Issei
The whole world outside the window turned white.
Azazel’s light spears rained down so fast that for a second it looked less like an attack and more like the sky itself had decided to punish someone.
The school grounds flashed over and over as the lances struck the black-robed Magicians below, shattering their formations and ripping explosions of light through the air.
It was so overwhelming that my brain almost stopped at “wow” and forgot the whole we are under terrorist attack in the middle of a peace conference part.
But then more magic circles appeared and more Magicians arrived.
I was about to gripe about our enemy cheating when I spotted Kusari-san again and stopped.
I turned away from the window just enough to look at her again.
Four tails.
With the display from Azazel’s attack on the Magicians I had forgotten for a moment the scene I had just witnessed.
Buchou had removed another seal from her and the power spike allowed her to break free of Gasper’s ability.
At first she had glared at Buchou and looked angry.
Then Buchou had said something quietly to her and her face slowly changed.
She looked hesitant and guarded, before looking like she had resolved something in her head and answering Buchou back.
Buchou had looked relieved when she smiled and gave her a nod.
And now Kusari-san seemed different again.
But this time the change was familiar, like when her last seal was released, just a bit more.
The extra tail made her look different immediately.
Her silhouette was larger than before with them spread behind her.
But more importantly the whole feeling around her had shifted.
More pressure. More presence.
More magic packed into her than before, enough that even in this room full of world leaders I could notice it.
And yeah, she was more beautiful now too.
Not in some abstract way.
In the very direct way that was distracting me in a way that I did not need while we were under attack.
But the change hadn’t made her look healthy exactly.
She still had that faint sickness hanging at the edges of her face and body, only less of it now, like one or two more seal releases might finally clear the rest away.
And Sirzechs-sama had allowed it.
Buchou had acted like she expected him to push back on her asking, but he just smiled and told her to go ahead.
I didn’t get it.
I was still trying to unpack that when Azazel started talking again.
“You see, this school was covered by a barrier for this meeting. Yet our enemies have been able to appear inside that barrier. That means that someone is connecting the teleportation magic circles from outside of the barrier into it. That can only be done from inside the barrier. Additionally, the effect of Forbidden Balor View has been artificially increased to try and stop us. If it increases any more there is a risk that the effect may begin to work. Oh, and now there are more of them. They seem to be a larger group than I thought.”
As he mentioned it I looked out the window.
More and more magic circles were appearing across the school.
A second wave of Magicians appeared from them, replacing the ones that Azazel defeated.
“Ah so that’s how they’ll approach it. They’ll continue to send opponents to face us even if we defeat everyone here. The timing and access through the barrier are too convenient. It makes me believe that there is a traitor within our ranks.” Azazel continued.
I looked around the room to the other leaders.
Their faces all seemed grim at the idea of betrayal.
“If they're just going to keep coming, couldn't we get Gasper and then escape??” I said
Azazel shook his head.
“We can’t. The barrier acts both to keep people out and to keep them from leaving. Until it is removed we can’t leave. But if it is removed then the damage to the Human World around us will be disastrous. We have no choice but to wait until the mastermind of their plan decides to show themselves. So, if we head out and rampage through their fodder we will play right into their plans. So we should just wait.”
It was a surprisingly reasonable plan coming from Azazel.
I’m not sure we can just wait around though with Gasper still out there.
“The first thing that needs to be done though is to recover Gasper-kun from the old school building. I imagine that the enemy is fortifying it as we speak.” Sirzechs-sama spoke up.
That’s good then.
We can rescue Gasper and unfreeze the other members of the peerage.
I looked over to Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, and Asia who were still frozen in place.
Sona-Kaichou was frozen in her seat as well.
“Onii-sama, please let me go. Gasper is my servant. They dared to use him like a weapon. It’s my responsibility to free him.” Buchou said.
Sirzechs-sama turned to her.
“And how will you go to the old school building? The whole school grounds are filled with Magicians. And any sort of transfer magic would be blocked by them. Will you fight your way through them?”
Buchou responded without hesitation.
“My unused [Rook] piece is in my clubroom in the old school building. I can use that.”
“Ah, [Castling], then. If that’s your plan then it should work. They most likely won’t expect you to be able to transfer into the room and they won’t be able to stop that ability.”
Yuuto-san had explained [Castling] to me before.
It’s one of the special abilities in Rating Games that, like in real chess, the [King] can swap places with a [Rook].
This was perfect.
Buchou could avoid the enemy and surprise them when she appeared in the club room.
“Alright I will allow it, but I won’t allow you to go alone. Grayish, would it be possible for me to assist Rias and allow her to bring others with her while [Castling]?” Sirzechs asked.
“Yes, but since we do not have time to prepare something more complex Ojou-sama will only be able to bring one other person.”
Sirzechs looked around the room.
“So, Rias and one other...”
“Sirzechs-sama, I will go with her!” I shouted, while stepping forward.
Everyone looked at me as I did.
Gasper was my kohai, the only other male in our peerage.
I needed to protect him and I could protect Buchou too if I went with her.
Sirzechs-sama looked at me before glancing at Kusari-san for a moment.
Kusari-san closed up and made herself smaller under his gaze.
Then he turned to Azazel.
“According to what I’ve been told, Azazel, is that you have researched a way to control Sacred Gears for a set amount of time. Is this correct?”
Azazel raised a brow.
“Yeah, that’s true, but what about it?”
“Would it be possible to use your research to control the Boosted Gear?”
Azazel fell silent in response.
He looked down while seeming to be thinking quickly.
He then looked up at me and reached into his chest’s pocket.
“Oi, Sekiryuutei.”
Azazel called out to me.
“It's Hyoudou Issei!” I snapped
“Fine, kid. Hyoudou Issei, catch.”
Azazel threw something at me, so I caught it.
It seemed to be two bands with multiple characters I couldn’t identify carved into each of them.
I looked up at Azazel with confusion.
“Those bracelets have the ability to control a person’s Sacred Gear to a degree. If you wear one it will give you finer control over your Sacred Gear. So, once you find the half-Vampire, put one on him to help him control his power.
“But wait, how did the terrorist force Gasper to use his sacred gear and why is it so much more powerful? Do they have something like this of their own? Also, why did you give me two of them?”
“No, I don’t think they have something as advanced as those bracelets. The most likely thing is that they used another Sacred Gear or some sort of magic to force the half-Vampire kid to use his Sacred Gear and to force it into a Balance Breaker. The Balance Breaker should be a temporary state, but it’s still impressive that the kid managed to affect such a wide area that he can’t even see.”
Azazel nodded to himself.
“There are other Sacred Gears that can transfer power like mine can?” I asked.
“Yep. There are other Sacred Gears with similar abilities or the same as the Boosted Gear. A Twice Critical is an easy example as it can double someone’s power once. Longinus in general are viewed as a combination of multiple abilities of Sacred Gears, or the original ability that the other lesser ones possess.Longinus are believed to be formed by a ‘bug’ in God’s System, or at least that’s what’s believed by us of the Grigori. So long story short, there are other Sacred Gear that can use the [Transfer] ability.”
I nodded slowly as that was a lot to take in.
I really should pay more attention when Yuuto or Buchou explains things to me.
I’m too easily distracted by their breasts though.
I jolted out of my thoughts when Azazel continued.
“Lastly, that other bracelet is for you. I’ve heard that you haven’t completely mastered the power of the Welsh Dragon. So, if you use this then it will be possible for you to enter a balance breaker state without any other costs. At least for a short time. The bracelet will pay that cost for you.”
I looked at the bracelet in my hands in wonder.
“But, as a side effect it will also undo the seal placed on your Evil Pieces. I heard that your [Pawn] power has been restricted, right?
I glanced at Buchou and then Kusari-san at Azazel’s words.
Kusari-san was still closed off after that odd look Sirzechs-sama had given her.
Buchou looked at me and I could tell she was wondering how he knew about the deal she had put on my [Pawn] pieces as well.
“In terms of the piece distribution Ddraig is holding 96-98.5% and you are holding 1.5-4% of the [Pawns] worth. It’s hard to tell exactly since I heard that a Mutation Piece was used in your reincarnation. Otherwise it would be easier to tell with just 5 normal [Pawns].” Azazel grumbled to himself at the end. “Anyways, my main point is that if you use the bracelet to manifest Ddraig’s true power, then it will most likely release the seal on his power as well. Does that sound right, Rias Gremory?”
Buchou narrowed her eyes but still nodded in response to his question.
“You must only use the bracelet as a last resort. If you use it you’ll exhaust yourself by using it due to the vast amount of demonic power and stamina it will take to bring out your Balance Breaker.”
I think I understood most of that.
I’ll need to save it for when I desperately need a power up rather than just to end a fight.
“You need to understand something. You were originally human. Even if you’re a Devil now with a powerful Sacred Gear, it won’t mean anything if you can't control or harness that power. You can cheat and use Ddraig's power to get by, but eventually you’ll hit a wall or face an opponent that it won’t work against. You’re the weak link in the equation. You need to master your powers or you’ll eventually die because of it.”
I looked to Buchou and the others.
They looked back to me with worry, even Kusari-san raised her eyes to look at me.
“I understand.”
I needed to be stronger for them
I needed to be able to survive if I wanted to protect them.
I stared at the bracelets in my hand.
Two metal rings, both covered in symbols I couldn’t read properly but somehow still felt the power of.
It made me think of Kusari-san’s released seal.
It had made her look more whole and feel more powerful.
And now I was standing here with a bracelet that could force open more of my own power.
Buchou stepped closer to me.
“Ise,” she said.
That one word snapped me fully back to attention.
Right.
We still had to save Gasper.
We didn’t have time for me to stand around thinking about other things.
Michael-san sighed.
“Azazel, just how much time have you spent on your research of Sacred Gears?”
Azazel smiled widely.
“Plenty. God isn’t here so someone will need to understand them even a little. There are all kinds of things that even you, the current leader of Heaven, don’t know.”
“Well yes… but the problem is that you’re the one doing the research.”
I watched as the leaders of the Three Factions were already talking warmly to each other and cooperating.
If this went well I think that the peace they had just been discussing would work.
“Ojou-sama, please wait a little while.” Grayish said.
Buchou nodded.
“Please hurry, Grayfia.”
Buchou looked at me and said, “We’re going.”
She sounded more like herself.
Calm and commanding.
I nodded at once. “Yeah.”
Then I looked toward Kusari-san again.
She was still too composed.
That eas normal with all Sirzechs and the other leaders in the room present.
But now she seemed less guarded.
Whatever Buchou had said to her after her seal was removed had helped.
I would try and figure it out later.
For now, them being in a better place was good enough.
Buchou turned from me toward the rest of the peerage.
Her voice was the one she used when she started giving orders.
“Yuuto. Xenovia. Kusari.”
All three of them straightened.
Yuuto-san’s calm gaze sharpened.
Xenovia put one hand on Durandal’s hilt with immediate approval.
Kusari-san only inclined her head once, but the look in her eyes changed enough to tell me she was fully listening now.
“Help repel the magicians outside,” Buchou said. “Don’t overextend. Thin their numbers and keep them off the school building. We will need time to save Gasper.”
“Yes, Buchou,” Yuuto-san said at once.
“Understood,” Xenovia answered.
“As you wish.” Kusari-san said.
She was still too formal and closed off, but it wasn’t because of Buchou anymore.
Buchou’s gaze stayed on her for one second longer than on the others.
Then she looked away.
From the side I noticed Azazel speaking to Vali now.
“Vali.”
“What is it, Azazel?”
“You’re free to go fight the enemies outside. As the Hakuryuukou, you'll distract them and bring attention to yourself.”
“So that whoever is pulling the strings of this attack will show themselves?”
“Correct, while you’re fighting they won’t expect the Sekiryuutei to appear in the old school building. You’ll be able to fight and he’ll be able to help the half-Vampire kid.”
“It would be much faster to just destroy the building and everything in it.”
“Hey!” I stepped forward towards them.
Buchou looked furious.
Yuuto-san and Xenovia looked ready to draw their blades at him.
Even Kusari-san had focused a glare onto Vali.
Azazel waved us off.
“Thats not acceptable right now while we are trying for peace. That would only be an option as a worse case scenario. If we are able to save a member of the Maou’s family’s peerage, then we can benefit from it later.”
“Understood.”
I still glared at Azazel for the way he put it.
We needed to save Gasper and he was already being viewed as a bargaining chip.
Then Vali spread his wings of light.
“—Balance Break.”
[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!]
A bright white light covered his form for a moment.
When it cleared he was in the white armor that he was in when we first met.
He could already achieve his balance breaker with ease and I needed a tool to allow me to do it for a short moment.
I was beginning to understand the gap between us.
Vali opened a window and flew outside.
There was a large crash and a shockwave that shook the room.
When we got to the window to look there was a crater where a group of Magicians had been.
Vali rose from the crater and launched himself into the hordes of enemies.
“Azazel, I’d like to continue one of the topics from before.” Sirzechs-sama said to Azazel.
I turned away from the window to watch them speak.
“Which one?”
“What are you trying to do by collecting Sacred Gears? You’ve even been collecting Longinus wielders into your ranks. But why? If you didn’t want to wage war, what are you preparing for?”
“I am curious as well if we are discussing it again.”
Michael-san said.
“I was preparing to defend the Grigori from the [Khaos Brigade].”
“...Khaos...Brigade?”
Sirzechs-sama asked, looking confused.
If even he didn’t know of it it must be obscure.
“Shemhaza, my Vice Governor, was able to not only confirm the name of the group but had been watching some suspicious individuals that are a part of it. They are gathering people from multiple factions and some humans that have achieved Balance Breaker with their Sacred Gear. There are even multiple Longinus possessors in their ranks.”
“But what is their goal”
Michael-san asked that.
Azazel shrugged.
“Destruction. Chaos. They are upset with the state of the world and want to destroy it. On top of that, the organisation’s leader is the one of the two Dragon Gods.”
Everyone in the room tensed up.
I didn’t know who he was talking about so I looked around questioningly.
“The Ouroboros Dragon Ophis has begun to move then…. The Dragon feared by God... the strongest being in the world is their leader.” Sirzechs-sama said with a grim expression.
Vali had mentioned them before I think.
I think the Oroborus meant infinity, which sounded powerful.
[Yes, Ophis is the leader of the Khaos Brigade.]
A magic circle appeared on top of the conference table and began to glow as a voice came from it.
Sirzechs-sama clicked his tongue.
“I see, so you’re the mastermind behind this.”
Then he turned to us with a wave of his arm.
“Grayfia, transfer Rias and Ise-kun quickly!”
“Yes!”
Grayfia pulled us to a small magic circle.
“Ojou-sama, I wish you the fortunes of battle.”
“W-Wait, Grayfia!? Onii-sama!” Buchou shouted.
I looked back to the rest of our peerage.
Yuuto-san nodded to us before looking away.
Xenovia was focused on the magic circle on the table.
Kusari-san was watching us.
I couldn’t hear her, but I saw her say it
Save him
Then Buchou and I were enveloped in light and the room disappeared.
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