The Seraphic System

Chapter 77 - All But A Dream?

The Seraphic System

Chapter: 77

Disclaimer: I don't own High School Dxd or any other universe used in this story. 

Pa/ t reon details below the Chapter if you're interested in seeing some content in advance.

(All But A Dream?)

This was a weird situation.

I looked at the strange flying humanoid creature that seemed vaguely familiar. My eyes then trailed back to Rias Gremory.

I couldn't say she looked the same as I had known, truthfully. If the current situation wasn't as it was and she didn't have crimson hair I wouldn't have recognised her.

She stared back at me, equally as confused at this situation.

"Kai?" She muttered, looking around. Her eyes landed on the humanoid and she seemed to come to some sort of realisation.

She laughed. "This is a dream."

Yes, technically it was. I admit, I hadn't expected this to be what I walked in when I did this. I had found a feature on the Heavenly System that allowed me to enter dreams to speak to people.

All those dreams in the bible about receiving the word of god in their dreams? Entirely plausible.

It seemed pretty powerful, except for its multiple limits. Firstly, it required someone to pray to you and you could only enter the dream of someone the amount of times they prayed to you.

Some sort of connection must be formed that allowed for the entering of dreams when they prayed.

Secondly, I couldn't harm the dreamer.

So it couldn't be used offensively other than to communicate.

"Yes." I smiled.

An aura of light formed around me and I made myself look 'Divine.'

Presentation was a real thing, even Gabriel had told me about how she had used to present herself when delivering messages.

"You called for me- what are you doing?" I questioned.

She walked up to me and started... feeling my chest.

"I've never had a dream so vivid." She hummed. "I might as well make the most of it. Perhaps if I indulge enough I can stay dreaming forever."

Her voice turned into a pur, her eyes staring at me with want.

The humanoid didn't stay idle, appearing and kicking her into a mountain.

I was left a bit stunned.

Really?

I coughed, flattening my palm and swiping it at the humanoid. The humanoid backed away but not fast enough, a massive gash opened on its stomach. He couldn't react any further as I punched him in the face and he ended up flying through another mountain.

Rias flew back and gave me a flirty smirk. "Sorry for the interruption, I've been watching too much Drag-So-Ball lately."

She started stripping.

It took a second to decide if I was going to stop her. Just as I got a full view of her long legs, I decided that would ruin my image and most of all ruin negotiations.

"Ehem." I coughed, holding out a hand. "I am not a part of this dream. I have heard your prayer and decided to answer-"

She crawled closer to me and began attempting to remove my robes.

I grabbed her hands firmly, she pulled me down with a strength that only existed due to this being her dream and wrapped her legs around me.

"Listen." I narrowed my eyes, and she perked up.

"I am not here to take part in your body." Light surrounded me. I wasn't using magic since it didn't work like that in this strange dream world but I still had control over my powers.

"You are in a great amount of pain aren't you?" I asked, she paused, looking surprised. "Being forced into a loveless marriage to the third son of the Phenex."

She tilted her head, her eyes reflecting hurt.

Her legs were still wrapped around me and I didn't make her let go for reasons that were a bit less godly.

Seriously, what was it with supernatural girls?

"I have heard your prayer." I restarted.

"You heard my prayer?" She bit her lip. "Are you here to take me forever?"

"No. I am here to make a deal."

She bit her lip. "So you're not going to whisk me away and make me your wife?"

What?

She pulled me into a kiss, I pulled back in surprise.

"I guess I haven't earned redemption yet, let me fix that." She said huskily, yet something deeper shone in her eyes. "Make me forget. Just for a moment. Make me yours."

I pushed myself up and like some sort of lizard, she hastily crawled towards me.

"You are not listening." I frowned.

The humanoid took that moment to kick her into another mountain.

I didn't stop him, wondering if I had actually found an ally within her dream.

He watched me warily but when I didn't stop him he continued.

Just as he dove in for more, a massive blast of destruction erased him. She flew out, and towards me like a missile.

She looked curious. "Now that he's gone, how about you come to make this naughty devil into one of your Angels? I'll be good I promise."

"..."

"Enough," I said, using God's Voice.

It wouldn't have any effect but the sheer presence of the voice made her stumble back in shock.

"Haven't you registered why your dream is so vivid?" I questioned.

She was silent for a few moments.

She seemed to have a realization. "You're real?!"

I crossed my arms. "Yes."

She blushed, her entire face going red as she stuttered.

Really?

You were going to try to pull this innocent girl act after all of that?

"T-that means you're.... GOD?!." She replied, looking suitably intimidated. "You're real?!"

"Yes," I said flatly. "I'm real."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Y-You're really... God?"

"In the flesh."

Well, sort of.

Dreams were weird like that.

"How are you even here?" She questioned in confusion.

I imagine that the case of God entering the dreams of Devils had never occurred.

"You're the one that prayed to me," I replied in amusement.

"I didn't think I'd get a reaction, I'm a devil! It was out of pure mindless desperation." She replied, which sounded more like a whine. She covered her face in horror, remembering what had just happened. "I want to die."

She sighed, taking a deep breath.

"May I ask why you are here, Lord Yahweh?" She said, after a moment. Becoming hyper-formal.

Even with that, the embarrassed look didn't recede.

"I've heard your prayer," I replied simply. "And decided to answer, since no Devil has prayed to me before."

I wasn't sure if that was true, but I was rolling with it.

"Does that mean I'm awake? I don't understand how you are here." She replied with a confused frown. "Or why you answered my prayer, I am a Pureblood Devil after all."

Her tone became suspicious, which was natural considering the fact I was technically the largest enemy of her race.

"Mainly curiosity, and I see the potential for an agreement to be struck. Plus despite your rather... interesting greeting-" I said, and her face gradually became as crimson as her hair. "I've decided to answer."

My answer seemed to make her even more suspicious.

Rias stared at me, her mouth opening and closing like she wanted to say something but couldn't quite get the words out. Her gaze darted around the dreamscape as if searching for some kind of explanation.

Finally, she met my eyes again.

"Potential?" she asked softly. "What do you mean?"

I studied her carefully. "You're desperate."

Her breath hitched. She turned away.

"So you really did hear." She said with a sigh. I could still see her trying to process this situation.

It was easy to forget how much of an impact my predecessor had made on the world. While I can't say I was going down the same style of life, I did intend to make an even bigger impact.

"Of course I am. My parents... my brother... they all expect me to just go along with it." Her voice trembled, a mix of anger and pain. "Marrying Riser isn't just a political move, it's a prison sentence."

She turned back to me, eyes blazing. "Do you know what it's like to be treated like a prize? Like my only worth is who I marry? I hate it."

She finished her rant and realised just who she was speaking to once more, shrinking back and lowering her head.

She trembled, fists clenched. "I just... hate him."

I nodded slowly. "And what do you want?"

She hesitated, looking down. "I want to be free." She took a shaky breath. "No, I want to win the Rating Game." Her head snapped up, determination burning in her eyes. "If I can win, I can break the engagement and prove I'm more than just a bargaining chip."

Then she turned downcast. "I-just can't see that happening anymore. My peerage isn't perfect."

I watched her carefully. "I see. I believe an agreement could be made."

Her head snapped up. "But why? I just don't see what I could do for you of all people. And you of all beings wouldn't be helping Devils."

"Because you're desperate enough to pray to someone you believe is your enemy. I am intrigued and change is long after due."

"You'll have to keep this a secret though," I said lightly. "For your own benefit."

She shifted uncomfortably. "But why help me? I'm a devil. Shouldn't you..." She gestured vaguely at the sky. "Smite me or something?"

I raised a brow. "The importance you think your kind has to me is amusing. You prayed to me. I answered." I crossed my arms. "I've decided to see if you wish me an agreement, you can refuse if you wish."

Rias stared at me, lips slightly parted. "So you answered out of curiosity? I can understand that but what do you stand to gain?"

"A small favour from you in the future, nothing big or anything that would require you to betray your race,"

She lowered her head, she wasn't naive as I could see her think it through.

"You'd really help me?"

"Yes." I raised two fingers. "If you agree, You've got two options."

Her eyes narrowed. "I'm listening."

"First option: come with me and I'll keep you hidden within a comfortable area." I offered, knowing she wouldn't accept this.

I was mostly offering so that she would be under the assumption she had a choice. It'd make her slightly more open to making a deal.

She blinked. "What?"

"If you come with me, Riser won't be able to touch you. My protection would make you untouchable, even to the Phenex clan. You could start a new life and no one from your current life would be able to bother you again." I said purposefully.

She frowned. "And abandon my family? No." She shook her head firmly. "That's not an option. While they are the ones allowing this to happen... I-i don't think they really understand how bad Riser is. Arranged political marriages are the norm and mother is of the thought that every marriage needs compromises and understanding so why not go with the one where my children might gain Phenex clan's ability. I don't want to abandon them."

I lowered the first finger, leaving the second raised. "Family is important so the second option: win the Rating Game."

She gained a bitter look. "Easier said than done."

"Not if you had help." I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "I'll send someone to join your team. Temporarily. They won't become a devil, and no one will know you had outside help. I've checked the rating game rules, in case of going against a member with a full peerage you will be allowed to pick someone to join you as long as it's not someone from your family or related to your family."

Metatron had informed me of that when I had asked in preparation for this.

"You'll win, and the contract will be voided."

Her eyes widened. "Wouldn't the Devils call that divine intervention and cancel the result?"

"Not if no one finds out," I smirked. "Besides, secrecy benefits you more than me. If the Devils discovered I helped, they'd void the match. But if no one suspects a thing, you win fair and square."

"But wouldn't they recognise an Angel or a member of the church?" She questioned, warming up to the idea.

"They won't recognise the person I have in mind."

After all, he was an assassin for a secretive assassin organisation. He had no identity.

She stared at me, processing everything. "And what do you get out of this?"

I shrugged. "A favour. One day, I might call on you. Nothing too extreme."

"I still don't understand what I could give you." She frowned. "I'm just a Devil, with wealth that I imagine couldn't even be called noteworthy compared to Heaven's."

"You underestimate your worth, I'm sure that tends to happen in Devil society. I am not under that same concept. It also helps that I think you are one of the truly worthy devils." I said, complimenting her and making her feel special.

That would be big praise coming from what was in her eyes God.

She blushed, staring at me strangely.

"So? Deal?"

Rias hesitated, then she nodded. Smiling shyly at me. "Deal."

I smiled.

"How will I know who you are sending and where to pick them up?" She questioned.

"When is your rating game?" I asked.

"Just over a week." She replied with a worried sigh.

"Then I shall send him to you within the week. I am assuming you can get yourself back into Kuoh?" I questioned.

She looked a bit shocked that I knew she wasn't in Kuoh before once again had to remind herself who she was talking to. I imagine small facts like that reinforced my image.

"Yes." She replied.

"Then I know where to send him, Sweet Dreams."

With that, I disappeared.

-{Dulio Gesualdo}-

Dulio smiled as everyone greeted him.

"Now that's over, I believe we were called here for more than just meeting each other. The Lord has assigned us a mission." Dulio announced.

"That he did." A voice said and out stepped Metatron with a calm smile.

Vasco and Dulio's eyes both widened and they immediately took a knee.

Metatron laughed. "No need for that. You're a part of the Holy Order. A force that once held considerable weight in the world." He mused.

Dulio knew about that. He had studied relentlessly after becoming the Saint.

The Holy Order had once held considerable respect even amongst other Pantheons. Since a Holy Order hadn't been chosen for so long due to his Lord's temporary departure, that influence faded as new Gods and Factions were born.

"As most of you know, I am Metatron and you are all here because Father has assigned you all with a task of utmost importance. While I personally am unsure if you're ready, Father believes you are." Metatron said, gaining their utmost attention.

Metatron's calm gaze swept over the assembled group. "Your mission is to rescue Briareus or Brias, the hundred-handed one."

"For centuries, he's been imprisoned and tortured. We suspect Kampe is involved, along with other strong beings." His expression darkened. "Father wants this done quietly. The Greek Pantheon cannot know."

"So we need to make sure no one finds out?" Dulio asked seriously.

"Yes, Brias forged many strong weapons. Divine weapons for all Elder Olympians." Metatron explained. "While Zeus doesn't seem to care about the poor being, I imagine that will change If the Greeks learn we're involved, they'll assume we're trying to claim him and while they supposedly don't care? They will when they learn we want him." He paused.

"I understand." Dulio nodded.

"A rather big mission for our first, but I can't deny I'm excited to get back at them," Nyxera smirked.

Dulio didn't know what she was referring to but Lord Metatron did by the way he smiled.

"Your task is twofold: rescue Brias and secure the prison. Capture any gods or beings that interfere and find out about our little assault. If Kampe is there, she must not be allowed to escape." Metatron said.

"Understood," Vasco replied from next to him.

Metatron raised a hand, a glowing map of a desolate island appearing in the air. "Brias is held here, an old Titan stronghold. Alcatraz Prison was built atop it. The Greeks abandoned it long ago, but a barrier still conceals its presence. You'll breach it and set your barrier to contain any divine signatures."

Dulio nodded, eyes narrowing. "I'll handle the barrier."

"Good. Once inside, locate Brias and neutralize any threats. Expect resistance." Metatron's voice hardened. "Do not underestimate them."

"They're going to be strong." Nyxera nodded. "I should also warn everyone to not mention any God's names while we are doing this mission. They can't hear them here but they would certainly hear their names being used within the Greek domain."

Dulio smiled. "How are we going to get there?"

"You will be teleported," Metatron responded.

Vasco sent him an encouraging look.

"While I don't believe we've had the chance to fight together, I've been briefed on your strengths. I believe it's best if I go first, with Elizabeth following behind me and Vasco at the flank. Asia should be protected while Nyxera plays the role of support." Dulio said, trying to sound confident,

He found this whole thing oddly nerve-wracking for some reason.

They all agreed surprisingly easily and he felt his determination become even stronger.

Just as they planned to continue, a voice caught their attention.

"A-ah sorry I'm late." A light voice called out.

Metatron smiled. "It's good to see you, Jeanne."

Dulio looked at the last member of the Holy order he hadn't met.

Jeanne, presumably named after a legendary Saint of old. Jeanne D'arc.

He was briefly surprised that she seemed to be at the same or even a higher level of strength than him. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw that Vasco was surprised as well.

He grinned slightly.

A hint of excitement rose in his chest.

'To think someone so powerful had joined the holy order.' He thought in excitement.

She would make a great addition.

Jeanne smiled brightly. "It's nice to meet you Saint Dulio! And you Father Strada. Please take care of me."

Her sincere tone and genuine openness made him flustered for a second before he recovered, sending back a smile. "It's nice to meet you too Jeanne, I hope we get along." He greeted.

Vasco chuckled. "The pleasure is all mine."

They quickly filled Jeanne in on the details from there and gained a serious look that was off-put by the fact it looked so out of place. It came off as more of an adorable pout.

-{Kai}-

Sending the Holy Order to get Brias served multiple purposes.

The idea had come to me when an issue had been brought to my attention that the amount of weaponry in Heaven was adequate for peacetime but not for what could be a prolonged invasion; traps and other long-range weaponry would be insufficient.

We were not prepared for blockage or drawn-out war. Which in our current circumstances wasn't ideal.

Uriel had many other duties to attend. So he couldn't spend all day forging weapons. While most Angels did possess weapons they weren't as powerful as they could be.

That's when I had thought about the Greek pantheon and Brias otherwise known as Briares, who was a divine weapon maker and about his current situation. For no apparent reason, he was currently being tortured endlessly.

His skills are going to waste.

None of the Gods seemed to care, so I figured why not make use of the situation?

Heaven was the perfect place for healing, and having him mass-produce weapons could only be beneficial. From what I had learnt, normally Factions all had their own speciality to trade with other Factions. In any normal case, I would approach the Greeks and commission a weapon from Hephaestus.

But...

Honestly. I wasn't doing all of that. I needed a lot of weapons and I didn't like paying. The Greeks had also been an annoyance so I didn't see them in a favourable view.

Plus my order to Hephaestus could easily be found out from any of the arrogant Gods within the Greek Pantheon and trade talks would take time, posturing and unnecessary negotiations.

There was also the factor that I wanted to counter whatever the Architect was preparing. I assumed he had some sort of way to go against holy and light power. Having a blacksmith who didn't rely on those like Uriel would be a good potential counter.

Stealing Brias was a good move if it was done correctly in any case. I imagine that Zeus' stance would quickly change if they realised Heaven wanted him.

Narcissism tended to have that effect.

I watched the screen of my Holy Order in action with a smile.

Was it overkill to send three God-class beings along with a powerful force of warriors?

Yeah, probably but I didn't want to take any risks.

Things were coming around nicely.

Taking this position had been unexpected and rather difficult since despite everything I was just an extremely powerful Angel in his later teens running around causing chaos.

But I was learning. As I had done since being reborn.

Mindmaven had admittedly helped with making some of the logical decisions but ruling was proving to be ok.

There was the daunting fact that an attack could happen at any second. The problem I had was that while the number of heavy hitters we had was good and even considered a major force.

This Architect felt confident enough to deal with four God-class beings and an army of Angels. While it was easy to look down on anything below Ultimate class when you had dozens of High-class attacking you it's a different story.

He may just be arrogant, perhaps this attack wouldn't even phase Heaven and I'd feel like an idiot. But the involvement of the Khaos brigade put me on edge. I knew the being that supported them and Heaven wasn't even ready for a mere thought directed at it.

So if the Architect is confident he can not only bypass the fortress that was Heaven but defeat an army of Angels and four God-class Arch-Seraphs; I wondered just what they had in store.

Making Dulio my Saint had been the correct move.

He was now another heavy hitter and getting Jeanne had been a stroke of unforeseen luck. That went the same for Tiamat. Who knew my time in the forest could have yielded such a result.

With the blessing of two trees and wellspring of life, Vasco Strada is in the lowest end of the God class so even without considering his weapon, with some more training he could rise even higher.

Hopefully with the addition of Brias, they could start producing weapons. That would practically multiply the Heavenly Armies power according to the words of Michael anyway.

Weapons were more important than people liked to admit.

I turned my attention to another subject that needed my attention.

The Holy Grail.

-{Dulio Gesualdo}-

They moved quickly as the portal closed behind them.

Dulio soared from the sky that they had just been teleported through, his control over the skies allowing him to survey the island.

Alcatraz loomed ahead, its walls casting long shadows.

From above, he could see the faint shimmer of the Greek barrier, invisible to most.

It was safe to say that in all honesty Dulio was feeling confident. They were a powerful collective force. Perhaps the strongest Holy Order that had ever been formed if the books were to be believed as accurate.

Still, he remained vigilant. Wanting his first proper mission to go off without any hitches.

Landing lightly, Dulio pressed a hand to the ground, murmuring a prayer.

Holy light surged through the earth, weaving around the island. A new barrier rose, sealing the area and masking their presence. No one was getting in or out unnoticed now.

"Barrier's up," he said quietly, stepping back.

Elizabeth nodded. "Let's move."

Jeanne had decided to join Nyxera and Asia as support, since she was focused on defense.

They entered the prison, the darkness pressing in.

Nyxaelia moved forward, her gaze cold.

"The air stinks of fear."

Asia shivered, but followed closely

Deeper they went, past rusted gates and crumbling stone. Dulio kept his senses sharp, the faint flicker of energy pulling them downward.

Finally, they reached a massive iron door, chains wrapped tight around it.

"Brias is behind this," Dulio whispered.

Vasco stepped forward, raising his fist. With a single punch, the iron shattered. Chains rattled to the floor.

The door creaked open.

'That's one way to do it.' Dulio admitted.

Dulio decided to lead the way with the others followed closely, the quiet shuffle of their footsteps echoing off the damp walls.

Jeanne walked beside Dulio, her blue eyes scanning every corner, fingers resting lightly on the hilt of her sword.

Nyxela trailed behind them, her crimson eyes flickering warily across the shadows. "This place reeks of old magic. Nasty stuff."

"Are you sure this is where Brias is?" Asia asked innocently. "Living in such conditions doesn't seem right."

Vasco strode forward without hesitation, his heavy boots echoing against the stone. "What a strange place, so this is an old Titan outpost from the Greek Faction? How interesting."

Dulio raised a hand, signaling for silence.

The faint pulse of energy grew stronger, tugging at his senses. "We're close."

They pressed on, deeper into the heart of the prison until they finally found their target.

In the center of the pit, bound in chains of celestial bronze and Stygian iron, knelt a lone figure.

Brias.

His massive form slumped forward, his stone-like flesh cracked and worn. Golden light seeped through the fissures, flickering weakly. Chains wrapped around his arms and legs, anchoring him to the floor.

His eyes were scared. Especially when they entered.

Asia's eyes widened and she immediately went to heal him.

A mistake.

Dulio exploded forwards.

Thousands of large vipers formed from nowhere and slithered with an unnatural speed. A dome easily appeared around Asia, as Jeanne held up her banner and the vipers were obliterated.

The shadows shifted. A low growl echoed through the cavern.

There was no foreplay with words, no greeting, no chance of dialogue.

Was this Kampe?

The monstrous being had a snake-like lower body, drakon heads, and a multitude of deadly weapons.

Its two large wings flapped and the space was quickly turned into a vacuum, everything that could be blown away was sent back with a crushing force.

A dome appeared around the group, and just as he charged forward a fist blurred from the side, forcing him to back away. A shockwave erupted out and his eyes narrowed.

"Can't say we expected visitors." A voice said.

Two large twins emerged. They grinned wickedly.

"Come for old Brias here, have you?" One of them said, looking amused.

Asia took a step back.

"I wonder why." The other one said. "No one has cared about this useless sack for a long time."

"Who are you?" They questioned.

Dulio didn't respond.

He burst in a dash of speed, immediately pushing his limit, only for his eyes to widen as he exploded out of the room, through many walls and out into the sea.

Explosions rang out behind him, a golden glow showing whatever attacks had been made were deflected by Jeanne.

One of the two twins exploded out of the building and into the sky, only for a chain attached to some sort of spear to pierce into the sky and wrap around his foot.

The man was yanked down and a large tremor covered the area as his body was slammed back down onto the earth.

Dulio quickly made his way back, only to find both of the twins were fighting for their lives against Elizabeth and Vasco respectively.

Magical constructs formed and forced Kampe to move in a blur. While it was obvious that she was faster, Nyxera could handle, that didn't stop her from using pre-predicted attacks to catch Kampe off-guard.

Jeanne seemed content to watch and simply intervene whenever an attack came their way.

Dulio paused.

Perhaps his help wasn't needed. He relaxed, watching his team in action with a smile even as he kept his senses open for any other attackers.

The two twin Gods were quickly tied up in chains provided by Metatron and restrained. Kampe wasn't far behind that.

Kampe scowled. He made bubbles arround them especially Kampe to contain her acidic poison.

Asia knelt by Brias, who flinched away from her presence.

"You're safe now." She said, giving him a kind look.

Tears poured out of his many eyes.

-{?}-

A being, covered by a hood moved soundlessly through the darkened chamber, long skeletal fingers tracing the edge of a silver-rimmed flask.

Faint blue liquid swirled inside, casting eerie reflections across the stone walls. He grabbed the flask and poured the blue liquid into a ring. The liquid solidified and glowed.

The air was heavily filled with the scent of burnt herbs and metal, the remnants of his latest experiment still simmering in a corner.

A quiet shuffle echoed behind him but the man didn't turn.

"My lord." The voice belonged to one of his assistants, a gaunt man draped in tattered robes, eyes sunken from too many sleepless nights.

"There's been no word from Hydra."

The being didn't react, more interested in seeing the latest results of his experiment.

The being hummed softly, tapping a bony finger against the ring. "Is that so?"

The assistant hesitated. "They... they may have been compromised."

A dry chuckle escaped the man's throat. "Compromised? Perhaps."

He set the ring down carefully, turning at last. His eyes glowed faintly beneath his hood, twin points of pale green light. "Or perhaps they were simply never meant to last. I didn't expect that brain-dead experiment to last this long in any case."

"My lord?" He questioned.

The man folded his hands behind his back, pacing slowly. "Hydra served its purpose. A convenient shell to gather funds. Weapons. Information." He paused, glancing toward a set of runes carved into the stone floor. "And the so-called Grand Inquisitor? An ignorant fool."

"So we shouldn't worry?" He questioned carefully.

He waved a hand dismissively. "If he fell, it was by his own incompetence and a mistake on his end. We have lost nothing, our investment was long repaid and above that has all been profit."

The assistant swallowed. "And... the plan?"

"Continues." He replied.

He drifted toward a large metal contraption in the center of the room, which was a web of glass tubes and silver wires spiraling around a pulsing core of pale light. "Hydra hardly has any influence on the plan. They weren't given too much information. "

He paused.

"Though I did suspect that whoever is behind this might be aware of my existence and possibly even the attack on Heaven, the circumstances make that unlikely." He mused, seemingly giving it more thought.

Since this happened in devil territory, the most probable explanation is that the Devils uncovered something. If that's the case, Heaven likely remains unaware. After all, if the Devils intended to share this information, they'd use it as leverage, likely presenting it during some high-level negotiation or council meeting. Something that would undoubtedly make waves throughout the supernatural world and would reach my ears." He deducted, frowning slightly.

"Still... something is off. For safety we should push the attack forward for less time for any word to potentially be given to Heaven and for in the worst case less time to prepare." He finally ordered.

"Yes, my Lord." He replied.

"Is the weapon ready?" The Architect questioned.

"It is, we've only tested it once but it should be enough."

"Good, there's no point amounting a force if we can't get through the gates themselves." He nodded in satisfaction. "As for the cages?"

"They are ready too, we will only be able to get those in the low and mid-class level. But the one you specially created will be able to contain an Arch-Seraph for long enough." He replied.

"Good, the normal Angels don't need to be powerful anyway. I suspect many will want to buy them for pleasure either way. As for the main cage, make sure it works. Double or even triple check, have some of our friends at the Khaos brigade test it out." He said, seriously.

"Selling ordinary Angels fetches a high price, making the price of the cage by 10x, but Gabriel's beauty and power will spark a bidding war. With her Father gone, they'll scramble to claim her. Her beauty would have been enough but the fact she is more powerful than most Major Gods will only multiply that." He smiled, a dead, emotionless thing.

"All the trouble of making that cage will show when profits give us over a thousand times its expense."

-{Akeno}-

Akeno frowned at her.

"You're getting outside help?" She questioned.

"Yes." Rias replied calmly.

"From who?" She asked curiously.

"A rogue magician." She responded instantly.

Akeno's eyes squinted. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes." Rias replied firmly.

"I just mean adding an outsider could hold us back." Akeno explained.

Rias sighed, sipping her tea to hide her nerves.

She didn't even truly know if that whole thing had been real. It certainly didn't feel real.

"Does it matter? No one else is going to help us and we are going to lose." Rias finally replied, showing an unnatural demeanour in front of Akeno.

It was obviously unnerving to Akeno.

"Are sure they can be trusted?" Akeno asked.

"Yes." Rias nodded.

"Okay..." Akeno nodded, looking thoughtful. "Can you tell me anything about them at least?"

Rias took a slow sip of her tea.

"No."

Akeno wanted to facepalm but couldn't bring herself to. Rias was on the right. No one was helping her, and she couldn't even bring herself to use her holy lightning in her time of need.

Due to that any protest would feel weak.

She mostly wanted to protest because she knew this was certainly going to cost Rias, even if this mystery mage that was coming to help her as an extra in the rating game could be trusted.

"When can we expect them?" Akeno finally asked.

"In a week." Rias replied, acting in the strange mood she had been in ever since she woke up.

"So we aren't going to have any time to train with them?" Akeno sighed.

"Don't worry, they are strong." Rias replied, nodding as if something passed through her mind.

Akeno wanted to facepalm once more.

-END-

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