave her appraisal. "You forgot Goddess of Beauty but it was a good introduction nonetheless."

"My apologies, this is my first time doing this." But Xenovia was excited for the next one. "And he is-"

Just for Shirou to close her mouth with a hand. "Emiya Shirou. Sairaorg already knows me." A confused glance from Xenovia told him that wasn't good enough but it was an introduction he was more than satisfied with.

What Shirou forgot was that another person liked to give him titles. "Champion of Medusa, Defender of Fuyuki, Mage of Swords, Restorer of Caliburn, He Who Brought Down the White Dragon Emperor." The redhead turned to Liz who lowered her head on a curtsy worthy of a maid of her caliber. Worse yet for him, the new arrivals and many of the others present were looking at him with a lot of admiration. "Magician of the Gremory and Inheritor of Muramasa, He Whose Food Made Lucifer Weep With Joy."

"That last one I can testify by the way." Azazel added with a grin as the redhead let Xenovia go and glared at him. "Seriously, Sairaorg, Shirou here is the best cook I ever met. Most of the core family of Gremory will back up my words."

"Really? So he really made Sirzechs cry with food?" Sairaorg and his Pieces stared at Shirou with astonishment. "Now I am curious."

"Can I try some?" Regulus approached and asked with an intense gaze.

"I would be happy to cook." And happier still to leave the subject of titles, no matter how satisfied Xenovia looked or smug Medusa appeared to be. He was also sure Liz had another of her tiny smiles that anyone but him seemed to notice. "But I doubt that is the reason you guys are here. Azazel, why were you laughing like a mad scientist?"

"What I want to know is why didn't I get a cool introduction from my subordinates when Sairaorg's group first arrived?" With a tense smile, Azazel turned to the other fallen angels. None of them looked even remotely intimidated and just got back to work. "Feeling the love guys. Just feeling the love."

"Azazel…" Shirou repeated the name in a lower tone.

Violet eyes roll. "Chill out a bit dude. You know I am not planning to conquer the world or anything."

"Won't stop you from making something dangerous that may blow up on our faces later."

"You are exaggerating."

"You just admitted you are planning to build a giant robot."

"And we will be able to either control or blow it up easily. It is to help with exploration and perhaps build spaceships for, you know, beings that can't breathe in space? Like 99% of mankind." Azazel was leaving something out and Shirou knew it. And the Cadre knew the Mage knew it. "Okay, fine. Just want to have a giant robot. Is that so wrong?"

At the confession Shirou let out a sigh. "No weapons of mass destruction, right?" An eager nod was the reply. "Then I suppose not." He had no idea how they were going to do it but the man was determined.

"Great! But that is for later. Now what is important to the main project. Sairaorg, any reason why you didn't give Regulus here a proper introduction?"

"What are you talking about?" A playful smile grew on Bael's face. "Regulus went first to show respect and his introduction followed proper protocol."

"But you didn't even-"

"I don't introduce myself as a pureblood devil, do I?" He turned to his Queen who was dramatically shrugging and chuckling. "Is that a new convention I haven't heard of, Kuisha?"

"Perhaps a fallen angel tradition, milord."

Regulus shook his head with a grin and Azazel smiled. "You guys had your fun and we have work to do. Well, I have because… if Regulus would be so kind as to show why you are here today."

The orange haired youth turned to Sairaorg who nodded and took a few steps back. "If my lord wishes it." His hand came to his mask and he moved it with a roguish smile before throwing it to Kuisha.

In the split of a second everyone felt an immense power coming from the young man and his body began to shake. His arm jumped from besides his torso like it was trying to leave the body only to reveal it had grown far bigger.

Same was true for everything else as the power didn't explode as much as it let everyone else be aware of its existence. All present felt like a mountain of power suddenly came upon view before it returned to the form of the boy as it twitched and changed.

There was no longer a boy anymore and many would have difficulty saying that what they were looking at was a devil of any kind not only because of the presence he had but also because a golden lion now stood on Regulus place.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. My respectable public. Allow me to introduce you to the legendary Beast of Greece." Azazel began with some flair as Medusa took a step forward and the lion stood at his full height.

Even for lions this one was at least a few times bigger and more muscular, his whole body seemed to be made of gold as his mane shone with sparks that looked like gold dust.

Also there was some Divine power, the kind which was familiar to all present, but it was buried under the presence of the lion's strength as the power he let out could only be his own.

The Cadre continued the introduction. "One of the children of Typhon, the King of Monsters who almost brought down Zeus. His fame was great and the fear he inspired greater until one of Zeus' Children came to end his reign." A roar covered the lab as the giant lion turned to Azazel with a glare. He just chuckled and moved on. "When he fell it was against the Strongest of Greeks, Heracles in the first of the Twelve Labors and only because of the man's Divine strength. This is the one, the only, the Nemean Lion." He then turned to his assistants. "That is how you do an introduction."

"I would appreciate not being reminded of that monster of a man." Regulus, still with the voice of a young man but older than a boy, snarled at the fallen angels. His glare was so strong that only Azazel wasn't intimidated for all the others retreated and one even kneeled in fear.

"Hey, don't be like that. Not everyone can say it took Heracles to take them down. Only you, the Hydra, Cerberus, Ares' birds…" Each mention of a Labor only made Regulus more upset. "I will shut up now."

"Hmph." The glare still remained but the lion turned away from the fallen angels to look at someone more important. "Lady Medusa." He greeted her with respect, more than he gave Azazel.

"The Nemean Lion, or is Regulus your real name?" The goddess had already approached and looked even more petite before the giant lion.

"Regulus is the name I was given but I never mind being singled out as the only Lion of Nemea was always acceptable. Either way, it is an honor to finally meet you."

"Mine as well. Never I thought I would encounter someone of those days." She extended a hand and Regulus allowed her to touch his mane, something that impressed Sairaorg and Kuisha. "I am sorry you also fell."

"The Bastards of Zeus were monsters of their time. Even from my corner of the world I heard of your passing when people began to pray to Perseus." He let out a growl.

Medusa nodded at the name, a look of annoyance on her face. "But you faced the worst one later; they sent you the strongest one and he skinned you." Her touch was delicate and Regulus began to enjoy her warmth. The giant lion sat down as she caressed his head. "Such indignation was what made his legend because without you Heracles would have died a thousand of times or more."

"Such kind words, my lady. I am flattered. Once I heard you have taken down an army of hundreds of invaders with just your gaze. Was that true?"

"It was my proudest moment before losing myself to madness. My sisters and I celebrated much that day." The two mythological beings from Greece just sat there complementing each other and trading what sounded like war stories.

Which left plenty of those around confused while the others were intimidated to approach or interrupt the creatures that needed Heroes like Perseus and Heracles to bring them down.

Doubly so with Shirou and Sairaorg around. "Hey, thanks for bringing him here." Started the redhead. "I think Medusa needed someone from the 'old days' to talk." He hadn't realized that until then.

Same with the Heir of Bael. "Indeed. I didn't know Regulus could be so cozy with someone but me." Sairaorg began to rub his chin as Medusa started to talk about her island and Regulus offered all his attention. "Then again, they have a lot in common. It is always good to make a friend like that." Then the man snapped. "Ah, but I didn't come here for that, Azazel invited us."

Speaking of the fallen angel he jumped behind both young men and hugged their shoulders. "Of course I did." He began to laugh maniacally again. "How couldn't I? Only a poor scientist would let such an opportunity escape."

"And that is?" Shirou was paying more attention to Medusa's smile but was still losing his patience. 'I swear Kokabiel wasn't the only one with a penchant for theatrics.'

"It would be easier if Sairaorg told you how he came across Regulus on a day of storm."

"It was summer and the heat was a killer."

"Details, details. Point is, Shirou, can you use Structural Analysis on a lion?"

A flat stare was the response. "Because he looks to be made of moving gold? What are you implying? That he is a weapon of some kind?" The grin on the fallen angel said it all. "For the love of- Just say it."

"Sacred gear. Or Regulus Nemea as my Father was so imaginative to call it."

"So that was your Fate." Medusa's voice, full of pity and sympathy, cut through the lab.

The lion separated from her and stood up to his full height once again. "Indeed, my lady. After having the life choked out of me by that Bastard of Zeus, my soul was collected by the one named God." He didn't sound particularly thrilled by the notion. "That being was powerful, so much so I couldn't fight back when he stuck me inside this ax."

"'Ax'?" For a moment Shirou thought he heard wrong.

"You don't look like an ax to me." However Xenovia dissuaded any doubts and approached the giant lion. "Are you sure God didn't just give you another body?"

Regulus moved too swiftly for his size, suddenly appearing just centimeters from Xenovia's face. Many grew agitated by the sudden action but not the bluehead herself, she stared back at the lion's golden eyes, blazes that shone brighter than the jewel on his forehead. Her breathing didn't change but the lion's did.

He was angry. "My state has nothing to do with your God or his charity. I was a soul stuck into an ax. And still am." His words were slow and Xenovia could smell the meat on his breath. The rage of the lion didn't scare the girl but he was furious. "This form isn't born of your God's power but my own rage. For my vengeance!"

"What happened?" Shirou whispered to Sairaorg.

But Regulus heard. "They killed him in cold blood. They told him they were his friends, we fought together and Elias would have given his blood and life for any of them!" The lion began to walk around, eyes still on Xenovia like the predator he was. The young woman stood firmly in the center, her head keeping up with the legendary lion. "And they betrayed him! Moved in the night like thieves, worms, and stabbed him in the gut. Elias was too terrified, too confused to react. All for a meager reward!"

A heavy silence washed over the lab as the lion continued pacing around the former Exorcist who felt the weight of the atmosphere on her shoulders.

But it would never last for long. "He was rampaging when some devils came across him." Sairaorg spoke softly. "It was on devil territory and a lot of the place was already destroyed when the first of us showed up. Regulus was too powerful for the average devil to stop him so I was called."

"But why you?" Risking a pureblood devil, an Heir to boot, wasn't something Shirou saw them doing.

And in most cases he would be right. "I have a way with lions." Sairaorg commented with pride. "Short of a Maou, or at least an Ultimate Class devil, nobody would be able to stop Regulus and that would lead to his destruction." He chuckled. "Say whatever you want about us devils but we weren't going to waste the opportunity of trying to recruit him. I was just the best one for the job and somehow managed it."

"You wrestled with Regulus until he calmed down, milord." Kuisha chipped in with a smile. "Besides you, nobody else could have done it and not just because of your Power."

A curious look appeared on Shirou's face, one that Sairaorg noticed. "Power of Taming(Lion). The Power I was born with and a good thing too since I am not the most magically inclined like most devils."

So many questions flew over the redhead's mind but he focused on what he could deduce. "Your mother's?" A nod confirmed it. "But you are the Heir of Bael. Even then risking you-"

"Vapula is pretty much extinct. Possibly my children will inherit that name, at least my second one after the next Heir of Bael is born." He was pleased by the prospect but most of his focus was on the present, not future. "That is not relevant right now, just know that thanks to Vapula's Power I managed to reach him and talk to him despite his rage." A scowl grew on his face but one of concern. "A lot of damage was still done."

"But vengeance was delivered." Regulus didn't care about who else got hurt. Only avenging his former partner. "Elias' former friends, those traitors, I crushed and devoured every single one of them. They all begged for mercy but even their tears and blood weren't enough to satisfy me. Only their lives did- Not even that! All around had to pay for that crime! They had to know! It was the only explanation!"

"Regulus…" Medusa looked at the lion with sadness and he turned to look back at her.

An understanding so deep it reached their souls resonated as the goddess nodded to show she understood. He did the same back, recognizing that she did and showing his appreciation. Despite Elias being a human he had treated Regulus well and was a kind soul.

The Nemean Lion couldn't accept his death, he just couldn't and so his fury, his rage, gave him power. A power never seen before, one capable of breaking or at least loosening the chains of a sacred gear.

"I am sorry." Xenovia suddenly spoke respectfully, slowly, earning once again the giant lion's attention. "It wasn't a Miracle that gave you power. It was your own will. Sorry for not realizing it sooner."

Regulus stood there with his eyes focused on Xenovia, staring intensely in her brown eyes. She didn't look away nor showed any fear, just stared back with sympathy.

Once Regulus judged that her apology was sincere, he let out a growl and turned his back walking towards Medusa before walking around the goddess two times and laying down with his paws supporting his head.

Medusa wasted no time and approached the Nemean Lion, fixing his mane with her hands and getting rid of any knots she could find. Xenovia lowered her head to apologize once again before taking a step back and returning to Shirou's side. Sairaorg and Kuisha watched her, impressed.

Despite everything she wasn't even shaking. "You have good subordinates, Mage of Swords." The Queen commented and Shirou groaned before turning to Azazel.

"An autonomous sacred gear going around long after its owner died. Shouldn't that be impossible?"

"Indeed, indeed, indeed. And that isn't a Balance Break either. That form is something completely new and unique." Azazel sounded like a kid who just inherited a chocolate factory. "Sairaorg here isn't giving any of his mana either."

"Not like he needs it." Added the pureblood devil with a smile. "That is Regulus'… I suppose we should call it his 'natural state'. Or close to it." Sairaorg himself didn't know how the lion did it. "I was even capable of Reincarnating him."

Shirou, Xenovia and Liz were stunned by the revelation. "So he is-"

"A devil or we think so." Sairaorg didn't blame them for their open mouths and clear confusion. "He is my Pawn and took me seven Pieces to bring him into the fold."

"And lord Sairaorg managed to do it after wrestling with Regulus for hours." Kuisha added with pride. "It was a fight for the ages… mostly because our King refused outside interference."

"And lose the chance of facing someone that strong in a 1 on 1? Perish the thought." Sairaorg was grinning at the memory. "It was a great fight! Regulus is strong and if it wasn't for my Power I think he would have eaten me for lunch."

"At least he has a body after Heracles killed his old one. That Reincarnation can be possible… Or maybe not? Damn, wish I could ask him what he did with the original skin." Azazel saw Regulus glare at him. "Either way, that lion holds the answers of how sacred gears can survive away from a soul and not return to the System. Wanted to study him ever since I heard about the incident but couldn't until now."

"Not a Balance Break but he is still here…" Envisioning the Ax, since he couldn't add it to his Reality Marble, Shirou could understand Azazel's interest.

Regulus was an impossibility, something that was breaking every established rule just by existing and if that could be repeated then the Sacred Gear System would become obsolete.

Or at least replicable, the redhead wasn't naive to think that wasn't his lab partner's goal as the man had been trying to create his own sacred gears for centuries while removing the flaws he encountered.

All because Regulus was able to challenge the World Order. "Where do we begin?" Shirou couldn't help but be curious about the Nemean Lion's condition.

"Yeah… You aren't helping me with this." To his credit Azazel sounded bashful.

"Wait, what?" The Mage turned to stare at the man like he grew a second head. "I am sorry, I think I just heard that I won't be helping you in the research that, you know, you practically dragged me into helping in the first place. There must be something in my ear."

Azazel sighed and approached the redhead to place a hand on his shoulder. "Look, you know that our idea of combining our research has a future. It already worked once." Shirou folded his arms and waited. "But you don't know enough about sacred gears to help me with this part."

"I have been studying them."

"Yeah, even in your free time which, by the way, you don't get much."

"Master, you truly are a hypocrite." Xenovia commented as she quickly understood that Shirou was running around doing more than he should. Again.

"Never said I wasn't and Medusa is here to keep me honest." He pointed his thumb to the goddess, still busy with Regulus who was enjoying a belly rub. 'Didn't peg her for a cat person.'

"Funny you mention that. Did you know that Rias, your mother and your father are on my case if, and I quote, 'have Shirou working like mad because he doesn't know the meaning of temperance'?" Azazel asked with a strained smile. "Because they are."

"Figures. Guessed it the moment Medusa started complaining every time I was working too much."

"As my protector you should pace yourself better." Nobody knew if the image of a little girl playing with a lion was endearing or frightening. "And your mother argued a good case."

"When?"

"Just before we left Fuyuki."

Facepalming hard, Shirou let his hand fall from his face slowly. "I knew I shouldn't have let you two alone by yourselves, that little voice in my head was nagging me." He then glared at Azazel. "So what now? Should I go around and sit on my thumbs as you work with the main stuff."

"To be fair, you don't know enough about sacred gears to help with this. Your students also are going to get their break or are going to further their studies since they are on the same boat." The devils nodded their heads at the fallen angel's words. "But if you want to do something useful~"

"Lord Azazel must I remind you that Lord Emiya demanded his son have a day for himself?" One of the devils, a man with spiky hair and lean physique who was also wearing a lab coat, raised a hand. "His command was seconded by Lord Lucifer so please give him some time."

"I don't need time. We should be working."

"Master…" Xenovia sounded a little annoyed.

"Xenovia, I don't drag myself back to bed every night like you were doing." He still can't say he never did it but the bluehead accepted his criticism.

Azazel watched the byplay before chuckling. "But my friends, don't you all forget something important about prototypes? They need to be tested thoroughly." The man said as he waved to a tube, or better yet the sword inside of it. "And while the initial tests were good, we need data from more chaotic situations that may, or may not, happen if Shirou were to explore the Underworld a little."

"Are you suggesting I go around and pick a fight?" Shirou didn't mind finding a savage monster of some kind to train.

However Sairaorg saw it differently. "From what he said I think lord Azazel was implying more the possibility which means he wants you to check our towns."

Snapping his fingers in triumph, Azazel pointed to the Heir of Bael. "That is it! Also you don't need to call me lord, Sairaorg. If so we need to get formal and that is boring."

"Heh, fine by me." He turned to the still confused Shirou. "Fights and confrontations are common for us devils. We value strength and if someone were to challenge you to a fight it would be polite to accept."

"So you have duels here and stuff?" Xenovia sounded excited about the idea.

An idea most devils were nodding in affirmation. "Of course there are rules and you can't break the laws. Also the confrontations must be contained and can be scheduled but that is the gist of it."

Kuisha picked up from where her King left off. "There are always devils who try to use tradition to get away from their troubles or start something after committing a crime." She noticed how the redhead looked concerned. "It is expected since everyone can use magic to defend themselves but some acts have the police enforcing the laws when necessary."

"Also the average devil can request for an officer to fight for them or even a friend if they want. Not everything starts a duel." Sairaorg felt the need to add for the sake of the Mage's sensibilities. "There are also a ton of rules for starting duels so they aren't common but it is always a possibility."

'A possibility that could have a fight starting anywhere with dozens of witnesses and potential intruders. Lovely.' Shirou shook his head and turned to Azazel. "So you expect me to go out and find some trouble?"

"From what I heard you have E Rank luck." Azazel joked and Shirou's glare grew as heated as the sun.

"Someone is not getting any food once we get together again. I would guess either Rias, Kiba or Issei. Doesn't matter." He stopped the Cadre from replying. "I will find out later anyway." Still he had other concerns. "Am I to explore the forests or something?"

"I was thinking more about the capital of Gremory, Runeas."

"Stuff like that happens even in the capital? Of course it does. I need to stop thinking this is Earth." Shirou began to massage the bridge of his nose. "I suppose it is better than nothing. Not like I will be going there looking for a fight."

"It probably won't happen either. Most devils don't just get to fight in the streets." Sairaorg observed before tapping the redhead's back. "Or at all. This kind of stuff has a proper place and time."

"So I don't need to take the sword." Shirou actually sounded upset about it.

However Azazel let out a small laugh. "Of course you do! Or do you want everyone to know that the Mage of Swords is around town." Shirou raised an eyebrow. "You are famous around these parts, kid."

"Indeed you are." Another devil, this one taller than the last with more muscle, an almost shaved head, shaved face and a scar on his chin, spoke quickly. "You are the Magician of Gremory and lady Rias chosen human. Never mind that, you are the Mage of Swords." All devils in the place nodded and smiled at the title. "Your weapons are works of art and your power is greater than the White Dragon Emperor. Everybody knows about you."

"At least in Gremory territory." Kuisha informed he freely. "Probably it won't be a problem if we take you out to another territory for this outing. Perhaps the Bael's?"

"Nah, we should show him around Runeas." Sairaorg decided with a boisterous laugh. "It would take too long and we would be jumping around a lot of magic circles to get him on our territory discreetly."

"You want to show us around?" Because Shirou doubted he was going alone, Xenovia looked too excited to be dissuaded from joining even if he tried.

"Of course. Better to have someone who knows the lay of the land so you can see the best places. And trust me, I know Runeas better than most of the Bael territory." He then looked at Shirou and rubbed his chin. "But that may present some problems on and off itself since you guys don't have any wings. Can you fly on your own?"

"I have a solution to that." Azazel rushed to the side and pressed some buttons on a computer before it revealed a compartment to its side. "So it is Shirou, Liz, Xenovia and Medusa going?" He asked while picking up some black clothes.

"I will stay here." Medusa announced with a smile, as she relaxed on the Nemean Lion's back. "I don't trust him with Regulus."

"Cold." Azazel finished gathering his stuff as Shirou turned to Liz.

"Do you want to come?" The maid stopped to think for a moment, looking between Xenovia, who was clearly going, and Shirou.

"I trust you to watch over our Master."

"Of course!"

With that the woman nodded to Medusa. "Then I shall stay."

"Two people then, here you go." Azazel played with one of the black cloaks held while presenting Shirou and Xenovia with two.

They were all black with no details or sign of anyone who had even worked on them or if it was made by someone at all. If anything the thing looked like tar but more malleable and solid, a pure black that gave nothing away while still keeping itself bright. Still, besides its unusual appearance, it had nothing special at first glance.

"What are they?" Mana flared and the information was processed by his brain. "What the hell? What are these?" His mind told him a hundred different things at once, most of which he couldn't understand.

"Well, I was watching one of these cartoons a few years ago and they had the most fun notion: jetpacks!" Azazel placed his arms inside the cloak and it suddenly had sleeves. It wasn't a cloak anymore but a jacket that the fallen angel sent some mana to and bat-like wings grew in his back much to everyones' surprise. "Or something close."

Then the wings changed and began much like a crow's or a fallen angel, much to the interest of his audience." Jetpacks?" Xenovia asked with wonder. "So we can fly with this things?"

"Not fly, per say." Azazel jumped a little and the wings worked to keep him steady. "Huh, still weird since they aren't my own pair." He mumbled before speaking louder. "It is more akin to floating but you can get a lot of height with it. Just don't expect to go fast."

"Ahhh." Clearly the bluehead was disappointed.

"Fascinating. I didn't know you had this kind of technology already, Azazel." Sairaorg saw the potential those capes could have, each and every agent of the Grigori could take the skies or avoid combat.

Sure it wasn't useful for devils or even fallen angels but in combat the more normal members of any side could make a tremendous difference if the power levels were close.

Then Azazel looked a little irritated. "Nah, these are failures. Their goal was, as you guessed, to have our human agents flying with us. Unfortunately these things still consume a boat load of mana just to fly slow." He glared at his invention before landing. "Getting a flight enchantment on them was easy, making the material as well. Just have the battery problem to fix."

"Can't they use Ki or maybe their pure stamina?"

"Attempts 37 and 96… I don't want to talk about them…" Azazel looked guilty and all could only guess what was the result.

But Xenovia was still interested. "Perhaps using the power of prayer would be possible?" All eyes turned to her. "I mean, I was never an Executor but even some Exorcists could channel the Lord's prayers for certain rituals and exorcisms. At least the elite of the elite."

"That was a theory that I had." The Cadre looked back to the purple haired goddess lying comfortably on the lion. "If only we could change the God System so everybody loyal could use the prayers." He was completely ignored. "But I digress. It is a failure that it holds no resistance, no power, the wings can be broken with barely a touch and it is bound to fail more times than not… It still can fly a little and if the people using it are competent-"

"How do I use it?" It was the answer to Xenovia's prayers as she grabbed the cloak and began to try and find the sleeves.

She didn't need to look for long as some just opened for her after a few attempts. "It adapts to your thoughts. Was one of my first real attempts to create sacred gears." Explained Azazel. "Unfortunately, direct yourself to all the reasons it sucks, for the reason why it is a failure." Xenovia made an expression of effort, clearly trying to get the thing to work. "Hey, don't try to force it. You just need to let your imagination take hold and do the-"

Wings sprung on the bluehead's back and she began to float a little before laughing out loud. "I can fly! I can fly! Look, Master!" She did a small spin before doing a backflip. "I can actually fly!"

"Hehe. I can see that." Shirou and the rest watched as Xenovia began to move around the lab with childish glee. She touched the ceiling and the walls before laughing some more and approaching some of the tubes with experiments. "So you can make anyone fly?"

"Anyone who can use mana." The Cadre smiled at the girl's happy expression. "Just make it into some clothing and imagine it."

"Sounds easy enough." The cape easily became a copy of his coat and then turned into bat wings. When he began to float, Shirou frowned. "Bellerophon, calm down. This is a temporary thing."

"Problems in paradise?"

After landing, the Mage let out a sign. "Bellerophon doesn't like the idea but… it is the best we are going to get."

"Then we can get going?" Sairaorg sounded excited. "I wonder how much Runeas changed over the years."

"Milord shouldn't expect so much. You have been away for barely a decade so obviously it is still the same."

"Who knows, Kuisha? Things are changing quickly and Rias' triumph over Riser made waves."

Shirou took off the cloak so he could take off his lab coat, revealing a black undershirt. He folded it before handing the lab coat to a devil who took it away. "Well I have never been there so it will be a new experience for me either way."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You think wings are the only disguise you need?" Azazel reminded everyone as Xenovia landed besides the redhead. "There is also the problem of your vision. The Gremory and the Vault of Prosperity keeps lights going for your convenience but you know how stuff is in the Realm of the Devils, right?"

"Always night?" Asked the magus.

"More like always dark…" Sairaorg began to rub his chin. "I forgot you humans can't see properly. Should we wait for the morning then? Most places will be closed but we can make due."

It was a problem that dampened Xenovia's spirits and made Shirou pensive as it was indeed a weakness that they had. In the Gremory Castle, Zeoticus didn't just install stairs but also lights for his guests, something neither really thought about or commented on.

At least not until Azazel reminded everyone of the problem and that he had a solution. "No need to freet, your favorite Cadre is here to help." With a snap of his fingers one of his assistants raced back from somewhere with a case. They opened to reveal glasses. "Tan~dan~. Magic glasses of the best quality! Guaranteed to neutralize illusions, petrifications, fog, smoke and hazards that could harm your eyes! And that is not all!" He offered two of them to Shirou and Xenovia. "It is a special buy one, get one deal! So, are you interested?"

"You bet." Xenovia quickly placed the glasses, blinking as she found them fascinating.

"How long have you been planning this?"

"Your mother-"

"Forget it." Shirou placed his own pair before turning to Medusa. "Brings back memories?" She smiled a little. He placed his coat back on. "Are we ready to go?"

"You are still the Mage of Swords." Azazel pointed out. "At least make it a better disguise." With a hand on the redhead's back, the fallen angels controlled the material and made it morph into a hoodie with the words 'King of Kings' on the front. "That is better."

Looking down Shirou examined the clothing with a frown. "Why that phrase?"

"The Mage of Swords is known for being humble." Azazel observed. "This is the opposite of humble."

"Well, Ozymandias I am not." The words disappeared and the hoodie turned into a jacket with a hood as Shirou made a sword to see his reflection. He adjusted the hood a couple of times to make sure it wouldn't get in the way and hide his face. "But it's still cool."

"That is another thing you need to be careful of. Your magecraft." Azazel reminded the redhead before pointing to Xenovia. "While Durandal is famous, most people can't tell what it is with a glance," his finger turned to Shirou, "but creating swords in Gremory territory is basically announcing your identity."

"Gradation Air isn't exclusive to me."

"But it isn't just Gradation Air, is it?" Azazel seized the sword and began to bend it. "Even your most simple Projection is still a Projection and we don't need to take that risk." He began to move to another tube connected to a machine.

Floating there was a huge sword, easily as tall as Medusa if not a little taller. "And is it normal for people to just walk around armed around here?"

Sairaorg began to laugh. "To us it would be strange if you didn't."

"You need to remember this is the Underworld, Shirou." After a few imputes the tube began to glow and power down. "Everybody here can open a hole in a car at the bare minimum. Everybody. Of course you need to be prepared." The sword landed and the tube began to open. "Even if you aren't looking for a fight, a fight may find you."

That sword wouldn't be called a work of art anytime soon, calling it a sword may even be generous as it was like a giant kitchen knife with a steel handle for some comfort. Also, despite its height, the handle was too small and most people would have to lift it with one hand because there was barely enough space for two.

Much like a knife it had only one edge that had been sharpened to its limits, its red color reminded Sairaorg of hot coal or a dying ember. His instincts also warned him there was something more to that blade and all of it was focused on the steel sphere on it. It was there that the feeling came from.

It was the sort of thing that just didn't exist in most weapons without decorative purposes but there was more. The sphere was located above the short handle and forged in the blade itself. Also its presence began to spread around the blade when Azazel put his hands on it. Mana seemed to burn around the sword for a split second before disappearing.

To someone like the Governor General the sword wasn't heavy and soon he carried it to Shirou easily. "Maybe you won't get to test the Red Buster. Maybe you will and if you do, make sure to take notes." He offered the blade to an annoyed Shirou.

"Are we really using that name?" The redhead lifted the sword with an arm, Ki flowing on him to help with the weight.

"Hey, I won the coin toss. The name is staying." Azazel chuckled as Shirou took a few swings with his weapon. "Our first sacred gear together. Sniff, sniff. I am so proud."

"Oh ha ha." Shirou sarcastically laughed while moving the sword over his shoulder. There was no sheath or handle for the thing but the devils of Bael noticed that with mana stuck it got on his clothes. "Still too heavy for my tastes. And we should have made the handle a little bigger."

Azazel grabbed the hood and covered Shirou's eyes. "Stop complaining, your big baby. You can use it just fine. It is creating swords that people don't need to see."

Getting the hood off his eyes, Shirou glared at the fallen angel before noticing his reflection on a monitor. "At least I cut an intimidating figure."

"You also need a name." Medusa pointed out without moving a muscle. "Or are you all thinking 'Emiya Shirou' isn't known?"

"Damn, forgot that part." Azazel then shrugged. "Not like you need documents here. As far as anyone is concerned," he pointed his thumb to Sairaorg, "you are Bael's guest or potential magician. Heck, say you work for me if you want."

"I am buying if you are selling." The Heir of Bael half joked.

"Rias would have your hide." Shirou said with a chuckle and the taller man shrugged in acceptance. Looking at his reflection again, a few names came to mind. "Perhaps I should go with…"

…

A few floors above the main lab, on the 3rd floor from the surface, Gasper's fingers moved with ease as his eyes danced around the room. "This is so much fun!" Two devils looked at each other with amused smiles as the Bishop kept pressing crystal light buttons. "Best training ever!"

In front of the former dhampir was a keyboard that had no letters or numbers but crystals in the shape of circles that were easy to press. There were also a lot of them, way more than needed for a computer keyboard but designed to help control his sacred gear.

The exercise was fairly simple in practice even if the execution was a little complicated to pull off; all around the room there were floating green crystals, each one mapped to a button that Gasper could press to move them in any direction by moving his fingers in the direction of the buttons.

Each button was connected to either a crystal or to the area around it, mapped by how the crystal themselves moved. When a button was pressed and there was a crystal in the location, it would change from blue to green to indicate Gasper could move it. But if it became red that meant there were no targets in that space.

For that reason there were a total of 40 crystals floating on the area and the keyboard had over 1000 buttons to be pressed, all connected to a white room that Gasper and his trainers found themselves in.

But that was just one of the mechanics as moving crystals he already had control of wouldn't be good enough for the Forbidden Balor View to grow, much less his control of it. The purpose of the crystals were just to be mirrors, to reflect the beam of red light that kept moving around the room.

Gasper's fingers moved swiftly to redirect a crystal down and the beam was intercepted as he moved it on an angle to control the direction some more. The beam was intercepted by another crystal and soon it ricocheted into another and another as Gasper kept moving.

Its creators watched with excitement as a picture was almost fully drawn only for one of the crystals to be badly positioned and so too slow to redirect the beam.

"No you won't!" Gasper declared firmly as his eyes began to blow and Forbidden Balor View did its job. Time for the beam of mana stopped and it found itself floating on the air as the blond boy's fingers repositioned the crystal to the right place. "Almost, almost. There!" His eyes returned to normal and the laser moved.

A connection between all crystals was made and the laser beam took the shape of a crude bird. It wasn't perfect by any means but Gasper smiled with pride before activating his sacred gear once again.

Once that was done it was like the drawing had become a neon sign floating on the air, crude, simple but still pretty.

Something Gasper was happy to have made. "Done!" He announced outloud and the others moved.

"Well done, Gasper." One was a lady with pink hair and a black dress. She approached and placed a hand on the Bishop's shoulder. "It is the best one yet." Like most devils she looked younger than her actual age and even with the appearance of someone in her thirties she was still extremely pretty.

"Right? Can't wait to show everyone."

The flash of an old fashion camera signaled that the other devil had finished taking a picture. "You are getting really good at this, child." The other devil was also a woman with shoulder length orange hair and was taking another picture from a different angle.

Her demeanor and face had an adventurous flair that looked eager for a journey with a smile that held a hint of mischief.

There are Gasper's instructors; Kasvile and Lomerna, loyal servants of the Gremory and considered the most kind devils throughout the whole household. Not only were they gentle and patient, Venelana and Rias themselves vouched for their competence and Azazel instructed in what was needed for the training.

Once the pictures were taken Kasvile, the pink haired one, snapped her fingers to make the mana disappear. It still didn't as Forbidden Balor View remained active.

"Young man, you should let it go so you can make a new drawing."

"Right, sorry." Blinking quickly, Gasper was unable to see his creation fizzle and disappear. "So we go for the next one?"

"Still a bird, Gasper. But you are getting better." Kasvile created a magic circle with two fingers. "This time try to give it a peak."

"Or perhaps you could try a smaller one? Using too many crystals is scattering your focus." The camera hung in Lomerna's neck as she took a step back.

"Let the boy do as he pleases. He wants to make something cute for his King, doesn't he?"

"Hunhun." Gasper nodded in excitement. "I want to make a drawing of her like we saw on the first day."

"Oh honey, she is going to love it." The magic circle was aimed. "Which color do you want this time? I was thinking about red?"

Gasper let his tongue out as he began to think. 'I started with red but I can't draw anything good with it…' It was clear that by how his head began to tilt he was lost in thought.

The women let him be as it gave his sacred gear some rest and paced his training better. Also they enjoyed seeing his face when he was struggling to come up with an idea. 'So cute!' Both thought in sync.

It took a whole minute for Gasper to make a decision. "What about yellow?"

"Yellow it is." The magic circle changed to the appropriate color. "Ready?"

Gasper assumed what he liked to call his 'gamer position'. "Ready."

"Go!" The laser was shot in a random direction and the former dhampir moved some crystals swiftly to intercept.

There was no rest once the laser was out, the crystals would keep its consistency but if it touched anything else the mana would vanish. It was up to Gasper to trace where it was going, improving his perception, while moving the crystals with his fingers, testing his reaction time.

It was completely unplanned that this sort of training would appeal to Gasper's gamer instincts as while Azazel knew he spent a lot of time on the computer he didn't necessarily ask what kind of games he played.

First person shooters were his favorite and the boy could be really competitive during a match. His space awareness and eye to hand coordination was excellent for this kind of exercise.

And he was having fun during it, mostly because he liked cute things.

But Gasper couldn't immediately start drawing just because he managed to intercept the laser, he needed to create a chain using its size to his advantage while keeping its existence going.

Should he lose track of the crystals, the beam of mana or even his hands, then the thing would fall apart before the real work even began.

It was a challenge, one Gasper happened to love.

…..

"Whoa! Incredible!"

"Xenovia, don't fly too high!"

"But Master, the view here is so great!"

Arriving in Runeas was easy, the Vault of Prosperity had a magic circle directly connected to a government building in the capital so teleporting was always available for everyone who worked there.

So it took no time for the quartet to leave the building, a giant tower made of stone with dozens of magic circles for different places, and enter the capital of Gremory territory proper.

The instant they left the building Xenovia took flight, going as high as she could and as fast as her borrowed wings could manage. She quickly reached the peak and looked down with wonder.

'Never thought a city could be so beautiful.' Part of it was the glasses that were giving her night vision but the other part was the many devils of many kinds flying around living their lives. Some of them were using magic on the streets and each of their circles had its own color. 'So pretty.'

She spinned around slowly to take everything in as the other three watched. "Some people are staring." Kuisha mentioned with a small smile.

"Maybe because she is like a kid who is watching the city for the first time." Sairaorg commented with a chuckle. "Let them stare. Most of them won't bother to ask."

"Does it ever stop being magnificent?" Shirou asked with some wonder himself even if more subdued, much like his knight he was watching the city even if a little lower in the sky.

"What, the town?" Asked the Heir of Bael.

"Flying." For the first time since he flew Shirou didn't have to worry about a huge output of mana that could suddenly end and send him to his demise. It wasn't his first view from the skies but certainly it was the calmest. "Just flying around and looking down at everything… Does it ever stop being great?"

Both pureblood devils looked at each other with small smiles. "If you allow me to say, lord Emiya, I believe it depends on the view."

"You can call me Shirou or my alias. Never liked being lord of anything." The redhead was watching hundreds of devils moving from one side to the other, landing or taking flight from other buildings.

Kuisha shook her head with mirth. "Perhaps you don't care but those that follow you would certainly appreciate the respect shown to you."

"Don't try to convince her otherwise. People follow us because they see that we can be great and like being reminded their choice was not only justified but the right one." Sairaorg reminisced about his past while Shirou turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "It is how they reaffirm their trust in you and by accepting it you are reciprocating their trust, showing you will keep leading them well."

The Mage of swords frowned but turned his head, hiding his face further under the hood. "But it is still weird."

"Hah, it never stops." He patted the magus' shoulder with a grin. "Both feelings. Kuisha is right, the view helps." The black haired man pointed down. "And few cities in any dimension can compare to Runeas. Can't wait to show you all some of the sights."

Something he said felt odd for Shirou. "But aren't you-"

"Sorry Master." Xenovia returned slowly to their attitude, shaking a little but it wasn't from the flight. It was from excitement. "It is just so different from using Durandal to move around. So great! And everything is huge!" Smiles all around her had the former Exorcist blinking before offering a smile of her own. "I think I like flying."

"Wait until you can move faster." Bellerophon agreed with his statement, still a little mad about their situation.

But Shirou just smiled along and approached Xenovia who kept looking around before taking her glasses. "It looks like dozens of stars are on the ground." Then she turned upside down only to begin to shake her arms. "Whoa…" She began to fall before stopping suddenly.

"Calm down."

"I think she didn't turn on purpose."

"Damn it Azazel!"

A few minutes later they returned to the top of the tower as Xenovia took a couple of deep breaths. "Thinking that the ground is the sky is dangerous." She commented and placed her glasses back on. "Thank you, Master."

"Can't you just not use that? We are on vacation." The redhead let out a sigh as the young woman shook her head.

That made Kuisha giggle and Sairaorg laughed. "Hahahaha! Such a spirited girl. You have a good subordinate-"

"Careful there. There are people close." Most devils weren't giving them any attention but some were close enough to hear their words. "What is the point of a disguise if you blow the cover in less than 5 minutes?"

"Sorry, sorry." Sairaorg chuckled a little.

Kuisha threw him a glare that had Shirou rolling his eyes. "It is okay. Just be careful."

Another chuckle escaped the Heir of Bael as he noticed his Queen's irritation. "Sure thing. Ready to meet Runeas?"

"You bet!" Xenovia was still excited.

"Follow me then. I know a good place to start." The pureblood devils took flight as Shirou and Xenovia struggled to follow after a little.

There was also a need to land on some of the buildings from time to time as constant flight was impossible with Azazel's invention. The Mantle of Infinity Jumps as they started calling it clearly deserved its name as they could hang in the air for quite a while before the material grew strained.

Wings never lost their form and the clothes didn't change but they could feel them growing heavy and uncomfortable as the mana made the fabric grow strained by its constant use.

Shirou could midgate the problems with Alteration but landing and waiting for a bit was still the best option to not risk damaging the material. It also gave them some time to look around and take in the sights like stores at the top of buildings that usually they would see around on the ground back on Earth.

One of the few they landed close to was a candy store that promised the most recent 'human creations in candy'. "That was a lie." Xenovia commented as she licked her lollipop. A giant lollipop the size of her head. "But at least it is good."

"How is that a lie?" Sairaorg took a bite of a chocolate bar the size of his arm.

"Most of these candies have existed for centuries now." Shirou bit a jelly bean, offering some to Kuisha who accepted with a curious look after she finished her sugarbun. "None of it was new in the slightest."

"I think it depends on your concept of new. This store has been here for hundreds of years and most devils don't see your realm that much." The Heir reminded them.

Shirou and Xenovia traded a look as she kept licking her candy. "Perhaps." The magus accepted the explanation. "But the candy also is made with your own recipes so they could be called new either way."

"What do you mean?" Kuisha was curious about the difference.

"There are some flavors I never felt back home." Shirou exclaimed as that was the reason he went for the jelly beans in the first place.

Xenovia was nodding her head quickly in agreement. "It is like dozens of different flavors are assaulting my tongue at once. Most of which I don't know."

"Then maybe there is more in our world we can show you than I thought." Sairaorg sounded pleased by that. "Should we go to a restaurant later?"

The visitors looked at each other again and shrugged. "Whatever you recommend, lord Sairaorg?"

"Perhaps later. We didn't eat that long ago." Shirou reminded his knight as he gave the rest of the jelly beans to Sairaorg since he had finished his bar.

"Then off to the next location we go." Kuisha pointed in a particular direction.

Such a location was a dome with a giant screen where the adventures of the Magical Girl Leviatan or 'Miracle Levia-tan' were being exhibited. The show wasn't bad, the effects were made with magic and the camera work was excellent. When the episode ended it changed to a Rating Game that was already underway.

They stayed for a couple of minutes but it wasn't exciting for anyone as it was going to be a long format type of game that could take days and from what the announcers were saying it was still in the opening stages with the two teams gathering supplies.

Still the next place required them to cross the Goetia Road which had quite the distance from street to street. It was also full of people just going about their business with street vendors on either side trying to get attention to their wares. Shirou ended up buying a fruit he had never seen before and finding the taste oddly pleasing but a little too salty.

As a chef he wanted to browse other stands to figure out more of the different foods of the Underworld, perhaps even make something special for his friends when everyone got together again.

He barely had any time to check all the new stuff during his 'challenge', and he would never call it that, nobody would name that competition any other thing than 'slaughter'. Either way people counted on him to make good food so he worked with what he knew but traumatizing a fellow chef wasn't his intention.

A lot of stuff in the Underworld was imported from other dimensions, mostly Earth, so he could identify quite a bit of things on the streets that he knew from home. However there were unique things, not only food, that he never saw before, stuff that tickled his and Xenovia's desire to explore.

Except that the place was too crowded, devils flying and running around the road to try and get a thing or another. Sairaorg tried to explain it was a fair that happened every other week on the Goetia Road in all capitals with devils from the main Clans bringing souvenirs or any other thing for their people to buy.

Most of the explanation was lost on the noise but the two tourists got the gist of it and why there was so much in the area. Gremory and hotels were becoming synonymous thanks to Zeoticus and so he had business all over Earth with plans to expand to other dimensions at earliest convenience.

That helped the Gremory's reputation and it was another source of income to certain classes of devils who needed to work in what they called the Human Realm.

Making their way out of the crowd wasn't easy and Xenovia grabbed Shirou's hand so they wouldn't get separated. The magus was amused but held her firmly until they were out, their companions finding them a few minutes later with an amused Sairaorg watching as Kuisha looked upset about something.

Despite every challenge they arrived at the other side and opened their wings again. "Come on." Called Sairaorg. "It is just a little further."

Still there was much to be explored as they found a phone store of all things, models designed by Ajuka Beelzebulb on display were similar to some back on Earth called Beelzebut, a huge building that served as a griffin store or stable for a fee, a park with tall trees that moved by themselves and the statue of a long haired girl sitting on a camel.

None of those were Sairaorg's target but Shirou and Xenovia were pleased with what it was. "Hope you like it." He opened the door for a store on the middle floors of a seven floor tower. "Jazl! You're still here, old man?"

"Is that a lion cub or my ears are tricking me?" A huge man with a big belly but muscle arms greeted from behind a balcony, all manner of weapons behind him and all around the store. "By Goetia himself! Baby Lion, how've you been?" The giant man jumped over his balcony and rushed to Sairaorg.

The Heir did nothing when he was involved in a hug and was thrown around like a ragdoll the moment his feet left the ground.

"How've you been, Cub? It has been years since you popped around here! Years!" He dropped the Heir on the ground and began to poke his chest. "No letters, no messages, barely hear about you on that thingy on the dome."

"Hahaha. I have been too busy, Jazl, you know how it is."

"No, I don't. Not one of the Pillars. Much less a hair." Jazl began to pat the younger devil's arms. "But look at you. All grown up! You Ma must be proud!"

A sad smile made its way on Sairaorg's face. "Heh, you bet she is." Then he turned around to the trio who watched everything with amusement. "I brought some friends. One of them is even a smith!"

"Ohoh." The older devil looked curious and quickly approached. "Kuisha! You are here as well. Today is a great day. Is the Cub giving you any trouble?"

"I would appreciate it if you didn't talk about my lord like that, Jazl." Yet she had a smile of familiarity and easily accepted the hug.

"He'll always be a lion cub, going around doing errands."

"I haven't worked for you in years."

"But you're still a cub." He then turned to the other two and sniffed around for something before giving them a hard look. "You ain't no devils… What're you?"

"Magicians." Not the whole truth but Sairaorg knew they appreciated the discretion.

A dismissive wave came from the giant devil. "That lazy lot? And one of them is a smith?"

"Jazl…" Kuisha hissed in warning.

"Bah, don't care about anything those copycats would make. Certainly nothing worth our time." Xenovia took a step and was about to say something but Shirou placed a hand on her arm and shook his head. Jazl didn't notice, turning to Sairaorg instead. "They can look if they want to see some real work but I doubt it is going to help. It barely helps with young devils these days."

"Jazl, don't be like that." Sairaorg placed a hand on the giant's shoulders. "You know most devils are starting to use weapons again. Soon enough your store will be booming."

A smile grew on the older man's lips but he shook his head. "Nah, they won't. Too much fuss about a 'Mage of Swords' brat." He spit to the side much to Shirou's amusement. "What does a human know about making weapons for devils? Weapons of magic? Nothing!"

"Why is that?" Shirou asked, doing his best to hide his smile when the devil turned. "He tries to make weapons that anyone can use. Besides," he took a sword, a great sword that was similar to the one in his back, "his words are too exclusive even if the style is popular."

"Feh, shows what you know, magician." He waved off before returning to the balcony. "You can look and buy if you want some real steel but I doubt you will find anything that tingles your fancy."

"I will do my best to find something."

"Bah." He turned to Sairaorg, calling him closer while picking a bottle and some glasses from the side. "And what about you, Cub? Tell me what a Heir does and why you can't buy more from me?"

While her King approached to talk with the smith, Kuisha turned to her guests and lowered her head. "I apologize for Jazl. He isn't the kind to meet humans often."

"It looks more than that." Xenovia commented with a scowl. "He also wouldn't know a good sword if one stabs his gut."

Shirou chuckled and began to look around the place. "Let it go, Xenovia. He doesn't need to like his competition."

"You know it was more than that, Master." She gritted her teeth but also began to look around. "This place is also a little worn down. Aren't there the best stores on the top of the towers?"

"The most expensive, you mean." Still Kuisha couldn't disagree. "It is all about perspective; the top floors make more and so can rent or even build the tallest places. But are they actually good? Some are, some just appear to be."

"I agree. The number of pieces Rias vetoed for me to make because of the requests is far too big for me to remember." The magus picked a chakran with spikes, humming in thought. "Most of them want more a piece of art than practical equipment. Rin was complaining once about how those requests were a waste of jewelry." To him they were a waste of steel. The weapons in that store weren't. "But these ones… they are good work."

"Master-"

"Ignore what he said, Xenovia. Just focus on looking around. Perhaps you will find something you want."

"I still don't like his attitude." The bluehead began to focus more on the weapons around while the blonde sighed.

The Queen of Bael decided that an explanation was in order. "Jazl is part of a generation of devils before the Civil War. They believed, at that point, that the over reliance on magic and humans was ruining the Underworld." Both guests of Gremory turned to her. "Instead of focusing on magic, or having the purebloods to just focus on power, they believed that developing their weaponry would assure us victory. A Sacred Gear System of our own if you will."

A familiar story in the Mage's mind. "Let me guess; too much of the new thing, completely ignored the old thing, got crushed because of it." Kuisha blinked and nodded in surprise. "There always must be a balance. Just because one thing isn't working anymore, doesn't mean it doesn't have merit." Still he looked to the devil, understanding some of his bitterness. "Then again, most change comes with blood."

Xenovia could understand but didn't like the man's attitude. "What is his relationship with Sairaorg? Are they old friends?"

"He helped my King in the past." Kuisha hesitated. "This is a personal matter for milord. I suggest you ask him."

They still looked around the store for a while more and if Xenovia was going to give the devil anything was that he had a bigger variety when compared to Shirou's workshop. The redhead had many creations but he tended to stick with swords even if he worked in other types of projects.

Jalz, regardless of his attitude, was a master craftsman that made hundreds of weapons from all over the place and all kinds of forms. The man had worked on so many types of work that there were alleys just divided by category or the number of blades in a given piece.

Shirou felt a little bad that all of it was being stored on his Reality Marble but he promised himself to buy something expensive for compensation even if he never was going to use any of them.

The swords maybe but the rest of the weapons were either things he had little practice with or too weak in comparison to his own body of work. Noble Phantasms aside, Shirou wouldn't be arrogant by calling himself the better smith of the two but that was because he was more focused and had a Reality Marble.

On the other hand the collection from the devil was made over the centuries with a lot of blood and sweat.

Still now the Mage of Swords took many of those skills to himself but he would not take them for free. "How much for this one?" A dagger was presented and an extremely sharp one.

It was perfectly balanced between a black pommel and smooth handle with a decently sized guard. Shirou also noted that it was good for magic and it was made to not only stab through bone but could challen spells or just mana for the creation of magic circles. Nothing he would use but still the most expensive thing he could carry.

Jazl's smile disappeared and he suddenly was looking at his dagger and Shirou. He couldn't see the magus' eyes but still tried. "You really want to buy something?"

"As Saraorg said, I am a smith myself. Better to study your work closely if I want to learn your techniques."

A wide eyed devil suddenly began to laugh. "Hahahahahaha! Hahahahaha! Still finding interesting people, Cub." He punched Sairaorg's shoulder who just smiled at his friend's cheer. "Well, well, with such admission, I can't just sell it for cheap, can I?"

"Is this going to suffice?" He threw on the counter some coins Zeoticus had given him before he departed the Gremory Castle, making the devils' eyes grow wide.

"Kid, I was joking. This is just a knife- I can't take 20 lucertes for it! A few leviertes would be enough."

"Nonsense. I did say I was going to study your techniques, didn't I? This is also for the lessons." A quick flourish of the dagger and the young man played with it swiftly without missing a beat. By the end he could tell the devil was impressed. "Besides, I am good with blades and this one may find some utility today."

He was trying to be honest with the possibility since he was restricting himself to his disguise but the magus didn't really think much about it. All he wanted was to compensate the man for his techniques.

If nothing else, it was a good dagger to join Bakuya and the Green Knight's Mantle on his collection even if not a Noble Phantasm.

"Still feel bad for selling it for so much…" Jazl admitted with a frown. "Tell you what, you magicians use a lot of blood in your rituals, right? For your version of magic circles?"

Shirou shrugged. "I don't use magic circles." That made the devil pause. "I am sort of a third rate magus. Can only use a couple of spells."

"Fuck me…" Jazl looked sorry and shook his head. "Fine! I'll take your coin but let me also sell you a kit to polish swords. I notice that beauty on your back and you will need something for it."

"Even if it was made by the Mage of Swords?" Xenovia asked with a frown and the devil waved her off.

"Not dealing with that hack. I'm dealing with this kid." He brought forward a case and pushed it to Shirou. "There it 's. It has the best oils, a stone for sharpening retrieved from a mystic waterfall and some other stuff."

"But I just-"

"Take it or I ain't taking your money."

"Just take it." Sairaorg shrugged at the look of disbelief Shirou gave him. "Jazl is stubborn-"

"You goddamn right!"

"-and won't let us leave with it without selling it for what is worth or including something close." He patted his old friend in the back.

"Fine." Shirou said with a sigh, collecting the coins and throwing them on a sack before leaving them on the counter. "Pleasure doing business with you." There were some extra coins there.

"Pleasure was mine." It was time for them to go and Jazl knew it. "Come visit again, Cub. Need to see if your fists really grew or you began to slack without me to put you through the paces."

"I would never." A firm shake of hands later and the quartet began to leave the store.

It was then that Shirou and Xenovia had a revelation. "It is already morning?"

"How?" The bluehead took off her glasses and cleaned her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. She wasn't. "It wasn't- We just- There was no dawn." The former Exorcist managed to form with some sort of coherence. Shirou also was so surprised he just nodded. "There was no sun from the horizon. Nothing."

"Did you two forget that the sun here is a product of the boundary field?" Kuisha asked with mirth, her King chuckling from the side.

"So what? Did you guys just turn on the lights?" Shirou asked as a joke but the devils just nodded. "Ah, I see."

"Come on, it is almost time for dinner and I know a place." Sairaorg took flight again.

Soon all opened their wings and began to fly but Shirou felt like he was being watched by someone. Turning his head he saw no one, most devils weren't flying anymore because of the 'sunlight'.

However, his eyes noticed something. 'Is that a crow?'

"Master?" Xenovia stopped, prompting the devils to do the same, as she noticed Shirou was looking elsewhere. "Something wrong?"

"I thought I saw…" When looking for the crow again, the Mage found nothing. "Strange… Maybe the sudden sun is messing with my head."

"Hahaha! You wouldn't be the first." Sairaorg found the thought more amusing than he should.

There was no way for the duo visitors to know how long the 'sun' was up or what time it was. Indeed both of their internal clocks were already in shambles because of their time spent on the Vault and now it was worse. Both were sure it was afternoon, or at least night in Japan, but it felt like noon.

Not having any point of reference both started to hate the fact they didn't have watches but there was nothing to be done at that point because the devils seemed to know exactly what time it was or didn't care about it.

Either way Sairaorg took them to a restaurant on the 2nd floor of a tower of restaurants. Obviously the most fancy one was at the top but the Heir of Bael preferred a more humble one.

It was a run of the mill shop most people would stop for a drink with tables outside and some finger foods on a display heated with a magic circle. Sairaorg showed once again that he knew the owner by just approaching and trading hugs with the man who tried to push his daughter on him.

All was in good fun as even the girl was playing around and it wasn't long before they got a table inside the place with two comfortable benches for seats. The daughter of the owner showed up again with a green apron and dress, her shining brown eyes still on Sairaorg as she distributed the menu.

"Call whenever you are ready to order." Her hand landed on the Heir of Bael's arm with a beautiful smile. "It is good to see you again, Sairo."

"You too, Becka." The green haired girl nodded to everyone and turned to the left with her hips dancing in case the Pillar's Heir was looking.

He wasn't but his Queen, sitting by his side, was. "She is too bold for her station."

"Let it go, Kuisha." The blonde woman nodded and began to peruse the menu.

"So, Sairaorg…" Shirou started carefully. "Couldn't help but notice that you know a lot of people around here. Do you come to Runeas often?"

"No, I used to live here in the past." His new acquaintances looked at him in confusion.

A confusion Xenovia gave voice to. "But aren't you the Heir of Bael? This is Gremory territory."

"Huhuhu. I think this is the first time I have to tell this story in a while." Then he raised the menu. "Should we order first?"

After they did and while they ate the man avoided the previous topic for a little, asking Shirou about his Ki which in turn had him revealing he learned from Yoruichi and that he was teaching the same to Xenovia.

"My Element is Light." She revealed and puffed her chest at the astounded looks from the devils.

"That is… rare."

"Haha, just shows how straightforward she is as a person." Sairaorg commented while taking a sip of his drink. The bluehead was a little confused until he explained. "For your fighting spirit to manifest as Light means you don't like to hide your intentions."

A look of realization came to her face and she turned to Shirou. "That is what you said, Master."

He shrugged. "Just repeating what Yoruichi told me over the phone."

"Still you were trained by one of the Kings of Kyoto." Sairaorg whistled in appreciation.

"Heh, she likes my food."

Kuisha giggled a little. "Just makes me more curious to taste something capable of bringing tears to Lucifer's eyes." Shirou hid his face with his cup but the woman turned to Xenovia. "But how did you manage to master Touki so fast? I have been trying for a while."

Not knowing how to really explain it, Xenovia went with her gut. "I always liked fighting."

His Queen pouting had Sairaorg laughing again. "It is a matter of preference, Kuisha, preference. You are always perfecting your magic and fighting with it. Of course you aren't going to master Touki without dedicating more time to it." Not that she would, she was too proud of her Power to not focus on perfecting it. "But since you told us your Element, mine is WInd." He leaned on the table conspiratorially. "I hope you won't tell Rias. I want to surprise her in our match."

"I will try to keep a secret. Mine is Steel by the way." Shirou was just going to avoid mentioning he knew it and Xenovia nodded enthusiastically, showing she didn't intend to violate his trust.. Still something else concerned the Mage. "Now, I don't want to be rude, and if you don't want to answer that is fine but, why are you so used to Runeas?" Kuisha glared a little but he pressed on. "You know this place like the back of your hand and are too familiar with its people. Did you grow up here?"

"Stop worrying, everybody in the Underworld knows it. He could have asked anyone else and got the story anyway, maybe with a bit of bias."

"Of course, milord." Still the blonde glared at the hidden magus with annoyance.

"To begin with, do you two have a notion of how politics work in the Underworld?" The two tourists looked at each other.

"Somewhat."

"A bit."

"Let me be more specific. Do you two know what is needed for someone to be selected as a Heir of a Pillar?" Shirou shook his head but Xenovia knew the answer.

"The Power of the Pillar." The former Exorcist continued once Sairaorg waved in her direction. "To be considered an Heir, the first criteria is to check if the devil has the proper Power and if they don't have it, that at least one of their parents had it. Right?"

"More or less. It is a requisite but the Head of the Clan can ignore it. Or better yet, just say 'this is my Heir, he is worthy, powerful and capable' and if they have his blood, they are Heir." Sairaorg chuckled. "Not that the order changes much and that is more when a Clan is close to extinction. Heirs are always the children of the Head because they usually have all it is needed; the Power and the training to be the next Pillar." He shrugged dramatically. "But my father didn't want to make me Heir."

"Because you don't have the Power of Destruction?" Shirou guessed correctly. "Why do I get the feeling I won't like this story?"

The signs were there for any to see; Sairaorg familiarity with a territory not of his Clan, Kuisha irritation with the topic and how the black haired man had the Power of Taming.

Still the Heir chuckled again. "Because you are a good person, I suppose." He took another sip and kept going. "My father hated that I didn't show signs of the Power of Destruction, just hated it. When I was little he exiled me and my mother, blaming her for my failure in not inheriting his Power." His eyes grew hard. "He basically kicked us out, reneged my birthright and made the son of his mistress the Heir."

"What a prick." Xenovia couldn't help but say it.

Much to the Heir amusement. "Yes, miss Quarta. He is quite a prick." He smiled gently when his Queen's hand landed on his own. "Now my mother was still the daughter of a Pillar, the last one, so I could take her name. But it didn't feel right for a couple of reasons." Some personal, others practical. He decided to start with the latter. "On their marriage she gave up a lot of the privileges, including the right to hold territory which was annexed to the Bael. Basically we end up with little, a small house and some rights but that was it."

From riches to poverty because he wasn't born right, that was the story of Sairaorg Bael. At least the beginning.

Because he refused to take that lying down. "Uncle Zeoticus and aunty Venelana were nice enough to take us in. To help us. If I wanted I could just live with them for the rest of my life but I refused. I wanted to do something. Needed to do something" He raised his fist high. "My mother used to tell me 'trust your fist' and 'make it strong so it doesn't fail you'. That was my path to strength. I started to train and train a lot, until I could get back what I saw as mine."

"Lord Bael was wroth that day." Kuisha said with a pleasant smile.

"And still is. Funnily enough my younger brother didn't mind losing the position to me, he considers me the proper Heir, no matter what our father says to us." By the way he spoke of his half brother they had made amends. "Still, I grew up around here. When I wasn't training or spending time with my mother, I used to run errands for Jazl, something to occupy my mind, or stopping here for a bite." He looked around the restaurant with a calm smile. "This place is still the same."

Shirou felt conscious about how Sairaorg was acting. "Sorry for asking."

"It is okay." The Heir flexed his arm to show the muscle beneath his clothing. "Just made me tougher and stronger. Stronger than any Bael before me, my power is greater than the Power of Destruction." He said loudly and proudly. "Everybody knows that story anyway and I just gave you the broad strokes, nothing much. Although…" He smiled mischievously before turning to his Queen who let out a sigh of resignation. "That gives an idea of a place to take you two. You are going to love it."

Kuisha shook her head with a small smile. "Well, it certainly is late enough to do that. But we must be careful for people to not see us going in." She looked at her King with exasperation. "You are the Heir now, you have a reputation to uphold."

The tall man laughed again, a booming laugh that had him shaking. "Most wouldn't care anyway. No, they probably would love the headlines, 'Heir of Bael returns to his old hunting grounds'. Tsk, hahahaha. Oh how they would."

After that the conversation was lighter as Sairaorg told some stories of how he grew up around the Gremory Castle and how Rias was as a kid. He lived around long enough to see Akeno arriving but after that he spent most of his youth around the capital and not the castle.

During all that he refused to elaborate what his 'hunting ground' was but made sure to to promise they would see it later and he wasn't giving any hints other than Kuisha showing she disapproved of that particular stop.

Still the King of Bael was restless, excited about it.

Once their meal was done they left quickly after paying and a few goodbyes from Sairaorg to the owner and his daughter. The young man had to insist on paying or else they wouldn't have taken his money but in the end he did, joking that his mother raised him right.

The moment they stepped outside there was already a big difference in the city of Runeas, most of its population was missing compared to how many devils were flying around during the night.

Before the 'sun' rose it was almost impossible to turn one's neck and not see one or a dozen devils flying around or working or just chatting somewhere. Now, in the middle of the day, there was almost no one, a stark contrast to how things would be on Earth.

It was a difference that didn't get past Xenovia's trained eyes. 'Most of the streets are empty with the devils still looking more lethargic or even covering their heads with hoods. Is having a sun in the Underworld a good idea?' She began to wonder before she caught sight of something else, a squad of armed devils with their faces exposed and looking bright. 'No, not all are affected.'

Her eyes started to jump around the place, noticing there were devils moving normally despite the 'sun'. There were those that still looked a little slower and none was flying but all of them appeared alert.

"Not much different from our friends back home." Said Shirou once he realized that his knight was looking all over the place. The blue haired maiden blinked and turned to him. "Obviously there are plenty of devils who are used to our world so they get out in the sun a lot. Probably they got so used to sleeping at night that this is their hour."

"More or less. Doesn't your city also have a nightlife?" Sairaorg asked with a grin.

"Sure it does but if my hunch is right and with so few people around we are way past a reasonable hour." The Mage shrugged. "Then again, this is a big city, probably never stops." He also could be wrong.

Except that he also knew how devils could be slow under the morning sun and that was with Rias who still managed to get up before he woke up to cook breakfast. She was someone used to the actual sun and still showed some symptoms. At least she was more chipper at night, that Shirou knew for a fact.

"Of course it doesn't, bwahahaha!" The Heir hit the magus' back hard. "Sure this is the time that good boys are in bed but Runeas never stops, never rests. At least it never did when I lived here." He turned to Kuisha who was trying to hide a yawn and failing miserably.

The other two stopped to watch her and the blonde blushed. "Sorry, I usually am in bed at this hour."

"You can return to the mansion if you want."

"Of course not, milord. As your Queen, I can't leave you alone." The smile her King gave her showed he knew there was more and she looked to the side. "So we are going to that place?"

Sairaorg shrugged to his new friends before opening his wings. "Would you two mind walking? Our destination is on the ground."

"Sure, no problem." Shirou replied as Xenovia just shook her head.

"Excellent. Flying would be faster but with Kuisha in this state it would be irresponsible."

"You don't need to worry about me, milord." She let out another yawn, a longer one this time.

'Actually, now that I think about it, it wouldn't be odd if many devils did just go to bed the moment the sun goes up.' That seemed a really big flaw in security and Shirou started to look around frantically. "Tell me, besides those Reincarnated, how many devils are at least capable of staying awake right now?"

"Is that concern I hear?" Sairaorg was amused as Xenovia began to look around in confusion.

She quickly caught up to what her Master was trying to say. "If anyone attacked now-"

"Then the light would go out and an alarm would wake everybody up." The Heir of Bael grinned. "You think we would place a 'sun' in our realm without taking the best precautions? For shame my friends, for shame. Sure it is around to help those that are Reincarnated and also to grow new kinds of plants, but we would never let such a weakness to actually be a weakness." Pointed to the sky, his grin grew savage. "For it to stay up, it takes conscious effort from our boundary fields. And if I want to," he closed his hand on a tight fist, "I can break that one myself. Does that calm you down a little?" His smile then turned gentle. "We aren't in any danger. If someone dared to invade the Underworld, all devils would rise to meet them."

For the former Exorcist it helped and she let out a sigh of relief. "It is not for nothing that the Underworld was never taken by an invading force." Shirou had to nod in agreement.

Sairaorg laughed again, this time more subdued. "Of course it hadn't. In the end, devils are the devils' worst enemy." His shoulders were still shaking in amusement before he calmed down and spoke in low volume. "That is why we need strong leaders to protect everyone."

They all opened their wings but didn't fly far, just enough to leave the tower and touch the streets again.

Sairaorg made sure to go slow as there were still plenty of devils around even if not as much as during the night, Kuisha remaned by his side as Shirou and Xenovia stayed a few steps behind.

It was much easier to navigate than before and it didn't take long for the Heir of Bael to take them to their destination.

Neither for it to leave a first impression. "Is that a cassino?" Shirou asked with some mirth as already he could see some slot machines and they didn't even get inside the building.

"Yep, Runeas Great Cassino as it is called." Sairaorg shared with another laugh. While there were many floors like any other building, it was just the cassino and nothing else. "What is wrong? Never been in one before?"

"Just didn't expect to see one here. Especially not in the middle of the day." Once again the magus had to remind himself that he was in the Underworld.

"Are we going there?" As she was previously an Exorcist, Xenovia never partake in the act of gambling before. A part of her was excited to try while the other feared to lose everything. 'Griselda would kill me if I even stepped inside one…' For some reason that just made it more tempting.

"Do you guys want to-"

"Ahem." Kuisha interrupted with a frown. "That is even worse than what you wanted to show them, milord."

"Right, silly of me." Sairaorg hit his own forehead and began to march. "Follow me and get ready for a treat. After all," he stopped to look at his new friends, "you are about to see the Underworld of the Underworld."

Color both tourists curious. "Any guesses?" Shirou asked Xenovia.

"None." She replied with a smile that he reciprocated. "But it sounds fun."

In the end they didn't even get in the casino, Sairaorg only used it as a point of reference to direct himself in a particular direction and once he found what he was looking for he let out a sigh of relief.

It had been so long but the man still knew the way and the tower was mostly the same. "Well, here we are."

"It looks like any of the towers we have seen so far." Xenovia pointed out, making the tall man laugh. "I expected a shady alley or something. Maybe even a bar with all kinds of magical drinks."

"Hahahaha, you aren't that far off." Sairaorg moved a little to the side and indeed there was an alley there. "Follow me~"

"And follow our lead." Kuisha added calmly. "I don't know how humans are going to be treated there but this isn't the kind of place you want to make a mess. The Matron certainly won't like it."

"'Matron'?"

The Queen turned to Shirou. "Know something about the Underworld's Underbelly, even if something possibly, not surely, illegal is going on, someone from the Pillars is always controlling things… keeping an eye to make sure everyone is playing nice."

"Ah, a Gremory then." Which had the Mage curious for a whole different reason. "If the Pillars approve, how is it illegal? Is it something one of the Maou doesn't like?"

"More like it is stuff that was going to happen anyway and this way we can keep some measure of control." Kuisha let out a sigh of irritation. "Just know that there is an official way of doing this and the unofficial one."

"And us devils tend to love the second kind." Sairaorg said with dancing eyebrows. "Anyway, we are here." His hand approached the wall and it suddenly began to open. Inside there was an elevator. "Oh, I almost forgot. Put on your glasses, it is dark down there."

Nobody asked anything else as they got in and the Heir made another magic circle. Neither how it got the elevator moving.

Still the Bael saw the curious glances. "The first one was for identification, technically it should only work if you are of age, at least 16, but someone younger can get in if they are registered, like a noble." He chuckled. "The second one was just to activate it."

Took some time but soon enough they arrived and loud cheering could be heard even before the door opened. When it did they were greeting with cheering and groans for an audience as well as the sound of a bell being rung.

There was also a tall man with a suit, tie and a huge sword on his back. He gave them all a long look before his eyes landed on Sairaorg.

"Lord Bael." He said, bowing his head. "It has been long since you graced our halls."

"Sorry, I don't know your name." Admitted the Heir. "But thanks for the welcome."

Clearly the devil wasn't bothered by the lack of acknowledgement. "Did you come to fight once again?"

"Unfortunately my days in that arena are far behind me. I am a proper Heir now and can't be caught partaking in illegal fights." He let out a long sigh of sadness. "A pity."

"So unfortunate. The Matron would love to see the Bael Lion fighting here again. You always knew how to work out a crowd." His eyes went to everyone else, focusing more on Shirou and Xenovia. "They aren't devils."

"One is the Sword of the Mage of Swords, Xenovia Quarta. She technically is part of the Gremory household so show her respect." Sairaorg dared him to say anything, the older devil stayed silent. "And this is an associate of Azazel."

The older devil nodded. "Very well but I hope the fallen angel's lackey will behave. The man turned around and Shirou couldn't help but check his sword's history.

It was a weapon of excellent make but was barely used. "Nice fella." He joked a little. "Didn't know swordsmen were that common around here."

"They aren't but the Matron always liked swords and insisted that her subordinates all learn how to use one." Looking around they all could see many devils, all with different swords. A quick glance told Shirou all of them were good for magic as well. "They are all great fighters, they have to be to keep things calm around here."

"So this is like a Fight Club?" Xenovia rushed ahead and looked down at one of the arenas where two devils were clashing. A wave of mana exploded outwards, making the audience cheer. "Whoa!"

"These don't look like Rating Games." Shirou pointed out, looking at a distance and noticing two more arenas with fights happening.

All of them were open rock formations with just a few obstacles, two entrances for the fighters and a display above with letters Shirou and Xenovia couldn't read.

The redhead guessed some were the fighter names and some sort of numbers but that didn't distract him from another arena in the middle of the others with a fourth one positioned to the right a few meters away forming a pattern with four identical battlefields.

There was a 5th, however, and was built differently; it was a pit that went somewhat deep with a circle of lava around it. There were also no obstacles or entrances, no rocks, or anything else. If nothing else it was like someone dug a hole leaving behind solid rock for the combatants to stand with lava as the boundary for the walls.

Sairaorg waved around to explain. "No, you won't fight a Rating Game in this place. Here one is prized for their own strength and not for a team." He pointed down where two devils were clashing with weapons and barely any magic. "Another thing to notice is that without support and few obstacles, a Wizard type fighter would find themselves crushed before any warrior here since they honed their bodies to their limit. Many of them aren't Knight but are just as fast or aren't Rooks but can take an explosion and barely flinch. This is Runeas Underground Arena, not officially recognized but still quite a popular place."

Some things began to make sense in Xenovia's mind. "This is where your victories come from! You fought here!"

"Right on the money." Sairaorg chuckled. "And yes, I have 100 straight victories here… Wonder if someone beat my record." He began to look around with a hand on his chin.

"Milord grew strong here, fighting from the button until he became the undisputed King of the Underground." Kuisha said with pride.

"But why is this illegal?" Shirou finally asked what was nagging him. "Can't be for betting. Your former capital is the equivalent of Las Vegas."

"What is 'Las Vegas'?" Sairaorg asked with interest.

His Queen shook her head. "Because unlike most Rating Games where there is an attempt to make things fair, this place just values strength." She saw the confusion and nodded down for them to look at the arena. "No buildings, Promotions, places to hide or even support. The moment you get in you are on your own. Sure some Rating Games simulate the same but the arena may be random and so favor one of the fighters. Not here, the arenas are always the same, fixed to stay the same with the same obstacles or none at the highest level. Here you can only depend on power, not fancy strategies or even comrades."

"Which is something devils always appreciated but that Rating Games try to remind isn't the beginning or the end of a successful Peerage." Sairaorg took over, crossing his arms. "Many of the fighters here would be smoked in a proper Rating Game where magical power takes center stage. Only the real strong can emerge from here capable of competing there." He smiled. "Which also gives this place its own fighting methods in a sense. Not having to worry about fighting after or having less enemies around makes things easier and harder at the same time."

Because the other side is thinking the same thing, on giving their all in a single match and then taking their winnings or licking their wounds for the next one. There were Wizard types who tried too, nothing stopped them, but the Underground fighter learned to use their mana on the defensive, pushing their muscles to their limits.

Bets were also a source of income and anyone could bet in any of the four matches. The main arena was only used when the top fighters were challenged to fight and the bets on it always gave them the best odds. Anyone could challenge the Top 3 but seldom anyone did as they were monsters with the champion even part of a strong Peerage who won many Rating Games.

Still it was a place where those bad at magic could grow stronger, where someone without a useful Power like Sairaorg could refine his fighting style and sharpen his fangs until he felt comfortable on challenging his brother to be the Heir.

That was what he did and he had no shame in admitting that if he hadn't reached 100 wins in a roll he wouldn't even have tried. But his final score, as they found a plaque with a picture of a younger Sairaorg, was of 402 wins and 38 defeats.

There were other champions as well but Sairaorg held the most impressive numbers since he took multiple fights in the same day many times and was the undisputed record holder.

All that was found on the bar where there were also screens that showed all the arenas with eight TVs focused on the fights. Some were cheering or groaning as the fighters duked it out, drinks being sold constantly by the four barmen and a dozen or so waiters. There were tables, stools, people playing cards and shouting odds.

While they looked around, Shirou noticed the many Matron's guards keeping an eye on things, three of them blocking the view of an area that was designated for the VIPs. As advertised before all of them had a sword of some kind and the magus found some of them familiar.

Too familiar for comfort but he tried to not focus on it and instead dove in the history of the weapons themselves.

From some of those weapons he discovered that plenty of them were devils that began their careers on the arena as he could see many of them fighting on one of them. It made sense to him that the Matron would recruit some of her guards from any talented devil that wasn't in a peerage.

'Actually it wouldn't be surprising if some nobles came here for recruitment as well.' Shirou realized as he noticed some devils with fancy clothes in the audience, a couple leaving the moment the fight was over. 'Poaching here must be common.' A hand began to wave in front of him.

"You should blink some time, Master." She smiled with a glass of a drink in her hand. When she took a sip from a straw, Xenovia began to hum in pleasure. "So sweet~ Do you want some?"

"No, thank you." Soon the magus began to look around again before pausing and looking at Sairaorg. "This place doesn't have a teleporting boundary field like Rating Games, does it?"

"Nope, just enough to protect the audience." Sairaorg joined them in observing one of the fights. He could see the why of Shirou's concerns, one of the fighters was on his knees and bleeding profusely. "Everybody that gets in there is only leaving once they lose for real."

"But is there a judge?" Xenovia asked, remembering Grayfia's part that day during the spar. "I am not seeing anyone."

"There is one but he will only jump in if things get really bad." The Heir saw the shocked and concerned expressions on his new acquaintances and let out a sigh. "Look, this is why this place isn't necessarily legal; the risk. But in the end that may be the chance for one of these devils to change their lives with their power."

There was so much more he wanted to say but he failed to find the words.

He still gave his best shot. "If they become a champion here then they can have a noble recruit them, or the Matron herself will do it. Also plenty of them are desperate, not good with magic or just would never be found without a place to show their skills." Different circumstances gave rise to different fighters. "Here they have some security, guaranteed healing and money if they win. That motivates them all to grow stronger."

"And how many died because of the more lax security?" Shirou asked with great concern.

Sairaorg didn't blame him. "That is why the security is so tight, to stop things from going far." A last punch brought the defeated devil down, the winner raised his hands in triumph. Quickly a group of devils dressed as nurses came to the rescue. "You do what you have to do to survive." He then smiled. "But deaths are not common and are always treated rightfully as a tragedy. Gremory wouldn't allow this to continue if it was a recurring event."

"Out of curiosity, when was the last one?"

"More than three decades ago and an accident. The guy focused so much on the muscles of his right hand that it exploded and he ended up bleeding out." At least that was what the Bael Heir had heard, all he could say for sure was that nobody died during his time. "Come on, let's get some seats. Believe it or not but everyone here is skilled enough so little goes wrong. You are going to like it."

Finding a place to sit was paradoxically easy and hard; there were plenty of empty seats but not enough for them all to be together or they would have to pay and get in the VIP area.

Sairaorg disliked that idea, saying that the stands were the best place to get the 'feel' of the arena, something evident everytime the people cheered for their favorites. There was also a fight about to start but quickly the men in suits flew into the area and invited the involved to leave.

All of them carrying swords, swords that the Mage of Swords knew but didn't know at the same time, his Reality Marble registering them besides works he made months ago for sale. He knew that the Gremory took the designs and gave them to their men so he focused on the History of the weapons themselves.

He had figured out they would help him fight while flying, an idea that Bellerophon approved. It was almost as interesting as the fights for him as Shirou only paid half attention to the combat on the closest arena since they were still trying to find some seats.

Then the history of one of the swords, an identical twin to Souji's weapon down the number of hammer strikes, made him stop on his tracks. It was a History of blood, the blood of the innocent.

One of the few things Shirou couldn't let slide. "Master?" Xenovia tried to call him as he began to march, his breathing heavy and his eyes sharp.

The devil with the katana had shoulder length black hair, a golden earring on his left ear, dressed in a suit like the others and standing on guard like many of his comrades. His face had a small scar on his chin that gave him the air of a tough looking man on high alert for anything.

So he obviously saw the magus approaching, his hooded head immediately earning a raised eyebrow but he waited to see what the figure wanted.

The first thing Shirou did was ask a question. "That sword, who sold it to you?" Because he had the name of the maker and that wasn't the one who he wanted.

For a moment an amused grin came to the devil's face. "Beat it, kid. You need money to buy one of these." His hand caressed the weapon with a smug grin.

"I don't want to buy it, just need to know who had it before you." Shirou pointed out, his lower jaw visible, showing he was rather calm. Or trying to remain calm, trying to not start anything. "A big man, twice taller than you, not much muscle."

"I have no idea who you are talking about." The devil was starting to get annoyed. "Beat it, brat, or else I will throw you out."

Looking down at the sword, Shirou tried to dive deeper into its copy on his Reality Marble, digging through its History. There was nothing on his target's name, he only held the sword for a few moments to take a life with it before throwing it away. After that it was given to those the magus suspected were subordinates and put to sale.

Not enough to give an impression and even the maker of the sword was different from others but nothing that could give Shirou any leads.

But the hooded magus just standing there and looking at the sword with a hidden gaze was starting to bother the devil more and more. He already began to suspect that the unknown figure of the Mage's disguise intended to steal his weapon. A weapon he paid for and that was really good but also really expensive.

The security guard also didn't like that Shirou was hiding his face, he figured a little harm would teach the youth a lesson. "Brat." He threw his elbow towards the face hidden beneath the hood.

Only for Shirou to block it, half aware. "Why did you- It doesn't matter. Please just tell me where you got that sword."

Suddenly the devil began to sweat cold and followed the question with a punch that had the hidden Mage dodging to the side before going for his sword. Shirou stopped him from drawing the katana by holding it in place with his palm, moving his other hand to grab the man's tie.

"Look-" The Mage had no time to say anything as the devil cut off the tie with magic and turned around to run. "Get back here!"

The devil waved amongst the crowd, going in a particular direction and pushing anybody unlucky enough to be in his way. Now Shirou suspected that the man also was involved in some kind of foul play and avoided anyone else while keeping his eyes on the running man.

It came to a point where the devil opened his wings and Shirou had to jump from a wall to keep up as the security guard arrived on the second floor. When the magus landed he looked around, almost losing his target from view but soon the chase continued when he saw the sword.

While that man had that sword it didn't matter if there were other people dressed like him, Shirou would always be able to identify the guy. Unfortunately for him other devils were starting to notice that something was up and soon the guards of the arena began to move around.

To all intents and purposes one of their companions was being chased and they were part of the Gremory even if indirectly, they watched over their own.

Wasn't long when Shirou's target stopped running, smiled and turned around in an area full of people, Shirou showing up from another hallway. "Gave up?"

The devil chuckled. "Careful guys, this brat is strong." The sound of blades could be heard amongst the many voices around and Shirou realized he was surrounded. "He wanted to steal my sword!"

"No, that wasn't-" Shirou barely dodged a blade going for his chest, his back bending just enough to avoid it. He was about to straighten himself and talk but more swords were drawn and he had no choice but to get moving.

Two more came from the sides, his creations turning back against him even if by another smith's hand. Regardless he knew those swords and through them he knew their owners and their fighting styles, he knew they were excessively aggressive so he began to retreat. His retreat was noticed and another came from behind to cut his head.

For that Shirou had to duck and take the opportunity to swipe his leg and bring the devil down. That was a mistake as every devil in a suit drew their blade and began to advance now that he was identified as a threat.

Still Shirou didn't want to fight. "I just want," he jumped away, rolling once he had landed to punch a devil on the stomach and kick him to the side, "to know where," another one aimed for his shoulder but he held the sword between his hands, pushing it to the side and doing a shoulder tackle, "he got his sword!"

A jump kick on the face sent another devil flying but one of them took flight and began to attack from the air. Shirou began to run to the right and into the stands where the devils not involved got up and out of his way. A pity for him that there was more security in that direction and he took a turn to try to avoid more opponents.

Another thing he didn't notice was that he was falling into a trap as these devils were used to subdue strong fighters, more than one man went mad after some drinks or because they lost a fight and rampaged so these men had plenty of experience.

So his route of escape was predicted and two men with large swords were waiting, once again the name of the smith responsible for his target's weapon came to his mind but that was irrelevant as that sword had no innocent blood taken even if it had some blood.

However soon the image of a man laying on his front with a clear face of suffering came into his mind as the sword was used to stab his lung. No longer Shirou was sure that the weapon didn't take innocent blood. He knew nothing of that man but the fear was real and his death was swift.

Instead of turning around again or retreating, Shirou ducked between the blades with his knees sliding on the ground. He quickly let out a sequence of punches on the devils, finishing with an uppercut to the one on the right and grabbing the one to the left with his suit.

A flick with his leg ruined the man's balance before the magus threw his opponent on the other devils. The audience was already erecting barriers and magic circles but they stopped running as more of the security force showed up.

One of them was fast, his sword not one of Shirou's creations but instead something different and the weapon the man used to advance in the Underground Arena. The man was skilled and the Mage of Swords found himself in a lethal dance as the new threat aimed for his shoulders or neck, he wasn't sure which.

Only for another sword to come and almost cut off his legs, Shirou jumped when the skilled swordsman hit his chest. Touki saved his life but he still felt pain, looking down and noticing some blood coming from his shirt. It was the wrong day to forego armor, especially when his back collided with the stands.

'These guys aren't joking around.' And neither should he so Shirou jumped to his feet with a glare. "Alright, enough of the mister nice guy!" Declared loudly the Mage, his mouth visible and showing his irritation, as his hand came to the sword on his back.

More attackers joined the fray, predicting it would take too long for him to get his huge weapon ready for the fight. None of them noticed the lack of a sheath or was already too late for them as Red Buster was unleashed. Despite his frustration it wasn't the edge that met the devils heads but the side, the sword used more like a club.

Was still enough to rattled some skulls and send the devils flying as his knife-like blade landed on the stone seats. "You are going to regret this."

"You started it!" His target protested with his sword in hand and charging with a couple of others.

Admitally more than a bit upset with the current state of affairs, Shirou charged back and threw his sword in a reckless slash in their direction, forcing them all to stop. With a sword as big as he had it was clear that it would take a moment for the magus to bring it back and the devils would pounce before it.

Except the slash wasn't reckless at all, it was a feint to stop them on their tracks that could be followed up by Shirou stabbing the ground and using it for a jump that had both of his boots connecting to his target's face.

The other devils barely could react to their friend flying away with boot prints as a mask but they recovered quickly.

Not quick enough as Shirou was already between them, letting his sword go and grabbing them by the head to slam the two on the ground. His eyes were visible and there was an ominous glow on them that made many step back but the stronger devil, he who grew stronger in the arena, rose to meet the magus.

He advanced upon seeing that Shirou had abandoned his blade, aiming for a stab on the heart to finish things. But the Mage's arm was already back on his sword and he pulled it from the side to clash against the other man's steel.

Despite its superior size, Shirou's position didn't allow him to use his weapon's mass as leverage, he had to retreat but the taller man chased him. When the Mage of Swords managed to stand there were already other devils coming from the sides.

He relaxed his muscles, allowing the first attack to pass before turning and hitting the man in the back of the head with the handle of his sword . His other hand grabbed the dagger on his belt so Shirou could use it to stab the stronger devil's leg before retrieving it and blocking one of the attacks.

That gave him enough time to bring his sword back and hit the new attacker on the side and send him flying against the bystanders, an improvised barrier around them. Another devil was already coming but Shirou kept moving with his sword in a roll before turning back and bashing his sword away, jumping and hitting the devil's head with his knee.

Plenty of devils had already met the floor, plenty more were coming and the people were cheering. It would certainly be easier if the magus didn't have to worry about the audience but they looked too enthralled. To them this was just another show, another fight closer than the ones they came to see.

But they came for violence and Shirou was going to deliver with some gusto.

Spinning his sword the magus charged to another group of devils who were starting to create magic circles. They would never be completed as Red Buster tore them apart followed by Shirou punching and kicking his attackers.

However he was still in their territory and a place that big was bound to have hundreds of employees and the security to match.

Flying above everyone came more devils, swords drawn and circles ready to fire. A surge of elemental attacks followed in their wake and Shirou jumped back as an explosion shook the area.

People didn't care, they just cheered and raised more magic circles for shields.

Meanwhile Shirou dodged, the strongest devil around the former fighter had recovered and was dragging his sword out of the floor. Some of his subordinates were trying to help him but the big devil pushed them back with a bloodlusted smile. There was no hesitation when he attacked Shirou on the back.

Only his spatial awareness saved his skin as Red Buster clashed with the sword three more times before dodging to the left, leaving his opponent to take a lot of spells on his face.

Their coordination was good but not perfect which resulted in the best fighter the devils had falling on his back with an expression of pain. He wouldn't be getting up for a while.

But others were there to take his place and Shirou had to spin his sword above his quickly to repel another rain of spells. The Mage couldn't go all out, he could only use a single weapon and was afraid of unleashing its full potential in a crowded area. He wanted to call more swords, to use Reinforcement, to reveal his circuits so the fight could end.

When more swordsmen came from his left, Shirou let a snarl escape as he saw little choice but to ruin his cover or get severely wounded.

Fortunately for him Duranal came flying down, still on its scabbard and slamming hard on the stands. It had enough strength that forced many devils to stand down as Xenovia came running, her body involved in Light. Grasping her weapon, she pulled it up and beat five devils around her in submission before sliding to stand at Shirou's back.

"I hope you don't mind if I join." She was like a beacon banishing the night which silenced many devils.

The rest just wanted more.

"Hehe, kinda late to ask." Shirou and Xenovia moved in tandem, he with the side of his blade and she never revealing hers.

Soon dozens of devils were on the floor and the remaining ones were hesitating, with Durandal still sheathed it was clear they weren't considered worth the effort. Xenovia noticed how they were hesitating and put up a grin to provoke them into attacking.

They didn't and the bluehead let escape a frown. "Cowards."

"Not their fault, since they can't win, they hope to suffocate us with numbers." Shirou relaxed his sword on his shoulders, his eyes on the original target.

Something the former Exorcist noticed but had no time to ask what all that was about. "What is going on here?" A powerful feminine voice echoed and the devils parted like the Red Sea. "Can anyone bother to explain why so many of my men were easily beaten?" She took a deep breath with her pipe before letting out as much smoke as a furnace. "And by a bunch of humans nonetheless."

While her dress was different and she had a fur coat over her shoulder, both Shirou and Xenovia recognized the figure. "Lakmia Gremory." Said the former Exorcist with a look of shock. "So she is the Matron."

"Maybe I can answer that, lady Lakmia." Sairaorg manifested himself, his faithful Queen still by his side and looking around nervously. Many devils were still too shocked to react or do anything as even the fights in the arena ceased. "You see, they are my guests and-"

"Sairaorg, while you are a Bael, here I am the law." Lakmia's words sent waves all around the area for she wasn't even the main noble and still talked down to the heir of the most powerful Pillar. "Indeed, I wasn't even talking with you but those humans you brought here." Her eyes landed on Xenovia. "One of which I know; the Knight of the Mage of Swords."

On Gremory territory the title had meaning and it was clear to see as all devils suddenly began looking at Xenovia with respect.

However she didn't like it, not because of why she had the name but because some of them, including Lakmia, were looking at her companion with loathing.

He was the Mage of Swords himself and still he refused to reveal his real name so the Matron's suspicions instantly fell on him. "She is a Guest of Gremory, someone important for my Clan. But you, you are an associate to Azazel." Alliances didn't get rid of old grudges as many devils turned to Shirou with hatred. "From what I gathered you attacked my employee first. Care to share why?"

"Lady Lakmia-"

"Once again I will remind you; here I am the law." She turned to Sairaorg with a glare. "The same authority which kept your father away also keeps you silent. If this man has a good reason, he shall talk." Her eyes returned to the magus. "If not, too bad for him."

It was tempting to reveal his identity but Shirou held back because he didn't need to do it. "That man's sword took a child's life." He said while pointing to the devil who suddenly flinched and dragged himself on the ground.

Most eyes were on that devil for a moment, full of disgust. Not the Matron's who kept her gaze firmly on Shirou. "It is a harsh accusation to one of my men. An offense that I won't take lightly." She blew another puff of smoke, hatred in her eyes. "Tell me, what evidence do you have?"

Resting his sword on his back once again, Shirou turned and raised a hand. "A correction my lady; I accused the sword, not the man. I wasn't trying to steal it but asked to take a look at it when your subordinate threw the first punch."

Eyes growing wide, this time they left the magus. "Is what he said true? Did you really attack first?" When he was about to answer, her glare grew harsher. "Lie to me and I will have your tongue."

Flinching at the sudden shift of the tone, enough so that had his comrades abandoning him, the devil looked around nervously. "I didn't- I t-t-thought he was going to ste-e-eal from me.".

The hesitation, the silence, there was obviously something wrong and it was clear to all to see.

Lakmia began to rub her forehead before looking back at the disguised Mage. "I suppose Azazel would find a good subordinate to match the Mage of Swords."

Thinking quickly, Shirou bowed a little. "He searched me for my expertise."

"Huh, indeed. I suppose it is good we are allies now." Yet she still looked at him with suspicion. "Your accusation rings true and obviously he is hiding something from me…"

"Many of your men bought swords made by a man named 'Fiton'." Shirou revealed and some of the men in suits winced. "From what I gathered it was a few days later that a child was murdered." He raised his head, enough to reveal a single eye. "That is why I want to know where he bought the sword."

"That name is familiar but not that much." Admitted Lakmia who took note of those who retreated at the name. Now she was just as intrigued as furious. "Heir Bael, this is the kind of discussion that will be lengthy and probably only involve the Gremory."

"Hey, I offered to show them around. They are my responsibility." Sairaorg replied, refusing to take the escape route.

The Matron offered a maternal smile that had many flushing. "You grew up so much." She made a magic circle and raised her voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy tonight's events and forgive us for this sudden interruption. It seems some of my men have been really naughty boys." She licked her lips. "I will thoroughly push them."

Some of her subordinates quickly seized the devils and took his sword while others began to dismiss the crowd. A fraction of them lowered their heads in shame, waiting for judgment.

That would come after. Lakmia had much work to do. "I suppose you wish to be involved? Then please come with me." Shirou, Xenovia, Sairaorg and Kuisha prepared to follow but the woman suddenly stopped and turned. "Before I forget, what is your name, subordinate of Azazel?"

'Well, here goes nothing.' Changing the color of his eyes was harder than hair but Shirou was confident when he revealed his face. Blond hair akin fields of gold and green eyes greeted the world even in the dark. "The name is Nero and I am the best one in the business."

He hoped to sound confident in the character but the wide eyes or Xenovia's smile didn't tell him if he succeeded or failed.

…..

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