One-Punch DxD: NEO - Chapter 65: Reviewing
I read the latest chapter of One-Punch Man… Shrunken Rover was bigger than I originally thought; and a wild Black Sperm appears! XD
Don’t forget to check out my other stuff – either here or P . atreon! Cheers
Wallachia.
More than a thousand years, and the land did not change that much compared to the rest of the world.
On his Pale Horse, the pale man inhaled the air of his homeland.
“Does the smell remind you of home?”
Behind the man was his retinue, a legion of them on horseback. One of them was demonic-looking, bearing golden-sulfur eyes.
“…All I smell is the air of my country.” The pale man answered.
“Is it not home?” Another man asked.
“Home… I need to see if it is still home.” The man whipped the reins, his Pale Horse neighing as it galloped slowly towards the borders.
“Do you need company?” He asked.
“None, Iscariot. I… would like to request a moment to myself.” He denied.
“…Very well.”
The man’s black cloak billowed under the gentle breeze as his horse’s hooves sunk into the grassy slope leading to the borders.
The cloak was something he took with him from his time in perdition, something he made for himself… as a reminder of his time down there, a reminder of his trapping his wife there until they escaped.
Once free from that place’s curse of immortality, he destroyed her as an act of mercy… and he made her a part of him so that she would not fall to Oblivion and disappear forever.
The horse entered the borders, and he could already see the Danube rivers ahead.
It had been so long since then…
He still could not believe that he was finally free. He had been in that wretched place for so long that he had truly forgotten what it was like to walk under the sun and bask under the kind warmth.
The nearest town was ahead… He could not remember the name.
Silistra? Maybe.
It looked so different compared to before… there were more buildings.
He could see the modern architecture, the rectilinear buildings clustering around the center of the city.
He smiled as a white mist covered the Pale Horse. His mount looked no different compared to a regular horse, disguised. He had heard that the local humans were not used to… the supernatural.
He wished he could dress the part. It was good that there were valuables even in Malebolge he could use to barter for coins.
Having been seen riding a horse in the middle of civilization might have garnered unwanted attention. Thus, he dismounted his disguised pale horse and pulled the mount by the rein, as he began to trek through the locals milling around.
The locals paid him a glance or two, but soon ignored him for a tourist.
He inhaled the air. The town was rich with human blood, but he smelled the blood of his descendants mixed with the mortals. He could not remember the last time he smelled rich mortal blood.
He tried to keep track of the living world using the newly damned as his source of information, but the other factions value them as fresh targets of torture. The dead Devils would always be there first, outnumbering him and his retinue billions of times. By the time he managed to smuggle one out of their torture chambers, they were a babbling wreck.
He should try the food here. He had not eaten anything decent in years. Though this reminded him of a disturbing rumor in the living world regarding his descendants.
But first, he needed money.
Should he use hypnosis? No, he shouldn’t, he was in the living world. He should find a pawn shop at least to trade goods.
Honestly, it would be better if he found someone connected to the supernatural… he should have asked Ermias for more than just giving them physical vessels to inhabit.
There was only one thing to do.
He led his horse towards the nearest cluster of his descendants.
He meandered through the streets with his horse, navigating through the perpendicular maze, his eyes wandering from building to building until he ended up at what looked like a blood bank. He tied the reins around a metal post then entered through the sliding doors. He was surprised that he did not have to move the handle. He could not sense any magical powers running through the door and the walls – was this what this era called science? If so, then humans had truly gone far since his leaving.
“Welcome~”
Taking a brief note of the female tone greeting his entrance, he looked around.
“Ho…”
He marveled at the clean sterility of the room, such dedication to freshness unlike his era.
It did look too clean, however. The white colors and monotonous lifeless tone of the lounge was a bit unnerving, no life or artistic flair unlike his era.
He looked at the front, seeing two women in strange white outfits that seemed made for sexual appeal. White hats and pink skirts so short it revealed a bit of their lingerie white and black panties with garter-belts.
He approved of this fashion, very tantalizing to the eyes.
“Are you here to donate blood… or something else, dog of Tepes?” Her tone grew a little hostile as the woman smiled, showing her fangs at him.
“Tepes… that is my last name, yes.” The man smiled at her as he approached her.
“Then please stay back, filthy man.” She scowled.
“…I believe your antagonism towards me is unearned.” The man gently dissuaded. “I apologize, however. It has been so long since I have spoken with women of class. I apologize for my unbecoming appearance.”
He gently bowed towards them to their surprise.
“…Your pulse… it’s strange, but you’re not lying.” The other woman in front of the counter commented.
He was thankful that they still had superhuman hearing and they knew how to tell the truth or lie via heart-beat.
“What business do you have in the lands of Carmilla? Did you come here to purchase our blood stocks or raid our property?” The one behind the desk asked warily.
“Heavens, no.” He shook his head. “I plan to dine in one of the local restaurants. I am simply here to ask if you have any modern currency. It is unbecoming to use our powers for petty theft to sustain ourselves.”
“…I thought you were a noble, but turns out, you are a penniless vagrant.” The other woman in front of the counter let out a condescending smirk. “…You also have the scent of our kin, yet you wish for human food – a hybrid, perhaps?”
“I have been away from my home for so long that it has changed too much for me to remember… I still wonder if my mansion is still there, or if that blasted God tore it down just to mock me.”
The women were then confused by his remarks.
“…I do have items to barter, priceless ones given the extreme rarity due to their location. But I must ask. Our kind… is it true that you have devolved to relying on blood for sustenance?” He asked.
His questions were… alien. It was common sense that Vampires needed blood for sustenance as they could not eat normal food, yet this man did not know that.
“…What era are you from for you to question our diet?” She asked.
“…I suppose around the Age of Gods.” He shook his head. “Once, during my time, we can enjoy the finest wines and meats with nobles and commoners alike. After all, Ermias told me everything about my conditions when I turned into the first Vampire.” He gazed at them through his oiled, dirty black hair, his golden eyes.
“The ability to consume blood is not a luxury to indulge with gluttony. It is a supplement we use to strengthen ourselves to destroy our adversaries. Consuming too much of the crimson life essence would degrade our body, destroy our body’s ability to consume normal food and pollute our minds. If we indulge too much… it will become a genetic curse on our bloodlines.”
At this point, the she-vampire on the reception was looking utterly bewildered at the story coming from the stranger before her.
“…Where did you hear this?” She asked, now giving the strange man her undivided attention.
“I was there, after all. Tell me, are you curious as to why we are weak to sunlight? To holy power? Did they not tell you that it is from the God I used to worship to spite me and my kind for turning to the Demons for strength? And I succeeded in hindering His plans so magnificently that He descended from the clouds to smite me Himself?”
They stared at the smiling stranger, confused yet enraptured by the man.
“He cursed me blood like he did with man long ago when Lucifer decided to rebel, when I decided to go against his scheme to further his religion by abandoning my country to the Ottomans in order to further spread his reach. Cursed to be weak under sunlight and those that bear his cross… the garlic is but an unfortunate allergic weakness I had when I was still human. It is still embarrassing that those that share my blood still have it. I am working on absolving them even as we speak since I have returned.”
“…Who are you to speak as if you’re the founder of our race?” The one behind the reception desk demanded.
The man – Vlad Tepes III, also known as Dracula, smiled before he waved with his hand.
With a single gesture of his hand, the she-vampires froze as their blood recoiled under their skin. It was like it was recoiling from fear… and recognition.
That day, The True Vampire Lord announced his return to his people.
Griselda was not smiling.
She was looking sad as she sat in Asia’s room, Irina and Xenovia also there to talk.
“…I didn’t know.” Griselda hung her head.
The girls were talking about their current feelings regarding the matters of their religion, how they see it.
“…I am… I don’t know how I should feel. I watched movies about people reacting to how they… knew everything they knew was a lie but…” Irina was downtrodden, hugging her knees on the bed.
“We have been keeping this from Issei and the others. But… Sister Griselda. How do you do it? Keep believing in… Heaven?” Irina asked.
Xenovia was cross-legged on the floor. Asia was holding Rover, the dog whining with concern for his friend while Rassei cooed in her hair.
“…I don’t know.” Griselda looked at her lap. “I like to think that what God has built matters, what he left should be protected. At least… His teachings uphold the good of all. Mercy, compassion…”
“…But what if that is a lie?” Irina asked.
“…Even if it is… it is something worth fighting for.” Griselda shook her head. “I don’t know what God is like in person unlike the angels… but not all wisdom came from God. Our faith brought the best out of others, even if it is flawed. The lesson I think is that… no one is perfect. Not even God… and it is our duty to be better and better the lives of others until our last breath.”
Irina, Xenovia, and Asia looked up to their superior.
“But…”
“Even if God has things he must answer for… It is up to us to confront him and our past sins. It is not good to live life under the dream of perfection. But not everyone can wake up from it and grow stronger.”
“I… see.” Irina inhaled.
“…Give it some thought. It is not only our duty as those we serve the will of Heaven to do good, but also to become stronger as humans. Like Sir Issei.” She smiled.
The girls smiled as well when she mentioned Issei.
“…Will you stay with us tonight?” Xenovia asked. She needed to check the progression of Black’s corruption.
“Perhaps. I must be ready to answer Lady Gabriel’s call at any time. What about your training, however?” Griselda’s face turned stern, disciplinary as Irina and Xenovia flinched.
“Have you two been indulging in the sin of sloth?”
Both girls exchanged a brief glance, before Xenovia replied, “…We’ve been progressing.”
Griselda raised her eyebrows, “Oh? In that case, perhaps I can make some time to see how far you have grown. Is there a place we can use?”
In response, Irina and Xenovia swallowed a small lump at the incoming hardships. They could only see the beatings and suffering under Griselda’s sword, wooden or not.
“…Yes.” Irina hesitantly confirmed.
“Miss Argento.”
“Y-Yes!?” Asia perked.
“Would you like to join us in our training as well?” She turned to Asia with a sweet smile.
“U-um…” Asia looked between Irina and Xenovia, who for some reason were looking expectantly at her.
“Y-Yes! I n-need to get stronger!”
Rassei poked out of her hair and flexed his tiny arms, while Rover panted in her arms.
XoX
In a few moments, they were within the secret training room in the basement. Griselda was holding the Sword of Duality, the sword of spiral black and white,.
Irina took out Houyi’s Bow while Xenovia took out Joyeuse and Durandal.
“Hmmm… are you sure you want to dual wield? The weight of each weapon is different…” Griselda noted. “And Irina, what happened to relying on your sword? Are you that reliant on Sir Issei’s gift?”
Irina gulped. The real reason was that she had absolutely no confidence in besting Griselda with the sword… and the composite-feathered holy bow was awesome. It helped her clear out a lot of evil spirits.
“Hmmmm. You two seem stressed. Should I seal my Balance Breaker for you girls?” Griselda offered, yet her smiling face was demanding that they do not take the easy way out.
Asia was in the rear as support. She was the only one unaffected by Griselda’s oppressive aura.
“N-No need!” Irina inhaled.
Xenovia and Irina shared a glance. Then nodded as they moved, both running towards the strongest female exorcist as Irina shot an explosive holy sun arrow.
However, Griselda defected the arrow back to Xenovia.
But in return, Xenovia raised Joyeuse, the holy blade absorbing the arrow to Griselda’s pleasant surprise.
Xenovia smirked as she launched the arrow her sword stored back at Griselda and then fired a wave of holy energy with Durandal the moment Irina fired three more explosive arrows at her.
They engulfed Griselda in a wave of holy and sun energy exploding on impact. The explosion was brief, dying quickly to show Griselda’s holy barrier covering her entire body.
“My, I did not expect such a combination from the two of you. Your progress is remarkable.” Griselda commented with a pleasant smile, “…But let’s take this further as they say, shall we?”
The two felt a chill while Asia stammered and prepared Asclepius.
“I never got the chance to use this special sword so often. My opponents are usually… many in number, too much quantity over quality.” Griselda smiled behind her holy barrier as she raised her sword.
“…Balance Breaker.”
“Asia! Enchant us!” Irina shouted as Asia yelped and started buffing the girls with magic, Strengthening, Greater Defense, Greater Aura, Holy Blessing, Swiftness.
That was all Asia could give them before Griselda finished.
Sword of Duality Balance Breaker – Celestial Sword Maiden Apostle.
After a brief flash, Griselda emerged, armored, armed, and… beautiful.
It was also quite provocative as three girls were simultaneously stunned and blushed by her beauty.
Griselda was bedecked in slightly revealing holy armor, metal thigh high golden stiletto boots, her leotard armored in plates, a cutout around her womb area as her arms were covered in elegant white silken sleeves, her wings covered in sharp golden metal.
Her halo bore blade-like ridges around the outer perimeter, a floating dagger floating in the center of the halo, the tip aiming perpendicularly skyward.
She had a tiara with silver feathers, her hair flowing from invisible wind that seemed to add impact to her new regal look.
It was the complete opposite of Bernael’s armor, a beautiful polarizing reflection.
“…Are you ready?” She asked with a gentle smile, a smile that seemed to hide her sadism.
Irina took out Clarent and she and Xenovia let out a frightened warcry as they charged at Griselda with the resolve to die.
Or brutally beaten by the person that instilled so much fear into them.
Asia joined in as Rassei squeaked and fired lightning at Griselda as support.
It took Griselda three seconds to dismantle her proteges and defeat them, leaving Asia the last one standing while Griselda smiled over her students.
“…Perhaps if you’d be so kind as to tend to their injuries?” Griselda asked as she dismissed her Balance Breaker.
Asia meekly nodded as she used Asclepius on them.
Irina and Xenovia groaned as they slowly picked themselves up, rubbing their heads.
“…How did we do, Sister?” Irina asked as she felt the pain in her body fading away.
“Hmmm. Your bladework needs polishing. The same with Xenovia, but nothing practice and experience can’t fix.” Griselda tapped her chin. “Oh, is Gold here by any chance?”
Xenovia and Irina flinched at the mention of Gold.
“W-Why are you asking for him?” Irina asked.
“He wants me to try out some new outfits he bought for me. They look lovely, and I want to try them.”
It seemed that the road was still long for the two to save Griselda from the clutches of Black’s evil.
Another morning in Hyoudou Household began with another morning work-out; and by work-out, sparring matches to see how far everyone had gone during the Summer Vacation.
“Never thought I would see you challenging me again after last time.”
On the stage stood Issei and Rias – the latter had boldly challenged the former for the first round.
“I will let you know that I am not the same as before.”
“Did you defeat a God in single combat?” Issei asked with a proud smirk.
She frowned at him.
Issei gave an apologetic smile and rectified, “Right, right, sorry. Still, are you sure about this? I’ll be surprised if you can force me to use my offensive style.”
“I will force out more than that. Prepare yourself!” With smiling anticipation, Rias focused the regulation of her demonic power to flow through her arms until energy gathered around her fingertips. Two crimson orbs accumulated on each of her hands swiftly, each quickly shot forward.
Issei deflected the shots with an ogee-curved swat, sending them toward the walls.
“Go, President!” Koneko cheered as Rias continued firing more and more at Issei.
While continuing to swat her attacks, he glanced at the wall, seeing pierced holes. It seemed she was practicing piercing applications of her power, something he could handle. After all, he endured much worse, and his skin felt stronger than ever, probably because it was from Stjarna’s DNA.
Rias fired a few more condensed Power of Destruction orbs as she also began to close the distance between her and Issei.
Waiting, Issei watched Rias attempt a kick, but feint into a tackle when she moved her leg.
Issei knocked her down instantly as she rolled back to her feet.
“You’re not the only one that got stronger.” Issei reminded, one hand behind his back.
Rias simply smirked – she was far from over. The next round began with Rias cautiously making her way towards Issei, who simply waited patiently for her.
She had a devious plan in her mind. She visualized her approach… as expected, trying to take him head on would end with her face meeting the grass. However, she had been practicing judo for this very moment.
The heiress immediately ran towards Issei with full momentum.
Issei quirked a brow at her direct approach.
She jumped towards him, yet Issei moved away from her center, bumping his shoulder into her left leg while his right arm swatted her left arm and leg, sealing her attempt to lock him in a judo attempt.
She frowned, but she had a backup plan.
She could fly.
Devil wings spread, Rias corkscrew-spun into Issei’s center, grabbing his face to his surprise… And pulled him into a kiss before he punched her in the face on reflex.
“MMPH!?” Issei was blushing with shock.
Collective gasps were heard from the spectators, with Issei’s mind stopped working for a split second, before he relaxed and reciprocated the kiss on instinct.
She tasted… quite good. Actually, he took the first kiss of the alleged most beautiful girl in school. Should he feel honored? Though he could not feel the sense of victory given how much Rias was fawning over him… was he actually popular? Issei should meditate on this later.
A few seconds later, the two separated. However, Rias did not expect Issei to literally bring her down to the ground.
“Ooph!” Rias had her air knocked out from her lungs. Her eyes were then met with Issei’s amused smirk.
“…Okay. You actually got me good. And… well… Uhhh… What’s with the kiss, though?
Issei was not sure if he should mention the taste given the angry glares burning into his head from the sidelines. He held down the urge to lick his moist lips.
“Staking my claim.” Rias replied with her smile returning to her face, “I’ve heard that you are giving the whole harem idea a shot. I simply want to seize the opportunity.”
Issei closed his eyes and took a deep breath, contemplating his next words.
“…Alright, I’d be lying if I say I’m not at least attracted to you, but… For your information I am still not gonna be a devil.”
“Never expect you to. In fact, I don’t care anymore.” Rias replied as her hand went up to caress Issei’s cheek, “As long as you don’t mind having me and my having you…. I am happy.”
Issei stared at Rias’ eyes before his lips crept to mirror her smile, “…Thanks. And-!”
Before Issei could have lowered his face to kiss her again, he was suddenly pulled up off Rias.
“N-Nooooo!”
It was Asia, she pulled him off with teary eyes.
“I-It’s not fair!” Asia looked up to him. “I-I… I want to be with Ise, too!”
Rassei poked out of her hair and gave Issei the cute googly eyes, pleading for him to give Asia attention.
The other girls were not surprised since Asia’s affection for Issei was as bright as the sun above their heads, not unnoticeable. They did not expect the girl to be more forward.
Issei stared at Rassei’s cute gaze. He smirked as he pet the Imoogi with his finger, eliciting squeaks.
“…Do you want to go somewhere for dinner? Just the two of us.” Issei asked Asia.
Asia’s face lit up. However, before she could have replied, Ravel cleared her throat.
“Lord Ise, may I remind you that you still owe me that date?”
“Yeah, I remember. You and I first, then Asia tomorrow. Is tomorrow alright for you?”
Asia blinked at the mention. She smiled and nodded.
“Y-Yes! I-I need time to prepare myself!” Asia agreed with a heartfelt smile.
Then Koneko tackled Issei’s side and hugged him.
“…I got the third seat.” Koneko looked up at Issei.
At this point, Issei was feeling like a true harem protagonist, along with the burdens as he saw Akeno’s plastic, threatening smile warning him not to forget about her. There was also Irina as well, sharing Akeno’s threatening smile and closed eyes.
“…Right, who’s in for the fourth?
Akeno and Irina raised both of their hands at the same time. However, they blinked when they saw Xenovia raising her hand as well.
Everyone turned to Xenovia with silent questioning gazes.
“I have my own reasons.” Xenovia simply replied.
Irina felt like she should probe Xenovia’s reasons, but she already expected this for quite a while… when they were alone tonight, maybe. She would not let Xenovia get away with it.
Issei did not expect Xenovia, but he was not surprised for some reason.
Should he be concerned? He had no idea how to juggle the affections of the girls… unless he somehow got them all to get along. He remembered Motohama’s outrageous rant about a dream harem scenario where the girls turn lesbian but… yeah, too outrageous. Hot, he admitted, but unrealistic.
He should talk with his family about this… Saitama was not reliable, though he was missing visiting someone abroad. He could confide in Genos, though it might be better to converse with a Big Bad regarding this matter since they have more direct experience in dealing with the opposite sex.
Speaking of which, where was Gold and the others?
Takamagahara.
The realm of Japan’s heaven.
There was only one entrance, west of Kyoto, using the fallen bridge that connected Earth used as a waypoint to connect to the sacred realm using the dimensional gap.
However, there were other ways to enter that realm, at least to those that know the way, like a former resident.
Black lied to everyone when he said that Izanami left Platinum at Kiyome’s mansion.
Platinum was above the Greater Goddess, but she had him at checkmate.
If he turned her into Platinum, the realm would be turned into platinum, and he would be trapped in the realm until he turned her back. Killing her would result in the collapse of Yomi, the realm falling into Oblivion, nothingness which not even Platinum could escape.
Which was why Platinum tried to bargain with Izanami and talked with the former wife of Izanagi.
Izanami had Platinum agree to one condition to release him.
The three Big Bads were in the grand celestial palace of Izanagi, surrounded by the metal statues of the Heavenly Guards and minor deity warriors.
On his throne, the Primogenitor of Shinto scowled at the intruders, “…May I ask the meaning of all this?”
“Simple. I spoke with your ex-wife.”
Izanagi was on a throne similar to the Chrysanthemum throne, bedecked in heavenly jewels. Gold was holding the bleeding head of Takemikazuchi, the warrior god scowling.
The other gods were either beaten to a pulp, but conscious enough to listen, or a statue in silver, gold, or platinum,
“Everyone in this room can hear me, even the statues. Your wife trapped me in Yomi. I couldn’t kill her or I would die, and if I turn her into a statue, her realm turns into a statue as well. Did you know that your wife spent a century fusing herself with Yomi until there is no distinguishing? She invented a new Mystic Art just for the day she could repay you for your apparent crimes.”
Gold threw Takimikazuchi towards the wooden dais of Izanagi’s throne.
“We were at a stalemate. She was under obligations to trap me there, so we made a deal. My freedom to deliver a violent message to you and your realm.”
The surviving gods who were still standing – Susanoo, Kagutsuchi, Bishamonten, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, narrowed their eyes on the trio.
“She wants everyone in this realm to know of your crime. You abandoned your wife to Hell, cast her aside. You left her to the darkness as if trying to hide your greatest shame, disavowing her, only to say that she went mad in Yomi. Yomi doesn’t have the power to render the mind insane… only the solitude it brings can.”
Binbougami hummed from the corner, watching the scene with great interest. He did not know about that until now.
“…My liege.” Binbougami appeared beside the fallen form of Takemikazuchi. “Mind explaining yourself? What did they mean about your last moments with Lady Izanami?”
Izanagi’s face was stoic, his peerless white eyes gazing at the intruders.
“She knows that she cannot force her way here. After all, you deemed her mentally unstable and insane, triggering every resident here to fight against her. You used your propaganda well, making sure that no God can enter Yomi to confirm their suspicion. There are probably a few you confided the truth to, however.”
Platinum continued.
“…And you believe her?” Izanagi queried.
“Well, I believe everyone should ask her in person. Isn’t that right, Izanami no Yomi?” Platinum took out a golden scale just when mist leaked into the throne room.
The mist converged into a spiral, condensing beside the Big Bads into a feminine form. Izanagi’s stoic face broke down when he saw his former wife standing before him.
Every God and goddess in the room along with the divine guards felt the air in heaven drop to a stilling chill as the pale phantom of phantoms smiled at her former husband.
“…M-Mother?”
“Y-You are really here…”
The sons and daughters of two greater gods were unable to form the words.
The silence between the former husband and wife was deafening.
“…Iz… Nami?”
“Don’t.” Izanami slowly shook her head. “We art no longer close, for thee to useth mine nickname, o’ wretched man.”
Binbougami widened his eyes as he knelt down.
“This one greets the return of the Goddess.”
A few of the divine guards and lesser gods knelt when they saw her, those still conscious and not turned into statues.
“…Thee knoweth wherefore lest I hither.”
Platinum handed the golden sun scale to Izanami.
“I thank thee for thine integrity. Doth thou know what I hold?” Izanami asked, lifting the golden scale to Izanagi.
Izanagi did not. He did not recognize that foreign item in her hands.
“It is called the Mul Zibanu. An item from Babylonia… it reacts when those I target speak a lie.”
Many eyes widened when Izanami stated the item.
“I had heard of the lies thou had wrought about my imprisonment. Is it not enough that thou broke mine heart in that place? Is it not enough that thou locked me in there like the heartless beast thine is?” Izanami’s eyes were trembling, tears trickling down her pale cheeks.
“…Izanami.” Izanagi’s voice broke down as he trembled on his throne. The surviving seven lucky gods, the conscious Gods, it was the first time they have seen Izanagi make that face, tears streaming down his pure white eyes.
“…I beg you, do not do this. Too much has changed since… Please, come back to us. We can rebuild what’s-”
“Art thou saying this because thou realized thou art nothing without me, that thou doomed Takamagahara because of thine wretched stupidity? Or was it to use thine honeyed words as bait to throw me back to that lonely… hell thou forced upon me for the sole crime of being cursed with ugliness?”
Izanagi’s composure was no longer as solid as stone, as steel – crumbled and cracked as he quivered with emotion in his throne.
“I have fulfilled my debt with my liberator. I am no longer part of this Khaos Brigade.”
Her statement shocked everyone here.
“What…?” Binbougami was just as shocked. When one joined a terrorist organization, no one could believe that a member would leave this soon.
“Did thou believe that I chose to join them out of choice? No, ’tis a mere obligation.”
No God could intervene in the confrontation between the two progenitors.
“I have spent centuries with the spirits that fell in Yomi in contemplation, grief, sadness, apathy… anger. I once thought of slaughtering every single one of thine followers and then mount thine head on a pike atop Mt. Fuji, but that was long ago.”
Izanami inhaled heavily, trying to breathe the roiling emotions from her chest.
“…I hereby declare war for the throne of Takamagahara, for I declare thee as unworthy for it.”
The weight of her declaration was so heavy that none could even gasp, just take it in without resistance.
“I declare this with the court as my witness, for I accuse thine ruler for treachery and heresy, for he had broken the most sacred of vows. Doth thee decline my accusation in the face of the light of truth?”
She raised the golden libra towards Izanagi, the golden light of judgment shining upon the emperor of shinto heaven.
Izanagi remained there, robbed of strength and will to even utter a rebuke, only sorrow and sadness painting his mien in his forced position.
“Doth thou strike my claim down?” Izanami demanded again as the tears continued to flow. Her voice was barely maintained, almost breaking down.
“…Izanami…” Izanagi closed his eyes as his tears flowed still. “Please don’t do this. A civil war between us will destroy all we have built.”
“…And thou dares to declare that the fault lies in me for this to happen?” She snapped.
Izanagi’s head lowered as his hands clenched into fists.
“…No.”
Long ago, he would have denied everything without an ounce of shame… but he was no longer that man. For the aura that exuded from him was the purest form of regret.
“…To all ears my words reach. Thou hath a choice.” Izanami inhaled, “Thou hath one month. To fight for me or the worm that disgraced that throne. If thou choose me, I swear with all of my power that I shall restore our legacy to glory and prosperity, that I shall strengthen us with the power to destroy the looming danger that threatens our home and world.”
The Big Bads silently watched the residents of Takamagahara glance at each other conflicted.
“For those that stand against me, I will not punish thee for siding with him. But I will show no mercy for those who stand in my way. Ponder on this and choose well… there will be no second chances.”
Mist colored the room pale white, shrouding Izanami and the Big Bads from sight.
When the mist faded, the four were no longer there. Everyone and everything that turned into statues were undone in the interim, metal restored to flesh.
Her final gift to Shinto was an ultimatum for what is to come.
“Hah…” Issei pondered what to wear for his date with Ravel as he looked at his wardrobe in his closet.
“Come to think of it, this is your third date, right?” Black commented from the bed, watching TV while throwing chicken nuggets into his mouth.
“Third?” Issei asked.
“Your second is with Asia in Italy.” Black answered.
“…That felt like work more than a date, but… alright, I guess I can see that as a date.”
“You suck at noticing the feelings of the opposite sex.” Black snarked.
“Yeah? What about you?” Issei took out one of his less casual clothes from the hangar. “Can you even reproduce with the opposite sex? Can the Big Bads reproduce with the opposite sex?”
“Bitch, please. I know how to appreciate their curves and busts.” Black snickered. “But good question on the Big Bad mes. Once our cells merge, there is no going back. Although, since women kept fawning over the muscles… Hang on, let me ask them.”
Issei waited while browsing his choices.
He wondered how Yuuto and Gasper were doing. He asked about Crom Cruach’s newest sword, and the dragon answered by saying the sword was a trophy from Balor himself. The odachi was forged from countless strong souls, according to Ddraig, and it felt so familiar for some reason. The answer was at the tip of his tongue, but he just could not find it.
“…Apparently, they could.” Black answered with a pleasant surprise.
“I thought your cells could no longer split once fused.” Issei scoffed.
“Chromosomes don’t count, boy.” Black rebuked.
“Tell them to try not to go on a sexual rampage or something. I know how your kind rolls.” Issei smirked as he picked one for his date in the Underworld.
It was Ravel’s choice, and she wanted to show him more about Devil culture at least.
“Hah! With the amount of women throwing themselves at the alphas, don’t count your chickens yet.” Black cackled.
“Heh. Alright, have fun. Watch the fort and make sure my mom won’t shoot a stranger by accident or something.”
He started changing into his dating clothes. He hoped Ravel or the Devils down there did not mind.
“Please. Just go with your rich girl and do the alpha thing. Break through her hymen and mark her as your property.”
“Ugh, Black, no. Just… No.” Issei left the room with a joking scoff and closed the door behind him.
As he left and walked down the stairs, the other doors opened slightly.
The other girls were dressed, their faces covered by scarves, Irina, Xenovia, Asia, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko.
Tsubasa left since she could not stay in the household and visit one of Black’s contacts that specialize in acupuncture and reading the flow of internal energy. Black’s contact came from the Triads in China, from Lundun Si Lam.
Kiyome returned to her home to further experiment on her powers, to see if she could share her gifts with her creatures.
They chose their clothes so they would not stand out, but their choice was hazardously mismatched, making them stand out too much. They peeked down the stairs to see Ravel waiting for Issei down there with a cheerful smile.
“Yo. Ready to see the Underworld again as myself this time. And no Riser hounding my ass…”
Ravel wore pink plimsoll shoes, a short skirt, and long bright-pink frilly stockings. Her dress was also pink, and she even wore shoulder-length gloves.
She still kept the twin-tail drill hair style.
“I… I don’t have the words to convey my excitement, Lord Ise.” Ravel admitted with a furious blush.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t end with us in a love hotel… I’m not ready to face your parents…. And your brothers, and have them pressure me into marrying you.” Issei joked to Ravel’s fluster.
The girls seethed as they burned glaring ire into Issei’s head for suggesting that.
“…Actually… Do you want to visit my home after our date? I… want to introduce you to my parents.” Ravel meekly asked, already blushing at the prospect of possible sex and marriage.
“Errr… really?” Issei dryly asked upon recalling Riser.
Ravel still gave him the pleading eyes, something she definitely learned from Rassei.
“…Only if Riser isn’t there. If he asks one more remark about ‘Isami,’ I’ll stab him with Ascalon.”
“Please don’t.” Ravel smiled awkwardly.
She offered him her hand… Issei sighed and took it.
A magic circle of the Phenex Sigil appeared under their feet and teleported them away..
“…Rias. Can you take us to the Underworld?” Irina asked, her eyes burning with envy.
“I… can, but are you planning what I’m thinking?” Rias asked with a quirked brow.
“Irina. Are we allowed to trespass in a noble’s mansion? Can we do that?” Xenovia asked.
Everyone turned to Rias.
“…I can use my familiars to spy on them.” Rias suggested.
“But every noble territory is defended against familiars.” Akeno reminded.
“It is true, but remember. The Underworld has changed.” Koneko reminded. “There might be an opening there.”
XoX
Issei and Ravel appeared in Lilith.
Issei looked around. He remembered being here before, though it was much different.
“Whoa…”
He had seen the videos, but to see it in first-person perspective at the scene was a different experience.
Vines covered the Underworld bearing strange fruits all over. There were many creatures flying around, some creatures he recognized as Familiars taking roost around the rooftops.
They were much bigger than he remembered.
He swore that the griffon… no, wait, that was a hippogriff. It was two times bigger than the standard griffon, making a nest of vines and branches atop the corner of a roof with its flock circling above the building.
“…Why is it that no one wants to cut these vines down?” Issei asked, seeing that most of the vegetation was still there.
“Well… I asked my parents back home. They said that the people here consider the fruits sacred and valuable. If you eat one, you gain a burst of energy and a permanent increase of demonic power.”
“What? Really?” Issei was surprised.
He walked towards the nearest skyscraper.
The fruit he was seeing was more of a flower with pale-pink fleshy orbs growing from the stamen between the lily petals. He plucked one and tossed it into his mouth.
“We don’t have names for the new flora. Actually, the Demon God has more right to name them than anyone else…” She added.
It was like biting into an explosion of flavor, a delightful mix of peach… and apple? The tastes fused together into something else he could not completely compare.
“And it is also free food. The citizens are trying to think of ways of farming these fruits locally since there’s no claim of ownership.” She smiled as she joined Issei and plucked the same fruit and sampled it.
She widened her eyes at the flavor.
“…We should bring some back home.” Issei suggested.
He wanted his parents, Rover, and Black to try them.
The ground then started to rumble. He looked around, seeing the citizens slightly panicking. Some of them spread their Devil wings and took flight.
It felt like an earthquake, but he could hear something rumbling in the distance. His Stjarna eyes could see some kind of… anomaly, attracted to that specific direction.
He immediately climbed up a skyscraper, using the vines as his ladder as Ravel took flight, fiery wings spread. When Issei climbed atop of the tallest building, he dropped his jaw when he saw something that should have belonged to Chinese Mythology.
China had a thing for mythical turtles of ridiculous sizes. In the distance, past the towering skyscrapers and into the wildcards outside the city borders, he and the Devils saw the biggest land turtle they had ever seen.
On its ‘shell’ was a cluster of mountains on its back.
It was carrying an entire mountain range with it.
The creature’s turtle head was… a bit cute despite its size. Issei squinted as his vision zoomed into the distance.
“…Ravel?” Issei called out as his date landed beside him. “Is this normal?”
“I… suppose not.” Ravel replied.
“You mean you don’t have giant land turtles surrounded by… dragons?” Issei squinted harder. “I think I can see Tannin.” Issei saw the purple dragon trying to talk to the creature in its face.
Ravel blinked at the direction, “Really?”
“Yeah. He looks like he’s trying to talk with it… You know what, let’s check it out. This could be a fun bonus for our date.” Issei suggested as he donned his Sagacious War God dragon armor.
Dragonfire spewed from the vents behind him, leaving fiery trails in the shape of dragon wings as he and Ravel flew towards the mega land turtle. On the way, Issei made sure that he did not leave Ravel too far behind, despite flying faster than her – a gesture which Ravel appreciated, yet she felt slightly inadequate herself.
The turtle bellowed in a stentorian, yet juvenile cry for some reason… Issei wondered as they approached Tannin facing the giant turtle.
They could finally hear him.
“No, no! Halrim, Halrim, not this way! The other way, please!”
Tannin shouted at the giant land turtle – Harlim, as Issei and Ravel approached them in the skies.
“Lord Tannin!” Issei shouted as he de-accelerate to a stop, maintaining altitude via dragonflame jetfire.
Tannin turned to Issei as the turtle tilted its head in confusion.
“Ah, Issei Hyoudou. What brings you here… other than Halrim attracting attention?” Tannin awkwardly asked.
“Nothing but the giant turtle attracting attention. Honestly, I’ve never seen a turtle this big other than the pictures of chinese world turtles.”
Issei turned to the turtle. It had large black beady googly eyes and its ‘hair’ was nothing more than massive forest trees and vines dropping down from its scalp.
“I know. Ever since The Demon God… Garou ‘blessed’ the Underworld…” Tannin remained silent as the turtle bellowed.
“Don’t worry, don’t worry, we will rub your belly.” Tannin assured Halrim.
“…Rub?” Issei asked, smiling behind his helmet.
“…Halrim is carrying the entire Dragon Mountain on his back.” Tannin pointed at the landmass the turtle carried on his ‘shell.’ Or the entire mountain was acting as its ‘shell.’
“…What?” Both Issei and Ravel glanced at the mountain again.
“…It really is Dragon Mountain…” Ravel blinked upon recognizing the location.
“Which is why we have to take care of it since, apparently, through some ridiculous divine coincidences, the power of the Demon God… fused a random magical turtle living in the caves of Dragon Mountain with the actual Dragon Mountain.”
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The giant turtle bellowed.
“…That’s the most ridiculous and awesome thing I have ever heard of a turtle.” Issei commented jokingly.
“I know. I named him Halrim, shortened from Hebrew for mountain walker.”
The giant mega turtle sounded like it was cooing.
“…It looks kind of cute though.” Ravel admitted.
“That’s because we recently found out it’s a baby turtle.” Tannin dryly revealed.
The word ‘baby’ defied their expectations.
“…Baby?” Issei turned to Tannin.
“…Yes. The turtle is a baby… We are now taking care of it. We’re not sure if we can feed something that big but luckily it relies on the plants on its back to sustain it… or so Ajuka told us.” Tannin sighed.
If an infant world turtle was this big, they imagined its size when it was an adult. Issei could imagine the turtle growing so big it would span half of the Underworld itself.
“…Wow.” He had no words for that.
The three turned to Halrim, the turtle looking at them expectantly while the other dragons orbited the creature and flew under his belly. The creature cooed at them.
“What are you doing here, though? You got everyone in Lilith riled up.”
“Haaaaaaaahhhhhhhh…” The Blaze Meteor Dragon let out a long sigh. “Halrim wants to walk around… unfortunately, he has infant wanderlust. We don’t have anything that can dissuade him, or lure him back to his spot. Like food… assuming we can gather that much to catch his interest. Unless there’s a massive divine tree somewhere grown in this world we have missed growing such large fruits…”
Issei and Ravel could not help but break into awkward smiles.
“…What brings you two to the Underworld? I do not see Lady Rias and her Peerage here.” Tannin asked.
“We… are kind of on a date.” Issei admitted while still carrying Ravel bridal-style.
“Ahhh, so the curse, or blessing, of polygamy is finally blooming.” Tannin nodded in understanding.
“Really? Curse?” Issei scoffed.
“Every wielder of Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing bewitched the opposite sex in droves.” Tannin answered. “Though I suppose Ddraig already warned you about that. I hope you enjoy your date… though I suggest you move to Lucifaad. I need to move Halrim away from the city before he decides to move towards it because of how shiny and smooth it is.”
Issei and Ravel laughed with smiles.
Little did they know that the other girls that arrived were dropping their jaws at the size of the massive land turtle in the distance.
“For the Lady in your arms, I suggest you show him the Rating Games. It is a good starting point to show your lover the epitome of Devil Culture, though be warned. Sirzechs had declared that commoners can form their own peerages, and there are certain ruffians attempting to recruit by force if necessary.”
“Wait, what? What do you mean by commoners can form their peerages? I thought anyone can do that?” Issei asked.
“Only nobles can form their peerages. The only hope commoners can have to play in the rating games is to be recruited by one of the noble bloodlines into a Peerage.” Tannin explained. “The recent invasion has spurred Sirzechs into following the footsteps of humans, taking the first step in breaking down the aristocratic system. It won’t be long before chaos will infect the Underworld for a pause. Be wary my friends. A wave of change has come to us all.”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGHHHHH!”
The sound of wine glass shattered against the wall of the Bael household.
Within a conference room, rare paintings on the wall depicting times of the Devils’ glorious past against the angels, the tragedies, even some stolen artwork of the humans, wine splattered against the art showing the face of Lucifer.
“If this keeps up, the entire lower class will be by his side!” Mordax Bael roared with indignity and seethed as he clenched his fist.
Bedeze Abaddon and the other members of the Traditionalist Faction sat, watching Mordax airing his grievances.
“He has all of the popular support. Many of the neutral parties sided with him because they do not want to experience a permanent death.” The head of the Abaddon household informed.
“I know that!” Mordax snapped back. “We are here to discuss our course of action! At this rate, everything we fought so hard to preserve will be for nothing! It won’t be long before even Zekram will sacrifice all that we know when the time comes.”
The nobles present remained silent.
They were at a major disadvantage. Their appeal to the commoners to respect the names of their ancestors was immediately discarded the moment Sirzechs announced that commoners can form the Rating Games. It seemed that they were willing to sacrifice all of the respect and all that they owe to Lucifer, to even renounce his name at Sirzechs’ behest ‘for the future.’
There was no point in a future that they could not recognize anymore. What is the point of moving forward if they lose everything they have worked for so long?
“…We could try to appeal to the commoners.” One noble, a member of the Sitri clan, suggested.
“Ugh, don’t.” Bedeze shook his head. “It is beneath us to barter with the lowly socio-economic peasants.”
“But we need to create a reason to discredit Sirzechs’ idea.” A member of the Furfur clan pleaded.
“Why bother? We just have to show them their place in the Rating Games.” Bedeze suggested. “We just need to gain the support of the other Peerages and work together to break the spirits of these bugs. That way, we can show Sirzechs how futile it is to raise the common class.”
Everyone pondered about this idea for a moment.
“But… What about the glaring issue regarding our military? And… what happens if Sirzechs find out that we have connections with the Khaos Brigade?” Another noble asked.
“Don’t you dare say that within this room!” Mordax shouted at the noble. “If anyone finds out about our backdoor business, nothing would stop Sirzechs from erasing us! We… We’re not strong enough to stand up to them! And then there’s… the matter regarding the demons…”
Everyone paused when they remembered the revelation of the Demon race and what Lucifer did… his crimes. It was ironic, they were raised to worship and idolize the epitome of a man that sinned so much.
“…Should we reach out to them?” Bedeze asked. “Or should we find out where they are and coerce them to release the limits they cursed us with?”
“But I heard that they are powerful…” Another noble asked.
“Hahahahahahaha!” Bedeze laughed arrogantly. “Powerful?! A race that hides like cowards shows only weakness! I don’t know much about them, but they’re nothing if Lucifer can make them scurry like rats they are! If he can do it, then so can we! What else do we have to fear?!”
His confidence was infectious. It stirred the other nobles into whispers in pondering.
“…There is still much we don’t know about the new Underworld. Maybe we can try and find something to… kill Sirzechs with?”
“…Or maybe try to recreate the Malebranche.” Another suggested.
Mordax paused at these ideas.
There was still time for them to make things right, to restore the Underworld to how it should be.
“Yes… yes, we still have time… We will see what we can do with what the Demon God gave us.” Mordax inhaled.
They could do this right. They could restore the glory of the original Satans using the forbidden techniques of the past and make the Underworld great again.
Yes… this time, Mordax would find a way to surpass Lucifer, and then even the Demon God himself.
Issei slurped his milkshake alongside Ravel.
“So… this is the Rating Game stadium.” Issei looked at it.
He entered a different stadium when he was Isami to beat the living shit out of Riser, but this one was where the official games take place.
“Mhm! There might be practice matches we can see!” Ravel suggested.
“Practice, huh?” Issei wondered what he should eat. In all honesty, he would be bored if the matches weren’t up to his standards.
“Though… what about that?” Issei pointed at what looked like a bazaar around the walls of the stadium.
Devils dressed in commoner attire shouting and holding signs and banners above their heads.
“Join my Peerage!”
“We’ll dominate the Rating Games if you serve under me!”
It was a chaotic mess of would-be kings wanting to sell themselves to the public, to entice others into joining their Peerages. In a manner of speaking, the sight reminded him of first day of semester in Kuoh Academy, where all extracurricular clubs would campaign and recruit as many freshmen students as possible.
“…That is new…” Ravel admitted hesitantly.
“Honestly, how did your brother manage to find and recruit the girls in his Peerage?” Issei asked before slurping again through his straw.
“He scouted out the girls using his Familiars and connections. Although, I must admit that his taste for women corrupted his pragmatic judgment…” Ravel smiled awkwardly as they walked towards the entrance.
“Don’t Kings have to, like, reach a certain level of power to be worthy enough for that title or something?” Issei asked as one of the closest Devils turned to his way.
“Hey, you! Young lad and young lass there! Are you interested in thrills, adventure, and glory?! Join my peerage in Rating Games! We’ll make fortune and fame together!”
Issei and Ravel stared at the eager man.
“…Let’s just ignore him.” Issei grabbed Ravel’s hand and pulled her towards the entrance.
Along the way, more invitations were thrown at them.
“Come! Join me!”
“You two are like a great pair! I have vacant slots for two Knights!”
“I can make you my Queen! You know how powerful a Queen is?!”
They walked even faster. This was like Rias and Sona egging him, only a hundred times more annoying – and it was classless.
Once they were inside of the stadium, Issei and Ravel finally sighed in relief for the much deserved space.
“…You know, I’m starting to think that this whole change in the system is a bad idea.” Issei said with a joking smile, which garnered a brief giggle from Ravel.
“No changes are easily achieved, Lord Ise. They require time and patience.” Ravel retorted with an amused smile.
“Welp, I guess we should head to the next destination. Shall we?” Issei offered his arm.
“Of course! I believe there are still many sights and entertainment to enjoy around here.” Ravel smiled pleasantly as she wrapped her arms around Issei’s.
Behind them as they purchased tickets for entry, the poorly disguised girls, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and the three Church girls were being hounded by the same petitioners.
“Oh, nice getup! You want to join my Peerage?”
“Join mine! We have accommodations and everything!”
They were not like the Kings Rias and Akeno knew. They could hear the hopeful, yet sad desperation in their voices, making them more like beggars than anything else.
“Rias, this is getting out of hand.” Akeno whispered when another tried to call out for them.
“I know that my brother means well, but there should be guidelines to this.” Rias whispered back as they all walked faster.
“…And President Sona wanted everyone to be able to play the rating games.” Koneko commented.
“Yeah… I should have a word with my brother after this.” Rias made a mental note to discuss some policies with Sirzechs regarding training and educating applicants in the ways of the Rating Games.
After all, not anyone could become a King. There were rules for this, but the knowledge was reserved for the privileged. They were like children just grasping straws at this point.
Meanwhile, Ravel and Issei walked inside the halls, arriving at an intersection with signs overhead showing the directions. One led to the spectator seats ahead, while the other two led to the shopping mall section where spectators could purchase food or merchandise, Devil spectators walking around, hanging around, talking or moving somewhere solo or in small groups.
“Do you want us to buy something first to eat before going to the stadium?” Issei asked as he looked around, seeing a television screen hanging from the ceiling.
“Hm, I suppose we can watch the matches with some refreshments.” Ravel concurred.
“You want to go or should I? Wait, I don’t have devil money on me… crap.” Issei remembered.
Ravel giggled with a smile.
“…What do Devils use as currency? I think I still have Gold’s credit card on me but…”
“Well, we use Praems, derived from the Latin word for reward.” Ravel answered. “Let me go purchase something! I know the Underworld better after all!”
Ravel chirped and skipped to the shopping section, leaving Issei alone to marvel at the surroundings.
There were many Devils in modern clothes, hoodies, T-shirts, jeans, and etcetera walking in and out. He felt odd being one of the only humans here, though the Devils around did not seem adept in sensing the human amongst them. Makes him wonder how much the Nobles were keeping them down under their heels…
“Hey, you!”
Issei scratched his hair.
“Hey, you brown-haired bitch!”
“Hm?” He turned around.
He saw a bunch of familiar faces angrily glaring at him.
“…Are you talking to me?” He asked with a warning tone.
He swore he saw their faces before, the thug-like faces and biker jackets.
“…Wait, you’re a guy?” The one with his face tattooed with a skull asked.
“Of course I’m a guy. Are you blind?” He asked.
“But… I swore you’re that brown-haired magical bitch…”
Issei’s memories clicked.
They were the hooligans that harassed him when he was cursed to live as Isami for a few days in the Underworld. Just when he finally buried the awful memories in the back of his mind…
“You mistook me for someone else. Now go away before you cause a scene.” Issei dismissed them.
“Lord Ise!” Ravel returned with bags of snacks, nachos and a cup of juice with two straws in it.
“Thank you for waiting, and-” Ravel then paused when she noticed the group behind Issei and the trace of tension lingering in the air, “…Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything’s good, Ravel. Let’s find a spot and dig in. They look delicious.”
“…Now hold on a second.”
Issei was about to escort Ravel away when the leader of the hooligans suddenly called out. His frown was quickly replaced with a coy smile as he and the other guys surrounded them.
“Sorry about earlier, but who knew you brought yourself a cutie here?”
“Yeah, and check her out. The way she dresses, she’s probably a high-class devil.” The other guy remarked while sizing Ravel up and down. “…A bit too short, but damn ain’t she fine-looking.”
“…And she’s mine.” Issei warned as he interposed between them and Ravel. “I am gonna say this once. If you don’t want your ass kicked, move somewhere else.” Issei warned.
The hooligans were about to retort, when they stopped when they saw Issei’s eyes turning crimson red.
“…Nice color trick.” The skull-tattooed leader remarked. “…But fine. A King of a Peerage must maintain his image, after all.”
The couple stared at the hooligan.
“…You? A King?” Issei pointed at him.
“Yeah? You got a problem with that?” He asked.
“No, it’s just… wow. Kings are meant for the qualified, and well, you don’t look like one of them.” Issei honestly answered.
“You…!” The hooligans were angered.
“Um, Lord Ise…” Ravel called out.
“…But fine, suit yourself.” Issei sighed. “Go ahead and see how big the ocean is yourself. I won’t stop you from fighting for your dreams.”
Issei took Ravel’s hand and led her away to the arena, leaving the ‘Peerage’ behind.
“…I think you went a bit overboard with them.” Ravel whispered.
“Honestly, I think they need to clean up their act first before thinking of becoming a Peerage.” Issei rolled his eyes.
He saw a screen overhead, showing a live recording of the arena and those in it. Issei stopped when he saw a familiar face up against a long line of Devils on the screen.
In the screen, he saw Sairaorg Bael decimating a group of Devils with a punch, sending them flying out of the arena.
He smiled as they walked towards the arena.
When they arrived at the bleachers, Issei and Ravel saw Sairaorg calling out.
“Come!” He gestured to the next group, four devils, one female Devil mixed in with the males as they spread out and surrounded him.
They were hesitant to charge at the man at first.
“Please take care of us!” But they steeled their resolve. They shouted a war-cry as they charged towards the noble Devil head-on.
As expected, the level difference between them was too high. One of them crashed beside Issei and Ravel, groaning in his mangled seat.
Issei and Ravel only had to wait for a few minutes until the match was over with Sairaorg’s resounding victory, followed by a break announcement. The King then walked to his corner, where his Queen and the rest of his peerage were waiting with towels and refreshments.
“Should we say hello?” Issei asked Ravel with a smile.
“I believe so, I am a member of the Phenex household. I should not act like a stranger towards a fellow high-class devil, considering we will eventually stand on the same stage in future Rating Games.” the girl nodded.
Taking a sip from his drink, Issei and Ravel then made their way towards Sairaorg’s peerage as they hopped from the stadium and trespassed the arena.
Ravel was the first to step forward and spoke her greeting first, “Greetings, Lord Sairaorg Bael.”
Sairaorg just finished wiping some sweat off him when he noticed the new arrival, “Ah, Ravel Phenex, correct? I see that you have come here to look around. Forgive me for greeting you like this.”
“It is alright, Lord Bael. It was an impressive display of might you had there.” Ravel amiably replied.
“Yo, muscleman.” Issei waved.
Sairaord stared at the most famous human in the underworld.
“Ah… The Red Dragon Emperor.” Sairarog greeted with a slightly feral grin.
“Not my title, honestly.” Issei snarked. “So, what’s with the line?” Issei pointed at the line of civilian devils chattering amongst themselves.
“I am here to help educate the new Peerages and show them the taste of the Rating Games. It is a new experience. They are weak, but I don’t blame them. They were not groomed for the Rating Games like most of us are.” Sairaorg smiled.
“By beating their muscles Saitama-style?” Issei snarked.
“Of course. I did learn under him for a while.”
Issei’s smile fell for a moment.
“…Wait, what?” Issei picked his ears.
“I can see your surprise. I respect your father greatly. We met when I was away in the Human world on a trip. I was surprised when I saw a bald man in a ridiculous costume punch a tornado without a care in the world. After that, well…”
Issei imagined his father internally panicking at the sight of a young Sairaorg begging him to be his teacher. He puffed his cheeks and broke into snickers.
“Pffft! You… you do know he sucks at teaching, right?” Issei held his stomach with laughter.
Sairaorg replied with a good-natured sigh, “I cannot deny that one, but his strength is still undisputed. Despite the poor teaching, I can still gain some insight by spending time with him. For that, I am content.”
However, Sairaorg suddenly tilted his head, “…Forgive me for asking, but have we ever met before? You look…. Familiar, for some reason.”
It took a second for Issei’s brain to click – shit, I was not myself when we first met.
“That’s your imagination.” Issei waved Sairaorg’s question off. “May I ask you something?” Issei asked.
“Yes?”
“…You want to show them what real combat is like?” Issei smirked, pointing a thumb at the line waiting for them.
Sairaorg only stared at the boy for a few seconds before his lips spread into a grin, “…What do you have in mind?”
Crunch
He could not remember the blood tasting so sweet, so syrupy and tasty.
Snap
The calcium was new. The marrow inside was rich, so he sucked out of the juices inside.
Crunch
He did not leave anything to waste. He must have more. His body demanded it.
Gulp
He swallowed the last piece of his meal; however, they were not enough. Not enough life essence, not enough nutrients, not enough power, not enough quality.
There was not a choice, but he must bide his time with this inferior meat. It was strange, now that he thought about it. Was this what being Chimera was like?
He did not feel like a Chimera, yet he had the hunger of one. He did not recognize that he had already fallen to insanity when he was still a Devil, driven by unrequited lust, hatred, and more recently, despair and vengeance.
He wanted vengeance above all else. However, he was still dying.
He pulled the head off the shoulders and cracked it open. The brain was exquisitely juicy and he scooped out the gray matter and slurped it.
He was lucky that everyone was too busy dealing with the Undead for them to take notice of him residing in a large mountain.
He needed isolation, and the location was a natural ward against evil spirits in general.
“How is my progress…?” He asked one of the spirits he found while hunting for flesh.
It was a good find at least, a good scientist. The scientist was bound by dark sigils engraved on his soul flesh.
Joachim Mrugowsky – He was a Nazi scientist that died during World War II.
His sins were the experimentation of unwilling humans testing the human limits before they expire, freezing, altitude, diseases, and he died believing he was without crime, his sin committing atrocities for the greater good of the few over the many.
He was in great pain, his ethereal form showing the tortured scars he felt when he was in Hell, a place where humans were nothing more than prey to the strong, cursed to never die in that place.
“Y-You… your condition…” Joachim wheezed, in great pain, tortured into servitude. “Your strange… body is slightly recovering… but your cells are still cannibalizing themselves to maintain… cellular stability. I… Your body… it is nothing I’ve seen… it’s as if each cell got rabies and grew teeth to gnaw on each other…” He wheezed.
Diodora Astaroth continued chewing. This human soul had learned the ability to diagnose others thoroughly on a cellular level, which was unique.
He kind of respected this former human, mostly for his penchant for cruelty for the sake of eugenics, an invention of man that worked well with the Devil society.
Diodora continued chewing on the hapless human he caught, hiding in a cave around what the humans called Mt. Fuji.
“How much do I need to eat until my cells are satisfied?” Diodora asked before he moved to the skull, biting off the bone.
“It… might be terminal…” Joachim rasped.
“I’m prepared for it. Is there a way to stave off my condition long enough, for a week at least?” Diodora could not enact vengeance if his body threatened to destabilize itself.
“I… don’t know… Wait… Maybe… if you have a steady supply… of rich nutrients… constantly injected into you.” Joachim suggested.
“Hmmm. Interesting proposal.” Diodora continued eating the skull bone. He needed equipment for that, but he was without many of his resources.
He hoped Khaos Brigade marked him as dead, otherwise they would’ve destroyed his secret bases.
He could not hunt around these bases, the world was on high alert.
“I would need some equipment. You. You’re a former Nazi. Tell me, are there any secret bases you know I can ransack?”
“…Yes…” Joachim weakly answered. “…We… delved… into the supernatural… contracted with Devils… for the cause.”
“A worthless cause. You better not lie, or else I would send you back to Hell. Your precious Hitler might be back there by now, tortured by the others. You don’t want to join him, do you?”
Joachim shook his head weakly.
Diodora Astaroth grinned, “Good. Show me the way, insect.”
To be Continued….
Omake: The ‘Strongest’ of the Gap
“…What am I looking at?”
Saitama asked Ophis.
“…Home invader.”
They were in the chaotic polychromatic realm, no floor, no walls, a realm where the untrained could be lost forever.
The Dimensional Gap, home of the most famous Dragon in history.
The Great Red, the Dragon of Dragons, a being so strong, so grand, that it inspires awe to all in the Nine Realms.
Or at least… it was according to the texts.
What Saitama saw was an overgrown lizard playing around in the vacuum realm, making sputtering noises as if he was revving a motorcycle while doing corkscrew spins with his massive, red dragon body.
“…Home invader?” Saitama pointed at the thing with a dragon’s body.
“Yes.” Ophis nodded, shifting on his shoulders.
“…I grew up listening to stories about Dragons, how awesome they are, how many of them are like final bosses and stuff… but… What is this?”
It was like hearing great things about a movie, only to end with him demanding a refund for his wasted time and money after seeing it.
This was one of those moments.
The dragon and Saitama suddenly met eye to eye.
“Huh? What are you staring at, boy?”
Saitama’s disappointment grew exponentially. The dragons sounded like a punk with a voice that was wasted on him.
“…I thought dragons are supposed to be dignified or something….”
“You want a piece of me, punk?!”
Saitama’s face twisted with more disappointment.
“…Saitama. Please beat him up for me.” Ophis cutely pointed at the Great Red.
“…I kind of don’t feel like it.”
“Why not?”
“…I was expecting a fight with a final boss-like dragon but all I got is…. this.”
His remarks triggered the Great Red.
“You got something to say to me? You want to die?” The Great Red threatened with the mannerisms of a juvenile delinquent.
Saitama sighed with dejection.
“…Alright, you know what? Let’s just get this done and over with, so I can go home.” Saitama muttered under his breath, “What a goddamn disappointment.”
Saitama flew towards the Great Red. He could fly in the Gap thanks to Ophis’ enchantment. This was different than getting a power-up snake because he needed a way to travel through a realm where there is no floor for him to walk on other than trying to break the gap just to move.
“What, you want to fight me? Go ahead, you little baldy. Try it and see if you can-”
BOOM!
The red fist struck harder than a meteor, a concave indentation in the right side of the Dragon of Dragons.
“BLEGH?!”
“Oh!” Ophis perked with genuine emotion for the first time in her long life. “Y-You got him! You hurt him!”
Ophis shouted with genuine surprise, a pleasant emotion she hadn not felt since… forever!
Saitama’s fist smoked as he watched the dragon flail and flounder.
“OW! OWOWOWOWOWOWOW! What the shit?! What the fuck?! OW!”
Saitama was slightly surprised.
“Huh. You’re still conscious. Alright, I’ll take back some of what I said.” Saitama meant to knock the guy out with a single punch, yet the thing was sturdier than he believed.
The delinquent dragon glared and scowled indignantly at the baldy.
“That hurt, you mofo! Ow! Alright, you want my full attention?! You have my full attention! You’ll get to see the full power of the True Dragon of motherfucking Dragons, Baldy!”
Saitama wished the dragon would stop talking. He really didn’t want the guy to destroy his image of dragons he nurtured for so long any further. It was too depressing.
“Eat this! Thousand Exploding Suns!”
Saitama widened his eyes when everything around him went white.
A thousand explosions erupted into existence, a cluster of miniature novas clustering as close to the small man as possible as the Great Red watched his work, one of the attacks he imagined while doing his thing in the Dimensional Gap.
“Ahahahahaha! This is the power of the Great Red! The Dragon of Dragons! This would’ve been enough to incinerate an entire universe, and it is what you get for starting this you… you…. Eh?”
When the explosion faded away the polychromatic colors of the gap superseding the overwhelming white, Saitama remained there, unfazed by the Great Red’s seemingly ultimate attack.
Saitama looked over himself and sighed, “That actually kind of scared me. You’re lucky that Ophis made my clothes sturdy, otherwise I’d have been pissed over losing another suit.”
“…What?” The Great Red was baffled.
How was Baldy still alive? He put everything in that attack.
“Then again, a universe? Really? I read and watched an entire show that ended with people that said that they could wipe out a universe. Only one guy did that in the end, the others, not so much. You are the kind of guy that just likes to brag, all hot air.” Saitama’s voice of disappointment annoyed the Dragon of Dragons.
“Hot air? You think I’m just hot air?!”
“Do you even know how to fight?”
“Of course I know how to fight! I’m a dragon! A true Dragon!” The Great Red shouted.
“Alright, since when was the last time you had a real fight?”
The Great Red opened his mouth for a moment. He blinked his big reptilian eyes as he worked his mind to recall.
“…A real fight…. Uhhhhh…”
“Like two people duking it out for real.” Saitama answered.
“I had fights!” The Great Red defended himself.
Saitama quirked a brow.
“I… I uh… hmmm.” The Great Red closed his mouth. “…All I remember are little bugs nagging to fight me… do they count?”
“No.”
“…Shut up!” The Great Red then unleashed another attack – similar to the previous one, but he concentrated the white flame to engulf Saitama’s immediate location.
“Then how about this!? The densest, most concentrated fireball in existence!” The Great Red shouted as he concentrated with all of his might, summoning and converging all of the heat and energy into the baldy until he became a miniature sun.
“This will continue until you’re erased from existence, Baldy! Feel the raging heat of a thousand suns and-”
The white flame suddenly died out, blown away by the baldy’s fist as if flicking a candle.
“…Eh?” The Great Red stared at Saitama.
“In a fight, don’t talk too much. If you want to show how strong you are, show it, don’t say it. Like this.”
Saitama flew into the Great Red’s stomach like an arrow, plunging his fist into the Great Red.
The damage was like a supernova exploding inside his gut, the force exploding into and out of the Great Red as the Dragon of Dragons coughed out his true dragonblood and spittle before the force launched him away like a tumbleweed
“AAARRGHHHH!” The Great Red rolled left and right in pain, holding his stomach.
“If you’ve been in real fights, you should know what it’s like to feel pain. You’re tough, but you’re not strong. A real strong person would know how to overcome something so simple as a struggle.” Saitama lectured as he flew towards the Great Red.
Consecutive Normal Punches
Saitama continued raining down punches on the Great Red, breaking through his legendary scales that could repel any attack, turning him into a poor punching bag.
Due to the Great Red’s sheer size, Saitama ran around the giant’s body while punching him to hit every single angle he could.
Saitama finished his combo with an uppercut to his great dragon jaw, breaking some of his teeth as the dragon flipped once into the void from the force, his massive size sent flying.
“This is what it means to be in a real fight.” Saitama finished his lecture as Ophis looked at the Baldy with eyes of sparkling awe and amazement.
Saitama waited for the dragon of dragons to retaliate against him for the damage.
However…
Saitama blinked when he saw tears dripping down his eyeballs.
“…WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Both Ophis and Saitama were caught off guard.
The Great Red was crying.
The Dragon of Dragons was truly crying.
Saitama did not think that something that big could reduce himself into a bawling fit.
“…He’s actually crying.” Even Ophis was amazed.
“…Do you want to leave?”
Ophis stared at the Great Red in contemplation.
At one hand, she could get him to evict the Great Red out of her home…
On the other hand, she was conflicted now that she saw her home invader turn into this.
“…Would you beat him a little more first?” Ophis asked.
“…Nah. Do you want some sweets when we get back?” Saitama offered.
Ophis pondered for a moment as she pouted. Her greatest enemy was under her mercy, but…. For some reason she was not feeling any sort of joy whatsoever.
Disappointment was all she felt. Was it worth it now, to reclaim her silent home like this?
Though a part of her wants Saitama to continue beating up the Great Red for causing her so much trouble.
“…I want ice cream.” Ophis conceded.
Midgard was probably not as bad as she thought when she recalled the delicious foods there.
“Alright. I’ll get your favorite as always.”
Saitama reached up and rubbed his passenger’s head.
She blushed as she teleported them out of the dimensional gap, leaving the wailing giant behind.
…Ta-daa!
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