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The Golden Dragon Empress - Chapter 21: Off to The Underworld
🕑 Added 2025-04-11 14:00:26 +0000 UTCItalicized – Emphasis/Inner Thoughts
Bold – Dragon Speaking/Thoughts
The Next Day
Natsuki rolled her eyes as she walked, finally growing tired of her friends' behavior, "Just ask the questions you all have already. Your staring is irritating me."
Natsuki had met the rest of the Peerage accept Gasper on their walk to school that morning, and while no one had said anything to her, each of them kept glancing at her.
She could not help but feel this was intentional as she almost never ran into Kiba, Koneko, Akeno, or Xenovia when walking to school, usually because they all went to school far earlier than she ever did, but it still felt pointed.
Natsuki was not surprised when Issei was the one who spoke first, "You're a hybrid. Why didn't you tell us you were a hybrid?"
"Because I haven't known for that long, I found out after we cleaned the pool for the student council." Natsuki answered.
"So, you're part human magician and part what?" Issei asked.
Natsuki scoffed, "Your guess is as good as mine. No one seems open to telling me."
Rias sighed, "It would explain why Onii-sama had been watching you for so long. Like I said yesterday, the Rashaankh family are powerful practitioners and have ties to many different factions. Although, it does make me question how you could have ended up in Japan of all places."
"What do you mean?" Natsuki asked, trying to make herself not sound as interested as she was.
"It doesn't matter to them how powerful one is or who they are as a person, if they have Rashaankh blood, then they must be accounted for and made to be of some use to the family, and at least from the rumors I have heard about them, they have they have some kind of arcane art that tracks their lineage." Rias explained.
"So, I shouldn't have been living in an orphanage for most of my life? If this lineage tracking spell was working, then I would've have been found long before now?" Natsuki asked, "Is there any way to contact them?"
Rias grimaced, "I don't know if that would be a good idea, Natsuki."
"Why not?"
"Because you're a Devil." Xenovia was the one who replied, "I remember learning about many of the prominent magician families during my own lessons, they are all obsessed with blood purity and with keeping their secrets within their own ranks. They might take one look at you and decide that your either lying about being their relative, or-"
"Or that my status as a reincarnated Devil has dirtied my blood. Either way, they will choose to kill me." Natsuki finished, seeing where Xenovia was going.
"We don't know for sure that is what they would do." Rias said, "But it's best not to risk it."
That sucks, I was hoping to find out what else I might be capable of. Vali seemed confident that my bloodline should or would make me stronger, is having a whole family of murderous assassins is worth trying to find out? Natsuki thought.
Natsuki was happy to have one piece of the puzzle that made her who she was revealed, even if it just gave her more questions than answers.
"You're not going to run off to Egypt and try your luck, are you, Natsuki-chan?" Kiba asked, the gentle smile he usually wore, becoming a bit sharper.
"No." Natsuki saw the looks that everyone was giving her when she said this, "I'm not going to Egypt, alright?"
Akeno smiled, "You are quite stubborn, especially when you become singularly focused like this, Natsuki."
"Yeah, we'd probably have to do to what we had to do with Kiba, if we're not careful and don't keep an eye on you." Issei said, looking at Natsuki as if she was going to take off right that second.
"You won't let this go, Natsuki-senpai. We know you won't." Koneko added.
Asia smiled, "It's understandable to want answers about yourself, but we don't want you to get hurt, Natsuki-san."
"You assholes have opinions about me that I'm not sure I like." Natsuki said, stopping to stare at them blankly.
"Have you met yourself? They're accurate opinions to have." Rias said, grinning when the taller girl turned her head to glare at her.
"All of you should drop dead." Natsuki said dryly, "But seriously, is there anything else I can learn about them?"
"There are some history and magic books I can lend you that will have some information on them, but like I said, the Rashaankh are a secretive group."
"Thanks, Rias."
Lux, do you know anything about the Rashaankh family? Natsuki asked the dragon.
I have run into a many Rashaankh magicians in my time, a given as Egypt is where I originated from. Lux said.
It is? Natsuki asked. I would have thought that-
That my brothers and I sprouted in the Underworld out of nowhere? Lux asked with amusement. No, we dragons, and many other creatures, came to be here on Earth as manifestations of the strong magical properties that naturally exist here. And due to living on Earth, we eventually encountered humans, humans who would tell stories of us and pass those stories down the generations, until we became the very myths you know of today. Why else do you think Ddraig is known as the Welsh Dragon? Due to his association with humans, an image of him is now forever stitched onto the flag of Wales.
I never really thought about that, but that does make sense. Although, I don't remember hearing about any Egyptian dragons before.
The ancient Egyptians did not have dragons, but sea serpents, there were and are countless who inhabit the country. I was the only one of my ilk to manifest in Egypt, and even then, the people there did not know me by current name and titles.
What did they call you back then?
While Natsuki could not see her face, she could hear the smirk in Lux's voice as she said her next words. They called me Mehen.
Mehen?! Natsuki thought, freezing in place, and allowing the rest of the Peerage to walk past her. The snake-God who wrapped around the Boat of the Sun and the Sun God, Ra?!
The very same. Lux said with a laugh.
But, but I thought Mehen was a snake-God! And you know Ra?!
The history and myths that you learned in school or read about on your own are not always accurate to real life. Dragons do share qualities with reptiles, which is why I was referred to as a snake, and the ancient Egyptians could not fathom how a creature that did not resemble a human could speak, so I was called a God as well. Ra and I shared a friendship, during those times, he needed my help to protect him as he did his duty.
That explanation did nothing to curb Natsuki's shock and curiosity, and she was left with even more questions.
But to answer your first question. Lux said once Natsuki started to walk again. Their origins stretch back to the dawn of Egyptian civilization, then, your ancestors were originally known as Heka-Ka, but the man that founded your family and gave them their purpose was a powerful sorcerer named Rashaankh. A man whose abilities were so extraordinary that he became one of the earliest figures to be revered as a Divine Priest of Heka by the Pharaohs of Egypt. His talents in both the arcane and spiritual domains made him indispensable, and soon his descendants were marked as the guardians of ancient and forgotten magics, an importance that they have held for millennia.
And then they managed to gain positions of power in government, finance, and the occult, spreading their influence worldwide, right? Natsuki asked knowingly.
You would be correct. The same way that supernaturals revere the Germory family, so to do they revere the Rashaankh. Your connection would explain your particular abilities.
What do you mean?
Rashaankh magicians are known for being exceptionally gifted when it comes to six types of magic; elemental, necromancy, binding, curse, divination, and void. You have already shown that you are capable of elemental and void magic, and I would have counted binding magic as well, but your claiming of the Sword of Methuselah had nothing to do with your magical aptitude or lineage, but instead the contents of your spirit.
Natsuki thought about her training before the Rating Game, the water fight she had gotten into with Akeno, Rias, and Issei, and her use of her Black Blot as instances of what Lux was talking about.
So, does this mean that I'll be able to do the other four types of magic?
It is not guaranteed just because you have Rashaankh blood. I would also not recommend trying to use necromancy or curse magic without a skilled magician with you, and certainly not by yourself. They are dangerous arts, calling upon things beyond your control and understanding.
That wasn't ominous at all, but I get it.
Natsuki wanted to ask more questions, but she was satisfied for now, resolving to continue her search for answers later, now that she had a good jumping off point.
"Natsuki-chan." Akeno said as she fell in step with the other girl. "Are you sure that you're okay?"
"What do you mean?" Natsuki asked.
"I mean, you haven't said anything about Vali or the attack." Akeno explained, "And you're usually…"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "Usually what?"
Akeno placed a finger on her chin, her head leaned back slightly as she thought of the right was to articulate what she meant. "The kind of person to brag after a win or a least complain about the whole affair and why it happened in the first place."
"Yeash, do I come off as that much of an asshole? Natsuki playfully asked.
Akeno gave her a smirk, but it soon fell away into a concerned expression. "But seriously, are you okay?"
"We didn't win." Natsuki murmured, shoving her hands into her pockets. "And… Vali, he was a fucking monster, Raynare, Donnaseek, Riser, Kokabiel, all of them had nothing on him. Issei and I together weren't enough, hell, I'm sure that even if the whole Peerage fought with us, we'd still lose. It's only because of Vali toying with us, and Son Goku arriving at the last second, that kept us from getting our asses kicked or worse."
Natsuki did not think herself an egoist, but she knew that was a lie, and since becoming a Devil, it was a problem that had grown worse. She may not have always had confidence in herself, and was self-deprecating at the worst of times, but she had pride over a mile long.
Seeing Vali look down on her, it reminded her of those she had mentioned before, who each took one look at her and thought she was like the dirt beneath their shoe, a joke to laugh at and she hated it.
Even though she knew it was stupid to rise to Vali's challenge and to drag Issei into it, just hearing the other hybrid call her weak and threaten to harm those she cared about just because he could, enraged her tremendously.
"And what if that bastard comes back? You know he will, Issei is his eternal rival, and I was stupid enough to demand equal treatment during the Holy Sword debacle and yesterday because I…"
"Felt insulted?" Akeno finished for her.
Natsuki nodded, but her head was facing the ground as she walked. "Not to mention he's working with the faction who wants Sirzechs and the other leaders to be removed from power and killed. Rias is that jerk's little sister, there's no way we won't be involved when things get heated again."
"You know, you're a walking contradiction."
Natsuki turned to look at Akeno questioningly, waiting for Akeno to explain herself.
"When I first saw you, I thought you were a quiet loner. And as I got to know you, I thought you were this intelligent, sarcastic, cautious, and misunderstood girl who people weren't giving a chance to."
"And do you still think that?" Natsuki asked, the turn in the convention making her think of what she said to Akeno back at her shrine.
Akeno hummed, "I do, but I've also seen how quick to anger, brash, arrogant, and confrontational you are when you interact with others."
"Like I said before, you people have opinions about me that I'm not sure I like."
Akeno laughed, "But they are true, are you saying that I'm wrong?"
Natsuki sighed, "You're not. I know I shouldn't say or do a lot what I have, I just… it's so hard to keep a lid on how I feel. Especially when I have to interact with people who think I deserve to be treated without any respect. It's like this demon comes out of me that overrides all of my other senses and demands I put them in their place for having the gall to try and put me in what they think is mine. And it's definitely gotten worse since I gained my Sacred Gear."
"What do you mean?"
"Lux was explaining it to me when I first met Riser in the clubroom and after I insulted him and kept him from touching Rias. She told me that when a person unlocks their Sacred Gear, based on its type, attributes, or even the creature sealed within, it can have effects on the user's mind and emotional state. Pride and arrogance were already traits that I possessed before unlocking [Ethereal Domination, but now they have increased or are currently increasing. And Lux's own emotions can end up entangled within my own, making things even worse."
"Which is why sometimes your eyes will glow gold and your voice changes." Akeno said, drawing the connection, "Does this happen to every Sacred Gear holder? I've never seen-"
"No, Lux said that not every user experiences it. And even for those who do, the influence of their gear is usually minimal enough that those changes appear normal within that person. Although, that can change if the user is in a situation of high distress."
Akeno did not know that, but it made sense when she thought about many of the Sacred Gear holders that she has known and come across.
I guess even after centuries there are still things to be discovered about the Sacred Gear system. Akeno thought.
"Before becoming a Devil, in most situations I would have bitten my tongue and walked away, not seeing the confrontation as worth anything. But now, it's like I have to say, to do something, it's annoying acting that way even when my head is telling me not to but also-"
"Freeing." Akeno said, "It's freeing not having to hold your thoughts and actions back."
"Yeah." Natsuki said quietly, "That's probably childish to admit."
"There's nothing childish about admitting to your failings."
"But those failings make things worse instead of better, it's one thing to be like that when it's just us in the Peerage, or with someone like Saji or Xenovia. But with guys like Riser, Kokabiel, and Vali, fuck, it's just like when I was a kid."
"So, you're telling that you haven't always been cursing at people and threatening to beat them up? Akeno asked with a smile.
Natsuki rolled her eyes, "No, I wasn't. When I was younger, I was bullied relentlessly by the other kids who used to live at the orphanage with me and with by my classmates. I used to try and fight back, but that would just lead to me getting my ass kicked, and after a while I stopped fighting, I stopped talking back hoping that would work, but it didn't. The other kids in the orphanage left, but it was still the same in school, the only reason it didn't continue when I came to Kuoh is because everyone here learned I was from Nitoshō, and they thought I would kill them or whatever. Still didn't keep them from talking about me when they thought I couldn't hear."
I don't want to be that small, scared girl who the world thinks it can walk all over anymore. Natsuki thought.
"Maybe you just need a better way to express those emotions you've kept buried for so long that doesn't include taking it out on other people?"
Natsuki let out a snort, "You saying I don't know how to emotionally regulate?"
"You said that, not me." Akeno said calmly, "But whenever I feel out of control, I usually take deep breaths and try to focus on everything good that I have in my life. And if things are still too much, I focus on my shrine or cooking, it helps me feel closer to my mother."
Natsuki wanted to ask Akeno what had happened to her mother, but from the way Akeno spoke of the woman, Natsuki knew she had to be long since passed, and Natsuki did not want to upset her senpai.
Natsuki then sighed, "This is not the kind of conversation to be had early in the morning and before school."
Akeno giggled, "You were the one who started it."
"No, I didn't! You were the one asking what was wrong with me, don't start trying to shift blame!"
This just made Akeno laugh harder, making Natsuki roll her eyes, unable to keep the small smile off her own face.
"Still, I'll try it, worst that can happen is that it doesn't work."
Akeno smiled, "No one's asking you to change, least of all me, Natsuki-chan. But I'm proud of you for working on yourself."
"Eh? Okay, what's going on with you? Being all nice and supportive without making any kind of innuendos or trying to grab me? Yesterday's battle must have affected you way more than it did me." Natsuki said, turning her head away to keep Akeno from seeing the effect her words had on her.
Akeno leaned closer to Natsuki, wrapping her arm around Natsuki's bicep, her head now as hair's breath away from Natsuki's as she spoke. "If you want me to be more forceful, you should just be honest and ask me instead of talking around it, Natsuki."
"You're the most irritating person I have ever met." Natsuki said plainly, her face blank as she stared at the other Devil.
Akeno giggled again, resting her head on Natsuki's shoulder, a warmth spreading through her chest as Natsuki did not push her away as they walked.
~X~
"And so, from today on I'll be the advisor of this Occult Research Club. Please call me Azazel-sensei. Or Governor is fine too." Wearing a worn-out suit, Azazel stood in front of the Occult Research Club, smiling lazily at the group.
"No fucking way in Hell are you going to be the advisor of my club." Rias spat, looking at the Fallen with disgust.
"Oh, come on, I'm a super-cool guy, you should feel happy to know that I'll be here." Azazel said with a mocking smile.
Rias' expression did not change, "You still have not told us why you are even here."
"Sirzechs told Serafall's little sister to give me the position."
"Damnit, Onni-chan." Rias muttered, annoyed that her brother would go behind her back to do this, especially as it now meant that she would have to see the irritating Fallen Angel on a regular basis.
"Is it because of Khaos Brigade?" Natsuki asked, "They're obviously planning something, especially now that they're aligned with the Old Satan Faction."
"You're right. I'm an expert on the Vanishing Dragon, and from the information I have on him, I know that Vali has his own team. We're temporarily calling it the Hakuryuukou Team. Several people are gathering around the ones who've been identified at present, Vali, and Son Goku." Azazel said.
"Are Vali and the others going to attack the school again?" Issei asked.
The Governor General shook his head, "They won't attack here again, yesterday was simply a rare chance to assassinate the leaders of the three great powers at the conference, but it failed. Their current opponents are Heaven and the Underworld. In the Underworld, all the Fallen Angels under my command have joined together with the Devils, and the Seraph in Heaven also won't remain silent. There are also the other unaffiliated creatures who call Heaven and the Underworld home that wouldn't allow their land to be so easily conquered."
"So how long would it take for both sides to declare war on each other?" Natsuki asked, taking a cup of tea that Akeno had brought out for everyone.
"What makes you think war is coming?"
Natsuki gave the Fallen a tired look, "Obviously war is coming, there can be no other outcome with everything we know about these guys. Besides, isn't this the whole reason why the Three Factions came together and put aside centuries of hatred? That way in case a powerful enemy comes along, they can use their combined power to win and not be annihilated?"
Azazel chuckled, "That is true, but at the moment, you could say they and us are in a preparatory period. Something like a full-on war won't occur at least until you people graduate from university, let alone this school's high school division. But still, the danger is eminent, so you'll need to focus on what you can do to prepare for it."
"Prepare?" Issei asked, "I mean, if the war isn't-"
"Do you think that you'll be of any use if you remain as weak as you are now?" Azazel asked, a serious expression resting on his face for the first time that day. "No matter how you feel about it, your enemy is Hakuryuukou Vali to the bitter end. You were only able to repel Vali because you combined the dragon-slaying sword you got from Michael, your [Boosted Gear]'s power, and because you were fighting with Natsuki and not by yourself, along with the fact that Vali didn't go all out. If it weren't for those reasons, you would have lost. Rather, you could only fight thanks to the compatibility and teamwork, if it was another opponent that wasn't a Dragon and possessed power of Vali's level, you would have been killed."
Issei could say nothing in defense, he knew that Azazel was right, without Ascalon, without the bracelet that first allowed him to achieve Balance Breaker, and without Natsuki there, he would not have beaten Vali.
It burned him thoroughly just to even think about being so weak, especially when compared to a man like Vali. And his anger grew when he thought about how Vali had threatened his family, and how casually Vali did so just to get a rise out of him.
Azazel looked at Natsuki, "And the same goes for you as well, Natsuki-chan. You're ahead of Issei when it comes to using Kogane Ryū no Kōgō's power, but you still fall impossibly short of matching Vali. You may have gotten a second wind towards the end, but it was a temporary one, had the fight gone on any longer, you would have lost."
Natsuki remained silent, waiting for the man to continue speaking, already knowing where and how she was failing.
Azazel turned back to Issei, "Can you now use the Hakuryuukou's power?"
Issei shook his head, "No, it doesn't function at all. I tried last night after going home but nothing happened."
The power he had taken from Vali and the gauntlet that had been lodged in my right arm had not appeared since then.
Was it a one-time use only? Issei thought.
"That's what I thought, you can't handle something that strong so easily. It's beneficial to take in another dragon's power, it's an entirely different matter whether you can freely control it or not. If used unskillfully, it may be an ability that is more difficult than attaining Balance Breaker. However, the power you took in once should have been recorded into Ddraig's soul. The rest depends on training, in addition, you'll first have to complete hellish training in the long term otherwise you'll die if you try it again untested."
Damn it, even if I stole Albion's power, there's no point if I can't use it freely? And I also can't control Ddraig's power.
Azazel was not done, "Your Sekiryuutei power is also unstable, its explosive power is tremendous, but that's also only temporarily. A lower ranked opponent would instantly be brought down with that, but it would be suppressed by a higher ranked one. If you're also going to participate in the Rating Games as a Devil from now on, you must stabilize that power, and to do that, you first need to attain Balance Breaker. Having said that, Rating Games aren't straightforward either, something like a Pawn that consumed only one piece taking down the King can happen, everything depends on how you fight. I'll have to teach you all about that as well."
"You seem well-informed about Rating Games." Rias muttered.
"Rias-chan, you should know that Devils aren't the only fans of the game. Thanks to the peace pact, there are also a lot of Angels and Fallen Angels going out to watch the games unreservedly. And besides, it's not only Issei and Natsuki who need to step up, the Rating Game you fought against that Phenex boy, showed where each of you is lacking."
Rias could not deny that Azazel was right, even though it burned her just to think, she was willing to put aside her pride. "What would you suggest for each of us?"
"Well, starting with Issei, for the time being, we'll build up your body so that it can fight for long periods of time. Your problem is that you have a weak base, which doesn't with having a sacred Gear that requires adding on to the paltry amount of power you currently have."
Issei nodded, pumping his fists, "Hell yeah, I'm going to become so much stronger, that Vali bastard won't know what hit him!"
Azazel smiled mischievously and that worried Issei for a brief moment, but the Fallen soon turned his attention onto Gasper. "Gasper, every time something makes you nervous, you freeze time. You were so weak that you couldn't stop those witches from holding you hostage and using you to freeze the school grounds. We don't know what kind of people are in Khaos Brigade, so who's to say that they won't try it again?"
Gasper, who had been standing behind the rest of the Peerage and hiding from Azazel's sight, took refuge in his cardboard box while crying. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I'm so useless! I'm not useful at all! I'm garbage! I'm pig food! I'm seriously reflecting deeper than the sea, and I possess a target higher than Everest! So please don't abandon meeeeeeeee!"
"Kid can really scream." Azazel muttered before looking at Kiba, "Holy Demonic Sword kid, how long can you fight in Balance Breaker?"
"Currently, one hour is my limit." Kiba answered.
Azazel shook his head, sighing dramatically, "That's not good. At the very least, you need to make sure that you're able to continue using it for three days."
Kiba's expression became one of determination at Azazel's words, "I will."
"Good." Azazel said before looking at Issei questioningly.
Issei scratched the back of his head, "I-I can only do it for ten seconds under restricted conditions..."
The Governor's eyes became half-lidded, "You'll have to retrain from scratch. The Hakuryuukou can stay in Balance Breaker for one month, that's the difference between you."
One month?! Issei thought at the overwhelming difference between himself and Vali, but now that he had a clear objective, he was determined to reach it.
"And you, Natsuki?"
"I don't know." Natsuki said.
Azazel blinked, "You don't know."
"I haven't tried going into Balance Breaker again after the Rating Game. Lux hadn't been very keen on helping me, she said it would be best not to force it and that her taking over my body to do it would be unsustainable. And I haven't had the opportunity to try it again now that I'm able to reach it on my own." Natsuki explained.
"Well, I doubt you'd you able to hold your Balance Breaker longer than sword boy, so let's put you at less than ten minutes for now. We can check later for the actual time frame but still holding it for a month will be your goal too."
Natsuki nodded her head, she wanted to train, and she was confident that whatever Azazel had planned would be better than anything she had already been doing.
"That and getting your temper under control. When facing off against a superior foe, you have a habit of throwing away all sense of reason and flying off the handle. Although that may not be something so easily fixed, I've certainly tried for years to deal with Vali's battle lust. Maybe it just a dragon trait."
Natsuki clenched her fist, but still refused to speak,
Next Azazel's gaze turned towards Akeno, "Do you still hate us-no, do you still hate Baraqiel?"
At the mention of her father, Akeno's expression darkened, "I have no intentions of ever forgiving him, it's that person's fault that my mother died."
Azazel's expression softened slightly, "Akeno, when you became a Devil, he said nothing about it."
Akeno scoffed, "Naturally. That person isn't in a position where he can say something to me."
Azazel sighed, "That's not what I meant. No, well, it might be thoughtless of me to push myself into the problems of a parent and their child."
"I don't consider that person as my father!"
"I see. But I don't think it's bad that you joined the Gremory family, but I do wonder, if things were different, what would Baraqiel think?"
Akeno did not respond to Azazel's words, a complicated expression now resting on her face. Hearing about Baraqiel always angered Akeno, pulling out the terrible feeling that she had kept locked within her fragile heart.
Azazel then looked at Rias, "Regardless, you and Rias-Hime have the same problem, when it comes to pure magical power and talent, you two outrank everyone here, but that's it, all you have is your magic. You have no fighting prowess, no close-range spells, and when fighting, you both decide to take up the rear and wait for the others to strike out first. How many times could either of you have ended fights just by firing a spell or two?"
"I-"
Azazel did not let Rias speak, "But there are definitely ways to correct that, can't have the daughter of Baraqiel and the sister of Sirzechs be so laughably weak."
Akeno flinched, her frown deepening and Rias' eye twitched, both girls had lived to some extents in the shadows of their male relatives, but no one ever said it so blatantly.
"You have a similar problem, Asia-chan." Azazel said to the former nun, "The only difference is an overall lack of combat ability and accruement. Not a terrible thing, given your support role in the group-"
"I want to get stronger!" Asia exclaimed, staring at Azazel with a burning resolve to the surprise of everyone in the room.
Azazel blinked, "I was already going to suggest that you improve your use of your Sacred Gear."
Asia looked down at the floor, "I don't just want to be better at using [Twilight Healing]. Yesterday, I... hat Natsuki-san said hurt me deeply."
"Eh?!" Issei exclaimed, rearing up on Natsuki, getting up in her face as he glared at her, "What the fuck did you say to Asia-chan?!"
Natsuki did not look at Issei as she was too busy staring at Asia to care about what he was doing, "Asia, it hadn't been my intention to-"
"I know you weren't trying to hurt my feelings." Asia said, "It hurt because you were right; if I had gone out with everyone, then it would have been distracting having to fight those magicians while protecting me."
It made her think of the fights with Riser and Kokabiel, both situations in which all she could do was try and heal her friends, not being able to do much less when things became dire.
"Are you saying that you have it within yourself to hurt others? To take their lives?" Azazel asked her.
Asia flinched, gripping the bottom of her skirt tightly, "I... I... I don't know if I can... But I don't want to stand on the side anymore."
Azazel stared at her for a few seconds before smiling, "How adorable. Don't worry, Asia-chan, Ol' Azazel here will make you stronger than you ever dreamed of being."
A large smile broke out across Asia's face, "Thank you, Azazel-sensei!"
Rias sighed, "Asia-chan, please don't call this man sensei."
Azazel chuckled before looking Koneko who met his gaze passively, "Are you going to be willing to use your own abilities, little kitten?"
Koneko glared at the Fallen, "I can't."
"Can't or won't?" Azazel smirked.
Koneko bared her teeth, her eyes narrowed, looking as if she was about to jump over the table and beat Azazel bloody.
Rias stepped in forward, her Power of Destruction flickering around her body for a moment, "That is enough, Azazel. Back off."
What abilities are they talking about? And why is it making Buchou and Koneko-chan so angry? Issei thought as he watched the scene.
Natsuki was thinking the same thing but wondered if this had something to do with what Koneko had told her on the roof of the abandoned mansion.
Azazel huffed, but decided not to push the matter further, "You live up to your title of Rook, you're strong and able to tank a lot of damage, but you're also impossibly slow and don't try to incorporate any magic into your attacks besides enhancing your limbs. Against a physically stronger opponent, you're fucked, so we're going to work improving that and building your magical abilities.
Koneko frowned and said nothing else you the Governor General, the idea of using that side of herself, scared and disgusted her in equal measure.
"And finally, the blue haired sword girl." Azazel said as he looked at Xenovia, "You may be a True Holy sword Wielder, but you still need to improve your use of Durandal. You are too used to fighting a human and not a Devil with enhanced strength and magic at your grasp."
Xenovia tilted her head, "You still have not told us when we would be accomplishing these goals."
The idea of becoming stronger intrigued her, but Xenovia was not sure if Azazel was capable of delivering on his promises.
"You're all going to train and achieve your individual goals during summer vacation." Azazel answered, "Although, I'm not sure we'll be able to start right away, according to talk, there's going to be a meeting of young Devils in a few days, right? I heard you, Rias Gremory, was included among the names of promising young Devils that are close to debuting."
"Debuting?" Natsuki asked.
Rias crossed her arms, "The young Devil heirs of the various noble families will gather together in an annual event to essentially showcase their dominance to the other families. In the Youth Devil Gathering, the debuting Devils, such as myself will compete in tournament against each other."
Issei looked confused, "Is it fine to think about games at a time when a terrorist attack just occurred?"
"It's a good idea to compete, battles in the games will be good experience for current young Devils without previous battle experience. It's because the present Devils are crowded together with reincarnated Devils of humans, Fallen Angels, and Demonic Beasts, that they are troubled by their opponents." Azazel explained.
"So, it's not only a way to build comradery amongst Devils of all classes but it makes them compete with other Devils which causes the quality of power to be raised and prevents stagnation." Natsuki said seeing the ingenious in such an idea.
Azazel sat back, "Yeah, Sirzechs and the others were looking at the current situation with the future in mind when they created these games. What crafty guys they are."
"Why didn't you tell us about this?" Natsuki asked her King.
"To be honest, with everything that has happened these past few weeks, I completely forgot about the gathering." Rias admitted sheepishly.
"Then it for the best that Azazel-sama spoke of it now before Sona-chan reminded you the night before." Akeno said teasingly.
Rias slightly blushed as she threw a small glare in Akeno's direction, "I'm not that bad."
Neither Akeno's smile nor tone falter, "Of course not, Buchou."
"Don't worry, there are plans for the matches to be set during your training camp as well. I believe they're doing it in Rating Game style, I've already finished probing Sirzechs about it." Azazel promised before looking at Issei in particular, "And I'll drive into you how to use your personal power and your Sacred Gear's power."
Azazel-sensei, you seriously seem to like preparing for this...Is it really that fun? Issei thought. It kind of reminds me of how Natsuki was acting during training camp for the Rating Game against Riser.
Azazel let out a dangerous laugh, "Kukuku, there's the [Boosted Gear] which has begun an unknown evolution, [Ethereal Domination] which has already begun its own famed steps towards true power, then there's also the Holy Demonic Sword, and furthermore, there's the [Forbidden Balor View]. I'll drive my research results into them and explore their original evolved forms."
Natsuki felt a shiver race down her spine at the sound, wondering just what the Fallen's 'research' would entail.
~X~
Two Days Later
"Hey Lux, do you know if I need to bring anything other than clothes with me?" Natsuki asked the dragon as she packed her bags.
"I doubt it, the Underworld is not much different from the human one is currently." Lux said
Natsuki grinned, "Besides the Devils, Fallen Angels, and monsters?"
"Yes, besides that." Lux said dryly, "Even then, the Gremory girl and her family will undoubtedly be able to procure anything you need should you ask for it."
"Yeah, that probably true." Natsuki said, "I'm going to have to check in on Kushina-san and the kids too, don't know how long I will be gone."
"You will also have to come up with a good excuse as to why you are not around. For all we know, you could be gone for the entirety of your summer vacation."
Natsuki sighed, "Gone doing fuck knows what too. But knowing Azazel, its most likely going to insane and annoying."
Natsuki's phone started ringing and when she walked to her dresser to pick it up, seeing that the call was from Issei. "Issei, what's up?"
"Natsuki." Issei said, his voice full of excitement, "The most amazing, wonderful, beautiful thing just happened to me!"
"What? Did Rias give you a pity grope?" Natsuki joked.
Issei was undeterred, "No, it's not that good, but it's the next best thing! All the girls are living in my house now!"
Natsuki blinked, "Wait, what?"
Issei went on to explain that Sirzechs had apparently proposed this for the sake of improving the physical relationship of the Peerage. Rias had tried to resist but Issei's parents had consented to it, and the move of Xenovia and Koneko into the Hyoudou household had been arranged.
Issei also described how his family home had been completely renovated, his neighbors'' houses being bought so the land could be cleared by Sirzechs' men in order to accommodate everyone that now lived there.
"Improving the physical relation of the Peerage? Nah, it sounds like Sirzechs just wants to motivate you by having a bunch of beautiful girls around you in a pseudo harem. If that wasn't the case, why weren't me, Kiba, or Gasper made to move in?"
"I don't care what the reason is, this is still the best day of my life! Do you know how I woke up this morning? With Buchou, Asia, and Xenovia all naked, in my bed."
"Wasn't that how you slept before, only with Xenovia now added to the mix?" Natsuki asked as she went back to packing, "We both know you're still not going to be making any moves."
"Damnit, Natsuki, stop trying to ruin this!" Issei yelled.
"Just being honest." Natsuki said, pausing for a moment, her voice lowering, "It's just Rias, Asia, Koneko, and Xenovia living with you, right?"
Issei let out a snort, a teasing tone filling his voice, "Oh? You want to know if Akeno-san is here? Why? Are you afraid that I'll make a move before you do?"
Natsuki rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I'm totally afraid, are you going to tell me or not?"
Issei laughed, "Okay, okay, she's not here, Akeno-san is still living at her shrine."
Good. Natsuki thought, "Did Sirzechs or Rias say why?"
"Buchou said it's probably because if Akeno could choose, she wouldn't want to live in my house, whatever that means."
Natsuki felt her stomach clench when she heard that, "Who knows, Akeno can be weird like that. Anyway, I'm not going to walk into something weird when I go over there later, right? Because I don't know if I want to walk into the girls fight over their marked territory."
"Shut up, asshole." Issei muttered, making Natsuki snicker.
~X~
Natsuki sat on the front steps of the orphanage along with Kushina, watching the children doing their own thing in the yard.
"So, you're going to be visiting Rias' summer home with the rest of your club for a special event?" Kushina asked.
"Yeah, apparently it's something Rias and her family do every year." Natsuki said, trying not to outright lie to her guardian. "And she offered to let us all stay for the rest of the summer, so I've taken her up on it."
"I suppose I can't be too upset about getting to see you, I did say that you should go out and make friends." Kushina said, cupping the side of Natsuki's face, "I'm so proud of you."
Natsuki rolled her eyes but did not move away from the woman's touch, "Again, I'm sure why you like acting like I'm some-"
"Some antisocial loner?" Kushina said with a grin.
"Again, I learned it from you, you crazy old woman." Natsuki muttered.
"If that's what you have to tell yourself in order to feel good about yourself, then go ahead, I shall allow you your delusion."
After a few moments of silence, Natsuki spoke again, her voice softer as she looked up at the sky, "Kushina-sama, do you remember what happened at the Open House? When my friends asked if you were my mother?"
"I remember." Kushina said, staring at Natsuki with patience and understanding.
Natsuki sighed, "I've... I've been looking into who my birth parents were."
"Oh." Kushina breathed, she was surprised to hear this as Natsuki had never voiced to her a desire to know about who her parents were and how she ended up at the orphanage.
"I don't... I'm not looking for them because I want to get to know them and have them in my life, but I just realized that there's a lot of things I don't know about myself. It never seemed important before, but now, now it does. If that makes sense."
Kushina brushed her thumb against Natsuki's cheek, "It makes sense, and even if it didn't, you don't have to explain it to me if you don't want to."
Natsuki finally looked back at Kushina, burgundy eyes meeting rich brown ones, "I just wanted to say that... It doesn't matter what I find, you are mother, and the only parent I need. I'm sorry I've never said it before, I just-"
Kushina smiled brightly and lovingly, "I understand, Natsu-chan, you have always been my daughter, ever since the moment I first laid eyes on you, you have been mine."
Natsuki looked away as she felt her as water, forcing herself not to let those tears fall. "I always thought that with all the other children you've raised that-"
"All of the children that have entered my care, hold a place in my heart, no matter who they are and what they've done with their lives. They are all my children, and that includes you, I love each one of you."
For the first time in years, Natsuki was crying, furiously wiping her eyes. She could not bring herself to tell Kushina she loved her, not yet, but she knew in her heart that she did.
"What has brought this on?" Kushina asked, "You've never been this open, Natsu-chan."
Natsuki was still wiping her eyes as she spoke, "I've wanted to say this for a long time, but I couldn't. I... I had a talk with a friend who told me that I should try to do better at emotional regulation instead of just bottling up how I feel."
"And who was this friend? Issei?"
"No, no, it was Akeno."
"Akeno, huh?" Kushina thought of the dark haired, purple eyed girl who had been teasing her daughter the last time she saw them together. An impish grin soon appeared on Kushina's face, "Is that so? Not only have you surprised me by making friends, but getting a girlfriend too? Now I'm really proud of you."
"Akeno is not my girlfriend." Natsuki said.
"Really? Well, work on getting her to be! I'm old, Natsuki, if you take too long, I may not live long enough to meet my grandbabies."
Natsuki growled, standing up and walking away, "Damnit! I'll see you at the end of summer break, you crazy old woman!"
Kushina laughed as she watched Natsuki walk down the path towards the street proper, she could practically see how embarrassed the girl was even as she disappeared from sight.
Never change, Natsu-chan. Kushina thought with a smile.
~X~
"There is a lot of favoritism going on here that is boiling my blood." Natsuki said as she stared at the newly renovated and massive Hyoudou residence.
Even just from the outside, the building was now several stories higher, eclipsing every other house on the street, looking more like a fancy hotel than a family home.
"Green isn't a good color on you, Natsuki-chan." Akeno said with a giggle.
"I don't think Natsuki is listening." Kiba joked as he stood next to Akeno, holding the cardboard box that Gasper always and was currently inhabiting.
"Come on." Akeno said as she pulled Natsuki by the arm, dragging the girl into the home.
The group greeted Miki as she opened the door and let them inside, there was a confused expression on her face when she realized that there was a child inside the box Kiba was carrying, but she did not ask any further questions as she told them where the rest of the Peerage was.
As they entered Issei's room, they saw how different it was than before, it was now twice as large as it was before, containing a new model flat screen TV, a California King sized bed, and the latest game consoles.
"I think I understand what Natsuki was talking about." Kiba said as he put Gasper and his box down.
If I were to tell Sirzechs that I wanted to fuck his sister, would he give me a room like this? Natsuki thought to herself.
"Eh? What are you talking about?" Issei asked.
"Nepotism." Natsuki said plainly, taking a seat on the floor, "Do we known when we're going to leave?"
"We're still waiting for Azazel." Rias said, "But like I said yesterday, we will spend the remainder of the summer holidays in the Underworld until after the 20th of August. The plan is to train and attend various kinds of events there."
Issei sighed, "Ah, but there were things I wanted to do this summer."
Before becoming a Devil, Issei, Matsuda and Motohama, promised each other that this would be the year they all got girlfriends. They had a plan to go to the sea and to the pool this summer, where they would pick up girls.
"Ara, Ise. And just what plans were that?" Rias asked dubiously as if knowing what he was thinking.
Issei cleared his throat as he looked away, "I was going to go to the sea and the pool."
"There aren't any seas in the Underworld, but there are huge lakes. There are also pools in this house and at my parents' home as well, you know? And there are also hot springs there." Rias said.
A perverted look soon appeared on Issei, that caused Natsuki to shake her head before sitting back and leaning against Issei's bed and watching everything passively.
I still haven't asked Rias what we're going to do for this Young Devils Gathering we have to go to. If it's a Rating Game tournament, then we will need to find out who we're going up against, especially since we will be at a disadvantage as I'm sure most of them were watching our game with Riser and know what we can do.
Before Natsuki could think more of the gathering, a shiver raced down her spine, and she found herself instinctively turning her head in the direction of a chair in the corner, seeing a familiar Fallen Angel sitting there.
I really want him to teach me how the fuck he is able to do that. "Have you been watching us this whole time?"
When everyone heard Natsuki speak, they followed the direction her head was facing, each jumping when they realized there was another person in the room.
"W-Where did you come in from?" Rias asked, staring at the man surprise.
"Hmm? I used the front door." Azazel said calmly.
"I didn't even feel your presence." Kiba said honestly.
Since he attained Balance Breaker, Kiba knew that he had gotten exponentially stronger, but he could not sense Azazel.
"That's just due to your lack of training, I just came in normally. Natsuki only noticed because she felt my magic settle when I sat down. More importantly, since your teacher is here now, we can start our journey to the Underworld."
Azazel then pulled out a notepad from his pocket and began to read what he had written out loud, "The first thing we need to do when we get there is visit Rias' parents, and the introduction of the servant Devils to the current head of the family. After that, there's the annual meeting of new young Devils. And then there's your training, I'm mainly going along with you for your training. While you're all at the Gremory house, I'll be meeting with Sirzechs. Geez, so troublesome."
"How did you become the leader of the Fallen Angels if you find almost everything you do for your cause bothersome?" Natsuki asked dryly.
Azazel shrugged, "People chose to follow me, and so I was elected Govenor."
Natsuki did not blink as she responded, "That is absolutely terrifying."
Azazel laughed, "I'm sure it is. Anyway, it's my first time entering the Underworld through the Devils' route. I'm looking forward to it since I usually use the route of the Fallen Angels."
"There are different ways to get to the Underworld besides using teleportation circles?" Issei asked.
Azazel only grinned in response to Issei's question, making the boy more curious about what this Devil route could be.
Comments
Kas the Weeb
Lux is just looking out for her host because Natsuki keeps being so reckless😂 We are going to see and learn more of Natsuki's maternal family as the story goes on. And maybe a trip to Egypt... possibly👀 And honestly, Natsuki should just tell Akeno she wants them to live together. It would stop all her worries (and maybe give Kushina those grandbabies she wants)
kickfyck01
"Its not guarantee just because of bloodline" said the dragon that enable her to be able to absorb and reuse other magic She said she wouldnt run off to Egrypt but I think we all know how this gonna end, tho I must admit part of me want to see if the mage family out grownt their old rumor or stay the same. dirty blood and all but she have the sacred gear of an egryptian god so that gotta count for something Oh natsuki if you worried about Akeno that much you should just moved into her shrine together, I'm sure she would be glad to have you there :)
Kas the Weeb
I'm glad you liked the character progression. I have had some people tell me that they didn’t like how angry and defensive Natsuki could be and that it was a turn off to keep reading, even after telling them that Natsuki would be working on that and to give it time. There will be more lore surrounding Natsuki’s maternal family as the story goes on, especially as we're reaching the more intensive parts of the story. And Kushina loves her daughter, but she also thinks she being dumb. But she will wait for Natsuki to get her head out of her ass (she really does need those grandbabies😭) Natsuki will continue to call out the double standards that are so blatant in this Peerage! But she's being more reserved because she’s happy Akeno isn't living in Issei's harem mansion.
KaeKat
Love the lore dump in this one! Like the Natsuki's character reflection. Personally I've already liked her personality better than most OC that I've read from this series. It's always been the calm and collective or edgy trope. It's fun to see a character like her, and I thought it was understandable with a character of her background she would be very defensive or abrasive at times. It's a fault of a character but it's not a bad thing. And that were this point of the series where the there's going be more development with the characters. You had me teasing up on Natsuki-Kushina moment. That's was sweet moment. Of course she would want grandbabied 😂 Thank God Akeno didn't move in with Issei and the favoritism is real lol.
