Three Hours Later

  "Hey, I get that you want to be alone right now, but it's been hours, and you just ran off without telling anyone." Akeno squeezed her arms tighter around herself as she heard Natsuki behind her.

  She had found this small nook in the lower levels of Serafall Memorial Hospital, hidden behind the unused archives where most visitors never bothered to look. It was quiet here, far away from the bustling recovery wards, and she needed that silence more than anything.

  "I'm fine, Natsuki-chan." Akeno muttered, not looking back.

  Natsuki leaned against the doorway, her eyes were sharp as ever, "It would be easier to believe that if you weren't catatonic when we first got her and if your magic signature wasn't going off like a damn beacon right now."

  Akeno flinched, her gaze lowering to the floor, "I guess it would be."

  The silence stretched, broken only by the faint hum of the hospital's pipes. Natsuki didn't push, but her presence was heavy enough to drag Akeno's words out of her.

  "I swore I wouldn't use it." Akeno finally whispered, her voice trembling, "I promised myself that I wouldn't, but when Yura pressed me into the ground, when I felt how weak I was compared to her, compared to all of you, I… I just broke. I used that cursed lightning, and for what? To win a stupid Rating Game? To prove I wasn't useless?"

  "You never did tell me why you truly hate being a Fallen Angel so much." Natsuki said quietly, "I get that you're a hybrid and that came with its own set of struggles, and Fallen have been the enemies of Devil-kind for centuries, but you just seem so..."

  You seem so heartbroken by it. There must be more to this than Fallen trying to kill us a lot. Natsuki thought.

  Akeno began to shake, forcing Natsuki to push herself off the doorway she was leaning against and pce her hand on Akeno's shoulder, making the older girl turn around as tears began to swell up in her eyes.

  A broken smile then appeared on Akeno's face, her voice cracking as she spoke, "My... my mother, my Kaa-sama, Himejima Shuri, was not just a human shrine maiden, but was a priestess of the Himejima Cn, one of the Five Principal Cns."

  "The Five Principal Cns?" Natsuki asked, she was sure she had heard of this but could not pce where and its importance.

  Akeno let out a wet chuckle in the face of Natsuki's confusion, "T-The Five Principal Cns are five powerful cns composed of Shinto mystics who possess a divine connection to the Shinto gods and have served them for generations, while also performing exorcisms against evil creatures to keep humans safe from their influence. Because of this, they are suspicious and downright hateful of supernatural beings."

  The Pawn was starting to see where this was going and now had a better idea of how this story was going to end.

  "As I told you before, my Kaa-sama found Baraqiel outside her shrine terribly injured and close to death, and during the time that she nursed him back to health, she ended up falling in love with him, and soon after, having me." Akeno paused for a moment as memories of her childhood started to py out in her mind, only adding to how terrible she felt.

  Natsuki squeezed her shoulder, "You don't have to-"

  "I want to, I..I want you to know." Akeno said softly, putting her hand on top of Natsuki's, "When my-her family found out their retionship, about me, they sought to get rid of the traitor and the two Fallen Angels she surrounded herself with. The cn's exorcists came to our temple in the dead of night and... and they killed her."

  "I'm so sorry that happened to you, Akeno." Natsuki said softly.

  "After she... that is when he finally decided to show his face. I can remember how the air smelled after he used his Holy Lightning to kill the exorcists, then he had the nerve to... That is why I can't use it; otherwise, I would be exactly like him."

  Natsuki frowned, "That's the dumbest thing I've heard you say."

  Akeno ripped herself out of Natsuki's grasp, gring at her with an anger Natsuki rarely saw in the other girl. "What did you just say?"

  "You think using your lightning makes you weaker? That using what you've got, all of what you've got, somehow taints you? Bullshit." Natsuki said, "Why should it matter that you got it from your father?"

  "Because it's his fault that my mother is dead!" Akeno roared, "Because he was a Fallen who decided to seduce a human and put a disgusting abomination in her womb, because he wasn't there when we needed him! Why would anyone want to have anything that ties them back to such an unreliable, uncaring, and useless man? If I must use his power, how can I be any better than him?"

  Natsuki stepped closer, undeterred, "You're better than him because you're not Baraqiel, and you're not just your damn bloodline, you're Himejima Akeno; the Fuku-Buchou of the Occult Research Club, the Queen of the Gremory Peerage, and one of the strongest, most caring people I've ever met. And you should own everything about yourself, even your power."

  Akeno's breath caught, the conviction in Natsuki's voice, the sheer refusal to let her sink into her despair, felt like a lifeline she had not realized she needed. Her chest ached from the realization of just how much she cared about this girl in front of her, and from how much Natsuki did not even see this.

  "You always make it sound so simple." Akeno murmured, a shaky smile forming despite herself.

  Natsuki grinned faintly, exhaustion softening her expression. "Because it is, you're the one making it complicated."

  Akeno buried her face in the space between Natsuki's neck and shoulder, wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tightly. Her heart pounded when Natsuki immediately returned the hug, and every part of her was screaming to confess what she felt, but the words caught in her throat.

  "Are you okay?" Natsuki asked, having heard the exhale.

  "I... I just know that Rias is wondering where we are, and I don't know if I want to go back yet." Akeno muttered.

  Natsuki smirked, although Akeno could not see this, "I doubt it. Last I saw her, she and Sona were being told off by the higher-ups about our Peerages' performances."

  Akeno found herself giggling as she imagined the expressions that would have to be on the two Kings' faces. "Then… then can we...will you stay with me? Just for a little while?"

  Natsuki sighed, but she did not move away or stop hugging Akeno, "Yeah, just for a little while."

  Akeno closed her eyes, allowing herself to drown in the warmth that was coming from Natsuki's body.

  She still held her doubts about using her Holy Lightning, but now, it was enough to know she wasn't alone.

  When Akeno and Natsuki stepped back into the wing their group had been assigned, they found everyone gathered inside Issei's room.

  Most of the Peerage were already sitting upright and talking quietly with each other; their injuries fully mended thanks to Asia and the hospital staff.

  Rias sat at Issei's bedside, her crimson hair hiding her expression as she rested her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook slightly with the weight of everything she was carrying. "We need to do better," Rias whispered, her voice hoarse but steady. "Both as fighters and as a Peerage. Sona and I were both praised and criticized for our performances. They see our potential…but they also see our fws. I can't let this repeat, not again."

  The room fell silent; even Issei, for once, did not immediately blurt something out. Xenovia folded her arms tightly, her jaw clenched as she thought of her ckluster showing, Gasper fidgeted nervously, guilt written across his face as memories of freezing in the game repyed in his mind, and even Kiba's usual calm was repced by quiet contemption.

  Natsuki broke the heavy silence first, drawing everyone's attention to her and Akeno, "Wow, so serious in here, I can practically hear funeral bells. Did someone die while I was gone? That would make our win today feel pretty ckluster."

  A few groans rose at her joke, and Rias shot her a look, rolling her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched as if she wanted to smile. "Very funny, Natsuki. Some of us are trying to reflect, you know."

  Akeno caught Rias' gaze for a brief moment, and the King's eyes softened in concern, but Akeno only shook her head and gave her best reassuring smile. Wordlessly promising the other girl that they would speak ter.

  Issei, however, was not amused, and he quickly sat up straight, gring at Natsuki with fire in his eyes. "You! Why the hell didn't you let me fight Saji like I wanted?!"

  Natsuki blinked, unimpressed by the outburst, "Because you would have gotten your ass handed to you if I did. And then I would have had to clean up the mess anyway, so I figured, why not just skip over all of that?"

  Issei's face turned red with indignation. "Tch! You think you're the only one allowed to take the spotlight?! I overheard Sirzechs talking to Saji earlier, telling him not to give up, telling him to keep aiming to be a Rating Game teacher. He… he's not stopping just because you beat him. And I won't either! I won't be left behind by you, or by Vali, or even Saji. You hear me?! I'll surpass all of you!"

  Natsuki smirked viciously, "Then get stronger. That way, I don't have to worry about you getting turned into paste before the fight's even over, and then you can fight whoever you want."

  That only made Issei sputter louder, his fists shaking as the others shifted awkwardly at the rising tension but before he could yell again, however, the door to the hospital room swung open and two people entered without warning.

  The first was a smug-looking, elderly man with long, grey hair, a matching beard, and a gold and white monocle over his left eye. He was wearing a short blue robe with a gold lining on the top and bottom of the colr, the front of the robe, and its sleeves all the way down to the bottom of the robe and the rest of it was white with matching shoes. The man was also wearing a golden and bck hat, which is sectioned off into five mini sections that sport either the color bck or gold, the top, middle, and bottom is gold, and the sections in bck are below and above the middle one. The bck section featured blue orbs at the ordinal points, and between the blue orbs were red dots.

  The second was a beautiful young woman with long, straight silver hair and aqua-colored eyes, and was now the next tallest person in the room after Natsuki. She was wearing a set of Valkyrie armor, which consisted of a white breastpte with gold and pale blue accents and matching, fingerless gauntlets, boots, hip guards, and wing-shaped hair clips. She also had a bck leotard underneath her breastpte, bck thigh-high stockings, and a pale blue cloth wrapped underneath her hip guards, all of which are cd with pink cing, along with her hair clips.

  The elderly man chuckled, scanning the group like a wolf among sheep, "So these are the young Devils who've been making waves in the Underworld, hm? Not bad. So many pretty girls... reminds me of my younger days. Especially that one." He winked at Akeno, earning a dangerous crackle of lightning in response, which only made him ugh harder, thoroughly amused by the sight.

  "Please restrain yourself, Lord Odin," The young woman with him groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're here on official business with Sirzechs Lucifer, not to flirt with little girls."

  The newly revealed Odin grinned, "Bah! Official business? Don't be such a stick in the mud, Rossweisse, I can do both!"

  "Wait, Odin?" Issei asked, his eyes widening, "Like the God Odin?!"

  "Like the God Odin?" The Norse King of the Gods asked mockingly, his smile growing rger, "Who else would I be, boy? Saint Nichos?"

  Issei did not know how to respond to this and could only stare at the God in shock.

  Rias stood from the bed as she faced the man, "Odin-sama, this is our first time meeting, I'm Rias Gremory. I must ask what business you have with my Peerage and me?"

  Odin looked Rias over, smirking to himself before answering her, "Well, Sirzechs' little sister, I wanted to see you and your Devils face to face instead of through a screen. Your Rating Game was quite the showing, even though I think you could all use a lot of work. Although I would have been satisfied if you and your beautiful servants had decided to dress more liberally."

  Rias fought the urge to scowl, both annoyed at the man's obviously wondering eye and by the fact that he was mocking her and her precious servants while also not taking them seriously.

  "You are the King of the Norse Gods, why can you not comport yourself as such?" Rossweisse looked simirly unimpressed and irritated as she sighed. "Lord Odin, please, we must leave now, you cannot be te to yet another meeting with the other faction leaders."

  "With that attitude, no wonder everyone calls you a Valkyrie who will never get a boyfriend." The old man muttered, his eye half-closed as he rubbed the back of his head.

  The Valkyrie's left eye twitched as she gred at the God from the corner of her eye.

  Why did I have to be chosen as his retainer?! Rossweisse thought.

  Odin chuckled, turning away from the fuming Valkyrie to scan the rest of the Peerage, his gaze sharp and appraising beneath his zy grin. "As I was saying, it isn't every day that I meet such promising young Devils, especially you two reckless youngsters."

  Issei tensed when Odin's single visible eye lingered on him first, then slid to Natsuki, watching them like they were the most comical sight in the world.

  "The Red Dragon Emperor and…" Odin trailed off, stepping closer until he stood before Natsuki, who met his gaze without flinching. "...You." He finished with a grin that did not reach his eyes, and with his grin threatening to falter.

  This might be the quickest I've ever pissed someone off before, and I haven't even done anything yet. Natsuki thought as she raised an eyebrow, staring at the God, "What?"

  A terrible pressure suddenly filled the hospital room, nearly sending the Devils to their knees, all of which was coming from Odin, the God, not once taking his eye off Natsuki.

  This... This is his power, and it feels like it's barely a drop in the ocean. All of Natsuki's senses were telling her to flee from the danger standing before her.

  She felt that Odin's strength was comparable to what she had felt from Sirzechs and Ajuka Beelzebub, and a deeper part of her wanted to take that power for herself and devour it gleefully.

  Just as quickly as he released his murderous intent, Odin suppressed his strength, allowing the children before him to breathe easily again. And Odin's smile grew sharp, having seen the hungry glint in Natsuki's eyes and the way she was trying to act unaffected by what he did.

  Rossweisse stepped forward, "Lord Odin-"

  "Sorry about that, kids." Odin said to the other Devils before looking back at Natsuki, "Your friend's eyes just remind me of someone."

  Natsuki let a shuddering ugh, staring at the God in disbelief, "Then why don't you take up that person instead of screwing with me and my friends?"

  "Natsuki..." Rias growled as she closed her eyes, exasperated by her Pawn's continued ck of decorum.

  She found it especially annoying because she knew that Natsuki was not doing this out of ignorance but as a deliberate choice, as she had done with several others, consequences be damned.

  Although I can't deny that I have some choice words for this old fool, he's not someone that we can take lightly. Rias thought.

  "You've got such a foul and loose mouth for someone who I could swat like a gnat. Is it the confidence of youth that gives you the nerve?" Odin said, a fsh of light appearing in his eye.

  "If you were going to kill me, I would already be dead, you are an almighty God after all." Natsuki said as she stood straighter. "Instead of focusing on a gnat like me, shouldn't you be giving all of your attention to Loki and the other Gods who are apparently so tired of your leadership that they've decided to rebel against you?"

  Despite how she may have felt about her King, as a proud Norse, Rossweisse would not tolerate any disrespect being given to him by outsiders, walking towards Natsuki, staring her down. "Do not dare to speak so casually of the affairs of the Gods, Devil. You have no right."

  Natsuki turned her head slightly toward her, her tone ft but ced with challenge. "Then maybe your boss shouldn't bring his affairs into our world if he doesn't want people talking about them."

  The air crackled again, this time not from Odin, but from Rossweisse herself, the runes etched into her armor beginning to glow. "Watch your tone, child."

  Odin raised his hand, stopping Rossweisse as he was still looking at the Pawn, "Is it a habit of yours to spy on conversations that you shouldn't be listening to?"

  "It wasn't spying." Natsuki said with a shrug, "Devils just don't know when to shut up or how to pay attention to their surroundings further than their own asses."

  Odin ughed at this, "Are you talking about yourself or other Devils, girl? Enough, Rossweisse, she's got spirit. I like that."

  Rossweisse blinked, baffled. "But Lord Odin-"

  "Bah! Don't scold the girl," Odin interrupted, grinning. "The young should question the old. Even we Gods need a bit of impertinence to keep things interesting. You remind me of her even more now, little Devil."

  Natsuki frowned, crossing her arms. "You keep saying that. Who the hell is her?"

  The God waved a hand dismissively, which only served to annoy Natsuki further, "No one you need to know now, though I'm sure you'll meet her eventually. I'm no longer in the business of killing mongrels, and people like you tend to make the world pretty interesting, so you and she don't have to worry about me killing you."

  Mongrel?! Natsuki wanted nothing more than to beat the God's face in for that comment, but knew that losing her composure would be pointless in the face of such a being.

  Rias stepped forward, her patience wearing thin, "Odin-sama, if there's a reason you're here beyond provoking my Pawn, I suggest you please get to it."

  Odin let out a booming ugh, "Direct! I like that too. I just wanted to get my impression of you all with my own eyes instead of from afar. It seems you were able to stand on the world stage without totally embarrassing your big brother, and you looked sexy while doing it, so good for you."

  "Thank you." Rias said, although everyone could tell that the young Devil was not sincere.

  How dare he?! He's staring at my Buchou's breasts! Anyone who makes a move on Buchou's breasts is my enemy, no question about it! I'll never permit such a thing! Issei thought, leaning forward and blocking Odin's view of Rias with his body as his face turned red from anger.

  "Each and every one of you," Odin said, spreading his hands as if he was delivering a benediction, "Should know this much: the world is changing faster than any of us like. That's why I'm here, your pantheon isn't the only one that's tired of constant war, although there are just as many who view colborating as beneath them."

  "Is Loki one such person, Odin-sama?" Kiba asked, referring to what Natsuki had said earlier.

  "He is." Odin answered; his grin sharpened for a few seconds before his pyful demeanor returned, "So make sure you all get as strong as possible, okay? Because you all are going to end up in the middle of some big things going forward, and you don't want to be caught with your pants around your ankles, getting fucked by the next big threat you face, do you?"

  With that, Odin strode out of the room, humming to himself, Rossweisse trailing behind with an apologetic bow.

  "Why does every important person we meet end up being a weirdo?" Natsuki muttered.

  "Did he just…" Xenovia began, looking thoroughly lost, "Compare our next fight to getting… vioted?"

  "Unfortunately, that's exactly what he did." Kiba said dryly, pushing his hair back.

  Gasper peeked up from where he'd been hiding behind Koneko, his voice trembling. "W-We're not really going to fight a god next, are we?"

  Natsuki leaned back against the wall, arms folded, "If we do, let's just make sure it's not another horny old one. I've had my fill for the week."

  Akeno chuckled, the tension in her shoulders finally easing as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You certainly have a talent for antagonizing divine beings, Natsuki-chan."

  Natsuki shrugged, "If they stop acting like assholes, maybe I'll stop treating them like ones."

  Rias sighed heavily, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips now. "Let's not make insulting Gods a habit, please. I'd rather not have to apologize to another pantheon."

  "I make no promises." Natsuki said ftly, earning a few chuckles from the group.

  Issei, who had been fuming in silence, finally spoke again, "Tch! Well, if we're going to be forced to fight Gods, then I say we should get strong enough to kick Odin's ass! That disgusting, perverted eye of his deserves nothing less than total annihition!"

  "Now you know how girls feel around you, Ise-senpai." Koneko said dryly.

  "Koneko-chan! How can you say that?!" Issei excimed dramatically, her words feeling like an attack against his very being.

  "No one is going to be fighting any Gods; the threats we've already faced were bad enough; the st thing we need is to draw that kind of attention onto ourselves." Rias sighed, "But Odin-sama was right about one thing, the world is changing, and we can't afford to fall behind."

  Her words seemed to reach her servants this time; even Issei went quiet, staring down at his hands as determination slowly repced frustration.

  Kiba nodded once, "Then we'll train harder than we have before."

  "Yeah," Xenovia said, gripping her sword tightly, "Next time, we won't let you carry the whole fight, Buchou."

  "Good." Rias replied, her voice strong again, a fire burning in her eyes, "That's what I want to hear."

  Natsuki sighed, gncing at Akeno beside her, "Well, looks like we're not getting a real vacation anytime soon."

  Akeno gave her a small, knowing smile, "Don't act like you're not excited right now, Natsuki-chan. We both know the thought of our next Rating Game, and everything that comes after, is something you find very titilting."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Natsuki said, but she could not prevent Akeno from seeing the smirk that wanted to appear on her face.

  Akeno shook her head pyfully, "Of course you don't."

  For the first time since the Rating Game ended, the tension finally broke, and the air in the room felt lighter. But as Natsuki leaned her head back against the wall, letting the ughter and the conversations of her friends fade into background noise, she could not shake the unease cwing at her gut.

  Who was Odin comparing me to? Was it one of my parents or someone else? Natsuki thought, once again finding herself with more questions than answers.

  Meanwhile, far away from Issei's hospital room, Odin and Rossweisse walked down the long, empty corridor, the older god still humming to himself as if the earlier tension had never happened.

  Rossweisse finally broke the silence. "Why did you provoke that girl, Lord Odin? You could have frightened her into attacking you or seriously injured her and the others with your magic."

  "Frightened?" Odin ughed, shaking his head, "That one doesn't frighten easily. You saw it too, didn't you? The way she looked at me, like she was staring down death and didn't care if it came again, and like she wanted to eat me alive all at the same time. Besides, if what I did was enough to injure any of them, then the House of Gremory would surely be fucked if its heir and her servants were that weak."

  Those eyes of hers, that defiance, it's like looking at the fmes of her again after all these years. Odin thought, his grin fading, and for a rare moment, looking as if the weight of centuries were now resting upon his shoulders. I still can't believe she had a child, especially with how much of a ruler follower she is. But I guess it's good to know that even someone that infallible can be tempted like the rest of us.

  "And if fate has decided to toss another storm into the world… I suppose I should be ready for a bit of fun." Odin said aloud with a ugh.

  Rossweisse sighed, following behind him. "I hate it when you talk like that, it always means trouble, and that means I and the others are going to have to clean up that resulting mess."

  A Few Days Later

  "So, this is where Rias' family watched our Rating Game from?" Natsuki muttered as she looked around the space that she and the others had just been teleported to.

  The room was massive; a grand, marble amphitheater suspended high above a circur battlefield that stretched for miles. Floating screens filled the air, dispying every corner of the arena in pristine crity. Rows of thrones and cushioned seats carved from obsidian lined the viewing gallery, and at the far end sat the representatives of the remaining 72 Pilrs, their crests glowing faintly behind them.

  Devils really can't resist the urge to show off how rich and important they are, can they? Natsuki thought.

  Natsuki could feel that there were more Devils, Angels, and Fallen here than at either of the events held for the Young Devils Gathering, and was curious about a few outliers that stood out to her senses.

  "This pce is incredible." Xenovia said, tilting her head back to take in the ceiling, which was painted with shifting consteltions.

  "Buchou, is this all necessary just to watch a Rating Game?" Issei asked, looking at the Lucifaad Amphitheater and all the Devils within it.

  "Rating Games can be watched from anywhere, this is all because of those of us participating in the gathering, it's not every day that so many heirs compete against each other like this." Rias expined. "And from what we learned yesterday, it shows that the Norse that aligning with us and the Angels and the Fallen Angels is a worthwhile venture."

  Issei frowned, "So, if Odin likes what he sees, then what? Are we going to have to join his fight against Loki?"

  "We certainly will not." Rias said softly, positive that no one would be foolish enough to do something like that.

  "Buchou, where are your parents and nephew?" Asia asked as they took their seats.

  "My parents are in their own viewing box with Millicas." Rias said.

  Issei slowly turned his head towards Rias, "You and your parents have your own viewing boxes?"

  "Most Pureblood Devils do." Rias said nonchantly, "Besides, if we were in theirs, it would be a tight fit since they came with their Peerages as well."

  "Rich people." Natsuki muttered, ignoring the look Rias gave her in response.

  A few minutes ter and numerous magical screens were projected across the amphitheater, allowing everyone to see the battlefield the Rating Game would take pce on.

  The ndscape was different from the one that they and the Sitri Peerage fought on; instead, it resembled a rge, cavernous, and rocky mountain range. And most shockingly, rge, hulking monsters that looked like a cross between a werewolf and a bear prowled the area.

  The two Peerages each found themselves in caves on opposite ends of the battlefield. On the now split screen, Sairaorg Bael stood tall and proud in his sleeveless battle gear, his expression calm but fierce, and his Peerage standing behind him like a wall of hardened warriors, each of them brimming with killing intent. On the other side, Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos was for some reason lounging in a gilded chair that had no business being on a battlefield with an arrogant smirk resting on his face. His servants looked equally pompous underneath him.

  Was he allowed to bring the chair? Does it count as a weapon? Natsuki could not help but think, already wishing that Zephyrdor would get knocked off it.

  "Everyone," Grayfia's voice sounded out across the amphitheater, silencing the room, "I, the Queen of the Lucifer Peerage, Grayfia, will be carrying the role of arbiter in this Rating Game between the Bael Peerage and the Gsya-Labos Peerage on this day. In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I will watch over the battle between these two families. The battlefield for today is a specialized version of Dragon Mountain, which has been prepared within a separate space as the game field. Both groups have been transported to their respective bases; Sairaorg-sama base is on the east side of the mountains, while Zephyrdor-sama's base is on the west side. In order for Pawns to promote, please go to your opponent's bases. Furthermore, a single bottle of the healing item Phoenix Tears, along with a map of the battlefield, has been provided to each team and pced within their respective bases. A timer has already been set, giving each team thirty minutes to strategize before and contact with their opponent during this time is forbidden. Let the strategy time begin."

  "It looks like the fight is going to start soon." Issei said as he bounced excitedly in his seat before looking at the others. "Who do you guys think is going to win?"

  "Sairaorg."

  "Sairaorg-sama."

  "S-S-Sai-Sairaorg-sama."

  Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, and Gasper all said at the same time.

  Issei blinked and looked at the senior members of the Peerage, "Are he and his Peerage really that strong?"

  Xenovia leaned back in her seat, her arms crossed, "We did see him beat that other Devil already during the banquet. And he only needed one punch to do it."

  Rias did not look away from the screen in front of them, "As I've said before, Sairaorg is number one among the young Devils in terms of raw power. I've never seen him lose a fight, in fact, I'm so sure of his victory; I doubt he'd need the rest of his Peerage to participate to win against Zephyrdor."

  Issei's eyes widened, "Would he do that?!"

  Rias shook her head, "No, Sairaorg isn't like that, but he could if he wished too."

  "That's because Sairaorg Bael is a beast amongst beasts." Everyone turned around and saw Azazel standing behind them, smirking all the while.

  "Sensei! What are you doing here?" Issei asked.

  Azazel made his way to the open seat on Natsuki's left side and sat down gingerly, "Things were getting pretty boring in the box I was in, so I decided to come sit with my favorite Devils and see if you all would be more entertaining."

  Rias clicked her teeth, "You have a lot of nerve after what you did."

  "Aw? You still mad about that, Rias-chan?" Azazel asked mockingly, "There are no rules about participants being given special weaponry before a match, I checked. Besides, it was necessary; things would have ended too quickly if I didn't give the Sitris a bit of a boost."

  "Was it necessary to teach them how to blow themselves up too?" Kiba asked dryly.

  Azazel's smirk grew, "It wasn't, but seeing the looks on your faces when Gssess-chan took all of you out of the game was priceless."

  "Does this mean you have given the Gsya-Labos Peerage artificial Sacred Gears as well?" Rias asked.

  Azazel's only response was to pyfully shrug his shoulders.

  Akeno sighed, "That means he did."

  "Hey, sensei, why didn't you offer us any of your Sacred Gears?" Issei asked.

  Azazel scoffed, "Because you didn't need it, your team is already stacked with Sacred Gear holders; it would just be like adding gasoline to a fire. Not to mention those of you who don't have Sacred Gears already have powers that supplement the need for it."

  Natsuki turned to her left, unable to fully hide her interest, "Speaking of your artificial gears, was our Rating Game as informative as you hoped?"

  "Hoping to fight against them again?" Azazel asked, "But yeah, it was. I'm definitely going to have to make some fundamental changes to all of them though."

  Let's see if what I've given Zephyrdor can handle a real fight, especially against someone like Sairaorg. Azazel thought, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head as the image on the floating screens shifted to show both Peerages leaving their bases.

  "Let the Rating Game begin!" As soon as Grayfia's voice rang out, the mountain range exploded into motion.

  Zephyrdor's Peerage scattered first; all of them except for Zephyrdor himself, rushing out of their base, carelessly destroying the terrain as they moved, attacking any of the monsters that tried to stop them as they made their way closer to the Bael Peerage's base.

  Sairaorg's Peerage, by contrast, was slower to move, but did so with far more coordination, maintaining their formation as they left their base.

  Sairaorg, who had been running with his servants, broke away from them once they had reached the center of the mountain range, and the servants of the Gsya-Labos Peerage came into view.

  One of Zephyrdor's Rooks jumped into the air, intending to stop the King here and now. Even though the Rook was twice Sairaorg's size, and somehow even just as muscur, Sairaorg charged forward without hesitation; both Devils having their fits cocked back as they drew closer to each other.

  The csh between the two was brutal as Sairaorg's punch collided with Zephyrdor's Rook, and the entire mountain trembled from the shockwave. The hulking Devil was unched into the air, smmed into a rock wall, and disintegrated into a pilr of light before he even hit the ground.

  "Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Rook, retired. Unable to continue." Grayfia announced, to the cheers and groans of those in attendance.

  "Holy crap!" Issei shouted, leaping halfway out of his seat. "He one-shotted him! Again!"

  Sairaorg did not look back as he continued forward, leaving his servants and Zephyrdor's behind as he rushed towards the opposing base.

  Both sides had strong servants, and the artificial Sacred Gears Azazel had given both, only making the fighting more vicious.

  "Did that girl just freeze time?" Rias asked, her eyes immediately shifting towards the General Governor, gring at him suspiciously.

  "She's not freezing time; she's slowing it down." Azazel answered flippantly, "I haven't been able to figure out how to replicate that yet."

  Rias heard Azazel's muttering that st sentence, and her gre hardened at the thought of her friends being seen as experiments for the Fallen.

  While their servants were fighting, Sairaorg had reached the western base, running into it without hesitation.

  Zephyrdor was still sitting on his hovering throne, looking down at the opposing Devil with contempt. He did not leave his seat as he fired a barrage of spells at Sairaorg, hoping to overwhelm him with extreme force.

  All types of attacks created by Zephyrdor were dodged and avoided by Sairaorg, and even those that did hit him, Sairaorg brushed off as if nothing had happened.

  And it was only when his attacks showed not to be working, and Zephyrdor became impatient and started to lose his composure, that Sairaorg finally began fighting back, using his fists to destroy every attack spell his opponent tried to use.

  As he realized Sairaorg was closing the distance between them, Zephyrdor used every defensive technique he knew to try and defend himself. But this too proved to be a futile endeavor as the numerous defensive techniques fell apart as easily as gss against Sairaorg's hands. And before Zephyrdor knew it, Sairaorg's fist was embedded deep into his stomach.

  This single blow was enough to make all of their surroundings shake and sent Zephyrdor flying backwards and crashing through the wall of the cave, burying him deep within the earth.

  "Why isn't he advancing?" Natsuki asked, her eyes narrowing as Sairaorg did not use the opportunity that was given to press on and continue attacking Zephyrdor, instead staying put, waiting for him to reemerge.

  Throughout this Rating Game, Natsuki saw how Sairaorg only used punches and kicks and no form of Demonic Power or magic to fight, the power of his physical attacks being more than enough.

  He really is on another level. Just how hard has he trained to get this far without using Demonic Power or magic? Natsuki thought.

  "That's because Sairaorg is just like your King; they're both too hot-blooded to think of anything else other than having grand battles with their opponents, must be a trait of those who carry the blood of the House of Bael." Azazel sighed, making Rias' face go red with embarrassment, "Although, I would say from what I've seen, Sairaorg is far worse in this regard

  Eventually, Zephyrdor climbed out of the hole he had used to create, his face bearing his anger as he stood covered in dirt. He wasted no time and immediately fired a torrent of fire directly into Sairaorg's face.

  Once again, Sairaorg was unaffected by the attack and threw another punch at Zephyrdor, which he dodged, and Sairaorg's blow pierced through the roof of the cave, destroying most of it, and caused the monsters who had been above to fall from the newly created skylight.

  "Even the one they call the wicked one can't even put up a fight." Kiba muttered as he narrowed his eyes at the screen, watching as Sairaorg cut through the beasts before him with ease. "Sairaorg Bael truly is someone of great caliber."

  "Man, Sairaorg-san is making that Yankee Devil look like a weakling." Issei said as Sairaorg finished killing all the monsters around them, only for Zephyrdor to attack him again. With a burst of speed that Issei could barely keep track of, he saw Sairaorg immediately appear behind Zephyrdor, punching him through the hole he created and out of the base. "Is he the weakest King in this tournament?"

  "He's not." Natsuki said, not taking her eyes off the screen, "If I had to compare his Demonic Power from what I sensed at the banquet and right now, I would say Zephyrdor has as much as Rias."

  "Seriously?" Issei asked; he knew that Natsuki's senses were incredibly accurate, but it was still hard for him to put aside his bias and think the rude heir was in any way simir to Rias.

  "Sairaorg is just that much better, so he's making Zephyrdor look like a pushover by contrast." Natsuki said, huffing as she leaned back in her seat. "And Azazel is right, Sairaorg is too into this fight; he could have ended this beating from the beginning, he's just toying with the bastard at this point."

  "That isn't why he is doing this." Rias said softly.

  Natsuki turned to look at Rias, "Then why?"

  "Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Knight, retired. Unable to continue. Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Rook, retired. Unable to continue. Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Knight, retired. Unable to continue. Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Pawn, retired. Unable to continue. Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos sama. Pawn, retired. Unable to continue. Sairaorg Bael-sama. Knight, retired. Unable to continue. Sairaorg Bael-sama. Rook, retired. Unable to continue. Sairaorg-sama. Pawn, retired. Unable to continue."

  Azazel whistled at Grayfia's announcement, "Looks like the punk's forces are getting properly sughtered now."

  Xenovia tilted her head, "Shouldn't you be upset? Zephyrdor's side is the one you have your Sacred Gears to."

  "I wasn't expecting them to win anyway." Azazel said flippantly, "And just because the gears couldn't bridge the gap doesn't mean there isn't anything to be learned from them. This is definitely going to help with the next models."

  "Why is your cousin doing this?" Natsuki asked, not wanting to become distracted.

  Rias hesitated for a moment, "As I'm sure you're already aware, Sairaorg doesn't have much, if any Demonic Power. This would have been bad enough, but he was also born without House Bael's Power of Destruction."

  "Wait, yours and your brother's Power of Destruction comes from your mother's side of the family?" Issei asked, surprised, assuming that the ability came from the Gremory family.

  Rias nodded, her voice soft but steady, "Because of this weakness, my uncle made my younger cousin, Magdaran, his heir, and Sairaorg and his mother were banished from the Bael estate. But instead of resenting his family or giving up, he spent years training his body until he could stand on equal ground with those who inherited the true Bael power. And he forced everyone to acknowledge his strength and recimed his position as heir, so every punch you're seeing now is proof of what he's built through sheer effort and will. He hasn't ended the fight yet, because he wants to show that even without special demonic powers, he can stand above those who do have them."

  "You really admire your cousin, Buchou." Asia smiled.

  Rias' cheeks turned slightly red, "Sairaorg deserves it."

  The screen shifted again, showing Zephyrdor staggering back to his feet, his robes in tatters, energy flickering erratically around him. His furious shouting echoed through the amphitheater, though none could make out the words due to how rushed they were coming out, only the desperation behind them.

  Sairaorg, breathing heavily but smiling, cracked his knuckles, "Stand tall, Zephyrdor. Show me your resolve as a Devil!"

  "Resolve?" Zephyrdor spat, hurling another barrage of energy bsts, "I'm not like you; I don't need resolve! I was born superior!"

  Zephyrdor pced both of his hands in front of him and gathered all his remaining Demonic Power.

  Sairaorg roared and charged straight through the massive beam of energy, his body glowing faintly with pure, unrefined Demonic Power. Faster than Zephyrdor could react to, Sairaorg had made his way to him and grabbed him by the throat.

  "I'm disappointed in you, Zephyrdor." Sairaorg said, gring at the other Devil, "With how arrogantly you have carried yourself, I expected more from you. Do I need to fight you more intently to see what you're capable of? Will you make things more interesting then?"

  Sairaorg's body faintly glowed again, making Zephyrdor flinch, his eyes wide with fear as he realized just how hopeless this all was.

  "I-I-I-I surrender!" Zephyrdor excimed, tears dripping down his face as he tried desperately to wiggle his way out of Sairaorg's grasp.

  "Zephyrdor Gsya-Labos-sama, King, retired. The winner is Sairaorg Bael-sama and his Peerage."

  The crowd erupted in cheers that shook the amphitheater; Devils from every House stood and appuded, even some who had mocked Sairaorg in the past.

  Sairaorg's expression became ft as he let go of Zephyrdor, allowing the Devil to fall onto his rear; his expression did not change even as Zephyrdor tried to crawl away from him.

  The video ended when the two Kings and their servants were teleported away from the battlefield.

  "That Yankee guy is pathetic!" Issei excimed while ughing.

  Natsuki could not help but think about Sairaorg's expression just before he vanished; even through the screen, she could feel the overwhelming power that seemed to course through every part of the King.

  Her fingers twitched, and she could not deny that she wished to see how he stacked against the Bael heir.

  He would kick my ass.

  "Here, senpai." Natsuki was pulled from her thoughts when Koneko handed her a napkin.

  Natsuki took the napkin and looked at her kouhai confused, "What's this for?"

  Koneko looked at Natsuki bnkly, but her tone was even drier than usual, "With how you were looking at Sairaorg-sama, you'll need it to swipe the drool from your face."

  The rest of the Peerage ughed at this, and Natsuki threw the napkin in Koneko's face, "Fuck off, you little brat."

  The Next Day

  "Man, it sucks that we can't watch the next Rating Game." Issei compined as he and the rest of the Peerage stood next to the Gremory family train. "It feels summer break went by too quickly!"

  "We've already spent more time here than we should have; school is going to start in less than four days." Rias said, "Besides, you'll be able to watch the recording of Seekvaira-chan and Diodora's match the day after. And it's not as if we'll never come back to the Underworld; we still have to fight in our upcoming matches in a few weeks. The Higher-ups understand that the Devils competing have prior commitments and have pnned accordingly."

  "We could always skip css." Natsuki suggested.

  Rias stared at her second Pawn bnkly, "Stop trying to make the rest of us into delinquents, Natsuki."

  "I'm not a delinquent." Natsuki said defensively, "Being a Devil has just taken a lot out of me tely. And I think it's stupid that we have to go from fighting exorcists, Fallen Angels, and High-Css Devils to doing Japanese homework like nothing happened."

  "That's called being a student." Rias replied dryly, crossing her arms.

  Kiba chuckled, "You'd think by now you would've accepted that we don't exactly live normal lives, Natsuki-chan."

  "Speak for yourself." Natsuki muttered, "The only normal thing I've had tely is breakfast, and even that's questionable with how often Issei tries to make conversation with his food."

  "Hey!" Issei protested, his face turning red, "That was one time! And it was to motivate myself after a stressful day!"

  Koneko blinked, "You were talking to a rice ball."

  "I hate all of you." Issei said ftly, now sulking.

  "It's good to see you kids in good spirits." Everyone turned and saw Rias' family and a gaggle of servants standing behind them.

  "T-Thank you, Zeoticus-sama!" Issei wanted to punch Natsuki in the face when he heard her snort at his stuttering.

  Zeoticus grinned at the Pawn, "I look forward to the day we can meet again, Issei-kun. You may return here any time without hesitation; think of the Gremory family as your own family."

  Issei gave the man a brittle smile, "Thank you very much! B-But, that is a bit too grand for me..."

  Velena reaffirmed her husband's words, "Not at all, Issei-san. Please take care of Rias in the human world, my daughter can be so selfish, so I worry about her."

  Rias' face turned red, "M-Mother! W-What are you saying!?"

  "Devils really are a different species sometimes." Natsuki said dryly as she watched Zeoticus and Sirzechs both begin to cry at the sight of their 'family' being so warm with each other.

  "You say that as if you're not a Devil too." Kiba smiled amusedly.

  Natsuki stared at the Knight, "What are you trying to imply, Kiba? I'm nothing like the rest of you freaks."

  Xenovia tilted her "But you're plenty strange, Natsuki-san."

  "You're the st person who should be saying that to anyone, bible thumper."

  "W-What's a bible thumper?" Gasper asked from Koneko's side.

  Before Natsuki could answer Gasper, she suddenly felt a fsh of Demonic Power in her periphery. It was a cold, dark, and slimy sensation that made the hairs on Natsuki's neck stand on end.

  And the worst part, it felt very familiar to Natsuki, although she could not figure out why.

  What the fuck was that? Natsuki thought, looking around for the interloper.

  Gasper looked at Natsuki worriedly, seeing the expression that suddenly appeared on her face, "N-Natsuki-senpai?"

  Natsuki blinked, seeing that no one else had noticed, and the strange energy signature had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "It's nothing, Gasper, I'm fine."

  Gasper did not believe Natsuki but decided not to push her.

  As the Peerage gave their goodbyes to the Gremory family and boarded the train, Natsuki was still thinking about what had happened earlier.

  Someone was watching us, someone who could fool the senses of Devils like Rias' parents, brother, and sister-in-w, even just for a brief moment.

  "You're brooding." Akeno said as she sat down next to Natsuki after seeing that Natsuki had sat at the end of the car, away from her and the others.

  Natsuki turned her head, "Do you think it's possible for someone to hide from Zeoticus, Venena, Sirzechs, and Grayfia?"

  "No." Akeno immediately said, her expression becoming serious, "Did you sense someone trying to?"

  Natsuki frowned, "I did, for a few seconds, I felt someone watching us, but no one else noticed."

  "It could be possible that Veoticus-sama, Velena-sama, Sirzechs-sama, and Grayfia-san did sense someone and simply decided that they weren't a big enough threat to give any attention to. It wouldn't be shocking that someone is trying to spy on a Maou and his family; it happens quite often." Akeno said.

  "That's understandable." Natsuki muttered, still unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.

  "It could also be possible that whoever was spying is simply so good at hiding their presence that even two High-Css, one Ultimate-Css, and one Super Devil couldn't detect them. But that would be…"

  "Ludicrous." Natsuki finished, "It would be ludicrous for someone like that to exist. And especially for them to be strong enough to do that, while not escaping my senses for some reason."

  Natsuki was confident in her ability, and she knows it had gotten more sensitive since her training with Tiamat and their Rating Game against the Sitri Peerage, but she knew that there were still beings that could hide themselves from her.

  Odin and Rossweisse more than proved that the other day. I couldn't even sense them until they entered Issei's room.

  Akeno pced a hand on Natsuki's shoulder, "If you're still worried, we can tell Rias."

  Natsuki shook her head, "No, you're probably right. I'm probably worried for nothing."

  Akeno gently squeezed Natsuki's shoulder, "If you're sure."

  Natsuki sat back in her seat, her arms crossed as she looked out the windows next to her.

  Lux, did you find anything strange about the energy I sensed. Natsuki thought, stirring the dragon within her.

  It felt both Demonic and divine. Lux answered somberly. As if one power was being enhanced by the other.

  Do you think it could be Vali? Or someone else from Khaos Brigade?

  If it were Vali, you would have known, a person's energy signature does not change like that. Although it could be possible that someone from Odin's party was the culprit and was trying to hide who they were by pretending to be a Devil.

  That's just great, this is exactly what I need.

  Akeno may be right about this person not targeting you or the Peerage, but instead targeting Sirzechs. Unless they show themselves again, we cannot know for certain. But you should not doubt your instincts, if you believe that this person is targeting you and the others and has malicious intentions, then I have no reason to think otherwise.

  Natsuki did not speak for the rest of the journey, something that did not go unnoticed by the others.

  Hours ter, when the train arrived at the underground ptform in the human world, Natsuki stretched her arms above her head, already pnning on visiting the orphanage.

  Issei groaned as he stepped off the train, "I think I've seen enough worksheets to st a lifetime."

  Natsuki let out a snort, "No one told you to leave your homework until the st minute."

  Issei gred at her, "Excuse me for not having the time to think about it, as I was trapped on a mountain being hunted by a dragon!"

  Before she could say anything else, Natsuki felt the same terribly cold, divine, and Demonic power that she had back in the Gremory territory.

  She quickly moved to where Asia was standing and grabbed the hand that was about to reach out and touch the former nun. And as she did this, she came face to face with the heir to House Astaroth.

  "So, you're the one who has been spying on us?" Natsuki asked as she looked down at the Devil.

  Diodora Astaroth smiled, the gesture elegant, but his eyes were empty, pcing his free hand over his chest in offense. "Spying? I would never. I simply have business with one of your Peerage mates, now, can you let go of my hand? I'd rather not be in contact with a repugnant beast such as yourself."

  Natsuki did not release his hand, her eyes narrowed, "I don't see why that requires you to touch her with this slimy hand of yours. You touched her again, and I'll break your wrist."

  Diodora ughed softly, "I've heard quite a lot about you, the second Pawn of Rias Gremory, and have been dying to meet you, though I didn't expect such a… vulgar mouth." His gaze shifted toward Asia, who had instinctively moved behind Natsuki. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Asia Argento-san. You've grown even lovelier than before."

  "U-Umm…" Asia was bewildered; she did not recognize the Devil standing before her, but felt unnerved by how he was looking at her.

  Diodora pouted, "So you've forgotten me. I shouldn't have let so much time pass since our first meeting."

  Diodora then wretched his arm out of Natsuki's hand and ripped his shirt open, revealing his chest and the rge scar that rested upon it.

  Asia's eyes opened wide when she saw this, " That wound, could it be…"

  "I had kept my face hidden, but I am the Devil that you had saved."

  Asia was left speechless, having never expected to see him again.

  "My name is Diodora Astaroth. You weren't able to treat my injury enough to stop this scar from remaining, but my life was saved due to your Sacred Gear." With surprising speed, Diodora moved around Natsuki, taking Asia's hand and kissing the back of it. "Asia, I came to meet you. I apologize that I couldn't greet you during your stay in the Underworld, but I think that first encounter between you and me was destiny. And wish to tell you that I love you and I want you to be my wife."

  "Eh?!" Issei could not comprehend witnessing another man propose to Asia right before his eyes.

  Asia's eyes widened, "I….I…I must decline, Diodora-san."

  Asia trembled as he spoke, the color draining from her face as she tried to pull her hand back.

  "Oh? I suppose I shouldn't have expected an immediate answer. After all, you're still living under another's roof." Diodora said, his smile did not falter as he cast a gnce toward Rias. "But you should know, Asia-san, I am serious. I've spoken to my family and received their full blessing, the House of Astaroth would be honored to have you as one of its own."

  "Hey, asshole! She said no, so back off!" Issei yelled, stepping forward and getting close into Diodora's space.

  Diodora did not look at Issei despite how close their faces were, "Oh, you're the weakest Pawn of the Gremory Peerage, aren't you? That temper of yours doesn't suit someone in service to a King. You wouldn't want to embarrass her in front of her family's station, would you?"

  "Enough, Diodora-san." Rias' voice was steely and breaking through the tension. "Whatever business you think you have with my servants can be discussed properly through official channels. You will not harass my Peerage in public."

  Diodora bowed slightly, "Of course, Rias Gremory-san. I meant no offense. I only wished to greet a dear acquaintance. Forgive me if my enthusiasm was… mispced."

  Issei was still gring daggers at Diodora, "You've got some nerve trying to hit on Asia like that. You think just because you're some fancy noble, you can say whatever the hell you want?"

  Rias put her hand on Issei's shoulder, pulling back, "Issei, that's enough."

  For a brief moment, the smile on Diodora's face cracked, a hint of irritation bleeding through his polished demeanor. But it vanished as quickly as it came. "I suppose I'll take my leave; it seems I have made things awkward. But Asia-san, I'll be seeing you soon, I promise."

  A magic circle fred beneath him as he vanished from sight, leaving only the faint trace of that same cold, divine, and demonic energy that made Natsuki's blood run cold.

  If he's a Devil, why does he have divine energy floating around him? And it's just divine and Demonic energy, but he also feels like a dragon, but he can't possibly be… is he like Vali? Natsuki thought.

  Asia pressed a trembling hand to her chest, breathing unevenly. "I… I didn't know he was still alive."

  Rias pced a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  Akeno's eyes flickered toward Natsuki, concern evident in her expression, whispering to Natsuki. "You felt it again, didn't you?"

  Natsuki nodded slightly, her jaw tight, "Yeah, it's whatever that freak is carrying inside him, and it's not just demonic. There's something else, and it just feels wrong."

  Issei clenched his fists, eyes burning, "If he tries anything with Asia again, I'll-"

  Rias cut him off gently, "You'll wait until I say so, Issei. He may have overstepped a bit, but nothing he did was threatening, and don't move against a noble house without cause."

  Issei clenched his fists, "Still, who does he think he is? I'll never give him Asia-chan!"

  Rias took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her lips, "Let's go home, we'll talk about this properly once we're back at the clubroom."

  As the Peerage began walking toward the exit, Natsuki heard Lux call out to her. Natsuki, that Devil, has another entity attached to his body.

  Is that where the divine and dragon energy is coming from? Natsuki asked.

  I would assume so. You need to keep an eye on him; if he wants your friend, then it cannot be for a good reason.

  Natsuki clenched her fists, following the others as she thought about what this could mean.

  The Astaroth Estate

  Diodora's smile immediately slipped off his face as he now found himself in the empty, darkened hall, standing before two unseen figures hidden in the shadows.

  "That bitch you told me to watch, she's seen through me and got in between me and Asia." Diodora spat, "Why must I give that insect more of my attention? I can simply kill her and be done with it all like I did with the Gsya-Labos boy."

  "Because I do not want her dead, Diodora." The first figure said, the power radiating from him, sending a shiver down Diodora's spine.

  "She is also under greater scrutiny than he was." The second figure said, "The pn will work, Diodora, simply have patience."

  Diodora huffed, petuntly, "It better."

  I'm so close to finally getting Asia, and I refuse to let anything get in my way, not even the machinations of these two. Diodora thought as he walked away, calling for his Queen to make him feel better.