Chapter 23.

The past lies before us in everything.

The Sinful was empty upon entering. The Swede was back behind the bar counter in her hostess uniform, and upon seeing me, she shook. I slowly move to her and allow her to summon her list. Before she can say anything, I grunt to her.

"I'm sorry for terrorizing you on Thursday night and Friday morning. I have people who are relying on me for this money."

Freya looks surprised that her nightmare is apologizing. She stops shaking completely before she turns a bit sorry.

"You're strange, Gorgan. Wu told me you didn't mean it and that you killed the monster that took Rodger. I accept the apology. These people you do this for are lucky to have you. Yen or Lilith?"

I slowly started getting the heads, placing them on the bar.

"Mainly Lilith, but six heads are Yen. Please tell your king I'm not interested in reincarnation since I can see the question. It's impossible for me to do that."

Freya sighed before growing curious. We began to count heads. The money wasn't bad for five hunts, even with the shares being split. When the last head was paid out, the pawn checked off the name before she pulled something out for me. It's a scroll. Thanks to my lessons, I recognized the seal on it.

It's the seal of House Agares. Freya said with a downcast eye.

"This was delivered to my king today. She gave implicit instructions to all of us that upon seeing you, we are to give this to you."

I slowly take the scroll and put it in my pocket, along with the money, before thanking the Swede.

"I will read it when I have a chance. I plan to be here more this week. Have a good Sunday."

Freya watched me leave but asked a final question.

"You a pureblood Gorgan? You feel like one."

I don't turn back to her.

"Perhaps."

I want to see them freak out when they are wrong.

When I entered, the house was mostly silent. I moved towards the front room, and that's where I saw the cats. Shirone was on Kuroka's lap on the couch. Shirone looked beaten down verbally, and Kuroka had a stern face. I got close enough to them that I heard the end of it.

"Pappy was the best Shirone. He would be devastated to hear what you have said, nya. He never hurt you, and it's only this monster that my mate will take care of for what he did to you."

Shirone deflated more than ever before, the white cat sadly said.

"You're right, nya. I was just so angry at him getting away with it that I focused on them, nya. Please let me have him, nya. He's strong like Pappy nya. I will do anything to have a mate that strong nya. Rias-sama told me what he fought, nya."

Kuroka shakes her head. She knows I'm here by senjutsu by the twitch of her right ear my way.

"You called him many cruel things, nya. He told me about them and how you immediately turned down his apology. Lying to his face was the last straw, and you can't easily have him, nya."

Shirone tears up there. She snuggles deeply into her sister and her ears droop. Her tail was now on her lap.

"Convince him, please, nya. I truly am sorry, nya. He scared me Friday, but I saw the real him again, nya. Like Monday when I lied, nya. He's strong, and I want a strong mate that can protect me, nya. I'll do anything to earn that, nya."

The pure desperation in that voice was palpable. They had switched and in a horrible way. Kuroka looked increasingly hurt, seeing her sister sad. I don't like Shirone, and this whole sadness is her fault and problem. But this could be worse later on. Kuroka softly spoke again.

"He will not take you as you are. Your racism is disgusting, nya. It's so warped and is like the things he hates in the people that abuse us, nya. Get rid of that completely. I will try to help you there, but he has already very likely decided nya. Why not go after the other human? She is strong too, nya."

Shirone was silent before saying.

"The dragon is strong, but she's not him, nya. He's a noble son who can be the prince Pappy told tales of to me, nya. I wanted him first when he said he'd get rid of the creep nya. When he scared me Monday, I saw the brave knight protecting Rias-sama from Riser-baka nya. I want a prince and knight like that, nya. Please, Gregor-sama, forgive me, nya."

She must have heard me. I entered the room and said to the cats.

"I didn't care about the insults to me. I cared about the fact you said people like my friend deserve the abuse strays put on them. I cared about the fact that you lied about apologizing to my face and so blatantly. How can I be sure you are honest here and not lying again to get what you want? I'm not a prince or a knight. I'm a man who wants my world to be better and is willing to be the change I want."

Shirone droops more than ever before, letting out a whimper. Her sister hugs her before Shirone cries.

"I am sorry, nya! I mean it for real, nya. Please let me show you nya. You're a real knight because you brought my sister back to me despite everything I did, nya. I want a real knight like that, nya. I'll leave the racist things behind, nya. Please forgive me, NYA!"

She was so sad here, and I'm not into this, but I see Kuroka begging me to try to be kind to her equally broken sister. The apology was genuine so I let it go for Kuroka. I sat next to them, and I said to this catgirl.

"You are forgiven. You are welcome to come to the house whenever you want. As for me and you, that's a hill you must climb on your own. I will give you a chance there. Don't throw it away."

Kuroka promised me something very good for that as her eyes took on a gleaming note. Shirone stopped crying hearing that, and her ears perked up to their limits. She looked at me finally, and her gold eyes held her pure happiness. Then, she grew determined to prove herself to me.

"Thank you, Gregor-sama nya! You're truly a prince, nya! Kiba-kun has competition at the school nya. I will show you I'm a changed person, nya. I will earn my mate, nya!"

That last part was said with stars in her eyes, and I internally rolled mine. Kuroka gets that, and she beams at me. I'll give this cat a chance. Not a big one, but with Kuroka as my queen, I want her to be happier than myself. She gets that, and her upper tail squeezes my hand in thanks. I pull out the money for Kuroka with her shares. Kuroka beams and takes it. Shirone looks at me star-struck like Ravel did Issei before I tell them with a small smile.

"Go have fun. I have a busy day tomorrow. On Tuesday we can all do something fun together. I'll ask everyone for ideas tomorrow."

Kuroka picked up her still star-struck sister and nodded, taking her money with her tails. She kissed my cheek as I stood up, getting a hiss from the white cat. That just amused Kuroka more, and she bid me goodbye.

"We will, nya. I have a few ideas. You seen the backyard yet, nya?"

I guess immediately.

"There's a pool, isn't there."

She smiled big and looked very keen, as did Shirone. Kuroka answered while she moved towards the front door, setting Shirone down.

"There is, and I propose that. You will need swimming clothes, and we can go tomorrow after your thing, nya. Come along, Shirone we can get you something tonight."

Shirone chased after her sister fast and the two went to enjoy themselves. I sighed because I knew that thing and the white cat would be trouble. Koriel unhelpfully says it's probably an evolutionary thing for Nekoshous, which makes me tell her to fuck off. Leading us to argue as we go up the stairs. Alex joined in agreement with Koriel.

I don't hear anything else in the house and want to relax. The library is vast, so there must be good books there.

I entered and found Kiryuu reading on the far side with her carapace on the table beside her. I let her read while looking at books on a nearby shelf. I found an interesting book on a criminal case during the early days of the Civil War when the underworld was basically in total anarchy.

It was a fascinating read, and I learned a bit about the pre-new King's devil society, which is even more backward than now. As I read, I was not impressed with how the criminal investigation went because it was sloppy. However, the case was handled as well as it could have been handled with the issues there. The case was kept here in the library because a Gremory solved it, and the solver was a name I had heard before.

It shows where Rias got her name. I'm so intrigued by the book, making me miss someone walking towards me. Before they sit down next to me at the table, I'm at. I look up, and I see Rias. She looks like I did that morning. She had bags under her eyes and was not the most beautiful I had seen her. She was wearing a red shirt and jeans that looked well-worn. I raised an eyebrow at her but said with a bit of worry.

"Hello, Ria. I'm surprised you're here. I heard you trained hard yesterday."

Rias was silent for a second before she nodded.

"You put that much effort into helping me, yet I have not done as much. I want us ready, and it's just me that needs help. Everyone else has kept up. I was in my hole, and now, looking back, everyone tried to help me escape it. I want you to see I'm not weak."

It was apparently hard for her to admit at the end. I set my book down before I got up and then pulled her with me, surprising her. We left the library, and I caught Kiryuu smirking at me.

I tell her as we move down the stairs towards the basement.

"Rias, you're not weak. That's the pig nobility talking. I don't think you are weak."

That seems to encourage her. When we reach the basement, I get out the dueling swords and give her one. She looked confused, but I smiled and said to her.

"We will practice together. I will teach you a sword style that can help you. What have the others been teaching you?"

Rias smiles that supernova smile. The one I realized is only for me. She began to take a stance, and I immediately started working with her. I had grown to like the sword. The hunts had shown me that. Rias and I started dueling. Each duel is good practice for Rias. She has talent because she picks things up quickly, especially when I point out a problem that she immediately fixes and never repeats. We dueled, and she started seeing openings after the fifth dual.

It was in our seventh dual that Rias hit me on my right arm. That look she gave me was something I'll remember forever. The pride and joy there, combined with her supernova smile, led me to say.

"It's just practice, Rias. You're picking this up fast you just have to build up endurance. You did better than Issari did when she started. You learn faster, too, so don't say you're stupid either."

Rias grew happier hearing that. She grew competitive and then raised her sword in challenge. I smiled, and we dueled again. Our swords clanged and clashed. We kept dueling, and this is something that we enjoyed equally.

The duals continue, and Rias slowly starts winning more of them. I kept her and myself on our feet until Rias finally collapsed after her last fight, where I tapped her right foot. She was breathing heavily from it, but I immediately started to help her up. Rias was exhausted from the duels. I tell her with pride.

"You did great, Ria. Want me to carry you up the stairs?"

Rias beams and blushes but nods cutely. I let her lean on me before taking her sword and putting it in its holder in my armory—along with mine. I then picked up Rias, which gets an eep from her, but carrying a boltgun in armor and weightlifting has helped. I carry her up the stairs easily. Rias snuggles into my chest, enjoying this. The house is still silent when we hit the top floor.

Rias smiles up into my face before she looks down bashful and with a bigger blush. I continue up the stairs towards her room, saying to her as we enter.

"Koneko and I have buried the hatchet. Would you and the rest of your peerage like to move in here halfway through this week?"

That gets me the most beautiful smile I have ever seen out of Rias. Tears entered her eyes, and she nodded vigorously. Before she says it while I set her on the bed.

"I would love that, Gregor-kun. Thank you for giving me hope and you. I want to be with you, my Lord of Iron."

She looked at me with pure love, and at that moment, I saw something happen.

"I think I can have that with you, my Crimson Princess of Ruin."

She was confused by that, but I was not. Red balls of demonic energy were popping out of Rias's hands. She looked down and was amazed that she had the thing everyone said she didn't have. Rias looked at her hands in awe-struck amazement before they disappeared. Rias was in pure joy with this.

"I have it."

I take a hand and say while smiling real and not my trademark.

"It might never have shown itself because you doubted yourself so much. Don't do that anymore, Ria. I want to believe in you as much as you believe in me."

Rias cried tears of joy, knowing she had the power of destruction. She thought about summoning them again, and they appeared as small balls that zap before disappearing. She was so happy she broke decorum again. She kissed me full on the lips, and fireworks were everywhere for us both. Rias fell away from the kiss, and she looked up at me with her eyes in pure happiness.

I understand why Issei fought so hard for her despite the spoiled nature, the jealousy, the fact she treated him that way after he couldn't say it and made everyone else turn against him. That was his Rias. My Rias has all of that stuff except the spoiled nature. That part that made me feel like we couldn't work. We can as we both doubted ourselves too much, and we built up each other. The bricks are no longer duty but the beginning of love totally. I would tear Riser apart for her. I would fight the galaxy for her.

That look must have been clear on my face because Rias says with pure joy.

"You will say it fully one day. I will say it now. I love you, Gregor Astaroth. I will never doubt myself again."

I broke it this time, kissing her cheek. She smiled at me as she looked at me and I her. She sadly broke our moment there by checking the clock and frowning.

"I need to get back to the dorms."

I shake my head.

"Stay. You're here anyway, and you can introduce me to Sona tomorrow. My letter says I'll be meeting her. Do you have tips so I don't anger her?"

That got a thankful smile from Rias and her telling me tips. We talked until she yawned cutely, and then I let Rias sleep. She murmured goodnight, and I shut her door. As I was going back to my room, I saw Murayama, with an incredibly happy face, coming up the stairs. She smiled, telling me Katase was now happy that her friend was staying in Kuoh thanks to me. Katase wanted to see the place tomorrow.

I approved it and told Murayama that I would get the test at Kuoh done fast tomorrow, and then we could perhaps do something to help her with sword work. She blinked curiously there, and I kept my new, almost permanent facial feature. It is fun seeing people get frustrated over it. Murayama shakes her head.

"That damn smile smirk is going to get you in trouble, Gregor-kun. What's this thing?"

I continue to smile smirk before leaving the first crumb.

"I'd like you to imagine a place Murayama-chan that is a planet city. Consider that when we talk again after I'm done with the school. Ask Kiryuu-chan about a person called Sanguinius. You might get it."

Kiryuu was extremely down bad for Sanguinius. Kuroka was also a big fan of Sanguinius, but her favorite primarch was Lion. That amused me, and I teased her that he had angel birds getting hissing there. Murayama did not understand, but she bumped me in annoyance. We had been moving towards her room, where Murayama stopped before she smiled at me and said, with a look of pure smiles.

"Thank you again, Gregor-kun. I appreciate what you did for me."

I smiled real there.

"I'm happy to help Murayama-chan. Regardless of your answer, you are welcome in my circle. Have a good night, Murayama-chan."

I said the end because she yawned midway through the conversation. She nodded in thanks and then entered her room before closing the door. I feel tired, and I am still feeling the crash from Friday. I had enough energy left to set an alarm. Then I did crash when I hit the bed after a quick shower.

It was a dreamless night with no form or purpose until the end, when an eye suddenly appeared and started looking for something. I can't tell what the eye was from, but it felt curious rather than hostile. The moment it passed, I woke.

That alarm was loud enough to wake me up. There was a groan next to me before two tails slapped me across the face. That woke me up fully, making me jump out of bed as Kuroka groaned again.

"Turn off the alarm, nya. Was in a good dream."

I do so, and that brings a sigh of relief. Then Kuroka went immediately back to sleep. I gently went to shower, taking my clothes with me for the day. It was quick, and one of the things that Rias said that Sona disapproved of was extreme unprofessional appearances. I looked very good, in my own opinion, in a black shirt and well-maintained jeans. I tip-toed past a sleeping Kuroka, who was snoring the biggest snot bubbles I have seen yet for her.

Closing the door, I go past the other rooms and down the stairs. I don't see Rias. I see Maéva making breakfast of an egg omelet, and she just hums her church hymns. I ask her.

"Have you seen Lady Gremory Maéva?"

Maéva used one of her mechadendrites to point to the basement to answer the question. I thanked her.

"Thank you, Maéva."

The maid continues her work with a pride that she didn't have at the beginning of being here. I left her to her work and go downstairs to see where Rias is. She was not holding her sword, which I thought she would be doing. She was in the chapel of the Machine God. She was kneeling before the altar, and her head was bowed before the cog. I'm stunned. But the reason is shown when she spoke in a whisper.

"Thank you, Machine God, for my brave Lord of Iron. For giving me the thing I have long wanted. I believe in you, who has brought me the best thing on this planet."

I feel her join the faith, and the Machine God tells me he did help her, giving her the boost to activate the power of destruction finally. I was told it was always there, but doubt and an accident in childhood prevented it from appearing fully. I am curious why because my theory was that her bitch grandfather and his tutor did something.

My patron says no, they didn't do anything besides corrupting her knowledge, which I am fixing. The reason was an injury that had blocked her special demonic energy pathways that purebloods have for family abilities. It went unnoticed because the injury was so incredibly small. The Machine God wanted this person I would be with to have this that was denied to her by such a silly thing. He likes Rias despite her uneducated ideas because she has gained something from Maéva and Kiba. A love of the stars. He had that incorporated into his ideas as I inspired that. Rias finally felt me behind her, and she rose before turning to me.

Her face was pure joy when she saw me fully before she rushed to me and hugged me violently.

"Please let us have our real marriage in a chapel like this. I can deal with the public one before the Morning Star, but I want the real one there. You are a miracle I don't deserve."

I pat Rias and comfort her.

"We can do that, Ria. I don't acknowledge the original Lucifer for me. I am a Mechanist and want to do vows between us since I'm not too big on spreading the faith. We may need a bigger room for our peerages and my stupid gecko friend."

Rias snorts at that.

"I will allow her there to see the nobles get mad at her. My dad, mom, and Heniya will like that because they always hated the rumors and mudslinging they did. The only one who would object is Diehauser, but only because he's so stuffy."

Diehauser. The Emperor of the Games! That Diehauser! What the fuck! Rias misinterpreted my eyes going wide as fanboying over Diehauser.

"Yeah, he and Heniya are seeing each other. It's an open secret for the family because they are all but married. They aren't officially married only because Diehauser is from the lowest ranks of the pillars, where it would be seen as reaching above his status. I like him because he tried to help me too. They would be great together officially. Diehauser is technically GKF by way of his dad, but he pillow talks with Heniya."

Holy cog oil. Diehauser is with Rias's sister. She is number three in the games, and he's number one, yet he still can't marry her. That's such bullshit! Diehauser is a fucking beast and a half! He should be able to marry Heniya. Fuck the pillars even more! Rias is pleased I'm that angry for her sister.

"He's accepted it. Unofficially, he and Heniya have a civil marriage, but it's not a Star marriage, so any baby is technically a bastard. It hurts them both because Diehauser is very much a good man. Heniya escaped the law because of the games and her status as a heiress. Diehauser has convinced his family he's asexual. The only one who knows from there is his cousin Cleria, who is in Heniya's peerage as a mutation bishop."

Cleria is alive! Oh, fuck I need to talk with her at some point to ask about the king pieces. I smiled evilness there because Diehauser deserves to have his waifu publicly. Rias shivered again in a way that really proved that Akeno had corrupted her. I finally the question I had been putting off.

"How much has Akeno gotten to you?"

Rias blushed nervously.

"I like the trust thing not so much the pain."

That's significantly better than what I thought. It makes more sense with what she promised me at the park. I don't want to inflict wrath on people I'm near and close to.

"I don't know if I'm built that way. I will try it with you so long as we never do anything that hurts you. Just don't be too disappointed in me if it doesn't work out."

Rias beams.

"I won't ever be. I know you worry about wrath. I'm not into masochistic stuff, just the total trust you have with your partner. That's what I like, despite Akeno insisting that the other stuff enhances it. She's been trying to convince me of that for a long time. I don't think I'm that way either."

I never did that with Kate, as neither she nor I were that way. Her likes were interesting but not that dark. Mine weren't bad, either, but it would be another new experience on top of the hundreds so far. I held Rias's hand as we went up the stairs.

"I will have to do research and not from her. She says I'm kind of sadistic, but I think that's more intertwined with my wrath. I won't do anything that hurts you."

Rias understands.

"It won't ever be that. She's tried corrupting Koneko and me for a while with neither of us really liking the sadistic side. Koneko wants to be a princess with a prince. I want the perfect husband who will never hurt me. Akeno is a weirdo."

I can agree with that. I'm glad that doesn't run in my side of the family. It's just weird scientific flirting, which I get. Inflicting pain on your partner is not my cup of tea. Or Rias's thank the Machine God. I was so worried about that.

Rias pats my hand reassuringly. After getting to the kitchen and eating, she does her portal to the ORC building.

It was the same as always, but there was Shirone. She was sitting on a couch doodling, and I wanted to wince. It was a picture of the two of us. She's older, as am I, with my chainaxe on my hip. Rias looked amused at the picture. Shirone froze, seeing me. Before badly trying to hide her doodle. I noticed that she in the picture was in a wedding dress, and I was in plate armor.

Rias pulled me past a sweating Shirone, who was very nervous. We exited the building five minutes later. Rias giggled there at my discomfort from Shirone. She doesn't say anything thankfully.

Just leading me to the school. It is well maintained, and Rias tells me what is in each building. I'm only half listening, and I'm still disturbed by Shirone. We entered the front courtyard, where a small line of people was gathered. Mostly boys, and I'm very unimpressed because most are perverts. Openly pervertedly giggling about how they will be able to get a harem of women. Dude, you fucks have good luck with that. The boys started getting mad at me because I was with Rias.

Two were angry enough to challenge me. I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed because they were trying to act macho, saying that they could beat up a weakling like me. I didn't do anything because they signed their own death warrants because behind them is Sona. She is unimpressed and very peeved because the boys were in very unprofessional clothes with anime stuff, which I'm pretty sure is hentai. She spoke as one was about to punch me.

"You're both disqualified. Get off the school property. You have till the count of three."

The second dude froze and shook. The first was an idiot because he stopped his punch and turned on Sona.

"What makes you think you have any authority, flat girl."

Rias winced, as did the smarter boys and a few girls. Sona got the tic mark before her eyes settled on the two.

"I'm the student council president and the one who does the approvals along with the principal. Get off the property, or I will call the police. One."

That made the second dude run. The first dude shook, realizing he fucked up. Sona continued looking unimpressed and continued the countdown.

"Two."

That had devil presence and pressure pulsing behind her, sending the dude running. The nearby boys and girls shake while I don't. That makes Sona watch me. An interesting look enters her eye, seeing Rias so close to me before Sona looks at the rest of the applicants.

"Kuoh Academy is the best school in the city. We have high standards, and you are expected to follow them. Does anyone else feel like trying something?"

That got furious nods of no from everyone. Sona continued to watch them and then moved away from the group towards the school. I like her and I say that to Rias. Rias looks at me like I'm crazy, but I know what Sona is. My mood kindred. She, too, doesn't put up with bullshit, and it's so nice. Cain is right mood kindred make everything better. The other applicants all looked at me like I was crazy with how I was smiling, finally finding a real one and not gear-based. Rias doesn't get it.

"You must really like her."

There was jealousy there, but not much. I just replied as the line moved forward.

"She's something I have not had in a while, Rias."

Rias tilted her head in question, and I answered with a big smile.

"Mood kindred. It's wonderful when you find them regardless of their relationship to you."

Rias asked what a mood kindred was. I explained it to her and a few others in the line. One of the boys says he has that with his aunt, as they both like reading crime books together. The ones who don't get it look at me like I'm insane. They wisely don't say anything. The line kept moving orderly, and I liked Sona more than ever because of the beautiful order.

Rias left me at the test room door where I took the exam, and I snickered internally at how much I remembered. The answers were difficult but manageable. When I was finished, I handed my test in. It took half an hour, and when I found Rias waiting for me, she was next to Sona. The conversation stopped seeing me, and Sona gestured to me to follow. I did, along with Rias. The trip was to an office close to the center of the building.

Upon entering the office, wards went up immediately, and Sona turned her eyes on me fully. She tilted her glasses off her violet eyes.

"You're a devil and one I have never seen or heard of before. Rias has been cryptic about who you are, so I will ask. Whose peerage do you belong to?"

I say to her with a serious face and no attempts to lie.

"None. I'm not reincarnated. That doesn't work for me. As for being a devil, I'm half."

Sona doesn't believe me and grew hard-assed.

"Who's peerage? I don't need more problems with a potential situation coming up. You are not leaving till I get an answer. Rias behind me. Now."

Rias got ready to obey, and I just opened a pocket spell and removed a letter before presenting it to Sona. Sona takes it in disbelief that I think I can get away with not telling her. But she paled, seeing the seal. She opened the letter and read. Her face paled further, but given its Grayfia. The letter was given to me on Saturday to sell my story. Rias stays silent, and finally, Sona looks up from the letter, and she is back in control. She then folded the letter and returned it to me.

I took it, and Sona looked me up and down again before she spoke.

"Apologies, Heir Astaroth."

I just shrugged.

"I'm not offended, Heiress Sitri. You're looking after the school and being the student's greatest advocate. My situation is complex, but please allow my test results to speak for themselves instead of instantly approving me now that you know."

Sona was interested why as Rias huffs.

"Gregor-kun believes in hard work and hates handouts."

Sona took a new look there as I smiled.

"Time raised in the human world. I hope we can get along, Heiress Sitri. My peerage is incomplete, and they will have strict orders not to cause trouble for you when the school starts. I will also be controlling a potential problem student with my cousin."

Sona looked pleased about all of that. She relaxed, like actually relaxed, with her shoulders and chest not puffed out. Her eyes were not hard anymore, and her facial muscles relaxed into an extremely pretty face. Rias grabbed my hand cutely in jealousy. That raised Sona's eyebrow along with a tiny smile. She then schooled her face into a blank one.

"I see. The request will be honored. I admit that I am more interested in you, Heir Astaroth. You're unknown and nothing at all like your uncle, I know. He's… difficult, let's say. You seem like a person I can get along with. I assume you will be recruiting from the students for your peerage?"

I tilted my head in a slight yes while Sona frowned at the response.

"Yes and no. I have two pieces and a very likely third incoming. One is a new student here while the other is a bit older and won't be in the school. My possible third is also a student but she has the right to back out before the acceptance at any time. I do not plan to recruit from the school much."

Sona looked curious. Rias smiled, squeezed my hand, and got closer and Sona noted the interaction.

"I see. So, this is why you have been so happy, Rias. You found a better out. I hope you two have discussed it together."

I smiled and squeezed Rias back.

"We have. I am committed to this, Heiress Sitri. Rias will be treated well."

Rias looked at me with fondness, and then her eyes grew wide. She bounced up and down fast, letting go of my hand, and said a fast string of words.

"I have it, Sona! I have it!"

The sudden outburst amused Sona, and she was about to ask what it was when Rias showed her power of destruction. The red balls snapped and cracked for a second before they disappeared again. Sona was wide-eyed at the reveal. Before she smiled wide, there for Rias, proving they were true friends like the other place. Rias then grabbed my arm, and she smiled her supernova smile. Sona smiled at this and replied.

"That's wonderful, Rias! The nobles can't insult you anymore, and your parents will be ecstatic! They always believed that you had it. What finally made it appear?"

The question made Rias smile wide.

"Faith in myself thanks to my Gregor-kun. He believes in me like I do him."

Sona smiled, amused by the answer. Her violet eyes turned on me, and then she turned back to both of us.

"I'm so happy for you, Rias. Heir Astaroth, I am eager to get to know you. Would you be interested in a game of chess today?"

Rias grew incredibly worried there while I shook my head.

"I don't know if I can. I have a hectic schedule with things, and time is precious as of late. Perhaps when I do have more time."

That answer calmed Rias and disappointed Sona.

"Let me know when you do have the time. No, Rias, I'm not trying to steal him from you."

Rias looked bashful, and I squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"She told me of that, which is partly why I said no, but I really do have limited time. Given what Rias has shared with me about my possible rival, I need things done."

Sona wasn't offended, but her face took a nasty look, remembering Riser. She, however, surprised Rias by saying she was happy and a bit worried.

"He's a pig who's even more upset as of late. He was boasting furiously about becoming the new heir to House Phenex, but his brother survived his scandal. He's now firmly and undeniably the Heir, and Riser is beyond pissed. The party last weekend was horrible, with me and Heiress Agares hearing him bitch nonstop. Rias, he might attempt to bully you again soon."

I grew angry there. No one bullies Rias. Not fucking degenerate nobles or fire turkeys. Wrath shows as Rias looks incredibly worried now. Sona saw my sin and seemed to like me more than ever with a small smile. I will step up hunting again. Do a half break day tomorrow because pissed-off people do unreasonable things. If Riser comes and makes my Ria cry.

I imagine cutting his head off with a roaring great chainaxe before blasting his body to pieces with a boltgun. I'll show him who the better immortal is. I unconsciously tightened my arm around Rias. That makes her happy, and that breaks me out of a fantasy of me using an overcharged plasma gun on him. Sona was silent before saying.

"I like him, Rias. He's much better than Diodora. I am eager to get to know you better, Heir Astaroth."

I replied with my smile smirk.

"Just call me Gregor. I'm not really formal. I will be proper for appearances, but you are Rias's friend."

Sona nodded her head before turning back to being her hard-ass self and replied with a face with a frown.

"I will do so when proper. I have more tests to oversee. It was good to meet you, Heir Astaroth. Are you using the name Mason for your public name?"

I nod as the wards come down, and we move out of the office and into the hall.

"I am. I will let you go, President Shitori. I apologize for taking up your time."

Sona accepted the apology before she escorted us to the school entrance. Before she departed to work with the last few groups of people, Rias snuggled into my arms, and I glared down two boys who were undressing her with their eyes. My look made the first shake, while the second didn't shake as much, but he averted his eyes. We continued to the ORC building with Rias not leaving my side. She said when we entered the building.

"Thank you for defending my honor, Gregor-kun."

I give Rias a real smile, and then I grow serious.

"He bullies you call me. I refuse to let him treat you like that just because he's a pissy bitch. Please don't get mad at me. I might do it again."

Rias squeezed my hand in understanding.

"Together. I'll double my training, too. I won't condemn you for trying to help me. I was upset because you looked horrible when I saw you. You were not my handsome Lord. I asked myself if I could do that for you, like how you did for me. I found that answer. If you do that again, please be careful. Don't kill yourself. For me."

I worry a lot now because Riser is being silent and why is because he failed at his desire to be heir. He's getting ready for something. I can't hunt long today because of Grayfia tomorrow. Rias and I go up the stairs, and upon entering the ORC room, I again find Shirone. She was still doodling, and it was worse. There in her doodle is her and I, with five kids surrounding us with her ears, tails, and my hair. Worse, Akeno is there, too, holding in a massive laugh. I glared at her while Shirone froze again, seeing Rias and me. Before she once again tried to hide the doodle badly. Rias is amused.

"You are really sold on him, aren't you, Koneko."

Shirone shivers badly, causing her ears and tail to flop out of the illusion. She just looked at me, and her eyes held stars once more. Akeno began to fufu there, getting a massive blush from Shirone.

"Strong mate and gallant prince, nya."

I get ready to sigh. Akeno stopped fufufus and teased me now.

"Two catgirls, Lex. You are a menace and must be stopped. What's next? Are you going to seduce Lady Leviathan?"

I shiver violently, as does Shirone, while Rias humphed. Akeno fufufu again, before instead I teased her.

"You rat bat shouldn't be talking with your date coming up with a weird dragon girl. She wants many people in that, so don't talk."

Shirone shot back at Akeno, who went wide-eyed.

"Dragon girl hordes, my prince won't, nya!"

Rias joins in, too, and finally gets vengeance on Akeno.

"Have fun there, Akeno. I'm sure we'll see your gecko terrorize the school while my Lord of Iron remains pure!"

The cat and redhead snicker together against their friend. Akeno took the insult and smiled before teasing back.

"Lex is boring. My little Kohai will make school fun. Enjoy boring you two."

I'm not boring I'm plenty of fun.

"No game night for you, Keno. By the way, you invited Rias and Akeno to what's likely a pool party tomorrow."

Rias grew excited about a party. Akeno beams and Shirone gets ready to say something. Rias smiled and opened a portal for me before saying.

"We would love to join! I have to prepare! Akeno, tell me which suit I have is the best!"

I'm about to say don't worry about it when Akeno shoves me through the portal, and I land ass-first on the front hall floor. It closed before I could say anything. I was getting up and didn't see anyone in the kitchen. I peek into the front room and don't see Maéva watching soaps. That's broken when I see Issari coming up the basement stairs in a happy mood.

She, seeing me, raised an eyebrow.

"Your senpai shoved me through a portal here. I am done with the test. You just got here?"

Issari snorted at the explanation. Before she fell into step with me as we went up the stairs together, and she replied.

"Yes, no one was downstairs, so I came up. I hope you get in it would suck if you didn't. You are telling Murayama-chan today?"

I responded with a head bob. The two of us checked the library, where we found Murayama and Kiryuu. Kiryuu was reading a book while Murayama was studying another with intense interest. They were sitting together by the fireplace near the library's second-floor entrance. I approached them, and Issari followed along. Murayama saw me first, and she got up off the couch and softly approached us. Kiryuu was very deep in her book, so we moved away from her.

Murayama, once on the other side of the library, smiled, seeing me, and asked.

"Your test went well, Gregor-kun?"

I smile smirk.

"I think so. I believe I'm in, but we will see. Have you had a good morning so far?"

Murayama nodded her head vigorously.

"I have! I found a book that mentions a sword style similar to mine. I want to see if it will work for me."

She began explaining the style, and I asked about its origin. I learned it was a devil one from a now-dead minor house. She showed me the book, and I admit it's a good style for duals, but Issari is not impressed.

"Ours are better. This one has too many holes that can be exploited by a trained person."

I raised an eyebrow there with Murayama.

"Other styles have validity as well. Knowledge should never be limited Skitarii. Stagnation is the way of the pus one. Innovative and adaptable thinking is our creed as much as Iron and Blood. Murayama-chan should choose what works best for her."

Issari takes the scolding as she deflated. Murayama is weirded out there, while Issari replied sadly.

"Yes, Alpha. I see too many holes, and Murayama-chan might become your knight. I want my friend to be safe."

I softened there, getting the social dragon thinking. Murayama smiled before hugging Issari, which made said pervert happier. I give an honest opinion of the style.

"It's a dueling style, Issari. We use space marine stuff. Yes, there are too many holes if Murayama was fighting a space marine. Even you and I, with our gear and their styles, would die to one. There was a reason they were called the angels of death but last I checked, there are no space marines here."

Issari nodded her head in acknowledgment as Murayama asked.

"What's a space marine?"

I smiled and answered.

"A very strong opponent and things that are very different from humans. Remember that stuff I asked you to think about?"

Murayama frowns, and that's when Kiryuu joins in. She walked over to us with a book under her arm.

"I still find them amazing. Were they really that powerful to be able to conquer that many places?"

Issari and I smiled. Murayama was still confused before she said in that confusion.

"What does a planet city have to do with these space marines?"

I answered while summoning the anvil along with Koriel. The sight of her makes Murayama freeze.

"Everything as in a faraway place on the world we now stand on was that planet city, Terra. It was the center of an Imperium of Man, an Imperium that lasted for an extremely long time, thanks in part to said space marines."

The tale began.

After three hours of questioning and explaining, Murayama is in utter amazement. Kiryuu enjoys this, too, because she gets to gush about Sanguinius. Issari gets to boast about the sisters of battle and Celestine. I just relax and let the new member into the circle. Murayama continued being amazed by the very end. She looks at Koriel again. The possibilities are endless from my story. She finally said.

"I want to know everything. I want to know about Knights. I love Gundam, yet these sound so cool! Can you make those!"

I shake my head no but say to make a disappointed Murayama feel better.

"Not with the anvil. I can make a forge to make those eventually, as I want a knight, too. I wish I could use a titan."

That made Murayama interested in those. The description of the god machines humbled Murayama, especially learning that there were legions of them. Murayama bounced up, and she proclaimed.

"I will pilot a knight and show the world a real knight, come again! For my eventual king! Let me do that for you!"

I smile and reply to Murayama.

"Pilot it for yourself. I just want Mars. Are you committed or still thinking?"

The swordswoman thought for a moment.

"I am almost certain. I want to be your knight, my noble King."

The hearts are there in force. I sighed there while Issari snickered. Kiryuu said, happy.

"He is noble. I heard from the Bad Cat that we are having a party tomorrow. Is that true?"

Everyone perks up there.

"We have a pool in the backyard, and Kiryuu, Murayama, we will have Rias and her peerage moving in on Wednesday. Katase is welcome to the party. I plan to do more hunting today. Issari, I need the solo runs because of Riser. So, enjoy yourself."

Issari whined, but money from her shares made her happy. Kiryuu huffed, wanting money. Murayama looked amazed at the amount of money there. Issari fist-pumped when she said that she had her new PC and an Xbox. Murayama asked why. The two perverts smiled together and then began explaining Alistair. I let the three of them talk before the sound of a door is heard.

Kuroka entered the library, dressed in her canonical clothes. Murayama looked up from the conversation and dropped her mouth to the floor, getting snickers from Kiryuu while Issari just woofed. I rolled my eyes, and my queen just smirked and came over to us before putting an arm over my shoulder before I asked.

"They ok with you?"

Kuroka nodded, and she winked at Murayama. That makes Murayama fall over, twitching with a massive nosebleed and getting snickers from the perverts. Kuroka smiled wide there.

"I still got it, and they are fine with me nya. Kalawarna was suspicious of me for a second, but that went away immediately. She is amazed you're a noble nya. Conner was very surprised while the French girl just shrugged, saying she kind of thought you were that way, nya. The fallen are scared of you."

That's amusing.

"Did you get names for the fallen?"

Kuroka nodded, and Murayama got up before whispering something furiously to Issari. Issari smiled and whispered back. I ignored them and looked at Kuroka.

"Mittelt and Raynare. Both are two wing fallen nya."

Raynare. Why would she run? She supposedly has a hard-on for Azazel. Mittelt is supposed to be a sadistic little witch. Yet both are from his cadre. I have a bad feeling about them. Kuroka read my mind.

"I remembered you mentioning one of them and hit them with truth spells, startling Kala nya. I demanded from them if they were spying. They are truthful about their intentions, nya. The black haired one was very different to the other. Conner shrugged and said he did the same and figured I would too nya."

What is Raynare like? Would she possibly not have killed Issari? Despite that, I prepared to go shopping with Kuroka after telling her I would be solo today. She shrugged, and we left together outside the library. Murayama whispered quickly to the perverts and the three closed ranks. I don't want to know. I do, however, hear a few words.

"Understand the meaning of life now."

Kuroka just kissed my cheek in a nonapology, making me sigh.