Flesh is Weak

A pinpoint strike makes the foes of man fear the Omnissiah.

Shirone and Rias froze as I stared down at the cat while picking up my boltgun. The blocky gun made Shirone shake, remembering the axe, and she backed up into Rias. I repeated the command.

"Give me the hair clips. Just so you know I have killed over thirty strays this last night and morning. One of which was a mutation queen. She broke my arms and legs multiple times and I'm still standing. Make this easy on yourself."

Kiryuu looked amazed and a bit sick at the number of kills. Akeno has that, too. Rias has true hearts there because she again whimpered in a special way. Shirone is now pale white and starting to shake as Issari played up the statement

.

"I saw that and him fighting a mutation knight. Do what he says, and you won't regret it."

The cat was so scared that she let loose her ears and tail. The ears flattened to her head, while the tail wagged in extreme fear, with the fur standing straight up. She tried to regain her courage.

"Halfbreed filth could barely win against a wet paper towel let alone those."

I shrugged and said while taking a step forward.

"Sure. Say that but this is called a boltgun. Do you know what it does cat?"

Rias backed away from Shirone, which allowed the cat to move backward. I stepped forward while getting a round in the chamber. Akeno got the plan, as did Issari and Kiryuu. Shirone shakes.

"A filthy human gun couldn't kill a superior devil."

I smile darkly.

"A boltgun fires a round that burrows into the target cat. Then, it explodes in them. It goes through magic barriers in a pistol configuration. Imagine this on my regular one and I can make them bigger. Give me the clips and I promise you will live and get something back that is much more valuable than your defiance now."

Shirone shakes hearing the description of a boltgun. Issari gave me a questioning look that got a nod. Issari smirked and then showed her gauntlet, making Shirone pale further. I let that sink in before saying with a hint of glee.

"You're facing two very dangerous people cat. She's a confirmed Longinus and mine might be one. Do you really want to keep being this stubborn?"

Shirone watched us both, and now the lust was back in full force completely focused on me. TAkeno looked at me, admitting I might have a Longinus. Rias grew braver now, and she threw up an earth wall behind Shirone and glared down her rook with me. Shirone let out a nya before Rias said.

"Hand them over. You hate Riser just as much as I do so imagine him coming after you with that gun and Gregor-kun if he does have that."

Akeno was thinking about vengeance on the GKF. Her eyes take on glee before she turned to Shirone.

"He's done it Koneko I saw the money from the bounties. Do this, and you won't have to lose more face."

Shirone nyas fast several times and then threw the clips to my feet while shaking up a storm.

"Strong not halfbreed filth, nya. Want as mate nya."

That last part was said unconsciously promoted by fear. I held the gun one-handed and picked up the clips.

"You lost that chance when you started this feud. You will get justice from me but know that you will never get me."

Shirone shakes now in something else while Issari gives her own opinion here.

"I like white hair cat. Quit being a racist, and maybe. You'll regret this with him, but you'll get the next best thing."

I returned to the room and set the gun on the bed. Rias crossed over to me, as did Akeno and Shirone just entered the room sniffing sadly. I actually see the beginning of genuine regret on her. She watched at a safe distance from me but was growing more and more sad. Kiryuu looked at the cat with a mixture of pity and contempt as Issari looked at the clips.

"Machine God I hope this is true."

Shirone winced in pain at the name. It's not as bad as the strays, but it's not great. Rias looked at me and then at the clips.

"What is here that you did that?"

I put the gun on the bed before I checked the first clip. It opens and shows a USB. I smile and then show Akeno. She grew more eager as I checked with the second clip, and it was another USB. I smiled evilly as I showed Rias and Shirone, who were looking at the clips in shock. Issari smiled and Kiryuu just looked confused. I tell Rias now with a smile.

"The possible key to someone's freedom and also, the first strike against the fuckers in the GKF. Get Grayfia when you can. Cat your life just got better. The story you heard is looking more like a lie."

Rias looked at the USBs which I threw in a pocket spell as Akeno's face was covered in red face glee.

"I want to hear the story directly from her because she is kind of a hero to us reincarnated well, the cultured ones. To do that against them is something few actually get. Most attempt it and die or run. Was she mad, or was she?"

That's funny Kuroka the hero. Shirone gets pissed while Rias puts it together. Kiryuu likes Kuroka, and Issari purrs in happiness, distracting Shirone. Rias said with a bit of fear.

"Kuroka you met her. Gregor-kun, she's dangerous! She killed a noble heir, and she could kill you! She hates them!"

I snickered.

"She hates her former King and his family. When she and I spoke on Monday she was fun. I didn't shoot her because of my patron, and I instead asked her why she ran. She said that it was because she and other members of her peerage were strapped down by their King and then experimented on to make an artificial super devil. With her King being a Naberius thus GKF the first brick. She said that the family was trying to make weapons against the Satans. She endured the experiments till they were ready to do it on her sister which cat is most likely to be with the eyes and the body structure. I'm thus forced to conclude that she had an extremely good reason for her crimes. She mentioned the clips very off handed, and I put it together. The fact they exist, period, proves that there is something wrong with the official version."

Rias went wide-eyed and Akeno grew more eager than ever saying with pure eagerness.

"Lex needs to meet your brother Rias. If this is true, then it could sell him more than ever to your brother and help the NKF finally put the GKF on the back foot. This could get him the set. Get Grayfia now! This could change the game in a big way!"

Shirone barks out, pissed, while still watching Issari.

"She murdered them for power, nya! She took the world's hate in and is insane, nya!"

I snort.

"Insane people don't act like she did cat. She was there and logical and is also cultured because she knows that swooping is bad."

Issari giggled as did Kiryuu at the words. The two looked at each other and Issari asked.

"Alastair?"

Kiryuu grinned evilly and nodded profusely.

"He's so dreamy. I want him!"

They high-five each other, and I say to Kiryuu, amused.

"Redhead bards are better than a cheese man raised in a stable by flying hounds, Kiryuu. I'll teach you culture, too, but he's better than the assassin."

Kiryuu snorts with Rias confused by the exchange, as are Akeno and Shirone, who look at us like we are mad. Rias then heard redheads and grew even more happy before she promised me something with a flirty tone.

"I can sing Gregor-kun. I'll sing my hero songs that are good."

I prepare to say something, but Akeno bursts into laughter.

"Rias just because Mr. Humpy likes your singing doesn't mean you're a bard. It's not bad, but it takes getting used to it."

Rias looked hurt, and I slapped Akeno's shoulder getting an oof. I then smiled at Rias, who was preparing to look down.

"You probably can sing better than I can, Rias, and after it's done, I'd love to hear it."

Rias beams and then hugs me tightly while Issari gags. Kiryuu throws a pillow at the dragon and knocks her to the ground.

"That's sweet. You're lucky, red. I also want to meet this Bad Cat. She sounds cool, but I'd rather make my own opinion."

I like my bishop even more.

"I will see if I can find her again. She scurried off after our talk and was sneaky when we met. Unless."

I stared evilly at Shirone, who froze again when she saw my look. Akeno joined in while Rias looked torn. Issari purred out to the cat.

"You do this, cat, and I like you more. I'm strong, too, and you can build a new relationship with him if you do this."

Kiryuu was just amused by her friend's purring. She looked at me in question, and I answered.

"She's part dragon. She's weird but at least she lost smelling funny!"

The tic mark returns as Issari growls again at me.

"I don't smell I'm a clean dragon! Come here, you bitch!"

She dove for me while I laughed followed by Kiryuu. Before Issari could strangle me again, she froze mid-air by Akeno, who slapped me upside the head before she petted her dragon.

"She's the best dragon ever, Lex no more making fun of her smell. Koneko, you will help with this because you owe my cousin a lot for what you said before. Do you want the jerky dance again? If your sister was justified in killing them, you have wasted multiple years of your life hating her. Don't you want this settled?"

Shirone's ears, which were still out, drooped. She remained silent, and I took pity on the cat.

"She seems to adore you, cat. She called you Shirone nonstop. I still don't like you, but if this gets you both together again, then I'm going to do it. Family that cares is never bad. I got Keno, so that's a good second-place award."

I expected the lightning bolt there. I don't do the jerky dance, and that disappointed Akeno. Issari snickers while Kiryuu is just amused. Rias isn't and whacks Akeno, who groans. Rias begins to fuss over me, and I gently push her away. I glare down at Shirone again.

"Prove to me, cat, that you're not what I imagine you are. Don't repeat the past."

Those words made Shirone droop her ears again. She looked me in the eyes, and I saw she really did want me as her mate. There is real regret there, and while she hates humans, that nekoshou thing must be overpowering it. She softly nyas in sadness. Rias saw it, too, and hugged the cat. She looked ready to promise something but thought better of it.

"Try Koneko. He's trying with you despite everything. He told me he would never force me to trade you despite the fact he has the grounds to demand that. He is a third of the way to our freedom. He immediately wanted to help us despite you. Please try now for him. The humans are not the problem nor have ever been. It's them. It's always been them. You can't have him if you keep on this but you might get your sister back if this is correct. We can again try to get your abuser into jail. Try please."

I stop Rias.

"He dies. No disappointment when it fails and no further pain for her. He escalated to that, and he will be in a female-majority school. I have something for him. It will make him feel the pain he inflicted on the cat. No trace of it will be found and I say that for you and her."

No one except Kiryuu looked disturbed there. Shirone looked into my eyes, and she regretted it more than ever. Issari saw Kiryuu's face.

"The monster attempted to do what we all fear. He did that to the cat. He put cameras in the female bathrooms at my school and he got away with it. He got away with it with her, too, because he has his bitch dad and additional protection from racist devils Kiryuu-chan. He will continue to get away with it till he's killed. He's a size scouter, too."

Kiryuu froze then grew pissed. So pissed that something happened.

Ice began to form around the bed. We all jumped back away from that as Kiryuu growled.

"Him. That fuck gives us size scouters a bad name! He tried to get me arrested! I wasn't doing anything except looking at a dude that I thought looked hot in a park in an acceptable way! He recognized me, and then five minutes later, I was dragged into a police car and told I was being charged with sexually harassing people! I was stuck in jail for a week because of bail, and it took three witnesses to the event to get the charges against me dropped! I however, still have the mark on my record! Kill that piece of shit! He's a scumbag and even his friend looked very uncomfortable with that! Kill him!"

Kiryuu threw an ice bolt into the TV, and the bolt went through the screen. I sweat dropped as did everyone but Shirone and Issari. The three seemed to bond over their hate of him. Cat, dragon, and ice girl roar or yowling rage. I looked at Rias. Asking in our area while they roar.

"Gear?"

The new trio just started hyping each other up with promises of vengeance on him. Rias said while the drops on her and Akeno's heads grew.

"Yeah. It's not a bad one. I think it's frozen spirit bird however I'm not sure though. Akeno?"

Akeno studied the three, now grinning evil together, bonding over violence against the shit. She finally made a judgment.

"It's that. It is a bit more than the other one I have felt in a recent reincarnated Devil in a peerage belonging to another noble."

I sweat dropped more with Issari promising to take his legs then arms before sewing them back on him in the wrong spots. That got clapping from the two other mood kindred as Shirone promised to geld him then shove the thing down his throat. I winced there as did Rias. Akeno was about to join them when I shook my head at her. She pouted but didn't say what she thought.

The trio of mood kindred now were jotting down notes on paper that had magically appeared. Shirone is sitting on the bed and is close to Issari. I reluctantly broke the evil.

"Will you help confirm this, Koneko-san?"

The cat looked at me and that stopped the rage. We watched each other for a while before Issari bumped the cat. Shirone finally found what she seemed to be looking for.

"I will try nya. I don't believe you or her, nya. I still don't like humans nya. You fight for them that poison the earth, nya. You're a halfbreed, yet face them and me unafraid nya. I'll bury the hatch here nya. Rias-sama has been nothing but good to me nya. I'm sorry Rias-sama nya."

It's not an apology but it's more progress than anything else. I did hear a small amount of respect in the cat's voice. Issari bumped the cat again.

"I'm human through and through, Kitty. You want to join our club of hatred for him you bury it completely with us no excuses. You seem okay and just don't get that he is vermin. Gregor-kun has been amazing to all of us. He and I are here forever and are not going anywhere. Be nice to Kiryuu-chan because she will be a devil once he gets his set. Now, let's finish this list then we go help you get your sister back."

Shirone got mad but she seemed to have really bonded with the two others.

"Fine, nya. You're okay nya. For a human, nya. You're both perverts and I will teach you both how to be proper people nya."

The two perverts just looked at each other. Before they smirked together and smiled at Shirone. She didn't get why they were doing that. I, however, get ready to leave and get Kuroka on the road to freedom. I will make my demand to Sirzches. The set now. I will give another I owe you. There must be spare sets they hold in reserve. I picked up my gun before putting it on the magnetic clamp on my back and then left the room. Rias following along with me.

"I will try to contact Grayfia but she is usually very busy on Fridays. That's when nobles petition my brother, and that lasts a while. I want you to show me she's not insane and for her story to be told honestly. Please be safe."

I know what you mean. I tell her as I go down the stairs to speak with Maéva.

"I will. Rias, if she is innocent and we get her freedom, I am considering making her my queen. She came onto me heavily in our meeting, and no, I didn't accept her offer. However I did like the purrs."

Rias froze looking me up and down for a lie. Her face hardened there before she softened.

"I like those, too. Koneko was the one who helped me the most at the beginning. She purred often for me when I still thought the nobles would eventually come around to me. We will talk the three of us later. I don't like you being that brutally honest about your hate of them but they never gave me a chance. I'll let this slide, and only if she is absolved. My conditions."

I smiled big because she had grown a backbone.

"Your opinion matters, Rias. I never want you to think it doesn't. My hate of them is there because you are all so backward, and it's a miracle you haven't died out yet. I will have a new strike against them set up soon. I will start something there that will help you and them."

Rias shook her head but she was pleased I agreed with her. I spot Maéva watching a television, weeping in sadness while one of her mechadendrites brings a tissue to her eyes. I approached Maéva and saw she was watching a soap opera, and it was not going well for the main actress. I wait till the commercial break happens while texting Kuroka to meet me at the station. Rias joined in weeping with Maéva at the end of the section before the break.

Maéva finally finished crying, and she, while sniffing her sadness away, became professional again. She immediately asked.

"How may I help you, young master?"

I let Rias wipe her tears away before I replied.

"I would like you to help our guest move into the house. She has told me she wishes to be my future bishop. She did wreak one of our TVs with her newly empowered gear, but it's fine. I'll buy a new one for the room after that is done with your welcome to enjoy the rest of the day. The house looks great, Maéva, and your dedication is appreciated. I'll mention this to Geros next time I see him."

Maéva beams in pure pride and it's weird because that looks like a devil high. I ask Rias.

"People can have two sins?"

Maéva kept being proud while making her way up the stairs as Rias nodded.

"They can it's extremely rare but it happens sometimes. My sister is like that, too. I can't say what, but you will see them fast. I'll go help her and get Koneko brave enough to meet her tonight. She's scared of her sister and probably was trying to be braver so you may one day reconsider her. I was going to offer it, but with everything, I said no eventually. I caught her three times this week sleeping on the couch, mumbling about you."

I gave Rias an Are you serious about that look, and she nodded.

"It's a tough thing for Nekoshou not to do. When I asked her why she wants a strong mate, she grew quiet before saying her dad fought off a flock of fallen who had tried to take her and her sister away."

I blinked twice in surprise.

"That is the same thing her sister told me when I asked that, too, but she also said that the dad was a regular human."

Rias winced.

"I let her do the hate of humans because it stabilized her after the incident. She hasn't spoken about her dad since it happened. It hurts her doing that. She loves her dad and is partly why she's been extremely short fused more and more often. How long do you think it will take to track her down?"

I considered that.

"One or two hours. She seemed to follow me after we met, and she scurried off. There were black cats at multiple locations I was at just watching me this week. I didn't want to kill a potential stray cat, so I didn't do anything. I'll go to one of my prior places and see if she is still following me."

That gets Rias prepared while being nervous. She moved to the stairs, and she looked back at me. She took something out of her pocket, it was a small red ribbon. She came back and then gave it to me.

"My favor. It won't break any traditions if Grayfia discovers it. She will be okay with it. She is a romantic at heart, and her view of us is in that light. She loves the old knight tales of that as do I. Please accept it."

How quaint and I hate that I like this. I take the ribbon, and I prepare to put it on my boltgun. I make fire and burn the wax on the end of the ribbon to the gun's middle. A purity seal of another kind. Yumoto says that it's sweet. The spirit was eager to keep helping me out but he asked that I eventually let him rest fully. I don't get why he's asking that because he's free to go wherever he wants. The spirit just smiled there, saying he was not going to the Shinto but to my faith's afterlife. He wants my permission because of how I'm protecting Kiryuu. I tell him and the spirits in the other things they don't need to ask me for that. They are free to go wherever they want. I'm not going to force them to stay here. That makes Yumoto happy while Tsuda says she is staying forever. Rias was just amused and amazed by my communicating with spirits and I tell her absent-minded.

"The gun likes it as do I. I'll be as fast as possible. "

Rias looked at me like I was the only real thing in the world. She says almost the words but stops because of fear. I can't say it either. I remained silent till Tsuda poked me. She said to say it because we both need this.

"I think I will love you, Rias. It grows stronger the more I know you. I will say it fully soon."

That makes Rias beam and despite my half move she says to me.

"I think I will love you too Gregor-kun."

That restored the good atmosphere, and that let us depart from each other on good terms. The look she sends me as I go towards the stairs is something I can get used to.

At the station, I find Kuroka dressed in her traditional clothes while nervously pacing. She glides over to me and hugs me, purring her happiness.

"They want to meet you to hear your side. They will hit you with truth spells so please tell me there is nothing you have left out."

Kuroka doesn't freeze just purred more telling me after looking up from the hug.

"I left nothing out, nya. What is the plan?"

I tell her the story and Kuroka is impressed by it. I do tell her now everything about Shirone. That pissed off Kuroka but I tell her the plan for him. That made her happy again. The fact I have a bishop in the works makes her happier because that's good for me. I told her that her work with the USBS would hopefully get me the set and her amnesty. She reassured me.

"It should, nya. A big player in the GKF backed my King. Not the top, but high enough that it will hurt them, nya. I was just kill on sight and now it's a chance. It's more than anything I have had before, nya. You're my best friend and my mate. I will keep Shirone away from you nya."

The fact that Shirone wanted me had made Kuroka laugh. I tell Kuroka as we wait out the time.

"She burned the bridge with me with everything. I had to threaten her with the boltgun, and yes, you can beat me down for that. I hated it. I hate the fear on her face. I hunted into the morning and am a third of the way there."

Kuroka showed her sis-con self and broke my legs twice. I didn't scream there, and when I healed back up, she purred again, helping the pain, hearing the fact I didn't want to do that. I meant it but Kuroka mattered more. Shirone resisting would have made this worse. It was about an hour thirty when Rias asked me via text if I had found anything yet. She told me that Shirone was not brave enough now and was still trying to get a hold of Grayfia and Sirzches. I asked how much time she would need to get either of them. She told me that she is unsure if she can but will continue to try.

In that time Kuroka and I bonded peacefully and properly. I told her about my dreams and my likes and dislikes. She told me of her own experiences and likes. She asked me what time my reality was at and cutely asked if there were good shooters in the future for certain series. I tell her that they get better then worse. I did tell her Skyrim will last for longer than a decade. We talked and talked, and we are extremely similar. This could easily work between us, and we have a good foundation here. But I play devil's advocate.

"It might not work. If they are there they might kill you outright. I will try to stop that. If that happens run as fast as you can. I want you to be alive. Please do that, and don't look back."

Kuroka looked extremely reluctant. She touched my face, settling into my neck crook, and stayed silent. Before she said anything, tears fell on my neck.

"I will try but it will hurt so much. You're the best thing that has happened to me in so long, nya. You have made me so happy, and I fear being alone again. I don't ever want you gone, nya. Please, if this fails do everything you can to help me and if not others. I know you can't say it yet, but please let me have it once, nya."

It hurts there. The fear of her dead and or gone and the request. I say it now because I want the good line.

"I love you Kuroka."

That makes her purr more than ever. I prepare her for this.

"What place will we 'meet'?"

We discussed it and finally chose the hotel. That way Kuroka could outrun them with plenty of room to maneuver. She then got up and departed. I get my armor on and boltgun ready. I don't don the helm. Before I portal to the hotel.

Once there, I let Kuroka hide while I waited. Finally, I got a new text that said Rias got in contact with Grayfia and Sirzches. I gulped because this was now very bad if it went wrong. I told Rias to get my laptop to help this out and she immediately agreed.

I tell Kuroka they are coming as she pales and then prepares for her possible death. I go to the back of the hotel and get ready to face him.

Forty minutes later, a portal with the sign of the new Lucifer family appears, and out stepped Grayfia. She isn't wearing her maid get-up. She's in an intimidating armor that is exceptionally thick and moves like a second skin. She looked at me and looked at my armor in curiosity before getting out of the way. Then out comes Sirzches also in armor and his presence makes me immediately understand I'm an ultra-small fish compared to him. I immediately kneeled to him in respect and a good amount of fear. I didn't see his face with mine on the ground. It was silent for a bit. The portal kept being open because of the hiss of magic, and I didn't raise my head.

That's when Sirzches spoke.

"A good display with enough genuine respect that it's truthful. You may rise."

I do and I get my first sight of the Great King. He's very similar to Rias with long red hair, blue-green eyes, and a face that has seen many smiles. He appears to be around twenty-eight years old and looks me up and down. His armor was brass and black, and he carried a sword on his hip. I'm unconsciously shaking from the pressure and Sirzches doesn't let it up before I steady myself. Sirzches seems to be amused by this and the pressure finally goes away.

I gasped out there, and Sirzches just kept smiling.

"You're the Gorgan my sister has been bragging about eventually finding. The warrior who claimed many heads and terrified her pawn. I'm impressed because my sister doesn't pay attention to hunters as they are a dime a dozen. You're also challenging my Rias-chan's arranged marriage. She speaks of how you are a Lord of Iron and I can see the beginning of that. Now tell me why I should listen to you or this stray. I was about to enjoy my Friday with my beautiful wife and our son."

I stayed steady. Behind them, I saw Rias looking very nervous with my computer. I gulped and considered my words carefully. Sirzches had been friendly with his words. But underneath them was a very bad promise to hurt me extremely badly if this was a waste of his time even though I'm his best friend's son.

"Lord Lucifer I was hunting this week when I encountered a strange stray. I was gathering the money required of me to honorably break the betrothal between Lady Gremory and Sir Phenex. I didn't shoot her because she didn't attack first like all the others have. She watched me and we glanced at each other for several minutes before I asked why. She said nothing for a moment, before she said that I was a strange hunter. We attack first and don't ask why. We started talking."

Sirzches was amused. Grayfia, not so much. She shakes her head in disbelief and disapproval. Sirzches continued smiling and asked.

"What did you talk about with a stray? They kill and hurt humans and more for fun. Fia hit him with a mind control detection and reversal spell."

Grayfia does without hesitation. It hits, and it hurts like being electrocuted. I don't scream, and Rias gasps and prepares to say something, but I beg her with my eyes not to say anything. She complied and after the pain end's Sirzches is more impressed and interested. Grayfia now shows she is sorry while Sirzches isn't and he just raises an eyebrow at me to explain.

"I asked why she ran. She told me an intriguing story. That she killed her King because he experimented on her and her fellows and he was going to do it to her sister next."

Sirzches frowned slightly and told me to continue with his eyes. They were looking directly into mine with extreme edges.

"She claimed that she can back it up. She claimed that there was a USB disguised as a hair clip on her sister that would back up the claim. I didn't believe her or the story. She then ran off fast and I didn't see her again that night but I was followed by black cats throughout the rest of the hunt. This was on Monday. I did research into her description and found her story."

Sirzches looked more interested in the story. He gestured again to continue with a twitch of his shoulder.

"Her story didn't match the version I read. There, she killed him for power he denied her, and after she experimented with senjutsu, she went mad and did the deed. She didn't appear or sound mad to me. She sounded completely sane, and when I made a reference to something, she got it immediately and laughed genuinely. I looked up if she had a sister, and I found that was true too in Lady Gremory's rook. I kept thinking about it, and today, I finally decided to test the claim. I demanded the clips from the rook, which was done because of a bad history between us."

Grayfia chimed in there.

"This is true. The rook in question despises him, my King, and insulted him gravely last week."

Rias spoke up softly, still intimidated by her brother in his king persona.

"She insulted him further this week. He speaks truth there my Lord."

Grayfia grew angry there and promised Rias pain for that. Sirzches now has a huge frown and asked now while his eyes were thinking.

"And what did you find, Gorgan?"

I sought permission to use magic in his presence by preparing the spell with the design appearing on my armored hand and not activating it. Sirzches nodded and I opened the pocket bringing out the clips. Sirzches looked intensely at them clearly having seen them hundreds of times. Grayfia does, too. I offer them to the super devil who can fart and kill me easily. He took them before he moved his hands and attempted to open one, it popped, showing the USB. He widened his eyes, as did Grayfia as I spoke now.

"There are two with one in each. She mentioned only one. I asked Lady Gremory to bring my laptop to give you something to use to see if it's true. Lord Lucifer I believe her more after seeing them."

Rias brought the laptop over and presented it. Sirzches took it briskly and opened it up. He powered up the computer and inserted the first USB into it after it was running. He let it load and began to read the information.

We all waited in silence with the only sound being us breathing. Sirzches started with a blank face. Then, it becomes a small frown growing into a bigger one. Then a massive frown that turns quickly into a scowl that becomes more and more pissed as he continues reading on. The presence and pressure returned. I sweat and shake like never before and Rias does, too. Grayfia moved to her husband's side, and what she saw pissed her off too. The pressure that was bad before tripled and made Rias look woozy, and I'm not much better. It grows and grows in intensity, and Rias collapses to her knees from it and whimpers. That breaks the pressure as Sirzches immediately starts to fuss over Rias.

"I'm so sorry, Ria-tan! I just was so angry that I forgot! Please forgive me!"

Grayfia doesn't beat her husband stupid like she should. It shows me he's still the very kindhearted man under the hard-ass exterior. Rias whimpered again, and I went to help her immediately while still shaking. Rias clutched onto me and Grayfia saw something as did Sirzches. They didn't say anything, and I helped Rias up as I only focused on her because I hated that pain there. She clutched onto me tightly and just felt better with the cool armor pressed against her skin.

Sirzches sounds like he's ready to beg forgiveness more than ever. Grayfia coughed, and as we turned around to face him again, the Great King was back. He looked at me with a fake smile, and he spoke.

"It seems you and she were telling the truth. Rias said you went out looking for this stray again, which was extremely dangerous given her status. However, the fact you waited here before anything implies that she is in this building. Why do you believe she's here?"

I just let Rias lean on me letting her recover.

"I killed a mutation knight and three regular pawns here yesterday. The cat watched me intently at the beginning, during and at the end. I checked two other places, and it was there each time leading me to think she might have placed a tracking spell on me. I believe she's here somewhere."

Sirzches nodded, and Grayfia hit me with a spell again.

"He has one and it's recent too. Its less than three hours old. If she wanted to kill him, she had plenty of openings to do so without us here, and given he was not under her control."

Sirzches grew more serious than ever.

"Then she is possibly telling the truth. You never told her your name and rank, did you?"

I shake my head.

"No, just first name. I don't need another group of people after me if my name spreads around right now."

Sirzches smiled truly there.

"You are his son. I'm sorry for the electrocution and for the pressure. I had to be sure, and given what the official story is, this could have been a long-haul assassination attempt on me. You suddenly being alive and everything then this could have been a plot by my political enemies to end me and why I did that. However, my enemies would not willingly hand over evidence like this to me. I will strike the first debt from you for this. You and the stray have finally handed me a way to do actual damage to them, and I don't know how far this goes. I'll have my spymaster look into this further."

I shake my head there, making the two go wide-eyed.

"Keep the original agreement. I only ask for the set now and that she get pardon. Surely you have extra ones in case of emergency. That's all I want."

Sirzches studied me again before he agreed.

"Done. The GKF can bitch at me all they want but they need to be reminded that I am Lucifer. When I say this blow you inflicted on them is significant I mean it. I saw no less than six names that can hurt them badly. That alone is worth your set, and given what my sister has told me of your hunts yesterday and this morning, including taking down a mutation queen, I say this is a battlefield promotion. The GKF never got rid of that, so they could mass get their people sets. Now, it will go to one who truly deserves it. As for the stray, she has her pardon. She never did anything else that deserved additional scrutiny, and her work on the criminal side was never hostile towards the commoners and other people not connected to the family. I hereby grant her pardon under my authority. Fia will get you your set tomorrow morning. On a less professional note, you have my full support for Rias. The fact you're doing this for her, and from what she told me, you're a third of the way there already, shows me that you are indeed serious about my sister. Get rid of Riser. He has burned all our goodwill away over the years with his attempts to bully Rias nearly constantly. My parents had little other choice, but you are a star send. I wish to speak with this cat to tell her officially. Lead me in."

Rias was shoved back through the portal and it's in the ORC room. Grayfia pocketed my laptop and the clips. I don't protest because I'm lucky. I'll ask for the computer back when I can.

We three entered the building. The darkness is illuminated by a fireball that Grayfia summoned, and the three of us move toward the lobby. When sitting in the hole in the floor where the knight had fallen to is a black cat. It meows at us, and Sirzches just chuckled.

"Reveal"

That apparently was a spell, and Kuroka immediately appeared on the spot. She plays her part well and looked completely surprised. She displayed none of the signs of knowing me. She just sighed, and then, after looking at me before growing lusty.

"I like what I see, hunter. You're a strong mate, nya. Given that the Great King and the strongest queen are here, you're well connected. You never did get my name, nya. I am Kuroka."

Fuck, she's good at acting! I'm ready to believe that and I know the truth! Koriel whacks me, and I groan getting another chuckle from Sirzches before he grew serious. Sirzches spoke now, and he was amused greatly by Kuroka.

"He is indeed well connected and has a heart of gold cat. Your claim has been verified but I want to know if I am correct in the reading I saw. Was the project you endured to find a way to mass-produce super devils? This is your last and only chance to earn pardon. Do nothing and let my queen hit you with the strongest one she knows of."

Kuroka nodded profusely, and Grayfia hit the cat with the spell. But she is now ultra pissed hearing what the research was possibly going to. Sirzches repeated the question. Kuroka answered.

"Yes it was. My King orchestrated it with the support of the Lord of the Pillar nya. I killed him because we lost everyone in the peerage through the project, and he was going to do that all again to my Shirone. I say that with absolutely no lie, nya."

Sirzches nodded, and he turned to Grayfia.

"Send them in."

Grayfia bowed, then opened a communication spell as Sirzches looked at Kuroka and then me before he said anything.

"You have pardon for your work in bringing this to my attention. Congratulations, cat, you're extremely lucky. Gregor-kun, I would give you an additional reward, but you're getting much already."

Kuroka danced a happy Irish jig, and I replied.

"I am when I am confirmed joining the NKF, and you will have our support. I won't back down on helping destroy the GKF entirely. They have earned an eternal enemy in me for the ways they abused Rias and Kuroka. You will like many of the things I bring because of my gear to the table. As a future present for my potential brother-in-law, I promise a fifteen percent stake in the underworld company I make and the top side when I expand up there. Bad Cat I offer you a place to live till you are back on your feet. My old house or a room where I live now. Your pick."

Sirzches looked interested in my gear, and my offer for stakes. Kuroka finished her jig and then said with a happy grin.

"I'll take the room or the house whatever helps the kind hunter who gave me this. You have the friendship of an Irish girl, and we remember our friends and our enemies, nya. I'm with you Sexy!"

Sirzches is more amused, and Grayfia finishes her call. Then she looks at the cat before saying to me in a way that shows she cares.

"Leash her when you get your set. I will pick you up tomorrow. We have two spare unused sets in storage and the stone will attune one to you. You are beyond the minimum that they require for new kings. Congratulations Greg. Your father will be notified immediately when you touch the stone, and that was how we planned to smoke him out. He knows whenever someone touches the stone at all his hideouts. Cat, you step out of line again, endangering my star son, and I will kill you in a truly horrible way."

Kuroka and I felt the pressure start, making Kuroka shake badly. This pleased Grayfia and she left the pressure there. Sirzches then just smiled big there and opened his portal. He stepped through it and turned to face the still-shaking Kuroka and me.

"Be good cat. Gregor-kun I will be keeping my eyes on you. You will shake up the underworld. A half devil who is already making himself a name. I will keep your secret. Heniya owes me money from a bet she lost last decade, and I want the surprise on her face seeing you when you get Rias. It will be worth the wait. Good night. Heir Astaroth."

The portal closed and Grayfia kept the pressure on us.

"This is for being an idiot with a stray who was very capable of killing you. You have too much of a kind heart."

I kept shaking, but I said as I shook so much, my knees were whacking each other, making clangs.

"I will not stand by when I have the power to possibly fix something. I am the change I want to be."

Grayfia shakes her head, amused but finally lets up the pressure. Kuroka and I gasped and wheezed, with Grayfia being smug. The maid then opened a portal to the ORC. Grayfia says to me with a small smile.

"You troublesome starson but I will say you have principles and that you stick to them. Again, I recommend as a professional that you abandon those. As the star mother I am proud of you. You did this and have helped us immensely just to free a person. That shows you will be a person more to watch. Go on I don't have all day."

We ran through the portal because neither of us wanted that pressure again. We were so busy we didn't notice Rias and her gathered peerage plus Issari and Kiryuu off in a corner. Rias and her peerage froze seeing Kuroka as Shirone shakes like a storm. Akeno is the least scared of the five there. Five yes because Gasper was there but it's not the Gasper I know. He is not cross-dressed and not a little guy. He's Kiba's height, and his hair is pale white, blonde. His eyes are still the same, but he wears a shirt that makes me smile. It's a shirt for RuneScape. He's in the back of the group with his arms around Shirone steadfastly holding her.

Grayfia poked her head through the portal and said to Rias and her peerage.

"The cat is pardoned the clips corroborated the story. Inform Maéva of that. Now I will enjoy my night and will tell Milicas you say hello, Rias. I will be at the home tomorrow around ten. Good night."

The head left, and the portal closed. Issari beams and pulls an amused Kiryuu over to us, and she introduces herself and Kiryuu while still playing along.

"Hello! I'm Issari Hyoudou and this is my friend Kiryuu! We will take care of you!"

Kiryuu was studying Kuroka for something. Before she shakes her head in approval, she smiles and extends her hand to Kuroka. She takes it and then yelps as ice freezes around the hand, and Kiryuu says with a sadistic smile on her face.

"If you ever try anything against the man who saved you and me, cat, I'll freeze you into a cat-shaped iceberg. I don't care that you're a former S-class criminal, and I'm me. This man is my King, and you will respect his authority. I will be the ice that makes the room chill when he is there and makes nobles learn to respect Gregor Astaroth."

The room around the two chilled, and Kuroka was both impressed and amused. She looked at me out of the corner of her eyes and smiled before saying it in pure happiness.

"I will never hurt the brave hunter who risked so much for me. He's my wanted mate. I will make him that by showing him the me who will never betray him."

Rias didn't like the tone of love there. Shirone grew pissed now at that while Kiba looked at me like I was insane because I had that chasing me. Gasper, on the other hand, is watching me intently. He found something there and he watched the scene. Akeno just smiled wide, then moved towards Kuroka and studied her before she started fufufuing.

"Ladies' man indeed, Lex. Rias has competition, and I will watch this with interest. Hello Bad Cat I'm Akeno. The idiot who saved you is my cousin. I'll just let my lightning speak for me."

Lots of lightning appeared in Akeno's hands, and Kuroka hissed at it. Rias moved towards me and hugged me. I pat her back, and that is when Kuroka sees Shirone. The two looked at each other. Shirone must be shocked beyond belief again by the look on Kuroka's face. Kuroka stepped forward to the white cat and Shirone's ears and tail appeared. They kept watching each other. Shirone whimpered, making Kuroka rush to her sister and, grabbing her out of Gasper's hands and then struggle snuggling the white cat. Nyas are fast and frequent there by Kuroka. Shirone is just in shock. Her eyes hit mine, and I saw the look they sent me.

Pure regret that we had the prior relationship. The desire for me as her mate and not her sister's. Then there was the pure thank you that I was right, and she had her sister back. She started nyas for Kuroka as their tails wrapped around each other. The two reconnected and everyone just moved away from the pair. Rias is looking at them and me with true love. As is Akeno for family. Issari and Kiryuu go and sit on a couch, and I hear the words of wonders beyond measure said. Kiba and Gasper are near me now, and Gasper finally asks something.

"So, you're Rias's potential new betrothed? Given everything I have heard from Kiba and the rest, I expected a Superman. You are kind of that. I'm Gasper Vladi. It's nice to meet you."

Gasper has the voice of a very good singer.

"Yes. RuneScape is a great game. I heard they are planning to release a new version soon. I'm Gregor Astaroth."

Gasper beams, and just from the shirt, he's already on a good foot with me.

"You are a bishop? Could you teach mine how to do magic? I'm just a filthy American who prefers guns and swords for my work."

Gasper blushed, but he nodded his head there.

"I'm not the best at it, but I can try. Kiryuu-chan is determined to learn it all. She was begging Rias and Akeno to teach her magic. You are cool, Gregor-san."

Kiba poked Gasper in the rib getting an eep and I laughed.

"Just Gregor. I'm not big on formalities. I'd like to get to know everyone properly. I'd be happy to play RuneScape with you once I get a real PC. Rias got my laptop confiscated by her brother."

That was said with a very big tease. Rias huffed but just smiled, and she had been watching the two cats bond again. Shirone was on Kuroka's lap on a couch near the door, and the two were talking to one another. I couldn't hear anything that way, so there was probably a silence spell there. Gasper smiled, and he turned a pink eye on me.

"I'll do that. Thank you for helping Koneko-chan despite everything. I don't leave the building because of personal reasons, so I couldn't meet you properly the first time. She's been a horrible little racist cat since him, and now I hope this makes it better."

Gasper is vocal in his dislike of Shirone's racist nature with Kiba and Akeno frowning in agreement. Rias looked down and I don't defend Shirone.

"It's extremely poor logic there but I understand how she arrived at the idea. I condone racism because we are, despite everything, the same. Better people who look and think like you than something else."

Gasper frowned but understood what I meant instantly.

"So, you believe in aliens and that they are potentially hostile."

Kiba and Rias are confused, and Akeno doesn't know what to say. Rias is again the cutest thing ever here, tilting her head.

"Aliens?"

Gasper is amused and shaking his head in dismay. Akeno, however, speaks up now, and she asks.

"Why do you think that Lex?"

I can't tell them yet. Not until after the contract is broken. I just replied to Rias and Akeno.

"Alien refers to another species from beyond our planet, Ria. It's crazy to think we are the only ones in the universe. I just have a very bad feeling about them Keno. I want to be proven wrong, and I hope I am, but given everything, it's better to be safe than sorry."

Akeno can't fault the logic. Neither can Kiba and Gasper. Rias can't seem to wrap her head around the idea that there are perhaps multiple species on other planets. Considering she believes that the world is flat and more stupid stuff, I get why she struggles there. Gasper was about to say something when I felt exhaustion hitting again like a truck. I feel ready to faint. I checked the clock, and it was ten-forty. Rias seemed to get the look and made her way to me. Kiryuu had seen it, too, and had practically teleported to me.

Kuroka had, too. She gently got Shirone off her lap and then set the younger girl on the couch. She promised her something, and she dropped the spell they had and rushed to me. She got on my left side while Rias was on my right, and the two shared a look. Then Rias opened the portal to my house. I bid goodbye to everyone in a tried voice, and they bid me that, too, seeing I was about to faint.

We came through, and the trio of people were helping me up the stairs. Kiryuu was at the back, making sure I didn't fall backward. Rias and Kuroka kept looking at each other and seemed to be having a private conversation only they could hear. I was too tired to care, and when we got to my room, I opened the door. I was so tired that upon hitting the bed, I almost fell straight asleep. But I said something unconsciously.

"Love the red."

The last thing I remember before the dark takes me. Is Rias and Kuroka's red hair.