Chapter XXXV

This was a serious meeting.

A very important meeting.

Issei reminded himself, repeating those words as he settled into his seat across from everyone. Even now, the young Campione couldn't help but sigh in annoyance at having to call everybody so he could get a mess cleaned up for the second time that very same week.

He was grumpy.

He was hungry.

He should have been with Aika, enjoying one of those very pricey rich people croquettes or the coffee that might have cost him a whole month's worth of allowance. That would have been a bit awkward, but at least he wouldn't need to deal with the gym getting wrecked.

Again.

More importantly, he had to keep his eyes from wandering as everyone settled down for the meeting that he'd called.

The teacher's staff room wasn't exactly what he thought of as a great meeting place, or even somewhere he should have access to, but Issei wanted to make it clear that things were serious. He also needed a place to store the cursed Fallen while things got explained and room for everybody to sit down. So, the long, round table, three dozen seats, and the refrigerator, along with assorted snacks and drinks, had been volunteered by the President.

'There's gotta be some reason we didn't use her room. Politics? Bah. I just want to know how a student can give permission to use staff facilities! Isn't that the crazy thing right now?'

In truth, it had taken a little while for everyone to gather and he'd had a chance to call Aika and apologize. She'd assured him they'd make it up later and asked if he wanted her to take some sweets home for him. The young man had blushed a little at that and agreed. However, that gave the Student Council, the Occult Research Club, Agent Smith, Irina and her friend, as well as the unfamiliar lady that had run into the gym with her time to gather.

She was… eye catching to say the least.

'Is she even wearing a bra?'

Was there a bra size large enough in the world to support her?

With a pair that were definitely bigger than Issei's head, the purple haired woman was incredibly eye-catching. Not only was she curvy, but as she stood to the side, apart from everyone else as they sat down and waited for him to say… something… anything, he had to take in the fact her entire ensemble seemed to just make his mouth water!

And force him to shift a little awkwardly. From the tight blouse, to the fashionable glasses, to the lilac dress, and the way her gently shining orange eyes radiated a sense of reliability!

She was definitely the perfect image of an Onee-Sama.

'Or a diligent and responsible secretary. Hmm. Which is better?'

His distraction was also a distraction for himself. He really didn't know what to say, busy as he was ogling the largest set of Oppai he'd ever seen in his entire life. They might as well create a new letter in the alphabet to rank them!

'Gah. No. I can't keep my eyes closed any longer! Sitting here with my hand on my chin only works so long.'

Sure, had it stopped at that, Issei might have been able to focus.

But the lady just seemed to have walked out of a pin up poster.

Everything about her, from her curves to how she was sitting, to how she looked at people around her, screamed about how confident she was. And her looks seemed to match that as she reclined against the plush couch of the room. Not even bothered by the fact everyone was looking at her in suspicion, if anything she looked like she enjoyed the attention.

In fact, as he opened his eyes, he could confirm that, with how annoyed his classmates looked, she probably was succeeding in annoying them. And he wasn't looking forward to breaking up another fight in the school.

Unfortunately, his problems only started there.

Irina had completely discarded the cloak she wore back when she visited him at home, wearing the blessed outfit that he'd learnt was actually something most of the exorcists had to use. It hugged her so tightly, Issei was afraid she was gonna slip out and get launched out of orbit by it.

Xenovia was, somehow, worse. Looking like she'd just finished exercising intensely, complete with a slight blush on her cheeks from exertion, and a defiant look in her gaze, too! She was a heroine ready to once more battle to defend her friends.

Smith at least just looked normal, even if she was still a stunner no matter if she was a bit disheveled and nursing an extra large mug of coffee. So that didn't mean it didn't add fuel to the fire. As did Sona and the Vice President when they arrived, meaning there were over half a dozen people sitting around him.

At least her peerage had politely sat as a single group, positioned around Kiba and Koneko, and weren't really trying to stand out.

'Not that President needs to try. With her calm face, stern features, and the slightly abashed Tsubaki sitting next to her, she looks like she's farther along to being a Harem Queen than I am! To being a King, that is.'

And they were all looking at him.

Why did he have to be surrounded by so many gorgeous women when he was meant to be acting serious?

How was that fair?!

'Oh, and I guess Saji and Kiba are here too. Meh.'

Still, he probably should say something. And what better place to start than with the elephant in the room.

"Can anyone explain to me what happened? I was kinda in the middle of something when you called and this definitely ruined my plans for the afternoon." He tried not to sound too annoyed, but he really was and it was hard not to grouch.

He did feel a bit guilty when Smith winced at the tone.

"Sorry about that Issei, but it really was serious this time."

Well, not really. He dealt with that gaggle of mobs so fast he didn't even have the time to get creative.

But not everyone was as tough as him.

"It wouldn't have been required if someone had been watching their subordinates properly instead of letting them run amok in my… our hometown.." Sona coughed awkwardly at the end, probably meaning to act like the bad cop to try and intimidate the older lady.

"I don't see the point of micro-managing my subordinate's actions. They were instructed not to inconvenience the locals and approach the powers that be at their own pace."

"Obviously something went wrong." Smith sipped from her coffee.

"Obviously, yes. We had yet to make any outward moves or approach any of the groups stationed here. yet my subordinates were assaulted and enthralled by whatever force had them attack this school."

The Fallen lady actually seemed annoyed at that, with only a hint of worry in her voice. Issei wondered if she cared about her underlings or was just glad they weren't dead? Sona, however, didn't seem convinced as to her sincerity.

"And that's just awfully convenient for you, isn't it? Attacking us in broad daylight with the handy excuse of your subordinates being mind controlled. Whether you fail or succeed, it's a flawless story for either scenario."

Irina however, jumped in.

"Just assuming that they are guilty is a step too far, though. Would they really risk upsetting the peace here when the excuse might not even stick? If we could figure it out, there's no way others wouldn't and that's not even getting into how Campione aren't exactly good at taking excuses… no offense, Issei."

"Some taken." He shrugged.

Knowing Luo Hao, she probably would have smeared those Fallen Angels across the floor and whoever was in charge of them so he understood where she was coming from. Even if he didn't like getting compared to that pain in the ass musclehead sister of his.

She wasn't even a good kisser.

"You're being too optimistic, especially since that means trusting members of a faction you're supposedly opposed to."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"That the enemy of your enemy is your enemy's enemy."

"You're too paranoid. What if there really is someone behind this and we're wasting time pointing fingers at each other? Shouldn't we at least investigate the possibility first instead of going back from the outcome you want?"

Back and forth Irina and Sona went.

It was to be expected since they were supposed to be at odds, but he couldn't help but think there was more to it. Irina didn't seem like the combative type so she must have really thought the Fallen that attacked them must have been controlled somehow.

He agreed with her.

But them being controlled didn't mean they couldn't have been controlled by their own side.

"Xenovia." Speaking up silenced the other two and surprised the rest. "Tell me. Those attacks, could they have killed you all?"

"I'm sure that-"

He simply gave the well chested lady a sharp look. Having to squint and force himself not to stare at her chest.

"And you are?"

"Penemue. 9th Seat of the Cadre and Secretary of Grigori's Governor-General."

Oh, she was a secretary type after all. Neat.

He'd file that away for later though.

"Hmm. I understand wanting to speak in defense of your friends, but please could you wait a moment?"

Not really able to say much else, because she really was just that much of a bombshell, he shifted in his chair to face Xenovia… and prayed that no one had X-ray vision right now.

Inclining her head a fraction of an inch, Penemue allowed the exorcist to speak.

"Possibly." She admitted. "I think if we had, had time to organize, we could have blocked that. But they were far too strong for Minors, ah, Peons as the Fallen call them."

When he just looked confused, she elaborated. "Two winged angels. Called… ah…."

"Ishim." the Fallen supplied. "Those whose nature were, or almost were, within the grasp of men's minds."

"The Holy Church re-ordered them since the old days."

Irina gave the Fallen a very sad smile and Issei wondered what that was about.

"Yeah. Still, their attacks were definitely stronger than they should have been." Xenovia stroked her chin. "At least as strong as an Archangel of four wings."

Unfortunately, that didn't mean much to him other than that they were way stronger than they should have been. And that apparently there had been a major re-organization of the church at some point.

"Wait." Something occurred to him. "I thought archangels were, like, super bosses? Aren't they supposed to be the leaders?"

Sona cleared her throat.

"To keep this brief, Issei, they are leaders of the more numerous angels and are the highest rank to enter the mortal world. Other, ah, higher realms of beings tend to be… incapable of manifesting fully."

Penemue chuckled at that.

"How politely put. But yes. That is essentially correct. Think of the Arch-Angels as the leaders of the Heavenly Host that descond onto His Creation. A Principality is unlikely to even manifest a body and a Dominion is much closer to a facet of reality given a supervising spirit."

"Reality warpers. Got it." He nodded. "So, someone, who is currently unknown, powered up these four and ordered them to assassinate, hmm, two full factions of people in Kuoh."

"Ah. Possibly three." Smith spoke up. "Ena was supposed to be there and I was there for a time."

"Hmm. That is a good point." Sona agreed, glancing at Tsubaki. "Please, you had an idea you shared with me in private. Tell the others."

Looking a bit awkward, the Vice President stood up, bowed, and began speaking.

"Thank you. I will be brief. I believe, based on the use of wide area attack magic, along with targeting a grouping of all factions, that it was intended for the two groups to exterminate each other. Or for the Fallen to exterminate us and then be exterminated by Issei."

Sitting down, she seemed troubled. But Issei figured it wasn't time to pry. Instead, he thanked her.

"It means a lot that you spoke up like that." Once more stroking his chin, he found himself conflicted. "Still… I don't like this. Maybe I should tell Yinghua to look after Aika, too, even if she said I was being silly for worrying."

"Where is that brat?" Koneko, who was looking much healthier after drinking some of his blood - and that thought caused his stomach to turn a little - surprisingly spoke up.

"Ah, I asked him to look after my parents. They were at work but, well, it seemed prudent to ask him to please make sure they were safe."

"Good thinking. I asked Ena to look after her partner, too."

The HCC agent seemed pleased that he'd thought to look after his parents. And now he couldn't help but think she was a bit silly. Of course he'd look after them!

'Especially after Dusa-Chan.'

Even if someone was in pain, that didn't excuse… bad… acts.

"I've come to a decision."

Surprising everyone, it was Kiba of all people who actually snorted. He seemed a bit angry, but he was hovering over Koneko a little and his fingers were itching like he desperately wanted to manifest his swords. And, if nothing else, Issei had to say his respect for the guy had skyrocketed over this whole thing.

"You're going to have them rebuild the school?"

"Yup. And then report for mental health treatment. Away from Kuoh."

"Hmm." Sona tapped her fingers on the table. "I'm not sure I'm pleased by that."

Irina and Xenovia shrugged and simply nodded.

"If they're banned from Japan, we have no objection. Executing them in cold blood might be too much."

"It's dishonorable to cut down an enemy if they're helpless. Not unless they wish to repent through death, at least."

Kiba simply stood up and sighed, walking out of the room. Koneko followed, only stopping enough to pat Issei's shoulder.

"We trust senpai."

She gave him the tiniest of smiles and his was a smidge pained, but he returned it.

"Technically, Grigori is a proscribed organization in Japan. But so long as this ban is actually obeyed, we're willing to let things go."

Smith actually stared down Penemue when she said that, not flinching even when the Fallen rustled her wings.

"Hah. Very well. I shall personally oversee that they are returned to the Underworld for treatment. The Fallen accept this resolution in full and vow to enforce this ban for the next one hundred years."

Issei nodded.

"Acceptable. President, you have any problems with that?"

Nodding, the Devil elaborated.

"Yes. I'm not comfortable with allowing them to just walk away. But, for the sake of peace, I, as supervisor of the Devil faction in Kuoh, will accept this. So long as the same courtesy is extended to us in turn."

Issei had a feeling this was going to be a long, long night.

"Um, Issei?"

"Hmm? Yes, Irina?"

"Is that… lipstick…."

Hand suddenly jumping up to the corner of his mouth, the Campione went bright red.

Aika Kiryuu thought she had life figured out.

Or, well, figured out the way life was supposed to go. You lived each day, doing all you could to make sure you enjoyed yourself. Not that many people would agree with her, in fact most would be against the idea that you should work in order to live instead of the other way around.

They were ambitious.

Dedicated.

They worked hard and gave it their all.

And by the end of the day… were utterly miserable and unfulfilled.

Really, what was the point of putting in all the effort into something that didn't fulfill you? At the end of the day you still had to walk home and look yourself in the mirror and work wouldn't fill the void in your life no matter how good you were at it or how high you climbed.

So, she didn't care.

She was in a position to not care, self aware as she was.

Eventually she was going to graduate. She was going to a good college because that's how the plan usually went, and from there she was either joining up the family business or ending up marrying someone her folks picked out from a pile of dusty folders.

She didn't care.

She had her vices. She had her likes and her hobbies.

Life was meant to be enjoyed and she was going to take advantage of it for as long as she could before life stopped being fun and she was forced to accept it.

She didn't care.

"I'm really sorry I had to leave."

Or so she thought.

"I said it was okay, didn't I? Besides, someone's gotta keep the school from blowing up."

There was an exaggerated sigh of despair from the other end of the line.

"Please don't say that. Having everyone call me or run to get me whenever there's a problem is gonna completely eat up my free time. I was actually looking forward to the arcade today, you know?"

Her lips quirked ever so slightly.

"I was too, but you know how it works. Great power, great responsibility."

There was a small pause.

"Did you just quote Spider-Man at me?"

"Well, it doesn't exactly fit. What with you being a big bad Demon King. But you'd think that instead of running up to you and expecting you to fix the problems, they'd actually be afraid of asking you for stuff. Maybe you're not being enough of a tyrant if they keep treating you like their manager."

And she meant it.

Issei was a nice enough guy, but he seemed to have a problem really telling people no unless they happened to annoy him. And after that whole thing with his 'sister' he seemed to be stepping on eggshells trying not to be an imposition on everyone around him.

Only they already expected it.

"Yeah, well, I ended up having to give everyone a sit down and help figure out what was actually happening. Don't think any of them are involved, so it might be better to avoid being out and around until we find out who is."

Aika smiled coily, leaning against a telephone pole.

"Think you can get the school to announce an advanced vacation then? That will keep everyone out for sure."

Issei groaned piteously.

"I tried, the President said it would just have everyone running around town instead. So it's better they come to school where she can watch the place and make sure nothing happens."

Drat, her plans were foiled yet again.

Not that she'd been banking on it but any chance to play hooky and catch up on her light novels would be welcome. Hell, even a chance to try again and drag the boy on the other end of the line to the arcade would be preferable.

"I hear yah. Still. I hope I managed to make the afternoon memorable in a small way. You take care, ok, Issei?"

"Yeah. I… I'll definitely remember this. Goodnight, Aika. See you at school?"

"Definitely. Night."

Hanging up, she couldn't help but sigh in annoyance.

Mostly with herself, if she was honest. Kissing a boy for a second time was sending pretty damn clear signals. But that didn't mean he'd pick up on them. In fact, Issei seemed to be a little worried she was throwing herself at him.

'Which is just absurd.'

If anything she was a bit jealous of him.

Issei Hyoudou knew what he wanted. Rather, he was unabashedly honest about the things he desired for himself and cared only about achieving them for himself. Even when he probably could snap his fingers and have it delivered by morning he was still going through the motions and putting in the effort.

He cared.

And she was jealous of that. Because, despite how similar the two of them might have appeared at first glance, he was someone chasing something beyond that, and she was just a plain hedonist trying to find enjoyment in a life someone else planned for her.

She wanted what he had.

The passion. The desire. The sense of purpose.

And that's why she'd been so adamant on hanging around him. Interacting with his friends, learning about his family and what being a Campione was all about. Because at the end of the day, someone like her felt like those things were completely beyond her abilities.

"How hard can't it be to trigger a relationship flag with a harem obsessed horn dog. It shouldn't be this difficult."

Only he wasn't just that.

And the more she learned, the more shallow she felt. Aika… had to consider she didn't actually know all that much about Issei.

'Maybe I should invite him out again. Someone screwed over the hang out today but he'll definitely want to make up for it. All I need to do is take advantage of that and see what I'm missing.' Her sneakers scraped against the sidewalk and she was glad she'd worn tights, too, the extra layer giving her just a little protection against the growing evening chill.

It's not like she was tossing her skirt at him or anything. How in the Hell was he the one worried he's taking advantage?!

'Sure, I suppose I know he's a hero. But, hmm, maybe he is onto something. His parents are pretty normal, right? So it's not like he'd be able to get away with pretty much anything like I do. Tch. People should appreciate honesty like his, even if he's way too maidenly about some things!'

In the end, stomping along cold Kuoh streets by herself wasn't Aika's idea of fun. And she did have a box full of food. So, making it back to her place, finding it as dark and empty as ever, she took her shoes off, hooked her key on its ring, and meandered into the kitchen.

"Hmm?"

Only to find there was a visitor waiting for her, sat perfectly still in the center of the kitchen floor.
A familiar black cat.

"Yoru? You're Issei's… cat. Oh fuck!"

Only something was wrong, and by wrong she meant that the cat's shadow was larger than it.

And it was growing.

"Shit!"

Lunging across the stove, Aika managed to grab a kitchen knife just before a dainty hand grabbed her hair. A pungent smell of meat, fruit, and wine stinging her nose as he was pulled closer by a shadowy figure and away from the counter by strength beyond human.

She didn't hesitate, swinging wildly at whoever or whatever was behind.

"My, my, you're a feisty one." The voice was rich and husky, but hissing and dry at the same time. "A pity that boy didn't come home with you, too."

"Let her… go…."

A weak, pitiful noise came from behind her attacker. There was someone behind this person, laid sprawled on the ground. But, when Aika tried to turn her head, a hand roughly grabbed her chin. She'd only managed to catch a glimpse of cat ears before being pulled closer to the invader, the strange shadowy form spreading over the floor and the walls.

"Now, now. Don't you know it's poor manners to peek at a lady?"

A soft pair of lips nipped at her ear. A chill of disgust crawled up her spine as Aika felt something sharp, cold, and wrong dig into her as sharp nails into her side.

"Just relax and let me borrow your skin for a bit, okay? Then we'll go see that cute boyfriend of yours."

In an empty house. Nobody could hear Aika's scream.

"Attention all passengers, the plane will be making its landing shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts."

Eight hour flights were a pain.

The jet lag, the boredom, the poor quality airplane food. It was a slew of little frustrations that could drive even the most patient of men crazy as they counted down the seconds until they arrived at their destination. The elation of the airplane wheels as they touched down provided relief akin to removing a barb.

Why not simply teleport to their destination?

Well, it was certainly possible.

But where would be the fun in that!?

The excitement, the building tension, the anticipation. It wasn't all about racing towards the goal! You had to take the scenic route, smell the flowers and psyche yourself up as the finish line grew steadily closer, just so you could savor the moment you crossed the threshold.

The prize was the more sweet for its ripeness.

'From here it will be another few hours worth of travel.'

The hotel reservations had been a nice touch and he was looking forward to a good night of sleep and a good meal. There was such a thing as unwrapping your gift too soon, and he wasn't about to jump the gun and do things out of order just because the end was in sight.

He had to be at his best.

Only then could he meet his enemy.

'So, this is Japan.'

Striding across the airport's walkway, he relished the feeling of the sun behind his back as he reached for the cheap pair of sunglasses he'd gotten before taking the flight. Bag slung over his shoulder and his cellphone left turned off. There was a sense of karmic fate as his feet touched the ground for the first time and his eyes surveyed the sky above.

Up above he could imagine them, feel the wind shift and the ground shudder beneath his feet as he marched into the Demon King's territory with glorious purpose in mind.

'In this very moment, the wheels of fate are turning.'

Truthfully, this was neither the first, nor would it be the last time this particular clash played out. But it was most certainly a fated battle. One that had been brewing for a very long time. And not just because he was a warrior of legend.

"Surely, for the Red Dragon Emperor to dwell in the territory of a Campione, he ought to be immensely powerful."

Thoughts of certain mortals raced through his mind.

'Cao Cao and his followers do stand out. But even he admitted that challenging Luo Hao would be dangerous. And his cousin, Yinghua, is a prodigy. But humans just… don't measure up most of the time. They're fragile in ways other species aren't.'

But that wasn't a flaw.

No, no, no!

It was pressure. A way to hammer diamonds from coal. And the mere fact that his rival was able to entice a Godslayer, even a young one, to tolerate his presence suggested an extremely dangerous warrior.

'Vali, I have to warn you. As a descendant of Lucifer and as my host, you may well stir up the instincts of a Campione. Even as a half human there is a chance you may be devoured by that accursed ritual.'

Thinking of his ally's warning, it was something he had to consider.

'No matter. I made a request of the humans. The Campione and I will hash things out either way.'

And if they couldn't solve it through diplomacy… well… he could do with a warm up before seeking out his rival.