by oblivon2991

proofread by the usual drunken band of misfits

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own High School DxD anime, manga and novel series created by Ichiei Ishibumi

Please review it. I know I will make mistakes that I intend to correct and will try to learn from them and improve myself.

Thank you!

Chapter 9: Unruly Introduction

Somewhere in the mountains, a strange scene took place.

"Hey, Ise, keep going!"

"Guuuahhh…" with a rock on his back, as well as a beautiful redhead sitting with crossed legs on top of said rock , Issei suffered hard training. He felt like he was about to die from this intense exercise.

Indeed, in Issei's mind, Rias was not an angelic being anymore. No! She was an Oni! Calling her Oni-Buchou would be a better fit for her. Pushing him this hard she was anything but nice.

"Wi-Will he be alright?"

"Ufufu! Work hard Issei!"

"Senpai is weak…"

"Maybe Buchou is pushing him a little hard."

The members around the table gave their opinion one by one, as they watched the suffering boy, all while consuming the delicious cakes and tea made by Akeno.

"Buchou… I can't… I will die!"

"Ise-kun, if you can do ten more, I allow you to touch them…" she whispered, leaning down near Issei's ear. The boy needed no more encouragement; right away starting to push himself hard again.

"Guaaah!" like Something possessed him; the boy rapidly re-started to do push ups.

"Ara ara! What a surprise!"

"So, this is the power of lewdness, scary…"

"I did it…! Buchou! I did it!" the boy collapsed after the last push, lying motionless as his arms failed him.

"Yes, you did. Congratulations."

"Ca-Can I grope them?"

"Well, if you can get up now, you can do it." Rias pushed forth her chest, offering her fine assets.

"They are all yours. For ten seconds."

Ten seconds!? That's as good as nothing! How could she expect him to enjoy them when his arms were so strained? He couldn't feel anything at all! His master really was cruel! An Oni-Buchou! That's for sure!

"Seven Seconds…"

No! He had to do it! Even if it cost him his whole body! And how come three seconds have already passed!? This was not fair!

Determination filled Issei, pushing himself up, mustering what power he still had to reach the holy goal: groping Rias' breasts and squeezing them hard!

"Five seconds…"

He needs to reach them! He needs to get up!

"Three seconds…"

He was so close; it was only a hand reach away…

"This sound…" and before Issei could touch those heavenly objects, Rias turned her head to the side, stepping away from Issei's grasp just before he could have touched them!

"Is that…" walking forward a step, Issei legs gave in, making him fall flat on his face.

"Ugh!"

"A car coming here?" Kiba blinked, completely confused by the new development.

This place was supposed to be a private area; very few knew of its location according to his knowledge.

"Not just any car…" the Red Princess squinted her eyes, recognizing that particular sound. "What is Onii-sama doing here?"

In the serpentine road that led up to the mansion on the top of the mountain, a particular red sports car sped up, drifting with great speed through the curves. The "horses" under its bonnet purred, filling the mountain range with its alluring sound.

"He is coming here?"

"Now?"

"Maou Sirzechs-sama!?"

"…" Even Koneko's eyes widened suddenly, not expecting such a development, not expecting the Maou himself to visit them!

"Eh? Who?" and Asia could only blink in confusion, not knowing who the others spoke about.

"Bu-Buchou! Who are you speaking about?" Struggling against his exhaustion, Issei sat up, awaiting an explanation.

"My brother is coming…" Rias muttered, wondering what her brother wanted. Why was he coming here? Why was he using his car to do so instead of simply teleporting?

"Eh?! Your brother? You mean…" that means the Great Maou himself visiting them?

Issei was flabbergasted, as well as deeply touched! Who knew such an important person would take his time to visit them?

Was he coming all the way here to cheer up his sister? Or did his visit have some other reason? Whatever the reason was, it was an honor receiving him. Still, he looked like a mess! How will that look if he presents himself in such a way? He would disgrace the president as well as himself!

The first impression was always important, and he looks like this? Such disgrace! Right away, he tried to pretty himself as much as he could, dusting his tracksuit and adjusting his hair.

Rias and the rest of the group stood up, heading towards the entrance.

The car slowed from its previous neck-breaking speed, elegantly rolling before the group who lined up before the mansion's main entrance, bowing slightly and presenting themselves tidy and ordered.

"However… this is strange…" Rias raised her brow, spotting the luxurious red car rolling before the entrance gently.

Her brother usually never raises the roof, enjoying the wind blowing his hair. Something was not right; she felt it!

"Not to mention the tinted glasses are also raised…"

Gently rolling before the lined up people, the car stopped. Its license plate engraved with the word: "MAOU – NO.1" was the dead giveaway for who was the owner.

"Issei… bow!" Kiba whispered to his "friend," and after momentary confusion, the boy followed suit.

"Yes! Right! Sorry!"

Only Rias remained straight, crossing her arm with an annoyed expression, tapping a foot on the ground impatiently.

'Whumm! Whumm! Whumm!' the engine purred harder as the driver pushed the pedal heavily, releasing some of the "horses" hid dormant under its bonnet. This intense sound made the people around think of a wild beast, making them shudder just to imagine the power laying imprisoned under the bonnet.

"Onii-sama, why have you come? Don't you have more important things to do?" not even waiting for the tinted window to lower, Rias started her scolding, glaring at the window of the driver seat. "You know well that you can't interfere in this matter, or the Rating Game will be called off! If I…"

Albeit, what — or better said — who awaited the group when the tinted glass slowly lowered, let the whole group agape for a few, long seconds.

"I…" even Rias froze, unable to say anything in her astonishment. "Wha-what!?" the person behind the seat was that surprising and unexpected!

"How nice of you to receive me this way. Even bowing? Oh! I didn't expect such a welcome. It seems, you nobles really keep manners in high regard."

'Whumm! Whumm! Whumm!' once again, "she" made the car's engine purr overtime.

Smirking in the driver seat, wearing stylish black sunglasses, and grabbing the steering wheel with driving gloves covered hands, a particular person sat, savoring the confusion of the group. She was elegant, wearing her usual butler uniform and vest, her appearance befitting the sports car she drove.

"You!?"

"Me…" and the particular girl pointed at herself with a false surprise. "Oh! You thought it was someone else? Sorry for the confusion, really…" grabbing and opening a bar of chocolate, she took a bite with an uncaring expression. Though, it only lasted a moment because, after a bite, her mood turned sour and disgusted.

"Bleh! White chocolate, really? And it is half melted. Why did Rorschach think it was a good idea buying this?"

'Whumm! Whumm! Whumm!'

And just like that, amidst the noise of the car's engine, she tossed the half-melted chocolate on the back seats. "Dammit! Now I have to clean the mess too! Oh well! I just entrust it to someone else… Red! Do you have a cleaning service or a few maids here? Can they clean this mess?" lazily, she pointed at the backseat, already filled with empty chips bags and the likes, looking quite messy.

"How did… How did you get…!? Grr! Get out of that car!" Rias was angry; it was evident from her tone and stomping on the ground indignantly, pointing first at Gillian, then pulling her fingers towards the outside. Indeed, she wanted her out of her brother's beloved car!

"But I enjoy this car! You don't know how smoothly it runs!" she moved the wheel left and right with a smirk.

'Whumm! Whumm! Whumm!' playing with the pedal once again and giving some power to the engine — of course, that ceaseless "noise" ticked Rias off even more.

"It purrs like a thousand horses! ...Are there horses in hell? No matter! Then a thousand Cerberus… no! Bicorns then! I really love it! Are there bicorns in hell? Do they allow virgins to ride them?"

"Eh…" poor people around, they didn't even know how to answer.

"Actually, there are Bicorns…" muttered Kiba.

"Ara ara! How daring! Ufufufufu…!" Akeno chuckled playfully.

"I don't care! Get out of that car, now!" Rias grabbed the handle, trying to open the door, only for her effort to be foiled with a push of a button and a 'click!', as Gillian activated the lock mechanism. 'Click! Click!'

"Open it… and get… out! Now!" A dark and red aura emerged behind the president of the ORC, making her release a violent presence. Honestly, Issei and the group had rarely, if ever, seen their president this displeased or angry. Gillian really had the talent to piss her off and pick on her most vulnerable side.

"If you can't calm down first, I will not. You're starting to release a creepy aura! Want half-melted chocolate?" she offered some from the seat near her — of course, white chocolate she was not really fond of — this made Rias' eyes tick even more, the girl was ready to blow up.

"Come on! You are not yourself when you are hungry." the player waved the treat before the redhead. "No? Koneko-chan? Issei? Want some? You look really beaten up…"

"Don't like white chocolate…" muttered Koneko in herself, so low only Gillian and the people near her were able to hear it.

"Ah… yeah. We were training." muttered Issei halfheartedly.

Rias sighed, and the aura around her seemingly started to die off. "May you explain please, what my brother's adored car is doing in your possession? More so, why are you ruining the expensive leather?"

"I stole it!" she announced proudly, of course, this earned an even more intense glare.

"I doubt someone like you can do that…" indeed! Who can — or better question — who would dare to steal the car of the Maou Sirzechs Lucifer!? The car he adored like his own son!

Only an ultimate fool or someone who didn't care about his wrath would try such a foolhardy endeavor — in that case, Rias doubted if there is anyone who in their right mind would try to incite the wrath of her brother, no matter how strong they were. Even the gods of other pantheons feared his wrath — according to her father and multiple sources.

"Oh! How little faith! "Trust in God!" as the saying goes. Am I right, Asia-chan?"

"Eh…? I mean, what God gives, he can take it back," she muttered timidly, looking around insecure.

"Do you even have a driving license?!"

"Of course! Here!" Gillian recovered a paper. In truth, it was not really a driving license, just a simple hand-drawn and written license — Even the figure in the picture was drawn by hand,with a style befitting to that of a preschooler. Maybe weak even for that.

"That's not a driving license…" Issei whispered to his fellow devils.

"Ara ara! How inappropriate."

"Senpai has weak drawing skills…"

"Haah! Gillian-chan..." Kiba honestly couldn't place his friend sometimes. Like everyone, he was surprised by her sudden appearance as well — not to even mention showing up in the car of Sirzechs Lucifer, the Maou himself.

He had seen this vehicle many times; it is a piece of art one can hardly forget once they see it or hear its purring, perfectly calibrated engine. Every part of it was hand made and crafted; one can scarcely find a more splendid and expensive car!

"Still, the question stands… how can she drive it when it runs on devil energy?"

"Sheesh! Okay! Just show me a place where I can park. Then we can speak. Such a violent wench, and then she is surprised why only that fried chicken wants to marry her. I bet she is still a virgin…"

Rias' face went red right away, and could only shutter for a few moments. "A-And what if that's the case..!?"

"Just saying… you will grow up to be a bitter old wench if you can't relax… imagine it, living so long and being bitter all the time? Geesh! I would rather die than live like that."

"Yo-You!?" oh! How much she wanted to hit her! Even her hands curled into fists, trembling in rage. "Fine! You can leave the car here; no one will steal it! But you owe me an explanation!"

"Oh! I owe you nothing, Ojou-sama! But if you invite me to a good meal, maybe Akeno-chan's famous tea and cake! Maybe a date? I can answer a few questions; maybe we can also make a deal."

"Whatever… just leave that car."

"Okey dokey!" she left the car, closing the door and pushing the button in the keys. Right away, the locks activated, the windows raised, and the car's unique anti-theft security system activated.

"Now, the keys…" Rias asked, offering her palm with a calm demeanor — as much she can force the picture of "calm" in her current state.

"The car is mine; I won it by right. If you want it back, let's fight for it." Gillian raised her palm, making an inviting motion. "You can come alone, or all together. We will see who will be on the ground when it all ends." that cocky grin of this girl! Oh! It made Rias tick more than anything else!

"If it that's what it takes." and the Crimson Princess answered the challenge with a raised chin.

"Gillian! Stop it! You don't help! Buchou! Please, this is not the time! We only have a few days until the Rating Game. If you get injured…" Kiba tried to ease the tension and scold Gillian. The situation was already grave without Gillian inciting another fight; they needed no tension and injury in their current situation!

Thinking a simple human can defeat a high-class devil was absurd. But thinking things through, Rias would go against Gillian, who casually beat up Fallen angels, mimicked his swordsmanship effortlessly, and on top of that, beat up Riser — a supposed immortal Devil — with relative ease!

Albeit, Riser was cocky and had underestimated Gillian — a "simple" human — last time, a case not likely to happen next time.

"She used holy water to weaken him; she most likely carries some with her even now." Humans were the weakest race, true, but that didn't mean they couldn't use trickery to compensate for their weakness. For Gillian, this was extra true.

Hell, if not for his devil senses and the multiple reports stating she was a human with a strong soul, he wouldn't believe others depicting her as such.

"… the rating game might be called off, and we have no chance to cancel the marriage if we get injured before it even starts!"

"Tch! Fine. I will back down, for now…"

"Good choice!" Gillian pointed at Rias, forming a gun with her hands and winking; this, of course, earned an even more profound glare.

"Fine! Fine! Don't need to give me that look. I'll behave, I promise." Gillian raised her hands in surrender, her smile up all along.

"You better! Now then, if you may, you owe me an explanation."

"Tea and cake first…"

With that, despite the displeasure of Rias, they proceeded deeper into the courtyard, the members setting up the necessary equipment and Akeno making the tea, preparing some of her delicious cakes.

…

"Ah! As always, your tea is splendid, Akeno-chan."

"Ufufufu! Naturally."

"Now, you can start your explanation. How do you know about this place? How come you showed up in my brother's car? How can you even drive it when it runs on devil energy?" Rias crossed her leg elegantly — yet still obviously impatient — giving the picture of an impatient Diva who was denied from her dessert and was now grouchy for not getting her daily sweets.

"Mmmm… Answering your questions. First! How do I know this place? Easy! The miracle of GPS, or whatever its devil equivalent is. It showed the way." After sipping her tea, the girl opened one finger in her clenched fist. "The address of this place was amongst the saved addresses. And being the satellites see this place, I could navigate here."

"This place is protected by barriers and magic to hide it and make trespassers impossible to enter! It cannot be you…!"

"Don't forget who the car belongs to. It might have a mechanism implemented that makes these "barriers" recognize the owner and let it pass…"

"Tch! I suppose that's true…" it was annoying, but she was right; the barriers setup might have recognized the car and let it pass, without regard to whoever was driving it. A flaw they need to correct later.

"The second question comes… How come I got that car? Easy, I won it through a bet! After visiting me, I made something akin to a deal with your brother. And thus, I got the car as a prize — and a few more unspecified things I would rather not bore you with right now…" Gillian folded her fingers before her mouth, offering a devilish smirk. This statement of her made everyone's eyes widen in disbelief.

"Yo-You beat Maou-sama! How!?" Issei shouted in disbelief.

"I doubt you can beat my brother; he is the Maou. It cannot be that a simple human could beat him just like that."

"Red… Red… Red! I am disappointed. As a devil, you should know. Every contract contains a catch or two. Small print, which nevertheless changes the ultimate meaning of the pact, changes the outcome of the bet. This applies to oral contracts as well. Not mentioning, he is pretty bad at Poker. Lady Luck must really dislikes him… or favors me in his stead."

It also helped that Gillian had divination skills to cheat and abilities to manipulate probability, chance, and the causality of things. But, oh well! It was not really cheating until someone caught you dirty handed.

"Losers should not complain… Not as if he didn't try to cheat… if he can, I can do it too. Between two cheaters, almost always the one wins with more tricks and hax…"

"You are truly… something else." Rias still doubted this girl managed to beat her brother.

No matter how crafty she was, she was sure, Sirzechs was intelligent enough not to be outsmarted by a human — even if it was Gillian herself.

"Nonetheless, I need to make a call to be sure…" If not until now, she was sure she was not an average human now . "Beating Sona in chess just like that? Beating up Fallen and trained exorcists like they were simple street thugs? Mimicking Kiba's skill? Not speaking about what that Jack figure did before her that night…?" As time passed, more and more mystery started to surface around this newcomer.

Now Rias was sure; Gillian had some kind of sacred gear hiding dormant inside her! Even if the detector Ajuka Beelzebub developed couldn't sense any supernatural activity from her direction, Rias' pureblood devil instinct just screamed — Something was not right with this girl!

"But why do I still want to crack this mystery open?" This bugged her more than anything else. Why did she feel the need to claim her as one of her pieces? To break her resistance and convert her to a loyal servant that serves and strengthens devilkin?

It was all confusing and bothersome! Rias had never encountered this much resistance before!

Until now, she succeeded in everything with minimal effort, everything worked out just fine! Despite their agreement with Sona, this denial…! This constant resistance and mocking attitude from the girl just incited her devil blood to claim her as a prize even more!

Conquer her like a fort, beat her in her own game, and chain her fate to devilkind! Strengthen her people by adding a fine specimen in their ranks!

"So this is how the devils of old felt?" history claimed many of the old Satan faction wanted to dominate to feel satisfaction! Rule over everything in existence as kings! A feeling that until now avoided her. Yet now… she definitely felt something familiar. A strange emptiness she never felt before…!

"Answering your third question: how can I drive the car even though I am not a devil? Well…" Gillian glanced away. "Ever heard of the miraculous device called batteries? It seems, your people as well came up with their own version of storing devil energy. In fact, with my win, your brother will provide me a lifelong supply of devil energy for the car. It is much more environmentally friendly than petrol — of course, that is if devil energy doesn't pollute the environment as well. Does it leave any nasty side product behind? Hmm?"

"Tch! You always have your answer to everything, do you?"

"Everything?" Gillian blinked, confused, then burst out in intense laughter. "Hahahahahahahaha! Please, I doubt even God knows everything."

"Umm… but the Bible…" Asia muttered in herself, looking around, insecure and unsure.

"But one can always try their best to prepare for every possible outcome they can think of!" Gillian continued. "I am just prepared and have different thinking, that's why I look omniscient and usually come out on top…" she slurped the tea elegantly, wiping away a tear of joy.

"And how come you came into contact with the Maou himself?" Great question. Why would her brother be interested in this human — Well, aside from the obvious.

But still! Sirzechs was the Maou, one of the so-called devil kings! He is too busy to deal with humans himself! Why would he waste his precious time dealing with someone like her?

"Eh? I dunno? Maybe he liked my stunt with the Yakitori guy? Maybe Maid-sama spoke about me? Or the reports he receives from you painting me in a positive light? Stating: if you send reports to him. Or even more! He heard about my splendid business and wanted to invest money? Indeed, he has great taste! A wise choice! Even on google, we were rated high! Check us out and give us a review!" she stuck out her tongue mischievously.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, it is hard to believe, but he showed up not long ago with his fancy car. First, pretending to be a simple customer, then when I asked what he really wants, he revealed his reason."

"And that being?"

"Come, check you out. Help with your training and battle against that playboy? Of course, first, he wanted to pay me to join your little group and become a devil. But… that didn't quite work out."

"…" Everyone stared at the girl in silence, mouths agape.

"Ups! I shouldn't have said that…" she chuckled low, mischievously placing her hand against her mouth.

"HE DID WHAT!?" Rias jumped up, slamming at the table — of course, her strength was enough for the tea to flip over and spill all around.

"Oi! Oi! Don't waste Akeno-senpai's fluids! She made it with love!"

Koneko offered a not so amused expression, yet her face flushed red, hearing the word "fluid."

"Gillian-senpai is like Issei-senpai… how disappointing."

Issei tried to suffocate his perverted giggle. Kiba sighed with a forced smile. Asia looked around, confused, still too pure and innocent to get the perverted joke. As for Akeno…

"Ara ara. It is not a problem. There is plenty left where it came from." It seemed, everyone had different reactions.

"H-He wanted to bribe you? But…"

"Well… I wouldn't say he said it directly, but indirectly. Listing how much benefits I gain being a devil and joining your Peerage — just like you. Even giving me quite a sum in compensation for all the trouble brought forth by the supernatural nature of your town. I must be honest; he was quite convincing, almost getting me." Gillian chuckled while caressing her chin.

"I can't believe it…" Rias fell on her bottom, leaning on her elbows and grabbing her hair. "I thought he trusted me in solving the situation. I thought…"

"Well, you can't really blame him." Gillian folded her fingers into a fist, supporting her head. "In fact, he surprised me."

"Wh-What do you mean…?" Rias raised her head, blinking, her eyes red by forcing her tears back.

"He must really love you. From his words, about how he speaks about you, it is clear, he did it from pure love! Even despite being a leader of your people, his hands and time bound by his duties and forced to be neutral when it comes to your situation despite possessing great power, he found the time and way to reach out, and find a way to give you a fighting chance — no matter how minimal it is! Even going that far to make a risky gamble coming to my café, and trying to trick me into joining you, then using other "not so clean" methods to get me involved. And thus! After great elaboration and a lengthy discussion, after a bet! A deal is made between the sides, much more detrimental for your brother than me, I might say."

"…" Once more, Rias remained silent, glaring at Gillian before sighing with the mix of anger and sadness. "Stupid Onii-sama…"

"According to the deal, I gained through my win; I will receive the favor and everything promised by the "Great Maou" no matter which option you chose. I will not force anything. If you say no, I will leave you alone with this case, you deal with that Riser guy however you like. I already received the compensation package, so it is the same for me, whether I help you out or not. But if you say yes, if you request my help. I will do my best to help you out — just as I promised to your brother. As much as a crafty, strong, tactical, but simple human capable of, my arsenal and "divine" smarts will be at your disposal. You only need to ask, and it will be done!"

"Umm…" Issei raised his hand, slightly timid.

"Yes, Issei-kun? We are not in school; I think you can speak freely. Of course, if your master allows it."

"Buchou?"

"You can ask…" nodded Rias with her arms crossed under her chest.

"Umm? won't Maou-sama's interference automatically nullify the deal with Riser?"

Everyone glared at Issei, who, in return, looked away ashamed. "Sorry, I thought it was the case…"

"Ara ara! That's true, Buchou, if your brother or any of your relatives interfere, as well, if you call any devil to help you, that is the violation of your agreement with Riser. In that case, it is automatically his win." Akeno spoke up, aware of the situation — being present when Rias and Riser discussed and signed the deal personally.

"…" Rias pondered for a moment, turning her head to Gillian. "Anything to add?"

"Well… to tell the truth. We didn't actually sign a written contract with your brother. He just visited my shop, urged me to join your "cult"…"

"It is not a cult…!" snarled Rias angrily.

"Then… your 'it is not a cult'." Gillian made quotation marks with her finger.

"…But moving onward! Seeing as he couldn't convince me, he apologized for the blunders of the appointed devils of the city, offering me a generous, discussed compensation package for your "interference" in our lives. This package contained a luxurious car, a week in this luxury mansion, and a few more things you don't need to know about."

"I am still curious…" Issei whispered.

"Mee too, Issei-kun." Asia agreed.

"During our long discussion, he might've mentioned your little deal with the Yakitori guy. But nothing more I wanted to get involved in. Thus, as this "package" also contained a week off from school, I decided to use it to rest, ease my mind from the trauma your appearance caused in my life!" she placed her hand in her chest, playing the broken, dramatic woman.

"It is only an "accident" to find you and your group here—nothing more, nothing less. Taking pity on your situation and offering my help as an outside party and as a person who is not related to any supernatural or devil organization is my own choice. "Officially", your brother has nothing to do with it. And thus, his hands are clear from interfering and violating the deal between your houses. Of course, only if you can accept the help of a willingly offered outside party who has no relation to your contract. I suppose it is not the violation of your deal with the "chicken" guy, right?" Gillian glanced at Akeno, raising her brow multiple times.

"Wow!"

"S-So clever…" Issei and Asia gasped.

"Ufufufufu! Ara ara! Sirzechs-sama figured out this well! Indeed, Riser-sama allowed us to get some help from Asia. In truth, Riser-sama said it himself: get as many humans as you want, it will change nothing!" Funnily, in the end, Akeno mimicked how Riser spoke, earning a light chuckle from Issei.

"And Asia-chan agreed to this?"

"Ye-Yes! I want to help Issei-kun and others. They were so nice with me and all, I don't want Rias-senpai to feel bad herself." she mumbled in the end, lowering her head with a red face. "I want to help them…"

"Well then, the situation is solved. It is only up to Red from now on! She can accept the offered help, or refuse — In which case, I will simply relax here, watch your training, and not interfere in the slightest. It is up to you, Red, make your choice. Choose your future! Choose the path you walk! Only you can make this choice…" Gillian folded her fingers before her mouth, leaning forward — This made her look like a true villain who awaited the foolish choice of the hero.

"Is there any other choice?"

"Oh! You have free will, which means you can always choose. In fact, did you know? If you put three people with the option to make a choice and give them a question, they come up with at least six answers, six opinions! Isn't free will astonishing?!"

"Indeed, it is…" Rias smiled small, considering her options thoroughly.

Rias knows well; against Riser and his experienced group, they have little chance. Not only were they more experienced, the man never really lost a game —the two he lost, he did so intentionally for various reasons.

Also, his Peerage is complete with handpicked members to increase effectiveness. Meanwhile, she still lacked many vital pieces. The odds against them were high; whether one more "human" joins or not will change little to nothing — even if it was someone like Gillian, their chances to win will not be much higher.

"Don't forget, Senpai! The right person in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world…" Gillian added a quote from an old game.

"In that case, I accept the help. However much that may mean…"

"Splendid!" Gillian jumped to her feet, hitting the drenched table. "What are we waiting for then?! Let's get going with the preparations and training. I will show you! A little planning, ingenuity, and science can even drown the throne of the gods, and reverse the entropy of the underworld. Sorry, Asia-chan, if I insulted your faith…" she winked at the nun, who started to laugh cutely, holding her fist before her mouth.

"Ah, it is nothing. I am sure God can swim."

"I am sure he is a splendid swimmer!" Gillian formed a gun and pointed towards Asia, triggering it with a sound.

"Why else would he drown the whole planet if not for having a big pool he can swim in?" she joked sarcastically in her head. Albeit, she still preferred the Norse and Greek mythology than the Abrahamic one. They just have more cool stuff with more battles and surprising twists.

"Yeah… Papa Zeus at least admitted he is a womanizer pervert. Odin at least feast and drinks with you at his table. And Uncle Thor is just cool with neat lighting abilities and a hammer! Everyone loves a hammer! One can hardly say this about the Abrahamic God. Heh! As I remember reading those "holy texts," those guys are just jealous, irritable, and just love to give you punishment when you disobey their whims. Creatively evil, or it is the fetish of theirs? I have no idea. Hopefully, that nameless "God" guy here is different than he is depicted in their mythology. "

"Let's move on, then; we have a lot to do. And I want to test you first…"

"Test us? Why?" Rias raised her brow question.

"Heh… you will see. I advise you to gather in a wider space. It can easily turn messy."

And thus, after cleaning the mess, the group moved a little farther, standing in a relatively wide space in the middle of the courtyard.

…

"So, why did you want us to gather here?"

"Why so? Hmm…?" Gillian glanced up, thinking. "As I told you, Ojou-Sama, to measure you and your capabilities. To know exactly what material I am working with during this one week. To know your capabilities and to start to formulate a plan based on your strengths and weaknesses."

"Ufufufu! Gillian-chan think she can defeat us? How entertaining."

"Ah, Gillian, you might be strong, but please, don't underestimate us. We are Buchou's pieces, after all. We are not like those fallen you beat previously. As well, Riser underestimated you; you caught him off guard with that holy water. After seeing you doing it, it is not likely the same could happen with us." Kiba warned Gillian, not wanting to hurt her — even after how unruly she acted, he still considered her a friend. It was strange, but that was the case.

"Guys? Is that all right? I mean, she is still a human, what if she gets injured?" Issei glanced around, unsure, not really wanting to hurt her.

Aside from Motohama and Matsuda, she was the only one who appreciated girls like them and did not right away shun them or call them perverts — on top of that, she was also a girl, that was enough to appreciate her more than his long time comrades.

"I also dislike it, Issei, but she asked for it. Let's get this over with so we can return to our training."

Rias was aware, Gillian was abnormal compared to a normal human — though still a human, according to her senses and the devices they used to measure her.

She might have been able to defeat a few low ranked Fallen and exorcists, so what? She might defeat Riser after using unruly methods. So what? Gillian still couldn't possibly stand a chance against her highly trained group. They already knew her tricks, and the fact that she plays dirty! For someone like her to defeat them after all the gathered information in their possession was highly unlikely!

The data she collected about her was enough to conclude the best tactic, that being, eliminate her as fast as possible before she could pull any of her tricks. Yes, Rias was confident in her group's victory. She was confident, this time, their group would come out as the victor!

"So… which one of you wants to come first? Or maybe you all want to come at once? I don't mind! Really. In fact, I'd advise you all to attack at once! Also, come up with several tactics first. I will wait until you finish…"

Rias lowered her head, sighing before making her decision.

"It is decided… Koneko, if you may…" Her dear Rook would be enough.

Rias was confident both Koneko's speed and strength was above that of a human. Whatever trick Gillian wanted to pull, Koneko would simply shake it off and eliminate her with a decisive strike. It was no question. No matter who this human was, against the skilled Koneko who possessed durability unmatched, Gillian had no chance.

She had been lucky with Riser, using the weakness of devils to catch him off guard. A thing that would not happen with her servant — as they already saw that trick!

"Really?" Gillian scoffed, squinting her eyes almost as if she would be offended. "I'll say it once again, attacking me individually and without a plan will only lead to your defeat. I ask you to reconsider your choice, or taste the "stinky" taste of defeat."

"I am confident in Koneko's skills. It is you who should reconsider your choice and give up. If you can beat her, I will reconsider an all-out battle against you." Rias spoke, crossing her arms confidently, nodding to Koneko. "Look out for her petty tricks. You read the reports. She might try to pull dirty moves against you or use holy water again. Avoid it and end her fast! Give her no chance!"

"Umu…" the small girl nodded, stepping forward and taking a stance. "I will be attentive…"

"Buchou, we should…!"

"Kiba, don't worry, everything will be fine. Instead, watch her moves. We need to be attentive and react in the unlikely chance Koneko gets knocked out." Rias smiled, and Kiba sighed in return. He had an awful feeling about this.

"Haah, you may be right."

"Fufufu… so that's your tactic. In that case, I answer your determination to the fullest. Hahahahaha!" Gillian laughed like a villain, giving chills to most.

"So, that's your choice. So be it. But don't blame me if Koneko-chan gets hurt or traumatized. I am — after all — a tricky foe." the player moved her fingers, akin to weaving a spell, grinning.

"Don't worry, the victor is already decided." even if she defeats Koneko, this would be a good opportunity to inspect her tricks and moves, then swarm her right away. She was too confident for her own good, and that would open the gates of her defeat.

Rias was sure; her team couldn't lose!

"Indeed…" Gillian tilted her head, pushing her palm against her chin, and her neck cracked loud. She repeated the same with her fists, cracking them aloud. "It is decided…"

'Crack! Crack!'

"Aii…" this made Issei and Asia shiver, the angle she pushed her head just looked that unnatural.

"Let's begin then…"

"Sorry, Senpai…" the usually silent girl nodded, taking a stance. "I will try not to hurt you… much."

"You do as you like, Koneko-chan. Hopefully, it plays out well for you." Gillian recovered a pair of diving goggles, equipping them, then pulling up her triangle bandit scarf before her mouth and nose, covering them the fullest.

This made the devils and the nun look confused.

"What's that for?"

"Little preparation, for the show… also, it looks cool. Makes me look like a bandit. Don't you think?" she placed her hands in her pockets, swaying back and forth on her sole, completely relaxed — akin to doing a small dance of preparation. "But before we start, I request you Asia-chan to move a little bit farther."

"Wh-why?" asked the timid nun confused.

"Just a little bit of precaution. You are… after all still a "fragile" human. We don't want you to get hurt if our little battle goes out of control."

"She is right, Asia, please…" Issei nodded, and the girl gulped a little bit scared.

"O-Ok. But please, be careful, Gillian-chan. Koneko-chan, please, don't hurt her."

"That's up to senpai…" stated the Rook with little emotion.

"Umm…" with that, Issei escorted Asia a little bit farther, standing near her to shield her with his body if something unexpected happened.

"Now, then, we can start. Do your best, Koneko-chan. Albeit, I'll repeat! I advise against attacking me head-on; I can be tricky!" Gillian chuckled amused, making Koneko's eyes squint, slightly angry at her opponent for underestimating her.

Nonetheless, once Rias gave her the order she would fulfill it to the best of her ability. She would not be beaten by a human — whoever she is! She would not undermine the trust of her master! She would not be caught off guard!

'Bang!' the ground dented under Koneko as she sped forth, raising her fist to hit Gillian head-on. In under a moment, she was before her fellow white-haired girl, not a single modicum of hesitating in her movement.

Yet, Something was strange, as she reached closer, she recognized that Gillian hadn't moved. Not concerned with her ever-accelerating self.

"You should remember…" Gillian pulled out a sprinkler bottle from her pockets, Koneko recognizing the similar bottle immediately, making a maneuver to get out of the way of the first wave of vapor.

Yes! She was present during their meeting with Riser. She remembered how Gillian took care of him, she would never fall to such an obvious trap! Devils are naturally vulnerable to holy water; if she gets hit by that, her strength would be reduced, and the pain would make her vulnerable to an attack.

"Never run head-on into a battle." Gillian pulled the trigger ceaselessly, aiming the bottle against the petite girl, and Koneko dodged the waves of "holy water" endlessly, maneuvering to her opponent's side in under a moment!

She prepared to end the battle with a decisive strike, yet, what came next she didn't expect!

'Dodge!' Unexpectedly, Gillian could follow her movements, simply leaning away from the strike with the smallest of motion. Yet, it was not all she could muster; she continued her endless barrage, starting a special combo!

Koneko was apt with martial arts, and with throwing techniques, in this match, she proved her agility to Gillian. Unfortunately for her, she couldn't match the high amount of agility of the player — even handicapped and holding herself back — and thus, her reaction time fell way behind Gillian's restricted one.

Indeed, she was a Rook, not a Knight like Kiba was. She had high defense and physical attack power, possessing the speed befitting of a tank character in exchange — still surprisingly agile and fast despite this fact, maybe because of her small body and martial arts training.

The small girl followed her attack with an uppercut, then using her momentum to make a spinning kick. It was like a dance between two equal sides, none could gain the upper hand over the other!

With each hit, the strength behind Koneko's strikes increased, as well as her speed in an attempt to catch her opponent off guard!

The air was booming around her tiny fists ceaselessly. Mixing all of this with martial arts, she was really a deadly opponent.

"How impressive!" Gillian leaned away again, sprinkling a small amount from her bottle towards the Rook piece each time she dodged a strike — making Koneko pull back sometimes, squinting her eyes angrily as it seemed Gillian was just messing with her, sprinkling her like of a misbehaving cat.

She recognized since the last strike, it was not holy water. Still, the stench the liquid gave away irritated her nose. Gillian was up to something! She knew it! But what was her devious plan? She just couldn't figure it out!

"Senpai… please, take me seriously!"

"I take every opponent seriously, Koneko-chan… like if fighting a God or the Maou himself." Gillian grinned under her scarf, dodging her again with just a hairbreadth.

"Why doesn't Gillian return the attack?!" watching the match, Issei was indecisive which side to root for. For Gillian — who until now just dodged the attacks — or the small Koneko who dominated the match — reaching closer and closer to hit the other side with each strike.

Both were Something akin to friends — Koneko due to being a fellow devil and the member of ORC and Gillian being a fellow "buddy" of culture.

"Ara ara! It seems Gillian-chan is pushed back."

"I hope she will not get injured…" of course, Asia was worried, disliking such violent competition.

Indeed, as it was depicted, Koneko reached closer and closer, and Gillian was forced to move from her stationary position, jump and roll away from the hard and egile strikes that were ever intense! With each moment, Koneko reached closer and closer, barely missing her with a pulverizing strike.

"Hmm…"

"Buchou?"

"Something is not right… that girl. Kiba, do you recognize something?"

"Now that you mention it… yes. Gillian is just dodging, using that sprinkler less and less, it is like…"

"Senpai, please give up." Koneko stopped, offering the chance, an offer Gillian could only smile at.

"In the gates of victory? Not likely." she laughed, spreading her arms wide, akin to inviting Koneko for a last dance. "Please, do your best, Koneko-chan, the next move will be the last of our little struggle. In fact, for your own sake, I ask you to give up or face total defeat. It will be messy; it will be stinky, it will be… humiliating!"

"…" Koneko watched the human wordless, tilting her head confused.

"For once, you step over this line…" Gillian drew a line with her heel in the dust, pulling it wide and far. "… There will be no turning back."

"…" the small girl gave a look to Rias, who took up a serious posture, thinking hard. Trying to recognize what the plan of Gillian was.

Rias was unsure what this girl was up to, but having witnessed how easily she took care of Riser, she was sure it was nothing good.

"Be careful, Koneko. Look out for whatever tricks she pulls. Don't forget; we will be here for you even if you fall…"

"!" the Rook nodded, trusting Rias, preparing to charge, prepared to end a battle with one decisive strike!

"Welp! Time is up!" Gillian raised her silver pocket watch, once again, a broad smile pulling on her face as she watched it, removing her scarf slightly, sniffing in the air, then pulling it back to her nose. "The activation time came, time to add the final ingredient!"

Koneko didn't like it. Not at all! But Rias gave the order, and she will comply.

'Bang!'

In under a moment, Koneko started her final charge, raising her fist to end the battle with a decisive strike. Just like Rias commanded, she was extra careful!

This human was dangerous, who knows what's up in her sleeve this time? Her Nekomata senses screamed; if she is careless, it will do her no good.

As she reached closer, Gillian threw the bottle towards her, which the girl simply ignored, shattering on her body, drenching her completely.

"Stinky…" she only said this much as she flew forth.

It was just water, after all, smelling irritating, but that's all. It caused no harm until now!

"Sorry, Senpai…" Koneko apologized as she was before Gillian, fist pulled back to knock her out with her small hand.

"I should say the same…" faster than she can react, Gillian recovered a small "egg" from her pocket, a ball with the label: "Do not mix!" pushing it in Koneko's face and dodging her attack.

From the surprise and momentum, the Rook could barely stop, doing an elegant summersault and landing, brushing her face with a confused expression.

"You are strong, little one, but it's worth nothing if you can't hit me." cackled Gillian with glee, an expression that immensely annoyed the small girl. "And now! As the final ingredient is added! Let your despair, begin!" Once more, Gillian spread her arms, in her eyes devious light shining.

"Senpai, please, don't play around…" Koneko wiped her face from what seemed oddly colored, slimy liquid. "What is this?" she inspected her fingerless gloves with a disgusted expression.

"Oh, what a pity." Gillian chuckled deviously. "Just a little biological warfare. Did you know? Certain materials separately are not harmful, but together form something new! Something devious! Serving as the catalysts of each other, bringing forth hidden qualities. Activation time and some blending needed for the full effect. But oh well, that's chemistry and cooking for you. The ingredient that brings forth satisfaction is… time! In this case…" Gillian pointed at the small girl. "The stinky water you first thought of as "holy water," and this little "miracle egg" formed what I call, a "stinky surprise"! Enjoy it the fullest."

"What…" Koneko blinked, confused, as well as everyone around. Only a moment too late realizing what the player meant.

"Aghhhhhh!"

It was just now Koneko's brain caught up with her senses, and right away, she fell on her knees, then on the ground, rolling in pain, coughing endless, trying to scream in pain.

"Koneko!"

'Cough! Cough! Cough!' "What is this!?" right away, every devil started to cough as well, covering their mouth and nose with their arms.

That water Koneko started to ignore once she realized it was not "holy water," and that "egg" contained that smelly fluid activated each other's hidden qualities, bringing forth the ultimate weapon when the air compounded the vapor in the right amount!

The stench, mixed with burning feeling and irritation on the skin, eyes, mouth, nostrils — and everywhere else where the mixed molecules reached — These molecules steadily connected to the nerves and caused unbearable pain and irritation for the target! Overwhelming Koneko's sharp devil senses and nerves with an excess amount of information in under a moment.

Even breathing was hard and searing. Koneko's eyes went completely red, burning ceaselessly and watering, blurring her vision almost blind, even rubbing dirt in them did not help.

Then… the vomiting came, her body trying to purge the material at least from her throat, but it made it all worse! It just spread the molecules further down in her throat and stomach.

Her body tried to get rid of the material that overwhelmed her "superior" devil senses, nerves, and brain. All without success! She choked, helpless to do anything. Her devil psychology worked against her now. Her mind was unable to process all the information her nerves sent towards it, and thus! Paralysis and "Blackout" came to protect the host from itself!

In the next moment, Koneko stopped motionless; her brain disabled the motoric and cognitive functions connected to perceiving her surroundings and controlling her body.

She stopped moving, trembling, only foaming, losing consciousness. She became a simple doll, helpless to do anything, eyes empty, and unresponsive.

The Rook of the Gremory Princess was nothing more than dead weight in her current state. The winner of this round was… Gillian!

"!"

Everyone watched her with fright, horrified by the events that played out in just a few seconds, completely frozen! Just now, Rias even forgot her plan… the "swarm" tactic she wanted to use after Koneko's "unlikely" fall. Indeed… seeing their comrades in distress rendered the members motionless and useless for long seconds.

"Koneko!"

"What have you done!?" Rias shouted in rage, her eyes red and filled with tears. The effect barely reached them, but she already felt dizzy. She didn't even want to imagine what kind of effect this stuff had on Koneko — who received a full dose.

"!" it was not what she expected. No…, it was even worse!

Her comrades right away ran to Koneko, but when they reached her, she was already out, eyes empty, completely red, drooling.

"And that is one neutralized, three remained…" Gillian breathed hard, waving away the air. "Whew! Truly! Wonder how it feels for your devil senses! Maybe I overdid it a little. Well then! What are you waiting for! You said you would swarm me once she drops! Here is the perfect chance! Come on! Or, did I already break your will? You will let such disgrace go without retort?! Come on! Attack me!"

"You used holy water once again? No! This stench!" Rias coughed once again, ignoring Gillian's taunt. She was too dizzy and nauseous to give it any heed.

Her eyes were already watering not only from the stench but from the "spicy" feeling that burned them and her throat, it was like she was sprayed in the eyes by pepper spray, it was like a stink bomb thrown at her, and she swallowed its content! No! It was all worse! Now even her skin felt like it was drenched in acid!

"Pfft! Please, that would be boring. I already used that against that Yakitori guy, using it twice would be cheap." Gillian grinned, satisfied with the result.

"Then how… what have you done with her!? Answer or… guah!"

"Ughhh! This stench! Guahhh!" Like Rias and the rest, Issei started to vomit, it was a disgraceful sight, but it was expected. Asia was lucky she was farther away where the stench not spread yet.

Gillian designed this little "stink bomb" to evaporate fast once the two components mixed, and thus when they reached Rias and the rest, most of the effect was already scattered enough to mostly neutralized and diluted in the nearby atmosphere.

"How could… you do this!? If any harm comes for Koneko, I will never forgive you!" the red princess, not so gracefully wiped her mouth, already on her knees, her eyes red and burning, filled with tears. Just now, she lost the picture of a graceful daughter of a royal noble house. She just looked like everyone else! A vulnerable person. She reduced to look like a human who was beaten thoroughly.

"Don't worry; she will be fine. Probably…" one note to be added, which Rias and the rest of the group felt was only a small part of what Koneko felt.

"Probably!?"

"Yes… how can I say? You bragged about you; devils have superior senses—meaning, sharper hearing, smelling, eyes, etc. So I thought, how I could easily defeat a foe with superior senses, strength, and speed? An inhuman foe! The answer is: overwhelming their senses to disable them. Yeah! I assumed there is a breaking point on how much information your brain can process at once! Be you a devil or not, if you can hear, see, smell, touch — on top of that — you are a living being! There is a hypothetical tolerance point that your senses and nerves can bear before they get overwhelmed by the excess amount of information and stimulus. If you pass that point, your instinct will most likely dictate to give up, get farther from the source, or your brain automatically calls a "blackout" to protect you from further trauma. Really, this is the base of all riot control. Either irritating the rioters enough to give up or overwhelming their different senses to disable them, making them unable to continue the protest. In this case…" Gillian showed an evil, toothy smile, so profound and full; it even scared Rias — and it was behind her scarf.

"Maybe… Using a bioweapon to disable the attacker was not the most optimal, but the most fun method given the case. You should already suspect what I will do from my preparations. I told you! Be attentive; I am a tricky foe! I told you: if you underestimate me, you lose! Your comrades will suffer the consequences. Why do you think I wore these diving goggles? I didn't even take a breath in that fight, not speaking about equipping my "specially prepared" scarf not to breathe in one of the components accidentally. Even ordering Asia to get farther away... You are terrible at PVP, planning and countering others… Rias Gremory, you even discussed your tactics before me. Knowing what will happen once Koenko falls. It is obvious I planned to disable or discourage you all at once, and not allow you to use that "swarm" tactic against me. I am convinced now! You will lose against that Riser guy. Not because of your lack of number compared to him. Not because of his "immortality" or your other disadvantages. But because you are careless! You are uncaring! You ignore your environment and underestimate your opponent."

Rias and the rest froze, hearing all of this was hard to bear. Mostly for Rias, who already boiled in rage, barely controlling her emotions mocked continuously by a "no one." Berated and pointing out her flaws, losing face before her servants!

"…You convinced me, you are nothing more than a noble brat who's been ass licked out until now, and everything handed to her on a golden platter because of her status and looks! You even forgot to think despite all the information you possess about me, your opponent! If you continue like this, you will lose every battle! You will lose all your friends and loved ones! You will die or remain alone! Sour and helpless against your opponent! Spending your ten thousand years in depression — growing old and miserable — Knowing, they died because of you. Knowing, if you had only used your brain, everything would be different! Knowing…"

"Shut up!" Rias basically boiled hearing the hard truth. Her vision went red; she can't contain herself anymore! Her hand moved fast, shooting forth a full power ray of the energy of destruction, a beam Gillian dodged elegantly by stepping out of the way, tilting herself slightly.

It managed to cut some of her hair, but otherwise, her bored expression remained behind her goggles.

It was evident, if a normal human was hit by that black energy with red outline, they would have been vaporized in an instant! It already left a sizable crater in its wake, bouncing further from the ground like uncontrollable lighting, vaporizing several trees farther behind.

"Rias!"

"Buchou!" Akeno and Kiba shouted out in fright, not expecting their president to lose her head just like that.

"I-I..!" Rias stepped back twice, filled with horror. She almost hit her! She lost her head! She lost her head and almost killed Gillian! A human! How could she do this!? How could she lose control this much!?

"Huh… that was close." Gillian clicked her tongue. "That's what you get if you lose your cool. Idiot!"

"I-I am sorry! Are you alright?" Rias was apologetic, still trembling after her unintended act, still unable to process what she had almost done!

"Hmph! Manage…" Gillian removed her scarf, checking her limbs, then inspected her slightly cut end of her hair. "I have all my limbs. Only my hair was slightly cut. But hey! It was a good shot! You almost caught me off guard!" she laughed completely unconcerned.

"Yo-You're not even angry!?" this human was absurd!? She was almost killed and still unconcerned?! Just who… what kind of human is she!?

"Why? It was a splendid move! It made my blood boil in excitement!" Gillian pointed at Rias by forming guns with her hands. "The fault was your horrible aim — what came from losing your head. Aim better next time, and you will win! In battle, going berserk is not advised. If you can't control yourself, the enemy can use it against you, making you annihilate your own comrades with your own skills by just running circles around you and blindly firing. If that happens, without comrades, berserking people are torn apart by the opponents in under a moment…"

She walked near Rias, placing her hand on her shoulder. "This was the first lesson. More will come in the week. Now I am convinced I need to work hard to make you a bearable team. We mostly need to work on your overly emotional reaction. Such a thing… is annoying to deal with. And you need to deal with it before even considering going into battle."

"I-I see…" she gulped hard, nodding slightly, still frozen, barely able to process all that the player said.

"One more thing… Let me tell you. I care not who you are, or who your brother is, I will kick the shit out of you if you do stupid things. I will kick the shit out of your brother if he tries anything nasty. Capiche?"

"Ye-Yes…" Rias gulped audibly, still shaken by her own reaction, and the fact, she almost killed Gillian when she lost her head.

"Not to mention… it was like a terrible beast placed her hand on my shoulder. I honestly felt… scared."

"Good…" Gillian patted her shoulder gently with her iron grip. "We'll meet tomorrow. I will take one of the rooms. Not telling you which one, find me if you need me. Tomorrow, the suffering which leads to your freedom starts… Rias Gremory. Be prepared! For we all fight, bleed, and suffer for a better life. For we can only break our own chains of servitude and slavery…" with an evil grin, Gillian pocketed her hands, leaving the Gremory group alone.

Breathing deeply, Rias was deeply shaken, dozing out for a moment, falling on her knees right after Gillian left. It was too much! Her legs just gave in! Her heart pounded in her throat.

"Rias?" only by Akeno shaking her friend made her come back. "Are you… alright?"

"I-I am fine!" she gulped, strugglingly, but got up. "Is Koneko all right?" she turned to Asia, who used her Twilight Healing on the still unconscious Koneko.

"Ye-Yes… she will be alright. Her senses were just overwhelmed. She needs to rest."

"Then I am glad…" Rias breathed a sigh of relief — as much as she could, as the mix still burned her throat and eyes slightly, completely stunned the performance and outcome.

"Buchou…" Kiba approached her once he made sure Koneko was fine. "Are you… alright?" He asked in concern.

He never saw his "King" losing her head this way. More concerned about how Gillian's words will affect her.

"I-I am fine, just a little shook." she looked down, clenching her fist and biting her lips.

"What Gillian said was a little…"

"No! She was right! She gave me every chance to come up with a tactic. Yet, I failed to live up to your expectations. I failed. I am sorry! It was my fault for not taking someone like her seriously. I must really look miserable now…" she smiled bitterly, several tears running down on her face.

"Still, that was really harsh. Ughh! I will show her she can't do this with Buchou — no matter who she is!" Issei was pumped up, even shaking his fist in anger.

Gillian might be a fellow "comrade," but even she can't speak like this with the president, throwing such harsh words at her and expecting to get away! As the pawn of the Gremory Peerage, he will not allow such an unruly act! Whatever it takes, he will make her apologize!

"No, Issei, it is fine." Rias sighed once more, smiling affectionately at her Pawn. Indeed, she made a good choice with this boy. He was just adorable.

"It seems, my confidence overruled my sensibility. We… No! I have much to learn, and this is a good opportunity. Let's do our best, ok?"

"Yus!"

"As you say…!"

"Ara ara! It seems our president is back again. Ufufufu… let's do our best then!"

And with that, Rias took to heart the harsh lesson. Will she keep it? Only the future can tell!

After this, the group retreated to the mansion, taking a thorough bath, a good meal and retreated for the day.

There were too many things that happened today that exhausted the group — Too many questions to answer and consider. From tomorrow, their hellish training will start!

Scene Change: Somewhere in Kuoh:

'Bang!' "Guaaah!" the terrible, deformed creature screamed in pain as it breathed out its last breath, shattering to pieces when the magical spell hit its side.

"Yeah! We did it!" Saji cheered, the thin energy line that connected his arm to the monster returning to the strange wrist guard of his before disappearing.

"Saji! Get a hold of yourself! Our task isn't over yet!"

"Ah! Sorry, Kaichou! It will not happen again!" the young man made a deep bow, profoundly sweating, expecting a strict punishment from the student council president after their mission is over!

"It is okay. Just focus next time. There is a place for work, and there is a time for entertainment and celebration."

"Right! Thank you!"

"…" Sona Sitri nodded strict, turning her attention towards her Knight and Bishop. "Tomoe, Reya, check the surrounding for any more strays. We can't let any of them go!"

"Understood!" with that, the two girls disappeared, checking the surrounding of the storehouse where their battle conducted.

"Their resistance was quite… lacking. At least compared for the ones that showed up in the last month."

"I agree…" Sona agreed with her queen; her eyes squinted to a sharper edge. "That's why we need to be extra careful. It might be just the calm before the storm. With Rias occupied with their training for the next week, it is our duty to take care of both the day and night shift."

"Ugh… never a minutes rest, Kaichou is a slavedriver…" muttered Saji, irritable and miserable, earning a sharp gaze from his president.

"I-I mean…! It is an honor protecting the citizens of the town." he even bowed intimidated.

"Indeed, it is a great honor the high council entrusted us with the protection of the whole city while Rias is away. That's why we need to do our best to stop these lost souls."

"But at least there are not many of them now…" Tsubasa, the Rook of the group sighed, wiping her sweat. "Last month was crazy! Not a free moment but constant stray activity. Compared to that, we get one or two a day at max now."

"As said, it might be just the calm before the storm; we need to remain vigilant."

"Hmm…!" the rest of the members nodded, determined to do their best for their leader.

"Kaichou! No other stray detected; the district is clear now."

"Good, we should head back to the clubroom; there are plenty of things to do."

"Shouldn't we clean the place first? The humans will recognize the mess tomorrow if we leave the ruins behind."

"Ah, that's right, thank you, Tsubaki." Sona waved to her pieces, and they started their usual cleaning duty, with magic, cleaning up the mess and repairing the damage caused by the battle.

"Haah…"

"Is something wrong?"

"It is nothing!" Sona answered firmly after massaging her nasal bridge and putting back her glasses. "It is just…"

"Your parents?"

"Yes…" the girl sighed, looking exhausted, watching her pieces working overtime to clean the rubble after their battle. "I told them about my defeat…"

"You know, you shouldn't have done that. That match was not fair, you know it too well."

"No, it was fair. We both put up something important. She put up her freedom, her willingness to join my Peerage. And I… well, she did not yet specify what she wants. But she beat me not once, but three times in a row. That means, my deal with my parents concluded, my betrothal took place with this "ritual"…"

"After you beat her two times. That counts for something…" Tsubaki smiled gently, trying to cheer up the always serious Sitri heiress.

"She sacrificed those two wins to win the war, to learn my tactics. It was terrifying to see as round after round, she dismantles all my tactics, all my defenses, playing around with me like a dragon with a child. Even giving openings to mock me. It was…" Sona bit her lips, her face going red, rubbing her hands together. "It was honestly terrifying and astonishing at once. It was a fair bet, and I lost, now I need to bear the consequences."

"Even if it means…" Tsubaki coughed low, clearing her throat. "Marrying her?"

"I made my deal with my parents. If I lose fair and square in chess against an opponent of high stakes, that person becomes my fiance. That was their clause. I already managed to dismantle the previous fiance they chose for me this way. Doing this with every other who came after him and wanted my hand. Now, I lost, not once, but three times in a row…" Sona was ashamed, starting to sulk intensely.

Unfortunately, this was the hard truth, if she backs away from their deal now, her parents would surely marry her away with the next suitor — whether she wants it or not. There was no escape from the deal this time. It is this or someone much worse she doesn't even know.

"I feel for you…" Tsubaki patted her back gently, and Sona nodded sulking.

The queen of the Sitri group knows her king and friend too well.

Even if it was an option, Sona was too proud and compliant to defy the deal she made with her parents. Even if it means she needs to marry someone she disliked, she had done so because it was her duty as the heiress of the Sitri clan. That's the kind of person she was!

That deal with her parents was only there to choose the one who cognitively fit her needs and was not a moron who can't even count or formulate a tactic — Someone, who can truly understand a smart person like her!

"May I ask… what did they say about your new fiance? Of course, if it is not a problem to reveal, Kaichou."

"Haah…" Sona started to release a depressive… tired aura once again, even hanging her arm before she returned to her collected self.

"Honestly, I did not yet tell them who it was. Only it happened. Of course, now that things have happened this way; my parents are nagging me day after day to introduce "him." Not to mention, my sister don't even know. I asked my parents not yet tell her…"

"I see…" The queen of the group nodded, slightly disturbed.

Maybe it was the best, if Maou Serafall would turn around looking for the person who took the president's hand, that would not end well for the town… not speaking the whole country.

"I don't want her to show up here one day looking for her. It would be… embarrassing."

Just now, Sona remembered her sister — who was too lively and embarrassing for her taste. This made her groan even harder… just imagining the day when the two meet again, and she needs to introduce her "fiance" to the Maou Leviathan was hard to bear.

"That would be…" Tsubaki cleared her throat, disturbed, remembering the overly cheerful "Magical Girl" impersonator sister of her president. "Indeed, troublesome. Leviathan-sama can be really eccentric."

"You don't have to tell me…" Sona only muttered sweatdropping, cringing how her sister acted all the time despite being one of the four great Maou.

"Kaichou! We are finished!"

"Good! Let's return to school. We need to finish our administration duties with this case."

The depressed girl who was worried about her future disappeared in a moment, taking the façade of a strict Council President. An ice queen of short, solidifying her surface like a solid iceberg, all emotional cracks are gone and patched!

"Guahhh! Again, paperwork?" of course, Saji complained.

"Administrative duties are important, Saji. Or do you want to get away with them like last time? You know what will happen." a blue demonic circle appeared on Sona's hand. Just looking at it made Saji grab his butt with a painful face.

"N-No! Of course not! I would never dare!" his backside still throbbed after the last treatment! He would rather bear with administrative duties for a whole week than suffer the wrath of Sona's hand again!

"Good… let's head back then."

Tsubaki just sighed low. She has known Sona for a long time. One can say they are close friends. But even she is astonished how this girl can change personality on a whim—going from a sulking teen girl who has no experience with love, to a strict office lady and back.

"Maybe it is a special talent of hers…"

Nonetheless, wherever she goes, Tsubaki followed and supported her. For that was the duty of a queen! For that was the function of a friend!

"Tsubaki, come, don't dillydally around!"

"Yes, Kaichou!" and thus, the devils left the scene intact and proper; they had many papers to fill tonight!

One thing is sure! Saji will groan for a long time doing all that administrative work.

Scene Change: Later That Night: Gremory Mansion:

Meanwhile, in a different part of Japan, a particular person spent her time with stargazing.

"The sky… is so beautiful." Gillian offered a profound smile, laying on the rooftop of the mansion, watching the stars undisturbed.

Rias and the rest already retreated to their dorms, taking a bath and eating their delicious meal. It seems her little introduction was too much for their picky taste. Fortunately, after healing her, Koneko looked fine. A little disturbed and rather avoided her gaze when she stumbled down to snatch some food, but good enough to stand up and walk. She will recuperate in time — at least, she really hoped so. It would be just annoying if such a cute kouhai held a grudge against her for long.

"Well, someone needs to show them how outgunned and sheltered they are, or they will surely lose even with my help. Restricted with my own little "challenge," I can only do that much with purely human capabilities."

She sighed, shaking her head and returned her attention to the dot filled canvas that was the sky.

"I remember, back home, we can't see any stars due to the light pollution, the profound smog, and the excess amount of space crap floating around Earth."

Compared to her old world, this world was a treasure trove. Even if Kuoh and other high-density places polluted with the light of the modern society, the stars were visible in some way or other. She only needs to look up, and she can see them unhindered.

"Of course, this Earthly sight cannot compare with the real thing — the infinite space out there, in the infinite void, floating above Earth. Only blackness filled with small dots… each dot is a star, surrounded by new, different worlds! Yeah, only astronauts and the few lucky traveled there could truly appreciate them I believe." now, thanks to her new capabilities, she can count herself amongst them.

Witnessing it firsthand not long ago, Gillian can confirm it. Pictures can't fully give back the peace and silence of the infinite void. Compared to the "noisy" Earth, it was really a calm place — or, as quiet as it can be, with the countless amount of dangers it holds.

"But… oh well, without medium or atmosphere to relay the sound, there is nothing really to hear there."

Yet, this unknown danger this infinite void is filled with what makes it more exciting and enticing! Drawing people to explore and crack the many mysteries it holds!

"I will explore you… I will crack your secrets!" she muttered, reaching towards the sky, then clenching her fist with a wide grin, sighing big.

"Hahh… but sometimes, just relaxing is just as good. Spending time far from civilization… alone, with my own thoughts…."

This "modest" mountain mansion was perfect for this little rest and relaxation she needed to clear her head.

Far away from the light-polluted city, the sky was much clearer here, but close enough to modern comfort so she misses nothing usual. Just watching the stars laying on this roof, this nice breezy night filled her with some kind of solace and peace, relieving herself from all the stress remained from her previous life, and came with her daily duties as a business owner.

"Well, with my new body and power, I could do nothing and be fine, simply stealing enough and live a leisure life, or force others to do my bidding and worship me. But that would be boring, and I never really was an ambitious type who want to rule over others or a territory…" she also despised the idea being worshipped like of a "god"… it would came with more nuisance and responsibility to have followers than not having them at all.

"…I leave that to politicians and ambitious people. Yet, some challenges are always needed, or people go rusty. Owning that shop, having that few employees under me, challenging myself with these restrictions, and training with my "training partner" out there from time to time provides the necessary exercise to keep myself fresh, my wits, and body sharp. There is nothing more needed! I feel myself complete for the first time since I was born! I feel… I am in the right place and body! I only miss my mustache and my junk a little bit…" she caressed her smooth and mustacheless face, scratching her groin gently.

"But oh well! Something for something. This body is not as bad as others would put it. In Isekai novels, this genderswap stuff is overdramatized by the writers. Also, my look is designed according to my preferences, so I can't really complain…"

As mentioned before, one of her reasons for opening her "maid café" was to increase her lacking people and communication skills… to heal her ailing mind devastated by her previous work environment and the bullying, over competitive society of 2138.

If she does nothing, with her ageless existence — described by her race's lore — she will go, rusty… even worse! Insane from the boredom and the lack to do with her new self.

"…This annoying tick to always do something might also be the reason of my constant urge to seek new things and explore. Really! It might be due to my avatar's race that I feel this way! Yeah, it must be like that!"

After all, according to the lore of "her people", they were of a race of conquerors, inventors, artists, fighters and sages. But also, terrible tyrants, warmongers and slavers who, according to their history, was even worse racial supremacists than the Nazi Germany was back during the Second World War. They testified the thinking: "If you have power, if you are smart, you have the right to rule over the weak and do as you like. The strong rules, the weak can be glad if they can serve. If they resist, they will be crushed into submission or destroyed…"

"I really hope the negative qualities of my "new race" do not evolve into something akin to a "superiority complex" in my case and incite me to war and conquer everything in my way. It would really make my attempt to blend and have a responsibility free, relaxing life harder. Also, I doubt the residents of this world would just stay idle and watch my attempt to enslave them. All in all… it would just make things annoying and over complicated."

People needed challenges and hobbies to remain sane, and up to the challenge, it was wired in them to be restless after a while. Also, without a goal or destination, life was kinda meaningless if you asked her. It was extra true now as her new race's nature always urged her to do something useful or feel bad and restless.

"So, you are here…"

"In the flesh!" smirking, in the next moment, she turned her head towards the appeared person. "What are you doing here so late, Kiba-kun? Can't sleep?"

"I am a devil, remember? We are active at night. In that case, I should ask you this. Humans should sleep at night." Kiba approached her, walking near the girl.

"Naah, pass. The air is refreshing, and the sky is too mesmerizing to waste time sleeping."

"I see…" Kiba smiled, chuckling low. "May I sit down?"

"Not my mansion, ask the owner."

"I think she would not mind. In that case, I'll take a seat." with that, Kiba took a seat on Gillian's side, turning his attention to the sky. "Hmm, you are right, the sky is really clear today. Perfect for sky gazing."

"Just like I said, it is a waste to spend time sleeping, while nature offers such beauties."

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not really, you know, slight insomnia, I am lucky if I can sleep a few hours every few days or so."

"That can't be healthy; you should see a doctor."

"Nah… it is fine. Also, sleep is for the weak." Gillian grinned, still staring the stars above. "I can spend my time much more efficiently as my sleeping schedule is lesser than the others. For example, I can spend my night learning advanced chemistry, and search for good recipes for effective stink bombs, experiment with them to find the perfect mix to disable others."

"…" Kiba just shook his head, still offering a bitter smile. "Like always, you are strange."

"Normal would be boring. Don't you think?"

"Sometimes, yes, but sometimes the peace normality offers is better than an unique circumstance."

"I cannot dispute that. Normality also has its perks too."

Silence descended between the two for a few long seconds, Kiba being the one who breaks it.

"We missed you during dinner and the bath. You just disappeared in your room after… well, you know." Kiba remembered the accident that happened just after Gillian arrived.

He was still mad at her for how unruly she acted and how rude she was with Rias — not to mention how she treated Koneko who was his close friend. Even now, he can hardly forgive her.

Unfortunately, he also saw her point which made it even harder to hold grudge.

If the Gremory Princess continue like this and ignore the obvious… her weaknesses and not improve rapidly, they will lose the Rating Game faster than they would do otherwise! She will be forever bound to that man, losing even that little chance to free herself from that unfair contract their parents made.

Losing the chance to be herself, and forever chained to a person she despises was maybe even worse than the other option. Kiba couldn't even bear thinking of seeing her suffering day after day for all eternity. It would be too much to bear it with considering how long a devil's lifespan was.

"Hmm, ah, indeed. I rather feel nervous eating with others and sharing a bath with so many people. Even at home and school, I prefer to eat alone, and take a shower when everyone was gone."

Even when the chance to peek at the girls in the shower is present, she just disliked when so many people were around, just staring at her and all... always speaking without stopping — it was extra true for girls — most of what they say have no quality content at all. She hated when they just speak and speak without any information content. It was just meaningless raw data she can't place… nothing to interpret.

"I rather use the cameras I hid in their shower if I want a show…" she thought smugly.

She applied some of her skills to hide them, so it is not likely those cameras will be discovered anytime soon.

"Also, I feel, after what I did with Koneko-chan, and how I "triggered" Red… I am not well-liked here. It is best to interact as little as possible from now on, solve the issue, and leave the rest to you. Move on…"

"Yeah… traumatizing Koneko-chan and making Buchou lose her head was probably not the best move." Kiba sighed, he had to agree with the girl.

Even after he knew her reason well, he still didn't like the method. There are better ways to tell others their fault, or educate them to a better way. It was just too raw and sudden doing it like Gillian did! It can alienate others and possibly cause mental trauma for the person you aimed to help.

In fact… the way Gillian did things was the worst possible method, making him remember the Holy Sword project he was forced to endure and almost died under.

"Well, that may be true. But you need to admit, it was your master's fault too… well, partly. She had enough information about me to consider a different tactic. I even warned her not to send her people head on against me, advised her to attack all at once, to be tactful, think before doing something rash! Discuss her plan with you out of hearing range... Yet, her pride, doing things without really thinking, and underestimating me despite all the information she possessed about me was not enough to reconsider her step."

She glanced at Kiba, who turned his head away, clicking his tongue annoyed.

Maybe he should be more convincing or forceful when it came to his opinion — knowing firsthand of Gillian and her capabilities. Indeed, from time to time it was the servant's task to stop the master doing anything rash, or stupid.

They belong to her family, and was still unable to protect her from herself and her bad decisions. Kiba was ashamed how his loyalty and love towards Rias blinded him this much! In so much, despite all the warning and information he remained silent in front of the obvious danger.

"...It was her own fault it ended like this; it was her companions' fault not stopping her bad decision and advising her against this step. Your excessive trust in her and her decisions lead to such a conclusion. Please excuse me for saying this, but the blame falls on all of you, Kiba-kun. One should always think before acting. The task to protect their own leader from oneself and prevent her bad decisions sometimes fall to the subordinates, and no one else. She trusts you enough, I believe. She said herself: her peerage is like her family. I expected at least you, if no one else to tell her to reconsider her step after that night… or even go against her if her plan is just simply stupid. If she can't… at least you should think, Kiba-kun. You are a smart boy. At least… I thought you as such... until now."

Gillian sat up, pushing Kiba's forehead hard — as much as the human limitations allowed — and the boy rubbed the spot slightly irritated, offering an unusual grimace, a small groan of displeasure.

"You are going hard on Buchou and the rest. That's undeniable. May I ask, why do you dislike her this much? Why are you so sour and critical? What has she done to earn this?"

"Dislike her? Critical?" Gillian blinked confused, tilting her head slightly.

"The way you act around her. How you criticize her every move. As her knight, it is hard to bear. Please forgive me for saying this, but you go way too hard on her. I request you to stop, or I need to stop being your friend." Kiba spoke from his heart, even turning his head away, looking offended.

It was quite amusing, considering what Gillian read in stories about friendship and human relations.

Such connection was not as easy to sever just by saying: "I am no longer your friend…" and that's it! Or… at least, that's how the different stories depicted such stuff. She had no real experience at all with friendship and the like, and thus, she wouldn't really know what was the exact case.

"Of course… how should I know about that? I never had any friends back then… nor any normal human relations — well, aside of those few online "friends", but they were more like opportunity contacts than anything else... I don't really trust anybody due to the fact… anyone who tried to get close to me betrayed my trust one way or another, either wanted something or just turned against me in the end. Also… YGGDRASIL supported this "no trust" policy heavily. There, I was plenty home for this to work. Unfortunately, here, with "real" people, it is not really working all the time…"

In that case… she only started to learn how friendship and human relations work after Kiba showed up in her café, and befriended her.

"Even if I don't know how it happened. One day he just appeared, ordering tea. He looked quite distraught. I asked him what's wrong, and he answered. After that, we just started to discuss random stuff. In the end… he started to show up more and more times. Always sitting before me and speaking… human relations are confusing, that's undeniable."

Catching up with stuff she should have learned during her previous 35+ years is harder than expected.

It was easier to learn quantum physics than understand how humans work — more enjoyable and entertaining as well — at least for weird people like her who always enjoyed such topics and math.

"Going hard on her? Disliking her?" Gillian muttered once again, tasting these words. "I would not say I dislike her, more like…" she clicked her tongue annoyed.

"Her attitude, I dislike. She comes to my shop, bringing trouble. Thinking because she is a devil — and a "Princess" on top of that — everything will bend to her will; everything will be handed over to her because of her heritage and her "fancy" brother. Thinking, because of her nice rack, bottom, thin waist, and beautiful face, she can get away with everything. Sorry Kiba, but not in this case, I will not bend to such things. Even if she would be Aphrodite or the chief Norse god, I would still kick her ass if she brings me trouble. I dislike people who don't even listen to what I want, and just shove their opinion down my throat!"

"Well, you can't really blame her for where she came from, from where she is born, do you?"

"Of course not. I never said that. It is not about her upbringing or other such stuff... I only said, common decency hearing what people say, and accepting their choice, considering and listening to the advice others give you! Not trying to force them to accept your opinion at all cost, or try to bind others to you because you deem their qualities "useful" at the moment. Even going that far to bring them trouble, or send someone, weave malicious plans to enforce your want, push them that far to have no choice but join you! That's not how decent people work. That's how tyrants, dictators and slavers enforce their will, Kiba-kun. It always went this way during the history, and it always will, for this is how such people work."

"But, Buchou…!"

"You do that with objects, Kiba, not people. You own objects, you use them as you like, not people. Tyrants, gods, and slavers do that with their creations, subjects, and possession, not with friends, not with others! I dislike power addled people like that because they think I will go along with their shit just because they say so. But let me tell you something, Kiba; maybe in the past, people can push me around as they liked, as I was powerless to do anything, I was powerless to rise against them, as the consequences would be greater than my gain coming with resisting! As I had something to lose doing so! But not anymore! For in my current state, the only one who can push me around in all heaven, hell, earth, and even existence, is ME! If anyone tries to take this earned freedom from me, I will crush that being! Be it any God, monster, human, or all the idolized Maou you worship; I will not bend to anyone but me! I will say it once more; I don't bend to anyone but me!"

"…" Kiba remained silent for a moment, pondering what pushed Gillian to think this way. Pondering what suffering she went through to refuse the advancements of others towards her? Thinking hard where her immense distrust and sourness came from — that resurfaced just now!

Was she like him in the past? Suffering the hand of certain authority and now was unable to really trust anyone — even him fully?

"Yes, she and her brother did not really share anything about their past…" and even that small amount he suspected was a forgery.

Her smile was too forced sometimes when they touched several subjects in their discussion. He recognized during their first meeting… something always bothered her. Some deep scar she maybe not even revealed to anyone! Maybe, that's why they found the common voice so easily...

"I remember, Buchou saved me after my escape, bringing me back from death's door…"

Unfortunately, Kiba was well aware; not all tales end happily like his. His fellow test subjects and past friends were the proof of this. Only he survived. Be it fate or a random encounter, he was saved by Rias in the last moment, giving his empty, fading life a goal! A selfless act, he will be eternally grateful.

"Yet, just as said… not everyone is as lucky as me. Not every tale ends happily…"

"I know Buchou is pushy sometimes, but believe me, I know her long enough to attest for her; she only wants what's best for us. She is caring and loving. Selfless… just like the other members of her family. They are different than the other devils."

"Her intentions might be good, Kiba, but her motivation and methods less so. She is too green to make serious decisions. Too biased to be an independent party who can make important choices with a cool head. Too hasty to be yet entrusted to protect people — less a whole city. Observing her and how you devils operate in Kuoh, that much is clear."

"Haahh…" That was undeniable; even Kiba admitted that Rias made slip-ups from time to time. Still, his King learned day after day, she tried her best to improve! He was sure, in time, she will grow a responsible person with experience under her hand.

"I know I am not perfect; I do questionable things. I admit I have a lot to learn and improve, but at least, I do not try to hide such things behind morals and say: "It is for the greater good. I only want to protect you from yourself." and things like: "I know better what you want than you, there is no room for your opinion! You do what I say, or there will be trouble!" I dislike such people the most, Kiba. As such people make me remember the ones from my previous life…"

"…" Kiba bit his lips, for a moment, unable to renounce what Gillian said.

"...I am a piece of shit, Kiba. I know well. I admit this fact. I am a terrible liar who did many questionable, horrible things in the past, and will most likely do so for her own benefit — or to protect what's important to her... The difference is, I admit this! Not trying to hide my faults behind the false mask of morality and act like: "I am your savior! You should be glad that I even offering this chance!" for that, is the biggest bigotry in all existence…"

She mimicked Rias' domineering attitude, even raising her arm above her chest, her wrist being higher than her hand.

"No… I might be a liar, Kiba. A trickster, a horrible person! But I am not a hypocrite hiding behind the false picture of morality. It might not be intentional from her part; she might think she is doing a good thing. Still, it just ticks me off when a brat like her play a heroine, tries to act like she is better than anyone, and knows everything — play with things she had little idea about. The little time I spent around her confirmed only one thing; she has little knowledge about the people and how the world really works. Forcing and pushing down her false sense of "justice" and agenda in the throat of those that never requested it. Unable to admit her fault even when it is so obvious! Refusing to learn even when her freedom and the life of her loved ones is at stake! Maybe this blindness of hers, and his refusal to improve annoys me more than anything else. Perhaps this is what ticks me off the most!"

"Tch! If you hate her so much, why do you come all this way? Why are you helping her?! You should have simply sat around, relaxed! Wait as she falls victim to this unfair deal between their families!"

For the first time since knowing him, Kiba was really sounding annoyed… No! More like he was angry! His eyes squinted like sharp swords, even standing up and clenching his fists in anger, waving his hand before himself to give point for his speech.

"..." after a momentary pause, Gillian started to chuckle, then burst out in an intense laughter feeling the boy's resolve. "Hehe… Hahahahahahaha!"

"What's so funny!? I am not joking! If you are here only to mock her and our effort, then…!"

"It is the first time I see you truly honest, Kiba-kun." she grinned, her gaze meeting the boy's, standing up and placing her hands in her pocket.

In those blue eyes, now she saw confusion, his rage only dimming, quenched by the surprising sentence of the player.

"Wha-What!?" and Kiba backed stunned, still unable to process what the girl meant.

"You must really adore her, or being really grateful for whatever she did for you. In so much… despite your base nature, you ignore all the flaws of hers. Despite what happened… you still have faith in your "king". Angry because of her, not against her. I truly… envy your trust in her. That, you still possess the spark of faith I lost long ago…"

"Huh…? Gillian…" Kiba's expression softened, reaching out slowly. "I…"

"Answering your question. I may dislike her because of her hypocritical, domineering attitude, and being too blind to recognize the obvious. But this can be fixed — as she does not give away the aura of a bad person. But that… is not the reason why am I here and offered my help…"

"Then…?" now, the knight of the Gremory peerage was even more confused than before, can only raise his brow curious.

"You still don't know?" Gillian cackled low. "My first reason was our deal with the Maou, the second is to push my boot inside the ass of that playboy chicken. I want to dominate him and put his kind in his place, show them that their arrogance is unfounded, as even a simple human can put down their kind. That they should be afraid of the weak and the desperate more than anything else. As for my third and fourth point…" she turned to Kiba, offering an honest smile. "Ponder on it, tell me if you realized my third and fourth reason. I expect an answer after the match concludes."

'Buuuzzzz!' an incoming call arrived at her phone right after this, raising it to eye-level, the girl raised her brow.

"Hmm…. hello?" she accepted the call uncaring, only holding it with her index and thumb, doing so in a delicate way. "I see… Nah, not interested! Buying nothing, you scam! Sod off…" 'Click'

With that, she ended the call, walking near the edge, dropping down from the roof of the tall building leisurely, only slowing herself with her gloved hand pushing hard against the walls.

"Gillian!"

Kiba ran, watching over the edge, but the girl already landed with an elegant somersault, walking through the courtyard undisturbed from the fall, humming and whistling a strange lullaby.

"His smile fair as spring… as he draws towards you…"

"What do you hide… Gillian?"

Kiba watched as his friend disappeared in the night of the courtyard. His heart filled with doubt like never before, trying to figure out what her past hides, trying to come to terms with what she said about Rias and her methods.

Surely, after what happened today, he can't sleep well for a while. Too many questions that concerned him, too few answers, too many worries haunted him to do so.

What will come after this, the boy can only guess. One thing was sure, after this conversation, he will try to see Gillian in a different light. Not as a simple friend, but someone who maybe shares some similarities with him — maybe a tragic past, if nothing else.

A/N:

Well, that's it!

I hope it was bearable!

Sorry for the long wait, stuff took my time!

In the next chapter: The training starts!

Will Rias and her group succeed against the impossible odds?

Will Kiba finds out the terrible secret Gillian holds?

What other things did Gillian ask for her service from the great Satan?

Should Azazel do more experiments with that another material?

With the obvious exception of the last, you will know the answers if you read further!

Until then!

Good day, good night! Stay safe! Sail safe!

RnR!

Read and review!

Send PM if you have further questions!

May Gillian be with you and your endeavors.

Until next time!