Chapter 106: (Not So) Grand Escape

Chapter 106: (Not So) Grand Escape

Soldiers dressed as civilians patrolled the hotel at night, hanging around the city streets, pretending to be locals wasting time in the middle of the night.

A group stood around a corner, men and women vaping from electric cigars. Many were in a nearby diner, relaxing at tables, drinking cool alcohol or beverages native to Turkmenistan. Others wandered, walking around the alleys and streets, vigilant of the supernatural in their patrols.

Some were inside buildings, skyscrapers, in rented rooms, looking out through their telescopes and binoculars for supernatural beings lingering in the air.

"Their security is extremely tight." Tsubasa commented.

They were high up in the skies, surrounded by protective spells that made them invisible, wings spread from their spines under the cool sunless air and starry, pale moonlit night.

"And they will have means of detecting the supernatural if the Demons are aiding them. I don't know how much of their technology they lend to them." Baraqiel calculated how he should intervene.

The humans would not hesitate to hold the heiresses hostage if he were to appear, and he did not know what else the humans have other than Euthanasia.

"Care to tell us about your war stories?" Reya asked, her masks scanning the structure's skeletal framework, her eyes seeing the internal layout of the hotel.

"You want to hear about my time in the Great War?" Baraqiel asked.

"We want to know about the Demons. You're the only one who knows them better than most... Should we worry about anything like that giant robot thing?" Reya asked.

The machine toyed with three Peerages at the same time and forced an Ascended war veteran to go all out. She wanted to be ready for any other surprises.

"As far as I know, the Demiurge should be our main concern. I don't recall the humans having the skill and resources to use the arcane items of the other Tribes." Baraqiel assured.

"So we don't have to worry about anything like that robot?" Ravel asked.

"Hopefully. I didn't think that they would lend them a sacred warrior. A war golem of that magnitude should be defending their borders instead..." Baraqiel pursed his lips. "I don't think they would lend them another one of the Demiurge's creations. But I cannot help but be afraid that they might hold an Agiel bioweapon made just for me."

Everyone went silent at the word, 'bioweapon,' the Trihexa Death Plague incident still fresh in their memories.

"But do not lower your guards. Euthanasia might not be the last of their aid. If there is one, there might be another." Baraqiel warned.

"Any news from Yuuto?" Akeno then asked to change the subject.

"He is with the others, while keeping tabs with Muramasa. From what he learned, Rias and Sona are ready."

Akeno nodded at Ravel's reply. They and some others were hiding inside buildings, below the rooftops to hide from the watchers.

The infiltration team was composed of those that were best at stealth, even without prior training in the area.

"Everyone else?"

"They are getting into position, waiting for our signal." Ravel replied.

Akeno nodded again, then she looked up to the night sky - cloudy with little stars visible due to the light pollution. They could not afford to fail again.

OxO

Yuuto never thought that he would return to trekking the sewers ever since the Holy Sword Incident.

The rancid stench of wastewater, feces, and other unmentionables aroused the unpleasant memories of searching for the Holy Swords.

There was no light, their Dark Vision was their only aid to navigate through the darkness.

The corridor, networks of pipes sewn in through the walls and ceilings, stained with dirty crusts, sewer water squished under their shoes as they walked, their destination under the hotel building.

The sewer tunnel was narrow. They made a turn, seeing a large, rusted pipe that could fit a gaggle of humans, the metal grate slimed with an unknown grotesque mix of substances that would make even the supernatural retch.

"...Shit."

"Yeah, lots of it."

Raynare and Mittelt remarked as they followed close behind the Knight, along with the others - Koneko, Gasper and Millicas.

"Ewwwwwwwwwww." Millicas frowned, his nose pinched by his fingers. "I don't want to be here."

"You're not the only one, Millicas." Koneko replied as she patted his shoulder, "But suck it up for now."

Gasper only reacted by yelping a bit when he was surprised by a rat running past his foot.

Yuuto then tapped into his telepathy with the group outside, "Reya, can you hear me? Can you still track our location?"

[Yes, I can still track you, Kiba. You guys are... right below their communal bathrooms!]

"Ugh..." Yuuto could not suppress his disgust.

"Tough it up. This was your idea," Raynare remarked.

"...Alright, we're ready to break in. Awaiting signals." Yuuto then informed Reya before he conjured a sword which had a drill-shaped design, "Young master Millicas, it's your turn now."

Millicas then nodded, standing next to Yuuto and allowed his demonic power - his Power of Destruction to coat Yuuto's drill sword.

He aimed up and inhaled.

"Is everyone ready?" Yuuto asked.

Everyone replied, along with nods, "Ready."

"I don't want to linger here any longer! Let's do it!" Millicas declared enthusiastically.

With his coated drill sword, Yuuto spread his bat wings and leapt.

With a thrust, he plunged the blade into the concrete, the resistance of the material almost nonexistent as his sword whirred to life, drilling through the stone as he continued flying up.

Once they saw the path to ascend, Millicas followed right behind the Knight, ignoring the dust from Yuuto drilling his way through the ceiling.

On the surface, inside one of the communal bathrooms in the Hotel, sounds of running water could be heard along with the noise of people chatting and milling around; when the floor suddenly imploded as if someone was beaching through. The area near the breach was covered in steam and dust, where two figures leapt out from the newly-made hole.

Yuuto and Millicas landed on the floor and stood up, ready to face any opposition as they scanned their immediate surroundings. They suddenly froze on their tracks, however, upon registering the sight before them.

Women - all of them were as naked as they were born. Their skin and curves were soaked in water, soaps and shampoos with some of their hairs stuck on their damp skin. Some of those women only had towels to cover their modesty.

"...Uhhhh..." Yuuto darted his head around, seeing nothing but naked women. Turned out he landed himself in the middle of the women's side...

Millicas was blooming red as steam blew out of his ears, "Uh- b- what - I..!?"

"Intruders-!"

Yuuto's swim-or-sink instinct immediately kicked in. Before any of the women could have made it to the door, he moved as much as his feet allowed him to blitz past the women, knocking them out with the blunt end of his sword.

When Mittelt, Raynare and the rest followed suit, they found themselves in a shower room where a bunch of naked women were sprawled around the wet floor, with Yuuto covering their bodies with towels and clothes he found, and Millicas covering his eyes in embarrassment.

"...Huh, I thought we're inside men's showers." Mittelt remarked before she nudged her elbow against Millicas' side with a playful smile on her face, "Lucky you, eh? First time seeing naked girls?"

"Um... I saw a bit of my grandmother's when she invited me to a hotspring once..." Millicas replied before he shook his head.

Before Mittelt could have teased Millicas further, small tremors shook the building.

Everyone was snapped out of their muses, recognizing the signs.

"Looks like everyone outside has begun." Yuuto noticed before addressing the rest, "Let's move."

His group nodded as they ran outside of the bathroom, Yuuto leading as their compass towards Muramasa's location, where the girls were.

Alarms blared to life, megaphones and speakers jury-rigged into the hotel ceilings screaming at the presence of attackers.

A couple of soldiers were running in the hallways, the humans in the facility scrambling to run towards the armory and gearing up for the invasion.

Men and women barked at each other to hurry up as the rest moved. One ran past the group of Devils and fallen angels, almost ignoring their existence as they ran past.

Millicas nearly yelped in surprise when a group of soldiers nearly ran him over, if not for Raynare quickly pulled him out of the way, as the group pressed themselves against the wall and allowed the rest of the soldiers to run past.

Millicas and other devils could not help but throw questioning glances at Raynare, who smiled knowingly along with Mittelt.

"Say hello to Grigori's new best infiltrators, boys and gals." Mittelt boasted, "We'll get to the mechanics later, but for now - as long as we don't get too loud or directly bump into anyone, we're pretty much just background to these mucks."

"Come on, we don't have all night here." Raynare then turned to Yuuto, "Lead the way, pretty boy."

Ignoring his iconic nickname, Yuuto nodded and began walking again, with everyone following him in a single line formation.

"How did you do it?" Yuuto asked.

"My Ascended special ability comes from my line of work. Makes sense... I've always been a spy and infiltrator. I disguised myself when I first became a part of your lives. I call it [Avidya's Shroud]. Avidya comes from the Buddhist concept of the poison of ignorance. In short, it doesn't make me invisible, it makes me imperceptible, unrecognized by others... which is a bit weird, if I say so myself. Basically, I can make others 'ignore' my existence." Raynare explained.

"So... like everyone is ignoring us? They could see us, but they are forced to ignore us?" Millicas asked.

"Yep, like that, but more complicated." Raynare nodded.

While everyone was digesting Raynare's exposition, Mittelt followed suit, "Mine's a similar nature, but different expression compared to Raynare. Instead of making myself incognito, my Ascended Power allowed me to conjure illusions - and not just illusions; depending on the situation, I can make my illusions close to be real by messing up my target's five senses."

"And you learned how to spread your power to us as well?" Gasper pointed out.

"Yep." Raynare confirmed.

In other words, their group composition was made to extract the Heiresses with success.



Sona sighed as she bandaged Oriax's bullet-wound with cloth and alcohol she found from an emergency first aid medical kit.

"That should staunch your bleeding, but it will not stop the necrosis," Sona sighed as she was unsatisfied with her improvisation; a torn piece of cloth that she wrapped rather sloppily over the wound, stained with blood. "We will treat you when we return to the Underworld. For now, rest and save your strength."

Zagan Oriax grimaced at the pain and discomfort. He nodded and deeply inhaled and exhaled to calm his nerves.

Sona then stood up - her previously naked body now in a custodian uniform; light blue coveralls that just happened to fit her frame.

"...How is he doing?"

Sona turned towards Muramasa, still possessing their chief warden's body. The possessed was standing by the door, keeping a look-out through the tinted glass. They were currently inside a locker room; Zagan was situated at the corner, away from possible view from outside.

"He'll live." Sona merely remarked, "How is it outside?"

"The humans are scattering like panicked wolves. Our friends outside have them alarmed." Muramasa replied as she just watched another group of armed soldiers jogging by, "How are your conditions?"

Sona was obvious, but when they turned to find Rias, they were immediately greeted by the sight of the redhead struggling in buttoning up her top, which barely covered her sizable cleavage.

"...Need some help?" Muramasa asked with mild amusement.

Sona could only stare at the fabric of Rias' top straining to contain the redhead's breasts, before she glanced down at her more modest busts.

"No, no, almost.... There!" Rias huffed as she finally believed she was decent, or as decent as she could get herself to; the coveralls practically hugging her skin, accentuating her curves. Her top was not fully buttoned up, exposing her collarbone and cleavage; even then, the top button was barely holding it together against her sizable mounds.

Sona then stared back at the redhead, "...Couldn't you find anything more your size?"

To her credit - Rias gave an embarrassed pout, "This is the biggest size I could find..." she glanced at the locker she had rummaged through.

"Enough. You are wasting time." Muramasa then chose to intervene before the heiresses were distracted, "Your faces are too recognizable, and we don't have enough time to put on a more elaborate disguise. No matter what clothes you don, the humans will see your identities with but a glance."

Rias scowled but did not object.

"I will go out alone, grab the keys to your collars and return."

Rias and Sona exchanged eyes, finding confinement suffocating after their experience in the illusionary void. But they could not object in the face of logic.

"Very well..." Sona conceded, with Rias nodded along with some reluctance.

"But I must ask this. Why are we bringing this man with us?" Muramasa pointed at Oriax. "Is he of value? Because he is not innocent... and if what you told me is true, then this is but a grand test of validity to prove the worth of Devilkind... and he is not worthy. Also, he is dead weight."

Oriax scowled at the insult, scathing but true.

"I believe it's safe to assume that Oriax is in league with Mordax Bael. He can serve us as a witness once we bring Mordax to the court."

"...Are you sure this is wise? Will he comply?" Muramasa asked, using Chester's face to quirk a brow.

"He has to. If he doesn't listen to us, we'll just leave him here for the humans to do whatever they want with him. Are you listening?" Rias glared at Oriax, whose scowl withered a bit in return.

Muramasa glanced at Oriax again, "...If you say so. Very well - I'll take my leave now. Do not open the door until I return... ah, should we use a safe word between us?"

"Hm, a password..." Sona tapped on her chin in thought, "...It should be something that only we know. Like..."

"Oh, uh, how about... uhhhhhh..." Rias paused in thought.

"Who is your favorite barber?" Muramasa quipped with a wry smile.

Rias and Sona exchanged glances and blinked, "Um... I'm afraid we don't have one in particular."

"Oh, I am talking about a certain practice match. You two exchanged a mighty war of words with each other." Muramasa reminded them.

Rias and Sona blinked again before the looks in their eyes became unamused, "...Oh, that. Right, we can use that." the former replied with a grumble; Sona herself seemingly disliked the memory as well.

Muramasa giggled, "Then I shall be off - wish me good fortune."

Muramasa opened the door and closed it behind her.

Rias and Sona were alone with Oriax... the two girls now left with only silence, a familiar company after their experience in the white void. They no longer like the quiet like before, the silence more present than ever, a burdensome weight on their mind that they could not ignore.

"Should we barricade the door, perhaps? In case we have uninvited guests." Rias suggested.

"What can we bar the entrance with?" Sona asked as she looked around.

It was the locker room. There were no planks, hammers, or nails.

"How about that one?" Rias pointed at the bench sitting on the floor between the rows of lockers.

"Crude. But I am afraid that we might attract attention with the noise... it might be safer to hide in one of the lockers." Sona suggested.

Rias then walked around, testing each locker door, only to find all of them locked so far, safe for the one where she and Sona got their current outfit from.

"...Why?" Oriax called out.

Sona and Rias turned to the injured Oriax.

"Why what?" Sona asked.

"...I keep hearing about this test and other things. Why do you bother trying so hard to prove something to these lesser creatures?" Oriax asked.

"Good question. Are you well-connected with Mordax Bael?" Sona asked.

Oriax remained silent.

"I'll take that as a yes. How did you come into contact with him in the first place? How did it start?" Sona asked.

Oriax did not answer.

"...Is it because your house-hold is failing and Mordax offered you an easy way out?"

Oriax blinked rapidly thrice at the answer.

"...Tsk." He clicked his tongue in response, not bothering to hide it.

"Your brother's policy is destroying the purity of the Rating Games. How could you let peasants participate! And you even let outsiders in! And not only that... Both of your siblings made it almost impossible for me to replenish my Peerage! What else am I supposed to do?!"

"How do you recruit your Peerage?" Sona asked.

"Usually, my parents prepared them for me. They said that it is easy to find such stock from Naberius' facility."

"...What facility?" Rias asked.

"The Naberius manages a facility where abandoned Reincarnated Devils are stored. Abandoned pets and used goods, the popular coined terms, but it's the only way I can get by, even though they're useless goods. Which is why I accepted Mordax's offer, to get a better Peerage. Do you girls not know this? I know that you two are too focused on the human world but..."

Sona and Rias did hear some rumor about it, but they never considered or paid attention to it. They spent their efforts recruiting their Peerage the proper way instead. They knew that they were too cut off from the ugliness of Noble society, but they did not think it was this severe...

"...What happens if they never find a worthy King to serve? No, do they even have a right to return to their families?" Sona asked.

"What do you mean? If they leave, they will be marked as Strays. It is by law that any impure Devil that has no master will be hunted as Stray Devils," Oriax explained.

Sona and Rias paled. It was a death sentence for servants, a prison, a blasted hell for those that did not want any part of their society.

They were starting to understand why Chester and the Demons kept mocking them for their naivete and ignorance at this point... their hearts finally recognizing the weight of their cruel reality of their kind.



"There it is."

Yuuto smiled a little at the door with the small plaque and 'Storage Room' written on it. Moreover, the door was not locked or guarded, allowing the group to go inside and have a breathing room without having to constantly hide from the milling guards.

"Clear, there are no cameras here." Raynare nodded after she gave a quick look around at the room, "Now let's go find this sword of yours. Where is it at?"

Yuuto was already in the middle of rummaging through the shelves and crates around. He found her, Muramasa, the katana hidden within a metal crate with a see-through glass window, heavily contained.

He summoned a katana and sliced off the top lid and reached out, holding Muramasa in his hand.

Breathing deeply to calm himself, Yuuto then closed his eyes and tapped into the telepathy linked he shared with his contracted spirit.

"...Muramasa? Can you hear me?"

[...Master? Is that you? Thank goodness, you have found my body! Are you inside this building?]

Yuuto's smile twitched wider at Muramasa's elated tone.

"I am, with some others. We're here to retrieve you, Rias and Sona while the rest are providing diversion. Are Sona and Rias with you? Are they safe?"

[They are fine, but at the moment we need to split up. They have magic-suppressing collars on them and I need to hide them while looking for the keys.]

Hearing his master being rendered powerless brought a scowl on Yuuto's face

"I see.... Where are you hiding them?"

[They are currently holding up in one of the locker rooms... Assuming you are in the storage room, you need to go up a few floors. Should I come find you? I can guide you to where Lady Gremory and Sitri are.]

"No, stay on your course. If Rias and Sona are unable to use their powers, getting them back is our priority or else we'll have a hard time escaping this place. We'll find our way to them."

[Understood. I will return with the keys as soon as I can. Be safe, master.]

"You too, Muramasa. I'll see you soon."

"Alright, you got your girlfriend. Now let's move and get the princesses before the homies start filling us with holy silver," Raynare quipped.

"You're starting to sound more American every day," Miltelt noted.

"Cut the chatter, please. This way." Yuuto swiftly ended the banter by walking ahead towards a door leading to the stairwell.

OxO

Chester - Muramasa smiled lightly at the new development.

Her master along with some others have made their way inside the building. All she had to do was to get the keys, return the heiresses' magic and regroup with her master; then they could see themselves out.

She was already in Chester's office room, rummaging through the drawers since Chester's memory was a little fuzzy on the exact coordinates.

"Come on, come on, where is it...?" Muramasa muttered as she practically ransacked the contents of another drawer, only to fail in finding anything resembling a key.

She felt like this was the host fighting back with his human flaws in a sense. It worked so far, though. She was raiding the room like a lowly home burglar.

She paused when she heard a ringing phone - a landline telephone ringing from the desk.

Should she answer?

The obvious was no, they would treat it as Chester not being in the room... or that he was incapacitated. She searched her host's memory for any problems with refusing the call... at best they would search for him, starting with the cell area, Chester's last known reported location.

At the same time, Muramasa also had yet to finish searching the whole room.

Glancing at the phone once again, she shook her head and proceeded to keep looking, while ignoring the telephone ringing on the desk.

However, the phone suddenly stopped ringing, followed by a 'beep' sound and a male voice.

[Chester! Chester, I know you're in there, soldier! Your ID tracker shows you're in your office!]

Muramasa cursed under her breath. What's this about ID tracker?

[What are you doing in there!? Why are your men staying in the cell blocks?! They're not moving their positions since the alarms went off!]

Muramasa clicked her tongue and searched through Chester's pockets and whatever that might serve as this ID tracker, while rummaging through his memories that could give her any solution to her current conundrum.

She got it, every badge had a tracker on them so that the soldiers could retrieve the bodies once they fell... so that they could give them a proper funeral service once the test was over.

She dug deeper... she found a memory hidden from her. Her host was fighting back by hiding information from her, she could feel it now.

[Chester!]

However, she had no luxury to dig deeper. She decided to scan his memories about this test the Demons set up while dealing with this obstacle, multitasking.

"The Heiresses... somehow managed to get away!" Muramasa had never played the role of a pretender so often, other than the role of a kind, understanding maiden in her bloodthirsty years before she met Yuuto.

[What?!]

"We have two prisoners on the loose! I just arrived back at my office to inform you!"

[How could they escape!? They have their magic sealed, and they shouldn't be able to break the chains off them!]

"I know! But in any case - they are heading for the rooftops! I think they're trying to fly off!" Muramasa decided to send them as far away as possible, to the outside attackers.

There was silence on the other side.

[...Soldier, what's your identification number?]

Muramasa literally paused on another cupboard - her eyes glanced around, "Err..." Her mind began to look for a different memory in Chester's brain.

[Something wrong, son? You usually can recite your ID number in your sleep.]

Muramasa cursed under her breath as she felt resistance. This human host was starting to become annoying, the numbers and letters constantly shifting against her will.

[Now who the fuck are you to use Chester's voice?]

"I am Chester, sir!" Muramasa decided to improvise, "It's just... this whole riot messing with my head!"

[...Alright, have it your way.]

The other side hung up.

"...Damn it." Muramasa cursed her host, she needed nobody to tell her that her cover had been blown.

Combined with her new state of urgency, Muramasa could tell that the key was unlikely to be in the office even if she lingered, an enemy squad was probably on her way to apprehend her. Thus, she decided to see herself out of her current vessel; the chief-warden's body spasmed a little as Muramasa's spirit flew out before collapsing unconscious on the floor.

Muramasa stared at the body to make sure that the warden would not get up anytime soon, then she proceeded to float and phase through a few walls, following her master's signature.

[Master, we have a situation. They have seen through my disguise using a security measure I am not familiar with. Something about identification numbers.]

"It's something common in military organizations, Muramasa; don't worry about it. Return to my side for now - we are en route to Rias and Sona's location. You can guide us there."

[I already have returned. We will have to cut the collars off.]

True to her words - Muramasa has in fact returned to the sword in Yuuto's grasp. The group just finished another hail of stairs.

[This is the floor where Lady Gremory and Sitri are on, master.]

The group then pressed themselves against the wall before stepping into the hallway. Koneko then utilized her Senjutsu, expanding her senses to pick up every movement.

"Several presences are congregating ahead." Koneko peeked, which everyone followed where she was looking at.

Not too far - there was a group of armed guards banging at the door, trying to get in before another one approached.

"We got reports that the VIPs escaped."

"How? I thought their magic was sealed and everything?"

"Beats me, but the HQ orders us to swipe the building pronto. But they can't be too far."

The guards then paused then turned towards the door that was inexplicably locked. But when they tested the handle, they noticed that someone was barricading the door from inside.

"Get some C2 and tell command that we may have a lead-"

However, before the soldier could have finished, they suddenly froze into stasis - bodies unmoving and eyes unblinking as Yuuto and the rest jogged towards them, with Gasper maintaining his eyes on the guards.

"Nice job, kid." Raynare commended by patting Gasper's head.

She walked up to each of the guards and placed an enchanting sleep spell on each of their heads. Raynare nodded at Gasper as he released them. The guards collapsed unconscious like puppets with their strings cut.

Snores replaced the quiet, the soldiers sleeping soundly.

Mittelt tested the handle to find that, instead of being locked, something was barring the door from opening, like someone built a barricade from the other side.

The glasses on the door were tinted and they could not see through.

[They should be inside, master.]

Muramasa provided.

Yuuto then proceeded to knock on the door, "Chief Rias? President Sona? Are you in there?"

A familiar voice answered from beyond the door, "...Yuuto?"

Relief washed over the Knight and the others, "Yes, yes. This is Yuuto, Chief Rias. Is President Sona with you?"

"...Who is our favorite barber?" Rias asked.

Yuuto blinked.



"This is my first time finding out too." Rias replied, still in the middle of processing what just transpired.

John shook his head.

"...Damn it all to hell..." John inhaled. "...Son. For someone who ain't related to the strongest, you proved yourself worthy more than those who are..."

"I am a member of the Noble House of Phenex of the 72 Pillars of The Underworld, human. You seem to have a really low standard for us devils."

"What do you think? We've hunted down the worst of your kind for months. So much arrogance and stupidity ruling over the common people... Not a single ounce worth redeeming," John sighed.

"We may distinguish ourselves through our bloodline and caste... but do not lump me, Rias and Sona together with those losers you hunted." Riser scoffed.

"You have seen the worst of our kind for too long." Sona stepped up. "It is time that you witness the best of us... please. Stop this. We don't want to continue this war anymore."

"We mean it when we say we love this world. And we care for the humans." Rias stepped up. "We are sorry for failing to recognize our failures... for believing we have the right to violate your memories for your safety. For forgetting to bring you justice... and refusing to bring you closure in our arrogance."

The Devils and angels, fallen angels included, waited for John's response.

"...Fuck. Can't believe that you passed the conditions for the test." John cursed.

"The conditions for passing the test are simple..." John explained. "Prove that our hate is wrong. And... remember the dead. That was the condition set by the Mastema and Naamah. But tell me - Why?" John looked up.

"Why did you let so much evil infest your society for this long?"

"Because we are still too weak and powerless to take everything head on, and changing an entire society takes time." Rias replied without batting an eye. "There will always be those who are consumed by greed and cause destruction and tragedies for their own ends, and we can never see them coming. But... as long as we work together... I believe the time will come when all of us can share the same earth and sky."

Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and Gasper stared at Rias with awe, while Millicas nodded proudly.

"...Were you... practicing your lines again?" Akeno asked.

Rias closed her eyes in exasperation, "Do you really have to, Akeno? Right now?"

To her credit, Akeno looked sheepish, "Sorry, carry on."

John took out something from his waist.

He ignited his crimson light sword.

"...You passed."

To everyone's horror, they watched the commander... chop off his wrist with his own weapon. His severed hand was still clutching the deadman switch.

Releasing a deep breath to weather the pain, as Kate immediately wrapped the stump with a make-shift bandage, John spoke.

"Consider this my apology, as well as my acknowledgment... By the Blood Oath we swore to Eistheth Naamah and Ermias Ordog, we concede to you, denizens of the Underworld. Your kind bears the status worthy of redemption. Kate, alert the units. Tell them to stand down. It is a situation Zeta." John ordered.

John looked up, still seeing their shocked faces.

"...What are you standing there looking at me all stupid for? Remove the collar before my severed hand loses its rigor mortis."



The aftermath of the war involved cleaning up the battlefield.

Most of the soldiers were glaring at Rias and Sona - now properly clothed in their chosen usual Kuoh Academy uniform, and their Peerages. Riser followed behind them with his Peerage, the Fallen Angels including two Ascended and Reincarnated Angels following afterwards.

Even when they were served a meal, the maids glared at them with distrust. The exposure to the worst side of Devil-kind hardened their hearts against them, the Devils understood.

John then led them towards his office, the office where the sculpted, eldritch totem that allowed him to speak to the Proctor of this 'test'.

They withheld their questions until they entered the office.

"Lord Alqalba." John spoke to the totem.

This time, he did not kneel.

[...I have been watching. I suppose you have questions for me, but first, allow me to ask. How does it feel? To meet face to face with those you callously discarded without a second thought? You treated the humans that suffered as nothing more than a number, a casualty to write in the reports, even though they died horrifically. Or suffered in equal measure. That is not how someone who professed love for humanity behaves, little girls.]

Rias closed her eyes and took a breath before replying, "Lord Alqalba, is it? I am Rias Gremory, and forgive me for speaking bluntly, but... we are not omnipotent whatsoever, as much as I want to protect the peace, it is simply impossible to save and protect everyone... Or are you perhaps saying that you have that much power to prevent those tragedies? We never like writing casualty reports, for your information."

[I am Alqalba of the Demiurge tribe, one of the commanders serving Lord Jaldabaoth. To answer you, you violated their memories with careless impunity. It wouldn't be a problem if it was just to avoid complications, witnesses present at the wrong time, but it is abuse when to cover up the crimes of the aggressors, their failures... Deny them justice.]

"If I may," Sona was the one to speak up, "I am Sona Sitri, and allow me to put this bluntly - while I admit there are many among our noble society that prefer to sweep their failures under the rug, I'm afraid you are barking at the wrong tree in this context. Rias and I only manipulate the common folk's memories to prevent mass panic. In addition, you will find in our reports that Stray Devil incidents in our territory, within the span of one year, can be counted with a single hand. We are not perfect, but we are striving to keep things peaceful."

[...Isn't that the problem?]

Alqalba asked back.

[This isn't a test for children where there is an appointed time to prepare for a trial. This is meant for adults, to prove something from their most vulnerable. That logic only applies to those that stumbled at the wrong place and time. Why are you using that logic again when there are those that will lash out at you for saying such things in their faces? There are times when one would use their inadequacies as an excuse for their failures, but this is not that time. This is the time for those willing to shoulder great burdens to rise and surpass themselves... to meet the challenge that crushes the ordinary. If you call yourselves heiresses, shouldn't you be prepared for the bare minimum at least?]

Rias and Sona shared a scowl, "...Yes, your men have made it very clear to us." Their expressions then softened, "Regardless, now that we've learned that Mordax Bael is planning a coup against our elder siblings, I believe this is an opportune moment to begin this reformation. If things go well, our government will change for the better, just like you want."

[John. Send them all of the data and prepare an ambush for Mordax Bael. Bring the children and their guardians to ambush the fallen bastard.]

Alqalba ordered.

[Eistheth and others of our ranks still support your kind. I hope you do not take this lightly. Do not waste the expectations of those that vie for your redemption. There is equal reward and punishment in this test. This test is not only meant to showcase your kind's flaws, which you failed to realize until it was too late, but also designed to make you stronger. For you and the humans that volunteered to test you. Which reminds me... what have you learned from the battles you waged against each other? John?]

John inhaled and exhaled.

"...We were prepared to die when we volunteered. You made this clear... We have underestimated the Supernatural. My years of military experience didn't work half of the time..."

[Indeed. Your biggest mistake was that you didn't throw away the blonde swordsman's weapon. It was a Trojan Horse, as the term goes. That is how they tracked you to your base.]

"...I see..." John looked down.

[Remember. This is against children. Talented ones, perhaps, but it only shows that you have much to learn and grow. And you, children. What have you learned so far?]

"Firstly, a disclaimer - we never look down on humans and are well aware that they are the embodiment of potential. We... also sorely lack combat experience."

[Indeed. You were easily ambushed. Outpositioned. You surrendered the initiative too easily to unknown foes. If it weren't for your superior physical abilities, combat knowledge, and magics, you would've died. Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri, you should've had a bullet in your heads ten times by now.]

Rias and Sona scowled, along with the others, but did not say otherwise.

"Alqalba." Baraqiel spoke up. "I understand the intentions of your superiors, but this has gone too far. You could've killed the children."

[If we did, we would just revive them.]

Alqalba rebuked nonchalantly.

[It wouldn't be a test otherwise. A test must bring out their all in the most extremes, to bring the best out of the recipients.]

"I stand by my statement." Baraqiel gritted his teeth.

[You are afraid of seeing your daughter die. I understand... but you cannot protect her at all times. It is best that you help her protect herself, but that is not what you want to hear. So I shall impart you all with a secret method to grow stronger. This is not the only reward. This is no drug, secret ritual, or genetic engineering.]

Alqalba followed.

[Within our culture, the more determined are willing... to train in their dreams.]

Alqalba explained.

[This is how we trained the humans so well under such a short time. We train them when they are awake and when they sleep. With Oneiromancy, we can translate their experience in the dream world into the physical world. Exercises done in the dream will reap the same benefits in reality. Not even the Fallen Angel knew of this secret. Lucifer might've known, but he is too much of a coward to let anything of his creation surpass him, however.]

[But it is also... stressful. To train continuously without ample rest can wear the mind. However, it could be offset by a master oneiromancer... or a God of Dreams.]

"The White Room Device..." Sona muttered.

[That is an derivative meant to torture. One adapted from human invention, one a soldier came up with after experiencing the hellish training in their dreams. They did not expect you two to make use of it. This time, however, there will be no silence or void, no isolation. You have connections... or, the Awakened One has them. Call upon them to help you. I am sure one God of Dreams is in your minds.]

"...Lord Morpheus..." Gasper realized.

[Morpheus... Is that what Oneiros refers to himself nowadays? Oh well - If you do not have any more questions, I suggest you wait for the other rewards. This knowledge will benefit your training and help you surpass your peers.]

"...Will there be another one of these... tests?" Sona asked.

[The next one isn't for you or your friends. You will know. ... Ah before I forget. I offer an invitation to the funeral.]

Rias and Sona blinked, "Funeral?"

[Yes. To honor the memory of the deceased. Those of your kind ruthlessly slaughtered in your mismanagement. Will you attend them?]

Rias and Sona looked down - objectively speaking, they had no obligation to accept the invitation, as there was little to nothing they could do for the dead. However, looking back at how the humans have been viewing them so far....

"...We will." Rias and Sona shared a nod.

[...Good. I hope you invest your preparations. The guests are not few.]

The eldritch totem then became silent, the blue sculpture growing dim.

The children were deep in thought about the revelation. Rias and Sona were deep in thought, concerned about the next test, even if it was not meant for them.

"...I suppose you know how we got this far with this little secret." John remarked, breaking the silence.

"...No wonder you humans got so strong so fast. So, how was it? The Dream training?" Raynare asked.

"Imagine training for twenty-four hours straight, no breaks. No shut eye. Tired all the time with the feeling growing heavier and heavier each day, even if it was all in our heads." John remarked. "They didn't relieve our fatigue to train our minds. Sometimes it got so bad we don't know if we're asleep or awake. Some of us had sleepwalking syndrome for weeks."

Rias and Sona blinked, surprised to hear about the repercussions of this... dream training.

"If you do have a God of Dreams to help you sleep like a baby, then I'll say I'm jealous... we're going to hit Mordax Bael."

Rias and Sona turned to John.

"Lord Alqalba gave his orders. We can lure the bastard out for you kids to get him. Unless you want to add something else."

Rias and Sona exchanged glances, before they returned to address the human.

"While we are still here... There is one matter we'd like to discuss with you."

To be Continued....



Halloween Special

Issei squinted his eyes at the sarcophagus.

There was a hieroglyphic symbol on the side that bore a resemblance to a pair of breasts for some reason.

"Where did you get this coffin?" Issei asked.

He and the church-angel trio joined Rias and the Occult Research Club to accompany them on a joint request - a director contracting Rias for an emergency substitution of staff.

The job was to help an upstart movie director film a set for a Halloween special movie flick. It was horror-genre, of course - the plot was simple as well. However, before they could shoot the final act, the majority of his crew members and supporting casts went down with illness and were hospitalized, leaving him severely understaffed, save for the main cast - an indie model who wanted to make a name for herself in the filming industry, a handful of staff, and his script-writer.

"Ah, I got it from my dad. He works in a museum, thankfully, it is on loan."

"Your dad? Wait, is it that Kuoh Museum?" Issei asked, turning to look at the director.

His face did bear a resemblance to that professor, now that he thought about it.

"A colleague sent it to him from Egypt. My father was helping him decipher some unusual glyphs."

"Like that symbol which looked like a pair of breasts?" Issei pointed.

"Like I said, unusual. I had to beg him to borrow it."

Issei sensed something strange about this coffin, but he could not put it to words. It was like his supernatural sense was tingling... could it be?

Issei turned to the church trio, "Say, any of you bring some holy water?"

Asia nodded and produced a small vial of holy water, which Issei poured some of its content on top of the coffin. The inscriptions on the coffin glowed before glitching out, flickering like a broken light bulb on its last legs. The eerie feeling seems to be weaker than before...

"Maybe a little more just in case."

Asia smiled sweetly and pulled out another vial of holy from who knew where.

"Thank you."

He poured all of the contents onto the coffin with impunity, the water trickling onto the metal.

He could almost hear something screaming in pain inside the sarcophagus, but that was probably his imagination.

"Hmm.... Yeah, I think we're good now." Issei nodded in approval, before he turned back to everyone, "So, where were we?"

"We're going to prepare while familiarizing ourselves here, then we'll do the shooting of the final act." Rias explained with an excited smile.

"You look excited. I get it, you always have a knack for acting. Incredible performance you had in your room," Issei smiled when he recalled Rias' little rehearsal before the fiasco with Riser.

"A-Ahem, a-anyways," Rias blushed and pouted, looking away from Issei's amused gaze. "Y-Your role is to play a priest. Asia, Irina, and Xenovia will play as nuns under you. All you had to do is exorcise the possessed."

"Who's going to be possessed?" Issei asked.

"That would be me."

Issei turned to see a woman standing next to Yuuto - the former looked like she was talking with the Knight, or more like flirting, judging from his slightly worn-out smile.

Issei was not surprised that the princey-looking boy was already attracting attention of fairer sex, but he had to admit that the actress was a looker - she looked like a westerner despite being claimed as Japanese.

Creamy skin with dark brown eyes and black hair combed into glossy strands that looked like she coated them in a tinge of amber, a face that could charm hot-blooded teenagers, with a body to back it up; average height, not as voluptuous or curvaceous as Rias or Akeno, but her three-sizes and small muscles were just at the right balances to make her look kind of tall. A fit and healthy kind of sexy.

"Makie Kinato, nice to meet you."

The woman - Makie confidently offered her hand for a shake, which Issei reciprocated on reflex. Upon shaking hands, the actress' brown orbs twinkled with a newfound amusement.

"Mm, such a strong hand."

Issei quirked a brow... wait, the girl was using both hands to hold his hand.

Wait, she was now rubbing his hand, as of exploring it, he could feel her gripping hard repeatedly as if testing the firmness of his muscles.

"Yes, you are more cut compared to Mr. Kiba. You have this dangerous vibe that is more endearing than most men I've met prior."

She smiled as her hands started to press against his chest. Okay, he was starting to feel molested at this point.

"Thanks...?" Issei leaned back.

Taking a closer look, he could see the same unnerving spark behind her eyes that reminded him of Kiryu, the way she was smiling with a perverse light that it started to unsettle him.

Luckily, Irina literally stepped in, hugging Issei's arm while leaning her cheek against his shoulder.

"Yes, my man here is very cool, isn't he?" Irina remarked with a smile that looked too sweet to be sincere.

Rias, Akeno and all of the girls from ORC did not say anything, but they were certainly not amused by Makie's attitude towards Issei.

"He would fit the bill of a blockbuster movie star! I mean, look at him, those chiseled abs would get him so many fans, you know?" Makie gushed as she gestured at Issei's frame.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure he is." Rias finally stepped in as well, "But I believe we are wasting time. Why don't we get back on track? We have our jobs to fulfill, correct?"

"Oh, right! Let's go over the lines! How about you and I practice together?" Makie insisted as she held Issei's hand with an excited smile, Issei could smell the lust coming from her already, the very perverted kind coming from Kiryu usually.

"Oh, no, no, no." Irina quickly pulled Issei back, "He and I are partners in this movie, right? It only makes sense if he practices with me and others. I believe you'll do just fine on your own."

"Oh, but I just can't get the possession scene right~" Makie said. "I could use a fine second opinion."

"Oh, let us be the judge for that~" Akeno then stepped in, holding the actress' shoulders from behind so she could stir her away, with Rias following along on cue. "We can help you and improve your lackings."

"Uh, wait-" Makie wanted to protest, but Akeno was surprisingly strong - as she found herself dragged to the backstage, leaving Issei alone with the rest of the others watching the miko disappear with the actress.

"...Well... Didn't think I would find another Kiryu in this life." Issei commented.

This was going to be an interesting job

OxO

"And... Action!"

Issei and everyone watched as Makie walked into the scene of the final act. He was dressed in the clerical outfit, along with the church trio in their own nun outfits.

The rest of the devils were helping as supports - Yuuto as the cameraman, Rias and Akeno were in charge of visual and sound effects; Koneko and Millicas were helping with holding the microphone poles above the stage, with Ravel and Lint in charge of lighting.

It was the exorcism scene where they have to perform an exorcism beside the borrowed coffin. The setting of this story made the mechanics of exorcism different, believing that proximity to the resting place of the spirit possessing the victim would yield a surefire exorcism.

Which was both an interesting concept and yet a little dumb in Issei's opinion.

From what he knew, it would only make the exorcism harder to perform in most cases. The gravesite had to be heavily consecrated first for the exorcism to be stronger.

Issei prepared himself.

"May we see the poor soul?" Issei tried to act like a cleric, but he did not speak Christian. The best he could get was help from devout exorcists.

"A-Ah, the poor soul, um, d-do we... uhhhhh... Do you believe... Do you believe we can save her?"

Oh, right - Issei glanced at Asia, who literally just recited her lines in a monotone before turning to look at Rias, silently asking whether she did her line justice or not; she was too pure. The holy maiden was already fumbling, her face was red as apples, he could see the figurative steam blowing out of her ears.

Rias replied to Asia with a thumbs-up and an amused smile on her face.

" ! Ugh, I bit my tongue..."

Ah, Xenovia was already having a mental breakdown. She looked like a robot undergoing a major malfunction, which was a bit adorable.

"I believe in you, Ise- I mean, Father. Together we will see through this ordeal."

Irina on the other hand, was a little too engrossed in her role as she pretty much threw herself over Issei, pressing her frame against his torso. She somehow ended up acting as the priest's 'lover' rather than his assistant. However, since the director did not scream 'cut' or anything, Issei believed the whole scene could be edited later.

Now, to see how Makie was....

"...What is she doing?"

Makie climbed atop the coffin.

It was not a normal way like how a human climbed onto something, but the way she moved was like an animal, very reminiscent of Sadako in the Grudge, limbs twisting and bent in unnatural ways as she scuttled like a cockroach.

"Ahhhhhh! Yessss!"

Why was she speaking as if she was in a porn flick?

Wait, she had her hand rubbing her crotch area, with her other hand undoing her top and massaging her mounds.

"Whoa, whoa! What are you doing?!"

"Silence, you bastard and let me finish this!"

Issei winced back when he heard Makie began to chant in a distorted fusion of multiple voices speaking at the same time. He glanced at the church trio who looked as befuddled as he was.

What was strange was that Makie was not speaking Japanese, but something western... Arabic? That was not even quite right.

On the sidelines, Rias immediately noticed that something went wrong before she turned to the director, who was engrossed at watching the unfolding. He caught her glance, and signed to her to keep the camera rolling with an excited look on his face.

Rias wanted to do otherwise, but found herself hesitating at what to do; should she just fool the director that everything was alright? The director seemed to believe it already.

Back on the stage - Issei, Asia, Irina and Xenovia watched in differing levels of mortification as Makie groaned as her body convulsed, as she was literally masturbating and climaxing on camera.

"I thought this was a horror movie! I didn't agree to this!" Irina whisper-shouted with a blushing face.

"To think that I encountered a ravishing-looking vessel brimming with such youthful desires! More! More, I say!" 'Makie' remarked with an euphoric voice.

Okay, she sounded possessed. Issei hoped it was not another deviant spirit or whatever.

"It should be, but seriously, I don't recall any of this in the script. Should I knock her out or..." Issei turned to the director who was holding up a large cue card.

KEEP ROLLING!

To Issei's shock, the Director was engrossed in this.

"...Fuck it."

"I refuse to heed your demands, foul spirit! You will leave the world of the living once I utter the words of our lord and savior!"

Issei rolled with it, but he chose to improvise as well. Time to test his theory and perform the real exorcism, not the one in the script.

"Exorcizamus te omnis spiritus immundus, omnes malignitates, omnes insurrectiones infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio, et secta vilis. Ergo, omnes legiones furiales, obtesemur vos... Desinite corruptionem mortalium veneno eterne exitii. Contremisce et fuge, invocatum nomen sanctum tuum et terribile, purgatorii et paradisi creatorem, a unguis mali, libera nos, Domine. Adesto, quaesumus, aurem tuam et tribue nobis virtutem tuam, virtutem sanctam, ut malos percutias et scelestos emundes."

"You think you can exorcise me to Anubis... with... this?!"

The possessed victim roared - or shrieked, it was hard to tell with that horrific, amalgamated voice, like a man and a woman screaming in discord.

"Grrhh... But this vessel - as ravishing as she is, she is still too weak! I need more power for my return!" the possessed eyes then turned towards Issei, "The abundant power within you, will do more than fine!"

Issei was ready to react when the possessed Makie lunged at him, however, something else tackled her mid-air.

"Keep your claws off my man, you wench!" Irina growled as she and the possessed Makie wrestled on the floor.

With a surprising burst of strength, 'Makie' reversed her position into a mounting position on top of Irina's frame, then she proceeded to tear Irina's top off, revealing her bra-clad torso. Alarmed at the direction of where things were heading to, Irina immediately let loose as well, revealing her red, angelic wings.

"Oh, no you don't!"

Irina flapped her wings, lifting both her and Makie's body up to the air. Irina then used her aerial-superiority to drive Makie until her back hit against the nearby wall.

'Makie' growled in pain before she shrieked at Irina's face. Her face somewhat contorted into more like an old man than a woman. She struggled to break free, but Irina managed to overpower her thanks to her wings backing her up, albeit barely.

"Ise, darling? A little hel-Mmmf?!"

Everyone gawped.

'Makie's' lips crashed into Irina's, catching the red-winged angel off guard, using that moment of weakness to break her hands free.

It got more out of control when her hands were molesting Irina, rubbing her but, a knee raised to grind at her crotch.

"Holy..." Issei did not expect the sudden lesbian action; it was getting out of hand.

Irina was blushing hard, too stunned at the sudden development. However, Issei snapped out of his stupor a second later and turned to the other two angels near him.

"Asia, Xenovia! Gloves off! We'll finish things here and now!" Issei decided to go all out.

Upon hearing Issei's voice, the pair put their game faces on and revealed their respective angelic wings - with Asia also activating her Twilight Healing and Staff of Asclepius, surprising the director even further. With their holy radiance enhancing the exorcism ritual, they began praying with Issei reciting the exorcism rites.

Exorcizamus te omnis spiritus immundus, omnes malignitates, omnes insurrectiones infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio, et secta vilis. Ergo, omnes legiones furiales, obtesemur vos... Desinite corruptionem mortalium veneno eterne exitii. Contremisce et fuge, invocatum nomen sanctum tuum et terribile, purgatorii et paradisi creatorem, a unguis mali, libera nos, Domine. Adesto, quaesumus, aurem tuam et tribue nobis virtutem tuam, virtutem sanctam, ut malos percutias et scelestos emundes.

"AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

'Makie' pulled her face away from Irina to let out an unholy shriek that was even worse as the possessed victim was on fire, holy fire even, prompting Irina to break free from Makie's hold.

"It's... too... late!"

The possessed cackled as the fires were snuffed instantly.

Then the sarcophagus opened.

He looked like an Egyptian from ancient times, and his face seethed with rage, his eyes were glaring at Issei particularly.

"Boy! I'm going to send you to the Underworld for nearly sending me to Anubis! I, Ulnas, will-"

Exploding Heart Release Fist: Shooting Stardust Bombardment Edition

'Ulnas' words were cut short when Issei's fist slammed through his chest, fist bursting through his rib and lungs as Ulnas lurched forward, shock mixed with agony and pain, eyes trembling from the confusion, unable to understand what just happened to him.

"Tell Anubis I said hi."

Then Issei exploded Ulnas inside out using Kokabiel's Ascended technique, stardust of holy light erupting within.

Everyone had to cover their eyes as the brightness grew its intensity, followed by the ghost - Ulnas' agonizing cry of pain. By the time everything settled down, the actress was unconscious on the floor, with Issei and the church trio remaining standing.

While Ulnas was vaporized from existence.

"And.... Cut!"

Issei blinked and realized that the director was approaching him while clapping elatedly.

"That was amazing, kid! Things got off the rail really bad earlier, but I'm so glad I didn't stop the shooting!" The director clapped on Issei's back - the latter was staring quizzically at the former who proceeded to pull him into a quick hug, then the director addressed the rest, "I really have to give it to you, Lady Gremory and her friends! You should've told me you've prepared so many of those special effects! I was right to ask the real supernaturals for this gig!"

The director then turned towards the actress, who was slowly waking up - groaning with the looks of someone having a severe hangover.

"Ugh... Where - where am I? What happened...?" Makie asked groggily while nursing her throbbing temple.

"Makie! Come here, you sexy beast, you!" The director gingerly approached to help the disoriented woman back to her feet, "You outdid yourself is what happened! The masturbating part was a tad too much, but you really looked like someone being possessed! You're gonna be a household name in the near future for sure!"

"Eh... W-What... What happened?" Makie was speaking in slow slurs, confused and still reeling from the strong possession.

Watching the director showering Makie and other crews with praises and good jobs, Issei then turned to the girls.

"Um.... Everyone okay?"

Irina only sighed as she glomped Issei from behind and clung to him like a koala.

"I've been molested by a woman suffering from some demonic possession, Ise. Spoil me tonight and I'll be alright as rain." Irina grumbled as she rubbed her head against Issei's face, much to the other girls' mild jealousy.

Long story short, upon its premiere - the movie received mixed reviews and became a controversy due to some explicit scenes, but critics and the mass praised the movie for its choreography, special effects and the lead actress' performance.

On that note, Makie Kinato has become a new rising star in the movie and showbiz industry. She received several acolytes and contract offers, but during her interview, she explicitly stated not to take any job which was horror or supernatural related. When she was asked about her first debut, Makie simply walked away after replying, 'no comment'.



To tell you the truth, the Halloween Omake is also posted with chapter 108. Yes, chapter 108, not 107; because I've done a double-chapter update on my (P).. atreon this Halloween.

Happy Halloween!