Flesh is Weak

In the dark do secrets lie. The unescapable truth.

The portal exit was in the ORC's club room. Rias was not here, thankfully, but Shirone was here. She was sitting on a brown couch with a bag of sweets and a stuffy face like Ravel. She watched Akeno and me with a critical eye before returning to her sweets. I don't stare as I'm unsure what to say to her. Akeno leads me to a couch and sets me down there. She then says to me with both anticipation and dread.

"I'll get Rias and the person that can do the test who is here."

I nodded and then looked down to the floor. Akeno goes off and exits the room through the old wooden door. The room grows silent other than Shirone eating her sweets. I catch out of the corner of my eye her eyeing me closely. She was frowning but didn't say anything as she watched me. I don't want to say anything that makes me come off as a pervert or anything to give her the wrong idea. She continued not to say anything for a few minutes before saying in a prim voice completely unlike her base self.

"Stranger-san I have seen you before. You bought weights. Akeno-senpai brought you through a portal, so you know. Are you considering joining Rias-sama's peerage?"

I smile a little because that is funny. Shirone is this place's Ravel truly. She can't see my amusement there but continues watching me.

"I'm not. I'm just here for something else, white hair-san. I'm Gregor. May I have the right to know your name?"

Shirone watched me more closely but was pleased I was being proper.

"You may. I am Koneko. It is interesting to meet you, Gregor-san. You are different from most. You should join. Rias-sama is a wonderful king and will be a good choice for you."

I don't think she will like me much after my answer.

"I'm good being human, Koneko-san."

Shirone frowned now deeply getting a sneer.

"You'd gain more being a devil. Humans have next to no redeeming qualities other than numbers. We are better than them."

She is close to OSF thinking there. Why is she up here near things she hates other than obeying her king?

"I am not interested Koneko-san I prefer being this. I apologize if that offended you."

She glares at me hard now as the sneer grows.

"You lost the right. Don't say my name again, human. I have no time for worms."

She got up and left the room not looking back at me. So, she is a devil supremacist. That's going to be rough and I don't want to know what else is different here. I go back to waiting for another ten minutes before Akeno comes back and sees Shirone is no longer here. She put two and two together and answered the question I didn't ask.

"Koneko-chan hates humans. Someone tried something against her recently and it poisoned her against them completely. She doesn't say much about it to us, but she hates it up here. I'm sorry, Lex."

I sighed.

"It's alright I'll stay away from her. The person doing the test is on the way here?"

Akeno nodded at the question and the understanding of her fellow before she sat next to me.

"She is. Rias was able to grab her. She's usually busy, but we caught her in a rare free time. Please don't be scared too much of her. She is like Koneko in her stuffy attitude but she is fun off duty and gives good advice."

It has to be Grayfia. I was proven right when Rias and the maid entered the room. Rias is wearing a black shirt and a pair of jeans as her face lit up seeing me. Grayfia was in her maid outfit and looked a little less stuffy than normal. She watched her sister in law brighten up out of the corner of her right eyey. Her eyes focused on searching for something before she introduced herself.

"Hello, Gregor-san. I am Grayfia Lucifuge. Rias has told me much of you."

I was about to reply, but Rias interrupted, so excited that I was here.

"Gregor-ku you are joining! Thank the Morning Star!"

Akeno grew angry there, as did Grayfia seeing the uncomfortable look that crossed my face while Rias was beaming with her eyes closed. I gently corrected that.

"I'm not Rias-san. I'm here for something else but I do want to help you and Akeno."

Rias grew horrified and her bottom lip began wobbling. Grayfia saw the depression hit full force and put an arm around her sister in law. That steadies Rias a tiny bit before Grayfia continues from where she left off.

"You don't know your father is what I am gathering from Akeno-chan. She has told me she believes it to be a Devil based on past interactions with your family. I can confirm this or prove it wrong. Would you like the test?"

The final test and the truth. I see Rias ready to weep now that she has lost this hope so lost on her depression. I wanted to hold her, but the truth before anything.

"I would please wait till after this, Rias. I need to know this."

Calling her by her name makes Rias break from her depression. Grayfia smiled at me with a genuine smile on her face for the move I made. She prepared a spell and whispered a trigger phrase in her right hand.

The spell was blue and hit me gently with the force of a breeze. We all watched it dance around my seated body. It did that for ten minutes. After that time, it retreated and returned to Grayfia. It made a small display on her arm, and her eyes widened to saucers seeing the results. Rias watched and tried to get a glimpse before Grayfia stopped that with a look. The white-haired maid kept studying the results before she said something.

"I would like to rerun the test. For double confirmation if that alright?"

I nodded again. Grayfia saved the result with another spell and then cast the spell again. Akeno is looking at me, worried while Rias is looking at me with eyes are so wide with hope. Ten minutes later, the spell ends and again returns to Grayfia. She reread the result. Her eyes widened again. She tripled, checking the result before Grayfia finally spoke again.

"Your father is indeed a devil and one I know well. He will be delighted to know you're still alive. However, it will be incredibly hard to reach him as he denies everyone of us who tries to meet him."

Fuck it really might be him. Rias asked, now so desperate to know.

"Is it him, Fia?"

Grayfia doesn't answer Rias. Instead, she gestures to me to come over to her. I get up and slowly make my way to her. Grayfia extended her arm to me while pushing Rias's head away with the other arm. Rias whines, but Akeno grabs her friend's arm and shakes her head in a furious no. I gulped and looked at the results.

It's him. His face is looking up into mine from the spell screen. He is exactly the same as depicted in the series with green hair, blue eyes and a slight smirk on his face. He looks close to the pictures I have just aged a bit up. Here on the screen, he is in his mid twenties where in my pictures, he is in his late twenties or early thirties. Grayfia finally says his name.

"Ajuka Beelzebub. I couldn't believe that grouch was married until earlier this year. He is always private with his personal life. However, now knowing this, you look like him and confirmed my suspicion. I will attempt to get in contact with him. My husband is his best friend and even he doesn't know where even ten percent of where Ajuka has his secret hideouts. It will be a while before we can get a reunion together. I am interested in getting to know you Greger-san. You are about to enter a very different world. I will keep this quiet until you are ready to share this."

Rias brightened with the name reveal. She looks at me like I'm the only star in the sky. Akeno looks at me with wide eyes at my dad's name. I am screwed. I'm a noble halfbreed like Vali. Diodora is my uncle. The mind controlling, gaslighting prick who tries to fuck over Asia and successfully did get her excommunicated. Fuck. I might be Heir. If the Satans don't have a hereditary system and even, then fuck if they do I'm not the lord of flies. I keep looking at his face. His smirk is taunting me. I finally replied to Grayfia.

"Thank you for this, Mrs. Lucifuge. Am I using the correct title, yes? I'm new to the other side, and I'm missing knowing many things or have incomplete information that's surrounded by myths. I don't want to offend."

Grayfia smiles gently before it dissipates as Rias gets ready to do something she will regret. Grayfia glares down Rias making the redhead shake. It hits me, too as I start to shake and now don't ever want to piss her off. Grayfia tones it down and then responds.

"I will let it slide because you are technically correct in your usage today. Otherwise, please call me Lady Lucifuge. I understand and can guess he continued his private self around you and perhaps your mother. I would be happy to help you by answering any questions you have. After all, you are my star son."

She's my godmother! Rias gets even more excited there. She will try for a marriage route now with me if I am Heir to the Astaroths. Oh, fuck off, One Above All! Akeno looks at me with hope, too. She tempers it with reality and her information about the other half. This, however, solves a few problems like money, getting noble protection, and the fact I can openly hunt strays. However, I risk pissing off Kuroka but I could be her greatest friend and push to help her get cleared.

Grayfia hugs me before saying softly in my ear in a whisper.

"I was uninformed about that till he spilled that to my husband and me earlier this year when drunk. His secretive nature is terrible. He has been going through a very rough time thinking you are dead, along with your mother. He hides now, not because of privacy, but because he is very depressed. I promise I'll get him and you back together then go back to his normal grouch self."

I softly said to her, hurting that he was that private and sad.

"I don't remember him. I lost most of my memories because of how my mom died. I'm scared to fuck this up."

Grayfia pulls my ear, making me hurt from the action before frowning upon hearing that.

"No cursing like that in my presence. I understand and will do what I can to help you. Please tell me the story. Rias out."

Rias whined while looking at me with hope.

"Fia, he can help me! He is the best chance for me to get out of this! Please, Gregor-kun, I'll give you whatever you want and I'll be a good wife! Please help me from him!"

Grayfia is pissed at her sister in law begging and increased the pressure making us all shake badly. Grayfia then spoke with us all shaking.

"Out, and do not beg. You are a noble daughter of House Gremory of the 72 pillars. You will say nothing of what you have learned here to anyone else, including Heiress Sitri. I will revoke your camel petting rights for three years if you do. Understand."

Rias whimpered badly while I'm in shock hearing Rias likes camels. That's her most critical anime flaw. I thankfully don't need Chainy as much, however I'm starting to pet machines in a not regular fashion. Issari saw that last night and had made fun of me for that. Rias gets ready to beg me again but Grayfia increases the pressure once more, making me want to pass out. Rias finally nodded before she ran out of the room. Akeno gets ready, too, but Grayfia stops her with a look, and the pressure reduces dramatically.

"Stay. Explain to me what you know about this. He never said anything about the incident only that you and your mother died. He was nearly black-out drunk and didn't remember confessing that to us. We pretend not to know."

Akeno's head nodded quickly and almost in a blur. I don't blame her Grayfia is a hard-ass maid who scares people, and I get it now. Grayfia leads a still-shaking me back to the couch before throwing up privacy spells. Akeno recovers first but rubs my back, trying to get me to settle down. I finally do and start while still shaking slightly.

"It was a car crash. I don't remember the cause or anything else. The first thing I remember is waking up to a bit of glass, almost poking my left eye out. I didn't move till help arrived and they got me out just before I heard an explosion then the black took me. When I woke up next, I was in a hospital bed being fussed over by a nurse. She immediately asked me if I remembered anything. I told her I didn't. She asked me if I remembered my name. I didn't and was nameless for three days."

Akeno's heart broke there and Grayfia looks at me in pity.

"Why the name now?"

I stuck with my story.

"I watched movies in my bed. The first one I watched was Star Wars episode two. I liked the second star there and when I looked up his last name I liked it. According to the eventual papers they did find of me, I'm named Alex. However, I am Gregor to me, and I don't want to use a name I don't remember. I only let Keno call me that. I don't remember much of anything from before the first time I woke up except brief flashbacks of things."

Grayfia looked at me before she sighed.

"I see. I have never seen them. Do you remember anything else about your family? No names for them?"

I answer, finally getting over the shaking.

"I know my last name is Mason, and my mom is a Himejima with no mention of my dad's name. I didn't know that till now or that he was a devil. I'm completely confused about everything, and my first experience with the other side was being threatened by a fox youkai to hang me from the doors of a temple I entered to explore because I was curious."

Grayfia grew pissed, as did Akeno again. Grayfia, however, now realizes how badly out of touch with everything as Akeno asked.

"He is the heir, isn't he Grayfia-sama?"

Oh no.

"Yes. Ajuka told me that, too, in that black-out drunk session. Gregor-san, you are the Heir to House Astaroth of the 72 Pillars, our noble houses for devils. I will inform you of more details and information about everything. Refrain from doing something with Rias. She is desperate for a way out and doesn't understand your situation. I can see you're trying to help her with her problem but do not do anything that can cause more issues for you now. Make an informed decision when you have all the information."

Akeno giggles at the assumption of me but fuck, dude. I wish Alex would help me from beyond the grave. The Machine God tells me he will be unable to help much because he didn't know either. I finally responded.

"I'm nobility? I'm just a kid who was getting ready for school to work my way to total emancipation because my mom made that a condition if she and my dad passed. I don't want to do anything without having all the information yet I want to help Keno. I won't do something to risk hurting her and, by extension, Rias Lady Lucifuge. I couldn't manage more than myself, and I'm expected to manage a house of the nobility of devils who, according to Keno, have worse political infighting than regular human ones."

Grayfia sighed again.

"I will help you. As for your desire to help them without hurting their position more, I'm sorry for assuming you are like that and you're definitely his son. I will do what I can to help cover this up till we have a stronger position. House Astaroth has been silent on its internal affairs with the Heir presumed to be your Uncle Diodora by the pillars. Ajuka told us that they know you exist but nothing else. I will do my utmost to help you with this. I am skilled in the politics of the nobility and can advise you. You are planning on attending the school, yes?"

I nodded.

"I am; I will, however, take no favors for entrance. I will earn it through hard work. If I am Heir, being here could help Rias have an extra excuse to stay up here. She seems terrified of whoever she was begging me to protect her from."

Akeno widened her eyes while Grayfia was pleased.

"I will inform my husband of the situation. As for your plan for Rias, that can help immensely. Her parents are being pressured by the other party to withdraw her from the school before the year begins. They are close to saying yes. My husband and I can intervene there with you as a way to stop that. This shows me you do care."

I think of that woman in the closet before she hugs me ghostly and calls me Omnissiah again.

"I do care. I will never not care. I want to make my life mean something and I worry about failing the people who rely on me. Leaders need always to remember that and apparently, I will be one."

Grayfia smiled more there as Akeno looked desperate. This is my new unescapable truth as I make the collar stronger again. Shirone and Kuroka are going to hate me more. Shirone will think I played with her and because I'm a halfbreed below that of reincarnated. I'm immediately the enemy of the OSF and the GKF. Rias will suffer worse from me. Yet we probably don't have another way out unless Rias trains her ass off and they solve their potential problems. How bad must Riser be for her to look at a halfbreed with that much hope? Akeno hugs me whispering into my ear.

"You don't have to help us Lex. Your life matters, too. You can get any redhead you want now. You could probably get a group of them."

I softly say back to her.

"I just want one and have never wanted more. I just want someone to understand my life and I would never ask anyone to give up that right as a person. I won't accept that unless I have no other choice."

Grayfia closed her eyes, having heard that.

"You will not have that choice, Gregor. It's heavily expected and enforced by law. I will explain why. Devils are in the middle of a population problem. Our base fertility is incredibly low with purebloods like Rias and me in incredibly small numbers. The reincarnated are a little better off, but the rates are still low. You being a half devil puts you in an unusual situation. You have a much higher fertility rate, and that will increase your desirability."

It hurts knowing that I won't have that and that I will have the harem. Akeno says the blunt truth that Grayfia isn't saying.

"They will hate him. You have to tell him everything. He's against the whole system and needs to know everything. He might have that, but they hate him. My cousin is intelligent you have to tell him everything."

Grayfia closed her eyes again in true sadness.

"You are right, Akeno. You will be hated. Our society is extremely different from human ones. While your fertility rate is vastly better than the rest of us, you face heavy stigma. However, Akeno, it's better than you think it will be. It will still be a big factor in views on him, but Ajuka will be helping there. He is our race's true hero and this has won him much leeway and it will help Gregor more than anything else. The comments will still happen, but Ajuka's legacy will soften the blow extensively. Without him, we would have died out centuries ago. You will have new expectations placed on you to be great like him. Other Pillars will try something in multiple ways and no side of the politics in the underworld is clean despite how much my husband tries to make them be. You will face an uphill battle, but you know that. You face a new problem with your position, too, along with an advantage. Akeno, you know what I mean."

Akeno grew sad. They are talking about my gear, before answering.

"I was going to mention it to him at dinner tonight. Lex, you have what is called sacred gear. It another reason why Rias was so determined to get you into the peerage. Gear makes regular humans powerful and can also be given to half-humans. It's rare, but it has happened enough times that we note that."

Grayfia looks at me again closely squinting at me searching for something. Grayfia doesn't force the issue, seeing how uncomfortable I am, thankfully however she continues watching me.

"I have never heard or felt a description for your gear. It feels like a blast furnace and yet also close to blade blacksmith. We will have to investigate it. However, this makes you more interesting, and you now have the protection of being a Pillar heir, which will stop people like Rias from attempting anything. Your father helps here, too, because no one will anger him. Ajuka makes the pieces for future sets, and no one else can do it. You will get a new set for a king but will be a slightly harder sell because of your status and current power level."

Oh fuck. I forgot about that in my horror of being his son nearly all nobles get sets. Before my mind races this could help free Kuroka and help free the good strays! Help the reincarnated who are slaves! I don't want slaves but rather a group of scientists who can build more things that can advance humanity! It is a way to protect Issari from them if she doesn't want to become a perpetual. It could do so much good, but it would be a possibility with my status. I can abuse the nobles and their shit for actual good change.

I don't show any of that on my face. Akeno was surprised having not thought of that either while Grayfia chuckled.

"You are indeed his son. You have the same look as he does when thinking of experiments."

Oh, fuck you, Dad though it's also ironic in a way. The son is a believer in science and faith as one. That's funny along with a half devil being a potential future champion of a god. The Machine God is also amused as I feel that with Grayfia and Akeno seeing the slight smile on my face as Grayfia chuckled again.

"Most definitely his. You must have other questions. I will stay tonight to answer as many as possible and get you all a cooked meal. What would you like to have?"

I smile and reply.

"Something with fish."

I enjoyed the meal that Grayfia made and the fish was excellent. Akeno and Rias also enjoyed the meal, during which Rias was busy looking at me with such hope. We were sitting in a room in the building, and Shirone was busy the whole time glaring at me. Her yellow eyes are boring through me, and she has been silently pissed. I also met Kiba at last. He is not like his base self either looks the same but he didn't have that one thing Issei would have hated.

He is not as brooding and was more genuinely friendly than base him. He also doesn't hide the pain beyond a fake smile. Poor Kiba I'm going to be throwing him under the horny dragon bus. Kiba was immediately interested in me because of the sword stuff he saw.

"I see you're a swordsman I'm kind of that myself. You seem nice, Gregor-san as Akeno-chan has said, you are. Koneko-chan, you should give him a real chance otherwise, your eyes will fall out of your head."

That last part was teasing at the youngest here. Rias was about to crack down on her rook when I stopped that.

"White hair-san is alright not to like me. I'm not offended, Kiba-san. As for being a swordsman, I'm learning the blade. I want to be good at it eventually."

Shirone was surprised while Kiba grew more interested and eager hearing that. Rias has hearts in her eyes at hearing this with Akeno amused at the look. Grayfia was also amused standing next to Rias though she hid it well. Kiba smiled a real smile seeing his king happy.

"I could always use a sparring partner to practice against. It's never bad to have that."

I smile there.

"It's not. My friend and I use a local dojo that has been good to us so far. The owner is knowledgeable and is a true teacher."

Kiba smiled, obviously knowing which one I meant.

"Ohashi is indeed is an excellent instructor and swordmaster who can easily teach newcomers. The other dojos are good, too, but he has won multiple dueling tournaments and is a legendary swordsman here in Kuoh. I'll have to drop by more. However, I don't have the time with how busy I usually am."

Akeno saw the look I had. She answers, amused, after looking at the pretty boy for permission, which he gives with a stupid smile on his face.

"Kiba-kun is busy most of the time because he does charity work. He is rare among us in doing that especially with his sin."

I had picked up quickly that the other person revealed it, and you don't ask. Kiba is happy to explain it.

"My primary sin is greed and I feed it uniquely as all of us do. Rias is wonderful by teaching us how to do it well."

Shirone is pissed by the lack of formality there.

"Rias-sama Kiba-kun. Please refer to our king properly."

Kiba is just more amused as is Akeno. This must be an everyday thing, then. Rias is just too busy watching me with hearts in her eyes. I, however, smile at Kiba.

"I get that. You look Western, so it makes sense to you. I was raised in the United States, so I also get the idea there. White hair-san, I'll show my respect for that."

Kiba smiled broadly while Shirone glared at me for allowing Kiba an out. She softened a tiny bit by my continued nonuse of her name. However, she still hates me. How did she become a devil supremacist? Rias was still watching me with such utter hope, and I didn't like what might happen if I said no to her. It's not manic, but it can quickly turn to it. Grayfia pulled Rias's ear after the staring lasted five minutes as Rias whined.

"Please, Fia I need him! He is it!"

Grayfia is not impressed. The sight amuses Kiba, and Shirone supports the maid, but not in a good way.

"Rias-sama, you would be better off with a superior devil than with a human worm. He is weak."

I'm not offended, even though Akeno is for me. Kiba shakes his head at Shirone.

"Oh, Koneko-chan, not all humans are like that one. He was just an ultra-disgusting person. I'm sure Gregor is nice."

Shirone doesn't care nor is intimidated by Akeno as she continues glaring at me. Rias is still getting her ear pulled and doesn't get involved. Grayfia finally let go of Rias's ear and glared down the redhead.

"He is new to this Rias. Your staring is not going to win you his acceptance. You are missing key information and will not understand things. Don't try what you are thinking. You are making him uncomfortable but Gregor-san has decided to help you delay the next round of talks."

That surprised Rias who looked at me with pure hearts now. I offer the brick for Rias.

"Lady Lucifuge has told me your situation a bit more, Rias-san, and I put forth an idea to delay it with me as the excuse. I do want to help you and Keno but I don't know if it will be that way. We are strangers, and I don't want to inspire something in you that you might later regret."

Grayfia nodded properly and backed that up while Rias was both happy and not.

"Rias, you will be helping him get used to his new status with me. We will be meeting twice a week to do this. He is free to choose what he wants."

Rias now has utter hope and despair on her face. Before she remembered my words, she grew ultra-determined, and then she looked me dead in the eyes.

"I will earn it. You won't have a weak redhead. I will prove I want this and you for more than just the escape. Gregor-kun, I will show you I'm not weak."

Oh, fuck come on. Shirone and I are sharing the same look. The white cat is in disbelief while Grayfia is amused, as is Kiba and Akeno wants to snicker. Rias continued without fear, showing she had a knucklehead side.

"My Lord of Iron will get his dreams utterly with me. He will see that I will never regret becoming his wife. Be ready to see the real Rias Gremory. I will earn your love, Gregor-kun!"

Shirone shook her head in open disbelief and Kiba began to bark out laughing. Akeno is utterly amused at her best friend before Grayfia gently whacks Rias, who oofs. The maid shook her head in dismay as I sweat dropped there.

"You're just like your brother Rias. You are always doing things before you think. Don't attempt anything that can cause you and him trouble. You will be good, or the camels will not see you."

Rias wept waterfall tears before begging to pet the camels. Especially one named Mr. Humpy making me sweat drop again. Chainy was never going to be abused by me. Note: never let Grayfia near the sword. Second note: pet machines more because that was something she couldn't easily take away if I could get rid of them. Kiba continued laughing while Shirone now looked at me suspiciously. She wants to ask, but Grayfia turns her death glare on the cat who sweats. Rias promised to be good because Mr. Humpy was the best camel who needed his best friend. That finally got Grayfia happy with the redhead who kept weeping.

"I will arrange for wards at your residence sometime this week. I will make sure you get protection for your status, and I will do my utmost to get you into contact with him. Rias, you will collect him for the lessons. What days are acceptable and open for you?"

I winced because that cuts down on stuff. There is a fire in Grayfia's eyes that promises eternal pain and suffering if I say no.

"I'll let you know, Lady Lucifuge. I have an extensive schedule for ways to get stronger as well. I will have to adjust things, but I'm willing to make time."

Grayfia likes that answer.

"I will have Rias get back to me with the times. Your routine is commendable for understanding your disadvantages. I will be free for wards on Monday or Tuesday and I have prepared extra food for you this evening. You are like him and pick up on things quickly so our sessions might be fast."

Shirone finally gets done with the vaguely hidden stuff and growls out to Grayfia.

"What is so special about this human vermin Lucifuge-sama? They are nothing but a plague on the planet. He might have gear, but it's a weak version of twice critical at best."

Akeno's face grew pissed. Kiba backed off a bit because he didn't want to be near the cat's rage telling me Shirone is one of two juggernauts in the peerage. Grayfia is not impressed and Rias grew ultra pissed. I don't offer my opinion because it must be bad whatever set this off before I finally ask.

"White hair-san. What have I done besides being me that has angered you?"

Shirone glared at my face full force as she hissed at me.

"You are a human who denies the opportunity to escape your filthy existence to become superior to them. You cling to them like they are worth something. Devils are a superior species, and we have every right to do whatever we want to them."

The table stills as Rias gets even more pissed as does Akeno. Grayfia looks at the cat in open disappointment and Kiba doesn't say anything. That woman and her face flashed again to me. Her being kidnapped and then killed by that fuck is ok for Shirone. That final look of pure horror on her face looking up into mine makes me pissed beyond belief, and something cracked. I don't explode on her but say with my eyes looking down at the floor.

"So, it's ok for strays to hurt us. To kidnap people for worse things and then kill them then deny their loved ones the chance to see them alive again. You sicken me because no one with a soul should ever condone that. I gave you a chance to prove to me you are a good person and that you think that is disgusting. Rias-san, I will take my leave."

Rias is pure horror now and Shirone doesn't seem to care about this problem her king now has. Akeno is beyond pissed, too She gets sadistic and then makes lightning dance. Kiba is looking any and everywhere other than his fellow. Grayfia doesn't answer the original question, but her disappointment is evident.

"I will see you out. Rias, speak with your rook this is unacceptable behavior to a guest."

I get up from the table. The first thing I will make is an enhancement station to get me up to a Sola Auxilia then beat down this cat. She would say that to the woman left in the dark alone and dead in despair and her husband who was so upset and desperate for his wife and her fate. The unknown woman hugs me again, and once more calls me Omnissiah. The true hero of her and her husband who will be sad but will thank whoever gets him the information. The people of the subway attacks by Aum, if it's indeed him, will get justice, she says. I dont know why she is insisting that I am the Omnissiah. She tells me as I leave the room, she will go to my God's afterlife. She had demanded that to be with her hero forever.

Grayfia hands me food for later while I'm deep in thought. I take it and say to her before I leave.

"They will never not have a champion in me and I don't care if that makes me hated. I get the feeling that is common throughout the world yet I will never accept that crap. I will still try to help Rias, but if the girl tries anything, I will show her my strength and certainty of steel."

Grayfia eyes me with her face completely schooled like a proper kick ass maid.

"It is common. I would as the professional recommend you leave that behind, but as your star mother I agree. The girl will get no support from me. As for Rias, you are generous with your time and effort. She has insulted you, and you have cause for a demand of recompense."

I have to be a hard ass if I'm going to be a noble.

"I demand that she spend extra time training her peerage and herself. She will earn her way to me."

Grayfia smiled barely before she schooled her face again in a half second.

"I will inform her of the demand. Have a good weekend, Heir Astaroth. I will open a portal to your home."

She does after learning my address. She must know the city well because of the Gremorys and the portal is in the forest close to my home. I exited it and gave a proper bow. Grayfia bows in return, and the portal closes. I keep the rage bottled up. Walking to my door and entering the house.

Kuroka is again playing on the Xbox. This time, she is playing a surprise game of Command and Conquer. Her ears and tails are still out, and she looks to the door with a raised eyebrow. She saw the bag I carried, and she brightened up after taking a sniff.

"Oh, that's fish! You are definitely my favorite potential mate, nya. You look ready to kill somebody and seem troubled."

I set the fish on the table for her and then responded in a very blank voice.

"Your sister is a bitch. As for trouble, I learned something. You might not like it and I didn't know about it before a few hours ago."

Kuroka frowned, hearing me call her beloved sister a bitch and more so when I mentioned the next part. She kept frowning and asked.

"What did she do, and what is it?"

I want to do many unkind things to Shirone as I reply with my anger boiling in my soul.

"She said that strays like the sick fuck have the right to do that to humans like my best friend I also learned who my dad is."

Kuroka stilled hearing that and searching my face for a hint of a lie. Her eyes grew wider seeing none and grew increasingly hurt. Then she grew sad, then pissed.

"Dad always loved us, nya. He pampered her and called her the snow cat. How could she say that about them nya? We are stronger than them, but they are so interconnected with us nya. She really said that?"

Her voice sounded filled with so much pain. I nodded softening my rage for my roommate, who is cool.

"Humans are worms with no redeeming qualities. I'm sorry Kuroka she said that to me, too."

Kuroka's ears flatten in sadness. She is down now and I feel bad destroying that for her. She kept being sad before I try to cheer her up.

"Our situation has changed and I can help you out more. I'll be gruff I'm a half-devil. My father is a noble and an extremely high one too. I might be able to get you a pardon eventually."

Kuroka had her ears go up in supreme surprise. She looked at me again before she searched my face again.

"Who's your dad, and how nya?"

I prefer this to her sadness.

"My father is Ajuka Beelzebub."

Kuroka widened her eyes, and her mouth dropped to the floor. She then fell off the couch and hit the floor, twitching. I get that feeling I wanted to do that, too. Finally, Kuroka gets up from the floor in utter amazement.

"Why didn't I see it, nya? The hair is almost exactly his. Oh, you're even more attractive now, nya. He's a super devil and the maker of the evil piece system. Our kittens would be incredibly strong, nya! That might really work. Sexy your number one if you do that nya."

I let loose a small smile.

"I'm Heir to House Astaroth and I can help you there too. However, I need more combat experience to get stronger faster than ever now. I'm facing a nobility that hates me bitterly. If I get a peerage, I could help you that way too. It will always be your choice. I'm stepping up my plans and will be showing you something tonight. I need true friends before I enter the rat caves with them."

Kuroka widens her eyes again at the offer. She smiles in true happiness, knowing I trust her despite the fact we have known each other for two days.

"You're better than nearly all the nobility, nya. You are risking that for me. I'll consider it, nya. What are you going to show me?"

I consider before settling on the gene. I cut off a finger already, and I need to test if I'm truly getting it stronger by inflicting damage on me.

"Please conjure a very sharp sword. Don't throw up."

She pauses her game and then does as asked. The sword is in a Western-style, and I test it for a minute. Before I prepare myself and ask the Machine God for help numbing the pain. I then cut off my left hand. The limb falls to the floor, and blood flows out of it. Kuroka widens her eyes in horror there, but she doesn't throw up. It fucking hurts but I must purge weakness from my body forever. Kuroka dropped her mouth to the floor when my hand reformed in forty-five seconds. She kept staring at the dead limb and the new one. I say to her while still in horrible pain.

"My first secret with you. I'm something new to humanity and apparently devils too. One of my unescapable truths. I'm what I'm calling a perpetual. I have an insane regeneration factor."

Kuroka moved a tail and poked the dead hand then my new hand before she gets ultra down bad for me.

"Very strong kittens! You're the one now, nya! Oh, my kittens will be the strongest and will have a very sexy daddy!"

I continued there, ignoring the horny.

"I need to get ready to clear up the magic one and the gear user. I want to do it tonight. I need to get the rage out on something that isn't your sister. I am going to beat her down for implying that strays are correct in abusing us. I'll show you more of what I can do later tonight and tomorrow when we are back at the station. My gear will be on full display, but the two strays first. Tell me everything about them."

Kuroka purrs more approvingly there.

"Blade blacksmith and a low-tier mage he only got in because of his sister. Both are two pawns each, nya. My mate will beat them! Oh, you're definitely the one I'm sticking with, nya. An actual chance for pardon and a sexy pillar heir! Oh, the kittens will be so very strong, and I will be able to struggle snuggle my Shirone and then beat the shit ideas out of her nya!"

Kuroka keeps purring up a storm there. Those strays will die, and they will die hard. I got the information from Kuroka about where they are hiding. The doorbell rings out suddenly, and Kuroka stops purring. She quickly cleaned the blood and opened a pocket spell, throwing the dead limb inside before finally transforming into her cat form. I moved to answer the door.

I look out of the peephole to see Akeno and Rias. Grayfia must have ratted me out to them. I don't want to talk to Rias and Akeno will try to make me feel things that are not what I want right now. Before I remember Alex and his want. I silently apologize to him for not considering him again. I'm surprised when he responds letting me know it's alright. He's angry with Shirone too but he softly asked me to get with Kuroka. He revealed to me that his number one thing was catgirls, like how I love redheads. I told him maybe and he accepted that.

I opened the door slightly to peek out at the two. Rias, upon seeing my hair, gets ready to sputter apologies before Akeno whacks her upside the head. Rias whined as Akeno glared down her king.

"Don't talk. Koneko has already done us dirty and you will make it worse. Lex, please, can we talk? I wasn't the one who charged here."

I glare at Rias because she is trouble and I have a feeling this will become more common. Keno didn't do anything wrong. I focus on my cousin and say with my red eyes on her purple.

"Here only. Rias say nothing your rook is the issue, not you. Don't make this worse for you. Go ahead, Keno."

Rias shivers in something there. I don't know what, but Akeno nodded.

"Lex, I'm sorry that happened tonight. We don't believe in that at all and she was wrong to say that period. Her situation was bad, but there is no excuse for that when you are trying to help us. Please don't hold her against us. Kiba likes you. He said he didn't say anything because he doesn't do conflict within the group. Please understand that."

I watched Rias and her reaction, along with listening to Keno.

"I hold my issue on the correct person. I won't accept any apology until it comes directly from her and only when she truly means it. I believed I was entirely human till today. I refuse to let them, who are seemingly regarded as less than dirt by your side be that. I am human before the other side first. Someone has to speak for them and I will be it."

Akeno nodded with my clear conditions while Rias kept her mouth shut. I do say something directly to her.

"I will not join the ORC to prevent problems with your group. I will limit my interactions with her to keep that from exploding again. I am open to spending time together outside that."

Rias grew sad before she brightened. I then ask something of her.

"Please don't try to spy on me, Rias. I don't want to be more paranoid than I already am. I do want to help you but I won't if you don't work with me. Please don't do something that destroys my goodwill as you are not the person I thought you were. I am truly serious about helping."

She looks for permission to speak which I give with a nod.

"Gregor-kun, I really will do anything to show you my interest. I believe you are trying for me and I will never spy on you. Please believe me."

I watch her again and see no lie. I finally nod my head, visible to her.

"I will have faith in you. I need to do a few things tonight before I go to sleep. I have a big thing to do with my friend tomorrow and want to make a good impression."

Akeno gets the silent dismissal. She began to drag Rias away and said to me with a small smile.

"Good night, Lex. I'll text you tomorrow and see when you want to meet up."

I replied to her with a small voice.

"Good night, Keno. Good night, Rias."

I closed the door before I prepared for a long night. Kuroka had been in cat form on my TV and returned to her normal form after. I tell her with a frown.

"I will be making something quick downstairs. We also need to figure out how to ensure you can still stay in the house. The person who is going to ensure my safety in the house will be installing wards. I want to make sure you have the bed and shower."

Kuroka grew worried about that.

"Perhaps we can turn the station into a place, nya? I can move to another place if need be."

I hated this.

"No. I will leave an instruction with them that nekoshou can enter. Where was your last public appearance?"

She responded with no hesitation while smiling, seeing the plan.

"Ireland nya. I keep going there to be seen constantly so Shirone keeps telling them about the past. Dad deserves better, he fought off fallen that tried to capture us when we were kittens nya. Mom helped him and made me want a strong warrior like him. Shirone will remember Dad correctly, and when I'm free, I will beat that into her nya! He was the best dad."

I can see that clearly on her face. Her dad was not an asshole here, it seems.

"It will be ten minutes. I'm sorry if you do get kicked out of the house."

Kuroka purrs.

"You're ok, nya. I'm not joining your group yet but I'm here for my potential mate who wants to help me."

I smile a bit more before I rushed to the stairs, opened the door, and headed down. Once inside the basement, I willed the anvil into existence and grabbed the hammer before swinging it. Koriel instructed me on teleporters and their powering devices. I make one, then the plasma generators, and then connect it to a wall near the vault. I power it up and then get ready for battle again, even though my soul hurts. I then went upstairs, and I saw Kuroka waiting at the door. She smiled and then hugged me tightly.

"Good luck, nya. Please stay safe."

I hug her back. I like Kuroka, and Alex wants that. I got a feeling from him that he called me a boring adult. I exit the house and get ready for a battle tonight.