King Pieces?

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

Just before Rias and her peerage arrived at the battlefield on the outskirts of the town, Ayame arrived to observe the battle. At the same time, she contacted Dante and Lady so they could provide backup if needed.

While Rias and her peerage fought with Masaomi, Ayame relayed the battle to James and the others as if she were a radio broadcaster at a sporting event. Until Yamata no Orochi took over Masaomi's body, neither she nor anyone back at the mansion thought there was anything to worry about. However, when yamata no Orochi gained control, they started taking things more seriously.

On top of knowing that the foe was now out of Rias and her peerage's league, Ayame also noticed that there was someone else watching the battle. Though, she was unsure when they showed up. In fact, she would not have even noticed them if they had not gotten excited when Yamata no Orochi took control.

After telling James about the second observer, Ayame also informed Dante and Lady that they should step in. While Dante fought Yamata no Orochi, James spread his perception from the mansion, encompassing the entire town as well as its outskirts. Then, he added his soul sight to his field of perception when he could not sense the extra presence Ayame was referring to. Only then was he able to find the second observer. Immediately after finding them, James rushed toward the battlefield as well.

'Why the hell is someone in the major god-rank just watching a fight between a bunch of ultimate-rank and lower beings?' James asked himself while he [Flash Stepped] toward the battlefield.

Eventually, when James arrived, the battle had ended, and everyone was approaching the crater where Masaomi lay. However, James noticed that the hidden observer was also approaching the crater and at a much faster pace. Then, when the observer arrived, just like Rias, James recognized him to be Rizevim. So, he sped up and made it just in time to stop Rizevim from killing Masaomi and wiping Kuoh off the map.

After James asked his question, Rizevim forced his arm out of the young half-devil's grasp. Then, he smiled carefreely.

"I've seen you fight, and to be honest, it is rather impressive for someone of your age." Rizevim said in a carefree tone. "But you are delusional if you think you can 'kick my ass' as you so elegantly put it."

"Oh, really?" James asked with an eyebrow raised and a smile on his lips. "Why don't we put that theory to the test?"

With that, James threw a swift jab that landed on Rizevim's chin, causing his head to rock back. Then, James followed up with a right hook and a left uppercut that sent Rizevim into the air. A moment later, James appeared in front of Rizevim, locked his fingers behind his head, and threw a knee into Rizevim's face.

Before the knee could connect, however, Rizevim raised his hands and blocked the knee strike. Then, he locked his arms around James leg and began to spin midair. A moment later, he released James and threw him toward the ground. James, however, spread his wings and stopped himself from colliding with the ground.

"Not bad" Rizevim said with that same carefree smile on his face. "But that's far from enough. Oh well, we'll have to put this off till next time. I've got more important things to take care of. It's a pity I couldn't kill that failure, but it's not a big deal."

While Rizevim was speaking, James placed his right hand on Sixth Sense's hilt while dropping into an iaido stance. However, before he could charge forth again, a teleportation magic circle appeared around Rizevim. Then, as he waved at James, he vanished along with the teleportation circle.

Seeing Rizevim teleport away, James inhaled a deep breath. Then, he slowly exhaled it while unwrapping his fingers from around Sixth Sense's hilt.

"Damn it." James muttered as he lowered himself to the ground.

When James landed, Dante, Lady, Rias, the members of Rias' peerage, and Irina surrounded him.

"Dude, why didn't you go all out from the start?" Issei asked. "There's no way he could have escaped from you if you used the [Boosted Gear]."

In response, James only shook his head with a wry smile on his face.

"That wouldn't have worked, Issei." Rias said. "Rizevim, the son of the original Lucifer, has the ability to negate the use of [Sacred Gears]. We only know it as [Sacred Gear Canceller."

"Seriously?" Issei exclaimed. "What kind of bullshit cheat ability is that?"

"Seeing as Lucifer was basically the antithesis to anything originating from Heaven, for someone from his bloodline to have a power like that makes sense, I think." Irina said. "Anyway, I need to get back and see how my dad is."

"That's right." Rias said with a nod. "*Sigh* On top of that we have a lot of work to do and a lot of memories to erase."

"Things were just getting good back at home, too." Akeno said with a pout. Then, she looked at James with a seductive smile. "We can pick up where we left off when we get home, right?"

"I don't see why not." James said with a smile. "But we should hurry before the other girls get sleepy."

Hearing that, Rias and Akeno smiled. Then, they spread their wings and flew up into the sky.

"Come on, my cute servants." Rias said with a smile. "We've got work to do."

While most of Rias' peerage flew up and followed Rias, Issei stayed on the ground.

"Come on Irina, I'll take you back to the house." Issei said, extending his right hand toward Irina. "Let's go check on Touji-Jiisan."

"Okay." Irina replied with a smile and a light blush as she reached out and grabbed Issei's hand.

The next moment, Issei and Irina sank into a shadow and disappeared from the spot.

"You did a good job, Dante, Lady, and Ayame." James said with a smile as he walked over to the crater Masaomi was laying in. "You all can head home and get some rest. I'm pretty sure Ri Ri and her peerage will take care of the town's memories."

"Good enough to get a bonus?" Dante asked with anticipation.

*Smack!*

"Is money all you ever think about?" Lady asked after slapping Dante upside the head.

"It doesn't hurt to ask." Dante replied. "The worst he can say is no."

"There will be no bonus." James said with a smile. "But don't forget to come to the house for dinner tonight. I've got gifts for all of you."

James then picked up Masaomi's comatose body and sucked the broken Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi into his personal storage. A moment later, a teleportation circle appeared beneath him. Before he could activate it, though, Ayame appeared next to him, also standing in the teleportation circle.

"I guess you're coming with me, huh?" James asked with a smile. "*Sigh* I'll have some work to do in the Underworld."

"Yes, James-Sama." Ayame replied. "I'll act as your escort."

"If you say so." James said with a shrug. "Since this is an official visit, could you contact Master and Irene for me?"

"Yes." Ayame replied.

An instant later, James and Ayame disappeared from the crater. When they did, a magic spell circle appeared over the crater, as well as the first one Dante created during the fight with yamata no Orochi, then after a flash of light, both craters were filled in. They looked as if nothing had ever damaged the ground.

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

A moment later, James and Ayame appeared outside the Devil Council Building. A few moments after them, both Scathach and Irene also teleported to the Devil Council Building. Then, they discussed the matter of Masaomi, Yamata no Orochi, and Rizevim appearing in Kuoh as well as discussed how they would report it to the Council and the Satans. After that, Scathach contacted the representatives for both parties.

Once Scathach finished letting the Council and the Satans know of their visit, James led the three ladies into the Devil Council building, and they all took seats in the waiting room outside the Devil Council's meeting room.

"[Bakudo Number 1: Sai]." James said with his right hand's index and middle fingers pointed at Masaomi.

A moment later, Masaomi's arms were bound behind his back. On top of that, Scathach placed a runic sentence on him that sealed his magic power. So, even if he woke up, he would be no threat. However, before the Satans and the Council arrived, Masaomi, did in fact wake up.

"Where am I?" Masaomi asked in a groggy tone.

"Oh, Sleeping Beauty is awake." James said with a smile. "To answer your question, you're in the Underworld."

"So, even Yamata no Orochi lost to those devils..." Masaomi muttered.

"Well, if it weren't for us devils, you would be dead." James said with a shrug. "By the hands of the one that resurrected you, Rizevim Livan Lucifer."

Hearing that, Masaomi hung his head and gritted his teeth.

"So, wanna tell us your story?" James asked.

Masaomi chose not to speak.

"Well, whatever." James said with a shrug. "They'll find out one way or another. Oh, and I heard what you said about wanting to kill the devils responsible for Cleria Belial's death. Well, they are already dead."

"What?" Masaomi exclaimed.

"Yeah, all their crimes got exposed a few months ago. Then, most of them were put to death while the couple that weren't were sentenced to life in prison."

After james words fell, tears began to well up in Masaomi's eyes. Then, he completely broke down and began to cry loudly.

"He must have really loved her." Irene said, feeling sorry for Masaomi. "It would have been nice if my husband was so devoted."

After seeing the sadness in Irene's eyes, James, completely by instinct, held Irene's hand softly. When she felt her hand being held, she glanced at James before looking away quickly with a slight smile on her face.

"Thank you." Irene said quietly.

A few minutes later, Masaomi was able to stop crying. Then, he looked at James.

"Does that mean the matter about the [King Pieces] was exposed?" Masaomi asked. "Cleria and I figured that the [King Pieces] was the real reason that Cleria was hunted down by the devils."

"The [King Pieces]?" James asked in confusion.

Not only James, but Scathach, Irene, and Ayame were also confused by the term. After exchanging confused glances, they all turned their attention back to Masaomi.

"It looks like that wasn't made public." masaomi said in a disappointed tone. Then, after shaking his head, he continued. "The [King Piece] is an [Evil Piece] that only a few of which were made. The [Kings] of peerages could absorb them and have their power increased from ultimate-rank to minor god-rank."

"Oh, I can guess where this is going." James said in an exasperated tone.

"They were eventually shelved because the [Kings] that used them wouldn't be showing off their own power." Masaomi said. "However, from what Cleria gathered, a lot of the top rankers in the [Rating Games] were using these [King Pieces] to gain an unfair advantage."

"Yup, that's exactly what I was expecting to hear." James said.

"Do you have any proof of your claims?" Scathach asked in her usual tone.

"There is proof." Masaomi replied. "One copy was hidden by Cleria. I know where she hid it, but I don't know if it's still there."

"What about the other copy?" Irene asked curiously.

"Cleria said she was sending it to someone she could trust." Masaomi said. "But she never told me who it was. For safety's sake, she said."

"This is kind of a big deal." James said while stroking his chin. "I don't wanna go into the [Rating Games] …"

"You know you're too strong for it to even matter, right?" Irene said, cutting off James' sentence.

"That is true." Scathach said with a nod. "They may not even allow you to participate with your level of power."

"Seriously?" James exclaimed in surprise. Then, his shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Whatever. Master, can you take this guy to where the evidence was hidden? If it's there, bring it back. Then we'll present it before the council. At least I can make things easier for Ri Ri and Sona when they decide to participate in the [Rating Games]."

"Aww~~! You're so sweet." Irene said in a teasing tone.