Flesh is Weak

A songbird's return and allies gained.

The sound of gentle snoring was coming from what had been Raynare's bedroom in the manor. Ingvild was resting on the large bed in the room as Asia slowly ran her gear up Ingvild healing what she could. Helina watched this happen next to Asia taking notes while the queens, myself, and my maids watched from the hallway. I was silent while the queens were talking softly to one another before I turned to Maéva.

"Please get ready to begin interviews for several new maids for the underworld manor. Vet them carefully because of the possibility of them being an in for the OSF or GKF."

My head maid nodded before she and Neri went off to do their work. As my maids walked down the hall, I turned to the room again just as Asia and Helina were exiting. Asia wore a worried face, and I asked her just as the door to Ingvild's room closed.

"Your recommendations?"

Asia took a look back at the room before saying.

"She needs a lot of help. Her muscles and motor functions are atrophied, and it will take time for her to regain them. She also can't eat anything that isn't liquid-based. I healed everything I could for her, but she will need help with everything for a while. Why is she in this condition?"

All that made the queens save Ravel look at Ingvild's room in pity. My own face didn't show the melancholy thinking of my brother and how he had been like that at the end. I hid that old pain as it was about to break by answering Asia.

"She had sleeping disease. According to her concerned relative she has been in that state for a century. Will she wake up anytime soon?"

Asia frowned while Helina looked shocked. The doctor with a heart of gold again looked at Ingvild's room.

"She will probably wake up again tomorrow at best and a week at worst. Helina, can you bring me up to speed on sleeping disease?"

Helina bowed her head.

"I can it's an incurable disease. Milord, how did you do it?"

I was silent before I answered the question.

"She was a one in a million chance. I used an invention of mine called the Sacred Gear Activation Device. That stimulus was used to get her out of the comatose state. I trust that will be kept quiet."

Asia and Helina frowned before Asia considered something.

"I would like to examine the device at some point as that might be where we start on that disease too. Helina and I want to destroy as many diseases as we can for devils and eventually beyond that. The two of us are just debating on which one to start on after the therapy."

My face gets a half smile.

"You have my full backing here. Tell me what your labs need, and I'll get you the stuff. I'll show you the lab soon."

Asia tilted her head and then smiled before she and Helina walked toward the stairs. My right eye looked at Ingvild's room and I was debating how to help Ingvild with speaking till she was healthier. Raynare caught my look of worry for Ingvild.

"I will help the singer recover."

Kuroka put her tails on Raynare's shoulder.

"I'll help too nya. I can get her muscles and motor functions back quickly in a week and a half with senjutsu sessions. I can also start teaching Shirone how to use it nya. Don't worry Shirone I'm a good teacher."

That got a big smile from the white cat while my face became more relaxed. Everyone began to chime in with ways to help Ingvild while Ravel continued watching the door like Ingvild was a ticking time bomb. I put my hand in hers and she squeezed it hard while Rias said she would watch with Ingvild the entirety of Hell Maiden when the other woke up. That got snickers from everyone, but Ravel. Rias was determined to convert Ingvild to the Hell Maiden club as Raynare cutely asked.

"Hell Maiden?"

Rias gasped.

"You need to see it Ray it's the best show ever!"

Before Raynare could get a word out Rias started dragging her towards our room. That got more snickers from the others who all save Ravel followed after the pair.

The hallway was silent before Ravel once again glanced at the door.

"She is beyond dangerous to have here Greg. She is one of them."

The hatred of the Leviathans was clear to see on her face.

"She is Vel however it's better she is here with us than with them. Especially with something she has."

Ravel turned away from the door to look at me.

"What do you mean?"

I glanced at the door again before I pulled out the SGAD and showed it to Ravel. She looked at the screen for a second before she gasped.

"She has…"

I finished that.

"What is very close to becoming a Longinus. If they had learned of it, she would quickly be brainwashed and pressed into their service."

Ravel looked at the screen again and her worry grew further.

"Nereid Kyrie is a very dangerous gear already. It can control low to mid-tier dragons for several minutes. This explains why it hasn't been seen in over a century. If it is close to evolving, then it will get stronger."

I want to wince thinking of a smirking Rizevim standing before his evil dragon army with a brainwashed lifeless Ingvild next to him. That image haunted me as I replied to Ravel.

"I know and that's partly why I did this. I would rather have that on our side if possible than help the OSF or the rest of the Brigade. We can help her recover properly and even if we had left her with Agrat she would soon be used against us."

Ravel continued looking at the screen as the anger partly melted away. Her face came off it and looked at mine.

"I'm sorry Greg I just…"

I pulled her in for a kiss that was soon returned. When we broke apart, I put my free arm around her.

"Don't apologize Vel. Your concerns are valid, and you weren't there to voice them. Rias and I had two bad choices, and I took the best one possible. I know it's unfair to you for her to be here, but that plea echoed for me as soon as I saw her. I couldn't just leave her in the dark. Could you have in my place?"

My Grand Planner closed her eyes thinking about that before she sighed and leaned against me.

"I couldn't. You are too damn noble, yet I love that and wouldn't have my Red King any other way. I will try with her but…."

I pulled her close and kissed her hair.

"That's all you can do Vel."

The two of us were in a comfortable silence before I sighed.

"I'm going to be in our underworld manor tonight. I need some alone time."

Ravel sighed before she brought me in for a kiss.

"Alright, Greg. I love you."

I returned it before my Grand Planner moved toward our room and I the basement.

The sound of my footsteps echoed in the empty great hall of our underworld manor as I stepped out of the teleporter. That echo continued as I walked toward the stairs as I considered what I had learned today. The Brigade was still led by Ophis, and she wanted to recruit me to it. I have so many unsettling questions about the Brigade and their possible goals. When I reached the sixth floor I moved to where I would place the first teleporter in an alcove that had been built with them in mind. As I was hooking the new teleporter up in the alcove, I wondered about Agrat.

How big was this supposed non idiot faction of the OSF? It couldn't be big because they according to Agrat saw they needed to change who and what the OSF were. It sounded like they were still committed to the return of the original descendants of the Satans to power yet were they also all as liberal as Agrat appeared to be? I continued wondering about this unseen foe as I moved to the next floor.

As I make the fifth-floor teleporter and started hooking it up I know what our first mission against the OSF needs to be. We needed a prisoner, and I will ask Hetvia to make a new addition to the castallans. Fuck we probably needed a prisoner from each of the factions to get as much info as possible. I hit the fourth-floor dreading to think as I make that floor's teleporter that I might piss off Ophis if I keep resisting her offers. I began two possible plans to kill the lizard. One would require me finding Samuel while the other would use a poison that was used against Elder exodites.

I finalized those plans after the third-floor teleporter was up and running. By the second floor I had committed to both plans and had the beginning of two non lethal ones as I was entering the first floor and heading to the alcove, I was broken from thought by the sound of someone else's shoes echoing in the hall. I turned to see Mittelt, and my mood improved.

"Perfect timing Mitt."

Mittelt smirked wider as she practically skipped over to me.

"I have Gramp's luck most of the time and I asked the cats where you were. I can't wait to see the reader when it's done. You said my lab is near it?"

I finished hooking up the teleporter before turning to face Mittelt.

"It is. It's a seventy percent chance of success on our first pull according to Koriel which is beyond good given the massive reworks to the machine she had to do. I'm hoping our first pull is something useful."

Mittelt bobbed her head in agreement.

"I am too especially if we can pull from…..."

I raised an eyebrow and then made three balls of fire that floated above my head for light. I waited for Mittelt to finish her statement. I looked her way to see her hesitation in letting me in. She saw the understanding on my face before the two of us began going do the stairs into the almost pure blackness.

As we descended to the first of the three basement floors where the house's power would be placed, I smile smirk thinking of something we might pull.

"I'm hopeful that we will be able to pull something interesting Mitt especially if it's from a wacky universe that was over the top. There is so much stuff I'd like to eventually pull from there."

Mittelt I can see is curious as we hit the first floor.

"What universe is that?"

I smirk continuing to the power room.

"One called Red Alert. It's a universe where Albert Einstein killed a certain mustache man from Austria by time traveling. That action created a new timeline with a very different World War Two and then a World War Three. It ended when three Soviets did the same trick to Einstein to stop their total defeat. Thus, creating a new timeline and restating the problem."

Mittelt blinked owlishly at that idea. That universe had so many wacky things that I wanted to pull from it. I picture Rias and Seekvaria both really enjoying things from the Empire of the Rising Sun. Rias swinging a beam katana around with her weeb nature on full display and Seekvaria driving a King Oni would be funny. I would love to get access to so much of what came from there. I want to fly a Mecha Tengu at some point. Modify the mark one version of it with new armor, lance cannons, and the ability to enter space too. Mittelt finally stopped blinking when we got to the generator room.

"I can't imagine a place like that. Einstein was a genius."

I smile nodding as we entered the room.

"He was yet this place was very different with and without him. There are dozens of things I'd be interested in pulling from there one of which is called nano core technology. Imagine having a way to instantaneously build buildings and defenses on a newly settled world or moon. It might even be possible to modify it to build starships quickly in segments. That and so many other things including an armored suit that shoots high voltage electricity out of it are possible from there."

That made Mittelt go back to owl blinking as I summoned the anvil and then get ready to make three large plasma generators. As I picked up the hammer Mittelt finally said something again.

"That place sounds so weird."

That made me bark out a laugh while I swung as a large generator popped into existence. The generator clunked to the floor and Mittelt started moving it along with the next two generators. I got ready to explain more about the universe when my good mood disappeared thinking of the other universe that Kuroka and I know well. Melancholy hit fully as I remembered their world. Mittelt noticed that even as two more generators popped into existence. She didn't say a word for a second before she smiled softly.

"I'm hoping that we will eventually be able to pull from Battlestar Galactica. Gramps loved the series and introduced it to me."

I thought of the most infamous thing from that universe.

"I hope it's not for Cylons."

Mittel grew excited before she shook her head.

"If there is one thing, I agree totally with you and your cog people on its AI. It's extremely dangerous and a Cylon would automatically try killing us if made using their code. I was more specifically interested in their FTL drive. After reading all about warp drives from the cogitator you gave me, I can't fathom how something better wasn't thought up before the Dark Age of Tech ended. It sounds like warp travel was a freaking mess."

That was beyond true.

"The warp drive was a hot mess thrown on a dumpster fire. There were several very well documented cases of those problems one of which was time travel. The most well know case of that was when Imperial forces that set out for a crusade arrived two hundred years after the crusade ended and had to work with their original enemies against the to them unknown Tyranids. There was an entire Ordo in the Inquisition that was dedicated to studying and documenting these cases called the Ordo Chronos. To make use of the warp drive effectively we would need to make a new subspecies of humans called navigators and what is called an Astronomican to act as our lighthouse in the warp. Sadly, Koriel and I have no idea how to make a working one as the Emperor never shared the entire blueprint with the Cult Mechanicum."

Mittelt shook her head in disbelief there.

"Even more reason for new FTL when we get there. What is your FTL universe choice?"

I willed the anvil away and began to float the generators to their places evenly spaced from each other. I hooked each generator to a special box then let Mittelt do tinkering on the generators.

"My primary FTL choice is from Halo more specifically the end goal is Forerunner slip space drives. The human drives there are finicky but would serve as a starting point for understanding the Covenant ones then the Forerunners. My second choice is hyperdrives from a show in my universe called Stargate with the design coming from a species there called the Asgard. My third choice would be Star Wars. That option would however require finding out if their hyperspace lanes could be possible here. I'm surprised that the Stargate TV show didn't get approved here despite the movie's success."

Mittelt had finished the first generator and was moving to the second one and kneeling on the other side of it before she sighed.

"I'll have to do research into Halo and this Red Alert. Maybe you can get your cat or redhead to do a playthrough of the series for me. I actually know the movie you're talking about. Gramps liked that movie a lot as did Penemue who was down bad for the two main stars. Gramps tried to get the show funded but the studio said no as they saw the movie as a one off. How long did the series go for and was it good?"

I smile remembering that show.

"I'll ask Roka to stream Halo for you. As for the show it was amazing, and the main series went on for a very long time. Speaking of him did he message you again?"

The sound of wires not being moved happened before Mittelt replied.

"He called today, and I didn't pick up again."

That made me shrug but get it.

"They are just worried about you. I'll be there to help you with them when you do talk to them."

Mittelt popped her head over the generator showing a great fully face before she sighed.

"I appreciate it just don't be too off put by Gramps and his ways. He might try hooking us up if he likes you enough."

That got a snort of amusement from me as Mittelt moved to the next generator.

"Fun."

That got a laugh from Mittelt.

"He won't win there. I'm looking for someone more relaxed and not as much of a hard ass no offense."

That made me snort in amusement.

"None taken Mitt. I just can't help it with everything."

That got a sigh of agreement from Mittelt before I began explaining an episode from Stargate to her.

Two minutes later Mittelt stepped back from the generator and then I pulled the switch. The room which had been mostly dark other than my fire balls now become bright with light. The balls fade away as Mittelt got up and looked around the floor now that it was lit.

"What's that huge room across from us for?"

I saw what she was talking about.

"That is where the primary power station will be for Ryza. I don't trust the GKF or the Brigade to not try to attack the power grid. Better that it's here where we can watch for sabotage. I will also be making three other hidden back up stations just in case."

That got an ahhhh from Mittelt before we started setting up the power grid. That took a half hour before the two of us went down to the next floor. There Mittelt gapped seeing the three massive rooms that were here. I led Mittelt to the room on the left and opened the door.

"This is you and your future team's labs. I also made sure that there was a bedroom and kitchenette for you in here."

That got a grin before we did a quick tour of the massive third of a track-sized room. Mittelt by the end of it approved of what she saw. When she asked the other two rooms purpose, I smiled.

"One is for Asia and her work into a medical project that she might ask for you help on. The third will be where Hetvia and I will build more of and tinker with our current and future robots. Each lab area is soundproof, so we won't be disturbing the other two wings."

Mittelt grew excited before she narrowed her eyes.

"Future robots?"

I chuckled.

"Castallens are wonderful robots but why stop there? The ones I have in mind for our common foot soldiers would be much more cost effective and would require less materials in the long term. Especially with a gun, I have planned for them, and they already have the ability to fight effectively in melee."

The droids were definitely something that I was looking forward to before a voice came from behind us.

"I'm excited to see the labs."

Mittelt and turned to see a slightly grinning Hetvia. Next to her was Mr. Cuddles and Mr. Sparkles. Both robots tweet hello to me before the two entered the lab. Hetvia watched the two leave with a smile before she grew serious.

"I am watching the skull at the underworld and topside train stations and will inform you if I catch anything. What is this future robot you were talking about?"

I noticed Mittelt slipped away into her lab as Hetvia, and I moved into the robotics lab.

"Thank you Hetvia. As for this robot have you ever seen Star Wars?"

Hetvia frowned and shook her head.

"No, I haven't. I saw a bunch of I think they are called memes for it on the Noosphere. Especially something in regard to high ground? What is the robot called from there?"

I snicker having found someone to teach the holy high ground to before leading Hetvia into the lab.

"It's called the BX-Commando droid."

I began explaining my mark one BX-Infantry Droid to a very intrigued Hetvia as we explored her lab.

Two hours later after making ten new robot makers for Hetvia's lab I was finally done with my explanation of the many hundreds of droids from the universe and several of the theoretical ones I have planned. The ideas had converted Hetvia to Star Wars. She was especially fascinated at the idea of an army of such diverse robots like the droid army. Her eyes held a new desire to see and research all of them. She told me that she would be watching a movie marathon here in her lab. The last thing I said to Hetvia before getting ready to leave was that episode three is the best one. That declaration made Mr. Cuddles tweet to Hetvia that he also likes Star Wars and that I'm right. That makes Mr. Sparkles angrily tweet that we are both wrong and that Empire Strikes Back is the best of the movies. That started an angry tweet off between the robots as Hetvia listened to both her brothers argue confused as I left the room. I hit the teleporter for home and bed.

In a large room of tables and seats that was packed with noise, I ate alone. The noise increased again as a table nearby with other young people laughed and joked with one another. My table near the back corner of the room was empty of everyone save me. While I ate my eyes were reading from a tablet and what I saw on it was beyond fascinating. I glanced at the other teens around the room before returning to reading while a hint of a sneer formed on my face.

These fools didn't understand. They should be studying and or doing something productive. Instead of yapping and joking, they should be trying to learn everything about what we are being taught. How to improve it to new heights as this opportunity was a once in a lifetime thing. However, what could you expect from nobles? They had everything handed to them in life just like they think this will be. Everything I had to fight for to stay alive before here and my rescuer. They could rot for being spoiled and worthless. I would prove to them and to the teachers who called me the street rat that I deserve to be here. I returned to my reading as the noise in the room picked up again before a door was thrown open making a thump.

That thump was me falling out of bed thanks to a small explosion. Hitting the floor woke me up and I began to blink drowsily. When I was fully awake, I thank the Machine God this explosion and my thump hadn't woken the queens who were all snoozing away peacefully. I get up off the floor and go to find the source.

As I entered the kitchen, I wanted to sigh seeing cake batter all over the walls and ceiling again. Behind me also running to the kitchen was a horror-filled Maéva and Neri. I blandly look at a mortified Issari standing next to Akeno.

"Really Gecko?"

Issari blushed harder while Akeno giggled.

"Lex be nice she is learning."

I raised an eyebrow there just as a bit of cake batter from the ceiling hit the floor next to me. That made Maéva start weeping as I snarked.

"No more torturing my maids. Besides we have a guest over here now."

Akeno and Issari frowned.

"Who's the guest? I heard something happened yesterday from Katase-chan, but she wouldn't go into details when we saw her and Thoron at the mall."

Akeno looked curious too and I eyed my best friend.

"A great singer that had a long nap."

That made Issari go wide eyed while Akeno tilted her head in confusion.

"You found her!"

I shook my head.

"No, her relatives found us. I might have a new series of missions for the Vanguard soon as I have learned several potentially disturbing things. I'll explain later at base."

Issari was ready to pounce on me about that along with Akeno but before they could I heard a voice behind me.

"She's awake and wants to see you my Great King."

I turned to see that it was Raynare in a pink shirt and a short black skirt. My angel quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the stairs. As I climbed up them, I saw Maéva glare at Issari with a mop and bucket in her hands.

At the door to Ingvild's room Raynare and I were met by the rest of the queens as they watched the door. The group made way as I moved to the door followed by Ravel, Rias, Kuroka, and Raynare. The others resumed talking after I closed the door and then looked toward the bed.

There with her head laying on a pillow resting against the headrest was a now awake Ingvild. The young woman was looking around the room with wide eyes and the sound of the door closing made her look our way. Ingvild's orange eyes fell on me and then a beautiful smile crept onto her face.

She tried several times to say something, yet nothing came out as she only produced small whines. I smiled thinking of a way to help there before I bowed my head.

"Princess Ingvild. It's an honor to meet you again."

That made Ingvild frown as did Ravel. Rias elbowed Ravel making her glare at Rias. Ingvild tried to reply back and only managed to make several small grunts. I saw her struggling with this before finally a word came from the lavender haired woman.

"Hero."

Ingvild believes that totally as I smile slightly.

"Only sometimes. Most of the time I'm just an idiot half devil."

That made Ingvild look at me once more as that beautiful smile returned to her face. She tried to say something again only getting out a single word.

"Me"

I approached the single chair that was next to the left-hand side of the bed. Ingvild's eyes had followed me, and I kindly offered something to her.

"I have something that can help you with speaking till your voice gets stronger Princess Ingvild. I just need your permission to make it and apply something."

Ingvild frowned again hearing that title and then looked curiously at me. She then nods her head, and I summon the anvil. Ingvild watched that and her orange eyes held a million questions before I picked up the hammer and swing.

The light blinds everyone and when it recedes there on the anvil is a MIU and a clockwork songbird. Ingvild looked at both items in shock before she looked at the mechanical bird as Kuroka sighed.

"I hate it so much Greg nya."

I snicker in triumph while Ingvild looks confused.

"I told you Roka birds aren't nor have ever been real. Just accept this fact, and you won't hate the truth."

That got giggles from Rias and Ravel while Kuroka sighed again then smacked me twice with her tails getting more giggles from everyone and a smile from Ingvild. Raynare picked up the clockwork bird placing it on a table close to our guest. I turned my eyes back to Ingvild who was watching the bird in fascination. She broke from gazing at the bird to look back at me. I picked up the MIU and let the anvil disappear as I kindly explained to Ingvild.

"This is called a mind impulse unit. If I place this on your head, it will form a connection to the bird and allow you to speak through it normally. You can use this till your voice has recovered. May I do that Princess Ingvild?"

Ingvild frowned again before nodding yes.

I gently placed the chip on the left side of Ingvild's head and the chip burrowed in. Ingvild whined before the bird's clockwork eyes opened and then blinked twice. It chirped and then warbled several times. Then what sounded like a series of coughs from it before words started to come.

"I am not nor ever was a Princess. My eldest sister always made sure to make that very clear to me whenever she saw me. Please just call me Ingvild. It is so strange talking through this."

The pure mechanical voice of the bird switched to a feminine voice quickly. Ingvild looked at the bird again as I shrugged my shoulders.

"As you wish. Please call me just Gregor then. I was only following what I had been instructed to by your other sister."

Ingvild's face lit up in memory before she broke from the memory and looked at the others here.

"Aggy has always been good to me. It helped that we are the same age, unlike our eldest sister. Mama would watch her for Papa and his wife when they were busy. I have so many questions running through my head that I don't know where to start. The last thing I remember was walking by the lake shores with Aggy and then toppling over as I suddenly felt ultra sleepy. Where am I and what year is it? Who are the people around you? I recognize the redhead but no one else."

I peeked at Rias and the others before starting.

"I'll start with the easy one. We are currently in the year 2012 in the 3rd Millennium. As for where we are we are in a manor house here in the country of Japan. The people around me are from left to right are Raynare my pawn, Kuroka Toujou my queen, Ravel Phenex my bishop and betrothed and finally Rias Gremory my other betrothed."

Everyone save Ravel waved at Ingvild who had gone still at the year.

"I have been asleep for a hundred years. That's… What have I missed?"

My red eyes looked at Ingvild lost trying to come to terms with that.

"You have missed many things both good and bad. Where was that house we met in?"

Ingvild was silent for a few seconds.

"The French Alps. Mama got that house from Papa."

Ingvild was French?

"I see. France went through several major changes in the last century. We can start there if you want."

Ingvild looked at the others here before she nodded.

"Please tell me everything I have missed."

I began my tale as the door opened with Neri bringing in soup broth for Ingvild.

Over the rest of the morning and into the early evening Ingvild listens to the history of the world only stopping when Raynare helps her take a few spoonful of broth every so often. Ingvild had been aghast at the idea that her beloved France had suffered so badly through two world wars. She continued listening to the tale of France losing its colonial empire with an amazed and horrified face. When we drifted to the rest of the world Ingvild had been joined by Rias in learning about the various things that had happened in the last century.

When we were done with the history of the world there were now hundreds of other questions, I saw on Ingvild's face. Her next big question was about airplanes as she remembered her mother bringing home a magazine mentioning them. That started the various technological advancements made in the last century. Ingvild had been in pure disbelief at certain parts such as the space race and the Cold War. She didn't believe that there were hundreds of satellites around the planet or an international space station. She hadn't believed it till she was shown pictures from my phone. Ingvild had gapped at those pictures along with modern airplanes and cars. TVs, phones, and computers inside every home and the vastness of the internet. She also was amazed at the huge number of music types there were now compared to her time.

During the tale, Ravel slowly loses some of her dislike for Ingvild as she sees a new humanphile in the very sheltered Leviathan. When I was finally done Ingvild was now only slightly lost. Ingvild was silent for a moment before I kindly tell our guest.

"If you need anything Ingvild then you can tell Raynare or my maids. We all want you to recover from this so you can see the world for yourself soon."

Raynare smiled as did Ingvild before her bird opened its beak again.

"You are kind Gregor. I can never repay you for this and for curing me of that disease."

My smile was big too while shaking my head.

"You owe nothing to me Ingvild. I don't seek rewards for what I do."

That got me a kiss from Rias and Kuroka on each of my cheeks while Ravel rolled her eyes saying as Ingvild was about to protest.

"He's a wonderful noble man who can't help it."

Ingvild looked at me again before she smiled softly.

"Mama taught me early that nothing in life is free. I believe you about this, but I would feel better when I have something. I have so many more questions about the world. I especially am curious about moving pictures. Do they really have sound and are in color now?"

Rias upon hearing that shrieked and rushed out of the room. Ravel and I rolled our eyes before Kuroka shrugged.

"They do and we can all recommend good ones for you to watch while you recover nya. However, I can use what is called senjutsu to help you get back on your feet quickly in a week and a half."

Ingvild listened to Kuroka's explanation with fascination before she agreed to it. Just as she did Rias was back with her cogitator and the CD case for Hell Maiden. Raynare bounced in excitement before sitting with Rias on the bed as Rias opened her cogitator. Raynare and Rias pulled back the covers for Kuroka before they and Ingvild settled into watching Hell Maiden as my queen does her work.

The sight of this put a smile on my face before I glanced at Ravel. She caught the look and wrapped her arm around mine before I told the others.

"Vel and I have a meeting we need to attend soon. Roka can you also check for that one thing?"

Kuroka turned to me confused before she remembered what I had told her about Ingvild. She gave me a nod before she resumed her work. With that said Ravel and I left the room and began to head downstairs.

At the bottom of the stairs was a curious Issari. She began trying to climb up the stairs before I stopped her and turned her around. The brown met the red and I shook my head no. She fell into step with us as we began walking down to the basement. The three of us stepped onto the teleporter pad and then landed in our HQ. We continued our trek to my office and as soon as we were inside, I hit the noise dampeners and locked the door.

Issari turned to me and her brown eyes were filled with questions.

"Why did you turn me around? I want to see her."

Ravel let go of my arm and I moved to the desk here before leaning against it. I crossed my arms before looking dead straight into her eyes.

"For your own safety don't try to see our guest."

A strange look crossed Issari's face before I elaborated.

"Our guest has gear called Nereid Kyrie. The gear can right now control low to mid tier dragons for a few minutes. Its however very close to becoming a Longinus."

Issari's mouth dropped and then closed really fast. Her brown eyes focused on mine.

"I'll stay away."

That made me sigh in relief.

"Thank you. It shouldn't be for long hopefully. I need you to begin forming a special kill team from the Vanguard."

Issari immediately went into professional mode.

"Their objective?"

Ravel and I eye as we hold a silent conversation with the other before I continue.

"As I said earlier our guest's relative found us. Their last name is Leviathan. They confirmed what Kuroka suspected about the Brigade. It is being led by the Infinity Dragon Ophis. This kill team's objective is to try and capture a member of each of the three factions of the Brigade for interrogation."

Issari had paled slightly at Ophis's name before she grew determined.

"I'll select my best people for the team. How many for it?"

That put a relieved smile on my face.

"Our kill teams will be twelve. Ten skitarii and two castallans."

Ravel finally spoke as I finished.

"You are to have this team ready to deploy soon."

That got a salute from Issari before a grin spread across her face.

"Will do and I have some good news for you manager."

Ravel blinked twice in confusion while that same smile grew on my face before Issari elaborated.

"We had a special person arrive this morning while you were upstairs."

Ravel kept being confused before I smile smirk with Issari. She opened the door and gestured for us to follow.

As we passed the chapel of the Machine God I saw inside it, Akeno with Bariquel and a few Legio members. Valoel was also inside surrounded by our four fallen recruits who all were staring at her silver wings in awe. The four then rapidly closed ranks with their fellow and began whispering excitedly with each other. Bariqiel glanced at them before Akeno took his hands again and the two started talking again.

As we turned the corner to where the library was, I spot Kiryuu as she talks to Meredith, and Lavinia near the library entrance. Kiryuu was feeding her sin well as she, Lavinia and Meredith discussed magic theory. Meredith's watcher robot was nearby listening in interest.

Upon seeing Lavinia Ravel froze next to me as her blue eyes widened and stars entered them. She turned to me, and I nodded my head at the unspoken question. My smile smirk was wide as Ravel glanced at Lavinia and then back rapidly. Then an ultra lusty look crossed her face as she whispered.

"You just earned something very special from me~"

Seeing that lusty look intensify I whispered back.

"It was more Issari than me."

Ravel lost a little of the lust hearing that as her eyes hit Issari's. She mimed a thank you to her before they returned to me.

"That doesn't matter you still helped me. I love you my Red King~"

Her smile now was like Rias's after the game as she and Issari moved over to the group. The trio's conversation fell silent before Issari introduced Ravel to Lavinia and Meredith. The conversation picked up again and the wonderful sight of Ravel's smile growing wider and wider. I slowly backed away from this to see if I can finally have a question of mine answered.

I knocked on the door to the medical ward and not even a second later a voice from the other side.

"Enter."

I turned the doorknob to find Saiyo sitting on a chair near the nurse's office here in a doctor's uniform. Her eyebrow rises seeing me and her fox ears and tails twitched.

"Astaroth-sama."

I shrug as I entered the ward fully.

"You are welcome to call me by my first name with no sama."

That made the kitsune smile for a moment before she went back to her professional mode.

"Gregor-san how can I help you this evening?"

I was ready for this answer.

"I might be meeting with Lady Yasaka soon and I just have a few questions for you about her and the court. Do you think you can answer them?"

The kitsune lost her happy look and it became one of old fond memories that had turned bittersweet.

"I can. What are they?"

I began to ask her various questions about Yasaka and the youkai of Japan. I learned that the youkai had an almost mirror dimension of Kyoto they lived in called Er-Kyoto. It was made by the youkai during the early part of the Second World War to keep their population safe from American bombers. The city she told me was like entering Kyoto from the 1930s-1940s.

It had multiple portals to regular Kyoto and those were watched carefully. Each question helps me begin forming a possible plan to warn Yasaka about the possible Hero Faction plot. It was only after that plan was mostly made that I asked the biggest question.

"How many children does Lady Yasaka have?"

Saiyo looked at me carefully.

"Lady Yasaka has three. Her two oldest are twins named Kunou and Kiyomi while her youngest is named Hana. All three are from her now late husband a human from Europe. The three are well loved at court though Hana is more reclusive than her older sisters."

That shocked me and it was then that Saiyo looked at the clock and frowned.

"Do you have and other questions tonight Gregor-san? I need to do an inventory check for us with the many new recruits we will be getting soon. I have been told by Asia-chan that she is going to be working on a special project for a while with that devil doctor that's been visiting. She told me that until she returns, I am now the new head doctor. I would like to have you or one of your people who know how to apply bionics teach me just in case."

I give the fox a small nod.

"I don't thank you Saiyo-san. I'll have my maid Neri who knows the skill teach you it and the flesh machines. Bug her tomorrow evening for the lessons."

That put a smile on Saiyo's face before she made her way to her office. I was left alone on the floor of the ward wondering which daughter I had met last Saturday. That question bugged me as I was setting up a teleporter pair from our training camp to the main base before I get ready to go home for the night.

The house was near silent when I arrived home. The only sign of life was softly crying Maéva who was in the family room watching her soap operas with Neri who was holding a sleeping Alaric in her arms. I passed them and went up the stairs to my bedroom. When I reached and opened my bedroom door.

Inside most of the queens were fast asleep on our bed snoring away. The only one still up was Rias who was wearing glasses while reading a manga next to a dim lamp. Her sea-green eyes turned my way before a smile reached her face. The sight of Rias with those glasses was sexy and something showed on my face because Rias blushed red. She then scooted over, and I climbed into bed next to her. Rias put her head in the crook of my neck before I whispered to her.

"You Raynare and Ingvild had fun while I was gone?"

Rias nodded her head with a happy smile.

"We did and she is a new fan of Hell Maiden. I like her a lot, Greg. She asked me and the others to tell her all about you."

That was good and I kiss Rias's hair.

"I'm glad. I agree with you she seems very kind. I hope you didn't exaggerate about me?"

Rias smiled a teasing smile.

"Only a little. She says to tell you that she will never not be thankful for what you did. And that she will find something to repay you."

That makes me sigh as I didn't need that. Rias kissed my cheek seeing that and leaned on me. The two of us enjoy this before I heard a yawn and realized it was from me. Rias giggled softly before she let one loose too. The sound was cute and with that we began to get ready for bed.

The last thing I saw before the black engulfed me was Rias's beautiful smile as she curled up with me.

That night I enjoyed a wonderful dream. I was with the Queens in our underworld manor watching as Cesario and Luana along with three other happy children were running around and playing. I saw that one of the blurry faced children had a white cat tail and ears that was wagging around excitedly as they chased their siblings. I was about to call out to the kids it was dinner time when a horrifying thing happened as a massive explosion went off at the gate to our home. Then unknown alien things advanced towards the now screaming kids. They ran towards me crying and I get ready to throw myself in front of them only to be thrown into the air.

Said explosion throws me up into the air as I heard it go off downstairs. I landed and blinked twice before the landing queens soon smashed me. Three ribs broke as well as my right arm getting popped out of place. The only thing I could see was white around my eyes before Shirone got off my face. As soon as Shirone was off me I popped my arm back into place before I sighed getting up to see the problem maker who is my best friend as the house stopped shaking.

When I and the rest of the house was in the doorway to the kitchen, we see a very red Issari with a fufufuing Akeno and two very distressed maids in the kitchen. Cake batter was again strewn across the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling. Katase who had been walking in joined the crowd behind us in the main hall looking into the kitchen with horror-filled faces. Kiryuu who was in blue pajamas and a pink sleeping hat said what we all were thinking.

"What the hell type of ingredients were you using to cause that?"

Issari blushed and mumbled extra baking soda. Akeno smiled wider before she promised something.

"My kohai is improving."

Everyone except for Akeno sweat dropped in unison before I snorted.

"You can soon practice your explosions Mrs. and Mrs.Torgue in the underworld manor."

My reference went over everyone's heads as Issari blushed again rubbing her arm.

"I'm sorry. I need practice and Senpai wants us to be the biggest channel on DevilTube."

Rias gets her tic mark before pointing at Akeno.

"Roka's and my channel will be the biggest on DevilTube! I will get my bet prize!"

Akeno smiles her sadistic smile.

"My dear King you will lose to me. That prize is mine."

The two glared at each other while everyone else sweat dropped again. Ravel broke up the herd of people behind us.

"Everyone going to the school get dressed. We will be making a visit to talk to the student council president."

That sent my peerage off while Rias and Akeno kept shooting lightning between the two of them. Ravel rolled her eyes at the two before she said her next thing.

"Rias don't you want to brag about our husband and your victory to Heiress Sitri?"

That made Rias gasp and then squeal in excitement. She took off toward the stairs as Akeno began fufufuing at the sight.

"Let's try the cake again Isa."

I and the rest of the queens again sweat drop before we back up and head for the stairs.

Ten minutes later everyone in my peerage and Rias's were dressed and ready to go. Kuroka and Raynare were both amused by the look on Rias's face of pure smug supremacy. The two went off together to go make sure Ingvild was ok and do another senjustu session. When everyone was ready a bouncing Rias opened the portal to the ORC room. As we stepped out of the portal Rias was practically ready to run at roadrunner speed towards Sona's office. She was only stopped by a voice ringing out to the room from a speaker on her desk.

"Rias is that you?"

Rias immediately went into mama bear mode and rushed to her desk to push a speaker button.

"It's me Gasper. I'll be down to talk with you in a few seconds."

Rias rushed off to speak to Gasper. My people who had never met him looked confused as did Kiya and Xenovia. I kindly tell the confused people.

"That's Gasper. He's Rias's bishop. He lives here in the building because of personal reasons."

That got shrugs of acceptance from everyone except Xenovia. She tilted her head then her eyes flashed blue scaring the crap out of Kiya and Azura making the two jump. Azura landed in Kiya's arms, and the display amused the rest of my peerage as Xenovia said with a small frown.

"It seems I won't have to chase him around with my sword to inspire him to courage."

I want to snicker because of that image. Kiya pointed at Xenovia with a slightly trembling finger.

"What the fuck was that!"

Azura was equally as startled.

"What he said!"

Xenovia grinned at the pawns while I shrug.

"She has psychic powers."

That made Kiya and Azura blink before Xenovia flashed her eyes blue again.

"You both shall find what you seek so desperately here."

The two didn't know what to say about that and were interrupted by Rias returning to us with a relieved face.

"Gasper just needs me to do a grocery run after our meeting. He was down to his last oven pizza and soft drinks."

Rias opened the door for everyone to pass through. People began crowding out and I was the last to leave the club room. Rias was surprised when I pulled her close as we move to leave the clubhouse.

"I'll have Maéva or Neri bring Gasper food sometimes Ria."

She squeezed me hard in an acceptance of my offer before she got her competitive face.

When our group was at the door to the student council office everyone was prepared for this meeting with everyone in a good mood. Rias again got ready to blow up the door to the student council office but instead of Ravel stopping her it was Murayama this time who stopped our redhead with a pinch to her elbow. The giggles that came from that made the rest of the queens' snicker while Kiya sweat dropped. Ravel shook her head before knocking on the door.

It was ten seconds later when the door was opened and there stood a person that was exactly like his base self. Saji looked out at us dressed in the school uniform. He took one look at all of us and upon seeing me at the head of the group next to Rias with her arms around my right one. He took on a look of confused jealousy that turned to smugness and arrogance.

"Hellooooo there babe. Why don't you ditch this grass head and get with a real man like me. I'm probably a lot stronger than him by a long way."

Rias's tic mark flares while I was mostly amused by Saji as was my peerage and the queens. Kiya got a tic mark matching his king in its ferocity.

"Bruh we are the peerages of Gregor Astaroth and Rias Gremory the Lord and Lady of Iron! Who are you to disrespect either of them!"

Saji got his own tic mark.

"Never heard of either of them so they must not be important. As for who I am I am Saji Genshou! A four-piece pawn to the wise and powerful Sona Sitri of the 72 pillars! Watch who you talk to because you're probably a one-piece pawn weakling that couldn't hurt a fly."

Everyone was now offended at that and Azura looked ashamed. She tried to move to the back of the group, but Kiya kept his best friend there. Ravel and I were watching Saji dig his grave here with a jackhammer. Ravel shared a look with me and the twitching of my lips made her grin as Kiya shot back.

"You're the biggest idiot I have ever met and that's saying something! I'm a three-piece pawn asshole and I actually have fought unlike you! The number of pawns doesn't always matter! Hetvia-chan, Azura-chan and Katase-chan are all one-piece pawns and are far stronger than you ever could be! They could kick your pretty boy ass!"

Hetvia and Katase beam in pride while Azura blushed ultra red. She looked at Kiya with a thankful smile and a hint of something more that was growing fast. Saji fired back with his tic mark flaring again.

"That's utter shit the more pawns you have the better you are! There is no way a weakling like you has fought! I could easily beat you and them up!"

Katase kept prideful face before pulling a wooden sword from a pocket spell. Saji was so focused on Kiya that he didn't notice the sword till it was cracked on top of his head sending the blonde to the ground with spinning eyes. Kiya enjoyed the sight with a wide smile, and it was then a new person appeared. Tsubaki took one look at Saji on the floor before seeing the broken wooden sword in Katase's hands. She sighed before turning to me with a wide smile as she pulled Saji out of the way.

"Apologies Heir Astaroth. Saji-kun is new to our peerage. He's been out of the loop on everything getting used to the sun again this week."

Rias lost the tic mark seeing my face being ultra amused by Saji's ignorance. Ravel was smirking on my other arm with me before I turned to Tsubaki.

"He's got spirit which is better than nothing. I'm not offended by the ignorance if that is the case. Katase-chan you could have just broken his wrist."

Tsubaki was relieved hearing that as I stepped inside the office followed by the others before Katase replied looking at the still dazed Saji on the floor.

"He was being an ass, and he tried to chat me up earlier this year before school ended. His pickup lines were horrible."

Thoron was just as amused as I was putting his arm around Katase. Kiya looked ready to kick Saji while he was down but stopped when Azura shook her head to the other. We were all inside the room when ten seconds later Sona came out of her office with the rest of her peerage behind her dressed in the school uniform. Sona saw Saji on the ground with spinning eyes and sighed as Tsubaki explained what happened.

During that time Momo is staring at me with heart eyes out in force with an amused Ruruko next to her. Tomoe was being her energetic self with a big smile while Reya continued being her aloof watching Momo in dismay. The strangest one of Sona's peerage was actually Tsubasa. The rook was staring at something extremely hard. That something was Kiya who had a deer in the headlights look as Tsubasa stared at him with the beginning of hearts in her eyes. Azura glared at Tsubasa before getting closer to Kiya making Tsubasa get a competitive look.

Sona was kindly scolding a now normal Saji who looked like a kicked puppy.

"Try never to do that again Saji-kun. Gregor Astaroth is one of my fellow devil nobles along with being a big backer for our goal. Rias Gremory is my childhood friend and one of his betrotheds. Now what do you say?"

Saji looked at the floor for a second before facing Rias and me.

"I'm sorry Heir Astaroth and Lady Gremory. Forgive my ignorance."

The apology was genuine.

"I didn't take offense for the ignorance Saji-san just please don't hit on Rias again. However, you really should apologize to its Rias's pawn."

Kiya smirked when Rias backed that up. Saji reluctantly said it while glaring at Kiya.

"I'm sorry."

Kiya returned the glare and Tsubasa started getting bigger hearts in her eyes watching this. Sona's violet eyes looked at the two before she met my red ones

.

"I didn't get a chance to say this on Tuesday but thank you, Heir Astaroth. Rias told me what you did last week for the both of us."

I smile smirk.

"You're welcome, Heiress Sitri. I wanted to keep him from getting into the city where it would have been worse given his past."

Sona nods carefully while looking at my new scar.

"I still appreciate that you did that for me. Rias has told me about your organization, and I am curious about it. Who is in it so far?"

I smirk at my mood kindred.

"Devils, humans, fallen, and a youkai. The Legio is determined to fight for a better future for the world regardless of where we started in it. Why the curiosity?"

Sona thought over something before she nods.

"The reason I ask is because after reading the texts from Rias again I made a decision. My peerage and I would like to join this group. As reserve members of it as we are still dedicated to the new school system for the underworld."

I raised an eyebrow at Sona before smiling.

"We would love to have you all in the Legio."

That put a smile on everyone's faces as Ravel began talking to Tsubaki about what Sona's people could do. People began mingling with Reya and Kiryuu starting a deep discussion with a still watching me Momo while Tomoe was talking to Katase, Murayama, and Thoron. Ruruko fell into talking with Hetvia about robots while Azura listened in. The only people not talking between our groups were Saji who was glaring at Kiya and vice versa. Sona watched that for a moment before she looked me in the eyes.

"I also have a few things I would like to discuss with you in my office."

She gestured me to follow her which I did.

The door closed and there was silence between the two of us. Sona glanced at something here in the office. I glanced there and saw that it was a fully set up chess board.

Sona finally said the idea and would not take no for an answer.

"I would like to play chess with you. I am eager to see a fellow strategist play especially after the display in parliament on Tuesday."

The anticipation for a game was strong and today was a free day.

"You can't prove I did that. As for the game I can spare some time."

Sona grinned wide before her competitive face appeared.

"I can prove it though. Seekvaria blabbed to me after that she spoke with you and that you promised her something for that vote and future ones."

The two of us sit with Sona taking the white set and I the black.

"Seekvaria is troublesome."

That got a laugh from Sona as the two of us eye each other for a few seconds before Sona moves a pawn forward. I do the same and our match begins. Sona and I watched each other as she moved another pawn and I a knight before Sona says as she moved her rook.

"She is indeed but is an incredibly good friend. Rias keyed me into the ward scheme last week for the house so I can meet with you more easily. I held back on visiting so that I didn't startle you."

I gave a nod there though I was worried about the OSF now more than ever.

"I appreciate that."

Sona gave me a nod as I moved another pawn. She countered my move and took said pawn before we continued to play. My green eyebrows rise at this as she started moving her queen and I moved another pawn. The game continued to heat up and soon she and I had multiple pieces from each other. Sona moved a knight before I smile smirk and take it. Sona frowned but I take that frown away grinning wider as I say.

"I'll show you a thing later today that will amaze you."

Sona kept the disbelief before shrugging.

"Very little does that."

I caught the slight hint of a smile on Sona's face.

"Believe me you will see lots of that now that you have joined us."

Sona crinkled her nose cutely as her eyes watched me behind her glasses.

"I'll believe it when I see it."

I give her a confident smile smirk before she and I continued the game. As the game progressed it was soon apparent, I was very outclassed though not as badly as I would have thought. We were nearing the forty-five-minute mark and soon we were each down to three pieces. Sona looked like she was having a blast, and I was too, but it soon becomes very clear I fell for a trap as I moved my king to escape a check. Sona grinned ultra wide as she moved her queen into a position that had me pinned down as her rook was in that lane as she called it.

"Checkmate."

I sighed before conceding.

"Good game."

Sona's grin continued before she snapped her fingers, and the board reset. I wasn't mad I lost to Sona, and I reached over and shook her hand. Sona got up from the chair as did I and she took a seat at her desk and picked up a pen.

"Good game and don't be disappointed. You lasted far longer than the norm and were close to winning a few times."

That soothed a little bit of my pride.

"Considering what Rias said you are a chess master, so I'll take the compliment. I would like to verse you again at some point."

Sona grinned.

"As would I. The game was very fun, and I see now that you're definitely good at battlefield tactics. It makes me very interested in what the Legio can do with you at its head when you improve on that further."

Just as I was about to say something to her, she pulled out a massive stack of papers from somewhere that almost reached the ceiling. I sweat drop seeing how large the stack of papers is and Sona sighs in agreement.

"I apologize for Saji being ignorant of you and Rias. I will correct him further later."

I shrugged at her apology for Saji.

"Don't be too hard on him. He has spirit and if he trains well, he might become a strong piece."

Sona sighed again.

"I agree but I will still discipline him as he can't do that when he gets to the underworld. You are however right he has immense potential and underneath his sin he is a hard dedicated worker."

While this had been happening, Sona was starting her routine for paperwork. Sona was about to be completely set in her motions for it when I quickly summoned the anvil and swung twice. The light blinds Sona for a second before she looked at what I put on her desk. She looked up at me as I began explaining mechadendrites and asked the big question that would help me with early graduation. Sona considered it and seemed interested in the idea. She approved it and I told her with a smile.

"Thank you for that as that frees up time I will need for other things. Especially with the place we are going to later."

That had Sona raise her eyebrows at me before the two of us exited the office and then see a strange sight. When we returned it was to see our peerages still talking amicably other than Saji and Kiya. The two were brawling with Saji in a head lock from Kiya with Tsubasa watching the fight with lusty eyes while talking to Shirone. I noticed Momo was not happy next to Ravel and a hard-ass Rias. My Grand Planner was not showing what she thought about Momo and shook her head no to whatever the white-haired woman said. Momo grew sad before she tried something new. This time Ravel paid more attention to whatever Momo had offered while she gave a look to Xenovia. Xenovia whispered something to Ravel before Ravel saw me. She coughed and that made Momo look our way. The bishop took on her heart eyes for me before she then skedaddled back to Sona.

Sona broke up the fight using her new mechadendrites slapping the pawns on the back of their heads as Sona's people watched in shock. Kiya and Saji both yelped loudly before they broke apart. Sona glared at a bashful Rias before she yelped when another hand slapped her on the back getting a whine. Sona glared at Rias hard before she said with a sigh.

"Control your pawn, Rias. I will have order in the school and just because you are my best friend doesn't mean you get free passes."

Rias whines looking at me for support. I smile a secret smile for Rias who sighed before agreeing.

"Kiya-kun no more being mean to Saji-san."

Kiya glared at Saji before he obeyed his king. During that exchange I returned to the rest of my peerage who were now being herded to the door by Ravel. Rias looked ready to stay at the office and brag about me more to Sona but was only stopped by a beep on her phone. She gasped after glancing at it and then dragged Kiya, Shirone and a surprised Xenovia out the door. I kept my smile before giving Sona a nod.

"Thank you for your time, Sona-san and I will make sure to try keep that to a minimum. What time will you be at the house?"

Sona nodded in thanks before she turned to Tsubaki.

"Likely around in an hour or two. Now everyone back to work this school won't run itself."

Tsubaki smiled wide at me before she got ready to head to her cubicle along with the rest of Sona's people. With that Ravel and I left the room.

As we were moving to the ORC club building Ravel fell into step with me at the back of the group. She was considering something deeply as Murayama fell into step with us.

"I don't like that bishop."

Ravel kept thinking about whatever Momo had said to her while I gave Murayama a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm not interested in her, so I don't think we have to worry much Mura. If you don't want her here, I will support, you."

Murayama leaned on me with a wide smile before Ravel finally spoke.

"I'm not a big fan of her either but she is determined to win you. She even offered me some interesting concessions for my support for you Greg."

I was amused.

"What did she offer?"

Ravel thought it over with a small sneer.

"Momo is willing to have her rich and well-connected father invest along with his equally rich friends in anything you do or make in terms of business topside. Her price is to include her in the queens."

Momo seems like a hardcore spoiled rich girl. That feeling shows and Ravel sighed.

"I am of the same opinion as you and Murayama."

That silence between the three of us lasted until we reached the clubhouse and portaled home.

At the house my peerage began to disperse for food as it was still early in the morning or in Azura's case to work out. The pureblood had a burning fire in her eyes as she rushed up the stairs at a quick speed. As she ran up the stairs, I realized I needed to set time aside for training her. I make a note to do that soon as I climb the stairs myself. As I hit the main floor, I saw Kuroka coming out of the kitchen with some soup. Her yellow eyes hit mine before she got a sexy grin.

"Hello Greg, nya~ You have fun at the school?"

I roll my eyes as I fall into step with her.

"So much fun I can't stand it. Did you find the thing I asked you about yesterday?"

Kuroka's amused smirk fell away as we hit the stairs. We began climbing them before she responded.

"I found nothing to indicate that. She is clean as far as I can tell nya."

I was still worried about this and asked my patron to look too because the Alliance of Hell was a dangerous threat. He began his search as the two of us climbed the stairs. When we reached Ingvild's room Kuroka opens the door and the two of us entered. Inside the room Raynare and Ingvild were watching something on a TV that had been brought in. When I get close enough, I saw that it was the first Lord of the Rings. Raynare and Ingvild with her bird on her shoulder were watching the movie in fascination but the sight of us made the two's eyes fall on us as Raynare paused the movie. Ingvild's bird started warbling.

"Good morning, Gregor."

I put on my smile smirk.

"Hello Ingvild and a good morning to you as well. How are you feeling today?"

Ingvild got her beautiful smile that contrasted with a few bags under her eyes.

"A bit better than yesterday. Your queen says that hopefully soon I might be able to talk by Monday and start walking by Tuesday."

That was incredibly good news, and I see the pride on Kuroka's face.

"Hopefully that projection sticks then. When you can walk again you are welcome to join me and my peerage for exercise. We try to run at least a few days a week."

That put an extremely eager look on Ingvild's face and Raynare proudly proclaimed.

"When your better I'll teach you how to sneak like me!"

Ingvild's bird giggled and Kuroka smirked too.

"I'll teach you magic too. You told me that you were barely starting to get into it before your sleep nya."

Ingvild's smile then was extremely beautiful and put one on me. It however disappeared when as the three continued talking my patron spoke to me.

"Your worry for her was not unfounded my champion. She was indeed brainwashed by Nyx during the sleep via dreams of darkness and it was very well hidden. What the goal for it was I am uncertain, but I have removed it without Nyx knowing."

That relieved and worried me. Issari wasn't supposed to have survived here so what were the Alliance's goals if it wasn't supposed to be her? That thought continued bugging me deeply as I listened to the three's happy conversation for another half hour as Raynare and Kuroka made Ingvild's smile grow wider and wider. The mood only broken when the door opens showing Máeva bringing in another bowl of soup. The sight of food made my stomach growl, and my maid got an amused look.

"I made pasta for lunch young master. There should be plenty of it downstairs."

That made my stomach growl again with Ingvild's orange eyes turning from her conversation with the others. I give her a smile before getting up.

"I'll try to come visit you again soon Ingvild."

Ingvild smiled her beautiful smile.

"If you can't I understand. Your queen tells me you're ultra-busy most of the time."

I shrug.

"I am usually but I will try to set aside time to check in on you everyday."

That made Ingvild's smile wider and Raynare chimes in.

"My Great King keeps his word."

Kuroka rolled her eyes.

"Its his most attractive trait nya. That and he's easy looking on the eyes along with his scar."

Raynare quickly agreed with that and there was a hint of a blush on Ingvild's face as her eyes looked at said scar. I want to roll my eyes, but don't as I began making my way out of the room. I do however let out a small sigh when I heard Ingvild ask Kuroka how I got the scar as I closed the door.

When I get to the kitchen, I see that Ravel was eating a bowl of pasta with an extremely happy Rias and her peerage along with a tired Azure sitting next to Kiya. The guy was completely oblivious to the fact that Azura was eyeing him every so often in lust/love now and I pulled out the autograph. I set the paper down in front of Kiya who looked at it confused. Once he saw the name however, he started squealing excitedly getting up from his seat and waving the paper around fanboying. Then he suddenly froze before he fainted hitting the floor with a thud.

Azure ran to help her crush and was helped by a giggling Xenovia and Shirone to move him to a couch. Rias had broken from talking with Ravel to see that and I took a seat next to Ravel's left. My Grand Planner looked at me and I asked her.

"You and Lavinia had a good discussion last night?"

Ravel nodded wearing a massive smile.

"We did and I can never thank you or Issari enough for this. She and I hit it off so well and we are hopeful that we can perhaps have the guild up and running in a few weeks."

That was wonderful news, and I kissed her cheek. Ravel blushed prettily before Rias having finished her food skipped off towards the basement. When I raised an eyebrow at that Ravel rolled her eyes.

"Rias is especially eager for Heiress Sitri to see her familiar. She has been bragging about it to me since she got home. I might have to ask Hetvia to build me a robot too though I'd like one that is less war like."

I smile smirk as the image of Ravel with a protocol droid assistant next to her.

"You might enjoy some of the new ideas that Hetvia and I will attempt."

Ravel tilted her head curiously before I began telling her about protocol droids as I grabbed food. That conversation carried us till the doorbell rang. Ravel and I got up putting away dishes and moving to the front door. As we approached it Rias came skipping back up from the basement. She fell into step with us before I school my face and open the door.

Outside on the porch was Sona, Tsubaki, and Momo who it seems had put on extra makeup and ruby red lipstick. The bishop batted her black eyelashes at me while Sona remains her hard ass self and Tsubaki had her normal wide smile. I step aside for the three saying as they entered.

"Welcome to my house Heiress Sitri. I offer you and yours my hospitality."

Sona let lose a small grin before she repeated the other half of this phrase.

"I accept your hospitality as your guests. You know your greetings well."

As the three entered the house Rias and Momo entered a glare off while Tsubaki and Sona looked around the hall. I shut the door behind them and shrugged.

"My Grandfather's butler taught me it when I was learning my duties as a noble."

Sona gave a nod and was about to ask me something when Rias broke from glaring at Momo getting her ultra wide smile and excitement again.

"Guess what Sona, I can finally show you my familiar!"

Sona was barely able to make a noise before she was suddenly grabbed by Rias yelping as she was dragged towards the basement. Tsubaki kept her amused face as she began following her king and Rias. Momo followed them with us only stopping for a second to put an extra swing in her steps. I see Ravel roll her eyes in annoyance. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, we found a beaming Rias with a somewhat stunned Sona looking at Aaron. The robot tweeted hello to Sona while waving his shiny new arm. Tsubaki and Momo froze seeing the robot. Tsubaki and Momo looked at Aaron again before Tsubaki asked amazed.

"There are more of them?"

I chuckled.

"There are. Most of them are at our training base doing various things. We had several of them for our battle last week."

Sona's people were in shock at that while Sona looked at Aaron again in surprise. Rias gave him a big hug which the robot returned before he tweeted a question at Rias. She responds back to Aaron with a quick no while Sona keeps looking at the robot in growing curiosity. She returned her eyes to my smile smirk.

"What else have you made?"

My smile smirk grew and that made the stuff to come more fun.

"Many things now and many more things to come."

Sona looked deeply intrigued as did Momo and Tsubaki. I gesture to Sona to follow me and that started the exodus of people. When we arrived at the pad I say to Sona with a smile smirk.

"Step on it

Sona kept looking at the teleporter before Rias got tired of waiting and grabbed Sona dragging her through with Aaron before disappearing. Tsubaki and Momo blinked twice before quickly following.

On the other end Sona and Tsubaki were looking around our manor's great hall in detail while Rias was next to them with Aaron at the door. Momo was rapidly whispering to a disinterested Ravel. Sona turned from Rias to me who had been keeping my smirk. Her face was full of questions about what we did.

"What was that and where are we?"

My smirk continued.

"That was a technological teleporter. As for where we are we are in my manor house in the underworld."

That made Sona blink owlishly as Rias joined in the smirk. Tsubaki peered at the house in suspicion now and was powering up a spell but before she could throw it, I opened the front door. Sona and Tsubaki along with Momo had their mouths drop to the floor as they saw the purple sky. Tsubaki dropped her hand, and the spell sizzled to nothing and kept her stunned expression while Sona finally lost it and looked at me with an instant smile. It grew stronger looking at Rias before my hard ass mood kindred returned.

"I will be stopping by more often now. I'm sure my folks will not complain seeing me especially father as he has been feeling unwell recently. Are you going to show yours this Rias?"

Rias nodded quickly.

"I am this tomorrow. I'm so excited to show them you Aaron!"

Aaron tweeted he was happy to meet Rias's parents too before tweeting that he wanted to see the rest of the house. The robot then clanked off to explore while Sona looked at me again as I made my smile smirk the widest yet.

"I would like to offer my bionics to the Sitri veterans. My bionics are free for the veterans of the Civil War and we will be doing a major fitting tomorrow around one pm."

Sona saw my and Rias's look.

"I will contact my mother and father about that. They will likely say yes. Where is this manor house?"

I smile smirk and then moved toward the open door.

"We are in my future city called Ryza. I'll give you a tour."

With that said I moved out the door and onto the cobblestone path with the rest of the party following behind us. Sona and Tsubaki were soon keeping pace with Rias and me while Ravel and Momo continued talking. We continue walking and soon reached the steel gate where one of my levies saw us and saluted his arm before opening the gate. As the gate rose I along with everyone else get a look at Ryza.

The road had been fully completed and now ran in three directions from the manor toward the manufactoriums part of the city, the administration and then the housing districts. The tour group looked around in interest. On the other side of the road from the manor was a completed gothic building that was where the levy was living along with their armory. Several levies were coming out of the building including Trina who was speaking with three of the levies giving out orders. When she caught my eye, she saluted me as the three skitarii moved off to guard duty. Trina came over to me and whispered something in my ear. The request was unexpected.

I looked behind me at Ravel to see her with a pensive face while she listened to something Momo offered as I began the tour.

We started moving towards the manufacturing district. Inside it we saw multiple manufactoriums along with more smelters having their foundations being laid by Seekvaria's builders. Sona grew more and more curious about Ryza asking questions about each factory and her eyes grew wider per answer. When we came upon a large almost-completed factory Sona and her people gaped and asked what this was for. I told them with a smirk Gundam. Momo almost fainted while Tsubski got a twitch in her neck. Sona looked disbelieving for a moment before she muttered of course as the tour continued.

We stayed in the manufacturing district for two hours before we moved to the next area. As we drew towards the housing district, we began running into more people such as veterans who passed us with those with bionic legs clunking. Several were from my levy who were patrolling the streets with guns at the ready but relaxed. Then there were the original villagers who were smiling widely as they walked around looking at the buildings in awe.

Sona and Tsubaki asked a few questions here and there and each answer made Sona think harder. We continued walking till we entered the residential district. The massive apartment buildings impressed Tsubaki who it seems was a bit of an architect in training. She eyed everything with interest especially when we passed a team of four builders putting the final touches on the first apartment building that was surrounding another park. When we reached that newly finished first park we heard a loud noise that got everyone's attention as our group turned to it. The noise in the park was a small swarm of children chasing each other around yelling in glee. I noticed that there was a group of parents and three of my levies watching the kids play at the edges of the park.

Sona and the others watched as the kids played and I saw Sona put on a smile that made her beyond beautiful. Her eyes watched this with a far-off look behind her glasses. Ravel put her right hand in my own and frowned before she looked at Momo who was glaring at Rias and vice versa. I looked that way to see Momo gazing our way in lust showing her sin. The bishop smiled seductively at me before tossing her hair over her shoulder and then winking at me. Rias returned to glaring at the white-haired bishop. I was going to ask what she had offered Ravel before a loud cry went up.

"The Lord of Iron!"

Suddenly the horde of children charged towards me led by a happy brown-haired girl I recognize. The children swarmed around me and began asking a million questions quickly.

"Mister Lord of Iron did you really beat up a mean fallen!"

"Mister Lord of Iron you really have seen the surface!"

"Mister Lord of Iron will there really be no war!"

The questions kept coming from the children and my smile kept growing hearing their excitement. I glance to see the parents of the kids rushing toward me worried along with my guards. Sona and the others watched on in shock as I began to answer the questions being thrown at me.

"I did beat up a mean fallen and as for no more war I don't know. I also have seen the surface and there is lots of cool things up there that I plan to bring down here."

The children got even more excited asking more questions while the parents were now watching on with big smiles. My smile grew as I answered each question the kids asked me. The little girl who it seemed was the leader of the children then asked a big question.

"Mister Lord of Iron Mommy and Daddy said there is a school here. What's a school?"

Sona went bug eyed along with Tsubaki and Momo. I smirk looking at the crowd of kids and now closely listening adults.

"There is indeed a school here. As for what it is, school is a special place that helps you learn new things about the world. Like did you all know that we live on a great big ball of rock floating around in a black void?"

The kids were all looking at me with big star eyes shaking their heads no while most of the parents were bewildered. I looked at Sona out of the corner of my eye and then back to the kids.

"Well, now you do. There are so many things to learn besides that and this school will help you do that and more. Do you want to see the school?"

That question got a very loud cheer of yes before I put my hand in the brown-haired girl's and then I looked to the parents, guards and our tour group.

"This way to the school!"

That got a loud cheer from the kids and they along with everyone else followed me across the park. It was a five-minute walk there and the crowd attracted more veterans and a large group of the original inhabitants of the place. Soon we stopped in front of a large building that had all the children, parents, the three guards, the crowd of other Ryza denizens, and our tour group gasping seeing the size of the building and the sign over the entrance of the school.

The Arkhan Lan Academy was a massive complex the size of a medium-sized university. The kids have big eyes looking at it in wonder and I turned to them and the crowd that has gathered around us. I turned to the little girl before I kneeled down to her height.

"This school is where all of you and many others can learn new things about the world we live in. All you have to do is attend your classes and learn new things when the school opens. Then you all can be like me and my Lady of Iron because we are also going to school."

That got the kids excited, and they all started clamoring that they want to be like us. While that was happening, I looked up at the adults.

"This school will be free for all children and adults who wish to learn. Here in Ryza education will never be restricted from anyone. Those of you who have been helping build this city are building this for their and future generations to come. A legacy you all can be proud of."

Many in the crowd were amazed as they looked at the school and then me. Wide smiles began appearing on the faces of the adults including the parents of the brown-haired girl. They smiled wider when said girl led a charge of the other kids to their parents all excitedly saying that they were going to be like Rias and me. That excited energy spread to the parents as they start taking their children with them back to the park or home. The other people in the crowd began excitedly talking to one another as they dispersed.

I looked towards where Sona and her people were looking at the school still in shock. Sona finally broke from that shock, and she looked at me with critical eyes. Her face went through a hundred emotions all at once. Sona finally settled on something as she walked towards me.

"You actually meant it."

Sona's face saying that was one of pure joy putting the same one on mine. I raised an eyebrow while smiling.

"Your dream is one that the other nobles should be looking at and saying they should be doing the same. Actions speak louder than empty words."

My mood kindred kept the smile as she looked at me and then at the school several more times. Sona was beyond happy, and I built that further for the person who deserves more credit and respect.

"I'll show you around. I had the Arkhan Lan Academy built off a similar idea to Kuoh Academy as a tiered school."

Sona moved forward as I fell into step with her followed by the others. We moved into the school after opening the steel doors.

Sona and the others were very impressed by what they saw inside the building. Classroom after classroom and grade section after section made Sona and her people keep their ultra-happy smiles. Tsubaki eyed me every so often while Momo kept watching me with bigger heart eyes than ever. We were entering a huge empty room where the ratings game division would be based out of and Sona's face looked around the room in interest. I pointed to several openings on the ceilings and walls.

"I plan to make a virtual reality machine for here that will be easily adjustable to multiple scenarios so you can teach rating games rules easily on a live board. I should have the machine ready in a few days once everything else is off the ground."

Sona looked around impressed imagining that. She was picturing that day and pulled Momo into a discussion. While that was happening, I heard footsteps. I looked behind me to see a wide smirking Tsubaki. My rival in that pulled me in for a deep hug. I blink owlishly as it happens as the spectacled queen whispered.

"That was for proving me completely wrong on helping my king and getting me back into contact with my wonderful cousin. Thank you for both things."

Tsubaki pulled back and got ready to move to Sona's side only for her to stop when we hear battle music.

Suddenly and violently a mass horde of sparkles began floating up from the ground and a theme song began playing. Then an illusion spell dropped as standing there underneath a swarm of sparkles that spelled out Hell Maiden was Serafall in her magic girl costume. She did a v pose and then focused on Sona who was shaking in fear. Next to Serafall was a man in samurai armor with long black hair done up in a ponytail.

The man was a mutation knight yet as I look at his face, I recognize him. The man smiled wide seeing someone and his eyes were the same colors as Tsubaki's. Serafall launched into action with a series of cartwheels across the empty space toward Sona at a quick pace as the knight followed behind amused.

Serafall landed her final cartwheel after a back flip and brought a shocked Sona into a deep hug.

"So-tan! Oh, I'm so happy to see my perfect So-tan! How is my wonderful little sister! Has the big meanie been good to you!"

Sona was completely frozen for only a few more seconds before she started sputtering.

"'Sera what are you doing here with Kiyotora-kun? I…. Of course, my good friend in Heir Astaroth has been good to me! This building is my future school built by him because he pledged to my dream! He actually means to help me, unlike the others who said they would help and then laughed at me the next time I saw them! Sera your…."

Serafall began a struggle snuggle with Sona. Kiyotora shook his head before moving to hug his niece and Tsubaki returned the gesture happily. When they broke apart the two watched their kings in amusement as Sona tried desperately to break the hug from an extremely happy Serafall. I got ready to snicker only for Serafall to turn with her eyes narrowed on me while holding Sona in a deep hug.

"I'm happy the meanie is being nice to my So-tan! So-tan I have great news! The meanie made me a pair of teleporters that way I can get to the topside and back for my job easier! I also can see you more often too! I can't wait So-tan to show everyone your baby pictures!"

Sona paled bone white hearing that. I wanted to help but I saw a glean of evil in Serafall's eyes that threatened pain if I tried. Her smile was practically predatory as Sona shivered along with me.

"The meanie owes me a favor So-tan."

I sweat drop massively as that look.

"I'm eager to hear it Lady Leviathan!"

Serafall smiled wide hugging Sona tighter.

"I have received word back and they want to meet tomorrow morning so be ready. So-tan show me your future school! I just had a fantastic idea we can get magic girl and boy uniforms for your sports teams and students!"

Sona pales more upon hearing that and sputters as she is dragged away by her scary sister. Momo rushed after them followed by Tsubaki and Kiyotora as I sighed a breath of relief and a tiny bit of fear before Ravel, Rias and I got ready for the thing that Trina had asked me about.

Two of my levies stood in front of a medium sized building in the housing district. It was a nondescript place that was close to the first twenty apartments and park. Above the door to the building was the cog of Mars shown off proudly. As Rias, Ravel, I and the levies entered the building, and we saw that it was a proper church. It was covered in arches and buttresses and beneath them were bleachers of steel on both sides of the room leading up to an altar that showed the cog of Mars. There were several empty windows behind the altar, and I looked at the two levies who followed us in one of whom was Trina's second.

"We wish to have one here Milord. We spoke to the head builder last week and he agreed to make this. Would you bless here for us?"

My eyes watched the church considering this. Before with Ravel, Rias, and the two levies watching I moved down the aisle toward the altar. My footsteps echo and once I reached it, I placed a hand on the cog and skull with my mind made up. Like with Sona's school I will show action instead of empty words. Let those fucks in the cult of the Morning Star see this. Let them cry and whine as another step towards a better underworld is made here.

I bless this building and divine power flows through me into it. Then out into the building. I hear a beating heart accompanied by pistons and pipe organs playing a song I know well echoing in the building. I retract my hand from the cog and see Ravel, Rias and the two levies looking at me. Rias had big, dreamy eyes looking at the building while Ravel was in awe. Trina's second beamed.

"Thank Milord. We were starting to miss this feeling."

A small smile hit my face.

"If people, ask about here tell them the truth yet don't force them to believe in him. We need him to grow stronger as we do, and only true believers will be accepted by him.

The levies nodded their heads before one of them sat on a bleacher and began praying. The second went back to guard duty as he moved toward the door. I returned Rias and Ravel who was still looking around the church in awe. I take their hands and they mine. The three of us walked out of the building and I caught out of the corner of my eye as we left two sights. One was the sudden melancholy along with a hint of longing that crosses Ravel's face as we leave the church. The other was a view of many of the levy coming towards the building followed by a small crowd of three curious people. I squeeze Ravel's hand and tell her I love her and that makes my blonde happier.

When the three of us reached the house gate it rose allowing us to see on the steps of the manor a shaken Sona who looked like death had come early for her. Despite that there was no sign of Serafall or Kiyotora and Tsubaki it seems was the spokesperson for Sona as she was in zombie mode.

"Thank you Gregor-kun for showing us the school. We all appreciate this more than you could ever know. Come on Sona-sama let's go watch a few of the classics. We can start with Unforgiven."

Sona nodded her head robotically. Tsubaki gently led her king into the house followed by Momo who made one last heart eyes to me before she flinched seeing an angry Rias. When she was finally gone Rias squeezed my arm tightly before she proclaimed loudly.

"We are marrying inside that church!"

That put a smile on my face.

"We can do that Rias."

Rias grasped my arm tightly and leaned on my shoulder with a wide smile. Ravel was silent for a moment before I saw her unasked question.

"Ours Vel will be however you want it to be."

That relaxed Ravel who leaned on my other arm.

"Even if it's inside Phenex castle and you might see Riser?"

I kissed her hair.

"Even then I want that day for us to be what you want and wonderful."

Seeing Ravel's happy face made me chuckle before I sighed remembering tomorrow.

"Ravel, can you please help me with the letters from Wednesday tonight? I plan to be up late making bionics despite the fact that I'll be up early tomorrow for Yasaka."

Ravel and Rias broke from gossiping as Rias grew eager for tomorrow while my grand planner smiled.

"Of course, Greg. Before we get rid of the letters, we should show Rias some of them."

That had been said with a tease making Rias humph cutely apparently knowing about them already. I put my arms around the two and together the three of us entered the manor and prepared to go home.

Across the underworld they who believed felt it. A place for them in the open and no longer hidden by shadows. This realization made more decide they would do it now. They would follow the rumored trickle of others and make it a flood.

The speaker of the Cult of the Cog had once she felt it knew where she would need to be. She was done with her goal having just finished meeting the last most isolated gathering left. She meets her now very good friend in Mira's eyes and the pawn knows what she was asking for.

"I'll get you there. I have a delivery I need to make in Astaroth territory tomorrow at their castle. When you see the Omnissiah at this place tell him that I and the others in my peerage say thank you for our new vastly better life. They know the truth now and Isabela along with Mihae want to form our own gathering. Can we?"

The Speaker gave her now very dear friend a yes and a thank you hug as she promised to relay that message. She prepares to leave her old life behind fully and embrace her role in the Great Work and in the Great Machine.

A person feeling that shockwave of power had done something in an almost beaten and broken heart. It made her wonder if the rumors were true as it lit a tiny flame in her even as her world again was filled with pain and oppression. That made this person gain something instead of lose something. Hope.