Disclaimer : I own nothing.
Chapter 9 : Parties, Politics, and Trinkets.
- Shin –
We teleported just outside the Bael Castle. This castle is not the one where the Head of House Bael lives. It's Zekram's Castle. I am still reluctant to call this home. I seriously need to make arrangements for my own living space.
There are just too many things that I have to restrict myself from doing while I am here. Maybe if things go as well at the evening party, I can take further steps towards it. I need a workshop somewhere they can't spy on me.
"What do you do in your free time Shin?" asked Rias still holding my arm.
"To be perfectly honest, I haven't had much of free time since I came to the underworld. The High-Class devil promotion exams, getting my evil pieces, searching for my peerage, and then this rating game. Things have been too rushed for me to do think about anything. I did have some time to learn magic from Kuisha. Teleportation is a great help." I added while smiling sheepishly.
"The rest of the time simply spent on training myself and my peerage to a relevant degree for the Rating Game."
"So, nothing for fun?" she asks me looking a bit surprised.
"I wouldn't know. Mostly talking with Sairaorg and Kuisha and sometimes fiddling with artifacts when I was experimenting."
"What kind of artifacts do you make Kageyami-san" asks Sona joining the conversation for the first time.
"Anything that catches my interest and the materials around me can craft. I like to try new things out." This is actually true. I really like making stuff.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are your plans for the future? Any special goals that you want to pursue. I want to open a school where all devils can learn about Rating Games, Rias wants to be the Rating Games champion of the underworld. Seekvaira likes to research about mecha and other electronic products and wants to make them famous in the underworld." Is she fishing for information? But then again, I guess this much must be some of the first things that come to mind when trying to know someone better. I guess I will indulge her this time.
"Empress Rias and Sona-Sensei do sound quite great. I wonder if I can get a look at the mecha in Miss Agares' collection sometimes. I have taken quite a bit of fancy towards them. I even have a gundam of my own. As for my plans for the future. Maybe open a shop. I like making things. Those things can always sell for a decent profit. I can turn it into a decent business if I put some effort behind it. I am still relying on Zekram in the underworld. It wouldn't do too well to impose on someone's kindness for too long. Maybe I will wait for a few days, see around and think about what to do next. One step at a time maybe. I have a few things in mind. The first thing is getting into a school and complete my education. I kind of ran away at the start of the term, which starts in about a month and a half."
Rias blushes a little at my comment and I could see a slight tinge of pink on Sona's cheeks. She is definitely worth teasing
+5 Affection with Rias Gremory (60/100) for believing in her dreams.
+5 Affection with Sona Stiri (7/100) for not making fun of her dream.
"You are not imposing on anyone Shin. We all like having you around here. Maybe we can go visit the castle where my mother stays the next time we are free. It will be a good change of pace for everyone." Sairaorg says in a good-natured tone of his.
"You have a Gundam? Are you a fan? Which model is it? Which series? Can I see it? Did you get it from a convention or general stores?" wow, what happened to that calm and composed girl from a moment ago.
I see Rias giggling a little and Sona sighing at her enthusiasm. It seems like it's not the first time this has happened.
"I do have it on myself right now actually. Though I think we would need a bigger space for me to bring it out."
They look at me a bit weirdly before we go and follow Sairaorg towards the training grounds behind the castle.
"Is it something dangerous that would need a bigger open space?" Rias whispers to me.
"Dangerous? Well, it depends on how it is used though. It can be pretty dangerous if used properly." I really want to see the looks on their faces.
"Okay guys, stand back a little. I need some open space here."
They look at me weirdly a bit before they step back a certain distance away.
I let my shadow expand over a big area and create a shadow dimension. It would help me explain my inventory. Slowly a shadow rises from the said dimension as I take out the gundam under the shadow before finally dispelling it and revealing the ZGMF-X20A Freedom Gundam in its full metallic glory.
….
….
….
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa ZGMF-X20A Freedom Gundam, Hyper-Duterion Engine, Variable Phase Shift Armour with Super DRAGOON system and equipped with Neutron Jammer Canceller and Voiture Lumiere propulsion system. Where did you get this life-size model of a Gundam. I had to search for so long and still, no one could make me something this original looking. It looks like it might just fly if we tried to." I did know that she was a mecha fanatic but hot damn, that's some crazy level knowledge she had. I needed observe to check that it was all true. Although the engine was attached to an extra device that converts my mana as the fuel, curtsey of the Game. I really like this guy.
"Looks like it might just fly huh? Let's try that, shall we." I speak as I fly up to the chest area where the cockpit of the gundam is.
"Shin, you don't mean….." Rias' voice is cut off by the sound of the cockpit opening and showing the interiors of the Gundam.
"No Way."
The best part about the rewards is that I automatically get the basic idea about using them when I get them in the first place.
The cockpit closes after me and after a moment, the giant hulking metallic mass of destruction took to air.
- Rias -
"By the Satans, the dragoon system works. Does it have a full burst system too? What is its fuel source?" Seekvaira couldn't control her excitement.
It was fairly obvious for someone who does TV shows in the entire underworld documenting Gundams.
"The real question here is how did he get this Gundam. How strong is it? Can it be remade?" Sona asks in an inquisitive tone of voice but the sparkle in her eyes belying the excitement she is holding back.
"You leave the guy alone for one day and he will whip out something outrageous every time. I really wonder what is going to be up next?" Sairaorg says in mock exasperation.
"You think we can fly it?" she asks Sona who shakes her head.
"I seriously doubt that. Something that complicated will need specialized training to pilot. It is however worth the effort."
While they talk among themselves, the Gundam descends again as Shin comes out of the cockpit.
"I don't think this place is suitable to test out the weapons. I am pretty sure that the railguns will blow off half the castle if I miss my hit" I reply with a smile.
"Can we get a ride too? I really want to try it myself. Please, please pretty please." Rias pleads me with her cute puppy dog eyes.
Those things should be illegal although I am more affected by the breasts below her face. Those are definitely illegal. I just know they are, somewhere.
As I was thinking about how to reply to her, a blue magic circle appeared behind us. Form inside the magical circle appeared five figures whom we had just left an hour ago.
"It is really a Gundam. How?" gasped Serafall looking at the giant mecha with starry eyes.
Do these fuckers have nothing better to do? Kids playing around behind their house with some toys and they pop up to ask questions.
The house and the toy are much bigger than normal, so you should consider their perspective. Although, they are quite bored.
"Did you make this Shin-Kun?" asks Serafall and I can see Seekvaira's hawklike gaze latch onto me.
"No. I haven't really delved into engineering yet. Maybe later I will try to see how this works and maybe make another one. This one is more like something I picked up during my travels."
Ignoring their incredulous looks I stick to my statement.
"People don't just pick up giant robots during travels. This specimen is quite well made. Although we won't force you to tell us anything. It would really be appreciated if you did. Can we get more of these for the devils?" Falbium speaks up for the first time since I have seen him.
"It is more like a gift for me from my ….. patron," I say the last part looking Sirzechs into the eyes. Death has nothing to do with it but they can't find that out. They won't bother me too much about it because of it.
The lightly widened look on Sirzechs' face tells me that he understood what I wanted him to think.
"This is certainly ….unique. You are quite close to your patron. I didn't know someone like 'It' would be attached to someone."
"It's more like I did a chore and got the payment. It's more of a deal than anything else actually." I finish off getting any ideas of abusing my abilities out of their mind. They can't properly abuse something which can't be controlled.
"I see. Well, this is certainly a surprise." He says and becomes quite thinking more about some other things of his own.
"If you don't mind, I would like to study this specimen. It will still belong to you, it's just that as a creator and inventor, I am almost compelled to ask for something like this. I would understand if you would like to keep the information to yourself." Ajuka speaks up.
I am pretty certain that he could make a Gundam of his own if he put his mind into it. Not as good as this one at the start but, he would make one nonetheless. I could maybe pick his brain for other things and seeing that he is a researcher himself, maybe I could get some interesting stuff for my own experiments. Good raw materials are hard to find. I could gain a favour.
"I can agree to that, however, I have a condition. You can use the technology that you get from this for your own personal use but not for any business purpose. I have plans to set up a business of my own of crafting and selling my own creations. I would like those technologies to be a product in my shop." I speak up my side of the deal. If he does want to use the technology, he can. I will get a favour from him. Good for me. But I won't cut my profit because of that. I am greedy. Even my sin says the same thing.
This did get a raised eyebrow from the Satans. I seriously hope, they didn't think I would just roll over and let them take whatever they want.
"What is this business that you want to start Shin-Kun?" asks Serafall.
"I am planning to make some artifacts and a few other things that I can sell in my shop. I have been relying on Zekram's kindness but I need a way to settle myself in the underworld. This way I will have a chance to establish myself and have a way to earn. I will also get the required finances for my experiments. Hobbies like mine cost a lot and I wouldn't impose on anyone for them."
"Do you have some idea about the artifacts you will be selling. Anything specific you have been working on?" asks an intrigued Sirzechs.
"As I said, the raw materials are hard to get and I didn't feel comfortable to impose on Zekram's kindness anymore. It would be extremely rude of me to do so. I did work out a few things in my off time with some of the rare material I had from my family vaults and recently I have been studying the evil pieces." Here I turn to Ajuka before continuing "They are really magnificent pieces of art. The more I studied them, the more I was impressed by it. Mutation specifically was quite intriguing."
"You are saying that you understood the workings of an evil piece? It hasn't even been 20 days since you received your own pieces and you have an idea how they work already?" asks Ajuka a bit incredulous.
"Ah, yes the evil pieces were great and extremely fascinating but they were relatively easier to understand. I was spending the last 12 days on the mutation piece. They are so random that it is hard to say how they actually form. Is it because of the amount of demonic power of the wielder, or some anomaly in the King's monument? I did figure out a few patterns. I do have a few theories of forcefully mutating the pieces but those are not something I will try. The risk and gain rates are just not worth it. Maybe I could try to emulate the patterns in the existing pieces and mutate my other pieces." I suddenly stopped my ranting and looked around to see the disbelieving looks of everyone present around me.
Breaking the odd silence, Ajuka speaks up "Can you tell me about some of your theories about mutation pieces."
"How about I show you something?" I say bringing out my other bishop piece.
Bishop Piece
A Bishop piece of the evil pieces set belonging to Shin Kageyami.
Turns a being below God and Buddha into a Devil. Grants boost in magical powers to the reincarnated being.
Rank : Rare
I check one of my skills that will be important at this moment.
[Upgrade Artifact](Active)
Upgrade an artifact below Epic class.
Max : Epic Class
Costs : [10 x 10^Level of Artifact] MP
Upgrade Artifact.
I already had the blueprint of the mutated Bishop Piece before I revived Meredith along with the blueprints of Mutated Pawn and Mutated Rook Piece.
A great amount of mana is drawn out of my body and around one-fifth of my reserves are emptied as the colour of the Bishop piece changes to a slightly darker shade of Crimson.
Bishop Piece(Mutated)
A Mutated Bishop piece of the evil pieces set belonging to Shin Kageyami.
Turns a being below God and Buddha into a Devil. Grants boost in magical powers to the reincarnated being.
Rank : Epic.
"Amazing" sounds out the voice of Rias.
"I have mapped the patterns only in Rook, Bishops, and Pawn. Still need to see a Mutated Knight and a Mutated Queen to be able to change those for sure. I don't have extras to experiment with. I'd rather not risk mine in any way"
"You mean you can do this to all your Pawns and your other Rook?" Serafall asks in an incredulous tone of voice.
"I can. The person I have in mind for my other Bishop piece is not someone I can reincarnate with just one Bishop Piece and she only uses magic so using a Queen piece doesn't seem like the best idea." I am planning to use this on Ingvild. She is a pure magic attack type. I honestly don't understand why other devils use their Queen pieces on only magic attackers or physical attackers. Seems like a waste of the other boost. I mean as good as Ingvild is, she is really not that strong in close-quarter combat.
"You found your other bishop candidate already. Who is she? Another Longinus wielder to warrant a Mutated Bishop piece from you." asks Serafall again. This is something I was actually hoping for. I need backup to have Ingvild in my peerage. Other devils won't let me just have an Old Satan descendant in my peerage and not speak a word. Look at Grayfia, she is Sirzechs' wife and still has to act like a maid all her life. I am a no one to them, I will probably be screwed over if I am not backed up by strong support.
"She is someone like Meredith, not a Longinus Wielder. In fact, she is so similar to Meredith in her background that it is too dangerous for her to even live in the open. Her family will hunt her down for existing. Her enemies will hunt her down for the same reason and the rest will probably try to make her serve them by any means. I did convince her to join my peerage with great difficulty. It's just that, I need help to keep her safe."
"Don't worry Shin. You are my family now. We will support you with such issues anytime. As long as she is not a criminal, no one will cause any trouble for you. We will resolve any issues. " speaks Sirzechs in a serious voice. This guy is really a family man.
"She is not a criminal seeing as she was asleep for the last one hundred years and she was very young when she fell asleep," I speak up. Serafall's eyes widen a bit. I guess she has an idea.
"What exactly is her name Shin-Kun?" asks Serafall in a neutral voice.
"You have an idea, don't you?" I smile at Serafall a bit sure that she knows. I just don't know if she will help me with it." If she doesn't, I just won't reveal her location to anyone present. I know they can't do shit to me due to my position.
"I might have an idea but I would still like to know. The fact that she has a sacred gear makes me think that her remaining family, at least a part of it might actually hate her for just existing. As she has been asleep for one hundred years, I can also deduce that she won't be a criminal. But someone with a Top-ranked Sacred Gear like that is not something I have heard about. I will see what I can do to help you out if she is really clean. You have my word on that." She answers in a serious tone of voice.
This is a bet from my side too. I will share my abilities with them and help them out if they do good to my trust this time. If they break it, then they can only be business partners, not friends.
"Her name is Ingvild Leviathan. She is a half-devil, half-human with Satan Class demonic power reserves and a Top Tier sacred gear that controls seas."
The dropped jaws all around among the younger generation devils are something that never gets old. The Satans do get a serious look in their eyes. I just put them in a spot where they have to make a decision that could cause massive waves in the underworld. Will they do it for me or will they shake it off. Either way, I can find a way to get her in my peerage in my own time.
"That …. Is certainly something I was not expecting. Is she with the Old Satan Faction? Are you sure that she is not an enemy?" asks Sirzechs considering something in his own mind. I am not giving her to Rias. If that is what he is thinking, then he can go and fuck off.
"She is a half-devil. Do you think the Old Satan Faction devils will let her live if they knew about her? Also, she was under the devil's sleeping disease when I met her." and here I have to lie out of my ass. "I did try to talk to her through her sacred gear as a bridge between us. It worked for a while. She is still sleeping but the awakening of her sacred gear is also causing her to wake up. I have an idea about getting her to wake up quickly, I just need the material for it. Maybe in a month or two I can completely erase the sickness form her body and allow her to gain her full power." I am probably going to have to get a healing class or maybe the alchemist to brew potions. I prefer alchemy as showing Snape off at brewing potions is something I won't give up.
"You can cure the Devil's Sleeping Disease?" shouts the voice of Sairaorg. His face looks an intense mix of disbelief and hopefulness. Oh, he was here too.
"I have a few ideas. It's just that the materials that I need to make it is extremely hard to find. I know of only one place where I can find it. There is a high chance that it could cure the disease. I will whip something up sooner or later. You need it too?" I try to play it off casually as he has not told me about his mother. To be honest I was going to use Cure All on Ingvild and be done with it but I totally forgot about Misla. She is a Milf too. Sorry bro, but she really is a Milf.
"Tell me where you need to find the material. I will bring it to you right now. No matter what it takes, I will bring it to you. Please make me the cure for the disease. I will be eternally in your debt if you do it for me." Sairaorg literally begs to me.
I am an ass. I know that, but I was an ass who loved his mom in my previous life. I could at least appreciate that from him.
Quest Received
[A Friend in Need]
Sairaorg Bael has been your friend in your short time in the underworld. He is definitely someone who is worth placing your trust into. And what better way to solidify your friendship than making him meet back with his mother.
Objective : Find a method to cure Sairaorg's mother Misla Bael.
Rewards : Massively increased Reputation with Sairaorg, Greatly increased Reputation with Sairaorg Bael's Peerage, ?.
Failure : Reduced Reputation with Reputation with Sairaorg, Reduced Reputation with Sairaorg Bael's Peerage.
Accept : Y/N.
Accepting the quest, I look towards Sairaorg with a smile nodding to him.
"Don't worry, I have a way to get it easily. I don't want you to bother about it. Just give me around a month. I will get it done. I think it must be enough for two doses of the medicine."
He bows to me. Really this guy is too serious. Not that I don't understand it.
+10 Reputation with Sairaorg Bael (65/100) for giving him hope.
Meanwhile, the Satans have been discussing the topic among themselves.
"Shin-Kun, while we will help you with your problem. You and your Bishop will still face troubles in the underworld. People here have been through a lot. They will be a bit intimidated by Ingvild. Normally I would tell you to let her be under one of us for a probationary period and then trade her back to you, but knowing you, you won't accept that. So, I want you to follow some of my suggestions. First, you want to open a business as you said." On my nod, she continues. "Very well then, I presume it is going to be about selling your artifacts. If so then I want you to make an impact on the devil population at tonight's party. We are planning to make an announcement of Rias-chan and your engagement at tonight's party. Make it so that by the end of the day, the entire High-class devil community knows your name and about your abilities. Show everyone how useful you can be to the devil race in general. If you can do that and with Zekram's support, we can pull you through this easily."
Seems like a decent plan.
"I would like to request you to do a show with me on your Gundam. I do talk shows about Gundam in the underworld. Seeing the real thing will boost people's interest a lot. It will help boost your popularity too." Seekvaira says in an enthusiastic tone of voice.
"That will be fine. Thank you for your help Seekvaira." I smile at her.
+20 Affection with Seekvaira Agares (35/100) for agreeing to her request.
"I would like to add that you should not advertise your ability to mutate evil pieces. It will cause too much unrest and disbalance in the Rating Games. Keep it to yourself. I doubt with the peerage you can make, anyone will be able to stand against you in Rating Games as it is." Ajuka speaks up.
"I don't really want to become a champion of the Rating Games. Just enough merit to become an Ultimate Class Devil. It is Rias' dream. I will help her to achieve it in any way I can." I reply with a smile. Earning all cookie points I can.
+10 Reputation with Sirzechs Lucifer (10/100) for thinking about Rias.
Reputation gain halved due to Diminished Presence Trait.
+10 Affection with Grayfia Lucifuge (15/100) for thinking about Rias.
"What do you think you can exhibit at tonight's party?" asks Falbium.
"I have a few artifacts that have the potential to become High-Class Sacred Gears if used by good wielders. They took some time to make but with the materials I had access to, they were the best I could make. I will have to search for different supply routes to get materials for my experiments." I reply while thinking about places where I can get decent materials to make artifacts.
I need a steady supply of good quality materials to make artifacts regularly.
"The selling procedure will be something I have to think about. I haven't finalized the details of the process yet. Still a lot of things to think." Setting up a business is never easy.
"In that case do you mind if you work under me in the Devil's Research and Development of the Underworld. I would always appreciate a helping hand at work." Asks Ajuka.
While this would be good, it is totally unacceptable. I want money and position but this one will bind me to the government and make me the subordinate of the old devils who wouldn't lose a single moment to Lord over me.
"I really appreciate the offer but I would have to decline. Being a government employee in any way means involving myself in politics and I'd rather avoid it. I am an inventer, not a politician. I like to avoid situations like that as much as possible. You could hire me on a project if you want. That will give me some room to work with." I speak frankly in regard to this matter.
Ajuka gives up with a sigh. "I would tell you to reconsider, but I have the same problem with the council. I'd rather spend time in my lab then nitpick with them on what to and what not to invent for their convenience. I look forward to working with you if an opportunity arises in the future. I'd like to add something else then. Before selling or exhibiting any artifacts, please make sure to notify us. Just so that we can be prepared. Selling strong potential artifacts without any backup for us can be problematic. Serafall will handle the details regarding this contract with you at a later time."
"I will do that after your exhibit at tonight's party Shin-Kun. Before that, please get prepared for tonight's party. Get a dress to wear to the party. Rias-chan, Sona-tan, take him for shopping. We will arrange everything for the presentation later. Also, get your peerage ready for the party." Says Serafall sending us away for shopping. The girls perking up immediately at this as I inwardly lament at the thought of living through the nightmare that shopping trips to buy clothes, especially shopping.
"In that case, we will take our leave now. Have fun all of you," says Sirzechs and then they leave with a teleportation circle.
- Scene Change –
Shopping is something I really don't enjoy. Being made a mannequin and pose for others is something I dislike even more. It took fur fucking hours to get an acceptable dress for the night's party. If someone says something bad about my dress, I am going to erase him not because of the insult but due to them making fun of my pain.
Anyway I do have some time before the party starts. I need to check my rewards for the quest. I did complete all the optional quests.
Quest Completed
[Happy Thanksgiving]
What's a Thanksgiving without a turkey? And to make a good turkey, you need practice. You have an ever healing Giant Turkey in front of you. Use this opportunity to practice to your heart's content.
Objective : Defeat Riser Phenex in the Rating Game.
Bonus Objective 1 : Defeat every member of Riser Phenex's peerage before him.
Bonus Objective 2 : Win the Rating Game without losing any of your Peerage members.
Bonus Objective 3 : Defeat Riser Phenex by yourself without suffering any damage to your HP.
Rewards : Major Increased Affection with Rias Gremory, Major Affection and Reputation changes, ?,?,?,?,?.
+30 Affection with Rias Gremory(90/100) for freeing her from Riser Phenex.
+20 Affection with Akeno Himejima(40/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+20 Affection with Koneko Toujou(30/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+20 Reputation with Gasper Valdi(30/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+20 Reputation with Kiba Yuto(25/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+30 Reputation with The Occult Research Club(40/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+20 Reputation with Sirzechs Lucifer(30/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+10 Affection with Grayfia Lucifuge(25/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+10 Affection with Venelana Gremory(20/100) for freeing Rias from Riser Phenex.
+5 Reputation with Zeoticus Gremory(-2.5/100 ) for proving that you are not weak.
+15 Reputation with Zekram Bael(40/100) for establishing the name of House Bael.
+15 Reputation with Siaraorg Bael(80/100) for showing him a good match.
+20 Affection with Kuisha Abaddon(65/100) she still thinks that you got into trouble because of her.
-30 Reputation with Oggan Phenex(-80/100) for ruining his plans.
-10 Affection with Roxanne Phenex(-50/100) for stomping her son's crotch.
-10 Affection with Ravel Phenex(-10/100) for defeating her.
+10 Affection with Ravel Phenex(0/100) for showing Riser his place.
-20 Reputation with Riser Phenex's Peerage(-20/100) for beating them.
+20 Obedience with Riser Phenex's Peerage(20/100) for beating them easily.
+5 Reputation with the 72 Pillars(5/100)
+10 Reputation with the Four Great Satans(15/100)
+10 Reputation with the Devil Faction(10/100)
-20 Reputation with the Heaven Faction(-20/100)
-20 Reputation with the Grigori(-20/100)
1x Medium Heart Crystal, 2x +10 Level Up Scroll, 1x Skill Upgrade Token(Legendary), Gamer Function : unlocked.
Bonus Reward 1 :
Item : Shun Shun Rika
Fullbring of Inoue Orihime
Bonus Reward 2 :
Item : Familiar Summoning Egg.
Grants a Random Familiar to the user.
Bonus Reward 3 :
Item : Ope Ope no Mi
Devil Fruit : Ope Ope no Mi.
Right now, only two words come to my mind.
Worth it.
+50 Affection with Rias Gremory Reached.
Perk Gained
[Knight in Shining Armour]
You saved a princess and won her heart. All the girls that you save from any difficulty will have easier time becoming close to you.
Easier Affection and Obedience gains from anyone you have saved from any difficulty.
This is one hell of a perk. I can definitely get used to this. Anime worlds always have one thing in plenty. Girls to save. Lady Luck I Love You.
+2 Affection with Lady Luck(12/100) for the love.
I already had +10 Affection with Lady Luck?
Lady Luck's Love Child Perk means that you are loved by Lady Luck. Please have some common sense Host.
….That somehow makes sense.
Off to other topics.
I use one of the Level up scrolls on my Artificer Skill raising it to level 50, which is the maximum level of the class.
Skill Gained
[Dismantle Artifact (Legendary)](Active)
Dismantle artifacts up to Legendary Class and recover the materials used in its manufacture.
Skill Upgraded
[Design Blueprint (Legendary)] (Active)
Design a blueprint for up to Legendary class artifacts.
Costs : [200 x Level of Artifact] MP.
Skill Upgraded
[Create Artifact (Legendary)] (Active)
Create up to Legendary class artifact.
Costs : [10 x 10^Level of Artifact] MP.
Requires : Blueprint, Materials.
Skill Gained
[Scan Artifact(Legendary)](Active)
Study an artifact carefully to understand the workings of an artifact and recreate its blueprint.
Only Artifacts for up to Legendary Class can be scanned.
Costs : [500 x Level of Artifact]MP
Skill Gained
[Upgrade Artifact(Legendary)](Active)
Upgrade an artifact below the Legendary class.
Max : Legendary Class
Costs : [10 x 10^Level of Artifact] MP
I would have preferred to max my Umbramancer level with the two 10xlevel up scrolls but right now I need the help of the Artificer class more than Umbramancer. I need to prepare for tonight's party.
The only problem is my mana. To make a legendary class artifact, I need 1000000 mana and I currently only have 552000 mana. Just a little above half the total amount required for the process.
The mana batteries might not help me with this but I know of a way to get through this problem.
I still dread the thought about being able to craft a Mythical Grade artifact ever. Even after I max my INT stat at 5k I don't really know If I will have that much mana. The God of the Bible was really stronger than any devil could be.
So, no popping out Longinus out of my nowhere. Not that I could just do that. the materials and blueprints needed will have cost me a lot of effort to get too.
I design the blueprint of a pair of gloves for the next artifact I am going to make. I have had a fair idea of what to do with it.
Materials used will be the vibranium ingots and a skill orb. I am going to make the combo star skill into a Sacred Gear. I could have worried about the materials that could withstand the face of the impacts from the combo star skill as 200k pounds increase in force after every punch is something very hard to keep up with. But vibranium is just every bit of a cheat it was made out to be. It can absorb any amount of force so the gloves won't change shape due to the impacts of the skill.
Now for the hard part. How to get the mana for the skill.
If a certain someone knew how I am going to do this, he would try to burn me to ashes…..once again.
Calling for Meredith before I make the preparations for the crafting process, I ask her to put up her strongest wards around my workshop. This process might get rough. I don't want half the underworld coming out to look for a possible attack on Castle Bael….again.
"Meredith, please put up the barriers around this place that block others from sensing my magical power outside the boundaries of this barrier."
"Okay, Boss. You need any help from me?" asks Meredith in a curious tone of voice. Was she a nekoshou in her previous life? She is too curious for her own good. Curiosity killed the cat could have been the case if it had been someone other than me.
"I am crafting something interesting and I don't want anyone else sensing my magic power and be alerted without any reason."
She puts up the barriers and steps out of it to take a look.
Time to let it rip.
Mirror Alice.
I summon four mirrors around me before I let them release all the fire I had collected from Riser in the Rating Game. FGS magic is really helpful. It not only increases my Stats by a bit after I eat fire and makes me immune to lower level fires but it also increases my mana reserve temporarily to insane amounts depending on the quality and quantity of fire I eat.
The scum that he might be, Riser Phenex's House Trait has some decent quality to it even if it is as untrained as he never worked on it.
I open my mouth and swallow the fire down to the last bit. It tastes pretty good actually. Wonder how Ravel's fire would taste?
I could feel a bit full but what accompanied that feeling was a feeling of overwhelming power as I feel my mana reserves swell up to insane amounts.
MP : 1270000/552000.
Create Artifact.
I felt my MP draining at a very rapid pace and was left at about half of my reserves by the tie that the spell ended.
I finally glance at the pair of gloves in my hand. It seems like I can imbue the effect of a skill orb on an artifact.
Maybe getting a blacksmith or runesmith will let me do more with my crafting. Will think about it later.
"What the hell was that boss? You ate the fire? And what exactly are you? I haven't seen someone with that amount of magic power in anyone." And the bag of questions explodes once again. Is she related to Hermione?
"That's one of my abilities. Unique lost magic. I will explain it later sometimes. It basically makes me immune to low-level fires and gives me the ability to gain power from fire magic."
[Combo Star Gloves](Legendary)
An Artifact created by Shin Kageyami.
Pair of gloves made from Vibranium and imbued with the power of the Skill [Combo Star]. It gives the user the power to strike with hits increasing in 200000 pounds of weight per extra combo move added.
The combo counter is reset when the combo is broken and the maximum strength of the hits is maintained when the capacity is reached.
+1 maximum combo for every 25 END.
Amazing. This beauty is definitely something I would love to ear and just pummel someone to the ground.
I don't have any other materials for other artifacts. I guess I will make do with the other gacha drops as the artifacts.
I have to make an effort to get the items fast. Maybe dragon parts : scales, bones and fangs, and similar parts of other demonic beasts and yokai. I can see myself making such deals.
Maybe I should contact Serafall about this and she will know of a way to help me out, maybe some suggestions.
I think I have enough for showing the audience at tonight's party.
"Let's go Meredith. We have a party to rock." I turn and get out of my workshop and Meredith soon follows after me.
We enter the main hall of the Bael's castle and join the others as they are already ready for the party.
We all leave in a magic circle made by Kuisha.
- Underworld's Party Venue –
The place was filled with smartly dressed people all over. When we entered the venue, the party hall was already full of devils. Each of them grouped in their own circles and plot….discussing politics. Bunch of arrogant self-entitled looking snobby devils leering at others looking for a chance to fight at a moment's notice or at the very least cause disturbance.
Sakuya and Meredith were standing behind me while Morgiana took off with Koneko. She has been getting along quite well with her. Them stacking their plates with piles of sweets had probably had something to do with it.
But then again Morgiana was a Red Lion and Koneko was a Nekoshou so maybe some feline connection was going on there. I have no idea.
I was with Rias when she had to take a moment to greet her old friends in the hall. She went off for a moment.
It was then that I was approached by three gaudily dressed, snobbish older devils. A few Observes gave me a certain idea about what to expect.
"Are you Shin Kageyami?" asked one of them asked trying to appear more high and mighty than he actually was.
"That would be me, yes. May I know who is asking?"
"I am Lord Shax. We are here to discuss the show that you presented during the Rating Game." I had to keep my expression in control so as not to laugh at his face at the ridiculous name. Lord Sucks. I can already get an idea about what to expect from him.
"And that would be?" I did notice them exchanging glances before hey covered me on three sides, slightly obscuring me from the other people in the place.
"Your behavior against a Pure-Blooded Devil was a taint to the name of the devil race. Your possessing the evil pieces that you do is deemed too dangerous in the hands of someone with an unstable mentality like you. you will have to trade your pieces so as to reduce the danger that you can possess to others in the Rating Games like you did today." I had to suppress another urge right now and that was to blast them to oblivion. That just wouldn't do. I will make these fuckers regret even daring to stand up against me and trying to trick me to take what is mine.
"And what would make you think of this. I don't see how this is any of your business. My rating game opponent is nowhere in sight to complain."
"We are close friends of Lord Phenex and business partners, and you will do better to remember your betters." I am starting to hate this more and more.
Did I jump into a devil's version of Wizarding Britain? I guess if the Wizards were a creation of devils, they must have picked up some of the traits.
Being a pathetic bigot was one of them. But hey, I had memories of dealing with the likes of them for years in this body. Let's try a Slytherin approach.
"May I take it that you are implying that I am not mature enough to possess evil pieces of my own."
"That would be correct. Your immature performance in today's Rating Game was attesting to the very same fact." He seemed to be pleased with himself.
"So, what do you propose that we should do?"
"You will trade one of each of your pieces with us. It will decrease the danger that you might possess to our society." Oh, you will suffer for even daring to try this shit on me.
"That does seem like a sound approach. But before that please clear some of the doubts that I might be having." I could see the smile creeping on their faces at the thoughts of having my girls.
"Speak quickly." Impatient much. Is he that eager to get his ass kicked.
"If I am not wrong then the Satans decide who is mature enough to get the Evil Pieces and who is illegible for them." Here I start leaking my demonic power, slowly raising it bit by bit. Their eyes widening a bit at the thought of their lie being caught out. I don't give them a chance as I keep increasing the pressure of my demonic power as well as the volume of my voice as I speak making sure the others in the hall would listen to everything I say.
"I was granted my Evil Pieces in the presence of not one but Two Satans and Great King Zekram Bael himself." Here I noticed a sheen of sweat on their foreheads. The increasing levels of Demonic Energy not helping anyone either.
"After my Rating Game, I have had the opportunity to meet all four Satans and even they did not complain about my ability to possess an Evil Pieces Set. So let me as you this, do you think that you know better than The Four Great Satans, or are you saying that their decisions don't hold any value to you. I am quite unsure where your feelings lie on the current status of the underworld."
The entire hall is silengt for a moment before it erupts in a clamor of whisper and gossips between the other devils present there.
"What is the matter Shin? Why are you tensed?" Rias says as she appears near me in a hurry.
"I-Its nothing Miss Gremory. We were just expressing our concerns regarding the safety of the underworld and this…..this ill-mannered boy over here started hurling crazy allegations on us." Trying to place the blame on me. Not going to happen.
"I really fail to see why me possessing a set of Evil Pieces and refusing to trade-off MY pieces to you would concern itself as the safety of the underworld."
"What. What do you mean by that? Explain yourself Lord Shax. This is a very severe breach of conduct against any High-Class Devil. What gives you the right to demand that from him and under what evidence are you blaming the safety of the underworld on such an outrageous fact." Rias is absolutely livid. She has +90 affection with me. Only 10 less than full. That has got to count for something in the game.
"What is the matter Rias, Shin. What is this discussion about. I apologise for appearing a little late but I was occupied by a few other nobels." Sirzechs appears followed by Grayfia, Serafall, and Ajuka. Zekram is following they close behind the lot of them.
The pigs are sweating even more now.
"They were saying that Shin is a danger to the underworld and that he should trade his peerage to them to stop being that," Rias says with a severely pissed off look on her face.
"N-N-No Lord Lucifer, that is not what we meant. We were just concerned about the safety of the underworld. The sacred gears that he has in his peerage are dangerous if they go out of control. He is really young and wouldn't be able to control them if that happened. We were just offering our help. He started putting ridiculous allegations against us because of it." Wow, that's some high-level pathetic excuse they are throwing around.
"I don't think that will be a problem for Shin. Even if it was, then we are with him to help him out. I have my own bishop who couldn't control his powers and was sealed off till he could do so. We can take care of Shin and his peerage very well. Who are you to demand him to trade-off his Peerage to you." Rias speaks off in a seething voice full of anger.
"I-I-I-I-It's a different matter Lady Rias. You are the little sister of Lord Lucifer. He can help you out. He is not related to your house. A common devil, he can't be trusted with such powerful members. It is in the best interest of the underworld that they are given off to other respected High-Class devils."
I know this has something to do with the Gamers Mind or my own vindictive nature that likes me watching my enemies suffer than die, but it just saved their lives right now.
"If that is so, then it won't be a problem anymore," Sirzechs spoke with a tone of mirth in his voice. "Shin Kageyami has asked for Rias' marriage contract with Riser Phenex for his own as a reward for the Rating Game. As of today, he is engaged to Rias Gremory. This was seen to and authorised by all of the four Great Satans as well as the Great King Zekram Bael. Him being the brother-in-law of Lucifer is the same as Rias being the sister of Lucifer. He won't be trading his pieces with anyone. And for further such interactions, inform us before making any moves"
"B-but how. Riser Phenex is a devil of noble birth and high pedigree. Surely you would not just break off the contract because of a Rating Game and give your Sister's hand to a commoner." I think he realises the mess he is in right now.
"The commoner that you speak of is a representative of the Bael House. My own representative and someone possessing both power and pedigree. Moreover, a contract that was made for a Rating Game must be followed. We devils don't break our contracts. Especially not to our own kind. It will negate the meaning and importance of a Rating Game in our society." Speaks Zekram who has been silent all this while. He looks towards me and signals me with his eyes. He wants me to give them a show.
I raise a hand and a sphere of the PoD appears in my hand. The three stooges looking at it with eyes bulging out of their sockets.
"Now if you think that my representative is not worthy of this marriage, then perhaps I would have to check my standing in the devil's society once again. Would that be the case?" Zekram speaks as if daring them to refute.
"W-W-W-We had no idea that such was the case. We apologise Great King. Forgive us for our imprudence." stuttering, they run off in a hurry.
They will pay for it. I will make sure of it.
As I was thinking of ways to erase them from the world, Falbium comes near us and joins the rest.
"For someone who says he doesn't like politics, you are quite good at it. If we had not arrived on time, I am pretty sure that the others would have been apprehending a group of three Old Satan Faction supporters for attacking an innocent and upstanding High-Class devil as you made it," he speaks looking at me with eyes of scrutiny.
"You don't have to like something to be good at it. Do you like working?" I ask looking at him and getting a shake of his head in denial in return. "And yet you are good at your work." I smile as I pass off his gaze as normal.
Rias looks quite confused while looking at me.
"Wait so that was all acting?" she asks getting smiles from everyone present.
"No Rias, that was Politics. It's is much more annoying than acting."
"Yet it is just as entertaining if you know what to enjoy. Are you ready for the show Shin-Kun? Will you need something to help you in your presentation." asks Serafall looking at me.
"Yes, I will like to have someone who is injured, preferably with a permanent injury that cannot be healed later on the stage. A place to show some of my artifact's attacks without the risk of harming the surroundings. I only have four of them for now. They are my best though so I am quite confident about them. One of them is not for sale as I would like to keep that for myself and currently have no means to make another one of those. The other three are quite good too, so the audience won't be disappointed."
"Very well that will be arranged while we make the announcement of your engagement with Rias in the meanwhile." Speaks Sirzechs. The others are looking at me thinking about what I will do, while Ajuka looks like he knows what I am going t do, just now how I am going to do it.
They lead us to the stage in front of the Hall. Sirzechs stands at the front drawing everyone's attention towards him with a clap of his hands.
"Today we have gathered here to celebrate the victory of Shin Kageyami in a Rating Game against Riser Phenex. I have to say that watching the younger generation of devils fighting against each other to prove themselves and perform spectacularly when doing so is something that fills my heart with pride as a Satan. We saw a wonderful performance today that will be sure to inspire many upcoming Rating Game players in the future. A great performance that showed all the necessary parts of a Rating Game."
"We have gathered here today to discuss something that happened as a result of that Rating Game. As you already know that the participants were sponsored by the Great King and Lord Phenex each supporting Shin Kageyami and Riser Phenex as their representatives. The conditions behind the Rating Game were that the winner could ask something from the other party's sponsor and in this case, Shin asked something from Phenex House. We have all seen the Rating Game and in the said game some things were said that shouldn't have been said at all," Here his voice grows a bit colder. "Shin, being a friend of Rias through Sairaorg was quite angry with this and thus asked for…. Rias' engagement contract with Riser Phenex to be passed over to him." He stops and lets the audience grasp the situation. "This as a contract was approved by the four Great Satans and the Great King and hence from today Rias Gremory is engaged to Shin Kageyami. I congratulate the two of them for their new lives."
The room bursts in a cacophony of gossips and whispers. Some young devils looking towards me angrily. Rias was incredibly gorgeous and I just snooped and took her away from everyone else. I wonder if they will cause a riot if I say something dramatic like 'It's not that you all are bad, I am just too good,' but as tempting that may be, I still had a show to run.
Rias was positively beaming at the announcement as we received congratulations from others in the hall. Her friends met us one by one and the other young devil boys, even though they were angry, kept their thoughts to themselves. The beating I gave Riser was imprinted on their minds.
"As much as I hate stuffy parties like this, this is one I must say that I am enjoying quite a bit. Maybe it's the company beside me doing the magic." I smile at Rias.
She blushes a little before saying "Wasn't that already obvious?"
"I was just restating the facts. Don't worry about that," as I was flirting with her Serafall comes in our direction. It seems that it's showtime.
"Are you ready Shin-Kun. We have prepared the injured person you asked for. He is Lord of House Barbatos. He had lost an arm during the civil wars and still stood on our side in the fight. If you can really do something for him, then I would ensure that no one challenges your business in the underworld." she says with a serious tone of voice, very unlike normal Serafall.
"Then I just have to pull it through." I give her a reassuring smile as she heads up to the front of the stage and maks the announcement.
"Hello everyone, it's your favourite Magical Girl Levi-tan. Nice to see all of you having fun this evening. We have prepared some entertainment for today's occasion. Something that will lift everyone's mood. Our Shin-kun is a good Rating Game player as we all saw him earlier. But….he is an even better inventor. He makes these little artifacts that are really awesome. Even Ajuka finds them really interesting. So today we are going to see the best of his inventions. We will have a show conducted by Shin-kun himself." She looks more like a cheerleader than a Satan. It is honestly more surprising to see that people here are fine with this and behaving as if this is the norm.
"Will you join me Rias and please bring any hand to hand combat specialist in your peerage with you. I will show you something nice, I promise."
I head off to talk to Sairaorg as Rias goes to get Koneko I presume.
"Sairaorg, would you like to help me test a new artifact of mine. It's wielder in might give you a good fight in the future." And that is apparently all the motivation he needs to help me out.
"Sure, what do I need to do." He answers in an enthusiastic tone of voice.
"You need to see if the artifact I made, can make her hit you harder. And if so, then how harder exactly. I will advise the use of Touki just in case."
The grin on his face told me all the answers I needed.
I am joined by both Rias and Koneko and then we are teleported to an arena like place in a different dimension not unlike the ones used for Rating Games.
I turn to Rias before speaking to her. "This engagement announcement was a bit sudden, so I couldn't prepare a good gift for you. I hope that this will help you out in your dream to become the champion of the Rating Game." I say before giving her a pair of vibranium gloves."This is currently one of my best inventions. I how it will help you well."
"Shin, I can't….." I signal her to stop with my hands before she can say anything further. "You should take it. It is something that will help you well."
She takes it and examines it for a while before asking me what to do with it
"You need to give it to the one you want to use it. It will accept it as it's wielder and bond with them." Signaling over to Koneno, She walks over to her and gives her the gloves. The cute white-haired girl still as stoic as ever.
- Serafall Leviathan –
She watches as Rias gives her Rook, Koneko as pair of gloves that were gifted to her by Shin. A nice move here. Gifting something to Rias and her accepting it will confirm that she agrees with this engagement and is not forced to accept it. Though when she thinks about it, Sereafall realizes that the intensity with which Rias stood up for Shin against Lord Shax was something that already declared that out quite loud. A bunch of cronies of Lord Phenex, wanted to profit off the confusion. Keeping her and the other away with other Lords while they pressured Shin-kun into trading off his peerage to them.
If she knew Shin-kun as she did, he would have destroyed them outright had they tried to lay a hand on them physically. Those are three members that any devil in the underworld would give a limb to have in their peerage. Even a Satan. They just had that much potential.
And those pieces of filthy crap wanted to steal those Peerage members. She had to commend his ability to not erase them from existence, something that she very well knew he was quite capable of doing and that it was going to be easy enough for him to do so was just the cherry on the top.
The way he took care of the matter was just as cunning. No one will be associating with Lord Shax and his little group today at the party and after today, looking at the performance that Shin-kun was giving was making her sure that it will continue being so in the future as well. Those artifacts are all at least high class and even top class.
With a reveal like this, she will have to think of other more important matters. Like his protection details. If he can make such artifacts in a few weeks, she didn't want to imagine the extent of his talent and capabilities.
Underworld just got another Ajuka Beelzebub and other factions will do their utmost to take him down before he becomes a danger to them.
Speaking of Ajuka, he has been setting up spells for observing the said artifacts at all the angles and receive all the readings he can. Finally someone who can challenge him in some form of a contest of mind and creativity. Sirzechs might be called the Strongest Satan but Ajuka Beelzebub was the most dangerous one of them all.
The fact that he is looking at a new devil of the younger generation with a gaze that one would only give their equals is something both exhilarating and terrifying at the same instant. Terrifying because if such a person became a danger, he could cause immense chaos and exhilarating because he was someone on their side.
Now she just has to plan out a way to lessen his danger rating among the other factions. Azazel would probably be excited to have someone discuss Sacred Gears with him anytime. It's the heavens and the church that worry her. Micheal won't take any action and that ….bitch Gabriel won't do anything either but the same couldn't be said about the other members of heaven.
Every faction has its own Zealots and they cause problems everywhere. She just has to make sure that Shin-kun is protected and she is pretty sure that today the majority of the Devils will think the same thing.
She will just sit back and enjoy the show for now.
_x_x_
Author's Note : Okay, so this one came a bit later than I normally write. I had too much work this week and had to write this in several sittings. If you notice the quality shifts in the chapter, sorry about that as I generally complete one chapter in two or three sittings.
I started using Grammarly, for this chapter and I think you will like the change in quality. I was thinking about taking some time and editing the previous chapters too. Thanks to King Carlos for the advice.
This chapter was not much of a dramatic chapter as I wanted to move things along. I did get some new things in as you could notice a certain .
I will explain it later. Its something of a surprise.
Politics in the underworld is much more common than in the Wizarding World and the idiots had no chance against Shin with his backing. I did try to get Ingvild's introduction settled a bit. Using her as a test for the Satans to see if they could be trusted. Shin is not going to trust someone who has an Affection rating anywhere lower than that of Rias. After all, they were the leaders of their own race. They will throw him under the bus if it gives them more profit and there are more ways to do that than killing him.
I hope the cap, temporary it might be was good for the Artifacts production.
Mythical Grade artifacts are incredibly hard to make 10000000 mana is something that is going to be hard for him to achieve even with his ridiculous Perks to boost his mana gain. As the spells need direct mana from his body, he cannot use mana batteries as an alternative for the crafting process. I think that this much be the mana levels which is minimum to make something which can kill Gods and The God Of The Bible was someone with at least this much mana. This is not mentioning that he will need items that can qualify themselves as being used as materials for a Mythical Grade Artifact. So, rest assured, he won't be popping Mythical Grade Artifacts on a whim after an easy level up. Mythical Grade Skill Level Up is also hard to achieve. At least taking months for a single skill and other requirements too.
Tell me if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will have the showing of Artifacts and the reactions of the other Factions to Shin after his Rating Game and the following Party.
Thank You for reading.
Good Day, Peace Out.