Chapter 96: Of Plots, Visits and Rating Games

Chapter 96: Of Plots, Visits and Rating Games

...SURPRISE!

Heavy boots shuffled outside of the mansion.

The sharp glare of their goggles glistened in the brief moment the mansion light reflected off the glass from the window. The door was locked, a magical barrier also keeping it in place.

One placed a runic device on the door as it clamped into the wood and activated, the magical alarms and defenses shorted out as smoke rose from the device.

The other immediately lock-picked the door, a needle and a screwdriver.

"...Tsk." The lockpicker worked on the door as the tumblers clicked. "The fuck-face didn't update the lock after all these years?"

"Really? And they think of us as the lesser races?" Another commented as he primed his glock, the gun ready to fire.

"Prepare yourselves boys."

"Ahem." A balaclava figure elbowed his side.

"...And girls. This will be our first tango with a 'noble'. Our future depends on this. Gotta show the boss we're worth the investment," The leader reminded. "Don't mess this up. The boss won't let us into the fold if we don't have the skills to back it up."

The others nodded. The leader then removed the runic device and placed it on his gauntlet.

They entered the door and made their way, six crouched figures avoiding the light as they navigated the aristocratic interior.

Their bodies were covered in Kevlar, military outfits, heavy boots soundlessly treading ancient carpets that lasted for centuries.

Magical sigils were engraved on the soles of their boots to silence sound, runes etched in their bulletproof armor for protection against spells.

Silencer-attached assault rifles gripped and raised, magic inscribed inside the barrel of the guns to enchant the bullets that pass through to pierce through magical defenses.

They entered through the back kitchen with ease.

They spot a chef working on some dishes - possibly tomorrow's breakfast.

Unfortunately, one intruder snuck up to him from behind and strangled him into a chokehold, the devil gagging before he passed out.

"...He went down easier than I thought." the one doing the deed said as he proceeded to secure and hide the body.

"Don't get your head big over a civilian." the other one retorted. "Let's go. The target is upstairs."

They made their way upstairs after storing the body in the janitor's locker. Their camera visors spotted the various surveillance familiars. They activated their invisibility field and moved in their line of sight, moving up the stairs without a word.

On each floor, they saw butlers and maids, guards bedecked in medieval armor. They did not underestimate the Devil hearing as they made their way to the top floor.

"Which room?"

"...There." The scout at the vanguard pointed at the set of double doors.

The lockpicker moved towards the room and tested it with the barrier-breaker device.

"It's unenchanted. Moving in." The lockpicker picked the lock immediately and turned the tumblers.

The doors were unlocked with a subtle click as they entered the room.

The target was not there

But instead they saw something they wished they did not see.

"My god"

"God is dead." One of the women reminded.

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me. But seriously. Never liked an upper class snob, but this makes me want to kill these guys now."

Numerous pictures of paintings of A mermaid?

Putting aside the gorgeous looks of the mermaid in the drawing - the mermaid was not only depicted on the paintings. There were photographs taken in secret, sculptures, and the icing on the cake was several surveillance monitors and listening devices depicting the lake where the mermaid went about her days.

"...Someone please tell me this is just a nerd-stalker's obsession." The other woman in the party pleaded.

Her pleas were denied when the mermaid jumped out of the lake. The face was completely identical to the drawings and sculptures.

"...Fuck."

However, before the intruders could have spoken anything more, the door behind them burst open.

"Oy, who dares go inside me treasury with-!?"

The newcomer was a humanoid with a head of an angler-fish, dressed in a swashbuckling pirate attire. The said fishman could not finish his sentence as he was interrupted by the noise of guns clicking - several gun barrels aimed at him, along with several laser-sight dots on his head and torso.

Gragg Forneus was caught like a deer in front of A hunter's van, more likely.

"...Well, you saved us quite a lot of time, mister. Now get moving, fish face. Not a single word or speck of 'aura', or else." The leader warned.

In return, the 'fish face' scoffed at the sight of firearms trained upon him.

"Aye, truthfully, gents- well, ladies and gents." Forneus corrected when he noticed that one of the intruders was clearly a female from her body outline, "...I don't know who you are, and clearly you don't know who I am."

Forneus' eyes then gleamed, he grinned eagerly to teach these intruder peasants some lessons as he flared out his demonic power.

"But you folks are intruding on Captain Gragg Forneus... Savvy?"

Within a hospital founded by Serafall Leviathan rested in bed. White sheets covered her, Serafall stirred on the white bed upon sensing visitors entering the sanitized room.

Some of Serafall's servants were already with her, standing beside her white bed.

The atmosphere was heavy with worry and distress, Sona and Rias were shocked to see her on the same bed twice.

"...Sona-chan." Serafall smiled weakly at her sister. "Hahaha please don't look at me like that. Your big sister is too embarrassed right now."

"Just Just rest up, please?" Sona kept herself from breaking down, approaching the bed and reaching to grasp her elder sister's hand. "We can talk more once you are healed up."

"Hahaha your sister is a dummy. But Tiamat-chan is she here?"

Rias and Sona blinked, before they exchanged glances to the rest of Serafall's peerage who looked confused as well.

"Lady Leviathan. You were alone when you were found. There was no sight of Lady Tiamat anywhere nearby." Zelq - Serafall's Queen replied.

Serafall blinked at the news before her face paled a little. She then closed her eyes and clenched her jaw, her free hand grabbing a fistful of the bedsheet tightly as if she was holding down her outburst.

Sona regarded Serafall with a concerned look for a few seconds before she finally asked, "...Sister, why are you asking about Lady Tiamat? What's wrong?"

Serafall sighed, calming herself down, "...She was there."

"I beg your pardon?"

"She was there Tiamat-chan was with me when it all happened." Serafall answered with a frustrated tone.

"She was? What do you mean?" Sona asked.

"...They took Tiamat" Serafall grimaced. "...We must save her. Before the monster kills her."

Serafall tried to get up from her bed, prompting everyone to move and keep her from leaving.

"You are not in any condition to move, Lady Leviathan!"

"Please calm yourself, sister. Tell us what happened - who are the people you are talking about?"

"The monster We messed up." Serafall grimaced. "I underestimated them. The Hero Faction, they took Tiamat."

The name of the group caused several eyes to widen.

"The Hero Faction." Rias muttered with a grim look on her face, "How did they get into the Underworld without anyone noticing?"

"They still have Garou" Serafall reminded.

Sona and Rias grimaced. Serafall's peerage flinched at the name of the Demon God.

"...And they used him to defeat Tiamat?" Sona asked with dread.

"No she fought and lost against someone else. Garou landed the final blow but that's all he did." Serafall grimaced this time.

"And who is this someone else?" Rias asked.

"...Djall." Serafall replied, "The heroes addressed him as 'Djall'."

Rias and Sona went still upon hearing the name.

"...Stjarna? I thought he's in Alfheim." Rias let it slip before she covered her mouth.

Serafall turned to Rias.

"You know that thing?" Serafall asked, not expecting to hear that Rias knew Stjarna.

"I I hah..." With an exasperated sigh, Rias began to explain Stjarna's story to Serafall the best she could.

Those who heard the story for the first time were sporting contemplative expressions.

"...An offspring between the Beast of Apocalypse and the Son of God Himself." Zelq muttered, "This creature makes Frankenstein sound like a children's bedtime story."

"Sounds more like the freak amongst freaks of nature to me." Orianna - Serafall's Knight, put in her two cents.

"In any case, we can't ignore this intel." Sona stated, "Longinus and Sacred Gear wielders, Garou, then Stjarna We are dealing with a powerful group here. Our information network must be strengthened."

"No! We need to save Tiamat chan! This Stjarna will eat her" Serafall's protest slowly died down as the fatigue from her injuries caught up to her. The Satan Girl grimaced as her hand went over the wound on her gut.

"Your highness, you are suffering from extreme anemia. We thought you waged war against a Seraph." Orianna informed.

"That's because Cao Cao decided to turn my water into HOLY water with that stupid spear of his! But still, we have to save Tiamat!"

"...How?" Rias asked Serafall. "Even if we find her, we can't beat something on Stjarna and Garou's caliber - something that can contend with Saitama."

Serafall only looked down in frustration, and the room fell into silence.

Sona eventually sighed, "For now, let's just focus on recovering. Rias and I will report to Lord Beelzebub. The only thing we can do is prepare for the worst."

Serafall looked away in frustration. It was the first time Sona saw her sister hurting herself for her weakness.

Blaming herself.

"...Fine."

What they did not know was that Serafall felt as if the result was her fault because she instigated the conflict.

"...I can only hope that you leave the hospital in good health." Sona pushed up her glasses.

Asia was not here. If she was, she would have healed already and helped her off the bed. The Sitri Clan had already made an order to purchase Phoenix Tears, but it would take at least two business days for the vials to be delivered.

"...Hah. Don't you dare do anything too risky when your big sister isn't looking." Serafall could only lecture her adorable sister.

As much as Serafall hated it, she was stuck.

"Thank you." Sona nodded to her sister. "...And don't you dare try to make up for missing magical girl shoots when you're healed."

"Eh?" Serafall stared at Sona.

"Sister, you've already been neglecting your work as Satan before the attack. Now that you are bedridden, more work and your duty are being delayed as we speak. You are going to have a lot of things to do once you are recovered." Sona reasoned.

"Eeehh~" Serafall whined in dejection.

"Although"

Serafall blinked as she turned back to her sister, who was completely facing away from her by the door.

"Once you're done with your work, when things have calmed down more."

Serafall could see Sona's earlobe reddened slightly

"Maybe we can sit down and talk over tea together."

Rias smiled.

Even if Sona was embarrassed by her sister's interests, and might regret her actions in the future, she would still look after her big sister in her own way.

"...We will, So-taaaan?!" Serafall almost squealed with childish glee.

Sona's response was to turn tail and leave with swift walking steps.

"Ah, So-tan! You can't leave your cute big-sister hanging!" Serafall cried out as Rias followed Sona.

"...So" Rias called out to Sona with a teasing look.

"Focus on the matter at hand, Rias. We have much to do." Sona replied while doing her damndest to calm her blush down.

"Like reclaiming your authority as a teacher?" Rias asks with a wider smile.

Sona sighed while cocking her head in reluctant acknowledgement, "...That, among other things."

Serafall found herself unable to sleep.

It was night, the Underworld moon was shining a lunar white through her window. There was no one for her to talk to as her Peerage was covering for her absence.

All she could do was stare at the white square ceiling in absolute boredom.

"...Hmmm, hmmm." Serafall began to hum to herself to stave off the quiet, hoping that she could hum herself to sleep.

She hummed her show's iconic magical girl song.

"Hmmmm hmmmm hmmmmm."Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

She had too much energy.

"Hmmm hmmmm hmmm."

"Hmmmmmmm hmmm. Hmmmmmm~"

"Hmmmmmmmmmmm."

"Hmmmmmmmmmmm."

"...Hm?"

Serafall was confused and she got up on her bed.

Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she saw two faces staring back at her quietly.

A boy and girl one was unusually pale while the other looked adorable and cool, black short hair with streaks of cherry apple.

Who were they? How did they get in her room without her sensing their presence?

"...Lucifer is made of feces and he likes to fornicate with bats."

The boy said something completely random and absurd.

Serafall blinked a few times - half of her brain thought that she had fallen asleep at some point and was currently having some bizarre dream.

The boy took out a long bo staff? He poked her cheek with it as if testing for a response.

"...Err, good evening?"

"...Is she evil?" The boy turned to the pretty girl.

"She's not evil."

"But her Yin is internally displaced from her Yang. She's out of balance."

"Duey, you can't just use worship and adoration for Lucifer as a basis to determine good or evil. She's not evil."

"Wait, wait. Let me try something Lucifer and your clan founder are stupid bitches!"

Banishing his staff, the boy - 'Duey' flashed two middle fingers in front of Serafall.

The sight of that hand formation only confused the Satan further as Serafall had never faced anyone with the gall to do that to her.

"...So? Any response?" Duey turned to the girl.

"Where'd you learn to talk like that?"

"A deceased human teenager taught it to me. Human language is fun."

"You better not get used to it. Besides, she's more confused than angry."

"...So she's not evil?"

"I keep telling you that. She's not evil."

"Strange, I thought all Satans are madly devoted to Lucifer. That should've worked."

"This means that they're innocent. Well, at least I hope so."

"Is she insane like Lucifer?" 'Duey' asked the girl.

"I don't know. Is she sane?" The girl asked.

The boy touched her wrist. Serafall felt something strange resonating as his Aura touched hers.

"...Well, I wouldn't say that she's sane but"

When Serafall sensed the aura resonance, and more importantly - how real his touch was on her skin; she jumped to her feet, but her legs were swept from under her, her butt falling back on the bed.

She turned to him again and jumped to her feet, but the boy backhanded and palm-swept her feet, forcing her back to the bed.

Serafall stared at the boy silently glaring at him. She threw a punch that could knock a tooth out of Tannin, but the boy slapped it away with ease. She threw another fist, but the boy slapped it aside.

The other girl spectated the exchange as Serafall tried to get off the side of the bed, but 'Duey' pushed her back to the bed and, with the same hand, lifted her legs and rotated her ninety degrees before dropping on her bed.

Leaving her in the exact same position. She puffed her cheeks as her irritation reached critical levels.

"...Alright, enough playing around!" Serafall spread her wings.

The boy then jabbed his right finger into her shoulders one by one.

Suddenly, her wings fell like lifeless flags without the wind.

She was extremely confused by the sudden uselessness of her wings. What the hell did this person do to her? She tried to lift her wings, flap them, but they barely lifted off her bed.

Then Serafall proceeded to swing her legs around, planning to knock the intruders away and give her more space; but he caught her leg, unfazed by the Satan level strength of a magical girl and flipped her body over like a pancake, her face landing on the soft pillow this time.

"This is fun. She's funny, Zelly." Duey snickered.

Serafall puffed her cheeks with a growing fury as she pushed her face off her pillow, turned to them and aimed her palms at them.

But the boy stabbed her palms with his lightning-swift finger.

Serafall's signature freezing spell did not go off. She stared at the boy as she threw her palms forward, trying to throw her spells at him.

"Look at how she flounders. She can't even tell that I sealed her palms!"

"It's not good to make fun of others." 'Zelly' retorted with a disapproving look.

Duey pouted, "But still"

Serafall could not take it anymore and exhaled all of her fury.

"All right, that's it. Who are you?!" Serafall demanded.

She calmed herself and thought this through.

Summarizing the situation, two strange people invaded her room for some strange reason, kept her lying on her bed mostly for fun, and the boy was much stronger and skilled than she estimated for him to seal her magic, while treating her as if she was nothing more than a fiddle, having a casual conversation like she did not exist.

"...Oh, she's finally stopped. Should we knock her out?"

"We don't knock others out just because."

"But we're not even supposed to be here. It'll be bad if the tentacle two-face managed to read her mind and see us through her eyes."

"Stop ignoring me!" Serafall shouted.

"Stop being loud." The boy responded with a drop of annoyance.

"Well, I believe I have every right and reason to be loud!" Serafall retorted heatedly.

"Um, in case you forgot, we are in a hospital. You are disturbing other patients." Zelly stepped in as the voice of reason.

Turned out Serafall had a decency to blush a little - instead of shouting, she lowered her volume to a whisper, but still in an angry tone, "Well, excuse you! You are trespassing, and I thought you two are not even supposed to be here?!"

"We just wanted to see the famous sister of the founder of Auros Academy." Duey said with a growing smile.

Serafall froze for a moment, "You. Ran to my baby sister?"

Duey and Zelly then sensed their captive's demonic power surged up - Serafall's eyes were bloodshot.

"I swear if you lay a single hair on my Sona's hair!"

"Okay, that's it - I'm done." He poked the place between Serafall's eyes. "Go to sleep, lady. Go to sleep. You'll forget about us soon."

The pale boy waved at Serafall as she suddenly felt her eyelids growing extremely heavy.

"No, wait, I."

Serafall's next words died down as she fell into another deep sleep, leaving the two to stare at her sleeping form.

"...Well, do you think this Ajuka would be this crazy?" Duey asked.

"It is your fault she reacted like that." Zelly retorted.

"I wasn't even trying to antagonize her! I was going to say how much her sister likes and respects her and stuff!" Duey complained.

Zelly then sighed, "...Let's get out of here. Hopefully, we'll get enough evidence to stop our parents from slaughtering these people."

The presence in the room was reduced to one. Without warning, the two left as if they did not exist in the first place.

The next day, Auros Academy was holding a special event.

Rias brought her Peerage members, as much as she could bring. Gasper was with Count Dracula and his family to train in the ways of the Vampire, eager to learn under the first ancestor.

Akeno managed to come with Yuuto, albeit her father came with her to oversee her training, hence the muscular angel arrived on the scene.

Muramasa followed Yuuto dutifully with Tosca following close, wanting to see her childhood friend's new daily life. On that note, the young girl had been invited and with the Gremory clan's help, arrived in Underworld a few hours ago.

Ravel finished her business in her home to learn how she could manifest and enhance her powers to a higher level.

Koneko arrived without issue with a book on the fundamentals of Ki in her hand.

"Yooooo! How are we doing this?" Lint Sellzen greeted Sona.

"I am ready, big sis!"

Millicas flexed his arms. If one were to look closer, as a matter of fact, the boy had already developed a good amount of muscles for a boy of his age - a testament of how hard he had been working.

They were standing in front of the academy entrance.

Their presence attracted the attention of the students who were waiting outside for Noud.

"That's the super rookie Rias Gremory!" One of the commoner students pointed at the crimson-haired girl.

"Whoa.. she's prettier compared to the TV and magazines." A male student admired Rias' charm.

"I bet Noud can beat her." A female harrumphed.

"Can Noud beat her?"

"Where is he anyways?"

The students looked around for the most famous problem student that mingled around them. He showed them all how to use the most basic spells so fast it was astonishing and even taught some of them how to use the infamous Ki.

The academy doors opened, revealing Sona and her own Peerage behind her.

"I thank you all for coming." Sona then cut everyone's chatter.

Sona calmly walked out as all of their attention centered around her.

"Today, I have a special event planned. I have invited Rias Gremory and her entourage to demonstrate live examples of what a Rating Game entails. In short, I will pit my Peerage against hers for educational and training purposes. After that, we will divide you into groups so that you may engage in a Rating Game against each other."

"Can we bet on teams?"

Sona flinched at the voice. She turned to the source, the pale troublemaker smiling at her, his right hand raised.

The source of her current misfortune and his companion.

"Noud? Where'd you come from?" Another Devil student nearby asked.

"What do you mean? We just got here," Noud snickered, gesturing to Lelez, who looked sheepish at the attention.

"...We do not encourage gambling." Sona warned.

"Can we join either your or Rias' team to experience the Rating Games in depth? Me and my friends can learn from a senior!" Noud threw in an absurd suggestion with an impish smile.

Sona actually considered the idea before replying, "...Probably in the future, once you get more of your act together and everyone is better acquainted with one another."

"But Noud is good enough to stand on your level." One student raised his hand.

Sona inhaled slowly.

"I understand. But this is a demonstration. It is too early for the students to participate. Your safety and health matters above all else."

"Too early?"

"The hell is with that logic?"

"Isn't that discrimination against commoners?!" One student shouted against Sona.

"I I'm sorry?" Sona blinked.

"We might be new, but you can't just reject someone if they're good enough to be in your Peerage!" A girl shouted in protest.

"Are you rejecting him because he beat your Queen?! Isn't this favoritism?!" Another shouted in Noud's defense.

Sona sighed as she stood her ground, "This subject is meant to be reserved for later into the semester, but in regards to recruiting members, it is advised not to judge your candidates solely on combat strength alone."

"Says the girl who said we can't learn magic because we're not Nobles! Noud taught us magic regardless!" One shouted.

Sona was taken aback, "For the record, I never said anything about your statuses or classes when it regards to learn magic.

"You said that resources to learn magic are limited because of Class reasons! How the nobles monopolized everything!" A girl pointed out.

"I"

Sona had underestimated Noud's popularity. They had already turned against her the moment she rejected Noud's request.

"Let Noud in!"

"Let Noud in!"

"Let Noud in!"

The students started chanting Noud's name.

The mutiny shocked both Peerages. Tsubasa was surprised to see the students turn against Sona this easily.

"President, I thought you were using us as an excuse to one-up a promising upstart for petty reasons, but Damn, everyone is turning against you," Tsubasa could not help but voice her thoughts.

"I will ignoreYet appreciate your honest opinion." Sona dismissed.

"Oh my I thought the same thing but for it to be this serious." Akeno voiced her thoughts.

This time, Sona chose not to respond to Akeno's jab.

Rias scooched to Sona and whispered, "...Should we let him participate? I'm shocked to see your students turning against you this fast"

Sona gritted her teeth as she contemplated whether to give in or stand her ground

She looked at her Peerage. The mutiny had overwhelmed them, something they would never see in Kuoh due to their student council position.

"Enough!"

Everyone stopped at the sound of a loud clap. All attention centered on Lelez.

"...Noud. You should stop everyone if they're getting out of control because of you."

"What do you mean? I'm actually touched that so many came to my defense even though we only knew each other for a couple of days." Noud argued.

Lelez sighed, "...Hah besides. Ms. Sitri. If I recall you have empty positions in your Peerage. Wouldn't it be better if you take this chance to fill the empty seats?"

Lelez pointed out to Sona with logic that the latter could not refute.

Sona grimaced at the sight of Noud's shit-eating grin. It was uncharacteristic of her to feel so indignant but this person was arousing the worst and immature side of herself to the surface more than anyone else.

She wanted to keep him away from the spotlight but there was no way she would say that aloud. All avenues were cut off, her only hope was to find a way to eliminate Noud early on without the students noticing.

"...Very well. I will grant Noud the chance to experience the joint rating game with us!"

[Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhh!]

The students cheered at their victory.

"Oh, and my sister is joining me." Noud pointed at Lelez.

"...Eh?" the 'sister' in question stared at her 'brother'.

"And one more maybe? How many do you need to match your opponent's numbers?" Noud asked.

Sona blinked, but she replied nonetheless, "...Three."

"...One more. What about that red-hairlock's team? Any free positions?" Noud asked.

"I am one Rook short, I suppose." Rias replied, ignoring Noud's remark about her.

"Alright, we'll send one student to your side to play 'Ruk'. Let's see"

Unexpectedly, one voice spoke out in protest; or possibly to seize an opportunity for herself.

"O-Oh!"

Tosca raised her hand, "I-I want to be the Rook!"

The small girl announced without warning, causing the students and Peerages to turn to Tosca.

"...Tosca. Is there-"

Muramasa covered Yuuto's mouth before he could ask the pure girl.

Roygun immediately expelled the liquid from her by flaring her demonic power.

"I'm afraid that we couldn't replicate the airborne stain of the Trihexa Death Plague. It is only viable in a liquid form."

Despite Roygun's quick counter-measure, a small dose of the liquid had gone inside her system. She immediately went into a coughing fit and fell onto her knees as she felt something akin to burning lava coursing under her skin.

"...So this is it, then?"

Regaining her breathing, Roygun smirked in defiance, trying to maintain her composure despite the pain wrecking through her body. Her skin was sweating and showed a minor symptom of infection.

"You are an excellent test subject. We need a good candidate before we use it on Sirzechs, before Ajuka finishes the vaccine and cure. Serafall will fall, one of our assassins is making her way to her hospital. I heard she is bedridden for some reason."

Roygun grimaced as she tried to fight against the infection that was eating her inside out.

She needed to suppress it until she got to a hospital, to Ajuka to cure herself.

"Hmmm, your weakened state is a delight to see. I want to see this on Sirzechs' face. Let me offer you a deal. Swear yourself to me and I'll give you the cure."

"I am no fool, Mordax. If Ajuka couldn't make a cure by now, how could you?" Feverish sweat trickled down her brows and slicked her pink hair with an oily sheen.

Mordax pursed his lips yet he did not look too disappointed at the answer, "Hm, I suppose I should've known better than to take you for another fool."

He then took another cup and poured another wine. He shrugged as he took a sip, "...Oh well, then you will serve as our guinea pig for the unforeseeable future. Who knows, if you are lucky enough, you can still retain your desirable appearance for the workers to unwind themselves with."

Roygun cursed under her breath - To think that the eerie feeling of dread in her gut was correct. Mordax had lost his mind to go so far to betray her for nothing, if she did not prepare beforehand, she would have lost friends and family under this bastard's thumb.

The only reason she came here was to hold onto the thought that Mordax still has the last shred of honor and decency

"Take care of her." Mordax ordered. "And you are free to-"

Something interrupted his moment - a screen popped up before his eyes. A glitch, then the face of Gragg Foreus appeared before him.

The fishman-like devil was beaten, eyes black and blue, teeth missing.

[Listen up Mordax Bael. This might be your first time, so I'll run this as slowly as you can, you fossil.]

The one who spoke was neither devil or anything supernatural.

[I have your fucking fish friend, and I got all of the dirt we can find on you. This is a ransom. You're going to cooperate with us to the letter and spirit, no magical or devil contract bullshit. Or this slimy son of a bitch will get it.]

He pulled out a gun and placed it on Forneus' head.

[L-Lord Bael! T-these people are dangerous! Please help a mate out, aye?!]

Mordax's confident face crumbled.

What was happening? Were those humans? Holding one of the esteemed Noble Devils hostage and was demanding a ransom from him?!

"What is this sorcery, Forneus?" Mordax asked as he crushed the wine glass in his hand.

Roygun and the two guards were shocked to see this happening.

[F-forgive me! T-T-They came out of nowhere! Ack!]

[Quiet, you slime!]

The human sounded female behind that mask as she slammed the butt of her rifle at the fish man.

[You ain't got a choice in this matter. We ain't taking your devil money. We want our share in your treasury - tomes, relics, other goods. Or else every secret we found in this bastard's safe will go public. Including details of your dealings with this. Khaos Brigade, whatever the fuck that is.]

Mordax was glaring at the projection at this point. Humans wielding those weapons - were those Sacred Gears? So far he had never heard of Sacred Gears in the form of firearms, not to mention there were multiple of them in the same vicinity. They might be a member of the rumored Hero Faction, but their modus operandi seemed to be different.

The Bael composed himself as he addressed the mercenaries, "I have heard your demands loud and clear, humans. But may I know who I am speaking with?"

[Just call us by Zygotes. I go by 'Alpha'.]

"Very well, Zygotes - Mr. Alpha." Mordax burned the name in his memory, "...Before we reach any sort of conclusion, may I warn you that you are facing, not only us devils, but the entire Three Powers of Christianity pantheon?"

[I doubt it.]

The leader pulled his pistol and shot their hostage.

One shot, a bullet seared into Forneus, prompting him to cough blood, sporting a bloody hole on his stomach.

[Guack!]

Mordax flinched.

[Try that shit again and I'll aim for the head. I know how you people like to keep appearances. I'm sending this live feed to everyone you know, so that they'll know that he's going to die under your watch. You think the other bastards are going to listen to someone that can't save his own people?]

Mordax bit his lower lip, wrecking his brain for any solution that could save his reign.

If he caved in, the others would question his strength. If he let him die, the others would spark an outrage and question his abilities as a leader if he couldn't save them under a similar situation.

[You have five seconds to make your decision. Five Four. Three. Two...]

"I have an alternative proposition." Mordax called out with as much composure he could muster, "...Are you all mercenaries?"

[We'll take that as stalling.]

"I'll get to the point. I wish to hire you into my fold."

Roygun stared at Mordax, baffled. She glanced at the other two, their expressions shared her disbelief.

Mordax, the head of the Bael, hiring humans of all people. No one expected this to happen even for a million lifetimes.

Even though the pain of the infection was eating her inside out, she still could not wait

Roygun realized something. She should have transformed by now judging by how much time has passed. She was still fine as she looked at her hands, seeing herself still in her beautiful form.

Maybe she could Mordax was distracted. She had time.

[Hire us? You think we're not under the employment of some higher power or something?]

Mordax bit his lower lip.

"...Yes."

He decided to gamble and test his luck on the matter.

[...Heh. And you think you're good enough for our services?]

Mordax's lips twitched into a smirk, "...Are you?"

When the mercenaries did not respond, Mordax knew he got their attention.

"You call yourselves mercenaries, and I can see you have confidence in your skills. But tell me Is that really confidence, or luck? You may have captured Forneus, but to be honest? He's never been the strongest of us."

[Be careful of your words. I can still shoot his head and dump his body in the middle of the capital. And tip the Alliance off about you bastards. You don't have much time, do you?]

"What if I give you another potential target? Not only do they have the same amount of wealth as I do, you may be able to plunder more than just riches."

[...You already have a job? Who's the target and what's the catch? Most importantly, what's the pay?]

"...Do you have the strength and courage to capture two direct relatives of our official leaders?"

Roygun could feel the infection receding. A few more moments and she should

[Now you answer the catch and pay. What's in it for us when we can demand everything you have?]

"The extra rewards will be pooled in from my associates if you succeed in bringing them in alive."

[Why not dead?]

"Leverage. I need power over the Satans. One way or another. If they're dead, I cannot control them."

[Hmmmm half up front. We'll discuss terms. We have leverage in case you decide to use the devil's loophole.]

Then, before the discussion could have gone further, Roygun's eyes glowed with power as she pressed her palm on the floor, activating her clan's signature technique.

Crack!

The power of the Belphegor caused the floor to crack, which soon spread across the rest of the walls and split the ground, until the foundation of this building was torn and collapsed as she attempted to bring it down and escape from the rubble.

"ROYGUUN!" Mordax roared with fury as the ceiling collapsed on all of them.

Mordax erased the rubble that fell on him and took flight, ascending with his devil wings spread. He watched his entire mansion collapse on itself, years of heritage in that home wasted. He grit his teeth in fury at the sight of stone, dust, and wood replacing his beautiful grand mansion.

He scanned for Belphegor, any signs of magic, the desire to punish her burned in his heart

Something then broke out of the wreckage and ran away.

"There!" Mordax aimed his palm at Belphegor and fired crimson beams of erasure at the number two champion of the Rating Games.

However, Roygun spun her body as she held her palm against the incoming Power of Destruction.

Crack!

Mordax clicked his tongue when he watched his prized clan magic was suddenly shattered and dispersed in mid-air. He glanced around and noticed that most members of his peerage had begun to make their way out of the wreckage as well.

"After her!" Mordax commanded his servants, "Bring Roygun Belphegor back here, dead or alive!"

His Peerage took flight, black bat wings spread from the base of their spines as they took to the skies and flew after her.

Belphegor needed to teleport away, somewhere, anywhere than here. She needed to let the Satans know; she would take any punishment from them at this point for her dalliance with treachery.

However, spells formed and fired from behind.

Mordax gasped when he saw spells crashing into his servants from behind, screams shrieking before they fell like the fallen angels of the Bible cast down from heaven.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Mordax shouted when he saw his Queen, a pureblood Devil of the Furfur bloodline flying towards Belphegor.

To her aid.

"Belphegor! I'll hold him off! Go to Kuoh! The Underworld isn't safe!" The Queen shouted at Belphegor before she turned to face Mordax and unleashed an array of spells that someone of her rank shouldn't be able to use, all aimed at Mordax to his shock.

"You! What do you think you are doing?!" Mordax gritted as he defended against the incoming array of spells, elemental and arcane missiles overwhelming his magical barriers, breaking them with a level of force her Queen should not be capable of.

But his vision recognized something else.

He had his Queen serving him for decades, enough for him to recognize her aura. At this moment, her Aura was completely different, as if she was someone else entirely.

Roygun had no idea what was happening but she took this opportunity to teleport away from the scene, anywhere from here.

"Roygun! There is no escape! There is nowhere left for you here, you whore! Mark my words!" Mordax roared before he faced his 'Queen.'

"Sorry. I'm the only company you have, 'darling'." The 'Queen' smiled.

"I don't know when you impersonated my beloved, but I'll kill you for this." Mordax gnashed his teeth as he decided to use 'that'.

He raised both hands above his head.

Lord Xaphan Lucifuge - named after the archangel Lucifer stole the angelic grace from, grimaced with his host's features. He had been watching everything from his old familiar body and decided to help Roygun Belphegor's escape to stop Mordax's plan.

"How shameless of you to use your Queen's stolen power like this. This isn't worth the bargain like Djall said."

Mordax was generating Demonic Lightning in conjunction with his Power of Destruction. He winced when he recalled the monster's mockery.

Ahahahahaha! Your flesh can't contain a measly three abilities?! Oh, all that talk about destiny and this is what it brought you. What was that you said before, defective flesh? The lower class should accept their place in the universe.

Gritting his teeth, Mordax then used his rage and humiliation to fuel his power, and he brought them down.

Xaphan raised his hands and generated his magic in return, ready to sacrifice this body for the greater good.

"Sorry, but I must sacrifice you to stop your King ruining the Underworld's future." Xaphan apologized to the original owner of his current host.

To be Continued.

DnD Specials IV: The Disgraced Child of Heaven

The prisoner broke out of the cage and threw the broken unstable staff at the giant.

The giant was confused by the action of the gaunt meatbag until the staff reached its critical.

"You did not-!"

The staff exploded in his face. The force toppled the giant into two stumbling steps before his giant form fell, crashing into the stone with a loud boom.

"Noooo! My staff!" The dragonborn sorcerer shouted in dismay.

"Aha! My plan worked Oh, dear." The crimson Haired woman suddenly lost the strength in her legs, causing her to collapse from overexertion.

The dragonborn was damaged by the loss of his staff. However, something caught his eye. The staff that the giant wielded fell off its hand and shrank, shrinking until it was small enough to be in his hand.

After a silent contemplation, Issei immediately popped a healing potion before he hurried and ran towards his new staff, grabbing it before anyone else had dibs.

"...Aha!" The dragonborn raised the staff in celebration.

Koneko stared at her dragonborn companion with a judgmental gaze which he noticed.

"...I can't be the only one empty handed." The dragonborn defended himself.

Koneko was about to retort, but decided against it.

"We should check on the prisoners." Koneko pointed out.

OxO

"Say when are we getting our own gear?" Kuroka asked Black.

"I'm getting there, I'm getting there." Black rolled his eyes. "I'll let you gals pick ONE very rare purple item each since your start is shite."

"Okay, but how are we getting our goods?" Kuroka asked again.

"Your party managed to help the prisoners get on their feet. The Druid was conscious when you woke her up, the cleric is still knocked out, the Fighter can walk but needs help, and the Aasimar girl needs medical attention. And then you managed to somehow find a Mindflayer healing station next to the room where your equipment is detained."

"Healing station?" Ravel asked.

"The game shows some green tentacle stations that the players can use. You get your spell slots and everything else back as if you've taken a long rest."

Black explained before he carried on.

"...Alright, the dragonborn and small Barbarian started healing the others befooooooorreeee"

OxO

The dragonborn was amazed by the healing powers of this alien device as if it rewound the injuries.

He held the Aasimar in his arms as she recovered and opened her eyes. She gazed at her dragonborn savior as the dragonborn caught a scent that shouldn't be associated with the children of the heavens.

Before the dragonborn could say anything, the Aasimar wrapped her arms around his scaled neck.

"Oh, my savior! Bahamut must've sent you to my aid, o' heroic dragonborn!"

The dragonborn was stammered by the reaction.

"W-W-Wait, wait. What's with that reaction?" Issei asked as the Aasimar hugged him tighter.

"I-I'm sorry. Please, let me have this it has been so long since fortune graced me with its blessings."

OxO

"...Akeno, what do you think you are doing?"

Rias asked with an unamused look at the sight of her Queen sitting on Issei's laps and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hm? What do you think? We are merely following our roles on the script." Akeno replied with an innocent tone as she inched her face closer towards Issei's, pressing her breasts on his chest before Akeno turned to smile sultrily at the flustered and confused-looking boy.

Kuroka's eyes widened as she realized what Akeno was doing, "...You clever wench, nya."

"Alas, what brings you to these dark foreboding depths? There is naught but peril awaiting us that endangers our mind and spirit as much as our flesh." Akeno continued her role play, running her finger on Issei's cheek

"Um, Akeno?" Issei asked with a small sweat-drop, keeping himself from being carried away by the charm of the girl on his lap, "I know this is a 'role-playing' game, but I don't think we need to go this far."

"Why, Ise? This is for immersion~!" Akeno''s smile brightened as she became more daring as she landed a soft peck on Issei's cheek, before nuzzling the said cheek against her own. "I can play better if I can get better into the character."

Rias, Ravel, and Koneko instantly understood the fallen angel's insidious intentions.

"You bitch!" Rias wanted to shout, but was too impressed by Akeno's ploy.

"No skinship in the game!" Koneko hissed.

"Nyaaa! I roll a dexterity and arcana check!" Kuroka shouted, armed with two dices.

"Okay" Black sounded amused as she threw the dices.

Two ones.

"Hah! Fail!" Black laughed, "You tripped and fell on your face!"

"I hate these dies! Can't I just have a die that gives me a good roll for two seconds, nya?!" Kuroka shrieked with frustration.

"I roll uh, Persuasion check!" Rias raised her hand.

"What for?" Black asked. "Just so you know, she is an Aasimar, a generally trustworthy race of half angel people. So think twice if you wanna discredit her or whatever you're trying to do."

"I'll take my chances!" Rias then rolled the dice.

A pair of threes.

"Dammit!" Rias slammed her fist on the table in frustration.

"You failed and you painted yourself a slut who's horny for dragon schlong, kehehehehe." Black cackled.

"Wha?! You!" Rias fumed at Black's evil penance.

"The party will be aware of your preference for a dragon's dick."

"Ugh, stop it!" Rias shouted in her embarrassment.

Akeno giggled at her King's failure.

"I roll Persuasion!" Koneko raised her hand.

"Another one? What for this time?" Black asked despite knowing the context.

"No PDA during a quest!" Koneko replied.

"Roll at disadvantage. Your charisma is shit." Black answered.

Regardless, Koneko rolled the two dice.

"Hah! You got a one!"

To be precise, she got a one and a twenty.

"The Aasimar argued that she is merely traumatized and painted you as inconsiderate to the Dragonborn." Black laughed while Koneko fumed with puffed cheeks.

"I-I roll a perception check to see if she's evil or something!" Ravel raised her hand.

"Hoooooh?" Black turned to Ravel. "You using Guidance?"

"...Guidance?" Ravel blinked rapidly.

"You get a 1d4 bonus to any proficiency or stat check. And it's a cantrip so you can spam that shit," Black added.

"I understand, here I go!" Ravel then made the roll, holding her breath for the result.

"Eighteen!" Ravel cheered.

"Rolling a D4 dice" Black rolled the four sided dice. "Adding the four, you've more than enough. You sensed no malicious energies but you could detect traces of infernal powers in this angel girl. You discovered that she made a pact with a Devil despite her nature. In short, she's a Warlock that struck a pact with a Demon or Devil."

"Ahah! I know something is amiss!" Ravel then pointed at Akeno, "Lord Ise, please get yourself away from her at once! Nothing good will come from From. Canoodling with this woman!"

Everyone stared at Ravel.

"...What?"

Black could not help but ask, "What the fuck is even canoodling?"

"I you know what I mean!" Ravel shouted back with a furious blush.

Everyone then stared at Akeno, whose smile widened as she inhaled.

"...Alas it is true that the dark powers of Hells have touched me Would you kindly listen to my tragic story, hero?" She tugged her arms wrapped around Issei's neck, pulling him even closer towards her face.

Honestly, Issei was not sure if he should roll with it or not at this point.

"Err." Issei looked around hoping for any assistance.

The girls were glaring at him with jealousy, Black was only grinning as if watching a movie.

Issei then took a deep breath, "...Can you make a concise story with 20 words or less?"

Akeno looked amused for a brief second before her mischievous smile returned, "Hm.. Nope. I will just pour out my heart to you, anyway. Surely a gentleman like you won't just brush a maiden off when she is in need of dire help~?"

"I you're not letting me go, are you?" Issei sighed knowing when to accept defeat, in which Akeno replied with a pleased giggle.

"You know me too well. Alas, it all began on that fateful day when the archdevil Mephistopheles took the soul of my mother."

Issei sighed but decided to let it happen. He could not not escape the wiles of the Queen.

"...Ahem." Black coughed.

Akeno threw a pouty glare at the evil bastard.

"Sorry, not sorry for cockblocking you, but! The room rumbled from the direction you came from."

Rias and the other girls cheered silently at Black's intervention.

"The party turned to the source. A great shadowy figure entered. What came out shocked the party."

OxO

"...What the actual fuck?" The dragonborn cursed.

You maggots owe me a fresh giant.

The thing's thoughts spoke to their minds. The same charred giant that supposedly died entered the room.

The burns from the Dragonborn's flames were still there.

His face was gone, blasted off, a big hole where its eye sockets were, and something slithered out of it.

A very big tadpole creature emerged from the face hole, its presence emanating its lividness.

"What the fuck are you?" Koneko asked next, readying her battle ax.

A miracle that transcended mortal flesh.

The thoughts of the creature reached their minds, telepathy.

The sorcerer leered at the blue giant worm.

His knowledge of the arcane did recall that there were cases where some victims of ceremorphosis retained their individuality.

"...Did you implant your personality into a fucking tadpole?"

Indeed. Am I not astonishing? I have full control of others at this stage. Alas, you ruined my host. This is nothing more than a greater zombie I made from its flesh.

The undead giant then bellowed, his voice echoed throughout the cave system.

Kuroka turned to the exit, heaving cackling echoing from the caverns.

"Nya, the bastard summoned reinforcements." Kuroka readied her special Druid staff.

Behold the power of the Far Realms.

The giant brain worm cast a spell that summoned something from the darkness.

Issei recognized them, demonic mercenaries that would fight on either the demons of the abyss or the Devils of the Nine Hells.

They call themselves Yugoloths.

Neutral evil fiends of Gehenna.

Fortunately, they were lesser versions.

Two Mezzoloths and one Duergoloth.

Two four-armed bipedal insects with weapons and the third a larger, bulkier variant, foot soldiers.

"...Oh, son of a bitch." He then turned to the others, "Alright, that's it - everyone gather around me now!"

Issei then procured one of his scrolls and unraveled it. He thought of a destination and activated the spell contained within the scroll.

Then, the group was surrounded by an array of spells encircling them, before a flash of light enveloped their figures.

This will not be the last you see of me. Your faces are burned in my memories, and I swear to feast on your brains when we meet once more!

"How about you suck my dragon dick and fuck off?" The dragonborn flashed a middle finger at the giant before the spell took them away from the danger zone.

Extra: The first time Serafall saw them

Serafall was bored in her bed as she yawned. She should have asked her Peerage to give her an iPad or something to entertain herself.

Cao Cao's spear was more dangerous than she thought if she had to stay in bed for a few more days. She pondered on her strategy, thinking of taking out the boy that could summon those annoying monster things first, then go for Cao Cao.

She needed to learn to control her AoE more, something she promised herself to refine.

Then there was a knock on the door.

"Lady Leviathan... It's time for your medicine."

Sitri was confused - Didn't she already receive her dose a couple hours ago?

"Already? Isn't this too soon?"

The door opened as a nurse entered the room.

"I assure you. It'll help you leave your bed sooner." The nurse smiled.

Serafall squinted her eyes. She read the files of everyone she worked with at this hospital maybe. She did organize the files of the employees during her paper hell.

"I am sorry, but is this your first day at this hospital?" Serafall asked.

"Yes, I was just drafted earlier at noon." The nurse kept her smile.

Serafall was not sure about this as she examined this nurse the others should have run this to her maybe during an emergency when she was unconscious?

"Hm. I-?"

Serafall stared at the door, where a stranger entered the room and approached the nurse from behind, grabbing her head.

Snap!

The nurse collapsed as if her life was a lie, that she was a puppet or golem whose off switch was pressed.

"...Eh?"

Did Serafall just witness a murder in her room?

"Duey!" A girl barged into the room, "Who told you to murder her?!"

"It is by right that I should bring penance!"

"By breaking her neck?! The people here put them on trial first!"

"For something she is obviously guilty of? Her soul is already bound for Malebolge. It is disrespectful to take a life in a sanctuary meant to save lives, Zel. You know this."

'Zel' stared at 'Duey'.

Serafall could only watch the drama unfolding before her eyes, still trying to process the sudden murder in her room.

"...But I will allow her family to bury her remains."

The boy said as he grabbed the corpse by the hair.

Serafall watched the boy open the window And then toss the body out the window.

"...Did you just throw her out the window?" Zel asked.

There was a loud splat noise outside.

"Isn't this the fastest way for her body to get noticed?" Duey closed the window.

Zel stared at her companion before she sighed in defeat, "Ugh. Whatever, let's just focus on what we're meant to do here."

The two turned and only realized that Serafall had been watching them.

Duey casually asked, "Yes - Excuse me, madam. Do you know which room Serafall Sitri is in?"

Serafall blinked for a few times before she pointed at the feet of her bed, where the patient's profile was hung by the bed's railing.

Duey and Zelel blinked at the paper before they showed some decency to look a little flustered.

"...Oh. How embarrassing. I don't suppose you'll forget everything you saw if I ask?"

Serafall finally spoke in return, "...No, I don't think I will."

"At least I asked." Duey shrugged, "...But I'll make you do so, anyways. Need to see if you're evil, after all."

Serafall quickly shifted on her knees, ready to spring into action. She raised her palms and Aura, spells

But she felt something pressed against her head.

"...Eh?"

The boy was beside her bed, holding her head with his thumb pressed against her forehead. She slowly closed her eyes as a darkness came over her.

Duey smiled as he gestured to Zelel to come over as she appeared beside him.

They crouched beside the bed as Serafall opened her eyes again.

"Hmmmmm hmmmmmm."

Serafall started to hum.

For those who are confused - yes, the dead nurse from the Extra segment was the assassin that Mordax originally sent to kill Serafall.

Special thanks again for Lord Vader a.k.a i4md347h for his contribution and extensive knowledge of Dungeons and Dragons.

In case you are wondering - concept idea arts for Zygotes mercenaries can be found in my (P).atreon; check them out!