Chapter 25 - 24 (1/2)

( AUTHOR NOTE: THIS IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. STILL THE COPY&PASTE FROM THE ORIGINAL FANFIC )

-This is when they find out the true reason why Issei disappeared and before Issei transform his body into a Dragon-

”This is the first report on Issei, even I haven't read it!” - Everyone looked at the piece of paper in his hand. No words were needed for him to start reading.

”Everything Hyoudou Issei did since after the sealing of the Beast.” - He started to read.

”Hyoudou Issei, current Sekiryuutei; Age: 17. Never left 'Kuoh Town', always inside the territory attending a school like usual or walking around the town. After some time, exact date unknown, his body started to experience some bad changes, he became skinnier and more tired, he had eye bags and the color of his skin became pale as if sick. Some of the interviewed believed he was ill, and gravely so. The exact cause of this unknown. ”

Each word impaled the hearts of the ones present.

”His symptoms started to get worse as time passed, according to investigations done his personality also seemed depressed, self-destructive and gloomy. Possible sickness related to the Dragon Kind.”

Everyone bit their lips in anger. Even Sirzechs and Grayfia were doing their best to hang on and don't explode in regret.

”Recently, he was seen attending school for a single day then not coming back. Our investigation states, he decided to temporarily leave school, the exact time of absence of school unknown. Method to convince the Principal of the school also unknown, suspicions of some kind spell. ” - Azazel gained his breath back and continued to read.

He bought some clothes in the online store, those clothes are specially made hereby, aside from what they look like, not a thing is known. More information about him unknown, last day seen. Tuesday Last Week. End first report.”

”Anything else?” - Sirzechs asked, hope in his voice, Grayfia behind him was also the same.

”The report about Issei ends there.” - Azazel recomposed himself and told the Maou.

He saw the red-haired face morphed into one of rage.

”Damnit!” - He screamed as he stood from his position, he was angry.

(Nothing! Absolutely Nothing!) - He screamed inside his head.

*Smash!* - He smashed his hands against the table shaking and breaking a part of it.

Grayfia behind him was biting her lips so hard blood fell from the corner of her mouth if one saw closely one could see how her body was trembling.

”That's not the end of it, here is another page, but this one is different.” - Azazel flipped the page and started to read.

”Due to suspicions about the response of the Gremory Peerage we did another investigation, this time related to what they had done during the same period of time.”

These words made everyone widen their eyes, they didn't understand why they decided to do this.

”According to research each of the members of the (Female) Gremory Peerage aside from Rossweisse and Gasper Vladi, were in 'Kuoh Town' during this time period.” - Hidding the smirk in his face at the mention of Gasper, Azazel continued.

”Inquiry proves that every one of the Gremory Peerage was seen on multiple occasions with unknown males. After a period of time passed, they were seen more frequently and sometimes they stayed all night together. Research proves that during this period of time nothing sexually related was done. By asking more, we found out that the males in question were the boyfriends of the Gremory Peerage, more specifically. Rias Gremory, Himejima Akeno, Asia Argento, Xenovia Quarta, Irina Shidou, Toujo Koneko.” - He couldn't believe what he was reading, the rest were the same.

”Ravel Phoenix, was seen with a male close to Toujo Koneko and according to witnesses, 'They both fell for the same guy, so they are fighting over him'. ” - Azazel continued reading.

”About the male Kiba Yuuto, it seems he was ordered to do the 'Devil Jobs' of Hyoudou Issei. As a result, he wasn't seen in the Hyoudou Mansion for weeks. We believe because of the great amount of work he had to do, (School, and twice the maximum amount of Devil Jobs), he was hereby exhausted.” - The report still continued but it seemed that it was only for Azazel's ears now.

”Later on, he discovered about the current relationships of the Gremory Peerage but according to our spies sent to inspect. Since 'He wasn't directly involved in the problem in question, plus being only a servant he had no voice nor vote in this business, he literally couldn't do anything.' (The Frase was taken from Kiba's Yuuto diary, page 56, line 14)” - Azazel left the report on the table and massaged his forehead with his eyes closed.

”Oh Shit.” - Those were only his only words.

(Damn, I'm too old for this shit.) - Reading the report managed to fill his gaps in knowledge.

(So you left because of that Ise. I really can't blame you, I would probably have done the same.)

He turned his eyes to the ones he was most worried about.

Sirzechs and Grayfia were frozen solid trying to assimilate the words just now.

*BAAAAM!* - Then Sirzechs struck the table again, this time turning it into smithereens.

”FUUUCK!” - He screamed at top lung capacity.

(That 'fuck' came from the soul.) - Azazel thought as the saw the man in question being surrounded in a pale light, everything in his surroundings started to disappear.

The Maid behind him turned her back to them but her shoulders were trembling, even her hands were curled into fists.

(My Sister! My own Sister! Cheated on her future husband and actually had the guts to presume it in front of him!) - His thoughts were made a mess, he wasn't feeling well, he felt sick.

Grayfia was even worst. - (How stupid do they need to be to actually cheat on a man that threw his everything away for them?!)

The floor beneath her turned into ice that soon started to crack, everything inside the room was slowly being frozen over.

(Wait!) - Sirzechs remembered a certain recent event when he went at the Hyoudou Mansion.

He turned to look at the maid, his eyes transmitting a message only known to them, but she understood his unsaid words in their entirety.

(Don't tell me those boys...) - Those were her thoughts, he was scared that it was the truth.

”Azazel, those males are they in the report?!” - He screamed at him.

”Let me check.” - He started to flip the remaining pages and soon found the one he was looking for.

”The males are known as; Minamoto Reiji, Human. Age 22, Son of random high-class Human Mages, has Sacred Gear 'Perfect Warrior'.” - He mentioned the first one.

(Rare 'Sacred Gear'...) - The thoughts of Azazel were those, not special but also not normal.

”Mishima Ken, human, age 18, son of normal humans, Sacred Gear 'Green Dragon Crescent Blade'. ”

Azazel then remembered that Sacred Gear. - (Right... A replica of the War-Lord's green blade. More common than the one before...)

He kept reading in a loud voice. - ”The next are three brothers; Souji, Ryutaro and Hijama Takahashi. Ages; 18, 18 and 16 respectively. All have Sacred Gears. They are; 'False Gift', 'Mantle of Caos' and 'Tome of Magic'.” - He stopped reading and turned to the other page.

”Seems images of them are here.”

*Swift!* - When he said that Sirzechs stole the paper from his hands.

(Let me see that!) - He turned the pages until he found what he was looking for.

(You gotta be fucking kidding me...)

The images of the males in question were the same as the ones he remembered seeing in the Hyoudou mansion!

(Rias... You actually brought them to Ise-kun's house?! What would have happened if he was actually there?! Do you not think?!) - He felt sick, his stomach started to ache, his head was the same.

The Maid grabbed the papers and saw what they said.

*Rip!* - She made them into a ball of paper, then her aura did the rest. It soon became a piece of ice that broke the moment it touched the ground.

(And... there goes the info.) - Azazel thought.

However, he was no less angry and shocked than them, but since he was older he knew how to hold it back. Yet a small voice was still heard inside the room, that voice belongs to Baraqiel.

”Akeno...” - His voice sounded clogged like he had something of his throat. He couldn't just ignore this. This really affected him.

Everyone else was just silent, they didn't dare to say a word.

(How I'm I going to fix this?!) - Sirzechs was desperate, his stomach hurt even more.

(She basically cheated on him! If he wants to, at any moment he can come and cancel the engagement, he has the entire right to do so!) - His worry once again increased.

(If mother and Father now about this they will be furious!) - He just kept thinking.

The bile in his stomach was just increasing! Making his stomach hurt even more than before.

(But not only she did it, but the rest also followed her example as well! You all left him like he was something disposable!) - He was disappointed even more than before if that was possible.

(Damn it! This...This is the worst that could actually happen!)

He felt something warm on his throat, his head even felt dizzy. After some moments.

*Cough!* - Sirzechs spat a mouthful of blood and fell on one knee, his body was wobbly and his sight blurry.

Seeing this everyone was frightened but his wife even more so.

”Sirzechs!” - She reached near him, her eyes had unsheathed tears, even the color of her face was pale, her lips were almost blue. He knew she was also in a really bad state.

”Sorry.” - He apologized, unsure why.

(Wait... What would happen if Rias finds this out? That she, really, was the cause of this...) - His eyes widened.

(She already thinks it was her fault. But that was only because we thought he did all of this for a completely different reason! One that was indeed related to them, but... but, I never would have thought that it was something this!)

(If she finds about the truth then, she will be devastated! She would be broken in little pieces! Worse than when Ise was presumed dead!) - He stood up from his kneeling position, grabbing his hair, almost ripping it out from his skull.

(We can't let her find this out! If she does, before anything of this is solved, then I don't know what the result would be!)

”We can't let anyone figure this out. If the wrong people know about this, then I worry about the worst.”

His words made everyone open their eyes, they didn't think about that!

Ise unknowingly had a lot of political weight, especially with the Norse and Shinto Factions.

If something like this is known, then every effort they put until now will be for nothing! Everything will be for naught! And that was on a political scale, on a more personal scale they didn't know how their own Factions will react to this and more importantly how the girls would react!

(This situation could be even worse than the release of the Beast!) - This now scaled into an even higher league than before, if that was possible.

”Yes, nothing about this is going to be said to anyone, outside of us!” - Azazel exclaimed so that everyone could understand.

They nodded their heads.

”Anything else to talk about?” - Azazel asked, they just shook their heads.

”Good! Then if you excuse we I need to go to the house of Issei. These guys... I need to see them for myself! Anything that happens I will tell you.” - With that Azazel stood from his place and left in a magic circle.

Everyone just sat there, some were extremely affected, others were heartbroken and some even angry, but the ones that were the most affected were definitely Sirzechs and Grayfia. To them, Ise was exactly like a fun, little brother they loved to be around. So something like this made their entire worlds flip!

They needed time to think about a solution and to calm themselves, like this they will do more harm than good.

—-Scene Change / Hyoudou Mansion, Training Ground # 2—-

Ever since everyone regained the strength to continue to improve, everyone has been training maniacally.

It was all training since early in the morning, school and then training again. Thanks to that the guys manage to improve somewhat, not at the pace of the Gremory Peerage, but decently enough.

Now they could force Kiba to use his 'Balance Breaker' Sword, 'Sword of the Betrayer' but when he uses it they will lose really fast.

Once again everyone was sprawled all over the training floor, breathing heavily and even bleeding.

”You have improved but it still not enough!” - Kiba reprimands them. But what could they do? They were normal humans and not hybrids like them. Even their talent was subpar, their only decent quality was the will they had to become stronger, that, was more-or-less praiseworthy.

”Kiba-san. We have been thinking about how strong you actually are. Would you show us?” - Hijama asked while standing up with difficulty.

”It may be good, that way it could temper your mind and spirit so that you don't get scared in the middle of a battle.” - Kiba agreed to his words. He went a distance away from them and prepared.

The rest of the males present lifted their tired-selves up and watched.

Breathing in, Kiba closed his eyes. He prepared himself and then opened his eyes.

Everyone felt a chill up their spine, no aura could be seen but the heavy atmosphere was very real.

(What's happening?!) - Reiji thought as he looked at Kiba. His whole body was paralyzed and couldn't move. Turning his head with difficulty he saw that the rest were the same, and the little Hijama was pale-faced. Maybe because he was more sensitive to magical sources.

Hijama was even more frightened, even at over 20 meters of distance he still felt his heart being gripped, his body couldn't move and he was sweating.

Souji and Ryutaro at his sides were almost the same, the difference was that one was trembling while the other was bitting his lower lip.

Ken had his eyes opened wide, pure shock was written all over his face. He even swallowed the saliva in his mouth.

Then Kiba started to move.

He decided to perform a sword dance and increase the power constantly, that way they could resist it without fainting.

He moved, placing a foot forward he used his regular 'Balance Breaker Sword'. He started to perform a fight with himself, twisting, spinning and moving at a speed barely perceivable with the naked eyes. He turned his sword swiftly and elegantly, just like a professional.

Those movements made Souji, who also trained swordsmanship, feel shock and admiration.

Kiba looked at the males who were gradually getting used to this level of strength.

(Time to increase! 'Balance Breaker'!) - He thought inside his head.

Then, a dozen dragon-looking knights appeared at his side each was moving at a fast speed, rivaling his. He then ordered them to fight against him.

He continued his fight of twelve versus one. After sweating for a while he saw in the corner of his eye how the males were dumbfounded, their mouths left hanging wide open.

(So he was holding back this much!) - Reiji thought as he watched the peerless sword dance. In his eyes, Kiba was already far from human, even if the Sacred Gear or Gears, proved him otherwise.

Hijama was watching the twelve knights, his eyes shining, clearly he liked this.

Souji and Ryutaro felt weak, extremely weak, never would they have thought that Kiba was so powerful!

”It seems you accustomed yourself to this level!” - He screamed at them from his position.

Everyone thought. - (This Level!?)

Their minds reached a single conclusion, and that was that Kiba hadn't shown them his entire strength.

”Then I'll show you a bit more since you were capable of holding until now. Consider this where you should aim at! ” - Then Kiba made a magic circle, it was black in color with an ominous miasma surrounding it.

From the circle a beautiful sword was seen.

It was a two handed bastard sword, it's colors were black and red with little golden accents on it's handle. Reaching the tip of the sword it slightly curved inwards for a couple of centimeters and then outwards, making the tip of the sword.

It gave a feeling of being capable of killing anything, whether Human or God.

A pitch black aura surrounded the entire sword giving it another creepy feeling, it was as if the sword itself was cursed.

Everyone felt goosebumps when they saw that sword, an instinctive fear filled their entire bodies, and soon they started to tremble.

(Just looking at that blade makes me feel sick!) - Reiji thought as he looked at the blade.

(Just what is that sword?! Something like that can't be the product of a Sacred Gear!) - Ken watched the aura on the sword and reached the conclusion.

(What exactly is that?!) - Souji never stopped watching the blade, even if he was scared he still looked at it, maybe his instict as a swordsman kicking in.

”Not bad. You withstood the aura of 'Gram', feel proud about that!”

Kiba knew that if he swings this sword, they will probably not be capable of handling the impact of its offensive aura. Therefore, he decided to stop his fight and walked towards them, suppressing the aura of 'Gram' as much as he could.

”Gram?” - Souji asked since he was interested in the sword.

”Yes. That is it's name. 'The Demonic Sword of the Emperor' Gram! A sword used by the Norse Hero Sigfried, used to slay Fafnir. It's the strongest Demonic sword that exists, rivaling 'Collbrade' or 'Caliburn' in strength.” - He finished explaining.

”Caliburn?! It exists?!” - Souji asked. Ever since small he read about the story of 'King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table' so the sword was rather well known for him.

”Yes. It's currently held by 'Arthur Pendragon', a man descendant of the original 'King of Knights'. ” - He talked to them while putting Gram away, inside a magic circle.

”Then the rest of those Legendary Swords-” - Ryutaro started to speak, but was interrupted by Kiba.

”They exist. They are called 'The Four Strongest Holy Swords', created by the 'God of the Bible'. They are 'Caliburn', 'Excalibur', 'Durandal' and 'Ascalon'. ” - Everyone paid attention.

”Who has them?” - Hijama asked in curiosity, but before Kiba could answer a magic circle appeared at one side of them.

It was golden in color with a pair of wings on its surface. From it, an old-man appeared, he had black hair with golden bangs. He wore a purple coat with nothing underneath and black-colored pants.

”Yoh!” - He casually saluted while moving his hand.

The five males raised their guards to the limit, but the sole aura this man had made their legs wobbly.

”Azazel-sensei!” - Kiba responded.

The males in question were astounded and shocked. They recognized that name.

The 'Former Governor of Grigori' 'Azazel', called the strongest Fallen-Angel, and the first to fall!

”Kiba, it has been a while.” - He nodded at his direction and then looked at the five males, all of them were trembling, their faces pale, clearly scared of him.

(Oi! Oi! Even when Issei first met me, he actually looked into my eyes with the will fight, even when he knew he wouldn't win. Can you at least not tremble in front of me?) - He thought while he kept looking at them.

”Who are they?” - Azazel asked trying to keep the act.

Kiba was shocked but he did his best to hide it.

”They are Sacred Gear possessors the girls found, we are training them so that they could protect themselves. They also know about the current Game and offered themselves to fight by our side as thanks for training them.” - Kiba thought a lie on the spot. He felt terrible by lying about this and felt even worse when he thought about his friend.

(Ise-kun, please, please forgive me. I'm a terrible friend I wasn't there for you when you needed me! And now because I'm a coward I can't say the truth when it's most needed.)

Kiba knew about their boyfriends after he was given the extra 'Devil Jobs'. But he didn't say anything, he was scared of what could happen, both, to his best friend and his master. He was no one to talk, a mere servant and that's all. Ever since discovering they were their boyfriends, he wanted to tell Issei but he didn't know what would happen.

Sometimes, he was too exhausted and tired. The body had its limits, and with everything he had to do, he reached his.

Studying and preparing for tests and projects on school, getting good grades so to enter a good college, finishing his own 'Devil Jobs' and even doing the ones of Ise, since he was ordered too. They were days in which he literally didn't sleep.

Ever since discovering the truth about the girls, he felt even worse, he was even getting sick due to all the stress and guilt he was experiencing.

He felt he betrayed his friend, and in the worst possible way. Yet he couldn't do anything, now that he was finally done with everything Ise vanished from the face of the Earth, due to this he felt even worse.

Now he needed to train these guys.

When he saw them he felt even guiltier. Yet he decided to do it with a smile on his face, just like a professional. He thought of this as a small atonement, of course, only to make himself feel better. But he at least thought of something to atone for since he knew that what he did was horrible.

Azazel watched his hidden guilt-filled face.

(It seems you're feeling pretty bad about it yourself Kiba... Haaaa...) - He mentally sighed, he knew the truth thanks to the report. And although it wasn't his fault, he stayed silent, that was as guilty as the rest of them.

(More reason for us to hide the truth!)

”Kiba, all of the superiors know about Ise's disappearance.”

The sad nod of the blonde was his only answer.

”So what were you teaching them?” - Changing the subject of the conversation, Azazel asked Kiba.

”The basics. How to move their own body, How to not waste energy, etc. The girls teach them spells and other things.” - He responded.

”I see.” - He smiled in a friendly manner making the males relax.

”Right now they asked about the 'Holy Swords'” - This caught the interest of the 'Fallen-Angel'.

”Oh! Then how about I explain it to them? I have nothing better to do. That way you can also rest, you do look tired.” - Kiba nodded at the words of Azazel.

The Fallen turned around and kept his eyes on the five of them, he then smiled and said.

”Well, let's start. I assume you know what the swords are?” - They nodded.

”Good! Then I'll tell you a bit more about them.” - He smiled at them, but unknown for everyone he was analyzing them quite meticulously.

”There are 4 'Holy Swords' that were created by my father. Among them Caliburn is with Arthur Pendragon, a sword so powerful it's capable of breaking space, due to that same trait its the sharpest, and strongest.” - He started to explain.

”Durandal, is a sword that is the embodiment of power and destruction. It's said that the sword at its max is capable of cutting any defense. The current wielder is Xenovia.” - At the mention of that name, everyone was surprised.

”You didn't know?” - They shook their heads.

”Well, Xenovia was chosen by the sword. Oh right! Once a weapon reaches a certain level, it's capable of gaining wisdom. Therefore, capable of choosing its owner.” - Those were really interesting words.

”The other sword is 'Excalibur' broken during the 'Great War' but fixed. Right now it's also wielded by Xenovia, but she's not very good with it.” - He caught his breath and continued.

”It has seven abilities; Rapidly, Destruction, Mimic, Nightmare, Blessing, Transparency, and Ruler. In a few words, it increases your speed and destructive ability, it changes shape, it creates illusions, it makes holy elements more powerful, it makes you invisible, and it's capable of ruling over everything.”

That comment made them open their mouths even more.

”Next is 'Ascalon', used by Saint George to slay a really strong Dragon that tormented a Town. The weakest of all of them, but it has a Dragon Slaying nature capable of gravely wounding any Dragon with just a scratch!” - Everyone was quiet.

”Its currently wielded by 'Issei Hyoudou', the current Sekiryuutei.” - Yet another piece of information that made them even more shocked than before.

(((((He's such a monster!)))))

Wielder of a Longinus with a Dragon sealed inside it, killed a being of Legend, friends with many Gods and Legendary creatures, and now wielder of one of the 4 Strongest Holy Swords. Each day, Hyoudou Issei became an even more unfathomable existence for them.

Azazel just looked at them. Seeing the Envy and Greed in their eyes as he mentioned Issei, he understood.

(So they feel great envy of Ise and think; 'How did such a common and perverted guy could be so special?') - He read them like a book. He was a millennia-year-old Fallen-Angel, reading a pair of snotty-nosed brats was nothing.

(Haaaaa... I don't know what those girls saw in them.) - Azazel thought to himself.

(Maybe Grayfia or Serafall can explain it better than me.) - He thought that since they were females they would know about this more than him.

He just stayed there looking at them and soon after, he vanished when the five weren't watching. He no longer had anything to do there.

—-A Couple of Hours Later—-

The training stopped and the guys left to their own houses. Aside from Azazel, who they thought to be somewhere inside the house, all of them were inside a room.

The entire Peerage was inside the mansion, doing nothing in particular.

Right now they were sitting at the main living room, while each one was doing a different thing.

Kiba was reading a book, trying to calm himself down.

Rias and Akeno were watching T.V but their eyes weren't on the television, they were actually thinking about something else, probably Issei.

The 'Church Trio' were playing among themselves, it seemed to be cards this time.

Ravel and Koneko, weirdly enough were close to one another, not disturbing the other in the slightest.

Ravel, like Kiba, was reading a book. And Koneko was eating some sweets from a pile in front of her.

No one talked, they were too focused with their own business. The sound of the T.V was the only thing that made a slight noise inside the living room.

Like that they just stayed there until the movie ended. Seeing the credits, they waited for another one to start.

Suddenly, everyone felt an increase in magic inside the living room.

A sudden magic circle appeared at the entrance of the room, directly above the red carpet just by the door. From it, two unexpected figures were seen.

”Hello everyone, we're back.” - A polite voice was heard.

”Rias-senpai, Akeno-senpai, Kiba-senpai, we're back!” - A childish voice was heard as well. The second figure jumped from the circle and practically ran at them.

”Gasper!” - Rias smiled as he saw the Vampire running towards her.

Reaching her, she hugged him.

”I'm glad you're finally back.” - She spoke while looking at both who's presents.

Gasper looked exactly the same since the last time they saw him. Not even a hair was in the wrong position. He still wore the 'Kuoh Academy' girls uniform, but it would be weird if he didn't.

”We actually met in the ORC club, since no one was there we decided to come here together. It seems our guess wasn't wrong.” - A figure moved away from the circle, this one is a female, a rather special Valkyrie.

”Rossweisse! I'm glad everyone is finally back!” - Rias smiled at her.

Rossweisse was a beautiful woman who gave the impression of being pure and relaxed.

She had long silver hair closer to white that reached her lower back. Her turquoise eyes were filled with the light of anticipation of meeting with a special someone. She wore a different get up from the past.

This one being, a white short dress. It was similar to snow and had few purple engravings and frills.

The dress was sleeveless and showed a big part of her cleavage. It was short but not extremely so, only reaching mid-thigh. She also wore white heels that had straps that wrapped her entire heal and calves. The entire attire was very beautiful, and everyone inside the room just stared at her.

The eyes of the ones present managed to make her blush.

(I hope he likes it.) - She thought while she turned her head away, probably in shyness.

”Wow! Rossweisse you look good with that dress.” - Rias complemented her.

”Thanks!” - She smiled at her.

She grabbed the edges of the dress and started to spin in place, the light in her eyes became even brighter than before. Everyone watched as she was playing with her dress, the smile on her face was filled with love.