Results of the Investigation

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

After school, all the devils attending Kuoh Academy attended their blub activities just like they usually would. And after their club activities ended, they all left the school as usual. However, unlike usual, they were all headed in the same direction.

As James had told them during the lunch break, Mio and Maria followed him toward his house. With so many people, let alone devils, they were unfamiliar with, it would be an understatement to say they were a bit nervous. Admittedly, it was nice that the people around them were not pushy about making them engage in conversation.

"We're almost there." Rias said to Mio while sneaking curious glances.

Mio was a bit annoyed by the girl that looked remarkably similar to her.

'Why does this girl keep looking at me like that?' Mio thought to herself. 'If she doesn't stop, I'll kill her a hundred times.'

At the same time, Maria could tell that her sister was getting annoyed.

"Calm down, Mio." Maria whispered into Mio's ear. "I'm sure she's just curious because the two of you look alike."

Although she did not want to admit it, Mio was also curious about the similarities in both her and Rias' looks. However, she was too on guard to say anything about it. Even so, the curious glances were getting annoying. Just when she was about to lose her temper, James patted Rias on the head and spoke.

"Rias, you need to take it easy." James said with a smile. "I can tell she's talented too, but if you act like that, you're going to scare her away."

Immediately, Rias blushed and looked away from Mio. Seeing that, Mio and Maria were surprised.

"I guess she's interested in having you in her peerage." Maria said blankly.

"Well, at least she's got good eyes." Mio said haughtily.

This time, everyone other than Mio was stunned into silence. After that little interlude, the group arrived at James house. After entering, James, Rias, and Sona led Mio and Maria into James art studio. Looking around the room, Mio and Maria were surprised.

"What is this room?" Mio asked curiously as she glanced at the art tools in the studio.

"There's so much manga!" Maria said excitedly as she bounced in place.

Seeing their reactions, James smiled proudly. Rias and Sona also smiled, amused by the younger girls' reactions.

"This is my manga studio." James said with a smile on his face. Then, he pointed to a shelf and continued. "Those are the manga I've produced."

Curiously, Mio and Maria's gazes followed James' finger. When they laid their eyes on the shelf, both their eyes opened wide.

"OMG!' Maria exclaimed in surprise.

"Are you telling me…?" Mio was unable to finish her question due to her surprise.

"Yup, bleach, School Rumble, Soul Eater, Naruto, etcetera, etcetera were all drawn by James." Rias said proudly.

"Why are you talking like you're the one that drew them?" Sona asked as she adjusted her glasses. Then, she turned her attention to Mio and Maria, then she said. "If I remember correctly, he was only eleven when he started drawing Bleach, right?"

"Yup, I started right after I recruited Mizore." James said with a smile. "That feels like it happened a lifetime ago."

Mio and Maria were flabbergasted. To think someone that young could draw something so popular.

"Anyway, I think it's time for us to get down to business." James said as his expression changed from a happy smile to a serious one. "I'm sure you're wondering why we invited you here, right?"

In response, Mio and Maria's expressions also turned serious and they nodded. Then, James offered everyone a seat. Once they were all seated, James was once again the first to speak.

"First, I'll start by telling the two of you what I know about you, if that's fine with you." James asked, which Mio and Maria nodded to in response. "First, we know that the two of you are half-sisters with the same biological father. His name was Wilber, an exiled member of the Gremory Clan…"

"Wait, what!?" Rias interrupted loudly. "An exiled member of my clan? I've never heard anything about that before."

Not only Rias, but Sona, Mio, and Maria were also stunned into silence.

"How did you figure that out?" Sona asked while adjusting her glasses.

"I asked Uncle Zeoticus." James said with a shrug. "I thought the resemblance was too uncanny, so I took a picture of Mio and showed it to Uncle Zeoticus and asked him about it."

"So... does that mean we're cousins?" Rias asked while pointing a finger at Mio and Maria.

"That's right." James said with a nod. "Actually, you should have another missing aunt as well."

Rias was dumbfounded. She had just found out that she had a long-lost aunt and uncle. Not to mention two younger cousins. There might possibly be even more family she had no idea about if her aunt had children, too.

"Anyway, I think it's about time we got back to business." James said while making eye contact with Rias, Mio, and Maria briefly. "If you want to, you can ask Uncle Zeoticus about it later."

Coming back from their stupor, everyone focused on James again.

"Maria, your mother, Sheila, is still alive." James said calmly. "Or at least, we suspect her to be."

"What!?" Maria shouted as she stood to her feet. "Mio and I saw her body. How can this be?"

"During our investigation, we found that the body belonging to Sheila was a fake." James said with a smile. "From what Uncle Zeoticus told me, Wilber was quite skilled in creating homunculi. If I had to guess, Wilber prepared that long ago. He was probably anticipating the attack. The fact that he sent you to find Mio is proof enough, I think."

Hearing that, Maria simply burst into tears. Mio allowed a small smile to sneak onto her face, happy for her younger half-sister.

"It's nice to see a smile on your face, Mio." James said with a smile. "Every time I've seen you before, you've either had an indifferent expression on your face or a scowl. Seeing the smile is refreshing."

Mio's face turned crimson like her hair because of James' compliment. However, she also managed to scowl at the same time. Then, in embarrassment she shouted at James.

"Shut up!" Mio said uneasily. "If you say something like that again, I'll kill you a hundred times."

"I think I've heard that a hundred times, by now." James said with a laugh.

Mio's blush deepened at James' teasing. Because of that, Rias and Sona could only smile wryly. They knew that James would never miss an opportunity to tease Mio if she continued to act like that. Even Maria was able to stop crying because of the laughter that bubbled up from seeing Mio's embarrassed face.

Noticing that everyone was laughing at her, Mio's embarrassment turned into anger. With her emotions starting to go out of control, her magic power began to leak. Because of that, Maria felt alarmed. She could feel her body growing heavier.

"Mio, you have to calm down." Maria exclaimed.

At the same time, James, Rias, and Sona just looked at Mio who had lost control of her demonic energy.

"That clinches it." James said with a smile.

"Indeed." Sona agreed with a nod.

"To think there would be someone in my generation who received the Gremory bloodline ability." Rias said curiously.

Seeing how calmly the three devils in front of them were able to shrug off the increased gravity caused by Mio's loss of control, Maria opened her eyes wide in disbelief. Then, James walked toward Mio. Maria was terrified that James would see Mio as a threat and attack. However, once James was close enough, he did something Neither Mio nor Maria were expecting. He wrapped his arms around her gently and spoke to her in a soothing tone of voice.

"I know the last half year or so has been hard for you, Mio." James said gently. "I'm not asking you to trust us immediately. But if you allow us to, we'll keep you safe. Because no matter what, you're family to us now."

"Family?" Mio asked unsurely. "My family is dead."

"I know." James continued with his soothing tone. "We have no intention of trying to replace them. But we do intend to give you a new place to belong. If you want it, of course."

After hearing what James had to say and feeling the warmth of his embrace, Mio began to tremble. Then, she gripped James' shirt. Closing her eyes, she rested her forehead against James'' chest and began to cry silently.

"Not only will be give you a place to belong, but we'll also make sure you can control these abilities you're just finding yourself with, too." James said as he noticed the increased gravity was fading. Then, he looked toward Maria as well. You're included in that as well, Maria. Like I said, regardless of anything else, you're part of the family now."

"I don't understand." Mio said, speaking before Maria could respond. "Why do you make it sound like you're part of the Gremory Clan?"

"Well..." James said with a smile.

"He's my man!" Rias shouted excitedly.

"You mean you're his woman." Sona said dismissively.

"What's the difference?" Rias asked angrily.

"Because you're not his only woman." Sona said with a smirk.

"I know that!" Rias shouted angrily.

Hearing the childish argument of the two Pillar House Heiresses, Mio and Maria were shocked.

"Shouldn't the Heiresses of a Pillar house be... I don't know... More elegant?" Maria asked with her eyes wide open.

"Pillar House?" Mio asked in confusion.

"Don't worry about that for now." James said as he began to pat Mio's head. "We'll make sure you get all the knowledge about devil society that you will need."

Mio nodded in response. A moment later, she realized that James was hugging her and patting her head. Even though she enjoyed the feeling, embarrassment flooded her mind. Then, she pushed him away and shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Get away from me!" Mio shouted as she pushed James away with a red face. "If you do something like that again, without my permission, I'll kill you a hundred times!"

In response, James only smiled mischievously. Then, he leaned close to Mio and asked.

"So, I have to get your permission, huh?" James asked with a smile. "So, is it okay if I hug you again?"

With James asking so straightforwardly, Mio did not know what to say. Instead, her blush extended down her neck. Then, James turned toward Maria and asked a question.

"Do you want a hug, too?" James asked with a smile.

Noticing the mischief in James' eyes, Maria smiled. Then, she jumped into James arms happily.

"So warm..." Maria said as if she was melting.

After that, Maria sneakily looked at Mio. When she did, Mio was pouting and looking at Maria with jealousy. James also noticed Mio's expression. Simultaneously, James and Maria sprouted teasing smiles upon seeing her jealous pout.

"*Sigh* There's another one like James and Auntie Leona." Rias said while placing her hand on her forehead.

"Yeah, it looks like things are going to be much more interesting from now on." Sona said tiredly. "On top of that, Maria is a succubus."

"Oh, joy." Rias said while dropping her shoulders. "That means the sexual jokes and innuendo will be out of control as well."

And for the next few minutes, James and Maria worked together to tease Mio. They decided to stop when it seemed like Mio was about to lose her temper for real. Eventually, James got back to the topic.

"Mio, Maria." James addressed the younger girls in front of him solemnly. "Even though you are children of a member of the Gremory Clan, unfortunately you can't be granted High-Class status."

"Why not?" Mio asked, still a bit upset at James and Maria's teasing.

"Because Father was exiled, right?" Maria asked. Though it was more of a statement than a question.

"Correct." Sona replied. "When Wilber was exiled, although he did not lose his standing as a High-Class devil, his offspring would no longer gain his status through inheritance."

"Right." James agreed with a nod. Then, he looked at Mio directly. "And things will be even harder for you, Mio."

"For me? Why?" Mio asked in confusion.

"Because you're a half-devil." James said with a frown. "Those bigoted high-born fossils on the council will make things hard for you every step of the way."

Mio was surprised by the angry frown James was wearing, because of that, she asked a simple question.

"What's wrong?" Mio asked curiously.

"I told you this before, Mio." Maria said after grasping Mio's hand. "James is a High-Class devil, right?"

"Yeah, but what's that got to do...?" Mio asked, still confused.

"James is also a half-devil." Maria said while squeezing Mio's hand a bit tighter. "I can only imagine what he had to go through to climb that high this quickly."

"You wouldn't be able to imagine it at all if you knew that he wasn't even fifteen when he was promoted to High-Class." Rias said proudly.

"What?" Maria exclaimed in surprise. "How is that possible?"

"He made a deal with the Queen of Dun Scaith, Scathach, to train a quota of young devils for a month every year." Sona said while shrugging her shoulders.

"Scathach? Isn't she just a myth?" Maria asked, her shock growing by the moment.

"Nope." James replied with a shrug. "The many holes I've had punched into my body are proof enough that she's as real as can be."

"Oh, yeah, James is also her disciple." Rias said it as an afterthought. "So is one of his [Knights]."

"Are you serious?" Maria asked with her eyes wide open.

"Who is this 'Scathach' person?" Mio asked with a pout, unhappy about being out of the loop.

"Scathach is the greatest trainer of heroes in history!" Maria exclaimed excitedly. "According to legend, she's also an immortal witch, a warrior-queen, and the Queen of the Land of Shadows of Celtic lore."

And for the next few minutes, Maria went on to excitedly tell Mio everything she knew about Scathach. Eventually, James had to step in.

"We've got one more topic to discuss." James said with a wry smile while looking at the young succubus who was fan-girling over the god slayer. "I'd suggest the two of you joined Ri Ri's peerage."

"Why not yours?" Mio asked in discontent.

"Because I don't have the free pieces." James answered casually. "I only have one piece left, and it's my [Queen]. And not to be rude, but neither of you are exactly, [Queen material."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Mio asked angrily.

"That's exactly what I mean." James replied just as casually as before. "A [Queen] is the second in command of a peerage. Not to mention the [King's] closest confidant."

"I guess you're right." Maria said with a nod of agreement. "We don't have the experience needed to be James-Nii's [Queen]. And in Mio's case, she doesn't have the knowledge either."

"James-Nii? Why are you calling him... Wait! Are you calling me dumb!?" Mio asked, her irritation growing further.

"Calm down Mio." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "It's true that you don't have the knowledge necessary to be a [Queen]. You couldn't possibly have the required knowledge. You've only known about the supernatural for six months or so, right?"

Hearing Sona's explanation, Mio froze. Then, she realized that what she said was true.

"But why do you suggest we join Rias-Nee's peerage?" Maria asked.

"Because I've used both of my [Bishops] already. Sona replied calmly. "Although I could make Mio a [Pawn], a [Bishop] would be the most suitable for her."

"And it just so happens that I have both a [Bishop] and a [Rook], which would be perfect for you, Maria." Rias continued from where Sona left off.

"I see." Maria said with a nod of her head.

"The most important reason I suggested you join a peerage is that the ones we suspect are responsible for attacking your families will have to give up on attacking you, for a while at least." James said with a smile. "You would officially be part of the Gremory Clan, after all."

"That makes sense." Mio said.

"It does, but can we have some time to think it over?" Maria asked.

"Of course, but I wouldn't take too long." James said with a smile. "You never know what could happen."