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.

65. Chapter 65

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

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65- The Youth Devil Gathering Ball

…..

"Remember everyone, have fun. Eat your fill but try to not eat everything. I am talking with you, Koneko." Rias smiled as the little Rook nodded but her eyes were already settled in the buffet. "And stick together. Remember, the nobles don't bite but most of them can bore you out of your mind if you don't have someone to pull you out."

After a couple of affirmations the peerage began to spread around, Ise saying loud enough only a few heard. "I don't know how we're going to have fun in this sort of party."

"I find it pretty, Ise-san. Look at that chandelier. It is huge." Bishop and Pawn started to leave the King's earshot but she smiled regardless.

"Do any of you think she is finally going to confess?" Rias couldn't help but ask her lover and their guards.

"Asia? Confess? Hah." Xenovia replied first, standing to attention and ready for any threats. "I am pretty sure she doesn't even know what to confess in the first place… Actually now that I think about it she may be missing how to act as a woman at all."

Rias paused in thought, remembered that her Bishop was raised in a church in the middle of nowhere. "Oh for the seven hells, you all don't think-"

"That she never had the birds and the bees talk?" Shirou also realized. "And she has a crush on a pervert like Ise? Good grief that sounds like a recipe for disaster or the plot of a comedy."

Facepalming, Rias could only blame her past self for such negligence. "My parents are right. I should have taken my time making sure everyone knew the basics about… everything apparently."

"I can help with that." Xenovia offered with a confident nod.

Only for Shirou to wave her off. "No, no. You are quite a perverted yourself, Xenovia. If we let you do it, Asia will end with the wrong lessons."

"Someone is coming." Liz, acting in her position as guard, informed. Her eyes watched everyone who looked in their direction so she quickly noticed the approaching devils. "Friendly."

"I would hope we are more than friendly." Sona's small smile told the whole story as the two Heiresses met each other with hugs and pecks in their cheeks. "It is good to see you again, Rias."

"Stole the words right from my mouth, Sona." Replied the redhead with a smile before looking at her friends back and only seeing two people. "Did you just come with Tsubaki and Olga Marie today? A pity, I was so excited to meet your new Piece."

"Not until our Rating Game, Rias. You aren't getting any advantages."

"Feh, like I need it."

"So you two really are already scheduled for a Rating Game before going back to Fuyuki. Man, that makes me jealous." Spoke a tall devil approaching with his Queen, both in black, gold and purple.

His suit showed his more than impressive physique while the woman's dress highlighted her curves in a single piece that was very similar to Rias' own.

"Sairaorg, Kuisha." Shirou was the first to greet them, his and Sairaorg's hands meeting for a hand shake. "Good to see you again."

"You as well, Shirou. Same to you, Xenovia." The bluehead gave him a two finger salute. "Although I really want to ask about the armor, I should greet my cousin first." He and Rias quickly, the woman smiling as the man laughed. "Good to see you again, cousin."

"You as well, cousin. However, I knew you were acquainted with Shirou but since when do you know his knight? That is quite the recent development."

"Oh~ She is here as a knight, isn't she?"

The armored beauty approached the King of Bael with a smug smile. "Just for a while since-"

Liz moved quickly to secure the former Exorcist's mouth with her hand. "Don't reveal our Master's secrets."

"You don't need to worry about that. Our families are close allies so they are up to par with the situation." Rias said with a smile as Shirou let out a sigh. "Both Sona and Sairaorg watched with free amusement. "At least I hope you are well informed."

His demeanor shifted before Sairaorg spoke again. "It is a shame what Lakmia has done. I never saw it coming." Turning to Shirou he lowered his head. "Introducing you to her was my mistake, I apologize."

"Please don't go blaming yourself as well, I have enough of those from them." The Mage said while pointing towards his whole group. "Besides, I met her when we first arrived in the Underworld so you really had nothing to do with it."

"But it was because of us you ended up making a deal with her." Kuisha's eyes expressed her pity and remorse. "She used your honor against you because we-"

"We were hunting criminals and she had information." Shirou interrupted with a frown. "We did the right thing and that is that."

"It also was fun beating up a bunch of bad guys." Xenovia commented only for Liz to hit the back of her head. "Ouch! Why?"

"We are here as guards. Guard." Said Leysritt, her eyes still navigating the room and noticing someone watching their group. 'Small woman, tall woman looking in our direction. Curiosity?' If they tried anything the homunculus would be ready to answer.

"She is right, we should leave such depressing matters aside. This is a party after all." Rias said and the group quickly found a table to sit down with the exception of the two ladies in armor. Waiters came and drinks would be brought in while they talked. "So, Saira, Sona here is hiding her peerage until our Rating Game. Is yours around or did you just come with the Queen as well."

"We came with Saji as well." Tsubaki said in a weak defense. "He went to meet with Hyoudou-san and Argento-san with our King's permission."

"You don't need to be so formal right now. We are among friends, right?" Asked the Heir of Bael.

"Sure we are." The Heiress of Gremory informed confidently before Sona went on a tangent about decorum. "Ignore the people around us, Sona. If you want we can have Shiro here make a boundary field and nobody will hear a word."

"... That would make it seem like we have things to hide." Shot back the Heiress of Sitri.

"Everybody here has stuff to hide." Rias rolled her eyes as most of the table chuckled.

Most but not all as Shirou and Tsubaki couldn't understand the dark humor. "I hate politics." Said the male redhead at the table.

"Are things really that messy?" Asked the Sitri Queen carefully.

"Oh you have no idea, you poor thing. You should educate her a little more, Sona." Rias joked with a grin only to be poked hard on the side.

"Pot meets kettle." Xenovia threw her own joke before Rias could explain how her Queen was far more informed and was interrupted again when the bluehead was poked hard from the side just in the opening of the armor. "Why?"

"You're a guard. Don't be distracted." Said Leysritt, eyes still peeled for any threats.

"Liz, I don't really think anybody is going to attack me here." However Shirou's words went unheard and he could only sigh. 'In a way she was born to be a bodyguard so maybe this is here getting into the mood…' He didn't know what to make of it.

"Someone in our position should be used to this, Mage of Swords." Olga Marie said while the waiters appeared with beverages to everyone. The magi traded looks as she grabbed something that looked like champagne. "As magicians with Pacts the Clan we are bound to have a responsibility to watch over our security. If anything you shouldn't have been left alone in the first place."

When Olga was about to drink, Tsubaki removed the glass from her hand as Sona said. "And you are too young for alcohol."

"We are in the Underworld. Nobody cares." Most of them could use magic to get rid of any nasty effects anyway.

She never had the chance of trying but she knew the theory at the very least.

"I do and I am looking for your safety." Was the following reply as she turned to the waiter. "Soda or juice for her, she is too young."

Shirou saw the expression his school mate was making and did his best to hold back a laugh. "Pouting like that you really do look like your age."

"I don't want to hear that from you, Emiya." Olga replied in challenge and the Gremory group was surprised by the hostility in her tone no matter how small. "You may have got a Pact first but it won't be long before I also have the title of Mage."

Blinking rapidly Shirou could only say, "... Okay, I guess." while drinking a glass of juice he managed to snatch.

"Sona, have you instilled our rivalry in your Magician?" Rias asked with mirth and a glass of wine.

Olga Marie blushed as Sona chuckled. "Oh no, that confidence may be a new thing as well but any rivalry is news to me." To not be a hypocrite both she and Tsubaki were also drinking soda.

Sairaorg and his Queen didn't hesitate to get wine in any case. "Having a rival can only be a good thing when you use them as benchmarks." The King of Bael commented, watching the white haired girl blush. "That is, isn't it? We are all close in age but both of you are magi and Shirou here is already called a Mage. You want to surpass him, don't you?"

"Yes, I will surpass the Mage of Swords." Olga's declaration surprised the redhead in question and she scoffed. "Haven't you realized yet how much you accomplished, Emiya? First magician to have a Pact with the Gremory, the restoration of Caliburn, the development of a mystic code that anyone can use for healing. There is a reason no one challenged you about the title of Mage of Swords, that no one here, in this party will do it." She said the last while hitting her finger on their table for emphasis. "In reputation alone you are already one of the most famous people of our generation and I want to be greater than you."

Before such resolve Shirou couldn't help but smile. "Then I wish you the best of luck."

"It won't be luck that will defeat you but my skill. Honestly I can't wait to see them clash on our partners' Rating Game." Rias turned to Sona and raised an eyebrow but her friend just smiled. "If all EM is good for is healing then Rias will have her first defeat."

"My, my. I can't wait for Sona to try and cash in your words. Fufufu."

"Oh I will do more than cash in, Rias." Replied Sona with a confident smile before turning to her magician. "But there is a detail you are forgetting, Olga, Shirou isn't a Mage just because of his research but because of the enemies he defeated."

"The White Dragon Emperor." Sairaorg remembered the conversation during their first meeting. "Sona is absolutely right. If you are going to try and surpass him you should do so in combat as well."

"I, eh, I am not the fighter type." Olga replied while hiding her face behind her glass and looking to the side.

"Nonsense. Everyone can learn to fight and grow stronger if they go for it."

"My King, you forget that the opponent also matters." Kuisha pointed out after resting her glass on the table. "You have fought many adversaries, same for ladies Rias and Sona but I believe Fuyuki must be running out of unsavory elements with them all around."

""I wish."" The Heiresses said at the same time and then raised their glasses to toast each other.

"Haha, maybe I should have gone to Fuyuki with you all when I had the chance. Sounds like a fun place to live."

Talking about his homeland made Shirou nostalgic. "It is a beautiful place with good people. Be it day or night, Fuyuki won't lose to any capital, either here or on Earth."

"Heh, really wishing I had gone now." Sairaorg finished his glass and rested it on the table. "Maybe I will go there and you can show me around? Repay the favor."

"Sure, I won't mind." Shirou replied and Rias quickly embraced his arm.

"You better not be trying to steal him from me, Saira." By her smile it was clearly a joke.

"Maybe I am?" Played along Sairaorg before both began to laugh.

Yet the mood quickly sobered up as Sona asked, "Saira, have you seen Seekvaira today?"

The man turned to his friend with a raised eyebrow before trading looks with his Queen. "Wasn't she with you? Seek has always been more your friend than mine."

"Where is she, anyway?" Rias stood up and quickly looked around. "I thought with my entrance I would have caught everyone's attention."

"I believe you succeeded, Buchou. However we found no sign of Agrares-san since we arrived." Tsubaki informed while fixing her glasses.

Looking behind him, Shirou called for one of his guards. "You remember her, Liz?"

"Long hair, good girl." The armored maid asked, her eyes jumping around the area. "She isn't here."

"That is impossible. Today is one of the most important days to any devil noble. She has to be here or else…" Sona didn't even want to think about the consequences of missing such an event.

"Maybe we just haven't found her. There are plenty of people around to make that a hard endeavor." Rias commented, all the Heirs equally worried. "Or maybe she is just late after training too much. If all the young devils are competitors in the tournament there is no way she isn't part of it."

"Even if she isn't much of a fighter, I fully expect Seekvaira to give me a work out during our match." Sairaorg commented, fist hitting the palm of his hand. "Damn, I can't wait to see who I am fighting first."

"Patience, cousin. Everybody is fighting everyone." Rias gave the man a challenging look. "Including us. You better watch out or I will knock you in a single blow."

"Can't wait to see you try. You and your peerage are one of the few I want to fight the most." His eyes grew sharper, his smile feral. "To be more specific, the Red Dragon Emperor. You coming with dragons means he made contact with them, didn't he?"

Seeing Sona lean forward got Rias to chuckle but she replied nonetheless. "Made contact, lived with them, trained with them." She turned to her oldest friend with a glint in her eye. "I am surprised Saji didn't embark on the same experience."

Upon seeing her King's confusion, Kuisha coached more details. "Vritra's host, correct? Why didn't he spend time with dragons? It appears the Red Dragon Emperor benefited from it."

"Can I talk now?" Xenovia asked Liz and all turned to the armored ladies.

The maid gave the bluehead a look before looking at Shirou who noticed what she wanted. "I think she means to say you can speak if you ask permission?" The white haired woman nodded in confirmation and the redhead sighed. "Really, Liz? You are already acting as a guard, you don't need to be so stiff."

"So I can talk, right?" Already the former Exorcist was ready for another slap on the back of her head. When she got no objections she said, "Ise got really strong. From a warrior to another I can't wait to spar with him when we get the chance."

"Music to my ears." Sairaorg commented before turning to Sona. "But talking about dragons, why didn't Vritra's host go through the same training? Azazel objected or something?"

"Is my ear burning or did someone say my name?" Commented the fallen angel as he approached followed by another man with a complete black suit much similar to Sirzechs'.

Only that couldn't be the actual Lucifer as the man had far shorter green hair completely pulled back and blue eyes. Similar to Sirzechs he had sharp features that were slightly less elegant to the man himself but still on the level of a noble. However a distinct difference between the two was that his eyes carried a curiosity that constantly shone through.

"That isn't the Maou I was expecting to drop on this desk." Sairaorg commented while standing up, an action all devils replicated which prompted the magi to do the same.

"Oh, they wanted to come but unfortunately we can't have three out of four Maous in the same table and not claim favoritism." The green haired man said with a smile as he shook hands with Sairaorg. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the young devils who are going to make waves this generation."

"We haven't done anything yet, Lord Beelzebub." Sona replied, inadvertently introducing the man.

Shirou's eyes grew wide as he started to study the man. 'So this is Ajuka Beelzebub, creator of the Evil Piece system.'

"Still, that you are here and our siblings aren't…" Rias started with Sona nodding her head in agreement.

The green haired man shrugged his shoulders. "Turns out that I am the only one with a reason to come here other than talking with my sibling."

"And if one is coming you can bet the other isn't far behind." The leader of Grigori added to his commentary and the Maou nodded.

"Indeed. It almost became a race to see who would drop here first."

"Hmm, yeah, I can absolutely see that happening." Sairaorg waved to the magi and the armored ladies. "In case it wasn't clear before, to those who don't know him at least, this is Ajuka Beelzebub, the most brilliant mind of the Underworld, Chief Scientist of the Nebiros Institution, inventor of the Evil Pieces, former member of the Astaroth Clan and the Sorcerer Devil."

"Sorcerer?" Olga asked out loud. "Doesn't that mean he reached True Magic?"

"Huhuhu. Nothing so exoteric I am afraid." Ajuka said calmly. "Please, sit down. I don't need the prompt, especially not from two fellow scientists." He said waving towards Shirou and Olga. "Certainly not such accomplished magi such as you. Both your projects are as revolutionary as my Evil Pieces."

"You are certainly exaggerating. At least from my part." Shirou wasn't going to say anything about Olga's work and the girl was frozen from the flattery. A sharp elbow from Rias had him rolling his eyes. 'From her, you don't defend me, do you?' He could tell Xenovia knew what he was thinking by the bluehead's smile. "But thank you for the compliment, regardless."

Then he felt Azazel's arm hugging his shoulder. "How has my favorite redhead been?" Turning to Rias he added. "Don't tell that to Sirzechs, he is going to be jealous."

"I am fine and starting to get really annoyed with that question." Shirou replied while removing the older man's arm.

Still chipper, the fallen angel asked. "Really? No side effects? No more runes in your vision? I am not sure if you remember but the last time we saw each other you just had barely awakened after a god knocked you out."

"""""What?""""" Most of the table asked and Shirou glared at the Governor General.

Who looked absolutely unrepentant. "What? He didn't tell you guys?"

"It is none of their business." Rias came for a quick interruption as both Liz and Xenovia glared holes on Azazel's head.

"A god? The Mage of Swords met another god?" Olga asked as her shoulders dropped and she fell back on her seat. "Did he get any more blessings or something?"

"Kinda."

"Azazel…" Rias' tone was full of threats and warning but Shirou's hand on her shoulder relaxed her.

"It was more of a headache than it was worth it but yes, I met a god." Curiosity filled most of the table and what they wanted was more than obvious. "It was Odin."

"King of Asgard?" Olga threw her hands up and pointed at Shirou's face. "Doesn't matter, Emiya. My work will speak for itself and everyone will see how great it is! Better than yours!"

"So your experiments were successful?" Ajuka asked with a bigger smile and a childish glee. "Did you really managed to bind-"

"Lord Beelzebub, please don't say it yet." Sona interrupted with a mischievous smile in Rias' direction. "At least not so close to the first match." She got a pout which was quite satisfying.

"Of course. My apologies." The Maou looked at Olga with an eager grin and she blushed. "Still I would be happy to talk about your progress and discoveries. To have managed to improve the Evil Piece system like that… Truly revolutionary."

"Tha-thank you, Lo-lo-lord Beelzebub." Olga did a stiff curtsy that had some on the table chuckling.

"Don't thank me. I never would have thought about using my creations as one would use a ley line to bind a spiritual existence to it." Seeing the reactions at the table, Ajuka stopped and turned to Rias. "I believe I gave you enough hints and I don't want to be between your siblings when the match starts."

"Just to be sure, where are they going to be when their match starts?" Shirou asked with a moderate amount of concern. Nobody blamed him. "Since I am the Magician of the Gremory I will be with them so is he going to stay with us? Or is this another 'political situation'."

"He will, Serafall will be with the Sitri." Informed the Scientist.

Which made Azazel laugh. "While showing neutrality and avoiding favoritism is everybody's preference, nobody is going to want to make a box for the Maous if two of them are going to duke out because of their siblings' game."

"They certainly wouldn't go that far." Olga said cautiously, turning to Sona. "Right?" Yet her business partner just looked back, silent. "Right?" Silence filled the table as she turned to Rias who was also quiet. "Please tell me it wouldn't go that far."

Azazel laughed more as Kuisha's hand landed on her shoulder. "They are that bad."

Everyone besides Olga, Rias and Sona began to laugh as it was an understatement they all had come to live and accept after a while. Some were subtle like Ajuka who kept it low and to a minimum while others like Azazel just let their laughter fill the area. Even Liz who was in serious mode because of how she was created cracked a smile.

"Oh boy, I haven't laughed so hard in a while." Azazel shrugged off a tear and looked around for a chair. Shirou noticed that and Traced two of them, one for the Maou and another for the fallen. "Ladies and gentlemen, the Mage of Swords, master of furniture. You still owe me a couch."

"Odin fixed it."

"Doesn't change the fact you burned it."

"It is there, back in your lab. I remember seeing it before Odin knocked me out."

"Unbelievable…" Olga whispered in true disbelief which Sona and Tsubaki shared. "Not only does the guy find Medusa but he also gets together with Odin of all gods for something… How can I compete?"

"Do not feel upset or discouraged by one of your peers' accomplishments or their actions. Your own effort is admirable and your work must evolve at your own pace." Ajuka spoke softly, still standing. "Many were the scientists, researchers and magi who tried to hurry their own development and ended up failing because they rushed." His warning was still gentle and when Olga looked pensive he continued. "And many more were those unable to see their own greatness, like you." Her shock was clear for all to see when she looked up again. "I said once and I said it again; I never expected that my work could bind something other than the person it Reincarnated. I cannot wait to see the results of your remarkable research."

All her recently acquired confidence was gone when Olga spoke again. "But all I did was use your work to catapult mine into something decent." Said the magus shyly. "Without it-"

"That dilemma is one every scientist has to face, the fact they weren't the first for every step of their research. Humans call it 'impostor syndrome' or something and yet such a thing doesn't bear as much weight as they think." Ajuka pointed out, still smiling. "Before you say it, yes, I was the first to work with something like Evil Pieces. However innovation is often born out of desperation. I saw my people dying and worked on a solution based on stories that I heard from old myths and from my own childhood. The idea that humans were turned into devils was baffling until I made it a reality."

"Fine work, if I must say so myself." Azazel complemented with a grin and a glass of wine he acquired when no one was paying attention. "And one that can be adapted. Did you know, Olga Marie, that Heaven is going to use something similar to the Evil Piece system to create new angels?"

"They will?" The white haired magus wasn't the only one surprised. "But what about God?"

All Kuoh's students' eyes grew wide and for a moment they feared the reply Azazel would give. "Father is indisposed and can't do it anymore." Not a lie but not the truth, just like any good politician. "Anyway, for centuries it was a problem hammering on everybody's heads up there. It is the reason Michael is in this party in the first place."

He motioned to his hand to blond who was talking with Sirzechs about something or another with Lord and Lady Gremory beside them. The actual Lucifer had decided to introduce his parents and while Michael was being part of the conversation he looked a little lost.

"So yeah, this is also part of the Peace Talks, technically." Azazel commented while sipping his drink. "Deal was that we would all take a look to help the angels repopulate and thanks to Ajuka's research we are absolutely going to do it."

"Aren't you also interested in raising the number of fallen angels, Azazel?" Asked Sairaorg with a smirk.

"Not at all. We got plenty thanks to us mingling with humans." He said it proudly before wiggling his eyebrows. "Also I am sure plenty of the new angels are going to fall by themselves once they realize that life is not for them."

Rias raised one of her eyebrows. "It sounds like you are rooting for your brother's failure."

Leaning forward Azazel waved his hand around. "No no no no nonono. No. Not at all." He relaxed back in his chair with a groan. "But it is what it is. Being a pure angel is hard because you need to have a certain mentality that is just…" Fingers on his temple he tapped it twice. "Too much to keep in mind, not even talking about the rules here. When you are an angel it is easy to Fall."

"I am sure Archangel Michael will come up with some sort of plan to select only the best to be Reincarnated into angels." Sona didn't know why she felt the need to defend the Active God but she did.

"Yeah, you can bet he will. Well, he will try and it will work, sometimes." Azazel replied cautiously. Amongst those on the table he was the one who knew Michael the best. "First he will go by Faith and those who truly believe in Father, that will work for a while. Then human nature will kick in; nostalgia, desire, whatever. It will kick in and someone will Fall." Folding his arms the fallen angel tried to relax. "That is just how it is. Some will resist, some won't. I should know, I didn't."

"While this topic is most interesting, I still have my rounds to do. The work of a Satan is never done." Ajuka's face was gentle but his eyes were firm. "Emiya-san… Is that how you say it in Japan? No matter. Could you please come with me? We have some things we need to talk about."

Shirou wasn't surprised, he half expected such a meeting just not that it was going to happen in the Youth Devil Gathering. 'No, logically speaking this is the best place for a clandestine meeting in plain sight. That is why Azazel was calling us all scientists.'

His eyes turned to the fallen angel who was still smiling merrily.

"Why?" Rias asked carefully but not changing her expression for those who were watching.

And they all knew they were being watched; three Heirs of the Pillars, a Mage, the Governor General of Grigori and the most brilliant Maou sitting at the same table was too much to pass by anyone curious.

Ajuka regarded his best friend's sister carefully. "Something happened during his last adventure. Lakmia tried to use Evil Pieces in a very illegal manner to say the least." He spoke honestly and Rias' eyes turned to Shirou with clear concern. "Either way I am sure Emiya-san isn't suffering from side effects but I need to ask some private questions. We won't go far, just close to a wall and you can watch us from here."

"Don't worry, I am fine." Shirou was quick to reassure everyone and calm them down but he could see in their eyes they weren't buying it.

It was up to Ajuka for nobody else would be heard. "If there were to be any sort of side effects then his Reincarnation would have been successful. Evil Pieces' primary function will always be to convert someone into devils. Always." Said the green haired man with absolute certainty. "Without it any other sort of effects cannot exist so his health is assured. However I need to ask some questions about how Lakmia found those Evil Pieces."

"And Shiro's magecraft is specially suited to discover that." Rias concluded exactly what Ajuka wanted all the while he avoided mentioning the elephant in the room that only he and the Mage of Swords could see. "I suppose it is no issue. But you two will tell me if something is wrong immediately."

"Of course." Shirou held no secrets of his own from her.

But that wasn't a secret of his own as Ajuka's smile reminded him. "He can tell you everything except state secrets that I will probably have to tell him about considering where Lakmia may have got her Evil Pieces." Everybody paused and looked at him but the green haired man chuckled. "Don't look at me like that, Rias. You can be as bad as your brother when you want to know something."

"Does he poke your shoulder constantly when you are working and she wants to do something 'fun'?"

"Shiro!" Rias looked sufficiently scandalized so everyone knew it was the truth.

"Let's just say my lab has a vault's door for a reason." Ajuka confessed with an amused chuckle. "I swear that if I was the only Maou between the two of us Zechs would still pester me for state secrets every other week."

"I feel you, man." Shirou said with his best straight face but failed to hold it the second Rias punched his shoulder. "See what I have to endure?"

"'I feel you, man'." Ajuka quoted with a few chuckles as the redhead got up. "Don't worry, Rias. Your Mage will return soon. I will just ask him a couple of questions… Taking that back a bit, the answers may be a little long so we are going to take a few minutes."

"Fine. But we are dancing after." Rias declared with a small smile that had Shirou palling a bit. "Don't try to run from it. I know your mother taught you how to dance and you are my date for the evening."

Instead of replying directly, Shirou decided to counter attack in a fun way. "... Did Sirzechs ever ask you to dance with him?"

"Who do you think he rehearsed just before his marriage?" The Chief Scientist replied and Azazel snorted.

"Serafall wasn't free or something?"

"Even before becoming a magical girl, yes that is what she is and she will freeze you if you disagree, Sera was never one for slow songs. That and she was jealous that Zechs was marrying first."

"She was?" Sona asked in disbelief. "But she- Onee-sama- I mean, sister didn't-"

"Doesn't have a relationship, yes, everybody knows. She just never found the right partner. Not that I can say anything. I am married to my work."

"Cheers to that." Azazel said while raising his hand for a toast.

Standing up from his seat, Shirou kissed Rias' hand. "Be back in a bit." Then he turned to his two bodyguards. "I cant convince you two to not follow us, right?"

"We promise to not eavesdrop." Xenovia said with a hand on her breast and Liz nodded in agreement.

Before Shirou could try to convince them they watched Ajuka already moving. "Don't worry. They won't hear anything."

"Aren't we going to a wall? Or do you have a room in the castle?" Not that staying close to a wall wasn't enough for them to get privacy as Shirou could Trace swords to make a boundary field.

It was just he wanted to refrain from doing Tracing swords as the whole proposition of the Youth Devil Gathering was for the guests to not carry any weapons, only the guards were supposed to have those even though he knew every devil in the place could blow up the rooftop if they wanted to.

However the redhead was smart enough to understand it wasn't about magic but the message, the idea that all guests presented themselves without the slightest intent of starting something that could end into another civil war.

'Maybe I can pass them as Xenovia's? No, she can't use magecraft and everybody in the room would feel me Tracing them.' As they approached an enormous window for a moment he entertained the idea of the Maou opening it and they jumping outside.

Yet Ajuka surprised him by stopping beside it, a wall perfectly in view from their table. "Okay, this is far enough. Not many people here."

Indeed the man was right, despite the hundreds of guests going around doing their own thing there was nobody in the vicinity. At least nobody was close enough to be impolite as there were a few people close to the wall; a couple chatting, four magicians debating the best method to conduct mana and three men whispering something to each other.

'It is just me or only the couple who didn't notice us? No wait, the woman's eyes just jumped around and she definitely avoided my own… Everyone here is going to try and eavesdrop, aren't they?'

"Lord Beelzebub… Are you sure we shouldn't go to a room for this conversation?" Xenovia asked exactly what Shirou was thinking and Liz didn't hit her so the question was a valid one.

"Not at all. You two, please take a step back." The Maou requested and the armored ladies looked at each other for a second before obeying. "Perfect. You two will be able to watch over us just fine to stop me just in case I do something devilish to your Master." Ajuka said with a touch of humor.

"Sir, it isn't you we are worried about." Xenovia replied, dropping the Lord as a part of her still felt weird calling a devil such.

Which didn't bother Ajuka at all. "I know, don't worry. Just remember that we can't hear you either while the boundary field is up."

The three half expected the man to pull out some sort of mechanism to create the boundary field but the man just snapped his fingers and all sound around Maou and Mage ceased to exist.

Shirou looked around astounded and slightly confused. "How did you-"

"I know." Ajuka replied with a smile.

He watched Xenovia open her mouth to say something but no words reached them. "There was no magic circle."

"I know." Liz's eyes grew more observant but she moved around to stand to the other side of them, no approaching but moving around, to stand up at Shirou's back and stop anyone from interfering.

Xenovia was still trying to understand the same thing that was confusing the redhead. "And you are sustaining this boundary field on your own?"

Looking around Shirou was trying to see the boundary field but there was nothing, neither a shimmer nor mana to indicate something was surrounding them. Sure most boundary fields were invisible but those were the most potent sort with magic to spare that could hide it from view.

In theory the same couldn't be done by boundary fields created by a single person no matter how skilled, so by that logic it spoke of Ajuka Beelzebub's power that he could sustain such one with apparently no effort, creating it just with a snap of his fingers.

Except that Shirou felt no smell, no mana being used at all which threw his mind for a loop. "Okay, how did you do it?"

"Hmm, I believe this is what you would call a cheap parlor trick." Upon seeing Shirou raise an eyebrow he elaborated. "You didn't see a magic circle because I hid it. And yes, I am skilled enough to create such a boundary field without any troubles."

"But you are a devil and you just admitted you used a magic circle. The control needed to create this sort of boundary field-"

"Math, Emiya-san, calculations to be more exact. My favorite thing. A hobby, a job, a fighting style." Declared the Maou proudly. His eyes seemed to shine not with power but with wonder. "This is the sort of thing I always liked to do; finding ways to bend magic through logic and understanding was the sort of thing the young me learned and could never let go. My favorite toy, you could say."

"... Your magic is more logical and pragmatic than most devils. At least anyone on Rias' Peerage." Ajuka motioned for him to keep going. "It is far more deliberate and precise to the point you are perfectly splitting hairs, unlike any other devil's magic I have ever seen."

"As most people will tell you, I was an odd child." Confessed the Maou easily. "About how most devils use their magic I suppose Rias is much like her brother; intuitive and most about natural affinity?" Shirou nodded and the man chuckled. "That is more natural to all devils, Emiya-san. I am the exception that proves the rule."

"Please call me Shirou. You don't need to be so formal, especially when you aren't comfortable with it." The man always hesitated when adding the 'san' on his name.

The Maou nodded and replied, "Then call me Ajuka. Perhaps one day we are going to call each other friends as well."

"I would like that." They shook hands and relaxed before the older man spoke again.

"Please hold that face and all your reactions back if you can. You already know what we will talk about and I would prefer if the people around didn't get anything from your face."

'And here we go. Let the games begin I guess.' Shirou really hated politics but did as told and retained a small smile. "Can't anyone here read lips?"

"The only ones looking at you are devils and most don't have the imagination to think about it." Explained Ajuka, his expression was carefree even as the subject grew serious. "You didn't tell Rias about the King Pieces."

"It wasn't my secret to tell and would only make her more worried."

"Neither Zeoticus. From what I understood from his message he had no idea what he was talking about when referring to a King Piece." Shirou nodded in response and the man took a deep breath even as his smile remained in place. "Good, the less people who know about it the better."

"They are trustworthy."

"But it will be safer if they don't know. 'Loose lips sink ships' as the saying goes and we don't need anyone else to know about my blunder. Odin did and came knocking once he realized it." Ajuka didn't react at Shirou's surprised face as it gave away little. "Yes, Odin. Return your face to neutral, please. To cut a long story short his Valkyrie reported what happened in the manor and he deduced Lakmia had some sort of control over her peerage. As the Wise Man of the North it wasn't surprising he realized Evil Pieces were responsible in some way and he is absent at the Youth Devil Gathering because of it."

"So he didn't come in protest." Shirou hoped it was just that.

His hopes were dashed. "As our link to Asgard, Odin declared that he will be negotiating only with Heaven and Grigori for the foreseeable future. Keep your face neutral." Reminded Ajuka swiftly and Shirou almost failed. "If anything it was surprising that such a breach of Free Will was discovered and he is still willing to talk. He knows we are trying to correct the 'King Piece' mistake and if anything this is just a small punishment to show he won't tolerate it."

"I see…" Shirou couldn't help but massage his neck but made sure to smile and not show stress. "Sorry about all the trouble."

"If anything, I am the guilty one for creating King Pieces in the first place."

"Then why do it? Why create something that can usurp Free Will?"

"By mistake. It wasn't my intent." Confessed Ajuka. "Sure I wanted something that gave Kings some control over their peerages but it was supposed to be just nudges or to ease the way a King could talk with their Pieces. Not absolute control and certainly not undeniable servitude." His calm expression almost cracked. "Also the power output was just so much more… efficient in the early designs… So much so I had to scrap even that for how dangerous it ended up becoming."

"Then why not destroy them after you realized they were… wrong to say the least?"

Ajuka chuckled. "You aren't a conventional magus indeed. No real magus would suggest the destruction of one's research." His comment got a frown but he didn't criticize it. "Then again, maybe I should have destroyed them. Mistakes were made."

"How many?" Shirou asked, his tone firm even as his face remained stoic or as stoic as he could make while his sharp eyes glared at the man.

"72 for the Pillars even as half of them were already destroyed at that point."

"And how many are missing?"

"About thirty." Shirou's eyes grew wide but Ajuka wasn't surprised. "They were stolen right under my nose, from my lab no less. Trust me, Emiya Shirou, no one is more upset about that than me. No one." While his face remained the same the redhead began to feel a weight on his shoulders as the Maou's power began to show itself. Yet nobody around noticed anything leading him to believe the boundary field held more back than just sound. "So my ears are always peeled to anyone with a King Piece, any peerage where obedience is a little too strong or too loyal." His power wavered and his smile grew. "While I managed to recover a few and know who the responsible party was, I can't act on them directly."

"If you know then why-"

"Politics."

There was a huge urge for Shirou's hand to meet his face. "Of course. Then why do you need to talk with me?"

"I need to know why they gave Lakmia a King Piece. What are they planning and why give such a weak devil something that should be reserved for their strongest fighters?" His hand landed on Shirou's shoulder gently. "So I must ask you something horrible. I need you to recall that day and everything Lakmia may have said or shown. Anything possible."

"I doubt there is something I can give you that you already don't know."

"Still I must ask." Clearly that was something personal for Ajuka if the passion in his voice was anything to go by.

'I wouldn't be surprised if every time a King Piece shows up he hunts down every scrap of information he could. Then again, their existence is a security risk. If Odin was anyone less patient we would be at war with Asgard.' Shirou nodded calmly and said. "I don't mind telling you whatever I can remember but there isn't much. Besides her plans for me, either as her Piece or to give me to a gang to be rescued later, she didn't really give a villainous monologue that answered all questions."

Seeing that Shirou wasn't bothered about the subject, Ajuka let him go and nodded. "Regardless, please, tell me everything and anything."

Taking a deep breath the redhead began, already knowing that would take a while.

…

"Which is why I believe Rating Games to be an important innovation that should be spread to all Pantheons." Medusa spoke loudly and confidently as several devils and magicians watched the goddess with vapid attention. They were charmed, not by her power but her words and ideas. "An opportunity to grow in power? To test one's research? Since pressure makes diamonds, then lets increase the pressure on everyone to their limits."

'So far so good.' Akeno thought besides the goddess with her usual smile, eyes closed and pretending to be just another innocent bystander. Her position as Medusa's High Priestess wasn't known so people could only guess if she was there as a guard or company. 'As expected of my goddess she is a talented speaker.'

The mannerisms, intonations and ideas weren't just Medusa's alone but also plenty of what she learned during her stay in the Underworld. "Of course power is beauty or at least a way to be beautiful. Knowledge can also be as beautiful as silk like hair," she said while playing with her own, "or the most peaceful symphony." A pause for all to hear the song before she moved on. "All of us have our own way to show our power and all of us are beautiful when we dedicate ourselves to it."

However that didn't mean Medusa didn't agree with the ideas that she learned, indeed she liked most of them and they little by little became part of the goddess she wanted to be. That was how it has been since the beginning of times when the first god made contact with the first human; both reflected each other and saw themselves growing because of it.

So when culture evolved the first gods either inspired humans or were themselves inspired by their followers. There were those who started in the wild without a home but when Humanity learned to tame animals some gods became farmers or moved on to gain other aspects.

Same for devils as Medusa would affirm as she took some of Underworld's culture and integrated it into her existence. "Why are the Powers from the Pillars not enough? They certainly are but only if you fully master them. Or are you saying you can use your Power completely from birth?" The devil looked chastised but that wouldn't do. "Of course not. You worked with it, grew your own power and became who you are now; a proud noble from your Clan."

What any good god, especially from a fletchling religion, needed first and foremost was to sell their qualities so they could prosper in the first place. Once again it came back to what Medusa learned from the Underworld and the parts of its culture she was willing to take in. Most of it she didn't mind; Rating Games were about combat which she approved and the idea of taming their chaotic world sounded like they were taming their monstrous side.

Something she never forgot her own struggle with. "How can you claim this world is entirely yours when you don't rule more than fifty percent of it? You need to keep going. It is also another opportunity to demonstrate your power."

But in the Underworld it was always about power and so that was the main selling point Medusa had to hammer in during the Youth Devil Gathering. She needed to make them seem that, by following her teaching, they would grow in power and influence. That any devil who believed in her could be greater.

Self improvement would forever be Medusa's main gospel; from goddess, to monster then goddess again, that was her actualizing and improving herself. Despite the torment, the insanity and her weakened state that was a goddess that refused to give up and was growing back in power.

Of course she would love for her followers to reach the same mentality. "Always look your best and keep your chin up even in defeat. So long you are alive you can try again "

Akeno smiled as the impromptu presentation came to an end even if not everyone approved of it. 'Not all can be winners.' Still she saw how some devils and magicians were truly interested in Medusa's philosophy and her smile grew larger. 'But twenty people is great considering there is no stage and we started with three.'

It wasn't Medusa who approached the devils and their magicians but a couple and their young son who were curious about the 'pretty laid with long pretty hair' as the child so eloquently put while pointing at her.

Gleefully Medusa didn't hesitate to introduce herself and Akeno as her priestess, much to the adults' surprise but not the child who was still too young to understand. Still he was curious, as any child should be, and kept asking question after question that the purple haired girl didn't hesitate to answer.

A goddess in the Underworld was a rare event so, almost like they were waiting for someone to gather courage to ask her questions, it didn't take long for devils and magicians alike to approach with their own questions.

The audience grew in their corner of the castle as Medusa taught devils how to believe in her, how to pray to her, how to worship her. Nothing was forceful or demanding, the word 'worship' never left her mouth but that was what she was doing. And there were plenty of nods as the people present agreed with her beliefs.

Her gospel as it was.

'Wonder how many of them will ask for statues of a goddess or pray to Medusa at 'night'…' Akeno didn't know for sure but from her observations at least a few devils, especially women thanks to some of Medusa's advice on self care, were evidently interested in what the goddess was preaching. 'Wonder what God would think of all this?'

Something she considered asking Azazel or other fallen angels but when she noticed someone in her peripherals the hybrid realized she was going to ask the question to someone far more suitable.

After a few more minutes the audience began to disperse, questions spent at least for that night. Medusa's appearance at the Youth Devil Gathering was abrupt and nobody really had anything planned. However the seeds were planted and the goddess certainly got a couple new followers while others would look at her texts properly once they were public.

"And here I thought I was the one who would need to dance around and get people to follow you."

"Oh, do not worry, my priestess. I am not so lazy as to not support you when possible." Medusa replied confidently, turning to the ravenhead with a playful smile. "But also don't expect this to happen much. You are the one who will need to enchant the masses since this kind of event doesn't happen often. Soon you will have to take the stage."

Akeno couldn't help but shiver but she hid it well enough by turning to the pair waiting for them to finish talking. "Why don't we ask about it to your future adoptive son."

"Few things would bring me more joy than to call her Mother one day." Michael was dressed in a fine white suit with a red tie.

His expression looked more relaxed than the day they first met and Akeno couldn't help but think if an angel could die from stress and how close he was from being the first. Then again that wasn't a problem anymore as his eyes were more carefree. Not absolutely carefree she had to remind herself as the man was the de facto God of Heavens with a load of work.

Still he was smiling sincerely when looking at Medusa, something that made the goddess blush. "Should you be saying that when you are surrounded by devils?" Her eyes fell on Michael's company, a woman she never met before. "Especially with one of the Flock who doesn't know all the truths of the world in the vicinity."

"Oh, I know about the Creator's demise, future Goddess. I find it a proof of love rather than a failure. Didn't all good christians grow up with a notion of His sacrifice?" The woman with light gray hair and golden eyes that reminded both goddess and priestess of a certain cat a bit too much. "What I wonder is if you are going to show the same disposition if you ever sit in the Throne of Heaven." Her smile was kind and full of amusement.

Something Akeno found familiar and thrilling. 'This nun… she has claws.' For it was a nun if her clothes were any indication.

Unlike Asia's nun clothes the robes on the gray haired woman were a deep shade of blue and a lot more plain or less decorated. There was no embroidery to be seen, just blue and some semblance of white over her shoulder and barely hidden by the long skirt. Much like the Bishop of Gremory that woman also used boots with her uniform, only of a darker color.

Those clothes did little to hide the woman's loveliness and the church's robes were a perfect fit to show a young woman in her prime while also hiding anything that would be considered inappropriate for a nun.

There were also no crosses anywhere in the gray haired woman's person which was appropriated for the gala's venue in the Underworld. It wouldn't end well for her if she was walking around with instruments that could give devils headaches by sight alone.

Few would recognize it as an outfit of the cloth or a nun's uniform, few truly did as not many devils turned to the woman with anything more than a raised eyebrow or interest at the simple clothes instead of disdain.

But Akeno was born and raised on Earth. Even if she had never met Asia she would know the sort of clothes the woman was wearing regardless of how plain they looked.

"And what does a nun know about my goddess' resolve?"

A smile Akeno was all too familiar with bloomed on the nun's face."'My goddess' you say? Oh my~ she really is trying to teach devils some sort of religion? She is braver than I was led to believe."

"Caren, please, there is no need for that attitude." Michael chastised gently, his smile still carefree.

"Oh but there is Lord Michael. A goddess was chosen to sit in the Heavens and she is teaching religion to devils." The nun's smile was gentle, kind and Akeno saw it in the mirror pretty much every day. The sort that held an impishness just below the surface. "Call me curious but that is extremely brave-"

"And cute." Akeno said before the gray haired woman could finish her statement, earning a blink and a look of bewilderment. "That was what you were about to say, right? It is cute that she is trying so hard." Her smile dared the nun to contradict her.

For a moment there was a pause as Medusa's eyes shot between the two women in a bit of a panic as their smiles began to mirror each other. "A pagan goddess going to devils shouldn't be odd but as a race they never prayed in the first place it is certainly new and brave. Also cute."

"Yes, yes. And the way she can hold a crowd with just words. She wasn't even using her Charm."

"Oya~ Here I was thinking she was cheating but she actually was trying so earnestly. I owe Lady Medusa a more than earnest apology."

"Fufufufu. As long as you know what you did wrong."

"Fufufufu. Indeed. Indeed."

Raven haired and gray haired women looked at each other with smiles that had the goddess and angel watching their interaction with fear and confusion. 'Either they are going to be the best of friends or the worst of enemies.' They realized pretty much at the same time as the women approached.

And hugged each other, giving small specks in their cheeks. "Himejima Akeno. A pleasure to meet you."

"Caren Hortensia and the pleasure is all mine." They separated and the now newly introduced Caren continued. "And it is an honor to meet the future Mother of Heaven, Lady Medusa."

Not noticing any sarcasm the purple haired girl turned to Michael. "This is hardly the place for this sort of talk."

The angel smiled sadly and replied. "Look around us, nobody is close enough to hear. Not many devils are bold enough to stand close to an Archangel."

"They just respect your power, Lord Michael."

"Indeed, after the damage you did during the Peace Talks I bet many devils remembered how terrible you can be."

"Oh, he did so, Akeno? Lord Michael never talks about his accompaniments. No surprise someone like him is that humble."

"We should get together at a later date, Caren. Then I can explain in detail how he took care of villains who dared to threaten peace as any good angel of God should."

Michael watched the conversation feeling a little put off by it while Medusa's horror silently grew. 'Best of friends. The worst combination for everyone else.' Including her since despite being her goddess Medusa knew Akeno wouldn't hesitate when it came to teasing. She decided to control the situation before the two women figured out how much they had in common. "Regardless, we shouldn't be talking so openly about heavenly matters."

"And she is still trying to be vague. That is precious."

"Please, Caren, she is just being responsible. My goddess may look like a little girl but she is mature beyond her years."

"Does that mean you are already a devotee as well, Akeno? Are you also a nun?"

"The term is priestess. High Priestess to be more exact."

"What joyful news." Michael interrupted the two with a radiant smile. "I am so happy you…" He paused a bit to lower his voice, still making sure no devil was too close to hear. "That you found your calling, niece. Such a joyful occasion is worthy of celebration. Have you told-"

"My father knows but we aren't talking just yet." Interrupted the ravenhead before Michael could say anything.

"Daddy issues?" Caren asked daringly and Akeno turned to her with a smirk.

"Pretty much. And you? Do you have a good relationship with your father?" To the trio's surprise the gray haired woman stayed silent for a moment before snorting. "I will take that as a no."

"Forgetting the absentee figures in our lives for a minute, I am surprised that devils are even considering following a god of any kind." Admitted the nun. "And you, Lord Michael? What does God think about it?"

At that moment a maid appeared and offered beverages, coming right from behind the gray haired nun who moved expertly to give space without turning. 'She has excellent space awareness.' Akeno acknowledged while getting glass for herself.

Her eyes never left Caren and the hybrid began to notice how the nun's movements were different from Asia's in ways that while discreet were sharper and cautious. Those were not the movements of someone who lived for the cloth alone but of somebody who were at home in a battlefield.

The millisecond it took for the gray haired woman to study all the glasses and reject them all due to alcohol told Akeno everything; she wasn't just Michael's company but also his bodyguard during the Gathering.

Not that the Acting God needed a guard, he walking around in the Underworld wasn't that much different from an armed nuke left alone and ready to blow save for the fact he had a conscience.

And she was right, the angel didn't take Caren to the Gathering because he needed security but because in the invite it was recommended that he took a guard of some sort.

Even the reasons why Michael chose that particular nun was him being kind and picking someone who wouldn't mind standing around devils while being unknown and capable at the same time.

In other words he was just trying to be polite.

Michael thanked for the offer but ultimately rejected the drink, continuing to speak once the devil was out of the earshot. "Father would be overjoyed that devils are finding something to believe other than their own superiority. It was something He tried to introduce several times but always failed."

"He did?" Akeno's confusion was evident and Caren wasn't far behind.

Happy to explain but careful about prying ears, Michael continued. "He never had anything against the devils as a race. It didn't matter where they came from as long as they had Free Will and Lucifer actually agreed with Him." His eyes turned just a tad more sadder. "However they still had their differences, mostly in the aspect that while Lucifer didn't try to stamp out Free Will he did try to manipulate what devils could learn in the beginning. Basically he eliminated any mention that Faith could give devils power."

"I can see how that is a problem. It also explains why some of my efforts feel shallow." Added Medusa with a frown.

Caren saw a contradiction in their statements and raised her voice. "But if there are benefits can't you just explain that to the devils?" Looking around she noticed how human the whole party looked like. "They are similar to us. Couldn't you just give them blessings to show that the power is real."

"That isn't how Faith works. It can't be treated as a business transaction." Medusa replied immediately. "Faith is all about 'believing without seeing'. Sure I and the other gods exist but before we can do anything for our followers they need to believe in us. Truly believe." Looking at Akeno she said, "Did you expect anything when you started praying to me?"

"... Some advice, a closer friendship."

"But you didn't expect me to, lets say, smith your enemies for you?"

"Fufufu, we both know I can do that for both of us." Akeno declared while sparks flew around her fingers.

"That is kinda the point. A god can enact Miracles but the moment someone expects them to do it then they aren't real Miracles anymore. They are a bargain; pray in exchange for something. And that is not how gods do things."

"That is how devils do them." Akeno realized with some worry and turned to Michael. "Was Lucifer-"

"Trying to weaken the gods? Yes, he was." Revealed the angel. "There is more about deals and the old devils that you don't know but it isn't relevant anymore. Either way it backfired."

"Gods are still believed despite devils." Medusa elaborated his words.

"But wouldn't they be even more believed if everyone knew about the gods." Considering her own God's demise, Caren knew that suggestion was something between daring and a mistake.

She just couldn't imagine the response she would get. "And there was a time it was like this. Gods used humans as their pieces and sins ran rampant." Michael's sadness returned with full force as he remembered the past. "Once you know gods exist, every order they give is suddenly justified. Except they aren't." Said the angel firmly. "Gods aren't humans and many of them- many of us didn't understand you at that time. Father did, or at least He understood that Free Will needed to be that, free."

"So He pressed the gods into hiding and the majority accepted it." Akeno nodded in understanding.

Only for Medusa to shake her head. "Powerful as He was He didn't do it alone." She paused as another devil approached, asked her a couple questions and departed with a wary look in Michael's direcion. The angel just smiled and the goddess didn't miss a beat. "Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, certainly helped. We can imagine that His sons also supported the idea for everybody's sake."

Michael beamed with pride and the women didn't miss their beat. "Oh, look. Already acting like a Mother."

"Her son really liked the compliment."

"Oh no, they are multiplying." Medusa dropped her head dramatically as the girls giggled. "While it was great to see you here, Michael, we need to get back to work. Opportunities like this gala won't come often and my priestess should make her own attempt to convert a devil."

That had Akeno freezing before she smiled gently. "I think my methods are more for crowds."

"Don't sell yourself short, you can be quite convincing." Then she stopped and turned to the angel. "Would you two like to accompany us?"

Once again Michael's smile revealed his sadness. "I would love to but we both know it isn't a good idea." The angel looked around as many devils still looked at him with mistrust. "Respect through fear will forever be lonely."

His eyes grew wide as he felt Medusa's hand touch his own. "Isn't your whole religion about forgiveness?"

"Part of it. There are many other tenants and other aspects that I do need to teach you." Once Michael started he couldn't stop himself. "The Church is just one aspect of Heaven's representatives on Earth. As many ideas took many forms we actually have many religions and-"

"Not the point." Medusa began to drag the angel away. "So there is forgiveness somewhere in your beliefs, right? Then you must know that to be forgiven one needs to work for it." Her amethyst eyes looked back to the angel who allowed himself to be dragged. Behind him the two women followed them, paying attention to every word. "But that also means you must show you want to make peace and leave the bad blood behind. Nothing will be accomplished if you stay hidden waiting for the devils to change, you have to show you also are ready for it."

Michael blinked twice before smiling and nodding happily. "Of course. How could I have forgotten?"

"Good. You understand. So stop hiding and let us find someone you can talk to without them shaking like leaves." Already her eyes were bouncing, not searching for new faithful but somebody they could just hold a decent conversation with. "And remember to play nice as well. You can be quite intimidating when you want."

"Yes, Mother."

"Don't call me that."

And so they went, goddess and angel as two women followed to watch what sort of shenanigans they could get themselves in.

…

The conversation had begun with standard greetings as expected of highschoolers that were seeing each other for the first time after a summer vacation. There was a hug, a manly handshake and a small laugh as the trio got reacquainted with each other.

For all intents and purposes the party didn't matter, the fact they were devils didn't matter, they were just friends who missed each other. So they forgot where they were for a moment and were just excited students returning from a longer vacation, no matter how much they suffered during it.

Until Saji asked a particular question. "So, where have you guys been?"

In that moment the Red Dragon Emperor showed him a hunted look very similar to a starving man's and began to curse, without a single swear word for Asia's benefit, Azazel with all that he had to the point some devils just passed by and toasted him as they still disliked the Governor General.

What earned him some points with the nobility wasn't a conscious act, however. It was just a young man venting as he painfully explained the trials and tribulations from living in a forest full of dragons.

The rules, the fights, the lack of good food or any food at all some days if he didn't play ball and challenged someone for a better territory. That wasn't even touching on Tannin's visits that happened seemingly randomly every couple of days.

He went on several tangents that got both Asia and Saji lost on what he was saying but Ise proved himself a surprisingly good story teller as they were immersed in his adventures in Dragon Territory.

"Can't believe you spend the whole month with dragons. In a forest!" Saji did his best to keep his voice down but he couldn't help it.

Loud enough to get some heads turning, it wasn't enough to bother Ise. "That was all you got from it?"

"Oh no, trust me. I understand. That place sounds like hell… But that is kind of appropriated since we are in the Underworld."

"Fuuuuu- I mean, fudge no." The Bishop looked at mention of fudge but the brown haired youth kept going. "Nobody else went through what I had to. Not even Koneko-chan and Luvia-san who went traveling around and didn't have to face a single dragon."

From what the girls had explained from their training they did face all sorts of creatures but it wasn't half as bad for them since they had each other and a whole team of professional explorers to help with anything and everything.

Meanwhile Ise had to deal with several dragons, the apex predator, by himself.

His fist shaking, the Gremory Pawn was close to tears as he remembered his days in the forest. "I had nothing to do but fight, eat and sleep. And everyday there was a dragon or another trying to kick my butt to get better food… It sucked."

Asia hugged his side shyly. "But you grew stronger. Right?"

"Heck yeah I did. I bet I can even pummel Vali in a fight." Said Ise while hitting the palm of his hand.

Saji smiled at his friend's confidence. "Whoa. You seriously got so strong that you can defeat the White Dragon Emperor?" His smile was a sad one. "Makes me wonder if I should have taken Azazel's offer…"

The sole Bishop between Pawns looked at her fellow blonde with concern. "What do you mean, Saji-san? Didn't you train as well?"

"Yeah but… It wasn't the same as a forest of dragons… Kinda makes me feel…"

"Underprepared?" Her smile was gentle even as he gained a look of realization. "I spend my month in a hospital. I am not stronger at all." Closing her hands in front of her face she gave him a determined look. "But that is because I am not a fighter but a healer. We have to get better at what we can do, not trying to do what others can." Taking Ise's hand she was blushing while the Pawns just looked marveled at her. "So Ise-san can fight as much as he wants and I will take care of all his wounds."

A soft glow appeared on the back of his hand and Ise said, "You don't need to tell me that, Ddraig." He smiled softly at Asia. "You can let the asskicking to the dragons. That is what we are the best at."

It all made Saji wonder if he wasted his month away trying to be something he was not before he shook his head and smiled. "Heh, it doesn't matter if you trained with dragons or demons, Ise. You still won't defeat the Sitri Peerage."

"Oh yeah? Wanna bet?" Both Pawns stuffed their chests, all posturing and smiles. "I don't care what sort of training your team did. Buchou 's still gonna win." Then he paused and realized something. "Wait a minute. You didn't say what you did over the last month."

Remembering his orders and how much Sona wanted to keep the Noble Phantasm's research a secret Saji found himself in a dilemma; either he lied and made up something or he would have to spill the beans which would give Rias Gremory plenty of forewarning.

The young man then turned his head around, sweating cold, and began to whistle the most whimsical tune he could think about.

Such a reaction prompted another from Ise. "What the heck?"

"Something wrong, Saji-san?" The Bishop came closer and held the Pawn's hand. "You aren't getting any warmer… Did you sleep well today?"

Realizing Asia couldn't misinterpreted his actions, Saji felt slightly bad. "Hehe, yeah. I did."

Ise's hand landed on the nun's shoulder. "Asia, he is trying to keep a secret."

Saji jumped back in shock. "You can tell?"

"You literally did an old comedy routine." Ise replied in his best deadpan tone as Asia's eyes grew wide in realization. "Dude, chill. We're going to compete and if you want to keep a secret until after we kick your butt that's cool."

"Hahaha. Thanks man. But you are mistaken about something; we are going to be the ones doing the butt kicking." Saji replied confidently before turning to the Bishop. "Not you, Asia. Don't worry. I promise to be gentle."

The former nun pouted. "Don't treat me like a child. I can fight too."

Lowering his head, Saji was quick to apologize. "Right, right, sorry."

Folding his arms, Ise said with a grin. "Better look out, Saji, or Asia is going to take out your whole team by herself." Then he looked around. "Speaking of the devil-"

"Boo." Saji recovered and shot back.

"-where are they? At the buffet?" Instead of getting a reply Ise watched as Vritra's host once again avoided his eyes and began to whistle. "Really dude?"

"Sorry, Kaichou's orders." The blond replied with a shrug.

"That wasn't nice, Saji-san." The Pawns turned to Asia who was pouting in his direction. "You don't need to tell us what they did, just where they are… Or is it like studying where you train until the last moment… That isn't healthy..."

The thought of Sona actually allowing her peerage to cram on the last minute actually made Saji snort. "Like Kaichou would let us slack off like that." The Bishop's fists landed on her hips as she gave her best angry face. Despite it looking like a puppy's, it worked. "Right, right. Sorry Asia, they are just-"

"Asia? Asia, is that really you?" A voice full of surprise and hope caught the trio's attention. They turn to see a blond devil in a black suit with a green tie and white undershirt approaching them, Asia's eyes grew wide as she recognized him as he recognized her. "It is you."

"Diodora…" Asia said his name with no small amount of surprise and wonder as she looked at the man.

'Diodora? Someone from the hospital?' Ise didn't voice his confusion as he studied the devil before him. 'Looks like Riser; a good for nothing pretty boy.'

He was saying it mostly because of the hair which was as blond as the Phenex Heir's as his features were slightly softer and his eyes were squinted so he couldn't see their color. He was also smaller than his fellow pureblood with Ise notting he was both taller and more buff.

But then there was also how Diodora carried himself in a way that reminded the Red Dragon Emperor from both Rias and Kiba; a nobility of being that seemed more than his natural state while holding a polite smile.

However any other thought was numbed by Asia's joy as she advanced towards the devil and held his hands in happiness. "Diodora-san. You are really alive."

"Of course I am, Asia. You had already saved me by the time I had to run. No, if nothing else I should have been the one worried." His hand gently touched the Bishop's cheeks and tears could be seen struggling to not leave her eyes. "I went back for you, to see if everything was fine-"

"That was too dangerous. What would have happened if anyone had seen you again? You could have been-"

Diodora's hands landed on her shoulders. "I needed to know you were alright. That you were safe." Diodora's hands moved to both of her cheeks as he slowly opened his eyes and revealed their golden hue. "I could care less about what the Church would have done to me as long you were safe."

"Diodora-san…"

Approaching his friend's ear Saji whispered. "Dude, who is this guy?" He got a grunt of irritation from Ise but not much else. "Don't you know him?"

"No." Once Ise saw one of his fingers touch Asia's lips he had too much. He advanced and gently, extremely gently, pulled Asia away from the man. "Oi. Don't get all touchy with Asia."

A flash of anger crossed the devil's golden eyes before they squinted again and he focused on the brown haired man before him. "And who are you?"

"Hyoudou Issei, Rias Gremory's Pawn." There was pride in the introduction, a pride that was underscored by the look of panic in Saji's face who pointed to his wrist nervously. Not that Ise could see much more from his peripherals as he focused on Diodora. "I get that you know Asia from somewhere but you don't have any right to touch her like that."

"Ise-san." A nervous Asia spoke, a blush in her face as she remembered how the devil was touching her.

The young man, for his part, looked annoyed. "And what right does a Pawn have to demand anything of me? I was just happy to see Asia again. To know she is safe." His eyes jumped to the former nun with an excited smile before going back to the Pawn's. "And what does the Gremory have to do with her at all?"

"Why wouldn't we? She is part of the Gremory. Of our family." Ise replied challengingly, expecting the man to back off.

The opposite happened. "You are with the Gremory?" His eyes opened one more time in surprise before they were closed once more, something the Red Dragon Emperor didn't like. "Oh my poor Asia." Diodora moved to the side and took hold of the former nun's hand tenderly. "Is it because of me? Did you suffer some unfortunate fate on my behalf?"

For a moment Ise was confused about the statement but the look of sadness mixed with the smile of joy on Asia's face left him without action. "It is fine, Diodora-san. Nothing happened."

"Excuse, my lord but who are you?" Upon seeing both of his friends looking conflicted, Saji decided to speak.

"Saji, what the-" Ise stopped as Saji pointed to the sleeve of his suit almost desperately as Diodora was busy looking at Asia. It prompted him to notice the cufflinks on the other blond's sleeves. 'He is a noble?'

"How rude of me? True enough I was so excited upon seeing Asia again that I never thought of the implications." Taking a step back Diodora turned to Ise with a warm smile. "And you said she is with the Gremory, right? Rias' Pawn? Sorry about my attitude."

Off balance again Ise couldn't help but take a step back and massage his neck. "It's fine. I just don't like the idea of a stranger messing with Asia."

Chuckling at the Pawn's words, Diodora replied with, "To you I am a stranger but to Asia… Yes, back then I was a stranger and yet she saved my life."

"Saved you- It's you!" Ise pointed at the devil with fury which attracted the attention of others for a moment before they just returned to their activities. A fight between nobles would have been interesting and that wasn't it. "You're the devil Asia saved."

"It's him?" Saji looked to Diodora's golden cufflinks and back to Asia who nodded shyly.

"Yes, one day Diodora-san appeared in the church I lived in gravely wounded and begging for help. He was-"

"Dear Asia saw my wings, was afraid and still helped me." Diodora interrupted, holding Asia's hand again. "She saved the life of a complete stranger without hesitation, truly an act worthy of a Holy Maiden. Unfortunately we could barely talk and I had just introduced myself when members of the clergy showed up. To not risk her life I departed as quickly as I could." His expression then was filled with excitement. "But if you are here… Are you here as part of Heaven's delegation? I am sure my Lord father told me Michael would come with just a bodyguard and I saw that nun earlier today. A very dangerous woman… But you are with the Gremory then…"

Asia shook her head with a sad smile. "I am not part of the Church anymore."

"Why? There is no feasible reason they would let someone so kind as you leave. Not with the power you have." Diodora recoiled like he was ashamed. "It is because of me, isn't it? They saw that you healed a devil and-"

Asia was quick to hold his hand again. "No, no, Diodora-san. Please don't blame yourself."

"But it is my fault, isn't it? You were expelled, weren't you? And now here you are… a Reincarnated devil. For someone like you who loved the Enemy so much."

'Crap… This just makes me feel bad…' Ise kept massaging his neck as he and Saji exchanged looks.

Neither knew what to do or how to react and Diodora looked genuinely upset by Asia's Fate, something both couldn't fault him as he was apparently at death's door and the former nun healing him without hesitation.

That was the condemning deed that had her excommunicated and the man seemed to acknowledge his part to play in it even if he didn't know the full extent of what happened after she saved him.

Several times Asia insisted for Diodora to let go but the devil wasn't going to have it. "With how much you suffered it can only be my fault and nothing that I do can even amend my mistakes." He closed his eyes and held his hand close to his chest in regret.

Ise, seeing that Asia was being overwhelmed, felt it was enough. "Okay, okay. She already forgave you, dude." His hand landed on the pureblood devil's shoulder, making him flinch. "Trust me, she will feel better if you accept her apology. She can be quite stubborn like that."

Brushing the Red Dragon Emperor's hand aside, Diodora glared at Ise. "And what do you know, Pawn? Can't you see I am repentant of my mistakes?" Despite his squinting eyes, the brown haired devil felt he was being glared at. "I must do something to show how sorry I am. That is how a true noble acts."

An eyebrow was raised involuntarily. "So you don't care about Asia's feelings and just want to do the right thing as a noble?" Ise asked Diodora with some skepticism. "Doesn't matter what you are feeling, Asia already accepted your apology and anything else is just scaring her."

"Of course her feelings matter. I just-" Diodora turned to Asia and she offered him a gentle smile.

"It is fine, Diodora-san. I don't regret saving you and what came after… I am happier now than when I was in the Church." Hands in prayer, she looked at the men firmly. "After saving you I met people I could call friends. For the first time I had real friends."

"Oh, Asia, I wouldn't have hesitated to be your friend if you asked." Diodora said, interrupting the girl.

[Dramatic much.] Ddraig pointed out with a grunt.

'Well, he feels guilty over her suffering, right? Because of him she was kicked off the Church and suffered a lot.'

[And he doesn't know half of it. That is why I am saying he is being too dramatic.]

'You're just a cold blood lizard.' Ise expected some sort of complaint but he just felt Ddraig's presence retreat deeper in his soul. Instead of thinking about that he focused on how Diodora was clinging on Asia's hands and apologizing again. "Dude, let it go already."

There was no hesitation in Ise's actions, not when he saw how uncomfortable Asia was growing with the pureblood's attention. He moved swiftly and once again placed himself between them, this time not giving Diodora any space.

"Who do you think you are to-" The noble bit his tongue and gave Ise another squinted glare.

It was clear the man was offended but the Pawn of Gremory wasn't unwilling to back down unless Asia said something and she chose to stay silent even as she said over his shoulder. "Please, Diodora-san. There is no need to thank me, I only did what was right."

"I just-" He tried to side step Ise to look at Asia directly but the Red Dragon Emperor positioned himself at the same time, the two still face to face. "I only-" Another attempt, another perfect step from Ise. "Please, Asia, listen to me-" A little more rushed the pureblood advanced in the opposite direction only for the Pawn to already be there. "Can you please stop?"

"You cut that out. Asia already accepted your apology." And while she was uncomfortable Ise wasn't going to let him get any closer.

"Ise, oi, Ise." Saji tried to signal the Red Dragon Emperor. "This guy is one of the Pillar's Heirs. Stop provoking him." Yet neither man backed down, making the Sitri Pawn let out a sigh. 'Should I go get Kaichou?' He feared what could happen should Ise attack the man.

Yet the reminder of his status helped center Diodora and he was about to say something before he paused upon looking at Asia's eyes. Those eyes full of innocence was the second type of eyes he liked the most.

Which made him retreat and lower his head slightly. "My apology once again, Pawn of Gremory. You are right, I am making Asia uncomfortable with my eagerness."

"Yeah, you are." Ise said immediately, getting a poke on his side. Turning around he saw Asia pouting. "I mean, no problem, man."

"Huhu, you shouldn't be calling a noble like that, Pawn of Gremory." Diodora said in a cool manner that rubbed Ise off in the absolutely wrong way. "There is a huge difference in standing between the two of us; a High Class devil and a Low Class devil, you should show the proper decor."

'I wanna punch this guy. Really, really, really hard.' Yet Ise refrained.

"Heh, you are right." Saji suddenly said with a weak laugh. "We shouldn't even be talking with you at all.

"... And who are you? Another of Rias' Pieces?" The Pawn of Sitri almost fell to his knees. "Not that it matters. Position or not, I owe Asia my life. No, I owe her so much more than that."

"Diodora-san-"

Raising a hand she looked at her firmly. "Please, let me finish." With such a polite tone Asia didn't hesitate to nod and move around Ise. "What you did for me was already a great thing, especially because you were a nun. Not many of you would look at a devil with tenderness and less so would save him." His smile held a hint of mischief and roughness that had the Bishop blinking. "So, even if you don't want a reward of any sort, let me give you my true feelings, at least."

There was a pause as the two Pawns felt like invaders one more time as the man spoke with an impressive passion towards Asia. It was like she was the world for him and it translated in his words full of feelings as he had said.

Feelings that made Asia embarrassed but she said nothing, keeping in mind the man's request. "To me there was no better person to find that day, someone so kind who would save my life. I am here because of you, everything I ever accomplish will be forever because of you."

Then he did something unexpected to a pureblood devil;. Diodora dropped to a knee and took hold of Asia's hand one more time in a position they all, and some of the spectators from the side, knew all too well.

"Which is why I would love to share the life you gave me with you for the rest of eternity." Absolutely no hesitation from his tone and Ise could hear some people sigh in wonder as Diodora finally asked. "Asia Argento, would you marry me and become the next Lady Astaroth?"

"Eh?" To say that Asia was surprised would be an understatement.

"Yes, be my wife. Marry me and live like the Lady you deserve to be." Diodora declared passionately, so much so in fact that Asia felt overwhelmed.

"I mean- I don't-" She didn't know what to say or do, clearly needing someone's help.

Ise wanted to move, to step forward and push the pureblood devil away-

"Will you die for me?"

-but stopped himself at the last moment. 'What am I doing?' He asked himself with self loathing. 'Asia deserves to be happy and this guy wants to make her a Lady. Someone important in the Underworld.' Ise clenched his fist unconsciously to the point it was shaking. 'She deserves better.'

Both members of the Gremory Peerage were lost in their own thoughts as Diodora kept pushing the Bishop to accept his offer and Saji didn't know what to do out of fear from giving Sona any sort of troubles.

It was all over Vritra's host's face that he wanted to do something, had to do something. 'If this was school...' He swallowed hard, his resolve steeled. 'If this was school, then letting a boy press a girl for anything would be wrong.'

With that Saji took a step forward only to fall short as someone else interfered first. "A Heir of the Pillars asking a Low Class in marriage. You have sunk low, Diodora."

The squinted eyes from the man opened for a second with extreme fury before he closed them down again, turning around to make sure Asia couldn't see his expression. "Apologies but this is not your business, Ravel."

"Ravel?" The familiar name snapped Ise out of his funk and he turned to see the figure of a blond girl barely as tall as Asia dressed in a Victorian age dress and a look of loathing in her eyes. "Fried Chicken's sister?"

Ravel looked pretty much as he remembered, hair made into twin drills that barely reached her neck, the expression of superiority and a developing figure Ise noticed was a little bit more full.

Her dress was a mixture of oranges and stubble white and a pink ribbon tied on her hair as the only odd color. The dress also looked heavy for those who came from Earth, especially Asia who was using a much lighter model but that clearly didn't bother the blonde pureblood one bit.

Both pureblood devils turned to the Pawn, one with amusement and other with increasing loathing before the young woman spoke again. "Know your place, Lizard. Insult my brother again…" An elegant fan, pink like her ribbon with an orange bird painted on it, appeared in her hand and Ravel held back her emotions. "No, this is not the time. Diodora, I hate the Gremory like any sane person should," both members of the Gremory Peerage were surprised by her words, "however I hate more the idea of pressing someone to get what you want. Stand down, it is clear the Dove isn't interested in marriage yet."

"Hypocrite of you to say that, don't you think? Especially since the Gremory put the Phenex in their place." Contrary to before there was some admiration in Diodora's tone but Ravel wasn't phased.

"Must I remind you that we had a contract in that situation?" Ravel replied while hiding her mouth with her fan. "Here you have nothing, worse yet you are poaching a member of someone else's peerage without their permission."

"This is not poaching. My proposal-"

"Are words in the wind unless Rias Gremory decides to allow her Bishop to leave her peerage or a Maou intervenes on your behalf or the Council of Elders hears your case." Ravel offered every point with a cold expression that silenced Diodora. "Speaking from experience you can bet Lucifer won't vouch for you and the day the older devils approve a pureblood marrying a Reincarnated devil will be one where all sins are forgiven."

Which meant Diodora would have to go through Rias first, not an easy feat with how he was acting. "Looks like I overstepped my boundaries." He quickly turned to Asia with a gentle smile. "I am sorry, my beloved. I was just too excited from our meeting."

'Beloved?' Ise really wanted to punch the other man in the face.

The Bishop couldn't reply as Ravel took over again. "Overstep? Don't you mean overreach? She isn't a Free Piece and neither a devil from a lesser house but a member of a Clan, one of the Pillars." Ravel took a step forward and Diodora focused his eyes on her. "You shouldn't mess with the Gremory. At least, not for now."

"Hmm~ Why is that?" Despite being overheard by the three lower class devils, the nobles could care less.

"Because they have a debt to settle with me first." Ravel whispered with a look behind her fan that told a brutal tale.

Which got Diodora more than curious. "And how do you plan to settle this so-called debt? Rias did beat your brother 'fair and square' as humans would say."

"By force." Those words were muttered in an even more softer tone that only Diodora could hear.

And then Ravel saw the transformation of the man's face in such a way that she didn't expect but regardless didn't react to. His gentle features gained an edge as his eyes opened to reveal a gaze full of respect and malice.

"Then I wish you luck in all your endeavors… But only after I have my prize." Ravel scoffed as the sentence revealed far more about Diodora's true nature. Not that she could dwell on that as his expression turned gentle once again and he focused on Asia. "Don't worry, my love. I shall convince Rias to part with you so we can marry. It will be soon."

Before she could even respond Diodora kissed her knuckles and departed as to parts unknown. At least for her as Asia looked absolutely lost in every level and could just stare where the pureblood devil just was.

Finally snapping out of his own funk, Ise didn't waste time. "Asia, are you alright?"

"I don't know." Was the most honest response she could give.

"Then think about it later but don't dare to let it get in the way of your matches." The other pureblood devil who approached them with an air of hostility as she glared at the duo.

Already upset over the other blond who just left, Ise was close to snapping. "Hey, don't-"

"Woah, woah, woah. Not picking a fight with her either." Saji intervened with far less hesitation than previously. "Look at her arm, dude. She is-"

"Ravel Phenex, right? Fried Chicken's sister."

Obviously Raven didn't like that sort of introduction as her loathing gaze turned into a glare. "You are lucky you belong to the Gremory, Lizard, or else I would burn you to cinders for that insult."

"Your brother is a Fried Chicken who tried to force Buchou to marry him." Ise said in challenge, making her eyebrow twitch and Saji panic.

"Insulting the son of a Pillar and a proper noble just because your King…" Ravel bit her tongue. "Doesn't matter. You and your King will learn your lesson soon enough." Turning around to depart she spared Asia another glance. "And you shouldn't play with nobles, Dove. We eat people like you for lunch."

"Are you trying to pick a fight?" Asked Ise which actually made the pureblood chuckle.

"Where was all this bravado when Diodora was throwing his weight around your Bishop?" The truth almost physically hurt as Ise took a step back and Asia whined. "It seems your bark is bigger than your bite, Lizard. Or do you think just because you won against my brother before that you are somehow superior to me?"

Blinking at her question, Ise shook his head. "I didn't beat your brother, Buchou did." The reply surprised her but the Red Dragon Emperor wasn't done. "Yeah, we all won against you but it was Buchou's plan and Asia's skill that beat your brother." His words earned him a smile from the former nun and he kept going. "Also I am not a lizard, I am a dragon."

He said as respectfully and as pridefully as he could manage as the heat of his chest demanded him to put the challenger in her place. Yet he was no longer on Dragon Territory and Ravel's challenge was one of words, not fists.

A scoff soon made way to the pureblood devil's face as she began to leave, her parting words being, "Dragon or not, soon you all and your King will fall before the mighty Phoenix." She stopped once again, her eyes fully on Ise. "So make sure to stay strong, Lizard. You, the Dove, your King. Win every match and raise as high as you can so when I bring you all into the ground the sound of your crash can echo all over the Underworld."

WIth that Ravel departed, leaving the three friends alone once again.

"Riser's sister…" Saji began slowly. "The guy who-"

"Yeah, yeah. Doesn't matter." Ise turned to Asia, still shaking from all the stress but more worried about her. When they exchanged looks he could see how the former nun was conflicted and the dragon he was growing to made his feelings known. "If that bastard thinks he can force you into anything he has another thing coming."

"Ise-san?" There was no hostility in his tone, just the statement of a fact which surprised both blondes.

"I won't let him take you, Asia. Not to a castle or wherever that prick wants to take you to." Ise declared firmly, his hands shaking not from rage but from holding himself back-

"Will you die for me?"

-from touching her as he felt unworthy, like a greedy dragon stealing a princess. "You go where you want to go and I'll take you there. Just say the word."

Looking at her for a few seconds the Pawn was relieved when a smile bloomed on Asia's face. "You promise?"

Surprised by the question, it didn't last long before he smiled at her with all the confidence he developed in the forest of dragons ."Of course I promise or my name isn't Hyoudou Issei."

Saji chuckled while watching the events. 'Better warn Kaichou about that Diodora guy.' He was even tempted to leave as his two friends were lost in their own world. 'Something tells me he ain't getting married any time soon.'

…

"My oh my, that is a face I haven't seen in a while."

Luvia stopped suddenly when she heard that voice.

A voice the blonde Rook hadn't expected to hear for quite a while or ever again considering she was now a devil and that person was a magus. Her pride would claim she was still a magus as well and that was pretty much true but as a devil there were places she literally couldn't enter anymore.

However Luvia quickly reminded herself if there was a place where magicians and devils could mingle then the Castle Paix was probably the exact right place where improbable odds became probable for a meeting like the one she was about to have.

She and Kiba had been navigating the party and talking with some influential people to gather support for future projects and plans. The Youth Devil Gathering wasn't just a chance for the Heirs to show their stuff, it was also an opportunity to anyone ambitious enough to find some backers.

To be more precise Luvia, former member of the Aristocratic Faction of the Clocktower, was pulling the Knight around while trying to expand her horizons and make contacts for when she became a High Class devil in her own right.

Sure she would still have Gremory's support but a proud young woman like her desired to build her own power base.

Luvia Edelfelt dream was to be great, to be remembered by History as a woman of skill and means that worked hard to reach peaks never reached so obviously she needed her own network so she could leave the shadow of her Clan, at least a little.

With her goals established, Luvia didn't expect to find anyone she knew from London. "Indeed, indeed, indeed. It has been a long time, Reines Archisorte." Both devils of Gremory quickly noticed she wasn't alone either. "You are here too, Waver-sensei? What a surprise."

Waver grunted. "Not like I had much of a choice in the first place." Said man was dressed in a dark blue, almost black, suit and red tie that meshed well together, his long hair free as usual even if it gave him an untidy appearance.

Reines for her part was a stark contrast of elegance. 'She looks like a doll.' Kiba kept his thoughts to himself but even he couldn't deny the girl was pretty.

Much like Waver she was also dressed in dark blue but of a lighter shade with other shades of blue spread between her heels, small scarf gloves and a small beret tilted slightly to the side with a ribbon which made Kiba question the exact dress code for the event.

Either way it was more of a stylish choice as the beret did nothing to hide her long blonde hair that was more bright than either Luvia's or Kiba's.

Quickly the two girls approached and traded pecks in their cheeks. "And here I was thinking parties would be forever boring without you causing chaos."

"Oh, Luvia, I am sure you will find plenty of chaos with your new status." There was interest in her tone but of the polite sort. "So it is true you became a devil. When Ser Velvet here informed me of that I almost couldn't believe it. Someone as proud as you serving anyone…"

"Things happened and I am ashamed to say that bit more than I could chew." Embarrassment tried to rear its ugly head but Luvia's pride beat it back down swiftly. Admitting fault didn't mean shame in her book. "In the end the only way to move forward was becoming a devil. It just had too many pros to consider any of the cons."

Reines' smile twitched before she replied. "Including the dissolution of the Edelfelt Family." Luvia froze and Kiba looked at his friend with concern. "You didn't know? So it wasn't planned. Hmm, interesting."

Waver groaned. "As always you go around with the subtlety of a hammer."

"I just don't like dancing around subjects that interest me." Reines admitted carelessly, her eyes never leaving Luvia.

After a few seconds the Rook replied. "Perhaps you can elaborate what you mean by dissolution." She started carefully, her face blank.

"What she means is what it implies." Waver informed far more gently. "The Edelfelt Family as an entity is no more. At least as far as the Clocktower is concerned."

Seeing Luvia's conflicted look, Kiba took action. "Sorry, I think we jumped the gun a little here." His charming smile that made Kuoh's female students swoon only got a raised eyebrow from Reines. "We didn't even introduce ourselves yet. My name is Yuuto Kiba."

"One of my best students and a Knight of great power despite his young age." His teacher spoke in support, gaining more of Reines attention. "A member of the Gremory Clan, he is one of the best swordsmen in all Fuyuki. Quite a feat when the Mage of Swords lives there."

Again with his most charming smile, Kiba replied. "That list also includes former Calibur users and the Mage of Swords himself."

"Well, since the Heiress of Gremory is your King I am led to believe you and him must practice together." Reines said while offering her hand. Kiba quickly kissed her knuckles as the noble girl smiled sadly. "I apologize for my rudeness. You are quite correct, we should have introduced ourselves first. Silly of me."

"It is fine. Excitement gets the best of us." Kiba replied calmly, hoping Luvia had managed to calm herself down.

Impossible since she never lost control of her emotions in the first place. The Rook just was so caught off guard she needed a moment to process what Reines said. Or better yet what it implied.

Still she needed more details. "Yes, yes. A mistake from both of us." However she was still herself and rushing would be uncouth in her point of view. "Let's start from the beginning, shall we? It is good to see you again, Reines. This is Kiba Yuuto, Knight of Gremory."

"An honor to meet you." Kiba said with a small bow, following Luvia's lead.

Taking the offer as a sign her friend was just following protocol, Reines controlled her curiosity. "The honor is mine. As Luvia so shockingly said my name is Reines Archisorte but what she didn't know is that my full name now is Reines El-Melloi Archisorte." It meant nothing to the Knight but the Rook's eyes growing wide told a different tale. "And today I am here with the newly knighted Ser Waver Velvet, my new teacher." She winked at the devils. "Hope you welcome me warmly, my fellow disciples."

"'Ser'?" "'El-Melloi'?"

Both Kiba and Luvia said at the same time, surprised.

Much to Waver chagrin as Reines kept going. "Oh yes, by royalty and everything for 'outstanding research into the improvement of magical society'." While her tone was respectful there was a needle there somewhere that amused her as much as irritated their teacher. "Not that the masses know the real reason for our teacher's new title, he is now a VIP in both words. Congratulate him."

"That is amazing, Sensei. This is because of how many people you managed to teach, right? Congratulations, you deserve it." Kiba spoke sincerely with his tone full of praise, enough so to make the adult blush.

Coughing on his hand, the man nodded calmly. "Thank you, Yuuto, but that title is really more of a problem than it is worth. Now I have several noble families trying to get in the project and throwing around their weight while also making unreasonable requests."

"Wasn't that already happening before?" Because the Knight was sure his teacher admitted to it once.

The man nodded again with a grimace. "Yes but it is worse and landed me in situations I would definitely have preferred to not be in."

"I hope you are not referring to me, Ser." Reines' voice was sweet and playful. Yet Waver looked extremely uncomfortable. "All you have to do is give me a few extra lessons and help with research. Nothing much, especially since you already signed the contract and as compensation for the previous Lord El-Melloi's unfortunate Fate in your project."

"That was hardly Sensei's fault." Said the Knight but Luvia shook her head.

"It is no use, Kiba. The El-Melloi Faction, one of many subfactions in the Clocktower, would never let a no name magus like our teacher get away from that whole situation unscratched." Luvia's eyes landed firmly on Waver. "It doesn't matter that Kayneth Archibald was the one who fell into a trap and caused the most damage nor that Sensei wasn't personally responsible for it." Raising a hand the Rook lifted two fingers with all the calm in the world. "When you are dealing with noble Families, there are two things they will always do; blame someone else every time there is a mistake and always take advantage of it."

Remembering the situation the Gremory found itself in the Knight frowned but accepted her words. "Looks like honor doesn't go hand in hand with being noble."

"Depends on the sort of noble." Waver commented before letting out a sigh. "It was inevitable and there is a logic behind it; 'Matou only reached the former Lord El-Melloi because of Waver Velvet's project therefore he must make amends by educating the next Lord El-Melloi'."

"Sounds flimsy." Said the Knight.

"An argument is only flimsy without support." Replied the Rook. "With enough people backing and the many houses behind El-Melloi such an argument isn't 'flimsy' but 'compelling'." Turning to Reines she asked. "But you weren't the next in the line of succession and Kayneth was married."

"Fufufu, unfortunately uncle is now happily divorced. He pretty much lost almost everything after that fiasco." Reines' smile was full of amusement. "At least he managed to keep his job as a teacher but everything else was confiscated."

Luvia raised an eyebrow. "Everything else? So you inherited his research and Magic Crest."

"Obviously."

"Then why are you still using the name Archisorte? You must have been adopted in the main family to receive such honors." Seeing Kiba's confusion, Luvia elaborated. "To receive a Families' Crest you need to become part of that family, no 'ifs' or 'buts' about it." Looking back at Reines, the Rook raised a curious eyebrow. "To still use her own family name, a branch of the Archibalds at that-"

"Is an affront and a challenge that they have no choice but to accept." Reines said confidently, too much so in Luvia's opinion. "They expect me to lower my head but that isn't happening."

"You are the only person I know completely willing to pick a fight with the nobles." Waver said cautiously, earning a sincere smile from his newest student.

Kiba and Luvia exchanged glances before the Knight looked back to their teacher and said, "For us she is the second one." That got both magi by surprise which he found humorous. "Rias and you will get along just fine."

Pleased by such news, Reines then lamented a single fact. "Pity then that she already has a Pact. The El-Mellois haven't had one for years since Lord Sitri didn't renew ours." A little frown revealed itself. "Unfortunately any plans of negotiating with Sitri went down the drain as I just learned the whole Clan made a Pact with someone else."

By the way she turned to Waver it was clear who delivered the bad news. "It is also why we are dressed mostly in blue. To show the past allegiances of the El-Melloi… Despite not being a member, as Reines plus one I had to dress the part." He said quickly, anticipating the question.

"And the red is for the Gremory as they are the backers of your project?" Kiba asked for clarification and the man nodded. "Sorry, Reines-san, that your trip was for naught."

She waved the Knight's concern away. "No fault of your own. It was expected that once the Gremory got a Pact the Sitri wouldn't be far behind." Her elbow hit the Waver with barely any strength and yet the man still winced. "As expected of Ser's students."

"Please stop."

A moment of silence passed before Luvia let out a sigh. "Now that the polite conversation is over I must ask about my… former Family dissolution… It is hard to believe such a thing is possible."

Luvia wasn't just saying because it was her Family either, the Edelfelt were one of the strongest and most influential members of the Aristocratic faction. For them to fall down under something truly drastic must have happened.

"You haven't heard the news?" Reines asked with a smile that showed a mixture of amusement and pity. "Despite your situation, I didn't think your family would really cut all contact with you."

"You don't need to say it like that." Sofly said an irritated Kiba as the words sounded cruel.

However he was caught off guard when Luvia held a hand to stop him. "Don't worry, Reines is not being mean. She is just like that."

"Luvia is my friend, you know? Well, not close friends but we would go shopping now and then." The newly minted Lord El-Melloi said in her own defense. "Never mind that. If she didn't know that means she didn't help her sister."

"Her sister?" The Knight couldn't help but ask, making the Rook grumble something.

Waver rolled his eyes. "Stop giving them breadcrumbs."

"You are no fun, Ser." Her expression said otherwise. "Your sister left England, Luvia. Departed in the night like a common thief… Or like a woman in love." Reines' smile turned gentle at her friend's surprised face. "Yes, you heard that right. She packed her bags, took a huge amount of money and left a message that she was leaving to live with her beloved."

"That is very… Tohsaka of her." Luvia said with a chuckle that was a mixture of pride and bitterness. "So it ends the Edelfelt Family of magi…"

For they lost both Heiresses and with them their Crest, ironic in the Rook's opinion as its characteristic of Ore Scales should have secured its existence for the Edelfeldts. However that could not be the case as despite two people receiving it Luvia had lost hers and her sister decided to just leave.

"Oh yes, that was how the Tohsakas came about, wasn't it?" Reines asked whimsically.

A huff escaped Luvia. "Pretty much. Their actual Crest is only as big as it is because of what they took from us- I mean, the Edelfelt… To think that family would outlive mine."

"Does it bother you?"

"Less than I expected but…" Looking at Reines she was wondering many things. "Tell me, did something else happen? Just losing the Crest shouldn't have ruined my previous family."

"Not really, no."

Waver once again intervened. "Now you decide to spare her feelings? Luvia, the fact your Crest existed as two and both were lost on the spam of a year was a mighty blow." Kiba's eyes grew wide as Reines glared at their teacher. "However, other circumstances contributed. We call it a dissolution because your Family wasn't destroyed as much as it broke apart."

"There was a fight, wasn't it? A fight for succession."

"Correct. Many of your family's business was split or destroyed, the carcass of Edelfelt's empire is all that remains."

"I see…" Luvia wasn't surprised, she knew many in her family were as greedy as her if not more. Certainly more in some cases. "Thank you for telling me. Ever since my Reincarnation I have been isolated from the old policies."

"I would have told you earlier if it wasn't news to me as well. I learned it just after my knighthood. I am sorry for your loss." Waver informed with some remorse.

None of him was surprised when the Rook shook her head and waved his concerns away. "Pay no heed. I wasn't part of that Edelfelt branch of the family for a while now."

"A 'branch' you say?" Reines asked with obvious curiosity.

With a confident smile, Luvia used a hand to hide her mouth even as it didn't hide her laugh. "Ohohohoho. Of course. As a devil I belong only to the Edelfelt of the Underworld."

"It takes more than a person to make a family, you know that right?"

"So true, my friend. However every family starts with a new member, it is just a matter of securing the lineage."

"Oho~ does that mean you already have someone in mind to help with that?"

"Certainly."

"I expected nothing less from you."

Both women began to laugh which put the Knight off as he struggled to understand, "What is going on?"

"You have known magi, been friends with them, for a good while now and you still don't understand?" Waver asked with amusement. "Then again you only worked with the odd sort of our kind. None of us are as cutthroat as the more… Average magus."

"Considering what I understand of devil society, why does the Clocktower sound worse?"

"Because it is. The problems of mortality I suppose." Said the teacher bluntly. "Since our leaders tend to die surprisingly fast, even by human standards when they do something they shouldn't, it isn't odd that stability is preserved through bonds of blood, alliances older than some countries and money." Waver let out a sigh as that was the main reason why he left to start his project.

"'Bonds of Blood'? Marriages?" Kiba suspected it wasn't just it.

"Sometimes. Other times and the sort of bond born in a duel that fests a hatred that lasts quite a few generations. Depends on the circumstances, really."

A no name magus like him had no backing other than a friend or two and that was hardly enough for anything in the short term. If Waver could have his way, and he did by leaving, he would like to see the fruits of his research take root in his lifetime.

Much like his devil student who was watching his other two students with concern. "So Luvia is fine? Are we sure of it?"

"'Fine' is relative but the average magus has a sort of dark humor beaten into them since little. If anything I believe her emotions at this present moment in time are worry, gratitude and relief."

Kiba could understand as the girl just learned about the sister and family she had lost. Sure all weren't good news, the Knight believed she was happy for her sister in some way, but they were news nonetheless.

If there was one thing Kiba would be grateful for with absolute certainty was if someone approached him and told that there was not only another survivor of the Holy Sword Project but also that they were fine.

In that sense he could sympathize.

"What about you? Everything going smoothly?" Curious blue eyes turned to his teacher. "Before the break I noticed a change in you, positive to be sure. You looked happier."

With a smile he asked. "Sensei, no offense but where is this coming from?"

"Just some things I observed in school. Mostly that you have a girlfriend now. Did you call her about being here?"

"Yeah, I told her I would be out of the country with my family and we had some calls when I didn't have any visible wounds."

"The Underworld has the internet? And it is connected to Earth?"

"That is the part you are interested in?" Waver shrugged and Kiba chuckled. "Right, right. Apparently there are projects to create a version of the internet in the Underworld but mostly they don't need it because of magic." It was the Knight's turn to shrug. "But it doesn't have it yet. I just popped up in a hotel somewhere in Europe, called and came back."

"I see."

A moment of silence passed between the two men as they watched the woman talking with each other, both with glasses of wine.

"Why did you ask?"

"Isn't it obvious? I am your teacher and I care about all of my students. Also I can't deny that I was curious. Your changes in Kuoh may not be many but they were noticeable."

"They were?"

"To me they were. I could see how much more relaxed you were and how you were spending more time with friends." A sigh left Waver as his shoulders fell. "The Pervert Trio aside, the others are a healthy influence on you that can only lead to good things." He looked at his student with a smile. "There was also some growth on your part. Before your maturity seemed fake due to how you said the right words but did the wrong actions. However that is no longer the case; you are interacting with your classmates more, legitimately interacting instead of just smiling and nodding. Also you have a girlfriend which is a big difference in your life."

Kiba flushed and coughed in his hand to try and hide his embarrassment. He didn't realize that if Waver was observant enough to notice all he listed he would also notice the action.

However his teacher wasn't going to tease him about it, just move on with the conversation for his sake. "I have no idea what exactly happened but if you are happy then it has to be good."

"Well, only some people can know what happened unless you get your hands on some very sensitive documents. That or hear it from the horse's mouth, aka me." Kiba couldn't help but joke, surprising himself with the action. "Do you want me to tell you?"

A raised eyebrow later Waver had a question of his own. "Does it still have any bearings on how you live your life or is it going to affect you in the near future?"

"... No, I suppose not."

"Then I prefer not knowing. My duty as a teacher is to look at my students' wellbeing, not to uncover things that are best laid buried."

"You just don't want to deal with anything problematic…" Kiba realized it easily.

Waver didn't bother to deny, pointing to Reines. "Realize that I now have to deal with my teacher's replacement and that is already a headache in a half. Unless you or anyone else is in danger please don't tell me anything. Else I will need to start drinking to deal with the mess my life is becoming."

"I hope you are not referring to me, Ser." The blonde girls became aware of the men once more, Reines already metaphorically poking her new teacher.

"Just reminding my student of the mess Kuoh can be. Are you sure you want to move to Fuyuki? We can make some adjustments and easily have your education from a distance."

"Nonsense, Reines is going to have plenty of fun there." Luvia spoke, shooting any hope the older man had down. "As far as cities go, Fuyuki is in that transition period between being a quiet big city and a metropolis that can't sleep. Lots of opportunities." With a bright smile she added. "And of course the Gremory will help with some guidance and deals."

Interested and playful, the new Lord El-Melloi kept her eyes on Waver as she replied. "Ohlala. Tell me, Luvia, is that what your contracts are about? Helping with finances?"

"Also real estate. By the way, I have a mansion in Fuyuki with your name on it if you want. Already furnished and the sort of place I would live gladly if I already didn't have a better one." Luvia was, of course, talking about her own mansion before becoming a devil.

It was prime real estate that nobody was living in at the moment, something Luvia considered an absolute waste. Such a mansion was perhaps the best in Japan equipped with several rooms, a pool and above one excellent branch of Fuyuki's ley line. The kind of place any magus would love to set their workshop in.

And it was also taking some of her money to keep it clean and maintained despite the fact nobody was living there.

No, Rias wasn't helping on that front. Unlike Rin, Luvia had money and if she was having troubles then seeing the place wasn't out of the question for the Heiress.

It was, however, out of question for the devil magus who would never forget the sacrifice Sebastian, her former butler and someone she would look for upon returning to Earth now that the Edelfelt Family was in shambles, did for her sake.

But renting the place or selling to someone who would sell back once she vacated it? That Luvia was willing to do as long as the mansion was well taken care of.

None of that was known to Reines. "I am definitely interested. Tell me more."

With that Waver Velvet knew there was no escaping, his Fate was sealed and there was nothing the man could do about it. In the beginning of the term he shall have another problematic student added to his hoster.

'Maybe I can find an open window and smoke a little.' Only that could sooth his nerves.

…

"I see…" Ajuka rubbed his chin and spoke after a full thirty seconds of Shirou finishing his story.

"I am sorry but she said nothing to implicate anyone. She may have gotten a King Piece from a criminal or-"

"They are criminals indeed. Not officially but stealing from me, and such dangerous objects, makes them criminals nonetheless." The concern was more than noticeable in his tone but the devil's poker face was perfect still. "Regardless I get what you mean and no, they are not the average criminal. They somehow infiltrated my lab and escaped before I got back. At the very least a Pillar is involved."

After a second of thought Shirou realized, "You have a suspect?"

"Several." Replied honestly Ajuka. "The most logical one, unfortunately, isn't using King Pieces himself and that is the main problem."

"They have agents." Shirou deduced. "Offering people power to do the dirty work and keeping himself hidden."

Ajuka nodded. "Exactly what I thought. Everybody knows I can examine people to see their Pieces. However I need to be close and the procedure is obvious so I can't just do it to everyone, at least not without an explanation." The procedure involved sending his mana in other people's bodies, something invasive and not at all polite. "Regardless Lakmia's possession of a King Piece may be a lead on and off itself."

"You are going to investigate her allies, right?"

"I already am." When Ajuka said that his anger escaped through his voice. It was only a moment but the fury in it showed the man took the crime more than personally. "But I already took much of your time." Then he smiled honestly for the first time in a while. "Far too much I am sure. At this point you won't get to spend any with Rias before the main event."

Considering what he learned over the last few minutes Shirou wasn't in any mood to party. "Can I help-"

"This is a devil matter." Ajuka's smile was still honest and kind. "Your recent experience aside, it doesn't concern you." The redhead looked down and the devil felt a little bad but remained firm. Placing a hand on Shirou's shoulder he said, "You already helped plenty, let the adults handle things for now and enjoy your youth."

Sounds of conversation, music and several others reached Shirou's ears as the boundary field fell apparently out of nowhere, a clear indication the conversation was done.

"Master." The two women waiting in the wings approached quickly, Xenovia acting as their mouth piece. "Is the conversation over?"

"It certainly is, Xenovia Quarta." Ajuka replied in his place. "A most illuminating talk, Shirou. Sorry for taking too long."

"I don't like leaving things like this." The Mage confessed which earned a look of concern from Xenovia. Liz observed the redhead carefully as while his eyes lacked any harmful intent towards the Maou she was close to him and ready to act. "The King…" Shirou barely managed to stop himself as Ajuka waited for what he had to say. "I am going to tell Rias and the others about it."

"... Despite the dangers such information presents?"

It was Xenovia who replied. "If it is about the kidnapping and Shiro is involved then you can bet we aren't going to be left behind."

Such words of support warmed Shirou's heart. "Whatever the danger is, better to be informed than be caught off guard again."

"I disagree but I see that I can't force you to change your mind, not without getting into a fight and this is the worst place for it." Too many eyes on them, on him mostly, so the Maou couldn't act as he pleased. "Who are you planning to tell?"

"... Almost everyone who lives in my home. Pretty much these two and Rias, just to be safe." The ladies obviously approved of his decision despite not knowing exactly what it was about. 'Rias will probably tell Akeno as well and they will decide what to tell everyone but he doesn't need to know that.'

Ajuka suspected something like that but he lacked any alternatives. "Wait to be back on Earth and be discreet. Same goes for the two of you." Clearly he didn't like it but to not end things on a bitter note the green haired man offered his hand for another shake. "Regardless of your stubbornness it was nice to meet you, Shirou."

"You as well, Ajuka." Both would part amicable despite their disagreement, something they were happy with.

"So, so, so, so, so. Your meeting finally over? Is it safe to approach or I will get a Holy Sword in the gut?" A mesh of colors invaded Shirou's vision as Ajuka sighed upon recognizing the voice and realizing he couldn't just leave as planned.

Not with the red and blue checkered suit man with purple hair and an angular pale face with squinted eyes combined with a smile that literally reached them. There was no shadow of a doubt the man was a devil, there was something about him that screamed the fact on a level no other devil had.

It was uncanny the way he moved as well, like his legs were just a bit too long but perfect in some way as his knees moved like any other person's would despite it not being possible.

His purple hair was also a feature that didn't click correctly with the trio from Fuyuki, it wasn't as bright as Medusa despite being of the same shade yet it seemed to shine while tied in a small wolf tail with all of it pulled back.

'A clown?' Xenovia couldn't help but think despite not being surprised by someone approaching their group.

Neither she nor Leysritt were caught off guard as both paid attention to every corner of the room and knew they were being watched.

However neither was sure they saw the man until the very moment he stepped out of the crowd despite his bizarre and eye-catching appearance, a contradiction that immediately had them turning to him ready to step up.

The devil noticed it too and his smile seemed to grow bigger despite how impossible it should be. "Aaaa~ Durandal. How long has it been?" Xenovia almost flinched as the man's eyes opened slightly full of affection towards her sword. "I still remember when you almost cut my head. The scar is itching a little." Bringing his elaborated and colorful bow tie down, the man showed the huge scar that indicated a clean cut that should have severed half of his neck at the very least. "How is the new owner? She skilled?"

Ajuka was already a little frustrated because of the magus and had no time for any nonsense. "The sword can't respond, Mephistopheles."

"Mephistopheles? One of the oldest devils." Xenovia knew that name and she wasn't the only one as Shirou and Liz's eyes grew wide.

Much to the devil's amusement as he did a flourish with his hands, jumped a little and ended with a curtsy. "Mephistopheles is my name and contracts are my game. As you may know the books about myself are more than a few." Raising his head he opened his eyes, showing one red and the other blue, before winking. "You may call me Mephisto if you want or Meph if you want to be intimate."

Shirou studied the man carefully before asking, "Are you really the same one-"

"Who helped found the modern organizations of magic? He Who Made a Hundred Contracts in a Single Night? The Laughing Devil? All the above?" The man let out a laugh that was as maniac as innocent.

"... The one from Faust?"

Cutting off his own laughter, Mephisto showed his unhinged smile again. "There is a name I haven't heard in a couple of centuries. Dear old Faust. Ah, I miss him."

"I met his descendant." Shirou said quickly, earning a raised eyebrow. "He is with the Khaos Brigade."

A pout emerged from Mephisto's lips. "He did, didn't he? A shame, a shame. The original one was such a nice man. He always had fresh tea for me every time I popped up."

"It wasn't tea, those were potions." Ajuka said under his breath and only Shirou managed to hear. "Mephisto, is there something I can help you with?"

"Aren't you going to introduce us first?" Asked the devil with a tilt of his head.

"Wait, 'us'?" Only then did Shirou notice there was someone behind the devil with how flamboyant and bright the man was.

"There is a proper procedure for those things, Mephistopheles." More than Rias, Sona or any other noble the trio of Fuyuki had ever met, that woman looked like the personification of the upper class.

It wasn't just the clothes, a dress like most women in attendance were wearing and yet made in such a way that the skirt allowed perfect free of movement while the coat she was using while form fitting enough to hide little covered her upper body completely with tight sleeves that also benefited movement.

Nor was it just her face, a beauty rare to be seen despite being apparently stuck in a cold look that showed how she saw herself as superior to everything and everyone in sight and out of it.

Unlike Mephisto who was a mesh of colors, the woman used a slightly dark tone of white, close to gray but not, with red in a ribbon above her chest and some lines in her dress.

Her hair was a light shade of brown and was done in a simple but low ponytail that traveled to her back in a controlled dance with each and every movement. Then there were her dark brown eyes that looked at each and everyone present, even the Maou, with a sense of superiority.

But the thing that caught Shirou's attention more than anyone else was how the woman carried herself; with absolute perfection.

It wasn't like he was finding her pretty, despite her being easy on the eyes with noble features that belonged to a princess from a fairy tail while also looking like the knight ready to slay a dragon and command armies, but how every movement of her body was flawless.

Posture, the walk, the way her arms were positioned both to be non threatening while also being held in a manner that a noble woman would when relaxed. Everything was as efficient as possible and that woman moved like that with a natural grace that was almost inhuman.

There was only one other person Shirou remembered moving like that was one of his teachers and yet his movements were far more colder and machine-like with a grace that needed to be conscious.

However, that new arrival was doing it instinctively, as if perfection was the only option and even a hair out of place wouldn't be allowed.

"Lorelei, the proper procedure is to say hello." Mephisto said like he was informing a child before turning to the others. "Hello."

"My apologies for Mephistopheles and his lack of conduct." Despite the devil's attitude the woman's face didn't change, remaining neutral to the point the other four presence thought she was either a statue or a painting given life.

As the most experienced person present, Ajuka recovered first. "It is no trouble, my lady. I have known Mephisto for far longer than you all are alive and know how he can be… hard to deal with." The devil pouted but the green haired Maou ignored him. "By any chance, I am right to guess you are this generation's Lord Barthomeloi?"

"That is correct, Lord Beelzebub." Despite calling him Lord, there was only a modicum of respect for the man. "I am Lorelei Barthomeloi, current Lord of the prestigious Barthomeloi Family, Lord of the Department of Policies and Vice Director of the Clocktower."

Shirou knew that name, he had only heard it a few times in class but it was usually from magicians who compared the woman to Sirzechs Lucifer himself. 'So that is her, huh? She does play the part of a noble.' His nose told him nothing of her capability but just by looking he knew something, 'Dangerous. Very dangerous.'

Xenovia knew it as well but for a completely different reason. 'The Most Powerful Mage, Lorelei Bartholomei, is here? Shit! If she figures out Shiro's Reality Marble…'

They were in the Underworld and the Gremory would protect them but while in the Church Xenovia heard plenty of rumors about what the woman could do, especially to vampires for some reason.

Suffice to say that the bluehead was capable of destroying a whole castle full of them with Durandal but that was with Durandal, a Holy Sword and arguably one of the best. Exorcists and Executors alike said that once the Vice Director fought her way off a castle full of them, demolishing it on her exit only after she grew bored.

Because she got in there for sport and to make sure 'every vampire suffered before their just demise' per her own words. With just magecraft and no special Artifacts or Mystic Codes whatsoever.

Xenovia wasn't sure if she could defeat the woman in a one on one fight, she wasn't certain she could watch Shirou's back if push went to shove and she hunted him for a Sealing Designation, which would see him a prisoner in all but name, or something worse.

And that infuriated and concerned the former Exorcist to no end.

Everything was going to be fine as long as she, especially in her position as the Vice Director of the Clocktower, didn't figure out about the existence of a Reality Marble. A concern that Shirou perhaps would also share if he knew more about Lorelei other than the fact a lot of magi feared her.

Instead of cowering like many, Shirou nodded his head. "Emiya Shirou. These are Xenovia Quarta and Leysritt, my bodyguards."

Lorelei gave them all a glance before her eyes settled in the redhead. "Does a Mage need bodyguards in a party like this?"

"They are worried. Stuff happened." Shirou shrugged nonchalantly.

Not missing a beat the woman turned him off, focusing again on the pale devil. "Is there a point for you to drag me here, Mephistopheles?"

"Just poaching my dear. Poaching a Mage, the first one of this century too." The colorful devil focused on Shirou while everyone else focused on him. "Emiya Shirou, son of the Magus Killer, Mage of Swords."

"How did you-"

"Know about your father?" Asked a chuckling Mephisto. "I am the Director of the Clocktower, there is little that isn't known to me." He pouted with a depressed look. "I was so disappointed when your sister didn't show up. So disappointed. Any idea where she went?"

'Does he know?' Shirou could feel the sweat on his forehead but did his best to not react. "A magician doesn't reveal his secrets."

Mephisto blinked and then laughed wholeheartedly. "Ah, the more modern magi's response. Such a joke. Such a joy." He was twirling in place with happiness. "The Clocktower needs some new blood, you know. Ah, Lorelei, Shirou also met Faust 's descendant. Do you think we could send him a letter to join the Clocktower too? The stories we could share."

The Vice Director's face remained a perfect mask. "You already tried and rejected, Mephistopheles."

"Oh yeah. I did. A pity." Coming closer to Shirou he began to whisper 'conspiratorially' as everyone heard him. "They were my former Pact Magicians, you know? Faust's lot. After his death I wished to remain with the family but… They became so boring." Admitted Mephisto in a way that rubbed Shirou the wrong way. "Boring, boring, boring. The Bartholomei Family is so much more interesting. They have a fire, you know. A beautiful fire." Moving around again the purple haired devil ended behind Lorelei and moved his hand around her. "Look at her. Perfect, isn't she?"

"Mephisto, I believe your Magician asked a question that I would very much like to hear the answer to." Ajuka was wary of the devil which surprised three of the present.

"Why didn't I answer it? I am trying to poach him… Or would borrow be the right word?" With a finger playing with his lower lip. "It has been long since the Clocktower had a Mage in residence. Too long, too long. We have a Sorcerer but not a Mage. That isn't a complete set! Wouldn't you like to join us, Emiya Shirou?"

"No, thank you."

Mephisto threw himself back dramatically. "Such a quick answer. Why? Why would a magician not want to go to the place where they can get all the funding and assistance to their research they could ever get?" Then he leaned forward. "Is it because Gremory is forcing you? Do you need rescue? Quick, Lorelei, we must organize the Brigade-"

"Mephistopheles, stop playing around." The brunette woman cut the devil off without changing anything in her person. She didn't look annoyed or upset, still perfect. "Emiya Shirou is backed by the whole Gremory Clan so he doesn't need funding, if he needs an specialist they can hire one and has shown no signs of having any research which would benefit from him leaving Japan." her eyes focused on Shirou completely. "Or am I wrong?"

Sounded more of a challenge than an invite to agree with her point but Shirou nodded all the same. "You are correct, Lorelei-"

"Lord Bartholomei." Interrupted the woman without regard. "We both may have Pacts, you with a Pillar while my family has not, but you have no need to say my given name in fashion. Bartholomei alone will suffice if you wish to dismiss the Lord."

Before anyone could give a proper response Mephisto was already taking the reins like if he predicted that was what Lorelei was going to say. "Is that the way to talk with your future husband?"

For the first time the woman lost a little of her perfection through a small twitch of her eyebrow. "Please elaborate, Mephistopheles." The 'or else' didn't need to be said.

"Why wouldn't you two marry? Adding a Mage to the Bartholomei genetic pool would only be a benefit, wouldn't it? He also has no Crest as his older sibling inherited it, maybe, so joining our Family could only be beneficial. Even if marriage is out of the question I am sure convincing Rias to part with some of his genetic material wouldn't be hard."

'Is her… treating me like cattle or something?' Shirou had that impression the moment the man started talking. 'I mean, it isn't odd for magi to marry for more circuits but still…'

"Mephistopheles, he is an unknown with no lineage despite having several accomplishments to his name." Lorelei replied easily, turning to Shirou next and studying him. "Tell me, Emiya Shirou, how many magic circuits do you have?"

"Kind of a personal question, don't you think?"

With a hand on her bosom, Lorelei replied with, "As a holder of Bartholomei's Blue Blood, my pedigree is undeniable and while your capabilities have been proved with skill, any child you have won't inherit those without practice. What they will inherit is your circuits which I refuse to allow to taint the work of generations of Bartholomei."

That caught the redhead off guard. "You are really considering this?"

"Hey, if anyone is going to have his children first ihuhmph…" Xenovia tried to keep talking but Liz's hand wouldn't budge.

"Mephistopheles offered a suggestion and as his Magician I am just considering it." Lorelei's eyes turned to the devil. "Unless he plans to justify why he is putting your name forward."

"... Because I have a feeling about him."

"A feeling?" It was Ajuka who asked with some skepticism.

Mephisto didn't hesitate, nodding eagerly. "A feeling. Not only did he already defeat the White Dragon Emperor in single combat but he also arrived in my Queen, another dragon." His heterochromatic eyes grew intense. "Dragons only respect power and power he has plenty."

"Wait, your Queen?" Shirou latched on that like a lifeline.

Fortunately for him the devil took the bait. "Why yes, Tannin is my Queen. Gave me plenty of victories in Rating Games when I tried them. Not for me so I let him do whatever. By the way, did you know I was the first devil to even Reincarnate a dragon?"

"You never told anyone why." Ajuka refused to believe it was because of power, Mephisto was too whimsical for it.

"Because it sounded fun." Nobody believed him because, as the trio from Fuyuki began to notice, there was a malicious intelligence behind his eyes.

By Reincarnating a dragon he had Tannin in his pocket, in the same way that founding the Clocktower, which he did, had most magicians on Earth in a similar situation. Not only that but the Bartholomei Family was known for their power and Lorelei was especially powerful. All under Mephistopheles power in a way or another.

Yet he seemed to not care for it, at least in Ajuka's honest opinion. In fact there was much about the purple haired devil Ajuka knew but couldn't really comprehend.

"Come on, come on. You two are going to have fun. Lorelei may not have experience but you can't deny she is a pretty girl." Again the woman didn't react at the devil's words. "She is known as the Queen of the Clocktower, ruling everyone with a riding crop. If anything you can be, it is going to be kinky."

"Again, he has no bloodline that will benefit the Bartholomei." It impressed everyone that the woman remained unflappable despite what the devil said about her.

A little embarrassed from being in that position, Shirou didn't know what to say. "I really… I mean…" Taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts, he finally managed to say something. "I don't think it would work between us."

"Excuse me?" A raised eyebrow almost had Shirou flinching.

Forgetting her position as Vice Direction he could absolutely believe Lorelei was the Queen of the Clocktower by her expression alone. "Look, I don't want to just marry someone, I want to have a relationship."

"But that-"

"Yes, I know, I know. That isn't how magi do it." Another twitch of her eyebrow showed up upon being interrupted and Shirou stopped upon noticing. It was small but his eyes didn't miss it. "I mean, do you really want to spend the rest of your life with someone you know absolutely nothing about? Forget about circuits and lineage for just a moment and think about it."

Lorelei gave him a second, then two before replying. "You are truly a third rate magus as rumors said."

"Why you-" Xenovia grew offended in his place but Liz held her back.

"Regardless, as you can see Mephistopheles, he isn't interested." Without ceremony and practically ignoring the Maou present, Lorelei turned and began to depart. "This was just a waste of time."

As the brunette left the devils turned to Shirou.

"That was hilarious." "That was a mistake."

Mephisto and Ajuka said at the same time but the Mage just let it go. "Just saying my sincere feelings. Is there anything else, Mephisto-san?"

"Fafafafa. Not unless you take my offer." Whatever those eyes hid almost no one could decipher.

Almost no one. "He already said no, Mephisto. Let him be or deal with the Gremory." Ajuka warned. "Besides, the main event will begin soon."

"Yes, yes, yes. And as a Satan you must be going. Always preferred your lot, the old ones were just so rude." Mephisto said with a cackle that bothered Xenovia on a personal level. "Well I must be gone before Lorelei loses her patience with me. Wonder what she will say once we are away from prying ears. Tah dah, for now."

With that the colorful devil left the same way he arrived, with a smile on his face and a step that was too long for his legs. Just watching him go was enough to give Liz a headache for reasons she couldn't comprehend.

"He was…" Xenovia started carefully, glad Liz wasn't trying to stop her. "Weird."

"To say the least. He is also old, very old. One of the oldest devils, arguably the oldest." Ajuka said carefully, pulling a pocket watch and checking the clock with a frown. 'This took too long.'

Before the green haired devil left he heard Shirou ask. "Wasn't Zekram the Oldest Devil."

Stopping to reply, he gave the former Exorcist a serious look. "Different sort of devil. Literally. You all should go back to your table, the show is about to begin."

With that the Sorcerer Devil left as well, leaving the trio lost in thought. "He isn't one of the Pillars." Shirou realized before shaking his head. "Doesn't matter…"

"No, it doesn't." Liz said before he could lose himself in some sort of tangent.

Xenovia, not really caring about the subject, brought both back to more pressing matters. "Rias and Sona aren't at the table anymore."

"Really?" With all that happened the redhead wasn't paying that much attention and indeed when his eyes focused he noticed only the Queens and Olga Marie remained. "Hmm. Did they go to get something?"

Liz shook her head. "Staff would have come if called."

And she was right as with a party like that there were dozens of butlers and maids moving around at every moment to cater to the guests' whims. "Am I missing something?"

"So I am, Master." Said Xenovia with a pensive expression. "Let's just go back and ask."

They barely sat down when clinks on glass echoed throughout the hall and caught everyone's attention. Little by little people grew silent and their attention was directed to a mezzanine or internal balcony close to the ceiling where they all could see a group of devils standing.

Several familiar faces, including Rias, Sona and Sairaorg, were there with Sirzechs Lucifer himself standing in the front with the echoing glass. The man's smile was his usual charismatic one but with a hint of pride that the man usually hid rather well.

"The show is about to start." Olga Marie said with some excitement and trepidation, reminding everyone why they were here.

'The Youth of the Underworld.' Shirou sat down and got ready to watch as well, curious about what all that was about.

…

When they were called, Rias had been watching intensely every reaction Shirou showed at Ajuka's words. Most people wouldn't be able to notice his forehead trying to frown or his hand closing in a fist from time to time but she knew her lover better than anyone else.

He had just finished telling his tale and whatever Ajuka said worried Shirou which obviously would worry Rias too despite her not being informed. Sure enough the Mage would tell her when asked, or even of his own volition depending on what it was, but a part of her was curious about what Lakmia had been up to.

Unfortunately she would have to wait a little because Grayfia personally dropped at their table and called the Kings for the main event, one that Rias was looking forward to.

Her first official steps as an adult in the Underworld, as far as the nobles were concerned anyway.

'Can't wait to see their faces.' The Heiress of Gremory thought cheerfully as she, Sona and Sairaorg moved around the room to not bother the other guests with their flight.

Much like his cousin, Sairaorg was also excited for different reasons. "Time to leave our mark." He said proudly and was happy when the redhead nodded in agreement. He also noticed someone didn't. "Are you alright, Sona?"

At his question Rias turned to look at her oldest friend and found her expression blank. "Why do you ask?"

"You are sweating." Pointed out Sairaorg. "Are you nervous?"

"Yes." Admitted the Sitri Heiress which concerned the other devils. Not Grayfia thought, she focused on just escorting them. "Things are about to change."

"Hahaha. Of course they are." Sairaorg put a hand on her back with a cheerful smile. "Change is good. Don't be afraid of it, at least not like the old men who call themselves wise."

"Fufufu, I wonder what you are planning to do when you are Maou, Saira." Rias commented with complete faith that her cousin would reach those heights one day.

Obviously that made the man happy. "Many things, Rias. Don't worry, you will get the front roll seat. So long as I can count on your support."

"Of course. What is family for if not to topple the government?"

"I knew I could count on you." The Bael Heir then turned to Sona. "And you, Heiress Sitri? Would be interested in a very dangerous business venture that will piss off a lot of old people."

She gave him a look and said, "Way ahead of you." Surprising the man but making Rias shake as she had to hold back a laugh.

Soon enough they landed on the mezzanine and noticed several devils already present. Considering the occasion that seemed wrong until Sairaorg pointed out, "Lots of Elder Devils around."

Indeed even Zekram was there, standing around and chatting with somebody that neither of them knew but by the cufflinks the man had to be a member of the Pillars. The Youth Devil Gathering should be for their young however things were different from how they should be.

"Don't worry. You are the stars of the event." Grayfia informed them instantly, feeling their confusion. "They are just here to show support to the new Regime and the next generation."

"In other words, politics." Rias said with a smirk that earned a small smile from the maid. However her smirk didn't last long as she noticed Sona who was increasingly more nervous. "It will be fine."

Looking at her friend, the black haired girl gave her a nod of thanks. "We both know it won't."

"What is this about?" Whispered Sairaorg as the other nobles noticed their arrival.

He didn't have time to get an answer as the older devils began to talk with the younger ones about several proposals and ideas they had. As she expected Rias wasn't approached as much as the others, some allies of Gremory did welcome her but that was it.

Already her reputation as a rebel was paying off as several of the devils looked at her either with disdain or fear. 'Good, good. That way you guys won't bother me.' She traded looks with her brother who quickly moved to reassure another devil of a thing or another. 'Now where is Seek-chan?'

Rias looked around carefully, trying to find any sign of light green hair and while she found some it was the wrong shade. There was plenty of space for her to walk around as the devils gathered the other competitors or talked to each other so she moved to the wall and began looking from there.

'Seek, where are you?' Now Rias was starting to get worried. The very thought of a Heiress like Seekvaira missing the Youth Devil Gathering began to play in her head no matter how illogical it was. 'You and Sona are the ones with most to gain with this. There is no way you aren't here.'

A few minutes passed and the young woman began to frown as there was no sign of her friend. She saw some familiar faces, other Heirs of their Pillars who would be competing, but not the one she was looking for.

"Rias…" Sona approached with a neutral expression. "Did you find-"

"No." Both could recognize the worry they were trying to hide. "I mean, it didn't start yet. Maybe she is late and we are waiting for her."

It was a weak excuse and Sona didn't feel the need to point it out. "Are you really not going to try and socialize with the Elders?"

Rias shrugged, eyes peeled for their friend. "My brother can take care of it."

"You are going to be Lady Gremory one day." Reminded Sona with a harsh look.

Only to get a chuckle before the reply. "Are you going to give up your dream just because you are going to be Lady Sitri then?" Sona fixed her glasses instead of answering and Rias chuckled again. "Thought so. Don't worry, I will attend to my responsibilities and play the part when needed." Recognized the redhead as her love for her family would compel her to it. "But I won't give any of them the chance to control my life."

After the whole engagement debacle there was no way Rias was going to risk it even if she knew the whole situation made her pretty much undesirable in that aspect. Sure enough devils still wanted the Gremory aligned with them for power but the Heiress was already considered a loose cannon.

Yet Rias wanted to cultivate that reputation, to make sure it sunk deep enough that nobody even tried to take advantage of her.

All to stay with the people she loved unimpeded. "Besides, I am just ruffling some feathers, not provoking them or anything." Her attitude didn't mean she wasn't going to be careful. "So you should focus on you and your goals."

Just before Sona replied, Sirzechs began to tap his glass with a finger. The magic made sure its sound was louder than every conversation in the hall, easier to do as the music paused with a signal.

Quickly the two Heiresses looked around and to each other, no sign of their friend.

"This is a joyful occasion and I want to welcome you all. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Youth Devil Gathering!" All in the room applauded as Sirzechs smiled proudly. He waited a moment for it to stop for his speech. "It took us a while to reach this point, to rebuild, to recover what was lost and to stand on our feet again. And here we are!" The King of the Underworld looked around before waving his hands around. "But let us not talk about the past. It is a prologue, a prologue to the new generation that stands before you all today. The future of the Underworld!"

Moving around, the red haired man stepped aside to give space towards the chosen youth for the occasion. All of them were of noble blood, purebloods of the highest status, Pillars of the Underworld.

Without hesitation six of them stepped forward with the backing and applause of the Elders which prompted the audience to do the same. Showered with praises, admired by the public, they were being displayed and viewed as symbols of the Underworld's future.

And Rias didn't care for any of that, she wanted to lean forward to see if Seekvaira was present or not.

Hard to do without sticking like a sore thumb and with her position as the last one in the line it was quite difficult, especially with Sairaorg's tall figure blocking everyone but Sona who was by her side.

The man for his part looked to his side with an expression of confusion that Rias couldn't decipher immediately but understood that something was odd if not wrong and he was keeping his face controlled because of the crowd.

Before she could even make an attempt to lean forward her brother stepped up again. "Six noble children were born in the last two decades. Those six showed skill, initiative, intelligence and, more important of all, power to stand before you as the representatives of their generation."

Once again the applause, polite but animated, accompanied by some whistles and calls. Most Clans were there to support their champions but also because they legitimately valued the next generation. So even if just six devils were picked for the event all the surviving Pillars had shown up as every active Lord and Lady made an appearance.

Sirzechs waited until the applause subsided before stepping up again. "Some of those you all know. You should, they are your family." Some chuckles and laughs were heard. "But obviously you don't know them all and per tradition of our Gathering now the next generation will step up and reveal to us their plans for the future. All that I ask is that if you are going for world domination please keep to the shadows and prepare for a lot of paperwork." Again a few laughs before he waved to the chosen ones. "Ladies and gentlemen, your Six Champions of the Youth Devil Gathering."

The first person to speak, the opposite side from Rias' position, was someone she didn't know and that was concerning for her since in her position as sister of a Maou she did grow at least acquainted with all Heirs of the Pillars.

Yet that man with spiky blue hair, pointy ears, red skin and an average build wasn't someone she ever saw in her life. Sure Rias could tell he was a noble, the attitude and confidence in her words would be proof enough if his presence on the mezzanine wasn't, but he was also a bit too crass.

Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas was dressed in a yellow suit with a red undershirt and he was hyping himself up, claiming he was going to take over as permanent Heir and take his Clan to new heights.

The fact he needed to say he was going to become the permanent Heir sounded the alarm on Rias' head. 'Did someone die?' She was a bit sad when she couldn't even remember the Heir that should be in the man's place. 'If so…'

A side glance to Grayfia confirmed her suspicions as the woman moved her lips to say 'recent' and left at that.

Already the Youth Devil Gathering was a failure if that was the case but everyone pretended it wasn't, at least in the Heiress' opinion. Still Rias didn't know the whole story so she bit back the response and focused on hearing her fellow devils.

She barely noticed it was already another person talking. "Greetings my fellow nobles, I am Diodora Astaroth and my ambitions are, unfortunately, not as great as my fellow Heir." Zephyrdor puffed his chest at being called 'Heir'. "However I do have a dream, a wish that I am proud to share; I will follow my parents example, many of yours, and also father the next generation of Pillars. I already even have a bride in mind." He looked at someone in the audience as the crowd cheered. "Let us all work hard for the prosperity of the Underworld."

It was the right thing to say, a message of hope for the future that everyone in the room would definitely approve. As things stood Diodora was already the favorite unless someone topped him off.

Then a young woman's voice and Rias felt her blood freeze. "Unlike those here, I am not a Heiress. Those here are peers who shall share the titles of Lords and Ladies while I am just a humble fourth child. I don't blame anyone who is confused by my presence." The Heiress of Gremory couldn't help herself anymore and took a step forward to see the blonde girl standing with eyes on the crowd. "But I earned my spot through a Rating Game. My power was proven greater than Agares and it shall soon be proven greater than any Heir."

A challenge, a challenge Rias knew it was for her as Ravel Phenex glanced at the redhead who was out of place and glaring at the blonde as the words sunk in.

Seekvaira wasn't there because she had been beaten and in a Rating Game to boot. That wouldn't be enough by itself to give any devil her place in the Youth Devil Gathering so that had to be part of some bet.

A bet Ravel won as she stood there with a fan in her hand hiding her smile in a manner only Rias could see. A smile that promised violence if nothing else.

"For a while now the Phenex has been wounded." Ravel continued with her speech. "But like the immortal bird we shall raise and I shall stook the kindle. As Lucifer said it was done, we shall recover what was lost. We shall do it by trampling those in our way. So swears Ravel Phenex!"

Applause, loud and sonorous applause as a noble woman came representing the wounded Clan that had been struck down by the rebel. Rias could only watch as her plans went down the drain. A figure of vengeance had emerged from her previous actions in the form of a petite blonde ready to start a war.

No, the war had already started and Rias knew it, Seekvaira had been the first casualty as losing her place in the Gathering inflicted more damage to her reputation than it should be possible otherwise.

Even Ravel declaring herself in a lower position, a fourth child and far in the line of succession, played the role of raising her higher with every victory she took from the highest nobles, the future Heirs and Heiresses of the Pillars.

Ravel was also presenting herself as a rebel but also not, a rebel not of ideals but as a person with less power willing to punch above her weight to rise higher. An underdog story and a story about accumulating glory through strength while still being a noble. Exactly the kind their audience loved to eat up.

The Phenex Clan was trying a comeback and for the first time in a while Rias thought she wasn't severe enough in their punishment.

However that wasn't the place to have such thoughts as Sona pulled her back in the line as the applause subsided. Much like Rias, the Sitri Heiress was shocked by the events and worried for Seekvaira's future but kept a pragmatic stance, choosing to think about it later.

And also to make sure Rias didn't embarrass herself as Ravel's presence changed the game. "You can't act like that anymore." She whispered for the redhead who couldn't reply as Sairaorg was called forward by Sirzechs.

Unlike his friends the Heir of Bael took everything with a far more elegant stride.

If the man was bothered by their missing friend and the possibilities of what may have happened he didn't show it. In fact Sairaorg offered only a glance of respect towards Ravel before taking center stage.

"Some may already know me but for those who don't my name is Sairaorg Bael. As for my dream… No, my ambition is just one; I shall become a Maou." Said the Bael Heir with absolute certainty.

Another round of applause as that was a praise worthy goal to any devil. Everyone could see that it wasn't as empty as Zephyrdor's words or as full of wounded pride as Ravel's. It was an earnest wish that Sairaorg truly carried in his heart for his own reasons alone.

Still he didn't get the same level of reaction as Ravel who was presenting herself as an ally of nobility but few of those couldn't look at the Lion of Bael with admiration for his worthy goal.

And then Sirzechs decided to drop the script for a moment, much to Ajuka and his wife's annoyance in the corner who rubbed their foreheads. "And which Maou would you like to replace?" The actual Lucifer just couldn't help himself as silence filled the room.

That was how the last war started and some of those present in that destined gathering couldn't help but gulp, afraid of what Sairaorg was going to say.

History was about to repeat itself as much like his older cousin, Sairaorg wasn't going to back down as he turned to say the words in his face. "I plan to take the title of Lucifer." And with a challenge far more aggressive than his predecessor, the man just in front of him. "What better place to aim than the throne of the strongest?"

For a moment fear gripped some people as History could very well and truly repeat itself.

They completely forgot the people in charge were far more kind. "Huhuhu. Good, can't wait to see you try and take it. But if you want me to retire you better put your all into it" Sirzechs said confidently, earning some breaths of relief and even laughs. "Then, who knows? Maybe I will be teaching you a thing or two."

More applause as Sirzechs proved the new regime was the opposite of the old one, ready to welcome challenges and willing to give up power once proven the next generation had what it took to lead.

He patted Sairaorg in the back as the two smiled, the Heir of Bael practically being endorsed by the former Gremory.

'If I didn't know any better I would say this was rehearsed.' However Rias did know better, she knew the look of mischief in her brother's face, the surprise in her cousin's and the resignation in her sister-in-law's. 'Did he just ad libbed or everyone disagreed with the idea and Onii-sama decided to do it anyway. My money is on the latter.'

A few waves later Sairaorg was back in line and Sona took a step forward with a deep breath, prepared for what was to come.

"My name is Sona Sitri and I dream of building a school." Quick and painless or direct to the point as she liked. Still the faces of confusion that dotted the room weren't what she expected.

Looking back the young woman could see several nobles making the same faces while one or two had disbelief written all over them. Her sister Serafall, with a black dress embroidered with several pink ribbons, despite the color not being the right one for the Leviathan, raised her thumbs in support.

For all intents and purposes Sona could leave things there as she did reveal her dream and put it forward to be judged. However if she left with confusion in her wake it would look like she was hiding her intentions. That she was afraid of her dream.

Just the thought was enough to make her sick but also gave her courage. "The system of Arenas is falling apart. No, it already fell, Rating Games killed it." As per her nature, Sona started with logic. "As things stand several devils born in the lower classes, as well as Reincarnated ones belonging to lesser Kings are failing to be Promoted in a timely manner. Not only that but the average devil is weaker than they were by the end of our Civil War…"

From the very beginning Sona could see people didn't like what she was talking about but went on to give a speech pleading her case nonetheless.

She spoke how schools could replace the Arena system and give the poorer devils a chance to grow in life.

She compared it to Earth and how society there evolved thanks to wild spread knowledge, something she wanted to repeat in the Underworld.

She didn't plead or begged, all were straight out facts that some of them would know despite how much they wished to deny it. Nothing was exaggeration nor a single lie was told, for Sona didn't need any of those.

Five minutes was all she took, compared to the life expectancy of a devil and several of the Youth Devil Gathering's guests that was less than the blink of an eye and she still did so to not bore them by only exposing the main points.

Once she was done Sona paused and repeated. "I dream of building a school… A school where all devils can grow strong."

Silence. Utterly and paradoxically deafening silence.

It was a surprise to Sona and for a moment she thought she had succeeded, that she managed to convince the nobility of the Underworld of her idea's value by itself. That her words had reached their brains even if not their hearts and made them think.

Her sister couldn't show support, her allies couldn't either, this was her entering adulthood and if any of them spoke first it would tarnish her reputation for good. It would be even worse than if she never showed up for the event like Seekvaira. Much, much worse.

Silence reigned as the crowd processed her words. Unfortunately with crowds they were always as smart as their loudest idiot or the one who would let their mouth run first. Worse yet it was someone in the mezzanine and a member of the Six Champions, Zephyrdor, who did it.

"That is stupid, of course they can grow if they try hard enough." The blue haired devil said with a laugh. "And what good is this… 'school' is supposed to do? Teach them magic? If they can't use mana they aren't real devils or are a bunch of weaklings."

Several people in the room began to laugh with him and Sona did her best to remain calm and focus in the audience, already planning her following argument to defend her dream.

"You don't know what you are talking about." She said coldly. "Born in privilege, we are taught many things that the common devil can't know. They need a chance to grow as well."

Zephyrdor wasn't done. "So we should give them our Powers? I wouldn't mind going around and giving some peasants my good 'seed' to make sure they can ascend a little." The laughter came back louder.

Considering her audience her next few words were definitely a mistake. "Power is not everything." The laughter ceased immediately as some older devils looked at Sona with anger.

"An excuse for the weak." Said the other Champion with pride. "Power is everything, every sort of Power. It's not our fault we are obviously better."

"Hear, hear!" Someone said in the crowd and Zephyrdor stepped up to keep going.

"But what should you know?" He got closer to Sona who refused to even look at him. "Sniff, sniff. Hahaha! You stink of a virgin. Don't tell us we don't know anything when there is plenty you don't know about." No reaction except from some in the crowd who were enjoying the show. From her position she could see Ise hold Saji back as the blond looked ready to jump and punch Glasya-Labolas. "The weaklings had always scrambled and from there some of the mightest generals and Queens emerged to lead the Underworld's legions. They certainly didn't need you."

"All right, all right." Sirzechs began before Serafall killed the man. Nobody else could see it but Ajuka was right behind her because they knew the woman was about to freeze him and crack his body in a million pieces. "While a debate was always welcomed in the Youth Devil Gathering, this one is a little more special and we want to replace it with something else; A Rating Game Tournament between the Six Champions!"

Applause followed the man, both from the people who were previously silent and the ones who laughed. Sona's arguments were lost in the cheer and she knew a dismissal even when there wasn't any. Zephyrdor saw her returning to the line and did the same with a confident smile.

'All fair in love and war, Sitri.' He didn't need to say it, his eyes and smile told the whole story.

Not only did Zephyrdor believed everything he said but Sona also presented her metaphorical back in the political arena. Her proposal was an easy target, something that most nobles would disagree with on a fundamental level as they saw themselves as stronger thanks to bloodline and Power.

So the man took advantage of Sona's undesired ideas and went on a sudden offensive to secure his position as Heir.

Not realizing he made more than one enemy that night, the Maou who didn't kill him to preserve the status quo as well as some of the other Heirs as Sona wasn't the only one who disliked his attitude.

Rias for certain was fuming but could only offer her friend an encouraging smile as her brother explained the all out tournament that would start in the next few days and would have a match per week.

"But we are getting ahead of ourselves as there is one last Champion to be introduced." It couldn't be helped that Sirzechs had to follow suit with such a forced sentence.

His sister didn't blame him, understanding the situation and hoping that her match after Sona would be against Zephyrdor. Despite that Rias didn't offer the blue haired devil a single glance as she stood besides her brother. He gave her a nod and retreated, trusting she would follow their plan.

And she would but much like him she was going to go off script. "Do I need introductions? I think most of you know who I am. I remember seeing you at my 'engagement party'." Rias looked straight to Ravel, noticing the girl's expression. "How did you all start calling me again? Right… the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess or something."

There was no denying she was relishing the look of anger on Ravel's face, no matter how short it was or how well she tried to hide it. But the memory of her defeat, the humiliation she felt, fed Ravel's flames and wouldn't be forgotten or hidden.

However it would go ignored for the time being as Rias' eyes returned to the crowd. "Today is not about that, oh no. I am supposed to become an adult. Not like surviving several fights to the death, including against Kokabiel of the Fallen, counted, right?"

"Rias…" She heard her brother whisper but he too was ignored.

Yes, she was dismissing the Youth Devil Gathering as a tradition, invoking the name of their ancient enemy and none of that was part of the plan but Rias was angry with the devils who dared to laugh at her friend's dreams.

"I, Rias Gremory, have a dream." Confident and proud of the fact, Rias stood there, looking at her fellow nobles not like she was one of them but as if they were lesser in any sense which ticked them exactly wrong. "And you all can just stand there watching as I reach it without ever knowing what I am going to do next. Sounds fun, right~?"

Silence descended one more time but not out of confusion but out of bafflement at Rias' cheer gall of calling herself better than every other noble in the hall while dismissing their traditions.

Eventually someone shouted something in protest but was muffed as more and more people insulted her while the redhead just watched with a smirk as they tried to force her to either apologize or repent in any way.

Only to grow silent at her next few words. "If any of you want, after the tournament, you can challenge me to a Rating Game." A pause and a heartbeat later she noted the silence and chuckled. "Something wrong? Cat got all of your tongues?" Righteous fury coursed through her veins. "I disagree with Sona in the part where Power doesn't matter but I disagree with the imp where he says others are guilty of being born without them."

Zephyrdor obviously noticed the insult and looked ready to jump in but Rias looked in his direction with a cold stare devoid of emotion forcing the man's ire to grow cold. Emiya Kiritsugu's training did many things for the Heiress but one thing she learned by just observing him was turning her emotions completely off.

It was unnerving for all nobles behind her, watching how cold of a machine Rias could become in the turn of a dime with her brother growing increasingly concerned for his sister's mental being.

Then she smiled warmly. "So let us talk with our Power and our fists. Anyone who wants to fight me after the tournament send a letter of challenge and I will get back to you." Her eyes landed on Ravel who gulped. "And I will crush you all again and again until the message sinks in." She turned back to the majority of the audience. "We are devils and power is our coin! If someone is right or wrong, let our victories tell who is which."

Once again there was silence but Rias could see many nodding at her words. Those weren't nobles, some were but not all. They were the soldiers, the guards and warriors.

Those who fought in the many wars of the Underworld and who could fully agree with that just words weren't enough unless there was action to supplement them, action that Rias was willing to stake her life and reputation on while many of her peers weren't.

The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess found her audience, even if she made lots of enemies for it. 'Quality over quantity as some would say.' She thought happily. "And if you do take your shot," once more she turned to Ravel, "you better make sure to not miss it."

…

There she was, Rias in all her glory pretty much picking a fight with most of the Underworld's nobility, people from the Pillars much like herself with Powers capable of killing people in the most painful way possible.

And then there was Koneko who, while hearing every single speech, ignored everything in favor of the huge buffet presented to her. Gasper was around but stopped following the white haired girl when Sirzechs called everyone to attention but the Rook never lost focus.

Because of Tannin she didn't get to eat as much as she could during breakfast. Shirou tried to cook enough to feed everybody but he had to keep going back in the kitchen to refill the table several times because of the dragon.

And he ate plenty, so much so that Koneko could only repeat her portion three times instead of her usual five. However she didn't tell anyone that as she literally felt the Mage's exhaustion after cooking for a dragon.

The end result was a hungry nekomata who ended up eating several snacks during the afternoon while waiting for the party and the huge buffet that surely would satiate that hunger.

Back in the present Koneko received just that as the nobility didn't do things by halves and there was plenty of food around to fill her belly and for a dragon to eat several times over. A feat, Shirou would agree, that was impressive since most of them weren't actually focused on eating.

Then again there was a fountain of chocolate, of cheese and of wine all side by side with marshmallows on a bowl close enough to suggest dipping them on the fountains. And those were just a few of many features of the buffet so she couldn't complain.

Koneko spent quite a bit of time on the fountain of chocolate, not even bathing an eye for the others, as there were actually many sweets on the four tables full of food. There were a lot of fish based dishes as well, which made her smile.

The little Rook hoped that they weren't going to waste the food but she was certainly going to try and eat everything she could.

When Gasper was following her Koneko focused on devouring everything while the Bishop just watched but once he stopped to focus on the main event the nekomata decided to get a plate to fill and find him once done.

Problem was that Koneko wasn't the most patient person so she stopped every few steps to collect food and ate her fill of it before placing more in her plate for later. However, while she was doing the rounds the staff replaced what was eaten with new food which resulted in her taking even more time.

Fact was that Koneko wasn't going to go looking for Gasper unless she suddenly learned how to control her appetite. Recognizing that and remembering the Bishop didn't like to be alone around crowds sobered her up a little and she looked around to find him.

It didn't help as she already moved several tables and the guests around the room moved to either talk to each other or approach Sirzechs' location as the man began to explain the tournament once again in a little more detail.

Lines of mana appeared in the air creating a grid with six spots as the man's speech reached a crescendo and he prepared to sort the fights. What most people didn't know was that the first match was going to be rigged; Rias versus Sona.

Both sides were already informed so the Heiresses would pretend surprise to everybody else but Koneko didn't bother to pay attention. 'Have to find Gasper or Buchou will be mad.'

Senjutsu could easily solve that problem and so Koneko didn't hesitate to use it. Feeling every single life sign in the area and locating everybody she knew didn't take long. Gasper wasn't in sight and she chuckled at feeling his Ki growing agitated.

In her mind she could see the blond panicking once Sirzechs finished his speech and he failed to locate her. Sure enough they should stick together and she was partly at fault for roaming around the tables but he should have been paying more attention. Perhaps she will use it as blackmail for some extra candy if she was in the mood.

Then she felt a presence just in the border of her senses. One she never felt before or at least she couldn't remember doing it yet it was so familiar there was no way it was a stranger. Odd as that alone was the presence then began to 'poke' her senses with Ki as well.

Koneko's eyes began to roam around, looking for someone looking in her direction or giving any signs they were concentrating. She followed the direction where the 'poke' was coming from but all she saw was devils and magicians, none of them showing any signs of Ki.

The 'poke' grew more pronounced and even playful, basically telling her she was on the right track. Still she could see nobody showing any signs of using Ki and doubted anybody else in the Underworld could do it as discreetly as her.

Besides people all Koneko saw were windows, most of which were closed with exception of the balconies where some decided to party outside. But the 'poke' wasn't coming from any of them and instead came from the woods.

'Suspicious…' Already Koneko was suspecting a spy of some sort, unsurprising since the Youth Devil Gathering not only had most if not all nobles of the Underworld and several important guests.

She turned, already planning to find her King and sound the alarm when the 'poke' grew so strong her tail and ears almost jumped out as Ki flooded her senses. Not that anyone else could perceive as that sort of skill was the sort that belonged to a master.

Not knowing if it was an alarm or a call, Koneko began to approach the window cautiously. She didn't know why she did it but that strange familiarity compelled her to at least check it out.

All she saw from the window was the dark forest of the Underworld, her eyes easily seeing every leaf in reach and no animal in sight. The 'poke' grew stronger, directing her to a specific area but there was nothing in the darkness.

Except there was and Koneko knew it, the boundary fields in the castle did little to block Ki and much less for a Senjutsu user. Even if her eyes couldn't see who was there the Rook knew there had to be someone.

So she focused on the feeling and channeled Ki in her eyes until a form began to take shape and the white haired girl couldn't stop her hand from growing slack, the plate of food she carried around forgotten and broken.

For she saw her-

Two girls, one with hair white as snow and another with hair darker than charcoal. They both had cat ears on their heads and tails on their backs, dressed in dirty clothes as they moved around looking for food.

The dark haired girl was taller and the oldest for a couple of years yet she was still a child trying to pick food from a nearby trash bin. The white haired girl was even younger, barely more than a baby but already smart enough to hold back any complaint.

She didn't need to tell her sister she was hungry, they both were.

"Finally found some." Said a tall man with a bald face and a gentle smile. "You two are nekomatas, aren't you?"

The older girl hugged her sister tighter and the girl who once would be Koneko hugged her back as they were afraid of the man. Perhaps fear was the wrong word for it didn't describe what she truly felt. Already the arts taught by her recently deceased mother showed the creature's true nature.

It was greed and a big amount of it that the man carried. A greed that made the older girl warry and not just because he was a stranger. Greed that the younger one also felt but couldn't know what it was.

He saw their caution and kneeled down. "Are you two hungry?" From a magic circle he picked up four sandwiches and offered it to them. "Here. Take it." The youngest tried but the older sibling held her back, eyes full of suspicion. "They aren't poisoned or anything." The man hovered his finger over the food until the dark haired girl nodded and he took a bite from it. "See? It is good."

The two girls quickly ate the other three, two for the youngest, one for the oldest. They were starving and fearful but one feeling was obviously much stronger than the other. After the sandwiches were finished the man plucked a few more treats and offered it to them with a glint in his eye.

Once again the dark haired girl was hesitant but once the white haired one began she couldn't stop. "Don't worry, I don't wish to harm you. In fact, I want to propose a deal. A contract between us." From his magic circle something dropped on his hand and the one who would be Koneko was disappointed it wasn't more food. "This is an Evil Piece and if you accept it, you will become a devil." Both were confused, one didn't understand the words while the other failed to see their meaning. "You see, I wish to make you, can be just one, a devil."

Finally the older one understood enough to place her sister away from the stranger, an action of which confused the white haired one. 'Bad man?'

Surprised the devil was not for he chuckled at the action. "Calm down, calm down. It doesn't need to be her, it can be you and it won't be for free." The black haired girl felt the man's emotions and could tell he was telling the truth. "If you follow me and obey my orders I will give you girls all the food you can eat. Deal?"

Looking at her too skinny sister the older girl didn't need to think twice. "Just me?"

"You have my word. As long as you serve me faithfully I won't do anything to your sister." Excitement, greed and an emotion the girl couldn't identify crossed over the man's spirit. "So, what do you say, little miss…"

"Kuroka… My name is Kuroka."

-the sister who left, the sister who wasn't there when she woke up and saw blood everywhere. And the corpses from those who treated them like family for as long as she knew them.

Happy days long gone as they lived in a small castle in the Underworld flashed through her memory no matter how much she tried to push them back. It had cost the devil two Bishops to Reincarnate the girl but Koneko remembered he wasn't upset about that arrangement. He used to say that 'Kuroka paid for herself and more' every time they left the lab.

"Shirone, we can play now." Kuroka always said with a smile everytime the work was done and she was free.

And she was strong, so monstrously strong in fact that Koneko firmly believed that she had no troubles decimating her former peerage and killing the King who plucked them out the streets with ease.

And her eyes were also on her as Koneko could see the gentle feline smile in Kuroka's face, her cat ears and tails freely exposed as she laid in a branch right outside of Castle Paix without a care in the world despite being a wanted criminal.

Considering she killed a noble, branch family or not, that was legitimately one of the worst places for her to be yet Koneko didn't doubt for a second her sister could not only escape but cause a lot of damage if she was so inclined.

However that wasn't necessary as not a single devil noticed the Stray laying on a tree like a lazy cat, watching them all, gleeful hazel-gold eyes with cat-like pupils indicating she was fully immersed in her nature as a nekomata.

Her sister was slightly different from what Koneko could recall, her hair was longer split bangs much like when she was younger. She also grew more voluptuous, when young she was pretty but now Kuroka was undoubtedly beautiful with an hourglass figure that easily could compete with Akeno's or Rias'.

Dressed in a black kimono with a red interior, yellow obi, carrying a set of olden beads to her side and an ornately detailed headband atop of her head holding her hair behind her head like ribbons.

Her kimono was also down in such a tantalizing way, thanks to her shoulders being free as its sleeves hang around her arms, giving a view that could be easily called erotic. The younger sister remembered her sister being daring but that was a bit more recent and not her focus.

No, her focus was on something else for while those changes caught Koneko's eye for a millisecond they didn't compare to the second tail the little Rook saw that told her about the state of power her sister had attained during their separation.

Kuroka, The Stay Nekomata, was back in the Underworld and at her full power with all her mental faculties, something that made Koneko shiver in her core as she began to shake in the spot.

Then the black haired nekomata's lips moved, 'come outside', she said and fear almost swallowed Koneko up as she stood there for a minute, thinking what to do.

Kuroka remained there, patiently waiting for the sister she hadn't seen in so long. Her eyes full of longing, a longing Koneko also felt and her soul couldn't hide that emotion. The older nekomata certainly felt it for her gentle smile didn't bulge no matter the fear the white haired girl had in her.

It was already a foregone conclusion and they both knew it, the older sibling didn't move and didn't rush as the younger struggled with whatever she needed to struggle as their meeting was about to happen and there was no escaping.

Koneko didn't want to go outside, she didn't want to confront her sister in any way shape or form.

But the memories of the sister she made gave her strength to move and turn. All the people in her life taught Koneko to not run from her problems.

Even if fear was still gripping her heart.

…..

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