True Magician (FatexDxD)

The Underworld.

An artificial night had fallen. The night sky and cool breeze went well with the cup of hot coffee in my hand. And the gazebo in the giant garden of the Gremory mansion where I was now, lent some sort of soothing aesthetic. The garden, on the other hand, looked typically lavish. Even though I was here alone, in a non-human world and not at home, it felt comfortable.

There were neatly trimmed bushes and trees, paved droves, decorated lanterns and the like. Lights still burned in the windows of the mansion, and every now and then I could see servants either working or scurrying about.

I took a sip and closed my eyes.

Rias's change of heart was a pleasant experience. In fact, it meant that she would now take her training seriously. And not just her own, but that of her entourage as well. The cohesiveness of their team is already visible, and their trust in each other doesn't allow them to waste any time being skeptical.

Rias has truly done a Herculean job in such a short period of time. That can be said with confidence. But I'm really interested in what kind of conversation there was between her and the others. What exactly were the words she said to ensure all of this?

If before their relationship was like more or less distant relatives, absentmindedly failing to see each other's problems, now it's become like a family. Quite strange, to be honest.

At one point, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me. Their owner walked hesitantly into the gazebo, though he tried to hide it, and then sat down across from me on the other side of the round table in its center.

I already knew who it was, but I didn't react to him in any way, and instead took another sip of coffee without opening my eyes. The person across from me didn't say anything, just gave me a look that was quite perceptible.

The silence continued. The sounds that my hearing picked up were only the rustling of the trees, the soft howling of the wind, and the hissing of insects, but nothing more. Things went on like this for about five minutes, and during all that time my gaze never left my figure. Until at some point she decided to speak up.

- Sen-

- What are you doing here, Akeno-san? Don't you need to rest now like the rest of us? - I interrupted, opening my eyes and pointing them at my interlocutor.

Yeah. It was Akeno. She was looking rather tired and lethargic at the moment, which was to be expected since practically the rest of the entourage had fallen asleep right in the water. The strange thing was that Akeno was acting a bit cautious. She didn't even have her usual smile on her face, which she preferred to show in almost any condition.

- Ha..." she sighed tiredly before continuing, "First, I'd like to echo some of what Rias said. Like she said, your methods are disgusting, but like me, understood your ultimate goal of opening her eyes. And for that you are to be thanked, though not wholeheartedly.

I just shrugged my shoulders at that.

- You have indeed succeeded in your goal. She talked to us, told us what she thought, listened to what we thought, and then drew conclusions. And not just her, but us, her entourage," Akeno continued, and then looked at me, "I could use a glass of water.

In response to her words, what she asked for appeared in front of her.

- Thank you," she nodded, and took a sip, "But Rias missed one important point.

- And what was that?

- You said that free cheese is only in the mousetrap, didn't you? Then why are you helping her? Helping us? - Even though I have obvious feelings for you, and I know it's not your style to hurt someone for no reason... You seem suspicious. You're basically helping us out for nothing. At least, that's what it looks like to us.

She paused and took another sip.

- You could just ignore the rest of us. You are the reincarnation of Solomon himself and wield overwhelming power. So much so that even Lord Lucifer can't cause you even the slightest sense of apprehension or fear. The angels are willing to bend the knee to you if you ask. I doubt very much that someone like Rias, no offense to her, would be worth your attention if you didn't have a personal agenda," she continued, and then looked at me intently, "So, why are you helping us?

Heh. Same question as before. And it makes sense, considering what I said. Really, should I answer her truthfully? I can't just say that he's the main character and this whole world is a made-up story, can I?

Basically, I'm only interested in Issei's success and making sure he doesn't fall off the hoof early. The story armor is crumbling before my eyes as it is, given that canon is deep in shit and doesn't want to wash itself clean of it.

At the same time, there's a very healthy idea that he doesn't need to hit Trihexa from scratch, only to finish him off. Alaia's words during the Rating Game can more or less confirm this, given that she wasn't lying, of course. However, it's worth considering that the outcome of the main events should roughly coincide. That means I can't just take Issei right now, buff him, practically destroy Trihexa, and have the main character take the final blow.

I rubbed my temples from the headache that had appeared.

Should I catch, tie up, and interrogate Alaia? I don't know, I don't know.

- Does that question cause pain, sensei? - Akeno asked, writing off my actions as her words.

- Not this one. If it were, the reaction would be different," I grinned, to which she did not respond in any way. My gaze dropped to the contents of the mug in my hand and then directed to Akeno - I do have a personal goal.

- Then-

- But that doesn't mean she can harm you in any way. Well, or by my personal actions. You know what Solomon was famous for, besides his immense power, right? That's right, controlling demons. But I didn't do that, did I? You're living the same life as before. Well, except for the sudden jump in frequency. You think, act, exist as you wish, not at my behest. In essence, I'm a bystander who's reaching out to you because our goals are partially aligned," I said, shrugging, "Don't fill your head with that and just ignore me. After all, if I wanted to hurt you, I would have done it already. However, that's the same thing I said before, right?

She didn't loosen her gaze after hearing all of this. But she didn't try to argue or ask any other questions. And not because Akeno is stupid or anything, but because my words are the truth. As much as I'd like to keep schoolchildren out of it.

- Thank you for your time, sensei, though I didn't hear a direct answer to my question - she stood up from the table - And yes, I will miss the point where you didn't mention your possible inactivity.

Oh? That's not bad. After all, I really didn't say anything about it.

- Good night, Sensei. - Akeno said and headed for the exit. She paused for a moment and added, "My feelings for you have not diminished. Even with everything you're doing. Remember that.

And with those words, I was alone again. My reaction to her last sentence was nothing but shrugged shoulders.

Let her do what she wants.

Just as I was about to enjoy the silence and the atmosphere around me again, a familiar voice sounded nearby.

- How interesting. Her words were firm, and she definitely believed what she was saying. I don't understand her train of thought or how she could have feelings for a madman like you, though I don't understand feelings in general.

- Oh, does that embarrass you, my friend? What a shame you're as callous as..." I started to rant and turned towards the arriving Goetia when I saw something. Or rather, someone - It's who I think it is, isn't it?

- Hi! Even if you're not the Soli I knew, you talk just like him. However, you are a... what was it... Pseudo-Soul, right," the figure who arrived with Goetia positively exclaimed. She then cheerfully raised her hand and smiled - Runeas Gremory. Nice to meet you, Romani!

Hearing all this, I put my hand to my face and rubbed it hard.

Now I could see what the Beast I found interesting. Except that I'm definitely not happy about it. Why do I need another headache, right?

-0-

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