Beta read by n1ch, Shigiya, Solitary heart and 8kagi
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-Kuoh-
-Hachiman POV-
Welp… the talk went just about as good as a pile of burning crap, but at least I got the outcome I wanted. The Phenex guy's attention was all on me and not on Rias and her peerage. People with a giant ego like him can be easily riled up, making them easier to predict and counter. Even if he had a strong strategist, in the end, he's the king and can easily make an order which can prove to be his undoing.
All that was left was for Rias to capitalize on this opportunity.
Speaking of Rias, she decided to bring her entire peerage to her second mansion deep in the woods, where they would do some training before the match. I knew their personal skills, but I have never seen them fight in a peerage match–so that was a fun thing to look forward to.
'Oh, and isn't Sona joining them on the trip as well? Hmmm, this might work…' This unexpected get-together made me plan in advance for some problems I wanted to resolve as soon as possible.
"Let's see what Azazel has to say about the mission." Ireland, the destination for my mission. Neither Badb nor Lugh specified which location exactly I would be sent to, but either I was going in prepared. I'd asked the general to gather as much intel as he could about the local deities and about those who hated me or had some other plans for me.
Knock
Knock
Instead of teleporting directly into his house like last time, I decided to walk all the way. I still experienced the wonders of flying and teleporting, but walking once in a while would do me good. So after walking up to his front door and knocking a couple of times, I waited for him or god forbid Vali, to open the door.
The sound of hurried footsteps approaching the door greeted my ears; high heels. So a woman was over… knowing Azazel, it might be one of his nightly lovers.
The door creaked as it opened, and to my surprise, the last person I ever expected to meet came into view. Wearing a tight maid outfit that was even lewder and revealing than the one Grayfia wore, with the material mostly being glossy latex. A window to her chest showed a large part of her cleavage, almost showing the pink of her nipples.
"Raynare?"
"Hiiiiiiii!" The moment she laid her eyes on me, a terrified shrill cry of fear escaped her lips, the fallen fell on her but–slowly crawling away from me. "Why… why are you here!?" Raynare screamed at me, her eyes clouded in terror and embarrasment as she tried to cover her chest from my view.
Ouch, have I done something that bad to you? Last I remembered, you were acting quite cocky during your captivity–even taunting me with my infamous moniker just to piss me off. So I wondered, what happened for her to react to such an extreme?
I wonder if anyone can hear the sarcasm in my words.
"I come here frequently, like twice a week at least… Why are YOU here? I thought you would be imprisoned or something after I gave you a way to Azazel." I said to the shaking Fallen, looming over the girl as she shakes in fear.
"It's because I brought her here." Azazel came in, dressed in his usual clothes while having a large shit-eating grin plastered on his face. Whenever he made such an expression, that's when I knew that something bad would happen.
"Azazel, this better be one of your jokes."
…
"He-here is your… t-t-tea, L-Lord Hachiman." I could feel her anger and terror from her voice, especially when she called me Lord Hachiman.
It looked like it physically hurt her.
Even when serving me and Azazel some refreshments she would act very robotically when near me, before quickly stepping away from me. "A-anything e-else?"
I won't lie. I was feeling quite uncomfortable with this set up, but at the same time, I want her to keep pushing this woman's buttons. Though thanks to Asia, I was more clear-headed these last few days, so I remembered how I, out of anger and slight loss of control, bashed Raynare's head through the wall–nearly busting it open.
I once again realized just how brutal I was with her back then and felt slightly regretful and sorry.
Still, I mostly believed that she had it coming for her with how arrogant she was acting back then.
Azazel invited me inside to discuss the matter with Raynare. According to him, the other duo, Donhaseek and Mittelt were both assigned to serve Baraquiel as mere servants back in the Underworld as a punishment for their actions.
"As you know, our species has a problem of being very small in number. Even Heaven has more angels than the Grigori has Fallens. Our numbers are extremely limited and we can't grow unless there is an angel who falls to sin. So we can't really give out death sentences or life-threatening punishments to the few we have left… plus since Raynare and her goons didn't succeed at killing Hyoudou Issei–it helps to reduce the severity of their case." Azazel explained.
I understood his reasoning.
As a leader of one of the three major biblical factions, I couldn't imagine the pressure Azazel and the other leaders had to keep their species alive and strong enough to ward off all manners of dangers.
But something bugged me here…, "So, you made Raynare your personal maid? Isn't that technically a reward, since she has a crush on you?" Honestly, I assumed she must have been jumping in joy when she heard her role as Azazel's personal servant… Kala did mention her love for the governor bordered on fanaticism.
"Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!" And for some reason that made this guy laugh. I knew my gut feeling was right, he had something planned for me.
I noticed how Raynare looked to be on the brink of a mental breakdown with each passing second. Making the uneasy feeling inside me grow as well.
"Azazel… "
"Ah, don't sweat it, it's not anything major or diabolic that I'm planning. You know me, we've been friends for years at this point. Don't you trust me?" He said innocently, the same smile that makes me want to punch him in the face.
"It's because I've known you for these last two years that I know what kind of person you truly are–which worries me greatly," I told him straight to his face with my infamous dead-fish eyes. You could never trust a man who regularly screwed anyone over if he found it funny with his inventions. No wonder Baraquiel is so fed up with him most days.
"Awww, don't be like that, why I've brought Raynare-chan over here for a special occasion, hehehe." He took out a scroll from his robe and gently put it over the table.
"A-Azazel-sama please don't do this! I'm willing to do anything. Anything!" The sight of the scroll made Raynare break down in tears as she began begging to the man on her knees with tears streaming down her face.
'Just what is going on here!?' Was this her death warrant? But he just told me that he wouldn't kill anymore Fallens if possible, so it couldn't be that. A list of how she'll be tortured? Her biggest secret on paper? I didn't know.
Azazel didn't pay any heed to the crying woman and just kept smiling while looking at me."Well? Aren't you going to open it?" He asked me excitedly.
"No… please no!" Raynare pleaded.
I warily took the scroll and slowly unfurled it.
"Read it out loud." Said Azazel.
After everything that happen, I'm not sure I want too…, "This contract dictates from here on after, the rogue Fallen, Raynare, will… forever follow her contractor, The Black Dragon King, Hikigaya Hachiman and be forever bound to him by a soul bond until decided otherwise by the master or until death they part!? Azazel are you fucking out of your mind!?" I tossed the paper at Azazel as if it was the filthiest thing I'd ever touched. "A forceful soul bond!? Did you even think for a moment before doing such a drastic thing!?"
No wonder Raynare was freaking out, she was basically a slave now!
"Was I wrong?" Azazel asked as he placed the contract back on the table, his face no longer smiling but instead holding a deadly calm expression. "Remember, I said that I try to avoid a death sentence when it involves my species. But when it comes to matters of treason and attempts at effectively restarting another war, this must not be taken lightly. I may be the governor but my fallen brothers and sisters also have a voice… and many of them approved of her execution." When he was saying this piece of information, I could see signs of exhaustion and disappointment in his eyes for the situation he was thrust upon.
"I tried… I tried my best to find a reason, to find an excuse but I had to face reality myself–what Raynare did cannot be excused with small punishments. So after much discussion with Penemue, Shemhazai and Baraquiel we came to a conclusion of soul-bonding the girl to you. It'll teach her the consequences of her actions and you can free her when you think she learned her lesson. If you don't take her in… then we kill her or throw her in Cocytus."
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"Also because I thought that it would be funny." He spoke, his stupid grin back on his face.
"Azazel!" This guy…
"Hahahaha! I'm just messing with ya, kinda. But my previous words still stand."
"And if I free her the moment I sign the contract?"
"You are free to do so… but remember Hachiman. Your every move and decision is monitored by the supernatural world. If others Fallen see the leeway we gave her… then more rogue situations will arise. We need to make an example." He said before going back to drink his tea.
"Do I have to do it now?" I asked. This was a big thing that I couldn't rush… I needed time to think. I didn't want her to die since she failed to kill anyone really. So killing her was too much.
"Yes, in the meantime… why don't we discuss your mission?"
…
"So, Ireland… Honestly, I don't know much about the country and its deities aside from Lugh and Badb." I said to Azazel as we oversaw a large map of the country. He had long sent an emotionally unstable Raynare out of the room–giving us some privacy to discuss some matters.
"Your mission is exactly at the north of the country, Knockbridge to be precise. It is a small village within the townland of Ballinlough in County Louth. For the moment, you're banned from teleporting directly to Ireland, so you'll be flown there and driven to the outskirts of the village, far from any accidental sightings. The field which blocks Badb's influence encompasses the entire region, it'll be your job to find the source and take care of it." I memorized every detail to heart so as to not miss out on any important information in the future.
Still… it made me curious why couldn't just the Gods take care of such a problem.
"You're probably wondering why doesn't just Badb or anyone of her sisters not take care of the issue, right?" I was a bit surprised by the way he perfectly read my thoughts but nodded nonetheless. "As the goddess of death told you before, due to some ancient agreement she had with the original owner of these lands, she can't trespass on it without her permission. And since this specific person is apparently also ignoring her… you could see why she came to us."
"But why go through such a promise? Don't Gods break their own oaths and promises every other time?" Multiple names came to mind which I preferred not saying outland unless I chose to get smite by lightning.
"Badb is an exception, as the goddess of death her words carry far more meaning than even Lugh. To keep her standing over the others and maintain a proper level of respect without the others backstabbing her out of fear, the goddess should always remain true to her words–even for the smallest of promises. Not to mention, the owner we're talking about is no pushover exactly, gain her ire them not even Ophis itself will be able to save them."
Now that was interesting. "Is it another god? Who is it?"
Azazel put on a thoughtful look before shaking his head. "Not really… It's complicated. Her origin is very ancient and her powers have grown so much from the past that it even surpasses some gods, so it would be wise to call her an immortal. As for her name, well… you'll find out soon enough. All I'll say is to keep your distance with the locals, especially any redheads if possible." What's up with all this secrecy all of a sudden? Why can't he just tell me her name?
"Why are you not telling me her name?" I asked him curiously.
"Cause names carry power, especially when spoken by beings like me, and in her case, she'll know as soon as I utter the syllables of her name to hone in on us and discover our plans. She's a nasty piece of work I tell ya." Yikes, that bad? Just how dangerous is this woman? There is a very high chance that whatever is causing this problem might even be her.
With how Azazel was hyping her powers… I don't think I'll be able to handle whoever this is!
Azazel seeing my worried face immediately calmed me down with his following words. "She's not the enemy if that's what you're wondering–Badb specifically emphasized that part. I just don't want to deal with that gorilla anymore. And you know, Badb takes her words very seriously, so we can trust her." He assured me. So in the end, I chose to believe him.
"Before I go, I need your help with Sona's and Rias' peerages–especially with Saji's case. How's the gear extractor working?" Ever since Kiba unearthed that apparel, I knew it would come in crucial for me in the future. So I had it delivered to my house where I handed it over to Azazel.
"Some parts are not fully functional yet, but we can expect a large rate of success if I include an artificial sacred gear."
Great so everything was going smoothly, in the future, I won't have to worry about Saji dying because of me. Asia was a lifesaver, but I couldn't keep her around 24/7 by my side, can I?
"Oh, and one last thing, It's about Issei… I need a favor"
{Break}
-Kuoh Airport-
I kinda forgot how it felt to travel in a plane. Even when reborn in this world my current parents never took me outside Japan… but when Azazel kidnapped me I guess that counted as me flying abroad.
I couldn't teleport there directly because as Badb mentioned, she couldn't get in contact with the owner of the land to ask for permission. If I wasn't such an infamous person then I could have just teleported to another nearby village or to Dublin. But of course, the other gods just had to make things difficult over such a simple matter. I was to travel by normal human means allowing them to constantly track my movement until I'd reach the village.
So a long journey was awaiting me.
"Why the fuck am I carrying your luggage!?"
Oh, and I was not traveling alone this time. Just behind me handling my luggage was none other than Raynare.
Looking vastly different from her Amano Yuuma persona, she wore tight black leather pants and a black tank top that didn't cover her belly button with a large part of her cleavage on display. If Amano Yuuma represented an innocent countryside girl then Raynare would be your regular punk rock emo girl who's obsessed with heavy metal.
Even in her 'human' attire, which was just the lack of wings, she still attracted a lot of attention from the opposite gender… especially when dressed like that in a country like Japan.
"Yeah well, I bothered to sign that troublesome paper so now you have to suffer a bit to calm my anger."
"I'm the one who's been sold off! You son of a bitch, you're just enjoying watching me get humiliated in public don't you!?" For a woman who just got saved from the execution or a lifetime Imprisonment in a frozen hellscape, she sure did bitch around a lot.
"I'm not denying that fact… and you do realize that I just saved your life, right?"
"Pft, as if, you fucking human. I was safe and sound by Azazel-sams's side. I was living the dream of finally serving him personally, I could have used my body to worm my way into his heart, and then you showed up!"
Wow, this girl is as delusional in her case as Issei was on his first date… they would get along quite well if she didn't bother hiding her real persona, in my opinion.
"Yeah, yeah, cry me a river would you. Now stop wasting time and hurry up, our plane is gonna start boarding soon."
…
At least Azazel got me first-class seats, it was the first time I got to experience such a thing–it was a bit hard to hide my excitement.
Humming, I got to enjoy the moment.
"Stop smiling, it's creepy."
And of course, someone had to ruin the mood.
"Does it hurt you to be nice for once in your life?"
"Not with you disgusting humans," Raynare said as she was sipping on some champagne. For all her whining, she sure did enjoy the premium service.
"I don't understand how you can act like that when I dealt with you so easily, I even bashed your head through a wall. Shouldn't you be scared that I will hurt you again?"
She gave a smug look, "It's because you won't hurt me now. Before we were enemies, now I'm literally your slave. You could have ordered me to get on my knees and give you a blowjob or hump you like a bitch in heat while in front of Azazel-sama–but you didn't. Aside from carrying your bags, you didn't take the slightest advantage of my current state and that tells me everything I need to know about your personality. If I'm wrong then prove me wrong." Raynare whispered the last part with a vicious victorious smirk.
I underestimated her, she was smart in reading people… sometimes.
"I have a girlfriend you know? I could use you as a meat shield if I'm ever in danger." I tried probing further.
"Humph, as if you'll ever let this sexy body of mine get filled with holes." She said as she grouped one of her breasts, making one of the secretly peeping passengers spit their drink.
Good thing he hadn't heard the content of our talk. And also…
"Didn't I piece your limbs when we first met?" I reminded her, thankfully making her stop her boob massage.
She stilled for a bit, her face becoming even paler. It was clear to me that she had forgotten that night. 'So she isn't that bright to begin with, good to know.'
We got interrupted by someone in the front seat.
"That's an interesting conversation you're having there, mind if I join in?"
The moment we saw the face of the person in front, both of us had a drastic change in expression.
I choked on my spit as my eyes nearly popped out in sheer disbelief.
Raynare went even paler, she was shaking all over and looked like she was about to piss herself. She reacted as if she came to face the most dangerous thing in the world.
Which wasn't exactly false.
"Sirzechs Lucifer!?" I cried out in shock
"A pleasure to finally meet you, Hikigaya Hachiman."
My simple international flight can't go smoothly as expected.
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The next 5 chapters are already available on my p@treon with 3 Broly chapters as well.
At /NimtheWriter