Natsuki felt somewhat relieved when the dy of the estate had immediately taken her and Issei into another room when she discovered that neither of them had anything suitable to wear for the party.

  When Issei had mentioned that he was just going to wear their school's summer uniform and that Natsuki would be doing the same, to say that Venena had been appalled would have been an understatement. And the look that she had given Rias before dragging the two Pawns away made Natsuki sure that the older woman would be having a long talk with her daughter about it.

  "Honestly, school uniforms? And to an event such as this? You are both Pawns of a Gremory heiress, and as such, are representatives of our house." Venena said, watching as the tailors she had called for took Natsuki and Issei's measurements.

  Issei flinched, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "Sorry, Venena-sama. We didn't know."

  Venena let out a small huff, waving Issei off, "No, it is not yours or Natsuki-san's fault, Issei-san. My daughter should have told you both about the banquet so you could have prepared and brought proper attire. I swear that girl is so forgetful at times, she would lose her head if it were not attached to her shoulders."

  Natsuki chuckled, finding it amusing how, as of te, she had been able to see her usually confident King made into a sheepish child whenever Venena would admonish Rias.

  Maybe karma does exist. Natsuki thought, seeing this as justice for all the jokes Rias had made at her expense.

  "Venena-sama." One of the tailors said, both having finished measuring the Pawns, "I believe that we have everything we need."

  Venena smiled at the man, "Then I will allow you to begin your work."

  "Will they be able to finish on time? Don't we have to leave in about an hour?" Issei asked, watching the two tailors walk over to a rge table in the far corner of the room.

  He did not know much about sewing, but he knew that it was not something that could be made quickly, especially not multiple items.

  Venena chuckled, "Magic will be doing most of the work, my dear."

  As Venena said this, the two tailors stood at opposite ends of the table, their hands hovering above it, glowing a pale blue color.

  "That's convenient." Natsuki said, impressed at seeing the beginnings of a pant leg from one of the tailors.

  "So, cool! Wait, Venena-sama, do you think they can add fmes to the sleeves?" Issei asked.

  "What is with you and decorative fmes?" Natsuki let out a snort, remembering how Issei had gotten the same thing done to the suit he had worn to the Rating Game afterparty.

  "Fire is cool, especially on clothes. And it matches my whole Red Dragon Emperor vibe." Issei said, sparkles practically shining in his eyes.

  Venena's face was expressionless as she looked at Issei, "Issei-san, I think you should just let the professionals do what they know best, and without input."

  "I think that's a no." Natsuki said to her friend, snickering at his put-out expression.

  Issei rolled his eyes in response, crossing his arms with a pout on his face.

  They were not left waiting for long, as it only took a few minutes for the tailors to finish their outfits, allowing the Natsuki and Issei to dress and enter the castle's parlor ahead of the rest of the Peerage.

  When they walked down the stairs, they saw Saji standing there, wearing a white dress shirt, a bck tie, and bck dress pants.

  "Hey, Hyoudou, Sukehiro." Saji said, messing with his tie.

  "Saji, why are you here?" Issei asked.

  "Ah, Kaichou decided that it would be easier for us to get ready here and go to the meeting pce along with Rias-senpai because of the distance. So, Kaichou went to meet with senpai, and the rest of the Peerage are still dressing up. I finished pretty quickly, so I've just been wandering around the mansion ever since." Saji expined.

  How big is this pce for a whole group of people to arrive without being noticed and for Saji to get lost so quickly? Issei thought.

  A serious expression soon fell over Saji's face as he looked at the other Pawns, his shifting between Issei and Natsuki. "The game will be taking pce after today."

  "Yeah, it will." Issei said, wondering why Saji was mentioning the obvious.

  Saji clenched his fist, "I've trained harder than I have in my entire life."

  Issei's eyes widened a bit before a smile formed on his face, "Me too. I was chased around by a dragon on a mountain every day."

  "I-Is that so? Well, I struggled too, so don't count me out, either of you. I'm going to let you two bulldoze your way to victory; the Sitri Peerage is going to be the ones on top!" Saji excimed.

  "When did I get brought into this little rivalry you two have?" Natsuki asked bndly.

  Saji gred at the taller girl, "You think you don't fit into this as a fellow Pawn?! Or that I'm going to let those little comments you made about me when our Peerages were competing to over the Familiar Forest slide?!"

  "You were being a dick, so don't act like you didn't deserve it." Natsuki shrugged, "Besides, that was months ago, you really should just let it go. Seems kind of childish to hold onto grudges like that."

  Issei looked at his friend like the liar she was, "Natsuki, you're the st person who should be calling anyone childish for not letting things go."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Natsuki said, making Issei snort. She then looked back at Saji, "To be honest, I'm surprised Sona-Kaichou is even letting you attend this party. I thought she'd still be mad at you over what happened at the Young Devils Gathering and would be hiding you away to save face."

  Saji shivered when Natsuki said this, remembering the punishment Sona had given him after the gathering for embarrassing her in front of the higher-ups. He could still feel the phantom pains whenever he sat down.

  Saji scratched the back of his head, "She was upset, really upset, but Kaichou understood why I acted the way I did. We both take our dream very seriously."

  "Your dream is also to open up a rating Game school?" Issei asked.

  Saji blushed at the question, "Well, yeah, but not really. I mean, m-my…d-dream is to become a teacher!"

  A teacher? Natsuki thought.

  Saji's blush grew darker at his outburst, but he spoke sincerely, "As you know, Kaichou is trying to establish a Rating Game specialty school in the Underworld, one that's open to any Devil, regardless of their status. Things like discrimination and traditions have softened in the Devil society little by little, but there is still a majority that refuses to accept these changes. And even with the Maou-samas ordering that all games must be equal, the path to participation for Low-Css Devil commoners is almost nonexistent. That's strange, right? The possibility for promotion shouldn't be zero!"

  Natsuki admired the seriousness of Saji's opinions, even though she also found it strange in a sense that Saji, of all people, was being towards the future in such a way.

  "Kaichou wants to teach so that even Low-Css Devils can participate in the games, that's why she'll make a school where anyone can enroll in the Underworld! She's even studying in the human world as well for the sake of that! To give a chance to those who never got into the spotlight! As long as it's not zero, one might be able to become a High-Css Devil! That even we believe in that possibility and try to become High-Css Devils, right?"

  Issei grinned, "Hell yeah!"

  Issei had long since set his sights on becoming a High-Css Devil, the dream having started with wanting to make a Peerage of his own.

  For Natsuki, being a High-Css devil would mean power and wealth unlike she had ever known, but the idea of also showing up a bunch of arrogant aristocrats had an appeal all its own, and a sharp grin formed on her face.

  "T-That's why, I will work as a teacher there when Kaichou finally builds her school. I'll become a teacher who teaches Pawns everything they need to know to succeed as Devils." Saji's smile fell somewhat as embarrassment started to set in again, "Even someone like me may be able to become a schoolteacher. I-I've only done stupid things in the past, and I've also caused trouble for my parents and been disliked by the people around me. I've kept the fact that I became a Devil secret from my mother, but even so, she cried when I told her about my future dream. That's why I have to stay by Kaichou's side and help her for life! For her and for myself!"

  So that was Saji's dream. Since we're both Pawns, I had thought we might be the same, but people really are different after all. He has his own dream. I wanted to become independent of my master in the future and had set my own goal, and he intends to serve his master his whole life, even though we became Devils around the same time. Issei felt a bit ashamed by how basic his dream felt in comparison to Saji's, while also happy that Saji knew what he wanted to do with his life.

  Is this what Azazel-sensei meant by at the Summit?

  "I think you'd become a pretty good teacher, Saji." Natsuki said, surprising Saji by how she said it sincerely and with no sarcasm in her voice. "You were the one who came up with that idea for Gasper back when we first started trying to help him with his Sacred Gear. So, I would say you're already well on your way."

  A rge grin spread across Saji's face, "Thanks, Sukehiro."

  "Yeah, yeah, don't make this weird." Natsuki muttered as she looked away.

  Before Saji could say anything else, Rias' voice called out from behind them, "Ise, Natsuki, sorry for making you wait so long. Ara, and hello to you, Saji-kun."

  Walking down the stairs was Rias and the rest of the Gremory Peerage, each dressed as finely as the three Pawns.

  Rias was wearing a long crimson gown with a halter neckline, an open back, and a slit on one side. Her hair is styled in a high ponytail that shows off her face.

  Issei's smile grew as he noticed that he and Rias were both wearing the same shade of red, standing straighter in his custom-tailored crimson suit with bck piping on the pels and cuffs.

  He felt slightly jealous over how good Kiba looked, noting the Knight's sleek three-piece navy-blue suit with a silver pocket watch chain and the single blue rose pinned to his pel, the muted gold tie that complemented his blonde hair, and the white gloves on his hands. But that feeling quickly disappeared as he looked at the rest of the girls in the Peerage.

  Koneko looked adorable in her soft silver and white chiffon dress that had a high colr and a short, yered skirt that was accented with moon-themed jewelry and pale vender ribbon at her waist. Her hair was done in twin low buns with cat ear clips subtly holding them in pce, adding to the cute image.

  Asia looked like an angel straight from Heaven in her light gold and ivory empire-waist gown, the flowing, sheer yers and the sleeves are off-the-shoulder, translucent white sleeves fabric that flowed like wings every time she moved. And she wore white low heels with gold csps and a pearl rosary-style neckce and small dove-shaped earrings.

  Xenovia wore a form-fitting royal blue gown with silver trim, structured shoulders, the neckline decorated with a single aquamarine gem, and an open side slit on the left side, along with silver arm bands engraved with small crosses.

  Finally, Akeno was wearing a bck furisode with a white obi and gold rope, zori sandals, and with kanzashi and floral pins holding her hair in pce. It was far more formal than the kimonos she had usually worn before, but Akeno pulled it off exceptionally well.

  But Issei's attention was soon taken off his senpai and pced firmly on Gasper, his eyes widened as he took him in. "Gasper, are you wearing a dress?"

  Gasper blushed, hiding behind Koneko as he realized everyone was now staring at him due to Issei's question. The hybrid was wearing a Gothic-style Lolita bck and red dress with puffed sleeves, a corseted bodice, and a yered skirt with small bat motifs along the ce trim. A red velvet choker with a bck rose pendant sits around his neck, and bck stockings.

  "Ye-yeah, I wanted to wear a dress too." Gasper whispered, looking down at the floor.

  This guy... even tonight he's still obsessed with wearing girls' clothes.

  "Leave him alone." Natsuki said, japing Issei's arm with her elbow, "If Gasper wants to wear a dress, then there's nothing wrong with that. So don't judge, dumbass."

  When Akeno got a good look at Natsuki, she found herself stunned by what she saw.

  There she stood in a tailored white three-piece suit, slim-cut and designed to accentuate her height and posture. With the slight movements Natsuki made, Akeno could see that the inner lining of Natsuki's jacket and vest was gold, her bzer had gold embroidery on the cuffs, beneath the vest, she wore a bck silk button-up shirt with a gold tie, and bck boots. Natsuki's hair was out of its usual low ponytail and was slicked back, and she had a single ear cuff shaped like a coiled dragon along her right ear.

  Oh my God. Akeno thought, ignoring the slight pain that fshed through her head at the mention of God's name, unable to take her eyes off Natsuki.

  "Something wrong?" Natsuki asked Akeno when she and the rest of the Peerage joined them at the base of the stairs, noticing the way Akeno was staring at her.

  "I feel conflicted. On the one hand, you look amazing, but on the other, I know that if we go to the party, everyone there is going to be devouring you with their eyes too." Akeno said, her voice husky and her gaze heated.

  Natsuki felt like a gazelle in the presence of a hungry lioness, and she forced herself not to visibly react, "Why do you have to be so fucking weird, Akeno?"

  Akeno bit her lip before responding, preening when she saw Natsuki's eyes flicker down when she did, an action that she would have missed if she had not been staring directly at the taller girl. "I don't think I'm the weird one between us, Natsuki-chan."

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, "Of course you don't."

  "Well? Aren't you going to tell me how good I look?"

  "That depends, do you want me to be as candid as you were with me?"

  "Yes." Akeno said without hesitation.

  Natsuki let out a snort, making Akeno smile. Natsuki then stuck her hands into the pockets of her trousers, drawing Akeno's eyes to the way her muscles flexed under the material.

  "I don't know why you need me to; you could be wearing a burp sack, and you would still be the most beautiful girl in any given room." Natsuki said, before a small blush appeared on her cheeks, "So it would stand to reason that you look exceptional right now."

  Akeno blushed, her heart felt as if it was going to beat its way out of her chest, and she could not keep the smile off her face.

  Why did I say that? Natsuki thought, kicking herself for being too honest.

  But at the same time, she was also gd that her words made Akeno happy, knowing that ever since they had come to the Underworld, Akeno had been in a bad mood, hating the mere mention of her father and her Fallen Angel abilities. So, if embarrassing herself was the way to get the older girl smiling, then Natsuki was more than fine with turning herself into a bumbling jester.

  Before either of them could say anything else, a butler came and spoke to everyone. "Tannin-sama and his family have arrived."

  Natsuki blinked, just now realizing that she had been so distracted by Akeno that she did not know when the Sitri Peerage had joined them in the parlor and how much time had passed.

  "We should go." Natsuki said, immediately following the others out of the parlor and outside.

  Akeno sighed, partially annoyed at the interruption and at Natsuki for essentially running away from her at the first opportunity.

  Natsuki is just too obliviously frustrating to be a real person sometimes. Akeno thought, trailing behind the others as they joined the dragons outside the castle.

  After riding on the back of one of eleven dragons, Natsuki found herself less excited as she walked through the banquet hall.

  The event was being hosted at the top of a fancy high-rise hotel that sat at the edge of the Gremory territory, every corner dripping with opulence and filled to the brim with important and powerful people.

  Natsuki had been left on her own as the others were doing their own thing. Gasper, Koneko, and Xenovia were sitting at a table filled to the brim with food, although from what Natsuki had seen when she walked past, only Xenovia was eating.

  Kiba was surrounded by a gaggle of female Devils, each one hanging on his every word. Issei was escorting both Rias and Asia, linking arms with them as Rias spoke to an older Devil, and Akeno was doing the same networking close by.

  I guess I can't be too upset about being ignored, can't say I've made myself all that popur. Natsuki thought as she leaned against a wall in the corner of the ballroom, seeing how the other Devils were giving her the same wide berth that they did after her first Rating Game.

  "Did you hear about what's going on in Asgard?" Natsuki heard someone ask from a nearby flight of stairs.

  A scoff followed the question, "Who hasn't? This shit has to be the most interesting thing to happen since the Maous agreed to the alliance. You would think that Odin the All-Knowing would be better at keeping his house in order."

  Natsuki could not see the two men speaking, but made sure to push herself flush against the wall behind her, leaning her head upwards to better hear them.

  In that moment, she remembered Vali and Azazel both mentioning a tense situation going on with Odin and the other Norse Gods, knowing that this had to be what they were referring to.

  "Please, you can't trust that old pervert with anything. Loki has been causing problems for millennia, and Odin has always ignored it because how could he punish his sworn brother, the man who has fought so many battles by his side? Odin has only grown soft in his old age, and everyone knows it."

  "But this is different." The second Devil hissed, "Before it was just Loki going around spreading childish mischief, but now I hear he's trying to depose Odin as King, and that a lot of other Norse Gods are following him and prociming Loki their new sovereign, even some of Odin's Valkyries changed sides and joined him. Apparently, it has to do with us, the Fallen, and the Angels finally working together."

  "Wait, really?"

  A ugh followed the surprised question, "Now who doesn't know what's going on? That's why the four Maous and the Governor General are all together in public tely, not because of the gathering but because they're preparing to meet Odin and his party. I guess the idea of Asgard aligning themselves with the Three Great Factions has some of those troll fuckers pissed off. As if those cunts have the right to look down on us from their high horses."

  "That would make sense, especially in light of that group, Khaos Brigade, appearing out of nowhere. Even Odin must know that he and his brood will not fare well if they were to turn their sights on them, even Gods of renown are nothing in the face of Infinity."

  Natsuki wondered if the men speaking above her were high-ranking and important in the hierarchy because she doubted that the average Devil would be privy to this kind of information, let alone feel comfortable enough speaking it aloud and so brazenly.

  "It terrifies me just knowing that the Ouroboros Dragon is now interested in our realm. Who knows what they and their group of sycophants are pnning? How can Loki be so sure that he can stand against them, let alone with while he's at war with half of Asgard?"

  Nothing good, most likely. Natsuki thought about Vali and Katerea, one wanted world domination, and the other wanted the opportunity to fight against the strongest beings around. And she wondered just how many of Khaos Brigade's members had differing goals that coexisted for the sake of mutual benefit.

  "Arrogance, nothing but pure arrogance. Honestly, I think we should just forget about the Norse, if they want to fight each other over what they think is the best course of action for their people, we should just let them. We just ended our truce with the Fallen and the Angels, we Devils don't need to be throwing ourselves into another conflict."

  "I don't know, I kind of want to see what a Valkyrie can do up close."

  "Skewer you before you have time to fucking blink."

  "Um, i-it's been a while, Kogane Ryū Kōgō." Natsuki looked down when she heard a soft, nervous voice speaking to her.

  Standing before her was a beautiful young girl with dark blue eyes, long blonde hair that had several bangs hanging over her forehead, tied into twin tails with rge, drill-like curls, and blue ribbons keeping them in pce. Her outfit consisted of a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front, and at the back were three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress.

  Man, how distracted was I? "You're Riser's little sister, right?"

  The younger devil gred at Natsuki, stomping one of her feet down, "My name is Ravel Phenex, you simpleton! How could you forget that?!"

  Natsuki rexed her body, taking up the stance that she had when first resting on the wall. She could feel with her senses that the two Devils speaking above her had left once Ravel started yelling, and she silently mourned the loss of interesting gossip, but made a note to ask Rias about the situation when the night was over. "Yeah, you're definitely Riser's sister."

  Ravel's gre deepened, "Geez, this is why I hate you Low-Css Devils, you're all so slow and disagreeable."

  Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "And yet you felt the need to seek me out and speak to me, despite finding me so slow and disagreeable?"

  Ravel huffed, crossing her arms and looking away from Natsuki with her nose pointed up at her, as if she was trying to look down on Natsuki despite being quite notably shorter. "I saw you standing here all by your lonesome, clearly abandoned by your Peerage, and so decided to do the kind and graceful act of blessing you with my presence."

  Natsuki ughed at the girl's arrogance, something that caused Ravel to blush when she heard it, which mitigated the already poor effects of her gre. Natsuki thought the younger girl looked like a ruffled bird, which only made her ugh even more when she remembered that Ravel was a descendant of the Phoenix from myth.

  "How's your brother?" Natsuki asked when she calmed down.

  The question surprised Ravel somewhat, "Do you really care?"

  Natsuki shrugged, "Right after the game, I heard from your parents that he was holed up indoors, too depressed to do anything."

  Ravel scoffed, crossing her arms, "And he still is! It's been months, and he still hasn't gotten over his loss; it's gotten pretty pathetic. He shouldn't have been acting like he was hot stuff to begin with, but you know what they say about pride and falls. This should be a good lesson for him once he grows up and stops acting like a child."

  What a sharp tongue, who needs enemies when you have a little sister like this? Damn, do I feel bad for Riser now? Nah, asshole had it coming. Natsuki smirked, "I guess it would suck if you're a Bishop whose King is just moping around instead of trying to improve."

  "About that, after Riser Onii-chan lost, I was removed from his house and pced in my mother's. Since my mother never enters games, she said she would trade me again when I found someone whose family I want to become part of, so I'm essentially a free Bishop now."

  Natsuki had heard of servants being traded between Kings, having had the concept expined to her by Rias when she first became a Devil. Although it seemed weird to her that High-Css Devils would willingly become servants of their family members' Peerages, and wondered if it was some kind of practice that she did not know about.

  Ravel cleared her throat, "B-By the way, Kogane-"

  "Natsuki."

  Ravel blinked, "Huh?"

  "You wanted me to call you Ravel instead of 'Riser's little sister', right? So, call me by my name, Sukehiro Natsuki." The taller Devil expined.

  It had always felt off to have people refer to her by her title, like she was being mocked or put on a pedestal she did not deserve. She did not want the same from someone who Natsuki knew had to be around the same age as her.

  "I-Is it really okay for me to call you by your name!?" Ravel excimed, looking at Natsuki with unabashed glee.

  Natsuki only raised an eyebrow in response, not understanding why Ravel would be so happy about something so unimportant. "Of course, why wouldn't it be?"

  Ravel froze when she realized how she was coming off, clearing her throat as a blush formed on her cheeks. "You're nicer than I thought you would be."

  "I'm plenty nice."

  Ravel snorted, "The first time we met, you insulted my brother and spped one of his Pawns through a set of doors. Then, when we met at the Rating Game, you proceeded to torture my brother with holy water until he gave up, torture that has left him afraid of his own shadow."

  Natsuki pursed her lips, "Hey, your brother had it coming in both instances; I was merely defending myself."

  "Is that what Low-Css Devils call self-defense?"

  "It is where I'm from." Natsuki said, a vicious grin forming on her face.

  The grin reminded Ravel of how Natsuki, or the Golden Dragon, looked as she stood over Riser, threatening him with her version of a good time and Ravel shuddered at the thought.

  Natsuki noticed the reaction and quickly schooled her features, taking on her usual mask of expressionless passivity.

  Ravel cleared her throat again, "I-I-I never did thank you."

  "For what?" Natsuki asked.

  "When that brutish Knight Rias-sama ran towards me, you shouted at him to stop." Ravel expined, not looking Natsuki in the eyes.

  "Oh, you mean Kiba?" Natsuki asked, "That isn't something you need to thank me for, you weren't a threat, so there was no need to take you out."

  Ravel did not know how to feel about Natsuki writing her off and saying that she was not a threat. It was true, she was a strategist, not a fighter, but it still rubbed her the wrong way to hear her strength be dismissed so carelessly.

  Natsuki continued, not having noticed the younger Devil's change in mood, "You were the one directing the battlefield, but with everyone else besides Riser taken out, there wasn't much for you to do."

  "You, you notice that?" Ravel asked, surprised.

  "I did, I noticed in the clubroom that the other servants deferred to you somewhat. At first, I thought it was because you were Riser's sister and a High-Css Devil, but during the game, I saw the others following your orders. Makes sense that you were running things, your brother's too much of an idiot to think strategically."

  Ravel felt like all she could do was blush while in Natsuki's presence; the idea that even before now, Natsuki had been paying attention to her made her feel warm, warmer than she had ever been in her life.

  "Are you okay, Ravel?" Natsuki asked, seeing how quiet she had become.

  "Natsuki-sama, the next time we meet, would you like to have some tea with me? A-A-A-And if it's okay with you, would you like to have a homemade cake p-p-prepared by me?" Ravel squeaked out, fidgeting with her fingers.

  "You bake? Wait, 'Natsuki-sama'?" Natsuki asked, feeling more confused than when the conversation started.

  "I-I need to-to greet the other guests. Bye!" Ravel said, not answering Natsuki's question, raising the hem of her dress and curtsying before leaving.

  "What the fuck was that?" Natsuki asked as she watched Ravel disappear into the crowd.

  Ravel seemed to look down at her for being a Reincarnated Devil, but also admired her for the ruthless way she beat her brother during their fight and for trying to keep Kiba from attacking her, while also being nervous the entire time.

  She kind of reminds me of Asia, only if Asia weren't the living embodiment of innocence and sunshine.

  Before Natsuki could think further of her interaction with Ravel, she felt a flicker of energy, but it had disappeared as quickly as Natsuki could sense it, but it was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

  It did not feel like magic; it was lighter, for ck of a better word, but simir enough to Demonic Power and Light Power that she

  was not completely caught off guard.

  No one else seemed to notice the blip, but Natsuki could not shake off the feeling that something was wrong, especially when she could no longer feel Issei, Rias, and Koneko in the hall. When she stretched out her sensory ability, Natsuki realized that her friends her still on the grounds but a good distance away.

  Natsuki quietly slipped out of the banquet hall unnoticed, she did not know what was going on, but was going to find out.

  "That's Koneko-chan's Onee-san?!" Issei excimed, looking between the two in shock, much to Rias' exasperation.

  Standing across from Koneko was a beautiful young woman with a voluptuous figure, long bck hair with split bangs, and hazel-gold eyes with cat-like pupils. She was wearing a bck kimono, a yellow obi, a set of golden beads, and an ornately detailed headband. The kimono had a red interior, and it opened at her shoulders, giving a view of the tops of her rge breasts.

  Of course, Issei had already known of Kuroka's existence, Rias had expined Koneko's past to him, how her older sister had one day lost her mind, killing their former master and going rogue. But he had not been expecting to ever see said sister in person.

  Kuroka giggled; she had been aware of Issei and Rias' presence from the moment they left the hotel, but had ignored them in favor of focusing on her sister. So, she decided to finally acknowledge them in lieu of Issei's outburst, blowing their rather flimsy cover, "Your friends are pretty funny, Shirone-nyan."

  "...Nee-sama. What is this about?" Koneko said with anger in her voice as Rias and Issei stepped out from the trees they had been hiding behind.

  Kuroka just smiled, "Don't make such a scary face. I just had some minor business to take care of. I heard that the Devils were holding a big party here, you know? That's why I was interested and just had to make an appearance. Nyan."

  Kuroka then waved her hand like a cat and winked at the three Devils before.

  So cute! Issei thought, and what he was thinking must have shown on his face as Rias immediately started pinching his cheek.

  "Man, it looks like a party down here. You having fun without me kitty-cat?" A voice spoke out from above, and when the others looked up, they saw Son Goku Bikou sitting in a tree above them.

  "It's that damn monkey-san!" Issei yelled, pointing his finger at the Youkai.

  Bikou ughed, not at all offended by the crude nickname.

  "How's that jackass Vali doing?" Issei asked with a gre.

  Bikou ughed again, "He's fine. As for you...Heh, so you've become a little stronger, huh?"

  He can tell just by looking at my body? Issei thought in puzzlement.

  "Bikou, who is this boy?" Kuroka asked, pointing at Issei.

  "The Sekiryuutei." Bikou replied.

  The Rouge Devil's eyes widened, "Really-nyan? Heh~, so this is the current breasts-loving Sekiryuutei who helped repel Vali?"

  Issei could not deny what Kuroka had just called him, as everything she said was true.

  Bikou spoke while yawning, "Kuroka, let's go back. We can't participate in that party anyway; it's a waste to stay here."

  "Yes, let's return. But I'll take Shirone with me-nyan, since I wasn't able to bring her with me that time."

  "Arara, if you bring her back with you of your own accord, Vali might get angry, you know?"

  "When they know that the same power as mine flows within her, both Ophis and Vali will be convinced, right?"

  Bikou shrugged, "Well, that may be so."

  Kuroka's grin widened as she turned back towards the three Gremory Devils, and seeing the look on her sister's face, Koneko shivered, hating the fear that started to overtake her.

  "This girl is an important friend of mine and our Peerage; I'm not going to let you fuckers take her away! You have no right to her!" Issei yelled, stepping in front of Koneko.

  "Ise-senpai..." Koneko whispered, staring at Issei's back with tears in her eyes.

  Seeing Issei's actions, both Bikou and Kuroka ughed, finding the idea of Issei fighting them to be hirious.

  "No, no, that's very brave of you, but do you really intend to make me and Kuroka your opponents?" Bikou asked, still ughing, "Don't be foolish, Sekiryuutei, just let us take the girl and leave, that way we don't have to hurt you, alright?"

  Rias stepped forward, her face full of anger, "This child is my servant. I won't let you put even a single finger on Koneko."

  Kuroka ughed again, "Is that what you're calling her now, Koneko? Ara-ara-ara-ara, what are you saying-nya? She's my little sister; I have the right to love her. A High-Css Devil like you doesn't have that privilege."

  Seeing that neither was going to back down, the atmosphere changed as Rias and Kuroka gred at each other.

  Kuroka scoffed, a smirk quickly repcing her frown, "Since you're so troublesome, I'll just kill you little brats-nyan."

  In an instant, Issei felt himself being thrown to the side, and if not for his recent training, he would have helplessly hit and then crashed through the trees. Instead, Issei was able to right himself in midair, kicking off the tree he was thrown towards and jumping in Rias' direction, seeing that she had been simirly thrown.

  Issei was able to catch Rias before she could get hurt, nding on the ground in a crouch as he held Rias in his arms.

  Fuck, Koneko-chan! Issei's eyes widened, and he quickly turned his head, realizing that Kuroka had thrown them out of the way to make a straight path for her sister.

  But when he did, Issei felt relieved when he saw Natsuki standing where he once was in front of their kouhai, her hand tightly holding onto Kuroka's outstretched arm and keeping her from reaching Koneko.

  "Oh?" Kuroka said, intrigued, "And who would you be?"

  "Koneko, is this her?" Natsuki asked, not taking her eyes off Kuroka.

  Koneko was confused for a moment before she remembered the conversation she and Natsuki had after the Open House. "Sh-she is."

  "Oh~, has Shirone spoken about me to her little friends-nya?" Kuroka grinned, "That makes me so-"

  Kuroka pulled her arm out of Natsuki's grasp and jumped into the air and summoning her Devil wings, avoiding the powerful bst of fire that had burst forth from Natsuki's other hand, scorching the ground where she once stood.

  Natsuki slowly looked up, a wild and vindictive grin appearing on her face, "So you're the bitch who ruined Koneko's life? Well, as her senpai, it's my responsibility to kick your ass for what you've done to her."

  Kuroka snickered, "Is that so~?"

  "It's so." Natsuki summoned her neckce, the gem glowing brightly in the moonlit darkness of the woods.

  She flinched when the feeling of suddenly being transported to another space washed over her. Natsuki did not see anything different about the environment, as would usually be noticeable when taken to a replica of a pce.

  Rias' expression soured, "Kuroka, so you have not only learned Senjutsu, Youjutsu, and Devil magic, but also the ability to control space and time?"

  "I didn't go as far as learning how to control time; that would have been far too difficult to pull off, but I was able to easily learn how to control space. I found that if I used the foundations what is used for accomplishing barrier techniques, this would be possible." Kuroka grinned, "I covered this entire forest with a barrier and isoted it from the outside world-nyan. So, no matter what fshy and powerful techniques we use here, it won't leak outside, and nothing, not even the Devils at the party, will be able to get in."

  So, we won't be able to get out unless she pulls down the barrier or someone else, far stronger than her, is able to destroy it. Natsuki thought, "I think you're acting a little too cocky about your chances of winning here."

  Bikou's smile grew, "Is that so, Kogane Ryū Kōgō? Aren't you the one who's acting cocky? You've gotten stronger, I'll give you that, but not enough to be a threat to either of us."

  Natsuki tilted her head, "This ability of yours, it allows you to sense the flow of energy in my body, doesn't it?"

  "It does, Senjutsu, allows me to see the flow of your spirit to a degree, so I can tell the volume of aura that covers you has risen since we st met. Upset that you're not the only one who can do so?" Bikou pyfully asked.

  "No, just curious." Natsuki shrugged, "But the reason that I believe your cockiness isn't warranted is because I didn't come alone."

  Just as Natsuki said this, a rge mass of fire appeared in the sky and began hurdling towards Bikou. Natsuki then grabbed Koneko and jumped towards Issei and Rias.

  Bikou used his Ruyi Jingu Bang, holding it out in front of him and spinning it vigorously to dispel the fmes. When he was done, Bikou grinned at the newcomer, "Oh, oh, oh! If it isn't the former Dragon King himself, Bze Meteor Dragon Tannin!"

  Tannin huffed as he floated above the Devils and Youkai, "When I ran into Sukehiro Natsuki and we came to investigate the trouble that was going on in this forest, I was not expecting to be trapped within a barrier. You must simply know that terrorist scum such as yourselves are not on the guest list, but no matter, I will have my fun personally escorting you out."

  Bikou's smile grew, "We have no choice but to fight now, Kuroka! There's no way he's going to let us just leave so easily."

  Kuroka smirked, "You seem happy, monkey-san. Very well, if we take down three beings that are above Dragon King css, Ophis will also be silent on the matter of me bringing Shirone and blowing our cover."

  "Kintoun!" Bikou shouted, and a gold cloud appeared underneath his feet, he then quickly flew off towards Tannin, extending his staff as he tried to hit the dragon, but Tannin avoided the strike.

  Tannin let out another torrent of fmes, which Bikou swiftly flew out of the way of, "Hmph! I always wondered what kind of person Son Goku was! You seem quite happy to have received an attack from me, Tannin!"

  Bikou grinned, "The name's Bikou! Nice to meet you, Dragon Boss!"

  "Kukukuku. You talk like a true monkey, do you understand who you have made your opponent right now?"

  "I'm also descended from a legendary demon, you know. I can't afford to lose so quickly, so bring it on, Dragon Boss!"

  "Nyan. Now, don't ignore me in favor of them, I'm just as dangerous." Kuroka purred, a bewitching smile on her face as a dark and ominous aura emanated from her body.

  Fuck, what has she done to be capable of this? Natsuki shuddered at the killing intent and the maliciousness she could feel from the woman.

  "Nee-sama, wait, I'll go with you. Just please don't touch my friends." Koneko suddenly blurted out, trying to push her way forward, but Natsuki refused to let her walk past her.

  "What are you saying—" Issei tried to say.

  "What are saying!? Koneko! You're a servant of my Peerage! I won't allow you to do as you please!" Rias yelled, tightly embracing Koneko.

  Koneko shook her head, "...It's no good. I understand Nee-sama's power best, and she rivals that of an Ultimate-Css Devil. For Buchou, Ise-sempai, Natsuki-senpai...even with the power of a former Dragon King, I don't think any of you can capture my sister, not when she excels in both genjutsu and senjutsu..."

  "So what?!" Issei yelled, "So what if she's stronger? We're not just going to let her take you, this Onee-sama can fuck off for all I care! You're staying with us, Koneko-chan."

  Kuroka smiled at the Devils' anger, "How cute, but Youkai need only the help and care of another Youkai. I can understand Shirone and her power better than a spoiled princess and two weaklings, you know?"

  Koneko shook her head at her sister's words, "...No...I don't need that kind of power...I don't need a dark power like that...I don't need a power that brings misfortune to people like that..."

  Koneko started to tremble and cry, making Rias hug her even more tightly and feel even more anger towards the rogue. "Kuroka, you allowed yourself to be blinded by power, leaving a wound on this girl's heart and making her life hell. For so long, Koneko was a shell incapable of showing emotion, betrayed and abandoned, and despised and abused by other Devils, to the point where she was going to be disposed of. You didn't deserve her then, and you sure as hell don't deserve her now, especially when you think she can be anything like you! This girl is Toujou Koneko, Rook of the Rias Gremory Peerage and one of my most important friends! I don't care how strong you are, I won't let you take her!"

  Koneko could no longer hold back her tears and was now sobbing in Rias' arms. "...I don't want to go...I am Toujou Koneko. Kuroka Nee-sama, I don't want to go with you! I want to live with Rias-buchou! To live!"

  After hearing that, a bitter smile briefly appeared on Kuroka's face before she started to ugh derisively. "Then, die."

  Natsuki quickly turned, grabbing Rias and Koneko, "Run, Issei!"

  Issei did as he was told, and the moment he did, a thin mist-like substance sprang out from Kuroka and began to gradually spread out, threatening to cover up the whole forest.

  Natsuki clicked her teeth, "The mist is poisonous."

  "Seriously?" Issei asked, running alongside Natsuki as she continued to carry Rias and Koneko.

  "I can smell it; it's like rotting flesh and blood." Natsuki said as she looked down and saw that Rias was breathing heavily, "Rias, are you-"

  Rias coughed, curling her body flush against Natsuki as she started to shiver. Koneko was in a simir state, covering her mouthwith her hand as she coughed, struggling to breathe.

  "Hmm, so this mist doesn't work on you because you're the Sekiryuutei and the Kogane Ryū Kōgō, huh? I made this a poison mist specially to work only on Devils and Youkai-nyan, making the target slowly suffer as it spreads throughout the body, killing you gradually-nyan." When the two Pawns stopped running, they saw Kuroka sitting on a tree branch above them, swinging her feet with a smile on her face.

  Rias shakily raised her hand and fired magic bullets at the rogue, but they missed Kuroka completely as her body vanished.

  "Aim for the tree on the far left!" Natsuki said, and Rias quickly readjusted her aim, destroying the tops of the tree.

  Laughter could be heard all around them before Kuroka reappeared, standing where Natsuki had turned to face, beneath the destroyed tree. "It seems like my basic genjutsu doesn't work on you. I should have figured, given what I've heard of your skill as a sensor, so I'll just have to throw something stronger at you!"

  Suddenly, silhouettes were born one after another within the mist, standing on either side of Kuroka, and her perfect illusions of the original.

  "Natsuki, which one is real?!" Issei asked, unable to tell the difference himself.

  Natsuki clicked her teeth, grinding them together as Kuroka started to ugh at her. "The energy coming from each one is the same."

  "...If you can't read the flow of one's spirit, you can't deal with a skilled practitioner's genjutsu." Koneko said, hissing as she spoke.

  Natsuki put Rias and Koneko down, not moving her arms until she was sure that the two would be able to stand on their own. "Bance Breaker!"

  Once her Bance Breaker formed, Natsuki flew towards Kuroka, throwing several Bck Bolts at the rogue and her illusions.

  The bolts flew through five of the Kurokas, but the remaining seven jumped to avoid them, continuing to hide which one was the real Kuroka.

  It was only her instincts that allowed Natsuki to raise her arms fast enough to block the flying kick that was aimed at her face.

  Kuroka giggled, pushing herself off Natsuki's arms and nding a few feet away, "You have to try harder than that-nya."

  "I'm just getting started, sweetheart." Natsuki said.

  "Don't make promises you can't keep!" Kuroka shouted, raising her hands and firing a flurry of bullets at Natsuki.

  Natsuki allowed the bullets to hit her, absorbing the energy, pressing her hands together, "Have a gift courtesy of my teacher; Waterfall Prison!"

  Water was pulled from the trees and pnts around them, forming chains made of water that quickly flew towards the Kurokas. The chains flew through the illusions, but instead of dissipating, changed directions midair and wrapped around the true Kuroka.

  "Kinky~" Kuroka purred, unbothered by her new state until she started to feel dehydrated, realizing that the chains were pulling the water from her own body to strengthen themselves.

  "What the-" Kuroka growled as she threw herself to the side, narrowly avoiding a red figure that tried to tackle her.

  Issei, now in his [Boosted Gear] Scale Mail, followed Kuroka, swinging at her in an attempt to knock her down. Kuroka avoided each strike, but she could see Issei steadily getting faster, coming closer to reaching her each time.

  Kuroka turned her head, allowing Natsuki's fist to fly past and kicking the Pawn in the chest. When Natsuki staggered back, Kuroka turned to Issei and kicked him in his helmeted face.

  Natsuki summoned a rge fireball and threw it at Kuroka after Issei was sent flying, just in time for Kuroka to destroy the water chains and catch the fireball before throwing it back at Natsuki.

  Natsuki wondered just how Kuroka was able to grab and then throw her spell as she allowed the fireball to hit her, absorbing it. Natsuki ran at Kuroka and grabbed her leg, smming her into the ground and bringing her foot down upon Kuroka's head. Natsuki used her free hand to create a Bck Bolt and fire it down at Kuroka, but when her spell connected, Natsuki realized that the Kuroka underneath her was a genjutsu illusion.

  Before she had time to react, the real Kuroka jumped out of the shadows and punched Natsuki in the face, breaking her helmet on impact.

  Kuroka cpped her hands together, and two different auras began to form, coating them completely. She then pointed her palms at Natsuki, allowing two beams to shoot out from them.

  When the beams hit Natsuki, a huge bst exploded outward, covering the area in smoke, and when the smoke dissipated, Natsuki was standing there completely unharmed.

  Kuroka's expression changed to one of shock, "It didn't work!? No way. I built up a considerable amount of spiritual power! You can absorb Senjutsu as well?!"

  Natsuki smiled fiercely, "It seems like it."

  "Ugh!" Kuroka doubled over, seeing Natsuki's fist now embedded in her stomach, pain filling her senses as she did not even see Natsuki move.

  She was sent flying into a nearby tree, splitting the tree in half and knocking it over as she crashed through it, crashing through two more trees before finally hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

  Kuroka stood up, spitting out some blood that had made its way into her mouth. Issei tried to use this opportunity to use his Dress Break on Kuroka, but she danced out of the way of his hand and fired a magic bullet at his back, breaking through his armor and knocking him down.

  I can't use my powers on her; she'll just absorb the spells again. I'll have to deal with her, physically. Kuroka thought.

  Natsuki watched Kuroka disappear from her sight, only for her to punch her in the face, ughing as she felt Kuroka's fist connect with her cheek. Despite knowing that she was hit, Natsuki did not feel pain from the blow, immediately trying to kick Kuroka away.

  From the second she absorbed Kuroka's test attack, Natsuki felt energized and as if she could do anything, as if she was riding a strong high and unable to think beyond just wanting to hit Kuroka, and this led to the two furiously trading blows when Natsuki ran at Kuroka again.

  More of Kuroka's hits were nding in comparison to Natsuki's, but the boost Natsuki had gotten prevented her from feeling the damage. Another ugh spilled from Natsuki's lips as Kuroka was unable to entirely avoid Natsuki's hits, seeing the rogue's skin beginning to bruise.

  Kuroka growled as she grabbed Natsuki's right arm, using her enhanced strength to shatter the armor around it, and then bending the arm back until it snapped, the bone now sticking out of the torn skin. Still, Natsuki was not phased, lifting her left hand and firing another Bck Bolt at Kuroka, which the rogue dodged.

  "Devourer's Gluttony!" Natsuki yelled, Hellfire shooting out from her body, making Kuroka jump back to avoid being burned.

  Kuroka closed the distance between them when the fmes died down, punching Natsuki in the stomach and sending her flying backwards.

  When Natsuki's feet touched the ground, Kuroka was on her again, elbowing her in the face, knocking out a couple of her teeth. And when Issei tried to use this opportunity to attack her again, Kuroka grabbed Issei by the shoulder and threw him into Natsuki, sending them both falling to the ground. As she stood over them, Kuroka started firing magic bullets at the pair, with the majority hitting Issei.

  Natsuki threw Issei off her, absorbing the bullets and intensifying the rush she was feeling. Continuous and manic ughter filled the air, Natsuki's eyes bright and glowing gold, making her friends worry about her behavior.

  "N-Natsuki?" Rias breathed out, having never seen this type of reaction to her Pawn absorbing energy before.

  Natsuki ignored the looks and charged at Kuroka, but the rogue was done messing around with the Pawn and punched her in the face before kicking her leg and shattering her kneecap. Again, Natsuki did not feel the pain, but was not able to charge at Kuroka anymore, now limping as she tried to move towards her, still ughing as she did so.

  Kuroka leaned her head back, her attention now on the other Pawn as she avoided getting stabbed by a long bde. Issei was standing before her; his armor cracked in the various pces where her attacks had penetrated, and with Ascalon now summoned.

  "Now, where did you, of all people, get a Holy Sword from-nya?" Kuroka asked.

  "Don't worry about that, just worry about now getting skewered!" Issei roared, sshing his bde at her.

  Kuroka avoided each strike as Issei was not fast enough to hit her, and while she could not see her, Kuroka could sense Natsuki behind her, knowing that Issei was purposely leading her to the other Pawn.

  Kuroka smirked as she backflipped over Natsuki, causing Issei to cut the right side of Natsuki's cheek, having not expected the maneuver.

  Issei's eyes widened as he dropped his arm, "Shit! Natsuki, I didn't mean to do that."

  Natsuki only smiled as blood and smoke began to bubble from the wound, her eyes still glowing and unfocused, as if she were in a completely different reality from the others.

  "You should be more careful-nyan. I didn't think the Sekiryuutei was so careless with his friends." Kuroka ughed.

  Issei gred at the Youkai, "Shut up! I don't need to hear that from someone like you!"

  [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!] [Boost!]

  Focus, partner, don't let her bait you. Ddraig said through their bond. Just stick out your hand and try firing a magic bullet.

  But I've never-

  Just trust me, Issei. Ddraig said, leaving no room for argument.

  Following Ddraig's instructions, Issei raised his hand and pointed it directly at Kuroka, firing a rge red beam of energy at her.

  Feeling the raw power within the spell, Kuroka summoned her Devil wings and flew into the sky, narrowly avoiding it. But as the spell tore through the ground, it had the effect of dispelling both the poison mist and the barrier that Kuroka had created.

  "Whoa, did I just do that?" Issei asked himself, looking at his outstretched hand.

  "Hahahaha! It's been a long time since I've seen that red bst!" Tannin ughed from above. He and Bikou temporarily stopped fighting to see Issei's attack. "You have attained it at st!"

  "I'm not done yet." Kuroka summoned her Kasha, multiple big wheels of Senjutsu that were covered in bck fmes, and just when she was going to unch them at Issei, a terrible shiver raced down her spine, and when she looked up, she saw something truly shocking.

  There stood Sukehiro Natsuki, a dark cloak of Senjutsu radiating off her, the weight of which was drowning almost everything in the area.

  "We're not going to let assholes walk all over us." Issei spat, "So stop underestimating us."

  Bikou ughed loudly, twirling his staff around, "Hyahahahahahahaha! This is really interesting! Now there are three dragon bosses! It'd be a lie to say I'm not enjoying this!"

  "Ahahahaha! Shirone, what kind of servants did your Gremory princess obtain for herself?" Kuroka said, looking at Natsuki and Issei in a new light.

  Koneko gred at her sister as she and Rias were slowly recovering now that the poison mist had been blown away.

  A low chuckle escaped Natsuki's lips, and a few took staggering steps towards Kuroka, wanting nothing more than to rip Kuroka apart with her bare hands.

  She was only stopped when Koneko grabbed her arm, pulling her back slightly, "Senpai... don't lose yourself to this."

  Koneko's whispering barely registered in her brain, a growl leaving her lips as Koneko prevented her from moving forward.

  "Please..." Koneko said, looking up at Natsuki with tears in her eyes.

  Natsuki froze, and in that moment, she felt all the alluring pull of the Senjutsu disappear, leaving her body quickly. "What-"

  "That's far enough, Bikou, Kuroka, the Devils have noticed." Everyone turned to look at a bespectacled young man with blond hair, a strand of hair across his face, and who was dressed in a business suit. In his hands was a Holy Sword with a grip long enough that it appeared like a two-handed sword with a round pommel at the end, a huge cross-like guard, and a long bde with a gold-colored edge.

  "Aw, man. What are you doing here, Arthur?" Bikou said as he descended.

  Arthur pushed up his gsses with a sigh, "Kuroka was taking too long, so I came to see what was keeping her. What are you doing here, Bikou? More importantly, what do you two think you're doing?"

  "The Holy King sword Collbrande, one of the seven fragments of the Holy Sword, Excalibur. Also known as Caliburn, and the strongest Holy sword in existence. For a wielder of such a bde to be aligned with the Hakuryuukou..." Tannin let out a bitter ugh, "That bde was supposed to be within the Church's possession, but I see that isn't the case. You must be a True Holy Sword Wielder."

  "I am." Arthur said pinly before looking at the Gremory Devils, "I must ask if you could please give my greetings to the Holy Demonic Sword user and the Holy Sword Durandal user? I'd like to face them sometime as fellow swordsmen, you know?"

  Bikou let out a snort, "Do you really think you're in a position to ask them that, Arthur?"

  "It does not hurt to try." Arthur said before using Caliburn to cut the air behind him, creating a spatial tear. "Now then, let's retreat."

  "Boo!" Bikou groaned before looking back at Tannin with a wild grin, "Don't wait up, dragon boss, we still need to determine a winner between us!"

  Tannin scoffed, "It will not be much of a fight if we were to cross paths again."

  Kuroka smirked as she looked at her little sister and her friends, "Bye, bye, Shirone~, Sekiryuutei, Kogane Ryū Kōgō, Gremory-Nyan."

  With that, the three members of Khaos Brigade walked into the spatial tear and disappeared, leaving the five Devils behind.

  The moment they disappeared, Natsuki fell forward, losing consciousness before she hit the ground.

  "Natsuki!" Both Issei and Rias cried out.

  "I was wondering how much longer she was going to keep standing." Tannin said as he nded next to the younger Devils.

  Koneko kneeled next to Natsuki, using her hand to brush some of the hair away from her eyes. It terrified her to see Natsuki lose herself to Kuroka's powers, and she was relieved when Natsuki was able to pull herself out of it.

  "Natsuki's going to be alright, Koneko-chan." Issei said, noticing Koneko's worry, "She's stronger than that, you know?"

  Koneko nodded her head, unable to take her eyes off Natsuki.

  Rias sighed as she could hear the sounds of people approaching them now that Kuroka's barrier had been destroyed. There had been nothing that would have kept them from sensing the Khaos Brigade members' presence before they left.

  She looked at her friends, her gaze lingering on Natsuki the longest as she sighed again, "Honestly, what am I going to do with you three? Every day, my cute little servants are always finding trouble or having trouble finding them."

  Issei awkwardly ughed as he scratched the back of his head while Koneko looked away with a blush on her cheeks.