Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DxD.
Chapter 11: Peerage and Pacts
'Thinking'
"Talking"
"Talking"
- Occult Research Clubhouse -
-Sora Sakai -
"What do you know about a Devil's Peerage?" Rias asks with a gleam in her blue eyes, staring at me hungrily as I try not to grimace at the question. I've been expecting it, but that doesn't change the fact that I haven't had time to make enough connections with the Fallen to get them to cover for me. I'll need to find some other way out this.
"I know that they're some type of servant class amongst Devil society," I shrug, trying to play it off. "Why?"
"Because, I'd like you to join mine." She responds, not beating around the bush at all, though she does raise a hand to stall any comments. "Before you get the wrong idea, I want make sure it's clear that while such treatment might be true for other Devils with Peerages, I and my family have always treated those in our Peerages like family."
There's a passion in her words as she starts talking about Peerages which surprises me, and I find myself at least curious enough to listen through her speech.
"I won't deny that there are more than a few Devils in our society who view Reincarnated Devils as being lesser than Pureblood Devils, but that sort of mentality has greatly diminished over the last century. Nowadays, most Reincarnated Devils enjoy many of the same protections and freedoms as any other Devil, with the added bonus of being able to eventually gain their own Peerage. Once they get promoted to High-Class, of course."
Pausing for a moment, Rias stares at me with conviction as she raises a hand to her chest, resting her palm over where her heart is and unintentionally -or completely intentionally- causing her uniform shirt to stretch against her breasts and reveal the outline of her nipples. "I promise you, Sakai. On my honor as the Heiress of my House, the House of Gremory; you will always be treated like family when you're in my Peerage."
I have to give it to her, that was a pretty tempting offer. And the subtle 'when', not 'if', at the end there really drove home how certain she is of my joining her Peerage.
And it might have worked too, if I had any intention at all of becoming a Devil.
I've got too many ideas for my future to be chained by the restraints of becoming a Devil. Not to mention the political minefield that is the volatile situation surrounding Devil society's future with the Old Satan Faction and Qlippoth.
Now…how to let her down?
"I…This is all very sudden, you understand." I speak up, my mind racing as I try to think of a way out of here that doesn't end in potential hostilities. Maybe I can get out of it by asking to take my time, and hide away in my home until after her engagement? "Can I have some time to think about this?"
Watching Rias and Akeno glance at each other worriedly, I feel my hopes dash as Rias shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but this is something that needs to be decided quickly. I must have your answer today…"
Shit, I need to stall…
"Why the rush? Surely such a choice shouldn't be made on such short notice." The momentary hesitancy I see in Rias gives me some breathing room to push her. "And if we really are to become like family, as you said, then wouldn't it be better to take our time in getting to know each other?"
Please work, please work, please work, please work…
Affection Check - Have: 25 | Required: 20
Check Passed!
+3 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 28 | Obedience: 0
+3 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 32 | Obedience: 0
"Y-You're right, Sakai. It's not fair of me to ask this of you without at least explaining why…" Rias pauses to gather herself. As she does, Akeno lays a hand on her King's skirt-covered thigh in silent support, getting a thankful smile from her before she takes a deep breath. "You see…I'm engaged to be married in two days' time. To a man who I loathe with all my heart."
"Because it's been arranged by our families, the only way I can get out of it is by challenging him to a competition and test his worth as my potential suitor. A competition which requires both parties to have a chance at winning, and can only be undertaken by the one's named in the arrangement or someone bound by them. Once the challenge is set, both parties are given a small amount of time to prepare themselves." She explains, revealing a bit more about the situation than I had seen in the anime.
Not surprising considering everything was shown from Issei's point of view, so it's possible the guy might have been too busy staring at boobs to listen. I mean, I'm also glancing at Rias and Akeno's boobs every so often, but that's while keeping an ear on the conversation.
"Unlike others, I don't specialize in any sort of competition that would give me enough of a chance against someone who is several years older than me. The only real way I can challenge him is through fighting in what's called a Rating Game; an all-out battle between his Peerage and mine."
I had wondered how Sona was able to get out of her engagement with her potential suitor with just a chess match, while Rias had to go through a Rating Game to try and break hers off. Sona is known as a chess prodigy/genius, and had more than enough confidence in her ability with the game to choose that as her challenge.
Whereas Rias really only has her otaku fixation. And I doubt they'll allow the marriage to be broken off over a challenge of who can remember the most about a particular anime or manga.
Trying not to chuckle out loud at that thought, I continue to listen as Rias seems to wind down to the end of her explanation.
"…which is why it's so important that I get your answer on joining my Peerage today. I need all the help I can get to stand a chance against him, and we'll only be allowed a maximum of 10 days to prepare after I set the competition. If I don't choose in next two days, then the marriage will go ahead. No matter what." She ends with a frustrated huff, her hand quickly coming up to subtly wipe a small tear that has been slowly gathering in the corner of her eye.
I don't say anything for a few moments to give her the chance to center herself again, before I finally start speaking. "I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Rias. Truly. This obviously isn't fair to you, and you shouldn't be forced into marrying someone you hate because of a contract. Marriage should be about love, and wanting to share your life with someone."
My words elicit a grateful smile from her, and one from Akeno as well, who has been silent but supportive of Rias through this whole conversation.
"However," I grimace, seeing their smiles quickly drop to frowns the more I continue. "I have goals that I wish to achieve, and they just aren't possible if I become a Devil…no matter how well you treat me, or how much your society's changed. So I must decline your generous offer in joining your Peerage…I'm sorry."
-7 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 21 | Obedience: 0
-7 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 25 | Obedience: 0
It's almost painful to watch her face shatter like I'd just destroyed her hopes and dreams. And those beautiful blue eyes that had been staring at me earlier with hope, are now welling up with tears that she tries unsuccessfully to stop. At her side, Akeno shifts her body towards Rias's, their knees touching as she leans over to wrap her arm around her King's shoulders.
Faint whispers barely reach my ears as Akeno tries to consul her. They're too quiet to make out what's being said, but I can guess that Rias is beginning to spiral.
Quest Received:
[A Helping Hand]
Objective: Find a way to aid Rias with her situation.
Reward: [Random Legendary Item]
I barely even notice the textbox showing a loss in Affection with them as I stare at the new quest.
Did I want a random Legendary Item?
Of course you do!
…She's right, I do. But that means thinking of some way to help Rias out. One which doesn't require me to become a Devil…
What about that thingy you've got in your inventory?
'What thin-….That's it! You're a genius, Gaia!'
:D Hehe!
"Hang on…" I call out suddenly, drawing their attention to me as Rias looks up through crimson strands of hair with watery eyes and a faint glimmer of hope. One that is matched by Akeno's own violet orbs as they listen in. "You said only you, or someone bound to you, can take part in the competition right?"
Rias nods, though she and Akeno have confusion written all over their faces.
"Does that bond only include your Peerage? Or can it be some other form of bond or pact?"
"I-It can be any type of bond, so long as it's powered by magic and done willingly between both parties." She replies hesitantly, and the hope I see in her eyes is growing.
Good…In that case, maybe I just might get out of this without becoming a member of her Peerage after all. "Then what about if we use this?" I ask, reaching into my Inventory and pulling out the [Mages Pact] that's been sitting in there for a while now. "Could this work?"
[Mages Pact] - (Item)
"A document upon which a pact between Mages is bound."
Creates a bound contract between yourself and another.
I had completely forgotten about this thing after I picked it up. I was more worried about preparing to face the Fallen at the time, so I put it out of my mind and left it alone thinking it wouldn't be very useful. 'Thank you, Gaia. Had you not reminded me, I would have been so screwed here.'
Any time! :)
"W-What is it?" Rias asks as I place it on the coffee table where the Holy Sword used to be, pushing the sheet with magic symbols closer to them so that she and Akeno can take a look.
As they lean over in their seats on the couch to look at the pact, I explain my idea. "This is a Mage's Pact. I've never used one before, but it's supposed to bind myself and the one I make a pact with together until the terms of the contract are complete."
"I've heard of these, but I've never actually used one either." Rias replies as her and Akeno's eyes roam over the pact like it's a life-line. "My mother and father both have pacts with Mages as well, though they haven't made any new ones in decades…"
Looking over the sheet for a few moments, she turns to her Queen. "Akeno? What do you think?"
"Hmm…" Akeno makes a noise as she looks over the sheet, eventually smiling as she gives Rias a nod. "I think this might actually work." Turning her attention in my direction, she fixes me with a stare. "But it also means that you'll be facing Riser."
I shrug, "Yeah, but it's the only way to save Rias-san from this marriage without turning me into a Devil. Unless you can think of some other option?"
"No…I can't. " She shakes her head. Long, raven-black hair -that reminds me very much of Raynare's- sways in its ponytail. "But as confident as you sound, you just don't seem strong enough to take him on. In fact, I'm not sure you're strong enough to take either one of us on, and we're not on Riser's level."
Her brutally honest words knock Rias out of the happy cloud she's been floating in from the moment that Akeno agreed my plan might work, and now she's looking incredibly worried as she realizes the same thing.
"That's true." I totally agree with her. I'd probably be turned to ash before I could even lay a scratch on Riser as I am now.
But she doesn't know about the Dungeons. "But you've obviously noticed how fast I'm growing, and that I'm still growing stronger with each day. As long as I get those ten days to prepare, I'll be more than ready to take him on then."
My confidence seems to somewhat mollify her, as she gives a short nod before turning to Rias. "Rias? What do you say?"
Instead of answering her, Rias looks to me with all the hope she has, "Can you really beat him?"
"I can. With those 10 days to prepare."
+7 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 28 | Obedience: 0
+7 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 32 | Obedience: 0
"Then," She takes a deep breath, "Let's do it."
Turning our attention back to the Mages Pact, Rias and I get to work on the wording for it. Ultimately, we decide on the pact being in effect until I defeat Riser and free Rias from her arranged marriage to him. There was a bit of a stumble when it came to what my reward would be for helping her, though.
"Whatever reward is within my power as the Heiress of House Gremory to give, I'll gladly pay it to be free of him." Rias states firmly, not backing down even as Akeno glances at her in concern.
Her open-ended offer gives me far too many ideas as to what I can ask for. Some perverted, some greedy, but most of it comes down to the question of what will help me the most. Money? Meh…I could use some more cash to renovate my home, but that seems like a bit of a waste.
Maybe some type of political protection?
Could be useful to have her House back me in case the Phenex's try to take their revenge. And there's always a risk of my plans to have better relations with the Fallen or any other Faction ending up crashing and burning. "How about an offer of protection and support from your House, in case someone in Devil society tries to go after me for interfering in your engagement?"
"Are you sure?" She asks, "That seems like such a small thing to ask for in return for what you'll be doing for me."
Shrugging, I give her a warm smile. "It's not like I'm doing this for a reward. I'm doing this because you need my help, and I'm in a position to do just that. Getting something out of it isn't what's important to me. Securing your freedom is, Rias."
+7 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 35 | Obedience: 0
+7 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 39 | Obedience: 0
Rias's face flushes a vibrant red at my words, and Akeno immediately breaks into laughter as her King tries to stutter out her response. "T-Thank you, S-Sora. T-That really means a lot to me…"
With nothing else left to say, we finish filling out the sheet and sign our names while channeling our power into it, activating the seals on the Pact and binding ourselves together for the near future. There's now a slight connection I can feel inside of myself, almost like a chain that's binding me to her.
It's an odd feeling, but one that's easily ignored unless I try to focus on it.
Quest Received:
[I Object!]
Objective: Stop Rias's Engagement.
Reward: [?] [?]
Now that the [Mages Pact] is in place, I stand up with Rias and Akeno to make my goodbyes. "If you don't mind, I need to get started on my preparations. So if you could do me a favor and see about getting some kind of pass from school for the next few days…"
"Of course, I'll talk to Sona right away." Rias waves off the favor, "Also, I'll be sending word to my family that I've chosen what the competition will be and that you'll be taking part in it for me. Just make sure to be here in the ORC ten days from now, and someone will take you to where the competition will take place."
"As you wish." I reply. Remembering to bow, I give them both one before my vision is suddenly filled with crimson as Rias's arms wrap around me in a hug.
Feeling warm breath on my ear, I slowly return the hug as she whispers in my ear. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Sora. I know this was a lot to ask of you, and it means so much to me that you said yes. I promise to repay you as best as I can." Turning her face, Rias places a quick, gentle kiss on my cheek before pulling back with a blush.
+12 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 47 | Obedience: 0
"Ara Ara! Who knew you could be so bold, Rias!" Akeno teases her with a giggle, causing Rias's blush to skyrocket. The look she gives Akeno is cute enough to make me laugh out loud. Though it's quickly muffled by Akeno's lips descending on me in a passionate kiss, causing Rias to gasp in shock.
Before I have a chance to really enjoy it, the sudden kiss ends as quickly as it began, leaving my lips tingling as Rias and I stare at her in surprise.
+12 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 51 | Obedience: 0
"What?" She shrugs at Rias without remorse, "I appreciate what he's doing for you too, Rias. Or are you saying that you want Sora all to yourself? Hmm?"
Suddenly, her face turns mischievous as she notices Rias's twitch. "Ufufufu! How positively devious of you to try and keep him all to yourself, my King." Smiling sadistically, Akeno pushes her even further as she continues. "How positively scandalous it would be then, as your Queen, if he and I ran off together and had our own pleasurable time behind your back."
"Wh-What?! Akeno, how could you say something like that!"
"Ufufufu!"
Recognizing that it's time for me to go before I get dragged into whatever this is, I wave goodbye to them both before turning to walk out of the room. As I make my way down the steps towards the first floor, I hear the sounds of Akeno's laughter continue to echo through the open doorway.
"Ufufufu!"
"Akeno~! It's not funny!"
I let out a quiet chuckle as I leave the ORC building and begin walking across the school lawn back to the main building. I need to let Aika know that I'm going to be busy over the next couple of days so that she doesn't think I'm ghosting her against.
Those two seem like a lot of fun!
'Yes, they do.' As I let my thoughts wander over how I'm going to take on Riser and his Peerage, several new textboxes appear in front of me. One of which immediately stops me in my tracks.
Akeno Affection [50] - Perk Unlocked:
[Fallen Fancy] (Perk)
Increased Affection and Obedience with all Fallen.
…
Quest Completed!
[A Helping Hand]
Reward:
Unlocked - [Sacred Gear: Innovate Clear] (Legendary)
…
[Sacred Gear: Innovate Clear] (Legendary) - Lvl. 1 (Novice)
Longinus-Tier
Allows you to create an ideal world within another dimension.
Can create near-perfect imitations of living beings inside the dimension.
Damn, I was so close to getting Rias's Affection 50 reward, but at least I scored a good one with Akeno. And hoLY SHIT! I got a fucking LONGINUS!
LET'S GOOOOOO!
Yaaaaaay! :D
Thank the System no one is around to see me do a little happy dance, because I probably look like an idiot right now with how excited I am. But can you blame me? Every Longinus in DxD is basically an over-powered, bullshit item with amazing abilities.
'Seriously though, Gaia. How is it that the maximum level for being a Sacred Gear user is Level 500, when these things are said to be capable of killing Gods?'
The Levels are mainly a way of representing a person's raw power.
It doesn't really include their experience or abilities.
…I don't know, it's weird.
'Um, what? I don't follow.'
Okay…I thiiiink~ I can explain.
Like, if there are two Level 1 Humans fighting a Level 5 Devil person,
And one has a Holy Sword, while the other has an Iron Sword.
The one with a Holy Sword would be able to potentially kill the Devil,
while the other one wouldn't. Right?
'Yeah, kinda…'
And yet they're still same Level, because they have the same amount of power.
It's like how Rias has the same ability -the Power of Destruction- as her brother, who's a Satan.
But she's only Level 57.
That's because she only has High-Class levels of raw power.
'I think I understand, but how does that translate to a Longinus only being a maximum Level of 500?'
A Longinus-thingy doesn't make you a God or give you the power equal to one,
It just gives you the potential ability to kill one.
The maximum set Level of power one can attain with a Sacred Gear is the same as Devils, Fallen, and Angels.
Because that's how the meanie God guy designed them.
'Ooooooh…' Still really doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I kinda understand it.
Maybe. A little.
More importantly, I've got another Sacred Gear on my hands. And a fight against a regenerating Devil who's stronger than Rias and Akeno to worry about. Which means even more grinding to do over the next 10 days.
I swear…Once this is over, I'm taking a vacation.
- Sakai Compound -
Teleporting back to my home after speaking with Aika, who thankfully wasn't very upset about me being busy over the next few days, I wave at the Oni and Komainu patrolling the grounds while taking in the changes to my home.
Thanks to the money being dropped in the Zombie Dungeon, Ni and San have been able to purchase furniture and materials to help fill the two side buildings and the main one.
Now, the third building on the left is decorated tastefully -but sparsely- as a future guest room for people who might need to stay here. While the second building on the right has now become a conference room slash personal office for more important conversations and work to get done.
With the addition of several dozen lights now having been installed around the compound, the place really is starting to feel like home to me.
"Welcome back, Master. How was your day?" Ichi's soft voice drifts into my ear as she walks over to stand beside me.
"Busy." I reply as I turn to her; taking in her shiny long black hair with gold accents, the small white mask adorning her face revealing black eyes and black-painted lips curling in a soft smile as she notices my gaze on her. The all-black suit with gold accents caressing her lithe frame shifts as she pushes her modest chest out.
"I'm glad you're here," I breathe, laying my hands on her hips and pulling her body flush against mine, our faces dangerously close as I stare into her eyes. "We have ten days to prepare for a fight against Riser, and this time you all are coming with me."
Black eyes with widened pupils stare at me in surprise as her black-painted lips ghost along my own. "Are you sure that's such a good idea, Master?" She whispers, her mind racing with the potential fallout of what will happen even as she pushes her chest against mine. Her arms coming up to wrap around my neck. "It will draw much attention to you. Attention we might not be strong enough to protect you from."
Chuckling softly, I lean the smallest bit to peck her lips. "Don't worry, Ichi. I have an idea." Leaning my head to the side, my breath warms her ear as I whisper the plan I've thought up. When I finish, I pull back to see what she thinks.
"…I like it." Ichi smiles, one of her hands coming up to softly play with my hair as the other's nails lightly scratch my neck pleasantly. "Though once it's done, I think you and I should take some time for ourselves to relax. It's been far too busy lately."
Sighing in pleasure at her gentle touch, I feel my eyes drift shut as I let her hands continue to do as they please while my own move down to cup her firm ass. Getting a delighted gasp from her black lips.
"I think you're right. We have been very busy lately, and there's still even more to be done. But for right now…" Slowly opening my eyes, I smile at her lovingly before my lips cover the small distance from hers in a kiss. One she immediately responds to as her lips move against mine slowly, neither of us in any hurry as we taste each other.
Ever so slowly, our lips separate just enough to allow us to breathe.
Staring at her, I grin at the hungry glint in her eyes. "Later, Ichi. We've got work to do…"
"Hai, Master." She purrs out, her tone promising to get back at me for what I've started as a pleasant thrill shoots up my spine.
- Underworld -
Inside of a massive building that acted as the headquarters for the Underworld's Department of Domestic Affairs, a beautiful silver-haired maid dressed in a blue and white maid's outfit walked down the lone hallway leading toward a set of thick double-doors.
Pausing in front of them, the maid raised her hand and gently rapped her knuckles against the wood, careful not to shatter the doors with her strength.
"Come in." A clear, charming voice called out from the other side of the doors.
Silently, the maid opened the doors and stepped quietly into the room, shutting them behind her to ensure no one could overhear their conversation. As she did, the only other person in the large office looked up from a pile of paperwork in surprise.
"Ah, Grayfia! You're early today…has something happened?" The man asked curiously, his hand coming up to brush aside a few long crimson-red locks that had fallen in front of his vision, revealing a handsome face and sparkling blue eyes that stared lovingly at the maid.
"Forgive the intrusion, My Lord." Grayfia replied, her eyes twinkling in amusement at the twitch he gave in response to the title. "But I've just received word from Lady Rias. It seems she's chosen to move forward with a Rating Game as her challenge to Lord Riser. And has asked for maximum ten days to prepare."
Sighing, the crimson-haired man leaned back in his seat as he stared out of the window directly across from his desk. His blue eyes watching the white clouds moving across the Underworld's purple sky as he thought over the new information.
As the Head of Domestic Affairs, Sirzechs knew that he must remain neutral regarding this matter, and allow things to happen as they will without his interference.
But as an older brother, he couldn't help but to worry about his little sister's future.
"I see…I was not aware that she had gained a strong enough Peerage to challenge Riser's own." Sirzechs mused, glancing at Grayfia from the corner of his eye with a raised eyebrow. "Have you heard anything?"
Moving further into the room, Grayfia allowed a small downward twitch of her lips to show her displeasure about the events as she replied. "Only that Lady Rias has entered into a Pact with someone who will be fighting on her behalf."
"A Pact?" He blinked, turning his head to stare at her fully in surprise. "With a Magician?"
"Unknown, My Lord. All Lady Rias said was that it's someone she has complete faith in to get her out of the engagement."
Intrigued, Sirzechs's blue eyes turned back to stare out the window, his mind racing as he thought over the new information. "Interesting…"
After a few silent moments, all the while Grayfia stood quietly like a dutiful maid as her King and husband pondered, Sirzechs spoke up. "See what you can find out about this person she's entered into a Pact with. Contact our spies in Kuoh, and send a request to Lady Leviathan and ask for a report from her little sister. I'd like to know more about who it is Rias has put so much trust in…"
Nodding, Grayfia turned towards the office doors, ready to carry out her King's orders immediately when his voice made her pause mid-step. "And Grayfia?"
Turning back to him, she asked. "Yes, My Lord?"
"Did Rias give this person's name?"
Nodding, Grayfia replied. "She said his name was Sora Sakai." Seeing no other response coming from him, without another word she turned around and left the office, the wood doors closing with a soft CLICK behind her.
-Sirzechs Lucifer-
Watching his wife, Queen, and maid disappear beyond the doors of his office, Sirzechs hummed in thought as he continued to stare out the window, his eyes following a single white cloud as he mused, "Sora Sakai, eh? Well then…"
Glancing down at the paperwork he had been looking over, Sirzechs grimaced as he stared at the recent report he had been given by Serafall Leviathan. One which described a recent spree of killings in Kuoh by a potentially rogue group of Fallen who mysteriously disappeared after killing several potential Sacred Gear users and Low-Class Devils in the area.
Reports like these weren't uncommon; after all, there were many groups within all three Biblical Factions who desired to continue the Biblical War after having lost loved ones or held a deep-seated hatred for the other races.
But what stood out from this report in particular, was a final statement that said the Fallen's disappearance coincided with the death of only one of two targets they had been going after.
One, was a brown-haired boy believed to be the potential wielder of a Dragon-type Sacred Gear; by the name of Issei Hyoudou.
A regrettable death for sure, but not one that would cause their Faction any future problems down the road.
It was the other one that caught Sirzechs eye. The one report about a white-haired boy who recently transferred into Kuoh Academy, and had somehow come out alive -entirely unharmed, in fact- after having been targeted by the same group of Fallen that had killed dozens of others beforehand. The only thing that could be found out, was the boy's name…
"Sora Sakai. Just who exactly are you?" Sirzechs asked aloud to the empty office, "And can you really save my little sister from the immortal Phenex?"
- END -
Author Notes:
And that's Chapter 11!
What do you guys think of Innovate Clear? I used to be really interested in Dimension Lost until I learned about this one, and ever since I've wanted to see it added to a story because of how useful it could be.
I've got several plans for it, none of which will be something ridiculous like an OP one-hit-kill ability, but as a way for Sora to use his Summons without too many questions being asked.
The next chapter will be a time-skip, bypassing the next 10 days of training and moving straight to the day of the Rating Game between Sora and Riser. Now that we're getting into the main story and all of the different arcs, the story will start moving faster with more time-skips over longer periods of time.
Hope you all are still liking it so far! Thanks for checking out my story.