New Middle-Class Devils and the Loss of Respect

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

A few hours have passed since James left during dinner. Although Rias, Sona, and the others have been concerned about what happened, none of them felt the need to follow him. Since James was in the minor god-rank, they knew that if he could not handle the issue, then none of them would be of any help.

Sitting in the living room of the suite that James, Scathach, Mizore, and Moka were sharing, the rest of the group gathered and discussed the exam to take their minds off what could have happened in the Human World. Mainly, Issei was asking about the questions he was unsure about on the written test, and the other test takers were giving their opinions on the questions.

"It looks like there's a good chance that I passed." Issei said with a relieved expression.

"That's good to hear Issei." Rias said. "I would have hated for you to be the only one who failed."

"Worrying over such an easy test." Koneko said as she nibbled on a snack she pulled from her luggage before coming over to the room. What a perverted idiot."

"Um... Koneko-Chan, when are you going to stop calling me that?" Issei asked.

"When it's no longer true." Koneko said without changing her expression. "So, probably never?"

"Koneko-Chan, you're so cruel." Issei said in an obviously sad tone.

As the group continued to bicker and joke with one another, James' teleportation circle appeared near the entrance of the suite. A moment later, James stood where the teleportation circle once was. When he saw that everyone was present, he smiled. Then, he made his way toward the group. When he arrived, he picked up Akeno, who was sitting on a chair alone, and sat in her place. Then, he sat her on his lap. Naturally, Akeno was smiling brightly, while the other girls, Rias, Sona, and Koneko, looked at Akeno with envy.

"So, what happened back in Kuoh?" Sona, the first to regain her senses, asked while adjusting her glasses.

"Some guy named Zolgear, apparently he was the one who killed Wilber and Mio's foster family, showed up to abduct Mio and Maria." James replied. "After seeing Flora and Shuna, he wanted to abduct them, too."

Then, James went on to explain what he knew and the encounter he had after he dealt with Zolgear.

===Flashback===

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

"Shuna, are you alright?" James asked after sheathing his sword and letting the headless Zolgear fall to the ground.

"I'll be fine." Shuna said, struggling to speak due to the pain from Zest's attack.

"I'm glad to hear that." James said in a tone filled with relief. Then, he turned his attention toward Zest who was lying nearby, unconscious. "I guess I should take care of her, too."

"Why don't you leave her to me?" Came an unfamiliar female voice from the edge of the anti-recognition barrier.

Hearing the new voice, James calmly turned his head toward its source. However, when he saw the one who spoke, his eyes widened. Walking toward him gracefully was a beautiful woman with silver hair tied into twin tails with black ribbons, purple eyes, a face that was nearly identical to Maria's, horns, and pointy ears. On her slender body, she wore a white, lacey dress and a choker around her neck.

"So, just as we suspected, you really were alive." James said with a smile. "I'm sure Maria will be ecstatic."

"Oh, my aren't you a sweet young man." the woman replied with a smile. "Well, I'm sure you already know this but allow me to introduce myself anyway. I'm Sheila, Maria's mother."

"And I' James Alaverus, fiancé to her [King], Rias Gremory." James replied with a smile.

"So, she joined a peerage. And her cousin's peerage at that." Sheila said with a smile. "At least now she can be part of the family that she should have known her whole life."

"So, Miss Sheila, what brings you here at this time, I mean, it's been over a year since you dropped off the grid." James asked curiously.

As James spoke, Sheila continued walking closer. Eventually, she stopped next to Maria and began to stroke her face gently.

"I'm sorry you've had to suffer." Sheila said with a loving smile on her face. "But I'm glad you've found a place where you can be safe with people who genuinely care about you."

Then, she made her way over to Mio.

"And Mio. I know that Wilber didn't want this kind of life for you." Sheila said. "All he wanted was for you to grow up safely."

Seeing Sheila showing such care for Mio and Maria, James decided not to interrupt. Then, when Sheila was done, she turned her attention back to James.

"Although I may be stronger than Zolgear, I knew that I was no match for Zest in combat prowess." Sheila said with a smile on her face. "So, I used my abilities as a succubus to keep myself hidden in Zolgear's subconscious, or realm of dreams, looking for the opportunity to take revenge."

"I'm guessing that Zest is this woman, right?" James said while shifting his gaze to the unconscious Zest at his feet.

"that's right." Sheila replied in a cheerful tone. "She's had it pretty rough ever since she was created. I won't go into the details, but you should know that she truly is not deserving of death."

"*Sigh* If you say so." James replied. "She should consider herself lucky that you showed up then." James replied in a tired tone. "Anyway, if you're going to take her, then go ahead. I need to get the girls some medical attention."

"Okay!" Sheila said energetically. Then, she made her way to Zest's side. "I'll be going then; I need to rehabilitate this one. When she wakes up, tell Maria I said hi and that I'll come to see her again soon."

"Sure." James replied with a smile. "Take care of yourself, Miss Sheila."

"Oh, please, just call me Sheila." Sheila said with a smile. "Oh, and when she wakes up, ask Maria about the Succubus Clan's master servant contract."

"Uh... Sure?" James replied, a bit unsure of what to think about a master servant contract.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me." Sheila said with a polite courtesy. "I look forward to the next time we meet, Little James."

Then, a moment later, Sheila and Zest just faded away.

===Flashback End===

Underworld, Satan territory, Capital City, Lilith.

"After that, I called for Asia and the girls from Sona's peerage to help with first-aid and fixing the damage to the area." James said, starting to wrap up his story. "Then, we took the other girls home."

"I see, well at least everyone is alright." Sona replied. "But what is this Succubus Clan Master Servant Contract?"

"No idea." James replied with a shrug. "But I'm guessing that's why that Zolgear bastard wanted to abduct Maria."

"That's probably true." Rias said. "He's lucky you killed him. If I had been able to get my hands on him, he would have regretted the day he even considered harming my cute servants."

"You know, now that I think about it, I don't think you've ever called me your 'cute servant,' Buchou." Issei said, breaking the atmosphere.

"That's because there is no word further from your state of being than the word cute." Koneko shot back immediately.

Like that, issei and Koneko continued to bicker while everyone else just smiled at them.

"Anyway, we'll just have to wait to talk to Maria." James said. "But from the way Sheila looked when she mentioned it, it looks like it could be a boon for us."

Rias and Sona nodded in agreement. Then, they both stared at Akeno who looked like she was in her happy place.

"Don't you think it's time for you to get up, Akeno?" Rias asked while crossing her arms under her chest.

"Nope." Akeno answered simply.

"Well, I do." Rias replied.

Then, Rias approached the chair that James and Akeno were sitting in and attempted to pull Akeno out of James' lap. Akeno, of course, would not give up her seat without a fight. Eventually, like they have so many times before, Rias and Akeno began one of their mini battles.

"*Sigh* I wonder if those girls will ever grow up." Sona said, after quietly taking the seat that Akeno had to vacate while fighting with Rias.

"You've become quite sneaky as of late, So-Tan." James whispered into Sona's ear while wrapping his arms around her.

"Well, strategy and tactics are more important than brute force, after all." Sona replied with a smile.

Like that, the rest of the night passed. Eventually, everyone went back to their own suites, except Sona who decided she wanted to spend the night with James, alone. The next day, everyone was given the time to do whatever they wanted. Whether it be shopping, sightseeing, relaxing, or trying out as many foods as they could.

Like that, another day passed. The next day, the results for the promotion exam would be posted outside the exam venue. So, as James did several years before, the group made their way toward the exam venue once again. And when they arrived, they struggled to make it close enough to read the boards where the results were posted. After a few minutes, it was confirmed that all of them passed the test, so, they made their way out of the crowd.

"Congratulations on your promotions." Azazel said as soon as they exited the crowd. "To celebrate, I'll treat you all to a meal."

"I was wondering when you were gonna show yourself, Azazel." Scathach said with her eyes narrowed. "I do not like the feeling of being followed."

Azazel felt cold sweat forming on his back at Scathach's glare. Truthfully, for once he had no creepy intentions while following a group of mostly women. Unfortunately, because of his track record, he was genuinely scared for his life after meeting Scathach's eyes.

"I... … I'm sorry Scathach." Azazel stuttered out. "I just wanted to be the first to congratulate my students."

"For your sake, I hope that is the truth." Scathach replied.

"Take it easy, Master." James replied. "I'm sure Azazel-Sensei is telling the truth."

As James spoke, several of his petal shaped blades flew out of the hems and cuffs of Azazel's clothes. Then, James slightly unsheathed Ochiru Sakura and the few petal-blades merged with the sword blade.

"He would have had quite a few new holes in his body, otherwise." James replied with a devilish smile.

"When did he...?" Azazel said as the cold sweat that formed on his back began to flow like a river.

"It seems your fine control of your bloodline ability has increased by quite a bit." Scathach said. "This Scathach is impressed."

"Thank you, Master." James replied with a smile. "Anyway, let's get something to eat, Azazel-Sensei's treat!"

"Yeah!" The rest of the group cheered as they made their way back to the hotel, opting to eat in the hotel's restaurant.

"Those damned brats." Azazel muttered as they walked. "Are they trying to bankrupt me?"

Even though they heard him, no one paid Azazel any mind. The fact of the matter was that the girls were unhappy with the fact that Azazel had been following them silently. So, they discussed it and decided that he needed to be punished for his wrong doings. Naturally, the guys chose to remain silent on the topic. They had no reason to save Azazel from his fate, because it was indeed a little creepy. On top of that, they did not need to find themselves on the girls' bad side for the guy.

Eventually, the group arrived at the hotel restaurant. Then, after being seated, Ophis suddenly appeared in one of the open seats at the table.

"Ophis, why are you here?" Azazel asked apprehensively.

"Hungry." Ophis replied simply without changing her expression.

After hearing that, they quickly placed their orders. Then, while waiting for their orders to arrive, they noticed a familiar sensation.

"Seriously, how did these fuckers get into the Underworld without alerting anyone?" James asked exasperatedly.

"I guess the Old Satan Faction smuggled them in." Azazel said while sipping his drink leisurely.

"*Sigh* We really need to get rid of those old bastards." James replied. Then, he looked over at a table that should have been empty. "What do you think about that, Cao Cao?"

"I actually agree with you." Cao Cao said with a smile. "I don't much like those arrogant devils either."

"Good to know." James replied. "Nice eyepatch, by the way. Not a bad fashion statement."

Cao Cao could feel his smile starting to crack. However, he somehow managed to keep his cool. Then, he turned his attention to Ophis.

"Ophis, why are you, the leader of the Khaos Brigade, associating with the enemy?" Cao Cao asked.

"Because I can." Ophis said, once again without changing her expression.

"Oh, stop trying to justify your actions, Cao Cao." James interrupted. "At this point you're just insulting our intelligence. It's obvious to everyone present, except for Ophis, that you planned to turn on her at some point."

"*Sigh* You got me. Cao Cao said, maintaining his smile.

"But I'm surprised you came here without your babysitter." James said after scanning his surroundings with his perception and soul sight.

"Well, with this, I think you'll see that I'm much stronger now." Cao Cao said as he removed his eyepatch.

"Medusa's eye?" Azazel asked in shock.

"That's right." Cao Cao said. However, he was interrupted before he could continue.

A purple fog enveloped Cao Cao then he appeared at another table sitting in a chair. However, he was oddly silent. Meanwhile, James was standing behind Cao Cao's former position sliding his sword back into its sheath.

"You know, I respected your ambition to elevate your species standing amongst the supernatural beings." James said without looking at Cao Cao. "I thought you went about it in the completely wrong way, though. But I thought the goal was noble enough. But now that you've started integrating parts of supernatural beings into yourself, you lost the little respect I had for you."

*Click!*

*Thump!*

Just after the sound of James' sword clicking against its sheath could be heard, Cao Cao's head rolled off his neck and fell to the floor.