Gaming Badly in DxD

-Zatren Fumigami-

Without really realizing it, I just noticed that I may have cast a small problem now.

I was going to Italy very soon, and that would mean dropping out of school for a while and probably being absent for a good portion of the day.

Meaning that, anyone close to me would absolutely notice my absence during this time.

It was a problem with… quite an easy solution, actually.

“So, what you’re saying is that you want to go to Italy to check up on Sona and… explore?” Rias raised an eyebrow from her place on the couch.

I shrugged from my own resting place, that being, using Koneko’s thighs as a pillow while giving an impish smile.

Said girl was distractedly brushing my long, untied hair with her fingers. It seemed that my tactic from yesterday worked wonders, since the Nekoshou has been very affectionate recently.

‘Would Kuroka know anything about Nekoshou pregnancies? Hmm… but I don’t really have a way to contact her.’ And I was quite worried about what her reaction might be to me knocking her sister up.

“Zatren…” Mittelt spoke up, giving me a flat stare that I knew Koneko would be proud of if she were paying any attention. “This has to be your dumbest idea yet. And I saw you fall from the sky like a comet to kill a dragon.”

“I mean, you would be right if I still felt like a normal devil.” I shot back and looked at Rias. “I don’t particularly exude demonic power while I use magic around, right?”

“You don’t.” The redhead nodded and took a deep breath. “And while going to where Sona is taking a vacation is fine and all, I don’t know if your version of ‘exploring’ really fits the norm.”

“Aww, come on! I promise to be on my best behavior!” I replied playfully.

“Your best behavior is what worries me the most, Zuzu.” Guess it’s stare flatly at your lover day or something.

‘’But besides that point, I have to remain here since I am currently in charge of both mine and Sona’s responsibilities.’’ Rias sighed, certainly looking tired. ‘’Aika is but a normal human girl, and Koneko is not stepping foot near Church territory.’’

I winced at her words, but recovered quickly. “I mean, Sona will be there. I have, like, a completely moral and legal obligation to tell her and you what I do or don’t.” I didn’t, actually, but I definitely would if it gave them peace of mind.

It was quite difficult to say a motive without outright telling them that I was planning to raid Fallen Angel bases.

And it’s not like I want to just lie to my loved ones like that.

Hm. Maybe…

“Okay, fine. The thing is…” I paused before something clicked in my mind. “I believe Sona told you what happened back at the Familiar Forest?”

Rias got up from her seat and narrowed her eyes in thought before nodding. “How to forget the fact that you angered a Hydra and somehow survived the wrath of Dragon King Tiamat?”

I nodded and snapped my fingers together. “Exactly, well, here’s the matter at hand…”

And so, as a way to somewhat hide my real intentions around Italy, I told my three beautiful girlfriends about my contract with Tiamat.

How I, as the technically Red Dragon Emperor substitute, had to go and find lots of her treasures that had been lost to time by Ddraig himself.

And, since both Ddraig and Albion were sealed in the middle of the Great War, many of those treasures lay now within the respective vaults of the participants.

Meaning that a good part of them should be very close to the Vatican.

“I’m starting to see Sona’s point…” Rias groaned as she took a seat next to my resting form and put her own fingers on my mane of black hair.

“Problematic Senpai...” Koneko nodded along sleepily, even as she absent-mindedly rubbed my chest now that Rias had claimed my hair.

“...” Mittelt remained in silence. Staring pointedly before sighing in resignation. “Fine, but I’m coming with.”

I blinked. “What?”

I wasn’t the only one confused at the request. Both Rias and Koneko stared at the Fallen girl as if she had just grown an extra head.

“What?” Mittelt sniffed, scrunching up her nose in a somehow adorable way while crossing her arms. “Think you’re just going to magic away after you left me alone here for half a month? Think again, idiot.”

And now, Mittelt had closed the distance with a few steps and straddled my lap before outright lying on top of me and clasping my face with both hands.

“I’m coming with.” She repeated with an intense stare. “Got it?”

I stared at the gorgeous, frowning girl, at the caring, smiling face of my King, and the flat yet clingy Nekoshou that kept trying to get her hands anywhere they reached.

And using my own hands, I grabbed the face of the Fallen girl and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Gotcha.” I grinned, watching as Mittelt went from shocked to embarrassed. Much to the amusement of the other two.

Man, I was one lucky bastard.

-X-x-X-

“Come on, have you been slacking these past few weeks?” I taunted, dodging a glowing white fist by a mere tilt of my head. “If you’re weak, then you have to get creative.”

‘’We aren’t weak, you’re just bullshit, boss!’’ The eyes of the roguish blonde in front of me narrowed in frustration as her rapid-fire, Touki-enhanced fists failed to land on me. Yet, she suddenly smiled and jumped high into the air.

Exactly getting out of the way of a green tornado with razor-sharp winds speeding my way like a hurricane of death.

“Your teamwork hasn’t deteriorated, at least.” I nodded just as I let myself be engulfed by the winds.

The sharp gusts of wind buffeted my clothing and hair and started scratching and cutting my Reinforced skin.

“Not bad.” I nodded approvingly and looked upwards, through the eye of the storm, where a blonde swordsman was holding a glowing red blade before pointing it right in the middle of the winds. “You know. The fire thing is getting tiring.”

Kiba only grinned, letting out a wave of flames that quickly caught Asia’s wind magic. The combination of both turned the razor-sharp wind blades into constricting, blue-hot flames that twisted and turned around me. Licking at my body and burning part of my clothing, along with a small chunk of HP.

Well, that was mostly because I’m absolutely bullshit.

Reinforcement, along with Deus resistances, increased regeneration, and Boosted Gear: Wheel—currently two adaptations in—make me into an awful opponent to stall against.

Which is also why I wasn’t allowed to attack during this exercise.

“Haaa!” Cue in to Tsubasa, the blue-haired tomboy that was Sona’s other Rook, breaking past the winds with a shout of power, uncaring about the scorch marks on her skin as she joined me in the middle of the fiery storm.

“Come here often?” I teased, getting a thousand-volt smile in return.

“Gosh, I wish I could do this every day!” With an excited war cry, sweat poured out of the third-year student’s brow as she raised her arms and released a windy blizzard directly in the middle of Kiba and Asia’s combined attack. “HOOORAAA! I’M GETTING ALL FIRED UP.”

‘Literally.’ I snorted. Noticing how the blizzard that she had conjured was getting quickly overwhelmed by the blue hurricane.

Which was where I stepped in.

A golden glow, which I held in both hands, flared as I spoke. “With my words, and your magic cast, I lend aid, and make its power vast!” The glow exploded, fusing into Tsubasa’s blizzard.

And the result was the ice turning a golden color, and the temperature suddenly dropped from blazing hot to a chilling cold.

Something I have noticed is that my Harmony in Words perk and my barely discovered divinity over Abundance complement each other pretty well.

Well, that could be said about Abundance fitting with basically everything. In short, calling me a god of ‘’a lot’’ wasn’t inaccurate, since Abundance was supposed to represent the quantity of something.

So if you have, say, an attack ready to fire, Abundance is more than pleased to add to that power.

Which resulted in the now golden ice surging forth as the icy winds picked up once more. Previously, the blue, suffocating flames were completely melting the attack, making it dissipate into motes of demonic power.

Yet, with my words alone, Tsubasa’s blizzard completely overpowered the tornado of blue flames and dispersed it completely.

Which, of course, gave me a clear view of the training room-turned-battlefield.

Tsubaki and Akeno were locked in a stalemate. With the former taking potshots with her ice-covered sword and using Mirror Alice to reflect back overcharged thunderbolts. While Akeno was trying her best to make distance, laying traps and hidden seals around the floor so as to trip Tsubaki.

As for Koneko, she was practically playing tag with both Momo and Reya. Going purely on melee with fists covered in soul fire while the two Bishops rained spells on the Nekoshou.

In the meantime, Rias was soon engaged by Sona’s remaining pieces. Ruruko, Tomoe, and Tsubasa, who, after helping me out, jumped right into the fight once more.

Rias, of course, easily countered the offensive from the three melee attackers. She was trying to get used to fighting hand-to-hand. So, she was limiting the amount of demonic power she packed in each blow so as to make it an even fight.

Yet, the difference was still evident even as the trio coordinated their blows so as not to get in the way of each other.

When Tsubasa charged like a bull, Tomoe lay in wait so as to strike from the side or the back. And, when Tsubasa was sent flying from a magic circle covered smack from Rias, then Ruruko stepped in to serve as a replacement, using what I would call a ‘street fight’ style.

‘’Ah!’’ Rias blinked in shock as she closed her eyes, rubbing them all of a sudden, while Tsubasa took the chance to land a blow on the blinded King.

Was that pocket sand?

I was completely unsurprised at the fact that Ruruko was throwing hands like a thug. She was just too much like Sachi in that aspect, though probably a lot less hot-headed.

This was a much-needed training for all of us. Since I was going to spend most of my time away from home, I wanted to push my friends around a bit. Let them taste defeat, so they would train harder and become stronger. At least then, I’ll have some peace of mind while going away.

Well, that, and I was trying to get used to playing as support. Because while in Italy, I may even need to switch around my combat strategy because, apparently, I was becoming a bit of a celebrity in the Underworld.

In any case, with the rest having their own opponents, this only left Asia, Kiba, and Sachi against me.

Well, not really.

As the last, metallic clack of adaptation echoed in the gym, I turned to the blonde Fallen who had to pull back after Asia had impeded her approach with a wall made of rock, making it so Sachi had free play to try and snatch Mittelt on Absorption Line’s grasp.

But just as I said, I was playing support. And with a single hand sign, the four energy lines that had caught Mittelt were quickly cut to shreds. “Ready, little crow?”

Suddenly, the stance of our three opponents changed, and for good reason.

“By my command, empower this ally of mine!” I was still very much working on the wording of my buffs. Apparently, words that rhymed with each other had a greater effect.

‘Shouldn’t have skipped poetry in Literature, I guess.’ With my hand extended, I used the power of my voice to empower Mittelt’s strength. And that wasn’t all. “Boosted Gear!”

“[Transfer!]” The wheel on top of my head suddenly stilled, only to shoot in Mittelt’s direction. The incomplete Sacred Gear settled on the girl’s head and transferred around… fifty percent of the boosts and adaptations to her while stripping me of them completely.

‘I really should get to fixing this thing. Limited capabilities kind of suck. Where is my infinite adaptation?!’ I sighed, but immediately smiled as Mittelt’s form overflowed with power.

“Go, Mittelt! Do a crime!” I encouraged while cackling.

“Oh, now this…” Mittelt, who had been panting and frowning up until now, smiled an evil grin while laughing haughtily. “This I very much like!”

And then, she shot like a comet in the direction of the three devils, who re-focused into the fight to try and stop the buffed Mittelt.

‘Look at her go! Reveling in power and the satisfaction of reverse-jumping!’ I nodded, proud of my second girlfriend.

‘Partner, I believe you’re a bad influence on your loved ones.’ Jinzui hummed as I twirled the Legendary Spear around.

“That includes you, too, you know?” I quipped.

‘Never said it didn’t.’ Well, at least she was honest.

-X-x-X-

The way Mittelt and I would end up in Italy was… a bit of a problem.

You see, unless the destination is a territory of yours or was neutral ground, you couldn’t just teleport there. So, we kind of needed to take a plane.

However, with Azazel’s help, we could end up in one of Italy’s less-controlled cities, which was technically neutral territory instead of the Church’s.

I say technically, because Rome wasn’t… particularly empty.

Funny thing about Fallen, I learned… today. Even if they have “fallen from the grace of the lord”, people still looked up to Fallen Angels somewhat.

And I’m not talking just crazy people and sinners, but actually devoted believers who, more often than not, were of the belief that the Fallen could go back to the gates of heaven if they repented their sins.

If what Azazel told me is true. This usually ended with the devoted becoming quite… acquainted with their Fallen of choice.

‘I’m starting to think that the Fallen are way more lustful than the Devils.’ I hummed, lying in wait.

In wait for what? Well… Since Azazel was the one who would pick us up…

He was currently in the living room. Having a long-needed chat with his daughter. Who, by the face she was making, was a complete mix of emotions between anger, relief, happiness, confusion, and, of course, a small dose of contempt.

Thank fuck then, that both Rias and Koneko were at school. Because I was not eager to explain why I had the leader of the Fallen Angels in my house.

And while Father and Daughter solved their family issues, I was looking at the roof of my room, sitting on the bed.

Because right on the right, uppermost corner of the room? There was Chrysalis’ cocoon.

And its crystal-like exterior was breaking apart.

“I was wondering when you would finish with that.” I smiled, tilting my head in curiosity. “Had a good sleep, Chrys?”

“A splendid one… dear master.” And this time, her voice wasn’t directly replayed in my mind. Instead, it was a mature woman’s purr. Yet, it came as strange and somehow double-layered. “I’m confident the results will be to your… expectations~”

The chrysalida burst open as a three-fingered, chitin-covered hand broke through the hard material.

Then another arm joined the first… and then another. And a fourth one for good measure. The four clawed hands gripped the edges of the rock-like cocoon and easily tore it apart with one mighty push. Sending beautiful, borealis-like crystals flying through the room, along with a purple sap that must have been from the contents of Chrys' metamorphosis.

And whatever expectation I had of Chrysalis' new form? They didn’t come close to what I was seeing right now.

Chrysalis stood tall, far taller than I and even taller than Ayuka. Her body was curvy and distinctly feminine, but it was nowhere near human.

Instead of regular feet and arms, these were thin but reinforced with a green, crystal-like chitin. Her feet only had two clawed digits acting like “toes”, while her thin and armored arms ended in clawed hands with three fingers each.

Speaking of arms, my familiar had four of them, and while the upper ones started at the shoulders, the extra set protruded from her back.

It was a good moment to mention that Chrys was completely naked. Her lower set of arms settled on her child-bearing hips, while the other ones went above and behind her head, exposing her prominent chest as she arched her back.

From her delectable, plush thighs to her perfectly round and ample bust, she was unnaturally pale without a single blemish or hair, and instead of two pink, perky nubs as nipples, hers were completely onyx black in color.

And lastly, her face, also completely pale but… open. So open that she took the saying “open-mouthed shock” to a new level, because her grin quite literally reached her ears.

Sharp teeth, too. If I had to guess, by the sly smirk she was aiming my way.

Her eyes had completely black sclera with golden orbs right at the center. Like the moon shining in the dark night sky.

And on top of her fluffy head of short, shining green hair rested two big, equally fluffy antennas of the same color that twitched every time I described—

Wait…

“Oh, dear master… Your train of thought is, as always, delectable to my palate~” Chrys purred seductively, with a voice layered with a strange echo. “I’m very glad mine form is to your taste…”

I forgot that she’s basically inside my head 100% of the time…

Chrysalis approached, her curves jiggling slightly from side to side with each sauntering step, until I had to strain my neck upwards to properly look her in the eyes.

Otherwise, I was just staring at her pearly white, perfect tits—

“And that’s not even what you requested of me, now, is it? Hohoho~” The now fully matured moth girl grabbed one of my hands with one of her four limbs… and placed it right on her left asscheek. “A tall female with a large behind... was it~?”

I heard another purr—which now that I had her this close, sounded more like buzzing—escape the drop-dead gorgeous woman as my finger sank into her malleable, round, and surprisingly soft ass.

Something deep in my mind resonated, and I just had to say it. Like it was a sin not to utter the words.

“You’re beautiful.” And I’ll say that was an understatement. Yet, the words felt a lot heavier than when I threw them around as a mere compliment.

…

“Fufufu…~” Those shining golden eyes settled on mine, and a three-fingered claw grabbed my chin, forcing my lips to part. “A man should mind the words he utters to a woman, master…”

“Lest...” Her own mouth opened wide, and now I could see that the interior of it was deep black, while her tongue, which was dark blue in color, extended past what would be considered normal. Aiming for my own mouth. “He wished to get devoured—”

“Zatren, we are already done with-” The voice paused, and I tilted my head to the bedroom door.

There, a deadpanning Mittelt, dressed ready to go out, stood side-by-side with Azazel, who was trying and failing to hold back a laugh.

“I leave you… for ten minutes.” She started, looking at what remained from Chrys’ chrysalida before her stare became twice as pointed. “And you’re fucking your familiar. Which, not long ago, was a literal worm!”

“Well, that’s just disrespectful.” And suddenly, Chrys’ seductress act was gone as she stood at her full height, hands on her hips (all of them), while staring down at Mittelt with a raised eyebrow. “I was, and am, a very spectacular specimen of Moonlight Moth, and you will do good to remember that.”

Mittelt stared back in muted shock. While Azazel just shot me a thumbs up after taking a single glance at Chrys.

Not even leering at her, just a gaze and a preceding thumbs-up. Which, of course, I returned.

Was at least one of my in-laws a total bro? Hm, wait, Sirzechs was my in-law, too. But he was more a brother than a bro. You know?

In my musings, I failed to notice that Mittelt had taken a good, long glance at Chrys. Her sky-blue eyes were roaming the body of the giantess moth-girl that absolutely dwarfed her petite frame in all measures.

The Fallen bit her lip and unconsciously spouted. “Damn. That’s a spectacular rack, alright...”

I choked on my next breath as uncontrollable laughter filled the room. Not from me, I was too busy wheezing my lungs out.

It was from Azazel, who was patting Mittelt’s blonde hair while laughing. “Yep! That’s got to be my daughter!”

Mittelt blushed like mad, groaning as she buried her embarrassment in her hands.

While Chrys just stared with a raised eyebrow, glancing at me. “You have some strange tastes in mates, Master.”

Alright. Now I was the one laughing.

-X-x-X-

-Mittelt-

I couldn’t look at Zatren or his new… familiar, friend, lover? In the eye after that, for quite a while.

Enough of a bit that Azazel had managed to bring us safe and sound to the Underworld.

In his own words, it was a mess and a half to just magic us away to Italy directly, without using the proper circle pre-established in Fallen territory.

As I walked side by side with my boyfriend, his armor-covered familiar, and my father, I just listened to the mindless chatter.

Mostly to avoid the stares as we walked around the main business office of the Grigori. Because, of course, Azazel had gone and announced that he had a daughter high and low.

“So you had clothes. Or, well, armor, and you still decided to show up naked?!” Zatren questioned with a raised eyebrow, uncaring of how loud he was being.

“I don’t see how clothing was relevant at the time.” Chrysalis shrugged. Her previously naked torso was now covered by a hard, green, and crystal-like carapace that somehow accentuated her womanly curves perfectly.

And what curves— No! Bad Mittelt!

“After all, why would I need to cover one’s body?” Chrys raised an eyebrow, confused. “It is way harder to extract your seed that way, Master.”

I sputtered and felt my face heat up like crazy once more. Even Zatren, who was a shameless flirt, was in silent shock at the woman’s lack of social awareness.

I turned my head, watching a secretary avert her gaze and walk faster with a blush on her face. Almost dropping the folders she was carrying in the process.

Was it too late to not be associated with these two? Publicly, at least?

A chuckle interrupted my plans of running away in shame. I turned to the source, which was my fa- Azazel, who was quite enjoying the banter between the tall insect woman and her “Master”.

“You have found yourself quite the… interesting company, Mittelt.” He bit his inner cheek, trying and failing to stop his laughter.

“I guess I have…” I replied meekly, not really knowing how to address the man without making it awkward. “He’s… always like that.”

“I can imagine.” He nodded.

Even in the “chat” we had, it was mostly him who did the speaking, while I just answered in short, awkward sentences.

‘...Do I just address him as Father? Azazel? Ex-Leader?’ I clenched my fist, turning to look down. ‘Do I just pretend the past decade and then some just didn’t happen?’

“We are here.” We stopped in front of a door at Azazel’s prompt. He stepped forward. And inside the room, there were quite a few workers managing some paperwork.

“I expected it to be more grandiose, to be honest.” Zatren hummed, with slight disappointment in his tone.

“Kid, if we had to make a cool-looking room for every important magic circle around the office, we’d get absolutely nothing done around here.” Azazel chuckled as he gave a nod to one of the workers, who started to activate the circle right away. “Besides, all the cool teleportation spots are mine.”

“I knew it!” Zatren mock-gasped.

Shaking my head in amusement, I stepped into the circle, and the rest followed suit, with the exception of Azazel himself.

“Right, so, I’ll send you a message when I need you to ‘act’. So… see ya!” The man gave an awkward goodbye while scratching his cheek.

Yet, as he turned around to leave. My mind reeled back to our earlier conversation.

“I’m sorry.” The Fallen said. “I genuinely didn’t know about your… upbringing. And I very much doubt your mother knew before she gave you back to us.”

I stared in shock. There were so many things I wanted to say to him. Maybe shout at him in anger for his negligence, or tell him to fuck off, since it’s not like I needed him in my life anymore.

Yet, there was that little part of me. That stupid, weak little girl who, in her last breath, wanted her father to sweep in and save her from the clutches of her horrible boss.

Only for a total stranger to step in and save her instead.

“I know it’s no excuse. And of course, I’m not so stupid as to think everything is fine.” He sighed, scratching the small stub of beard while looking aside. “So, I’ll leave the choice in your hands. Ah, you’re also free to come and go as you please around the Grigori. I already took down that ‘rogue’ nonsense.”

I didn’t answer him then, because I didn’t really know what to say, but…

Maybe I still was that idiotic little girl.

“Hey!” I called out to the retreating leader of the Grigori.

He stopped, turning around hesitantly before offering a nervous smile. “Yes?”

I bit my lip in frustration before rolling my eyes and giving him a pointed glare, arms crossed and everything.

“You better ring a call or something from time to time, you hear me, old bastard?” I scoffed, watching as his eyes widened in surprise.

Azazel blinked before nodding, his smile turning into a grin. “Sure, I’ll call, then. Maybe we can catch up better then.”

“Good.” I nodded, looking to the side as the magic circle below our feet lit up. “See you later then… Father.”

The last I saw was my Father’s ample smile and a wave of his hand before we were whisked away to Italy.

…

Once the teleportation was complete, we were inside a living space with strange furniture. Probably in the style of Europe or my father’s personal tastes.

I was definitely taking down that painting there. Who just puts on a painting of a purple can of beer?

“What are you two looking at, huh?” I sniffed, glaring at the oversized bug and the idiot fish I had for a boyfriend. The latter of which had a pensive frown. “There should be some things to do here, right? Come on!”

Refusing to acknowledge the wet feeling on my cheeks and the happy warmth in my chest, I took both of their hands and started dragging them to find the kitchen.

“I’m starving already! You too, bug girl, when was the last time you ate?! Come on, Funinami makes some killer pasta!” I barely paused as I felt Zatren’s hand clasp my own…

And squeezed my hand three times as he offered a smile. “Yeah, bet I can get some real pasta going on. This is Italy for fucks sake!”

I took a look at our intertwined hands… and squeezed back three times with a blush.

‘Damn sappy idiot…’ I cursed him with a smile.

-X-x-X-

Bonus Scene: Behind closed Wings.

-Kokabiel-

I overlooked the training of the few, true loyal troops we had. Unlike the main force back at Grigori, these were… not the best of the best.

The rabble, bottom of the barrel, or just outright talentless. Yet, that’s what made their loyalty all the more fervent. Unlike in the Grigori, where these people would have been mere messengers, office workers, or something equally deserving of their power… Here? They could be what they wanted.

So what’s some crimes here and there, a few women or men missing, if to keep these people entertained?

And, of course, for those who were high on their morality horse, a bit of coercion may be needed.

Or sometimes, an example.

‘’Who told you to lie and rest, soldiers?’’ I spat, looking in disappointment at the several Fallen who could barely breathe without exertion, some of whom lay on the ground, with a broken limb or a bleeding gash. ‘’Do you think you can win a war merely by shedding a modicum of blood, tears, and sweat?!’’

It is truly a shame how the centuries of ‘’peace’’ have managed to weaken our forces so. The newest generation of Fallen, those who have barely lived two or three decades, were considered ‘’talented’’ if they somehow reached six wings by that period of time.

‘Worthless, absolutely worthless.’ I resisted the urge to retch at their weakness. ‘And not nearly enough to reach our goal to bring glory to our race once more.’

At the moment, I only had around two dozen Fallen in this facility alone. Most of which had a total of six wings. Fortunately, each facility also had someone I could actually consider strong enough. A total of four, eight-winged Fallen.

‘But what about the rest?’ I scoffed, seeing a single soldier with four, graphite-black wings stand up with a pleading expression, bowing his head in my direction, but not bending the knee. ‘’Speak up, soldier.’’

‘’Lord Kokabiel… We are too tired…’’ He started with a ragged voice, and it’s only then that I noticed one of his wings was broken, and his arms were shaking. ‘’Please… At the very least, let us have a healer look at us—‘’

The air cracked with pressure, and light blinded most people in the room for a moment.

And after the glow died down. The uninteresting Fallen choked on his own blood, unable to breathe thanks to the beach-ball-sized hole now occupying his chest, the place where his lungs and heart once were.

Lowering the extended hand that I had used to dispatch the weak trash. I took a glance at the remaining group of Fallen.

Some, who were obviously like-minded with the man I had just dispatched, had looks of horror, yet they fell silent and bent the knee. While others, who were just as tired but determined, only frowned in understanding.

There was one of them who was snickering.

‘’Does any of you have anything else to whine about?’’ I asked rhetorically, glancing for only a moment at the body and the pool of blood that it was leaving behind. ‘’A war is not won by mere ‘rest’ and ‘healing’. How many do you think were killed during the Great War by trusting that a healer would save them from the holy light of our non-fallen brethren, or the dark, treacherous ploys of devilkind?’’

The room fell completely silent as I stared the soldiers down. With those who were afraid, and those who craved for power and glory, all of them gained a resolute look in their eyes.

This was why, sometimes, an example should be made.

‘’Now, back to training, soldiers!’’ I shouted, but pointed at the man I saw laughing at his fellow soldier’s death. ‘’Except for you. Take your comrade's body and give it a proper burial. Maybe like that, you would learn to respect your brothers in arms.’’

‘’Am I understood, soldiers?!’’ I finished with a glare.

‘’Sir, yes, sir!’’

‘’Good!’’ I scoffed.

As the soldiers scattered back to their training, that one Fallen begrudgingly went to care for its comrade’s body. I heard the sound of clapping and steps approaching.

‘’Hahahaha! What a light-show, bossman!’’ A silver-haired exorcist with an amused, manic smile on his face hollered out as he walked into view. Dressed in elite exorcist garments, and with a glowing, golden saber on his side. ‘’You truly are a leader through and through, how exciting!’’

‘’Freed.’’ I sighed and turned around. Walking back to my office as the mad exorcist followed around. ‘’I would say it’s great seeing you, but I don’t consider myself a liar.’’

At that, the madman only laughed louder.

Ignoring his antics with a minimum of irritation, I side-glance the sword fastened on his hip with a curious glance. Feeling the holy power coming from the blade. ‘’I assume your mission was successful?’’

Freed licked his lips with a satisfied expression, taking out his blade (the one strapped to his hip, thank Father), and swung it in an arc in front of him.

‘’HAHA! You bet!’’ Just like that, his figure blurred and reappeared nay few steps in front of me as he walked backward. Yet, my eyes very easily perceived his moment.

He did not move a mere few steps, no. He had just run to this place’s dining facility and came back in mere seconds, if the apple he was currently munching on while cackling like mad was anything to go by.

‘’It was like taking candy from a baby!’’ He bragged. ‘’Just put some traps, tempt that goody-two-shoes with a damsel in distress to save, and BOOM! Blow the entire building up! It was a light show! What a shame that those church cunts didn’t let me watch further!’’

I nodded along with the madman’s ramblings. It was a shame that a natural Excalibur Wielder had to die in such a way. Once upon a time, I may have even said a prayer to the felled ‘’Hero’’.

But time for prayers and plays and waiting was long gone. It was finally time for action, for this legendary battle to resume anew, and to truly show the Heavens and the Netherworld that peace is but a mere illusion!

‘’Very well,’’ I interrupted, already tired of the young man’s charade. ‘’Then, go back and report to the doctor. We need to test for any side effects at once.’’

Freed Sellezen, mad exorcist and experiment, suddenly frowned and dropped his manic, joy-riddled smile. With a huff and a neutral expression, he nodded.

‘’At once, boss-man.’’ He scoffed before his form blurred once more, disappearing from my presence in nay a moment.

It was then that a smile bloomed on my face. Satisfaction and eagerness clutching my chest in equal parts.

‘’Soon, very soon…’’ I entered my office, with the sound of my own chuckles bouncing off the walls.

-X-x-X-

OMAKE: How many lovers?!

‘’Hey, Funinamy.’’ Mittelt called out, and I raised an eyebrow while stirring a pot of sauce for a curry I was planning to make later that day. ‘’I have a question.’’

‘’Yes, little crow?’’ I said, making the Fallen’s eyes narrow in thought.

‘’Just how many lovers do you currently have?’’ She asked while frowning in thought.

Hmm… How many did I have?

‘’Well, there’s obviously you, Koneko, Rias, Aika…’’ I started to list, raising a finger for each name I mentioned.

‘’Hm. Well, I guess that’s—‘’

‘’There’s also the ones I’m planning to court. Which would include Sona, Serafall, Ayuka… Kuroka? I, uh, am not very sure about that one.’’ I interrupted, having to drop the spoon as I kept counting. ‘’Oh, Tsubaki is pretty cute, too. Hmm…’’

‘’…Aren’t two of those Satans?’’ Mittelt said in surprise before shaking her head. ‘’No, wait. Who the hell is Koroka, even?’’

Unrepentant, I tried to keep the smile off my face. ‘’Oh, I almost forgot. I’m 100% going for Dragon King Tiamat. I love me a woman who can absolutely kick my ass.’’

Mittelt’s face now turned from confused to worried while giving me a dread-filled look. ‘’That’s all of them, right?’’

It was really hard not to start laughing right then.

‘’Well, there’s also the fact that Chrysalis was trying to shove her tongue down my throat this afternoon, if you remember.’’ I offered.

The Fallen girl grabbed at her temple and groaned. ‘’Just how many do you plan to get?! That’s all of them, right? That has to be all of them!’’

With a completely dead serious look, I transformed the Legendary Spear back to its base form and raised it high in the air.

‘’Don’t be foolish!’’ I chastised. ‘’For I will also make love to this spear!’’

Cue in to Mittelt’s confused screaming, and the blood-red gem from my weapon shining as bright as the sun.

‘Man, sometimes it’s just too easy~’ I cackled.

-X-x-X-

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Author's Note:

Alright, we couldn't leave without some preparations. Now, next chapter, Zuzu completely obeys Rias and definitely behaves. Trust me, I saw it in a dream (because it's impossible to see it in reality.

Also, my has 7 chapters ahead of this one already if you want to support me~

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