High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

Kusari

Peace.

The word settled over the meeting room and changed its shape.

Everyone sat up straighter.

Everyone paid more attention then they already did.

Azazel-sama said it like a man tossing a stone into deep water just to see how far the ripples would travel.

The slightly smug look on his face showed how much he enjoyed shaking things up.

Each of the other leaders seemed surprised at how willing Azazel-sama was to propose peace.

Michael-sama seemed accepted it more easily than I expected.

Sirzechs-sama looked like he would not reject it.

Serafall-sama was still smiling, but even her brightness had become more focused, less careless.

And I sat in my chair by the wall, hands folded neatly in my lap, body held in that same careful stillness Sirzechs-sama’s presence always dragged out of me, but now it was worse.

Because of the possibility of peace, and the possibility of war if that peace failed to be obtained.

But more so from the looks my peerage members were sending me occasionally after hearing what Serafall-sama said.

I ignored them for now.

I would explain more to them now that they heard first hand about my past.

I would explain what I was able to.

I just hope it would be enough.

The room had gone from strained to startled to cautiously intent within the span of a minute.

Even Issei, who had spent much of the early conference visibly struggling to stay focused on politics instead of gazing at Rias’s breasts, as if it wasn’t obvious what he was doing, now looked like he understood that something truly large had just been said.

Of course, his expression still held a kind of dazzled confusion.

Across the table, Michael-sama smiled.

It held relief in it.

Not complete, but enough to be felt.

“Yes,” he said. “I also intended to propose peace. If we continue to act as we had before, it will only damage the world around us. As the leader of the Angels, I believe that with the loss of God and the original Maou, those that have caused the war between the Three Factions are gone.”

Azazel-sama began to laugh.

“Ha, so the upright Micheal finally admits that God wasn’t perfect! I can hardly believe that you’ve said it myself.”

“We have all lost many things, myself included. We must move past that. Instead we should focus on guiding the humans, as they are God’s children and need us to watch over them. This is the opinion of myself and the rest of the Seraph.” Michael-sama said.

Azazel-sama raised a brow at him.

“That sounds like something that might make you ‘fall’, you know? But since you’ve taken over His system the world has become better, I think. It’s different from the time when we of the Grigori ‘fell’.”

“It is the same with us, the Devils.” Sirzechs-sama said. “We had to move forward to continue our species, despite the loss of the original Maou. And now we wish for peace. Another war would spell the end for the Devils.”

“You’re right. If another war starts each of the Three Factions will be destroyed. There will be no winner among us and the human world will pay the price for our fighting.” Azazel said, nodding in agreement to Sirzechs-sama’s words.

Then he took on a more serious tone.

“Before we might have thought that a world without God in it was wrong. That things would collapse and fall apart. But that isn’t the case. We are all still here and the world is still turning. Even without God.”

Everyone was silent for a moment, taking in Azazel-sama’s words.

Then, when the discussion started again, it was more focused on peace and how the factions would interact with each other.

I listened.

Or rather, I made myself listen.

It would have been easier not to.

Serafall-sama had already done enough damage by pointing at me and speaking my real name aloud in front of the room.

It was hard not to focus back on that even with the talks going on around me.

I had told them later, and for now that would be enough.

Yuki Shiramine.

Fox of Ill Omen.

I hadn’t heard my real name spoken in some time.

A name I had not offered my own peerage yet, now pulled out of me by a Maou when she finally remembered my face.

And a title given to me that now was going to bring up even more questions and pick at old wounds that never really healed.

I was upset that another choice had been taken from me, even if it wasn’t done with any malicious intent.

But I didn’t let any of it show in my face.

Because I couldn’t.

Because Sirzechs was in the room.

That alone was enough to keep every muscle of me lined correctly, every expression thinned down to something harmless, every thought hidden behind the older habits that had once let me survive more than they ever protected me.

After my shock at Serafall-sama’s interruption I kept my eyes lowered and focused on a spot on the floor.

Rias noticed.

Of course she noticed.

Even from two seats away and across the pressure of the meeting, I could tell when her attention moved toward me.

It wasn’t constant, as that would have been more obvious than she could allow herself right now.

But in the small pauses between speakers, during the turn of a page, when Serafall-sama laughed too brightly or Azazel leaned back too casually, I felt her check whether I had retreated further inwards yet.

Koneko was seated next to me.

Her attention was more subtle than Rias’s but more present all the same.

She shifted closer to me in her seat.

She seemed to pay attention to any movement or shift I made.

But she stared ahead at the meeting, not pressuring me to look back at her.

I didn’t look at them or anyone else.

I didn’t think I would be able to.

Because if I met one of their gazes right now, I was not certain what my face would do.

So I watched the ground instead.

Then the others in the room when something important was said.

Michael-sama’s golden wings were folded, but never loosely.

Sirzechs-sama’s expression was relaxed and open, but too naturally to be trusted.

Serafall-sama sparkled even while discussing power balances and historical destruction, which made her more unsettling rather than less.

Grayfia-sama served tea with immaculate timing, her silence so polished it became its own kind of presence.

Vali-san sat to the side lazily, as if he was bored by the whole thing already.

Azazel-sama spoke like someone who had long ago grown bored of pretending his mind moved in the same shape as everyone else’s.

Even though I wasn’t able to look at them in the eye.

I still snuck a glance at them.

My peerage.

Rias, quietly nervous, with her posture almost too straight.

Akeno, outwardly easy again, though I knew better now than I had a week ago how many versions of “easy” she could wear.

Yuuto composed and watchful.

Asia, anxious, reverent in Micheal-sama’s presence, and trying very hard not to look overwhelmed.

Xenovia-san, solemn and intent, focusing on everything in the room with a guarded look.

Koneko, quiet as always, closer than she was when we first sat down, and expressionlessly watching everyone.

Issei was the least subtly in the group.

He had one of Rias’s hands in his before and after she stood to speak.

She had told Akeno that he was lending her courage with his presence next to her.

He was also very obviously only understanding fragments of the politics.

That too was somehow reassuring.

If he had suddenly begun looking comfortable here, I might have suspected the world had broken in a new way.

The discussion continued with military balance, borders, cooperation, trade, and more.

The tension in the room loosened by degrees.

But I was still on edge.

Between all of the major figures, my own past exposed, and the discussion of the future of our world there was more to be concerned with.

There were far too many important people in this room.

Kokabiel couldn’t have been the only one who would have wanted more conflict.

And this was the perfect place to spark that conflict.

But finally the discussion ended. 

“Is there anything else to discuss regarding our desires in a peace agreement?” Sirzechs-sama asked.

No one spoke up.

The leaders in the conference relaxed and sighed in relief.

Then Michael-sama turned the conversation somewhere else.

“Now that we are done with that, I believe that Sekiryuutei-dono had a matter to discuss with me.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Issei.

He looked nervous instantly.

He turned to Asia first.

“Asia, would it be all right with you if I ask Michael-san about your situation?”

Asia looked surprised, then nodded.

“I won’t mind if you want to ask. I trust Ise-san.”

She smiled at him and he grinned back like a fool.

Then he turned to Michael-sama

“Why did you exile Asia from the Church?”

Everyone in the room looked at him like he was insane for drinking this up right after the peace talks had settled.

Even I was momentarily stunned with disbelief before I remembered that this is exactly how Issei is.

It was about Asia being wronged, so even I understood why he had asked.

I don’t think anything would stop him from trying to understand or fix that.

Michael-sama replied sincerely.

“I can only say that I am sorry for what happened. After the loss of God, Heaven was in disarray. The only thing of his power that remained was the System that governs divine protection and miracles. The System was created by God to bring miracles into existence outside of Heaven. Things you have seen like, holy swords, crosses, Sacred Gears, and others all fall under the System.”

“So…. After the death of God…. the System was not working properly then? Is that right?” Issei asked, looking like he was thinking too hard

Michael-sama nodded.

“Exactly. Without God running it the power of the protections and miracles that the System can create now are limited. This has reduced our ability to grant salvation to those in need.”

Kokabiel had mentioned something similar during our fight.

That must be why Yuuto’s impossible balance breaker became possible.

“Because of this we needed to protect the system from the ‘bugs’ that appeared. The existence of Sacred Gear like Asia Argento’s Twilight Healing, Vali’s Divine Dividing, and your Boosted Gear are examples of Sacred Gear that could influence the system.” Michael-sama said.

Issei paused for a moment to understand.

“So Asia being able to heal not only Devils but Fallen Angels as well was something that God’s System normally wouldn’t allow?”

“Yes, her ability to use one of God’s miracles to heal Devils and Fallen Angels would lead to people losing faith. If people lose faith in Heaven then Heaven will eventually no longer exist. So a cruel decision to exile her was made.” Michael said looking regretful.

I understood the reasoning of removing a problematic person to protect the rest.

I did, but I couldn’t bring myself to accept it.

Asia was part of my peerage, one of my friends.

She had been cast aside like nothing after believing and serving the Church her whole life without ever really knowing why.

There had to have been a better way.

It seemed more to me like a panicked reaction to a problem rather than a thought out and understood one.

While I was trying not to glare at Michael-sama and the Angel woman he brought with him, Xenovia-san spoke. 

“Just like those who’ll learn the truth about God, correct?”

Michael-sama sighed.

“Yes, Xenovia. Losing you from the side of Heaven was a serious blow to us. But if too many of those besides the Seraph learn the truth and are connected to the Church, then it could directly affect the system. I must apologise to both you and Asia Argento. There was nothing more we could do besides declare you both heretics.

Micheal-sama bowed to them.

Issei seemed happy that he was apologizing to them.

Asia looked flustered.

Xenovia had a bitter smile.

I stared at Michael-sama as he bowed without shifting my expression.

Xenovia-san was another case of Heaven tossing someone away when they became inconvenient.

I could think of a handful of things that could have been done instead of tossing them each out to the mercy of Heaven’s enemies and a world they didn’t fully understand.

“No, Michael-sama, please don’t apologise. Even though I felt as if it was irrational for the Church to remove me, I understand your reasoning. I was brought up by the Church and devoted myself to it fully. I understand the need to protect others.” Xenovia said.

“Because of us though you were reincarnated as a Devil. We pushed you to that point.”

“It is fine now. I am satisfied with my current life even if I did regret it a bit at first. I still miss being able to serve the Church as I once did and pray to God as well. But now I can experience things that I could not before.”

Asia clasped her hands together and spoke as well.

“Michael-sama, I am also happy with my new life. I have met many wonderful people and have even been able to meet and speak with you Michael-sama! It is truly an honor!”

“I am blessed that you both have such forgiveness in you and I am truly saddened by your loss for the Church. I am happy that you are with the sister of Sirzechs. It puts me at ease that you are not with someone who would treat you poorly or do as they please to you.” Michael-sama said.

He smiled at them sadly.

I felt Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, Issei, and Koneko look at me when Michael-sama mentioned how they could have been treated.

I didn’t look back at them.

I had held in the flinch that had almost happened at his words.

I pushed away the thoughts of what could have happened to both of them if they weren’t lucky enough to be in Rias’s peerage.

Azazel-sama was watching Asia.

She seemed to notice and trembled while trying to shy away from his gaze. 

“I heard that it was my subordinates that killed her before she wound up as a Devil. It was kept from me until recently.”

Issei bristled at the tone he used.

“Thats right, your Fallen Angels killed Asia. They killed me too. You may not have ordered it but a sweet and peaceful girl like Asia was killed in your name!” Issei said

Issei was fuming.

Rias was motioning to him to calm down. 

It wasn’t the time or place for it but I understood his anger.

“We Fallen Angels eliminate Sacred Gear holders who may cause us harm. If we sense that someone may be a threat to us in the future and we are aware of it, it makes sense to eliminate potential threats before they can become real. The reason you were killed was because if a human with no talent for controlling the power of the Sekiryuuti was left alone, you could have gone on a rampage and caused severe damage to the world.” Azazel-sama said.

“And because of that I became a Devil.”

“Are you unhappy with it? The people around you seem happy that you are one. Is that not enough for you?”

Issei looked like he begrudgingly agreed with Azazel-sama.

I didn’t think that it could be treated that simply.

If things really had come to war the Fallen Angels would have pushed Twilight Healing and the Boosted Gear into the Devils hands due to their own paranoia.

They could have taken them in like how Vali-san was a part of their organization instead.

“It’s not like that! I am surrounded by amazing people and treated well by all of them. But-”

Azazel-sama cut Issei off.

“Apologizing won’t change what happened to you. It’s already happened. So, instead I’ll do something to help you stand on your own.”

Issei looked lost.

Azazel-sama was deliberately being vague on what exactly he was going to do for Issei.

I don’t think Sirzechs-sama would allow something to happen to Issei, but it still was worrying.

“Now we should hear from the other people in the room who will be able to influence the world, the Heavenly Dragons,” Azazel-sama said, grinning. “First we should hear from Vali. What is it you want to do in the world?”

Vali-san showed a small smile.

“I wish to fight strong opponents. That is all that I want.”

I blinked at the blunt simplicity of it.

Apparently both the Heavenly dragons are simple people at their cores.

Battle lust and lust.

Azazel-sama turned to Issei. 

“Now, Hyoudou Issei, the Sekiryuutei, what do you want to do?”

Issei looked confused and scratched his head absentmindedly. 

“I really don’t understand everything right now. Between all of the politics and suddenly being asked questions I’m at a loss. Right now I don’t know what to tell you what I want.”

I’m surprised he didn’t just outright shout oppai.

“But you are one who will have power to shape the world. If you don’t tell us clearly what you desire it will be difficult for the leaders of each faction to move around you.”

Issei still looked lost.

“Hyoudou Issei, I’ll put it more simply for you. If we fight, then you would need to fight in those battles. And if that’s the case then you won’t be able to sleep with Rias Gremory.”

Issei looked stunned with disbelief.

Koneko sighed beside me.

Azazel-sama apparently knew him well enough to understand his weakness.

“If the Three Factions make peace, then there won’t be a fight for you to take place in.” Azazel continued. And if we aren’t fighting then each of our species can prosper. If we are prospering then you can focus on having children with Rias Gremory instead of fighting. Is that more appealing to you? It’s simple. If there is fighting then it is much harder for you to have sex. So what will you choose?”

Issei looked like there was treasure in front of him and all he had to do was reach out and take it.

Maybe that’s exactly what was going on in his head.

“Peace! Yes, I would like to have the peaceful option! Ecchi things with Buchou sounds the best!”

Koneko sighed deeper this time.

Asia went scarlet.

Xenovia-san only looked intrigued by it.

Yuuto smiled ruefully as if she expected nothing less from him.

Rias’s face went entirely red.

Akeno’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.

“Ise-kun, you do remember that Sirzechs-sama is right there, right?” Akeno asked while holding back her laughter. 

Sirzechs-sama laughed in a low threatening way

And despite Sirzechs’s presence, the way I had been holding every part of myself taut since entering, and the things that had been revealed about my past, I felt the corner of my mouth curl. 

Hyoudou Issei was an idiot, but he was also honest and sincere.

Confronted with the fate of factions and the movement of the world, and still somehow capable of answering in terms so shamelessly personal that they became a kind of honesty no one else in the room could manage.

He tried to fix his answer.

“Umm…. well, I’m not the brightest, so I know I didn’t understand everything here today. But I want to use the powers I have for my comrades. I want to be able to protect all of them.  Buchou, Asia, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, Yuuto-san, Xenovia, Kusari-san, and Gasper are all very important to me. I know I’m still weak now, but I’ll protect and fight alongside them even at the risk of my life!”

It was better than his earlier outburst.

It wasn’t elegant or well thought out, but it was so very much like him.

I looked at Rias.

She was still flushed, but no longer only from embarrassment.

Something in her face had softened while looking at him.

Pride, yes. Relief too.

That she had chosen him.

That he had answered like that.

That even in this room full of leaders and legends he remained himself.

Akeno was looking at him too.

She must have seen the same thing.

I had spoken to her yesterday and now recognized the small truths in her face more easily than before.

Her affection for him had become more open after the shrine.

I had been correct.

Seeing it now only drove that point further home.

I didn’t even need to look at Asia to know exactly how she was looking at him.

It was good for all of them.

They should be happy.  

Everyone seemed to settle after his comment.

But I noticed the shifts in posture.

The way Vali’s attention moved not with boredom but with faint readiness.

The way Azazel’s ease never quite descended into carelessness.

The way Sirzechs, even while speaking gently enough to the room, never removed all of the tension from his body, even now.

Something wasn’t right.

My eyes sharpened.

My pulse spiked once, hard.

I stood and turned my head toward the window just as a flash of light began to move through the room.

Then I felt the familiar sensation of Gasper-kun’s Sacred Gear.

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