REVIEWS
OH BOY! I almost forgot to do the reviews!
SenorMorales58: Who is the Saiyan?
UnseenUrge: We are entering an Arc where the focus will shift from Issei a bit and go on to the others in the world. So be prepared!
LimX23: Here is the first part of the aftermath. I will answer more questions, but you didn't really ask a lot that I can answer. I like your spirit, though.
midnightscar17: I committed a sin.
Naruto30: The Boosted Gear will remain like this for a while. Word of indication when it will return? Tannin.
waytodawn0: Wrong. He can still talk with Ddraig, albeit briefly, and all original BG skills are locked. Only the ones he got from the system still remain.
DualEquinox: Spoke with ya in PM, ya good.
Xerzo LotCN: Errgo is not done yet with anyone. Not by a long shot.
Xerzo LotCN: Pretty sure I did ya in PM, too.
: You will wait and see.
KaliYugaFan: Two things: First, the fact you have read so far despite your words means that you enjoy the story as well. No work is perfect, and you know that. Second? I know I have, and I am blessed for it.
temp paleoboy: You will need to wait and see, buddy.
As always, here is my Discord: /FVXgdXtMUv
And again, if you want to support me, head to the bottom of this chapter for the Slateon (Ya know what I mean) link. I will also be posting CH 57 on Slateon for early access, as always.
NOW ENJOY!
"Is he alright?" Asia asked as Michael and Azazel finally came out of Issei's room. A good couple of hours had passed since the battle at Kuoh Academy. Despite their victory over the Old Satan Faction, and now, the Khaos Brigade, as they call themselves, things still took a very bad turn in the end. Issei was unconscious, and his Sacred Gear…It was not responding. They brought him right back as soon as they could, along with Ingvild Leviathan. Asia had been treating Ingvild and Xenovia, who got hurt badly in the battle but were alright now, thanks to her Sacred Gear's healing capabilities.
"I used my healing on him. Physically, there is nothing wrong with him." Michael replied, trying to alleviate some of their worries. "His brain, internal organs, and so on are all intact. No broken bones, and not even a scratch or a bruise."
"However, entering Juggernaut Drive seems to have done some damage we cannot see," Azazel added. "Michael here filled me in on his roommate. I think Solomon might have done something to help Issei recover his senses in the end, but…"
"But?" Kuroka echoed, anxiously waiting for Azazel's reply. She, along with Raynare and Asia, was currently the only one here in Issei's room. Ravel was elsewhere, along with Mit.
"Michael?"
"Very well. Tell me, what do you all know about the curse of the Juggernaut Drive?" He asked them, and Kuroka was first to speak.
"It is a curse created by the previous wielders of the Boosted Gear. Ddraig told us before that the Boosted Gear traps within it a part of its wielder's personality." Kuroka replied, receiving a nod from Michael.
"That is correct. In time, the resentment of those users came to create the Juggernaut Drive curse to bring others to a cruel fate, just as they have. It is a form that grants the full, unrestrained power of Ddraig, but it also drives the wielder mad. All the time, this drains the user's life span, and if not stopped, they die." Michael shook his head. "I tried to find a way to remove this curse before, but it is of no use. Despite my access to the Sacred Gear System, I lack access to modify the Gears. Only God had that kind of knowledge."
"We suspect that Solomon did something from within, and the past users didn't like it. As it stands, the Boosted Gear lacks most of its power. For one, we were able to confirm that it can no longer use its primary ability." Azazel stated, shocking everyone.
"What?! Are you telling me he can no longer use the Boosted Gear? He can no longer multiply his power endlessly?!" Raynare gasped in shock.
"That is the idea." The Fallen Angel confirmed. "This might be a temporary state. It simply cannot be permanent. However, how long this state might last is beyond our ability to tell."
"What do we do then?" Asia asked. "When Issei wakes up and learns of this, he'll be devastated!"
"For now, I will tell you exactly what NOT to do. We will tell Sirzechs and inform his sister and, by extension, her peerage. However, this information about the state of his Sacred Gear must remain a tight-lipped secret, understood?" Azazel told them, to which Michael added.
"Many will see this as a chance to attack Issei when he is at his weakest. We will try to spread rumors that he is fine and keep things from getting out of hand." The Seraph said. "However, he must avoid exposing himself. Please, council him on plans and actions and ensure he won't do anything foolish."
"We will make sure to speak with him," Kuroka told the two, who then nodded their heads in acknowledgment.
"We will have to leave. This attack needs a proper reaction, and we need to ensure our respective factions this was not an attack by the others. Luckily, the treaty has been signed, and we are officially at peace and allied." Azazel explained, then pulled out a card giving it to Kuroka. "This is my number. I might have fucked up training Vali, who turned up a traitor, but since I have experience training one Dragon Emperor, I might as well offer my assistance to the other one. But also call me if anything happens, and I promise to be here as fast as possible."
"Thank you," Kuroka replied, taking the card. "When is he going to wake up?"
"Judging by his state, he might wake up later tonight. When he does, he will likely be very weak, given what he just went through. Please make sure he gets plenty of rest." Michael told them, and then he and Azazel took their leave from the group, leaving them to do what they wished.
Once they were gone, they all immediately went inside Issei's room, seeing him asleep on the bed, with Leonna currently wiping his upper torso with a sponge to bathe him. She turned to them, offering a bow. "Mistresses, it is good to see you in good health."
"Leonna, how is he?" Asia asked.
"He is breathing normally, and I took his temperature and blood pressure, and I even took it upon myself to wash his body. He is good, as you were told, just unconscious. However…" She hovered a hand over Issei, showing them his HP meter. "He had clearly lost HP. His limit was lowered due to using the Juggernaut Drive."
"Let me replenish it!" Kuroka immediately offered, starting to undress herself. "We Youkai have a healing technique we can use to provide help in such cases!"
"I won't stop you," Leonna added, collecting her things and starting her departure. "Should you require me, I will be with Mistress Ingvild."
"Come on, everyone!" Kuroka urged Asia and Raynare to join her as she positioned herself next to Issei.
"Are we needed for the ritual?" Asia asked.
"No…But I thought Issei might like the company." Kuroak replied slowly, and Raynare sighed.
"He would enjoy it. Hopefully, a happy sight will help when we tell him the bad news as well." Raynare began to strip as well, followed shortly by Asia. All women took their spots next to him as Kuroka started to offer her healing to him.
5000 HP points were lost forever, and Kuroka's technique could recover 1 HP every minute. It would take around 83 hours of constant contact to recover all that was lost, meaning no less than three and a half days. That is if they did this with no interruptions.
"Excuse me," Leonna said as she entered the room, finding Rias there along with her peerage, watching over Xenovia and Ingvild. "I am here to see if my aid is needed."
"You are Leonna, Issei's servant, right?" Rias asked, receiving a nod. "Where is Asia? We were hoping she could heal the injured more."
"Mistress Asia is currently attending to Master Issei. I am afraid she is not currently available."
"It's fine," Xenovia said, getting up slowly.
"Xenovia, you shouldn't be getting up!" Kiba raised his voice out of concern. "Asia told us you took internal damage from that golem's attack, so you need rest!"
"Relax, I am not going anywhere. Just getting up, slowly." Xenovia replied, then rested her back on the frame of the bed. She then looked to the side, seeing Ingvild there. "Is she…Alright?"
"Mistress Ingvild is alive and healthy," Leonna stated, going over to where Ingvild was sleeping. "Currently, she is just unconscious. She should recover any minute now."
"Leonna, please, be honest with us. Is what Azazel and Michael told us true?" Akeno asked, clearly indicating that the leaders had already been here and shared the news with them, then departed. "Is Issei truly left without the power of his Sacred Gear?"
"It's true." She confirmed. "However, that doesn't make my Master weak by any means or definitions. What has happened is tragic but not permanent. I can assure you, even now, that my Master is going to return to his full might soon."
"How can you have so much faith?" Xenovia asked. "Issei is just a human, in the end, no different from me. How can you put so much faith in him, like he is a deity you worship?"
"Because to me and everyone else in this dungeon, he is." Leonna's words left Xenovia stunned. "We obey no other except him. We bow to no other except him. And we die for no other except for him. We follow his every order and instruction and see them fulfilled with dutiful obligation."
"You are very loyal to him," Rias remarked. "My brother told us to keep the matter a secret. The number of people allowed to know must be kept low."
"Issei…" Gasper muttered softly. "It is thanks to him that I found my courage to fight. And now he is weakened…Miss Leonna, is there a way to give him my Sacred Gear?"
"Gapser!" Rias gasped in shock upon hearing those words. "Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because I want to help! Issei helped us! He helped you! We must repay him somehow! Giving him my Sacred Gear seems like the perfect way to do so!" Gasper explained, but he only got a sigh from Rias, who looked at Leonna. She got the message.
"Unfortunately, other than the normal ritual for extracting gears, there is no way for us to transfer your Gear even if we could. I apologize. I know and understand you only wish to aid Master Issei, and it is truly selfless of you to consider giving away your Sacred Gear, but it simply cannot be done without you throwing away your life in the process."
"I see…" Gasper replied, disappointed. "I just wanted to help."
"We know, Gasper," Rias replied kindly. "However, right now, all we can do to help is do what we were told. This must remain a secret held with sanctity."
"Indeed." Kiba agreed at once. "Issei is weakened, not to mention wounded. Wolves will feast upon him should they know they had the chance."
"His abilities should allow him to keep up until he recovers," Koneko said. "And hopefully, he recovers in full."
"Mistress Kuroka was striping when I left," Leonna added, making Koneko perk up.
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate considering he is unconscious? I am pretty certain that counts as rape…"
"No, Kiba. Kuroka is healing his life." Koneko replied. "There is a technique that requires skin-to-skin contact, a healing technique that restores and even increases one's life."
"I see. Sounds quite useful." Kiba added.
"He should be fine, then, right?" Akeno asked.
"Yes. He will be fine." Leonna added again, but then her gaze shifted. "Mistress Ingvild. Glad to see you awake." And on point, Ingvild opened her eyes, getting up and holding her head.
"My head…"
"Here." Leonna took out some medicine and gave it to her. Ingvild took the medicine without delay, which seemed to act quickly to help with her headache. "How do you feel, Mistress?"
"Tired?" Ingvild said, but she was not too sure. "Wait…" She began to remove her top, forcing poor Kiba to look away should he want trouble. Gasper also had his vision covered by Koneko. "It's gone! Not even a scar!"
"From my knowledge, Katerea Leviathan impaled you here, right?" Leonna asked.
"I was using my Balance Breaker together with my bloodline's ability, but then Katerea…She used Ophis' power, and that seemed to awaken the same bloodline ability in her. Only stronger." Ingvild recounted the events. "My Gear was not working as I wanted it to. It was also boosting her."
"Looks like you rushed and didn't create a song that singled out potential enemies," Leonna stated, pointing out Ingvild's mistake. "It is alright, Mistress. Everything is fine now."
"Wait…Where is Issei? I seem to recall something, but…My memory is hazy. I don't remember much after Katerea overpowered me and, you know…"
"I am afraid the events that transpired from your demise, as temporary as it was, were dire, Mistress. Master Issei lost his temper and entered Juggernaut Drive." Leonna explained.
"What?!" Ingvild gasped, jumping out of her bed. "He…Oh no…It is all my fault. Had I been stronger - no! Had I had more control over my own power, I could have survived, and none of that would have happened!"
"Mistress, please, you hold no fault! The enemy's tactics made everything difficult." Leonna stated.
"She is right, Ingvild. They found remnants of the device that was used, and in spite of the limited findings, Azazel was able to tell it was a device capable of creating pocket dimensions." Rias narrowed her eyes. "The Snake of Adam's technological marvels never stop amazing us."
"We fought golems, and they even combined into a giant one that nearly killed me," Xenovia replied. "They were powerful, however, and moreover, equipped to deal with Rias' power."
"The enemy was prepared, Mistress. Please, calm yourself." Leonna urged Ingvild again, helping her cover herself again so the boys could look again without worry. "Master Issei will be fine."
"Can I go to him?" She asked.
"I will personally escort you to him," Leonna stated. "There is also the matter of your new Draconic Piece."
"My Draconic Piece?" Ingvild asked, then opened her state page, seeing something that stunned her fully.
"Report," Ignium demanded as he sat in his office. Several officers were before him, all of them in charge of various operations that went on during the attack on the Peace Conference. First was one of his colonels, Jeanne Fleurety.
"Sir!" She began. "I am proud to report utter and complete success on our part. We were able to track down and destroy all of the Old Satan Faction's hideouts. As ordered, we also recovered any sensible documents, which are being reviewed and scanned for potentially useful information as we speak."
"Good." Ignium nodded, then looked at another officer. "Go on."
"Our assault on the rest of their forces here, in hell, was effective, and despite difficulties later on during battle, we emerged victorious with minimal casualties."
"How many captives?"
"No less than ten thousand souls are currently in chains, Sir. Roughly 80% of the Old Satan Faction's loyal military force. The rest has been exterminated."
"What about our own defenses?" He turned to another officer.
"Strong and impenetrable! The enemy never got close, Sir."
"Tracking down the magicians involved and learning more of the Khaos Brigade and its members?"
"We are still working on discovering more information about the Khaos Brigade itself, Sir, but we managed to hunt down the magicians already and engage in battle. Unfortunately, they managed to escape our pursuit but took heavy losses. They are a non-threat now."
"Status Report on finding Shalba and Creusery!" Ignium demanded strongly.
"No progress."
Following those words, Ignium's desk flew out through the window, scaring everyone present in the room and making them step back, as it was not often that their leader lost his temper as such. "FUCK!" Ignium swore loudly. "If not for the unforeseen…No, if I just taken more decisive action, I'd had-"
"Scored a bigger success?" Jeanne asked, cutting him off. This made the other officers present nervous since few dared to interrupt the general. "Sir, with all due respect, the operation presents itself as a success no matter how it is viewed, even with the enemy leaders still alive. We have recovered their genetic material, have we not?"
"Yes…" Ignium replied, trailing off. "We did. According to a report done by Tadeus, he managed to get them to produce and is currently looking for willing women to carry the new generation."
"Then why are you so angry, Sir? Surely, even you must admit this is a success." Jeanne said again.
"Because one of the main objectives I was meant to carry out personally was eliminating those two! No, all of them!" Ignium shouted again, his ire directed at Jeanne, who seemed to genuinely lose her composure and cool seeing the blazing gaze of the demon on her. "The fault of failure is mine alone! Katerea might be dead, but even then, it was not my hand that took her life. I owe the Red Dragon a debt."
"Sir, they are without support!" Jeanne pointed out. "They are done for! Outcasts! They have nothing left, and no one would give them anything! The moment they surface again, we will slay them!"
"No! No…You are right, Jeanne, that is what will be done, but what HAS been done CANNOT be changed!" Ignium stressed out. "I failed…Worst of all, there is a Judas among us."
"The traitor…" One of the officers said softly. "We already identified them, Sir! They are awaiting trial for their acts of treason! They confessed to falling to Katerea's seductive charms and told her about the device, not to mention helping her acquire one that allowed her to, to…"
"Yes. To assault Ingvild Leviathan, who was originally meant to be safe without her own private dimension." Ignium completed the officer's sentence. "But she was not safe. She was killed. Thank FUCK the Red Dragon seems to have found a way to bring her back; otherwise, it would have been the end of the Leviathan line! NO!" He punched the wall, causing it to crack. "No…Jeanne! Give news to the army to gather at the podium. I will be giving an announcement. Bring the traitor as well."
"Sir? What are you about to do?"
"I failed, Jeanne. I failed to complete my objective. This is MY mistake! And I will pay the price of failure. Spread my order. Now."
In only an hour, the entire Snake of Adam was gathered at a podium in the heart of their HQ, within the old Capital of Dis. Upon it, their leader, Ignium, took the stage, addressing them all. He looked at them, torso bare, and began to speak. The traitor tied on the stage with him. "Brothers…Sisters…I called you here to address you. I failed. Shalba Beelzebub and Creusery Asmodeus are alive! The one task I had! To end their line of corruption and weakness, and to reforged the Houses of Asmodeus and Beelzebub to lead truly! Despite succeeding in the latter part, I have utterly failed in the former. This holds no excuse."
"They say no plan survives contact with the enemy. And that is true." Ignium continued as a man brought a vase with smoldering embers on the stage, the demon going to it and taking the lid off. There, he picked up a weapon. A whip with three heads, made of steel wire and heated until it was a cheery red color in hellfire. The traitor felt his breathing hitch seeing it. The crowd was in awe of it as well, and they all knew what it was.
The Snake of Adam was not foreign to punishments, and they punished harshly. What Ignium held was a whip used to punish the worst offenders. It is said not even someone who kills their fellow soldier would receive even one lash of this whip, as it is reserved only for the highest of crimes within the Snake.
"But we were sabotaged by him!" Ignium pointed at the traitor. "Oliver Valefar! Member of the Valefar house, also known as Valefor. An extinct pillar. You failed to uphold discipline, and you admitted to being seduced by Katerea Leviathan, supplying her with a device that allowed her to attack and kill Ingvild Leviathan! Despite Ingvild ultimately surviving, your crime is obvious! Treason!"
The crowd erupted in jeers as the sentence was given. "I confess!" Oliver shouted, not hiding his sin. "I did do it! I…I traded the device for sensual pleasure. I understand my crime and its consequences. But please, General, have mercy upon me and, at the very least, as my final wish, grand me a quick demise."
"Asking for death?" Ignium questioned, looking down at him. "It's true people have died whipped by this whip. The wounds it leaves never fade and cause pain for years to come. The metal it was made from was even blessed, with traces of silver from a melted, sanctified cross. BUT!" His sudden shout spooked the soldier at his feet. "This whip is not meant for you."
"Wha-what?" The crowd looked in awe as Ignium unraveled the whip and swung it around. Everyone was nervous, but then, the whip cracked down on flesh, and the crowd erupted in stunned gasps. Even the colonels, who were watching, were left utterly speechless at the sight before them. Ignium was whipping…himself!
"It is meant for me!" Another strike echoed as the sound of sizzling flesh was audible to Oliver's ears. "I failed to kill Shalba and Creusery!" Another crack. "I failed to save Ingvild Leviathan in spite of all my power!" Another crack. "But worst of all…I failed to be a good leader for you, Oliver. For you have betrayed me."
"General!" Oliver threw himself to the ground, hands still bound. "Please, stop! Please!"
"Stop!"
"No, don't!"
"You deserve none of this, General!"
The crowd and even the soldier at his feet were begging Ignium to stop. "This is the only way I can make it right! 500 lashes!"
"No! I betrayed you, Sir! Please! Don't punish yourself for my sin!" Oliver begged. "Please! What is my punishment? Exact my punishment!"
"There is no punishment for you, Oliver!"
"What?" The soldier's eyes widened in shock. "B-but…"
"The punishment is all mine. I failed you, Oliver. I failed all of you. As your leader, I won't wait for my punishment to be decided - I will decide my penance myself! And I decided! For my failure, I will ensure 500 lashes of this whip! For my failure, for Oliver's betrayal, and the bloodshed!"
Oliver's cuffs burned away, releasing him. "Go…You are free, soldier."
"General…" Oliver's eyes watered as he saw Ignium swing the whip again, aiming to strike himself once again. But Oliver couldn't do it. He couldn't watch anymore. "Stop!" He jumped at Ignium, shocking the crowd as he grabbed his arm, stopping him mid-swing. "I cannot do this, General! I won't do this!"
"Oliver…" Ignium growled.
"I won't let you carry the punishment alone! I bear fault! There is no denying it! Please…if I cannot talk you out of punishing yourself, then at least let me share in your punishment! Two hundred fifty lashes to each of us!" Oliver suggested, with the crowd in utter disbelief at the sight before them.
"Oliver, you realize what you are asking for?" Ignium brought the whip up, and it touched Oliver's skin lightly. Yet, the man recoiled back strongly from the pain. However, with determination, he grabbed the whip, burning his hand. Ignium was surprised.
"Sir…Do it. Two hundred fifty lashes…"
Ignium closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. Then he brought the whip in his hands up again. "Very well!" And the crack echoed throughout the city. Everyone watched with a mix of emotions unseen to that day. They felt horrified yet inspired. They felt angry, yet they admired Oliver's resolve to not only come clean but share the punishment of their General. They were sad but happy. They were delighted that their leader cared so much for them that he'd even forgive a traitor.
"NO!" Another man shouted from the crowd. "Sir! Give me part of the lashes as well!"
"Yes! We won't let you suffer alone!"
"We all carry the fault of failure! We all deserve part of the lashes!"
The soldiers, one by one, stepped forth, striping their armor and exposing bare flesh to Ignium to receive the unforgiving bite of the whip. Ignium could only stare in silence. What kind of leader was he, to inspire and command the respect of so many men that when he was to receive just punishment, they'd jump in to share in his pain with no hesitation? To take part of the burden off his shoulders and elevate him to the highest peaks.
And the answer? This is who he was. This is who Ignium was. The Snake of Adam will never betray their General. They will never betray Ignium.
And Ignium, for a brief moment, smiled.
"Fuck!" Shalba shouted as he and Creusery were forced to hide, the descendant of Beelzebub having poured two bottles of Phoenix Tears on his crotch already. "That demon…He will pay dearly."
"He castrated us," Creusery stated in shock. They were hiding in some cavern, deep underground.
"He almost fully castrated me, not you! You get to regrow them, but I don't!" Shalba shouted at Creusery. "Katerea is no more. She didn't show up."
"We are all that is left of the Old Satan Faction. I tried to contact our hideouts, but…There is no one there, Shalba. We are alone, and we have nothing!"
"NO!" Shalba shouted, facing Creusery. "We have our lives! And we will use them to seek vengeance against that demon!"
"Are you insane?! We, two descendants of the original Satans, couldn't even land a solid blow on him without relying on the enemy's tools! He is a monster, Shalba! No! We must rethink our approach!" Creusery suggested. "We must go into hiding and wait! We need to recover and find backing and men willing to die for us. We must-"
"Do none of that!" Shalba shouted, grabbing Creusery. "There is nothing that matters anymore! Let them keep the underworld!"
"WHAT?!" Creusery gasped in shock. "But the underworld is our right by birth!"
"It's tainted!" Shalba added. "It cannot be saved! It cannot be cleansed! It can only be destroyed…"
"Destroyed?" Creusery echoed. "Shalba…You know our kin cannot-"
"I don't give a fuck…If I need to, I will enslave women from other races and rape them to produce me children of power untold!"
"You-" Creusery nearly choked on his words, hearing him. "Are you hearing yourself?! You'd create hybrids just to get back at that demon and destroy every pure-blood devil there is?!"
"Hybrid…" Shalba looked at Creusery strangely. "I see. The power of two separate heirs might have been insufficient."
"What are you on about now?" Suddenly, Shalba leaped at Creusery. "S-shalba?"
"Your power is quite something, Creusery. But I heard you could even turn into objects, no?"
"I couldn't master that part!" The Asmodeus heir admitted.
"That is alright…Because I will."
"What? Shalba? Shalba?! What are you doing?! Stop! Stop! No! NOOOOOO!"
"So, he lives…" Vali said as he gazed at the sky, having just received news from Bikou regarding Issei.
"He did some stuff using his Juggernaut, brought the girl back, and then passed out. But I could still sense the fire of life in him, so he should be fine." Bikou recounted once again, for short this time.
"At least I have a chance for another round," Vali said with a grin.
Short chapter, I know.
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