DxD: Path of the Gremory Prince

When I went up the stairs and out of that secret passage under the altar, my eyes immediately fixed on Asia, who was lying on one of the first wooden benches on the left. She hadn't woken up yet.

Issei was beside her, kneeling on the floor and holding her hand. From the way his eyes were glued to her face, it seemed he feared she would vanish in the blink of an eye if he let go. This feeling was understandable. After all, he had just seen her die and be reborn as a devil.

However, Issei and Asia were not alone under the roof of the church. Next to Issei, with her back turned, was Rias Gremory. I recognized her easily by her long scarlet hair — it was unmistakable. 

Suddenly, Rias looked back and caught sight of me climbing the last few steps. The serious look was present on her face, so I knew what was coming.

I sighed internally and thought: 'Let's do it.'

"Milicas Gremory. What the hell are you doing here?" she said, crossing her arms and tapping one of her feet on the floor.

Ah, there's the scolding.

I raised both hands in surrender. "Good night to you too, Oneesan."

Her eyelids lowered halfway as she gave me a disapproving look. "Don't try to change the subject! You should be in your apartment! Safe!" she uncrossed her arms and started walking towards me, gesturing with one hand like an older sister.

At that point, I had two options. Backing down wasn't something I wanted, so I acted serious instead of playing dumb.

"I felt a Sacred Gear while I was exploring the city." I looked into her eyes, and she straightened her posture and didn't look so bossy.

"You... felt it?"

"Exactly. Logically, I got curious and came to check it out. When I entered the church, I asked the priest who was here, and he told me about Asia. Once he revealed where she was, your servant arrived, forcing me to use violence because the priest had gone mad. By the way, is that the Pawn you and my Mom were talking about the other day?"

Rias sighed and looked back. "Yes, his name is Issei Hyoudou. He carries the Sacred Gear model Boosted Gear." 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Issei," I said to him. "Although we had little time or atmosphere to introduce ourselves beforehand, it was nice to have your help."

Unlike many fans, I didn't hate Issei. Despite his questionable personality, he had a good heart, was loyal and powerful. I understood very well these were significant traits for an ally, which was why I acted nice — to ease any anger he might feel toward me. 

However, the moment I attempted this reconciliation was wrong.

Issei looked at me from over one shoulder and asked: "Did you kill Yuuma?"

"Yes. She played with human feelings and killed Asia-san once. It would have been dangerous to spare her... Even in her final moments, she tried to deceive me, claiming to be a poor girl possessed by Raynare. Her misfortune was that I knew the game she was playing."

Issei looked at Asia, clenched one of his fists, and gritted his teeth as tears flowed from his eyes.

"Damn... my first girlfriend..." he muttered, crying silently.

Rias looked at Issei with pity but said nothing. Then she crossed her arms and directed her eyes at me.

"Milicas, I know you're strong, but you put yourself in unnecessary danger this time. You shouldn't wander around meddling in other people's business without knowing the city better. The human world is dangerous for us devils, especially when we don't know what we're getting into."

"I'm sorry about that. I promise I'll try to control my exploratory urges next time," I said and bowed my head, because Rias was right.

[Some Patrons liked your courage and also your humility.]

[100 credits were sponsored.]

Rias uncrossed her arms, and the expression on her face softened. My sincere apology smoothed things over.

"Now, what about Asia? You made her your Bishop, didn't you?" 

I nodded. "My mother told me that this is one of the few ways to resurrect a human and, honestly, ever since I felt her Sacred Gear from far away, I knew I wanted her in my group." I then raised my hand and showed the pair of emerald-jeweled rings. "Twilight Healing. Asia's Sacred Gear. Apparently, they performed a ritual to take the Sacred Gear from her. I suppose Asia died when Raynare took it from her. When Asia wakes up, I'll give it back to her."

The details visibly surprised Rias, and she smiled. "You were quicker than me this time, Milicas. I was also planning to make her my Bishop if everything went wrong. Although I'm a little jealous, I'm glad Asia will be safe with you."

Issei suddenly stood up and looked at us with wide eyes and a half-smile, as if he'd had a great idea.

"But... what if, like... there was a way of handing over command of Asia to Rias? That way, she'd be our companion, and she'd be much safer with us! It's possible, isn't it, President?" he asked, then pointed at me with an uneasy look. "I don't trust this handsome guy! How can I be sure he'll look after her properly?" 

The mood changed instantly. Rias, who had been calmer, quickly turned to Issei with a fierce, red aura surrounding her.

"Issei..." she growled in an abrasive tone. "If you don't trust a member of my clan, then you don't trust me. You know that, don't you?"

Issei swallowed hard and cringed, as if he'd been slapped in the face by an invisible hand. It was no secret that he respected and trusted Rias above all else.

"I'm sorry, President. I didn't mean to..." Issei mumbled, clearly unsure of what to say.

"Then please focus on the situation at hand."

Rias turned to me, and although Issei's request had almost been overridden by his anger at me, she tried to address it.

"Milicas, be straight with me. What do you want in order to transfer possession of the..."

I shook my head negatively before Rias could finish, interrupting with a slight smile.

"Asia is non-negotiable, Rias. I won't give her up. If you truly want her in your group, you'll have to convince me otherwise." 

Issei's mischievous mind made him raise his head at my words.

"What do I need to do to convince you?" Rias asked.

"If you want to start a negotiation, I'll agree to a trade. Give me Akeno, and I'll give Asia to you. I'd love to have Akeno as part of my team."

Rias, who had expected a straightforward answer, was momentarily stunned. "You want Akeno? No, that's not reasonable."

"That's what I thought. For me, Asia and any member of my team are non-negotiable too — now and in the future. Otherwise, what kind of Master would I be if my servants knew I could negotiate with them at any time?"

A malicious laugh came from my right, and everyone, including Issei, turned toward the sound.

Akeno emerged from the darkest part of the church, where not even the moonlight could reach.

"Ara, ara~... I'm honored to hear you'd like me on your team, Milicas-sama." Her long ponytail swayed as she stepped beside Rias. "Unfortunately for you, I'm loyal to the President and could never switch teams."

"Actually, Akeno, even if I had you, I couldn't make you my Queen because I already have one."

"What?" Issei asked. "If you already have a Queen... where is she?" He scanned the church, confused, as Akeno had just emerged from the shadows.

"She's at home. Assimilating a piece isn't easy."

Rias's eyes widened, not just with surprise but also with a touch of jealousy.

"Who is this Queen, Milicas? I gave you the Evil Pieces just a few hours ago. Don't tell me that..."

I waved my hand dismissively to ease her concern. "No, I didn't take your advice to go to the underworld and hunt for volunteers for my team."

"Then how...?" Rias leaned forward, her flushed cheeks betraying her curiosity.

"I'll introduce her to you and our family at the formal ball this weekend. It'll be the perfect opportunity for you to meet her." 

I approached Asia, crouched down beside her, and carefully lifted her into my arms. She was as light as a sack of rice.

"Excuse me," I said to Issei, who stepped back, still bewildered.

Focusing all my strength, I unfurled my devil wings—two large, black wings far more imposing than those of lower-level devils.

"See you later, Rias and Akeno. I'll see you tomorrow at Kuoh Academy?"

"Of course." Akeno smiled and bowed briefly.

"Go to the old school building after class, Milicas. We'll discuss the division of contracts now that there are two Gremory in town."

"Okay. I'll be there."

With my devil wings fully extended, I leapt through a broken window, leaving the church behind.

[Main Scene Over!]

[There are no more Patrons watching.]

[250 credits were sponsored during this scene.]

[250 credits have been added to your Balance.]

'I've won more than I thought I would, but, at the same time, it doesn't seem much about how much has happened. Anyway, at least that's something... Let's see what I can buy with that amount. Open store!'

[The Entity Shop is closed!]

'Hmm. For some reason, the store is closed and my feeling is that this store only opens while there's a scene going on. Well, anyway, I can test it out tomorrow.'

The night wind whipped against my face as I increased my flight speed, and the church building quickly faded into the distance. With the city center approaching, I ascended closer to the clouds to avoid being seen by humans.

As we flew high above the ground, I glanced at Asia and offered her a slight smile.

"You can open your eyes. You don't have to pretend to be asleep anymore."

She hesitated for a moment, perhaps still uncertain and confused by everything that had happened, but eventually, her eyelids lifted, revealing those intensely green eyes.

"Is it true? Am I really a devil now?"

"You've been listening since then? Hmm... Do you hate me for what I've made you become?" 

Asia raised her hands, showing the silver rings on each of her middle fingers, and shook her head in denial.

"No, of course I don't hate you. I feel like you did this for my sake, even though we've never met... So, now I know that there are many good devils. Not only Issei-san."

"There are good and bad devils, Asia, just as there are among humans, angels, and all the other races. You'll be safe with me, and I'll protect you with my life if I have to, because you're my family. That's something I can promise you."

Asia's cheeks flushed as she avoided my gaze, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you, Sir."

I smiled in return, but my thoughts wandered as I reflected on the situation. 

I'd been so focused on addressing Rias earlier that I had forgotten to check on Freed Sellzen.

'I should have cut his head off when I had the chance, but I didn't.' Considering that he wasn't lying defeated at Rias's feet, it was clear he'd woken up and escaped before she arrived. 'At least I'll have another chance to kill him soon.'

"Sir, am I too heavy for you to carry?" Asia asked, her worried expression breaking through my thoughts.

"What? No, you're not heavy at all. I was just thinking about something I forgot to take care of."

I glanced at her again, this time with a softer expression. "By the way, Asia, you don't need to call me 'Sir.' Just call me Milicas, please."

Asia's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, and she nodded quickly, too embarrassed to say anything.