Flesh is Weak

Knowledge wins battles and wars.

The shopping went fast as Kuroka knew clothes and got eye candy. I'm thanks to Kuroka being next to me, getting glares of hate from the teen boys my age and some young men in the shopping center. It was annoying having those hate-filled glares, but we thankfully finished in an hour. On the way back to the house, Kuroka had promised me something in my ear for being kind to Shirone. I'm intrigued by it. It's a promise for anything I want in the bedroom for a future session. I looked at her, and she nodded. She said as we entered the grounds of the house.

"You're not interested in Shirone nya. I get that, but you being her motivation will help. The monster awakened her princess dreams again, nya. If she has you focused on, then she won't return to the racist side."

I'm a bit more understanding.

"She needs so much fixing its not funny. I am worried about Riser because he is preparing to do something. I'm not halfway to the buyout, and it's worrying me. I don't need Shirone chasing me until this is done."

Kuroka had her ears droop as I told her with a frown.

"I want two-thirds of the money at least, so if I have to beg my grandfather for money, he will see I'm not entitled and that I thought of the house first. This being that type of universe means an encounter is very likely between the two of us. I don't want to risk Rias or anyone else getting caught in our crossfire."

I plan to put sacred oil on my rounds since I can bless things. Kuroka accepts the anger I have for Riser. We get to the main door entering together. I don't see Maéva or anyone else. Before I see a hint of pink hair near the top of the stairs. So Katase is here. I gesture to Kuroka to follow me. We immediately head downstairs, and we get a new door on the medical ward.

Before setting up illusions on it, along with the other supernatural/science stuff, we head back upstairs. It's there that I see Katase proper. She's with Murayama, Kiryuu, and Issari, all talking enthusiastically to each other. Upon seeing me, Katase ran to me and hugged me, sending us to the ground. The trio of girls started giggling, and Kuroka huffed. Katase said in my ear in a whisper.

"Thank you for letting Murayama live with you. She's my best friend, and I was devastated to learn she was leaving. You will never find a truer friend than me now."

I looked at the trio, and they snicker at me. I say to Katase, who, now that I have a proper look, is in a pretty dress and skirt the color of light red.

"She's my friend too, Katase-san, but you're welcome."

Katase got off of me and let me get up to see the happy group. Murayama looks like she wants to say something to Katase. Katase spoke again, and she was very excited.

"You're hosting a pool party tomorrow, Gregor-kun? I didn't know you lived in a place like this."

I smile smirk and nod.

"I am indeed hosting a party, and like Murayama-chan probably told you already, you're welcome to join. I live here thanks to my dad as he does lots of big business deals around the world. I will likely be gone halfway through it on something, but you're all welcome to stay."

Katase was curious.

"What are you doing, Gregor-kun? It's all right for you to call me Katase-chan."

I have a lie ready.

"Just working on a few projects that I want to see if they can work."

Murayama immediately backed me up.

"Gregor-kun is incredibly busy with these ideas. Some of them are incredible, Katase."

Katase looked at me, and she just smiled.

"I want to hear them all at one point."

I don't know if you do, Katase. I need to hunt today, and I want three or four hunts. I tell the gaggle of young women with my smile smirk.

"You will, Katase-chan. Kuro, I'll see you and everyone else later. Issari, be good."

That got a whine from my best friend and giggling from everyone, including Katase. Kuroka smiled and then said excitedly.

"We can have a mini party while he's gone lets go!"

That got a cheer from everyone, and the five of them went off to have fun. That out of the way, I prepared to hunt without the mask.

The first group of strays I went after were four pawns and a rook who holed themselves up in an old motel. The roars of chain weapons and the bark of my bolter echoed in it. My title was now firmly known by the strays. That kid had squealed, saying it often, it seems. The strays here fought harder than all except the mutation queen. My bolter was aimed again, and I fired a blessed round.

Said round blast off an arm from a stray who had not ducked fast enough. He screamed, then fell, thrashing from the holy blessing. His comrades looked at him in horror. I advanced and said a prayer to the Machine God.

The prayer made the rest of them clutching their heads. That allowed me into melee range where my mechadendrites extended and the swords roar. Including a new one blessed by me. The strays fought on with more hesitation, but I pushed forward. Stopping long enough to take a head from the downed dead stray. The pawns attacked with fury now for their dead comrade. The rook was an Australian who insulted me with their famous word.

She punched me with the punch, denting my armor, and broke her hand. She eeeps, and I take the arm, then her head fast. The body fell, and the pawns quaked. I continue to work while thinking of other things.

I swung my axe against a bishop who was trying to get away from me. He was screaming to his comrades that the Gorgan was here. Said comrades were rushing towards him, and the bishop threw magic at me to get more distance. I ducked the shock ball and then continued forward. His comrades had guns and arrows that flew and slammed against the armor and robes. I hear dings and clacks, and I thank the robe because it also proved to be extremely good armor. My helm eyes make the strays look fearful because they know that this promised death. They tried again to stop me.

The sound of being kicked into a wall and a body falling makes this not fun as I was that body. I get up, feeling my ribs heal, and my breathing becomes less harsh. I let lose my boltgun in a retaliatory shot, and that claims a pawn. The man's chest exploded, making his comrades back up badly. One of the strays whispering in pure fear.

"He should be dead. No one has survived that kick before."

I get up and then let my swords roar, making the strays even more scared. They tried running upon seeing the red before I had placed myself at the exit. I learned why the strays didn't portal out of any fight. It would attract more attention to them via a system of wards around the city that were extremely sensitive to bad strays. The knight in charge of the group drew a spear before he attempted their next breakout attempt.

The final strays just hid rather than fought. Flushing them out of this apartment complex took an hour, and I hated this because they should have just fought. The last stray begged for her life in a shower.

"Please spare me, Gorgan! I'll give you anything you want!"

I feel nothing here while preparing a round.

"You shouldn't have targeted that school bus then. You took their future now, I now take yours. Die on your feet, stray."

I shot her with a smile feeding wrath. The body explodes, and I take her head before burning the corpses here. After I was done it was simply preparing to go home.

The peace of the house is something I will never not love. Nobody greets me on the first floor or in the kitchen. I climb the stairs, heading to my room to take a shower. Once there, I just let the heat relax me. I'm getting used to killing and the sight of bodies exploding from bolter rounds. Koriel tells me that it gets better and that she is still fascinated by the war mask. That you disassociate there in multiple ways was incredibly interesting. That starts a conversation about the craft worlds, and Koriel is slightly disturbed by the end of it to be slightly sympathetic to elves.

Upon exiting the bathroom, I find Kuroka there waiting for me. She saw me in pjs, and came to me taking my hand guiding me to the bed. There she sat and let me put my head on her lap before she started purring for me. I relaxed more now, hearing the purrs. Alex just said this was another reason why, and I didn't get mad at him for this. Kuroka gives me head pats, too, and while I'm not that comforted by them, I can't tease Issari about them now. This continued till there was a knock on the door. Kuroka let me up, and I moved there and opened it.

It was Maéva who was poking her fingers together and looked incredibly nervous. I looked at her, and she finally said with the finger poking increasing.

"Young master, I heard we are having a party tomorrow. I was just wondering if I can…"

I interrupted there, knowing what she was going to ask.

"You're welcome to join Maéva. You deserve a break, too."

Maéva beams and does something. She shows her gear as I feel pure relaxation now and lose all my stress. Maéva looks embarrassed, and she goes red in the face. I say this while completely relaxed.

"This gear is not worthless, Maéva it's just not combat gear. You should not be ashamed of it."

She blushed furiously, and I now know a possible reason why she and Asia were put together. Maéva just blushing up a storm.

"You really mean that young master?"

I keep my real smile on.

"I do it's not worthless."

That makes my maid smile brighter. Before she bows and moves away from the room. I noticed there was a spring in her step. I'm glad she, too, is not influenced by the horny. That moment could be construed as me starting down the path of a maid girlfriend. I closed the door as Kuroka smiled big there.

"You are sweet, nya. I felt that, too, and it's a nice feeling. Does my king want a maid costume for me, nya?"

That was a tease there and fishing for information. I shook my head there with my smile.

"Not big into maids. It might be fun later, but my tastes are more. Not that."

She looked at me, trying to figure out what I liked. I smile smirk because I won't share easily and I hide my likes well. She frowned at my face but grew confident again.

"I will learn what you like. I know redheads, nya. You won't stop me from knowing."

I chuckled at her.

"I learned catgirls are tied up there too."

That got a smile, and with that, I set my alarm for tomorrow. Kuroka hissed at it, and I was amused telling her she did have her own room. She just slapped me with her tails again before we settled in for the night. She once again thanked me for being kind to Shirone even though she didn't deserve it. I just put an arm around her, pulling her close, and drifted into the sea of dreams.

Once again, the dreams were formless, but that eye returned. This time, it searched for something longer, but it did not find whatever it was searching for because it searched harder than ever. It was definitely strange. The eye disappeared again as I heard the alarm.

I woke up quickly and silenced the alarm. I saw Kuroka sleeping deeply, snoring her snot bubbles. I got up and prepared for the day: lessons, talking to the possible new people for the Legio, and finally, the pool party, then hunts. Issari will have fun here while I'll have five people chasing after me, one of whom is a cat that might not be able to swim.

The shower was done quickly, and I again let my queen sleep while I exited the room and headed down the stairs towards the kitchen. Maéva was making food, with Murayama and Kiryuu both eating on the island. I joined them and was greeted by smiles from them. We settled into a discussion about space marines. That confused Maéva, but Murayama was a big fan of the Dark Angels knights in space and all. I snorted in amusement.

"You know about any fallen Murayama-chan?"

That got snorts from Kiryuu while Murayama huffed.

"Do you Gregor-kun?"

That set the three of us off on a laughing train. Maéva looked at us like we were mad. She just looked lost as we continued joking. That's what Grayfia and Geros walked in on. Geros focused on the mechadendrites, with Grayfia having a smile seeing them. I get up and prepare for lessons. I asked her quickly before the lesson if she could help sell my old home. Grayfia nodded, saying it would be done fast. Then lessons began.

The quiz was done, and I passed it without a problem. Then we started the next lesson, which was the middle nobility and which houses are sworn to which pillar. The Astaroths have twelve families sworn to us. The Gremorys have the same number as do most of the higher pillars, with the exception of the Sitri, which has eight. Geros was in control for the second half of today, naming the minor houses for the Astaroths, with the two strongest ones called the Melek and the Baalam.

Both houses had kids my age and expected them to be given a place in the peerage of the heir to the Astaroths. The kids were a boy from Melek and a girl from Baalam named Thoron and Hetvia. I learned from Geros that Diodora had pissed off both houses by not even pretending to care for that expectation. They believed Diodora was the Heir. It took my grandfather promising up and down that Diodora was not the heir and that the heir would have the two in his peerage.

Diodora was pissed at that, apparently, while the houses were pleased. I shake my head because Diodora should not be angering vassals like that. Geros tells me my grandfather wished to meet me and discuss things this week. I agreed to that before asking what the two likely people for my peerage are like and their abilities.

Hetvia was a shy girl who was okay with magic and very intelligent. However, she was not powerful. Thoron was a strong young man that was extremely capable in spear fighting. He had brains, too, because he had impressed my father with an idea that was still undergoing testing. I consider what pieces for both as Geros continued to describe the position of the houses. My butler does tell me that he has been informed of my queen. He's not impressed with her but knows she is pardoned. He has been informing the other servants of that. I asked him to introduce me to Thoron and Hetvia so that I could get to know them.

That was agreed to, and both young people, he said, are respectable people. He will bring them tomorrow or Thursday after I speak to my grandfather. I agree on tomorrow. The lesson was faster than the previous one, at three hours. When it was over, Geros asked for a mechadendrite pack. I made his MIU and pack. He widened his eyes, feeling the Longinus. After it was made, he handed several bills of Lilith to Grayfia, who was smirking unprofessionally. I smile at my starmother.

"You're going to be rich from this bet, aren't you, Lady Lucifuge."

Grayfia's smirk grew, and Geros huffed. He was still looking at the mechadendrites with a slight frown.

"She has bet us all in the club that she knows something we can't believe. When I asked her about it before we arrived, she said you have a Longinus. I didn't believe it, but I do now. This is indeed a very unexpected thing, milord. This will make the pillars both more wary of you and more interested. It will also increase House Astaroth's prestige."

Grayfia counts her money while still smiling. I just smiled there before replying.

"I hope so. Has Lady Lucifugr told you my other title?"

Geros nods.

"That you are the Gorgan, yes. I am indeed impressed, milord, because you could have easily demanded from your grandfather the money for Lady Gremory's hand. He would have paid it out without hesitation. The fact that you are working to earn the money will send a good message to him. How far are you in the process?"

I am happy I'm right about that. I opened my pocket and then began to set the money on the table. Geros counted, and Grayfia smiled at me when she saw the amount. After counting the new stuff, I'm over a million, Lilith and Geros remarked after we finished counting.

"Impressive. This speaks well of you. You should be proud of your achievements here, milord. I understand you will not ask for the rest of it if you can help it."

That look on my face makes Geros smile a slight smile.

"Again, like your father. Master Ajuka enjoys hard work paying off. I will stay silent on this unless you say otherwise."

Grayfia checked the time before she frowned. She then got up from her chair next to the desk in the study. Geros got up, too, and he said before leaving.

"Check that scroll milord. It has House Agares sigil, and while you might be busy now, it's important to stay on top of things. I will be back tomorrow with your Grandfather. Enjoy your day."

I blinked before my eyes fell on the scroll. I widened my eyes because I had forgotten it. I immediately grab it and open it.

It was a request for a meeting from Seekvaria herself. I have a summoning circle for that meeting. She wants to meet the Hunter who got her disobedient pawn. I roll up the scroll, placing it and my money back in my pocket, before going out to talk to Kuroka with the former Grigori people.

The cat is eating food at the kitchen table while Kiryuu tries to get something working. Murayama was looking at Kuroka's ears and tails in pure fascination. Kuroka smiled at me flirtatiously while Murayama blushed. I just raised an eyebrow before sitting at the table. Kiryuu asked me.

"Your back, how was school?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Absolutely fun. I learned lots today. We have two very likely new people coming soon. Both nobles from houses sworn to mine. I will probably be meeting them and my grandfather tomorrow. Kuroka, be good."

That got a huff from my queen while Kiryuu giggled, as did Murayama. Kuroka huffs out.

"I am good, nya."

I snort before saying.

"Your nickname is the Bad Cat, not the Good Cat."

Kuroka huffed again while the others snickered. I got whacked by a tail, as I'm close enough for that. I took the whack and just smiled at her, showing it was teasing. Kiryuu finally got what she was looking for. An icicle formed, and she then sharpened it to a deadly point. I am impressed. Murayama is, too. Kuroka beams and says with a smile.

"Kiryuu is getting her gear down fast, nya. I believe she will become a very good bishop. You're also doing very well, Murayama nya. You both will be able to come along with us eventually."

Both beamed, as I told Kiryuu.

"I'd prefer you to wear the carapace totally, along with the red robes the Skitarii used. You could use them and perhaps a second robe underneath. The helm and rebreather are, however, not negotiable. The war mask really does help, and my boltgun is not pretty."

Murayama doesn't know what a boltgun does yet. Kiryuu remembers, and she understands.

"I will use the helm and armor. Issari-chan told me of how the armor saves you many times over. I understand you want us safe first and foremost."

That helps, and Kiryuu continues.

"I'll use weight spells to help me till I build the muscles. These new people. What will they be?"

Kuroka and Murayama looked curious, too. I considered it again before saying.

"A pawn and rook, possibly. They are both purebloods, so expect open racism at worst and, at best, casual racism. I know I am."

The others get down from that. Murayama asked finally.

"When will you reincarnate me? I'm fully committed to it."

I looked for a hint of doubt or regret and see none.

"Probably tomorrow or Thursday. You would suffer badly today if we did it now. The sun hurts new devils at first."

Kiryuu shivers, remembering that while Murayama looked worried before Kuroka answers that.

"You just get extremely tired fast. It goes away after a few days, but get ready for new feelings as your senses become stronger."

Murayama felt better and worse knowing that. Kuroka then slapped me again with a tail as I snarked at her.

"What am I, a tail-whacking post? I need to be paid more if I'm that."

That got me two whacks from said tails getting more giggles. Kuroka shook her head, amused. She got up and then looked at me. I sighed, then answered her with a slight, real smile.

"Yes, I'm ready to go. I'll be back in a bit. When is Katase-chan coming over Murayama-chan?"

Murayama stopped giggling and answered.

"In a few hours, and I want to tell her. I have never kept a secret like this before from her. I know it's the separation, but."

I understand completely.

"It was like that with me and Issari at the beginning. She is safer not knowing."

Murayama grew sadder as Kiryuu pats her friend. Kuroka does, too, with a tail, making Murayama perk up immediately. Kuroka smirked wide, and we both went off to the basement. I eyed Kuroka, who kept smirking at me. I eyed her again as our stare-off continued until we hit the station. There, I finally asked her.

"She has a catgirl fetish now because of you, doesn't she?"

Kuroka fully smirked.

"Oh yes, she loves the tails and purrs, nya. You like purrs too, so don't try denying that."

I can't, but I am preparing to will away the items in the old house. Kuroka just opened the portal to our location after I was done.

We entered the alley next to the apartment complex. The wards were still there, and Kuroka gave us a special knock three times. The door opened, and there was Jeanne. She looked out carefully. She focused on me. Her blue eyes looked me up and down with critical examination. Before she opened the door fully. Once inside, she closed it and remarked.

"You are a noble."

I observed her fully, too. She was in her armor, with a sword on her hip. I answered as we moved towards the stairs.

"Learned that recently and didn't know when I met you. Despite that new fact, I'm not big on the Cold War between the three. I prefer to think of the population of the world first before religion or speciesism."

Jeanne looked at me again, and she shrugged. Saying as we three continued up the stairs.

"I am in the same boat, sort of. The war has been over for a very long time, and even Azazel doesn't seem to want to continue it. Just that bitch. Please don't terrorize the two fallen here. They are scared because he has placed a kill-on-sight order on them, announced yesterday."

Oh damn, Kuroka frowned, but I asked.

"How do you know that?"

Jeanne answered as we hit the second floor.

"We haven't been declared rogue yet. As for how we know, it was circulated on a network that the cadres use when they brought computers to us. We are in and have been looking for more evidence. We have found two things that connect him to the farm. The black-haired fallen wants to deliver the evidence to Azazel for pardon. We don't because, in one of the things, we found more references about two other incidents."

I grew madder.

"What other incidents?"

Jeanne grew more pissed, too, as we hit the common room.

"There was an attack on Rome in 2007 with a crazy Al-Quid-A member attempting to murder the Pope. He nearly succeeded. Again, another detail that was never mentioned till later. Then an attack on the Tsar done by a new cult three years ago. There were implications that the attack was done by the devils."

I grew pissed with Kuroka joining me. When we entered the room fully, I finally saw the rest of the building's occupants.

Kalawarna was with Conner, trying to calm a surprised person over by the TV. It was Raynare. Mittelt was not as nervous, but she had her wings out, flapping them in an attempt to keep calm. Raynare was like her canonical appearance, but her face was innocent of the sadism. Mittelt was the same, too, with the only difference being she was a tiny bit taller. They were dressed in casual, American clothing, with Raynare having a Yankees symbol on her blue shirt. Mittelt was in a shirt with the same logo.

Conner, seeing me, grew grim as did Kalawarna, who shakes a bit. Raynare freaked, and Mittelt looked me up and down. Raynare barked out in pure fear.

"He's a devil and going to kill me, Kala!"

She hid behind Kalawarna, shaking. Conner rolled his eyes there, as did Kalawarna and Mittelt. I greeted Conner.

"Good day, and sorry about that. I was busy yesterday doing things."

Kuroka smiled wide.

"I'm things."

Kalawarna and Jeanne snorted, amused. Connor snickered as Mittelt cracked a smile while Raynare kept shaking behind her friend. I looked at Kuroka, amused and not. I rolled my eyes before pulling one of Kuroka's tails in retaliation for the bad joke. That got a hiss from her and made Jeanne snicker as Connor half smiled.

"Given what Kitty has told us, I'm not offended. Surprised you're a devil, a half one but close enough to a full one unless you really look. Even more surprising is that you have an evil piece set. Given the devils have not attacked us, you're okay with it in my book. Raynare, stop freaking out. If he wanted to kill you, he would have done so."

Raynare kept shaking and burrowed herself behind Kalawarna. Mittelt finally spoke up as her eyes are careful.

"He seems okay, Ray. I'm Mittelt the scaredycat is Raynare. She is still getting used to being here on earth."

Raynare's shaking was now at a fever pitch. I widened my eyes, hearing the last part. Kalawarna answered my unspoken question.

"She is a new fallen and is a less than three months old fallen. Raynare, he won't hurt you, and I'm a devil, too. Have I ever hurt you?"

No wonder she is so scared. Raynare said with fear in her voice.

"No, you haven't, but you were an angel at one point. He's a real devil, and he hates me on principle! Please make him go away, Kala. He is scary!"

Oh, my heavens, she's a scared Asia. Mittelt shakes her head in dismay. Jeanne rolls her eyes, as does Conner. Kalawarna turns to Raynare and softly speaks to her, trying to help the fear. Kuroka is surprised that this is a recent fallen angel, saying softly.

"The last new fallen was ten years ago, nya. I know you don't ask, but she seems…"

Mittelt finished that.

"Shell shocked, and yeah, she is. She's still getting used to the fact everything is not pearly white here as it is in Heaven. She was stupid and swore to his cadre three weeks ago. Ray heard the old tales of him before he fell. I swore to him because he was charismatic, and he promised that we were protecting the children of Big G. Only later did I learn that we weren't. He abuses the cadre, and the rank and file can't escape. He has plants amongst them, and you don't know who to trust. I knew Kalawarna before her reincarnation, and I knew she wasn't his. When I learned what he did, I fled, taking Raynare with me. I wouldn't leave her there to be used like I was."

I show some pity for Raynare. She's probably not here willingly, and she proves that in her next words.

"Lord Azazel could stop him, Mittelt! We would be safer and not be near this scary devil! They are beings of pure sin and enemies of God!"

That utterance made Kalawarna and Kuroka clutch their heads in pain. Conner was not amused, and he gently whacked Raynare. She whined, and Conner said to her.

"What's rule two, Raynare."

Raynare immediately stopped freaking out and went ramrod straight.

"No, saying that name. I'm sorry."

Conner looks at Kalawarna before he says to Raynare.

"Take a proper look at him, Raynare. He has something that should calm you."

Raynare reluctantly popped her head out from behind Kalawarna. She looked at me with her violet eyes, still afraid, before they turned to amazement. She stopped shaking and actually looked me in the eye. Kalawarna patted Raynare's back reassuringly. Jeanne snickered as Conner smiled softly, showing he had a fatherly side.

"He has gear, Raynare. He has known about us for a week, yet we have not been attacked. He might have devil parts in there, but he's also human and seems to favor that side more."

Raynare shows her innocence now more than ever.

"Only good people have gear."

I want to wince at that naïve moment. Jeanne didn't say anything, but her face was dismissive of Raynare while Conner corrected that.

"Raynare, that's not true. I'm not a good person, and I have it. Yet, I strive to be better. He has been helping humans by getting rid of bad stray devils. According to Kitty, he has reasons for doing it, but they are good. She's a devil, too, and yet her reason for it was not clean-cut."

Raynare focused heavily on me, shaking her head at Conner as she focused on only something she could see.

"He is good. He fights for the planet and stands against the void with Iron and Blood. Yet he remains our greatest defender, thinking of us first and foremost. He's a hero, Kala! I'm sorry, nice devil man, for being scared!"

Raynare began babbling about me. I'm weirded out by this and ask Kalawarna.

"Do angels have the ability to sense more of a person with gear, Lady Kalawarna?"

Kalawarna did not understand why Raynare was acting like this now, nor did Mittelt. This new one-eighty attitude also weirded out Jeanne. Conner raised an eyebrow in pure disbelief that this was the same Raynare who was so scared of me less than a minute earlier. Kalawarna finally answered.

"They do, but fallen slowly lose that over time, usually in a year. Then we feel it like a regular person trained on earth would."

Raynare kept getting closer to me, but it was not a good kind of closer. It showed how innocent she still was. Mittelt was now openly curious.

"Ray has never acted like this before, but she had only really met two gear users. A witch and her partner in a young man with a dog. Ray liked both of them immediately, and that sold her further on the idea that gear only goes to good people. You must be decent enough to get this kind of reaction out of her."

I gently shooed Raynare away before Kuroka whacked the fallen with her tails. Raynare must have met Tobio and Lavinia. Raynare was like a tick and immediately came back, getting even closer and now super excited.

"He's a very good devil man, Kala! He is trying to get us a dream of a place far away, yet he's not like the other one that he worries he might have to become!"

How the fuck does Raynare know that? Conner continues to be weirded out there. Kalawarna finally took Raynare's hand and tugged the fallen away from me. Raynare now was bouncing on her heels. Mittelt was smiling and patting Raynare's hip.

"She really likes you. I wonder why, considering you're what she fears most. Ray, why is he your new best friend?"

Raynare paused before she said, with no filter.

"He's a being of many places. He has the ability to make many things that defy Father and his will. Yet he chose like Father did light. He knows the odds of what is out there, yet he doesn't back down. This man of metal and flesh. He that is something completely new."

How deeply can she see me? Kuroka is amused when Jeanne finally asked.

"What the hell is your gear? She just looked at me and shrugged, saying I'm good but common."

Raynare burst into the conversation again as I was about to say something.

"He's the newest of them that can beat that which father didn't like. He is powerful and plans a thing that can make reality quiver. Good devil, man, please protect us all, even the mean devils. Can you really make the walkers who are like the knights of old?"

Okay, this is bad. She can see deep at me. She blew the bag open and dumped gasoline on it. Mittelt, who had been around Raynare the most, looked at me with wide eyes. Kalawarna was the next to get it and shook a bit. Jeanne was frowning, but Conner put it together.

"Jeanne, he has a Longinus, yet it's different. It's extremely different because it's not blasting you at full power. Given what Raynare said and how it feels like a blast furnace, he has some creation gear. Yet Annihilation Maker is considered to be the creation Longinus."

Raynare became even more excited.

"This is stronger than Annihilation! Father made this for great reasons! Please, good devil, help our world!"

Mittelt and Kalawarna were now looking at me with a very clear expression of interest. Conner was looking at me like I was dangerous, which I was. Jeanne was just dumbfounded, and she said it while looking at me in a very strange way.

"I have been near the first one. You know it's that there, but this doesn't feel like a Longinus. What is she talking about with mech walkers?"

Raynare again spoke up again, looking at me with star-struck eyes.

"He can make them and ones far larger called the Titans. More things that will save our world!"

Conner sighed, looking at Kalawarna, who nodded before shooting rope at Raynare and stopping her from trying to climb on top of me. Raynare fell to the ground while Mittelt pats the now trying to break free fallen. Kuroka snickers at Raynare while Kalawarna looks at me hard before she bumps her boyfriend.

"We are joining this thing. What was it called again, Kuroka?"

Kuroka smiled big and answered while Raynare was bouncing towards me while still bound.

"The Legio Solar nya. Sexy make them a thing."

I sighed while Mittelt was now looking at me with plain curiosity. Jeanne finally said to me.

"The voices say that you are a glimpse at a time where there is only war. Yet you stand for peace."

I gently pushed the rope-bound Raynare away from me, and she rolled to Kalawarna. I summoned the anvil, and the ghostly thing made Mittelt jump. Conner and Kalawarna looked at it in a bit of awe. Jeanne tried touching it. The hand fell through as I asked while picking up the hammer.

"I'll get you guys free power. Where is your generator?"

Conner replied.

"We don't have one. The power here is siphoned off the grid by a clever thing we did."

I shrugged before swinging my hammer. Light blinds all of them before I pick up the plasma generator and say while smiling.

"Get rid of that. You will have clean power for three decades with this. Just call me when you need maintenance or repairs. This is a plasma generator."

Conner looked in disbelief, as did everyone else. Raynare had somehow, unnoticed by everyone, escaped her rope and surprised me by hugging me from behind. I jumped, letting the generator come out of my hands, and slammed onto my foot. I yelped, jumping into the air with Raynare still holding onto me. Kuroka snickered at the scare before she tried to help me. Raynare kept holding on and saying while unaware of what she had done.

"Man of peace and war. The greatest man ever! He that shows the weakness and strength of flesh!"

I landed, and my foot began to heal. Raynare kept holding onto me, and I started to pick up the generator as Kalawarna shot a thicker rope at Raynare. The ropes hit her and she eeps falling over again. Jeanne comes over and pokes the generator. She blinked and then said with amazement.

"It's real and not a construct that only the maker could use. That's incredible. What was she talking about with mechs? Like Gundam?"

Conner widened his eyes, as did Kalawarna. Mittelt poked the generator, too. She eyed it and showed something. She's a mini scientist. I answered Jeanne while wagging my foot to make sure it healed properly.

"Yes, like Gundam. I can't make those directly, but I can make the parts to make a place to make them eventually. That includes more things that can save our planet in millions of ways. I want the Legio Solar to look at the future rather than the past. I might be a half devil noble, but I think the Great War is long overdue to be over. I really don't care what place you come from or what you might be. I want a world where we are not afraid of each other."

Kalawarna smiles real, as does Mittelt, while Jeanne is in pure amazement. Conner looks at me, and he smiles a smile that shows that beneath his gruff pessimism, there is a dreamer there. Raynare babbles from the floor.

"He means it. He is the human that Father said one day might come. A human who understands the meaning of sacrifice and the virtues of duty. Father said they were many possibilities, but he denied evil! He chose light like our star! That he is half means Father knew! He knew that he was the other half, like the arch-traitor! Yet still gave him this!"

I snicker there while Conner shakes his head in amusement at Raynare. Mittelt finally spoke up after studying the generator thoroughly.

"It's extremely simplistic yet it's more powerful than the generators we use in Grigori. I was in the science department of his cadre, and we always relied on old machines that would work, but we could never improve on them. He insisted that we made perfection, so there was no need to improve them. It's a big reason why he and Azazel fight in the council meetings. Azazel wins most of the time, but Kokabiel never obeys the directives. We are so far behind on our tech because of that. This is beyond even Azazel's tech. You said three decades of running time? His only run a decade and a half before they burn out running on holy energy. You said this is plasma?"

I smiled, answering while Raynare tried to bunny-hop toward me through her rope.

"Yes, and with the right maintenance and proper training, you can have these run far longer. Thirty years is just when the first issues start cropping up. A fellow scientist is also a good thing to run into."

Mittelt beams and now grows eager to talk shop. She asks questions on the device in quick succession, which I answer. Raynare falls over after hopping and whines about that. Kuroka levitates the fallen to a couch. Jeanne now dreams of Gundam. Kalawarna gave Conner a look, and he sighed.

"We will join the two of us. I can't speak for Jeanne or the others. I want a dream of a better tomorrow; however, I won't sacrifice my humanity for it."

Jeanne said while dreaming of mechs.

"I'm in. I want a big mech."

I smile briefly at Conner. Mittelt was thinking of her next question. I say while shrugging.

"I might have the set, but it will never be a hard requirement. Humans and everything that shares our planet matters to me. Stay you."

That makes Conner truly happy while Mittelt frowns. She peppers me with more questions. I had an easy discussion with her about conceptual ideas for an improved generator. Kalawarna leads me out of the room and down the stairs to the basement, where they have been siphoning off power. I hook the generator up to the fuse box, and with a little bit of work, the building goes from regular power to clean power. Mittelt surprised me by asking.

"May I apply for asylum with you? You're his son. I didn't see it initially, but the hair and your nature showed me you're his."

I raised an eyebrow with Kalawarna before Mittelt rolled her eyes at her fellow.

"Surely you're not that dim Kala. He's Ajuka Beelzebub's son."

Kalawarna looked at me again quickly. Before her eyes widened, Mittelt shook her head there.

"Kala was a field operative when she was with us."

I shrugged.

"He's my dad, yes. You sound like you admire him. As for asylum, that's a hard sell. Is the kill-on-sight order really that bad?"

Mittelt shivers, as does Kalawarna, before Mittelt answers with a depressed face.

"It's extremely bad. I ran several of his low-scale projects. Despite the looks, I am extremely competent and older. I am willing to share the information I have in exchange for asylum. As for your father, he's extremely well respected in Grigori's scientific departments. Azazel has tried multiple times to find a way to reverse-engineer the evil piece system to boost our numbers. We can never even get five percent of the system's wiring."

Azazel helps Heaven make the brave Saint system after the Kuoh treaty with my dad, which checks out. Mittelt looks down at the floor, saying in a very small voice.

"If Ray and I are caught, we will get crucified by him or his second. If we leave the complex and the servants of the Shinto or Devils not you find us we are dead too. I get I'm screwed anyway I look. You seem decent. I know I probably will have to reincarnate if I get the asylum."

I wince at the punishment for the two. Kalawarna pats her friend in silent support as the blue-haired woman says.

"Kuroka told me what you risked for her, and she asked you to be her king. I'd consider asking, too, but I'm not as far along as the cat was. I have several years left before the mutations."

I do tell Mittelt something while tinkering.

"The Shinto won't hunt you or Raynare. Yes, you were his people, but they really only want the people who helped in the subway attack. I'm not going to ask you to do that. Yes, I need pieces, but I'm not anal about recruiting. When I fully get confirmation as heir to my pillar, I can offer you a place hidden away so you can hunker down better."

Mittelt was a bit happier knowing that. So was Kalawarna for her friend. Mittelt considered.

"I might take that; however, I still want to go out and about. I'm with this group you're forming. I lost my dad, mom, and my brother four years ago. I don't blame devils for that because it was a horrible accident. I'm done with the whole Cold War. You have a vision that isn't the status quo or war. I think I can serve a person like that. I was debating whether or not all week. Ray and her stuff was not at all what I expected."

Kalawarna humphed there.

"None of us did and that does show a lot about you. You'd have a potentially better king than I did, Mitt. Mine was a bastard that just liked killing people and then reincarnating them. It was her fetish, and when she got tired of tormenting us, she killed us again and got ready for the next person."

Mittelt shrugged.

"I'd like a cause where my scientific research goes to helping people. The codes we brought show that mine was being used to make new things for a war. It was nothing groundbreaking like weapons or armor, but rather, they were twisting my new ideas for treating wounds into making new potential tortures. Despite what Ray thinks, Azazel can't move against Kokabiel easily. The council is extremely split, and his faction has significant influence. I rather research things and stay out of politics. I don't agree with what he did and appreciate the option there. It's more than what I'd expected."

Mittelt looked once more at the plasma generator. Before, she seemed to decide something.

"I'll reincarnate. I have always wanted to understand the system and what better way to do that than as one. I would like to talk more about actual science, and I know what I'm giving up. I was never religious enough for him despite being made by proxy him. My family fell because we lusted for knowledge. I want to see what other things you make."

I'll take a scientific mind eagerly, especially one who wants to learn the system like I do. Kalawarna rolled her eyes.

"You always were close to your grandfather. He fell for the wrong knowledge. Why are you the normal one?"

Mittelt smiles there.

"Dohnaseek was normal just was his battle-fanatic self sometimes. It got everyone but me killed. Grandfather isolated himself further after that, and that's when he recruited me. I was depressed, and he took advantage of that. Penemue tried to talk me out of it, but I said yes. I regret that."

Wait a minute. Dohnaseek and Penemue! Kalawarna caught my look.

"Yes, this is his granddaughter."

Mittelt smiles there, and it's his smile.

"It's ironic. The granddaughter of the greatest inventor of fallen angels and the son of the greatest inventor of devils being in the same room."

I froze and dropped to the floor, twitching badly. Mittelt and Kalawarna laughed before I shot up.

"If you're his granddaughter, how can you not get a pardon? He's the Governor-General!"

Mittelt grew sad.

"Cadres run themselves. That's a core pillar of Grigori that Gramps can't change. He has tried multiple times, yet it pisses everyone off. It's like the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Kokabiel abuses that to keep his cadre, and that's where his faction started forming in the last century. He uses that as his standard and has attracted many cadres to his side. Gramps lets his second-in-command, Shemhazi, do the heavy lifting on Grigori's political side. Shems great, but he didn't see this coming till fifty years ago and tried to stop it. The damage was already done; however, the council of cadres is now horribly split, getting worse every year."

I have to give Kokabiel credit that's ingenious. Challenge Azazel while working in the system to avoid going rogue and, when ready, force the issue when war does break out with your power base fully committed. Fuck that's smart. Mittelt likes me when I realize the deep. Kalawarna was not getting the implications there. She's not dumb but she doesn't look underneath the underneath. I ask Mittelt.

"How old are you? Not to imply anything there."

Mittelt frowns.

"Nineteen. I look like I'm fourteen, but I'm not. I just haven't grown all in yet. Penemue was like that, too. I spent most of my life in labs, and Gramps taught me stuff."

She was defensive about her age, and I was amazed as Mittelt continued her mini-rant.

"I have multiple doctorates and have helped make significant research contributions! Yes, they are mostly minor right now, but I will make significant ones soon! I'm not a kid!"

I smiled wide before stopping her next rant.

"I believe you. You're probably smarter than me by a wide margin. I'd be happy to have you in my peerage if that's what you really want. I, too, wish to look at the system because I want to help the strays like your friend. A way to reverse it and, if not, make it impossible for kings to abuse future generations of reincarnated. I just don't want to piss off your grandfather. I have heard he's a quirky dude who's a pervert genius, and I don't want him to kill me."

Mittelt searched me for condescending speech before finding none.

"Sorry, I'm just used to my coworkers talking down to me even though I'm the boss. Fuckers always say that I'm just a snot-nose brat that got there totally on nepotistic terms. Yeah, it's helped, but I have proven that I'm not that."

I am sympathetic there.

"It's fine. I'm sorry I hit that. I try not to talk down to people as no one likes it, and it just poisons relationships when you do. You probably really are smarter than me. I'm still going to high school, and you have doctorates. Are you sure about reincarnation? I can get you a place to hunker down instead."

Mittelt considered.

"Ray trusts you, and that one-eighty was genuine. They trust you here. I have been here for a week and despite the fact I'm kill on sight for being a fallen angel there was no attack. I will believe in a man who, according to Ray, will shake reality with his plans. I'll join."

I checked for doubt, finding none. I summoned my board, and Kalawarna looked surprised by how many mutation pieces there were. I let Mittelt look at the pieces before I explain.

"The bishop is for a special person. I have a knight in the works and a possible few more. Everything else is free. What piece would you like?"

Mittelt studied each piece. Finally, she focused on a mutation pawn and pointed to one of my three.

"Pawn as they have the most potential. Am I required to do groundwork?"

Smart, I like her more.

"No. The exception is ratings games and possibly stray hunts being required there. Otherwise, you're free to research to your heart's content. If you ever wish to join frontline work, I have things that can make you feel more comfortable, including something that will really interest you. Fair?"

Mittelt looked incredibly intrigued.

"Fair, and I can accept that. I'm not big on blood or guts that was Dohn's thing. Give me things to tinker with, and I'll give you better stuff. I really want to take apart that generator. Perhaps you can make me one?"

I nod.

"Absolutely, I'll make you as many as you want. We are a real team in my peerage. You will get what you need for research. I just ask that everything you research goes to the advancement of humanity. We are all that regardless of whether we are fallen or devil. Fair?"

Mittelt thinks before nodding.

"Agreed. I will do everything for that goal. Please do it."

I picked up a regular pawn before I spoke the oath of the moment. Kalawarna listened to it and frowned because this wasn't her last peerage speech. I placed the pawn on Mittelt and refused to go in. I raised an eyebrow at Mittelt.

"How many wings?"

Mittelt blushed, and Kalawarna was confused.

"She has two, don't you?"

Mittelt poked her fingers together nervously.

"Six, actually."

I'm amused there. I understood why she focused on the mutation pawn, so I picked it up and asked Mittelt.

"How many fallen have become devils?"

Mittelt immediately answered.

"Five all two wings. Given our limited numbers, Grigori uses humans as our primary foot troops, and Devils don't fight us often. We only really get sent into fights when the situation is extremely bad. Fallen women are highly sought after by devils. For…. Reasons."

Of course, it's that I reassure Mittelt.

"I have enough of that without trying to get it. My peerage is not my personal harem being a team first. You're free to be with whoever you want. Science is better than horny."

That makes Mittelt beam.

"You're a true scientist. I figured you wouldn't do that, but it never hurts to be careful. You're handsome, but I'm not interested in that right now."

I snort because I have found another one.

"I would be happy to be your mood kindred, Mittelt. Now let's see if this works."

I repeat the oath while Mittelt immediately becomes my friend by understanding what I mean. I then place the pawn on her chest, and it goes in. Mittelt like Kiryuu froze. Before she extended her wings, they were like Akeno's half fallen half devil, but the wings were all silver. That made Kalawarna and Mittelt gaze at them with amazement once she was out of the trance. I extended mine, and Mittelt was in a new trance.

I smile while Kalawarna grumps.

"Fuck you, Mittelt. I like silver."

Mittelt just flipped her friend off. I asked her if she knew devil sin culture. The new devil nodded. I checked the time and sadly informed Kalawarna.

"I have a party to attend soon, and then I'll be back to cleaning up bad strays. Mittelt, would you like to live with the rest of us or stay here?"

Mittelt considers before saying.

"Here for a day as I need to keep Ray from freaking out. Is there a place I can begin my experiments in your current home?"

I know several rooms that are good, and I also have several guest houses on the grounds.

"I have multiple places available on my first floor and basement. You're welcome to choose one of your preferences. I will definitely enjoy a new mood kindred. I have another, but she is. Stuffy would be the kindest way of putting it."

Mittelt nods.

"I'll join you when I can. Thank you for the asylum and I'm eager to begin work."

I won't turn away a second-thought train for the reader. Oh, this will be good. I finally win! A scientist! Well, Kiryuu is a magic scientist, and Kuroka likes science talk. Murayama is the odd one out so far. I was about to put the board away and get ready to leave when I was attacked.

Death from Above by Raynare. She dive-bombs me from the ceiling, causing the others to shriek.

Raynare, thankfully, didn't kill me. She instead spooked me so badly that a single pawn flew off the board and into her chest before she slammed me into the floor. Raynare froze as the piece integrated with her. She lay frozen on me and then extended her new wings. Raynare gazed at her silver wings before she shrieked in pure happiness there.

"No more black! I get to be with the greatest man forever now! I, Raynare, will be his sneakiest pawn! My king is the best king and the one of the Red Planet!"

Kalawarna just smiled, incredibly relieved.

"She's incredible at sneaking and scared me plenty here. Conner has made the number one rule not to scare us. She's yours."

Mittelt sighed.

"I'll move in today. Ray, why did you do that?"

Raynare beams and snuggles into my chest. The innocent devil angel said with a smile.

"Father told me to watch for him, to be there for him if he was good. I will have a king who is the champion of us all. I doubted Father and my fall was greed to find the possible hero. Now I am greedy for the best hero ever! I'm sorry I doubted you, Holy Father God!"

That curse returns here as all three fallen devils clutch their heads in pain. Asia has a mood kindred in a silly person. Machine God, why do you torture your champion? I'm good! Why do I have to suffer? My God pats my shoulder and says this is Big G's fault, not his. He congratulates me on another one on the chase.