1 Chapter 1 Beginning

In the holiness of the Vatican, one wouldn't expect someone to pursue earthly desires. And yet, it was found, in nearly all sorts of places. In one place, it was a garage where one young man sat by his bike.

Issei sat by, tinkering on his bike. He was happy while the heat of Italy was hitting in full force. They had a cold winter and now, a blazing hot summer. It was enough to drive most people inside and not even go out unless they were forced to (work) or had a holy appointment. So in both cases, Issei was safe.

He sighed while he sat back while looking over at the R6. He found that it was worth it and it also reminded him of home.

[Penny for your thoughts, partner?] A booming voice echoed in his head. Of course, only he heard it.

"Just the usual things, Albion. What else is there?" Issei shot back while he could hear a being that was far superior to himself but also bound to him scoff.

[You have something on your mind.] Looking back from the place, Issei watched over the place. A garage, somewhere quiet and off his mind, was how he liked to work. Why should he be worried was about something else? Oh, right, his work

"Yep." And with that, it remained quiet. His [Sacred Gear] had learned one thing throughout the years. There was no use in trying to dragging the words out of him. Issei was just sitting back while he was nearly done on the checkup.

Working as a part-time exorcist had its advantages. A fat paycheck was one of them.

It also came with its drawbacks. One of those was to deal with holier than thou pricks.

And they called him a hypocrite. Just because he didn't mind having notches on his belt, didn't make him worse than him. In fact, he was honest about it.

Issei decided that he had done enough on his bike. Closing the garage, he went to sit outside. Whether you were in the capital of the Catholic Church or in the middle of a small Italian village, there was a jack of shit to do on a Sunday afternoon.

Either way, he was done with it. He had given the pope (just went straight to the Holiness himself) to let Michael know that Issei Hyoudou, the Hakuryuukou was no longer employed.

Reason for resignation? Besides all bullshit, Asia Argento's excommunication by the Church. Yeah, the big guy might have done that to save the Church but that didn't stop the fact that Issei was mighty pissed when he found out that his favorite partner/healer was gone off the deep end and left to her own devices.

He met Asia when they were children. Brought here after he went along with Irina. There was one good reason.

A white Gauntlet on his arm showed what he was. Of course, the Church was interested in getting the White Dragon Emperor under their devices. Problem was that the more Issei learned off his [Sacred Gear], the more he was repulsed by the Church.

Especially with the corruption setting in, with the last few years. The Pope did what he could but he was one man and one man couldn't do much.

[You are sure about this, partner? Because once this goes, there is no going back.]

"I'm gonna save Asia and go over back home. There is nothing for me here."

[Irina. Xenovia. Gabriel. Michael. The big guy. I would say there is more here.]

Issei shrugged as he walked around. The Vatican might have small streets and narrow passages. He loved that part of the architecture. Using his normal strength, Issei climbed to the roof of his house.

In the heat of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), he sat outside while looking at the sun. There was a part of him that loved being outdoors like this.

The part of Dragon stopped him from going overboard and he would be happy sitting outside in the blazing heat while the day went by.

"I want to save Asia. Sides, you knew I was going to retire."

[Might do you some good going back. I know that Devils are in Kuoh so it might get you a mate.]

Issei scoffed at that idea. He had slept with more women in his life than he cared to remember. A pretty face but down there, not much difference.

"You know why I don't do that? Besides, why would I even settle?"

[Not even for Asia. You know she likes you.]

Issei had to admit that. Asia liked him and that feeling was mutual. And even though he fucked women left and right, he never made moves on the ones who were closest to him. Just because he never made chastity vows like Xenovia, Irina and Asia, didn't mean that he didn't respect those.

He rubbed off on them when they worked together. While Asia was a sheltered maiden, working half a decade with Issei caused her to turn and play. She would never betray those vows she made but she could tease him.

He often welcomed that. Being that closed up wasn't good for a young lady. At least, this way, she could survive for a while.

Before he would save her but then what? From what he heard, the ones running Kuoh were the two sisters of the Maou. Rias Gremory and Sona Shitori. While the latter wasn't piquing his interest too much, he had seen pictures of Rias. Besides the red hair, there were many things that he admired about her.

He wouldn't change his ways too much around the place.

"Issei." He heard his name being called and when looked down, he saw two young ladies standing. Of course, he couldn't just leave without saying goodbye to them.

Neither of the two was surprised when Issei jumped down from the top floor and landed right in front of them.

Irina Shidou and Xenovia Quarta had seen quite a bit of 'their' Dragon.

Irina was one of his friends when they lived in Kuoh. They often stayed over and played together but it was only later that he found out that Irina was a she instead of a he.