Flesh is Weak

A leap of faith into shadows.

The first thing I felt as I woke up was someone sleeping on my chest. I blinked my eyes open and see a sea of blue hair spread across my face. The next thing I heard was a sleepy mumble.

"My Beloved."

That was soon followed by another mumble from my right as I felt a hand move to my abs.

"Firm."

That was Raynare and soon I felt her drooling on my shoulder. That was amusing and I was about to say something when two brown eyes opened and Xenovia looked down at me with a sleepy grin as she started to wake up. She snuggled deeper into my chest as I put an arm around her.

Raynare slept on drooling and mumbling about my muscles as the mostly comfortable silence continued for Xenovia and me. That was until a now fully awake Xenovia got a slight nosebleed thinking of something. When I raised my eyebrows Xenovia whispered.

"I love you, Beloved."

Xenovia put her head on my chest before I kissed her hair. Xenovia looked up at me with an amused smile before she pulled me in for a deep kiss that I returned. We only broke from it when Raynare mumbled sleepily again. That got Xenovia and me smiling at the sight. Them my stomach growled loudly making Xenovia giggle before getting up and moving toward the bathroom. That allowed me to see it was only the three of us still in bed. Xenovia at the door wiggled her eyebrows at me while tilting her head to follow before I shook my head.

"Soon Xenovia. I just want to do right by all of you and make it perfect when we do have that moment."

Xenovia sighed.

"So stubborn Beloved. You could have any of us whenever you wanted, and we would love it being with you. You could have all of us at once and we'd love it too. Yet I and the others understand and love you for doing that for us making it special. Please don't hold off forever like the other person I could have been with."

My eyes meet hers as I remember that scene and what Issei went through from all of them.

"I won't hold off forever. He couldn't say and do it because of very deep trauma that no one understood. I just want to be worthy of your and their love."

Xenovia sighed as her eyes flashed blue three times shaking her head with a big lusty smile of her own.

"I see now what you mean. You are a wonderful man and are beyond worthy of our love. However, if you ever join me in here, I won't ever complain Beloved. I'm sure Ray won't complain either when she sees the running water over your muscles."

A small eep made me look to see Raynare was now awake and looking at my muscles with dreamy eyes. That got a laugh from me before I pulled my sneaker in for a kiss which she returned. Just as we finished there was a knock on the door.

"Young master you have mail."

That was Maéva and I sighed.

"I'll be down in a bit."

The clicking of heels is heard before I kiss Raynare's head and get up. As I walked to the bathroom, I looked at Xenovia.

"Where are the others?"

Xenovia shrugged.

"They left early to see the home in Vancouver again and should be back by now. I want to see it especially because of this supposed hot tub there. I have something fun planned for the two of us Beloved~."

I blinked rapidly and something must be showing on my face as Xenovia grinned wide. Still, she stepped to the side and let me do my shower.

As I walked downstairs, I got a glimpse of Rias's hair and Kuroka's tails entering the kitchen while Maéva was standing next to the front door. She was holding a large plastic tub that was jam-packed full of letters. As I approached my maid Maéva presented me with the tub. I was shocked by the number of letters in it and Maéva saw the surprise on my face.

"Some of these arrived last week young Master from your grandfather but most are from this morning. Neri and I disposed of the hostile ones."

I want to sigh seeing the first three letters on the top of the pile have the wax crests of other pillars on them.

"Thank you Maéva. I really do appreciate both of your hard work. Hopefully when we have the new manor up and running this will be easier."

My maid got a curious look before she bowed and made her way to the kitchen. As she left, I hoisted the box up and moved to the front room.

I picked up the first letter from the pile before I crack the seal and took out the letter. My eyes widen when I see a picture attached to the letter. What I saw was the picture of a beautiful young woman of eighteen with yellow eyes and long light red hair dressed in a very skin-tight red bikini. In the picture, she was blowing a kiss at me while winking. I gulped and looked at the top of the letter and started to read. This letter it turned out was from a branch member of House Forneus. Her name was Ariel and she was offering herself to me as a potential harem member. I don't know how to respond to that so I set that letter aside to the right and pick up the next one.

This letter was from House Vapula and it again had a picture of a seventeen-year old orange-haired young woman with light green eyes. This time the sender was in little more than a very skimpy orange thong and bra with a wide cat-like smile. This devil was also offering herself to me as a potential harem member. Her green eyes watched me hungrily as I put the letter on top of the prior one.

I opened the next letter slowly and got ready for another picture. I was relieved when instead of a picture it was a plea from a male member of House Furfur for me to activate his familial ability. I eyed the box and the multitude of letters before I set the plea in a new pile to the left.

The two piles kept growing while the plastic box slowly emptied. It soon became clear that the right side pile would be the largest of the two. Most of the young women offering themselves to me as harem members were from branch houses of pillars who were in the NKF. However like the Forneus and Vapula letters there were a surprising number of letters from GKF pillars. One especially stood out as that was from a blonde nineteen-year-old who was a second daughter. She offered herself and her five reincarnated peerage members to me if I accepted her.

I was about to set that letter aside when the couch creaked and I looked over to see the somewhat amused face of Ravel. She was looking at the picture that was sent with this letter of all six women with flirty smiles dressed in red bikinis.

"They are beautiful."

I raised an eyebrow at her hearing a hint of jealousy.

"They are yet they are not you or the others who are more beautiful than the stars themselves. You and the others here are who I want not this."

That remark made Ravel blush beat red before she put her head in the crook of my neck and snuggled into my side.

"I know. How many did you get?"

I tilted my head to the right pile and my Grand Planner sighed.

"I'll help you write rejections to them. This is a normal thing for male heirs, and I

practiced for when I would get betrothed."

I want to sigh in relief but instead kiss one of Ravel's hair drills in thanks. She

grinned wider before picking up the next letter as the two of us settled into

reading.

As we read through and sorted the piles Ravel told me the ideas for the house in Vancouver that everyone had pitched during their visit. I raised an eyebrow at all the interesting ideas everyone had and debating them helped us get through the letters until only three remained. One was another harem offer this time from a very pretty and seemingly humble green-haired young woman in a sundress from House Purson while the other was another family powers request. That left the third and final letter which I picked up.

I slowly turned over the letter and saw a crest on the wax that I didn't recognize. Ravel was gazing at one of the many harem offer letters when her blue eyes fell on the crest. All of a sudden she screamed extremely loudly before I looked at her.

"What is it Vel?"

Ravel quickly cast a magic spell that levitated the letter away from me as everyone in my and Rias's peerage save Kiya, Akeno, and Kiba came rushing into the room from the kitchen or upstairs. Ravel shakily pointed at the letter.

"That's the crest of the Leviathans. The Original Leviathans."

The eyes of everyone in the room went on the letter floating over the living room table. Kuroka moved and began running multiple spells on the letter aided by Kiryuu. Ravel was shaking in fear all the while glancing at the letter. I put my arm around her, and it was then that Kuroka made her call.

"It's not booby-trapped nya. There is something magical in the letter but it's corresponding to a contract circle."

That both relieved and scared me further. Ravel asked Kuroka while watching the letter in caution.

"Is there a teleportation spell that would activate upon opening?"

Kuroka frowned and again directed magic at the letter. After another thirty seconds, she stopped and shook her head.

"No teleportation spells and that was something I didn't

consider nya."

Ravel glanced at the letter squeezing my hand harder. The room was completely silent before Raynare who was hard staring at the letter said something.

"Feeling of curiosity and possible admiration."

That was met by disbelief from everyone as I focused on the letter again. Why would Ray get that feeling from an OSF person? The room was completely silent as the letter kept floating around in a never-ending circle.

My gaze was now on Xenovia. Xenovia looked at me then realized what I was asking for silently. Her brown eyes turned on the letter and then flashed blue multiple times.

"Fifteen percent probability of hostile action. Eighty-five percent probability of non-hostile action."

That's also not what I or Ravel expected again. I glance at the letter again and wonder why an OSF letter would be non-hostile overwhelmingly in chance. Ravel looked ready to burn the letter regardless. I saw how nervous and downright scared she was of that letter.

"Why does it scare you Vel?"

My blonde looked at the floor.

"My mom lost her younger brother to the Leviathans by a letter with a teleportation spell on it. They found his body impaled on a pike near their home less than ten minutes later."

 I pulled Ravel into a hug while considering what we will do. The OSF knew where we were now. That was going through everyone in my peerage's minds before I made a decision. I turned to Hetvia.

"Assemble some of the robots. We will find out what this is."

Hetvia nodded and moved to the basement. Ravel squeezed my hand tighter which I returned before reaching for the letter with my left hand. I gently grabbed it and brought the letter out of the envelope after carefully breaking the wax. As I unfolded the letter I started reading.

Greetings Heir Astaroth. I am going to be short and to the point. I am interested in hiring you for a job. At the bottom of this letter is a magic circle that will summon me. As a peace offering that shows my stated intention I will give you a piece of advice. Don't take the train for a while. There is an explosive rune on it that will trigger once it detects your magical signature. Now respond within two hours of opening this letter or else I will leak your location to them.

Agrat Leviathan of the True Leviathans.

I moved my eyes off the letter. I'm confused and concerned. The letter had been mostly respectful and while it did threaten me I remember Ray's and Xenovia's statements. We need to verify the claim and make a meeting

place that's not the house or manor.

I asked as I handed the letter to Ravel.

"Thoron what was the last stray den you and Katase cleaned?"

My rook frowned.

"An abandoned supermarket. Why?"

Ravel was still reading the letter while I considered the tentative plan.

"Check to see if it's still empty."

That got a nod from Thoron as he along with Katase left to do the task. I turn to Kuroka and give an order.

"Go get two of our surplus skulls and send them to both train stations to check out a claim that was made in the letter."

Kuroka rolled her eyes knowing what was to come before she and Kiryuu left to get the skulls. That left myself, the rest of the queens. Ravel finally put the letter down and her eyes met mine.

"I still don't trust this Greg."

I nodded before eyeing the letter again.

"I don't either but we are now on a clock."

That said the room went silent with worry.

Twenty minutes later that worry kicked up in force when our skulls came back with confirmation. The train had the rune on every single car and even on the train engine. That had been noted and I tell Zeoticus to do a search of it the next time I saw him.

Ravel was getting off a spell call with Thoron at that exact moment as I positioned the skulls for a chance to see a possible OSF watcher at the stations should there be one.

"The supermarket is still empty and Hetvia has five robots there now. I still don't like this, Greg. We can just move everything to the new manor and then buy a new place up top. It would be safer and we would have the levy there at the ready."

I tilted my head in agreement as Ravel continued

"The OSF can never be trusted."

I see her points.

"They can't I agree. However, why would an OSF member betray their allies carefully chosen and well-done plan to kill us and civilians. Why would they do that and then want to hire me? That is bugging me deeply Vel."

 Rias had stayed silent but now said her piece.

"I won't run from them or cower and hide. I did enough of that and I never want to do it again. I'm going with you to this meeting if it happens Gregor-kun."

Shirone agreed with her king while Xenovia was silent along with Murayama. Raynare was trying to concentrate on something as her eyes were squinting at the letter. Ravel was about to start another counter point when Raynare spoke again.

"Darkness everywhere and expanding. Light a long-forgotten

memory. I can't find a way out. It's never-ending. Help me help me help me! If...."

Raynare was now acting like she was drowning and that prompted me to rush to my pawn. Ravel and the other queens did too as Raynare was gasping out for air. Her face turned blue and that made me feel true and utter fear. I pulled her close to me on the nearby couch. Raynare landed on my lap and that it seems broke whatever had held Raynare's psychic attention. She started taking breaths of air again. The queens gather around us on the couch. I pull Raynare closer to me and kiss her long black hair as her face returns to a regular color.

"Please never do that again Ray. I never want to see my angel ever like that again."

Raynare took several deeper breaths before her violet eyes looked up at me before Raynare snuggled deep into my chest looping her arms around me.

"My Great King's Angel."

 That it seemed made her forget the panic. I tightened my grip on Raynare never wanting to see that from her ever again. Everyone else looked on still worried. Xenovia came over to her sibling and squeezed Raynare's free hand. Xenovia looked at me with her brown eyes hurting as she finished Raynare's sentence.

"If there is a God please help me. It's so dark."

Everyone winced in pain, and I look at that letter again. That question I had echoed once more internally as now did that plea. The clock was ticking for this. I moved out of the room to get weapons and armor followed by everyone else just as quickly.

The silence inside the supermarket backrooms was deafening

for all of us gathered there putting the last few things in place. We were

nearing the two-hour deadline after getting everyone ready. I glance again at

Ravel who was next to me on my right while Rias was on my left. Rias has her

sword out and I have a bolt pistol in my right hand with a power sword on my

hip while Ravel had the beginning of a spell ready. We were standing on a

raised platform of metal overlooking where the circle had been painted to the

floor in the middle of what had been a loading area. I looked to where everyone

else was to make sure they were in position before I tweet three 0 and 1s to

the robots. They counter tweet and the robots prepare their lance cannons or

claws. I give Kuroka a nod to where she and Shirone along with everyone else

are located underneath illusions of crates. Kuroka powered up before throwing a

bit of magic at the circle. The circle lit up to a purple flame and everyone

held their breath as a portal was made.

Out of that portal came an older woman with long lavender hair dressed in elegant yellow-black mage robes with the emblem of the True Leviathans on on her right side. Behind her came another face in a blonde woman that I recognized from the train. The Leviathan took a look around to see where she was and then turned her pale blue eyes on me.

The silence that followed was brief before the older woman frowned. Her eyes held no disgust for me before finally, the Leviathan spoke.

"Heir Astaroth."

I was blunt not liking this.

"You got your meeting Leviathan now tell me what you want. I risk much even speaking to you."

The woman who must be Agrat eyes me with a bit of disdain as the blonde woman frowned. Agrat frowned too which might have been her default face given her face lines.

"As I do speaking to a halfbreed son of one of the usurper traitors to the rightful devil kings. I'm well within my rights as a noble daughter of the Great Leviathan to hang you for his crimes."

Agrat and I stared each other down. I raise an eyebrow at Agrat and stared down this strange Leviathan.

"Again, what do you want. You're willing to talk to a halfbreed which your family and your fellow OSF members want dead."

The Leviathan looked me up and down carefully with a bit of disdain. She was looking for something and after ten seconds seemed to have found what that was.

"As my letter stated I wish to hire you for a job. I am in need of technical assistance that you will provide. Or else."

Technical assistance. I'm not helping the OSF get my stuff or give them a way to reverse engineer things. My hand tightened on the bolt pistol. Ravel got her spell charging and Rias was as equally unimpressed. Agrat continued looking up at me with a slight sneer.

"I am willing to reward you with anything you want for the deed. Gold, magic tomes, rare familiars, even more women for your harem if your so inclined. I heard you like redheads. I can easily acquire you as many as you could ever want. Perhaps you would like that one from Game of Something or whatever."

My disgust grew at the end as I put a finger on my pistol trigger. I don't want any of that especially the last part and my face takes on a sneer.

"The answer is no Leviathan. Nothing you say or offer is worth helping you. I'm not scared of the OSF as after all it takes cowards of the highest order to attack commoners without weapons and wounded soldiers. I have these who helped kill many fallen recently and they are eager to do more."

Illusions drop as the robots power up cannons and or spin claws. Agrat was not as scared of the robots as I would have hoped she would be or her agent.

"You try to kill us and you will make an even more powerful enemy than the OSF. After all even a halfbreed like you knows of the Infinity Dragon. I can see why they would want to recruit you now more than ever before."

My eyes as did everyone else not Kiya widened. Oh fuck. I'm no where near ready to fight her. The robots inched forward towards the Leviathan with claws spinning in eager anticipation. Agrat stood still looking unimpressed by the claws, but her face now had a pleased smirk. I am so tempted to kill them regardless of Ophis as Agrat kept her smirk going.

"I will not take no for an answer. This job is very important to me, and I will do anything and everything to make it happen. The Infinity Dragon will help me get this as I don't fail them like so many others do. Easy way or the hard way Heir Astaroth it's your choice. I'm sure you don't want your neighbors to see the might of one of the two strongest beings in our reality on their front doorstep."

I hate that I had a small bit of admiration for Agrat. She is cunning and had turned this around. As Agrat had said that three black snakes appeared around her neck confirming the story. Ravel was shaking here while Rias was surprisingly standing tall. I eyed Agrat again and see an actually competent woman for the OSF. I don't see a way out of this easily that doesn't have half of Kuoh flattened by Ophis. The room stills before I finally relaxed my grip on my bolt pistol.

"What's this job?"

Agrat took on a wider smirk but didn't rub in her victory.

"Technical expertise. I can't say more until you come with me."

Ravel grew the angriest I have ever seen her. Like with Riser at the park I saw Phenex fire wings beginning to form. That rage only stopped when Rias coated her sword with the power of destruction and activated it. Rias looked at the trio and said in a voice that brokered no disagreement as the sword teeth moved.

"Our husband stays with us. Tell us here or else."

 Agrat looked unimpressed at Rias. However, it was broken by when the other woman spoke.

"Mistress I believe I have a solution to this problem. We can do a hostage exchange. I can remain with them. In return, he can go with you for the job."

Agrat considered that while Ravel still wanted to say no here as did I and Rias. This was a possible way to do this. At the same time the OSF are still bastards. Yet something was still bugging me. That plea for help haunts me as it echoes in my head. I began preparing a plan for if this went south.

"I can accept that."

Ravel looked ready to protest as her blue eyes filled with fear. I can tell the others in the queens were equally as worried along with everyone else in my peerage and Rias's. Agrat looked unsure for a second before she nodded.

"Very well. My retainer Janila in exchange for Gregor Astaroth. Turn over your weapons."

Ravel reluctantly made a staircase out of stone for me after I gave her my bolt pistol. That plea once again echoed for me before I left the platform I whispered to Ravel.

"I'll be fine. I promise you."

Ravel had tears forming in her eyes.

"Please be right Greg. I will never forgive myself if you end up like my uncle for even a little bit."

I squeezed her hand and then began descending the stairs. Halfway down I was surprised when a second person joined me. Rias moved bravely to my side. When Agrat raised an eyebrow at this Rias whispering to me.

"I'm coming with you."

I wanted her to stay back but my promise was ironclad. Rias and I continued down the stairs. As we moved past Janila. When she was next to the robots Rias, and I left the stairs and moved towards Agrat. Agrat eyed us again before she opened the portal. Rias and I stepped through the portal quickly followed by Agrat.

The other side of the portal led to a cliffside in ammountain range under a blue sky. Agrat glared at Rias and I for a second before she gestured to us to follow her. We slowly did and I noticed that we had entered onto a well-worn mountain path that was cut into the mountains. There was pure silence between the three of us as we moved and it was only when we came around a bend that the scenery

slightly changed. To our left was now a view of a large body of blue water in

the middle of a dark green forest. As we continued down the path toward the

body of water Agrat finally said something breaking the silence.

"The technical assistance I have need of is for power."

I frowned as did Rias. I consider that while we walk before replying.

"Power. That's vague and not helpful."

Agrat throws a look over right shoulder before it returns facing forward.

"I can't say more till we get there."

That doesn't make me or Rias feel better. As we continue walking down the mountain path the only sound for the three of us was our armor clunking and breathing. I was still considering what this could be before Agrat said something again.

"Your inventions are impressive."

Her voice told me she actually believed that. She continued on as we started descending into the tree line.

"They have also impressed the Infinity Dragon. They have instructed me to invite you to their organization."

 I don't get that statement.

"What is this organization called?"

We continue down the path and the light from the sun dimmed as we enter the forest proper. Agrat again looked over her right shoulder at us.

"We are called the Chaos Brigade."

I show nothing again as did Rias. The light continued to dim as we walked further into the forest.

"I'm not interested. I prefer Order to Chaos."

We continue down the now forest path and the trees continue to grow thicker and Agrat chuckled.

"Yet Chaos is the natural state of things. Order is forced upon you and thus is unnatural. Opportunities for all are more plentiful while Chaos is at play. We strive always to break Order why else would the Russians have had two revolutions in less than a century and so many other countries have the same issue."

I can't help the sneer that comes now.

"Chaos also destroys things that are necessary for survival and civilization. We would be rabid animals killing each other in the streets without pause or reason without Order. Revolution needs to happen at times yet Order should take over quickly to prevent unnecessary destruction and death."

Agrat takes the point and I swear I see a small smile cross her face. I don't know if that was real or not because it was there then gone.

"That is true. Your father and his… friends however destroyed order. Devil society was at its strongest under the leadership of the original Satans. We ruled vast lands up top on Earth and down below in the underworld. Now under your father and the other false Satans we are a shadow of that glory. We are considered weak by the rest of the supernatural world. Would it not be better for our Chaos to wipe them out and make a new order where devils are back at where we belong?"

Rias was sneering fully too hearing this and I counted that.

"Perhaps but then you would be opposed by the supporters of my father and even his enemies every step of the way. The Old Satans lost the Great War and their children lost the Civil War. Even if you do take power again the commoners would never accept you because of the sheer amount of terror and cruelty you inflicted on them. You face the current status quo from the opposite side where the new kings would be the resistance you are now."

Agrat did something I didn't expect looking over her shoulder and actually smiling.

"You are correct. We would never be accepted for what we did during the Civil War. We would indeed face a never ending rebellion if we took power as we are. I and others have realized that truth."

We continue down the path despite the smile and Agrat continues on.

"My sister and her allies can continue to delude themselves thinking that we will get instant acceptance from the rest of Devil kind because of our ancestors when we return to power. They ignore those hard truths and facts. However I and others understand we need to change everything we are in order for us to retake our rightful place as the true devil kings."

I am internally beyond shocked. Is there truly a part of the OSF that wasn't completely stupid? That made me even more wary of Agrat if that was indeed true. Rias stayed silent and Agrat again looked over her shoulders meeting my eyes.

"What my sister and others don't get is that power is power regardless of who holds it. You and another I know of are 'weak' halfbreeds that deserve death according to my sister and her allies. Yet you are both powerful despite what they say and claim."

We were growing closer to a clearing and I can vaguely through the darkness from the cover of the forest make out a medium sized home. We continued drawing closer to it and as we broke from the trees into the clearing Agrat stopped and stared straight ahead at the house.

Agrat seemed to consider something as we approached the front door. Agrat stopped again before she turned to face us.

"I will take your answer to the Infinity Dragon. They will not be pleased by it but it's what I expected. The job and their offer are separate. The job is simple. I need you to either repair power generators here or replace them with new ones. I will return you both when this is done. Name your price when we return, and I will pay it out."

I was still considering what I wanted as a reward if I do the deed.

"Show me the generators."

Agrat nodded and then led Rias and I into the house. When the oak door opened, I see the inside of the house looked like it was in a time capsule from the early twentieth century. The furniture was late Victorian style and the home felt somewhat lived in. Agrat led us through the front room towards the back of the house. Rias and I hear the sound of humming and as we followed Agrat down a hallway the sound grew louder. When we get to the end I see a large black cord coming out from under the door of the room on the right going to the next room to the left. Agrat was about to say something about the generators when I interrupted her.

"Show me the other end or I won't help. I need to know exactly what sort of equipment I'm powering and whether or not I have to do extra generators for surplus power."

Agrat frowned and looked extremely reluctant. We started off at each other before she reluctantly moved to the door and opened it.

The oak door creaked open, and I get a glimpse inside. I heard the hums and beeps of medical machines that surrounded an old-fashioned wood bed frame. There on the bed was Ingvild Leviathan lying face up to the ceiling with an oxygen mask over her face. Her eyes were closed with her long lavender hair flowing down the sides of her face clashing with her white night gown. I looked at her unmoving form as that plea for help echoed in my head. Now it was even louder as everything fell into place, and I could see Rias was just as affected as I was remembering that plea. We were facing away from Agrat so that weakness was hidden from her who was also looking at Ingvild.

The 'sleeping' form of Ingvild made all of my hostile plans for an escape or capture of Agrat fall apart. We couldn't risk killing Ingvild if we provoke a fight. We couldn't easily move Ingvild either with how hooked up she is to the machines. Rias moved to my side.

"She has sleeping disease. There is no cure for it."

I glance at Ingvild's form one more time while thinking about how to prove that wrong and possibly save her from this before moving to the generator room and preparing the first plan.

The generator room was like Ingvild's room in size and I saw that there were twelve green-colored generators split into two groups of six on either side of the room. I noticed that out of the twelve generators only four were still online with three of said generators on the right. I approached the only generator working on the left and then knelt down to look at it.

That look showed me something that had me internally scoffing. There on the bottom left side of the generator was an emblem I know well. I want to snort because I know this emblem thanks to Nikola describing it at length to me often when we talked over the Noosphere. I scoff internally more while studying the machine. That scoff disappeared when I took a look inside the generator. This one was actually close to failing too and I can hazard a guess that the other three were also close give how bad Edison's stuff was. That made me stand up and Agrat asked.

"Your opinion?"

I told the brutal truth.

"These are all shoddy work and the one I looked at is ready to fail soon. How many of these need to be working in order for the medical equipment to stay on?"

Agrat's face took on genuine worry as she looked at Ingvild's room. She was silently considering her response.

"All four. Any less and everything goes off."

That made me look at the generators again and thoroughly. Ten minutes later I realized that we are in a new race against the clock. The generator on the left would fail very soon. Probably within thirty minutes. That made the next problem worse. Edison had in his arrogance made this set of twelve generators too interconnected with wiring so certain his work would last. It was next to impossible to add new generators to the current grid and take the old ones offline. That revelation made my mind move getting plan three ready for if Ingvild didn't have gear and Agrat resisted the idea that we might have to use now. Silence other than the hum of generators was the only sound in the room. I turned my head from examining the generators and looked at Agrat.

"It's impossible to add new generators to this grid. We would need a whole new grid and that would take several days."

That insinuation made Agrat grow angry and then extremely worried. I again hear the plea for help that seemed to echo now throughout the house with it bouncing off the walls. We need to do something and thus I start my plan.

"You said you would do anything for this. How far would you go for her?"

The face Agrat takes is one of distant memories. Her blue eyes glazed over and she contemplated her answer. Before the dangerous woman that she is returned.

"What do you propose?"

I looked at one of my likely future foes.

"We have two potential ways to do this. One requires something that I need confirmed from you while the other requires a very hard call that everyone here won't like. Both options are risky."

Agrat narrowed her eyes at me before she reluctantly asked.

"What is option one?"

I stood up and faced Agrat.

"Is she a full devil?"

Agrat looked at me in clear suspicion.

"Why does that matter."

Agrat got ready to do something at the same time as did Rias when I bluntly said.

"Is she a full devil or not? The first option has a chance of working based on your answer where we won't have to do the second option. I need to know."

Agrat stared me down while Rias looked on nervously. Agrat kept the hard face.

"She's a half like you. Now answer my question why does it matter!"

I summoned the anvil and it's sudden appearance stopped a fight from breaking out. Agrat had been taking steps toward me but now stared at the anvil and I swung quickly making my SGAD and the light blinds Agrat and Rias. When it recedes I'm holding the device and Agrat continues looking at the anvil in shock. I looked at the SGAD while worrying about everything and preparing another plan.

"This is possibly the device that will save her. It requires you to have faith in a chance. Now choose. This or or something else that is not so kind."

Agrat and I locked eyes while we glared at each other. That continue for a minute as Agrat glared at me then glanced again at Ingvild's room multiple times. She was about to say something when the generator next to me sputtered and whined. Before returning to normal humming. That action made the decision for Agrat as she reluctantly stepped aside and let me into Ingvild's room. Each step towards the bed was a nervous heat beat for me as I prayed that this would work. The second option was disconnecting Ingvild from the life support and then shoving an evil piece in her. We had two mutation pieces that could work yet it would be a betrayal of who Rias, and I are as kings.

When I got close enough to the wooden bed I didn't feel a hint of whether Ingvild had gear or not. I heard that plea again and then slowly pointed my scanner at Ingvild before I turned it on. The scanner whined to life and then beeped as it started up. The three seconds before the scanner was completely on were the longest of my life. My face turned to pure relief when the scanner picked up gear. Seeing what it was made me more determined to my plan as I softly whispered to Ingvild's comatose form.

"I'm not God but I will never leave you alone and helpless in the endless dark."

I gently put the scanner next to Ingvild's chest and begged for this to work. Before I activated the scanner something entered it. The scanner beeped a bit louder, and I saw what had happened. A ghostly voice reached my ear.

"Protect my daughter Omnissiah. Despite how she did this and her offers to you earlier my baby's half sister is not the monster you think she is."

I silently swore to do that for Ingvild's mother as she sacrificed herself to make sure this worked. The scanner beeped twice more and then the room was silent as Agrat and Rias looked on behind me. Then a breath was heard as Ingvild's chest moved on its own. That started a rhythm of breathing that astonished Agrat and Rias. The next thing to happen was one of Ingvild's eyes slowly and groggily beginning to open showing a beautiful orange. It was glazed and unfocused before the orange began looking around. The second eye opened just as slowly and groggily before both eyes looked at me. They stayed focused on me and Agrat finally said something as her heels clicked against the wooded floor quickly as she rushed over to Ingvild.

"Ing! How! How did you!"

She reached the bedside and one of Ingvild's orange eyes looked at Agrat before it widened. Ingvild tried to move her left arm but couldn't seem to do the deed. Agrat showed me a completely new person here and her blue eyes held happy tears. She moved her hand to Ingvild's and grasped it tightly. Ingvild tried weakly to say something as her orange eyes fell back on me from Agrat. The orange holds a question that I understand as I lean in close.

"Good afternoon Ms. I am Gregor Astaroth. It's an honor to meet you."

Ingvild looked at me longer and her orange eyes focused on

my red ones before she tried to say something through the oxygen mask. Whatever that was turned into a tiny whine as Agrat quickly removed the mask. Ingvild kept trying to say something but kept failing to do so before she took a deep breath of air and finally a very tiny whisper came from Ingvild.

"Aggy. Hero."

That seemed to be all the energy in Ingvild before she passed out again. Agrat hurriedly started fretting over Ingvild more with tears running down her face hearing that name. I looked at Agrat fretting over Ingvild who settled into real sleeping and I knew what I said next would anger the Leviathan horrendously.

"I want her as my reward."

Agrat froze before her pale blue eyes take on wrath. It wasn't her sin thankfully but I dodged the slap that came my way. Agrat's hand suddenly had water form on it that had been quickly frozen to ice to make claws. Agrat snarled rage there while trying to be quiet.

"No she is not for you to have as some kind of pet or trophy! My little sister will not become your sex toy! I will kill you if you try to hurt my Ing!"

Agrat made ready to swipe at me again as her claws gleam from the room's light. She prepares a second punch or slap and only stopped when Rias said something from behind us.

"What are you going to do when the rest of the OSF learns of her? How are you going to care for her without your disappearance being noticed? If she is ever discovered by other devils she will either become a target for them to forcefully reincarnate or be murdered for prestige. With us she would be safe from that and wouldn't have to live a life on the run and never recover. You said you would give him anything he wants for this. My husband to be wants her to live a free life."

Agrat looked at my face as I didn't respond. My eyes were on Ingvild's form as she was breathing.

"She will always be in danger should she stay with you. You might love her but your comrades would like my betrothed said quickly kill her once they know. With me she has a chance to properly recover from this and I will never push her into something she doesn't want. I want her as my reward for her own safety. I can make her one of my retainers so she has that legal protection and will do everything in my power to keep her free and alive."

My face and next statement seemed to get through to Agrat even though her ice claws remained. Agrat glowered at me and looked at Ingvild with worry. Her blue eyes flashed back and forth between the two of us. Her worry for Ingvild showed fully and clearly each time she'd try to make a counterargument. Agrat again looked at Ingvild showing she truly loved her before she finally growled out.

"Fine. She is yours. However you will sign a contract and treat her like a princess of the Great Leviathan. If she tells me that you tried anything to or on her I will make the Infinity Dragon kill you and the entire city. Understand."

My eyes looked from Agrat to Ingvild.

"I do. We will need to move her."

Agrat and I settled into the hard details of this transfer while Ingvild breathed slowly on.

Maéva and Neri slowly put Ingvild on a gurney and lifted the lavender-haired young woman through a portal to the manor. Agrat had watched Ingvild's form on the gurney before the Leviathan turned her eyes away from the portal closing to look at me again. I returned the look with Rias and Ravel by my side now back in the supermarket. Agrat picked up a quill and dipped it in a mix of blood and ink. She stopped waiting for me to do the same. I dipped my quill and then the two of us signed the devil contract that had been made by Ravel and Agrat after we returned and explained things to the other.

The contract had multiple concessions from each side. Agrat and Janila had agreed to never reveal where we lived to the OSF or GFK. I agreed to making sure Ingvild would get the best medical care possible. I conceded to Agrat that I would protect Ingvild to the best of my ability including naming her official as my retainer. Agrat's next concession was that I or Rias could reincarnate Ingvild if that allowed us to better protect her but only with Ingvild's consent. The concessions continued until we were both satisfied.

 Agrat pulled back and her pale blue eyes watched me carefully. I returned the gaze and set my quill down prompting the same from her. Agrat put her quill and ink away before she walked backward towards the summoning circle. When the woman was in the circle Agrat focused in on me again.

"I expect you to honor our agreement."

I returned that.

"As I do you. When she is well enough I will use the circle again as promised."

Agrat nodded once before she powered a spell in her hand. The blue light hit the summons circle and then a portal was made. Agrat then looked at me one last time before saying.

"You would do well in the Brigade. Consider the offer again. The Infinity Dragon can easily get you whatever it is you desire if you join."

That was said to me as an equal and I finally hear what Raynare said was there. My red eyes focused in on her again.

"I desire something they can't give me despite all their power. That thing will be built in Iron and Blood by my own hands. The answer is no."

Agrat kept her eyes on me. Before she and her retainer stepped backwards through the portal as it finally closed.

The room was silent for two seconds before I was dog piled by the queens. That sent me to the floor and Ravel along with the others kissed me in pure relief. When I finally got my head up from that I saw everyone else in the room also holding faces of relief. I give them a smile before it turned into a frown.

"No one is to mention this openly to anyone else. I'm sorry for dragging you all into this."

That said my people moved out leaving me with the queens. They were silent for a second before pulling me up from the floor and towards a portal home. I needed to talk to Asia about how to help Ingvild.

Agrat was deep in thought as she walked down the halls of the base Ophis primarily used. It had once been a base belonging to the Orthodox church in the far east of Russia and remnants of that past were still present such as a few crosses that had been defaced once the Brigade took over.

Agrat has a new view of the halfbreed. He was nothing like what she had thought he would be like. Instead of an arrogant young inventor drunk on power and reaching for more, she saw in him a very dangerous and competent

man who wouldn't join the Brigade easily. The game they had played over

Ingvild's contract had shown her that as had his actions before now that she

had context. That feeling of danger had been amplified when she saw that

Longinus and what it had done.

He had been a bastard when he named his price. Yet as she saw how bad her beloved little sister looked on that bed Agrat hesitated That feeling grew again when the joyful memories of Ingvild singing for Agrat down by the mountain lake when they were young returned. Those memories and the hard

truth of how Katerea would kill Ing violently if she taught her hated halfbreed

half sister was still alive. Katerea had despised Ing and only didn't attempt

to kill her because of their father and mother. Now that they were dead that

shield was gone. It was partly why Agrat said yes to his demand. Agrat wanted

Ingvild to recover from this despite her desire to keep Ingvild safe in that

house that had been Ingvild's mother's.

 Agrat broke from her monologue when she reached the entrance to the dragon's lair and steel whined as the door opened.

Inside sitting on a basic steel throne was Ophis. Her face blank and emotionless like always. She looked at her agents entering the room before a tiny hint of glee came from the dragon then disappeared. She was currently in the form of a nineteen-year-old woman dressed in a long black gothic dress with her medium-length black hair covering her slightly pointed ears. Agrat approached and bowed. Ophis asked in a monotone voice.

"Did he say yes?"

Agrat looked the dragon in the eye.

"He didn't. He refused the offer."

Ophis didn't show any emotion there like normal. She instead stared blankly at her agent.

"Try again."

Agrat looked her boss dead in the blank eyes.

"He will likely say no again."

Ophis again didn't show emotion other than a small micro frown that disappeared fast.

"Offer him several of my snakes up front with more to come later. He will join like all others do after that."

Agrat had seen he didn't want easy power or power in general. She had seen only a hint of what he wanted during negotiations on the contract and even then, she doubted what she thought it was.

"He will likely refuse again. He has an unknown goal that doesn't involve power. He seeks this unknown goal without pause or doubt."

Ophis didn't like that assertion, but she didn't doubt her best agent outside her right hand and his team. The dragon looked at Agrat and gave orders.

"Offer these snakes."

An orb formed and multiple black snakes were inside it. Agrat raised an eyebrow at the number before she took the orb and bowed her head. This next attempt would take time. Then she left the room and Ophis. When the door shut the Infinity Dragon considered what he wanted. What was it because everyone wanted power over others. That was the way of the world and Ophis wondered about this question. Their pondering of this seeming paradox helped Ophis block out nearly all of the noise in this base.