Flesh is Weak

Fire is man's first and greatest invention.

I woke up the next morning around nine thirty on the right side of the bed, away from Kuroka and Rias. The skull and needle with the poison were already made, and the skull was disguised as a bird by an exasperated Kuroka, who hates this new reality. A shower and then getting dressed helped redirect me from the fact this kill was against someone my age.

Upon entering the backyard with my servo skull, Alex moved into it, and the skull whined to life. I had made him something that he quickly found. A series of coughing sounds quickly came from the skull before it sputtered twice and spoke.

"This is creepy dude being in one of these. I don't get why the others like this. I'd rather be in the gun."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You don't have to do this you know. Tsuda can run the skull."

Tsuda had become extremely bloodthirsty and loved killing the things that had been her end. Alex got a tic mark on the skull.

"That fuck hurt a catgirl! My waifu's sister at that I'm doing this for her!"

I snort there.

"You and Murayama are definitely mood kindred, but given everything, I'm there too. Do you think you can help me with memories at some point? I don't want to destroy our dad completely by not remembering anything."

Alex floated up out of my hands, and he slowly got used to his new temporary body.

"I can try. You're not a bad guy just boring and not fun. Considering I was that at the end, too, I get it enough. Why were you so boring anyway?"

I sighed.

"I had tons of crap in my place. My family had a series of bad things that hit us back-to-back simultaneously, and I was depressed like you. It didn't go away until I met Kate. I was boring because my place was not like here with a supernatural world. We didn't have what you have here."

Alex floated up and down before going side to side. Then he moved his claw that had the microscopic needle.

"I still find it weird that your place had fifty states and not fifty-one. Dad moved us to Vancouver after the incident, and I loved it there. Were you really on the East Coast?"

I remember that place where I lived.

"Yes, we lived in Pennsylvania. It was ok there. I shudder to think how I was lucky not to be from New Jersey as that place sucks."

Alex shivers hearing New Jersey.

"Fair. There is probably one of us somewhere out there from that place. Mom loved Vancouver, too, and she would take me with her to see nature when Dad was busy with work. I didn't get why he was always so busy. I resented him for that at first but after he was gone for three weeks, he came back and saw how devastated I was. He stayed home more after that. He made hundreds of phone calls to make up the difference. I still can't believe he's a Satan. What was your dad?"

I shrugged.

"Mine was an office job worker. He never rose far just like I didn't. I'm going to regret asking this, but why do you have the catgirl fetish? What inspired that?"

Alex was silent for a minute. He said finally with embarrassment and some anger.

"I saw an anime called Tokyo Mew Mew when I was younger. I fell in love with the show, and it became my thing. I liked it so much that I told my 'best friend,' and that bitch spilled that to our friend group and all, but one turned on me. They made my life miserable for a few years. I hate him, and wanted him dead for a long time for the humiliation I felt for trusting him."

I had a shit version of him too.

"Mine did something similar to me. He destroyed my chance with my first crush and our friend group did the same thing to me. I'll try and not be so critical of it."

Alex hummed, and then he floated again.

"I know you aren't him. I just remember getting laughed at by him and the rest of our group on a daily basis. I just wanted the purrs and not the other stuff till later. You're a lucky bastard with her. You are right redheads are good too."

I smiled at the other me.

"Catgirls are equally there. Now please end the fuck. I'd rather not have to worry about him, and I fear that seeing him again will destroy all the good work that I have put into fixing my kohai. I'm not sure about her, though, before you ask."

Alex hummed up to the sky and down again before the skull whined.

"I still don't like her, and I understand you're trying to fix her completely while also not destroying her self-esteem. She seems like she could be fun eventually under the posh exterior. What does this fuck look like?"

I was about to describe him when a voice came from behind me.

"Pointed black hair with round glasses. He will be next to a fitter kid with a bald head. They are probably peeping on women at either a public restaurant or a bathroom. I'll tell you each of the places they will hide at."

Alex and I turned to the voice, and it was Issari standing next to Kiryuu. Both perverts are next to each other and have crossed arms. Alex whined, and I realized we had been talking in Binary. I eyed Issari, and she shrugged.

"I'm learning it, and I only really came at the end of your talk, so I didn't hear much. Nice to meet you other him."

Alex whined and replied.

"Nice to meet you too, pervert. You're cool same with the other one. Tell me their hideouts, and I'll help get vengeance for my waifu!"

Issari snorted, amused, and then started describing the perverted duo's hiding places. She does say to Alex.

"Please leave Matsuda alone and don't traumatize him. He isn't so bad, and he recently started trying to talk to me again. He asked me if he and I could hang out sometime. The best time to go after the size scouter is when he is going to the bathroom. He has a very weak bladder. Two drinks, and he usually is running for the bathroom."

Alex nodded his illusion bird head and then snarks like me too.

"Weak baby man uses bathrooms a lot. Anything else I should know about?"

Issari thought over that before shaking her head no. Alex whined up and shot into the air before flying off to do his mission. I looked at Issari with a questioning look. My best friend shrugged.

"He uses that as his way to get near bathrooms then he does his crap. I don't know how to feel about Matsuda. He isn't the worst, and I have been considering talking to him again. The game put that off, as did my enhancements."

The dragon was still not fed, it seemed, because Issari looked so torn there. Kiryuu was less charitable.

"The baldy saw me get arrested and did nothing to stop it. You can like him, Issari-chan, but I never will. Please don't, if you reconcile with him, invite him to the running club. Have we been approved for that yet?"

I shook my head no while Issari drooped.

"I still need to talk to the student council president. She's my hard-ass mood kindred, and we won't be causing problems for the school when it starts. So excited for all the fun that comes with being there a second time."

Kiryuu giggled there, and Issari was still a bit down, and she nodded to Kiryuu for her request.

"I don't want to reconcile with Matsuda. Yet he will be alone and ostracized at the school since he got in. I just don't want him to be that. I know Red and Katase-chan will say no to him too."

I pat the gecko before she gets further down.

"He'd have to apologize to Kiryuu-chan and stay on the straight and narrow before I'd even consider it. He might hurt my kohai, too, and that's not acceptable. I'm making progress with her as you probably heard, and I'd rather not have her regress again. Have either of you had breakfast yet?"

Both chestnuts shook their heads no at my question. The three of us went inside to have said food.

Inside the kitchen, Maéva was humming a nice tune while Neri was helping set out food for the people already here, which was everyone but Rias for her peerage and Kuroka for mine. Mittelt, who was sitting next to Raynare, was discussing something that had Raynare worried. Upon seeing me, she gestured to me, and I went over slowly to my pawn, not liking the worry on Raynare's face. I did notice that Mittelt was two inches taller than before, so her plan is going well it seems. The blonde-haired fallen angel was smiling slightly, and when I was close enough, she put her fork down and gave me the news.

"Our three new people are going to be here by tomorrow. Jeanne and Kala are moving them into the city. They are all nervous about being here."

Given that two are exorcists, that's understandable.

"Are the exorcists strays that were heading for Grigori?"

Mittelt shook her head.

"They are recently excommunicated from the churches. They and the gear user had nowhere to go, and Conner found them in southern Japan moving this way. He met the gear user in an Internet café and she instantly took the offer as the other two are angry or depressed about being excommunicated."

I was about to ask something more, but Mittelt cut in.

"The gear user has a powerful gear; she could help out a lot with my medical research given she has twilight healing."

Maéva and I froze. Maéva dropped her pan with her next meal to the floor. I turned my eyes on Mittelt.

"The names of all three of our new people. Now."

Mittelt didn't get the sudden change of attitude from me before she answered.

"Asia Argento is the gear user. The exorcists are named Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou. Why are you?"

The church trio is coming here! Far too soon and in the wrong way! Maéva zoomed over to Mittelt and then picked up the fallen looking her straight in the eyes.

"How is my little sister, who never disobeyed anything the church asked of her, excommunicated! Tell me now!"

Maéva was beyond worried and pissed off. Everyone in the house who knew the maid who loved her soap operas and would never hurt a fly was looking at the new Maéva with wide eyes. Issari was looking at Mittelt with wide brown eyes and she now prepares to tear up. Mittelt was scared of Maéva now. I put a hand on Maéva's shoulder.

"Maéva, please put her down. I'll immediately meet your sister tomorrow and bring you to ensure she is fine. Mitt is the messenger and not the church."

Maéva immediately looks ashamed of herself. She gently puts Mittelt on her chair again. My pawn looked at me with thanks for calming the maid down. Issari made the room deescalate as she fist punched the air while jumping.

"Irina is coming back! My best friends can be together and not kill each other along with a smart and sexy nurse! I'm winning bitchs!"

Stupid pervert, but she is indeed winning. As seen by Akeno giving the dragon head pats and purrs going up loudly. My question for the church is, how the hell do you excommunicate two holy sword users? Before, I froze. Diodora might have expanded his ambitions to get all three of them. My wrath builds inside, and I excuse myself from the room.

In the basement, I unleashed it on the Tau. My uncle is a bitch and deserves to be strung up if this was him. My wrath is in a new place with this because after beating on the Tau for an unknown amount of time I break off the arm of the Tau fire warrior with it flying to the ground. I want to break Diodora and make his bitch ass suffer. I'm breathing heavily from this, and something hugs me. The hint of red shows it's Rias who hugged me tightly, and that killed my wrath.

We are silent together here, and it becomes our moment. I looked over my shoulder at her face, and she understood I was trying to control my sin. She turned me around, and I saw she was in workout clothes along with her sword. I sent her a silent thank you for getting me. We started practicing on swords, and Rias coated her blade with the power of destruction after each fight to build up her reserves for it.

It's in the fifth fight that Rias shows her swordsmanship. Going all out on me unconsciously, as she ended the fight with three rapid pokes at my arms. I blocked only one of the three, and Rias was extremely pleased with her win there as we had fought for twenty minutes. I smiled at her victory.

"I will take you on my next run. You're far beyond what I safely would have for our new people. Just please stay near me, Ria, and be extra careful on our first few missions. I don't want him getting his hands on my redhead."

Rias nodded her head at my request, and her green eyes were on my red ones. She saw my worry there.

"I will, Gregor-kun. I know you're worried about me but please don't be. Heniya has promised to help me with the power of destruction when she has time and I will train every day to be like you. I want you to be the hero you are to me for others. I was going to lose against Riser because I didn't believe in myself. You made me believe finally and I will never leave you in anything that you do."

I enjoy having this again. The unconditional support from your partner. Rias linked her arm with mine and she led me to the armory to put away our swords. We headed upstairs as it was getting closer to the meet-up time.

Maéva was about to make lunch for us still worried about Asia. I have a plan for Ravel and politely declined lunch as did Rias. I try to distract her from worrying with a question.

"Asia is good with technology?"

Maéva unconsciously responds while wringing her hands in worry.

"She is. She was always with doctors in the know in hospitals. She ended up learning how to use it. She taught me computers while I taught her cooking and knitting. Young master, please help me! She doesn't know I'm a devil and she will probably hate me!"

The panic hit finally as I reassured my maid.

"Has she ever hated devils before?"

Maéva stopped freaking out and said to me now that it's slowly leaving.

"No, she hasn't but I'm an abomination to the lord."

I looked at Maéva with a kind half smile with Rias having been filled in.

"You should be fine Maéva. Who I'm worried about is the two exorcists. They might attack me immediately. I'm sure Asia won't hate you. You both sound close and I promise to first thing tomorrow morning go with you to see them. Just be nice to the other devil there."

Maéva smiles relieved at my promise. She started getting back to her normal self and work. Rias was silent for a moment after everything was said and done. I looked at my betrothed and she grew brave again.

"I'm coming with you for her. We all have to talk anyway."

I smiled seeing Rias have this backbone. I gave her a squeeze around her shoulder. Rias has her new permanent smile now. She was nervous about this meeting but the happiness of being free from Riser outweighed it. I was deep in thought when I felt tails wrapped around my waist as Kuroka popped her head on my shoulder. She whispered in my ear something she wanted. Which gets a roll of my eyes before I kiss Kuroka on the cheek and say yes.

Kuroka fist-pumped eagerly at that and then whispered it to Rias. She gets a nosebleed thinking that thing. Rias shook her head clearing the nosebleed and was eager for that day. The three of us enjoyed being together here. It was only broken five minutes later by a cough of amusement.

Behind us was Heniya. She was seriously happy and dressed in her mage robes of red. The Crimson Lady of Ruin was in a good mood today and she looked at the three of us with a slight smile before she grew serious.

"I'm here to take you to the station for the blonde girl."

I mentally prepared to meet this Ravel and got up off the stool followed by Rias and Kuroka. The three of us followed Heniya through a portal to this station.

On the other side of the portal, I got my first proper glimpse of devil territory. The station itself was so backward and we were clearly underground. The station was decorated like it was in the 1500s. There were even candles and I don't know how prevalent this is in the underworld. Kuroka was equally unimpressed while Rias who had grown up with this was completely fine with the new darkness. Heniya stepped to my right, and she looked at her wrist at a modern watch and then back to me.

"The train will be here in two minutes. Apologies for the lighting. Father is upgrading things quickly and the station should have electric lights in two years."

That's still too slow but it's better than what I expected. I was about to say something when the sound of a horn was heard, and the train came into sight. The massive thing chugged into the station. On the cold iron of the side of the train was the emblem of House Gremory and the train slowly came to a stop when the passenger cars were directly in front of us. Then they opened and out came people.

Many were to my disgust hunters from the Hunter's Guild. They ignored us and went about their business. After the hunters came the next group of people consisting of nobles who were getting ready to look for new people for their peerages. Many of the nobles saw Heniya and bowed to her. Several nobles, however, saw my face and stared at me with curiosity. I noticed that a small group of nobles our age were staring at me with fascination. The fascination came from a young woman and the two young men with her. The trio went past us and the woman had finally decided to make heart eyes at me to the disapproval of her two peerage members.

Rias saw that and went on the defensive and stared down the woman. I saw her mouth something to the other that got the woman glaring in hate at Rias. Heniya was amused at her sister's antics and pats Rias getting her to stop her glare off at the woman. I noticed out of the corner of my eye two other people looking at me for a second before they disappeared into the crowds. I was about to say something there when I caught sight of drill hair.

Out of the passenger cars came Ravel in her pink dress next to who must be Ruval and behind him were two people bearing the emblem of House Phenex. Ravel was pushing a trolley with several large suitcases. The drill-haired young woman was excitedly talking to her brother about something as they exited the train. Ruval showed something that I immediately didn't like. He's also a sis-con. Rias shivered too seeing that. Heniya mistook the shivers, and she conjured a coat for Rias which got the shivers again. Ravel didn't seem bothered by the nature of her brother and when she caught sight of me, she froze.

She looked at me for a second before she eagerly moved forward toward us at a faster pace dragging Ruval and his two men forward. I absentmindedly noticed when they were close enough to us that the men were a mutation knight and a three-piece pawn who looked like Phenexs. The quartet stopped in front of us. Ruval gave a look to Heniya that spoke of what sort of relationship they had. Ravel was practically bouncing with excitement for this, and she only stopped to glare at Rias and to a lesser degree at Kuroka. That stopped when her blue eyes met my red ones and we looked at each other in a small moment of silence before Ravel made a move.

She curtsied there and she was waiting for me to do something. I know this part and I do a bow that was from the Astaroths and as I came up, I felt a silence bubble go up around us as I start this off right.

"Lady Phenex I am Gregor Astaroth. It's a pleasure to meet you on better terms. I'm sorry for not responding to your letter. I was busy training myself and my peerage to win our game. I will enjoy getting to know you properly."

Ravel smiled and she extended her hand to mine which I take gentlemanly. Ravel has her blue eyes fixed on my red ones.

"I will enjoy that immensely Heir Astaroth. Please forgive me for the trouble I caused you."

My lips took on a small smile.

"There was no trouble, Lady Phenex. It was just fate being its normal self. I hope my display was not something that scared you off."

Ravel shook her head in a no, and she had two blonde hairs come loose over her left eye.

"It didn't. You were showing everyone what would happen if they threatened us. I understand that you face an uphill battle with everything. I wish to be there helping you show them they can't doubt the Lord of Iron."

The determination on Ravel's face to be with us during ratings games was what I expected. Her eyes showed me that she had already made up her mind on this matter and nothing I could or would say would change her mind. I don't know what to do here because I had hoped to use the piece that Ravel very likely would be best suited for on Ingvild. However, I have to treat Ravel fairly too considering Kuroka is my queen. I consider what to do there and the benefits. Both are good and help in different ways. Legitimizing me further or happy future wife?

I finally decided on this conundrum.

"I would love to have you on the field with us. I'm sure the plans we make together will shock and awe the games. I'm sorry it's not the other piece but my queen was in a bad situation, and I didn't know about you at the time."

Ravel was extremely pleased that she had what she wanted. She looked at Kuroka and then at me again before she accepted the apology with a small smile and a look to explain later. Ravel beamed at her brother who smiled at his sister. I'll have to help Ingvild another way and considering she could be mind-controlled I could perhaps make something to deprogram her if needed. I also considered Rias as having a true Leviathan in her peerage could help boost her legitimacy and by proxy me. Ruval is pleased I'm considering his sister and his sis con self-shows again. Ravel smiled and Ruval said with a very pleased look.

"Ravel has been enrolled in this human school that you are attending. I expect you to protect my sister's virtue from anyone who tries anything."

I turned my head to Ruval and immediately committed.

"I will do my utmost to do so Lord Phenex you have my word."

Ravel and Ruval see the deadly seriousness of my eyes. Ravel blushed while Ruval looked at me up and down critically. Seeing no lie, he accepted my oath and he then looked at Heniya with his true self showing fully.

"Glad to see this worked out well. We still on for the club this week Heniya?"

Heniya smiled at her fellow and they both embraced their inner selves fully. Rias shivered again while Ravel shook her head in amusement at her brother. Kuroka asked her fellow sis cons.

"There is a club for this? I'd like to join nya!"

Heniya considers for a second before she nods along with Ruval.

"We'd have to talk with the heads of it but you're cool cat so I don't think it will be long. We meet every few weeks. You have pictures? Only the best pictures get you into the club."

Kuroka gets stars in her eyes seeing her chance to have fellows to gush out with.

"Not current ones but I can get new ones fast nya! My Shirone is the best baby sister ever!"

The three sis cons eagerly began to discuss their sisters. What's next Mr Cuddles will join this club? They are multiplying like Orks! Ravel sees Rias and I stressing out about this, and she patted my arm.

"I have long accepted that Ruval does this. He's not the worst one in the club. That honor goes to Roygun with her younger brother."

They are multiplying! When did Roygun have a brother? Rias whimpered hearing a promise from Heniya that she has quality pictures of Rias being adorable with Mr. Humpy. As much as I kind of want to see that I don't have a sibling. The three sis cons move away from us and leave my betrotheds alone.

Ravel inches towards me and that makes Rias start her glare off. Ravel takes the glare, and she just raises a perfectly done blonde eyebrow as she dares Rias to escalate this. I put my hand on Rias's shoulder and that stopped the potential fight. Ravel looked at Rias amused, and she started the game.

"He might have fought a ratings game for you Gremory, but I was here first. I am surprised that you now have a backbone. Before you would have caved to anything or anyone that came near you. What changed?"

The comment was not hostile. Rias narrowed her eyes on Ravel and then squeezed my arm tightly.

"I had faith. What I should have had before I now have forever because of him."

Ravel raises an eyebrow at that. Rias continued having her backbone. Ravel continued watching for weaknesses and she was about to say something about that, but I gently cut in.

"Here we are all equal Ravel. We are not doing a power structure and or struggles. Rias is not above you or you her."

Rias didn't gloat. Ravel watched us both before she sighed. Her eyes were considering something, and she finally settled on her question.

"I knew I would be in one since I was five. How many here?"

I answered with a small frown.

"Rias, you and my queen officially. Three others are interested but they have to wait till they get confirmation from the three of you. Those being my knight, one of my pawns, and finally Rias's rook. Each understands my rules."

Ravel looked at me in surprise that we waited for her opinion. She looked at the stone floor and after a minute of silence, she finally said something.

"I would like to meet them all before I agree. I was doing what they teach in the schools."

I sighed there.

"The schools they have in the underworld teach crap from what I have seen so far. Please tell me you know the earth is round."

Ravel gave me a look of disbelief at the question.

"I do know that. I kept up with human things too despite what they teach. Who didn't know the earth was round?"

Rias blushed and mumbled out in embarrassment.

"That was me."

Ravel looked at Rias there with a Are you serious look and then at me. I sighed again because at least Rias was getting better at her own education. Akeno had told me that Rias during our training week to distract herself from Riser, went onto the human internet and looked various things up by herself. I squeezed Rias there and she stopped blushing. Ravel let a small smile out and she held in a laugh. Before she grew serious again.

"Ruval always made sure I knew things about topside. His wife is a humanphile and she made sure that I had updated information."

Oh, thank the Machine God I don't have to do multiple teaching lessons for another pureblood devil. That relief was clear on my face because Ravel giggled as did Rias. The two watched each other after the giggles ended but that seemed to be their first interaction that wasn't hostile. I built on that with an offer.

"Have you had lunch yet Lady Phenex?"

Ravel blinked. Before she could answer the question her stomach growled, and she blushed there and answered.

"I haven't. I was so excited to me you, finally I forgot. Please call me Ravel."

I smile at her in understanding.

"Then please call me Gregor. I'm not big on formal stuff and considering we will eventually be husband and wife. Do you know a place that is close by here Rias? As you can tell I'm a shut-in."

Rias hmphed there while Ravel giggled again.

"I know several. Is Roka joining us?"

I was about to say something there when Kuroka practically ran to us at knight speed.

"I just finished with them nya. Anywhere with fish. Nice to meet you birdy nya. I'm Kuroka."

Ravel blinked twice while Rias giggled at Kuroka's introduction. I rolled my eyes at that and glanced back at Heniya and Ruval as the two kings and the two guards were all now together in a circle bragging about their sisters or brothers getting a sweat drop there. Ravel opened a pocket spell and put her suitcases in it before she was ready for lunch. Kuroka started asking Ravel things and the four of us moved through a now empty station towards the exit.

The lunch was at a well-known restaurant close to the manor house. Kuroka and Ravel surprisingly had gotten along quickly and soon they were acting like old friends. As we began the journey back to the house I saw Ravel was extremely interested in learning about the top side more and she was not her other self. That had been apparent when she had gazed at a movie theater sign in longing. I noted the movie's name and knew what I could do there. Ravel had also been watched by many other people as we walked down the street. Ravel had not noticed that at first but after a couple had commented on her dress halfway to the house that Ravel finally made the connection. She blushed and I offered to pay for a shopping trip with everyone. That won me a beautiful smile from Ravel and a squeal of excitement from Rias. Kuroka snickered at that but commented that she needed a new dress.

That led us to the shopping district and Rias started her own attempt to find a connection with Ravel. The attempt was seemingly successful as Ravel and Rias started comparing clothing styles with each other. I was dragged away from the two by a grinning Kuroka who then whispered something in my ear.

That something got a small nosebleed from me that I quickly hid while Kuroka was Cheshire grinning. When we left the store three hours later it was in a lighter mood. Rias and Ravel it seemed during this had buried most of their problems for now and the four of us began the walk home together. Ravel got increasingly more and more excited seeing the various things humans have and the humanphile was on full display at the end. She asked me questions about things we saw. Ravel had general knowledge about things but not inner workings and by the end of our conversation, she showed me that she was an ultra nerd just as hungry for knowledge as I was.

When we hit the house grounds Ravel took note of the address before I opened the gate for them and once, I stepped through something happened. I was almost immediately hit by a little guy.

Alaric had clamped onto my leg and his appearance had surprised Ravel while getting awed by Rias and Kuroka. Ravel was especially focused on Alaric's metal leg. Alaric's father was nearby, and he immediately bowed his head to me, not in fear but in respect. Alaric happily began talking to me.

"Greg! I ran fast today! I want to be strong like you!"

I smiled wide for Alaric who was looking up into my face with his own big smile. I pat his back and say with a kind voice.

"You caught me off guard with how fast you are Alaric. You're probably faster than I am."

Alaric smiled wider before his pink eyes looked at Ravel. The little boy said with an awe-struck voice.

"She so pretty."

Ravel smiled softly at Alaric and her blue eyes took on a look of pride for being called that. I smiled and agreed with my little cyborg friend.

"She is very pretty. Ravel this is Alaric my new biggest fan. Alaric this is Ravel."

Alaric smiles cutely at Ravel who watches the boy with a wide smile of her own now along with Rias. Alaric detached from my leg and ran off giggling in glee. Always being watched by his father. The man smiled seeing his son so happy and he didn't worry about the fact his son had broken social norms with me. Ravel watched Alaric run off and start playing in the grass. Her blue eyes were far off thinking about something as was Rias with her green eyes. Ravel asked me as we continued moving up the sidewalk.

"You made the leg?"

I nodded.

"I did with my gear. He wanted to run again after he was hurt by a stray."

Ravel is eager to know my gear. My smile smirk makes Ravel look at me in amusement at it but she seems to like it. Inside the house, Neri was cleaning the front room and she upon seeing us immediately asked me after dusting off the staircase rail.

"New people milord?"

I explained to Neri yes and that Ravel would need a room. My maid immediately got to work getting Ravel's suitcases up the stairs with my help and the others following behind us. Ravel asked for a room near mine and Neri immediately said that there were two available. She looked at the symbol on it and she softly asked me.

"That symbol. What does it mean?"

I explained to Ravel with a soft voice.

"My gear evolved and took a symbol I made in the hospital that I was in earlier this year and now it's on everything I make with it."

Ravel watched my face and she immediately put it together.

"It's a religious symbol yet it's not hurting me or anyone else here. The birds during the game were using a religious prayer. That was the only conclusion that made sense to me, and it increased my curiosity. I hadn't thought you'd be a religious person. I am eager to learn more about this."

I smiled wide seeing Ravel beginning her nerd journey on this. Her eyes had many different theories, and she looked at me and smiled in return. We are going to have a fun night of conversation at dinner. Rias pouted cutely there. I squeezed Rias's hand, and she understood that Ravel needed to be brought up to speed. I turned my head to Rias, and she let go of my hand. Saying to me with a small smile of her own.

"I'm going to practice Halo. I'll see you tonight Gregor-kun."

Kuroka disengaged here as well going to go as she put it.

"Get my club entrance fees nya."

I sweat dropped there and caught a glimpse of my queen's target. Shirone had been coming up the stairs with a bag of sweets when she caught sight of Kuroka and her face. She immediately began to run towards her room as Kuroka chased after her with a suddenly appearing camera. Poor Shirone and Ravel smiled enjoying the view of that. She noticed it was now the two of us alone and I asked her with a smile.

"Would you like the bishop this evening or tomorrow?"

Ravel smiles at me and I do like that smile.

"Evening. I want to know you and they who would be my fellows. Please tell me everything about yourself. I am especially interested in the gear and this faith. I have several ideas that I'd like to run by you regarding them. Please tell me why I can't be your queen. While I like her, I still want to know why."

The end held the last remaining bitterness for Ravel. I took her hand and squeezed it.

"It's a long story."

I explained to Ravel as we moved towards the lord's office.

The tale took up most of the day and went on into the early evening. Ravel and I had enjoyed it, and Ravel was now understanding why Kuroka was my queen after the full story. She was only a tiny bit still bitter about it but the fact that she could be a mutation bishop was enough to settle that. She listened to me explain our peerage. She had frowned at learning Raynare was a fallen angel along with Mittelt. At Murayama and Katase she had shrugged her shoulders. With Thoron and Hetvia she was pleased to know that she wouldn't be the only pureblood in the peerage. My rule of no racism was accepted immediately by Ravel, and she told me that there would be no problem there. Ruval was an ultra-liberal for devils as I learned that his queen and wife was a reincarnated and had been the source of the Phenex scandal.

When she brought up the dreaded and obviously expected question of a harem, I told her that I wouldn't force my female members to be in the harem. I told her that out of them it's Raynare and Murayama that are the deeply interested ones. Katase, while interested, was more invested in the idea of being a noble samurai. It was at Kiryuu's goal that Ravel got an eager face of wanting to talk with her. She had finally asked me her biggest question.

"Why have you not tried to reincarnate the Red Dragon Emperor? They would be an excellent rook or knight for us."

I answered the question with a small frown.

"I can't reincarnate them. They and I share something that prevents us from being able to reincarnate."

Ravel grew curious about this.

"What is that?"

There was a knock on the door before it opened to show Neri bringing us dinner. When it was set and Neri left, I began explaining my story about being a perpetual. Ravel had wide bug eyes learning she and I shared immortality. She took on a look of pity hearing the hospital stuff. Her blue eyes are thinking over everything shared as she starts to settle in for eating.

"I understand why they are the magician then. I have never heard of this condition before."

We continued our conversation as we ate with more questions raised by Ravel. I answered them and then started my own questions about her. I learned that Ravel enjoys detective books, and she was a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. Ravel was vastly different from the other her and her humanphile self showed up time and time again when we discussed differences between the different cultures, we both came from. Ravel was just as liberal as Ruval. It had enraged Riser and her father greatly on many occasions. When it came to other hobbies Ravel softly admitted she enjoyed romantic poetry. Her dreamy face here shows me that Ravel wanted a relationship, which was that.

Ravel and I easily continued talking about the hopes and dreams we each wanted. I told her of my dream of the stars and Mars. She admitted to me she wanted to eventually help found a new magician guild. Her reason was something that resonated with me deeply.

"The guilds horde their knowledge and infight against each other daily. Magic as a field has stagnated because they refuse to even attempt anything outside their dogma. I want to form something that pushes the field forward. I have immense respect for Mephisto as he tries to advance the field while fighting the dogma. The last three major discoveries in magic were made by him and his former protégé."

Ravel is dedicated completely to this goal and considering that she was a third child this was probably her trying to make an impact on the world. I smile seeing a true fellow here.

"I would gladly help you with your goal in whatever way I can. I'm not the best person with magic and leave that to Kiryuu and Kuroka. I am a melee and gun man."

That gets a snort of amusement from Ravel. That sound puts a smile on my face and starts us snickering together. We clicked well and I think Ravel and I could easily build something together. It was so easy to talk with her and there was no sign of Ravel being a Tsundere. At the end of the dinner Ravel and I talked a bit more before I got out the board. Ravel looks once more at her bishop and then at me. Her blue eyes fixed on mine, and I began the oath. Ravel listened to the oath completely before at the end she agreed.

"I so swear to this dream of yours."

I made my own oath for her.

"You will never have a husband that makes you feel lesser. You will have a husband who always listens to your hopes and dreams. So, I swear to you."

I inserted the bishop into Ravel. She didn't freeze and accepted my oath by squeezing my hand. When it was done Ravel had such a beautiful smile on her face that I felt the first brick made for us. The rest of the evening for us was spent learning the other person completely along with forming plans for our next possible game and I revealed the Legio to her.

We parted ways midway through the night. Ravel and I had the beginnings of something. Upon entering my room found Rias awake and worried on the bed. Her green eyes were on mine, and she jumped off the bed to hug me tightly as soon as I closed the door. She reluctantly admitted to me.

"I am trying. It just hurts that you have her too. She's beautiful and I'm not. I know that you have that rule and understand why but I can't help it."

The depression was back, and I put an arm around Rias's back. She leaned in on me and I rubbed her back in comfort.

"Ria you are beyond beautiful and I don't ever want to hear you say their lie. This situation isn't fair to anyone. We are sadly all stuck in this situation together. We four will sit down together sometime this week and settle it. I know it hurts Ria."

Rias and I stayed together there and were joined by Kuroka who was coming out of the bathroom in pjs. She saw Rias down and moved to the bed. She sat on Rias's other side, and her tails go around Rias and purrs help here. Rias stopped being so down and she sighed.

"The knight is right catgirls are life. Thank you, Ka."

Kuroka was smug about her victory, and she shot a look at me with gleaming eyes. I roll mine but smile and the three of us settle in together for the night. Rias finally told me as we were getting ready to sleep.

"You win the bet. I loved Dune. It won't ever replace anime completely, but I never knew space could be like that vast and unknown."

I smiled there and could eventually reveal Koriel to Rias and Ravel. Probably this week and on a better note than that I thankfully have the tickets for the convention ready to go. It was on Friday so it would be an excellent opportunity to do something with Rias publicly and I don't think we will be doing too many combat missions this week. Hopefully, Rias will be surprised by the choice. I also had a plan for Ravel. The last thing I remember that night before I dreamt was red hair covering my right shoulder and black on the left.